DOUGH HANDLING UNIT AND APPARATUS FOR AND A METHOD OF HANDLING DOUGH

Abstract

The invention concerns a dough handling unit (1, 1′) for handling dough comprising a housing (8, 8′, 8″), a dough inlet (10, 10′) for introducing dough into the housing (8, 8′, 8″), a dough outlet (12, 12′) for discharge of the dough from the housing (8, 8′, 8″), and a handling chamber for handling the dough, that is arranged within the housing (8, 8′, 8″) along a portion between the inlet and the outlet and is substantially closed off relative to the surroundings, wherein arranged in the handling chamber (2, 2′) is a dough structuring portion (4, 4′, 4″) having a nozzle (6, 6′, 6″) which reduces the flow cross-section for structuring of the dough, and downstream of the nozzle (6, 6′, 6″) the flow cross-section in the dough structuring portion is enlarged again in relation to the reduced flow cross-section in the region of the nozzle (6, 6′, 6″).

Claims

1-25. (canceled)

26. A dough handling unit for handling dough, the dough handling unit comprising a housing; an inlet configured for introducing the dough into the housing; an outlet configured for discharge of the dough from the housing; a handling chamber configured for handling the dough, the handling chamber arranged within the housing along a portion between the inlet and the outlet, and the handling chamber substantially closed off relative to the surroundings; and a dough structuring portion arranged in the handling chamber, the dough structuring portion having a nozzle which is configured to reduce a flow cross-section for structuring of the dough, and the flow cross-section in the dough structuring portion downstream of the nozzle enlarged again in relation to the reduced flow cross-section in a region of the nozzle.

27. The dough handling unit of claim 26 wherein the nozzle is configured to structure and/or restructure the dough passing the handling chamber in dependence on a quality of the dough to be handled.

28. The dough handling unit of claim 26 wherein the nozzle has a central passage opening which is of a uniform flow cross-section in a flow direction of the dough at least portion-wise along the dough structuring portion.

29. The dough handling unit claim 28 wherein the central passage opening has a substantially circular cross-section with a central axis arranged coaxially with respect to a longitudinal axis of a wall of the housing.

30. The dough handling unit of claim 29 wherein the nozzle has a passage opening of a diameter which in relation to the diameter of the wall of the housing before and/or after the dough structuring portion is in a ratio which is in a range of approximately 1:3 to about 1:12.

31. The dough handling unit of claim 29 wherein the nozzle has a passage opening, and the dough structuring portion has a flow cross-section upstream of the passage opening which continuously decreases in the flow direction.

32. The dough handling unit of claim 31 wherein the flow cross-section which continuously decreases in the flow direction is in the form of an entry cone that is conically-tapering.

33. The dough handling unit of claim 32 wherein the entry cone has a cone angle (α) in a range of about 100° to about 120°.

34. The dough handling unit of claim 32 wherein the dough structuring portion downstream of the nozzle has a flow cross-section which continuously enlarges in the flow direction.

35. The dough handling unit of claim 34 wherein the flow cross-section which continuously enlarges in the flow direction is in the form of an exit cone that is conically-enlarging.

36. The dough handling unit of claim 35 wherein the exit cone has a cone angle (β) in a range of about 115° to about 135°.

37. The dough handling unit of claim 35 wherein the entry cone has a cone angle (α), and the exit cone has a cone angle (β) that is greater than the cone angle (α) of the entry cone.

38. The dough handling unit of claim 26 wherein the handling chamber includes a substantially cylindrical space downstream of the dough structuring portion and the substantially cylindrical space downstream is configured for portioning of the dough.

39. The dough handling unit of claim 26 wherein the handling chamber has a length, the nozzle has a length, and the length of the handling chamber and the length of the nozzle are in a ratio of 4:1.

40. The dough handling unit of claim 26 wherein the handling chamber includes at least one baffle arranged in downstream of the nozzle in a region of the handling chamber having an increase in cross-section.

41. The dough handling unit of claim 26 wherein the nozzle is integral with at least a part of the housing.

42. The dough handling unit of claim 26 wherein the dough structuring portion is in the form of a separate component and is replaceably arranged in a portion of the handling chamber.

43. An apparatus for processing dough, the apparatus comprising: a dough handling unit for handling the dough, the dough handling unit comprising a housing, an inlet configured for introducing the dough into the housing, an outlet configured for discharge of the dough from the housing, a handling chamber configured for handling the dough, and a dough structuring portion arranged in the handling chamber, the handling chamber arranged within the housing along a portion between the inlet and the outlet, the handling chamber substantially closed off relative to the surroundings, the dough structuring portion having a nozzle which is configured to reduce a flow cross-section for structuring of the dough, and the flow cross-section in the dough structuring portion downstream of the nozzle enlarged again in relation to the reduced flow cross-section in a region of the nozzle; and a filling machine coupled to the dough handling unit, the filling machine including a filling hopper configured for receiving the dough and a delivery pump configured for delivery of the dough to the dough handling unit, wherein the dough handling unit arranged downstream of the delivery pump.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the filling hopper includes a feed opening, and the filling machine includes a discharge opening and a processing section which extends between the feed opening and the discharge opening, and the processing section is substantially closed in relation to the surroundings.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 further comprising: a portioning device configured for subdividing the dough passing the processing section into individual portions or into a plurality of same-size mass flows.

46. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein the processing section includes at least one feed location configured for additives to be added to the dough to be handled.

47. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein the portioning device includes a separating device for subdividing the dough into individual portions, and the separating device includes at least one moveable blade.

48. A method of processing dough, the method comprising: introducing a dough into a dough feed opening of a substantially-closed processing section; delivering the dough in the processing section by a filling machine in a direction of a dough discharge opening, wherein the dough passes through a handling unit which is arranged after the filling machine in a delivery direction of the dough; and handling the dough in the handling unit by passing the dough through a dough structuring portion with a nozzle reducing the flow cross-section for structuring of the dough.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter by means of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus for processing dough with a handling device according to the invention,

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a partial view in section of the processing apparatus according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1,

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the handling device of FIG. 2,

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a view of a further embodiment of a dough handling unit,

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention for processing dough,

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a partial view in section of the processing apparatus of FIG. 5,

[0055] FIG. 7 shows a view of a portioning device with a dough handling unit according to the invention as a plan view in section, and

[0056] FIG. 8 shows a view in longitudinal section of the portioning device with the dough handling unit arranged therein as shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 100 for processing dough. The apparatus 100 includes a filling machine 102 having a filling hopper 104 for receiving dough, arranged on a housing 106 of the filling machine 102. In this arrangement the filling hopper 104 forms a dough feed opening 108 for the dough to be processed by means of the apparatus 100. The filling machine 102 further has a delivery pump 114 (FIG. 2), an outlet for the discharge of dough, a control means and further known components. Coupled to the filling machine 102 is a portioning device 110 in such a way that dough can be fed to the portioning device 110 in the delivery direction.

[0058] In the present embodiment the portioning device 110 is adapted to subdivide the dough to be processed in the apparatus into individual portions. The portioning device 110 has a dough discharge opening 112 for discharge of the dough from the apparatus 100. In the present structure the portioning device 110 is in the form of an attachment for the filling machine 102. If necessary the portioning device 110 can be replaced by means of its displaceable frame structure 113. The term attachment for the filling machine 102 in the present case is used to mean a component which is connected downstream of the filling machine 102, that is to say it is arranged after the filling machine in the delivery direction of the dough to be processed, or downstream thereof.

[0059] FIG. 2 shows a partial view in section of the filling machine 102 and the portioning device 110. As can be seen from FIG. 2 the filling machine 102 has a delivery pump 114. By means of the delivery pump 114 the dough introduced into the filling machine by way of the filling hopper 104 is delivered in the direction of the discharge opening 112 of the portioning device 110. A substantially closed processing section 116 for the dough to be processed therein is provided between the feed opening 108 and the discharge opening 112.

[0060] A dough handling unit 1 is arranged downstream of the filling machine 102, preferably in a portion of the delivery section 116. In the illustrated embodiment the dough handling unit 1 preferably forms a processing region between the filling machine 102 and the portioning device 110. In the illustrated arrangement the dough handling unit 1 is connected in fluid-conducting relationship to a filling machine connection 128. The dough handling unit 1 includes a handling chamber 2 delimited by walls, having a dough structuring unit portion 4 for a dough which is flowing through the arrangement and passing through the handling unit 2. The dough structuring portion 4 has a nozzle 6 which reduces the flow cross-section in the handling chamber 2 and which is adapted to structure/restructure the dough. Downstream of the nozzle 6 the flow cross-section of the dough structuring portion 4 in the handling chamber 2 is enlarged again in relation to the reduced flow cross-section in the region of the nozzle 6. The present configuration of the dough structuring portion 4 provides for structuring/restructuring of the dough to improve its rheological properties in particular after damage in the dough structure or after a negative influence caused by the delivery pump 114.

[0061] In operation after passing through the dough handling unit 1 the dough is conveyed in the direction of the portioning device 110. In that case the dough passes through a portion 118 within the processing section 116, which is of a flow cross-section that enlarges again in comparison with the handling chamber 2. Accordingly the speed of the dough being conveyed slows down once again in the portion.

[0062] Provided at the outlet of the portioning device 110 is a separating device 120 for subdividing the foodstuff into individual portions. The separating device 120 has at least two moveable separating blades 122. In the illustrated embodiment the separating blades 122 are mounted rotatably. Each separating blade 122 rotates at an adjustable speed and passes the discharge opening 112 at uniform intervals so that suitable individual portions are continuously cut off from a string of dough which in particular is being continuously delivered.

[0063] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of a first embodiment of the dough handling unit 1 having a housing 8 which defines the handling chamber 2 for handling the dough. In addition the handling unit 1 has a dough inlet 10 for introducing dough into the housing 8 and a dough outlet 12 for the discharge of dough from the housing 8. Arranged within the housing 8 and thus in the handling chamber 2 is the dough structuring portion 4 which is formed from a nozzle 6.

[0064] As FIG. 3 further shows the nozzle 6 has a central through opening 14 which in the illustrated embodiment is of a flow cross-section which remains the same, but it can also involve flow cross-sections which vary in the delivery direction of the dough or along the longitudinal axis L. In the present case the central passage opening 14 is of a round cross-section, with the central axis of the passage opening 14 being coaxial with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the housing 8. In the present case the housing 8 is substantially rotationally symmetrical and forms a kind of communicating tube between the filling machine 102 and the portioning device 110.

[0065] In the FIG. 3 embodiment the nozzle has an entry 16 and an exit 18. In comparison with the entry 16 at the nozzle the exit 18 is of a reduced cross-section. The central passage opening 14 is of a diameter which in comparison with the diameter of the housing 8 before and after the dough structuring portion 4 is in a ratio which is in the range of about 1:3 to about 1:12.

[0066] In the present embodiment the nozzle 6 has a portion which narrows from the entry 16 in the direction of the central passage opening 14, preferably being a conically tapering entry cone 20. The entry cone 20 has a cone angle α in the range of about 100° to 120°. The nozzle 6 preferably has a portion which enlarges from the central passage opening 14 to the exit 18, preferably a conically enlarging exit cone 22. The exit cone 22 has a cone angle β in the range of about 115° to 135°.

[0067] As FIG. 3 shows the nozzle 6 is preferably in the form of a separate component and is arranged in a portion in the handling chamber 2 of the housing 8. In the present case the nozzle 6 is interchangeable. If necessary or in dependence on the dough materials to be processed by means of the processing apparatus 100 the nozzle 6 can be replaced by a correspondingly different suitable nozzle involving different dimensions. Alternatively it could also be integral on the housing 8, as described hereinafter.

[0068] FIG. 4 shows an alternative configuration of a dough handling unit 1 having a dough structuring portion 4′ having a nozzle 6′ which is integral with at least a part of the housing 8′ of the handling unit 1. In the event of a product change the complete housing 8′ of the handling unit 1 is to be replaced, instead of only the nozzle 6 shown in FIG. 3. The FIG. 4 dough structuring unit portion 4′ therefore has all the features described in relation to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. The identical features are denoted by the same references. The housing 8′, in contrast to the housing 8 in FIG. 3, is of a greater material thickness. The dough handling unit 1 shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 is arranged before a portioning device 110 in the delivery direction of the dough.

[0069] FIG. 5 shows an alternative configuration of an apparatus 100′ for processing dough. Like the previous configuration, the apparatus 100′ includes a filling machine 102 having a filling hopper 104 for receiving dough. The filling hopper 104 is arranged on the housing 106 of the filling machine. In the present case here too the filling hopper 104 defines the dough feed opening 108 for the dough to be processed by means of the apparatus 100′. A portioning device 110′ is coupled to the filling machine 102.

[0070] In this configuration the portioning device 110′ is adapted to subdivide the dough to be processed in the apparatus 100′ into a plurality of mass flows of the same size. The portioning device 110 includes a filling flow divider 124 coupled to the filling machine connection 128 by way of a connecting conduit 126. The filling flow divider 124 has a distributor tube 130 which extends transversely to the delivery direction of the dough material and by which the dough material is distributed by means of the filling flow divider to a plurality of discharge conduits 132 (FIG. 6). Depending on the number of discharge conduits 132 at the filling flow divider 124 the portioning device 110′ has a corresponding number of discharge openings 112′. The portioning device 110′ is also in the form of an attachment for the filling machine 102, which can be dismantled from the filling machine connection 128 again.

[0071] FIG. 6 shows a partial view in section of the filling machine 102 and the portioning device 110′. The filling machine 102 has a delivery pump 114 for the dough to be conveyed from the filling hopper 104 in the direction of the filling machine connection 128. In the present embodiment the delivery pump 114 is in the form of a worm pump. The dough material is further passed into the filling flow divider by way of the connecting conduit 126 by way of the distributor tube 140 by virtue of the delivery flow created by means of the delivery pump 114. From the filling flow divider 124 the dough material is then distributed to a plurality of successively arranged discharge conduits 132. The mass flows of the same size are then discharged by way of the discharge opening 112′ of the portioning device 110′. This embodiment of the apparatus 100 according to the invention also has a substantially closed processing section 116′ extending from the feed opening 108 to the discharge openings 112′.

[0072] Disposed in the portioning device 110′ in the delivery direction 133 of the dough downstream of the filling flow divider 124 is a dough handling unit 1′ having a handling chamber 2′ for handling the dough within the discharge conduits 132. The handling chamber 2′ and the housing 8″ of the dough handling unit 1′ is at least partially defined by the discharge conduits 132. A dough structuring portion 4″ having a nozzle 6″ is arranged in the handling chamber 2′. The nozzle 6″ is adapted to structure/restructure the dough when passing through the structuring portion 4″. The flow cross-section in the handling chamber 2′ is also reduced with the nozzle 6″ in such a way as to effect mechanical stressing of the dough material passed through the dough handling unit 1′. Downstream of the nozzle 6″ the flow cross-section in the handling chamber 2 is then enlarged again almost to the original value upstream of the nozzle 6″.

[0073] With the embodiment shown here subsequent handling of the dough material is effected immediately after the portioning process. The corresponding divided mass flows, after their subsequent treatment, are then discharged directly in the direction of the discharge openings 112′ of the portioning device 110′.

[0074] FIGS. 7 and 8 show an enlarged view of an embodiment of the dough handling unit 1′. The dough handling unit 1′ is coupled with its dough inlet 10′ at the housing 8″ directly to the filling flow divider 124. The dough outlet 12′ on the housing 8″ is connected to a narrowing outlet region 134 of the portioning device 110′. The nozzle 6″ is arranged at the beginning of the dough handling chamber 2′, the inlet 6′ of the nozzle 6″ coinciding with the inlet 10′ on the housing 8″.

[0075] As in the previous embodiment the nozzle 6″ has a central passage opening 4′ of a uniform flow cross-section. In the present case the central passage opening 4′ is of a circular cross-section. With respect to its periphery the passage opening 14′ is uniformly spaced relative to the wall of the handling chamber 2′. The housing 8″ in the present case is substantially rotationally symmetrical.

[0076] The exit 18′ at the nozzle 6′ is smaller in comparison with the flow cross-section of the downstream-connected handling chamber 2′. From the exit 18′ at the nozzle 6″ to the subsequent handling chamber 2′ the flow cross-section enlarges abruptly in the present embodiment. In this embodiment also the central passage opening 14′ is of a diameter which, in comparison with the diameter of the housing 8′ before and after the dough structuring portion 4′, is in a ratio which is in the range of about 1:3 to about 1:12.

[0077] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 the nozzle 6″ has an entry cone 20′ which conically tapers from the entry 16′ in relation to the central opening 14′. The entry cone 20′ has a cone angle α in the range of about 100° to 120°. In addition the nozzle 6″ has an exit cone 22′ which also enlarges conically from the central passage opening 14′ to the exit 18′. The exit cone 22′ has a cone angle β with an angle dimension in the range of about 115° to 135°. The cone angle at the exit cone 22′ has an angle dimension which is larger in comparison with the cone angle at the entry cone 20′. Similar or identical components are denoted by the same references.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0078] 1, 1′ dough handling unit [0079] 2, 2′ handling chamber [0080] 4, 4′, 4″ dough structuring portion [0081] 6, 6′, 6″ nozzle [0082] 8, 8′, 8″ housing [0083] 10, 10′ inlet [0084] 12, 12′ outlet [0085] 14, 14′ passage opening [0086] 16, 16′ entry [0087] 18, 18′ exit [0088] 20, 20′ entry cone [0089] 22, 22′ exit cone [0090] α, β cone angle [0091] 100, 100′ apparatus [0092] 102 filling machine [0093] 104 filling hopper [0094] 106 housing [0095] 108 feed opening [0096] 110, 110′ portioning device [0097] 112, 112′ discharge opening [0098] 113 frame structure [0099] 114 delivery pump [0100] 116, 116′ processing section [0101] 118 portion [0102] 120 separating device [0103] 122 separating blade [0104] 124 filling flow divider [0105] 126 connecting conduit [0106] 128 filling machine connection [0107] 130 distributor conduit [0108] 132 discharge conduit [0109] 134 outlet region [0110] L longitudinal axis