Improvements in or relating to apparatus for proving pieces or lumps of dough preparatory to making bread or the like

摘要

233,761. Barker, T. Feb. 11, 1924. Addition to 208,198. Proving - appliances. -In dough proving- apparatus having superposed rotary annular conveyers as claimed in the parent Specification, the conveyers comprise buckets or cradles tilt able about radial axes whereby the dough lumps are dropped in succession from each conveyer to the. next lower conveyer, the lumps from the lowest convever being deposited in a receiver or on a discharge conveyer. Any suitable moulding or shaping mechanism may be interposed between one conveyer and the next lower conveyer. Each conveyer comprises concentric rings a1, a2, the buckets g being mounted in the intervening space. The rings a1, a2 are secured to hangers b which are bent over at their upper ends to receive grooved rollers which run on a track rail e supported by fittings f. The conveyers are rotated by a circular rack b3 supported from the hangers b by brackets b1. The buckets g may comprise end pieces g', g2 connected by metal strips g3 which support woven fabric g6 with which the end pieces are also lined. The trunnions are arranged so that the buckets fall into horizontal positions in which they are retained by stops g7. The buckets are tipped by the engagement of arms h with rods h1 to which cam tracks h2 are secured to allow the buckets to drop gently into the horizontal position. The feeding-hopper i is provided with a choke l which directs the dough to the rear of the shoot and, to ensure that each bucket receives one lump only, a flexible apron or flap j is provided which closes the hopper whilst the apron is supported by the edges of the buckets. As a bucket passes beneath the hopper the apron falls and allows the, lump to pass into the bucket. A short flap k assists the apron in supporting the dough lump. The conveyers are surrounded by a draught-proof shield preferably in two parts, the upper part being attached to the track rail e and the lower part to the hangers b.