Abstract:
A mixer for mixing food items and ingredients includes beaters removably attachable to the mixer, and the beaters including arms and mixing blades and extending along and wrapping about the arms and mixing blades of each beater is a heating element, preferably electrical wiring or leads, that is embedded in and covered by a heat conductive material such as ceramic, so that the heating element and the heat conductive material can warm up and bring to room temperature the various food items and ingredients for more efficient and quicker food preparation and processing when the beaters are immersed in or submerged within the items or ingredients and the heating element is actuated for producing heat that conducts through the heat conductive material to the food items and ingredients.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/166,694 filed Jul. 2, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,136,979. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to food processing appliances and devices, and more particularly pertains to a heated mixer having heating and warming elements that are incorporated and integrated with the blades of the mixer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the primary factors and steps in the cooking and baking process for any food ingredient or food item is to make certain that the food ingredient or food item has been brought up to room temperature, and then after it has been brought to room temperature to mix it to obtain the appropriate consistency and texture. Because of their ease of use and ubiquity microwave ovens are the device most commonly used to warm frozen or cold food items to room temperature. However, microwave ovens are not the best or most efficient means to warm frozen or cold food items as they work by heating the food item from the inside out at extremely high temperatures (microwave ovens cause the water molecules in all food items to vibrate at almost 2500 million times a second thereby causing the food item to absorb energy and quickly heat). Because of the very high heat produced by microwave ovens, one must carefully monitor the warming and heating of the food item so that the food item isn&#39;t overheated and ruined. This concern also applies to warming up food ingredients such as mixes, butter, margarine, cream cheese, etc., food ingredients that may come in blocks, sticks, or pads and which require warming and partial softening for use. Thus, a more efficient way to warm up and soften food items and ingredients is desired that considerably shortens to time period of food item warm up and also does not ruin the food item or ingredient by destroying the natural consistency and texture of the food item or ingredient. Thus, the prior art discloses a range of devices that pertain to mixers, and not microwave ovens, for warming and softening food items and food ingredients. 
     For example, the Jensen Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 1,692,270) discloses an apparatus for treating liquids that includes an electrically energized heating element that is carried through a tubular metallic member. 
     The Willat et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 1,845,692) discloses a liquid heating and circulating device for immersion in a liquid such as oil for heating and circulating the liquid that is stored in a vessel not readily adaptable for external heat application. 
     The Galajda, Jr. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,109,913) discloses an electrically heated mixing service that combines a heating function with a mixing function that applies heat from the heating element to the shaft and consequently through the agitator blades of the mixer. The Cairclli Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,819) discloses a combination of food mixer and heater includes both beater elements and separate heating elements extending outwardly from the housing unit. 
     The Cairelli Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,589,834) discloses a helical blade mixer that includes helical intenneshing blades on each shaft and a heating device that is used in conjunction with the helical blades of the mixer. 
     The Duncan et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,384) discloses a hand-held mixing device with a heating element in the form of a coil surrounding the blade of the mixer. Nonetheless, despite the ingenuity of the above devices, there remains a need for a mixer having heated mixing blades that warm and soften foods for enhanced food preparation and cooking. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprehends a heated mixer having electric heating elements wrapped about the mixing blades and protectively coated with a heat conductive material for warming and bringing to room temperature various types of food items and ingredients thereby enhancing the cooking, baking, and food preparation process. 
     Thus, the present invention includes a mixer of any conventional type with the mixer having a body that includes a handle or hand gripping portion for holding the mixer adjacent a bowl, pot, saucepan, etc. At least two beaters are removably attachable to mounting receptacles located on the underside of the mixer, and each beater includes at least two mixing blades. Each beater includes an electrical heating adapter having a pair of electrical contacts projecting therefrom for engaging corresponding electrical contacts located within the mounting receptacle thereby completing a circuit so that heat can be conveyed to the entire beater. The mixing blades of the beaters interleave and overlap each other so that they continuously mIX food items and ingredients during their operation. Also located at the base of each beater is a protective disc against which the individual can place his or her hand when attaching the beaters to the mounting receptacles located on the underside of the mixer. 
     Extending alongside the stem or arm and about the external surface of the mixing blades of each beater is a heating element such as an electrical lead or wiring. The heating element is electrically connected to the respective electrical contacts of the electric heating adapter at the base of each beater. The external surface of the beaters is covered or coated with a readily heat conductive material such as a ceramic coating thereby completely covering the heating element. To provide for a more specific warming and heating of any food item or ingredient, the mixer can include a three position-heating switch that includes a low heat position, a medium heat position, and a high heat position. An electrical converter within the mixer regulates the amperage/voltage to the electrical heating adapter and thence to the heating elements thereby preventing the mixer from overheating and also preventing a drain on power that would inhibit the proper operation of the beaters. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a mixer that allows heat in a controlled manner to conduct to the mixing blades of each beater for warming up cold foods. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a mixer that includes heated mixing blades for warming cold food to room temperature in minutes instead of hours. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a mixer with heated beaters that significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to prepare the key ingredients of a dish or meal before baking. 
     It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a mixer that is ideal for warming up and softening such food items as butter, margarine, cream cheese, and solid chocolate. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mixer that provides an alternative to microwave heating wherein the heated mixing blades of the beaters do not cook the food item from the inside out which alters the texture and consistency of the food item and oftentimes ruins the texture and taste of the food item. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mixer with heated beaters that don&#39;t cook the food items and food ingredients but gradually warm and soften the food items and food ingredients thereby producing a smooth and creamy texture. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a mixer with heated beaters for making the baking process easier and more convenient and ultimately saving the individual valuable time in today&#39;s hurried world. 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a perusal of the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the mixer having heated beaters of the present invention illustrating the heating elements wrapped about the mixing blades of the mixer; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a sectioned elevational view of the mixer having heated beaters of the present invention illustrating the features of one individual mixing beater including the heating elements extending about the mixing blades and which are coated and covered with a ceramic coating; 
         FIG. 2   b  is an enlarged sectioned view of the mixer having heated beaters of the present invention illustrating the disposition of the heating element about the mixing blade and the heating element embedded within and covered by the ceramic coating; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the mixer beaters having all blades of the beaters heated and also illustrating the electrical contacts at the base of the beaters; 
         FIG. 4  is an electrical schematic of the mixer having heated beaters of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is an electrical schematic of the mixer having all blades of the beaters heated; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a second embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 5B  is a schematic depiction of one method of manufacturing the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4  is a mixer  10  that includes heating and warming elements for warming all types of food items and ingredients that are cold and which need to be brought to room temperature in a relatively short time period (minutes in contrast to the hours it would take if the food items and ingredients are allowed to warmup on their own). Warming elements  38  of the present invention are incorporated with beaters  20  of mixer  10  for accelerating the food preparation and processing time, and do not adversely affect the quality (texture, taste, consistency) of the food items or ingredients as often occurs when warming and heating food items in the microwave. 
     Thus, shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4  is standard mixer  10  that includes a body portion  12 , an electrical plug  52 , an on/off switch  48 , and a multi-position speed control switch  46  (shown in the schematic  FIGS. 4 and 4A ). A power source such as a motor  14  is encased within body of mixer  10 , and mixer  10  includes an underside  16  having at least two protrusions  18 . A pair of beaters  20  is removably attachable to respective mounting receptacles  19  located on protrusions  18 . Each beater  20  includes a base  22 , a stem or arm  24  and at least one pair of mixing blades  26  that are disposed at an angle usually equal to or less than 90° to each other. Each mixing blade  26  includes an inner end  28  and an opposite distal end  30 . When mixing and processing food items and products most of the surface area of blades  26  are submerged or immersed in the food item or product. Located at base  22  is a protective disc  32  that the individual can push against when mounting beaters  20  to mounting receptacles  19  of protrusions  18 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  3 , each beater  20  includes an electric heating adapter  34  for regulating electric current, and protruding from electric heating adapter  34  is a pair of electrical contacts  36  (positive and negative). Electrical contacts  36  engage contacts located within mounting receptacles  19  of protrusions  18  of mixer  10  when beaters  20  are attached to mixer  10  for completing an electrical circuit so that heat can be conveyed and distributed to arms  24  and mixing blades  26  of beaters  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 2   b , mixer  10  includes a warming element  38  that runs along arms  24  and mixing blades  26  of each beater  20  and essentially wraps about arms  24  and mixing blades  26  in a cylindrical or coiled manner. Warming element  38  of the preferred embodiment is an electrical lead or wiring, and a second lead or wiring can also extend and wrap about arm  24  and mixing blades  26  of each beater  20 . Warming elements  38  are electrically connected to electrical contacts  36  via the electric warming adapter  34  located at base  22  of each beater  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  in another embodiment, mixer  10  includes warming elements  38  and  39 , where element  38  runs along arm  24  and along oppositely disposed mixing blades  26  of each beater  20 , and warming element  39  runs along the second pair of oppositely disposed mixing blades  26  of each beater  20 , thereby essentially wrapping around all arms  24  and mixing blades  26  in a coiled manner. 
     In order to protect warming elements  38 , and to more efficiently distribute or convey heat therefrom to whatever food item or food ingredient the mixing blades  26  are immersed in, heating element  38  is embedded within, coated and covered by a heat conductive coating  40  which may be a dipped insulation material or a ceramic coating material. In the preferred embodiment dipping material nylon  11  powder coating is used for heat conductive coating  40 . Heat conductive coating  40  adheres to external surfaces of mixing blades  26  to produce a long lasting, chip and peel resistant coating or covering. 
     Heat conductive coating  40  must be able to tolerate and readily conduct heat as well as to completely cover warming elements  38  so that warming elements  38  are not exposed which would cause a safety problem and hazard. In one representative method of manufacture, warming elements  38  are wrapped about arms  24  and mixing blades  26  and then beaters  20  are completely submerged in and by the nylon, ceramic or other coating material up to the area adjacent base  22  and disc  32 . 
       FIG. 1  shows warming elements  38  as exposed and extending about arms  24  and mixing blades  26  of both beaters  20 , and  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  show warming elements  38  extending about arms  24  and mixing blades  26  and covered by the heat conductive coating  40 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a representative electrical schematic  42  for warming elements  38  that extend about arms  24  and blades  26  of beaters  20 . A power converter  44  is interconnected to the prime mover—motor  14 —of mixer  10  for regulating amperage/voltage to electric heating adapter  34  and thence to warming elements  38 . In addition, mixer  10  can include a multi-position speed control switch  46 , such as a three position switch, for more specific heat control. Multi-position speed control switch  46  can be mounted on housing or casing of mixer  10  and interconnected to motor  14  and conventional circuitry of electric mixer  10 . Thus, multi-position speed control switch  46  can include settings for low heat, medium heat, and high heat for more specific heat regulation and production dependent on the type and quantity of the food item or ingredient being warmed. Multi-position switch  46  will also better accommodate variable warming and heating times for different varieties of food items and ingredients. 
     A second embodiment is depicted in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  generally at  20 ′. The coating  40  in the first embodiment will be selected for its durability in order to provide the longest useful life for beater  20  possible. However, it is the nature of coatings to chip and crack thereby limiting the length of time the beater  20  can be used. Further, the thickness of the coating will necessarily impede the amount of heat which may be delivered to the food being mixed. In this second embodiment the beater  20 ′ has one or more pairs of mixing blades  26 ′ (one being shown) which are formed from a tubular member  27 ′ with the heating element  38 ′ running through the inner portion of the flattened tube. By way of example, the heating element  38 ′ may take the form of ni-chrome resistance wire or flat ribbon. In either case, the heating element  38 ′ will be electrically insulated from the metallic tubular member  27 ′. The ends of the blades  26 ′ are attached, as by tack welding, for example, to arm  24 ′ and a non-conducting, protective sleeve  49 ′ provided for the portion of the arm  24 ′ and heating element  38 ′ which extend upwardly toward the base of the mixer  10 . By way of example,  FIG. 5B  depicts the tubular member  27 ′ being formed by running the heating element  38 ′ through the tubular member  27 ′ and being flattened by one or more rollers. While the profile of the resulting mixing blade  26 ′ is shown as being flat, it will be appreciated that any desired profile can be imparted during this process. Further, although the tubular member  27 ′ is recited as being metallic, it will be appreciated that certain plastic or hybrid materials could be utilized as well. This design provides a more robust, longer lasting beater  20 ′ as well as permitting a larger amount of heat to be imparted to the ingredients being mixed. The multi-position switch  46  employed in the first embodiment  20  may also be utilized with beater  20 ′ and may include a separate button to allow the user to vary both the rate of rotation and the rate at which heat is imparted to the ingredients, separately. Additional alternatives to the disclosed embodiments would include a laminated metal design sandwiching the electrical conductor and a heat-conductive plastic outer member which remains rigid when heated up to the highest operating temperature of the device. 
     The present invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, and numerous modifications, alterations, and variations will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the specification, and it is intended that all such modifications, alterations, and variations will be included in so far as they come within the scope of the claims or equivalents thereof.