Continuous preparation of pastry

Claim 2

A process for the continuous preparation of at least partially cooked pastry, comprising the steps of: pumping a farinaceous paste at a substantially constant rate through a nozzle having an elongated discharge opening adjacent the outer curved surface of a substantially cylindrical drum mounted for rotation with its axis substantially horizontal with the discharge opening lying transversely of said surface; rotating the drum at a substantially constant rate so that a film of paste is applied to said surface by the nozzle; heating the film of paste to at least partially cook it to paste; and continuously removing the film of at least partially cooked pastry from the surface.

Claim 3

A process as claimed in claim 1, further comprising cooling the nozzle.

Claim 4

A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the film of paste is applied to said surface at a point below the level of the axis of the drum.

Claim 5

A process as claimed in claim 3, wherein said point of application is substantially at the bottom of the drum.

Claim 6

A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the paste contains from about 34.8 to 50 percent wheat flour, by weight.

Claim 7

A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating step comprises heating the internal surface of the drum, whereby heat is transferred to the farinaceous paste via the drum.

Claim 8

A process as claimed in claim 1, further comprising directly heating the outer exposed surface of the film of farinaceous paste by radiation.

Claim 9

A process as claimed in claim 1, including applying an oil film to said drum surface prior to the paste application step.

Claim 10

A process for continuously producing a preparation of an at least partially cooked pastry as a continuous web in the production of pastry wrappers used to preparing ''''spring roll'''' type pastry foods or the like comprising the steps of: A. preparing a farinaceous paste; B. applying at a constant pressure, rate and thickness the farinaceous paste as a single wide film transversely onto the downstream curved portion of an endless conveyor moved at a substantially constant speed on a substantially horizontal axis of rotation; C. applying heat to said endless conveyor upstream of the curved portion to which the wide farinaceous film is applied sufficient to at least partially cook the farinaceous sheet as it moves upwardly; and D. continuously removing the at least partially cooked sheet as a continuous web further upstream and intermediate the path of a complete rotation of said endless conveyor.

Claim 11

A process for continuously producing a preparation of an at least partially cooked pastry as a continuous web in the production of pastry wrappers used to preparing ''''spring roll'''' type pastry foods or the like comprising the steps of: A. preparing a farinaceous paste; B. applying at a constant pressure, rate and thickness the farinaceous paste as a single wide film transversely onto the downstream curved portion of an endless conveyor moved at a substantially constant speed on a substantially horizontal axis of rotation; C. applying heat to said endless conveyor upstream of the curved portion to which the wide farinaceous film is applied sufficient to at least partially cook the farinaceous sheet as it moves upwardly; and D. continuously removing the at least partially cooked sheet as a continuous web further upstream and intermediate the path of a complete rotation of said endless conveyor.

Claim 12

The process as claimed in claim 9, including maintaining the pressure on said farinaceous paste by substantially continuously pumping the same through a nozzle having an outlet opening immediately adjacent the curved portion to which it is applied through a slot extending substantially the width of said endless conveyor.

Claim 13

The process as claimed in claim 10, including the step of cooling said nozzle for preventing precooking of the farinaceous paste before it is applied to said endless conveyor and post-cooking after it is no longer applied.

Claim 14

The process as claimed in claim 10, including applying the heat both internally of said endless conveyor and externally thereof from fixed positions relative to the path of movement of said endless conveyor intermediate the poRtions thereof where the film is applied and the web is removed.

Claim 15

The process as claimed in claim 9, including applying said film on said endless conveyor at a position substantially level with the axis of rotation of said endless conveyor as the conveyor portion moves upwardly therefrom.

Claim 16

The process as claimed in claim 9 in which said film is applied substantially at the lowermost portion of the path of rotation of said endless conveyor for providing a substantially long cooking path for said film.

Claim 17

The process as claimed in claim 9 in which said farinaceous paste is prepared as a mixture including from about 34.8 to 50 percent wheat flour, by weight.

Claim 18

Apparatus for the continuous preparation of at least partially cooked pastry, comprising a substantially cylindrical drum mounted for rotation with its axis substantially horizontal; drive means for rotating the drum at a substantially constant rate; a nozzle having an elongate discharge opening adjacent the outer curved surface of the drum, the discharge opening lying transversely of said surface; a pump for feeding a farinaceous paste through the nozzle at a substantially constant rate to apply a film of farinaceous paste to said drum surface; means for heating the film so that the paste is at least partially cooked to pastry; and means for continuously removing the film of at least partially cooked pastry from said drum surface.

Claim 19

Apparatus for the continuous preparation of at least partially cooked pastry, comprising a substantially cylindrical drum mounted for rotation with its axis substantially horizontal; drive means for rotating the drum at a substantially constant rate; a nozzle having an elongate discharge opening adjacent the outer curved surface of the drum, the discharge opening lying transversely of said surface; a pump for feeding a farinaceous paste through the nozzle at a substantially constant rate to apply a film of farinaceous paste to said drum surface; means for heating the film so that the paste is at least partially cooked to pastry; and means for continuously removing the film of at least partially cooked pastry from said drum surface.

Claim 20

Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the nozzle has a jacket for a cooling liquid.

Claim 21

Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the nozzle lies below the level of the axis of the drum.

Claim 22

Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the nozzle is substantially at the bottom of the drum.

Claim 23

Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the heating means comprise a heat source for supplying heat directly to the internal surface of the drum, whereby heat is transferred to the farinaceous paste via the drum.

Claim 24

Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a radiant heat source for supplying heat directly to the exposed surface of the film of farinaceous paste.

Claim 25

Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, including means for applying an oil film to the external drum surface.

Claim 26

Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the film removal means comprises a take-up roller and means for rotating the take-up roller.