US3749373A

US3749373A - Apparatus for preparing doughs or similar material

Info

Publication number: US3749373A
Application number: US00093684A
Authority: US
Inventors: K Kemper
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-11-28
Filing date: 1970-11-30
Publication date: 1973-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-31
Also published as: NL7017344A; DE1959799A1

Abstract

A system for the automatic preparation of paste-like mixtures, e.g. dough, including a charge kneading machine station, at least two vessels each capable of containing a mass of such mixture for treatment by the kneading machine, a plurality of mixture processing stations, and means for automatically moving the vessels along a path between the stations and controlling the operation performed on the mixture at each station.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 11 3,749,373 [451 July 31,1973

Kemper APPARATUS FOR PREPARING DOUGHS OR [56] References Cited SIMILAR MATERIAL UNITED STATES PATENTS [76] Inventor: Kate Kemper, Lange Strasse 8-10, 2,698,144 12/1954 Reiffen 107/33 X D4833 Neuenkirchen uber 3,420,507 1/1969 Eirich et al 259/84 Gutersloh Germany 3,591,098 7/1971 McShirley 259/58 x [22] Filed: 1970 Primary Examiner-Geo. V. Larkin [21] Appl. No.: 93,684 Attorney-Spencer & Kaye [30] Foreign Application Priority Data L t f th tABS'ZRACT t f t rk sys em or e au oma c prepara iono pase-l e Nov. 28, 1969 Germany P 19 59 799.0 mixtures g g including a charge kneading chine station, at least two vessels each capable of confizz 223 36? taining a mass of such mixture for treatment by the Aug 1/16 Bzg b kneading machine, a plurality of mixture processing stations, and means for automatically moving the ves- [58] meld of Search 259/48 sels along a path between the stations and'controlling the operation performed on the mixture at each station.

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APPARATUS FOR PREPARING DOUGHS OR SIMILAR MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for fully automatically preparing doughs or similar material, particularly bread doughs, in a continuous operation.

In any modern manufacturing operation, it is generally desired to employ processes which are as automatic as possible and which simultaneously increase the quantity and improve the quality of the items being produced. In a large-scale bakery operation as well as in a small bake shop the kneading and mixing machine represents an important and thus central unit in the preparation of dough.

The mixing and kneading machine is generally placed at the head of a production line and thus determines the production capacity of the entire factory. The most important prerequisite in the selection of a suitable mixing and kneading device is therefore that the output of the device be controllable over as wide a range as possible.

If one of the subsequent processing machines should malfunction, it must be possible to maintain production, if necessary only at half or even less thenormal production output.

In the average-size bakery plant a kneading and mixing machine is required which operates as continuously as possible so that waiting times can be eliminated. In the manufacture of baked goods, for example, continuously operating mixing and kneading machines are already known. In these machines the dough is continuously transported, in these machines, in the shape of a strand.

One drawback of continuous kneading is that only relatively few variations are possible in the types of bread to be produced since a changeover to another type of 'flour or dough is possible but involves a considerable loss in time and materials. i

A pass-through mixer or worm tube kneader, for example, only assures a rather uniform mass flow rate. A change in the flowthrough line has a substantial effect on the accuracy with which the recipe is followed. Since the use of all of the components of the system requires that each individual component must continuously be added, a variation in the conveying speed of so-called conveyor-type weighers, dosaging pumps, vibratory troughs and the like is necessary. For the manufactureof baked goods, however, the operation of the system must be reproducible with an accuracy of about 11%, depending on the type of product involved. If these values are exceeded, a change in the consistency, in the mixing accuracy or viscosity will inevitably result.

The above-mentioned kneaders present particular problems with respect to changes in recipes and accessibility for cleaning. Moreover, the power and space requirements of such systems, inter alia, are often particularly unfavorable. It can thus be seen that the socalled worm tube kneader only compensates for the technical drawbacks of the trough kneader but does not present the advantages of the so-called charge kneader.

Further drawbacks of the above-mentioned machine result, for example, during emptying or switching from one type of dough to another. To eliminate these drawbacks, particular measures must be taken. For these reasons, it is possible to use a continuously operating kneading machine having the above-mentioned drawbacks economically only in large-scale operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for fully automatic preparation of bread and other doughs while eliminating the above-mentioned drawbacks. It has been found that charge kneading machines are best suited for this purpose. Such charge kneading machines operate discontinuously but can be employed and positioned according to the present invention in such a manner that, seen as a whole, a continuous and fully automatic preparation of bread and other doughs is possible.

It is therefore a further object of the present invention to provide a quasi continuous process employing a charge kneading machine.

These and other objects according to the invention are accomplished in a system for fully or partially automatically preparing doughs or similar materials employing at least one charge kneading machine which has at least two associated removable vessels which are automatically moved in fixed guide rails according to a programmed operating sequence and which, depend ing on the operating conditions, are attached or removed from certain stations of the system, the time required for this purpose also being included in the program, and the individual process steps, such as, for example, filling, mixing, kneading, resting and emptying, being semior fully automatic.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a charge kneading machine is used as the central structural component which acts as a pulse generator or timer, and simultaneously controls the movement of the vessels or vessel drive racks from the filling station to the mixing and kneading station, the rest station, the discharge station and back to the filling station. These stations are spatially related to the kneading and mixing station according to the existing processing requirements, the control of the entire process being possible from a central point with the aid of a control plate in a semimechanical manner or with the aid ofa computer in a fully automatic manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a schematic representation of a large-scale system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a simplified embodiment, compared with that of FIG. 1, in which a charge kneader serves to provide continuous operation, the kneader being shown as a central structural unit in plan view.

FIG. 3a is an elevational cross-sectional view of a portion of a specific embodiment of the system of FIG.

FIG. 3b is an elevational cross-sectional view of an adjoining portion to that shown in FIG. 3a of the specific embodiment of the system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel of the charge kneading machine of FIG. 3 showing the relation of the kneading and mixing implements.

FIG. 5 is a time diagram illustrating the operation of the individual stations, or the respective vessel cycles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the system illustrated in FIG. 1, a dough vessel is at operating station 20 beneath a charge kneading machine 1. The single lines represent a guide rail on which the dough vessels move automatically among locations 20-32 according to a control program, the rail system including a switch 3. A discharge station 5 serves to empty a dough vessel into a machine 6, for example a dough separator, for further processing.

The flour required for making the dough is stored in

silos

8, 9 and 10, which hold different types of flour. The silos are connected together by a delivery line which leads to a mixing device 11. A metering device 12 serves to deliver the programmed quantities of flour to a vessel present at the loading station 32.

Further metering devices

15, 16 and 17 serve to add baking aids and water to the respective vessel in programmed quantities.

The flour is delivered by means of a dosing, or metering, screw feed or a dosing continuous weigher. Further ingredients which are not to be dissolved in water, as for example the baking aids for white products, powdered milk etc. can be mixed in advance before the introduction of flour or they are added by means of a microdosing system. Dough-souring ingredients and salt are normally dissolved in a defined quantity of water and are metered out through piston pumps.

Yeast is also frst mixed in a suspension. In order to avoid settling of the yeast, a stirring mechanism assures constant homogeneity. Fats and emulsions are heated and thus become capable of being conveyed by pumping. For very small quantities of ingredients, such as, for example, flavorings, premixes are prepared. Even slight deviations in the dosing can still be compensated in the kneading machine. Errors in the metered out quantities can be immediately detected at an electronically controlled desk.

According to the present invention the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is also provided with a further charge kneading machine la fromwhich dough vessels are conveyed to a further discharge station 5a associated with a connected processing machine 60.

The system according to the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, operates as follows:

According to a preprogrammed recipe, the proper quantities of flour, water and baking aids are introduced into the vessel at station 32 and the vessel is then automatically conveyed to station 20 or 26 to have its contents processed by kneading

machine

1 or 1a, respectively. Upon completion of the preprogrammed mixing and kneading time the vessel is automatically brought to

location

24 or 30 adjacent discharge station 5 or 50, respectively, either directly via

location

22 or 28, respectively, or via a rest zone defined by

locations

21 and 23 or 27 and 29, respectively, the route is determined by the position of

switch

3 or 30, respectively.

It is also possible, according to the present invention, to combine the two operating kneading and mixing

machines

1 and 1a in such a manner that their discharge occurs onto a common conveying element which brings the material to the next processing stage. In this

case discharge stations

5 and 5a can be combined. Such an arrangement permits a semi-continuous tandem type operation to be established. The individual stations of such a system are employed in the embodiment shown in FIGS 2, 3a, 3b and 4 and will be described in detail with reference to those figures.

For certain types of dough it is necessary to provide a rest period for the dough before it is further processed. For this purpose a loop is provided in the system of FIG. 1 between the kneading

machine

1 or 10 and the

discharge station

5 or 5a, in which loop rest stations, or locations, 21 and 23 or 27 and 29 are disposed. This loop may lead to or through a temperature and humidity controlled fermentation chamber.

FIGS. 2, 3a and 3b show a simplified embodiment of the system shown as a whole in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a central unit 200 which serves as the kneading and mixing device as well as the drive means for the vessels circling around this central unit. FIGS. 3a and 3b are elevational cross-sectional views of an operating embodiment of the system. Below the mixing and kneading station, which will be described in detail later, there is disposed a column 201 (FIG. 3a) which is located in the center of the entire system and which constitutes a stationary supporting unit. This column is disposed on a stationary base and carries a supporting base 305.

A transfer means is provided in the form of a bearing plate 202, which has a bevel gear 203 formed thereon and a plurality of drive racks 207 attached thereto, and a rotor 204. The bearing plate 202 is disposed around the column 201 to be rotatable wlth respect thereto with holding devices for holding a plurality of vessels belonging to weighing devices for vessel drive racks 207 being connected therewith. The bevel gear 203 is mounted to move with this rotatably disposed bearing plate 202. The electrically driven drive motor204 is mounted inside the supporting base 305. The shaft of the motor is provided with a bevel pinion 205 which engages with the gear 203 in a force-transmitting manner.

When motor 204 is actuated by a central control unit 206 (FIG. 2) emitting electrical pulses, the motor starts and thus drives the gear 203 so that all vessels connected thereto are moved along a circular path. The plurality of vessel drive racks 207 are screwed to the bearing plate 202. The vessel drive racks 207 are supported by rollers and plate 202 and serve for transporting the dough containers 208, each dough container being in rotatable and pivotal connection with a respective vessel drive rack.

Vessel 208 is reinforced by a vessel flange 209 which serves to connect the vessel to a vessel holder 210. The vessel holder 210 is provided with a pin 211 which is rigidly connected therewith and at whose lower end a vessel gear 212 is keyed. Pin 211 is rotatably mounted in a rocker bearing 213 which is pivotal about a pivot axis 214. The pivot axis 214 is supported by the vessel drive rack 207.

The rocker bearing 213 is provided with an opening 215 in its center in which is disposed a worm gear segment 216 which is rotatable about axis 214. The worm wheel segment 216 is rigidly connected with the rocker bearing 213. Below the worm wheel segment 216 is disposed an engaging worm 217 which is rigidly connected to one end of a shaft 218 rotatably mounted in the vessel drive rack 207 and provided at its other end with a rigidly connected bevel gear 219. This bevel gear 219 is caused to rotate by a drive gear 224, shown at the discharge station at the left hand side of FIG. 3b, through the intermediary of an idler 230 so that vessel 208 is enabled to perform a pivoting movement about axis 214. The discharge station will be described in detail below.

If the vessel 208 is disposed in the kneading zone or station, it is necessary for carrying out the kneading process that vessel 208 be caused to rotate about its vertical axis 306. For this purpose a motor-driven gear 220 engages the vessel gear 212. The motor 221 provided for driving gear 220, for example by means of a worm, receives its actuating pulses from the central control unit 206.

The kneading and mixing device will now be described in detail with the aid of FIG. 3a. The kneading implement 302 is disposed inside vessel 208 as is a guide blade 303. A supporting head 304 atop base 305 contains the gear elements for driving the kneading implement. These elements are composed of a simple arrangement of cable driven pulleys and will not be described in detail. Below the supporting head 304, the supporting base 305 contains lifting elements for lifting the head 304 together with implement 302 and the;

blade 303. The lifting elements include motor and gear components 309315 as well as guide pins and supporting

elements

316 and 317.

The guide blade 303 extending into the vessel is disposed between the kneading implement 302 and the vessel axis 306. The guide blade 303 has an enlarged guide surface 307 at its lower end, which is angularly offset from the blade to urge material downwardly toward implement 302.

In the detail plan view of FIG. 4, the vessel radius is marked r, the diameter of the kneading implement is marked d and the radial extent of the guide blade, excluding surface 307, from axis 306 is marked a. V is the rotational speed of the kneading implement and V, the rotational speed of the vessel. The electric motor 221 is provided to drive the vessel and another motor 308 to drive the kneading implement. The motor 221 for rotating the vessel has already been described.

As shown in FIG. 3a, the motor 308 for rotating the kneading implement is fixed to the supporting head 304 and also undergoes the lifting movement of the supporting head 304 which lifting movement is effected by motor 309. A motor disc 311 is rigidly connected to the shaft 310 of motor 309 to cause the V-belt disc 312 to rotate by means of a V-belt drive. The V-belt disc 312 is rigidly connected to a threaded spindle 313 and rotation of this spindle raises or lowers a hub nut '314 which is mounted in a cantilever holding bracket 315 to be prevented from rotating. The threaded spindle 313 is held by a supporting bearing 316. The supporting head 304 is supported by two supporting shafts 317, only one of which is shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3a since the second one lies spatially behind the first in that view. The shafts 317 are supported by bracket 315.

Rotating the threaded spindle 313 causes the hub nut 314 to be lifted or lowered, which itself causes the supporting shafts 317 to move up and down with the bracket 315.

The arrangement of the kneading implement within the vessel according to the present invention in connection with the guide blade permits intensive kneading in the area of the implements as well as good air intake into the dough.

The configuration of the guide blade according to the present invention and the corresponding rotational direction of the vessel prevent the material being kneaded from escaping during processing. It is particularly advantageous that the geometry of the kneading implement permits a high number of revolutions with a relatively low motor output. This makes possible rotational speeds of up to 220 rpm. With such speeds the action performed is more a beating than a kneading and this particularly enhances the intake of air into the dough. This accelerates the fermentation process, assures better processibility of the doughs and considerably increases the volume of the resulting baked goods.

According to the present invention, the center radial expanse a of the guide blade 303 is smaller than onehalf the diameter d of the area covered by the kneading implement, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The measure permits a particularly advantageous input of the material to be kneaded by the kneading implement. Because of the rotation of the vessel, the guide blade prevents any unprocessed portion of the material to be kneaded from remaining in the center of the vessel.

It is particularly advantageous if the rotational speed V of the kneading implement is approximately 1 10 rpm for mixing operations. For kneading and beating it is advantageous to have the kneading implement operate at a rotational speed V, of approximately 220 rpm. The different rotational speeds V of the vessel can be between l0 and 30 rpm in either direction. These values, however, are only exemplary and may be appropriately modified if required.

For describing the complete dough handling process, it will be assumed that the kneading process has just been completed. At this time, an automatic control causes electrical pulses originating from a central unit to switch on the lifting motor 309 to lift the machine head 304, and thus the kneading implement, by the earlier described means. Thus the keading implement 302 with the guide blade 303 is lifted out of vessel 208.

The lifting stroke is terminated by the operation of an end contact switch disposed in the base 305 and shown in broken lines. This end contact switch simultaneously transmits signal pulses to the central control unit. Depending on the program which has been prepared and fed-in to the unit, motor 204 is then actuated and thus rotates the bearing plate 202 as already described in connection with FIG. 30. Thus all the vessel drive racks 207 connected with the bearing plate 202 are simultaneously caused to rotate. This means that such vessel associated with a certain processing, filling or discharge station leaves this station and moves to the next station. For example, the vessel disposed below kneading station 200 which has undergone a kneading'proeess and has had the kneading implement lifted out of it, is brought to a discharge station 5.

Station 5 (FIG. 3b) has a motor 231 which is rigidly connected to the central unit 200 and whose shaft 223 carries a drive gear 224. This gear 224 meshes with bevel gear 219 through idler 230 when the vessel drive rack 207 has reached its final position in the discharging station 5. When this occurs the central unit 206 receives a signal which causes it to transmit actuation pulses to motor 231 to set it into operation. The transmission of force by the described elements causes the rocker bearing 213 to pivot about the axis 214 and consequently brings the vessel into a tilted position causing it to discharge its contents into a receptacle at station 5. For purposes of clarity, only a part of the vessel 208 is shown tilted in FIG. 3b, although it should be understood that

elements

210, 212 and 213 are also tilted.

After the vessel has been emptied and returned to its untilted position, renewed actuation of motor 204 causes all of the vessels to be brought to the nextfollowing station. Thus, the empty vessel now reaches the filling station which has, for example, three associated silos which are indicated at 8, 9 and 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2, this system being designed in a manner similar to that described in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3. The flour required for making the dough is disposed in these silos, which may hold different types of flour. The silos are connected to each other by means of a line which leads to mixing device 11. A dosing, or metering, device 12 (FIG. 1) serves to feed the programmed quantities of flour into the vessel.

Further dosing devices

15, 16 and I7 serve to add, for example, baking aids and water to the vessel in programmed quantities.

FIG. 5 contains a time flow chart which presents a simplified representation of a system which operates semi-automatically. The time is plotted on the abscissa of the coordinate system of FIG. 5, while the ordinate shows the individual stations, i.e., I the mixing and kneading station, II the rest station, III the discharge station and IV the filling station. Curve 1 indicates the processing path of vessel 1 when no rest period is provided for the dough, while curve 2 indicates the processing path of vessel 2 with a rest period for the dough.

In station I the kneading implement of vessel 1 is lowered. This lowering process takes seconds and is completed during interval S. Then the mixing and kneading process begins and continues during interval K, which takes 8 minutes. Upon completion of this process the kneading implement is lifted during interval H. This process takes I0 seconds.

After the kneading implement has been lifted out of the vessel, motor 204 is actuated and that vessel drive rack 207 which is disposed at the mixing and kneading station I is brought together with vessel 1, along a circu lar path, to the next station III. In this case rest station II is passed through. The movement of the vessel rack to the discharge station III takes place during interval T which equals 1 minute. When vessel 1 has reached the discharge station, a new vessel arrives at the mixing and kneading station and the process is repeated. As mentioned above, the entire process at station I takes 8 minutes and 20 seconds. This time period determines the operating rhythm of the entire system. That means that, for example, the discharging process which itself takes only 2 minutes can take place during a time interval E of 8 minutes and 20 seconds. Thus, it is possible to have the discharge process start, for example, as soon as the vessel reaches the discharge station. If, however, a rest period for the dough is desired which is a maximum of 8 minutes and 20 seconds minus 2 minutes 6 minutes 20 seconds, then the discharging can start 5 minutes and twenty seconds after the vessel reaches the discharge station, taking into account the transfer interval T of I minute.

After the processing time interval of 8 minutes and 20 seconds has expired, motor 204 is again actuated to move the empty vessel to the filling station, a filled vessel whose contents have been mixed and kneaded to the discharge station and an empty vessel to the mixing and kneading station. 8 minutes and 20 seconds are then also available to fill vessel 1 when it reaches the filling station.

The vessel 2 also begins its travel in the mixing and kneading station I and leaves this station after 8 minutes and 20 seconds and shortly therefafter reaches the rest station II. There are again 8 minutes and 20 seconds available until it moves from there to the discharge station Ill. The same applies here as for vessel 1 in the discharge station; i.e., the discharging process which takes only 2 minutes can take place at the beginning or near the end of the time interval. The rest period for the dough is thus increased by the time interval of 8 minutes and 20 seconds.

To permit full utilization of the kneading and mixing machine, it is advantageous to provide a number of vessels equal to the number of stations in the system or the number of stations to be utilized. Thus, it is possible, for example, to add further rest stations, but in this case it is then necessary to provide the corresponding number of vessels and vessel drive racks to continue to fully utilize the capacity of the mixing and kneading station.

The time diagram of FIG. 5 shows particularly clearly the advantages of the present invention. In addition to the nominal kneading time of, for example, 8 minutes, which can be lengthened or shortened depending on the type and consistency of the dough being processed, a constant time interval is added which consists of the time required for transporting the vessels between stations and the time for the lowering and lifting of the kneading implement. Thus the preparation and incidental operation times are reduced to a minimum since practically all time periods required for emptying and filling are not added to the time schedule but are already included in it. The mixing and kneading machine of the system according to the present invention is its most complicated part so that for this reason alone it is desirable to utilize the mixing and kneading machine as fully as possible.

Furthermore, the mixing and kneading process, together with the lowering and raising of the implement, takes up the greatest amount of time as compared with the operating times at the other stations of the system according to the presentinvention. Thus, as indicated in the time diagram, the time intervals for the other stations can be made to occur during the time period for the kneading and mixing process and the lowering and lifting of the implements. This also means, however, that this time period must not be exceeded at any of the other stations if the mixing andkneading station is not to be switched off.

There thus results, with the processing times shown in FIG. 5, and for a vessel capacity of I50 kg flour and a dough yield of 150 percent, an hourly output of 1,450 kg. The dough yield is the ratio of the total dough weight to the weight of flour put in. The dough consists of, for example, water, yeast, flour and other baking aids. If, for example 50 liters of water 50 kg weight are added to kg of flour, the resulting yield in ISO percent, the weights of the added baking aids, salts, yeast, etc. not being considered in this rough calculation.

The time control of the individual processes may be accomplished either centrally by control unit 206, which may be a process computer for example, or program control devices can be employed which actuate each individual station according to its own, but correlated, time schedule. With the use of program control devices there is advisably employed a pulse repetition control which consists in principle in that the program control for a certain station is initiated at the proper time by the operation at a preceding station.

The program control may be, for example, a device manufactured by the firm Ernst Tesch KG in Wuppertal [Germany] which is sold under the name program card control P 26. In this device the program is recorded on a metal card by programmable synthetic switching bars.

The card passes through a toothed transporting wheel which is driven at a constant speed by the device and actuates during its passage microswitches as indicated on the inserted program. The passage can here be repeated any desired number of times. Replacing the card by another card permits an immediate change in programs.

It will be understood that the above description of the present invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.

1 claim:

1. Apparatus for automatically preparing dough to be made into bakery products from a plurality of ingredients, comprising, in combination:

a plurality of vessels each for containing a mass of dough;

a charge kneading machine disposed at a kneading station for kneading the mass of dough in each said vessel;

means connected to said charge kneading machine for'moving it between a raised position and a lowered position relative to a said vessel at said kneading station;

at least one other station containing means for subjecting the mass of dough in each said vessel to another dough preparing operation;

transfer means for supporting said vessels and conveying them between said stations; and

automatic control means connected to said kneading machine, said means connected to said kneading machine, said other station and said transfer means for controlling the movements of said vessels between said stations, the kneading operation and raising and lowering of said kneading machine, and the operation at said other station according to a completely automatic program. I

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a central column disposed underneath said machine and containing said means connected to said charge kneading machine, and wherein said kneading machine comprises a kneading implement, said implement being radially spaced from said column,,and.- said transfer means comprise: a bearing plate mounted for rotation about said column; a drive motor connected for rotating said bearing plate; and a plurality of vessel carriers mounted on said bearing plate and each arranged for carrying one of said vessels.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein each said vessel carrier constitutes means for rotating its associated vessels about its vertical axis and said kneading implement is mounted to rotate in a vessel at said kneading station about a vertical axis offset from the vertical axis of such vessel.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said transfer means comprise a movable vessel carrier mounted to tilt a vessel which it carries about a vertical axis for emptying such vessel, and motor means connected for imparting such tilting movement to said carrier.

5. Apparatus in claim 1 wherein said transfer means are arranged for carrying said vessels between said stations along a circular path.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said kneading machine comprises a kneading implement for kneading the mass of material in each vessel and said means connected to said kneading machine comprise an electric motor connected for raising and-lowering said implement.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said kneading machine comprises a rotary kneading implement and a stationary guide blade both extending into a said vessel disposed at said kneading station whem said machine is in its lowered position, said blade then being disposed between said implement and the vertical axis of said vessel and extending substantially to the bottom of said vessel, the entirety of said blade being disposed to one side of the vertical axis of said vessel.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said guide blade includes means for urging material in said vessel in a direction toward said implement and having a downward component, said arrangement further comprising means for rotating said vessel about its vertical axis at said kneading station, and means for rotating said implement about a vertical axis in the same angular direction as, and at a higher rate than, said vessel.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said blade is formed with an enlarged guide surface at its lower end.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the radius of said vessel is greater than the diameter of the volume swept by said implement as it rotates.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the dimension of said blade in the direction of a radius of said vessel and above said enlarged surface is less than the diameter of the volume swept by said implement.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim' l, wherein said other station comprises a filling station for filling each said vessel with a predetermined portion of the plurality of ingredients, and wherein said control means controls the quantity of the predetermined portion.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said other station comprises a discharge station for discharging the kneaded mass of dough from each said vessel. I

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said other station comprises a rest station between said kneading and discharge stations.

15. An arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said other station comprises a mixing station for mixing a predetermined portion of the plurality of ingredients before filling a said vessel at said filling station, and wherein said control means controls the quantity of the predetermined portion.

Claims

1. Apparatus for automatically preparing dough to be made into bakery products from a plurality of ingredients, comprising, in combination: a plurality of vessels each for containing a mass of dough; a charge kneading machine disposed at a kneading station for kneading the mass of dough in each said vessel; means connected to said charge kneading machine for moving it between a raised position and a lowered position relative to a said vessel at said kneading station; at least one other station containing means for subjecting the mass of dough in each said vessel to another dough preparing operation; transfer means for supporting said vessels and conveying them between said stations; and automatic control means connected to said kneading machine, said means connected to said kneading machine, said other station and said transfer means for controlling the movements of said vessels between said stations, the kneading operation and raising and lowering of said kneading machine, and the operation at said other station according to a completely automatic program.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a central column disposed underneath said machine and containing said means connected to said charge kneading machine, and wherein said kneading machine comprises a kneading implement, said implement being radially spaced from said column, and said transfer means comprise: a bearing plate mounted for rotation about said column; a drive motor connected for rotating said bearing plate; and a plurality of vessel carriers mounted on said bearing plate and each arranged for carrying one of said vessels.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said kneading machine comprises a kneading implement for kneading the mass of material in each vessel and said means connected to said kneading machine comprise an electric motor connected for raising and lowering said implement.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said other station comprises a filling station for filling each said vessel with a predetermined portion of the plurality of ingredients, and wherein said control means controls the quantity of the predetermined portion.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said other station comprises a discharge station for discharging the kneaded mass of dough from each said vessel.