Kneading apparatus for bread dough and the like and a method of controlling the quality thereof during kneading

• US 4,790,665 A
• Filed: 01/13/1988
• Issued: 12/13/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rheon Automatic Machinery Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Rheon Automatic Machinery Company Limited
• Inventors: Hayashi, Torahiko
• Primary Examiner(s): JENKINS, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US07/143,182
• Time in Patent Office: 335 Days
• Field of Search: 366/69, 366/96, 366/97, 366/98, 366/99, 366/100, 366/141, 366/142, 366/151, 366/249, 366/251, 366/279, 366/18, 366/65, 99/348, 426/498, 426/502, 426/504, 426/231
• US Class Current: 366/98
• CPC Class Codes: A21C 1/1455 Measuring data of the driving system, e.g. torque, speed, power
• CPC Class Codes: A21C 1/146 Measuring properties of the dough, e.g. moisture, electrical conductivity, temperature A21C1/1455 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling the quality of bread dough is provided. Instruments such as a strain gauge, a thermometer, a weighing device, and a pH meter are disposed, and values measured with these instruments are indicated on a display for monitoring.

By comparing the temperature, weight, and pH values of the dough and strain caused on an agitator with control values stored in a computer, undesirable products can be eliminated and dough temperature can be adjusted during the kneading operation.

Claims

1. A method of controlling the quality of bread dough and the like during kneading, comprising the steps of continuously and simultaneously measuring chronological changes of the kneading resistance value, pH value, temperature value, and weight value, of dough being kneaded, monitoring the thus obtained measurements, adjusting or changing the kneading conditions as required, and stopping the kneading operation when it is judged completed.