System and method for producing par-baked pizza crusts

Abstract

A system for producing par-baked pizza crusts from dough portions includes a pan adapted to support the dough portions. A lid assembly is positioned to contact each dough portion. The dough portions are par-baked in an oven, while the lid assembly contacts the dough portions, in order to produce par-baked pizza crusts.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for producing par-baked pizza crusts, comprising: 
 mixing a plurality of ingredients to produce pizza crust dough;    forming the dough into a sheet;    cutting a plurality of dough portions out of the sheet;    depositing the dough portions on a pan;    proofing the dough portions;    positioning a lid assembly to contact the proofed dough portions; and    par-baking the dough portions in an oven while the lid assembly is in contact with the dough portions to produce par-baked pizza crusts.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein depositing the dough portions on the pan comprises depositing each dough portion into a corresponding recess in the pan.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising depositing a layer of oil in the bottom of each recess of the pan before depositing the dough portions in the recesses, the layer of oil contributing to the production of a bottom fried surface of the par-baked pizza crusts.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising bulk-proofing the dough before forming the dough into a sheet.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 removing the lid assembly after par-baking; and    removing the par-baked pizza crusts from the pan.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 recirculating the pan after the par-baked pizza crusts have been removed from the pan such that additional dough portions may be positioned on the pan for proofing and par-baking; and    recirculating the lid assembly after the lid assembly has been removed such that the lid assembly may be repositioned to contact additional proofed dough portions.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 topping the par-baked pizza crusts with a pizza topping; and    baking the topped pizza crusts to produce pizzas for consumption.    
     
     
         8 . A method for producing par-baked pizza crusts, comprising: 
 positioning a plurality of dough portions on a pan;    positioning a lid assembly such that the lid assembly contacts each dough portion; and    par-baking the dough portions in an oven while the lid assembly contacts the dough portions to produce par-baked pizza crusts.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein positioning the lid assembly comprises positioning a lid assembly having a plurality of lids such that each lid contacts a corresponding dough portion.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein positioning the dough portions on the pan comprises depositing each dough portion in a corresponding recess of the pan.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising depositing a layer of oil in the bottom of each recess of the pan before depositing the dough portions in the recesses, the layer of oil contributing to the production of a bottom fried surface of the par-baked pizza crusts.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 mixing a plurality of ingredients to produce pizza crust dough;    forming the dough into a sheet; and    cutting the plurality of dough portions out of the sheet.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 bulk-proofing the dough prior to forming the dough into a sheet; and    proofing the dough portions after positioning the dough positions on the pan, wherein the steps of bulk-proofing and proofing have a total duration of greater than forty-five minutes.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising proofing the dough portions on the pan for at least forty-five minutes before positioning the lid assembly.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 topping the par-baked pizza crusts with a pizza topping; and    baking the topped pizza crusts to produce pizzas for consumption.