US3901137A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic enchilada machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-07-26
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1994-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and fully automated apparatus for the continuous preparation of specialty foods such as tacos, enchiladas and similar food products of the type characterized by having an outer layer of food material in sheet form which partially encapsulates a filler food material. The apparatus of the invention comprises several associated subsystems which cooperate to form continuous strips of the outer layer sheet material, cook the material in a controlled manner, automatically deposit predetermined amounts of filler material onto the sheet material, accurately fold or form the sheet material about the filler material, and finally cut the article thus formed into segments of a predetermined length for packaging.
Inventors
- 👤 James A Jimenez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:50
CPC Classifications
A; A21; A21B; A21B1/00; A21B1/42; A21B1/48; A21C; A21C9/00; A21C9/06; A21C9/061; A21C9/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for automatically preparing a food product having a cooked or partially cooked outer layer of food material in sheet form which is folded so as to encapsulate a filler food material, comprising: a. means for heating the first side of the sheet material while simultaneously cooling the opposite or second side of the sheet material, said means including a first heating means; b. a second heating means for simultaneously heating both the first and second sides of the sheet material; c. deposition means for depositing a filler food material on the sheet material; and d. forming means for folding a first portion of the sheet material around the filler food material so as to partially enclose the filler material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for automatically preparing a food product having a cooked or partially cooked outer layer of food material in sheet form which is folded so as to encapsulate a filler food material, comprising: a. means for heating the first side of the sheet material while simultaneously cooling the opposite or second side of the sheet material, said means including a first heating means; b. a second heating means for simultaneously heating both the first and second sides of the sheet material; c. deposition means for depositing a filler food material on the sheet material; and d. forming means for folding a first portion of the sheet material around the filler food material so as to partially enclose the filler material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for folding a second portion of the sheet material around the filler food material and into engagement with the first portion of the sheet material so as to encapsulate the filler food material within the sheet material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 including sheeting means for forming the sheet material into at least one continuous strip, and further including: a. a first conveyor means for moving the strip of sheet material from said extruder past said first heating means; and b. a second conveyor means for moving the strip of sheet material from said first conveyor means past said second heating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which said means for heating the first side of the sheet material while cooling the opposite side thereof includes a cooling means for cooling said first conveyor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3 including means for applying an adhesive material to at least one edge portion of the strip material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3 including cutting meeans for automatically cutting the strip material into segments of a predetermined length after it has been folded so as to enclose the filler food material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2855867A
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US3112713A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |