Front-counter ice cream machine having making and display functions

Abstract

A front-counter ice cream machine having a secondary overrun function, comprising a machine body, refrigeration containers, a refrigeration device, and a stirring device, wherein the front-counter ice cream machine has an ice cream making mode and an ice cream re-overrun mode. Upon completing the ice cream making mode, the ice cream re-overrun mode is activated when the following condition is satisfied: (i) the temperature of each refrigeration container exceeds a set temperature; or (ii) a set time period has elapsed after completion of the ice cream making mode. In the ice cream re-overrun mode, the refrigeration device supplies cooling capacity to the refrigeration containers to reduce the temperature of the refrigeration containers, and the stirring device mixes air into ice cream by stirring the ice cream, so as to achieve secondary overrun.

Description

A front-desk ice cream machine for making and displaying Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of food machinery technology, and in particular to a front-desk ice cream machine for manufacturing and display. Background Technology

[0002] Ice cream, as a popular frozen dessert, is loved by consumers for its taste and quality. With the upgrading of consumption scenarios, many consumers now prefer to buy freshly made ice cream for reasons such as fresh taste and clear visibility of hygiene. Ice cream machines used for freshly made ice cream are also known as front-desk ice cream machines. As the name suggests, front-desk ice cream machines are placed at the front desk directly facing consumers, allowing them to watch the ice cream making process while waiting to buy.

[0003] The overrun of ice cream is one of the key factors affecting its taste and appearance. Ice cream with a high overrun usually has a smoother, creamier texture and a fuller, more appealing appearance. Currently, ice cream machines on the market mainly use two basic functions to make ice cream: refrigeration and churning. The refrigeration unit lowers the temperature of the ice cream ingredients, causing them to gradually solidify; the churning unit continuously stirs the ice cream ingredients during the refrigeration process to prevent them from freezing into lumps and to promote air incorporation, thereby increasing the overrun of the ice cream.

[0004] However, during long-term storage, ice cream's temperature gradually rises due to fluctuations in ambient temperature and the airtightness of storage containers, leading to varying degrees of melting. Melting not only ruins its original smooth and creamy texture, making it rough and crumbly, but also affects its appearance, causing surface collapse and shape changes. Furthermore, after refreezing, melted ice cream undergoes changes in its internal structure, reducing air content and overrun, making it difficult to return to its original ideal state. This significantly impacts the consumer's eating experience and their perception of the ice cream's quality.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a new technical solution to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a front-desk ice cream machine that enables the re-overflowing of ice cream, thereby increasing its air content and maintaining its overflow rate. This results in a smoother texture, a richer flavor, and a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0007] This application provides a front-mounted ice cream machine for making and displaying ice cream, including a machine body, a refrigeration container, a refrigeration device, and a stirring device, wherein the stirring device is configured to stir the ice cream in the refrigeration container;

[0008] The front-mounted ice cream machine has an ice cream making mode and an ice cream re-expansion mode. The ice cream re-expansion mode is activated after the ice cream making mode is completed when the following conditions are met: (i) the temperature of the refrigeration container exceeds the set temperature, or (ii) the ice cream making mode is completed after a set time has elapsed.

[0009] In the ice cream re-expansion mode, the refrigeration device is configured to supply cold energy to the refrigeration container to lower its temperature, and the stirring device is configured to mix air into the ice cream by stirring the ice cream to achieve secondary expansion.

[0010] Several alternative methods are provided below, but they are not intended as additional limitations on the overall solution above. They are merely further additions or optimizations. Provided there are no technical or logical contradictions, each alternative method can be combined individually with respect to the overall solution above, or multiple alternative methods can be combined with each other.

[0011] Optionally, the ice cream re-expansion mode is activated when the temperature of the refrigeration container exceeds the set temperature, and the stirring device stops stirring after the temperature of the refrigeration container reaches the set temperature.

[0012] Optionally, the ice cream re-expansion mode is activated when the temperature of the refrigeration container exceeds the set temperature, and the refrigeration device stops refrigeration after the temperature of the refrigeration container reaches the set temperature.

[0013] Optionally, the ice cream re-expansion mode is activated when the temperature of the refrigeration container exceeds the set temperature. After the temperature of the refrigeration container reaches the set temperature, the refrigeration device first stops refrigeration, and then the stirring device stops stirring after a first predetermined time.

[0014] Optionally, the first predetermined time is greater than 5 seconds.

[0015] Optionally, the set temperature is characterized by taking any value from -15℃ to -3℃.

[0016] Optionally, the set temperature can be any value between -12°C and -5°C.

[0017] Optionally, the ice cream re-expansion mode is activated when the ice cream making mode is completed and a set time has elapsed, and the refrigeration device and the stirring device are started simultaneously for a duration of more than 10 seconds.

[0018] Optionally, when activated after a set time has elapsed since the completion of the ice cream making mode, the refrigeration device first stops refrigerating, and then the stirring device stops stirring after a second predetermined time.

[0019] Optionally, the start-up time of the refrigeration device and the stirring device is 20 seconds to 180 seconds.

[0020] Optionally, the set time is less than 25 minutes.

[0021] This application discloses a front-mounted ice cream machine. In the ice cream re-overflow mode, a refrigeration device lowers the temperature of the ice cream in the refrigeration container, and a stirring device mixes air into the ice cream during the stirring process to increase the overflow rate of the ice cream. This allows the ice cream machine to perform a secondary overflow process during ice cream making, thereby increasing the air content of the ice cream and maintaining the overflow rate. This makes the ice cream more delicate, has a richer taste, and a more attractive appearance. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an ice cream machine according to an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the ice cream machine in Figure 1 without the transparent cover;

[0024] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mixing device and the refrigeration container in the ice cream machine shown in Figure 2.

[0025] The annotations in the figure are explained as follows:

[0026] 100. Ice cream machine;

[0027] 10. Body;

[0028] 20. Refrigeration container; 21. Inner wall; 211. Side wall; 212. Bottom wall; 22. Receiving cavity; 23. Transparent cover;

[0029] 30. Stirring device; 31. Rotating shaft; 32. Stirring paddle;

[0030] 40. Refrigeration device; 41. Refrigeration pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0032] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or it can be connected to a component in between. When a component is said to be "set on" another component, it can be directly set on the other component or it may be set to a component in between.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, this application provides a front-desk ice cream machine 100, including a body 10, a refrigeration container 20, a refrigeration device 40, and a stirring device 30. The stirring device 30 is configured to stir the ice cream in the refrigeration container 20. The front-desk ice cream machine has an ice cream making mode and an ice cream re-expansion mode. The ice cream re-expansion mode is activated after the ice cream making mode is completed when the following conditions are met: (i) the temperature of the refrigeration container 20 exceeds a set temperature, or (ii) a set time is exceeded after the ice cream making mode is completed. In the ice cream re-expansion mode, the refrigeration device 40 is configured to supply cold energy to the refrigeration container 20 to lower its temperature, and the stirring device 30 is configured to mix air into the ice cream by stirring it to achieve secondary expansion.

[0035] In the ice cream re-overflow mode, the refrigeration device 40 lowers the temperature of the ice cream in the refrigeration container 20, and the stirring device 30 mixes air into the ice cream during the stirring process to increase the overflow rate of the ice cream. This allows the ice cream machine 100 to perform secondary overflow treatment during the ice cream making process, thereby increasing the air content of the ice cream and maintaining the overflow rate. This makes the ice cream more delicate, has a richer taste, and makes the ice cream more visually appealing.

[0036] In this embodiment, in actual operation, the user can adjust the set temperature as needed. For example, in summer when the temperature is high, the set temperature can be set to a lower value to ensure that the ice cream is over-frozen at a lower temperature; in winter when the temperature is low, the set temperature can be set to a higher value to avoid over-freezing the ice cream.

[0037] The set temperature can be adjusted via the control panel of the ice cream machine 100. Users can select a suitable set temperature range or specific value according to their actual needs. When adjusting the set temperature, care should be taken to avoid setting the preset threshold too high or too low, so as not to affect the overrunning effect and taste quality of the ice cream. The set temperature can be any value between -15℃ and -3℃.

[0038] Preferably, the set temperature is any value between -12℃ and -5℃. A higher set temperature results in a relatively soft ice cream, making it difficult for the mixing device 30 to effectively incorporate air during mixing. Because the ice cream is not firm enough, air does not easily form a stable bubble structure, leading to a reduced overrun. Conversely, a lower set temperature makes the ice cream too firm, requiring more energy from the mixing device 30 and potentially resulting in uneven bubble distribution and affecting the secondary overrun. More preferably, the set temperature is any value between -10℃ and -7℃. More preferably, the set temperature is -12℃, -11℃, -10℃, -9℃, -8℃, -7℃, or -6℃.

[0039] In this embodiment, the ice cream re-overflow mode is activated when the temperature of the refrigeration container 20 exceeds the set temperature. After the temperature of the refrigeration container 20 reaches the set temperature, the stirring device 30 stops stirring. The ice cream re-overflow mode is activated when the temperature of the refrigeration container 20 exceeds the set temperature. After the temperature of the refrigeration container 20 reaches the set temperature, the refrigeration device 40 stops refrigeration. Due to the thermal inertia within the refrigeration device 40, the temperature of the ice cream does not immediately stabilize at the set temperature, but undergoes a brief period of continued decrease before gradually stabilizing.

[0040] In this embodiment, the ice cream re-expansion mode is activated when the temperature of the refrigeration container 20 exceeds the set temperature. After the temperature of the refrigeration container 20 reaches the set temperature, the refrigeration device 40 first stops refrigerating, and then the stirring device 30 stops stirring after a first predetermined time. Due to the thermal inertia within the refrigeration device 40, the temperature of the ice cream does not immediately stabilize at the set temperature, but undergoes a brief period of continued temperature decrease before gradually stabilizing. During this time, the continuous stirring of the stirring device 30 prevents the ice cream from freezing in certain areas. The first predetermined time is greater than 5 seconds. Preferably, the first predetermined time is greater than 10 seconds.

[0041] In this embodiment, in actual operation, the user can adjust the set time as needed. For example, during periods of high consumer traffic, the set time can be set to a shorter value to speed up ice cream production; during periods of low consumer traffic, the set time can be set to a longer value to reduce energy consumption and extend the machine's lifespan.

[0042] In this embodiment, the set time can also be adjusted via the control panel of the ice cream machine 100. Users can select a suitable duration according to their actual needs. The set time can be less than 25 minutes, 20 minutes, or 15 minutes. If the set time is too long, the ice cream may melt excessively, requiring a longer re-frozen state.

[0043] In this embodiment, the ice cream re-expansion mode is activated after a set time has elapsed since the ice cream making mode was completed, with the refrigeration device 40 and the stirring device 30 simultaneously starting for a duration greater than 10 seconds. If the starting duration of the refrigeration device 40 and the stirring device 30 is too short, the secondary expansion effect of the ice cream will be poor. Preferably, the starting duration of the refrigeration device 40 and the stirring device 30 is 20 seconds to 180 seconds. More preferably, the starting duration of the refrigeration device 40 and the stirring device 30 is 30 seconds to 120 seconds.

[0044] In this embodiment, when the system is activated after a set time has elapsed since the ice cream making mode was completed, the cooling device 40 first stops cooling, and then the stirring device 30 stops stirring after a second predetermined time. Due to the thermal inertia within the cooling device 40, the temperature of the ice cream does not immediately stabilize at the set temperature, but rather experiences a brief period of continued temperature decrease before gradually stabilizing. During this time, the continuous stirring of the stirring device 30 prevents the ice cream from freezing in certain areas. The first predetermined time is greater than 5 seconds. Preferably, the first predetermined time is greater than 10 seconds.

[0045] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the structure of the body 10 is not strictly limited, as long as the body 10 can support structures such as the refrigeration container 20; for example, the structure of the body 10 is a frame structure. Four casters are installed at the bottom of the body 10, which allows the ice cream machine 100 to be moved flexibly.

[0046] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the refrigeration container 20 is generally cylindrical in shape; the refrigeration container 20 has an open receiving cavity 22. The refrigeration container 20 includes a bottom wall 212 and a side wall 211; the bottom wall 212 and the side wall 211 form the receiving cavity 22; the bottom wall 212 is generally disc-shaped; the side wall 211 has a cylindrical structure, with one end of the side wall 211 open along its own axis to form an opening, and the other end connected to the bottom wall 212. The opening edge of the refrigeration container 20 has a flange; a through hole is provided on the top of the body 10 corresponding to the refrigeration container 20, and the refrigeration container 20 is embedded in the through hole of the body 10, with its flange overlapping the top surface of the body 10.

[0047] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ice cream machine 100 also includes a transparent cover 23 that can be placed over the opening of the refrigeration container 20; the user can view the ice cream inside the refrigeration container 20 through the transparent cover 23. The transparent cover 23 can be made of glass or plastic; the transparent cover 23 is rotatably mounted on the machine body 10 via a pivot or other means.

[0048] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG3, the structure of the refrigeration device 40 is not strictly limited, as long as the refrigeration device 40 can freeze and solidify the ice cream inside the refrigeration container 20. The refrigeration device 40 includes a refrigeration pipe 41; the refrigeration pipe 41 is generally formed into a cylindrical structure to enclose the refrigeration container 20. The refrigeration pipe 41 is abutted or clearance-fitted to the bottom wall 212 of the refrigeration container 20. In the vertical direction, the refrigeration pipe 41 is higher than, lower than, or flush with the maximum capacity of the refrigeration container 20.

[0049] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG3, the stirring device 30 includes a rotating shaft 31 for outputting rotational power and a stirring paddle 32 disposed on the rotating shaft 31. The motor drives the rotating shaft 31 to drive the stirring paddle 32 to stir the ice cream in the refrigeration container 20.

[0050] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as the combination of these technical features does not contradict each other, it should be considered to be within the scope of this specification. When technical features of different embodiments are embodied in the same drawing, it can be regarded as the drawing also disclosing examples of combinations of the various embodiments involved.

[0051] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and their descriptions are quite specific and detailed. However, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A front-mounted ice cream machine for making and displaying ice cream, comprising a machine body, a refrigeration container, a refrigeration unit, and a stirring unit, wherein the stirring unit is configured to stir the ice cream in the refrigeration container; characterized in that: The front-mounted ice cream machine has an ice cream making mode and an ice cream re-expansion mode. The ice cream re-expansion mode is activated after the ice cream making mode is completed when the following conditions are met: (i) the temperature of the refrigeration container exceeds the set temperature, or (ii) the ice cream making mode is completed after a set time has elapsed. In the ice cream re-expansion mode, the refrigeration device is configured to supply cold energy to the refrigeration container to lower its temperature, and the stirring device is configured to mix air into the ice cream by stirring the ice cream to achieve secondary expansion.

2. A front counter ice cream machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, The ice cream re-expansion mode is activated when the temperature of the refrigeration container exceeds the set temperature, and the stirring device stops stirring after the temperature of the refrigeration container reaches the set temperature.

3. A front counter type ice cream machine of claim 1, wherein, The ice cream re-expansion mode is activated when the temperature of the refrigeration container exceeds the set temperature, and the refrigeration device stops refrigeration after the temperature of the refrigeration container reaches the set temperature.

4. A countertop ice cream machine for manufacturing and display according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice cream re-expansion mode is activated when the temperature of the refrigeration container exceeds the set temperature. After the temperature of the refrigeration container reaches the set temperature, the refrigeration device first stops refrigeration, and then the stirring device stops stirring after a first predetermined time.

5. A countertop ice cream machine for manufacturing and display according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first predetermined time is greater than 5 seconds.

6. A countertop ice cream machine for production and display according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The set temperature is any value between -15℃ and -3℃.

7. A countertop ice cream machine for manufacturing and display according to claim 6, characterized in that, The set temperature is any value between -12℃ and -5℃.

8. A front-desk ice cream machine for manufacturing and display according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice cream re-expansion mode is activated when the ice cream making mode is completed and a set time has elapsed, and the refrigeration device and the stirring device start simultaneously for a duration of more than 10 seconds.

9. A countertop ice cream machine for manufacturing and display according to claim 8, characterized in that, When activated after a set time has elapsed since the completion of the ice cream making mode, the refrigeration device first stops refrigerating, and then the stirring device stops stirring after a second predetermined time.

10. A countertop ice cream machine for production and display according to claim 1, 8, or 9, characterized in that, The set time is less than 25 minutes.

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