Patent Description:
Planetary mixers, which include at least one stirrer (or mixing blade) that revolves (or orbits) in a mixing vessel (or tank) about a central axis while simultaneously revolving on its own axis, have an advantage over regular handheld mixers or blenders in that they move the stirrer or stirrers through all areas of the mixing vessel and are especially useful when mixing high viscosity mixtures which cannot be adequately mixed with a mixer or blender having a fixed stirrer. Planetary mixers usually have stirrers that are mounted on a drive mechanism which includes means for lifting the stirrers out of the mixing vessel. The most commonly known planetary mixer is the type that is typically found in kitchens for mixing dough and various food products, having a single stirrer and somewhat hemispherical bottom mixing bowl. Such stirrers have certain drawbacks such as not having good top to bottom mixing capability, therefore making it necessary to increase the mixing time in order to get a homogeneous mix. Overcoming some of these problems in blenders and mixers can require a heavier duty drive system, which in turn increases the cost of the machine.

A crossbar is sometimes located at the bottom of the stirrer or beater but it is primarily for strengthening the stirrer rather than for any mixing action. The crossbar however causes undue strain on the beater or mixer motor because of the high side loads that they produce at the farthest point away from the motor and drive as well as the additional torque required to rotate the bottom crossbar in high viscosity materials. The presence of a crossbar or a larger bottom portion of the beater limit the ability of the beater or mixer to mix high viscosity materials. In order to mix high viscosity materials and overcome some of these challenges current beater designs use expensive materials or complex configurations that unfortunately also create a high load on the motor.

<CIT> discloses an electric mixer including a driving mechanism and a transmission mechanism. A first connecting tube, a second connecting tube and a third connecting tube which are parallelly arranged under the transmission mechanism at intervals. The connecting tubes can connect with and drive a mixing rod and a paddle. The mixing rod extends to the bottom of the paddle. The mixing rod and paddle arrangements disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT> are similar. <CIT> discloses a mixer in accordance with the preamble of claim <NUM>.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose a beater member without a flat blade surface.

According to the present invention, there is provided a a combination food mixer in accordance with the features of claim <NUM>.

Preferably, the angled direction of the spiraled configuration is one of a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beater member assembly comprised of two beater members as set out above, wherein the two beater members comprise a first beater member and a second beater member that are located adjacent each other, each beater member having a said shaft with each shaft being parallel to one another with each shaft terminating at the cap portion of the each helical blade body, and wherein the helical blade bodies of the first beater member and the second beater member are located in an interleaving and a phase adjusted relationship to define a mixing zone between the shafts and helical blade bodies.

Preferably, the helical blade bodies can be rotated in opposite directions to form the mixing zone.

Preferably, the food mixer of comprises a plurality of the beater members, including a first beater member and a second beater member that are located adjacent each other, each beater member having a said shaft with the shafts being parallel to each other, and wherein the helical blade body of each of the beater members are located in an interleaving and a phase adjusted relationship to define a mixing zone between the shafts and helical blade bodies.

Preferably, the motor drive rotates each of the shafts in opposite directions to move ingredients between them in the mixing zone.

The unique shape of the helical beater described herein not only achieves higher mixing performance but also power efficiency. By using high strength plastics instead of metal, the improved helical beater design described herein will lower or fix material and manufacturing costs and will provide a better method of controlling the geometry of the beater body.

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Following are more detailed descriptions of various related concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.

The various embodiments of the invention are directed to a new helical twin blade mixer design, wherein each individual blade includes a triple helix, the two mirrored counter rotating blades having overlapping paths as the mixer or blender operates. Due to the helical shape of each blade, the force acting on the food material has a vector angled upwards in relation to the mixing bowl floor. This provides a more effective mixing than traditional beater heads under the same load. The proposed design provides an advantage over the prior art as current beater designs use expensive materials and create a high load on the motor, especially under medium or high viscosity conditions. An advantage of the design described herein is the triple helix of each blade work together to achieve higher mixing performance and power efficiency. By using high strength plastics instead of metal, the design provided herein will reduce cost and provide better control of the geometry.

Referring now to the figures, <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of a two helical beater head or member assembly <NUM> according to the teachings herein that is configured to operate with a motor and motor drive as part of a beater or mixer device (not shown). In this example embodiment, beater member assembly <NUM> includes a first helical beater member <NUM> and a second helical beater member <NUM> configured to be in an interleaved configuration. Each of helical beater members <NUM> and <NUM> include helical blade bodies <NUM> and <NUM> having shaft members <NUM> and <NUM> (with longitudinal axes 119A and 129A) protruding upwards from top ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the helical blade bodies, respectively, which are operatively coupled to a clutch system of a beater or mixer unit. In this example embodiment, beater members <NUM> and <NUM> are located adjacent each other and their respective shafts <NUM> and <NUM> are parallel to each other. The helical blade body of each of the beater members are located or positioned in an interleaving and a phase adjusted relationship to define a mixing zone between the shafts and helical blade bodies <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, blade members of helical body <NUM> are located about <NUM> degrees about the shaft longitudinal axis with body <NUM> having a similar configuration but rotated slightly out of phase with body <NUM> to facilitate opposite rotation of each of the beater members. In this example embodiment, rotation of the beater members, via each of their shafts, in opposite directions forms the mixing zone between the beater members. In a related embodiment, a single helical beater member is used in a single beater arrangement as a mixer or whisk attachment.

In this example embodiment, first and second helical beater members have mirrored configurations such that their helical blade bodies include helical blade members <NUM>/<NUM>, blades <NUM>/<NUM> and blades <NUM>/<NUM> terminating at a top or cap end <NUM>/<NUM> of each helical body member, blades being located equidistant from each other. Each of the beater members includes a base or bottom end <NUM>/<NUM> in which the various blades are secured and terminate at bottom. In this example embodiment, each of the helical blades has a spiraled configuration that extends from the cap portion to the base portion and each of the helical blades has the spiral angled configured in the same direction. In this example embodiment, the angled direction of the spiraled configuration is one of a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, depending on the mixing or blending application.

In this example embodiment, beater head assembly <NUM> uses two mirrored counter rotating triple helixes <NUM> and <NUM> that overlap paths as they rotate towards each other. For example, beater member <NUM> rotates inwardly and counterclockwise while beater member <NUM> rotates outwardly and clockwise as the assembly performs its beating or mixing operation. Due to the helical shape, the force acting on the food material has a vector angled upwards in relation to a mixing bowl floor (where <NUM> and <NUM> are in operative contact with such bowl floor). This provides more effective mixing than traditional beater heads under the same load.

Referring now to <FIG>, there illustrated a side view of helical beater member <NUM> having helical configured blade members <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. In this example embodiment, each of the helical blades has spiraled leading surfaces 112A, 114A and 116A and a trailing surface. In this example embodiment, the spiraled surface has a predefined width and each of the helical blades has a predefined thickness, each configurable for the type of mixing desired.

In a related embodiment, each of the blade members <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are configured in a helical wire arrangement, having a predetermined wire diameter, versus a blade structure as shown. In yet another embodiment, the helical blade members are combinable with wire helical members to provide another configuration. In yet another example embodiment, each of the helical blade members is configurable to include multiple spirals or undulations to enhance mixing or blending. The helical blade members are formed from plastic. The material selected also depends on the mixing or blending application.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is illustrated a top view of a helical beater member <NUM> illustrating the top portion <NUM> and an aperture 119A for the shaft member. Helical blade members are formed from high impact and flex resistant plastic.

Referring now to another embodiment of a two beater member assembly, <FIG> illustrate front and bottom views of another example embodiment of a two beater member assembly <NUM> having widened or thicker blade face surfaces configured to operate with a motor <NUM> and motor drive (not shown) as part of a beater or mixer device. In this example embodiment, beater member assembly <NUM> includes a first helical beater member <NUM> and a second helical beater member <NUM> configured to be in an interleaved configuration (see also <FIG>). Each of helical beater members <NUM> and <NUM> include helical blade bodies <NUM> and <NUM> having shaft members <NUM> and <NUM> (with longitudinal axes disposed along the shafts) protruding upwards from top ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the helical blade bodies, respectively, which are operatively coupled to a clutch or drive system of a beater or mixer unit. In this example embodiment, beater members <NUM> and <NUM> are located adjacent each other and include respective shafts <NUM> and <NUM> that are parallel to each other. The helical blade body of each of the beater members is located or positioned in an interleaving and a phase adjusted relationship to define a mixing zone between the shafts and helical blade bodies <NUM> and <NUM>.

As further illustrated in <FIG>, blade members of helical body <NUM> are located about <NUM> degrees about the shaft longitudinal axis with body <NUM> having a similar configuration but rotated slightly out of phase with body <NUM> to facilitate opposite rotation of each of the beater members (see arrows). In this example embodiment, rotation of the beater members in opposite directions forms the mixing zone between the beater members (see area between the two inner arrows). In a related embodiment, a single helical beater member, such as beater member <NUM> of <FIG>, is used in a single beater arrangement as a mixer or whisk attachment.

In this example embodiment, first and second helical beater members have mirrored configurations such that their helical blade bodies include helical blade members <NUM>/<NUM>, blades <NUM>/<NUM> and blades <NUM>/<NUM> terminating at a top or cap end <NUM>/<NUM> of each helical body member, blades being located equidistant from each other. Each of the beater members includes a base or bottom end <NUM>/<NUM> in which the various blades are secured and terminate at bottom. In short, each of the blades is secured at both ends. In this example embodiment, each of the helical blades has a spiraled configuration that extends from the cap portion to the base portion and each of the helical blades has the spiral angled configured in the same direction.

In this example embodiment, the angled direction of the spiraled configuration is one of a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, depending on the mixing or blending application. Due to the helical shape, the force acting on the food material has a vector angled upwards in relation to a mixing bowl floor (where <NUM> and <NUM> are in operative contact with such a bowl floor). This provides more effective mixing than traditional beater heads under the same load and provides for efficient mixing at slow speeds to prevent splashing. In this example embodiment, the helical-shaped blades scoop ingredients from the bottom of the mixing bowl and push them up through the mixing zone. In this example embodiment, twin beater assembly <NUM> can mix wet or dry ingredients of various viscosities and has an optimal operating speed of about <NUM> RPM to about <NUM> RPM (revolutions per minute).

<FIG> illustrates a side view of helical beater member <NUM> according to the teachings herein. In this example embodiment, each of the helical blades <NUM> has spiraled leading surfaces 212A, 214A and 216A and a trailing surface. In this example embodiment, the spiraled surface has a widened or expanded width face (as compared to helical blade <NUM>) and has a predefined thickness, each blade configurable for the type of mixing desired. In addition, a bottom portion opposite end <NUM> is pointed and is not flat as in other example embodiments of the helical blade body.

In a related embodiment, not forming part of the present invention, each of the blade members <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, for instance, are configured in a helical wire arrangement, having a predetermined wire diameter, versus a blade structure as shown. In yet another embodiment, the helical blade members are combinable with wire helical members to provide another configuration. In yet another example embodiment, each of the helical blade members is configurable to include multiple spirals or undulations to enhance mixing or blending. The helical blade members are formed from, but not limited to, at least one material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, ceramic, and silicone. The material selected also depends on the mixing or blending application.

The helical beaters described herein, either individually or as a pair, are configured for use with a blending or mixing system having a motor, motor drive and gears for rotating the beaters in opposite directions to provide a cooperating configuration by which either beater can be driven in either direction, either singly or doubly, to drive the material being mixed together either upwardly or downwardly in a mixing zone of a bowl, thereby providing versatility and superior mixing actions with the robust helical beaters using adequate power transmission. Accordingly, the beater mixer system using the helical beater assembly described can mix highly viscous materials and can also knead bread dough or pie crust with no increase in motor capability requirement when used in a planetary mixer assembly. Further, the helical blades should be safe when using utensils or an inadvertent finger touches a beater blade only resulting in the helical blades driving same vertically out of contact with the blade. Moreover, the helical beater arrangement is silent in operation since the blades can stay in continuous contact with the bowl and progressively clear the wall of the bowl within every few turns of the bowl.

Claim 1:
A combination food mixer comprising:
a beater member (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing; and
a motor and a motor drive with a clutch member within the housing, the beater member comprising:
a shaft (<NUM>) having a longitudinal axis (119A) and a clutch element on an upper end of the shaft engageable with the clutch member within the housing interconnecting the shaft and the motor drive to rotate the shaft; and
a helical blade body (<NUM>) formed from at least three helical blade members (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) each of which has a first end connecting with a cap portion (<NUM>) and a second end connecting with a base portion (<NUM>) of the helical blade body, each of the helical blade members having a spiraled configuration and extending from the cap portion to the base portion, wherein each of the helical blade members have the spiral angled in the same rotational direction and the helical blade members are located equidistant from each other, characterized in that:
the helical blade body is attached to the shaft at the cap portion of the helical blade body so that the shaft extends to the cap portion of the helical blade body,
each of the helical blade members comprises a leading surface (112A, 114A, 116A) and a trailing surface with an upward facing spiraled surface in between with a predefined width and thickness, characterized in that the motor is configured to drive rotation of the helical blade body in a rotational direction so that the spiraled surface will urge product being mixed upward.