How to provide food and beverages to consumers

Abstract

To provide a device for the automatic preparation of a food product.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a device for the automatic preparation of a food product, comprising a mixture receptacle (5), in which solid ingredients are mixed, and a drive device (1-6) to automatically tilt the mixture receptacle (5) in order to pour out the mixed ingredients into a refreshment receptacle (8) and to make them available to a user therein. The invention also relates to a method of offering a refreshment to a consumer which has been prepared in situ at a sales point and which comprises mixed solid ingredients, wherein the consumer himself introduces ingredients in solid form into a device according to the present invention, and allows the refreshment to be automatically prepared in the device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates on the one hand to an apparatus for the automatic preparation of food, including the mixing of solid ingredients, comprising a mixing container, a mixing device for mixing the ingredients in the mixing container, and a drive device for tilting the mixing container from an upright position. [Background technology]

[0002] Food products that are preparations that include a mixture of solid ingredients are, for example, ice cream preparations or yogurts or drinks such as soups or purees, or milkshakes or smoothies.

[0003] In this patent application, "solid food ingredient" is understood to mean a quantity of food containing one or more separate elements in a solid state, derived from the same food or from several different foods. These elements can be, for example, whole food in the form of a vegetable, fruit, or grain, or parts of food obtained by processing a whole food (e.g., breaking, grinding, cutting, mixing, etc.), or elements that obtain a solid state by being at least partially frozen. Such frozen bodies can include foods that are solid in the thawed state (at room temperature) and / or foods that are liquid in the thawed state, but also foods that are, for example, substantially in granular or powder form, optionally combined with liquid food or water, can be provided in frozen bodies alone or together with other foods. A food that is substantially liquid in the thawed state can be, for example, a suspension of solid food in a liquid.

[0004] In this patent application, the expression "cooking including mixing of solid ingredients" is understood to mean that at least some of the "solid ingredients" are mixed during the cooking of the food. The term "mixing" should be interpreted broadly to mean a process that results in a reduction in the size of at least some of the elements that are the subject of the process. Thus, a "mixing device" is of course a device that is configured to mix a number of elements.

[0005] The present invention also relates to a method of providing a consumer with cooked food or beverage at a point of sale, the cooking comprising mixing solid ingredients.

[0006] A known device for automatically preparing smoothies is described in International Patent Publication WO 2016 / 018750 A1. The device comprises a cup and a lid incorporating a rotatable blade. Solid ingredients, e.g., vegetable and / or fruit pieces, are placed in the cup in a frozen state. The cup is then moved towards an upward position, allowing the ingredients to be mixed by a blade rotating on the lid. The cooked product is finally served to the user of the device in the same cup. WO 2005 / 070271 A2 describes a device with similar functionality for preparing milkshakes.

[0007] In these known devices, the material, shape and dimensions of the cup must be suitable for efficient mixing of the solid ingredients using the mixing device provided in the device. On the other hand, it is desirable to present the cooked food to the consumer in a cup made of a suitable material and having an aesthetically appealing and user-friendly shape and size. These requirements limit the possibilities when selecting the shape, size and material of the cup, as well as the freedom when designing the device itself. Summary of the Invention

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the automatic preparation of food that overcomes these drawbacks.

[0009] This object is achieved by providing an automatic food preparation apparatus for cooking food, which includes mixing solid ingredients, and which includes a mixing container, a mixing device for mixing the ingredients in the mixing container, and a drive device for tilting the mixing container. The automatic food preparation apparatus according to the present invention is also characterized in that the automatic food preparation apparatus is configured to make the cooked food available to a user in an eating container, and the drive device is configured to automatically tilt the mixing container from an upright position to a first pouring position so that the mixed ingredients can drop from the mixing container into the eating container after the ingredients have been mixed.

[0010] As a result, the mixing container can be configured to have characteristics that are adapted only for mixing ingredients, and the eating and drinking container can be configured to have characteristics that are adapted only for eating and drinking ingredients.

[0011] The mixing container may have a shape and dimensions that promote rapid and efficient mixing of solid ingredients, and may be made, for example, from a sturdy, durable material that is easily cleaned. It is also easy to adapt the shape and dimensions of the mixing container to the mixing device. As a result, it is easy to configure the mixing device to have modified shapes and / or dimensions and / or provide it in different locations within the device, resulting in greater design freedom when designing the device according to the present invention. Alternatively, the eating and drinking container may have a shape and dimensions that are aesthetically appealing to the user and promote enjoyable consumption of the prepared food. The material from which the eating and drinking container is made may also be adapted to the context in which the consumption takes place. If the eating and drinking container is for single use, the eating and drinking container may be made, for example, from a material that is easily recyclable and relatively inexpensive.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus in which the moving parts are driven by a very simple drive mechanism.

[0013] This object is achieved by providing a device according to the invention, wherein the mixing container is rotatable about a rotating shaft which is movable along a first guide path by a drive device, the mixing container being provided with a guide element configured to move along a second guide path, and wherein movement of the rotating shaft according to the first movement path causes movement of the guide element along the second movement path and moves said mixing container from an upright position to a first pouring position.

[0014] In this way, the mixing container can be moved to a position where the mixed ingredients are poured into the eating container by a single drive motor and simple mechanical drive and guide means.

[0015] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the device is configured to introduce cleaning liquid into the mixing container to clean the mixing container after the mixed ingredients have been removed from said mixing container to perform a subsequent cleaning operation, and further to automatically tilt the mixing container to a second pouring position to drain the cleaning liquid.

[0016] A cleaning operation may be performed, for example, when the mixing device has been running for a certain period of time.

[0017] Also, the guide element is preferably configured to move along a third guide path, and movement of the rotating shaft along the first path of movement causes the guide element to move along the third path of movement and move the mixing container from the upright position to the second pouring position.

[0018] As a result, the mixing vessel can be moved to the first and second dosing positions using the same drive motor.

[0019] In a particularly simple and efficient embodiment, the second and third movement paths are defined by two different parts of the same guide means. The guide means may, for example, be a guide surface over which the guide element can move while it is in contact with the guide surface. The guide means may also be a guide groove in which the guide element is housed and in which it can move in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove. The guide surface and the guide groove then determine the movement path of the guide element.

[0020] The guide means may also be, for example, a continuous guide groove or surface having a certain length, with a left portion and a right portion on either side of an imaginary boundary. The left portion extends from the boundary to the left end of the guide means and defines a second guide path. The right portion extends from the boundary to the right end of the guide means and defines a third guide path. This can also be reversed, with the left and right portions of the guide means defining the third and second guide paths, respectively.

[0021] The guide element may optionally be made to interact with a left or right portion of the guide means. By moving the guide element along the second or third path of movement towards the respective associated end of the guide means, the mixing vessel moves to the first or second pouring position, respectively.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a retracting body rotatable by a drive shaft, the rotating shaft of the mixing vessel being connected to the retracting body at a position remote from the drive shaft, and the apparatus is configured to automatically rotate the drive shaft such that the retracting body rotates therewith and the rotating shaft moves along a first movement path that is substantially arc-shaped.

[0023] In this way, the different movements of the mixing vessel are driven by one drive motor with a rotating drive shaft, so a motor providing linear movement is not required here.

[0024] The mixing device also preferably includes a rotatable cutting blade disposed in the mixing vessel.

[0025] In a further preferred embodiment, the device includes a carrier for the eating container, the carrier being movable between a first position and a second position to move the eating container placed thereon to an external position or an internal position, respectively, where in the external position the eating container is in a position accessible to a user, and in the internal position the eating container is in a position where the mixed ingredients can be dropped into the eating container from a mixing container located at the first pouring position. The device also includes a mechanism having an element movable by a drive shaft, the mechanism being configured to transfer movement of the element to the carrier during movement of the mixing container toward the first pouring position such that the carrier automatically moves to the second position, and the mechanism being configured to transfer movement of the element to the carrier during movement of the mixing container away from the first pouring position such that the carrier automatically moves to the first position.

[0026] For this purpose, preferably, the mechanism comprises an engagement means forming part of the element or connected to the element, and an engagement body forming part of the conveying part or connected to the conveying part, the engagement means engaging with the engagement body during movement, and the movement of the engagement means being transmitted to the conveying part, which in turn moves the conveying part.

[0027] Furthermore, the device may comprise feeding and metering means for adding a specific amount of liquid ingredient to the mixing vessel during the cooking stage, such as water or milk or fruit juice, or a mixture of two or more liquids, or a suspension of solid ingredients in a liquid.

[0028] In a most preferred embodiment, the device is configured to prepare a smoothie, the preparation of which involves mixing frozen fruit and / or vegetable pieces.

[0029] In particular, the present invention relates to a device or machine configured to automatically prepare a beverage consisting of mixed ingredients. The ingredients, preferably frozen, are mixed in a mixing container after activation of the device. The mixed ingredients are then automatically transferred, together with liquid ingredients added to the device, into a serving container and provided to the consumer as a ready-to-drink beverage. The mixing container is also automatically cleaned after each cooking step.

[0030] Thus, the liquid ingredient is preferably automatically added to the mixed ingredient, e.g., milk, water or fruit juice, etc. For this purpose, the device comprises a reservoir containing the liquid ingredient and preferably also comprising a controllable pump for adding a predetermined amount of the liquid ingredient to the mixing vessel at each cooking stage.

[0031] The device may be configured as a machine, for example. In a possible application, the device is located in a self-service restaurant and can be operated by the consumer themselves, for example after payment.

[0032] It particularly relates to an apparatus for the automatic preparation of smoothies, which are non-alcoholic cold drinks, usually creamy, containing fruit and / or vegetables, made by mixing parts of the fruit and / or vegetables with fruit juice or liquid dairy products (yogurt, milk, cream, etc.).

[0033] Movement of the mixing vessel may be performed by a single drive motor, resulting in a device that is simple, relatively low cost to implement, and easily repairable.

[0034] The method according to the present invention is characterized in that (a) a quantity of solid ingredients is provided to a consumer, (b) an apparatus for the automatic preparation of food according to the present invention is made available to the consumer near the point of sale, (c) the consumer introduces the quantity of ingredients into the apparatus, and (d) the food or beverage is automatically prepared in the apparatus and provided to the consumer.

[0035] By using this method, the owner or employee of the point of sale can significantly reduce the amount of work time required for each food or beverage sold. The consumer has control over the cooking of their food or beverage. In this way, the consumer can perform the cooking step immediately or postpone it until a later time. The device may, for example, be equipped with features that allow the user to adjust certain parameters of the cooking. For example, the device may be equipped with adjustment and regulation means to adjust the duration of mixing so that the consumer can decide how finely they want to mix solid ingredients, or so that the consumer can decide how much liquid ingredient to add to the mixed ingredients.

[0036] The food or drink may be, for example, a beverage prepared by mixing pieces of fruit and / or vegetables. The required amount of solid ingredients may be purchased by the consumer in a first step (a), for example, in a sealed package containing a standard amount of ingredients for preparing the food or drink. In this case, the consumer may choose from different types of fruit or vegetables, or different combinations of several types of fruit and / or vegetables. The consumer is then free to use the device according to the invention, place the purchased ingredients into the device and have the food or drink automatically cooked.

[0037] The fruit and / or vegetable pieces are preferably in a frozen state and for each cooking step a liquid ingredient, preferably fruit juice, is preferably added to the mixing vessel.

[0038] According to a preferred method, the food material is provided to the consumer in a frozen state and is introduced into the device by the consumer in a frozen state. The food material is preferably frozen in separate portions by the IQF method.

[0039] Preferably, the method is adapted so that, before carrying out step a, the consumer first selects a different ingredient or a different combination of two or more different ingredients offered at the point of sale.

[0040] The amounts of ingredients needed to prepare the desired food or beverage are preferably sold as separately packaged units.

[0041] The food or beverage prepared and served by this method is preferably a beverage such as a soup, milkshake, or smoothie.

[0042] The method also preferably includes the consumer selecting different ingredients or different combinations of two or more different ingredients and placing an order via the web application.

[0043] In order to explain the features and advantages of the present invention in more detail, a possible embodiment of the device according to the invention is described in detail below, which is only one example of the many possible embodiments and fields of application within the context of the present invention, and it is clear that the following description cannot in any way be considered as limiting the scope of protection defined in the claims.

[0044] In this detailed description, numerals are used to refer to the accompanying figures, each showing a side view of the device with the front wall of the housing removed and showing diagrammatically the most important components. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0045] Figures 1-4 show the blender and drinking cup of the device and their respective movement mechanisms in different positions during operation of the device.

[0046] [Figure 1] The blender (mixer) and drinking cup are in a start position, in which the blender is ready to dispense ingredients through the dispensing funnel and the drinking cup is outside the enclosure and empty.

[0047] [Figure 2] The blender is in a slightly tilted position against the sealing element, ready to mix ingredients, and the drinking cup is outside the housing and still empty.

[0048] [Figure 3] The drinking cup is moved into position within the housing and the blender is in a pouring position tilted to the left to pour the mixed ingredients into the cup.

[0049] [Figure 4] The filled drinking cup is returned to its position outside the housing and the blender is in a pouring position tilted to the right to pour out the rinse water introduced therein.

[0050] [Figure 5] The six figures 5.1 to 5.6 show six successive positions of the blender and drinking cup and their movement mechanisms during the transition from the state of Figure 2 to the state of Figure 3.

[0051] [Figure 6]The apparatus and its movement mechanism are shown after the blender and its mounting plate have been removed, with the removed elements shown separately and diagrammatically next to the apparatus.

[0052] [Figure 7] The elements of the transfer mechanism shown in Figure 6 are shown separately, excluding the blender and its mounting plate.

[0053] [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view of the device, with the drive motor, gears, cam surface and retraction plate removed from the device and shown separately in exploded view above the device; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054] The apparatus includes a housing 20 in which a blender 5 having an open top surface 5a is disposed. The blender 5 is movable and tiltable by a drive shaft 1 driven by a drive motor 26 and by movement mechanisms 1, 1a, 2-7, 16-19 driven by the drive shaft 1.

[0055] The drive motor 26 has a motor shaft 26a to which a gear 25 is attached. This gear 25 meshes with the gear 18 of the first gear / cam wheel combination 18, 19, which is rotatably mounted on a fixed shaft. The gear 18 meshes with a drive gear 1a attached to the drive shaft 1, so that the drive shaft 1 is driven by the motor 26 via the gears 25, 18, and 1a.

[0056] The blender (5) is mounted on a mounting plate (4), which in turn is rotatably connected to the protruding edge (2a) of the retraction plate (2) via a rotating shaft (3). The blender (5) is fixedly connected to the mounting plate and is therefore rotatable together with the mounting plate (4) relative to the rotating shaft (3).

[0057] The retraction plate (2) is attached to the drive shaft (1) so that rotation of the drive shaft (1) causes it to rotate about the drive shaft (1). Rotating the drive shaft (1) causes the retraction plate (2) to rotate and retract the attached mounting plate (4). Here, the rotating shaft (3) moves around the drive shaft (1) along a circular arc (3a). This arc is only shown in Figure 1.

[0058] The space within the housing 20 is provided with a wall 20a (see FIG. 8), and the wall is provided with a guide groove 6 extending along a specific path, the guide groove 6 having a right end portion 6a and a left end portion 6b. The mounting plate 4 is provided with a guide pin 7 accommodated in the guide groove 6, and the guide pin 7 is movable within the groove 6.

[0059] An integrated feed funnel (13) is disposed on the top surface of the housing (20). The open top surface (13a) of the feed funnel (13) is located outside the housing (20), and the outlet opening (13b) of the feed funnel (13) is located inside the housing (20). The outlet opening (13b) of the funnel (13) is located directly above the open top surface (5a) of the blender (5) when the blender (5) is in the upright position (A) (see FIG. 1). In this position (A), the blender (5) is ready to dispense a quantity of solid ingredients through the feed funnel (13). The corresponding position of the guide pin (7) in the groove (6) is detected by a first microswitch (30).

[0060] To mix ingredients and prepare a food product, the user places the appropriate amount of solid ingredients into the feed funnel (13) and then activates the device, for example via a control screen, by inserting a coin or payment card, or via a web application developed for this purpose.

[0061] The motor (26) drives the drive shaft (1), causing it to rotate counterclockwise. The course of the groove (6) is such that the blender (5) tilts to the left from the upright position (A) in FIG. 1 while the drive shaft (1) and the retraction plate (2) rotate counterclockwise. In this case, the guide pin (7) moves to the left of the groove (6) from the position shown in FIG. 1. The left portion of this guide groove (6) determines the path of movement (6a), shown dotted in FIG. 7.

[0062] When the blender (5) is in the tilted position (B) shown in Figure 2, the position of the guide pin (7) in the groove (6) is detected by the second microswitch (31). As a result of this detection, the motor (26) is turned off by known control means, thereby stopping the tilting movement of the blender (5).

[0063] In this tilted position (B), the open upper surface (5a) of the blender (5) is placed against the lower surface of the sealing element (14) (see Figure 2). In this position (B), the blender (5) is ready to mix the ingredients placed therein. For this purpose, the lower part of the blender (5) is equipped with a rotatable blade that can be driven by an electric motor. The blade and the motor of the mixing device are not shown in the figures. When the blender (5) is in its full mixing position, the cam (2b) of the retraction plate (2) is in a position that is detected by a microswitch (33) (see Figure 7). The microswitch (33) is further referred to as the fifth microswitch. This detection generates a signal that automatically activates the mixing device for a specific time.

[0064] Two supply lines (27a), (27b) are connected to the sealing element (14) (see Figure 8). Along one supply line (27a), a certain amount of liquid ingredient, for example water or milk or fruit juice, can be added to the blender (5) from a reservoir (not shown).

[0065] The device comprises an electric pump (not shown) and associated control means for introducing a specific amount of liquid ingredient from a reservoir via a supply line (27a) into the blender (5) during each preparation step.

[0066] Another supply line (27b) is provided for supplying wash water for cleaning the blender (5), as will be explained in more detail below.

[0067] The consumer can select the food they wish to cook using the device on a control screen (not shown). Depending on this selection, one or another liquid food is automatically supplied via the associated supply line (27a). During or after this, the motor of the mixing device is automatically driven for a specific time, and all ingredients are mixed in the blender (5). The mixing time may be adjustable or may be automatically determined based on the selected ingredients.

[0068] After mixing, the drive motor (26) is automatically activated once more to rotate the drive shaft (1) and the retraction plate (2) further counterclockwise, with the guide pin (7) moving further towards the left end (b) of the groove (6). At this point, the groove (6) is provided with a local widening (15a) in which the guide pin (7) is held for a certain period of time, in order to obtain an efficient injection action in which the blender (5) undergoes a rotational movement relative to the held guide pin (7) while the rotating shaft (3) is moved upward by the rotating retraction plate (2).

[0069] To hold the guide pin (7) in the widened portion (15a) of the groove, a second gear / cam wheel combination (16) is mounted adjacent to the widened portion (15a) so that it can rotate on a fixed shaft. The drive gear (2) meshes with this gear (16), so that both the gear (16) and the cam wheel (17) rotate clockwise about their respective shafts. The cam wheel (17) has a recess (17a) in its edge region. The recess (17a) is positioned relative to the widened portion (15a) of the groove (6) so that the guide pin (7) can access the widened portion (15a) when the guide pin (7) approaches the widened portion (15a). While the guide pin (7) is in the wide portion (15a), the cam wheel (17) rotates further clockwise, and the walls of the cam wheel (17) that define the recesses (17a) on both sides prevent the guide pin (5) from leaving this wide portion (15a), so that the guide pin (7) is held in the wide portion (15a).

[0070] Meanwhile, the rotating shaft (3) of the blender (5) is moved upwards by the rotating draw plate (2) to impart a rotational movement of the blender (5) relative to the retained guide pin (7), which results in a very smooth and efficient pouring action (see Figure 5).

[0071] Further clockwise rotation of cam wheel 17 moves recess 17a to a position such that guide pin 7 can leave wide portion 15a and move towards left end b of groove 6. The upper boundary of recess 17a prevents pin 7 from moving back up out of recess 15a and away from left end b of groove 6 again.

[0072] Further counterclockwise rotation of the drive shaft (1) and retraction plate (2) moves the guide pin (7) further to the left end (b) of the groove (6). In this position (C), the blender (5) is tilted completely to the left, dispensing the contents of the blender (5) into the drinking cup (8). This position of the guide pin (7) is detected by the third microswitch (32). In Figure 3, the blender (5) is in this position (C).

[0073] A horizontally slidable carrier (9) for the drinking cup (8) is provided at the bottom of the housing (20) between a leftmost position (I) (see Figures 1, 2, and 4) and a rightmost position (II) as shown in Figure 3. When the carrier (9) is in the leftmost position (I), the drinking cup (8) is located outside the housing (20), referred to as the external position (21), and is accessible to the user. When the carrier (9) is in the rightmost position (II), the drinking cup (8) is located inside the housing (20), referred to as the internal position (22), where the mixed ingredients drop from the blender (5), which is located in the first pouring position (C), into the drinking cup (8).

[0074] To automatically move the conveying section (9), the mounting plate (4) is provided with a retraction pin (10), and a vertically disposed engagement plate (11) is provided on the upper surface of the conveying section (9), and the engagement plate (11) is provided with a vertical groove (12) that terminates at the upper end of the engagement plate (11). While the blender (5) is moving towards the first pouring position (C), The retraction pin (10) of the mounting plate (4) reaches the vertical groove (12) of the engagement plate (11), so that the conveying part (9) is retracted towards the rightmost position (II) while the retraction pin (10) moves further.

[0075] This is illustrated by the sequence of situations shown in Figure 5, diagrams 5.1 to 5.6. As a result of this movement of the carrier (9), the empty drinking cup (8) placed in the carrier by the user is moved to the inner position (22). When the guide pin (7) is in the wide part (15a) of the groove and the blender (5) is tilted further (situation in Figure 5.4), the carrier (9) is in the rightmost position (II) and the retraction pin (10) leaves the groove (12) of the engagement plate (11). Finally, by moving the blender (5) to the first pouring position (C), the prepared beverage is filled into the drinking cup (8).

[0076] In the case of a reverse movement of the blender (5) from the first pouring position (C) of Figure 3 back to position (B) of Figure 2, the sequence of events from Figures 5.1 to 5.6 is followed in reverse order, and the transport part (9) is also retracted in the reverse direction by the retraction pin (10) and moves again to the leftmost position (I). In this way, the filled drinking cup (8) is again moved to the external position (21) from which the user can take the drinking cup (8).

[0077] The blender (5) is then returned to position (B) relative to the sealing element (14), and hot water is introduced into the blender (5) via the supply line (27b) of this sealing element (14) to clean the blender. The blender is then briefly operated to thoroughly clean the interior of the blender (5) and the components of the blender therein. The blender (5) is then moved to the second pouring position (D) (see Figure 4). The cleaning water is poured into the collection tray (23) of the device, from where it is discharged via the drain (24).

[0078] During the movement of the blender (5) from the upright position (A) to the second pouring position (D), the guide pin (7) moves to the right portion of the guide groove (6). This right portion of the guide groove (6) defines a path of movement (6b) that is different from the path of movement (6a) defined by the left portion of the guide groove (6). This right path of movement (6b) is shown in Figure 7 by a small circle.

[0079] As the drive shaft (1) and the reel plate (2) rotate clockwise, the rotating shaft (3) moves along the arc (3), and the guide pin (7) follows the path (6b) of the right part of the groove (6) until it reaches the right end (a) of the groove (6).

[0080] In this right part, the groove (6) has a local widening (15b) in which the guide pin (7) can be held for a certain period of time. The holding of the guide pin (7) in this widening (15b) is achieved by interaction with the cam wheel (19) of the first gear / cam wheel combination (18, 19). This operation is similar to that described for the widening (15a) in the left part of the guide groove (6).

[0081] The cam wheel 19 has a recess 19a in its edge region. When the guide pin 7 approaches the wide portion 15b of the groove 6, the recess 19a is positioned relative to the wide portion 15b so that the guide pin 7 can access the wide portion 15b. While the guide pin 7 is in the wide portion 15b, the cam wheel 19 continues to rotate counterclockwise, and the walls of the cam wheel 19 that define the recesses 19a on both sides prevent the guide pin 7 from leaving this wide portion 15b. As a result, the guide pin 7 is held in the wide portion 15b.

[0082] During the holding of the guide pin (7), the rotating shaft (3) of the blender (5) moves further upwards, so that the blender (5) performs a rotational movement relative to the held guide pin (7), which results in a smooth pouring action.

[0083] After further counterclockwise rotation of cam wheel 19, recess 19a moves to a position that allows guide pin 7 to leave wide portion 15b and move toward right end a of groove 6. The upper boundary of recess 19a prevents pin 7 from moving back up from recess 15b and away from right end a of groove 6 again.

[0084] As the drive shaft (1) and retraction plate (2) continue to rotate counterclockwise, the guide pin (7) moves further to the right end (a) of the groove (6). At this position (D), the blender (5) is tilted completely to the right, causing wash water to pour from the blender (5) into the collection tray (23).

[0085] This position of the guide pin (7) is detected by the fourth microswitch (34). In Figure 4, the blender (5) is in this position (D).

[0086] Figures 6 and 7 show the operating mechanism without the blender (5) and its mounting plate (4). The protruding edge of the retraction plate (2) shows an opening (3') in which the rotating shaft (3) of the blender (5) is accommodated.

[0087] As already mentioned above, Figure 7 also shows that the retraction plate (2) is provided with a cam (2b). When this cam (2b) is in the position shown in Figure 7, this means that the blender (5) is in the tilted position (B) and is also completely adjacent to the underside of the sealing element (14). This position of the cam (2b) is detected by the fifth microswitch (33). As a result of this detection, the blending device is automatically activated.

Claims

1. 1. A method of providing a consumer with a cooked food or beverage comprising a mixture of solid ingredients, the method comprising: a. A quantity of solid food material is provided to the consumer; b. An automatic food preparation device is made available to a consumer, including mixing solid ingredients, the automatic preparation device being configured to make the cooked food available to the user in an eating container (8), the automatic preparation device comprising: Blender (5), a mixing device for reducing and mixing at least a portion of the ingredients in the blender (5); a drive device (1, 1a, 2-7, 16-19) configured to automatically tilt the blender (5) from an upright position (A) to a first pouring position (C) so that the mixed ingredients can fall from the blender (5) into a drinking vessel (8) after the ingredients have been mixed; c. The consumer places a quantity of ingredients into the automatic cooking device; d. The food or beverage is automatically cooked by the automatic cooking device and provided to the consumer. A method of providing food and beverages to consumers.

2. The food material is provided to the consumer in a frozen state and introduced into the automatic cooking device by the consumer in a frozen state.

10. A method of providing food or beverage to a consumer according to claim 1.

3. The consumer selects a different ingredient or a different combination of two or more different ingredients to be offered to the consumer before step a.

3. A method of providing food or beverage to a consumer according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The portions of food ingredients are sold as individually packaged units.

4. A method of providing food or drink to a consumer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The food or drink is a soup, a milkshake, or a smoothie.

4. A method of providing food or drink to a consumer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The consumer selects different ingredients or different combinations of two or more different ingredients and places an order via a web application.

6. A method of providing food or beverage to a consumer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the automatic cooking apparatus is configured to introduce a cleaning liquid into the blender (5) to clean the blender (5) after the mixed ingredients have been removed from the blender (5) to perform a subsequent cleaning operation, and to automatically tilt the blender (5) to a second pouring position (D) to drain the cleaning liquid.

7. A method of providing food or drink to a consumer according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the mixing device comprises a rotatable cutting blade arranged on the blender (5), 8. A method of providing food or drink to a consumer according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The automatic cooking device comprises a conveying unit (9) for food containers (8), the conveying unit (9) is movable between a first position (I) and a second position (II) for moving the eating and drinking container (8) placed thereon to an external position (21) or an internal position (22), respectively; In the external location (21), the eating and drinking vessel (8) is in a position accessible to the user; At the internal position (22), the eating container (8) is in a position where the mixed ingredients can fall from the blender (5) located at the first pouring position (D) into the eating container (8); The automatic cooking device comprises a mechanism (1-4, 10-12), The mechanism (1-4, 10-12) comprises an element (4) movable by a drive shaft (1), the mechanism (1-4, 10-12) is configured to transmit the movement of the element (4) to the conveying part (9) during the movement of the blender (5) towards the first pouring position (C) so that the conveying part (9) automatically moves to the second position (II); the mechanism (1-4, 10-12) is configured to transmit the movement of the element (4) to the conveying part (9) during the movement of the blender (5) away from the first pouring position (C) so that the conveying part (9) automatically moves to the first position (I), 9. A method of providing food or beverage to a consumer according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The mechanism comprises an engagement means (10) forming part of or connected to the element (4), and an engagement body (11) forming part of or connected to the conveying part (9), The engaging means (10) engages with an engaging body (11) during movement, and the movement of the engaging means (10) is transmitted to the conveying section (9), causing the conveying section (9) to move.

10. A method of providing food or beverage to a consumer according to claim 9.

11. The automatic cooking device is characterized in that it comprises a feeding and metering means for adding a specific amount of liquid ingredients to the blender during the cooking stage.

11. A method of providing food or drink to a consumer according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The blender (5) is rotatable about a rotating shaft (3) which is movable along a first guideway (3a) by the drive device; the blender (5) comprises a guide element (7) adapted to move along a second guideway (6a); characterised in that the movement of the rotating shaft (3) according to the first movement path (3a) causes the guide element (7) to move along the second movement path (6a) and move the blender (5) from the upright position (A) to the first pouring position (C), 12. A method of providing food or drink to a consumer according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. the automatic cooking apparatus is configured to introduce a cleaning liquid into the blender (5) to clean the blender (5) after the mixed ingredients have been removed from the blender (5) to perform a subsequent cleaning operation, and to automatically tilt the blender (5) to a second pouring position (D) to drain the cleaning liquid, the guide element (7) being configured to move along a third guide path (6b), and the movement of the rotating shaft (3) along the first movement path (3a) causes the guide element (7) to move along the third movement path (6b) and move the blender (5) from the upright position (A) to the second pouring position (D).

13. A method of providing food or beverage to a consumer according to claim 12.

14. characterised in that the second (6a) and third (6b) movement paths are defined by two different parts of the same guide means (6), 14. A method of providing food or beverage to a consumer according to claim 13.

15. The automatic cooking device includes a retractor (2) that can be rotated by a drive shaft (1), The rotating shaft (3) of the blender (5) is connected to the retractor (2) at a location remote from the drive shaft (1), The automatic cooking apparatus is configured to automatically rotate the drive shaft (1) so that the retracting body (2) rotates together with the rotating shaft (3) and the rotating shaft (3) moves along a first movement path (3a) having a substantially arcuate shape.

15. A method of providing food or drink to a consumer according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

16. The automatic cooking device is configured to cook a smoothie, and the cooking of the automatic cooking device includes mixing frozen fruit and / or vegetable pieces.

16. A method of providing food or beverage to a consumer according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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