Abstract: A mixer for mixing materials, such as coarsely chopped meat, during a mixing operation prior to a grinding operation, is provided with a tub (12), mixing means such as one or more paddle assemblies, and an auger (34) in the bottom of said tub. Both the auger and the paddle assemblies may be operated in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. An auger housing (38) extends from the tub and houses a portion of the auger (34) which extends from an end of the tub. An opening is provided in the auger housing (38), which is surrounded by a hopper (40). Loading of the mixer is accomplished by feeding the meat into the hopper (40). The meat passes through the opening in the auger housing (38) and is introduced into the auger (34) so as to be conveyed into the tub (12) by the auger (34) during the loading operation. The direction of rotation of the auger (34) may be reversed in order to unload the mixed meat from the mixer. A discharge means (56) cooperates with the auger (34) for unloading the mixer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 13, 1987
Date of Patent:
July 4, 1989
Assignee:
Weiler & Co.
Inventors:
Nick J. Lesar, Richard Buschel, James H. Schumacher
Abstract: A hopper for material such as meat or the like includes a material holding cavity having a substantially centrally located discharge opening. A rotatable shaft is provided in the bottom of the hopper. The shaft is provided with first and second end portions, each of which has spiraled flighting for moving material within the hopper in opposite directions toward the central discharge opening. A disruptor bar is disposed on the central portion of the shaft for intermittently disrupting the concentration of material adjacent the discharge opening and for forcing the material into the discharge opening.