High speed batch mixer

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In a preferred embodiment of the invention, three functions cooperate to produce a single dough batch, these segments are designated in FIG.
1 as the blending chamber 1, the developing chamber 2 and the exhaust rollers 3.
The invention is illustrated as a unitary machine, with each designated functional unit operating in a chronological order to produce a single dough batch.
Each segment may operate independently of the other so that the process is continually preparing a new dough batch.
The blending chamber 1 is of a substantially circular cross-section with flat walls at either end 1a, 1b.
This chamber has an inlet 10 for adding the ingredients.
This inlet 10 can be located at any convenient position in order to effectively allow for the addition of the mix ingredients.
Positioning is dependent on the size of the overall machine and its intended location within a bakery.
As shown, the inlet is placed at the top of the blending chamber 1 so that special gaskets are not required to avoid leaking during mixing.
Within the blending chamber 1 is an agitator 12 having at least two blades 12a, 12b of substantially helical shape mounted to rotate about the horizontal axis 13 of the blending chamber 1.
The agitator blades 12a, 12b are mounted without a center shaft and form a double helix which rotates adjacent to the periphery of the blending chamber 1.
The motion of the agitator blades 12a, 12b moves all the ingredients in the chamber toward one wall of the chamber 1a or 1b depending on the agitator's 12 direction of rotation.
A means for rotation 11 of the blending agitator 12 is provided and is typically an electric motor.
Control 14 of the cycle for this chamber can be responsive to either time lapse or to the motor energy usage level.
The structure of the blades 12a and 12b of the agitator are such that a flat surface rotates adjacent to the circumference of the interior of the blending chamber.
The cross section of the blades is either triangular (see FIG.
2) or rectangular (not shown) such that upon rotation of the blades 12a and 12b the ingredients are directed away from the circumference of the blending chamber