Blender

A blender including (i) a base with an interior space; (ii) a hollow central column extending upwardly from the base; (iii) a top housing mounted to the top of the column, a motor, drive transmission means and a drive shaft; (iv) an auger attached to a distal end of the drive shaft (v) a mixing bowl in coaxial alignment with the auger, (vi) a mixing bowl holder for releasably holding the mixing bowl in coaxial alignment; (vii) a ball screw drive mechanism housed within the column and for moving the mixing bowl in linear movement toward and away from the auger; and (viii) a splash guard positioned above the auger.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a blender for mixing ingredients, typically ice cream, frozen yoghurt or other base product with condiments (fruits, nuts, etc), flavours or liquids (e.g. milk), to form a homogenous and well mixed product, typically a soft smooth dessert or drink such as a milk shake or smoothie.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Blenders for mixing frozen product, such as ice cream, to a substantially soft, smooth product are known. These known blenders are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,503,687, 5,439,289, 5,067,819, 4,828,398, 4,974,965 and 3,352,543 respectively, in which a variety of additives such as fruits, nuts, biscuits, confectionary, flavourings, essences, etc can be rapidly mixed with a frozen product.

Whilst the above mentioned published patents had advantages over the prior art they have disadvantages, such as the use of a hand lever and/or belt/pulley/gear arrangement for the raising and lowering of the mixing bowl relative to the auger.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a blender for mixing ingredients (typically ice cream, frozen yoghurt or other base product with condiments (fruits, nuts, etc), flavours or liquids (e.g. milk)) to form a homogenous and well mixed product (typically a soft smooth dessert or drink such as a milk shake or smoothie) that ameliorates some of the disadvantages and limitations of the known art or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention resides in a blender for mixing ingredients, typically ice cream, frozen yoghurt or other base product with condiments (fruits, nuts, etc), flavours or liquids (e.g. milk), to form a homogenous and well mixed product, typically a soft smooth dessert or drink such as a milk shake or smoothie, the blender includes:(i) a base having an interior space therein;(ii) a hollow central column extending upwardly from the base;(iii) a top housing mounted to the top of the column, the top housing having a motor, drive transmission means and a drive shaft, the drive shaft extends downwardly and outwardly from said top housing;(iv) an auger attached to a distal end of the drive shaft(v) a mixing bowl having an open top, the mixing bowl is in substantially coaxial alignment with the auger,(vi) a mixing bowl holder for releasably holding the mixing bowl in said substantially coaxial alignment;(vii) a ball screw drive mechanism housed within the column and connectable to the mixing bowl holder for moving the mixing bowl in linear movement toward and away from the auger; and(viii) a splash guard positioned above the auger wherein the splash guard is adapted to fit within and cover the opening of the mixing bowl when the blender is in use.

Preferably, the column defines an interior space in which the ball screw mechanism is situated.

Preferably, the ball screw mechanism includes:(i) a vertically orientated ball screw situated within the interior space of the column extending upwardly from the base to the top housing;(ii) a screw nut threadingly connected to the ball screw; and(iii) a screw block attached to the screw nut such that the screw block is adapted to move up and down upon rotation of the ball screw.

Preferably, the ball screw is drivingly connected to a reversible motor housed in the interior of the base such that ball screw can be rotated in one direction to move the screw block up the length of the ball screw and can be rotated in the opposite direction to move the screw block down the length of the ball screw.

Preferably, the reversible motor is a variable speed DC motor so that the speed of rotation of the screw ball can be varied and controlled.

Preferably, the reversible motor is coupled to a gear reduction box situated between the reversible motor and the ball screw.

Preferably, the base includes a PLC therein to control the operation of the reversible motor and the drive motor.

Preferably, that base includes therein all the electronic components required for the operation and control of the blender.

Preferably, the base includes start and stop switches for starting and stopping the operation of the blender.

Preferably, the base has adjustable feet depending downwardly therefrom.

Preferably, the base includes a horizontal upper base plate.

Preferably, the base includes a drip tray situated directly below and in alignment with mixing bowl.

Preferably, a vertically aligned slot in the column, where the slot extends a portion of the length of the column.

Preferably, the screw block has a portion that extends through the slot whereby the distal end of said portion is connected to a collar positioned on and surrounding the circumference of the column.

Preferably, the collar is adapted to slide up and down the column as the screw block is caused to move up and down the ball screw.

Preferably, the collar is attached to the mixing bowl holder whereby the mixing bowl holder extends outwardly from the collar and situated to be positioned in coaxial alignment with auger such that the mixing bowl holder is adapted to move the mixing bowl toward the auger when the collar is caused to move in an upward direction by the ball screw mechanism and to move away from the auger when the collar is moved in a downward direction by the ball screw mechanism.

Preferably, the mixing bowl is releasably held to the mixing bowl holder by co-operating holding means on the mixing bowl and mixing bowl holder.

Preferably, the holding means are a quick release camlock mechanism.

Preferably, the mixing bowl is a tapered cone with the taper pointing toward the base and interior of said cone is dimensioned to fully accommodate the auger therein.

Preferably, the auger has a tapered screw that tapers to a tip.

Preferably, the tapered tip of the auger is adapted to be situated above and adjacent the tapered interior bottom of the cone when the auger is positioned fully in to the interior of the said cone so as to achieve maximum and efficient mixing of the ingredients within the mixing cone.

Preferably, the splash guard is circular and has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the open end of the mixing bowl.

Preferably, the splash guard is retained in position above the auger by an outer collar retainer positioned between the splash guard and the bottom surface of the upper housing.

Preferably, a vertical oriented activation holder is positioned within the interior of the column, the activation holder has a plurality of activation means along its length.

Preferably, the activation holder extends along and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the column and is spaced a distance from the screw ball such that as the screw block moves along the length of the ball screw it passes and activates the activation means in order to determine the relative position of the mixing bowl relative to the auger.

Preferably, each activation means is connected to the PLC that upon a respective activation of a respective activation means controls the operation of variable speed DC motor and drive motor.

Preferably, there are at least three activation means, namely:(i) a first activation means situated on the switch/sensor holder adjacent the bottom of the screw ball, where the first activation means when activated by the screw block deactivates drive power to the variable speed DC motor;(ii) a second activation means situated switch/sensor holder adjacent a mid region along the length of the ball screw wherein the auger is partially within the mixing bowl and the splash guard is in contact with the inner wall adjacent the open end of the mixing bowl, where the second activation means when activated by the screw block slows the speed of the variable DC motor and activates the drive motor to drive the auger; and(iii) a third activation means situated switch/sensor holder adjacent the top of the ball screw wherein the auger is fully within the mixing bowl, where the third activation means when activated by the screw block stops the variable DC motor whereby drive to the auger continues.

Preferably, a fourth activation means is situated between the second and third activation means, whereby the fourth activation means when activated by the screw block further slows the speed of the variable DC motor and thus the movement of the mixing bowl platform.

Preferably, the fourth activation means is positioned 30 mm below the third activation means.

Preferably, the activation means are switches.

Preferably, the switches are reed switches.

Preferably, the activation means are sensors.

Preferably, the sensors are LED sensors

Preferably, the mixing bowl has an extrusion outlet at its bottom to allow extrusion of the mixed mixture from the mixing bowl.

Preferably, the extrusion outlet has a valve such that when the mixing cone is used to make smoothies or milk shakes the valve can be closed.

Preferably, the mixing bowl has a handle.

Any other aspects herein described

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a blender for mixing ingredients, typically ice cream, frozen yoghurt or other base product with condiments (fruits, nuts, etc), flavours or liquids (e.g. milk), to form a homogenous and well mixed product, typically a soft smooth dessert or drink such as a milk shake or smoothie. The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are purely to exemplify the invention only and that possible variations and modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention.

The blender as shown inFIGS. 1 to 7will now be described.

The blender B includes an upper frame21supported and spaced above a hollow base2by a hollow column15A. The upper frame21includes drive motor16, drive belt17, drive pulleys18, drive shaft18A for driving auger25in coaxial alignment with the mixing bowl29and mixing bowl holder28. The auger25is connected to the drive shaft18A that has a portion thereof extending through an under surface of the upper frame21such that the auger25is positioned outside of the upper frame21and depends vertically downward from the upper frame21in a direction toward the base2.

The column15A defines an interior space which houses a ball screw mechanism for raising and lowering the mixing bowl29toward and away from the auger25. The ball screw mechanism consists of a vertically orientated ball screw10situated within the interior of a column15A. A screw block11has a screw nut12threadingly connected to the ball screw10so that the screw nut12is able to move up and down upon the ball screw10being rotated by a reversible variable speed DC motor4situated within the base2. The screw block11has a portion that extends through a vertically aligned machined slot16A in the column15A.

The portion of the screw block11that extends outwardly through the slot16A is connected to a collar13that is slidingly situated on the outer surface of the columns15A. The slot16A extends along a portion of the length of the column15A so that the collar13is able to traverse that portion when the screw nut12is moved up and down upon the rotation of the ball screw10.

The collar13has a mixing bowl holder28attached. The mixing bowl holder28extends outwardly from the collar13and is situated to be positioned in coaxial alignment with auger25such that the mixing bowl holder28is between the upper frame21and the base2such that the mixing bowl holder28is able to move the mixing bowl29toward the auger25when the collar is caused to move in an upward direction by the ball screw mechanism and to move away from the auger25when the collar is moved in a downward direction by the ball screw mechanism.

The mixing bowl29is held by the mixing bowl holder28by a quick release camlock mechanism (seeFIG. 7). The camlock mechanism is shown having two cam locks281.282in order to hold the mixing bowl29in place. It is envisaged that mixing bowl could be held in position by one or more camlocks. Also it is envisaged that other known holding/attaching mechanism could be used to hold the mixing bowl29to the mixing bowl holder28.

The mixing bowl29is a tapered cone and dimensioned to fully accommodate the tapered auger25therein as shown inFIG. 3whereby the tip26of the auger is situated above and adjacent the tapered interior bottom of the mixing bowl29in order to achieve the maximum and efficient mixing of the ingredients within the mixing bowl. It is envisaged that other shapes of mixing bowl29could be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

The auger25has a tapered screw that tapers to a tip26. A splash guard24is situated above the auger25a distance from the tip26whereby when the auger25is partially positioned within the mixing bowl29the splash guard24contacts the upper internal wall of the mixing bowl29so as to cover the open end of the mixing bowl29to prevent splashing and spillage of the ingredients during the mixing operation by the auger25. As the mixing bowl is moved further upward the splash guard also moves upward, but retains in contact with the internal upper wall of the mixing bowl. The splash guard24is circular and has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the open end of the mixing bowl29. The splash guard24is retained in position above the auger25by an outer collar retainer23positioned between the auger25and the bottom surface of the top frame21.

The base2is a hollow that has an interior space that houses the variable DC motor4, gear box5, thrust bearing6, safety start switch31, safety stop switch32and other suitable known electronic components such as PLC, etc that allow operation and control of the use of the blender B. The variable DC motor4, gear box5and thrust bearing6drive and control the rotation of the ball screw10. The base2has adjustable feet1. The base2has an upper base plate7and a drip tray30situated directly below and in alignment with mixing bowl29.

Within the column15A there is a switch/sensor holder27, preferably a reed switch/sensor holder27, that has a plurality of switches or sensors along its length. The reed switch/sensor holder27extends along and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the column15A and is in a spaced a distance from the screw ball10such that as the screw block11moves along the length of the ball screw10it passes a switch/sensor33,34,35in order to determine the relative position of the mixing bowl29relative to the auger25. Each switch/sensor is connected to a controller (e.g. a PLC) that upon a respective activation of a respective switch/sensor controls the operation of variable DC motor4and drive motor16. InFIG. 1, the screw block11is in its lower most position and adjacent bottom switch/sensor35and the blender B is in a non-use operation. InFIG. 2the screw block11is adjacent a main switch/sensor33where the mixing bowl29has moved upward such that the auger25is partially with in the mixing bowl29and in this position the upward movement of the mixing bowl platform28is slowed by slowing the speed of the DC motor4and the auger25starts mixing by activation of the drive motor16once the splash guard24makes contact with the internal upper wall of the mixing bowl29. InFIG. 3the screw block11is adjacent the top switch/sensor34where the mixing bowl29has moved upward such that the auger25is fully within the mixing bowl29and in this position the upward movement of the mixing platform28is stopped by stopping the DC motor4and the auger25continues mixing. Preferably the switches/sensors are reed switches. It is envisaged that a fourth reed switch (not shown) can be placed between the mid and upper reed switch, preferably 30 mm below the upper switch, whereby the fourth reed switch further slows the movement of the mixing bowl platform28.

The mixing bowl29as shown in the drawings is primarily a mixing bowl for the mixing of frozen products with non liquids as the bottom of the mixing cone has an extrusion outlet291to allow the mixture to be extruded from the mixing bowl once mixing is completed. For the making of milk shakes or smoothies using the blender a similar mixing bowl29is used, however this mixing bowl does not have an extrusion outlet291and may have a handle to allow for ease of tipping the milk shake or smoothie into a cup or drinking vessel. Another variation is for mixing bowl to have a valve to control the egress of mixture through the outlet291such that when not making milk shakes or smoothies the valve is open to allow mixture to be extruded via the outlet291from the mixing bowl and when making milk shakes or smoothies the valve is in a closed position to prevent liquid from exiting the mixing bowl via outlet291.

A preferred operation of the Blender will now be described mixing a frozen product.1. First put ice cream, frozen yoghurt or other base product into mixing bowl29.2. Then add any choice of fruit, nuts, confectionary, syrup etc.3. Pushing in and holding start button31starts variable speed DC motor4. Driving through gear box5into ball screw10driving up ball screw nut12attached to block11, attached to collar13, through machine slot16A at the back of column15A attached to collar13attached to mixing bowl28raises mixing bowl29approximately 220 mL at the top of which time the safety splash guard24is inserted into the top of the mixing bowl29. At this position the main reed switch33is activated which slows down variable speed DC motor4and at the same time activates drive motor16. Driving through pulleys18to the drive shaft18A rotating auger25.4. During the next 80 mL the mixing bowl travels up, the ice cream fruit mix is blended into a smooth consistency similar to cream freeze with the fruit etc blended throughout the mix.5. As the mixing bowl ascends the last 30 mm the product is extruded out of the restricted opening at the bottom of the mixing bowl29.6. At the top of its stroke the top limit reed switch34is activated which stops the variable speed DC motor4, but by still holding your finger on the start button the mixing continues until all the product is extruded out of the mixing bowl leaving just a small amount of residue on the cone29and auger25. At any time through the start and mixing cycle if the start button31is released both the variable speed DC motor4and main drive motor will stop and can be restarted at their present position by re-pushing the start button31. At the end of the mixing cycle after all the product has been extruded the down button32is pushed and the variable speed DC motor4is reversed causing the mixing bowl29to descend to it's original position. As it passes the bottom limit reed switch35the variable speed DC motor shuts off.7. After mixing is complete the mixing bowl platform28is lowered upon pressing the down switch32. On the way down the DC motor goes at one speed.A similar method of operation is used to make milk shakes or smoothies, however liquid is add at either step 1 or 2 and at step 6 there is no extrusion of the mixture from the mixing bowl.

NUMBERED MACHINE PARTS AS PER CRAVINGS

1. Adjustable foot pads2. Base4. Variable speed DC motor5. Reduction box6. Thrust bearing and holder7. Base plate8. Column mounting flange9. Reduction box spicket10. Ball screw11. Ball screw lifting block12. Ball screw nut13. Collar14. Wear seals15. Seal15A. Column16. Main drive motor16A. Machined slot in column17. V belt18. Drive pulleys18A. Drive shaft19. Top cover20. Ball screw bearing21. Top frame22. Auger bearing spicket shaft assembly23. Safety splash guard outer collar retainer24. Safety splash guard25. Auger26. Auger tip27. Reed switch holder28. Mixing bowl holder29. Mixing bowl30. Drip tray31. Safety recessed electrical start switch32. Safety recessed electrical down switch33. Main drive start reed switch34. Variable speed DC motor top limit reed switch35. Variable speed DC motor bottom limit reed switch
Advantages

a) Easy to use

b) Greater and finer control of the movement of the mixing bowl toward the auger

c) Variable speed control of the mixing bowl holder.

d) Robust and trouble free

e) Improved safety features

Variations

Throughout the description of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprising” and “comprises”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.