Improvements in Apparatus for Kneading and Moulding Dough and other Plastic Materials.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 10th May, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 10th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 14th Mar., 1896
Improvements in Apparatus for Kneading and Moulding Dough and
other Plastic Materials.
I, OLIVER IMRAY, of No. 28, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the
County of London, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved construction of apparatus for kneading and
moulding dough and other plastic materials, whethor of a soft or a stiff nature, and
whether of a very cohesive nature such as dough rich in gluten, and biscuit dough,
or only slightly cohesive such as chopped meat.
The method of kneading consists, as is known, in passing the previously mixed
materials through a casing containing right and left handed helical blades or worms
that engage the one with the other and that rotate in a direction towards each
other, so that the dough forced in between the engaged parts of the blades is
subjected to a more or less strong kneading action. At the same time the dough is
forced out through the mouth piece, which may be wholly or partially lined with
porous material supplied with liquid for keeping it moist.
The mouth piece has its cross section formed to cori espond with the configuration
which it is desired to give to the plastic material.
I will describe the construction of the improved apparatus with reference to the
accompanying drawing, in which
Fig. 1 shews a longitudinal section, Fig. 2 a cross section and Fig. 3 a sectional
plan of a kneading and moulding machine for kneading materials of a crumbly or
very soft nature, which easily sink down between the helical blades so as to bo
seized thereby and through which a thin helical blade can readily penetrate. The
machine is also applicable for stiffer materials when these have to be forced through
a mouth of comparatively small area, so that the material has to be subject to a
strong kneading and propelling action.
Fig. 4 shews a different relative position of the screw blades for affording a still
stronger kneading action.
The base a of the machine is fixed on a strong table b.
The axes of the screw blades, which are horizontal and parallel with each other,
receive rotary motion in contrary directions for example by means of right and left
banded worms on the flywheel axis, gearing with corresponding worm wheels on the
axes of the blades as shown. On each of these axes is a feather sliding in a groove
in the worm wheel, so that the axes with their helical blades can be adjusted
longitudinally by means of screws c without shifting the worm wheels. On the top
of the base a are formed bearings for the flywheel axis, which can be removed
together with the worms, so that the worm wheels can then be turned together with
the screw blades so as to cause these to assume any desired position relatively to
each other, which is then accurately adjusted by means of the scrowe c. The
helical blade are continuous and may be considered as screwe
The helical blade e' is left handed and the front edge of the helix is almost
perpendicular to the axial line of the blade.
The helical blade e is right handed and the rear edge of the helix is also nearly
perpendicular to the axial line.
This relative condition can however also be reversed, as the object is only to

page_text: insure that the front and rear sides respectively of the helical blades shall work as
closely together as possible when they are set in the above described manner. The
casing d fits as closely as possible round the two helical blades, as shewn at Fig. 2,
so that the dough or other plastic material passing down the filling hopper and
between the helical blades rotating towards each other, will be forced forward by
their action, without being able to escape backwards in spaces beyond or between
the blades as, as is shewn in Figs. 2 and 3, the blades fit closely against each other
and the casing fits closely against the blades
The moderately kneaded material will consequently be effectually forced for ward
and out of the moulding mouthpiece m even when the opening of the latter is only
small.
If it is desired to knead the material to a greater extent, then it is necessary by
the above described means to adjust the sorew blades so as to assume the relative
positions shewn in Fig. 4. By this arrangement the blades operate with a greater
amount of their surfaces in contiquity to each other, and have therefore a stronger
action. Thus it is possible by adjusting the relative positions of the helical blades,
to proceed gradually from a very weak kneading action to a very strong one, and a
still atrouger kneading action will be produced by the employment of two helioal
blades with scies threads of a less pitch, such as shewn at Figs 5 and 6.
For kneading and moulding a plastic masa that is of a more coliering and glutinous
nature, such that it cannot without trouble be forced down between two parallel
helical blades, on account of the space between these being so small, the construction
shewn in longitudinal section and sectional plan at Figs 5 and 6 may be used. The
baso g of this machine is fixed upon a table h; the axes of the helical blades are
arranged horizontal but converging towards each other and receive 1otary motion
in contrary directions towards each other by means of bevil gear, or otherwise, at
The oue helical blade, such as the right hand one' Fig. 6 is made of greater length
than the left hand one, the length of the latter being increased if it be desired to
have a stronger kneading action.
g.
The casing surrounds the helical blades as closely as possible and has
therefore a conical or tapeing form at the front part, terminating in a cylindrical
rear part surrounding the end of the longer blade . As the front ends of the
blades (nearest the base g) are a considerable distance apart even the stiffest and
most glutinous material passing down through the hopper 7 can easily seized by the
helical blades and be subjected to a greater or less keading and forcing action,
according to the greater or less difference in length between the two blades. When
the mass has passed from between the blades into the cylindrical part of the
casing, it cannot escape in any direction and is consequently forced rapidly
forward through the mouth piece m, even if this be but small.
The mouth picces and the tables for receiving the moulded material may be of
any suitable construction for either of the above described arrangements. If
glutinous materials are to be treated then in order that the extruded bar may have
smooth surfaces the inner surface of tho smooth piece must be entirely or partially
lined with porous material which is supplied with liquid by any suitablo means 20
as to prevent the glutinous material from adhering.
Stiff materials when forced out through the mouth pieces are capable of being
pushed forward as a bar for some length on rollers without losing their shape.
Softer materials, on the other hand, in order to be capable of being moved
forward from the mouth piece, require an arrangement such as shewn at Figs. 1
and 2, where a table covered with a porous material y is supplied on its surface
with liquid from a funnel z thus reducing the friction between the table and the bar
of plastic material so that the latter will teadily slide along the foriner, in particular
if it be inclined as shewn. Or, in place of this, the bar of inaterial can be delivered
on to a rotatable table p as shewn at Figs. 5 and 6 so that by the act of extruding
the material tangentially on to the table this will be moved round on its axis which is
made to work with a minimum of friction in its bearings and is vertically adjustable
by a screw o³,

page_text: For preventing the adhesion of the material to the table, this must either be kept
moist or coated with dry powder.
As the material is protiuded it is cut up into lengths by any suitable cutting
device.
Dated this 10th day of May 1895.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Apparatus for Kueading and Moulding Dough and
other Plastic Materials.
I, OLIVER IMRAY, of 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane in the County
of London, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what mauner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:—
This invention relates to an improved construction of apparatus for kneading
and moulding dough and other plastic materials, whether of a soft on stiff nature,
and whether of a very coliesive nature such as dough rich in gluten, and biscuit
dough, or only slightly cohesive such as chopped meat.
The method of kneading consists, as is known, in passing the previously mixed
materials through a casing containing tight and left handed helical blades or worms
that engage the one with the other and that rotate in a direction towards each other
so that the dough forced in between the engaged parts of the blades is subjected to
a more or less strong kneading action. At the same time the dough is forced out
through the mouth piece, which may be wholly or partially lined with porous
material supplied with liquid for keeping it moist.
The mouth piece has its cross section formed to correspond with the configuration
which it is desired to give to the plastic material.
1 will describe the construction of the improved apparatus with reference to the
drawing, accompanying my Provisional Specification in which
Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section, Figure 2 a cross sectiou and Figure 3 a
sectional plan of a kneading and moulding machine for kneading materials of a
crumbly or very soft nature, which easily sink down between the helical blades so
as to be seized thereby and through which a thin helical blade can readily penetrate.
The machine is also applicable for stiffer materials when these have to be forced
through a mouth of comparatively small area, so that the material has to be subject
to a strong kneading and propelling action.
Figure 4 shows a different relative position of the screw blade for affording a
still stronger kneading action.
The base a of the machine is fixed on a strong table &
The axes of the screw blades, which are horizontal and parallel with each other,
receive iola motion in contiary directions for example by means of right and
left handed worms on the fly-wheel axis, gearing with corresponding worm wheels
ou the axes of the blades as shewn. On each of these axes is a feather sliding in
a groove in the woim wheel, so that the axes with their helical blades can be
adjusted longitudinally by meaus of screws c without shifting the worm wheels.
On the top of the base a are formed bearings for the fly-wheel axis, which can be
removed together with the worms, so that the worm wheels can then be turned
together with the screw blades so as to cause these to assume any desired position
elatively to each other, which is then accurately adjusted by means of the screws c.
The helical blades are continuous and may be considered as screws. The helical
blade e is left handed and the front edge of the helix is almost perpendicular to
the axial line of the blado.

page_text: The helical blade is right handed and the rear edge of the helix is also nearly
perpendicular to the axial line.
This relative condition can however also be reversed, as the object is only to
ensure that the frout and rear sides respectively of the helical blades shall work
as closely together as possible when they are set in the above described manner.
The casing d fits as closely as possible round the two helical blades, as shewn at
Figure 2, so that the dough or other plastic material passing down the filling
hopper and between the helical blades rotating towards each other, will be forced
forward by their action, without being able to escape backwards in spaces beyond
or between the blades ae, as is shewn in Figures and 3, the blades fit closely
against each other and the casing fits closely against the blades.
The moderately kneaded material will consequently be effectually forced forward
and out of the moulding mouth piece m even when the opening of the latter is only
small.
If it is desired to knead the material to a greater extent, then it is necessary by
the above described means to adjust the screw blades so as to assume the relative
positions shown in Figure 4. By this aangement the blades operate with a
greater amount of the surfaces in contiquity to each other, and have therefore a
stronger action. Thus it 18 possible by adjusting the relative positions of the
helical blades, to proceed gradually from a very weak kneading action to a vory
stiong one, and a still stronger kneading action will be produced by the employment
of two helical blades with screw threads of a less vutch, such as shewn at Figures 5
and 6.
For kneading and moulding a plastic mass that is of a more cohering and
glutinous nature, such that it cannot without trouble be forced down between two
parallel helical blades, on account of the space between these being so small, tho
construction shewn in longitudinal section and sectional plan at Figures 5 and 6
may be used. The base g of this machine is fixed upon a table; the axes of the
helical blades are arranged horizontal but converging towards each other and
receive rotary motion in contrary directions towards each other by means of bevil
gear, or otherwise, al g.
The one belical blade, such as the right hand one i, Figure 6 is made of greater
length than the left hand one, the length of the latter being increased if it be
desired to have a stronger kneading action.
The casing surrounds the helical blades as closely as possible and has
therefore a conical or tapering forin at the front part terminating in a cylindrical
rear past surrounding the end of the longer blade. As the front ends of the
blades (nearest the base g) are a considerable distance apart even the stiffest
and most glutinous material passing down through the hopper can easily be
seized by the helical blades and be subjected to a greater or less kneading and
forcing action, according to the greater or less difference in length between the
two blades. When the mass hus passed from between the blades into the cylindrical
part of the casing, it cannot escape in any direction and is consequently forced
rapidly forward through the mouth piece m, even if this be but small.
The mouth pieces and the tables for receiving the moulded material may be
of any suitable construction for either of the above described at rangements. If
glutinous materials are to be treated then in order that the extruded bar may have
smooth surfaces the inner surface of the smooth piece must be entirely or partially
lined with porous material which is supplied with liquid by any suitable means so
as to prevent the glutinous material from adhering.
Stiff materials when forced out through the mouth pieces are capable of being
pushed forward as a bar for some length on rollers without losing their shapo.
Softer materials, on the other hand, in order to be capable of being moved
forward from the mouth piece, requne an arrangement such as shewn at Figures 1
and 2, where a table covered with a porous material y is supplied on its surface
with liquid from a funnel thus reducing the friction between the table and the bar
of plastic material so that the latter will readily slide along the former, in particular

page_text: if it be inclined as shewil. Or, in place of this, the bar of material can be
delivered on to a rotatable table pas shewn at Figures 5 and 6 so that by the act
of extinding the material tangentially on to the table this will be moved round on
its axis which is made to work with a minimum of friction in its bearings and is
vertically adjustable by a screw o³.
For preventing the adhesion of the material to the table, this must either be
kept moist or coated with dry powder.
As the material is protruded it is cut up into lengths by any suitable cutting
device.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a kneading and moulding machine having helical blades revolving inside
a casing having a discharge mouth piece, arranging two screw blades situated
parallel side by side, to revolve in opponite directions, in such close contiquity to
each other, and to the surrounding casing that the plastic material acted upon and
forced for ward by the blades cannot escape either backwards or sideways but is fed
entirely forward through the mouthpiece even when the opening of this is of small
size, substantially as described.
2. In kneading and moulding machines of the kind referred to in the first claim,
the modified construction wherein the axes of the revolving scrow blades are made
to converge towards each other, the length of the one axis being more or less
different from that of the other, according to whether a greater or less kneading
action is required, the outer end of the longer helical blade being made to fit so
closely against the surrounding oylindrical part of the casing, that the kneaded
material is fed forward without being able to escape either backward or sideways
but is forced rapidly outwards through the mouth piece, oven when this only has a
small opening, substantially as described.
Dated thus 10th dor of Fab 190
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.