CUP AND STIRRING ELEMENT FOR A DEVICE FOR PREPARING A FROZEN FOOD PRODUCT FROM A LIQUID MIXTURE AND THE DEVICE

A cup is provided for a device for preparing a frozen food product from a liquid mixture with a stirring element stirring liquid mixture in the cup being cooled by a cooling unit of the device. The cup includes a cup wall enclosing a holding volume for liquid mixture and frozen food product. At the inside of the cup, the cup wall includes an inner bottom portion, a circumferential inner upright portion, and a circumferential inner transition portion extending from the inner bottom portion to the inner upright portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cup for a device for preparing a frozen food product, such as for example ice cream or sorbet, from a liquid mixture, preferably in individual portions. The present disclosure also relates to a stirring element for a device for preparing a frozen food product from a liquid mixture. The present disclosure also relates to a device for preparing a frozen food product from a liquid mixture.

BACKGROUND

US 2017/0225879 A1 and WO 2015/169841 A1 both show a removable cup or container for a device for preparing a frozen food product from a liquid mixture in individual portions. The cups, when received in a cavity of a cup holder of the device, are used for preparing the frozen food product therein from the liquid mixture by a stirring element of the device stirring the liquid mixture in the cup while the cup is being cooled by a cooling unit of the device. These cups comprise a cup wall enclosing a holding volume for the liquid mixture and the frozen food product. The cup wall comprises a bottom portion, a circumferential upright portion, and a circumferential transition portion extending from the bottom portion to the upright portion. At the inside of the cup, the bottom portion, the upright portion and the transition portion are cylindrically symmetric around a central axis. The upright portion of the cup wall is inclined outwards in a transverse or radial direction from the height direction with a certain inclination angle, and an upright portion of an inner wall of the cavity of the cup holder of the device is inclined from the height direction with the same inclination angle, which makes it easy to remove the cup from the cavity when the frozen food product has been prepared.

These cups have however the disadvantage that the shape and dimensions of the transition portion of the cup wall at the inside of the cup make it difficult to scoop all the frozen food product out of the cup with a spoon.

These cups also have the disadvantage that, because of the upright portion of the cup wall at the inside of the cup being inclined outwards, liquid mixture and frozen food product sometimes spills out of the cup when the frozen food product is being prepared in the cup by stirring the liquid mixture in the cup by the stirring element.

SUMMARY

It is an aim of the present disclosure to provide a cup and a stirring element for a device for preparing a frozen food product from a liquid mixture, wherein the liquid mixture and the frozen food product does not spill out of the cup when the frozen food product is being prepared in the cup by stirring the liquid mixture in the cup by the stirring element, and wherein the frozen food product is easy to scoop out of the cup with a spoon.

The aim of the present disclosure, or others, is achieved with a cup showing the technical characteristics of the first independent claim, and with a stirring element showing the technical characteristics of the second independent claim.

Therefore, the present disclosure provides a cup or container for a device for preparing a frozen food product, such as for example ice cream or sorbet, from a liquid mixture. In some embodiments, the cup is arranged for preparing the frozen food product therein from the liquid mixture by a stirring element of the device stirring the liquid mixture in the cup while the cup is being cooled by a cooling unit of the device. In some embodiments, the stirring element is the stirring element according to the present disclosure as described below. The cup comprises a cup wall enclosing a holding volume for the liquid mixture and the frozen food product. In some embodiments, the cup comprises a top opening to the holding volume. At the inside of the cup, the cup wall comprises an inner bottom portion, a circumferential inner upright portion, and a circumferential inner transition portion extending from the inner bottom portion to the inner upright portion. The inner bottom portion, the inner upright portion and the inner transition portion are cylindrically symmetric around a first axis centrally through the inner bottom portion and extending along a height direction. The inner transition portion has in the height direction a radius of curvature of at least 15 mm, preferably at least 16 mm, more preferably at least 17 mm, even more preferably at least 18 mm, and yet even more preferably at least 19 mm. The inner transition portion has in the height direction a radius of curvature of at most 25 mm, preferably at most 24 mm, more preferably at most 23 mm, even more preferably at most 22 mm, and yet even more preferably at most 21 mm. The inner upright portion is inclined outwards in a transverse or radial direction from the height direction. The inner upright portion has with respect to the height direction a predetermined inclination angle of at least 10, preferably at least 2°, more preferably at least 30, and even more preferably at least 4°. The inner upright portion has with respect to the height direction a predetermined inclination angle of at most 9°, preferably at most 8°, more preferably at most 7°, and even more preferably at most 6°. Most preferably, the inner upright portion has with respect to the height direction a predetermined inclination angle of 5°. Preferably, the cup wall comprises, at the outside of the cup, a circumferential outer upright portion which has with respect to the height direction an inclination corresponding to the inclination angle of the inner upright portion of the cup wall at the inside of the cup.

The cup of the present disclosure offers the advantage that the curvature of the inner transition portion is adapted more to the curvature of the sides of a spoon, such that it becomes easier to scoop frozen food product from the inner transition portion by a spoon.

The inventors have however found that adapting the curvature of the inner transition portion in cups known from the prior art in this way increases the risk of liquid mixture and frozen food product spilling out of the cup when the frozen food product is being prepared in the cup by stirring the liquid mixture in the cup by a stirring element. With respect to this problem the cup of the present disclosure offers the advantage that the inner upright portion having the predetermined inclination angle with respect to the height directions aids in keeping liquid mixture and the frozen food product in the cup while the frozen food product is being prepared in the cup by stirring the liquid mixture in the cup by the stirring element.

Providing the outer upright portion of the cup wall with the same inclination angle as the inner upright portion of the cup wall offers the advantage that the cup wall can be made as thin as possible to provide a good heat transfer from the cup to the cooling unit of the device for cooling the cup, and also offers the advantage that the cup can be easily removed from a correspondingly shaped cavity of the device for preparing a frozen food product from a liquid mixture in which the cup has been received.

In an embodiment of the cup according to the present disclosure the inner bottom portion is flat.

The flat inner bottom portion offers the advantage that it provides a simple surface from which food product can easily be scooped by a spoon, and from which the stirring element of the device for preparing the frozen food product from the liquid mixture can easily scrape frozen liquid mixture when stirring the liquid mixture in the cup for preparing the frozen food product.

In an embodiment of the cup according to the present disclosure the inner bottom portion has a predetermined radius of at least 16 mm, preferably at least 17 mm, more preferably at least 18 mm, even more preferably at least 19 mm, and yet even more preferably at least 20 mm. The inner bottom portion has a predetermined radius of at most 26 mm, preferably at most 25 mm, more preferably at most 24 mm, even more preferably at most 23 mm, and yet even more preferably at most 22 mm. In some embodiments, the inner bottom portion is flat.

This embodiment is beneficial for providing a cup for preparing individual portions of the frozen product therein.

In an embodiment of the cup according to the present disclosure the inner transition portion is in the height direction one of an elliptic arc, a circular arc and a parabolic arc.

This embodiment offers the advantage that the shape of the inner transition portion is adapted more to the shape of the sides of a spoon, such that it becomes easier to scoop frozen food product from the inner transition portion by a spoon.

In an embodiment of the cup according to the present disclosure the inner transition portion extends in the transverse direction over a predetermined first distance of at least 15 mm, preferably at least 16 mm, more preferably at least 17 mm, even more preferably at least 18 mm, and yet even more preferably at least 19 mm. The inner transition portion extends in the transverse direction over a predetermined first distance of at most 25 mm, preferably at most 24 mm, more preferably at most 23 mm, even more preferably at most 22 mm, and yet even more preferably at most 21 mm.

This embodiment offers the advantage that a large inner transition portion is provided, which corresponds more to the size of a spoon, such that it becomes even more easy to scoop frozen food product from the inner transition portion by a spoon. This embodiment is also beneficial for providing a cup for preparing individual portions of the frozen product therein.

In an embodiment of the cup according to the present disclosure the inner transition portion extends in the height direction over a predetermined second distance of at least 15 mm, preferably at least 16 mm, more preferably at least 17 mm, even more preferably at least 18 mm, and yet even more preferably at least 19 mm. The inner transition portion extends in the height direction over a predetermined second distance of at most 25 mm, preferably at most 24 mm, more preferably at most 23 mm, even more preferably at most 22 mm, and yet even more preferably at most 21 mm.

This embodiment offers the advantage that a large inner transition portion is provided, which corresponds more to the size of a spoon, such that it becomes even more easy to scoop frozen food product from the inner transition portion by a spoon. This embodiment is also beneficial for providing a cup for preparing individual portions of the frozen product therein.

In an embodiment of the cup according to the present disclosure the inner upright portion extends in the height direction over a predetermined third distance of at least 32 mm, preferably at least 33 mm, more preferably at least 34 mm, even more preferably at least 35 mm, and yet even more preferably at least 36 mm. The inner upright portion extends in the height direction over a predetermined third distance of at most 42 mm, preferably at most 41 mm, more preferably at most 40 mm, even more preferably at most 39 mm, and yet even more preferably at most 38 mm.

The inner upright portion extending in the height direction over the predetermined third distance is beneficial for keeping liquid mixture and the frozen food product in the cup while the frozen food product is being prepared in the cup by stirring the liquid mixture in the cup by the stirring element. This embodiment is also beneficial for providing a cup for preparing individual portions of the frozen product therein.

In an embodiment of the cup according to the present disclosure the inner upright portion is straight in the height direction.

The inner upright portion being straight in the height direction offers the advantage that it provides a simple surface from which the stirring element of the device for preparing the frozen food product from the liquid mixture can easily scrape frozen liquid mixture when stirring the liquid mixture in the cup for preparing the frozen food product.

The present disclosure further provides a stirring element for a device for preparing a frozen food product, such as for example ice cream or sorbet, from a liquid mixture. In some embodiments, the stirring element is arranged for preparing the frozen food product by stirring the liquid mixture in a cup of the device while the cup is being cooled by a cooling unit of the device. In some embodiments, the stirring element is configured for scraping frozen liquid mixture from the cup wall at the inside of the cup when stirring the liquid mixture in the cup. The stirring element comprises at least one edge side. In some embodiments, the at least one edge side is arranged for contacting at least temporary the cup while stirring the liquid mixture in the cup. The at least one edge side comprises a bottom portion, an upright portion, and a transition portion extending from the bottom portion to the upright portion. The transition portion has a radius of curvature of at least 15 mm, preferably at least 16 mm, more preferably at least 17 mm, even more preferably at least 18 mm, and yet even more preferably at least 19 mm. The transition portion has a radius of curvature of at most 25 mm, preferably at most 24 mm, more preferably at most 23 mm, even more preferably at most 22 mm, and yet even more preferably at most 21 mm. The upright portion is inclined outwards in a transverse direction from the height direction. The upright portion has with respect to the height direction a predetermined inclination angle of at least 10, preferably at least 2°, more preferably at least 3°, and even more preferably, at least 4. The upright portion has with respect to the height direction a predetermined inclination angle of at most 9°, preferably at most 8°, more preferably at most 7°, even more preferably at most 6°. Most preferably, the upright portion has with respect to the height direction a predetermined inclination angle of 5°.

The stirring element according to the present disclosure is intended for use in combination with the cup according to the present disclosure, wherein for stirring the liquid mixture the stirring element is arranged in the cup with the at least one edge side contacting the cup wall at the inside of the cup, such that the stirring element can scrape frozen liquid mixture from the cup wall at the inside of the cup. Therefore, it is beneficial to give the bottom portion, the upright portion and the transition portion of the at least one edge side of the stirring element a shape corresponding respectively to the shape of the inner bottom portion, the inner upright portion and the inner transition portion of the cup wall at the inside of the cup.

In an embodiment of the stirring element according to the present disclosure the bottom portion is flat.

In an embodiment of the stirring element according to the present disclosure the bottom portion has a predetermined width of at least 16 mm, preferably at least 17 mm, more preferably at least 18 mm, even more preferably at least 19 mm, and yet even more preferably at least 20 mm. The bottom portion has a predetermined width of at most 26 mm, preferably at most 25 mm, more preferably at most 24 mm, even more preferably at most 23 mm, and yet even more preferably at most 22 mm. Preferably, the bottom portion is flat.

The bottom portion of the at least one edge side of the stirring element having a predetermined width equal to a predetermined radius of an inner bottom portion of a cup wall of a cup according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, offers the advantage that the stirring element can scrape frozen liquid mixture from the entire inner bottom portion of the cup wall when the stirring element is stirring the liquid mixture in the cup for preparing the frozen food product.

In an embodiment of the stirring element according to the present disclosure the transition portion is in the height direction one of an elliptic arc, a circular arc and a parabolic arc.

In an embodiment of the stirring element according to the present disclosure the transition portion extends in the transverse direction over a predetermined first distance of at least 15 mm, preferably at least 16 mm, more preferably at least 17 mm, even more preferably at least 18 mm, and yet even more preferably at least 19 mm. The transition portion extends in the transverse direction over a predetermined first distance of at most 25 mm, preferably at most 24 mm, more preferably at most 23 mm, even more preferably at most 22 mm, and yet even more preferably at most 21 mm.

In an embodiment of the stirring element according to the present disclosure the transition portion extends in the height direction over a predetermined second distance of at least 15 mm, preferably at least 16 mm, more preferably at least 17 mm, even more preferably at least 18 mm, and yet even more preferably at least 19 mm. The transition portion extends in the height direction over a predetermined second distance of at most 25 mm, preferably at most 24 mm, more preferably at most 23 mm, even more preferably at most 22 mm, and yet even more preferably at most 21 mm.

In an embodiment of the stirring element according to the present disclosure the upright portion extends in the height direction over a predetermined fourth distance of at least 32 mm, preferably at least 33 mm, more preferably at least 34 mm, even more preferably at least 35 mm, and yet even more preferably at least 36 mm. The upright portion extends in the height direction over a predetermined fourth distance of at most 42 mm, preferably at most 41 mm, more preferably at most 40 mm, even more preferably at most 39 mm, and yet even more preferably at most 38 mm.

The upright portion of the at least one edge side of the stirring element extending in the height direction over a predetermined fourth distance, which is preferably approximately equal to a predetermined third distance over which the inner upright portion of a cup wall of a cup according to an embodiment of the present disclosure extends, is beneficial for obtaining a good stirring of the liquid mixture in the cup and for scraping frozen liquid mixture from the entire inner upright portion of the cup wall of the cup.

In an embodiment of the stirring element according to the present disclosure the upright portion is straight.

In an embodiment of the stirring element according to the present disclosure the stirring element comprises a first edge side and a second edge side. The first edge side and the second edge side are arranged opposite of each other in the transverse direction.

In some embodiments, the first edge side and the second edge side have a common bottom portion.

This embodiment is beneficial for providing a stirring element which may simultaneously be in contact with opposing sides of the cup wall at the inside of the cup, in order to be able to scrape frozen liquid mixture from said opposing sides of the cup wall at the inside of the cup while stirring the stirring element in the liquid mixture in the cup for preparing the frozen food product.

This embodiment is also beneficial for providing a stirring element which is to arranged in the cup at a predetermined offset from the first axis with one of the edge sides contacting the cup wall at the inside of the cup. In addition to a rotation around the first axis, this stirring element can then also be rotated around a second axis centrally through the stirring element, such that the opposing edge sides of the stirring element are alternatingly brought into contact with the cup wall at the inside of the cup. This embodiment provides an improved mixing of frozen liquid mixture in the cup for preparing the frozen food product.

In an embodiment of the stirring element according to the present disclosure the stirring element is a stirring paddle.

The present disclosure further provides a device for preparing a frozen food product, such as for example ice cream or sorbet, from a liquid mixture. The device comprises a cup or container according to the present disclosure in which the frozen food product is to be prepared from the liquid mixture. The device comprises a cup holder. The cup holder comprises a cavity receiving the cup. In some embodiments, the cavity is fittingly receiving the cup. In some embodiments, the cup wall has at the outside of the cup a shape complementary to the shape of an inner wall of the cavity. In some embodiments, the cup is removable from the cavity. The device comprises a cooling unit configured for cooling the cavity of the cup holder. The device comprises a stirring unit configured for stirring the liquid mixture in the cup by a stirring element according to the present disclosure for preparing the frozen food product. In some embodiments, the stirring element is configured for scraping frozen liquid mixture from the cup wall at the inside of the cup when stirring the liquid mixture in the cup. The stirring unit comprises a drive system for driving the stirring motion of the stirring element in the cup. In some embodiments, the stirring unit is arranged above the cup holder. In some embodiments, the stirring element is removably connected to the stirring unit.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present disclosure an inner wall of the cavity comprises a circumferential upright portion. The upright portion is inclined outwards in a transverse direction from a height direction. The upright portion has with respect to the height direction a predetermined inclination angle of at least 10, preferably at least 2°, more preferably at least 3°, and even more preferably at least 4°. The upright portion has with respect to the height direction a predetermined inclination angle of at most 9°, preferably at most 8°, more preferably at most 7°, and even more preferably at most 6°. Most preferably, the upright portion has with respect to the height direction a predetermined inclination angle of 5°.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present disclosure the stirring element is arranged with a second axis at a predetermined offset from the first axis. The second axis extends in a height direction. The second axis extends through the stirring element. The drive system is arranged for rotating the stirring element around the first axis and the second axis.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present disclosure the cup holder comprises a first upper surface surrounding an entrance opening of the cavity.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present disclosure the cup holder comprises in a second upper surface a recessed area surrounding the entrance opening of the cavity. A bottom surface of the recessed area forms the first upper surface of the cup holder.

This embodiment offers the advantage that liquid mixture or frozen food product accidentally spilling out of the cup while preparing the frozen food product is contained inside the recessed area, thereby preventing the spilled liquid mixture or frozen food product from further spreading over the device. This makes it easier to clean the device, and is beneficial for hygiene by preventing spilled liquid mixture or frozen food product from being left behind on difficult to clean places of the device.

In an embodiment of the device according to the present disclosure the stirring unit is arranged above the cup holder. The stirring unit comprises a moveable portion. The moveable portion is moveable along a height direction between a first position and a second position. In the first position the stirring element is arranged outside of the cup. In the second position the stirring element is arranged inside the cup for stirring the liquid mixture for preparing the frozen food product. The stirring unit is provided with a protection screen extending downwards from the moveable portion of the stirring unit. The protection screen is arranged such that a bottom edge of the protection screen supports on the first upper surface when the moveable portion of the stirring unit is in the second position. In some embodiments, the protection screen and the recessed area are arranged such that a bottom edge of the protection screen supports on the first upper surface near an edge of the recessed area when the moveable portion of the stirring unit is in the second position.

This embodiment is beneficial for the safety of the device by closing off the area above the cup between the cup holder and the moveable portion of the stirring unit, such that no access to the moving stirring element is possible when the frozen food product is being prepared from the liquid mixture by the stirring element stirring the liquid mixture in the cup while the cup is being cooled by the cooling unit.

In combination with the embodiment of the device having the recessed area in the second upper surface, this embodiment also offers the advantage that the bottom edge of the protection screen supporting on the first upper surface, i.e. the bottom surface of the recessed area, makes it more difficult to grab underneath the protection screen to lift it up and get access to the area above the cup between the cup holder and the moveable portion of the stirring unit while the frozen food product is being prepared. This is beneficial for the safety of the device.

This embodiment also offers the advantage that liquid mixture or frozen food product spilling out of the cup while preparing the frozen food product is contained on the first upper surface by the protection screen, thereby preventing the spilled liquid mixture or frozen food product from further spreading over the device. This makes it easier to clean the device, and is beneficial for hygiene by preventing spilled liquid mixture or frozen food product from being left behind on difficult to clean places of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the disclosure described herein can operate in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

FIGS. 1A and 1Bshow a device100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure for preparing a frozen food product, such as for example ice cream or sorbet, from a liquid mixture. Further details of the device100are shown in theFIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B.4A and4B. The device100comprises a first sub-unit101which is arranged for preparing a frozen food product in a first cup200, and a second sub-unit102which is arranged for preparing a frozen food product in a second cup200, different from the first cup200. The first sub-unit101and the second sub-unit102are arranged in a similar manner and operate independent from each other, such that two cups200of frozen food product can be prepared separate from each other. In alternative embodiments, the device100may comprise only a single sub-unit101,102, or may be provided with more than two of the sub-units101,102. Since the first sub-unit101and the second sub-unit102are arranged in similar manner, the features of the device100will be discussed below only with respect to one of the sub-units101,102.

FIGS. 5A-5Dshow a cup200according to an embodiment of the present disclosure for use with the device100. The cup200comprises a cup wall210which encloses a holding volume201. The holding volume201is arranged for holding the liquid mixture therein, and also for holding the frozen food product therein after the frozen food product has been prepared form the liquid mixture. At the top, the cup200comprises a top opening202via which the holding volume201can be accessed. The cup200may be pre-filled with the liquid mixture, whereby the top opening202is sealed off by one or more sealing elements (not shown), such as a sealing membrane and a lid. The sealing elements can then be taken off the cup200before the cup200is to be used with the device100. The cup200may also be a reusable cup200, which is filled with a liquid mixture from a package pre-filled with liquid mixture or with a self-made liquid mixture right before the cup200is to be used with the device100.

The device100comprises, as can be seen inFIGS. 1A and 1Band shown in more detail inFIGS. 2A and 2B, at its bottom a cup holder300which is arranged for holding the cup200, preferably in a fixed position, while the frozen food product is being prepared in the cup200. Therefore, the device100comprises a cavity310in which the cup200can be received via an entrance opening304.

As can be seen for example inFIG. 2A, the entrance opening304of the cavity310is located in a first upper surface301of the cup holder300. This first upper surface301is formed by a bottom surface301in a recessed area306in a second upper surface305of the cup holder300. In this arrangement the second upper surface305is thus located above the first upper surface301in a height direction H. In alternative embodiments, the cup holder300can also be provided with a single flat first upper surface301. The first upper surface301being located in the recessed area306is however advantageous for containing liquid mixture or frozen food product which is spilled accidentally out of the cup200in the recessed area306, such that it is prevented from further spreading over the device100.

The device100also comprises a cooling unit400, as can be seen inFIGS. 1A and 1Band shown in more detail inFIGS. 2A and 2B. The cooling unit400is arranged for cooling the cavity310of the cup holder300, and more specifically for cooling a cup200received in the cavity310. The cooling unit400should be arranged to provide sufficient cooling for freezing liquid mixture contained in the cup200while preparing a frozen food product from the liquid mixture. The cooling unit400may comprise one or more cooling pipes, which are arranged around the cavity310, and through which a cooling fluid is transported for cooling the cavity310. The cooling unit400may however also be arranged in any other way know to the person skilled in the art for cooling the cavity310of a device100for preparing a frozen food product from a liquid mixture.

The device100also comprises a stirring unit500which is arranged above the cup holder30), as can be seen inFIGS. 1A and 1B. The stirring unit500comprises a stirring element550, which is shown in detail inFIGS. 4A and 4B. The stirring unit500is configured for stirring the liquid mixture in the cup200by said stirring element550for preparing the frozen food product. The stirring element550is removably connectable to the stirring unit500, such that the stirring element550can be taken out of the device100for cleaning.

The stirring unit500comprises a moveable portion501which is moveable along a height direction H between a first position and a second position. In the first position, as shown for first sub-unit101of the device100in Figures IA and1B, the stirring element550is arranged outside of the cup200, such that it is easily accessible for disconnecting it from the stirring unit500for cleaning and for connecting it to the stirring unit500. In the second position, as shown for the second sub-unit102of the device100inFIGS. 1A and 1B, the stirring element550is arranged inside the cup200such that the stirring unit500can stir the liquid mixture in the cup200by the stirring element550for preparing the frozen food product.

The stirring unit500is also provided with a protection screen510, which is shown for both sub-units101,102of the device100inFIG. 1Aand for the second sub-unit inFIG. 1B. InFIG. 1B, the protection screen510has however been omitted for the first sub-unit101of the device100, but only to show the features of the device100located behind the protection screen510. The protection screen510extends downwards from the moveable portion501of the stirring unit500, and moves together with the moveable portion501of the stirring unit500. When the moveable portion501of the stirring unit500is in the second position, the protection screen510closes off an area located above the cup200and between the cup holder300and the moveable portion501of the stirring unit500. This prevents access to the moving stirring element550when the frozen food product is being prepared, which is beneficial for safety. A further safety feature is that, in the second position of the moveable portion501of the stirring unit500, the bottom edge511of the protection screen510supports on the first upper surface301near an edge307of the recessed area306, such that it is difficult to get underneath the protection screen510and lift it up to gain access to the closed off area. The protection screen510is also beneficial for the cleanliness of the device100, since it contains spilled liquid mixture or frozen food product in the closed off area, and prevents it from further spreading over the device100.

The stirring unit500also comprises a drive system520for driving the stirring motion of the stirring element550in the cup200, which drive system520is shown in detail in theFIGS. 3A and 3B. The drive system520comprises a motor (not shown) which is coupled to a first rotation shaft522for rotating the first rotation shaft522. The first rotation shaft522is arranged in the height direction H along a first axis A1, which goes centrally through the cup200when received in the cavity310of the cup holder300. The first rotation shaft522is connected to a secondary rotation shaft523by a planetary gear mechanism524. The secondary rotation shaft523is arranged in the height direction H along a second axis A2, which goes centrally through the stirring element550. The second axis A2is located at a predetermined offset o from the first axis A1. The stirring element550is connected to the second rotation shaft523by a coupling mechanism530. In this configuration, the motor rotating the first rotation shaft522causes the rotation of the stirring element550together with the second axis A2around the first axis A1and simultaneously the rotation of the stirring element550around the second axis A2. In alternative embodiments, other configurations of the drive mechanism may be used for rotating the stirring element550, such as for example a drive mechanism with a single rotation shaft for rotating the stirring element550around a single axis.

The coupling mechanism530for connecting the stirring element550to the second rotation shaft523is provided with a spring539or other biasing element which is arranged for pushing the stirring element550downwards. This spring539causes the stirring element550to be pushed firmly against the cup200when the moveable portion501of the stirring unit500is in the second position, such that there is a good contact between the stirring element550and the cup200for scraping frozen liquid mixture from the cup wall210when frozen food product is being prepared from the liquid mixture in the cup200.

The cup200according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described in further detail. At the inside of the cup200, as shown inFIG. 5D, the cup wall210comprises an inner bottom portion211, a circumferential inner upright portion212, and a circumferential inner transition portion213which extends between the inner bottom portion211and the inner upright portion212and as such connects the inner bottom portion211with the inner upright portion212. At the outside of the cup200, as shown for example inFIG. 5C, the cup wall210similarly comprises an outer bottom portion211, a circumferential outer upright portion212, and a circumferential outer transition portion213. In the cup200shown the outer bottom portion216, the outer upright portion217and the outer transition portion218have the same shape as respectively the inner bottom portion211, the inner upright portion212and the inner transition portion213, apart from the differences relating to the thickness of the cup wall210. In alternative embodiments of the cup200according to the present disclosure, the shape of the outer bottom portion216, the outer upright portion217and the outer transition portion218can however also be different from the shape of respectively the inner bottom portion211, the inner upright portion212and the inner transition portion213. The outer transition portion218may even be omitted, whereby the outer bottom portion216directly connects to the outer upright portion217.

The cup200comprises several improvements with respect to cups for devices for preparing frozen food product from a liquid mixture known from the prior art. These improvements are mostly situated at the inside of the cup200. Therefore, the discussion below will focus on the features of the cup wall210at the inside of the cup200, whereas the features of the cup wall210at the outside of the cup200will only be discussed where necessary.

The inner bottom portion211, the inner upright portion212and the inner transition portion213are cylindrically symmetric around the first axis A1. In this way, the stirring element550can contact the cup wall210at the inside of the cup200, and remain in contact with the cup wall210when the stirring element550is being rotated around the first axis A1for stirring liquid mixture in the cup200. The stirring element550being in contact with the cup wall210at the inside of the cup200is beneficial for scraping frozen liquid mixture from the cup wall200.

The inner bottom portion211is flat, which makes it easy to scoop frozen food product from this part of the cup wall210by a spoon, and which makes provides a simple contact surface for the stirring element to scrape frozen liquid mixture from when preparing the frozen food products. In alternative embodiments of the cup200according to the present disclosure the inner bottom portion211can however also have other shapes. The inner bottom portion has a radius r in the range from 16-26 mm, which is beneficial for providing a cup200for an individual portion of a frozen food product.

The inner transition portion213extends upwards from the inner bottom portion211in the height direction H, and has a radius of curvature R in the height direction H in the range from 15-25 mm. The radius of curvature R may be constant over the entire length of the inner transition portion213in the height direction H, such that the inner transition portion213is a circular arc in the height direction H. The radius of curvature R may however also be variable over the length of the inner transition portion213in the height direction H within the given range. Thereby, the inner transition portion213may for example be a parabolic arc or an elliptic arc in the height direction H. In some embodiments, the inner transition portion213is an elliptic arc which is less curved than a corresponding circular arc extending in the height direction H between the same inner bottom portion211and inner upright portion212. The inner transition portion213having this shape beneficially adapts the curvature of the inner transition portion213to the curvature of the sides of a spoon, which makes it easier to scoop frozen food product from the inner transition portion213by a spoon.

The inner transition portion213extends in transverse or radial directions T, perpendicular to the height direction H, over a first distance d1in the range from 15-25 mm. In the height direction H, the inner transition portion213extends over a second distance d2in the range from 15-25 mm. The inner transition portion213extending over these distances d1, d2beneficially adapts the size of the inner transition portion213to the size of a spoon, which makes it easier to scoop frozen food product from the inner transition portion213by a spoon. The size of the inner bottom portion213is also beneficial for providing a cup200for an individual portion of a frozen food product. In an embodiment of the cup200according to the present disclosure, the second distance d2may be smaller than the first distance d1, in order to get a smooth transition between the inner transition portion213and the inclined inner upright portion212, which will be described in more detail below.

The inner upright portion212is inclined with respect to the height direction H. Thereby, the inner upright portion212inclines outwards in the transverse directions T. The inner upright portion212has with respect to the height direction H an inclination angle α in the range from 1−9°, and preferably an inclination angle α of approximately 5°. The inclination angle α of the inner upright portion212being in this range is beneficial for preventing liquid mixture and frozen food product from spilling out of the cup200when the frozen food product is being prepared in the cup200by the stirring element550stirring the liquid mixture in the cup200.

In the height direction H the inner upright portion212is straight to provide a simple surface to the stirring element550from which the stirring element550can easily scrape frozen food product when the frozen food product is being prepared in the cup200by the stirring element550stirring the liquid mixture in the cup200. In alternative embodiments of the cup200, the inner upright portion212may however also have other shapes in the height direction H with an average inclination angle α in the given range from 1−9°.

The inner upright portion212extends in the height direction H over a third distance d3in the range from 32-42 mm, which beneficially provides in a sufficiently high inner upright portion212that aids in preventing liquid mixture and frozen food product from spilling out of the cup200when the frozen food product is being prepared in the cup200by the stirring element550stirring the liquid mixture in the cup200. The inner upright portion212extending in the height direction over a third distance d3in the given range is also beneficial for providing a cup200for an individual portion of a frozen food product.

For fittingly receiving the cup200, the inner wall311of the cavity310of the cup holder310, as can be seen inFIG. 2A, has a shape corresponding to the shape of the cup wall210at the outside of the cup200, which as discussed above corresponds in this embodiment of the cup200to the shape of the cup wall210at the inside of the cup200apart from the differences relating to the thickness of the cup wall210. Hence, in the inner wall311of the cavity310there can also be distinguished a flat bottom portion312, a circumferential upright portion313and an circumferential transition portion314extending from the bottom portion312to the upright portion313. Thereby, the outer upright portion217of the cup wall210and the upright portion313of the inner wall311of the cavity310being inclined outwards in transverse directions T from the height direction H offers the advantage that the cup200can easily be taken out of the cavity310.

The stirring element550of the embodiment shown is a stirring paddle550, as can be seen in theFIGS. 4A and 4B. The stirring element550is arranged to provide a good contact between with the cup wall210at the inside of the cup200, as can be seen inFIG. 3B, such that the stirring element550is able to scrape frozen liquid mixture from the cup wall210.

The stirring element550, as can be seen inFIG. 4B, is symmetric with respect to the second axis A2which goes centrally through the stirring element550. The stirring element550comprises two edge sides551which are arranged opposite from each other in a transverse direction T perpendicular to the height direction H. Each edge side551comprises a bottom portion552, an upright portion553, and a transition portion554which extends between the bottom portion552and the upright portion553and as such connects the bottom portion552and the upright portion553. In the stirring element550shown both edge sides551share the same bottom portion552. To provide the good contact between the stirring element550and the cup wall210at the inside of the cup200the bottom portion552, the upright portion553and the transition portion554of both edge sides551of the stirring element550are given a shape which corresponds to the shape of respectively the inner bottom portion211, the inner upright portion212and the inner transition portion213of the cup wall210.

The bottom portion552of the edge sides551is flat in correspondence with the flat inner bottom portion211of the cup wall210of the cup200. The bottom portion552of the edges sides551has a width w over which it extends in the transverse direction T. In this embodiment the width w is chosen to be equal to the radius r of the inner bottom portion211of the cup wall210in range from 16-26 mm. With such a width w the bottom portion552of the edge sides551extends from the circumference right up to the centre of the inner bottom portion211of the cup wall210, such that when the stirring element550is rotated around the first axis A1frozen liquid mixture is scraped from the entire inner bottom portion211of the cup wall210by the stirring element550. In this configuration, the edge sides551also come alternatingly in contact with the cup wall210of the cup200when the stirring element500is rotated around the second axis A2.

The transition portion554of the edge sides551of the stirring element550is in the height direction H an elliptic, circular or parabolic arc with a radius of curvature R in the range from 15-25 mm, such as the inner transition portion213of the cup wall210of the cup200. Thereby, the transition portion554of the edge sides551of the stirring element550extends in the transverse direction T and in the height direction H over respectively the same first distance d1and second distance d2in the range from 15-25 mm as the inner transition portion213of the cup wall210of the cup200.

The upright portion553of the edge sides551of the stirring element550is straight in the height direction H, and is inclined outwards in the transverse direction T from the height direction H. Thereby, the upright portion553of the edge sides551of the stirring element have with respect to the height direction H the same inclination angle α in the range from 1−9° as the inner upright portion212of the cup wall210of the cup200. The upright portion553of the edge sides551of the stirring element550extend in the height direction H over a fourth distance d4in the range from 32-42 mm. In some embodiments, the fourth distance d4is equal to the third distance d3over which the inner upright portion212of the cup wall210of the cup200extends in the height direction H. This has the advantage that frozen liquid mixture is scraped from the entire inner upright portion212of the cup wall210by the stirring element550when the stirring element550is rotated around in the cup200. In alternative embodiments, the fourth distance d4may however also be smaller or larger than the third distance d3.

REFERENCES