A device for the processing of liquids and/or solids includes a disposable layer adapted to shield a working surface from coming into contact with, and being fouled by, the processed liquids and/or solids, and apparatus suitable to apply a negative pressure in a gap between the disposable layer and the working surface, thereby causing the disposable layer to adhere to the working surface.

A mixing paddle is comprised of a compound, integral center shaft, a rim, a first plurality of parallel blades and a second plurality of parallel blades. The compound, integral center shaft bisects the rim, creating a first side of the rim and a second side of the rim. The first plurality of parallel blades is disposed between the compound, integral center shaft and the first side of the rim. The second plurality of parallel blades is disposed between the compound, integral center shaft and the second side of the rim. The first plurality of parallel blades is orthogonal to the second plurality of parallel blades.

A mixing machine includes a head extending over a bowl receiving location, the head including a downwardly extending rotatable output shaft for receiving a mixer tool. A drive train including a motor having an output operatively connected to drive a planetary gear system that effects rotation of the rotatable output shaft about its axis and orbiting of the shaft axis about another axis. A control system includes a master control unit and a slave control unit, the master control unit connected with a first sensor located along the drive train between the motor and the planetary gear system, the slave control unit connected with a second sensor, wherein both the slave control unit and the second sensor rotate with a part of the planetary gear system, wherein the master control unit and the slave control unit are configured for wireless communication with each other.

A food mixer comprises a container, a rotational shaft, an agitation member, a main packing, a collar, and a sub packing. The rotational shaft penetrates a wall of the container and is rotatably supported by the container. The agitation member is configured to agitate a work product in the container by rotating together with the rotational shaft. The main packing is disposed between the container and the rotational shaft. The collar is held at an outer periphery of the rotational shaft by a fixing member so that a space is formed between the main packing and the collar. The collar allows the space to be opened toward the container when the collar moves away from the fixed position after the fixing state is removed. The sub packing is provided between an outer periphery of the collar and a boss portion.

A mixing apparatus may include a bowl defining at least one bowl opening for contents of the bowl to exit therefrom, and a valve assembly configured to selectively attach to the bowl at the bowl opening and including at least one base portion defining a base opening and configured to selectively receive a seal portion, the seal portion being movable between open and close positions, wherein in the open position, the base opening is unobstructed allowing contents of the bowl exit the bowl via the base opening, and in the closed position, the seal portion blocks the base opening preventing contents from exiting the bowl.

An apparatus and method for processing a foodstuff comprises a closed conveyor path, a conveyor device, and a treatment chamber. The conveyor path includes an inlet and an outlet. The conveyor device is positioned within the closed conveyor path and configured to receive the foodstuff from the inlet. The conveyor device is further configured to convey the foodstuff along the closed conveyor path toward the outlet. The treatment chamber is positioned within the closed conveyor path downstream of the conveyor device for receiving the foodstuff from the conveyor device. The treatment chamber includes a rotatably driven first kneading shaft configured to collide the foodstuff within the treatment chamber.

A mixing machine includes a head extending over a bowl receiving location, the head including a downwardly extending rotatable output shaft for receiving a mixer tool, the head including a planetary system therewithin for effecting rotation of the rotatable output shaft about its axis and orbiting of the shaft axis about another axis. A motor includes an output operatively connected to drive the planetary system. A control system includes a plurality of sensors, each sensor located for detecting a respective condition of mixing machine, and a diagnostic control operable to (i) track outputs from the plurality of sensors over time, (ii) analyze the tracked outputs and (iii) produce an alert indication based upon the diagnostic control identifying a performance characteristic indicative of a need for service or repair of the mixing machine.

An mixing device includes at least one mixing chamber, a memory, a processor coupled to the memory, and a set of instructions stored on the memory and configured to be executed by the processor. The processor is configured to determine a custom mixing recipe comprising a plurality of ingredient types and corresponding amounts for each of the plurality of ingredient types. The processor is further configured to insert the plurality of ingredient types into a first mixing chamber. A first amount of a first ingredient type and a second amount of a second ingredient type are inserted according to the custom mixing recipe. The processor is further configured to mix the plurality of ingredient types in the first mixing chamber. The processor is further configured to dispense a mixture of the plurality of ingredient types as at least one of a vapor, a fine powder, a mist, and a liquid.

A hydrator includes a dry module with a vertically oriented tube having a central axis, an interior, an upper inlet aperture, a lower outlet, and an inlet section including a dry inlet. A mixing segment includes a vertically oriented tube having an interior wall, a mixing-segment inlet at an upper end, and a mixing-segment outlet at a lower end. The mixing segment is vertically aligned with and sealingly connected to the outlet of the dry module. A rotating hydrator shaft has a liquid channel and a longitudinal axis aligned with the central axis of the dry module. Dry blades are disposed on and rotate with the hydrator shaft in the mixing segment. A hydrator nozzle is disposed on and rotates with the hydrator shaft and has a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with the liquid channel and open to the mixing segment for discharging liquid from the liquid channel.

The present invention relates to a kneading member (107) for a device for kneading a dough, comprising: a mounting disc (109); a kneading tool (111) for mixing the ingredients which constitute a dough, comprising: an upper portion (121), extending from said mounting disc, a mid-portion (123), in the extension of said upper portion, anda lower portion (125), in the extension of said mid-portion. The kneading member (107) according to the invention is noteworthy in that the kneading tool (111) consists of a circular helix, the angle of winding of which is non-constant between said upper, mid- and lower portions of the tool (111) and in that the angle of winding of the lower portion (125) is less than that of the mid-portion (123). The invention also relates to a kneading device fitted with such a kneading member.