GB2213698A

GB2213698A - Bread making machine

Info

Publication number: GB2213698A
Application number: GB8902287A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Susumu Urata; Yuzuru Arao; Norio Ikeda; Junichi Nakakuki; Kunio Hamada; Katsunori Zaizen
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 1987-06-05
Filing date: 1989-02-02
Publication date: 1989-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2009-02-02
Also published as: KR890701048A; AU1796888A; WO1988009640A1; GB2213698B; GB8902287D0; AU595717B2; KR930010225B1

Abstract

This invention relates to a bread making machine which comprises a plurality of containers (39, 44, 77a, 77b, 93a, 93b, 108a, 108b, 125a, 125b, 142a, 142b) each for storing bread materials, baking chambers (34, 76, 92, 107, 124, 141) for storing these containers, kneading means (43, 48, 79a, 79b, 94a, 94b, 109a, 109b, 126a, 126b, 144a, 144b) for kneading the bread materials in the containers, heating means (36, 37, 78a, 78b, 98a, 98b, 113a, 113b, 130a, 130b, 143a, 143b) for heating the containers, control means (61, 87, 102, 119, 136, 150) for carrying out bread production processes such as a kneading step, a fermentation step, a baking step, etc., by controlling the kneading means and the heating means and temperature sensing means (38, 84, 99a, 99b, 114a, 114b, 131a, 131b, 149a, 149b). The control means control the kneading means and the heating means on the basis of the signals from the temperature sensing means so that one or more loaves of bread can be produced.

Description

SPECIFICATION Title of the Invention Bread Producing Machine Field of Technology The present invention relates to a bread producing machine which is capable of automatically baking bread simply through throwing-in of bread materials such as wheat flour, etc. at the ordinary homes.

Background Art Generally, machinery and tool appliances such as mixing, kneading machine, fermenting machine, spreading rod1 oven, etc. were used in producing bread, but temperatures and time were so difficult to control that considerable skills were required to produce delicious, hot bread independently of the season by the use of the machinery and tools. In order to remove these problems, a bread producing machine accommodating in construction a kneading function, an oven function shown in Fig. 25 within a single product is considered.

In an arrangement shown in Fig. 25, a frame 2 is providing within the main body 1, with a motor 3 being secured to the frame 2, a heating cell 6 which has a heater 4 and an adiabatic 5 on its outer side being secured thereto, and a kneading cell 8 which has a kneading blade 7 being detachably engaged within the heating cell 6, so that the kneading blade 7 is driven at reduced speeds by a belt 9 and a pulley 10. Also, the top portion of the heating cell 6 is covered by a cover member 11 and temperature sensors 12 are secured onto the outer side faces of the heating cell 6. 13 is a circuit for timer, temperature adjustment, electric power adjustment use.Throw the bread material into the kneading cell 8, set the timer under such a construction as described hereinabove, and the operation starts at a given time so as to automatically effect each step by the timer and the temperature adjustment for baking up the bread after the lapse of the predetermined time period.

However, only one loaf of bread may be baked by the conventional bread producing machine, because the kneading cell 8 is one in number, in this case, in a fewmember family, there are no problems in particular, but in a family of a large number, there is an inconvenience that one loaf of bread is not sufficient.

Disclosure of the Invention Considering the above-described problems, a bread producing machine of the present invention comprises a plurality of cells for accommodating the bread material, a baking chamber for accommodating the plurality of cells, a mixing, kneading means for mixing, kneading the bread material within each cell, a heating means for heating each cell, a controlling means for controlling the mixing, kneading means, the heating means so as to progress a bread producing processing of mixing, kneading step, fermenting step, baking step, etc., a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the cells, so that the controlling means controls the mixing, kneading means, the heating means in accordance with the signal of the temperature detecting means so as to make it possible to produce one loaf of bread or a plurality of loaves of bread.

According to the above-described construction, as a plurality of cells for accommodating the bread material are provided, needless to say, bread of two loaves or more may be simultaneously baked by putting in the respective bread materials into a plurality of cells when the bread of two loaves or more is required to be produced in the household of, for example, a big family, the bread of one loaf may be easily baked by putting in the bread material into either one of a plurality of cells even when the bread of one loaf is required to be produced in the household of the big family or in the household of a small number family.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a bread producing machine showing a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a top face view in a condition where the cover member of the bread producing machine is removed Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram for the bread producing machine.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the bread producing machine.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view in a condition where the cover member of the bread producing machine is open. Fig. 6 is a front face view of an operating portion in the bread producing machine. Fig. 7 through Fig. 10 are perspective views showing the internal construction in a condition where the -cover member of the bread producing machine is open. Fig.

11 is a block diagram of the bread producing machine showing a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation of the bread producing machine. Fig. 13 is a block diagram of the bread producing machine showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a flow chart showing the operation of the bread producing machine. Fig. 15 is a chart showing the temperature variation during the baking step of the bread producing machine. Fig. 16 is a block diagram of the bread producing machine showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 17 is a flow chart showing the operation of the bread producing machine. Fig. 18 is a chart showing the temperature variation during the baking step of the bread producing machine. Fig. 19 is a block diagram of the bread producing machine showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 20 is a flow chart showing the operation of the bread producing machine. Fig. 21 is a chart showing the temperature variation during the baking step of the bread producing machine. Fig. 22 is a block diagram of the bread producing machine showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.Fig. 23 is a flow chart showing the operation of the bread producing machine. Fig. 24 is a chart showing the temperature variation during the baking step of the bread producing machine. Fig. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view of a bread producing machine showing the conventional embodiment.

Best Mode for Carrvina out the Invention The embodiments of the present invention will be described in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention, in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, 21 is a bread producing machine main body, 22 is a chassis disposed within the main body 21, a motor 23 is fixed to the chassis 22 and a small pulley 24 is secured into the shaft 23a of the motor 23.

Also, a first large pulley 26 is supported by the shaft through a first bearing 25, and a first connector 27 is mounted on the shaft end of the side opposite to the first large pulley 26, the small pulley 24 is coupled to the first large pulley 26 through a first belt 28. And also, a second large pulley 30 is supported by the shaft, on the chassis 22, through a second bearing 29, and a second connector 31 is mounted on the shaft end of the side opposite to the second large pulley 30, the small pulley 24 and the second large pulley 30 are combined with each other through the second belt 32. Furthermore, a heat.shielding plate 35 for covering the cell securing guide 33, the baking chamber 34 and the periphery of the baking chamber 34 are secured onto the chassis 22.

Also, a first heater 36 and a second heater 37 are secured, and also, a temperature detecting means 38 composed of a temperature sensor close to a second heater 37 and elastically supported by the second heater 37 is secured within the baking chamber 34. 39 is a first cell to be engaged for its free engagement and disengagement within the baking chamber 34, the first cell 39 is provided, at its bottom portion, with a blade shaft 41 through the bearing 40, a cell connector 432 is secured to one side of the blade shaft 41, so that the cell connector 42 is adapted to be engaged with the first connector 27 during the engagement of the cell connector 42 with the first cell 39.Also, the other side of the blade shaft 41 is projected into the first cell 39, a first kneading blade 43 is adapted to be engaged for its free engagement and disengagement with the other side of the projected blade shaft 41. 44 is a second cell to be detachably engaged with within the baking chamber 34, the second cell 44 has a blade shaft 46 through a bearing 45, a cell connector 47 is secured to one side of the blade shaft 46, the cell connector 47 is adapted to be fittingly engaged with the second connector 31 during the engagement of the second cell 44. Also, the other side of the blade shaft 46 is projected into the second cell 44, a second kneading blade 48 is adapted to be detachably engaged with the other side of the projected blade shaft 46.

Furthermore, a temperature detecting means 38 composed of the temperature sensor is to detect the temperature of the second cell 44, i.e., the temperature of the bread raw material in contact against the outer side face of the second cell 44 when the second cell 44 has been engaged with within the baking chamber 34.

Also, the baking chamber 34 is secured at its top portion to a stationary member 49, further the main body upper frame 50 is secured to the stationary member 49. And the main body 21 is secured to the main body upper frame 5 and also, to the chassis 22.

51 is a cover member disposed for its free opening, closing operations above the main body upper frame 50, with a lid cover 42 and an inner cover 53 being disposed on the cover member 51. 54 is a first yeast cell above the first cell 39 and secured to the inner cover 53, the top portion of the first yeast cell 54 is exposed on the top face of the cover member 51, and the top portion opening of the first yeast cell 54 is covered with a yeast cell cover 55 which may be freely opened, closed. 56 is a second yeast cell located above the second cell 44 and secured to the inner cover 53, with the top portion of the second yeast cell 56 being also exposed onto the top face of the cover member 51 and the top portion opening of the second yeast cell 56 being covered by a yeast cell cover 57 which may be freely opened, closed. 58 is a switch lever pivotally supported rotatably around a shaft 59 on the chassis 22, the switch lever 58 has a projection portion 58a upwardly projected at its one end, and one portion of the second cell 44 being in contact against the projection portion 58a, so that when the second cell 44 is set into the baking chamber 34, the projecting portion 58a is depressed by the second cell 44 so as to be downwardly moved, with the result that the other end of the switch lever 58 is upwardly moved to turn on a detecting means 60 composed of a switch mounted on the chassis 22.And a detecting means 60 composed of the switch is to turn, into input signals of a program-controlling microcomputer 61, each step of kneading, aging, yeast throwing-in, kneading, primary fermenting, gassing, secondary fermenting, gassing, third fermenting, gassing, molding fermenting, baking, steaming as shown in Fig. 3, so that the microcomputer 61 does not start the program operation until the detecting means 60 composed of the switch is turned on.

In Fig. 4 through Fig. 8, 62 is an operation portion disposed on the main body upper frame 50 mounted on the top end portion of the bread producing machine main body 21, the operation portion 62 is provided with a display lamp 63 composed of light emitting diodes displaying timer, "cooking", "finished", a display portion of each type 64, a timer set key 65 to be depressed in setting of the timer, a course select key 66 to be depressed when the courses of baking (light), fermenting, baking (shortening) are selected, a start key 67 to be depressed in starting of the cooking, the timer, a cancel key 68 to be depressed in wrong depression of a key or cancellation of the timer set, the cooking.

Then, the operation of a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, when the bread of one load is baked in the household of a small family member, the second kneading blade 48 is engaged within the second cell 44, and also bread materials such as wheat flour, sugar, skim milk, salt, butter, water, etc. with the exception of yeast are thrown in, and the second cell 44 is set into the baking chamber 34. In this case, as shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, the second cell 44 is set on the mark side of the inner cover 53, while the first cell 39 on the T mark side is kept outside from within the baking chamber 34, and a crumbs receiving plate cover 71 is placed on the opening portion of the crumbs plate 70, as shown in Fig. 10, into the baking chamber 34 on the T mark side.

Then, the cover member 51 is closed, a predetermined amount of yeast is put into the second yeast cell 56 on the side of one loaf baking. Thereafter, a power supply plug 72 shown in Fig. 5 is inserted into a plug socket for household use.

In this condition, a start key 67 is depressed. In this case, when the baking operation is required to be effected immediately in the baking course of a standard type, depress the start key 67 only and the time (four hours) required for baking completion is indicated on the display portion 64, the operation is immediately started.

Also, when the baking operation is required to be effected immediately at the baking (light) course of the light baking color, depress- the course select key 66 to display the baking (light) on the display portion 64 and depress the start key 67, and the time (four hours) required for the baking completion is displayed on the display portion 64, immediately the operation is started.

And when the baking (shortening) course is used for fast baking operation, depress the course select key 66 to display the baking (shortening) on the display portion 64 and the time (two hours, forty-five minutes) required for the baking completion is displayed on the display portion 64 when the start key 67 is depressed to immediately start the operation.

Moreover, the timer can not use the "baking finish (shortening) course (two hours, forty-five minutes), and the course of the "up to fermentation" (one hour, fifty-five minutes), the other courses, i.e., the "baking finish" course and the "baking finish (light)" course may be used, so that the time difference, i.e., ten hours are displayed on the display portion 64, on the display portion 64 of the timer when the bread is required to be baked at 07:00 on the morning of tomorrow, with the present time being, for example, 09:00 at night in the use of the timer. The setting of the time is effected by the depression of a timer set key 65.Depress the start key 67 in this condition, and the timer starts to begin the preliminary kneading and the baking of the bread is finished after the lapse of the predetermined time, i.e., after ten hours.

In the case of the standard (four hours) course, in the bread producing process, at first, the preliminary kneading is effected, dry yeast is automatically thrown into the cell after the interval of a constant aging time, the kneading is effected again, thereafter the step goes to a fermenting step. When the step goes into the fermenting step, a gassing operation which accompanies the mixing, kneading at a certain period is effected, the program advances to the primary fermenting, secondary fermenting, third fermenting, mold fermenting, then moves to the baking step. And after the baking step, fans rotatably driven by a motor for blast use (all not shown) are driven for a predetermined time to effect compulsory ventilation of the baking chamber 34 to complete the steaming step.

When the bread of one load is baked in the abovedescribed household of a small member, the second cell 44 is set within the baking chamber 34 and the baking finish time of the bread is inputted, with a predetermined amount of yeast being inputted in the second yeast cell 56 on the side of one loaf baking, the start key 67 is depressed to effect the start. And immediately the operation of the motor 23 starts to rotate the small pulley 24 for rotating the second large pulley 30 and the second connector 31 through the second belt 32. The second connector 31 effects the power transfer into the cell connector 47 to rotate the second kneading blade 48 placed within the second cell 44 to knead the bread materials.And after the lapse of the predetermined time (aging step), an opening, closing plate 74 which blockades the lower portion opening of the second yeast cell 56 is opened to throw the yeast placed within the second yeast cell 56 into the second cell 44. And the yeast thrown into the second cell 44 is mixed, kneaded for the predetermined time again together with the other bread materials, thereafter the temperature of the second cell 44 is adjusted by the second heater 37 while the temperature information is being inputted from the temperature detecting means 38 composed of the temperature sensor in accordance with the process control of the control apparatus, and each step of the primary fermenting, gassing, secondary fermenting, gassing, third fermenting, gassing, mold fermenting is automatically effected to complete the bread baking at the predetermined time.

Also, in the household of a big family, when the bread of two loaves is baked simultaneously, the first kneading blade 43 is engaged within the first cell 39, and also the bread materials such as wheat flour, sugar, skim milk, salt, butter, water, etc. except for the yeast are placed to set the first cell 39 within the baking chamber 34. And the second kneading blade 48 is engaged even within the second cell 44, and also the materials except for the yeast, i.e., the bread materials such as wheat flour, sugar, skim milk, saint, butter, water, etc. re thrown in, and the second cell 44 is set within the baking chamber 34. After this set has been completed, the cover member 51 is closed.

Then, a predetermined amount of yeast is respectively thrown into the first yeast cell 54 and the second yeast cell 56.

In the condition, a baking completion time is inputted, the start key 67 is depressed for the start. And the operation of the motor 23 starts immediately to rotate the small pulley 24 and to rotate the first large pulley 26 and the first connector 27 through the first belt 28, and also, to rotate the second large pulley 30 and the second connector 31 through the second belt 32. And the first connector 27 effects the power transfer to the cell connector 42 to rotate the first kneading blade 43 placed within the first cell 39 for kneading the bread material, and also, the second connector 31 effects the power transfer to the cell connector 47 to rotate the second kneading blade 48 placed within the second cell 44.And after the lapse of the predetermined time (aging step), opening, closing plates 73, 74 which blockade the lower portion openings of the first yeast cell 54 and the second yeast cell 56 are opened to throw in the yeast, which is placed within the first yeast cell 54 and the second yeast cell 56 into the first baking case 39 and the second cell 44.And the yeast thrown into the first cell 39 and the second cell 44 adjusts the temper- ature of the second cell 44 by the second heater 37 while the temperature information from the temperature detecting means 38 composed of the temperature sensors being inputted in accordance with the process control of the control apparatus after the yeast has been mixed, kneaded together with the other bread materials again for the predetermined time, and each step of the primary fermenting, gassing, secondary fermenting, gassing, third fermenting, gassing, mold fermenting, baking is automatically effected to finish the bread baking at the predetermined time.In this case, the temperature detecting means 38 composed of a temperature sensor is to detect only the temperature of the second cell 44, but the side of the first cell 39 is adapted to be also controlled in accordance with the temperature detection.

Also, when the second cell 44 is set within the baking chamber 34, a projection 44a provided on the outer bottom portion of the second cell 44 moves the one end projecting portion 58a of the switch lever 58 downwardly, so that the switch lever 58 pivots counterclockwise around the shaft 59 to close the detecting means 60 composed of a switch by the other end of the switching lever 58 to effect the turning on. An on signal of the detecting means 60 composed of a switch is inputted into the microcomputer 61 by turning on of the detecting means 60 composed of the switch, and the microcomputer 61 causes the predetermined program action to be effected.On the other hand, when the second cell 44 is not set within the baking chamber 34, the detecting means 60 composed of a switch remains off without being turned on, the signal of the detecting means 60 composed of a switch is not sent to the microcomputer 61, with the result that the microcomputer 61 does not effect the predetermined program action.

In the embodiment of the present invention as described hereinabove, a detecting means 60 composed of a switch for detecting the existence, absence of the second cell 44 whose temperature is detected by the temperature detecting means 38 composed of a temperature sensor is provided, the action of the program is adapted not to be taken in the absence of the second cell 44 by the detecting means 60 so as to positively prevent the program action from going on as it is in a condition the second cell 44 is not set.

Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in Fig. 11, 75 is a bread producing machine main body, a baking chamber 76 is provided within the main body 75, two cells 77a, 77b are disposed within the baking chamber 76. Heaters 78a, 78b which are heating means are disposed downwardly of the cells 77a, 77b. Also, kneading blades 79a, 79b for mixing, kneading the bread materials thrown in are rotatably arranged on the inner bottom portion of the respective cells 77a, 77b, the rotation of the motor 82 is adapted to be transmitted into the kneading blades 79a, 79b through the pulleys 80a, 80b and the belt 81.

And the characteristics of the second embodiment of the present invention are that temperature sensors 83a, 83b are provided to detect respectively the temperatures of the cells 77a, 77b, the temperature sensors 83a, 83b are connected with the temperature detecting means 84. Also, cell detecting portions 85a, 85b to be operated when the cells 77a, 77b are set within the baking chamber 76 are connected with a cell detecting means 86. The cell detecting portions 85a, 85b are only necessary to use a microswitches to be turned on when the cells 77a, 77b are set, phototransistors, etc. to detect the presence, absence of the 77a, 77b by lights.And the cell detecting means 86 changes over the temperature signals of the temperature detecting means 84 by the signals from the cell detecting portions 85a, 85b so that the temperature signals from the temperature sensor 83a or 83b on the side it has been set may be outputted onto a control means 87 from the temperature detecting means 84. The controlling means 87 and the cell detecting means 86 are composed of a microcomputer 88.

Furthermore, the controlling means 87 controls a motor driving means 89 and a heater driving means 90.

Then, a control flow of the microcomputer 88 will be described in accordance with Fig. 12. At first, when the operation starts, a cell detecting means 86 decides whether or not the cell 77a has been set (step A). In this case, when the cell 77a has been set, a change-over operation is effected into the temperature signal input on the side of the temperature sensor 83a at the step B. Also, if it is judged that the cell 77a is not set at the step A, it is decided whether or not the cell 77b has been set at the step C. And if it is decided that the cell 77b is set, the change-over operation is effected into the temperature signal input on the side of the temperature sensor 83b at the step D.If it is decided that the cell 77b is not set at the step C, an abnormal notification is effected at the step E to have an operation step condition on the assumption that the cells 77a, 77b are not completely set within the baking chamber 76. After the input temperature signals has been determined at the step B or D, the controlling means 87 inputs the temperature signal (step F) to control the kneading step, the fermenting step, the baking step (steps G through I) in accordance with the temperature signal.

Moreover, if it is decided that the cell 77a is set at the step A, the change-over operation is effected onto the side of the temperature sensor 83a, thus resulting in no problems caused, because in this case, the side of the cell 77b is operated on supposition in by the temperature information on the side of the cell 77a even if the cell 77b is set.

As described hereinabove, in the second embodiment of the present invention, if at least one cell is set within the baking chamber 76, the cell detecting means 86 detects the cell which has been set to turn the signal from the temperature detecting means which detects the temperatures of the cell into the input signal of the controlling means 87, so that the controlling means 87 controls each set by the temperature of the cell which has been positively set, with the result that the baking condition of the bread may be kept in good shape independently of the using condition.

Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 15 show a third embodiment of the present invention, in Fig. 13, 91 is a bread producing machine main body, a baking chamber 92 is disposed within the main body 91, two cells 93a, 93b are disposed within the baking chamber 92. Kneading blades 94a, 94b for mixing, kneading the bread materials thrown in are disposed for their free rotation on the inner bottom portion of the cells 93a, 93b to transmit the rotation force of the motor 97 into the kneading blades 94a, 94b through the pulleys 95a, 95b and the belt 96. Also, heaters 98a, 98b which are heating means are disposed downwardly of the cells 93a, 93b.

99a, 99b are temperature detecting means with which the temperature sensors 100a, 100b in contact with the cells 93a, 93b are to connect, the temperature signals of the temperature detecting means 99a, 99b are outputted into an average temperature detecting means 101. The average temperature detecting means 101 calculates the average value of the temperature signals from the temperature detecting means 99a, 99b to output it into a controlling means 102.

And the controlling means 102 controls the heating amount of the heaters 98a, 98b in the baking step in accordance with the average temperature signals from the average temperature detecting means 101. The controlling means 102, the average temperature detecting means 101 are composed of a microcomputer 103. It is to be noted that the controlling means 102 controls a motor driving means 104 and a heater driving means 105.

Then, a control flow of the microcomputer 13 will be described in accordance with Fig. 14. At first, when the operation is started, the kneading step, the fermenting step will be executed at steps A, B. After the fermenting step is completed, the current begins to flow into the heaters 98a, 98b to move into the baking step of heating the cells 93a, 93b. In the baking step, at first, the temperatures of the cells 93a, 93b are inputted by the temperature detecting means 99a, 99b at the step C, the average temperature is calculated by the average temperature detecting means 101 at the step D. And the heaters 98a, 98b are turned on until the average temperature reaches the determined value (step F), the heaters 98a, 98b are turned off if the determined value is reached (step G), the operation is repeated till the determined time passes (step H) to complete the operation.

The temperature variation of the respective cells 93a, 93b in the baking cell will be described in accordance with Fig. 15. A curve line A in the drawing shows the variation in the temperature of the cell, into which a little amount of bread material has been thrown, a curve line B shows the variation in temperature of the cell, into which the rated amount of bread materials has been thrown.

Also, the curve line C shows the average value of the curve lines A, B. When the step moves into the baking step, the current begins flowing into the heaters 98a, 98b, and the temperature of the cell starts its rise. And when the curve line C reaches the determined temperature Ta, the controlling means 102 controls the heaters 98a, 98b so that the temperature of the curve line C may be maintained at a determined value Ta. Namely, the heaters 98a, 98b are energized till a determined value Ta suitable for the average bread baking temperature is reached, the heaters 98a, 98b are turned on, off in energization at a time point ta when the temperature Ta is reached to retain the bread baking temperature Ta.On the other hand, the temperature of the cell of more capacity rises like the curve line B, the heating amount of the heaters 98a, 98b at the ta time point is reduced, so that the temperature rising ratio is further reduced, thus reaching the bread baking temperature Ta finally. Also, as the temperature of the cell of less capacity starts its fall at a time point ta like a curved line A, finally arriving at the bread baking temperature Ta, because the heating amount is controlled so that the heaters 98a, 98b may become the determined value Ta.

In the third embodiment of the present invention like this, in the baking step, the respective temperatures of a plurality of cells 93a, 93b each being different in the amount of the bread materials are detected by the temperature detecting means 99a, 99b to control the heaters 98a, 98b which are heating means in accordance with the average value of the detected temperature, thus preventing the bread from being excessively baked or being baked raw.

Fig. 16, Fig. 17, Fig. 18 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in Fig. 16, 106 is a bread baking machine main body, a baking chamber 107 is provided within the main body 106, two cells 108a, 108b are disposed within the baking chamber 107. Kneading blades 109a, 109b for mixing, kneading the bread materials thrown into are disposed for their free rotatable operation on the inner bottom portion of the cells 108a, 108b, the rotating force of the motor 112 is adapted to be transmitted into the kneading blades 1091, 109b through the pulleys 110a, 110b and the belt 111. Also, downwardly of the cells 108a, 108b, there are disposed heaters 113a, 113b which are heating means.

114a, 114b are temperature detecting means with which the temperature sensors 115a, 115b in contact against the cells 108a, 108b are connected, the temperature signals of the temperature detecting means 114a, 114b are outputted into a change-over means 116 and a comparing means 117. The change-over means 117 compares the determined temperature value from the determined value memory means 118 with the temperature signals from the temperature detecting means 114a, 114b to judge the temperature detecting means 114a or 114b which reaches the determined value latest. In accordance with the judgement result, the change-over means 116 changes over the temperature signal form the temperature detecting means 114a or 114b to output it into the control means 119.And the control means 119 controls the heating amount of the heaters 113a, 113b in the baking step in accordance with the temperature signal from the change-over means 116. The controlling means 119, the change-over means 116, the comparing means 117 and the predetermined value memory means 118 are composed of microcomputers 120. It is to be noted that the controlling means 119 controls the motor driving means 121 and the motor driving means 122.

Then, the control flow of the microcomputer 120 will be described with reference to Fig. 17. At first, when the operation starts, the kneading step, the fermenting step will be executed at steps A, B. After the fermenting step is completed, an initial setting of T=0 is effected at step C to start the etergization to the heaters 113a, 113b for moving into the baking step of heating the cells 108a, 108b.

In the baking step, at first, at the step D, it is judged whether or not the temperature of the cell 108a is at a determined value or less, if the temperature is at the determined value or less, it is judged whether or not T=0 at step E, if the T is 1 or more, the temperature signal input on the side of the temperature detecting means 114a is effected at step F. Also, when the temperature reaches the determined value at step D, it is judged whether or not the cell 108b is at the determined value or less at step G, if it is at the determined value or less, the temperature signal input on the side of the temperature detecting means 114b is effected at step H, if it reaches the determined value, 1 is added to the content of the T at the step I and the step returns to the step D to repeat the content.By this judgement, it is decided which of the temperature detecting means 114a, 114b reaches the determined value latest. And if the change-over operation of the temperature detecting means 114a, 114b is decided, i.e., if the inputting operation of the temperature signal which has reached the determined value late is effected, the controlling means 119 controls the energization of the heaters 113a, 113b in accordance with the temperature signal to be inputted at step J. And after the lapse of the given time at step K, the operation is completed.

The variation in the temperature of the respective cells 108a, 108b in the baking step will be described in accordance with Fig. 18. The curve line A in the drawing shows the variation in the temperature of the cell a small amount of bread materials has been thrown into, the curve line B shows the variation in the temperature of the cell into which the rated amount of bread material is thrown. As the energization starts to the heaters 113a, 113b when the step moves into the baking step, the temperature of the cell starts to rise. And if either of the cells (in this case, the cell of the rated amount) which is later in reaching the determined temperature Tb is reached, the controlling means 119 controls the heaters 113a, 113b so that the temperature becomes that of the curved line B.Namely, the current is flowed into the heaters 113a, 113b until the bread baking temperature Ta (Ta > Tb) is reached, the energization of the heaters 113a, 113b is turned on, off at a time point ta where the temperature Ta has been reached to retain the bread baking temperature Ta. On the other hand, as the temperature of the cell less in capacity rises like the curve line A and the heating amount of the heaters 113a, 113b is reduced at the ta time point, the temperature is lowered down to the bread baking temperature Ta, thus finally reaching the bread baking temperature Ta.In this case, although the heaters 113a, 113b are controlled on, off at the ta time point, but if the heater 113a or 113b on the side of the cell of the rated capacity is controlled so as to stop the energization of the heater 113a or 113b on the side of the cell less in amount, the heat amount to be transmitted onto the side of the cell less in capacity is reduced to prevent the cell of less capacity from rising abnormally in temperature, so that the bread baking condition of two cells 108a, 108b may be improved.

Furthermore, in a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the temperature signal was inputted in the comparing means 117 to judge a cell later in the temperature rising but, for example, the judgement may be effected that the cell lower in the temperature rising ratio is later in the temperature rising, in short, one later in the temperature rising is only necessary to be detected.

In the fourth embodiment of the present invention like this, the respective temperatures of a plurality of cells 108a, 108b each different in the amount of the bread material are detected by the temperature detecting means 114a, 114b to control the heating means in accordance with a temperature signal reaching the determined value latest among the detected temperatures, i.e., a temperature signal of a cell largest in the bread material amount so as to prevent the bread from being baked raw.

Fig. 19, Fig. 20, Fig. 21 show a fifth embodiment, in Fig. 19, 123 is a bread producing machine main body, a baking chamber 124 is disposed within the main body 123, two cells 125a, 125b are disposed within the baking chamber 124.

On the inner bottom portion of the cells 125a, 125b there are rotatably disposed kneading blades 126a, 126b for mixing, kneading the bread materials thrown in, so that the rotation force of the motor 129 is adapted to be transmitted into the kneading blades 126a, 126b through pulleys 127a, 127b and the belt 128. Also, heaters 130a, 130b which are heating means are disposed downwardly of the cells 125a, 125b.

131a, 131b are temperature detecting means, the temperature sensors 132a, 132b in contact against the cells 125a, 125b are connected with, the temperature signals of the temperature detecting means 131a, 131b are outputted to a change-over means 133 and a comparing means 134. The comparing means 134 compares the setting temperature value from the setting value memorizing means 135 with the temperature signal from the temperature detecting means 131a, 131b to judge the temperature detecting means 131a or 131b which reaches the setting temperature value earlier. In accordance with the judgement result, the change-over means 133 changes over the temperature signal from the temperature detecting means 131a or 131b to output it to a controlling means 136.And the controlling means 136 controls the heating amount of the heaters 130a, 130b in the baking step in accordance with the temperature signal from the changeover means 133. The controlling means 136, the change-over means 133, the comparing means 134 and the setting value memorizing means 135 are composed of a microcomputer 137.

It is to be noted that the controlling means 136 controls the motor driving means 138 and the heater driving means 139.

The control flow of the microcomputer 137 will be described hereinafter with reference to Fig. 20. At first, when the operation starts, the kneading step, the fermenting step are executed at steps A, B. After the fermenting step is completed, the current starts to flow into the heaters 130a, 130b to move into a baking step of heating the cells 125a, 125b. In the baking step, at first, it is judged whether or not the temperature of the cell 125a has reached a determined value at step C so as to effect the temperature signal input on the side of the temperature detecting means 131a at step F if the temperature reaches the determined value.Also, when the determined value is not reached at step C, it is judged whether or not the cell 125b reaches the determined value at step D, if it is reached, the temperature signal input on the side of the temperature detecting means 131b is effected, if the setting value is not reached, the step is returned to step C to repeat the content. And if the change-over operation of the temperature detecting means 131a, 131b is determined, that is, if the input of the temperature signal which has been reached earlier to the determined value, the controlling means 136 controls the energization of the heaters 130at 130b in accordance with the temperature signal to be inputted at step G. And after the lapse of the given time at step H, the operation is completed.

The variations in the temperatures of the respective cells 125a, 125b in the baking step will be described with reference to Fig. 21. The curve line A in the drawing shows the variations in the temperatures of a cell into which less amount of bread material has been thrown, the curve line B shows the variations in the temperatures of a cell into which the rated amount of bread material has been thrown. As the current begins flowing into the heaters 130a, 130b when the step moves into the baking step, the temperatures of the cell begins to rise. And if either of the cells (in this case, the less amount of cells) reaches the determined temperature Tb, the controlling means 136 controls the heaters 130a, 130b so that the temperature may become that of the curve line A.Namely, the current is flowed into the heaters 130a, 130b till the bread baking temperature Ta (Ta > Tb) is reached, the energization of the heaters 130a, 130b is turned on, off at a time point ta the temperature Ta has been reached so as to retain the bread baking temperature Ta. On the other hand, as the temperature of the cell more in capacity rises as in a curve line B and the heating amount of the heaters 130a, 130b is reduced at the ta time point, the temperature rising ratio is further reduced, and finally reaches a bread baking temperature Ta.In this case, the heaters 130a, 130b are controlled on, off at the ta time point, but if the heater 130a or 130b on the side of the cell of the rated capacity is controlled to stop the energization of the heater 130a 130b on the side of the cell small in amount, the amount of the heat to be transmitted onto the side of the cell of the rated capacity increases to prevent the cell of the rated capacity from being lowered in the temperature rising ratio, so that the bread baking condition of two cells may be improved.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the temperature signal was inputted in the comparing means 134 to judge a cell to rise earlier in temperature, but, for example, the temperature rising ratio may be detected to judge that one of the higher temperature rising ratio is a cell of faster temperature rising, in short, a cell of earlier temperature rising is only necessary to be detected.

In a fifth embodiment of the present invention as described hereinabove, the respective temperatures of a plurality of cells 125a, 125b each being different in the amount of the bread material are detected by the temperature detecting means 13la, 13lib to control the heating control in accordance with a temperature signal reaching the determined value earliest among the detected temperatures, i.e., a temperature signal of a cell least in the bread material, so that the bread may be prevented from being baked, burned excessively.

Fig. 22, Fig. 23, Fig. 24 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in Fig. 22, 140 is a bread producing machine main body, a baking chamber 141 is disposed within the main body 140, two cells 142a, 142b are disposed within the baking chamber 141. Heaters 143a, 143b which are heating means are disposed downwardly of the cells 142a, 142b. Also, on the inner bottom portions of the respective cells 142a, 142b, there are rotatably disposed kneading blades 144a, 144b for mixing, kneading the bread material thrown in, so that the rotating force of the motor 147 is adapted to be transmitted into the kneading blades 144a, 144b through the pulleys 145a, 145b and the belt 146.

And the characteristics of a sixth embodiment of the present invention is that the temperatures 148a, 148b are provided to detect the temperatures of the cells 142a, 142b, the temperature sensors 148a, 148b are connected with the temperature detecting means 149a, 149b. And the detecting signals of the temperature detecting means 149a, 149b are outputted into the controlling means 150 and also, are outputted into a temperature rising ratio detecting means 151a, 151b. The temperature rising ratio detecting means l51a, 151b detect the temperature rising ratios of the cells 142a, 142b to output them to the controlling means 150. The controlling means 150 controls a motor driving means 152 and a heater driving means 153 in accordance with the tempera ture information and the temperature rising information of the cells 142a, 142b.

Then, the controlling flow of the controlling means 150 will be described with reference to Fig. 23. At first, when the operation is started, the temperature signals from the temperature detecting means 149a, 149b are inputted at step A, the kneading step (step B), the fermenting step (step C) are executed to move into the baking step.

In the baking step, at first, the current flows into the heaters 143a, 143b at step D. And the temperature rising ratio of the cell 142a is detected from the temperature rising ratio detecting means 1Sla at step E, if the temperature rising ratio is a determined value or more (step F), the cell 142a detects the empty baking (step J). If it is judged at step F that the temperature rising ratio does not reach the determined value, the temperature rising ratio of the cell 142b is detected from the temperature rising ratio detecting means 151b at step G, if the temperature rising ratio is the determined value or more (step H), it is detected that the cell 142b is empty at baking (step J).If it is judged at the step H that the temperature rising ratio does not reach the determined value, it is judged whether or not the given time has passed at step I, if it is within the given time, the step returns to step E to repeat the opera- tion to complete the operation if the given time passes.

Furthermore, in the empty baking detection (step J), if, for example, the cell 142a is empty at baking, it is considered that the heater 143a is turned off, if the cell 142b is empty at baking, the heater 143b is turned off in the controlling operation or the operation is stopped.

Then, a principle of the empty baking detecting will be described with reference to Fig. 24. The curve line A in the drawing shows the variations in the temperature of the cell into which the bread material is not thrown, the curve line B shows the variations in the temperature of the cell into which the bread material is thrown into. Now, when the heater is energized, the respective cells effect the temperature rising, but the cell of the empty baking is higher in the temperature rising ratio (TA > aTg) in the temperature rising ratio, if it is detected by a time ta that the temperature rising ratio ssTA of the cell has become the determined value or more, the controlling means 150 controls the heater to reduce the temperature rising ratio of the cell on the side of the empty baking detection.And it becomes the same as the cell into which the bread material has been finally thrown into, and is retained at a bread baking temperature of Tc.

In a sixth embodiment of the present invention as described hereinabove, the temperature rising ratio is judged from a signal from the temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the cell which has been set in the baking chamber 141, if the temperature rising ratio is the determined value or more, the cell is judged to be empty in baking, so that the cell may be detected before the cell becomes high in temperature.

Moreover, in the first through the sixth embodiments of the present invention, -a case where two cells are set in the baking chamber is shown, but it is needless to say that the contents of the first through the sixth embodiments may be applied even if, for example, three cells or more are set in the baking chamber.

Also, in the third embodiment through the fifth embodiment of the present invention, arrangements for controlling a heater which is a heating means by the controlling means in the baking process in accordance with the signal of the temperature detecting means are described, but even in a case where the contents similar to the abovedescribed respective embodiments have been applied to the fermenting process, the controlling means may control the heating means in accordance with the signal of the temperature detecting means as in the above-described respective embodiments.And also, in a case where the contents of the third embodiment through the fifth embodiment have been applied to the mixing, kneading processing for mixing, kneading the bread material, the controlling means is adapted to effect a controlling operation to drive the mixing, kneading means in accordance with the signal of the temperature detecting means in the mixing, kneading step so as to complete the kneading step when the given value has been reached. In this case, as the step may be moved into the fermenting step of the following step with the temperatures of all the cells being made closer to the fermenting temperature, a case is removed, where the bread becomes extremely worse because of inferior fermentation.It is to be noted that a combustor, a high-frequency heater or the like is considered, as the heating means, in addition to an electric heater shown in the above-described respective embodiment, also the mixing, kneading means is not restricted to a kneading blade in the embodiment.

Industrial AnDlicability As described hereinabove, a bread producing machine of the present invention comprises a plurality of cells for accommodating bread materials, a baking chamber for accommodating the plurality of cells, a mixing, kneading means for mixing, kneading the bread materials placed within the above-described respective cells, a heating means for heating the respective cells, a controlling means for controlling the mixing, kneading means, the heating means to advance a bread producing processing of a mixing, kneading step, a fermenting step, a baking step, etc., a temperature determining means for detecting the temperature of the cells, the controlling means controls a mixing, kneading means, a heating means in accordance with the signal of the temperature detecting means to enable one loaf of bread or a plurality of loaves of bread to be produced, so that in a household of a large family, when bread of two loaves or more is required to be produced, bread of two loaves or more may be simultaneously baked by this construction through putting of the bread material respectively into a plurality of cells, also, even when one loaf of bread is required to be baked in the household of a large family or of a small family, the bread may be easily baked through putting of the bread material into either of the plurality of cells.

Claims

Scope of Claim

1. A bread producing machine comprising a plurality of cells for accommodating bread materials, a baking chamber for accommodating the plurality of cells, a mixing, kneading means for mixing, kneading bread materials placed within each of the cells, a heating means for heating each cell, a controlling means for controlling the mixing, kneading means, the heating means to advance a bread producing process of a mixing, kneading step, a fermenting step, a baking step, etc., a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperatures of the cells, the controlling means controls the mixing, kneading means, the heating means in accordance with the signal of the temperature detecting means to enable one loaf of bread or a plurality of loaves of bread to be produced.

2. A bread producing machine in accordance with Claim 1, wherein a plurality of cells are composed of two cells, and a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the cells is one, this one temperature detecting means detects the temperature of either one of two cells, a controlling means is driven by the detecting means and other cell is adapted to be controlled on assumption.

3. A bread producing machine in accordance with Claim 1, wherein a plurality of temperature detecting means for detecting each of a plurality of cells for themselves, and a cell detecting means for detecting the setting condition of each cell into the baking chamber are disposed, the cell detecting means makes a signal of the temperature detecting means on the side of the cell has been set an input signal of the controlling means.

4. A bread producing machine in accordance with Claim 1, wherein a plurality of temperature detecting means for detecting each of a plurality of cells for themselves, and an average temperature detecting means for inputting the signals of the respective temperature detecting means to calculate the temperature average are provided, the controlling means is adapted to control the heating means in the fermenting step or the baking step by the signal of the average temperature detecting means.

5. A bread producing machine in accordance with Claim 1, wherein a plurality of temperature detecting means for detecting each of a plurality of cells for themselves, and an average temperature detecting means for inputting the signals of the respective temperature detecting means to calculate the temperature average are provided, the controlling means is adapted to control the mixing, kneading means in a mixing, kneading step by the signal of the average temperature detecting means.

6. A bread producing machine in accordance with Claim 1, wherein a plurality of temperature detecting means for detecting each of a plurality of cells for themselves are disposed, among these temperature detecting means, the controlling means is adapted to control the heating means in the fermenting step or the baking step by either signal which has been read the setting value latest.

7. A bread producing machine in accordance with Claim 1, wherein a plurality of temperature detecting means for detecting each of a plurality of cells for themselves are are disposed, among these temperature detecting means, the controlling means is adapted to control the mixing, kneading means in the mixing, kneading step by either signal which has reached the setting value latest.

8. A bread producing machine in accordance with Claim 1, wherein a plurality of temperature detecting means for detecting each of a plurality of cells for themselves are disposed, among these temperature detecting means, the controlling means is adapted to control the heating means in the fermenting step or the baking step by either signal which has reached the setting value earliest.

9. A breach producing machine in accordance with Claim 1, wherein a plurality of temperature detecting means for detecting each of a plurality of cells for themselves are disposed, among these temperature detecting means, the controlling means is adapted to control the mixing, kneading means in the mixing, kneading step by either signal which has reached the setting value earliest.

10. A bread producing machine in accordance with Claim 1, wherein a plurality of temperature detecting means for detecting each of a plurality of cells for themselves and a temperature rising ratio detecting means for detecting the temperature rising ratio of the respective temperature detecting means are provided, a controlling means for advancing a bread producing process is adapted to judge that a cell which becomes a setting value or more in the temperature rising ratio is empty in baking.

11. A bread producing machine in accordance with Claim 2, wherein one temperature detecting means detects the absence or existence of setting, into the baking chamber, the cell which detects the temperature, when the cell is not set into the baking chamber, a detecting means which does not cause the program for bread production to be effected is provided.