Patent ID: 7059498

Claim:
A mixing device, comprising: an input container configured for receiving a product that comprises a fluid component and a second component; a whipper having first and second whipper ends and a tapered whipper surface that has an axis and that is configured for aerating and frothing the product, the whipper surface extending between spaced first and second surface ends of the whipper, the first surface end being in fluid communication with the input container to receive the product, and the second surface end being disposed downstream of the first surface end and having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, wherein the whipper surface is oriented at a surface angle to the axis of between 10° and 45° to extend the whipping surface with a sufficient length and surface area to provide a high frothing efficiency, wherein the whipper surface has an area of about between 800 mm 2 and 3000 mm 2 calculated taking a circular cross-section of the surface, and wherein a shear gap is defined between a whipper housing and a whipper rotor, orthogonal to the whipper surface, having a width of about between 0.4 mm and 1.1 mm; a motor in driving association with the whipper for rotating the whipper about the axis at a speed of at least 10,000 rpm or higher for aerating and frothing the product; and a product exit conduit disposed downstream of the whipper and configured for dispensing the product of the fluid and second components.