US4590078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for preparing canned baked products
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-06-09
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Granted: 1986-05-20
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Expires: 2003-06-09
Abstract
Abstract Process and apparatus for preparing baked products in tray-shaped cans, whereby venting means are provided as part of the baking apparatus for transfer of generated steam and gases from the inside of the can. Covers are provided with channels for directing the outflow of steam and gases through a partially clinched lid of a tray-shaped baking can, while the baking is taking place. The baked product is permitted to rise uniformly, with no deformation that would normally occur when the steam and gases act to depress the baked product if they are confined to the baking can. Because a lighter, lower water-active batter is required for the process of the invention, the resulting baked product is light and evenly baked and has a substantially extended shelf-life.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony P. Umina
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:37
CPC Classifications
A; A21; A21B; A21B3/00; A21B3/13; A21B3/139; A21D; A21D8/00; A21D8/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/912; Y10S229/00; Y10S229/902; Y10S229/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of preparing baked items in rigid, large lid containers, comprising: forming a bakery product batter wherein the water activity of the product remains below 0.95% relative humidity; placing an amount of said batter in said large lid container, said amount being less than the volume of said container to allow for expansion of said batter during cooking; partially sealing said lid to said container prior to baking; heating said batter within said partially sealed container until said batter is baked; directing steam and gases generated during baking from the central area of said container to the periphery of said container through passageways formed with said lid and preventing batter rising during said baking operation from obstructing said passageways such that steam and gas evacuation through said partially sealed container continues unobstructed even after said batter initially rises into close proximity with said lid internal to said rigid container; cooling said cooked batter to approximately 180° F.; and hermetically sealing said container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of preparing baked items in rigid, large lid containers, comprising: forming a bakery product batter wherein the water activity of the product remains below 0.95% relative humidity; placing an amount of said batter in said large lid container, said amount being less than the volume of said container to allow for expansion of said batter during cooking; partially sealing said lid to said container prior to baking; heating said batter within said partially sealed container until said batter is baked; directing steam and gases generated during baking from the central area of said container to the periphery of said container through passageways formed with said lid and preventing batter rising during said baking operation from obstructing said passageways such that steam and gas evacuation through said partially sealed container continues unobstructed even after said batter initially rises into close proximity with said lid internal to said rigid container; cooling said cooked batter to approximately 180° F.; and hermetically sealing said container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Method according to claim 1, including placing a semi-rigid sheet for directing evacuating gases on top of said batter after said batter is placed in said container and before said container is partially sealed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
Method according to claim 1, including placing a corrugated sheet for directing evacuating gases on top of said batter after said batter is placed in said container and before said container is partially sealed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method according to claim 1, including placing one or more corrugated strips for directing evacuating gases on top of said batter after said batter is placed in said container and before said container is partially sealed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
A large-size baking can for venting steam and gases during baking, comprising: said can; a cover extending over the area of the top of said baking can; means located on said cover extending from the center area of said cover to the periphery for transferring steam and gases generated along said transferring means during baking to the outer periphery of said cover; and means for preventing batter contained in said can rising during said baking operation from obstructing said steam and gas transferring means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
A large-size baking can for venting steam and gases during baking, comprising: said can; a cover extending over the area of the top of said baking can; means located on said cover extending from the center area of said cover to the periphery for transferring steam and gases generated along said transferring means during baking to the outer periphery of said cover; and means for preventing batter contained in said can rising during said baking operation from obstructing said steam and gas transferring means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
The can according to claim 5, wherein said cover comprises a lid for said baking can, said steam and gas transferring means are raised channels that are an integral part of said lid, projecting in a direction away from the center area of said baking can, and said means for preventing obstruction of said channels comprises a sheet of food-approved material, heat resistant up to at least 250° F., containing openings for passage of steam and gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
123 words
The can according to claim 5, wherein said cover comprises a lid for said baking cans, said steam and gas transferring means are raised channels that are an integral part of said lid, projecting in a direction away from the center area of said baking can; and said means for preventing obstruction of said channels comprises a flap for covering each channel such that the length of said flap approximates the length of said channel, at least one side of the longitudinal dimension of said flap is attached to said lid adjacent one edge of said channel, and said flap is provided with a fluted edge generally perpendicular to said raised channel to allow for passage of steam and gases into said channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The can according to claim 5, wherein said baking can is provided with a ledge to support said cover above said batter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
83 words
The can according to claim 5, wherein said steam and gas transferring means are comprised of a multiplicity of tubular members projecting in a direction away from the center area of said cover to its outer periphery, said tubular members being flexible to pressure caused by rising batter, each of said tubular members being opened along its longitudinal axis and attached on one side of said longitudinal opening to said cover to allow for passage of steam and gas through said tubular member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The can according to claim 9, wherein said means for preventing obstruction comprises a flexible flap integral with said tubular member, located on the end of said tubular member nearest said center area for maintaining the transfer of steam and gas from said center area to said outer periphery.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The can according to claim 9, wherein the side of said tubular member that is unattached to said cover has a serrated edge.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
170 words
A large size baking can for venting steam and gases during baking comprising: said can; a sheet extending over the area defined by batter placed in said baking can with sufficient clearance from the inside edges of said baking can to allow vertical movement of said sheet within said baking can; steam and gas transferring means comprising multiple channels integral with said sheet, located on said sheet such that said channels project in a direction away from the center area of said baking can, the cross-section of said channels oriented downwardly into said baking can and being configured to provide a space between said channel and the interior side of said sheet so that batter rising into contact with said sheet will not enter said space, said space remaining unobstructed; and said sheet containing openings along said channels to provide communication adjacent said space for venting of steam and gases from said baking can; a cover extending over the area of the top of said baking can and said sheet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
170 words
A large size baking can for venting steam and gases during baking comprising: said can; a sheet extending over the area defined by batter placed in said baking can with sufficient clearance from the inside edges of said baking can to allow vertical movement of said sheet within said baking can; steam and gas transferring means comprising multiple channels integral with said sheet, located on said sheet such that said channels project in a direction away from the center area of said baking can, the cross-section of said channels oriented downwardly into said baking can and being configured to provide a space between said channel and the interior side of said sheet so that batter rising into contact with said sheet will not enter said space, said space remaining unobstructed; and said sheet containing openings along said channels to provide communication adjacent said space for venting of steam and gases from said baking can; a cover extending over the area of the top of said baking can and said sheet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The can according to claim 12, wherein said baking can is provided with a ledge to support said sheet above said batter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
90 words
A large-size baking can for venting steam and gases during baking, comprising: said can; a multi-perforated, corrugated food-approved material of sufficient dimensions such that said corrugations extend substantially across the central area of a batter placed in said baking can, said perforations and said corrugations of said material providing paths for transferring steam and gases evolving from said batter as it is baked from along said corrugations to the periphery of said baking can; a cover extending over the area of the top of said baking can and said material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
90 words
A large-size baking can for venting steam and gases during baking, comprising: said can; a multi-perforated, corrugated food-approved material of sufficient dimensions such that said corrugations extend substantially across the central area of a batter placed in said baking can, said perforations and said corrugations of said material providing paths for transferring steam and gases evolving from said batter as it is baked from along said corrugations to the periphery of said baking can; a cover extending over the area of the top of said baking can and said material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
64 words
The can according to claim 14, wherein said corrugated material comprises a corrugated sheet which extends over the area defined by batter placed in said baking can, with sufficient clearance to allow vertical movement of said sheet within said baking can, and openings are provided in said sheet for transfer of steam and gases from the interior of said baking can to its exterior.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The can according to claim 15, wherein said baking can is provided with a ledge to support said sheet above said batter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The can according to claim 14, wherein said corrugated material comprises one or more corrugated strips, each of at least two corrugations.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The can according to claim 17, including openings in said corrugated strips for transfer of steam and gases from the interior of said baking can.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The can according to claim 17, wherein said baking can is provided with a ledge to support said strips above said batter.
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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) | 1989-05-19 | 1989-11-18 | 1990-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-19 | 1993-11-18 | 1994-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-19 | 1997-11-18 | 1998-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |