DESC:The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood however that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. The following description and drawings are not to be construed as limiting the invention and numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.

[0017] Various embodiments of an apparatus for optimal kneading are explained herein with reference to FIG. 1 to FIGs. 4A-4C.

[0018] FIG.1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure wherein it illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus (100) for kneading the dough. The apparatus (100) is adapted to knead the dough by using a plurality of ingredients and is configured to be compact, while allowing easy access for a user therein for facilitating the cleaning of the apparatus (100) without the need for implements or special tools.

[0019] The apparatus (100) includes a frame member (101) onto which, a plurality of containers (102) (hereinafter referred to as containers (102)) are mounted. The containers (102) may be preferably mounted on a top surface portion (103) of the frame member (101). Each of containers (102) is adapted to receive and store one of the plurality of ingredients (hereinafter referred to as ingredients). The containers (102) herein are shown as including a first container (102a) and a second container (102b), wherein the first container (102a) may be adapted to store a flour (not shown in figures) and the second container (102b) may be adapted to store water (not shown in Figures). A dosing mechanism (110) may be located on a bottom portion (111) of each of the containers (102), for dispensing the ingredients therefrom. In an embodiment, a first dosing mechanism (110a) may be configured on the first container (102a) and a second dosing mechanism (110b) may be configured in the second container (102b), for dispensing the dough and water respectively.

[0020] The apparatus (100) includes a mixer assembly (104), configured to receive and knead the ingredients to a doughball (133) (e.g. as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C). The mixer assembly (104) is pivotally mounted on the frame member (101) via a shaft (112) aligned along a longitudinal axis A-A’ of the frame member (101). The ingredients from the containers may be directed to the mixer assembly (104) by using a guideway or conveying means within the apparatus (100). The shaft (112) may be coupled to a second actuator (113) which in turn is affixed to the frame member (101). The second actuator (113) is adapted to operate the mixer assembly (104) to an ingredient dosing position and a transfer position. The ingredient dosing position may be the position of the mixer assembly (104) is capable of receiving the ingredients. The transfer position may be the position when the mixer assembly (104) is capable of dispensing the dough ball (133) after kneading the ingredients. Further, an aperture (116) is provided to the mixer assembly (104) preferably on its upper surface (e.g. as shown in FIG.2), for receiving the ingredients and to dispense the doughball (133) from the mixer assembly (104). In the ingredient dosing position of the mixer assembly (104), the aperture (116) may be oriented towards the containers (102) for receiving the ingredients, and in the transfer position of the mixer assembly (104), the opening may be oriented away from the containers (102) for dispensing the doughball (133) from the mixer assembly (104). In the ingredient dosing position (114) of the mixer assembly (104), the aperture (116) may be oriented towards the containers (102) for receiving the ingredients, and in the transfer position (115) of the mixer assembly (104), the opening may be oriented away from the containers (102) for dispensing the doughball (133) from the mixer assembly (104). In another embodiment, the aperture (116) may be aligned vertically with the containers (102) or the dosing mechanism (110) for directly receiving the ingredients therefrom.

[0021] The apparatus includes a motor (109) communicably coupled to a control module (134). The control module (134) may be configured for driving the motor (109) for continuous speed or varying speed for kneading the ingredients. In one embodiment, the motor (109) may be such as but not limited to a servo motor, DC motor or AC motor.

[0022] The apparatus (100) also includes a mechanical press (119) mounted on the frame member (101) and is adapted to receive the doughball (133) from the mixer assembly (104). The mechanical press (119) is configured with an upper platen surface (120) and a lower platen surface (121), for flattening the doughball (133) to form a flattened dough disc (not shown in Figures) and simultaneously bake the flattened dough for preparing the flatbread. The upper platen surface (120) is configured to be actuated between a retracted position (120a) and an extended position (not shown in Figures). The mechanical press (119) may receive the doughball (133) via an ejector member (122), which pushes the doughball (133) dispensed on a transfer plate (123) by the mixer assembly (104) to the mechanical press (119). The ejector member (122) may be mounted to the frame member via a first actuator (124), which is configured to be operable to an intermediate position (126) and an extended position (127) from a rest position (125). The ejector member (122), upon actuation from the rest position (125) to the intermediate position (126), is adapted to push the doughball (133) from the transfer plate (123) to the mechanical press (119). Also, the ejector member (122) upon actuation from the rest position (125) to the extended position (127) is adapted to eject the flatbread from the lower platen surface (121) of the mechanical press (119), out of the frame member (101). Thus, the ejector member (122) alone is configured to perform the operation of guiding the doughball (133) into the mechanical press (119), as well as ejecting the flatbread out of the apparatus (100).

[0023] The mechanical press (119) upon receiving the doughball (133) is actuated such that, the upper platen surface (120) and the lower platen surface (121) move towards each other so that the platen surfaces contact and press the doughball (133) for flattening. Each of the upper platen surface (120) and the lower platen surface (121) includes a heating element (128), which may be configured on their contact surfaces. The heating element (128) is configured to generate heat, so that the mechanical press (119) while flattening the doughball (133), simultaneously bakes the flattened dough to prepare the flatbread.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2 in conjunction with FIG. 1, the mixer assembly (104) includes a mixer bowl (106) for receiving the ingredients and a mixer blade (107) extending from a lower surface (118) of the mixer assembly (104) into the mixer bowl (106). The mixer bowl (106) may be configured with an inner contour, which may facilitate stirring or whisking of the ingredients for optimum consistency of the doughball (133). In one embodiment, instead of having one mixer blade (107), the mixer assembly (104) may include a plurality of mixer blades for stirring or whisking the ingredients into the doughball (133). The mixer bowl (106) and the mixer blade (107) may be coupled to the motor (109) suitably. The motor (109) may operate the mixer bowl (106) and mixer blade (107) for kneading the ingredients into the doughball (133). In an embodiment, the mixer bowl (106) and the mixer blade (107) may be coupled to the motor (109) via the gear mechanism selected from one of the bevel-gear mechanism, the spur gear mechanism or any other mechanism as per feasibility and requirement. In another embodiment, the mixer bowl (106) and the mixer blade (107) may be coupled to the motor (109) with varying gear ratios, for variable operating speeds.

[0025] The mixer blade (107) may be configured in a variety of configurations. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the mixer blade (107) includes a first blade member (202) oriented along a horizontal axis A-A’. The first blade member (202) may be configured for mixing the ingredients in the mixer bowl (106) during the initial stage to form the dough ball (133). In other words, the first blade member (202) may be oriented parallel to the lower surface (118) of the mixer bowl (106). The first blade member (202) includes a proximal end (202a) and a distal end (202b). In one configuration, the distal end (202d) may be configured for providing depression during kneading the ingredients into the doughball (133). The first blade member (202) includes a top surface (202c) and a bottom surface (202d). The bottom surface (202d) of the first blade member (202) may be configured with a hub, or slot (not shown in Figures). A motor shaft (109a) positioned along the central axis X-X’ and extending from the lower surface (118) of the mixer bowl (106) may be coupled to the hub or slot of the mixer blade (107).

[0026] Further, the mixer blade (107) includes a second blade member (204) extending laterally from the proximal end (202a) of the first blade member (202), such that the first blade member (202) and the second blade member (204) form an L-shaped structure. In one embodiment, the second blade member (204) may be oriented or tilted from at an angle relative to the first blade member (202). The variations in the shape and configuration of the mixer blade (107) are described herein with reference to FIGS. 3A-3D.

[0027] The second blade member (204) may be offset by a distance dD from the point of attachment of hub or slot, as shown in the figure. In this scenario, a distance (see, D1) between the second blade member (204) to one wall of the mixer bowl (106) is greater compared to a distance (see D2) between the second blade member (204) to another wall of the mixer bowl (106) (for e.g. as shown in FIG. 2).

[0028] In an embodiment, the motor (109) may axially rotate the mixer bowl 106 and the mixer blade (107) for kneading the ingredients. In an embodiment, the motor (109) may axially rotate the mixer bowl (106) and the mixer blade (107) at dissimilar speeds for efficient kneading of the ingredients. The mixer blade (107) during operation of the mixer bowl (106) acts as a dough hook, for facilitating kneading of the ingredients. The operation of the mixer blade (107) for stirring or kneading the ingredients into the dough ball (133) is explained in further sections.

[0029] Referring to FIG.3A in conjunction with FIG.2, the first blade member (202) is configured with a taper construction. For example, the first blade member (202) may be provided with various taper construction such as but not limited to straight line taper, exponential taper and the like. In one implementation, the first blade member (202) may be configured with a blackbird airfoil, dolphin airfoil and any other configurations as per design feasibility and requirements. This tapering arrangement is to facilitate the easy removal of the dough ball from the mixer.

[0030] In one embodiment, the mixer blade (107) may be a unibody construction or the first blade member (202) and the second blade member (204) may be fabricated separately and mounted to form the mixer blade (107). The first blade member (202) and the second blade member (204) may be mounted via mounting means selected from one of the adhesive bonding, the fastening, clamping and the like as per design feasibility and requirements. Further, the mixer blade (107) may be made of materials such as but not limited to cobalt, titanium alloys, ceramics, and plastic.

[0031] Further, the second blade member (204) includes a leading edge (204a) and a trailing edge (204b). The leading edge (204a) of the second blade member (204) is configured to apply pressure to compress the ingredients. Without limiting to the scope of the present invention, the leading edge (204a) may be configured to be a parabolic surface, catenary surface as per design feasibility and requirements. The trailing edge (204b) of the second blade member (204) may be configured as slightly blunt. In one configuration, the configuration of the second blade member (204) may conform to be symmetrical airfoil structure, which results in uniform cross-section along its entire length i.e. the second blade member (204) is configured with the same shape on both sides of its centerline. In one embodiment, the second blade member (204) may be configured with various configurations such as, but not limited to, dolphin airfoil, blackbird airfoil, turbine blade and the like.

[0032] In one configuration, the second blade member (204) may be configured with tapered construction which results in non-uniform cross-section of the second blade member (204) (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3B). For this configuration, the second blade member (204) may be tapered on at least one of the leading edge (204a) and the trailing edge (204b). As such, the tapering of the second blade member (204) may be provided based on a pre-defined angle, such as taper angle Ø. The taper angle Ø is the angle between an axis B-B’ and the tapered surface of the second blade member (204).

[0033] In another configuration, the second blade member (204) may be configured to assume an asymmetrical airfoil structure which results in non-uniform cross-section along its entire length (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3C). In other words, the second blade member (204) may be configured with different shapes on both sides of its centerline.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 3D, the second blade member (204) of the mixer blade (107) may be rotated about its own vertical axis.

[0035] In one embodiment, the outer flat vertical surface of the second blade member (204) and the trailing edge (204b) or leading edge of the second blade member (204) may be configured for providing compression and depression respectively for kneading the ingredients to form the doughball (133). Alternatively, one of the blunt edges of the second blade member may be used for compression. For ease of understanding, the depression and the compression are referred to as stretch and fold respectively. The stretch and fold are enabled due to axial rotation of at least one of the mixer blade (107) and the mixer bowl (106). Each axial rotation of the mixer blade (107) and the mixer bowl (106) corresponds to one complete cycle that results in the stretch and fold required for kneading the ingredients into the doughball (133). As such, the kneading of ingredients into the doughball (133) includes repeated cycles of stretch and fold by the mixer blade (107) for effective kneading of the ingredients into the doughball (133), which will be explained further in detail with reference to FIGs.4A to 4C.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 4A, the mixer bowl (106) contains ingredients such as flour and water dispensed from the containers (102) for mixing and kneading the ingredients to form the doughball (133). The motor (109) may axially rotate the mixer blade, or the mixer bowl (106) in an anti-clockwise direction for kneading the ingredients. As such, the axial rotation of the mixer blade (107) enables the first blade member (202) for mixing the ingredients during the initial stage of the mixing and kneading process. Further, the direction of rotation of mixer blade (107) and mixer bowl (106) may be altered based on the design feasibility and requirements.

[0037] The doughball (133) may be stretched and folded due to the relative rotation of the mixer blade (107) and the mixer bowl (106). For example, the stretching and folding of the doughball (133) may be provided due to the relative rotation of the mixer blade (107) as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C.

[0038] Referring now to FIG.4B, during the first 900 rotation of the mixer blade (107), the doughball (133) is stretched resulting in a shallow depression. In one configuration, the depression on the doughball (133) may be provided by the trailing edge (204b) of the second blade member (204). Furthermore, the doughball (133) may undergo multiple depressions during the rotations of the mixer blade (107).

[0039] Referring now to FIG.4C, post the formation of a depression, the doughball (133) may be positioned between the distance D2 (as depicted in FIG. 2), such that the doughball (133) is present between the second blade member (204) and another wall of the mixer bowl (106). Further rotation of the mixer blade (107) results in pressing, compression or folding of the doughball (133) i.e., the stretched portion of the doughball (133) is compressed or folded. In one configuration, the doughball (133) may be compressed by the leading edge (204a) of the second blade member (204) during rotations. In yet another configuration, this may be achieved by the outer flat edge of the second blade member (204).

[0040] The stretching and folding of the doughball (133) due to one full rotation of the mixer blade, corresponds to one complete cycle. Further, the doughball (133) may be subjected to continuous stretching and folding process for optimal mixing and kneading.

[0041] Various embodiments of the present disclosure advantageously provide an apparatus for optimal kneading of the ingredients by using stretch and fold method. The apparatus is configured for stretching and folding of the doughball repeatedly for effective kneading of ingredients to form the doughball. The repeated stretching and folding of the doughball results in a well formed gluten web. Further, the formation and development of glutens enhances the elasticity and consistency of the doughball, and better quality flatbreads

[0042] While few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications may be appropriately made thereto within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The above description is given by way of example only and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this specification.

,CLAIMS:1. A apparatus (100) for kneading dough, said apparatus comprising of:
mixer assembly comprising of a mixer bowl (106), adapted to receive ingredients dispensed from a plurality of containers (102) mounted on a frame member (101), characterized by,
? an inner contour configured to facilitate kneading (stretch and fold) of the ingredients for optimum consistency of the doughball
(133) during mixing process; and
? mixer blade configured to be rotated by motor, comprising of:
¦ a first blade member (202), having a proximal end (202a)
and a distal end (202b), oriented parallel to the lower
surface (118) of the mixer bowl (106), wherein the bottom
surface (202d) of the said blade member (202) is
configured with a hub or slot adapted to receive the
motor shaft; and
¦ a second blade member (204) extending laterally from
the proximal end (202a) of the first blade member (202),
wherein said first blade member (202) and the second
blade member (204) forms an L-shaped structure;

2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second blade member (204) is disposed at an offset with respect to the axis of rotation of the mixer blade.
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the leading or trailing edges of the second blade member (204) is blunt, wherein said blunt edge is adapted to provide compression of the dough ball.
4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second blade member (204) has a leading edge (204a), a flat vertical surface (204 ) and a blunt trailing edge (204b), wherein said flat surface and trailing edge or leading edge are adapted to provide fold and stretch actions respectively for kneading the ingredients to form the dough ball (133).
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claims 1 or 4, wherein the second blade member (204) is configured with tapered construction, wherein said blade member is tapered on at least one of the leading edge (204a) and the trailing edge (204b) at a pre-defined tapering angle Ø.

6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second blade member (204) is configured with a symmetrical or asymmetrical airfoil structure.
7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second blade
member (204) is adapted to be rotated about its own vertical axis.
8. A method to knead dough, said method comprising the steps of:
? dispensing flour and water from the containers (102) into the
mixer bowl;
? mixing the ingredients by axially rotating the mixer blade (107)
by the motor, characterized in that said axial rotation of the
mixer blade (107) enables,
mixing of the ingredients by the first blade member (202)
during the initial stage of the kneading process;
stretching of the doughball to produce a multitude of
shallow depressions on said doughball during the rotation
of the mixer blade, wherein said depressions on the
doughball (133) is caused by the trailing edge (204b) of
the second blade member (204);

compressing the stretched doughball between the outer
flat surface of the second blade member (204) and wall
of the mixer bowl (106) during the further rotation of the
mixer blade (107); and
? repeating the mixing process to subject the doughball (133) to undergo continuous stretching and folding process to facilitate optimal kneading.
9. The method as claimed in claims 1 or 8, wherein the mixer bowl is adapted for rotary movement.