Stir stick forming assembly for stir stick dispenser in a beverage vending machine

Abstract

A stick forming assembly (10) for a stick dispenser (2) in a beverage vending machine (1), the stick forming assembly comprising: an inlet channel (11) for a strip (9) for forming a stick (3); an outlet opening (12) for the stick (3); a strip feed assembly (16) between the inlet channel (11) and the outlet opening (12) and for feeding the strip (9); and a strip cutting assembly (19) for transversely cutting the strip (9) and forming the stick (3). The strip feed assembly and the strip cutting assembly (16, 19) are driven by a single common electric motor (20) and designed to feed the strip (9) when the motor (20) is rotated in one rotational direction and to cut the strip (9) when the motor (20) is driven in the opposite rotational direction under control of a command and control unit (22).

Description

[0001] Cross-citation of related applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102021000026507, filed on October 15, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a stirring rod forming assembly for a stirring rod dispenser in a beverage vending machine. The following description will refer to this stirring rod forming assembly, but without losing its generality. Background Technology

[0004] In the field of vending machines, it is known that a stir bar dispenser is arranged inside a beverage vending machine, and the stir bar dispenser is controlled by the electronic control unit of the beverage vending machine to dispense the stir bar directly into the beverage cup.

[0005] The stir bar is typically released into the cup before the beverage is filled, and the dispensing of the stir bar can be in response to the user's need to add sugar to the selected beverage.

[0006] Today, different types of stirrers are used in beverage vending machines. Plastic stirrers can still be used reasonably; however, due to known environmental pollution issues, they are gradually falling out of favor.

[0007] Instead of traditional plastic stir bar, biodegradable paper stir bar is increasingly being used. Examples of paper stir bar examples are described in WO 2020 / 225669 A1, filed in the name of the applicant. In WO 2020 / 225669A1, the paper stir bar is produced from a paper strip arranged in a fixed unwinding station; the strip, unwound from a reel by a feeding assembly, is first supplied to a forming assembly, and then to a cutting assembly that laterally cuts the strip to dimensions to form a stir bar of a predetermined length, which varies according to the height of the cup in which the beverage is dispensed.

[0008] Although forming agitators from strip reels allows for the rapid production of stable agitators of variable length by controlling the strip feed and cutting components, this production method has proven unsatisfactory due to the fact that known feed and cutting components are relatively large and expensive. For these reasons, it cannot meet the growing demand for extremely compact and cost-effective rod dispensers.

[0009] Known feeding assemblies and cutting assemblies are driven by independent actuators, which are difficult to synchronize and difficult to keep synchronized over time. As a result, even after a relatively short period of time, the stir sticks dispensed present varying degrees of completion, and in some cases even the size or geometry differs from the design intent. In other words, even a small synchronization error between the feeding assembly and the cutting assembly produces undesirable burrs or tears on the stir stick, especially at its two opposite end portions.

[0010] Then, in some cases, the lack of synchronization or strip feed inaccuracy is the main cause of the jamming of the forming assembly and, as a result, of the inevitable machine downtime. SUMMARY

[0011] The object of the present invention is to produce a stir stick forming assembly for a stir stick dispenser in a beverage vending machine, which allows the above-mentioned problems to be overcome simply and economically.

[0012] A particular object of the present invention is to produce a stir stick forming assembly which is extremely compact, easy to control and cost-effective.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to produce a stir stick forming assembly with high and constant efficiency and reliability, thus being able to produce stir sticks always with the expected geometry and expected length and constant product quality.

[0014] According to the present invention, a stir stick forming assembly, in particular for a stir stick dispenser of a beverage vending machine, is provided; the forming assembly comprises a frame for attachment to a fixed body, an inlet passage for strip material, an outlet opening for stir sticks, a feeding member for feeding the strip material towards the outlet opening, first motorized means for moving the feeding member, a cutting member for transversely cutting the strip material, and second motorized means for moving the cutting member; the forming assembly is characterized in that the first motorized means and the second motorized means comprise a single common electric motor; command and control means are provided for commanding and controlling the single electric motor, which are configured to make the single electric motor rotate in one direction for driving the feeding member and in the opposite direction for driving the cutting member.

[0015] Preferably, in the above-defined assembly, the first motorized means and the second motorized means are arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of a vertical positioning plane in which the axis of the rotation shaft of the single electric motor lies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a stir stick dispenser provided with a preferred embodiment of a stir stick forming assembly according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C yes Figure 1 Three different 3D views of the stirring rod molding assembly, magnified to scale, with some parts removed for clarity.

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 2B Front elevation view of the molded component.

[0019] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of line IV-IV in the diagram.

[0020] Figure 5 and Figure 6 yes Figure 2B The molding components are arranged in two different operating positions in the side view, and some parts have been removed for clarity.

[0021] Figure 7 yes Figure 2B An exploded perspective view of the molded components, with some parts removed for clarity.

[0022] Figure 8 yes Figure 2B An exploded perspective view showing further details of the molded components, with some parts removed for clarity.

[0023] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A scaled-up exploded stereoscopic view of a portion of the further details. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to enable those skilled in the art to implement and use it. Various modifications to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles described can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, the invention should not be considered limited to the embodiments described and shown, but has the widest scope of protection granted according to the principles and features described and claimed herein.

[0025] Figure 1 A beverage vending machine 1 is schematically and partially shown, which includes a stirring rod dispenser 2 for dispensing individual stirring rods 3 for stirring the beverage dispensed in a cup 4.

[0026] In the described example, the stir bar dispenser 2 is housed in the box-shaped casing of the beverage vending machine 1.

[0027] Alternatively, the stir bar dispenser 2 can be arranged outside the housing, or even separately from the beverage vending machine 1, to form a separate device that can be operated by the user independently of the beverage vending machine 1, thereby dispensing the stir bar 3 on demand.

[0028] In all cases, the stir bar dispenser 2 is configured to form and dispense stir bars 3 in succession, which are conveniently single-use shaped stir bars.

[0029] The stirring rod dispenser 2 includes a support structure 6 connected to a fixed bracket 7, a strip supply device 8 for supplying strips 9 of food-grade eco-friendly material, and a stirring rod forming assembly 10 disposed below the strip supply device 8. The stirring rod forming assembly 10 has an upper inlet channel 11 for the strip 9 and a lower outlet opening 12 for the stirring rod 3, which is guided to a cup 4 by a conveyor 13.

[0030] Conveniently, the strip 9 is wound to form a spool 14 housed in the strip supply device 8, and the strip is preferably biodegradable or compostable, and conveniently free of plastic, such as waterproof cardboard.

[0031] refer to Figures 2A to 2C and Figure 3 The stirring rod forming assembly 10 includes: a mounting frame 15 for allowing the stirring rod forming assembly 10 to be mounted to a support structure 6; a strip feeding assembly 16 for feeding a strip 9; a strip forming assembly 18 for forming the strip; and a strip cutting assembly 19 for laterally cutting the strip 9 to form a stirring rod 3.

[0032] Preferably, as is known per se, the strip forming assembly 18 is designed for vertical strip deformation and guiding V-shaped folds ( Figure 2C In the form of ), strip 9 is deformed into a V shape in a known manner.

[0033] Refer to Figure 2. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the stirring rod forming assembly 10, the strip feeding assembly 16 and the strip cutting assembly 19 are driven by a single motor 20, which is supported by the upper part of the mounting frame 15 and has an output shaft 21 mounted to rotate about a vertical axis 21A. The single motor is controlled by an electronic command and control unit 22 configured to rotate the motor 20 in two opposite directions.

[0034] refer to Figure 2A and Figure 2B And specifically refer to Figure 3The torque transmitted by the electric motor 20 is guided to two different parallel branches A and B through the mechanical transmission device 23. The mechanical transmission device 23 includes an input pinion gear 24 mating to the shaft 21 and two identical motion output pinion gears 25 arranged on opposite sides of the pinion gear 24 in diameter.

[0035] Two bevel gears 25 each stably support a disc or plate 49, which is idly mounted to the corresponding shafts 26 and 27. Figure 3 and Figure 8 These two shafts extend from the transmission 23 in opposite directions, coaxial with a common fixed axis 28 orthogonal to axis 21A, and form an end section of a one-piece single shaft coaxial with axis 28. As a single piece, the shaft is axially removable.

[0036] Shaft 26 and shaft 27 respectively support a portion of the strip feed assembly 16 and a portion of the strip cutting assembly 19.

[0037] In addition, the strip feed assembly 16 includes: a strip guide 18A, defined by an extension of the vertical strip deformation and guide V-shaped folding device; and a strip feed wheel 29. Figure 2C and Figure 4 The belt feed wheel has external teeth and passes through the belt guide 18A. Figure 2C The groove in the tip of the ) cooperates with the strip 9.

[0038] The feed wheel 29 is idling mounted to the intermediate section 30A of the shaft 30, which is rotatably connected to the mounting frame 15, to rotate about a fixed hinge axis 31 that is parallel to and lowered relative to the axis 28.

[0039] refer to Figure 3 The strip feed assembly 16 also includes a gear 32 mounted to the shaft 30 to allow it to idle in an angle and be fixed in an axial direction. The gear is fixed to the feed wheel 29 and engages with a one-way angular motion transmission assembly 33 around the shaft 26.

[0040] In the following text, a unidirectional angular motion transmission assembly refers to any device capable of transmitting motion in one rotational direction and preventing the transmission of motion in the opposite rotational direction.

[0041] In specific circumstances, refer to Figure 3 And specifically refer to Figure 8 The unidirectional angular motion transmission assembly 33 is a ratchet type or a freewheel type, configured to transmit rotational motion to gear 32 and to feed wheel 29 when motor 20 rotates in one rotational direction, and configured to prevent the transmission of such motion to gear 32 when motor 20 rotates in the opposite rotational direction.

[0042] refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 The unidirectional angular motion transmission assembly 33 includes an external toothed wheel 35 and a ratchet or fork-shaped component 36, the external toothed wheel and gear 32 ( Figure 3 The ratchet or fork 36 is permanently engaged and idling-connected to shaft 26. Preferably, the ratchet or fork 36 includes: a gear 37 having helical teeth that contact and are securely connected to the gear 35; and a resilient plate 38, one end of which is securely connected to the mounting frame 15, extending from the mounting frame 15, and its opposite free end portion engaging with the helical teeth of the gear 37. Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 In this way, the ratchet or fork 36 allows the gear 35 to rotate freely in one direction of rotation, and makes the gear 35 angularly aligned with the mounting frame 15 in the opposite direction of rotation.

[0043] refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 The unidirectional angular motion transmission assembly 33 also includes a snap-fit ​​compliant angular joint 40 located between the plate 49 and the gear 35.

[0044] The angular engagement portion 40 includes a transmission or engagement member 41 comprising: a hub 42 mounted to rotate about and slide freely along an axis 26; a plurality of radial arms 43 securely connected to the hub 42; and a corresponding retaining tooth 44 for each arm 43. Each retaining tooth 44 extends in a direction parallel to the axis 28 and on opposite sides of the associated arm 43, and each retaining tooth includes a tail portion 45 and a head portion 46, the tail portion 45 being coupled to a plate 49 such that the retaining tooth can slide axially and is angularly fixed, thereby always angularly aligned with the plate 49 and the corresponding bevel gear 25.

[0045] The head portion 46 of each tooth 44 is shaped such that it can be detachably inserted into each seat portion 47 of the crown portion of the angle retaining seat portion, which is formed in the core portion 35A of the gear 35 coaxial with the axis 28. The head portion 46 is pushed by a wire compression spring 48 to engage with the seat portion 47, the wire compression spring surrounding the shaft 26 and being elastically pressed between the hub 42 and the plate 49 carried by the bevel gear 25.

[0046] The head portion 46 moves via a cam assembly 50 to disengage from the seat portion 47. For each portion 46, the cam assembly includes two shaped surfaces 51 and 52 inclined relative to the axis 28. Surface 51 defines the associated head portion 46 in front, while surface 52 is angularly equidistant from each other around the axis 28 and axially defines a circular segment of the core 35A of the gear 35. Figure 8 and Figure 9 ).

[0047] The curvature or inclination of surfaces 51 and 52 is selected such that when the motor 20 operates in one rotational direction (and specifically in the direction in which the ratchet 36 allows the gear 35 to rotate), the teeth 44 remain in the seat 47 and allow the gears 35 and 32 to rotate, while when the motor 20 operates in the opposite rotational direction and the ratchet 36 angularly blocks the gear 35, surfaces 51 and 52 slide against each other, thereby applying an axial thrust to the teeth 44, which is opposite to and greater than the axial thrust applied to the hub 42 by the spring 48. In this case, the teeth 44 move rearward toward the plate 49 and gradually disengage from the seat 47, thereby allowing the gear 35 to remain angularly stationary relative to the mounting frame 15. In this way, when the motor 20 operates in one rotational direction, the gear 35 transmits motion to the gear 32, which makes the feed rate of the belt 9 equal to the desired length of the stirring bar 3. When the motor 20 is operated to rotate in the opposite direction of rotation, the strip 9 remains stationary along the guide 18A in the strip cutting position.

[0048] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 7 The strip 9 is cut by a strip cutting assembly 19, which includes a guillotine-type cutting blade 55 fixed to a carriage 56, which is coupled to a guide 57 fixed to a mounting frame 15 to slide in two opposite directions along a cutting direction 58 orthogonal to axes 21A, 28 and 31 and orthogonal to the strip guide 18A.

[0049] Carriage 56 is part of strip cutting assembly 19, which also includes gear 60 identical to gear 32, fixed to shaft 30 on the side of gear 29 opposite to gear 32. Figure 3 ).

[0050] The strip cutting assembly 19 includes a one-way angular motion transmission assembly 61, which is conceptually identical to and a mirror image of the one-way angular motion transmission assembly 33. Therefore, in the following text, components of the one-way angular motion transmission assembly 61 will be referenced using the same reference numerals as their corresponding components in the one-way angular motion transmission assembly 33, with superscripts (').

[0051] As described above, when the motor 20 rotates in one direction, the unidirectional angular motion transmission assembly 61 can transmit rotational motion to the shaft 30 and cause the gear 60 to rotate, and when the motor 20 rotates in the opposite direction, it can prevent the transmission of motion to the shaft 30.

[0052] A one-way angular motion transmission assembly 61 surrounds shaft 27. This one-way angular motion transmission assembly is connected to a corresponding bevel gear 25 in the same manner as assembly 33 is connected to another bevel gear 25, and this one-way angular motion transmission assembly includes a gear 35' that meshes with gear 60. Figure 3 ).

[0053] Refer to Figure 2. Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The strip cutting assembly 19 includes a cam drive 65 to move the carriage 56 and the blade 55 relative to the mounting frame 15 and the strip guide 18A between a retracted rest position and a forward position, in which the retracted rest position allows feeding of the strip 9 and in the forward position allows cutting of the strip 9. Figure 5 ).

[0054] The cam drive 65 includes two L-shaped arms 66, which are arranged on gears 32 and 60. Figure 3 and Figure 7 ) and on the opposite sides of carriage 56.

[0055] Each arm 66 has an upper end portion 67 hinged above axis 28 to the mounting frame 15 for rotation about a fixed hinge axis 68 parallel to axes 28 and 31. Each arm 66 includes a lower end portion 70 connected to a corresponding side of the carriage 56 by a corresponding pin 71 extending parallel to and secured to the carriage 56, and the pin slidably engaging a vertical eyelet 72 formed in the lower end portion 70 of the respective arm 66.

[0056] Arm 66 oscillates uniformly around associated pin 71 under the thrust of an eccentric cam 73 driven by shaft 30 and forming part of strip cutting assembly 19. For each arm 66, the eccentric cam 73 includes a radial convex angle 75 that is eccentric relative to axis 31 and securely connected to the corresponding end portion 30B of shaft 30. Each arm 66 includes an intermediate portion that is held against the corresponding radial convex angle 75 by a traction spring 76 arranged between the lower end 70 of the associated arm 66 and mounting frame 15.

[0057] refer to Figure 7To simplify assembly, shaft 30 is made into two parts marked 77 and 78, which are connected to each other by a front gear engagement 79 and are axially fastened to each other by screws 80. Part 78, gear 60 and associated radial convex angle 75 form part of a one-piece body, while another part 77 carries another radial convex angle 75 and cooperates with part 78 to support gear 32 and wheel 29 so that they can rotate relative to shaft 30.

[0058] As can be understood from the above, the mechanical transmission device 23, the opposing support shafts 26 and 27, and the mutually symmetrical unidirectional components 33 and 61 allow only the strip feed component 16 to be driven when the motor 20 rotates in one direction of rotation, and only the strip cutting component 19 to be driven when the motor 20 rotates in the opposite direction of rotation, while keeping the other component stationary or waiting.

[0059] Specifically, when the motor 20 rotates in one direction, motion is transmitted from the small bevel gear 24 to the two bevel gears 25. Since ratchet 36 and 36' are symmetrical, one of these ratchets counteracts the rotation of the associated gears 35, 35', while the other ratchet allows the associated gears 35, 35' to rotate and transmit motion. The same but reversed situation occurs when the motor 20 rotates in the opposite direction.

[0060] The result is that, for one direction of rotation, only the strip feed assembly 16 is operated while the strip cutting assembly 19 remains in a waiting state. During this period, the associated joints 41, 41' repeatedly engage to prevent transmission movement, and the blade 55 remains in a retracted, stationary position. Figure 6 As shown in the diagram. This situation persists until the length of the strip portion beyond the cutting line equals the desired length of the stirring rod 3 stored in the electronic control and command unit 22.

[0061] When the desired length is reached, the rotation direction of the motor 20 is reversed by electronic control and command unit 22. As described above, in this situation, when the associated wheel 35 is blocked by the plate 38, the engagement 41 engages, thereby keeping the feed wheel 29 stationary until the cam, during rotation, moves the arm 66 from its retracted stationary position. Figure 5 Move to the feed position ( Figure 6 () is used to cut strip 9 and separate stirring rod 3.

[0062] As can be understood from the above, since the control of the strip feeding assembly and the strip cutting assembly depends only on the control of a single motor, and specifically only on the rotation direction of the single motor, the strip forming assembly 10 is easy to control.

[0063] Therefore, by providing a paper presence sensor S1 ( Figure 2CAs shown), the coded strip feed sensor S2 ( Figure 7 (as shown) and the cutting blade position sensor S3 arranged at the angular position of the sensing arm 66 around the axis 68. Figure 7 (As shown in the middle section) This ensures that the strip forming assembly 10 operates correctly, accurately, and without changing over time.

[0064] Since the strip feeding step and the strip cutting step depend only on the rotation direction of the motor and the time the motor 20 rotates in one rotation direction or the other, the strip feeding assembly and the strip cutting assembly are always perfectly synchronized with each other, thus ensuring that the stirring bar always has the same desired length and, most importantly, high and constant quality.

[0065] Furthermore, the strip forming assembly 10 is extremely compact compared to known solutions.

[0066] The aforementioned results stem not only from the arrangement of the single motor shared by the strip feeding assembly and the strip cutting assembly, but also from the specific arrangement of various motion transmission components. Specifically, as in Figure 3 As can be understood, the strip forming assembly 10, the mechanical transmission device 23, the two shafts 25 and 27, the one-way angular motion transmission assemblies 33 and 61, the two cam lobes 75, the two gears 32 and 60, and the two arms 66 are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the vertical positioning plane P. The rotation axis 21A of the output shaft of the motor 20 is located in the vertical positioning plane and the vertical positioning plane passes through the strip feed wheel 29.

[0067] Furthermore, due to the specific structure of the shaft 30, the use of multiple pairs of identical gears and the same arms 66 makes the strip forming assembly 10 inexpensive and easy to assemble.

[0068] As can be understood from the foregoing, several modifications may be made to the strip forming assembly 10 described above without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

[0069] Specifically, the mechanical transmission 23 for transmitting the torque from the electric motor 20 to the two branches A and B may differ from the mechanical transmission described above, just as the strip feed assembly 16 and the strip cutting assembly 19 may be structurally different from the strip feed assembly and strip cutting assembly described above. In particular, the strip cutting assembly 19 may include different drive cams and / or a single arm 66 for moving the cutting blade 55, which may be shaped in the same or different manner as exemplarily described.

Claims

1. A stirring rod forming assembly (10) for use in the stirring rod dispenser (2) of a beverage vending machine (1); the stirring rod forming assembly (10) comprises: The mounting frame (15) allows the stirring rod forming assembly (10) to be mounted onto the fixed body (6). An inlet channel (11) for the strip (9); an outlet opening (12) for the stirring rod (3); a strip feed member (29) for feeding the strip (9) to the outlet opening (12); a first motor (20, 24, 25, 26, 32, 33) for driving the strip feed member (29); a strip cutting member (55) for laterally cutting the strip (9); and a second motor (20, 24, 25, 27, 60, 61, 65) for driving the strip cutting member (55); the first motor and the second motor include a single common electric motor (20). The motor (20) is equipped with a command and control device (22) to cause the motor (20) to rotate in one direction to operate the strip feeding member (29) and in the opposite direction to operate the strip cutting member (55); characterized in that the first motor (20, 24, 25, 26, 32, 33) and the second motor (20, 24, 25, 27, 60, 61, 65) are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the vertical positioning plane (P) where the axis (21A) of the rotation shaft (21) of the motor (20) is located; and wherein the stirring rod forming assembly further includes a mechanical A transmission device (23) guides the torque output by the electric motor (20) along two parallel branches (A, B), and each branch (A, B) is guided to a corresponding support shaft (26, 27). For each support shaft (26, 27), the mechanical transmission device includes a corresponding motion input bevel gear (25) rotatably mounted on the corresponding support shaft. The first support shaft (26) is part of the first motor (20, 24, 25, 26, 32, 33), and the second support shaft (27) is part of the second motor (20, 24, 25). The first motor and the second motor further include a first unidirectional angular motion transmission assembly and a second unidirectional angular motion transmission assembly (33, 61), which are supported by the first support shaft (26) and the second support shaft (27), respectively, and are configured to drive the strip feed member (29) when the motor (20) is operated to rotate in one rotational direction, and to drive the strip cutting member (55) when the motor (20) is operated to rotate in the opposite rotational direction.

2. The stirring rod forming assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the unidirectional angular motion transmission components (33; 61) includes: a corresponding first gear (35; 35') rotatably mounted on the associated support shaft (26; 27); a corresponding ratchet (36; 36') arranged between the mounting frame (15) and the associated first gear (35; 35') such that the first gear (35; 35') can rotate freely in one direction of rotation and is angularly aligned with the mounting frame (15) in the opposite direction of rotation; and a corresponding compliant angular engagement (40; 40') arranged between the associated input bevel gear (25) and the associated first gear (35; 35').

3. The stirring rod forming assembly (10) according to claim 2, wherein, Each of the aforementioned compliant angular joints (40; 40') is a snap-fit ​​compliant angular joint.

4. The stirring rod forming assembly (10) according to claim 3, wherein, Each of the compliant angular engagements (40; 40') includes a corresponding transmission member (41; 41') mounted to slide along the associated support shaft (26; 27); the transmission member (41; 41') is coupled to the associated bevel gear (25) to be angularly fixed and axially slidable along the associated support shaft (26; 27), and the transmission member includes a plurality of front teeth (44; 44'); each of the aforementioned compliant angle joints (40; 40') further includes: a plurality of angle-holding axial seats (47; 47'), carried by the associated first gear (35; 35') to engage the front teeth (44; 44') axially; an elastic device (48; 48') for pushing the associated front teeth (44; 44') toward the associated angle-holding axial seats (47; 47'); and a cam device (50; 50') disposed between the associated front teeth (44; 44') and the first gear (35; 35') to apply an axial thrust on the associated front teeth (44; 44') opposite to the axial thrust applied by the associated elastic device (48; 48') to disengage the associated front teeth (44; 44') from the associated angle-holding axial seats (47; 47').

5. The stirring rod forming assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The mechanical transmission device (23) includes a small bevel gear (24) that engages with the output shaft of the electric motor (20) and meshes with two bevel gears (25).

6. The stirring rod forming assembly (10) according to claim 5, wherein, The bevel gear (25) is arranged on opposite sides of the small bevel gear (24) in diameter and is rotatably mounted on the associated support shaft (26; 27) to rotatably about a common first fixed axis (28) orthogonal to the axis (21A) of the small bevel gear (24); the support shaft (26; 27) is a plurality of parts of a one-piece support shaft.

7. The stirring rod forming assembly (10) according to claim 2, wherein, The first motor (20, 24, 25, 26, 32, 33) includes a first gear (35) in one of the first gears, and includes a second gear (32) which is rotatably mounted to rotate about a second fixed axis (31) and mesh with the first gear (35); The strip feed member (29) includes an external toothed disc arranged coaxially with the second fixed axis (31) and securely connected to the second gear (32).

8. The stirring rod forming assembly (10) according to claim 2, wherein, The second motor (20, 24, 25, 27, 60, 61, 65) includes a cam drive (65).

9. The stirring rod forming assembly (10) according to claim 8, wherein, The second motor (20, 24, 25, 27, 60, 61, 65) includes a first gear (35') and a third gear (60), the third gear being rotatably mounted to rotate about a second fixed axis (31) and meshing with the first gear (35'); the cam drive (65) is driven by the third gear (60).

10. The stirring rod forming assembly (10) according to claim 9, wherein, The cam drive device (65) includes: an eccentric cam (73) rotatably mounted to rotate about the second fixed axis (31) and angularly aligned with the third gear (60); and at least one arm (66) arranged to contact the cam (73) for the strip cutting member (55).

11. The stirring rod forming assembly (10) according to claim 10, wherein, The arm (66) is a swing arm and includes: an end portion (67) hinged to the mounting frame (15); an opposite end portion (70) carrying the strip cutting member (55); and a middle portion cooperating with the cam (73); the cam (73) including at least one radial convex angle (75) and provided with an elastic device (76) to keep the middle portion of the arm (66) in contact with the radial convex angle (75).

12. The stirring rod forming assembly (10) according to claim 11, wherein, The cam drive device (65) includes two radial convex angles (75) which are rotatably mounted about the second fixed axis (31) and spaced apart from each other along the second fixed axis (31). The two radial convex angles are angularly aligned with the third gear (60), and for each radial convex angle (75), a corresponding arm (66) is arranged to abut against the associated radial convex angle (75).

13. The stirring rod forming assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The strip feed member (29) is formed of a disc-shaped body that is rotatable about a fixed axis (31) and intersects with an extension of the axis (21A) of the rotation axis (21) of the motor (20).

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