Patent Description:
In the field of iced food products, in particular in the ice cream trade, a need that is felt particularly strongly by shopkeepers is that for a method and a machine allowing a user to make ice creams with products purchased directly in the shop.

This need necessarily involves making small portions of ice cream, that is, single portions, with the base products used by the users. Document <CIT> shows a method for making ice cream which comprises the following steps, performed in the following order: heating the side walls of the processing container to a preset preheating temperature; placing a basic ice cream mixture in the processing chamber after the step of heating the side walls of the processing container to a preset preheating temperature; deactivating any infectious agents which may be present in the basic mixture by activating the thermal treatment system in heating mode for a predetermined time in order to pasteurize the basic mixture inside the processing chamber; keeping the basic mixture, previously subjected to the thermal treatment inside the processing chamber, for a predetermined hold time.

Document <CIT> shows a machine for making liquid and/or semi-liquid products of the ice cream sector which comprises: a processing container forming a processing chamber for making an ice cream product; a stirrer mounted inside the processing chamber; a cooling system equipped with at least one heat exchanger associated with the processing container, for exchanging heat with the container and cooling the processing container; a unit for receiving and treating a capsule containing a basic preparation for an ice cream product, configured to allow the capsule to be compressed in such a way so as to deform lateral walls of the capsule and to squeeze the basic preparation out of the capsule and transfer it to the processing container.

Document <CIT> shows a machine for making liquid and/or semi-liquid products of the ice cream sector comprises a processing container forming a processing chamber for making an ice cream product; a stirrer mounted inside the processing chamber; a cooling system equipped with at least one heat exchanger associated with the processing container, for exchanging heat with the container and cooling the processing container; a unit for receiving and treating a capsule containing a basic preparation for an ice cream product, configured to allow the capsule to be compressed in such a way so as to deform lateral walls of the capsule and to squeeze the basic preparation out of the capsule and transfer it to the processing container; a device for injecting a dilution liquid, associated with the processing container, for injecting the dilution liquid into the processing container.

Document <CIT> shows a machine for making liquid and/or semi-liquid products for the ice cream, pastry or catering trade, comprising: a processing container forming a processing chamber for making an ice cream product; a stirrer mounted inside the processing chamber; a thermal treatment system provided with at least one heat exchanger associated with the processing container, for exchanging heat with the container; a feed unit comprising a container containing a basic preparation for an ice cream, pastry or catering product, and a pressurized gaseous fluid injection device configured to inject the gaseous fluid into the container in such a way as to cause the basic preparation to be expelled from the container and transferred to the processing container; a diluting liquid injection device for delivering a diluting liquid.

Document <CIT> shows an ice cream machine for making ice cream, comprising: a processing container forming a processing chamber for making an ice cream-type product; a stirrer mounted inside the processing chamber; a cooling system, provided with at least one heat exchanger associated with the processing container, for exchanging heat therewith; a device for receiving and housing a capsule containing a basic preparation; a device for transferring the basic preparation from the capsule to the processing container; a device for injecting a dilution liquid, associated with the receiving and housing device or with the device for transferring the preparation or with the processing container; dispensing means, connected to the processing chamber for delivering the ice cream-type product to the outside.

Document <CIT> shows a method and a system for cleaning a machine for making liquid and/or semi-liquid food products for the ice cream, pastry or catering trade, wherein the machine is fed with a capsule containing a preparation for cleaning the machine, after which a cycle for cleaning the machine is started.

This invention therefore has for an aim to provide a method and a machine for making ice-cream, capable of making an ice-cream in reduced quantities - single portions, for example - based on the products chosen directly by the user.

A further aim of this invention, is to provide a method and a machine for making ice-cream in reduced quantities and which are simple to use and safe in terms of food hygiene.

A yet further aim of this invention is to provide a method and a machine for making ice-cream in reduced quantities and in a very limited space of time.

According to the invention, these aims are achieved by a method and a machine for making ice-cream and comprising the technical features set out in one or more of the appended claims.

The features of the invention, with reference to the above aims, are clearly described in the appended claims and its advantages are more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred, non-limiting example embodiments of it.

With reference to <FIG>, the numeral <NUM> denotes a machine for making ice cream.

Preferably, by semi-liquid food products is meant products in a form whose consistency is between liquid and solid.

The products are iced: that is to say, subjected to a cooling process (preferably to temperatures below <NUM> and, still more preferably, to temperatures below -<NUM>).

The machine <NUM> is adapted to make finished ice cream.

According to the invention, the machine <NUM> for making ice-cream, comprises:.

The processing chamber <NUM> preferably has a cylindrical geometry. According to one aspect, the processing chamber <NUM> has an axis of symmetry.

Preferably, the processing chamber <NUM> has a vertical axis of symmetry, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings).

In embodiments not illustrated, the processing chamber <NUM> has a horizontal axis of symmetry.

According to an aspect, the thermal treatment means <NUM> comprise a thermodynamic system adapted to run a thermodynamic cycle. According to another aspect, the thermodynamic system comprises a compressor, a pressure reducing element, a first exchanger and a second exchanger <NUM> (associated with the processing chamber <NUM>). Preferably, the second exchanger <NUM>, associated with the processing chamber <NUM>, is defined by a coil wound around the walls of the chamber itself.

Preferably, the thermodynamic system preferably comprises a circuit containing a heat exchanger fluid.

Preferably, the circuit runs through the compressor, the pressure reducing element, the first exchanger and the second exchanger <NUM>. Preferably, the thermal treatment means <NUM> are configured to absorb heat through the walls of the processing chamber <NUM>; that is to say, to absorb heat from the product being processed in the processing chamber <NUM>.

Preferably, the machine <NUM> comprises un actuator <NUM>, configured to set the stirrer <NUM> in rotation.

According to one aspect, the actuator <NUM> is an electric motor.

The stirrer <NUM> preferably comprises a plurality of radial blades <NUM> adapted to touch the inside wall of the processing chamber <NUM>.

The radial blades <NUM> are configured to scrape the inside wall of the processing chamber <NUM> as the stirrer <NUM> rotates.

In an embodiment, illustrated in <FIG>, the receptacle <NUM> is formed in a drawer <NUM> which is movable relative to the frame <NUM> of the machine <NUM>.

The drawer <NUM> is preferably movable between a charging position P1 and a discharging position P2 (preferably along a predetermined direction X).

At the charging position P1, the user pours the contents of the container <NUM> (that is, the liquid base product) into the receptacle <NUM>.

In an embodiment, illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, which is not part of the invention, the contents of the receptacle <NUM> are discharged into the processing chamber <NUM> (only) at the discharging position P2. Preferably, in this embodiment, the machine <NUM> comprises a valve <NUM> which can be opened and closed to allow the contents of the receptacle <NUM> (the liquid base product) to be, respectively, discharged from and held within the receptacle <NUM>.

In another embodiment, illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the receiving receptacle <NUM> is structured like a feed hopper 2C which rotates about an axis of rotation Y between a charging position P3 and a discharging position P4.

Preferably, in this embodiment, the receptacle <NUM> is in communication with the processing chamber <NUM> (for example by means of a pipe) at least at the discharging position P4 to release its contents (the liquid base product), which had previously been poured into the receptacle <NUM> itself.

Preferably, at the charging position P3, the receptacle <NUM> and the processing chamber <NUM> do not communicate, so as to allow the liquid base product poured into the receptacle <NUM> to be held therein. According to another aspect, the machine <NUM> comprises an (electronic) drive and control unit <NUM>.

Preferably, according to another aspect, the machine <NUM> comprises a sensor S (of any kind but preferably an optical sensor) configured to detect the position of the receptacle <NUM>.

Preferably, the sensor S is operatively connected to the (electronic) drive and control unit <NUM>. According to this aspect, the drive and control unit <NUM> instructs the valve <NUM> to open / close to allow the contents of the receptacle <NUM> (the liquid base product) to be, respectively, discharged from and held within the receptacle <NUM>.

According to a first aspect, the (electronic) drive and control unit <NUM> is operatively connected to the actuator <NUM> of the stirrer <NUM> to drive it. According to a second aspect, the (electronic) drive and control unit <NUM> is operatively connected to the valve <NUM> to instruct it to open / close.

According to a third aspect, the (electronic) drive and control unit <NUM> is operatively connected to the thermal treatment means <NUM> to control them (e.g. to switch them on or off or to regulate them).

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the machine <NUM> comprises a pipe <NUM> which connects the receptacle <NUM> to the processing chamber <NUM>.

Preferably, the pipe <NUM> is a flexible hose pipe or comprises a flexible portion.

According to another aspect, common to both of the embodiments, the machine <NUM> comprises a dispenser <NUM>.

Preferably, the dispenser <NUM> is controlled (instructed to open / close) by the drive and control unit <NUM>.

According to the invention, the machine <NUM> comprises a support <NUM> for a container <NUM> of the ice cream food product.

Preferably, according to another aspect, the machine <NUM> comprises movement means <NUM> for moving the support <NUM>.

According to another aspect, the (electronic) drive and control unit <NUM> is operatively connected to the movement means <NUM> for moving the support <NUM> to control them (e.g. to switch them on or off or to regulate them).

According to another aspect, the movement means <NUM> are configured to move the support <NUM> along a predetermined vertical direction. According to another aspect, the movement means <NUM> are configured to rotate the support <NUM> about a vertical axis.

It should be noted that the (electronic) drive and control unit <NUM> is configured to drive the movement means <NUM> and the dispenser <NUM> in synchrony with each other.

Also defined according to the invention is a method for making ice cream.

It should be noted that the method is implemented by the machine <NUM> described above.

The method according to the invention comprises the following steps:.

The expression "only the contents of the container <NUM>" is used to mean that no other liquids are added to the contents of the container <NUM>. In a variant of the embodiment, however, sugar may be added. Described below are further aspects of the method of the invention. According to one aspect, the method comprises a step of reading a code (e.g. a QR code, a barcode) associated with (or applied on) the container <NUM> itself.

Preferably, the machine thus comprises a code reader to read the codes associated with container <NUM>.

According to this aspect, one or more machine parameters are adjusted as a function of the code reading.

These one or more machine parameters may comprise, by way of non-limiting example, one or more of the following parameters: speed of the compressor of the thermal system, the time the thermal system is activated, the thermal power of the thermal system of the machine, the addition of sugars, if any, etc..

According to another aspect, the container <NUM> is a tin can.

According to another aspect, the container <NUM> is a brick carton.

According to a further aspect, the container <NUM> contains a fruit juice (e.g., a fruit extract).

According to another aspect of the method (implemented by the machine <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>), the step of transferring only the contents of the container <NUM> into the processing chamber <NUM> comprises a step of moving the receptacle <NUM> from a charging position P1 to a discharging position P2 where the contents of the container <NUM> are transferred from the receptacle <NUM> to the processing chamber <NUM>. According to the invention, The step of placing the receptacle <NUM> at a charging position P1 and transferring only the contents of the container <NUM> into the processing chamber <NUM> comprises a step of holding the receptacle <NUM> at the charging position P1.

It should be noted that according to another aspect, the step of transferring only the contents of the container <NUM> into the processing chamber <NUM> comprises a step of causing the contents to flow through a flexible hose pipe <NUM>.

This advantageously allows the contents of the container <NUM> to be poured into the receptacle <NUM> and, irrespective of the position of the receptacle <NUM>, transferring it substantially instantaneously into the processing chamber <NUM>.

Described below are some aspects relating to the (volumetric) size of the receptacle <NUM>, of the liquid poured into the receptacle <NUM>, of the container <NUM> or of the processing chamber <NUM>.

According to one aspect, the contents poured into the receptacle <NUM> are not greater than <NUM> in volume (preferably not greater than <NUM>).

According to one aspect, the contents poured into the receptacle <NUM> are not less than <NUM> in volume (preferably not less than <NUM>). According to another aspect, the processing chamber <NUM> has an internal volume not greater than <NUM>.

Preferably, the processing chamber <NUM> has an internal volume not greater than <NUM>.

Still more preferably, the processing chamber <NUM> has an internal volume not greater than <NUM>.

According to another aspect, the processing chamber <NUM> has an internal volume not less than <NUM> (preferably not less than <NUM>).

Moreover, it should be noted that thanks to the reduced size of the processing chamber <NUM>, the machine <NUM> can make single portions of finished product in very short spaces of time (indeed, the contents for a single portion in a chamber of a size suitable for that single portion can be processed very quickly).

Preferably, the method of the invention and the machine <NUM> allow making an ice cream food product.

It should be noted that according to the method of the invention and, more specifically, using the machine <NUM>, a finished (ice cream) product can be made from - that is, using only - the contents of one container <NUM>.

This enables a user of the machine <NUM> to make a finished (ice cream) product directly from containers <NUM> purchased, for example, in the same shop where the machine itself is located.

Moreover, it should be noted that the machine <NUM> and method of the invention, allow making an innovative product not available to date.

It should be noted that the container <NUM> can contain any liquid product available on the market (for example, a beverage, a soft drink, a coffee, a fruit juice, a yogurt).

Claim 1:
A method for making ice cream, comprising the following steps:
- providing a container (<NUM>) containing a liquid base product;
- opening the container (<NUM>) containing a liquid base product;
- pouring only the contents of the container (<NUM>) into a receptacle (<NUM>) ;
- transferring only the contents of the container (<NUM>), which have been poured into the receptacle (<NUM>), into a processing chamber (<NUM>) having an internal volume not greater than <NUM> provided with a stirrer (<NUM>) and thermal treatment means (<NUM>);
- cooling with the thermal treatment means (<NUM>) and simultaneously mixing with the stirrer (<NUM>), only the contents of the container (<NUM>) which have been transferred into the processing chamber (<NUM>) until obtaining an ice cream product,
- providing a support (<NUM>) for a container (<NUM>) of the ice cream product and placing said container (<NUM>) on the support (<NUM>);
wherein the step of pouring only the contents of the container (<NUM>) into a receptacle (<NUM>) comprises a step of placing the receptacle (<NUM>) at a charging position (P1) and the step of transferring only the contents of the container (<NUM>) into the processing chamber (<NUM>) comprises a step of holding the receptacle (<NUM>) at the charging position (P1).