A food processing machine includes a head extending over a bowl receiving location, the head including an output shaft driven in a planetary manner. At least a first food processing tool and a second food processing tool can be changed in and out of the machine to be driven by the output shaft. A controller and associated tool detection system is configured to identify whether the first food processing tool or the second food processing tool is mounted on the machine and to select a stored load profile that is linked to the identified food processing tool.

The present invention relates to a method of making a composition, the composition comprising a cross-linked polymer and water, comprising at least the following steps: a) providing a first mixture, comprising at least one polymer and an aqueous alkaline solution; b) generating a gel by cross-linking the at least one polymer with a cross-linking agent; c) neutralizing the generated gel by using a neutralization solution; d) optionally adding a second mixture, comprising a cross-linked and/or non-cross-linked polymer and water, to the neutralized gel obtained in step c); e) dialyzing the gel obtained in step d) or dialyzing the gel obtained in step c) and optionally subsequent addition of the second mixture, comprising a cross-linked and/or non-cross-linked polymer and water; and f) filling the dialyzed gel obtained in step e) into a container, wherein at least two or three or four or five or all of steps a) to f) are automated.

A dough mixer includes a main unit with a motor arranged therein and a dough mixing assembly mounted thereon. The dough mixing assembly includes a dough mixing bowl, a top cover, a transmission shaft connected to the motor and is arranged in the dough mixing bowl, a dough mixing unit connected to the transmission shaft and including an upper end, and a scraper unit detachably connected to the upper end of the dough mixing unit. The scraper unit includes a first bowl wall scraper including a first blade fitted to an inner wall of the dough mixing bowl, a second bowl wall scraper including a second blade fitted to the inner wall of the dough mixing bowl, wherein the second bowl wall scraper is arranged opposite to the first bowl wall scraper, and a central scraper including a third blade matched with an outer wall of the transmission shaft.

A variable-engagement planetary food mixing tool for attachment to a motorized food mixing apparatus is presented. The tool has a body that has a driveshaft engagement portion and a first longitudinal axis. The tool also has a sun gear concentric with the first longitudinal axis, wherein the sun gear has a first helical gear surface. A planet gear with a second longitudinal axis is also included, wherein the second longitudinal axis is non-parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The planet gear has a second helical gear surface extending around the second longitudinal axis. The planet gear is configured to engage the first helical gear surface of the sun gear in one or more positions along the second longitudinal axis. A mixing member is connected to the planet gear and moves around the first longitudinal axis while rotating around the second longitudinal axis as the planet gear traverses the sun gear.

An automated production system is disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed toward an automated system for the continuous production of baked bread. The system can include a priming assembly having a dry ingredients priming unit and a wet ingredients priming unit. The dry ingredients priming unit can include a vertically-oriented hopper and a screw positioned within an interior region of the hopper, wherein the first screw extends along the central longitudinal axis of the hopper and is configured to rotate about its own central longitudinal axis. The system can also include a mixing assembly, a forming assembly, an oven, and a controller. The controller can be coupled to the priming assembly and configured to adjust the amount of dry ingredients delivered from the hopper to the mixing chamber by controlling rotation of the screw.

A system for blending cement and at least one additive during a blending job to create a cement slurry for use in an underground hydrocarbon well includes a mixing tub, at least first and second blenders and a rotatable platform upon which the blenders are mounted. Each blender includes at least one elongated, rotatable, mixing blade extending into the tub to mix the cement and at the additive(s) to form the cement slurry.

A slurry manufacturing apparatus includes a rotation-revolution mixing device which mixes and prepares a slurry by rotational movement and revolving movement and a gas injection mechanism which dissolves carbonic acid gas in the slurry prepared by the rotation-revolution mixing device, in which the gas injection mechanism dissolves the carbonic acid gas in the slurry by injecting the carbonic acid gas under pressure in a sealed state.

A bench mixer has a combined whisk and scraper attachment. In preferred embodiments, the mixer has a processor configured to access data indicative of a respective power limit to be applied to a motor for each of a plurality of user selectable speed settings and monitors motor speed to compare against a user selected speed setting. The processor increases the power applied to the motor, up to a respective power limit if the current speed is lower than the user selected speed setting.

A batch or continuous mixer for mixing powders, immiscible liquids, or a powder with a liquid includes one or more vibrational energy applicators which propagate vibrational energy into the mixture, causing powders to flow like liquids and breaking up liquid droplets and powder clumps. In embodiments, the vibration frequency and amplitude are selected according to properties of the mixture components. Vibrations can be propagated through container walls, impellers, or other structures within the mixing container. Vibrated structures can be flexibly supported for enhanced propagation of the vibrations. Vibrational energy can be uniform throughout the container, or focused in a desired region. Ultrasonic energy can be simultaneously applied with acoustic energy.

A delay system for a stirring machine includes a plurality of vertical stirring augers, supported to a cross tube, with each auger having a tilt switch. A gear motor is connected to the cross tube and moves the cross tube forwardly around a bin. A delay assembly is connected to the tilt switches and the gear motor. The delay assembly shuts off the gear motor when the stirring augers are vertically displaced and starts the gear motor after a time delay once the stirring augers return to a vertical position.