Batch Freezer Lid-Mounted Scoop Storage for Hygienic Serving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Display batch freezers for ice-creams, sorbets, and slushes pose hygiene issues due to the inability to safely store scoops inside the batch freezing receptacle, leading to bacterial contamination when collecting the product, especially in warm environments.

Innovation Solution

A display batch freezer design featuring a support system with an L-shaped profile and V-notch for securely housing the scoop, where the gripping part is outside and the collecting part is inside the lid, preventing interference with the stirrer and maintaining hygiene by keeping the collecting part in a protected, cold environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the scoop is kept outside the batch freezing receptacle, then the scoop does not interfere with the stirrer and the lid can close properly, but the collecting part of the scoop becomes a breeding-ground for bacteria causing hygiene problems

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehygieneVSAvoidscoop storage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The scoop is nested within the lid structure, with the collecting part positioned inside the lid cavity and the gripping part extending outside. This nesting arrangement allows the scoop to be stored within the lid without interfering with the batch freezing receptacle or stirrer, while keeping the collecting part in a protected, cold environment to prevent bacterial growth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The scoop is positioned in a third dimension by extending it through the lid, with part of the scoop inside the lid and part outside. This dimensional arrangement resolves the conflict between needing the scoop accessible for operation and needing it protected for hygiene, by utilizing the vertical space created by the lid structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the scoop is kept inside the batch freezing receptacle, then hygiene is maintained by keeping the collecting part in a cold environment, but the scoop interferes with the stirrer and prevents proper lid closure

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehygieneVSAvoidstirrer operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scoop is extracted from the batch freezing receptacle and repositioned within the lid structure. This extraction removes the scoop from the operational space of the stirrer and receptacle, eliminating interference with stirring operations and allowing proper lid closure, while the collecting part remains in a protected environment within the lid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the scoop is placed in a hot environment outside the bench, then the scoop is easily accessible for serving, but bacterial contamination increases and ice-cream texture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescoop accessibilityVSAvoidbacterial contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The scoop is nested within the lid structure, allowing the gripping part to be accessible outside while the collecting part remains protected inside the cold environment of the lid. This arrangement maintains ease of operation for gripping and serving while protecting the collecting part from bacterial contamination and temperature-related texture deterioration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures hygienic ice-cream collection by preventing bacterial deposition on the scoop and maintaining the ice-cream's texture, while preventing damage from the stirrer and ensuring proper lid closure for motor activation.

Implementation Method 1

The batch freezer is a machine that allows transforming a liquid mixture in ice-cream by continuous stirring, cooling and the inclusion of air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Implementation Method 2

The batch freezer comprises one or more batch freezing receptacles being properly cooled, arranged horizontally or vertically, inside each of which a stirrer is rotating continuously

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStirring: Stirring

Data Source

PatentEP3036998B1Display batch freezer for ice-creams, sorbets, slushes and similar products
Publication Date: 2018.03.14 SOFFIENTINI PAOLO
  • EP3036998B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3036998B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3036998B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A display batch freezer (10) for ice-creams, sorbets, slushes and similar products, formed by a bench (11) with a shelf (12) in which a plurality of batch freezing receptacles (13) having stirrers and being closed by respective lids (16) is fitted, provides at each batch freezing receptacle (13) a fixed support (21) on which a tool (25) is fitted removably for collecting the product; the tool has a gripping part (26) and a collecting part (27); the tool (25) is arranged with the gripping part (26) outside the lid (16) and with the collecting part (27) inside the lid (16), and the lid (16) has an opening (30) for the tool (25) to pass through the lid (16). Therefore, the hygiene is guaranteed during the product collection.