Kenneth M Hall

US Patent:

53857453, Jan 31, 1995

Filed:

Jan 26, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/189560

Inventors:

James A. Dromgoole - San Diego CA
Kenneth H. Hall - San Diego CA
Robert Noga - San Diego CA

International Classification:

A21D 800

US Classification:

426392

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for mixing and forming dough into plural discrete product units on a carrier and storing the ready to bake product, and a vending method and apparatus for separating the product from the carrier, baking the product and delivering the product, such as cookies or the like, to a customer. The mixed dough is formed into units, typically disk-like, and placed in a pattern on one or more first carrier sheets, then second carriers are applied with the product laminated between the sheets. The sheets and product can be fan-folded into containers, such as conventional boxes, which can be stored until needed. The containers are placed in a vending machine which leads the sheet assemblies to a station where the carrier sheets are removed and the product is dropped onto a surface that is moved through a convection oven for baking, then through a cooling station. The selected number of product units is dropped into a serving tray and presented to the customer. Typically, each baking cycle is initiated by the deposit of a selected amount of money into vending machine and the purchaser is notified that the freshly baked product is ready by a buzzer or the like.

US Patent:

53098242, May 10, 1994

Filed:

Feb 10, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/833157

Inventors:

James A. Dromgoole - San Diego CA
Kenneth H. Hall - San Diego CA
Robert Noga - San Diego CA

International Classification:

A21B 148
A21B 307

US Classification:

99326

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for mixing and forming dough into plural discrete product units on a carrier and storing the ready to bake product, and a vending method and apparatus for separating the product from the carrier, baking the product and delivering the product, such as cookies or the like, to a customer. The mixed dough is formed into units, typically disk-like, and placed in a pattern on one or more first carrier sheets, then second carriers are applied with the product laminated between the sheets. The sheets and product can be fan-folded into containers, such as conventional boxes, which can be stored until needed. The containers are placed in a vending machine which leads the sheet assemblies to a station where the carrier sheets are removed and the product is dropped onto a surface that is moved through a convection oven for baking, then through a cooling station. The selected number of product units is dropped into a serving tray and presented to the customer. Typically, each baking cycle is initiated by the deposit of a selected amount of money into the vending machine and the purchaser is notified that the freshly baked product is ready by a buzzer or the like.