DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A FLOWABLE PRODUCT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for producing a flowable product, such as in particular ice cream, ice cream, or another creamy product, from a liquid mixture according to the preamble of claim 1. This device comprises a processing container provided in a device housing with a temperature-controlled inner wall that encloses an interior space suitable for receiving the liquid mixture. The inner wall is suitable for heating or cooling the liquid mixture. Furthermore, a stirring device for stirring and mixing the liquid mixture or the product is provided in the interior space. Furthermore, the processing container has a filling opening for introducing the liquid mixture and an outlet opening for dispensing the product.In order to enable the removal or discharge of the product from the processing container to the desired extent or to seal off the interior, the device comprises a closure element that is displaceably held at the outlet opening. This is designed, for example, as a closure plate and is adjustable between a closed position, in which the outlet opening is closed in a liquid-tight manner by the closure element, and an open position in which the outlet opening is at least partially open. The device also comprises an operating device that has an actuator that is operatively connected to the closure element and can be pivoted between a fixing position, in which the closure element is stably fixed relative to the outlet opening, and a release position, in which the closure element can be displaced between the closed position and the open position.

[0002] Such devices primarily serve to stir a liquid mixture, particularly with components of water, milk, cream, yogurt, thickeners, fruit pieces, fruit concentrate, spices, and other flavoring ingredients such as sugar, vanilla, chocolate, and other known and suitable food ingredients, such as ice cream in particular, using the stirring device until a flowable, viscous product, such as ice cream, ice cream, or other cream, is produced while simultaneously tempering the product. An essential component of such devices is the outlet opening, which remains closed during a respective production process and can be opened to remove the product from the processing container.

[0003] From DE 692 02 987 T2, for example, a device for producing a flowable product is known, which device has an outlet opening formed on the front side of a processing container. In order to retain the liquid mixture in the processing container during processing and to dispense the product after completion, a displaceably mounted closure plate is provided at the outlet opening. The closure plate is arranged in the manner of a horizontally pivoting door leaf on a hinge on the left side of the outlet opening on the outside of the processing container. In order to be able to fix the closure plate in a position covering the outlet opening, a threaded closure is formed on the right side of the outlet opening, opposite the hinge.The threaded closure is connected to a manually operable lever which can be pivoted vertically between a fixing position in which the closure plate is fixed relative to the outlet opening and a release position in which the closure plate can be displaced horizontally.

[0004] Furthermore, devices for producing ice cream are known, the outlet of which features a vertically displaceable closure element. The closure element engages with a pivotable actuator that fixes the closure element in a first position relative to the rest of the device and allows vertical displacement in a second position.

[0005] A disadvantage of the known device is that operating the actuator is often very cumbersome for the user, depending on the work situation and which objects the user has to hold in their hands in that particular work situation. This problem is particularly evident when removing the product from the processing container, which requires the use of both hands by the user operating the device. The known devices are designed in such a way that the user has to grasp the respective actuator with one hand to remove the product, unlock or release the locking element and move it into the open position. In addition, the locking element often has to be held in the open position by the user during removal of the product in order to prevent the locking element from pivoting back into the escaping product.This often leads to obstructions and cumbersome operation, particularly in the case of devices that are used by both right- and left-handed people.

[0006] The object of the invention is to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages in a generic device, to enable comfortable handling and, as a result of improved ergonomics, to enable faster and more effective removal of the product from the processing container.

[0007] This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. It is provided that the actuator can be pivoted in a substantially horizontal pivot plane between a left-hand locking position and a right-hand locking position. The solution according to the invention allows the actuator to be moved selectively to the left or right into the respective locking position in order to fix the closure element in the closed position or in a desired release position relative to the outlet opening, or to release the operating device from the previously selected locking position by pivoting the actuator in the opposite direction.The two different locking positions and pivoting directions available allow the user to select the most convenient locking position or pivoting direction depending on the objects they need to hold and / or whether they are right- or left-handed. This ensures uninterrupted and comfortable operation of the control device, regardless of the task being performed and / or whether the user is right- or left-handed.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the release position is provided, in particular centrally, between the left and right locking positions. This allows the release position to be adjusted via two opposing pivoting directions or directly from both locking positions. In this way, the operating devices can be moved from both locking positions across an equally large pivoting angle of the actuator and thus at the same speed into the release position, and vice versa. In a particularly preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the actuator extends perpendicularly relative to the outside of the device housing in the release position.

[0009] Advantageously, the locking element can be moved vertically between the closed position and the open position via the actuator in the release position. It can be provided that the locking element can be moved substantially perpendicular to the pivoting plane of the actuator. In this way, the locking element can be moved vertically along the outside of the device housing in the release position with one hand movement via the actuator from the closed position to a desired open position and can be locked in one of the two locking positions by pivoting the actuator. Due to the provided vertical displaceability, the operating device can be designed and operated in a particularly space-saving manner, so that the device can also be set up and operated in a small work area.In addition, the opening gap of the outlet opening and the resulting discharge quantity of the product can be regulated very easily and precisely by means of the vertical displacement.

[0010] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the operating device has at least one contact pressure means that applies a contact pressure to the closure element in the two locking positions in the direction of the processing container. By applying the contact pressure, the closure element, particularly when at least partially made of an elastic material or when designed with elastic sealing means, can ensure stable positioning relative to the outlet opening in the locking positions or secure sealing of the outlet opening in the closed position.

[0011] It is advantageous if the pressing means is designed as an eccentric cam element that can be applied to the closure element and rotated about a rotational axis by means of the actuator between the two fixing positions and the release position. The eccentric cam element is connected or coupled to the actuator in such a way that a pivoting movement of the actuator leads to a displacement of the eccentric cam element. This allows a sufficiently large pressing force to be generated easily via the eccentric cam element to ensure a tight closure of the outlet opening or a stable fixation of the closure element relative to the outlet opening, depending on the position of the actuator.

[0012] Advantageously, the eccentric cam element has an outer peripheral surface that abuts the closure element with an inner contact section in the release position and with an outer contact section in each of the two locking positions. The radial distance between the outer peripheral surface and the rotational axis is smaller at the inner contact section than at the two outer contact sections. The contact forces that can be generated in the two locking positions can be adjusted particularly easily by adjusting the size of the radial distances between the two outer contact sections.

[0013] In addition, it is preferably provided that the distance between the outer peripheral surface and the axis of rotation of the eccentric cam element increases continuously from the inner contact section to the two outer contact sections, so that the operating device can be switched between the release position and the two fixing positions in a comfortable manner and without great expenditure of force.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment, the rotatably mounted eccentric cam element projects into a recess in the closure element, with the outer peripheral surface being able to rest against a base of the recess. In this way, the outer peripheral surface can be pressed against the base of the recess in the fixing positions to generate the contact force. At the same time, the engagement of the eccentric cam element in the recess creates a positive connection with the closure element, which acts in the vertical direction. In this way, the eccentric cam element acts as a driver, by means of which the closure element is also displaced vertically in the same way when the actuator is displaced vertically.

[0015] Advantageously, the base of the recess is concavely curved and adapted to the curvature of the outer peripheral surface. This allows the eccentric cam element to press the locking element against the device housing over a larger area in the two locking positions, so that the holding forces generated by the contact force are evenly distributed and a reliable seal is created. For this purpose, the recess preferably has a C-shaped longitudinal profile.

[0016] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the operating device has a guide rod arranged on the outside of the device housing, which forms the axis of rotation and on which the eccentric cam element is rotatably mounted. For example, the guide rod can be held together with the rest of the operating device on a door by means of which the processing container can be closed. The actuator acting on the eccentric cam element forms a lever arm, via which a relatively large torque can be generated on the eccentric cam element even with a small application of force. This allows for convenient adjustment of the operating device and its actuator between the release position and the two locking positions without great effort.

[0017] Advantageously, the eccentric cam element has a through-bore for vertically displaceable and rotatable mounting on the guide rod. The through-bore is designed such that the eccentric cam element can be rotated about the axis of rotation formed by the guide rod and can also be displaced axially along the longitudinal axis of the guide rod. In this way, the closure element can be displaced by vertically displacing the actuator along the guide rod, in particular to be able to adjust it between the closed position and an open position relative to the outlet opening.

[0018] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the device, a grid can be arranged in a fixed position in the outlet opening. The grid ensures that no accidental access to the interior of the processing container occurs during operation of the stirring device.

[0019] It is pointed out that all features of the subject matter according to the invention described above are interchangeable or combinable with one another, unless an exchange or combination thereof is excluded for technical reasons.

[0020] Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the claims and the following description of the figures, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in detail with reference to the drawings. The figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. They show: Figure 1 shows a front view of a device according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a side view of the device according to Figure 1 , Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a door of the device according to Fig. 1 , Figure 4 a plan view of an actuator of a door operating device in direction IV according to Figure 3, Figure 5a front view of the door according to Fig. 4 with a locking element in the closed position and the actuator in the left fixing position, Figure 6 a front view of the door according to Fig. 4 with the locking element in the closed position and the actuator in a release position, Figure 7 a front view of the door according to Fig. 4 with the locking element in an open position and the actuator in the release position and Figure 8 a front view of the door according to Fig. 4 with the locking element in the open position and the actuator in the left fixing position.

[0021] In the Figure 1 and 2 An exemplary embodiment of a device 2 for producing a flowable product, in particular ice cream, from a liquid mixture is shown. The device 2 comprises a device housing 4 in which a cylindrical processing container 6 is accommodated. As can be seen in particular from Figure 2As can be seen, the processing container 6 has a temperature-controlled inner wall 8, which encloses an interior space 10 in which the liquid mixture to be processed is held. The temperature-controlled inner wall 8 serves to cool or heat the held liquid mixture. Furthermore, a stirring device 12 is accommodated in the interior space 10, by means of which the liquid mixture can be stirred or mixed.

[0022] The processing container 6 also has a container opening 14 that can be sealed in a liquid-tight manner by a pivotable door 16. For this purpose, the door 16 is pivotably mounted on a front side V of the device housing 4, for example, by means of a hinge 18. On a side facing away from the hinge 18, a locking device 20 is also provided between the door 16 and the device housing 4, by means of which the door 16 can be locked when the processing container 6 is closed.

[0023] In order to be able to introduce the liquid mixture required for the production of the product, which in particular contains components of water, milk, cream, thickener, fruit pieces, fruit concentrate, vanilla, and chocolate, into the processing container 6, a filling opening 22 is provided in the upper region of the door 16. A filling device 24 is arranged at this filling opening 22, which has a filling funnel 26 through which the ingredients can be filled from the outside into the interior 10 of the processing container 6 and which can be opened and closed via a pivoting lid 28.

[0024] Below the filling device 24, an outlet opening 30 for dispensing the finished product is also embedded in the door 16. A grid 32 is provided on the outlet opening 30 to prevent access to the stirring device 12 during operation of the device 2. The outlet opening 30 can be closed in a liquid-tight manner by a closure element 34 that can be moved vertically between an open position and a closed position shown. As shown, a channel-shaped outlet aid 36 can also be provided below the outlet opening 30, via which the product emerging from the outlet opening 30, after its completion, can be guided into a collecting container B arranged below it. For the releasable fixation of such a collecting container B, a fastening device 38 can also be provided below the outlet aid 36, as shown.

[0025] For adjusting the closure element 34 between the shown closed position and a desired open position in which the outlet opening 30 is at least partially open, the device 2 has an operating device 40.

[0026] As is particularly evident from Figure 3 As can be seen, the operating device 40 has an actuator 42, an eccentric cam element 44 connected to the actuator 42 and engageable with the locking element 34, and a guide rod 48 held in position on the door 16 by means of a bearing element 46. This guide rod 48 serves to rotatably and displaceably support the eccentric cam element 44 relative to the door 16. For this purpose, a through-bore 50 is recessed into the eccentric cam element 44 and is pushed onto the guide rod 48.

[0027] As from Figure 3As can also be seen, the closure element 34 has a groove-shaped recess 52 into which the eccentric cam element 44 can engage in a rotationally movable manner.

[0028] This engagement creates a positive connection which acts parallel to the guide rod 48 and by which, when the eccentric cam element 44 is displaced along the guide rod 48, the closure element 34 is also displaced accordingly.

[0029] The groove-shaped recess 52 has a concavely curved receiving base 54 which can be brought into contact with the eccentric cam element 44 and which is essentially adapted to a curvature of an outer circumferential surface 56 of the eccentric cam element 44. As a result, the eccentric cam element 44 can be rotated relative to the closure element 34 by a pivoting movement of the actuator 42, even when it is in contact with the receiving base 54. The operating device 40 can thus be moved into a left or right fixing position, as shown in Figure 1are shown. The actuator 42 is arranged either to the left of the guide rod 48, as shown in solid lines, or to the right of the guide rod 48, as shown in dot-dash lines. In both fixing positions, a contact force is generated via the eccentric cam element 44 mounted on the guide rod 48, which presses the closure element 34 against the device housing 4, thereby fixing it in its position.

[0030] Furthermore, the operating device 40 can be pivoted into a release position, in which the actuator 42, as shown in dash-dotted lines in Figure 2 , is arranged centrally between the two locking positions. In this release position, the contact force generated by the eccentric cam element 44 is at least substantially eliminated. As a result, the closure element 34 can be displaced along the guide rod 48 together with the actuator 26.

[0031] To generate and release the contact pressure, the outer circumferential surface 56 has Fig. 4 an inner contact section 58, which extends continuously in both circumferential directions to an outer contact section 60, 62. The inner contact section 58 corresponds to the area of ​​the eccentric cam element 44 that is arranged in the recess 52 in the release position. The outer contact sections 60, 62, on the other hand, correspond to the areas of the eccentric cam element 44 that rest against the receiving base 54 of the recess 52 in the left and right fixing positions, respectively.

[0032] As from Figure 4 As can be seen, the inner contact section 58 has a first radius R1 with respect to a rotational axis D of the eccentric cam element 44, which is smaller than a second radius R2, which is delimited by the two outer contact sections 60, 62.

[0033] Furthermore, the eccentric cam element 44 has a hollow cylinder 64 extending from a top side. This serves as a stop for contact with a bottom side of the bearing element 46 in order to limit the displacement of the eccentric cam element 44 or the closure element 34 carried by it in the vertical direction.

[0034] Furthermore, a left and right spacer 66, 68 are formed on the actuator 42 on two opposite sides, both of which can be placed against the front of the device housing 4 in order to limit the lateral pivotability of the actuator 42 to the left and right, respectively, and to ensure that the actuator 42 can be easily gripped in both end positions.

[0035] The functionality of the operating device 40 is explained below using the Figures 5 to 8 shown: The Figure 5shows the closure element 34 in an operational state of the device 2, in which the closure element 34 is arranged in the closed position above the outlet opening 40 and the actuator 42 of the operating device 40 is moved into the left-hand fixing position. Alternatively, the actuator 42 can also be moved into the right-hand fixing position, as shown by dash-dotted lines. In both fixing positions, the respective outer contact section 60, 62 of the outer circumferential surface 56 of the eccentric cam element 44 presses, as described above, against the receiving base 54 of the recess 52, thereby generating the contact force with which the closure element 34 seals the outlet opening 30 in a liquid-tight manner and is fixed relative to the device housing 4.

[0036] By pivoting the actuator 42 into the release position according to Figure 6The inner contact section 58 of the outer peripheral surface 56 is now arranged on the recess 52. Due to the smaller first radius R1 of the inner contact section 58 compared to the second radius R2 of the two outer contact sections 60, 62, the contact force is at least largely eliminated, so that the closure element 34 is no longer fixed relative to the device housing 4.

[0037] By a vertical displacement of the actuator 42, the closure element 34 in the release position can thus be moved together with the eccentric cam element 44 along the guide rod 48 into the open position according to Figure 7 in which the outlet opening 30 is at least partially open to the outside.

[0038] By pivoting the actuator 42 again into one of the two fixing positions according to Figure 8The respective outer contact section 60; 62 of the outer circumferential surface 56 is now brought into contact with the receiving base 54 of the recess 52. As a result of the larger second radius R2 compared to the first radius R1, the contact pressure is again generated, with which the closure element 34 is now fixed in the set open position relative to the device housing 4. Depending on the intended workflow and / or whether the user is left- or right-handed, a choice can be made between the left-hand fixing position and the right-hand fixing position.

[0039] In the set locking position, the product exiting through the outlet opening 30 can then be filled into a collecting container B, for example, using a stripping agent (not shown). By selecting the two locking positions, jamming of the operating device can be avoided. Furthermore, depending on whether the user is left- or right-handed, the user can select the locking position so that they can strip the product with their preferred hand, while the other hand can repeatedly operate the actuator 42, or vice versa.

Claims

1. Device (2) for producing a flowable product, in particular ice cream, from a liquid mixture, comprising a processing container (6) provided in a device housing (4) with a temperature-controllable inner wall (8) which encloses an inner space (10) suitable for receiving the liquid mixture, in which a stirring apparatus (12) is provided, wherein the processing container (6) has a filling opening (22) for introducing the liquid mixture and an outlet opening (30) for dispensing the product, a closure element (34) which is displaceably held at the outlet opening (30), which is adjustable between a closed position in which the outlet opening (30) is closed, and an open position in which the outlet opening (30) is at least partially open, and an operating apparatus (40), which has an actuator (42) which is operatively coupled with the closure element (34), which is pivotable between a fixing position, in which the closure element (34) is fixed in a stable position relative to the outlet opening (30), and a releasing position, in which the closure element (34) is adjustable between the closed position and the open position, characterised in that the actuator (42) is pivotable between a left fixing position and a right fixing position.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the releasing position is provided between the left and right fixing positions.

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that, in the releasing position, the closure element (34) is vertically displaceable between the closed position and the open position via the actuator (42).

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the operating apparatus (40) has at least one pressing means which, in the two fixing positions, applies a pressing force to the closure element (34) towards the processing container (6).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterised in that the pressing means is formed as an eccentric cam element (44), which is restable against the closure element (34) and which is twistable about an axis of rotation (D) between the two fixing positions and the releasing position by means of the actuator (42).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that< / b> the eccentric cam element (44) has an outer peripheral surface (56) which rests against the closure element (34) with an inner contact section (58) in the releasing position and with a respective outer contact section (60; 62) in the two fixing positions, wherein the distance between the outer peripheral surface (56) and the axis of rotation (D) is smaller at the inner contact section (58) than at the two outer contact sections (60, 62).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that the distance between the outer peripheral surface (56) and the axis of rotation (D) increases continuously from the inner contact section (58) to the two outer contact sections (60, 62).

8. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the rotatably mounted eccentric cam element (44) extends into a recess (52) of the closure element (34), wherein the outer peripheral surface (56) is restable against a receiving base (54) of the recess (52).

9. Device according to claim 8, characterised in that the receiving base (54) of the recess (52) is concavely curved and is adapted to a curvature of the outer peripheral surface (56).

10. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterised in that the operating apparatus (40) has a guide rod (48) which is arranged at the outside of the device housing (4), which forms the axis of rotation (D), and at which the eccentric cam element (44) is rotatably mounted.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterised in that the eccentric cam element (44) has a through hole (50) for vertically displaceable mounting at the guide rod (48).

12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that a grid (32) is arranged in a fixed position in the outlet opening (30).