System and method for batter mixing and application
AssigneeMather Process Soulutions Inc.
InventorsScott Mather, Don Mather, Baron Mather
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A batter mixing system has a mix tank. The mix tank includes a dry mix feed, a liquid feed, a mixer, and a mix tank load cell. A distribution tank is in communication with the mix tank via a transfer pump. The distribution tank includes a distribution tank load cell. The distribution tank is in further communication with a process line via a feed pump. A control system is in communication with each of the mix tank load cell and the distribution tank load cell. The control system is configured to operate each of the mix tank and the distribution tank.
Claims15
A batter mixing system, comprising:
- a mix tank including:
- a dry mix feed in communication with the mix tank, where the dry mix feed is configured to provide a dry mix to the mix tank;
- a liquid feed in communication with the mix tank, where the liquid feed is configured to provide a liquid to the mix tank;
- a mixer;
- and
- a mix tank load cell;
- a distribution tank including a distribution tank load cell, the distribution tank in fluid communication with the mix tank via a transfer pump and in fluid communication with a process line via a feed pump;
- and
- a control system in communication with the mix tank load cell and the distribution tank load cell, the control system configured to operate the dry mix feed and the liquid feed,
- wherein:
- the mix tank is freestanding on the mix tank load cell and the distribution tank is freestanding on the distribution tank load cell,
- each of the mix tank and the distribution tank are surrounded by a frame saddle that permits vertical movement and prevents forward movement, backward movement, and lateral movement of the mix tank and the distribution tank,
- the mixer and the dry mix feed are mounted to a frame to allow isolation of the mix tank and the distribution tank, and
- the mixer includes an adjustable mounting for vortex mixing based on a batter recipe.
A method of mixing batter comprising:
- providing a batter mixing system, comprising:
- a mix tank including:
- a dry mix feed in communication with the mix tank, where the dry mix feed is configured to provide a dry mix to the mix tank;
- a liquid feed in communication with the mix tank, where the liquid feed is configured to provide a liquid to the mix tank;
- a mixer;
- and
- a mix tank load cell;
- a distribution tank including a distribution tank load cell, the distribution tank in fluid communication with the mix tank via a transfer pump and in fluid communication with a process line via a feed pump;
- and
- a control system in communication with the mix tank load cell and the distribution tank load cell, the control system configured to operate the dry mix feed and the liquid feed;
- programming a batter recipe into a programmable logic controller of the batter mixing control system;
- after measuring a zero weight at the mix tank, beginning a first mix cycle including adding programmed amounts of a liquid and a dry mix to the mix tank, where the programmed amounts of the liquid and the dry mix are determined according to weight independent of a viscosity of a mixture in the mix tank;
- operating the mixer for a preset time to create a mixed batter;
- at an expiration of the preset time, transferring the mixed batter from the mix tank to the distribution tank, wherein the mixed batter is transferred to the distribution tank until an operating weight is sensed at the distribution tank;
- transferring the mixed batter from the distribution tank to a process line;
- and
- downloading an operation history of the batter mixing control system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.