Abstract: A roasting and glazing apparatus comprising a roaster housing, a roaster bowl disposed within the roaster housing for receiving a mixture of nuts and sugar, an agitator rotatably mounted within the roaster bowl for mixing the mixture, and a heater controlled to selectively heat the roaster bowl. The agitator includes at least two blades for mixing the nut/sugar mixture during a roasting or glazing operation. The agitator also includes a central hub and each of the blades extends from the central hub and includes a respective substantially vertical component and a respective horizontal component. Each horizontal component has a bottom surface that is disposed adjacent to the floor of the roaster bowl, and the bottom surface extends upward from its front edge to its rear edge at a relief angle of at least 5° relative to the roaster bowl floor.

Abstract: A dough preparing machine operable to mix and divide dough so as to form a plurality of individual loaves of bread in a relatively compact space is provided. The dough preparing machine includes a compressing and dividing device, a bowl, a pivotable mixing arm, a rounder, and a sheeter molder. The dough preparing machine further includes a transfer device having a first arm and an opposable gripper operable to handle the rounded individual balls of dough. The compressing and dividing device configured to press the dough uniformly within the bowl, and divide the compressed dough into individual balls of dough.

Abstract: A dissolution testing apparatus includes a base structure, a vessel support structure, a cleaning manifold and a stirring mechanism. The vessel support structure is configured for mounting testing vessels and is rotatably mounted to the base structure. The vessel support structure is rotatable from an upright position at which respective open ends of the vessels face upwardly to an inverted position at which the open ends face downwardly. The cleaning manifold is mounted to base structure below the vessel support structure and is configured for directing a fluid into the vessels while the vessel support structure is at the inverted position. The stirring mechanism includes shafts and is movably mounted to the base structure. The stirring mechanism is movable from a lower position at which the shafts extend into the vessels to an upper position at which the shafts are outside the vessels. At the upper position the stirring mechanism provides clearance for the vessel support structure to rotate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a kneading machine which comprises a substantially cylindrical bowl for containing a mass to be kneaded and a pair of kneading tools rotatable within the bowl with the same direction of rotation, around two axes parallel to the axis of the bowl, so as to define two theoretical cylinders which are substantially tangent both to each other and to the circumferential wall of bowl. Each kneading tool comprises at least one arm which extends substantially on the periphery of the respective theoretical cylinder, so that each arm has an orbital movement around the respective axis of rotation. Each kneading arm is substantially straight for at least one part of its length and is parallel or slightly incline with respect to a generatrix of the respective theoretical cylinder. Preferably the rotations of the two arms are synchronize with each other so that the two arms pass substantially simultaneously at the area where the two respectively theoretical cylinders are tangent to each other.

Abstract: A dissolution test apparatus comprises a spindle head assembly interconnected between first and second lateral support members. The lateral support members are translatable along a first axis, and the spindle head assembly is translatable along a second axis, such that the spindle head assembly is movable from a front, operative position at which test procedures are effected, to a rear position at which access to the dissolution test apparatus is enhanced. The spindle head assembly includes a dosage delivery mechanism including an actuatable dosage unit-retaining member. A front portion of the dissolution test apparatus has a tapered width to accommodate a triangular or trapezoidal array of test vessels, resulting in high visibility of the vessels.

Abstract: A kneading and mixing machine for dough, foodstuffs or the like includes a tub driven in rotation about a vertical axis of rotation, at least one rotatable tool entering into the latter and driven in rotation about an axis parallel to the tub's axis of rotation, and a closing body closing a coaxial bottom opening in the tub bottom which, in order to discharge a finished tub content, can be moved vertically by means of a lifting device to a mid-position and then can be swung by means of an actuator about a horizontal axis to a discharge position, wherein the closing body can be moved upward from its closing position to the mid-position and can then be swung within the tub to the discharge position.

Abstract: A kneading and mixing machine for dough, foodstuffs or the like includes a tub driven in rotation about a vertical axis of rotation, at least one rotatable tool entering into the latter and driven in rotation about an axis parallel to the tub's axis of rotation, and a closing body closing a coaxial bottom opening in the tub bottom which, in order to discharge a finished tub content, can be moved vertically by means of a lifting device to a mid-position and then can be swung by means of an actuator about a horizontal axis to a discharge position, wherein the closing body can be moved upward from its closing position to the mid-position and can then be swung within the tub to the discharge position.

Abstract: An extruder device includes a rotor rotatably received in a housing and a tube secured to the rotor and having a helical screw formed in the outer portion. A screw member is engaged in the bore of the rotor and secured in the tube and rotated in concert with the tube and the rotor. The material to be extruded is supplied onto the tube and moved by the helical screw and then by the screw member. The helical screw includes a pitch greater than that of the screw member for allowing the helical screw of the tube to squeeze the material.

Abstract: A device is provided for extracting paste from a kneading machine, in particular a kneading machine having a cylindrical vessel with a vertical axis of rotation, provided with a spiral type kneading tool which has a vertical axis and is mounted eccentrically relative to the axis of rotation of the vessel and which is driven by a driving device partly disposed in a housing in alignment with the tool. This device comprises a withdrawable paste extractor having an intermediate position of equilibrium between a working position and a withdrawn position, and a pivotable main cover having a shape complementary to the shape of the extractor so as to prevent access to the vessel when the extractor is in the intermediate position of equilibrium or the working position.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus includes a load support device for engaging and supporting a load as the load support device and the load are moved between a lowered position and a raised position relative to a base. A pair of spaced lifting arms are connected at first pivotal connections to the base and at second pivotal connections to the load support device for moving the load support device between its lowered and raised positions. A stabilizer arm is connected at a third pivotal connection to the load support device, and at a fourth pivotal connection to the base, for controlling a rotational orientation of the load support device about an axis of the second pivotal connection relative to the base. A sprocket is rigidly attached to each of the lifting arms substantially coaxial with the first pivotal connection, and a chain is operably engaged with each sprocket.

Abstract: A self-leveling mixer apparatus includes a base and a generally downwardly tapered movable mixing tub supported from the base in a manner such that the tub is movable between first and second positions relative to the base. A leveling valve is provided for controlling a level of fluid in the movable mixing tub. A connector linkage is operably associated with the mixing tub and the leveling valve for adjusting the leveling valve in response to movement of the mixing tube relative to the base. A rotating mechanical agitator is disposed within the tub for inducing a generally vortex type of fluid flow pattern within the generally downward tapered tub.

Abstract: A kneader which comprises a main body, which forms a support structure, part of the main body constituting a support for a bowl or receptacle; a rotatable helix mounted on the main body so as to extend into the bowl or receptacle, the helix being connected to appropriate drive means which effect rotation of the helix about its axis in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, the arrangement being such that when the helix is rotated in one direction material within the bowl is kneaded and when rotated in the opposite direction of rotation the kneaded material is lifted upwardly out of the bowl by the helix; the kneader being further provided with means for guiding the kneaded material over the edge of the bowl or receptacle so as to effect removal of the kneaded material from the kneader.

Abstract: In a kneading machine including a fixed support structure, a kneading trough supported centrally for rotation about a vertical axis by the fixed support structure, and a rotary kneading tool located within the kneading trough, the kneading tool is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis. The machine is also provided with fixed counter-members which cooperate with the kneading tool.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing a doughy substance comprises a container capable of receiving gas under pressure and an outlet through which the doughy substance can be pushed on subjecting it to the pressure of the gas in the container. A rotor is disposed adjacent the outlet of the container and has a cavity in its external periphery. On rotation of the rotor, the cavity is capable of being brought into a position of alignment with the outlet to be filled with doughy substance pushed through the outlet. Further rotation of the rotor moves the cavity away from the outlet to a position at which the doughy substance can be released from the cavity, for example, by application of compressed gas to the base of the cavity through passages provided in the rotor. The container may comprise an arrangement for kneading the dough and may be provided with a blocking member to prevent passage of doughy substance through the outlet during the kneading operation.