Automatic rotary machine for the production of empanadas

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic rotary machine for the production of empanadas, comprising a circular rotary plate on which the empanadas are produced, actuated by a motor reducer and with pneumatic, hydraulic or other type means in the different production phases, such as dough metering, flattening, filling metering, molding, flattening and cutting. The invention includes a dough flattening disk and a folding system comprising two retractable half-moons actuated by pivot levers.

1 . An empanada manufacturing system comprising;
 one or more programmable logic control (PLC) units sensing and activating the motion of one or more of the following system actuators, including;   a rotary turntable controlled by one of said one or more PLC units' and powered by a motor through gears, said rotary turntable having the following elements placed over its surface along its length;   a dough placement station;   a dough flattener comprised of a up/down actuator having a distal a flat mold controllable dough flattening actuator;   an empanada filling placement station;   a dough folding station;   a programmable empanada cutting and closing mechanism comprised of an up/down actuator having a distal cutting and closing mold forming a controllable cutting and closing mold actuator.   
     
     
         2 . the system of  claim 1  wherein;
 said dough flattering up/down actuator is comprised of one of: a hydraulic piston, a pneumatic piston, worm gear, pinion or rack; 
 said cutting and closing up/down actuator is comprised of one of: a hydraulic piston, a pneumatic piston, auger, worm gear, pinion, zipper or rack; 
 each said actuator for up/down dough flattening as well as up/down cutting and closing molding is adjustable according to the raw material from which the dough is made. 
 
     
     
         3 . the system of  claim 2  wherein;
 at least one of each said actuator for dough flattening as well as cutting and closing molding is under said one or more PLC units' control. 
 
     
     
         4 . the system of  claim 2  wherein;
 said dough folding station has a dough folder comprised of a folding crescent having a level actuated folding actuator; 
 
     
     
         5 . An empanada manufacturing method comprising;
 providing one or more programmable logic control (PLC) units sensing and activating the motion of one or more of the following system actuators, including;   providing a rotary turntable controlled by one of said one or more PLC units' and powered by a motor through gears, said rotary turntable having the following elements placed over its surface along its length;   providing a programmable dough dispenser capable of metering and depositing said dough on said turntable surface through a controllable dispensing actuator;   providing a programmable dough flattener comprised of a up/down actuator having a distal a flat mold controllable dough flattening actuator;   providing a programmable empanada filling dispenser capable of metering and depositing a programmable amount of empanada filler on said flattened dough through a controllable dispensing actuator;   providing a programmable dough folder comprised of a folding crescent having a controllable folding actuator;   providing a programmable empanada cutting and closing mechanism comprised of an up/down actuator having a distal cutting and closing mold forming a controllable cutting and closing mold actuator; and   providing finished empanada diverting means.   
     
     
         6 . the method of  claim 5  wherein;
 said dough flattering up/down actuator is comprised of one of: a hydraulic piston, a pneumatic piston, worm gear, pinion or rack; 
 said cutting and closing up/down actuator is comprised of one of: a hydraulic piston, a pneumatic piston, auger, worm gear, pinion, zipper or rack; 
 each said actuator for dough dispensing, up/down dough flattening, empanada filling, dough folding as well as up/down cutting and closing molding is adjustable according to the raw material from which the dough is made. 
 
     
     
         7 . the method of  claim 5  herein;
 at least one of each said actuator for dough dispensing, dough flattening, empanada filling, dough folding as well as cutting and closing molding is under said one or more PLC units' control. 
 
     
     
         8 . An empanada manufacturing system comprising;
 one or more programmable logic control (PLC) units sensing and activating the motion of one or more of the following system actuators, including;   a rotary turntable controlled by one of said one or more PLC units' and powered by a motor, said rotary turntable having the following elements placed over its surface along its length in the following order;   a manual dough placement area;   a programmable dough flattener comprised of an up/down actuator having a distal flat mold controllable dough flattening actuator;   a manual empanada filler placement area;   a manual dough folding station;   a programmable empanada cutting and closing mechanism comprised of an up/down actuator having a distal cutting and closing mold forming a controllable cutting and closing mold actuator; and   a finished empanada diverting arm.   
     
     
         9 . the system of  claim 8  wherein;
 said dough flattering up/down actuator is comprised of one of: a hydraulic piston, a pneumatic piston, worm gear, pinion or rack; 
 said cutting and closing up/down actuator is comprised of one of: a hydraulic piston, a pneumatic piston, auger, worm gear, pinion, zipper or rack; 
 each said actuator for up/down dough flattening as well as up/down cutting and closing molding is adjustable according to the raw material from which the dough is made. 
 
     
     
         10 . the system of  claim 9  wherein;
 at least one of each said actuator for dough flattening as well as cutting and closing molding is under said one or more PLC units' control. 
 
     
     
         11 . the system of  claim 10  wherein;
 said dough folding station is comprised of a flat area. 
 
     
     
         12 . the system of  claim 10  wherein;
 said dough folding station is comprised of a folding crescent mechanism having a level actuated folding actuator.