Patent Description:
In particular, the invention relates to a stand mixer with a "planetary" movement.

Stand mixers of this type, indeed, are provided with different fittings, which expand the functions of the stand mixer itself beyond the simple mixing action. An example of a stand mixer of this type is disclosed in <CIT>.

The attention of manufacturers is focused on providing fittings that are easy to be used and, at the same time, ensure satisfying results from the functional point of view.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide stand mixer comprising an ice cream maker fitting, which is functional and efficient and, at the same time, is simple to be manufactured and easy to be used.

According to this object, the invention relates to a stand mixer, which is capable of creating ice cream in a simple and effective manner, ensuring a high-quality result.

In accordance with this object, the invention relates to a stand mixer according to claim <NUM>.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be best understood upon perusal of the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:.

In <FIG>, reference number <NUM> indicates a stand mixer. The stand mixer <NUM> is commonly designed to stand on a table.

The stand mixer <NUM> basically is a home appliance provided with a base <NUM>, an upright <NUM> vertically projecting from the base <NUM>, a main body <NUM> hinged to the vertical upright <NUM>, at least one motor (not visible in the accompanying figures) and at least one bowl <NUM>.

The base <NUM> is provided with a seat <NUM>, which is designed to be selectively engaged by the bowl <NUM>.

The base <NUM> and the bowl <NUM> are preferably configured so as to form a firm coupling, for example a bayonet coupling.

According to a variant which is not shown herein, the bowl <NUM> can be fixed to the upright <NUM>, for example by means of one or more arms.

The main body <NUM> extends around an axis A and is hinged to the upright <NUM> so as to be movable between an operating position and a non-operating position.

In the operating position, the axis A of the main body <NUM> is substantially orthogonal to the vertical axis. In other words, the axis A of the main body is horizontal.

In the non-operating position, the main body <NUM> is raised relative to the operating position. In the non-operating position, the axis A of the main body is transverse to the vertical axis, but not orthogonal thereto.

The motor (which is not shown in the accompanying figures for the sake of simplicity) is preferably housed in the main body <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> also houses, on the inside, a gear (also not visible in the figures), which is configured to transform the rotary motion of the shaft of the motor (not visible) into a planetary motion of an attack pin <NUM>, which is provided with a free portion <NUM> projecting out of the main body <NUM>.

The free portion <NUM> of the attack pin <NUM> is configured to be coupled, in use, to a respective tool (not shown in the accompanying figures).

The tool generally is a kneading tool, such as for example a whisker or a dough hook, etc..

In the operating position, the free portion <NUM> of the attack pin <NUM> always faces the inside of the bowl <NUM> during the entire planetary movement. In this way, the tool, in use, is housed inside the bowl <NUM>.

In detail, the gear is configured to rotate a cap <NUM> of the main body <NUM> around a first rotation axis O1 and to rotate the attack pin <NUM> around a further rotation axis O2. The attack pin <NUM> is fixed to the rotating cap <NUM>. The first rotation axis O1 and the second rotation axis O2 are parallel.

The direction of rotation of the cap <NUM> around the first rotation axis preferably is contrary to the direction of rotation of the attack pin <NUM> around the second axis O2. In this way, in use, the action of the tool inside the bowl <NUM> is optimized.

Basically, thanks to the gear, the attack pin <NUM> carries out a planetary movement, since it makes a rotation movement around its own axis (O2) and, at the same time, a rotation movement around another parallel axis (O1).

The bowl <NUM> extends around an axis B and defines a processing chamber <NUM>. In detail, the bowl <NUM> has a bottom wall <NUM> and a side wall <NUM>. The bottom wall <NUM> and the side wall <NUM> are preferably manufactured as one single piece.

The bottom wall <NUM> defines an inner bottom face (not visible in the accompanying figures), which faces the processing chamber <NUM>, and an outer bottom wall (not visible in the accompanying figures), which is preferably coupled to the base <NUM>.

The inner bottom wall preferably has substantially a semi-spherical shape.

The side wall <NUM> defines an inner side face <NUM>, which faces the processing chamber <NUM>, and an outer side face <NUM>, which is provided with a handle <NUM>.

The bowl <NUM>, when it is coupled to the base, is preferably centred relative to the rotation axis O1. In other words, when the bowl is coupled to the base, the axis B coincides with the axis O1.

<FIG> shows a first ice cream maker fitting <NUM> of an ice cream maker kit <NUM>.

The ice cream maker kit <NUM> further comprises a second fitting <NUM> (shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) and a blade for processing the ingredients <NUM> (visible in <FIG>, <FIG>).

The first fitting <NUM> comprises a double wall vessel <NUM> and a fixing system <NUM> configured to fix the double wall vessel <NUM> to the bowl <NUM> of the stand mixer <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the double wall vessel <NUM> extends around an axis C and comprises an outer wall <NUM> and an inner wall <NUM>, which are coupled so as to define, between the outer wall <NUM> and the inner wall <NUM>, a sealed space <NUM>, wherein a refrigerant liquid <NUM> is arranged.

The refrigerant liquid <NUM> preferably is a mixture of water and sodium chloride. The concentration of said sodium chloride preferably ranges from <NUM>% to <NUM>% and preferably is equal to <NUM>%.

The inner wall <NUM> is preferably configured to define a chamber <NUM> with a substantially cylindrical shape.

The inner wall <NUM> preferably is at least partially coated with a metal material so as to enhance the transmission of heat as well as the cooling of the ingredients arranged in the chamber <NUM> of the double wall vessel <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the double wall vessel <NUM> is at least partly housed, in use, inside the processing chamber <NUM> of the bowl <NUM> and is provided with a plurality of support pins <NUM>, which are configured so as to rest against the inner bottom wall of the bowl <NUM>. The support pins <NUM> are preferably made of a non-slip material.

In use, the double wall vessel <NUM> has to be left in a freezer for an amount of time of at least <NUM> hours, so that the refrigerant liquid freezes. After having been frozen, the refrigerant liquid can preserve a desired temperature (for example approximately -<NUM>) for an amount of time of at least <NUM> hours. This allows for a reduction of the temperature of the ingredients, so that they thicken during the mixing.

The fixing system <NUM> comprises an annular element <NUM> extending around an axis D and provided with an inner edge <NUM> and with an outer edge <NUM>. The inner edge <NUM> is coupled to the double wall vessel <NUM> and the outer edge <NUM> is coupled to the bowl <NUM> of the stand mixer <NUM>.

The inner edge <NUM> is preferably coupled to the double wall vessel <NUM> by means of a bayonet coupling system.

In the non-limiting example described and shown herein, the double wall vessel <NUM> is provided with two male bayonet components <NUM>, which project from the double wall vessel <NUM>, substantially close to a peripheral edge <NUM> of the container <NUM>, so as to engage two respective female bayonet components <NUM> (only one of them being visible in <FIG>) of the inner edge <NUM> of the annular element <NUM>. The male bayonet components <NUM> preferably are two teeth, which project from the inner wall <NUM>, close to the peripheral edge <NUM> of the double wall vessel <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the female bayonet components <NUM> are two grooves (only one of them being visible in <FIG>) made in an annular wall <NUM> axially projecting from the inner edge <NUM> of the annular element <NUM>.

The outer edge <NUM> of the annular element <NUM> is coupled to the bowl <NUM> by means of an anti-rotation device <NUM>. The anti-rotation device <NUM> is configured to prevent the double wall vessel <NUM> and the bowl <NUM> from rotating relative to one another.

In the non-limiting example shown herein, the anti-rotation device <NUM> comprises a fixing element <NUM>, which can be coupled to the handle <NUM> of the bowl <NUM>.

In particular, the fixing element <NUM> comprises a tongue <NUM>, which axially projects from the outer edge <NUM> of the annular element <NUM> towards the bowl <NUM>, so as to cooperate with at least a portion of the handle <NUM>. The tongue <NUM> is preferably provided with an open seat <NUM>, which is configured to house, in use, a portion of the handle <NUM> of the bowl <NUM> of the stand mixer <NUM>, so as to lock rotary movements of the annular element <NUM> relative to the bowl <NUM>. <FIG> shows the handle <NUM> engaging the seat <NUM>.

In other words, the seat <NUM> is a recess of the tongue <NUM> having an axial length that is such as to house a portion of the handle <NUM> that is sufficient to avoid the relative rotary movement between the annular element <NUM> and the bowl <NUM>.

The tongue <NUM> basically acts like a fork which, coupled to the handle <NUM> of the bowl <NUM>, prevents the double wall vessel <NUM> from freely rotating during the operation of the stand mixer <NUM>.

According to a variant which is not shown herein, the outer edge of the annular element <NUM> is provided with one or more locking elements configured to fix the annular element <NUM> to the edge of the bowl <NUM>.

Advantageously, the annular element <NUM> makes sure that the double wall vessel <NUM> is centred relative to the bowl <NUM>. In other words, the axis C of the double wall vessel <NUM> coincides with the axis B of the bowl <NUM>.

The annular element <NUM> is preferably provided with a slide <NUM> provided with a sliding plane <NUM>.

The slide <NUM> is coupled to the annular element <NUM> so that the sliding plane <NUM> of the slide <NUM> is connected to the inner edge <NUM> of the annular element <NUM> without gaps.

The slide <NUM>, in use, helps ice cream ingredients be introduced into the double wall vessel <NUM> even when the motor is active.

<FIG> and <FIG> show the second ice cream maker fitting <NUM> and the ingredient processing blade <NUM> of the ice cream maker kit <NUM>.

The second ice cream maker fitting <NUM> comprises an adapter element <NUM>, which is configured to cause a rotation of the ingredient processing blade <NUM> coupled to it around a rotation axis O3. The rotation axis O3 preferably coincides with the rotation axis O1.

In other words, the adapter element <NUM> is configured to obtain a rotary motion of the ingredient processing blade <NUM> around one single axis, preferably the same rotation axis O1 as the cap <NUM>.

The adapter element <NUM> is coupled to the movable cap <NUM> of the main body <NUM>.

The coupling between the adapter element <NUM> and the movable cap <NUM> preferably is a magnetic coupling.

The adapter element <NUM> preferably comprises a magnet <NUM> and the cap <NUM> (or the main body <NUM>) comprises at least one metallic element (not visible in the accompanying figures) capable of attracting the magnet <NUM>. The movable cap <NUM> preferably comprises an element made of cast iron (not visible in the accompanying figures).

The adapter element <NUM> comprises a plate <NUM> provided with an inner face <NUM> (better visible in <FIG>), which is designed to be coupled to the cap <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, and with an outer face <NUM> (better visible in <FIG>), which is designed to face, in use, the double wall container <NUM>.

Along the outer face <NUM>, the adapter element <NUM> is provided with a coupling element <NUM>, which is configured to be coupled to the ingredient processing blade <NUM>.

The coupling element <NUM> preferably is a pin projecting from the outer face <NUM>, substantially orthogonally to the outer face <NUM>.

The pin <NUM> is preferably arranged so as to be coaxial to the rotation axis O1 of the cap <NUM> of the main body <NUM>.

The pin <NUM> is preferably shaped so as to be easily coupled to the ingredient processing blade <NUM>. In particular, the shape of the pin <NUM> facilitates the self-centring of the pin <NUM> itself in a respective seat <NUM> made in a shaft <NUM> of the ingredient processing blade <NUM>.

According to a variant which is not shown herein, the ingredient processing blade <NUM> is provided with a pin engaging a respective seat obtained in the adapter element <NUM>.

The pin <NUM> is preferably manufactured as one single piece together with the plate <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the pin <NUM> has a cylindrical end portion <NUM> and a toothed portion <NUM>, which is provided with teeth <NUM> with oblique sides and is contiguous to the cylindrical end portion <NUM>.

The toothed portion <NUM> has a substantially truncated cone shaped part <NUM> and a substantially cylindrical part <NUM>. The truncated cone shaped part <NUM> is placed in contact with the end portion <NUM> and has a diameter that increases starting from the end portion <NUM> up to the cylindrical part <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the seat <NUM> in the shaft <NUM> of the ingredient processing blade <NUM> is defined by a wall <NUM> provided with an inner face <NUM> provided with grooves <NUM> with oblique sides, which are complementary to the teeth <NUM> of the toothed portion <NUM> of the pin <NUM>.

The plate <NUM> further has a through hole <NUM>, which is placed so as to be engaged by the attack pin <NUM> when the adapter element <NUM> is coupled to the cap <NUM> of the main body <NUM>.

The adapter element <NUM> is preferably provided with a covering element <NUM> in the area of the through hole <NUM>, which is configured to cover the attack pin <NUM>. The covering element <NUM> is preferably defined by a hollow body, which extends around the through hole <NUM> and protrudes from the outer face <NUM> of the plate <NUM>. In this way the attack pin <NUM> is protected from possible squirts during the operation of the stand mixer <NUM> provided with the ice cream maker kit <NUM>. The covering element <NUM> preferably has an end portion with the shape of a truncated cone.

The covering element <NUM> is preferably manufactured as one single piece together with the plate <NUM>.

The covering element <NUM> faces the pin <NUM>. In the non-limiting example described and shown herein, the covering element <NUM> and the pin <NUM> project from a bulge <NUM> of the outer face <NUM>, which corresponds to a recess <NUM> of the inner face <NUM>. The recess <NUM> houses, in use, a respective protrusion <NUM> of the cap <NUM>.

The magnet <NUM> is preferably housed in a respective cavity <NUM> of the inner face <NUM> corresponding to a protrusion <NUM> of the outer face <NUM> of the plate <NUM>.

The ingredient processing blade <NUM> is provided with a shaft <NUM> extending along a longitudinal axis E and with at least one processing element <NUM>.

In use, the blade <NUM> is arranged in the double wall vessel <NUM> and is coupled to the pin <NUM>.

When the motor of the stand mixer <NUM> is activated, the blade <NUM> rotates around the rotation axis O3 of the pin <NUM>.

The processing element <NUM> is preferably configured to carry out a combined mixing-lifting-air incorporating action during the rotation of the blade <NUM>.

In particular, the mixing element <NUM> comprises a substantially U-shaped plate <NUM>, which is provided with a base <NUM> and with two arms 83a, 83b, which substantially extend parallel to the shaft <NUM>. An arm 83a has a corrugated outer edge <NUM>. The other arm 83b has an outer edge <NUM>, which is shaped so as to substantially scrape a portion of the inner wall <NUM> of the double wall vessel <NUM>.

The arms 83a, 83b preferably extend parallel to the axis E and the base <NUM> is orthogonal to the axis E.

The mixing element <NUM> is preferably also provided with a joining element <NUM>, which connects the free end of the arm 83b to the base of the arm 83a. The joining element <NUM> preferably intercepts the shaft <NUM>.

According to a variant which is not shown herein, the joining element <NUM> connects the free end of the arm 83a to the base of the arm 83b.

The mixing element <NUM> is preferably also provided with two wings <NUM>, which extend from opposite faces of the base <NUM> of the plate <NUM> orthogonally to the base <NUM>. The wings are preferably inclined relative to the axis E of the blade <NUM> and are symmetrical relative to the axis E.

In the non-limiting example described and shown herein, the wings <NUM> have a flat edge <NUM>, which is designed to be placed in contact with the bottom of the double wall vessel <NUM> and, a rounded edge <NUM>.

The wings <NUM>, in use, allow the blade <NUM> to firmly rest against the bottom of the double wall vessel <NUM> and, at the same time, help make the mixing-lifting-air incorporating action taking place during the rotation of the blade <NUM> effective.

<FIG> shows a stand mixer <NUM> where an ice cream maker kit <NUM> is mounted.

The installation entails coupling the ice cream maker fitting <NUM> to the bowl <NUM> of the stand mixer <NUM> and fixing the bowl <NUM> to the base <NUM> of the stand mixer. The ice cream maker fitting <NUM> must be coupled to the bowl <NUM> after the double wall vessel <NUM> has been sufficiently cooled (for example has been left in a freezer for at least <NUM> hours).

Furthermore, the ice cream maker fitting <NUM> has to be coupled to the cap <NUM> of the main body <NUM> when the main body <NUM> is in the non-operating position. This last phase can be carried out both before the coupling of the fitting <NUM> to the bowl <NUM> and after.

Subsequently, the blade <NUM> is placed so as to rest against the bottom of the double wall vessel <NUM> of the stand mixer <NUM> and the main body <NUM> is then moved to the operating position. When moving from the non-operating position to the operating position, the pin <NUM> engages the seat <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> of the blade <NUM>, thus self-centring the blade <NUM> relative to the pin <NUM>.

The controlled activation of the motor (for example through the knob <NUM> of the main body <NUM>) determines the rotation of the blade <NUM>.

Advantageously, the ice cream maker kit <NUM> is simple to be installed and ensures the production of high-quality ice cream.

In particular, the ice cream maker fitting <NUM> allows the bowl <NUM> that comes with the stand mixer <NUM> to be exploited for the production of ice cream, without requiring dedicated systems for the coupling to the base <NUM> and without jeopardizing the final appearance of the stand mixer <NUM>.

The ice cream maker fitting <NUM> allows the blade <NUM> to be operated in a stable and safe manner. The coupling to the main body <NUM> is simple and effective and, again, the final appearance of the stand mixer <NUM> is not jeopardized.

Claim 1:
Stand mixer comprising a main body (<NUM>), provided with a mobile element (<NUM>) rotating about a first rotation axis (O1), and at least one ice cream maker fitting (<NUM>); the stand mixer comprising a base (<NUM>); an upright (<NUM>) which protrudes vertically from the base (<NUM>), to which the main body (<NUM>) is hinged; at least one motor; and at least one gear coupled to the shaft of the motor and configured to rotate the mobile element (<NUM>) of the main body (<NUM>) about the first rotation axis (O1) and to rotate an attack pin (<NUM>) about a second rotation axis (O2); the attack pin (<NUM>) being fixed to the rotating element (<NUM>); the first rotation axis (O1) and the second rotation axis (O2) being parallel;
the fitting (<NUM>) comprising at least one adapter element (<NUM>), which is provided with a coupling element (<NUM>) configured to be coupled to a blade (<NUM>) for processing ingredients; wherein the adapter element is configured to cause a rotation of the blade (<NUM>) about a third rotation axis (O3) and is provided with a through hole (<NUM>) arranged so as to be engaged by the attack pin (<NUM>) of the stand mixer when the adapter element (<NUM>) is coupled to the mobile element (<NUM>) of the main body (<NUM>) of the stand mixer; the third rotation axis (O3) and the first rotation axis (O1) being coincident; the adapter element (<NUM>) comprises a plate (<NUM>) provided with an inner face (<NUM>) and with an outer face (<NUM>); wherein the inner face (<NUM>) is coupled to the mobile element (<NUM>) by a magnetic coupling and the outer face (<NUM>) is provided with the coupling element (<NUM>).