Dough feeding unit
US6523727B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 17, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 17, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA21C5/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A metering unit for dough and related foodstuffs having a dough feeder unit, support structure, dough hopper, effluent housing, drive motor and centerless helix, with the effluent housing including an inlet, center and outlet section. The centerless helix is disposed within the effluent housing, and is rotatably coupled to the drive motor. Dough is fed into an aperture in the input section of the effluent housing, and upon rotation of the centerless helix, is discharged from the outlet section of the effluent housing. The internal flowpath of the effluent housing can include a separate discharge liner to prevent the centerless helix from contacting the flowpath wall. Additional control mechanisms can be included to limit motor power output and protect the system in event of an overpressure condition. The system is portable, and can be coupled to a conventional conveyor system to create an integrated approach to dough metering and transport.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.