Patents Assigned to Buehler AG
  • Patent number: 10343125
    Abstract: A paddle (30), a paddle rail (20), a mixer shaft (10) for a mixer (1), a mixer (1) and a method for mixing a product to be conditioned in a mixer (1). As the mixer (1) starts up, a product to be mixed is retained in a starting region of the mixer shaft (10), for instance, until the desired mixing or conditioning is achieved, so that loss-free start-up is made possible. That is to say disposal or recycling of the product when the mixer starts up becomes unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: BÜHLER AG
    Inventors: Roger Räss, Andrea Hermsmeyer, Sebastian Wels
  • Patent number: 10335831
    Abstract: Sieve cleaners (1) for cleaning a sieve surface (2) of a sieve box (3), which sieve box contains a sieve surface (2) and bottom (4). The sieve cleaners (1) contain a wobble foot (5), which extends along a main axis (A) of the sieve cleaner (1) and is designed such that the wobble foot can be placed onto the sieve bottom (4) and the sieve cleaner (1) can be tipped about the wobble foot (5). At least one cleaning element (6) has a cleaning region (7), and each cleaning region (7) has a plurality of cleaning surfaces (8) for cleaning the sieve surface (2). The cleaning surfaces (8) are each designed for at least linear contact with the sieve surface (2) and are separated from one another by slots (9) formed in the cleaning region (7). Sieve units and methods for upgrading or converting a sieve box are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: BÜHLER AG
    Inventors: Simon Künzle, Nicolas Egger
  • Patent number: 10159985
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for comminuting particles in a liquid material, in particular a powder or a semi-liquid for producing a chocolate mass. Said device (1) comprises at least one pair of rollers (2, 3), for which at least one process parameter, in particular the roller contact pressure and/or the rotational speed of one of the rollers (2, 3) can be adjusted. The invention also relates to a device (1) comprising a filling level meter (11) for measuring the height of the filling level (5) of the liquid material in the roller gap or in a roller trough (4) arranged upstream of the rollers. A control unit (11) modifies at least one process parameter in accordance with the measured height of the filling level (5) of the liquid material in the roller gap or in the roller trough (4). The invention also relates to a method for comminuting particles in a liquid material and to a method for calibrating a control unit (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Peter Braun, Stefan Gerber, Frank Barthel, Bernd Schmidt, Manuel Höhener
  • Patent number: 10130110
    Abstract: A depositing machine (1) comprising a removable component, a method for inserting the removable component (10) in a machine frame (2) of a depositing machine, a method for removing the removable component (10) from a machine frame (2) of a depositing machine (1), and a kit for retrofitting a depositing machine (1) with the removable component (10). The component (10) is fastened to the machine frame (2) by a substantially horizontally arranged plug-in connection (11), in particular, a bolt connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Ralf Klimke, Stefan Zimmermann, Frank Huperz, Michael Paul
  • Patent number: 10099222
    Abstract: To produce flour and/or semolina, raw material is fed into a feed opening of a roller press. The milling gap of the roller press is fixed, or damping of at least one of the rollers with respect to the lateral deflection is set, such that a first subset of the fill containing finer milling material forms a packed particle fill in the milling gap. In addition, the setting is carried out in such a way that individual particles of a second subset of the fill containing coarser milling material are in contact with the first roller and the second roller of the roller press. Subsequently, the bulk material is milled into milled product in the roller press (9) and the milled product is discharged through a discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Stephen Weinmann, Daniel Rickenbach, Marcos Luquin
  • Patent number: 10071865
    Abstract: A machine (1) for separating elements (100) comprising multiple tracks (2), each of which defines a feed track (2a), wherein the track (2) includes an outlet opening (20) through which the elements (100) exit; multiple vibration devices (3), each of which is individually connected to only one track (2) and suited for transmitting mechanical vibrations to the connected track (2) to generate feed of the elements (100) along the feed track (2a); a detection mechanism (4) for detecting the elements (100) which leave the track (2) through the outlet opening (20); a control mechanism (5) for controlling the separation machine (1) which control mechanism is functionally connected to the detection mechanism (4) and the vibration devices (3) and suited for commanding stop of one of the vibration devices (3), if the detection mechanism (4) detects passage of an element (100) through the outlet opening (20) of the connected track (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: BÜHLER AG
    Inventor: Roberto Maggioni
  • Patent number: 9873124
    Abstract: A beating device (1) for inactivating insects in a pourable feedstuff or foodstuff, with a housing (2), which has at least one inlet opening (3) and at least one outlet opening (4) for the material to be treated. A drum (6) is arranged in the housing (2) and rotatably about an axis of rotation (5). A plurality of blade elements (9) of a first type extend approximately parallel to the axis of rotation (5) and have a beating surface (10) arranged between two end parts (7, 8) of the drum (8). The drum is partially (8) circumferentially surrounded by a wall (11) of the housing (2) and the at least one inlet opening (3) and the at least one outlet opening (4) are formed in the wall (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Moosmann, Andreas Meile
  • Patent number: 9815580
    Abstract: The apparatus (1) according to the invention for packing bulk material into a container (2) comprises a provisioning device (3) for the container (2). The container (2) has a filling side with a filling opening arranged therein. The apparatus (1) further comprises a gripping device (4) for gripping of the substantially closed and empty container (2) by the provisioning device (3). The apparatus optionally comprises a conveying device (5) for conveying the container (2) to a packing device (6). The apparatus further optionally comprises a container-opening device (9) for opening the container (2). The gripping device (4) has a detection device (7) for detecting the position of the container on and/or in the provisioning device (3). The apparatus (1) additionally has a positioning device for positioning the container on the basis of said detected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Christophe Vaucher, René Haid, Andreas Kleiner
  • Patent number: 9776370
    Abstract: A pellet press having a motor with a motor housing and a rotor arranged rotatably in the housing. The rotor is a hollow shaft. A pressing mechanism has a pressing mold and pressing rolls arranged in the pressing mold. The rolls are fastened to a stationary shaft. The stationary shaft is arranged in the rotor designed as the hollow shaft. A mold holder is operationally connected to the pressing mold. The mold holder and the rotor are connected to each other by a shaft-hub connection such that a transmission of a torque of the rotor to the mold holder is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Walter Signer, Roger Räss, Andrea Hermsmeyer
  • Patent number: 9649789
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for producing shaped consumable items from a fat mass, in particular a fat mass containing cocoa or a chocolate-like fat mass, comprising a housing (2) and at least one stamping plate (10) having at least one temperature-controllable stamp (13). The stamping plate (10) can be moved out of the housing (2) in order to clean or replace the stamping plate. The invention further relates to methods for cleaning and for replacing stamping plates (10) having at least one temperature-controlled stamp (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Frank Huperz, David Marcinkowski, Tanja Pack, Michael Paul
  • Patent number: 9615598
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel method for producing maize flour including at least one treatment step in which a product comprising maize is treated under alkaline conditions, wherein an alkaline solution is sprayed onto the product. Furthermore, a facility for producing maize flour is disclosed, in particular in said method. Moreover, maize flour obtained by this method and foodstuffs containing this flour are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Markus Nussbaumer, Noël Girardet, Walter Wäspi
  • Patent number: 9332772
    Abstract: By means of the invention, a method and an apparatus (1) for the drying of goods, in particular for the convection drying of pastas, which are introduced from a first treatment zone (2) into a second treatment zone (3), are to be improved to the effect that the drying process has a lower energy consumption than conventional dryers and the surroundings of the dryer (1) are polluted only slightly by waste heat. Furthermore, the dryer (1) is to be designed in a structurally simple and cost-effective way. This object is achieved by means of a method for the drying of goods, in which the temperature in the first treatment zone (2) is on average lower than in the second treatment zone (3), and in which the energy obtained from the exhaust air of the first and/or the second treatment zone (2, 3) in at least one heat exchanger (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) is introduced into the first treatment zone (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Christian Mühlherr, Kurt Lieberherr
  • Patent number: 9271513
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to be able to arrange or secure an elastic nozzle in a device, especially a casting machine, using simple design measures while allowing the nozzle to be quickly replaced in the device using simple mounting steps. Said aim is achieved by a connection piece (1) which is particularly suitable for securing an elastic nozzle (3) in a casting machine. The connection piece (1) preferably has a hollow cylindrical shape and includes a securing mechanism (4), especially a thread, at one end. A clamping unit (2) is connected to the connection piece (1). The connection piece (1) and/or the clamping unit (2) has/have a receptacle for the nozzle (3), and the nozzle (3) is connected to the connection piece (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: BÜHLER AG
    Inventors: Hannjo Boden, Bernhard Bauer
  • Patent number: 9266628
    Abstract: The device (1) according to the invention for metering and in particular compressing bulk material (2) comprises a conveyor for metering the bulk material. The device (1) further comprises a measuring device for measuring a measuring variable and a receiving device (20) for receiving a container, in particular a bag (22). The conveyor has an outlet (12) for the bulk material (2). The container has a filling opening (23). The receiving device (20) and the outlet (12) can be positioned relative to each other dependent on the measuring variable during the metering of the bulk material (2) into the filling opening (23). In particular, the outlet (12) and the receiving device (20) can be positioned in a manner that can be controlled and/or regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Andreas Kleiner, René Haid
  • Publication number: 20160044940
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating grains, in particular cereal grains, pseudocereal grains or grain legumes, as well as to grains treated with this method. The method comprises the following steps: a) soaking the grains in an aqueous medium, wherein the grains are least temporarily soaked in an aqueous medium comprising at least one reactive oxygen species; b) draining the aqueous medium from the grains; c) tempering the grains and allowing them to at least partially germinate; d) hydrothermally treating the grains for a time in the range from 0.25 h to 4 h at a temperature in the range from 60° C. to 100° C. and at a relative humidity in the range from 60% to 100%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: BUEHLER AG
    Inventors: Stefania BELLAIO, Stefan KAPPELER, Eliana ZAMPROGNA ROSENFELD, Matthias BENZ
  • Patent number: 9138780
    Abstract: A fractionating device comprises at least one inlet for feedstock, at least one light material outlet for a light material fraction and at least one heavy material outlet for a heavy material fraction. A flow generator for generating gas flow in the fractionating device for separating the light and heavy fractions. A curved centrifugal separating device separates the light material fraction from the gas flow. A conveyor downstream of the inlet carries the feedstock into the centrifugal separating device. At least 50% of the gas can be conducted in the fractionating device as a circulatory flow which is conducted around the conveying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Moosmann, Bruno Fässler
  • Patent number: 9114938
    Abstract: A device for conveying packaged goods and/or bulk goods from and/or into a transport device includes a boom. The boom has a conveying unit, which is mounted to be vertically movable, for conveying the packaged goods and/or the bulk goods, and a force transmission unit. The conveying unit and the drive are arranged between fastening devices and/or between force deflection devices. The conveying unit can be moved substantially vertically by the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventor: Robert Haymoz
  • Patent number: 9108222
    Abstract: The method for fractionating bulk material comprises the step of feeding the bulk material to at least one screen in a device (1) comprising at least one housing (10) with an inner space for receiving the screen. The housing (10) has at least one inlet (13) for feeding the bulk material and at least one outlet for discharging at least one fraction of the bulk material. The housing (10) has a roof (15) and a floor (16), with at least a gyrating mass (17) respectively arranged on the roof and the floor. The device (1) also has at least one mechanical coupling means, wherein the gyrating masses are coupled to one another by the mechanical coupling means (21) arranged outside the inner space and can be driven. The device (1) has a drive means for driving the mechanical coupling means. The method also comprises the step of setting the housing (10) in an oscillating motion by means of driving the gyrating masses. In a further method step, the fractionating of the bulk material is performed by means of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Moosmann, Bruno Fassler
  • Patent number: D765155
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Daniel Rickenbach, Stefan Eberhard, Daniel Fischer, Paolo Fancelli
  • Patent number: D843737
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Moosmann, Marcel Linder, Daniel Dörig