Patent Publication Number: US-2023148613-A1

Title: Device for producing food dough

Description:
The present disclosure relates to the food industry sector and more precisely to the apparatuses allowing for preparing food products obtained by processing a food dough, such as a bread dough, a cake dough, a fufu (also called foufou). 
     The preparation of this dough generally includes the following three steps:
         cooking all or part of the ingredients,   mixing the ingredients and   kneading the ingredients to obtain the dough.       

     Machines for preparing dough generally includes of a container, in which all the ingredients to be mixed are collected, and a mechanical element, which comes into contact with these ingredients inside the container to mix them in order to obtain the desired food dough. Examples of mechanical elements known for this type of device are kneading arms, hooks, or stars. 
     Such machines involve separating a large portion of the prepared dough from the mechanical element which was used for the kneading step once the kneading of the dough is finished. Such a manual operation by the operator is tedious and a non-negligible portion of the dough cannot be separated from the mechanical element, this part therefore being lost. 
     Moreover, these machines do not always offer sufficient dough quality, so some users continue to resort to traditional preparation techniques where all the steps are carried out manually. 
     Lastly, another disadvantage is that the contact between the mechanical element and the ingredients may cause a denaturation of the final flavor of the dough, for example if the mechanical element has not been cleaned sufficiently well after the previous use or if it shows signs of wear. Such a disadvantage appears all the greater in an industry where hygiene standards are paramount. 
     So-called traditional dough preparation techniques have been known for even longer. These traditional techniques do not always involve some of the previously mentioned drawbacks. However, these traditional techniques involve many manual operations and are generally much longer than preparations using the machines previously described. Such traditional techniques are physically demanding for the user, who must generally alternate between several different movements over a considerable period of time. 
     The object of the present disclosure is in particular to solve both the drawbacks of current machines and of traditional techniques. 
     To this end, the subject of the present disclosure is a device for making food dough, characterized in that it comprises:
         an at least partially elastically deformable membrane forming a container having a volume intended to contain the ingredients of said food dough,   means for deforming the membrane suitable for temporarily reducing the volume of the container, the deformation means operating from outside the container.       

     Thus, the device of the present disclosure allows for food dough to be made while overcoming all the drawbacks mentioned above. Indeed, such device makes it possible to overcome the need to use a mechanical element coming into contact with the ingredients and, consequently, makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks associated with the use thereof. For example, it is no longer necessary to separate the dough from the mechanical element at the end of preparation, or to wash the mechanical element, which significantly reduces dough losses. This device also makes it possible to avoid any tedious manual step of the traditional techniques for making the dough. Lastly, the device of the present disclosure also offers better compliance with the hygiene standards in force, since no element comes into contact with the ingredients intended to form the dough. It also reduces the risk of denaturing the final flavor of the dough. 
     The membrane of the device of the present disclosure may be made from any material or combination of materials allowing elastic deformation of at least part of the membrane. A suitable material for this type of membrane is, for example, silicone, which also has the advantage of being washable and reusable. This membrane forms a container in which the ingredients of the food dough are placed and then mixed. These ingredients are mixed under the indirect action, from outside the container, of the means for deforming the membrane. The action of said means therefore takes place on the outer wall of the membrane and no contact between the deformation means and the ingredients occurs throughout the manufacturing process of the food dough. 
     Advantageously, the deformation means comprise at least one rotating element. 
     Thus, the deformation of the membrane and, by extension, the kneading of the ingredients are optimized, since a regular pattern of deformation is possible given the rotation of the rotary element of the deformation means. Such a pattern may, for example, make it possible to reproduce the combination of crushing and sliding that the dough undergoes under the action of a pestle in a mortar or when it is crushed against the walls of a container by a kneader arm. 
     Advantageously, the means for deforming the membrane comprise at least two distinct rotary elements operating on distinct locations of the membrane. 
     Thus, the advantages mentioned above are increased tenfold, since the membrane is deformed in distinct locations which ultimately ensures better mixing of the ingredients and better kneading. 
     Advantageously, the two rotating elements are located on either side of the membrane, which allows better coordination of the deformation movement and thus better kneading of the dough. 
     Advantageously, the device of the present disclosure comprises means for supporting the membrane suitable for keeping it translationally stationary, which makes it possible in particular to secure the positioning of the membrane within the device. Consequently, the process of deforming the membrane by the deformation means may be carried out with more precision. This stationary hold by the support (and its fixed part) also makes it possible to use the elasticity of the membrane, which thus held always tends to return to its initial position after the action of the deformation means. Thus, it is possible to obtain a dough gathering cycle (i.e. restore it to a non-crushed shape) between two cycles of crushing by the deformation means. Such a sequence reproduces the movements of kneading by hand or in a mortar and makes it possible to obtain a better quality of dough at the end of preparation. 
     Advantageously, the support means comprises at least one fixed part and at least one movable part, which, when moved from a first position to a second position, allows direct contact between the membrane and the deformation means. 
     Thus, the support means forms, in its first position, a container having a simple appearance, which leaves the exterior of the membrane invisible and inaccessible, and which has a single opening giving access to the volume of the container. In its second position, the movable part of the support means is moved relative to its fixed part. Such displacement between the two parts of the support means allows direct contact between the membrane and the deformation means, thus making the deformation of the membrane and the mixing of the ingredients possible under the action of the deformation means. 
     Advantageously, the support means has a circular shape, the movable part being moved after the application of a predetermined torque to the movable part. 
     Thus, the application of a torque on the movable part generates a rotational movement of said movable part relative to the fixed part of the support means. When the movable part is moved, the outer part of the membrane is accessible to the deformation means. To do this, many systems are known. For example, holes of corresponding sizes and shapes may be provided in the fixed part and the movable part of the support means so that, at the end of the rotational movement of the movable part, these holes are opposite each other, thus allowing access to the outer wall of the membrane. 
     Advantageously, the device of the present disclosure comprises at least one insert connected to the membrane and making it possible to transfer heat to the membrane. It is therefore possible to raise the temperature of all or part of the ingredients placed in the container formed by the membrane. Such a rise in temperature makes it possible to cook its ingredients. 
     Advantageously, the device comprises a member for closing the membrane arranged to seal the container after the application of a predetermined rotational torque to the membrane. 
     Advantageously, the membrane comprises several compartments, each compartment being intended to collect one or more ingredients. 
     Thus, it is possible to keep the ingredients separate from each other before their final mixing, which makes it possible, for example, to cook them independently of each other and to mix them only once the cooking has been completed. To this end, the insert may be designed so as to be able to provide heat to one or the other of the compartments separately. 
     Advantageously, the device comprises a casing arranged to form a protective envelope for the entire device. Advantageously, the casing is provided with a touch screen. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The various embodiments will be better understood upon reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view and a sectional view showing a device according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view and a sectional view of the device according to the first embodiment in a second position of the membrane support means. 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic view showing different stages of the process of deforming the membrane by the deformation means. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS.  1  and  2    show perspective views and the associated sections of the food dough production device  1  of the disclosed embodiment according to two different positions of the membrane support means.  FIGS.  3 A to  3 F  show the different operating steps of the device  1 . For greater clarity, the support means  4  has been deliberately removed from  FIGS.  3 A to  3 F . 
     The food dough production device  1  comprises an at least partially elastically deformable membrane  2  forming a container  21  having a volume  22  intended to contain ingredients (not shown) of said food dough and means  3  for deforming the membrane  2  adapted to temporarily reduce the volume  22  of the container  21 , the deformation means  3  operating from outside the container  21 . 
     The membrane  2  forming the container  21  may have any structure allowing an elastic deformation of the container  21  by the deformation means  3 . In the embodiment represented in  FIGS.  1 A to  3 F , the membrane  2  is composed of two portions, namely a lower portion  20   a , with a spherical shape, and an upper portion  20   b , with a cylindrical shape with a round base. This structure is not limiting, as the upper  20   b  and lower  20   a  portions may have other shapes that are different from each other or the same shape. 
     The membrane  2  is held translationally stationary within the device  1  by a support means  4  of said membrane  2 . This support means  4  may be made of any material and have any suitable shape making it possible to ensure translationally stationary support of the membrane  2 . In the embodiment described, the support means  4  is also cylindrical in shape with a round base. More specifically, the connection between the membrane  2  and the support means  4 , helping to hold the membrane  2  translationally stationary within the device  1 , is made between the upper portion  20   b  and a fixed part  42  of the support means  4 , both being correspondingly cylindrical in shape. 
     The lower portion  20   a  of the membrane  2  comprises a cylindrical loop  23  to which an insert  7  made of a thermally conductive material is linked. It may, for example, be a metal insert. The insert  7  is also linked to a base  6  so as to prevent any translational movement of the insert  7  with respect to the base  6 . These connections may be provided by any method known to those skilled in the art, for example, by riveting, gluing, or overmolding the insert  7 . In addition, the insert  7 , made of a thermally conductive material, allows the heat to be conducted towards the lower portion  20   a  when the insert  7  is heated by the base  6 . Thus, the ingredients contained in the container  21  are heated, which ultimately allows them to be cooked before or during the kneading step or to keep the dough obtained after this step warm. 
     A stabilizer bar  8  is inserted into the cylindrical loop  23  and is connected to the insert  7 . This bar  8  extends transversely over the entire width of the support means  4 . It ensures a translational and rotational locking of the lower portion  20   a  of the membrane  2  with respect to the support  4  and contributes to the stability of the membrane  2  notably during the kneading step, when the membrane  2  is deformed by the deformation means  3 . This stabilizer bar  8  thus prevents the deformation means  3  from pushing the membrane  2 , which would limit the deformation and harm the quality of the kneading, especially in the case where the maximum deformation of each deformation means  3  would not be reached at the same time. 
     Advantageously, the ends of the stabilizer bar  8  are introduced into guides, one of which is visible in  FIGS.  1 B and  2 B . This makes it possible to envisage a translation of the stabilizer bar  8  in a direction parallel to the revolution axis of the upper portion  20   a  (hereinafter “axis A”) of the membrane  2 , for example under the action of a telescopic arm included in the base  6  and making it possible to control the movement of the insert  7  and of the stabilizer bar  8  in translation along the axis A. Such a displacement has the effect of subdividing the lower portion  20   a  of the membrane  2  into two parts, forming two separate compartments in the container  21 . Another possibility of kneading is therefore obtained in addition to those offered by the deformation means  3 . It is also possible to arrange the ingredients separately within the container  21  at the start of preparation in order to be able to provide heat to two distinct groups of ingredients before gathering them in the same container to mix them. 
     In advantageous embodiments of the present disclosure not shown, each of the previously mentioned connections between the insert  7  and the cylindrical loop  23  or between the insert  7  and the base  6  is reversible so as to be able to separate, one by one, the elements forming the device  1 . For example, the connection between the insert  7  and the base  6  is reversible, which makes it possible to separate the base  6  and the assembly formed by the membrane  2 , the support means  4 , the insert  7 , and the bar  8 . This embodiment is advantageous when the user wishes to transport said assembly, for example when the dough is ready and may be served at the table. The user may therefore transport an assembly comprising the dough prepared independently of the base  6 , the weight of which may be significant. It may therefore be envisaged that the base  6  comprises a pin, which fits inside a notch made at the base of the insert  7  when the aforementioned assembly is placed on the base  6 . 
     In another example, all the connections with the membrane  2  are reversible, which makes it possible to separate said membrane from any other element of the device  1 . This embodiment is particularly advantageous if the user wishes to clean the membrane  2  independently of the other elements of the device  1 . 
     The support means  4  also comprises a movable part  41  distinct from the fixed part  42  and able to move rotationally about the axis A. The displacement of the movable part  41  relative to the fixed part  42  allows the holes  43  provided in the movable part  41  and openings (not shown) on the fixed part  42  to be matched. The holes  43  are of sizes and shapes which allow the deformation means  3  to access the membrane  2 . More specifically, matching the holes  43  and the openings provided in the fixed part  42  and the deformation means  3  provides said deformation means with an access to the outer wall of the lower portion  20   a  of the membrane  2 . In addition, the movable part  41  is connected to the base  6  via a connection that only allows rotation about the axis A, when a predefined rotational torque is transmitted to the movable part  41 . 
     Finally, in an advantageous embodiment, the movable part  41  is also integral with the upper portion  20   b , thus forming a member for closing the membrane  2 . In fact, and taking into account the separate connections between the upper portion  20   b  and the fixed  42  and movable  41  parts of the support  4  and the connection between the lower portion  20   a  and the stabilizer bar  8 , the rotation of the movable part  41  causes, in addition to matching the holes  43  and the deformation means  3 , a localized deformation of the upper portion  20   b  which achieves the sealed closure (shown in  FIGS.  3 B to  3 F ) of the container  21  formed by the membrane  2 . One end of the upper part  20   b  will pivot while the other end is stationary, which has the effect of creating a twist in the upper part  20   b , closing it at its center. In other words, it is no longer possible to access the inner volume  22  of the container  21  after the application of a predetermined rotational torque on the membrane  2 . This rotational torque is applied to the upper portion  20   b  of the membrane  2 , by the movable part  41 . The rotation of the movable part is controlled by the support  6  which provides the necessary rotational torque. 
     The deformation means  3  of the device  1 , according to the embodiment described in these figures, comprise two rotary elements  31  (cams  31 ), located on either side of the membrane  2  (the number of cams  31  may of course vary). Each cam  31  is fixed on a shaft  61  driven by a motor (not shown) and which supplies a rotational torque to the cam  31 . The cams  31  each have a cylinder shape, the base of which is an elongated ellipsoid of revolution. However, the deformation means  3  of the device  1  of the disclosed embodiment are not limited to this geometric shape and may have any geometric shape, for example an oblong or oval shape, making it possible to ensure a deformation of the lower portion  20   a  resulting in proper kneading of the food. During rotation, each of the cams  31  comes into contact with the outer wall of the lower portion  20   a  of the membrane and deforms it, thus allowing a kneading step without interaction within the inner volume  22  of the container  21 . The movement of the cams  31  to deform the membrane  2  is not limited to a rotational movement. Indeed, it is entirely possible for the deformation means  3  to comprise arms, each connected to a cam  31 , which make it possible to carry out more complex movements of the cams  31 . Such movements may combine rotation and translation of the cams  31 , according to predetermined sequences, depending on the type of kneading desired. 
     The device  1  of the present disclosure according to the embodiment described with reference to  FIGS.  1 A to  3 F  operates as follows. 
     In a first position ( FIGS.  1 A and  1 B ), the support means  4  forms a solid cylindrical body, making the membrane  2  inaccessible to the cams  31 . In this first position, the membrane  2  forms a container  21 , the volume  22  of which is accessible via the upper portion  20   b.    
     A predetermined rotational torque is applied to the movable part  41  of the support means  4 , which has the effect of rotating the movable part  41 . This rotational movement of the movable part  41  results in the matching of the holes  43  with the cams  31  ( FIGS.  2 A and  2 B ), as well as the closure of the container  21 , which then forms a sealed volume. This is the second position of the support means  4  ( FIGS.  3 B and  3 F ). In this preferred embodiment, these two functions, namely the closure of the container  21  and the matching of the holes  43  provided in the fixed part  42  and the movable part  41 , are both carried out via the single operation of rotation of the moving part  41 . However, these two functions may also each be performed differently. For example, the container  21  may be closed using any other known means of closure allowing tight closure, such as press studs or a zipper. 
     The cams  31 , initially parallel to the axis A ( FIG.  3 A ), are in turn set in motion ( FIGS.  3 B to  3 F ), which has the effect of deforming the membrane  2  in its lower portion  20   a . This step corresponds to the step of kneading the ingredients and lasts for a defined period which depends on the type of dough that one wishes to produce. In the example illustrated, the two cams  31  are synchronized so that the maximum deformation of the membrane  2  by the two cams  31  is reached at the same time. This could be different. 
     For example, according to an embodiment not shown, the cams  31  have a convex shape and a concave shape, respectively, both complementary to and adapted to match the shape of the solid membrane. In this embodiment, the concave cam performs a translational movement to match an area of the lower portion  20   a  of the outside of the membrane  2 , while the other cam performs a rotational movement in combination with a translational motion, so that the cams are brought together. Then, the convex cam rolls without slipping over the concave cam. The volume reduction is thus optimized and the dough kneading is better controlled. 
     The ingredients contained in the container may be heated before, during, or after the kneading step. Heating after the kneading step is advantageous if it is desired to keep the dough at a certain temperature before serving it. In the embodiment described in  FIGS.  1 A to  2 B , the insert  7  comprises a resistor, thus allowing it to transform the electrical energy provided by the base  6  into heat diffused throughout the metal zone of the insert  7 . Said insert may contain flexible metal branches (not shown), for example strips or filaments, reaching selected areas of the lower portion  20   a  to optimize and distribute the heat input. The transmission of heat from the various branches of the insert  7  to the membrane takes place by simple conduction. Any other mechanism making it possible to transmit heat to the lower portion  20   a , and therefore to the ingredients contained, may be suitable for the device of the present disclosure. 
     The device  1  of the present disclosure according to the embodiment described with reference to  FIGS.  1 A to  3 F  comprises a base  6  on which numerous other elements of the device  1  of the disclosed embodiments are fixed. 
     However, the device of the present disclosure is not limited to this advantageous embodiment, in which the device comprises said base  6 . In other words, the disclosed embodiments also covers an embodiment in which the device has no base  6 . Therefore, the movable part  41  and the fixed part  42  may be maintained in a relative fixed position by any other mechanical means (clips, retractable pin, magnetic contact), so that it is possible to move them manually from one configuration to another without the presence of a base  6 . In this sense, the cams  31  may be actuated manually, for example by a crank, making the presence of a motor unnecessary. 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the support comprises a single fixed part  42  provided with the holes necessary for the deformation of the membrane  2  by the deformation means  3 . The membrane  2  is therefore permanently visible, which makes it possible to provide a support means that is less complex, lighter, and therefore less expensive.