Return device for flat food products such as pancakes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (12) for returning one or more flat foods (10), the device (12) comprising a return element (14), the return element (14) being configured to rotate about a rotation axis (14.6) and provided with at least one outer surface (14.1, 14.2) for receiving the one or more flat foods (10) to be returned; wherein the at least one outer surface (14.1, 14.2) is provided with suction holes (14.3), the suction holes (14.3) being used to hold the one or more flat foods (10) on the outer surfaces (14.1, 14.2) by a pressing force when the return element (14) rotates in a state in which the outer surfaces (14.1, 14.2) are in a downward orientation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of production of flat foods that need to be returned during their production process, in particular pancakes that need to be fried on both sides. Background Art

[0002] Published prior art patent document FR 2 706 164 A1 discloses a device for returning flat food products, such as pancakes. The return device is installed along a main conveyor with a cooking plate. The return device comprises an inlet belt conveyor for collecting pancakes from the main conveyor with a baking plate, and a rotating drum-shaped return element with a circular outer surface for receiving the pancakes from the inlet conveyor. Once the pancake is received by the return element, it conforms to the circular shape of the outer surface and naturally adheres to it. A scraper is provided at a lower position adjacent to the outer surface of the rotating element, configured to remove the pancake from the outer surface. Because the rotational speed of the pancakes on the return element is opposite to the translational speed of the main conveyor with the baking plate, the return element is mounted so that it can translate relative to the main conveyor frame, moving in the same direction as the main conveyor's translational motion. In an alternative embodiment, the rotating drum-shaped return element is replaced by a second belt conveyor. This teaching is attractive because it enables precise positioning of the returned food products on the main conveyor. However, the food may exhibit different adhesion behaviors on the outer surface of the return element, i.e., it may not adhere sufficiently and thus detach from the main conveyor prematurely and in an uncontrolled manner and fall, or it may be difficult to release from the outer surface using a spatula and thus may also fall on the main conveyor in an uncontrolled manner. In addition, the translational movement of the return element relative to the frame of the main conveyor requires additional space, complexity and cost.

[0003] Published prior art patent document EP 1 759 585 A2 also discloses a device for returning flat food products such as pancakes. This return device includes a flat scraper that can rotate approximately 180°. The scraper first collects the pancake from the main conveyor, then rotates to pivot the pancake approximately 180° about its axis of rotation and returns it to the main conveyor. The advantage of this return device is that it is relatively simple and compact. However, it requires fine adjustment during the rotational motion. Furthermore, the positioning of the food on the main conveyor during the return process may exhibit some inaccuracy, primarily due to the dynamic effect required to maintain the food against the scraper as it falls onto the main conveyor and is lifted.

[0004] Published prior art patent document EP 3,434,160 A1 also discloses a device for returning flat food products, such as pancakes. This return device essentially comprises three rollers arranged after the exit of a belt conveyor. These rollers exhibit a reduced diameter and rotate at a reduced speed to allow the flat food product to pivot around the last roller upon exiting the return device. The advantage of this return device is that it can convey the food product by rotating the rollers at a relatively high speed, without requiring a return action. However, to achieve proper return, it requires the food product to have a certain firmness. Freshly cooked pancakes (e.g., only cooked on one side) exhibit a very limited firmness, meaning that this taught return device may be insufficient. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] The technical problem of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art. More specifically, the technical problem of the present invention is to provide a return device for flat food products such as pancakes, which allows for precise and controlled positioning of the returned food products.

[0007] Technical Solution

[0008] The present invention relates to a device for returning one or more flat foods, the device comprising a return element configured to rotate about a rotation axis and provided with at least one outer surface for receiving the one or more flat foods to be returned; wherein the at least one outer surface is provided with suction holes, the suction holes being used to hold the one or more flat foods on the outer surface by a pressing force when the return element rotates in a downwardly oriented state of the outer surface.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, each of said at least one outer surface is flat.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one outer surface comprises a first outer surface and a second outer surface opposite to the first outer surface.

[0011] Advantageously, the return element exhibits a polygonal cross-sectional shape, such as a rectangle or a square.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one outer surface comprises more than two outer surfaces distributed around the axis of rotation.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the return element is elongated along the axis of rotation and each of the at least one outer surface is subdivided into a plurality of areas, each area being intended to receive one of a plurality of flat food products.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, said return element comprises a specific vacuum chamber fluidically connected to the suction openings of each of said at least one outer surface.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises means for limiting the vacuum to no more than 50 mbar below atmospheric pressure.These means may comprise a ventilator of dimensions particularly suitable for achieving a vacuum exceeding 50 mbar.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, said return element forms a hollow profile extending along the axis of rotation and presenting a cross section having at least one outer wall forming said at least one outer surface.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a loading conveyor for loading the one or more flat food products onto one of the at least one outer surface of the return element.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the loading conveyor is a belt conveyor having retractable ends, which are configured to selectively extend from the belt to carry the one or more flat food products from the belt to one of the at least one outer surfaces of the return element and to retract to the belt in a direction away from the outer surface.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a discharge conveyor, which is located below the return element and is configured to receive the one or more flat food products in a returned state.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the unloading conveyor forms a main conveyor extending at the inlet side of the device, the inlet conveyor being used to collect the one or more flat food products from the main conveyor.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the main conveyor comprises cooking plates which are attached to each other along a main direction of the main conveyor and are respectively intended to receive one of the flat food products along the main direction.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises at least one vacuum pump, which is fluidically connected to the suction holes of the at least one outer surface of the return element. The vacuum pump may be a ventilator.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one vacuum pump is fluidically connected to the at least one vacuum chamber of the return element.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the fluid connection of the at least one vacuum pump is angularly fixed relative to a return element, which is actuated to rotate reciprocatingly.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the fluid connection of the at least one vacuum pump is angularly rotatable relative to a return element, which is actuated to rotate in the same rotational direction.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the fluid connection of the at least one vacuum pump is located at one or both ends of the return element along the axis of rotation.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a control device for successively and repeatedly placing one or more flat foods on one of the at least one outer surfaces of the return element, applying a pressing force to the one or more flat foods through the suction holes on the outer surface, rotating the return element to return the one or more flat foods, and releasing the pressing force to separate the one or more flat foods from the return element under the action of gravity.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a method for returning one or more flat foods, the method comprising the following steps: (a) loading the one or more flat foods on the outer surface of a return element; (b) rotating the return element to return the one or more flat foods; and (c) unloading the one or more flat foods from the return element; wherein step (b) comprises holding the one or more flat foods on the outer surface by applying a pressing force on the lower surface of the one or more flat foods through suction holes provided on the outer surface; and step (c) comprises releasing the pressing force on the one or more flat foods.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, step (c) comprises applying compressed air to the suction holes to facilitate releasing the one or more flat food items from the outer surface.

[0030] Advantages of the present invention

[0031] The present invention is particularly attractive in that it provides greater control over the positioning of the returned food. Consequently, production speeds can be easily increased. Because the food is held against the outer surface by the pressing force, the return element can rotate substantially faster. Furthermore, the unloading of the food is better controlled, thus avoiding the adverse effects of the dynamic effects of the prior art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a production line for baking flat food products such as pancakes, equipped with a return device according to the invention.

[0033] Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the return device.

[0034] Figure 3 Shown Figure 1 and Figure 2 Four successive operating steps of the return device.

[0035] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the fluid connection between a return element and a vacuum pump according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the fluid connection of a return element to a vacuum pump according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Figure 1 Schematically shown is a production line for producing baked flat food products such as pancakes. Such products are baked, for example on both sides, on a baking or cooking high temperature surface in an open environment (i.e. as opposed to an oven).

[0038] The production line 2 comprises a main conveyor 4 carrying a series of baking plates 6 arranged adjacent to each other along the conveyor. Support chains (not shown) may be provided to support the baking plates 6. The support chains and the baking plates form a closed loop having an upper portion 4.1 that moves, for example, from left to right and a lower portion 4.2 that moves, for example, from right to left. The closed loop rotates approximately 180° around two support rollers (not shown). A series of burners 8 are arranged below the baking plates 6 of the upper portion 4.1 for baking the pancakes 10. The production line 2 also comprises a dough dumping device (also not shown) located at the beginning of the upper portion 4.1 of the main conveyor 4, as is well known to those skilled in the art.

[0039] The production line 4 is equipped with a return device 12 for pancakes 10. The return device 12 mainly includes a return element 14, which has at least one outer surface 14.1 or 14.2 provided with suction holes 14.3. For example, the return element 14 includes a first outer surface 14.1 and a second outer surface 14.2 opposite the first outer surface 14.1. The suction holes 14.3 provided on the first outer surface 14.1 are in direct fluid communication with a first vacuum chamber 14.4, and similarly, the suction holes 14.3 provided on the second outer surface 14.2 are in direct fluid communication with a second vacuum chamber 14.5. The first vacuum chamber 14.4 and the second vacuum chamber 14.5 are different from each other and are not in fluid communication. Each of these vacuum chambers is fluidically connected to a corresponding vacuum pump, which will be further described below. The return element 14 can rotate around a rotation axis 14.6 extending through the central area of ​​the cross section of the return element 14. The vacuum applied to the vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the suction holes 14.3 allows the flat food product (e.g. a pancake) to be held on the outer surface by pressing its lower surface in contact with the outer surface. The food product can be held in place during the rotation of the return element 14 until it is in the lower return position, in which position it can be released from the return element 14.

[0040] The return device 12 may also include a loading conveyor 16, such as a belt conveyor. The loading conveyor is shaped and oriented so as to collect food products (e.g., pancakes 10) from the main conveyor 4 and load the food products onto the return element 14, more specifically, onto one of the at least one outer surfaces 14.1 and 14.2. The loading conveyor 16 may include a belt conveyor 16.1 having a well-known construction, preferably having a curved or angled profile, with a first portion adjacent to the main conveyor 4 and having a limited inclination relative to the main conveyor 4 (e.g., less than 45°), and a second portion adjacent to the return element 14 and being horizontal or nearly horizontal (e.g., having an inclination of less than 20° relative to the horizontal). The loading conveyor 16 may include a retractable end 16.2 for carrying the food products to one of the at least one outer surfaces 14.1 and 14.2 of the return element 14. The retractable end 16.2 can be configured to translate from a retracted position, in which the retractable end 16.2 is primarily located on the belt conveyor, to a deployed position, in which the retractable end 16.2 is primarily located on the outer surface 14.1 or 14.2 of the return element 14. The loading conveyor 16 may further include a scraper 16.3 adjacent to the main conveyor 4 and the entrance to the belt conveyor 16.1, the scraper 16.3 being configured to scrape food from the main conveyor 4 as the main conveyor 4 moves and direct the food to the belt conveyor 16.1.

[0041] The return device 12 comprises a control device 17 for controlling the operation of the return element 14 and the loading conveyor 16, as described below. The control device 17 may also belong to the production line 2 and control further operations, such as pouring the dough and baking the products.

[0042] During operation, Figure 1 The production line 2 shown works as follows. Due to the provision of a pouring device (not shown) and a burner 8, food products (e.g. pancakes 10) are poured onto the baking plate 6 of the main conveyor and baked. After baking one side, the food products 10 move to the return device 12 where they are collected from the main conveyor 4 to the return element 14 by the loading conveyor 16. The food products that have reached the end of the loading conveyor 16 are transferred to the outer surface 14.1 of the return element 14. When the return element 14 is rotated (e.g. by 180°) so that the first outer surface 14.1 is brought to a lower return position (e.g. in the same direction as the return element 14), the food products 10 are placed on the return element 14. Figure 1 While the food product 10 is held against the first outer surface 14.1, the vacuum applied to the first vacuum chamber 14.4 through the air intake holes 14.3 is simultaneously held (corresponding to the position of the second outer surface 14.2 shown). Once this position is reached, the vacuum in the first vacuum chamber 14.4 is discontinued, releasing the food product 10 from the first outer surface 14.1 and allowing it to fall back onto the main conveyor 4 by gravity in its return state. The returned side of the food product can then be toasted on the baking plate 4.1 by the burner 8 located downstream of the return device 12.

[0043] The relative vacuum pressure is preferably no more than 50 mbar below atmospheric pressure, preferably no more than 40 mbar below atmospheric pressure, especially for pancakes. Depending on the food product, a higher vacuum pressure may damage the food product (e.g., pancakes) by penetrating the food product and forcing the food material into the suction holes, thereby blocking the suction holes and losing the pressure required to press the food product against the corresponding outer surface 14.1 or 14.2. The sensitivity of a food product to vacuum pressure depends on its composition and may also depend on its baking or cooking level. For example, food products made from meat are much more resistant than baked goods.

[0044] In operation, when the return element 14 has been rotated (e.g., 180°) to bring the first outer surface 14.1 to a lower position, the second outer surface 14.2 is moved to a higher position, e.g., corresponding to the initial position of the first outer surface 14.1, so that another food can be received while the previous food is returned and in a position to be released. The presence of multiple outer surfaces on the return element 14 allows for higher productivity, because the return element 14 does not need to bring a single outer surface back to the upper loading position to load the next food.

[0045] exist Figure 1In the configuration shown, where the return element 14 has two opposing outer surfaces 14.1 and 14.2, the return element is rotated in increments of approximately 180°. These successive rotations may be in the same direction of rotation or in opposite directions of rotation.

[0046] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the return device 12 of the production line. It can be seen that the return device 12 can extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the production line to simultaneously return multiple foods in the same row of the production line. Figure 2 In the figures, only two food items are shown per row, but it should be understood that there may be many more food items per row.

[0047] exist Figure 2 As can also be seen in the drawing, the retractable end 16.2 of the loading conveyor 16.1 comprises a translating blade or blade configured to move along the belt under the food product 10 during the retraction movement and to move along the corresponding outer surface 14.1 of the return element 14 during the deployment movement. The blade may have a U-shaped profile, the opening of the U facing the return element 14. This is advantageous in that, once the blade has moved to the deployed position on the return element, the vacuum applied to the suction holes presses the central portion of the food product against the corresponding outer surface 14.1, so that the blade can be moved back to the retracted position while the food product remains in place, thereby avoiding any undesirable movement of the food product.

[0048] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment, the different blades of telescopic end 16.2 are also shown, but it should be understood that these blades are preferably connected to each other, thereby forming a single element. Translation means can be provided at two opposite ends of this single blade element.

[0049] exist Figure 2 As can be clearly seen in FIG, the return element 14 has a polygonal cross section and preferably extends along the axis of rotation 14.6. The return element 14 is preferably a polygonal hollow profile with one or more partition walls between the vacuum chambers associated with the suction holes provided in the respective outer surface.

[0050] Please still refer to Figure 2 The air suction holes 14.3 are arranged in groups along the return element 14, each group corresponding to the size of the food 10. Figure 2 In the embodiment, each group includes 9 suction holes 14.3 arranged in an array of three rows and three columns. This is exemplary only. For round food 10 (such as pancakes), the suction holes in each group can be arranged in concentric circles rather than in an array.

[0051] Figure 3 (a)-3(d) shows Figure 1 and 2Four consecutive working steps of the return device.

[0052] exist Figure 3 In (a), food 10 arriving at the end of the loading conveyor 16 is placed in the retractable end 16.2 in the retracted position. This can be achieved by moving the belt of the belt conveyor forward when the retractable end 16.2 is in the retracted position or by moving the retractable end 16.2 back from the deployed position to the retracted position.

[0053] exist Figure 3 In (b), the food product 10 on the retractable end portion 16.2 is transferred and loaded onto the first outer surface 14.1 of the return element 14. At the same time, the belt conveyor 16.1 can move further to advance the next food product.

[0054] exist Figure 3 In (c), a vacuum is applied to the first vacuum chamber 14.4 to hold the food by pressing it against the first outer surface 14.1. The retractable end 16.2 is retracted, thereby being moved under the next food. With reference to the discussion above, the action of bringing the next food to the retracted end 16.2 can be different from the action considered here. In fact, the vacuum can also be applied only after the retractable end 16.2 is retracted. This may depend on the food, such as the degree to which the food is baked (i.e., the crispness of the food). For example, the food may be only partially baked before being returned and further baked on the other side, which means that the food may be fragile at this stage. The retraction speed of the retractable end 16.2 is preferably at least 250 mm / s to ensure proper retraction while the food remains on the first outer surface 14.1 of the return element 14 due to its inertia.

[0055] exist Figure 3 In step (d), return element 14 is rotated clockwise, for example, approximately 180°, to bring first outer surface 14.1 to a lowered, return position, while simultaneously applying vacuum to first vacuum chamber 14.4. Once this rotation is complete, the next food item is transferred by retractable end 16.2 and loaded onto second outer surface 14.2, now in the upper, loaded position. Furthermore, the vacuum in first vacuum chamber 14.4 is released, releasing the food item from first outer surface 14.1 and placing it in its returned state onto an unloading conveyor, such as main conveyor 4.

[0056] It should be noted that in Figure 3The return movement of the food product shown in (d) is achieved without any physical holding means pressing the food product against the respective outer surface 14.1 or 14.2. In other words, during the return operation, the food product 10 is held against the respective outer surface 14.1 or 14.2 solely by virtue of the pressure difference between its outer surface and its inner surface due to the presence of the vacuum.

[0057] exist Figure 3 After step (d), you can repeat Figure 3 (c)-3(d) steps.

[0058] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the fluid connection between a return element and a vacuum pump according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, the two vacuum chambers 14.4 and 14.5 of the return element 14 are fluidically connected to respective vacuum pumps 18.1 and 18.2. This fluid connection is provided by two rotary joints 20.1 and 20.2, which are mounted at opposite ends of the hollow profile forming the return element 14 along the axis of rotation 14.6. Such rotary joints allow for a tight fluid connection between a fixed fluid connection and a rotary fluid connection. In the present case, the rotary fluid connection is rigidly fixed to the rotatable return element 14 and is fluidically connected to one of the first vacuum chamber 14.4 and the second vacuum chamber 14.5. Shut-off valves 21.1 and 21.2 can be provided in the fluid connection between the rotary joints 20.1 and 20.2 and the respective vacuum pumps 18.1 and 18.2.

[0060] With this rotatable fluid connection, the return element 14 can be rotated in the same rotational direction in each rotational step.

[0061] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the fluid connection of a return element to a vacuum pump according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Here, the fluid connection between the first vacuum chamber 14.4 and the second vacuum chamber 14.5 is realized by flexible hoses or conduits 20'.1 and 20'.2, which allow the return element 14 to be rotated to a given angle without being damaged. This means that during operation, the return element 14 needs to reciprocate, that is, to rotate successively in opposite directions of rotation.

[0063] exist Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , the flexible hoses 20 ′.1 and 20 ′.2 are schematically shown as being spiral, but it will be appreciated that other shapes and configurations are possible, such as being coiled about the axis of rotation 14 . 6 .

Claims

1. A device (12) for returning one or more flat food products (10), comprising: a return element (14) configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (14.6) and provided with at least one outer surface (14.1, 14.2) for receiving one or more flat food products (10) to be returned; wherein the at least one outer surface (14.1, 14.2) is provided with suction holes (14.3) for holding the one or more flat food products (10) on the outer surface (14.1, 14.2) by a pressing force when the return element (14) rotates with the outer surface (14.1, 14.2) in a downward orientation; and a loading conveyor (16) configured to load the one or more flat food products (10) onto one of the at least one outer surface (14.1, 14.2) of the return element (14); Its characteristics are: The loading conveyor (16) is a belt conveyor (16.1) having a retractable end (16.2), the retractable end (16.2) being configured to selectively extend from the belt to carry the one or more flat food products (10) from the belt to one of the at least one outer surface (14.1, 14.2) of the return element (14) and to retract to the belt in a direction away from the outer surface, The device (12) further comprises: - a discharge conveyor located below the return element (14) and configured to receive the one or more flat food products (10) in a returned state, wherein the unloading conveyor forms a main conveyor (4) extending at the inlet side of the device, and the loading conveyor (16) is configured to collect the one or more flat food products (10) from the main conveyor (4), Therein, the main conveyor (4) comprises cooking plates (4.1) which are attached to each other along a main direction of the main conveyor (4) and are respectively used to receive one of the flat foods (10) along the main direction.

2. The device (12) according to claim 1, wherein Each of the at least one outer surface (14.1, 14.2) is flat.

3. The device (12) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein The at least one outer surface comprises a first outer surface (14.1) and a second outer surface (14.2) opposite to the first outer surface (14.1).

4. The device (12) according to claim 1, wherein The at least one outer surface comprises more than two outer surfaces distributed around the axis of rotation.

5. The device (12) according to claim 1, wherein The return element (14) is elongated along the axis of rotation (14.6), and each of the at least one outer surface (14.1, 14.2) is subdivided into a plurality of areas, each area being for receiving one of a plurality of flat food products (10).

6. The device (12) according to claim 1, wherein The return element (14) comprises a specific vacuum chamber (14.4, 14.5) in fluid connection with the suction orifice (14.3) for each of the at least one outer surface (14.1, 14.2).

7. The apparatus (12) of claim 6, further comprising means configured to limit the vacuum to no more than 50 millibars below atmospheric pressure.

8. The device (12) of claim 1, wherein: The return element (14) forms a hollow profile extending along the axis of rotation (14.6) and presenting a cross section with at least one outer wall forming the at least one outer surface (14.1, 14.2).

9. The device (12) according to claim 1, wherein The suction holes (14.3) on each outer surface of the at least one outer surface (14.1, 14.2) include a plurality of the suction holes (14.3), which are distributed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis (14.6) for each of the one or more flat foods (10).

10. The device (12) of claim 1, wherein: The return element (14) has no mechanical means for clamping the one or more flat food items (10) against the at least one outer surface (14.1, 14.2).

11. The apparatus (12) of claim 1, further comprising: - at least one vacuum pump (18.1, 18.2) fluidically connected to the suction opening (14.3) of the at least one outer surface (14.1, 14.2) of the return element (14).

12. The device (12) according to claim 6, wherein At least one vacuum pump (18.1, 18.2) is fluidically connected to the at least one vacuum chamber (14.4, 14.5) of the return element (14).

13. The device (12) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein The fluid connection of the at least one vacuum pump (18.1, 18.2) is fixed at an angle relative to a return element (14), which is driven in rotation in a reciprocating manner.

14. The device (12) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein The fluid connection of the at least one vacuum pump (18.1, 18.2) is angularly rotatable relative to a return element (14), which is driven to rotate in the same direction of rotation.

15. The device (12) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein The fluid connection of the at least one vacuum pump (18.1, 18.2) is located at one or both ends of the return element (14) along the axis of rotation (14.6).

16. The apparatus (12) of claim 1, further comprising: - A control device (17) configured to successively and repeatedly place one or more flat foods (10) on one of the at least one outer surface (14.1, 14.2) of the return element (14), apply a pressing force to the one or more flat foods (10) through the suction holes (14.3) of the outer surface, rotate the return element (14) to return the one or more flat foods (10), and release the pressing force to separate the one or more flat foods (10) from the return element (14) under the action of gravity.

17. A method for returning one or more flat food products (10), using the apparatus (12) according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: (a) loading the one or more flat food products (10) onto the outer surface (14.1, 14.2) of the return element (14); (b) rotating the return element (14) to return the one or more flat food items (10); and (c) unloading the one or more flat food products (10) from the return element (14); Its characteristics are: Step (a) comprises using a loading conveyor (16) which is a belt conveyor (16.1) having a retractable end (16.2), the retractable end (16.2) being configured to selectively extend from the belt to carry the one or more flat food items (10) from the belt to the outer surface (14.1, 14.2) of the return element (14) and to retract to the belt in a direction away from the outer surface (14.1, 14.2); Step (b) comprises: holding the one or more flat foods (10) on the outer surface (14.1, 14.2) by applying a pressing force on the lower surface of the one or more flat foods (10) through suction holes (14.3) provided on the outer surface (14.1, 14.2); and Step (c) comprises releasing the pressing force on the one or more flat foods (10), step (c) comprises using an unloading conveyor, which is located below the return element (14) and is configured to receive the one or more flat foods (10) in a returned state, wherein the unloading conveyor forms a main conveyor (4) extending on the inlet side of the device, and the loading conveyor (16) is configured to collect the one or more flat foods (10) from the main conveyor (4), wherein the main conveyor (4) comprises cooking plates (4.1) which are attached to each other along the main direction of the main conveyor (4) and are respectively used to receive one of the flat foods (10) along the main direction.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein: The step (c) comprises applying compressed air to the suction holes (14.3) to facilitate releasing the one or more flat food products (10) from the outer surfaces (14.1, 14.2).

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein The return element (14) comprises a vacuum chamber (14.4, 14.5) in fluid communication with the suction holes (14.3) on the outer surface (14.1, 14.2), and in step (b), a vacuum of not more than 50 mbar below atmospheric pressure is applied in the vacuum chamber (14.4, 14.5) to apply a pressing force.

20. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein In step (b), the one or more flat food products (10) are held on the outer surface (14.1, 14.2) only by the pressing force.

Images