Patent Description:
For example, in the ice cream trade in question, ice cream machines are known which comprise a batch freezing cylinder associated with a refrigeration system and equipped with a stirrer.

The batch freezing cylinder allows making the finished product (for example, ice cream) from a base mixture supplied by another container.

Also known in the trade concerned are machines, such as pasteurizers for example, used for thermally treating food products and mixtures.

These pasteurizers are equipped with a container, provided with a stirrer, in which the base product that will subsequently be processed is, generally speaking, thermally treated.

A particularly strongly felt need in the trade concerned is the need for solutions which can constitute a valid alternative to existing types of machines and which can, in particular, guarantee that the end product made is of high quality.

Document <CIT> discloses a frozen dessert machine includes a freezer, an inner core in its refrigeration chamber, an automated dispenser, and a system for controlled aeration of the liquid prior to entering the freezer. The machine has also a Venturi apparatus to generate microbubbles along a pipe inside the processed product.

Document <CIT> shows an apparatus for dissolving hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas in food by means of a sparger which release gases in the food product.

Document <CIT> discloses a machine for producing and dispensing liquid and semi-liquid consumer food products which has a container for the product and means for heating and heating means comprising an electromagnetic circuit, for example of the ohmic type, whose resistive component is the product itself.

Document <CIT> discloses a machine for making liquid and semi-liquid products which comprises: a first container for processing basic liquid and semi-liquid products; a first mixer operating inside said first processing container; a second container for processing the basic liquid and semi-liquid products, for converting said basic liquid and semi-liquid products into a desired liquid or semi-liquid product; a second mixer operating inside said second processing container; a thermal system comprising at least a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, which are operatively associated respectively with the first container and with the second processing container.

Document <CIT> discloses an apparatus and process for making a foam having a controlled size distribution of gas bubbles in a liquid matrix. The invention utilizes a porous material having a controlled pore size and pore distance to produce a substantially uniform size distribution of gas bubbles; a gas pumping device for directing a flow of gas to and through the porous material to form the gas bubbles; a fluid pumping device for directing a flow of liquid matrix past the porous material and a rotating element moving in the vicinity of the membrane surface causing an additional flow to detach, collect accumulate and entrain the gas bubbles in the liquid matrix to form a foam having gas bubbles of generally uniform size and a substantially uniform gas bubble size distribution. This invention therefore has for an aim to meet the above mentioned need, that is to say, to be able to provide a machine for making food products, namely for thermally treating and dispensing, preferably batch freezing, food products, preferably ice cream type products and which can constitute an alternative to the technical solutions existing to date.

The aim of this invention is therefore to provide a machine for making food products, namely for thermally treating and dispensing, preferably batch freezing, preferably ice cream type products and which can make a product of particularly high quality and with good organoleptic properties. According to the invention, this aims is achieved by a machine according to claim <NUM>.

The technical features of the disclosure, with reference to the above aims, are clearly described in the claims below and its advantages are apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred, non-limiting example embodiment, and in which:.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral <NUM> denotes an apparatus or machine (not according to the invention) for making food products.

Preferably, the food products are ice cream and chilled patisserie products and the like (gelato soft serve ice cream, slush drinks, sorbet, milkshakes, yogurt, frozen desserts, dessert creams, etc.).

Preferably, the food products are liquid or semi-liquid food products.

It should be noted, generally speaking, that processing (that is, treatment in the machine <NUM>) results in air being incorporated into product of this kind. The air in these food products determines their physical, quality and organoleptic properties (for example, taste and/or texture and/or appearance and/or consistency).

Preferably, but not necessarily, the machine <NUM> is an ice cream machine (in particular in the embodiments illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>).

Still more preferably, the machine <NUM> is a machine for making soft serve ice cream (or similar products such as sorbets, etc.).

In further embodiments not according to the invention, the machine <NUM> is a pasteurizer (in particular the machine illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>).

It should be noted that the expression "machine <NUM> for making" also applies to a machine especially designed for the (heat) treatment of food products.

According to the invention, the machine <NUM> for making food products comprises a frame <NUM>.

According to the invention, the machine <NUM> comprises at least one (first) processing container <NUM> adapted to allow processing a liquid or semi-liquid base mixture.

Below is a brief description of the embodiments of the machine <NUM> in <FIG>.

In the embodiment of <FIG> (not according to the invention) , the first container <NUM> is a cylindrical container.

Preferably, the first container <NUM> has a vertical axis simmetry (in an embodiment not illustrated).

Alternatively, the first container <NUM> has a horizontal axis simmetry (as illustrated in <FIG>).

Preferably, as illustrated in <FIG>, the machine of this embodiment comprises a further supply container <NUM>.

Preferably, in an embodiment, the further supply container <NUM> is a flexible container (that is, a bag).

In this case, the machine preferably comprises a pump <NUM> (illustrated schematically in <FIG>).

The pump <NUM> is preferably a peristaltic pump.

It should be noted that the pump <NUM> is interposed between the supply container <NUM> and the first container <NUM> to allow the base mixture to be transferred from the supply container <NUM> to the first container <NUM>.

According to another aspect, the first container <NUM> defines a processing chamber for the base mixture and the machine <NUM> is equipped with a stirrer <NUM> and with thermal treatment means <NUM> for the base mixture, operating in conjunction with one another to convert the base mixture into a liquid or semi-liquid product.

Preferably, the thermal treatment means <NUM> comprise a thermodynamic system adapted to run a thermodynamic cycle.

The thermodynamic system preferably comprises a closed circuit containing a heat exchanger fluid (circulating inside the circuit).

The thermodynamic system preferably comprises a compressor disposed along the circuit.

The thermodynamic system preferably comprises a first exchanger, disposed along the circuit.

The thermodynamic system preferably comprises a second exchanger <NUM> disposed along the circuit. Preferably, the second exchanger <NUM> is associated with the first container <NUM>.

The thermodynamic system preferably comprises a pressure reducing element (e.g. a throttle valve).

It should be noted that the compressor is disposed in one leg of the circuit, interposed between an inlet of the first exchanger and an outlet of the second exchanger <NUM>, whilst the pressure reducing element is disposed in another leg of the circuit, between an outlet of the first exchanger and an inlet of the second exchanger <NUM>.

The thermodynamic cycle is preferably a vapour compression cycle.

Described below are the machines <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>, wherein the machine of <FIG> is not according to the invention.

In the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the further supply container <NUM> is a tank.

A thermal treatment cycle for the purposes of homogenization and/or pasteurization is performed inside the supply container <NUM>.

In this case, transfer of the base mixture from the further supply container <NUM> to the first container <NUM> is carried out by gravity.

Preferably, the tank has a stirrer <NUM> mounted inside it.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the machine <NUM> comprises a further heat exchanger <NUM> forming part of the thermodynamic system.

The further heat exchanger <NUM> is associated with the second container <NUM>.

According to the invention, the machine <NUM> comprises a connecting duct <NUM> connecting the first container <NUM> to the second container <NUM> and configured to connect the first container <NUM> operatively to the second container <NUM> in such a way as to allow the base mixture to be transferred from the first container <NUM> to the second container <NUM>.

According to the invention, the machine <NUM> comprises a dispenser <NUM> connected to the first container <NUM> to allow the product to be extracted.

The dispenser <NUM> can be turned on or off to allow or inhibit dispensing of the product from the first container <NUM>, respectively.

Described briefly below are the machines of <FIG> and <FIG> (these machines <NUM> are, in particular, pasteurizers and are not according to the invention).

According to one aspect not encompassed by the wording of the claims, the machine <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> also comprises an outlet U1 and an inlet U2 of the first container <NUM> and a circulation pump <NUM>, connected to the outlet U1 to extract (liquid or semi-liquid) product from the first container <NUM> and to the inlet U2 to pump the product into the first container <NUM>.

According to another aspect, the machine <NUM> comprises thermal treatment means <NUM> associated with the circulation pump <NUM>.

Preferably, the thermal treatment means <NUM> comprise a heat exchanger (of thermal type).

Preferably, the machine <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> (or trap) formed at the bottom of the first container <NUM> and a second stirrer <NUM> mounted rotatably inside the housing <NUM>, the circulation pump <NUM> being defined by the second stirrer <NUM> and the housing <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> is connected to the inlet U2 of the container <NUM> by a duct <NUM>.

According to the invention, the machine <NUM>, independently of the embodiment, comprises at least one device <NUM> for generating gas micro bubbles having a diameter less than <NUM> microns or nano bubbles having a diameter less than <NUM> micron, operatively configured to release gas micro bubbles or nano bubbles into the mixture being processed in the machine <NUM>.

The machine <NUM> further comprises a control and drive unit <NUM> which is connected to the device <NUM> for generating gas micro bubbles or nano bubbles in order to control and drive it.

Preferably, the device <NUM> for generating gas micro bubbles or nano bubbles is configured to generate gas bubbles having a Reynolds number substantially equal to <NUM>.

As is known, the Reynolds number (Re) is defined as: <MAT> Where:.

According to another aspect, the device <NUM> for generating gas micro bubbles or nano bubbles is preferably configured to generate gas bubbles which are spherical in shape.

Preferably, the device <NUM> for generating gas micro bubbles or nano bubbles is configured to generate gas bubbles having a diameter of less than <NUM> microns.

Preferably, the device <NUM> for generating gas micro bubbles is configured to generate gas bubbles having a diameter of less than <NUM> microns.

Preferably, the device <NUM> for generating gas micro bubbles or nano bubbles is configured to generate gas bubbles having a diameter of less than <NUM> micron (namely, nano bubbles). According to the invention, the machine <NUM> comprises a control and drive unit <NUM> which is connected to the device <NUM> for generating gas bubbles in order to control and drive it.

According to another aspect, the device <NUM> for generating gas micro bubbles or nano bubbles is configured to generate bubbles of one among the following:.

According to another aspect, the device <NUM> for generating gas micro bubbles or nano bubbles comprises a source of pressurized gas and a duct for transporting the pressurized gas.

According to the invention, the machine <NUM> comprises a sensor adapted to capture the flow rate of the mixture, the control and drive unit <NUM> being connected to the sensor and being configured to activate the device <NUM> for generating gas micro bubbles or nano bubbles as a function of the signal captured by the sensor.

Described below are some examples of devices <NUM> for generating micro bubbles or nano bubbles, applicable to one or more of the machines <NUM> described above.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a device <NUM> for generating micro bubbles or nano bubbles, described below.

According to the invention, the device <NUM> comprises a membrane <NUM> which is permeable to gas (porous) and impermeable to the base liquid.

The gas permeable membrane <NUM> defines a stretch of the duct <NUM> inside a chamber <NUM>.

The gas is fed into the chamber <NUM> through an inlet <NUM>.

Preferably, the inlet <NUM> is connected to a gas pressuring device, that is, a source of pressurized gas.

It should be noted, therefore, that the gas inside the chamber <NUM> passes through the porous membrane <NUM> and penetrates directly into the duct <NUM>, forming micro bubbles or nano bubbles of gas at the interface defined by the porous membrane <NUM>.

The device <NUM> preferably also comprises a valve <NUM>, associated with the inlet <NUM> to open or close the inlet.

The valve <NUM> is preferably driven by the control and drive unit <NUM>.

It should be noted that according to one aspect not encompassed by the wording of the claims, the control and drive unit <NUM> preferably opens the valve <NUM> and simultaneously activates the pump <NUM>.

That way, micro bubbles are added to the mixture in transit through the chamber <NUM>.

In a further embodiment (not according to the invention) of the device <NUM>, illustrated in <FIG>, the device <NUM> for generating micro bubbles is a Venturi device 11A and is provided with a constricted section zone <NUM> traversed by the base mixture circulating in the duct <NUM> where a gas inlet IN1 is connected, so as to allow micro bubbles to be formed in the base mixture.

It should be noted that a negative pressure, or reduced pressure, is created in the constricted section zone <NUM>.

The graph below <FIG> represents the trend of the static pressure of the mixture inside the device 11A of <FIG>.

With reference to the direction of flow of the base mixture, the device 11A comprises a first zone <NUM>, upstream, a second, constricted section zone <NUM>, and a third zone <NUM>.

Preferably, the device 11A comprises a gas inlet IN1.

Preferably, the gas inlet IN1 is disposed in the constricted section zone <NUM>.

Still more preferably, the gas inlet IN1 is disposed at the transit zone between the second, constricted section <NUM> and the third zone <NUM>.

Preferably the cross section of the third zone <NUM> (in a plane at right angles to the direction of extension of the device 11A) is smaller than the cross section of the first zone <NUM>.

As is evident, the pressure in the constricted section zone <NUM> is less than that in the first zone <NUM> and in the third zone <NUM>. In particular, the gas is absorbed by the liquid by effect of the negative pressure generated in the constricted section zone <NUM>.

Next, in the third zone <NUM>, whose cross section is greater than that of the constricted section zone <NUM>, the mixture of gas and base mixture is pressurized.

Since the solubility of the gas and liquid forming part of the base mixture decreases in the zone <NUM>, bubbles are formed by effect of the presence of super saturated gas (that is, in a quantity greater than the liquid is capable of absorbing).

Thus, the base mixture at the outlet <NUM> of the device 11A has micro bubbles or nano bubbles in it.

<FIG> shows a further embodiment (not according to the invention) of the device <NUM> for generating micro bubbles.

In this embodiment, the device <NUM> comprises a portion 114A and a second portion 114B which are movable relative to each other.

The second portion 114B is preferably rotatable relative to the first portion 114A.

It should be noted that the rotation of the second portion 114B (relative to the first portion 114A) causes micro bubbles or nano bubbles to be generated.

Thus, micro bubbles or nano bubbles are generated in the zone labelled <NUM> in <FIG> and are then incorporated into the mixture in the zone labelled <NUM> in <FIG>.

In this embodiment, the micro bubbles or nano bubbles are generated by effect of the rotation of the second portion 114B.

Alternatively, in an embodiment not illustrated, the device <NUM> comprises at least one rotary element (e.g. a fan) disposed in contact with the base mixture to rotate and generate micro bubbles or nano bubbles.

<FIG> shows a further embodiment (not according to the invention) of the device for generating micro or nano bubbles usable in accordance with this invention.

More specifically, the device illustrated in <FIG>, is a sparging device <NUM> applicable to the machines of <FIG> and <FIG>.

A sparging system is a system for injecting a gas into a liquid.

Preferably, the sparging system operates inside the container <NUM>, <NUM> of the machines of <FIG> and <FIG>.

In this embodiment, the sparging system releases a gas (e.g. air or nitrogen) capable of supersaturating the liquid with gas inside the container <NUM>, <NUM> of the machines of <FIG> and <FIG>.

It should be noted that the sparging device <NUM> preferably comprises a gas transporting duct <NUM> and an injector <NUM> applied to one end of the duct <NUM>.

The injector <NUM> is disposed inside the container <NUM>, <NUM> of the machines of <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrate a further embodiment (not according to the invention) of a device <NUM> for injecting micro or nano bubbles, applicable to the machines of <FIG> and <FIG>, specifically to the container <NUM>, <NUM> of these machines.

The device <NUM> of <FIG> comprises an injection device <NUM> (clearly visible in <FIG>, <FIG>).

The injection device <NUM> releases gas in the form of micro or nano bubbles.

Preferably, the injection device <NUM> comprises a nozzle (clearly visible in <FIG>, <FIG>).

Preferably, the nozzle is connected to a pressurized gas source <NUM>.

Preferably, the device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> comprises a valve, not illustrated, interposed between the nozzle and the pressurized gas source <NUM>.

It should be noted that one advantage of this invention is that of providing a high quality ice cream. Indeed, the ice cream thus obtained, provided with diffuse gas particles (micro or nano bubbles) has a smooth, compact structure and is extremely soft on the palate.

Advantageously, according to another aspect (not according to the invention), the device <NUM> is configured to produce hydrodynamic cavitation, that is, implosion of the bubbles, resulting in localized energy being generated.

More generally speaking, it should be noted that the machine <NUM> may be fitted with static type devices <NUM> for generating micro bubbles or nano bubbles (embodiments of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, which are not according to the invention) that is, operating in the absence of movement/flow of the liquid into which they have to release the micro bubbles or nano bubbles, or dynamic type devices <NUM> for generating micro bubbles or nano bubbles (embodiments of.

<FIG> and <FIG>, wherein that of <FIG> is not according to the invention) which operate in the presence of movement/flow of the liquid into which they have to release the micro bubbles or nano bubbles.

A person skilled in the trade will understand that, in embodiments outside the subject-matter of the claims, different micro bubble generating devices <NUM> can be used in the machine <NUM> of this invention.

Also defined is a method, outside the subject-matter of the claims, for making liquid or semi-liquid food products in a machine <NUM> for making liquid or semi-liquid food products, comprising the following steps:.

Preferably, according to one aspect outside the subject-matter of the claims, the step of placing the base mixture inside the first container <NUM> temporally precedes the step of generating micro bubbles or nano bubbles in a base mixture by means of a device <NUM> for generating gas micro bubbles or nano bubbles.

According to another aspect outside the subject-matter of the claims, the step of generating micro bubbles or nano bubbles in the mixture by means of the device <NUM> for generating gas micro bubbles or nano bubbles comprises a step of generating the bubbles by hydrodynamic cavitation.

According to another aspect outside the subject-matter of the claims, the method comprises a step of preparing a base mixture which comprises step of adding a base liquid to a portion of base powder product and the step of generating micro bubbles or nano bubbles in the base mixture comprises a step of generating micro bubbles or nano bubbles in the base liquid before adding the base liquid to the portion of base powder product.

According to yet another aspect outside the subject-matter of the claims, the base liquid comprises water.

According to this aspect, the micro bubbles or nano bubbles are preferably generated in the water.

According to yet another aspect outside the subject-matter of the claims, the base liquid comprises milk.

Claim 1:
A machine (<NUM>) for making food products, comprising:
- a frame (<NUM>);
- at least a first container (<NUM>) containing a liquid or semi-liquid base product to be processed therein;
- a stirrer (<NUM>) mounted inside the first container (<NUM>);
- thermal treatment means (<NUM>) operatively associated with the first container (<NUM>);
- a dispenser (<NUM>) connected to the first container (<NUM>) to allow the product to be extracted from the first container (<NUM>);
- at least one device (<NUM>) for generating gas micro bubbles having a diameter less than <NUM> microns or nano bubbles having a diameter less than <NUM> micron, operatively configured to release gas micro bubbles or nano bubbles into the mixture being processed in the machine (<NUM>);
the machine (<NUM>) being characterized in that it further comprises a control and drive unit (<NUM>) connected to the device (<NUM>) for generating gas micro bubbles or nano bubbles in order to control and drive it,
the machine further comprising:
- a second container (<NUM>) provided with a stirrer (<NUM>) and thermal treatment means (<NUM>) for thermally treating the base mixture;
- a duct (<NUM>) connecting the second container (<NUM>) to the first container (<NUM>) and configured to operatively connect the second container (<NUM>) to the first container (<NUM>) in such a way as to allow the base mixture to be transferred from the second container (<NUM>) to the first container (<NUM>) thereby creating a flow of mixture,
the machine further comprising a sensor (<NUM>) adapted to capture a signal corresponding to the flow rate of the mixture, the control and drive unit (<NUM>) being connected to the sensor (<NUM>) and being configured to activate the device (<NUM>) for generating gas micro bubbles or nano bubbles as a function of the signal captured by the sensor (<NUM>),
and wherein the device (<NUM>) for generating micro bubbles comprises a gas permeable membrane (<NUM>) defining a portion of the duct (<NUM>) and wherein the device (<NUM>) for generating micro bubbles comprises a chamber (<NUM>), the gas permeable membrane (<NUM>) being disposed inside the chamber (<NUM>) and the chamber (<NUM>) being provided with a gas inlet (<NUM>).