Methods and systems for automatically extruding and cutting dough-based products having pre-selected weights
View Patent ↗A method for automatically forming dough-based products, such as doughnuts involves pressurizing a tank containing dough. The dough is extruded to form a flight of dough-based products. The weight of the flight of dough-based products is measured. The weight data is transmitted to a computer. The measured weight is compared to a predetermined weight stored in the computer memory. The pressure in the tank is adjusted automatically before subsequent extrusions.
1. A method for automatically forming dough-based products, comprising:
adding dough to a tank comprising a lid;
securing the lid to the tank;
pressurizing the tank containing dough;
extruding the dough into at least one dough-based product;
determining weight data, wherein determining weight data comprises measuring the weight of the at least one dough-based product;
comparing the weight data of the at least one dough-based product to a predetermined weight stored in a computer memory; and
adjusting the pressure in the tank based on the weight comparison.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising specifying at least one process parameter using an input device connected to the computer.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the dough-based products are extruded onto trays and wherein each extrusion places at least one dough-based product onto a tray.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein a first process parameter is a number of trays to skip after each extrusion.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising entering a user identification means in a computer.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising displaying the user identification means.
7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising storing data relating to the measured weight of the dough-based products, the pressure adjustment, and the user identification means.
8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising selecting a dough-based product formula from a database.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein securing the lid to the tank comprises manually securing the lid to the tank.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein securing the lid to the tank comprises securing the lid to the tank using an automated tank tightener.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dough-based products are doughnuts.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the doughnuts are selected from the group consisting of ring-shaped doughnuts, doughnut shells, doughnut twists and cinnamon rolls.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising proofing the at least one dough-based product and frying the at least one dough-based product.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising glazing the dough-based products.
15. An apparatus for automatically forming dough-based products, comprising:
an extruder tank comprising a lid and an air inlet, and containing dough;
means for securing the lid to the extruder tank;
a source of air pressure coupled to the air inlet;
a computer;
at least one load cell in communication with the extruder tank and the computer;
an air pressure controller in communication with the computer and the source of air pressure; and
at least one extruding mechanism for extruding at least one dough-based product.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the means for securing the lid to the extruder tank comprises an automated lid tightener.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the air pressure controller comprises a transducer.
18. The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a thermometer.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the thermometer measures a dough temperature.
20. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the computer comprises a processor and memory.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the memory comprises data relating to a default setting.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the default setting comprises data relating to global parameters and data relating to product formulas.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the memory comprises a program to restore the default setting.
24. An apparatus for extruding, comprising:
an extruder tank for containing dough comprising a lid and an air inlet;
means for securing the lid to the extruder tank;
a source of air pressure coupled to the air inlet;
a computer;
at least one load cell in communication with the extruder tank and the computer;
an air pressure controller in communication with the computer and the source of air pressure; and
at least one extruding mechanism in communication with the extruder tank.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the means for securing the lid to the extruder tank comprises an automated lid tightener.
26. The apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the air pressure controller comprises a transducer.
27. The apparatus of claim 24 , further comprising a thermometer.
28. The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the thermometer measures a dough temperature.
29. The apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the computer comprises a processor and memory.
30. The apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the memory comprises data relating to a default setting.
31. The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the default setting comprises data relating to global parameters and data relating to product formulas.
32. The apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the memory comprises a program to restore the default setting.