Mixing apparatus for frozen products

An apparatus for mixing frozen desserts has a mixing chamber, and a spindle with driving portion for rotating the spindle. The mixing chamber has two main parts having a funnel and a top chamber forming a closed mixing chamber when brought together. The spindle is accommodated through the top chamber.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes details of an apparatus for mixing and blending ice cream and other frozen desserts. More specifically the invention describes details of a two part mixing chamber of a blending apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A mixing apparatus for mixing ice cream and other frozen desserts with one or more additives typically comprises a funnel for holding the frozen dessert and additives, an auger with a spindle for creating a mixing action, an auger driver for rotating the auger spindle, and a linear actuator for relative movement of the funnel and auger into a position in which the auger is telescoped into the funnel, in which position a rotation of the auger will mix the different ingredients of the frozen dessert. The following disclosure relate to a mixing apparatus for making ice cream. The apparatus described is however well suited for mixing other types of desserts.

Ice cream is normally in hard form, while flavor additives may be fruits or nuts. The result of such a mixing is a semi-liquid ice cream in which the flavor additives are more or less distributed before being dispensed from the mixing apparatus.

Such apparatuses are known from a number of patents, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,887 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,889 describe apparatuses comprising an auger or agitator with a helical thread or cutter extending into a funnel or container for holding the ice cream and additives. The auger and funnel are relatively rotatable, and after some rotation the ice cream and additives have obtained a desired semi-liquid condition.

SUMMARY

An issue with the apparatuses known from prior art is maintenance and cleaning. Due to the construction of the mixing chamber made in one closed piece, maintenance and cleaning of the chamber is cumbersome and can not be performed efficiently.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provides an improved mixing apparatus with regards to easy maintenance and cleaning of the parts in contact with the substance to be mixed.

One or more embodiments of the present invention presents a mixing apparatus that facilitate easy maintenance and cleaning.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provides an improved mixing apparatus for providing easy maintenance and cleaning.

An apparatus for mixing frozen desserts according to one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises at least a mixing chamber and a spindle with driving means for rotating said spindle, and where the mixing chamber is made up of two main parts comprising a funnel and a top chamber forming a closed mixing chamber when brought together, and where said spindle is accommodated through the top chamber.

It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows a complete mounted and ready to use set-up of the mixing apparatus10for frozen desserts according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The figure shows the apparatus10for mixing frozen desserts mounted on a rack2. When in use, the mixing apparatus10is protected by a lid8(shown in a lifted position). The figure further shows a cabinet4with a sink6located below the mixing apparatus10. The sink is used when performing a cleaning operation of the mixing apparatus10.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the mixing apparatus10comprises at least a mixing chamber20and a spindle30with driving means40for rotating the spindle30. The spindle has the shape of a conical screw. The mixing chamber is where the frozen dessert, e.g. ice cream and flavor additives, is held and mixed.

The mixing chamber20is made up of two main parts comprising a funnel50and a top chamber60forming a closed mixing chamber20when brought together. The spindle30is accommodated through the top chamber60.

The mixing apparatus10has a self contained washing system comprising water heater, containers for detergent and disinfectant, dosing units, and a device for controlling rinsing and washing procedure, i.e. controlling temperature, supply of detergent and disinfectant.

FIG. 2shows the funnel50and details of the valve90connected to the funnel50. The funnel50comprises a valve90having a valve assembly with a closure element comprising a flat plate element100with first and second upwardly bent arms110a,110b, where the first arm110ais realizably hinged120to the lower part of the funnel50around a rotating axis positioned spaced apart from the centre axis of the funnel50, and where the second arm110bhas a pin protruding into an angled slit140in the lower part of the funnel50, wherein the opening and closing of the valve90is carried out by a turning movement of the plate element100around said rotating axis. The figure further shows that an operating lever150is connected to the second arm110bof the valve assembly.

When the valve90is open, i.e. the pin protruding into the angled slit140is in the lower position of the slit140, the flat plate element100is located on the side of the outlet of the valve90. When the valve90is closed, i.e. the pin protruding into the angled slit140is in the upper position of the slit140, the flat plate element100is forced against the opening of the outlet of the funnel50, thus sealing and closing the valve90.

The design of the valve90is advantageous with regards to maintaining high hygiene and easy cleaning. It is easy to clean the parts in contact with the frozen dessert, i.e. the valve90, the flat plate element100and the funnel50. By removing the cotter pin130, the flat plate element100can be easily removed from the funnel50to be cleaned.

FIGS. 3A and 3Bshows respectively a front view and a cross section view of details of the mixing apparatus10where the funnel50is separated from the top chamber60. The top chamber60comprises an inner part and an outer part, where the outer part is a sleeve glidably connected to the inner part which is stationary.

The outer part is pushed down and held in a lower position relative to the inner part by means of at least one gas spring160.

The figures show that the mixing apparatus10further comprises two vertical guiding elements70. In the lower ends, the guiding elements70are attached to the funnel50. The guiding elements70are further running through guiding holes in the outer part of the top chamber60. In the upper ends the guiding elements70are attached to a lifting system75connected to a motor for driving and guiding said funnel50in an upward direction to make contact with said outer part of the top chamber60thereby forming the closed mixing chamber20. This will provide a precise linear lifting movement of the funnel towards the top chamber60.

The spindle30is connected to a motor driving the spindle. The shaft at the spindle runs through the top chamber60. When the mixing chamber20is closed, mixing of frozen desserts can start.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bshows respectively a front view and a cross section view of details of the mixing apparatus10where the funnel50is moved up and is in contact with the outer part of the top chamber60. In this position the mixing chamber is closed, and a mixing operation can start. The funnel50and the outer part of the top chamber60is provided with sealing means for ensuring tight fitting between said two parts.

An example of sealing means is spring elements provided in top chamber and gasket64and stop ring62for providing tight closure between the funnel50and the top chamber60when brought together. The stop ring62is for preventing the outer part of the top chamber60to extend beyond the lower end of the inner part of the top chamber60when the outer part is pushed down in a lower position relative to the inner part by the gas spring160.

FIGS. 5A and 5Bshows respectively a front view and a cross section view corresponding toFIGS. 4A and 4Bwhere the spindle30is fully within the funnel50. The outer part of the top chamber60is driven to an upper position relative to the inner part.

The mixing apparatus10further comprises water heater, detergent dosing unit and water spray nozzles for pointing a water spray at the spindle30for washing purposes. The water spray nozzles according to one or more embodiments of the present invention are mounted in the top chamber60. Inlet170in for water and detergent in the top chamber60is also indicated inFIG. 5B.

In one embodiment, the apparatus10further comprises programmable control means enabled for being remotely operated and programmed.

The mixing apparatus10also includes electric circuitry with programmable control unit, a power supply, switches, pushbuttons and lamps (not shown in figures). The electronic control unit may include microelectronics for both manual and automatic activation of the linear actuator, switches, lamps, motors and control valves. The automatic activation can be based on input from sensors or a timer and include sequencing of functions.

When operating the mixing apparatus10, an operator puts a charge of frozen dessert, e.g. ice cream, typically hard ice cream, and a charge of flavor additive, typically fruit, berries or nuts into the funnel50with the valve90closed. The operator then pushes a button which activates a motor for driving and guiding the funnel50in an upward direction guided by the guiding elements70to make contact with the outer part of the top chamber60thereby forming the closed mixing chamber20. The spindle30will stand still as long as the funnel50and top chamber60are separated. Only when the mixing chamber is closed the driving means40for the spindle30is activated and start rotating. Once the funnel50and top chamber60are brought together, they are moved together in the upward direction thereby inserting the spindle30completely into the funnel. The force exerted by the gas spring160ensures that there will be a tight fitting between the funnel50and the outer part of the top chamber60before the funnel50is further driven upwards such that the outer part of the top chamber glides in an upward movement on the inner part of the top chamber60. This action and movement will cause the spindle to be lowered into the funnel50while the mixing chamber is kept tight. The ice cream and flavor additives are mixed into a semi-liquid mixture. After a certain time, e.g. 5 seconds the ready mixture is poured out for consumption through the valve90after opening this by operating the operating lever150.

After finishing the mixing and pouring out the mixture, the operator may select to initiate a cleaning operation by pushing a button, or pushing another button for separating the funnel50from the top chamber60thereby enabling said operating procedure to be repeated. The separation is performed by activating the motor for driving and guiding the funnel50in a downward direction thus separating the funnel50from the top chamber60, where the outer part of the top chamber60is held back on the inner part by a stop ring62before separation.

The outlet from the valve90may have different shaped orifices attached, which may have the shape of e.g. a star, giving the ice cream mixture a desired shape.

A man skilled in the art will recognize that the invention described above can be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.