IP Library Granted Patent US 7,923,048
Granted Patent B2
US 7,923,048 · App. 11/405,153 · Granted Apr 12, 2011

Segmented pizza crust system

Assignee: Pizza Hut, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,923,048
App. No.
11/405,153
Granted
Apr 12, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

Making a pizza crust includes forming a mass of dough into a substantially flattened shape to define an inner crust bordered by an outer crust extending around the inner crust. The outer crust is divided into a plurality of segments without cutting the inner crust by pressing a plurality of cutting fins of a cutting ring through the outer crust to form the plurality of segments. Each of the plurality of segments defines a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side facing the inner crust, and a second side facing opposite the inner crust. Each of the plurality of segments is turned such that the second end is moved away from the inner crust.

Claims (21)

1. A method of making a pizza crust, comprising:

forming a mass of dough into a substantially flattened shape with an inner crust bordered by an outer crust extending around the inner crust;

dividing the outer crust into a plurality of segments by pressing a plurality of cutting fins of a cutting ring through the outer crust to form the plurality of segments, each of the plurality of segments defining a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side adjacent to the inner crust, and a second side opposite the first side and spaced apart from the inner crust; and

turning each of the plurality of segments such that the second end is moved away from the inner crust, with the first and second ends of each of the plurality of segments being disconnected from adjacent segments while each of the plurality of segments remain connected to the inner crust by one or more dough tabs.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

placing a cutting wall around the mass of dough, the cutting wall extending from a top to a bottom and defining an inner face; and

pressing the plurality of cutting fins through the outer crust and against the inner face wall of the cutting wall to divide the outer crust into the plurality of segments.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

disposing a filling in the outer crust prior to dividing the outer crust into the plurality of segments.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of cutting fins is spaced from an adjacent cutting fin to define a plurality of spaces, the method further comprising:

removing the plurality of cutting fins from the outer crust by pressing a plurality of punches through the spaces between adjacent cutting fins, pressing the punches against the plurality of segments, and pulling the plurality of cutting fins away from the outer crust, such that the cutting fins are removed from the outer crust, while the pressing of the punches against the plurality of segments prevents the segments from pulling away and separating from the inner crust.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

covering the outer crust with a topping guide prior to placing a topping on the inner crust of the mass of dough; and

placing at least one topping on the inner crust through the topping guide.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of segments is turned manually.

7. A method of making a pizza, comprising:

forming a mass of dough into a substantially flattened shape with an inner crust bordered by an outer crust extending around the inner crust;

dividing the outer crust into a plurality of segments by pressing a plurality of cutting fins of a cutting ring through the outer crust to form the plurality of segments, each of the plurality of segments defining a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side adjacent to the inner crust, and a second side opposite the first side and spaced apart from the inner crust;

turning each of the plurality of segments such that the second end is moved away from the inner crust, with the first and second ends of each of the plurality of segments being disconnected from adjacent segments while each of the plurality of segments remain connected to the inner crust by one or more dough tabs;

placing one or more toppings on the inner crust; and

baking the mass of dough and the one or more toppings.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2026
From: PIZZA HUT, LLC
To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075865/0498 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 11, 2016
From: PIZZA HUT, LLC; KFC CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 039647/0799 →
MERGER Recorded May 26, 2016
From: PIZZA HUT, INC.
To: PIZZA HUT, LLC
Reel/Frame 038727/0398 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 19, 2006
From: GRAHAM, PETER G.; CRAIG, TODD W.; GOFF, CARRIE
To: PIZZA HUT, INC.
Reel/Frame 018008/0276 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070243292A1 · Oct 18, 2007