Apparatus for producing a dough product topped with assorted toppings and a dough product

Abstract

Apparatus for producing a flat dough product, in particular a pizza, topped with assorted toppings, is provided with a plurality of topping dispensers and at least one movable positioning mechanism, which is provided vertically below a plane spanned by the topping dispensers and to which a dough carrier is associated which may be supported such that it can rotate; the positioning mechanism actuated by an actuating mechanism to position the dough carrier underneath a topping dispenser to allow topping to be dispensed. The topping dispensers are arranged in a matrix configuration, distributed in two mutually perpendicular spatial directions x,y and the positioning mechanism is configured for positioning the dough carrier in the two mutually perpendicular spatial directions x,y corresponding to the matrix configuration. The topping dispensers are actuated passively to dispense topping by rotating the dough carrier and/or by means of the lifting mechanism.

1 . An apparatus for producing a flat dough product topped with assorted toppings, comprising:
 a plurality of topping dispensers for dispensing topping; and   at least one movable positioning mechanism, which is provided vertically below a plane spanned by said plurality of topping dispensers, a dough carrier being associated with said positioning mechanism;   said positioning mechanism being actuated by an actuating mechanism in order to position the dough carrier underneath a selected one of said plurality of topping dispensers to allow topping to be dispensed; in which apparatus   said plurality of topping dispensers are arranged in a matrix configuration, distributed in two mutually perpendicular spatial directions, and   said positioning mechanism selectively positioning said dough carrier in the two mutually perpendicular spatial directions in correspondence to said matrix configuration.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the dough carrier is rotatably supported. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning mechanism has guidance means for guiding the dough carrier in the two mutually perpendicular spatial directions and a control unit to actuate the drive mechanism in an indexed sequence in correspondence to said matrix configuration of the topping dispensers. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the guidance means for each spatial direction comprises a guide rail and a carriage or slide guided by the guide rail. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning mechanism further comprises a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the dough carrier, in which apparatus dispensing of topping by the selected topping dispenser is triggered by positioning the dough carrier underneath the selected topping dispenser and raising the dough carrier until a predetermined distance or an infinitesimal distance between the dough carrier and a lower end of the selected topping dispenser is reached. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the topping dispensers are actuated passively by at least one of the positioning mechanism and the dough carrier for dispensing topping. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning mechanism and the topping dispensers are configured such that dispensing of topping by the selected topping dispenser is only triggered when the dough carrier is positioned in a predetermined manner relative to the selected topping dispenser. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the dough carrier and of the positioning mechanism has an engaging means for engaging in a correspondingly formed release means provided on the lower end of each topping dispenser, said each topping dispenser dispensing topping only if said engaging means and said release means are mutually engaged or are interacting. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said engaging means is formed as an extension having locking recess on the peripheral edge of said dough carrier and wherein said release means is formed as a locking extension at the lower end of the topping dispensers. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said engaging means further comprises a coupling member for coupling with a topping dispenser, wherein said coupling member, while engaging with said release means, is positioned on a rotational axis of said dough carrier, is associated with said topping dispenser and is configured for driving a rotary movement of a dispensing means of said topping dispenser. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said release means is coupled to a closure member at a bottom end of said topping dispenser for closing said topping dispenser. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein upon lifting said dough carrier said engaging means engaging with said release means is moved vertically for dispensing and/or conditioning of a topping. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein in the lower end region of at least one topping dispenser a disc provided with cut-outs and supported in such a way that it can rotate about a longitudinal axis of the container, along with a closing element, are provided such that a topping dispensing rate can be controlled by at least one of the angle between the cut-outs and the corresponding slot, the thickness of the disc and the speed of rotation of the disc. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the disc comprises a plurality of cut-outs of varying size which are distributed around the disc at uniform angular intervals and/or radial intervals. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the dough carrier is configured to hold a freeform dough, in particular pizza dough. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the dough carrier further comprises a conveying mechanism to transfer a topped dough to a downstream processing station. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said conveying mechanism is embodied as a conveyor belt, which spans a support surface at the upper end of said dough carrier so that said dough can be applied directly onto said conveyor belt. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said conveying mechanism comprises at least one roller extending in tangential direction to said dough carrier, preferably further comprising a second roller in orthogonal orientation thereto, wherein each of said rollers is countersunk in a slot in said support surface of said dough carrier. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a housing with an associated refrigerating device, at least some of the topping dispensers being located inside the housing. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said refrigerating device is configured for cooling the interior of the housing to a temperature in the range between 2° C. and 7° C. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein at least one of said topping dispensers can be cooled to temperatures below 0° C.