Apparatus for continuously forming latticed pastry goods

Claim 1

Apparatus for continuously forming individual product pieces having filler therein and having perforations of substantial size in the top layer thereof, comprising: (a) means for forming a first continuous flat dough sheet; (b) means for transporting the first continuous flat dough sheet; (c) means for periodically depositing at least one portion of a natural filler or an artificial filler on the first continuous flat dough sheet; (d) means for forming a second continuous flat dough sheet; (e) conveyor belt means for transporting the second continuous flat dough sheet, the conveyor belt means having a conveyor belt of a material to which the dough of the second continuous flat dough sheet will adhere in response to pressure, the conveyor belt means being positioned above said transporting means along the axis of movement thereof after the filler depositing means; (f) means for moving cutting elements through the second continuous flat dough sheet to form a multitude of holes in the second continuous flat dough sheet, each such hole containing a dough piece therein, the cutting elements pressing the perimeter of each dough piece so that the perimeter of each dough piece adheres to said conveyor belt means; (g) means for lifting the second continuous flat dough sheet off said conveyor belt means without disturbing the cut out dough pieces, adhered to said conveyor belt thereby providing perforations in the second continuous flat dough sheet, the lifting means being positioned above the end portion of said conveyor belt means along the axis of movement of said conveyor belt means and above said transporting means; (h) means for placing the perforated, second continuous flat dough sheet on top of the first continuous flat dough sheet and deposits of filler thereon, thereby forming a continuous composite comprising the filler deposits enclosed between the perforated, second continuous dough sheet and the first continuous flat dough sheet; and (i) means for dividing the continuous composite into indivdual pieces, each individual piece having at least one deposit of filler enclosed between a segment of the perforated, second dough sheet and a segment of the first flat dough sheet.