Single Stirrer Patents (Class 366/98)
  • Patent number: 6029563
    Abstract: A cooking machine which has: a cooking vessel removably provided in a case cavity and having an open top; a rotary shaft extending through a bottom of the cooking vessel and having an upper end to be fitted with an agitator blade; a driving mechanism provided below the cooking vessel for rotatively driving the rotary shaft of the cooking vessel; a heater provided in the case cavity for adjusting an ambient temperature within the case cavity; and a steam generating mechanism for supplying steam into the cooking vessel. The cooking machine selectively performs a kneading process for kneading an ingredient put in the cooking vessel, a shaping/fermenting process for allowing an ingredient to expand to a predetermined level in the cooking vessel, a baking process for baking an ingredient, and a steaming process for steaming an ingredient in the cooking vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Home Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Nakagawa, Shunji Shiono, Tatsuhisa Fukuda
  • Patent number: 5934177
    Abstract: An automatic bread maker capable of permitting a user to easily perform a necessary work in using the bread maker, such as setting of menu and preparation of materials, without referring to an operation manual or a cooking recipe. This automatic bread maker comprises: a bread baking mold having a kneading blade at an inner bottom portion thereof; a baking case for detachably accommodating said bread baking mold and having a heater mounted along an inner wall surface thereof; a temperature detector for detecting temperature in the baking case; a memory for storing a plurality of bread making menus and data regarding each menu; a display device for displaying various data stored in the memory; an input operation panel for inputting a start command of a bread making operation and selection of the bread making menu; and controller for invoking various data from the memory in accordance with the bread making menu inputted through the input means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: MK Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Takeda, Fumihiko Akahane
  • Patent number: 5860357
    Abstract: A breadmaker having a container sealingly mounted to the top of a housing and an electric heating element is mounted to an outside surface. A paddle is mounted at the bottom of the container and driven in use by an electric motor. Because the container is sealed in place in the housing, no foodstuff can enter the housing. Because the heating of the container is direct, less heat is wasted. The paddle may be lifted at the end of the baking cycle to aid removal of the cooled bread loaf. A hinged lid that is partially opened by a spring biassed plunger at the end of each baking cycle allows for ventilation of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Chiaphus Industries, Limited
    Inventors: Jimmy Siu Yim Yung, John Duncan McNair
  • Patent number: 5860355
    Abstract: An automatic bread maker comprises: an oven chamber having a heater, a kneader and a temperature sensor; a bread vessel mounted within the oven chamber, ingredients being charged into the bread vessel; and controller for controlling the heater so as for a temperature within the oven chamber, which is detected by the temperature sensor to be maintained at a fermentation temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: MK Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Takeda, Makoto Nasu, Yuji Takatsu
  • Patent number: 5839358
    Abstract: A kneading paddle extraction device for removing the kneading paddle from a loaf of bread made by an automatic bread making machine, while minimizing damage to the loaf, is provided. A kneading paddle containing a substantially central aperture for receiving a motor shaft is grasped by one or more rods, each rod having a hook which is inserted through the aperture, with the preferred embodiment additionally utilizing a sliding wedge for grasping the kneading paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: Edward Malecki
  • Patent number: 5826495
    Abstract: A single loaf breadmaker has a container sealingly mounted to the top of a housing and an electric heating element is mounted to an outside surface. A paddle is mounted at the bottom of the container and driven in use by an electric motor . Because the container is sealed in place in the housing and because the heating of the container is direct, no foodstuff can enter the housing and much less heat is wasted. Means are described for lifting the paddle at the end of backing to aid removal of each cooked bread loaf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Chiaphua Industries Limited
    Inventors: Jimmy Siu Yim Yung, John Duncan McNair
  • Patent number: 5782558
    Abstract: A stand mixer having a mixer head that can be locked in an up or down position. The locking mechanism includes a pin slideably retained in the pedestal of the stand, which is removeably received in one or more recesses in the mixer head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce R. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5771784
    Abstract: The present invention features a bread-making machine that has a kneading paddle which remains in the bucket after the baking cycle. The bread-making machine automatically entraps, or vertically constrains, the kneading paddle to the rotating drive shaft. Upon the initial rotation of the drive shaft, the paddle shifts backwardly with respect to the drive shaft under a reactive, inertial force. The paddle will rotate approximately twenty-five degrees in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the shaft. This is made possible by the looseness of the fit of the drive shaft within the paddle's bore. A lip positioned on the top of the drive shaft will engage the top surface of the paddle hub, when the paddle is caused to shift. This engagement will capture the paddle, causing it to become vertically constrained to the drive shaft. Upon completion of the baking cycle, the baked bread can be removed without the paddle, which remains affixed to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Pentalpha Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventor: John C. K. Sham
  • Patent number: 5628240
    Abstract: A bread baking apparatus makes dough by kneading raw ingredients tossed into a bread baking case installed in an oven, and baking after fermentation. The object of this invention is to conveniently provide attractive-appearing bread having a specified expanded volume and a prespecified color when baked. Namely, in order to prevent undesirable results, such as expanding more or less than specified in the fermenting process, or being affected by external room temperature and humidity which has penetrated the oven through a glass lid installed on the baking oven, this apparatus is provided with means for detecting fermenting conditions while fermenting, and means for extending the fermenting process time. This apparatus is further provided with baking timer means for defining the color of the final baked product by applying temperature measuring means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5615605
    Abstract: An automatic bread producing apparatus includes a member defining a baking chamber having an opening. A movable lid serves to selectively block and unblock the opening of the baking chamber. A bread mold is disposed in the baking chamber. A controller generates a command signal. An added-food feeding device disposed in the lid is operative for feeding added food into the bread mold. The added-food feeding device is automatically activated in response to the command signal generated by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kakimoto, Noriyuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5605090
    Abstract: A bread maker for baking a bread, having a memory for memorizing appropriate processing time data previously for kneading, rising and baking dough in accordance with a ratio of water to the weight of the ingredients. The data includes plural levels to be operated. In the bread maker, a ratio of the weight of water to the weight of the ingredients is calculated based on the weighed value, and which level the ratio belongs to is judged. Then, appropriate processing time for kneading, rising and baking in accordance with the ratio are set automatically, so that high-quality bread can be always made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Funai Techno-Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobunori Mantani, Hisanobu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5590585
    Abstract: A bread maker having a reference value setting section for updating a reference value corresponding to a target temperature every heater-on/off control operation, the reference value serving to stabilize a current temperature to the target temperature by comparing the current temperature with the reference value and controlling a heater on the basis of a temperature difference between the current temperature and the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isaya Morishita
  • Patent number: 5590583
    Abstract: An appliance which includes an inner compartment with one zone in which uncooked bagels can be boiled and a second zone for subsequently baking the boiled bagels. The same appliance can also be used to make bagel doughs and to both make and bake other yeast doughs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: PMI International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert G. Harrison
  • Patent number: 5584230
    Abstract: A bread baking apparatus makes dough by kneading raw ingredients tossed into a bread baking case installed in an oven, and baking after fermentation. The object of this invention is to conveniently provide attractive-appearing bread having a specified expanded volume and a prespecified color when baked. Namely, in order to prevent undesirable results, such as expanding more or less than specified in the fermenting process, or being affected by external room temperature and humidity which has penetrated the oven through a glass lid installed on the baking oven, this apparatus is provided with means for detecting fermenting conditions while fermenting, and means for extending the fermenting process time. This apparatus is further provided with baking timer means for defining the color of the final baked product by applying temperature measuring means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Yoshida, Yasumasu Hironaka, Hisanobu Tanaka, Hironobu Shimokubo
  • Patent number: 5562020
    Abstract: A stirring blade driving device for a bread maker. In the device, a stirring blade is rotated by a motor having a main coil and speed-changing coils, and the respective coils of the motor are selectively connected to an ac power supply by a plurality of triacs. The on/off operation of the triacs is controlled by a microcomputer in accordance with the number of revolutions of the stirring blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isao Shigeshiro
  • Patent number: 5531153
    Abstract: A bread baking apparatus having a bread container, a mixer for mixing ingredients in the container to form a dough, and an oven for baking the dough, and further having a storage unit for storing a plurality of bread types, bread recipes and bread processing operating times, a display unit for displaying the plurality of bread types, a selection unit for selecting one of the displayed bread types, with the display unit further displaying the recipe of the selected bread type, a control unit for controlling the time of operation of the apparatus, and a start unit for starting the mixing and baking. A method of baking bread utilizing such baking apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: MK Seiko, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiki Maruyama, Makoto Nasu, Yoshisada Misawa, Soichi Takeda
  • Patent number: 5528979
    Abstract: A bread baking device enables automatic preheating of bread materials in the bread baking device provided with a bread baking oven (1), a bread baking vessel (13) installed in the baking oven (1), and the lid (3) openably installed on the baking oven, and by mixing raw ingredients to produce dough, and bakes bread after fermentation of the dough. The bread baking device includes a sensor (117) for detecting the temperature in the baking oven, a preheating control device (52a) heating the temperature in the baking oven to a pre-set temperature by comparing the detected temperature in the baking oven by applying the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5520094
    Abstract: A cooking device includes an electrical motor disposed within a housing to drive, via a mechanical transmission including belt-pulley system, a stirring blade rotatably disposed within a food container which is also fixed within the housing for stirring food placed within the food container. Electrical heating elements and temperature sensor are provided within the housing for respectively heating the food container and determining the temperature of the food container. A micro-processor based control system is provided to be in electrical connection with the motor, the electrical heating elements and the temperature sensor for controlling the operation of the cooking device. The control system has a control panel to be accessible and operated by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Eloofa Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Hua Lu
  • Patent number: 5513557
    Abstract: The baking apparatus includes a surrounding wall that defines a heating chamber, and a kneading case provided centrally in the chamber. The surrounding wall has an upper opening and a lower opening which are formed through the surrounding wall. A guide fin unit is installed on the surrounding wall near the lower opening so as to guide air to enter into the chamber via the lower opening to flow upward along a passage defined between the surrounding wall and the kneading case. The kneading case is provided with a shaking blade that has a vertical rotating shaft adapted to be fastened to the motor shaft of a driving motor, a horizontal plate projecting radially from the rotating shaft, and a trapezoidal sheet fixed on and inclined relative to the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventor: Ming-Shan Chiang
  • Patent number: 5486100
    Abstract: The apparatus of this invention includes a container for holding paste ingredients, a mixing and kneading assembly for preparing the food paste within the container, and an extrusion system for pressing the paste into a desired noodle shape. The mixing and kneading assembly comprises a plurality of mixing blades attached to a centrally located cylinder within the container. In a first embodiment, the assembly further includes a scraper blade and a kneading blade. The scraper blade is fixed at a constant distance from the bottom wall of the container such that paste is scraped from to the bottom wall as the scraper blade is spun. In a second embodiment, the assembly further includes a plurality of kneading blades without a scraper blade. In both embodiments, the kneading blades each have a leading and trail edge that remain substantially parallel to the bottom wall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Airlux Electrical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Maxwell Hsu
  • Patent number: 5477776
    Abstract: A shaft supporting mechanism for a mixing and kneading device including a shaft which is driven by a motor, a mixing and kneading blade having an insertion hole which is to be inserted into the shaft. The shaft has a D cut surface formed thereon, and at the end of the D cut surface, a sloped corner facet consisting of edge portions each having an inclination is formed. On the other hand, the mixing and kneading blade has a plane abutment surface formed as a portion of the inner wall of the insertion hole. The mixing and kneading blade is inserted into the shaft in such a manner that the abutment surface is meshed with the D cut surface, to rotate the mixing and kneading blade while the shaft is rotated by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironobu Shimokubo, Atsunori Zensai
  • Patent number: 5463936
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for serving the dual purposes of baking bread and for churning butter. The apparatus includes a processing chamber which releasably receives a pan which retains the ingredients to be processed. The pan includes a paddle which rotates to stir bread and to churn butter. The processing chamber further includes a heating element surrounding the pan which heats the pan during a bread baking operation. A power controller controls a motor which drives the stirring paddle and controls the heater during a bread baking operation. A switch is supplied between the power controller and the power supply to disconnect the power controller during a butter churning operation. The switch further connects the motor which drives the stirring paddle directly to the power source when the switch is set in a butter churning position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Toastmaster Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Clark, Joel J. Terrell, III
  • Patent number: 5460506
    Abstract: An improved pasta maker (20) is provided having an upper mixing chamber (130), lower extrusion chamber (132), and a communicating passageway (157) therebetween. The mixing chamber (130) is an open top vessel, and the extrusion chamber (132) presents an outlet (148) adapted to receive a pasta forming die (188). The pasta maker (20) also includes an apertured slide valve plate (26), a powered, rotatable mixing element (170) within the mixing chamber (130) for mixing of the ingredients therein, and a powered, axially rotatable auger (174) within the extrusion chamber (132) for conveying the ingredients towards and through the die (188).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Mitco International, Ltd.
    Inventors: James H. Price, IV, Eddy Kang, Benny Lee
  • Patent number: 5445061
    Abstract: A baking and cooking machine which can knead dough and bake bread, but can also be used as a general oven for grilling, broiling and steaming food products. The device is rectangular in shape and the oven heating system includes a heating element and a fan, with a baffle arranged to conduct and direct a large part of the heated air into the oven chamber and against the side walls to thereby augment the heat in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Inventor: George Barradas
  • Patent number: 5438915
    Abstract: A temperature sensor assembly is used for an automatic baking machine which includes an oven and a container disposed within the oven so as to bake bread therein. The oven has a heat device mounted therein so as to heat the container. The temperature sensor assembly includes a shell member, a sensor element, a bias unit, and a housing member. The shell member is attached to the inner wall of the oven and has a heat transfer portion near the container. The heat transfer portion is made of a material which permits heat to transfer therethrough. The sensor element contacts the heat transfer portion of the shell member so as to detect a temperature of the heat transfer portion, and has a pair of conducting legs respectively adapted to be connected electrically to two conducting wires of the heat device so as to signal and actuate the heat device to heat the container when the temperature of the heat transfer portion is below a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Inventor: Shang-Hsien Chen
  • Patent number: 5435235
    Abstract: A bread making machine having a bread case being releasably attached to an oven chamber and receiving ingredients therein and subjecting the ingredients to bread making processes such as a kneading process, a leavening process, and a baking process within the same oven chamber. In the bread making machine, the bread making operation is stopped temporarily before the baking process and then resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5433139
    Abstract: A bread making machine that prepares a dough by mixing and kneading water and ingredients poured into a bread baking case, leavens the dough, and thereafter bakes the leavened dough. The bread making machine is provided with an outside air temperature detector and an outside air humidity detector, and a dough leavening condition corresponding to a predetermined bread rising degree is set based on the correlational data on outside air temperatures and outside air humidities in function of dough rising degree and the values detected by the outside air temperature and humidity detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Kitagawa, Takashi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 5417930
    Abstract: A novel chemical reactor: one particularly useful for the production of polymers, especially elastomers such as butyl rubber. The reactor contains (1) a two-tube pass system, constituted of an inner or center tube bundle through which a mixture or slurry of polymerizable monomers and catalyst is passed in one direction, and recycled via an outer tube bundle in the opposite direction in essentially even flow distribution, (2) while the tubes of the center and outer tubular bundles are maintained within a jacketed section, or sections of the reactor into which a coolant, or refrigerant, is injected and vaporized to remove the heat of reaction. The coolant, or refrigerant, in heat exchange relationship with the tubes removes the exothermic heats of reaction from the polymerization mixture, and maintains the polymerization mixture at uniformly low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. McDonald, Jr., David J. Lawrence, Donald A. Williams
  • Patent number: 5415081
    Abstract: A bread baking apparatus makes dough by kneading raw ingredients tossed into a bread baking case installed in an oven, and baking after fermentation. The object of this invention is to conveniently provide attractive-appearing bread having a specified expanded volume and a pre-specified color when baked. Namely, in order to prevent undesirable results, such as expanding more or less than specified in the fermenting process, or being affected by external room temperature and humidity which has penetrated the oven through a glass lid installed on the baking oven, this apparatus is provided with means for detecting fermenting conditions while fermenting, and means for extending the fermenting process time. This apparatus is further provided with baking timer means for defining the color of the final baked product by applying temperature measuring means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Yoshida, Yasumasu Hironaka, Hisanobu Tanaka, Hironobu Shimokubo
  • Patent number: 5402710
    Abstract: A mixer mechanism is used for an automatic baking machine which includes an oven and a container disposed within the oven so as to bake bread. The mixer mechanism includes a driving device which has a rod member rotated by a motor, and a driving plate member secured to the upper end portion of the rod member. A shaft assembly includes a shaft member journalled on the bottom wall of the container, a driven plate member secured to the bottom end of the shaft member and mounted removably on the driving plate member in such a manner that the shaft assembly rotates synchronously with the rod member, and a positioning unit secured to the top end of the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Inventor: Shang-Hsien Chen
  • Patent number: 5401159
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing food paste is provided. The apparatus includes a container for holding paste ingredients, a mixing and kneading assembly for preparing the food paste within the container, and an extrusion system for pressing the paste into a desired noodle shape. The mixing and kneading assembly comprises a plurality of mixing blades attached to a centrally located cylinder within the container. The assembly further includes a kneading blade and scraper blade. The scraper blade is fixed at a constant distance from the bottom wall of the container such that paste is scraped from to the bottom wall as the scraper blade is spun. The kneading blade has leading and trail edges that remain parallel to the bottom wall of the container. The mixing blades and kneading blade are reciprocated in a vertical direction and are biased by a biasing means toward the bottom wall of the container. A drive means rotates a spindle which in turn spins the mixing and kneading assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Airlux Electrical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Maxwell Hsu
  • Patent number: 5392695
    Abstract: An improved breadmaking machine for adjusting at least one operating parameter of the machine in response to the atmospheric pressure and atmospheric temperature existing outside the machine. Signals representative of the atmospheric pressure and atmospheric temperature are inputted to the breadmaker by a sensor, potentiometer, switch block assembly, or by manual entering means. The signals are read by a controller which initiates a program to determine at least one correction value for adjusting the operating parameters of the machine in response to the pressure and temperature inputs. The controller is connected to the parameters, such as a heater element, kneading motor and blower motor and adjusts the operation of the parameters according to the calculated values of the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Circulair, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric F. Junkel
  • Patent number: 5364183
    Abstract: In a driving mechanism of a kneading blade of a bread production device driven by a motor through the reduction gear, a reduction ratio of the reduction gear is adapted to be more than 10:1. By this, the motor which drives the kneading blade is miniaturized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaharu Shibata
  • Patent number: 5351606
    Abstract: This invention relates to a bread baking device, and is intended to attain the objective of providing a bread baking device having no exclusive cooling fan as an extra special part, and enabling low-cost production, by integrally shaping a cooling fan in one piece with a driving pulley mounted on the driving shaft of a driving motor, and by efficiently cooling the generated heat in said driving motor and the frictional heat generated in a belt by circulating air flow in accordance with the revolution of said driving motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 5280150
    Abstract: A heat generating container for use in a microwave oven or the like, which includes a metallic main container, a metallic lid to be detachably applied onto the metallic main container, and microwave absorbing heat generating film layers formed on outer surfaces of the metallic main container and metallic lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobushige Arai, Taisuke Morino
  • Patent number: 5267789
    Abstract: A device for mixing liquids, solids or combinations thereof, particularly viscous liquids and polymeric solids comprises a mixing vessel having therein a substantially cylindrical mixing chamber; a rotor with a cross-section in the shape of a convex-convex lens having outer convex surfaces substantially identical in shape to the inner wall surface of the cylindrical mixing chamber and with a longitudinal dimension substantially identical to that of said cylindrical mixing chamber, the rotor being variably positionable so it's rotating axis is parallel to the axis of the mixing chamber, but eccentric thereto, and mounted within the mixing chamber upon a base having a drive mechanism for the rotor disposed through it; and a lid for tightly sealing the chamber formed by the mixing vessel and the base. The rotor preferably fills from 28 to 100% of the volume of the mixing chamber; most preferably 50 to 75%. The rotor may be heliciform along its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: University of Akron
    Inventors: Alan N. Gent, Richard L. Henry
  • Patent number: 5145252
    Abstract: A kneading wing sensing apparatus which, when user kneads materials for baking bread, detects whether the kneading wing is placed into a container or not. The main principal for detecting the kneading wind is to compare the pulse signal with a memorized pulse signal. The memorized upper limit value is a state of revolution without the kneading wing and the lower limit value is a state of revolution with the kneading wing in an unusual revolution. The detecting method of the revolution is a rotating disk inclusive of multiple holes and a sensing device attached to a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keun-Yeong Oh
  • Patent number: 5110521
    Abstract: A blender for plastic materials weighs a charge of virgin plastic pellets as they are added to a hopper, similarly weighs plastics regrind material as it is added to the hopper, calculates the weight of color material (or other additive) on the basis of the actual virgin material weight and the desired color percentage, calculates from the weight of color material and a calibration of a volumetric feeder the volumetric amount of color material needed and then dispenses the calculated volume of color material. The apparatus is hybrid, using weight ratio measuring devices for the primary components and a volumetric feeder for dispensing the additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Hydreclaim Corporation
    Inventor: Richard W. Moller
  • Patent number: 5076153
    Abstract: An automatic bread-making device comprises a housing, a cooking vessel removably arranged therein and provided at its bottom with a rotating shaft, a kneading blade removably attached to the rotating shaft, and a driving means for rotating the kneading blade through the rotating shaft. The kneading blade is providing with at least one crescent-shaped projection at a wall surface of a bore for attachment of the blade to the rotating shaft, while the rotating shaft is provided at its upper portion with at least one groove extending in the direction parallel to a line which intersects the axis of the shaft to form a head with a figure similar to that of an opening formed between the inner wall of the bore and a free end of the projection. The kneading blade is attached to the rotating shaft so that the head of the rotating shaft is engaged with the projection of the blade when the head of the shaft is arranged in the bore of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Zojirushi Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Takahashi, Jun Misaki, Tsutomu Nishikawa, Yasuo Naoi, Toshinori Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5044758
    Abstract: A caulk mix and transfer apparatus includes a caulk jar for holding uncolored caulk and for receiving unmixed pigment. The jar has a mix lid and a transfer lid. Empty caulk tubes are attached to the transfer lid and the mix lid includes a rotatable blade. A machine for mixing the pigment and caulk in the caulk jar and for transferring the mixture to the caulk tubes includes means for engaging the jar and mixing the pigment and caulk therein with the mix lid and includes means for engaging the jar and transferring the mixture to the caulk tubes through the transfer lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventor: William Kurtz
  • Patent number: 5037209
    Abstract: A stirring mechanism, with a plurality of hollow, at least partially conically shaped stirring elements, which are provided with two openings, are symmetrically offset and are fixed on the stirring shaft (2) at least approximately tangential to an imaginary circular cylinder coaxial to the stirring shaft.In the starting phase, the stirred substance flows laminarly through the stirring elements 8. However, as soon as they have reached a predetermined minimum velocity of about 1.3 m/s, the flow inside the stirring elements 8 is forced to reverse by dynamic pressure. The resultant counterflow (11, 12, 13) brings about an outstanding, extensive and nevertheless extremely gentle stirring effect with low power consumption. Also, an effective and uniform gassing can be obtained with simple means, without the stirring velocity having to be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Inventor: Kurt W. Wyss
  • Patent number: 4984512
    Abstract: An automatic bread-making device comprises a housing, a cooking vessel, a kneading apparatus for kneading ingredients for bread in the vessel, a heating apparatus for heating the cooking vessel, and a control system for controlling the kneading apparatus and heating apparatus in sequence. The control system comprises a control memory for storing a sequence of standard operations for a bread-making process, a time-setting apparatus for manually setting a time at which a step to be executed in the bread-making process is proceeded to the next step, a storage apparatus for storing a sequence of operations set by the time-setting apparatus, and a control apparatus responsive to the program stored in the control memory apparatus or the program stored in the storage apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Zojirushi Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Takahashi, Jun Misaki, Takayuki Karaki
  • Patent number: 4977822
    Abstract: A home automatic bread baking device includes an air blowing chamber and a heating chamber having a kneading container, and a kneading means containing a receiving portion for storing a kneading member in a predetermined position in said kneading container; a first projecting member mounted in the lower portion of said heating chamber; at least one elastic supporting member fixed around the circumference adjacent to the upper portion of said heating chamber; a second projecting member formed integrally on the bottom of said kneading container; a circular extending member having a predetermined width which is extended from each side of the upper portion of the kneading container, thereby allowing the kneading container to be closely fixed/coupled into the heating chamber independent of the coupling between the rotary vane and its driving shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soon K. Seo, Hae S. Cho
  • Patent number: 4957040
    Abstract: An automatic bread making apparatus comprises a housing, a baking container disposed in the housing and being provided with an opening and a source of heat, a kneading container which is detachably mounted in the baking container, a lid assembly for covering the kneading container, a kneading blade which is movably disposed in the kneading container, a motor for operating the blade to form the dough, means for detecting temperature in the kneading container, a yeast charger and a control unit for operating the apparatus. This apparatus provides for the automatic addition of yeast to the kneaded dough without manual intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Nakakura, Morio Shibata, Haruo Ishikawa, Akihisa Nakano, Hiromi Hirota, Hajime Oyabu
  • Patent number: 4951559
    Abstract: A bread producing machine comprises a baking case for accommodating bread materials, a baking chamber for accommodating the baking case, a mixing, kneading means for mixing, kneading the bread materials within the baking case, a heating means for heating the baking case, an air inlet route and an exhaust route including the baking chamber a fan for compulsory blast use is disposed in the course of the exhaust rate. The exhaust route is located at its one end above the baking case so as to confront the upper portion side wall of the baking chamber as an air inlet port, and confronts at its other end an outer side exhaust port provided in an outer cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuzuru Arao, Morio Shibata, shigeru Yamaguchi, Hirofumi Nakakura, Tsuneo Shibata, Yukitoshi Kunihiro
  • Patent number: 4930897
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mixer in which at least one end wall and at least one part of the peripheral wall can be moved relative to one another in such a way that the interior of the mixing vessel is freely accessible from the periphery. Such a mixer is distinguished by a very good cleaning facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventors: Friedrich W. Herfeld, deceased, Ute Herfeld, heir
  • Patent number: 4930899
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a dough stuff kneader for kneading dough stuffs contained in a container by driving an electric motor. The dough stuff kneader includes an electrical fan for inducing an air flow which is introduced into the container, thereby cooling the dough stuffs. The kneading motor is driven in accordance with a kneading command signal delivered from a microcomputer as a signal generating circuit. The electrical fan is driven in accordance with a blowing command signal delivered from a timer circuit. The timer circuit is designed so as to deliver a blowing command signal after elapse of a predetermined period of time from the time when the kneading command signal is delivered from the microcomputer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Michishige Aoyama
  • Patent number: 4903589
    Abstract: A bread baking apparatus includes a case having an upper open end closed and opened by a lid, a heater for heating the atmosphere in the case, a dough container disposed in the case so that a space is circumferentially defined between the case and the dough container, an electric motor for driving a kneading blade disposed in the dough container, an electric fan disposed outside the case and energized for a predetermined period during the first half of a baking step, and a microcomputer for controlling the motor, the fan and the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Michishige Aoyama
  • Patent number: 4903588
    Abstract: A bread baking apparatus includes a container for containing dough stuffs, an impeller for agitating and kneading the dough stuffs, an electric motor for rotating the impeller, an electric heater for heating the dough stuffs, a buzzer for alarming to inform an operator of the time when a gas removing operation is to be manually executed so that gas contained in dough is removed, and a microcomputer-based operation control circuit operating to selectively execute either an automatic baking course or a manual gas removal course. Upon selection of the automatic baking course, kneading, fermenting and baking steps for the dough stuffs are sequentially executed and the impeller is rotated for a short period in the fermenting step for automatic execution of a gas removing operation for dough. Upon selection of the manual gas removal course, the kneading and fermenting steps are automatically executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Nobuhide Horiuchi, Motoya Sakakibara, Kazuo Kitamura
  • Patent number: 4842416
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an agitating and kneading tool (4) for being inserted into the center of a mixing bowl (2) of an electrically driven household appliance (16). The agitating and kneading tool (4) is conventionally composed of a hub (15) to which two differently shaped types of single tools (3, 10 and 1, 8) are fitted and which are drivable by a drive shaft (9) which preferably extends through the container bottom. It is suggested to furnish the hub (15) with a larger diameter in its lower area than in its upper area, in particular, to give it a conical shape. In its lower area, the hub (15) disposes of one or more single tools (1, 8) in the form of laterally projecting agitating arms, the said tools extending closely adjacent to the bottom in parallel to said. In the upper area of the hub (15), there is provision of one or more single tools in the form of kneading blades (3, 10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Albrecht Kullen, Manfred Klawuhn, Sigrun Hickel, Wolfgang Franke