DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A FLOWABLE PRODUCT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for producing a free-flowing product, such as, in particular, ice cream, sorbet, or other creamy products, from a starting mixture according to the preamble of claim 1. This device comprises a processing vessel provided in a housing, the vessel having a temperature-controlled inner wall that encloses an interior space suitable for receiving the starting mixture. The inner wall is suitable for heating or cooling the starting mixture. Furthermore, a stirring device for stirring and mixing the starting mixture or the product is provided in the interior space, which is accessible via a container opening.To allow access to the interior for complete removal of the product from the processing container and its cleaning, or to seal the interior during the manufacturing process, the device includes a container door that is movable on the device housing. This door is pivotable between a closed position, in which the container opening is sealed liquid-tight by the door, and an open position, in which the interior is accessible through the container opening. The device also includes a locking device that is adjustable between a locked position, in which the container door is fixed in the closed position by the locking device, and a released position, in which the container door can be pivoted to an open position spaced away from the container opening.

[0002] Devices of the aforementioned type primarily serve to stir a liquid starting mixture, particularly one containing water, milk, cream, yogurt, thickeners, fruit pieces, fruit concentrate, spices, and / or other flavorings such as sugar, vanilla, chocolate, and other known and suitable food ingredients, until a flowable, viscous product, such as ice cream, frozen dessert, or other cream, is obtained while simultaneously tempering the mixture. An essential component of these devices is the container door, which rests against the container opening during each production process and seals the interior of the processing container, at least for the product, and which can be opened to allow access to the interior.

[0003] From DE 692 02 987 T2, for example, a device for producing a flowable product is known, which has a processing container that is housed within a device housing. A container door is pivotably mounted on the outside of the device housing via a hinge. Furthermore, a threaded locking device is provided to lock the container door in a closed position that seals the container opening. The locking device is adjustable between a locking position, in which the container door is clamped against the container opening, and a release position, in which the container door can pivot freely along its horizontal pivot plane.

[0004] After a manufacturing process, thorough cleaning of such devices is necessary to prevent contamination of subsequent product batches. Furthermore, especially during extended periods of inactivity after cleaning, ventilation of the processing container is required to remove any residual moisture through evaporation.

[0005] A disadvantage of the known device is that the locking mechanism can only be moved to the release position for cleaning and ventilation purposes, in which the container door can be freely pivoted. This creates the risk that the container door will accidentally close, leading to mold growth, especially during extended periods of inactivity and with residual moisture remaining in the processing container, due to insufficient airflow. Furthermore, there is a risk that the container door will be pivoted into an open position, protruding so far into the work area in front of the device that it could obstruct or even injure people working in that area.

[0006] The object of the invention is to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages in a generic device, and to ensure complete cleaning and ventilation of the processing container, as well as to avoid obstructions or even injuries caused by the container door.

[0007] This problem is solved by a device with the features of claim 1. It is provided that, in addition to the locking and release positions, the locking device can be adjusted to a ventilation position. In this ventilation position, the container door is held at a distance from the container opening by the locking device in a predetermined ventilation position, thereby providing a ventilation slot for sufficient ventilation of the interior of the processing container. The ventilation position of the locking device limits the deflection of the pivoting container door relative to the container opening, thus preventing or reducing the risk of obstruction or injury resulting from the container door being spaced away from the processing container.Furthermore, the ventilation position of the locking device can be used to predetermine the ventilation position of the container door, creating a ventilation slot of a predetermined size that ensures sufficient ventilation of the interior, allowing any remaining residual moisture to evaporate and preventing mold growth in the processing container even during extended periods of inactivity.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the device, the ventilation slot in the ventilation position of the container door has a maximum width of between 2 cm and 20 cm at its widest point. By positioning the container door at a suitable distance from the container opening, sufficient air exchange for removing residual moisture can be ensured, while simultaneously minimizing the risk of obstruction in the work area in front of the device by the protruding container door.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment, the locking device has an adjustable actuator by means of which, in the locked position and with the container door positioned between the door and the device housing, a clamping force can be applied. In the release position, the actuator is removed from the pivoting range of the container door to allow free pivoting of the container door. And in the ventilation position, the actuator can be used to form a ventilation stop, which serves to position the container door at a distance from the container opening in the ventilation position. This allows the user to quickly and easily adjust the desired position of the container door relative to the container opening in order to switch between the closed, open, and ventilation positions.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the actuator can be operated by means of a handle connected to it and can be pivoted about a substantially horizontally oriented actuating axis. This allows the handle to be moved vertically, in particular, to enable space-saving operation, so that the device can also be used in confined spaces.

[0011] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the actuator has an eccentric section that can be pivoted by at least 180°, comprising a first contact area and a second contact area facing away from the first contact area. In the locking position, the first contact area, and in the ventilation position, the second contact area, can be brought into contact with the container door. In this way, the container door can be selectively fixed to the container opening or held at a distance from the container opening by means of a single actuator, forming a ventilation slot.

[0012] Advantageously, the first contact area and / or the second contact area is at least partially made of a plastic material, such as, in particular, an elastomeric plastic. This prevents damage or the formation of scratches when the actuator comes into contact with the preferably metallic container door. Furthermore, the elastomeric plastic can generate a preload in the closed position, thus creating a clamping force towards the processing container, which enables the container opening to be tightly closed by the container door.

[0013] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the container door in the closed position is subjected to a permanent opening force away from the container opening, whereby the container door is automatically moved from the closed position into the ventilation position or into the opening position as soon as the locking device is moved from the locking position into the ventilation position or into the release position.

[0014] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the processing container extends obliquely upwards from the container opening, against the direction of gravity, and the container door is pivotally mounted on the device housing by means of a hinge element that defines a pivot axis which is essentially perpendicular to the angle of inclination and thus also obliquely directed. As a result, in the closed position, the container door is acted upon by the resultant force of gravity generated by its own weight, so that the resultant force of gravity acting in the pivot direction of the container door functions as the opening force. This eliminates the need for any additional means to generate the opening force.Furthermore, this design allows a product or cleaning agent contained in the processing container to flow out more easily towards the container opening and be removed more readily compared to a horizontally oriented receiving base. The processing container preferably extends at an angle of between 20° and 50° to the horizontal.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the opening force is generated by a spring force from a spring mechanism that acts between the container door and the device housing, biasing the container door into the open or ventilation position. This allows the opening force to be generated particularly easily and in a space-saving manner, for example, by a spring mechanism arranged at the hinge.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment, the actuator is adjustable between the locked position, the released position, and the ventilation position by means of an electric actuator. In this way, the actuator can be adjusted easily and quickly by a user in a convenient manner and without significant effort. Furthermore, the actuator can also be adjusted semi- or fully automatically in this way.

[0017] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the container door can also be adjusted between the closed and open positions by means of an electric swivel mechanism. In this way, the container door can be swiveled along its axis and moved into a predefined position in coordination with the locking mechanism, without requiring complex operation by a user, particularly semi- or fully automatically.

[0018] Advantageously, at least one of the two electrical components is adjustable via a control panel on the device housing, enabling particularly simple and convenient control of the container door and the locking mechanism by a user of the device. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the control panel is coupled to a computer unit with a storage medium, allowing the user to select from several preset settings and / or sequences for different applications. This allows, for example, different dwell times of the locking mechanism in the locked, ventilation, or open positions to be preset and selected.

[0019] Furthermore, it is advantageous for at least one safety sensor, in particular a tactile or optical sensor, to be arranged between the container door and the device housing. This allows a body part, such as a finger or hand, or any other object positioned between the container door and the container opening to be detected, thus preventing injuries or damage to the device, especially when the container door is closed.

[0020] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, at least one of the two electrical devices can be automatically blocked depending on a signal from the safety sensor, such as in the case of a detected object between the container door and the device housing. This allows, in particular, a closing process to be blocked in order to prevent injuries or damage.

[0021] It should be noted that all the features of the object according to the invention described above are interchangeable or combinable with each other, provided that such an exchange or combination is not excluded for technical reasons.

[0022] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent 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 is a front view of a device according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side view of the device according to the invention. Figure 1 Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a locking device of the apparatus according to Figure 1 Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the device according to Fig. 1with the locking device in a locking position, Figure 5 a perspective view of the device according to Fig. 1 with the locking device in a ventilation position, Figure 6 a perspective view of the device according to Fig. 1 with the locking device in a release position, Figure 7 a front view of an alternative embodiment of the device with a horizontally extending processing container and Figure 8 the front view of another alternative embodiment of the device according to Fig. 1 with safety sensors and electric actuators.

[0023] In the Figure 1 and 2Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a device 2 for producing a flowable product, such as ice cream in particular, from a starting mixture. The device 2 comprises a device housing 4 in which a cylindrical processing container 6 is housed. As shown in particular from Figure 2 As can be seen, the processing vessel 6 has a temperature-controlled inner wall 8 that encloses an interior space 10 in which the starting mixture to be processed is received. The temperature-controlled inner wall 8 serves to cool or heat the received starting mixture and is connected for this purpose to a compressor 12 and / or a heating device (not shown), which is also housed in the device housing 4. In addition, a stirring device 14 is housed in the interior space 10, by means of which the starting mixture can be stirred or mixed.

[0024] The processing container 6 further has a container opening 16 on its front side V, which can be closed fluid-tight by a container door 18. For this purpose, the container door 18 is pivotably mounted on the front side V of the device housing 4 by means of a hinge element 20 located on the left side of the container opening 16. The container door 18 can pivot between a closed position (as shown), in which the container opening 16 is closed by the container door 18, and an open position, in which the interior 10 is accessible via the container opening 16. A locking device 22 is also provided on the side of the container door 18 facing away from the hinge element 20, by means of which the container door 18 can be locked in the closed position.

[0025] As from Fig. 2As can be further seen, the processing container 6 is held at an angle within the device housing 4 such that it extends at an angle W of 20 to 50°, in particular approximately 30°, to the horizontal H. Due to this inclined arrangement of the processing container 6, the container opening 16 is also inclined. Furthermore, the device housing 4 is inclined and overhanging in the area of ​​the container opening 16, so that the hinge element 20 attached to it forms a pivot axis SA that is perpendicular to the angle W.

[0026] To allow the starting mixture required for the production of the product, which in particular comprises components of water, milk, cream, thickener, fruit pieces, fruit concentrate, vanilla, and chocolate, to be introduced into the processing container 6, a filling opening 30 is provided in the upper part of the container door 18. A filling device 32 is arranged at this filling opening 30, which has a filling funnel 34 accessible from above. The ingredients can be filled from the outside into the interior 10 of the processing container 6 via this funnel, and the funnel can be opened and closed by means of a pivotable lid 36. Furthermore, a control panel 38 is provided above the lid 36. This panel is connected to a computer unit 42 and allows various functions of the device 2 to be controlled via this control panel.

[0027] Below the filling device 32, an outlet opening 40 for dispensing the finished product is also provided at the container door 18. The outlet opening 40 can be sealed fluid-tight by a sealing plate 44 or opened to allow the product to escape.

[0028] As can be seen in particular from the enlarged view of the in Figure 3As can be seen from the locking device 22 shown, this includes an actuator 50 that can be brought into and out of contact with the container door 18. The actuator 50 is pivotably mounted on a base part 52 connected to the device housing 4 about an actuating axis ST. To allow the actuator 50 to be adjusted to different positions relative to the container door 18, a manually operated handle 54 is provided. The handle 54 is located on the side of the base part 52 opposite the actuator 50 and can be adjusted by a user by means of a vertical pivoting movement.

[0029] As furthermore from the Fig. 3As can be seen, the actuator 50 consists of a support section 56 extending perpendicularly to the actuating axis ST and an eccentric section 58 projecting perpendicularly from a free end of the support section 56. The eccentric section 58 has a first contact area 60 and a second contact area 62 facing away from the first contact area 60. Both contact areas 60 and 62 can optionally be brought into contact with an outer surface of the container door 18 to hold it in a predetermined position. An elastic plastic element 64 is replaceably mounted on each of the contact areas 60 and 62 to prevent damage and, in particular, scratches to the container door and to generate a clamping force in the closed position.

[0030] The function of the locking device 22 and its interaction with the container door 18 is explained below using the following: Figures 4 to 7 shown: In Fig. 4The locking device 22 is shown in a locked position. In this position, the actuator 50 presses with the first contact section 60 against the outside of the container door 18, whereby the corresponding elastic plastic element 64 is biased against the container door 18. In this locked position of the locking device 22, the container door 18 is thereby fixed in the closed position and the container opening 16 is sealed fluid-tight, particularly for the duration of the manufacturing process.

[0031] From the locked position, the locking device 22 can be moved into a position by vertically pivoting the handle 54. Fig. 5The ventilation position shown can be changed. By pivoting the handle 54, the eccentric section 58 of the actuator 50 is simultaneously pivoted by 180°, so that the second contact area 62 of the eccentric section 58 now faces the container door 18. The second contact area 62 is arranged at a distance from the container opening 16. Due to the inclined mounting, the gravitational force FG generated by the weight of the container door 18 also results in an opening force FO acting in the pivoting direction, which causes the container door 18 to pivot away from the container opening 16 automatically until it contacts the second contact area 62.

[0032] The container door 18, which is in contact with the second contact area 62, is thereby held in a ventilation position at a distance from the container opening 16, in which a ventilation slot 66 is open between the container opening 16 and the container door 18, serving for ventilation or air supply into the interior 10. Through this ventilation slot 66, which preferably has a maximum width of between 2 and 20 cm at its widest point, residual moisture remaining in the processing container 6 after a manufacturing or cleaning process can evaporate, thus preventing mold growth or contamination of subsequent production batches.

[0033] In addition to the locking position and the ventilation position, the locking device 22 can also be moved into the position indicated by a further pivoting of the handle 54. Fig. 6The release position shown can be moved, in which the actuator 50 is located outside the pivoting range of the container door 18. Due to the opening force OF described above, which acts permanently on the container door 18, the container door 18 is automatically moved past the locking device 22 into an open position in which it makes the container opening 16 freely accessible.

[0034] Figure 7Figure 1 shows an alternative embodiment of the device 2, in which the processing container 6 is mounted horizontally in the device housing 4, and both the container door 18 and its pivot axis SA extend vertically. Since, in this embodiment of the device 2, the opening force FO cannot be generated by the weight of the container door 18, which is now mounted to pivot horizontally, a spring assembly 68 is provided between the container door 18 and the device housing 4. In the closed position of the container door 18, this spring assembly generates a spring force FF, or a moment, through preloading, which acts on the container door 18 as the opening force FO away from the container opening. For this purpose, the spring assembly 68 can, as shown, for example, act on or be integrated into the hinge element 20.Such a spring device 68 can also be used in the embodiment of the device 2 according to the , regardless of the orientation of the processing container 6. Figures 1 to 6 be provided for.

[0035] Figure 8 shows a further alternative embodiment of the device 2, in which, regardless of the orientation of the processing container 6, in contrast to the device 2 according to the Figures 1 to 7 The actuator 50 is adjustable by means of an electric actuator 70. The electric actuator 70 enables at least semi-automated movement of the actuator 50 between the locking position, the ventilation position, and the release position.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, the container door 18 can also be adjustable by means of an electric swivel device 72. For this purpose, the electric swivel device 72 is integrated, for example, on the hinge element 20 in such a way that it can be swivelled semi- or fully automatically between the closed, ventilation and open positions.

[0037] For control purposes, the electrical devices 70, 72 are connected, for example, via cable or radio to the control panel 38 or to the computer unit 42.

[0038] Furthermore, a safety sensor 74 with at least one optical and / or tactile safety sensor 76 is provided at the filling opening 30. The at least one safety sensor 76 is designed and arranged such that an object located between the container opening 16 and the container door 18 is detected and a signal can be transmitted to the user or to the computer unit 42 connected to the control panel 28. Depending on this signal, at least one of the two electrical devices 70, 72 can then be blocked, for example, to prevent injury to a user or damage to the device 2.

Claims

1. Device (2) for producing a flowable product, in particular ice cream, from a starting 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 starting mixture, in which a stirring apparatus (14) is provided and which is accessible via a container opening (16), a container door (18) displaceably held on the device housing (4), which is pivotable between a closed position, in which the container opening (16) is closed, and an open position, in which the inner space (10) is accessible via the container opening (16), and a locking apparatus (22) which can be adjusted between a locking position, in which the container door (18) is positionally fixed in the closed position by means of the locking apparatus (22), and a release position, in which the container door (18) is pivotable between the closed position and the open position, characterised in that the locking apparatus (22), in addition to the locking position and release position, is adjustable to a ventilation position in which the container door (18) is held at a distance from the container opening (16) in a predetermined ventilation position and releases a ventilation slot (66) for ventilation of the inner space (10) via the container opening (16).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the ventilation slot (66) has a maximum width between 2 cm and 20 cm in the ventilation position of the container door (18).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the locking apparatus (22) has an adjustable actuating member (50) which, in the locking position, with the container door (18) interposed, produces a clamping force directed against the device housing (4), is removed from the pivoting range of the container door (18) in the release position and forms a ventilation stop in the ventilation position, against which the container door (18) can be placed at a distance from the container opening (16).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that the actuating member (50) is pivotable about an adjusting axis (ST) by means of a handle (54).

5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the actuating member (50) has an eccentric portion (58) with a first contact area (60) and a second contact area (62) facing away from the first contact area (60), wherein in the locking position the first contact area (60) and in the ventilation position the second contact area (62) can be placed against the container door (18).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that the first contact area (60) and / or the second contact area (62) is formed from a plastic material at least in sections.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the container door (18) is loaded away from the container opening (16) by an opening force (FO).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterised in that the processing container (6) extends obliquely upwards away from the container opening (16) against the direction of gravity (G) at an angle of incidence (W) and the container door (18) is pivotably supported at the device housing (4) by means of a hinge element (20) which defines a pivot axis (SA) that is essentially perpendicular to the angle of incidence (W) and the opening force (FO) can thus be generated by the force of gravity (FG) of the container door (18).

9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the opening force (FO) is formed by a spring force (FF) of a spring apparatus (68) which biases the container door into the open position.

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the locking apparatus (22) is adjustable by means of an electric actuating apparatus (70) between the locking position, the release position and the ventilation position.

11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the container door (18) is adjustable by means of an electric pivoting apparatus (72) between the closed position and the open position.

12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that at least one of the two electrical apparatuses (70, 72) can be controlled by means of a control panel (38) connected thereto.

13. Device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that at least one safety sensor system (74) is provided between the container door (18) and the device housing (4), by means of which an object (O) in the pivoting range of the container door (18) can be detected.

14. Device according to claim 13, characterised in that at least one of the two electrical apparatuses (70; 72) can be automatically blocked in dependence on a signal from the safety sensor system.