Knotting system for a dough strand

US8173191B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Fritsch GmbH · DE

Inventor

• Udo Bernhardt · Iphofen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 21, 2010
• Grant date: May 8, 2012
• Expiry date: Aug 18, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A21C3/08
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for the automated production of knotted dough products, in particular pretzels. Said device comprises: a shaping table (2) for horizontally supporting a U-shaped bent dough strand (46); a shaping tool (6) that can be activated to vertically support the U-shaped bent dough strand (46), the shaping table (2) and activated shaping tool (6) forming a common stop for the U-shaped bent strand (46); and a knotting head (9) for seizing the ends of the dough strand and for knotting said strand (46). According to the invention, the knotting head (9) can be displaced from a seizing position (48), in which the ends of the U-shaped bent dough strand (46) are seized, into an extension position (49), in which the dough strand is extended, then into a knotting position (51), in which the dough strand is knotted and finally into a placing position 52, in which the ends of the dough strands are placed on the central part of the dough strand. In addition, the common shaping stop is configured to be stationary, in particular on the horizontal displacement plane.