Mechanical mixers and machines including mixers for producing and dispensing liquid or semi-liquid foods

Abstract

To provide a stirrer whose scraping is particularly efficient.SOLUTION: A stirrer (1) of a machine for making and dispensing ice cream products, rotating about an axis (X), comprises: a first end element (2) and a second end element (3); longitudinal elements (4) extending along the axis (X) between the first end element (2) and the second end element (3); and scraping elements (5) which are removably couplable to the longitudinal elements (4), the scraping elements having a portion (8) that is partly helical in shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mixer for a machine for producing and dispensing liquid or semi-liquid food products, in particular ice cream or cold and hot pastry or delicatessen products, as well as to a machine for producing the products, comprising such a mixer.

[0002] In particular, reference is made in this specification, by way of example and without limiting the scope of the invention, to machines for producing and dispensing granita ice drink type products. [Background technology]

[0003] These types of machines usually comprise a tank or vessel, inside which is placed a cooling cylinder fitted with an agitator which is driven in rotation to produce the final product.

[0004] A particularly felt need for this type of machine is to provide an agitator in which elements can be relatively easily replaced in the event of wear or need, and which is relatively easy to clean.

[0005] Moreover, a particularly felt need for that type of machine is to provide an agitator that is particularly efficient at scraping; indeed, as is well known, for successful processing it is essential to limit or at least reduce the amount of ice that accumulates on the walls of the cooling cylinder, which can impair the rotation of the agitator and reduce the heat exchange with the cooling system. Summary of the Invention

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mechanical agitator for producing and dispensing liquid or semi-liquid products which meets the above mentioned requirements.

[0007] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an agitator which allows easier and quicker disassembly of parts for cleaning and maintenance.

[0008] The stated technical object and the specified object are substantially achieved by a mixer of a machine for producing and dispensing ice cream products, which comprises the technical features as set forth in independent claim 1. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] This and other innovative features of the invention, together with its advantages, will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1-2] 1A and 1B are schematic perspective views of machines to which the agitator according to the present invention can be applied; [Diagram 3-4] FIG. 3 shows some details of the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a perspective view. [Figure 5-6] 1 and 2, some details of the machine are shown in partial cross-section. [Figure 7-8] 1 shows a perspective view of an agitator according to the invention; [Figure 9-10] 9 shows details of the stirrers of FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 shows further parts of the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 in an exploded perspective view. [Figure 12A-12B] 12 shows further parts of the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 in an exploded perspective view, alternative to FIG. 11; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Number 1 in FIG. 1 indicates as a whole agitator according to the invention.

[0011] In particular, the mixer 1 belongs to the type of mixers that are inserted in machines 100 for producing ice cream or cold pastry products, such as, for example, granita makers or machines for producing ice cream, soft serve, sorbet, etc.

[0012] Preferably, the machine 100 is adapted to produce granita, soft ice cream, sorbet, cold cream etc. or hot products (pastry and delicatessen products).

[0013] The machine 100 for producing liquid or semi-liquid products comprises: a container 12 for containing a liquid or semi-liquid product; A heat treatment cylinder 13 housed inside the container 12; and a thermal system including a heat exchanger 14 associated with the heat treatment cylinder 13.

[0014] The thermal system is preferably of the thermodynamic type.

[0015] Preferably, the system is configured to remove heat from the product in the vessel 12 through a heat exchanger 14 .

[0016] The stirrer 1 is located inside the vessel 12 and is attached to the outside of a (rotating) heat treatment cylinder 13 .

[0017] In fact, it can be seen how the agitator 1 is, in use, placed inside the vessel 12 in contact with the product being treated.

[0018] Preferably, the container 12 for containing a liquid or semi-liquid product is inclined (relative to the vertical).

[0019] Preferably, the heat treatment cylinder 13 housed inside the vessel 12 is inclined (relative to the vertical), ie its axis is inclined relative to the vertical.

[0020] As used herein, the term "an element that is inclined" with respect to the vertical means that the element makes a non-zero angle with respect to the vertical.

[0021] It should be noted that preferably a drive unit is connected to the stirrer 1 for driving it in rotation.

[0022] The mixer 1 can thoroughly mix the product in the container 12, thereby producing the final product.

[0023] In particular, the agitator 1 also serves to scrape the outer surface of the cooling cylinder 13, preventing ice from forming on said surface, so that the product being treated is treated in an optimal manner.

[0024] According to another aspect, the agitator 1 of the machine for producing and distributing ice cream products, which forms the subject of the present invention, rotating about an axis X, comprises: a first end element 2 and a second end element 3; a longitudinal element 4 extending along an axis X between a first end element 2 and a second end element 3; and a scraping element 5 removably connectable to the longitudinal element 4 and having a portion 8 which is partially helical in shape.

[0025] It should be noted that the longitudinal element 4 is connected to the first end element 2 and to the second end element 3 .

[0026] Part 8 essentially serves to push and move the product within container 12 .

[0027] Preferably, these longitudinal elements 4 are bars.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the scraping element 5 comprises a first engagement element 6 .

[0029] It should be noted that the portion 8 of the scraping element 5 is substantially discontinuous, ie forms a spiral that extends in discontinuous sections.

[0030] According to another aspect, each scraping element 5 comprises a plurality of elastically deformable locking elements 10 configured to enable the scraping element 5 to be held in a predetermined position relative to the longitudinal element 4 when the scraping element 5 is removably coupled to the longitudinal element 4.

[0031] Preferably, the locking element 10 is defined by a (hook-like) protrusion.

[0032] FIG. 10 shows the connection between the scraping element 5 and the longitudinal element 4 .

[0033] As is clearly shown in FIG. 9, it can be seen how the scraping element 5 has an outwardly facing locking element 10 in use.

[0034] The underside of the longitudinal element 4 lies in use in contact with a surface 5A of the scraping element 5.

[0035] The following is a description of the shape of the scraping elements 5.

[0036] Preferably, the longitudinal elements 4 have a prismatic shape.

[0037] More precisely, the scraping element 5 has a frusto-conical shape, ie it has two side walls 12A and 12B joined by a wall 5A.

[0038] Locking elements 10 are formed at the ends of side walls 12A and 12B.

[0039] More precisely, each scraping element 5 has four locking elements 10, two in wall 12A and two in wall 12B.

[0040] According to another embodiment, the first end element 2 and the second end element 3 have an annular shape.

[0041] According to another embodiment, the first end element 2, the second end element 3, the longitudinal element 4 and the scraping element 5 are made of a plastic material.

[0042] It should be noted that each scraping element 5 comprises a scraping edge 15 adapted to come into contact with the outer surface of the treatment cylinder 13 for removing and preventing the formation of an ice layer.

[0043] Advantageously, the scraping element 5 can be relatively easily removed for both cleaning and maintenance.

[0044] The following is a description of further aspects of the machine 100 according to the invention.

[0045] The container 12 for containing a liquid or semi-liquid product is defined by a first inner wall 200. The inner wall 200 is made as a single element (preferably made of a plastic material).

[0046] Furthermore, the container 12 for containing a liquid or semi-liquid product is defined by a second outer wall 201 .

[0047] The second outer wall 201 is made as a single element (preferably made of a plastic material).

[0048] A second outer wall 201 surrounds the first inner wall 200 (as can be clearly seen in Figures 3 and 4).

[0049] A gap is formed between the first wall and the second wall.

[0050] This gap allows for increased thermal resistance (conduction) to the transfer of heat between the product contained in the container 12 and the external environment.

[0051] In other words, the insulation of the container 12 from the surrounding environment is advantageously improved.

[0052] According to another embodiment, the first inner wall 200 forms part of (or is defined by) a first element and the second outer wall 201 forms part of (or is defined by) a second element, the first element being insertable into the second element.

[0053] In use, as can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, the container 12 has a double wall.

[0054] The second outer wall 201 also includes a lever 202 which can be actuated to release the product contained in the container 12 .

[0055] The lever 202 operatively acts on a valve 203 adapted to allow the opening and closing of the passage of a duct 204 for the outflow of the liquid or semi-liquid product from the container 12 .

[0056] Below is a more detailed description of the tap, i.e. the dispenser 210 of the machine 1 according to the invention.

[0057] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the dispenser 210 comprises a lever 202 connected to a tubular body 213 (which is also part of the dispenser 210).

[0058] This tubular body 213 engages with a seat 212 formed on a projection 214 connected to the container 12 .

[0059] Thus, the seat 212 is configured to engage the tubular body 213 .

[0060] The tubular body 213 is provided with an opening 211, the function of which will be explained in more detail below.

[0061] It should be noted that by moving (preferably rotating) the tubular body 213, the opening 211 of the tubular body 213 can be positioned facing (and in fluid communication with) the space inside the inner wall 200 in which the product being processed is contained.

[0062] In other words, the tubular body 213 is movable between a first open position and a closed position, in which in the first open position the opening 211 of the tubular body faces (is in fluid communication with) the space inside the inner wall 200 in which the product being processed is contained, and in the closed position the tubular body blocks the duct 204 (the opening 211 is not directed toward the space inside the container 12).

[0063] Thus, by moving (in particular rotating) the tubular body 213 by means of the lever 202 fixed to the tubular body 213, the product contained in the container 12 can be dispensed.

[0064] Also note that the opening 211 has an uneven shape with peaks 215 and valleys.

[0065] Its concave and convex shape allows liquid or semi-liquid foods (ice cream) to be dispensed according to a predetermined shape.

[0066] 12A and 12B show a further embodiment of a dispenser 210 of the machine 1.

[0067] It should be noted that according to this embodiment, the dispenser 210 comprises a lever 202 connected to a control 217. The control 217 activates a separator element 216 (also part of the dispenser 210) which opens or closes an outlet duct 204 for the liquid or semi-liquid product from the container 12.

[0068] Again, rotation of lever 202 opens duct 204 (resulting in the outflow of product from container 12).

[0069] The separator element 216 is provided with projections allowing the opening and closing of the outlet duct 204 for the liquid or semi-liquid product from the container 12 .

[0070] The lever 202 is preferably rotatably connected to a projection 214 on the container 12 .

[0071] According to another embodiment, the vessel 12 is inclined relative to a vertical axis.

[0072] More precisely, the container 12 defines a space having a (non-zero) inclination relative to the vertical axis.

[0073] It should be noted that the aforementioned heat treatment cylinder 13 is disposed within the vessel 12 .

Claims

1. A machine for producing liquid or semi-liquid food products, comprising: A container (12) for containing a liquid or semi-liquid product; a heat treatment cylinder (13) housed inside the container (12); an agitator (1) disposed inside the vessel (12) and attached to the outside of the heat treatment cylinder (13); a thermal system including a heat exchanger associated with the heat treatment cylinder (13), The agitator (1) rotates around an axis (X), A first end element (2) and a second end element (3), a longitudinal element (4) extending along said axis (X) between said first end element (2) and said second end element (3); a scraping element (5) removably connectable to said longitudinal element (4) and having a part (8) that is partially helical in shape, the scraping element (5) is provided with a first engagement element (6) adapted to connect the scraping element (5) and the longitudinal element (4) to one another, The first engagement elements (6) are formed on both sides of the portion (8), the first engagement element (6) is defined by a plurality of elastically deformable locking elements (10), which are adapted to hold the scraping element (5) in a predetermined position when releasably coupled to the longitudinal element (4).

2. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of locking elements (10) are defined by projections.

3. 3. A machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal elements (4) have a prismatic shape.

4. 4. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first end element (2) and the second end element (3) have an annular shape.

5. 5. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first end element (2), the second end element (3), the longitudinal element (4) and the scraping element (5) are made of plastic material.

6. 6. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the container (12) for containing a liquid or semi-liquid product is defined by a first inner wall (200) and a second outer wall (201), said first inner wall (200) and said second outer wall (201) forming a gap therebetween that is free from the influence of said liquid or semi-liquid product.

7. 7. The machine of claim 6, wherein the first inner wall (200) forms part of a first element and the second outer wall (201) forms part of a second element, the first element being insertable into the second element.

8. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat treatment cylinder (13) is arranged at an angle to the vertical.

9. 9. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the container (12) is provided with a product outlet duct (204), the machine comprising a dispenser unit (210) associated with the container (12), the dispenser unit (210) comprising a lever (202) movable between a position for closing the outlet duct (204) and a position for opening the outlet duct (204), and a closure element (211, 216) connected to the lever (202) and configured to be moved by the lever to open and close the outlet duct (204).

10. The machine of claim 9, wherein the lever (202) is configured for rotational movement.

Images