Machine for preparing and dispensing granita

Abstract

The machine for preparing and dispensing granita and the like comprises at least one containment tank (2) for the product to be prepared and dispensed associated with a support frame (10). The tank (2) forms an upper opening equipped with a closing cover (20). Inside said product containment tank (2) there is arranged a cooling device (3) adapted to be connected to a refrigeration system (4) to carry out the circulation of a refrigerant fluid inside an evaporator member (31 ) associated with the same cooling device (3). A product mixing device (5) is associated with said cooling device (3). Said refrigeration system (4) comprises a condenser member (41 ) arranged in a compartment (14) placed at the top of said support frame (10) and associated with a fan member (42) configured so as to suck the cooling air from said refrigeration system (4).

Description

DescriptionMACHINE FOR PREPARING AND DISPENSING GRANITATechnical Field

[0001] The object of the present invention is a machine for preparing and dispensing granita and other similar chilled products.Prior art

[0002] Over-the-counter apparatus are currently known that allow chilled products of the type of traditional water-based granitas and other chilled products, such as for example creamy ice creams, sorbets, frozen yoghurts and the like to be prepared and dispensed instantly.

[0003] Such known apparatus generally consist of a tank adapted to contain the product to be prepared and dispensed, placed above a base body. In the product containment tank are arranged a cooling device for cooling the product to the appropriate temperature and a mixing device that implements the continuous circulation of the product inside the tank.

[0004] The cooling device usually consists of an evaporator involved in the circulation of a refrigerant fluid, for example a coil evaporator arranged inside a tubular, substantially cylindrical body, arranged according to the horizontal axis of the tank. The evaporator is connected to a refrigeration system housed within a base body on which the product containment tank is mounted.

[0005] The refrigeration system comprises a compressor member that feeds the refrigerant fluid to a condenser member through which the refrigerant fluid itself releases heat to the external environment. A special axial fan directs an air flow over the condenser in order to prevent overheating of the condenser itself. The refrigeration system is usually arranged inside the base body of the apparatus.

[0006] The mixing device consists for example of an auger member rotated according to an axis longitudinal to the tank. The auger member of the mixing device wraps around the tubular body of the evaporator. The mixing device is adapted to convey the cooled product towards a front area, where a product dispensing device is placed. The dispensing device is equipped with a shutter element operable by means of an external lever member.

[0007] In practice, the rotation of the auger member of the mixing device continuously pushes the product from the rear of the tank towards the front, where the dispensing device is placed. A continuous recirculation of the product is therefore created inside the tank, which ensures the desired fluidity.

[0008] An apparatus for dispensing chilled products of this type is illustrated for example in patent applications WO 03 / 082022 and JP H11 253105.

[0009] A problem that arises in the use of the apparatus in question is determined by the need to suck and expel the ventilation air flow of the refrigeration system from inside the machine.For this purpose, at least one grille, located at the height of the refrigeration system, is usually provided on the side walls of the base body of the machine. This however implies the need to keep the side walls of the base body free, so as to allow the suction of the cooling air flow from the surroundings by the fan.

[0010] It follows that the single machine occupies a space greater than its dimensions, since the space to be left free on its sides must also be taken into account. In particular, it is necessary to provide an adequate distance between the sides of the machine and the adjacent surfaces, for example the walls of the environment in which it is installed.Disclosure

[0011] The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by devising a machine that enables the preparation of granita and other similar chilled products to be carried out optimally.

[0012] Within the scope of this task, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a machine capable of making the cooling of internal members easy and safe.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine capable of facilitating the use of the product by users.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine of simple construction and functional design, with reliable operation, versatile use and relatively inexpensive cost.

[0015] The aforementioned objects are achieved, according to the present invention, by the machine for preparing and dispensing granita and other chilled products according to Claim 1.

[0016] According to the present invention, the machine for preparing and dispensing granita and other similar chilled products comprises at least one containment tank for the product to be prepared and dispensed associated with a support frame and conforming to an upper opening; a closing cover of said upper opening of the product containment tank; a cooling device adapted to be arranged inside said containment tank to cool said product and connected to a refrigeration system adapted to carry out the circulation of a refrigerant fluid inside an evaporator member associated with the same cooling device; a mixing device of said product associated with said cooling device; a product dispensing device, placed at a front area of the product containment tank.

[0017] Preferably said product containment tank comprises a pair of parallel side walls joined at the front by a front wall having, at least for an upper portion thereof, a curvature facing the inside of the tank itself.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, said refrigeration system comprises a condenser member arranged in a compartment placed at the top of said machine frame and associated with a fan member configured so as to suck the cooling air of therefrigeration system of the machine into said frame compartment.

[0019] Advantageously, said fan member is configured to expel said cooling air towards the rear of the machine.

[0020] Preferably, said fan member is an axial fan.

[0021] Said refrigeration system also comprises a compressor connected to said condenser to carry out the circulation of the refrigerant fluid that runs through said evaporator member.

[0022] Advantageously, said support frame comprises a base body conforming to the support plane of said at least one containment tank.

[0023] Advantageously, a rear shoulder rises from said frame base body.

[0024] An upper casing protrudes from the top of said rear shoulder above said product containment tank.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, said compressor is arranged inside said rear shoulder of the support frame, at said product containment tank.

[0026] Advantageously, said compartment placed at the top of said support frame is defined in front of an upper wall of the frame itself.

[0027] Advantageously, said fan member is facing said condenser to implement a flow of the cooling air sucked in at said rear shoulder of the support frame to be conveyed towards said upper casing of the frame and to escape through an upper wall of the same casing.

[0028] Said fan member is configured so as to suck the cooling air through a grille made in said rear shoulder of the support frame.

[0029] Preferably, said cooling air suction grille is made in said rear shoulder of the frame in a position substantially at the height of the product containment tank.

[0030] Preferably said cooling air suction grille is positioned adjacent to said compressor.

[0031] Advantageously, said upper wall of the frame is covered to a large extent by a discharge grille of the cooling air of said refrigeration system.

[0032] Advantageously, said upper wall of the frame is provided with a downward inclination in the anteroposterior direction.

[0033] Advantageously, said condenser and said fan member are facing said grille for the discharge of cooling air.

[0034] Advantageously, said condenser and said fan member follow the inclination of said upper wall of the frame.

[0035] Preferably, a cavity of predefined height is defined between said tank cover and the base of said upper casing of the frame to allow lifting and extraction of the cover itself.

[0036] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a box-like body frontally carrying a front screen is associated with said upper casing of the frame, and a monitor connected to the control unit of the machine being housed inside said box-like body.

[0037] Preferably said box-like body is rotatable with respect to said upper casing of the frame, for access to the internal members of the machine, according to a vertical axis of rotation defined by side hinge members.

[0038] Preferably, said cooling device comprises a substantially cylindrical tubular body, arranged with a horizontal axis in the lower part of said tank.

[0039] Preferably said cooling device comprises an evaporator member arranged within a cylindrical body of tubular shape and adapted to be traversed by a refrigerant fluid.

[0040] Preferably, said mixing device comprises an auger member that develops around said cylindrical body of the cooling device and is adapted to be rotated according to an axis longitudinal to said cooling device.

[0041] According to a different embodiment of the invention, said fan member is facing said condenser to implement a flow of the cooling air sucked in at said upper wall of the frame to be conveyed downwards along said rear shoulder of the support frame and to escape through an air emission grille made at the same rear shoulder, at the height of said compressor.Description of the drawings

[0042] The details of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the machine for preparing and dispensing granita and other similar chilled products, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: figures 1 and 2 respectively show a perspective view from different angles of the machine for preparing and dispensing granita according to the present invention; figures 3 and 4 show a side view and a front view of the machine; figure 5 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the same machine; figure 6 shows a perspective view of the machine in a different operating configuration.Description of embodiments of the invention

[0043] With particular reference to these figures, the machine for preparing and dispensing granita and other similar chilled products, such as for example creamy ice creams, sorbets, frozen yoghurts and the like, is referred as a whole by reference numeral 1 .

[0044] The machine 1 provides at least one containment tank 2 for the product to be dispensed, preferably made of transparent plastic material. In the case illustrated here, the machine provides a pair of product containment tanks 2, arranged side by side on a single support frame 10, in particular for preparing and dispensing different products. It is however possible to provide for the presence of a different number of such tanks arranged side by side.

[0045] Each product containment tank 2 comprises a pair of parallel side walls joined at the front by a front wall 21 having, at least for an upper portion thereof, a curvature facing the inside of the tank itself. The tank 2 is open at the top and equipped with a cover 20 for closing theupper opening (see fig. 6).

[0046] Inside the product containment tank 2 a cooling device 3 is arranged to cool the product to the appropriate temperature. The cooling device 3 consists of a substantially cylindrical tubular body 30, arranged with a horizontal axis at the bottom of the tank 2 (see fig. 5).

[0047] Inside the tubular body 30 an evaporator member 31 is arranged connected to a refrigeration system 4 of the machine, described in more detail below. The evaporator member 31 is adapted to be traversed by a suitable refrigerant fluid.

[0048] The evaporator member 31 consists, for example, of a coil evaporator arranged close to the inner surface of the tubular body 30. However, it is possible to provide that the evaporator member 31 is made in a different way, for example by means of a cylindrical jacket made at the inner surface of the tubular body 30.

[0049] A mixing device 5 consisting of an auger member 50 that develops around the tubular body 30 of the cooling device 3 is associated with the cooling device 3, and is adapted to be rotated according to an axis longitudinal to said cooling device 3, to implement the continuous circulation of the product inside the tank 2 itself. More precisely, the blades of the auger member 50 are adapted to keep the product mixed and to push it towards the front area of the tank 2, where the dispensing area is located.

[0050] The auger member 50 is rotated by a shaft 51 that axially crosses the cylindrical body 30. The shaft 51 protrudes for a portion thereof from the front wall of the cylindrical body 30 and is made integral with a front blade 52 of the auger member 50. The shaft 51 of the auger member 50 is adapted to be driven by a motor member 53, preferably an electric motor associated with a suitable gearbox member.

[0051] The containment tank 2 frontally has a dispensing device 6 in communication with the lower portion of the same tank. As illustrated in detail in figure 5, the dispensing device 6 is provided with a shutter member 60 operable by means of an external lever member 61 . The shutter member 60 is slidable within a cylindrical seat formed, with a substantially vertical axis, by a sleeve formed by the tank 2. More precisely, the shutter 60 is movable, in a known manner, in contrast to suitable elastic means, between a closed position and a position for opening the gap of the sleeve.

[0052] According to one aspect of the invention, the support frame 10 of the containment tank 2 comprises a base body 11 that forms the support plane of said tank 2; a rear shoulder 12 and an upper casing 13 that protrudes from said rear shoulder 12 above the tank 2 itself.

[0053] Inside the support frame 10 there is housed the aforementioned refrigeration system 4 of the machine. This refrigeration system 4 comprises, in a known manner, a compressor 40 and a condenser 41 , suitably connected to carry out the circulation of the refrigerant fluid that runs through the evaporator member 31 .

[0054] According to one aspect of the present invention, the compressor 40 is arranged inside the rear shoulder 12 of the support frame 10, substantially at the height of the containment tank 2. More precisely, the compressor 40 is arranged at the top of the tank 2 (see fig. 5).

[0055] According to another aspect of the present invention, the condenser 41 is arranged inside a compartment 14 defined by the upper casing 13 of the frame 10, in front of an upper wall 15 of the casing 13. Said upper wall 15 of the casing 13 of the frame 10 is preferably provided with a suitable downward inclination in the anteroposterior direction. The upper wall 15 is covered for a large part by a covering grille 16 of a corresponding opening. The grille 16 is intended to discharge the cooling air from the refrigeration system 4, as specified below.

[0056] Facing the condenser 41 is an electrically operated fan member 42, adapted to be operated to carry out the suction of the cooling air. Preferably, said fan member 42 is an axial fan.

[0057] In particular, the air flow is sucked from the fan member 42 through a suction grille 17 positioned on the rear wall of the rear shoulder 12 of the frame 10 and exits through the aforementioned discharge grille 16 present on the upper wall 15 of the compartment 14 of the casing 13.

[0058] In particular, the air suction grille 17 is arranged along the rear shoulder 12 of the frame 10 at the compressor 40 and substantially adjacent to it (see fig. 5).

[0059] It should be noted that the condenser 41 and the fan member 42 are facing the discharge grille 16 and follow the inclination of the upper wall 15. In this way, the discharge of the cooling air exiting the grille 16 is directed towards the area behind the apparatus.

[0060] According to another aspect of the invention, a box-like body 7 frontally carrying a screen 70 is associated with the upper casing 13 of the frame 10. A monitor 71 connected to the machine control unit is housed inside the box-like body 70. Advantageously, the box-like body 7 is rotatable with respect to the upper casing 13 of the frame 10, for access to the internal members of the machine, according to a vertical axis of rotation defined by side hinge members 72 (see fig. 6).

[0061] The operation of the machine for preparing and dispensing granita and the like is easily understandable from the previous description.

[0062] After introducing the product into the tank 2, through the upper opening, this opening is closed by applying the cover 20. It should be noted that, in use, between the cover 20 of the tank and the base of the upper casing 13 of the frame 10, a cavity of predefined height is defined to allow the lifting and extraction of the cover 20 itself or vice versa its placement in the closing position.

[0063] The preparation cycle is then activated, in which the product is progressively frozen, passing from the liquid phase to the frozen phase of the granita, for example. In particular, thecooling device 3 is activated and the auger member 50 of the mixing device 5 is driven in rotation at a preset speed.

[0064] According to a prerogative of the present invention, in use the flow of cooling air is sucked in by the fan member 42 through the suction grille 17 placed at the rear shoulder 12 of the frame 10, at the height of the compressor 40. The flow of the cooling air, after having skimmed the compressor 40, is conveyed towards the compartment 14 of the upper casing 13 of the frame 10 and after having passed through the condenser 41 exits through the discharge grille 16.

[0065] It should be noted that the suction grille 17 is adjacent to the compressor 40, placed in a raised position at the height of the upper part of the tank 2. In this way, the air flow achieves a more effective cooling of the compressor 40 which constitutes the member of the refrigeration system 4 most subject to heating.

[0066] Thanks to this solution, two or more tanks can be arranged side by side on the frame 10 of the machine, without affecting the aforementioned suction of the cooling air.

[0067] At the end of the preparation, the chilled product can be dispensed through the dispensing device 6 in communication with the lower portion of the tank 2.

[0068] The machine in question therefore achieves the aim of optimally carrying out the preparation and dispensing of granita and other similar chilled products, in particular ensuring the correct ventilation of the refrigeration system.

[0069] This result is obtained by means of the inventive idea of placing the condenser of the refrigeration system at the top of the frame of the machine and of sucking in the ventilation air of the same refrigeration system at the rear shoulder of said frame, in particular by means of a suction grille adjacent to the compressor of the refrigeration system, placed in a raised position at the level of the tank. It is therefore not necessary to leave adequate space between the sides of the machine and adjacent surfaces, e.g. the walls of the surroundings in which the machine is installed. In particular, in this way the machine can be equipped with a plurality of tanks side by side without compromising the proper ventilation of the refrigeration system.

[0070] It should still be noted that the discharge of the cooling air is carried out towards the rear of the machine and does not affect the user positioned in front of the machine itself.

[0071] Another advantage of this solution is the fact that the positioning of the members of the refrigeration system at the top and inside the rear shoulder of the machine allows the vertical dimensions of the base body to be suitably reduced, so as to move the dispensing member downwards. This allows an easier use of the machine by any type of users.

[0072] The provision of a casing in the upper part of the frame, to house the condenser, provides the additional advantage of providing the machine with a monitor which can display, forexample, images explaining the operation of the machine, but also images of a commercial nature.

[0073] A prerogative of the invention is that the aforementioned result is obtained by means of a very simple structure.

[0074] The machine disclosed by way of example, is subject to several modifications and variations depending on different requirements.

[0075] In particular, it is possible to provide for reversing the flow of the air generated by the fan member 42, so as to suck the cooling air from the upper grille 16 and discharge it through the grille 17 placed on the rear shoulder 12, adjacent to the compressor 40 placed in a raised position at the height of the one or more tanks 2.

[0076] In the practical implementation of the invention, the materials employed, as well as the shape and sizes, may be any according to requirements.

[0077] Where technical features mentioned in each claim are followed by reference marks, such reference marks have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the understanding of the claims and consequently they do not have any limiting value on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference marks.

Claims

Claims1. A machine for preparing and dispensing granita and similar refrigerated products, comprising at least one containment tank (2) for the product to be prepared and dispensed associated with a support frame (10) and forming an upper opening; a cover (20) for closing said upper opening of the product containment tank (2); a cooling device (3) adapted to be arranged inside said containment tank (2) to cool said product and connected to a refrigeration system (4) adapted to carry out the circulation of a refrigerant fluid inside an evaporator member (31 ) associated with the same cooling device (3); a mixing device (5) for said product associated with said cooling device (3); a product dispensing device (6), placed at a front area of the product containment tank (2), characterized in that said support frame (10) comprises a base body (11 ) conforming to the support plane of said at least one product containment tank (2); a rear shoulder (12) that rises from said base body (11 ) and an upper casing (13) that protrudes above the same tank (2), and in that said refrigeration system (4) comprises a condenser member (41 ) arranged in a compartment (14) inside said upper casing (13) of the frame (10); a compressor (40) connected to said condenser (41 ) to carry out the circulation of said refrigerant fluid through said evaporator member (31 ); a fan member (42) configured to suck the cooling air from said refrigeration system (4); said compressor (40) being arranged inside said rear shoulder (12) of the frame (10), in a raised position at the height of the product containment tank (2).

2. The machine of claim 1 , wherein said fan member (42) is configured so as to suck the cooling air from a suction grille (17) arranged in said rear shoulder (12) of the frame (10).

3. The machine of claim 2, wherein said suction grille (17) is arranged in said rear shoulder (12) of the frame (10) in a position located at the height of the product containment tank (2) and adjacent to said compressor (40).

4. The machine of any one of claims 1 , 2 or 3, wherein said fan member (42) is facing said condenser (41 ) to implement a flow of the cooling air sucked in at said rear shoulder (12) of the frame (10) to be conveyed towards said upper casing (13) of the frame (10) and to escape through an upper wall (15) of the same casing (13).

5. The machine of claim 1 , wherein said compartment (14) placed at the top of said frame (10) is defined in front of an upper wall (15) of the same frame (10).

6. The machine of claim 5, wherein said upper wall (15) of the frame (10) has a downward inclination in an anteroposterior direction.

7. The machine of claims 5 or 6, wherein said upper wall (15) is covered by a cooling air discharge grille (16) of said refrigeration system (4).

8. The machine of claims 6 or 7, wherein said condenser (41 ) and said fan member (42) are facing said discharge grille (16) of the upper wall (15).

9. The machine of claim 8, wherein said condenser (41 ) and said fan member (42) follow the inclination of said upper wall (15).

10. The machine of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a cavity of predefined height is defined between said cover (20) of the tank (2) and the base of said upper casing (13) of the frame (10) to allow the lifting and extraction of the cover (20) itself.

11. The machine of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cooling device (3) comprises a cylindrical body (30) of tubular shape having at the inner surface said evaporator member (31 ) adapted to be traversed by a refrigerant fluid.

12. The machine of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at the front of said upper casing (13) of the frame (10) is associated a box-like body (7) frontally carrying a screen (70), and a monitor (71 ) connected to the machine control unit being housed inside said box-like body (70).

13. The machine of claim 12, wherein said box-like body (7) is rotatable with respect to said upper casing (13) of the frame (10), for access to the internal members of the machine, according to an axis of rotation defined by side hinge members (72).

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