Patent ID: 6894252
Filing Date: 2005-05-17
Classification: A21B,A21C

Abstract:
1. A dough proofing apparatus, comprising: a chamber for holding dough during proofing operations and having a door for accessing the chamber, at least one chamber panel partially defining the chamber and having a plurality of openings distributed thereon, the openings located along at least a mid-section of a height of the chamber; a heating element located outside the chamber and in flow communication with the plurality of openings; a source of water for increasing humidity; an upper air flow path leading from the heating element back to the chamber for returning air to an upper part of the chamber; a lower air flow path leading from the heating element back to the chamber for returning air to a lower part of the chamber; at least one blower for causing air to flow through the chamber panel openings, past the heating element and along both the upper air flow path and the lower air flow path back to the chamber; and at least one intermediate panel located behind the chamber panel and defining an area for receiving air passing through the plurality of openings in the chamber panel, the intermediate panel having at least one opening located at a height within the mid-section of the height of the chamber, the intermediate panel separating the heating element from the chamber panel openings.