WO1990000447A1

WO1990000447A1 - Checking of doughpiece weight in a bread manufacturing plant

Info

Publication number: WO1990000447A1
Application number: PCT/GB1989/000782
Authority: WO
Inventors: Keith Salter
Original assignee: Apv Corporation Limited
Priority date: 1988-07-14
Filing date: 1989-07-10
Publication date: 1990-01-25
Also published as: EP0380629A1; AU3972689A; GB2228578A; ES2014790A6; AU620430B2; GB9005392D0

Abstract

Bread manufacturing plant (100) comprises a doughpiece prover (101), a doughpiece loader (102) for supplying doughpieces (2) to the prover (101) and apparatus (1) disposed between the doughpiece loader (102) and the doughpiece prover (101). The apparatus (1) checks the weight of the doughpieces (2) and then discharges any unwanted doughpieces. The doughpieces are preferably supplied in batches and one apparatus (1) provided for each doughpiece of a batch. The apparatus (1) preferably operates to discharge the doughpieces in one of two opposite directions, depending on the weights of the individual doughpieces.

Description

CHECKING OF DOUGHPIECE WEIGHT IN A BREAD MANUFACTURING PLANT

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to bread manufacturing plant and is concerned with the checking of doughpiece weight.

As used herein, the term "bread" includes loaves, rolls, baps and other articles made from dough.

SUMMARIES OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, bread manufacturing plant comprises doughpiece prover means, means for supplying doughpieces to the prover means and checkweight apparatus disposed between the doughpiece supply means and the doughpiece prover means, and operable to check the weight of the doughpieces of a batch and to discharge any unwanted doughpieces.

Preferably the checkweight apparatus is operable so as to weigh the doughpieces statically.

Preferably too, the checkweight apparatus is operable so as to weigh each and every doughpiece provided by the doughpiece supply means,

The checkweight apparatus may be operable so as to first check tne weight of the doughpieces and then to discharge them in one of two directions, depending on doughpiece weight.

Preferably each such checkweight apparatus comprises a base structure, a doughpiece weighing platform pivotally mounted on the base structure so as to be movable about a substantially horizontal axis, and means for determining the weight of the doughpiece when disposed on the platform, the weight-determining means being operable to tilt the platform to one of opposite sides of said axis, according to the doughpiece weight. Preferably the platform is movable about either one of a pair of substantially horizontal axes.

The weight determining means preferably comprise data processing means, such as a microprocessor.

Each apparatus is preferably portable.

The invention also comprises apparatus for determining the weight of a body (which need not be a doughpiece) and for then discharging the body in one of two directions, depending on acceptance or rejection of the body, the apparatus comprising a base structure, a body weighing platform pivotally mounted on the base structure so as to be movable about a substantially horizontal axis, and means for determining the weight of the body when disposed on the platform, said means being operable to tilt the platform to one of opposite sides of said axis, according to the body weight.

Preferably the platform is movable about either one of a pair of substantially parallel axes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view, in perspective, of checkweight apparatus,

Figure 2 is an end view of the apparatus,

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of a bread manufacturing plant, in accordance with the invention, and

Figure 4 is a view in perspective of a bucket loader used by the plant. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like components and features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Figures 3 and 4, a bread manufacturing plant 100 comprises doughpiece prover means 101, doughpiece loader means 102 for delivering, ie supplying, batches of (eight) doughpieces 2 to the prover means 101 and a plurality of checkweight apparatus 1 disposed between the doughpiece supply means 102 and the doughpiece prover means 101, one apparatus 1 for each doughpiece 2 of " an eight-doughpiece batch. The apparatus 1 are operable to check the weight of each and every doughpiece 2 of a batch simultaneously and then to discharge doughpieces in one of two opposite directions, depending on the weight of the individual doughpieces. Unwanted doughpieces are put to one side.

The doughpiece prover means 101 is basically of the form disclosed by the APV Baker Leaflet No. 289 entitled "8000 First Prover", published by APV Baker, Peterborough, England, PE3 6TA, March 1989. Briefly, the prover means 101 comprises a plurality of trays 103 mounted on a pair of endless conveyor chains (not shown) which convey the trays within a prover cabinet. Each tray 103 of this embodiment is provided with eight pockets 104 for receiving eight doughpieces 2.

The doughpieces 2 originate first from a single dough divider (not shown) and then from a single conical moulder (not shown) from which moulded doughpieces are transported to the doughpiece loader means 102 by way of an endless conveyor band 105. The doughpieces 2 are fed by the band 105 onto an endless conveyor-type bucket loader 106 comprising a plurality of trapdoor-like bucket members 107 pivotally mounted on a pair of endless chains 108.

The dough divider may be of the form disclosed by UK Patent No. 1,447,140 and the conical moulder of the form disclosed by UK Patent No. 5,068 of 1902. The top run of the loader 106 comprises, in this example, eig bucket members 107, although a larger number of bucket members m be provided, if required. When eight doughpieces 2 are present at tripping station on the top run, the eight bucket members 107 a tripped, causing the eight doughpieces to fall simultaneously on the eight apparatus 1 below. Thereafter the members 107 of t bucket loader 106 continue in movement, and the tripping action repeated when the next eight bucket members 107 with the doughpieces arrive at the tripping station.

With reference now to Figures 1 and 2, each of the apparatus comprises a base structure 3, a doughpiece weighing platform pivotally mounted on the base structure 3 so as to be movable abo either one of a pair of substantially horizontal axes 5a, 5b a means 6 for determining the weight of the doughpiece 2 when dispos on the platform 4, the means 6 being operable to tilt the platform to one of the opposite sides of said axes 5a, 5b according to t doughpiece weight. The axes 5a, 5b are laterally spaced, bei disposed in substantially parallel array.

The weighing platform 4 comprises a flat-sided, internally-coate pan of frusto-pyramidal form. Doughpieces 2 are fed to the platfo 4 by gravity, using the bucket loader 106 which travels above apparatus 1.

The doughpiece weight determining means 6 comprises a load cell carrying a movable sensing pad 13 on its upper end, and supported spacer blocks 17, 18 disposed on a support surface 11 of the b structure 3, and a base plate 12 which bears upon the sensing of the load cell 10, and which carries the weighing platform (Figure 2). The weighing platform 4 is provided with supp structure 14 comprising a pair of angular plates 15 mounted aαjac the ends of a pair of laterally spaced, substantially paral shafts 16a, 16b, the axes of which are common with axes 5a and respectively. The ends of the shafts 16a, 16b rest in bearing surfaces defined by "V"-like slots 19 formed in bearing blocks 20 carried by the base plate 12. Opposite sides of the plate 12 have downwardly extending flanges 12a.

The doughpiece weight determining means 6 further comprise a pair of fluid-operated actuators^"* 21a, 21b, a programmable controller 22 incorporating data processing means in the form of a microprocessor, and solenoid-operated valve units 28a, 28b for operating the actuators 21a, 21b. The units 28a, 28b are under the control of the controller 22 by way of signal lines 36a, 36b. The valve units 28a, 28b are supplied with compressed air from a conventional factory air line (not shown). A signal line 27 connects the load cell 10 with the controller 22.

The actuators 21a, 21b are of the air-operated piston and cylinder type, having piston rods and cylinders. The cylinders have air inlet/outlet lines (not shown) connected to air inlet/outlet lines (not shown) of the valve units 28a, 28b. The actuators 21a, 21b are mounted on upright supports 25 and are pivotally attached thereto by brackets 29a, 29b (Figure 2) so as to be movable about substantially horizontal axes 26a, 26b.

The piston rods of the actuators 21a, 21b are pivotally attached to the shafts 16a, 16b.

Downwardly-extending doughpiece guide plates 30, 31 are disposed on opposite sides of the weighing platform 4, and adjacent flanges 12a of the base plate 12.

The pan 36 of the platform 4, which is of part spherical form, is of meshed plastics material. Alternatively, it may be of woven cloth.

In operation, a doughpiece 2 is deposited on the platform 4 by way of the bucket loader 106 (Figure 4). The weight of the doughpiece 2 is then sensed by the controller 22 through the load cell 10. The weight data is processed by the microprocessor of the controller 22 which then, through one of the valve units 28a, 28b, causes the actuators 21a, 21b to tilt the platform 4 to one side or the other of the axis 5a or 5b. This is done by lifting one shaft 16a or 16b out of its slots 19 so that the platform 4 then pivots about the axis 5a or 5b of the other shaft, through approximately 90° in the desired direction. In this example, if the doughpiece 2 is of incorrect weight, the platform 4 is tilted to the left or near side, as seen in Figure 1, by the piston rod of the actuator 21b being extended so that the right-hand or far-side shaft 16b is lifted upwardly, out of its slot 19, and the platform support structure 14, rotated, on the associated bearing surface slot 19, about the axis 5a of the near-side shaft 16a. The unwanted doughpiece 2 is thus tipped out onto the guide plate 30 to pass to a rejection bin 109 (Figure 3). On the other hand, if the doughpiece 2 is of the correct weight, the platform support structure 14 is tilted to the right or far side, as seen in Figure 1 and the doughpiece 2 tipped out of the platform 4 to travel down the guide plate 31 to an acceptance station (ie a prover pocket 104) (Figure 3).

Wheels 35 (Figure 3) are fitted to the base structure 3 in order to make the apparatus 1 portable, whereby it may be wheeled in or out of line. Preferably four apparatus 1 are interconnected, on the same base structure 3, so that all four can be transported as a single unit, on the wheels 35, together with a front shield 110, after lifting a hinged cover 111.

The apparatus 1 operate to weigh the individual doughpieces 2 statically, as distinct from "live" or continuous checkweighing apparatus which employ continuously running endless belts and which check the weight of articles being transported by the belts.

The arrangement allows a ready interchange of checkweight apparatus

1 without the need to stop the plant 100 for more than a minute or two. Or, if production is allowed to continue without stopping the plant, allowing at least some of the doughpieces to be processed without weight checking. When an apparatus 1 is not expected to be in situ for a substantial period, the apparatus can be replaced by a chute which directs the doughpieces 2 into the pockets 107, by way of plate 31.

The invention is particularly suitable for use in a high-speed bread processing plant, typically a plant processing not less than 4,000 doughpieces per hour and including and exceeding production rates of 8,000 bread doughpieces per hour. At 8,000 doughpieces per hour, using eight apparatus 1, each doughpiece has 3.6 seconds to be weighed, discharged or rejected, an adequate period.

The plant 100 ensures that all doughpieces 2 being processed are weight checked. Any doubles present are rejected before they can enter the prover means 101.

A single apparatus 1 can be used to check the mean weight setting for a dough divider and can reject any light weights which it weighs.

Alternatively, one apparatus 1 can be sited in one of a plurality of positions to check the individual pockets of a divider.

Claims

C L I M S

1. Bread manufacturing plant, characterised in that it compris doughpiece prover means (101), means (102) for supplying doughpiec to the prover means and checkweight apparatus (l) disposed betwe the doughpiece supply means(102) and the doughpiece prover mea (101), and operable to check the weight of the doughpieces (2) a to discharge any unwanted doughpieces.

2. Bread manufacturing plant as claimed in Claim 1 characteris in that the checkweight apparatus (1) is operable so as to weigh doughpieces (2) statically.

3. Bread manufacturing plant as claimed in Claim 1 or characterised in that the checkweight apparatus (1) is operable as to weigh each and every doughpiece (2) provided by the doughpi supply means (102).

4. Bread manufacturing plant as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 or characterised in that the checkweight apparatus (1) is operable as to first check the weight of the doughpieces (2) and then discharge them in one of two directions, depending on doughpiece weight.

5. Bread manufacturing plant as claimed in Claims 1 to characterised in that a plurality of checkweight apparatus (1) provided, and the doughpiece supply means (102) supply batches doughpieces (2) to the prover means (101).

6. Bread manufacturing plant as claimed in Claim 6 characteri in that each checkweight apparatus (1) comprises a base struct (3), a doughpiece weighing platform (4) pivotally mounted on base structure (3) so as to be movable about a substantia horizontal axis (5a or 5b), and means (6) for determining the wei of the doughpiece (2) when disposed on the platform (4), the wei determining means (6) being operable to tilt the platform to one opposite sides of said axis (5a or 5b), according to the doughpiece weight.

7. Bread manufacturing plant as claimed in Claim 6, characterised in that the platform (4) is movable about one of a pair of substantially horizontal axes (5a or 5b).

8. Bread manufacturing plant as claimed in Claim 6 or 7 characterised in that the weight determining means (6) comprise data processing means (22). ^*

9. Bread manufacturing plant as claimed in Claim 8 characterised in that the data processing means (22) comprise micro-processing means.

10. Bread manufacturing plant as claimed in Claim 8 or 9 characterised in that the weight determining (6) means further comprise load cell means (10).

11. Bread manufacturing plant as claimed in Claim 7 characterised in that the weight determining means (6) further comprise a pair of actuators (21a, 21b) operable to tilt the platform (4) to one of opposite sides of said pair of axes (5a or 5b).

12. Bread manufacturing plant as claimed in Claim 11 characterised in that the platform (4) is carried by a pair of shafts (16a, 16b) which rest on bearing surfaces (19), whereby when one shaft is lifted by one of said actuators (21a, 21b), the other shaft is caused to pivot on its bearing surface and vice versa.

13. Bread manufacturing plant as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 12 characterised in that it is provided with a single dough divider (not shown) and a single dough moulder (not shown), from which the doughpieces (2) pass to the doughpiece supply means (102).

14. Apparatus for determining the weight of a body characterised in that it is then operable to discharge the body (2) in one of two directions, depending on acceptance or rejection of the body, the apparatus (1) comprising a base structure (3), a body weighing platform (4) pivotally mounted on the base structure so as to be movable about a substantially horizontal axis (5a or 5b), and means (6) for determining the weight of the body (2) when disposed on the platform (4), said means being operable to tilt the platform (4) to one of opposite sides of said axis (5a or 5b), according to the body weight.

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 characterised in that the platform (4) is carried by a pair of shafts (16a, 16b) which rest on bearing surfaces (19), whereby when one shaft is lifted by one of said actuators, the other shaft is caused to pivot on its bearing surface and vice versa.

16. Bread manufacturing plant substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

17. Apparatus for determining the weight of a body substantially as - hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.