CA1302399C - Agitator for a food mixer - Google Patents
Agitator for a food mixerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1302399C CA1302399C CA000543367A CA543367A CA1302399C CA 1302399 C CA1302399 C CA 1302399C CA 000543367 A CA000543367 A CA 000543367A CA 543367 A CA543367 A CA 543367A CA 1302399 C CA1302399 C CA 1302399C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- stem
- shaft
- agitator
- flange
- food
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J43/00—Implements for preparing or holding food, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- A47J43/04—Machines for domestic use not covered elsewhere, e.g. for grinding, mixing, stirring, kneading, emulsifying, whipping or beating foodstuffs, e.g. power-driven
- A47J43/044—Machines for domestic use not covered elsewhere, e.g. for grinding, mixing, stirring, kneading, emulsifying, whipping or beating foodstuffs, e.g. power-driven with tools driven from the top side
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
- B01F27/05—Stirrers
- B01F27/11—Stirrers characterised by the configuration of the stirrers
- B01F27/112—Stirrers characterised by the configuration of the stirrers with arms, paddles, vanes or blades
- B01F27/1127—Stirrers characterised by the configuration of the stirrers with arms, paddles, vanes or blades spoon-shaped
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
- B01F33/50—Movable or transportable mixing devices or plants
- B01F33/501—Movable mixing devices, i.e. readily shifted or displaced from one place to another, e.g. portable during use
- B01F33/5011—Movable mixing devices, i.e. readily shifted or displaced from one place to another, e.g. portable during use portable during use, e.g. hand-held
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
- B01F35/30—Driving arrangements; Transmissions; Couplings; Brakes
- B01F35/31—Couplings
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
- B01F35/30—Driving arrangements; Transmissions; Couplings; Brakes
- B01F35/32—Driving arrangements
- B01F35/32005—Type of drive
- B01F35/3204—Motor driven, i.e. by means of an electric or IC motor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F2101/00—Mixing characterised by the nature of the mixed materials or by the application field
- B01F2101/06—Mixing of food ingredients
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
- B01F27/05—Stirrers
- B01F27/07—Stirrers characterised by their mounting on the shaft
- B01F27/072—Stirrers characterised by their mounting on the shaft characterised by the disposition of the stirrers with respect to the rotating axis
- B01F27/0725—Stirrers characterised by their mounting on the shaft characterised by the disposition of the stirrers with respect to the rotating axis on the free end of the rotating axis
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
- B01F27/21—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders characterised by their rotating shafts
- B01F27/213—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders characterised by their rotating shafts characterised by the connection with the drive
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
- B01F27/80—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
- B01F35/30—Driving arrangements; Transmissions; Couplings; Brakes
- B01F35/32—Driving arrangements
- B01F35/32005—Type of drive
- B01F35/3202—Hand driven
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Table Equipment (AREA)
- Food-Manufacturing Devices (AREA)
- Mixers Of The Rotary Stirring Type (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A disposable agitator (12, 12A) for a food mixer (10) includes a hollow sleeve stem (16, 24) which fits over and rotates with the rotatable shaft (11, 11A) of the mixer (10). An agitator blade (17, 25) is positioned at the bottom of the stem (16, 24). In one embodiment detent (18) in the stem (16) engages a recess (14) in the shaft (11) while in another embodiment a barb (29) engages a flange (23) on the shaft to longitudinally position the agitator (12) on the shaft (11).
A disposable agitator (12, 12A) for a food mixer (10) includes a hollow sleeve stem (16, 24) which fits over and rotates with the rotatable shaft (11, 11A) of the mixer (10). An agitator blade (17, 25) is positioned at the bottom of the stem (16, 24). In one embodiment detent (18) in the stem (16) engages a recess (14) in the shaft (11) while in another embodiment a barb (29) engages a flange (23) on the shaft to longitudinally position the agitator (12) on the shaft (11).
Description
130239g AN AGITATOR F`OR A ~OOD MIXER
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an agitator for a food mixer, such as a mixer of the type which will blend candy other condiments into ice cream, milk shakes or the like.
More particularly, this invention relates to an agitator blade which is disposable insuring sanitary conditions without having to clean the agitator between usages.
BACKGROUND ART
For many years mixers with agitator shafts extending downwardly have been used to mix food items, such as milk shakes, right in a cup. More recently, similar mixers have be~n used to mix solid food chunks, such as candy and the like, into soft serve ice cream and other foods of similar texture. Since such mixers have permanent agitator shafts, frequent cleaning, most often between each use, is required because it is highly likely that each user will be blending different materials. Such cleaning is quite time consuming ~or the commercial establishment which blends the product for the customer and is virtually impossible for the commercial establishment which invites the customer to blend his own product.
To date no one has developed an agitator assembly for such mixers which will not be in need of this frequent cl@onlng.
DISCLOSURE OF ~HE INVENTION
It is thus a primary object of the present invention to provide a disposable agitator for a food mixing device.
It is another object of the precent invention to provide an agitator, as above, which can be readily utilized by the consumer himself.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an agitator, as above, which i6 in the shape of a spoon so that the consumer can utilize the same as a utensil to eat the food product.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an agitator, as above, in which the ~owl of the spoon is axially offset from the shaft thereof to increase mixing action.
These and other objects of the present invention, which will become apparent from the descript~on to follow, are accomplished by the improvements hereinafter described and claimed.
In general, a disposable agitator is designed for engagement with a rotatable shaft having coupling means associated therewith. The agitator has a hollow stem adapted to fit over and rotate with the shaft, there being an agitator blade on the end of the stem. ~he stem is pxovided with means to engage the coupling means of the 6haft to position the stem longitudinally on the ~haft.
According to a broad aspect, the invention relates to a disposable food mixer agitator for use by a consumer, the agitator being engageable with a rotatable elsngate shaft, the ~haft tapering downwardly from a larger cros6 section to a smaller cross section and including coupling ;mean~, the agitator comprising, an elongate plastic ste~, said stem being hollow along its entire length and being adapted to fit over substantially the entire shaft and be strengthened thereby, said stem tapering downwardly from a larger cross section to a smaller cross section corresponding to the taper of the shaft, hlade means on the lower end of said ste~
configured to induce the consu~er to remove ~aid stem ~13023~9 .,~ ,~
from the 6haft ~nd use the agit~tor to con~ume the food, said ~lade means being in the 6hape of a bowl of a spoon and closing the lower end of 6aid stem to prevent contamination of the 6haft, and means on 6aid stem to temporarily engage the coupling means of the shaft to temporarily position 6aid hollow stem longitudinally on the shaft and permit rotation of said stem and said blade means with the shaft so that 6aid blade means will mix the food after which time the consumer is induced by ~aid blade means to remove said stem from the shaft and consume the food with the agitator thereby preventing contamination of the shaft from exposure to different food items.
According to a further broad aspect, the invention relates to a disposable agitator for use by a consumer with a food mixer having a rotatable shaft of a generally polygonal cross section and tapering downwardly from a larger cross section to a 6maller cross section,d the shaft having a generally annular flange thereof, the agitator comprising, a hollow ~tem of a plastic material - being hollow for substantially its entire length and having a generally polygonal cross section and taper corresponding to the taper of the shaft ~o that said stem can be fit over the 6haft by the consumer, be strengthened by the shaft, and be rotatable with the ~haft, means on the end of said stem to agitate the food and to induce the consumer to remove 6aid stem from the 6haft, ~aid means on the end of said stem being of a plastic material and configured in the shape of a bowl of a spoon 80 that the con6umer may consume the food product with the agitator, 6aid mean6 at the end of said stem closing the lower end of ~aid stem to prevent contamination of the shaft, and clip ~ean6 near the upper end of eaid stem to engage the flange on the ~haft 80 that the consumer can temporarily secure ~aid stem longitudinally on the shaft, said clip means including a ~302399 ,'l' `
resilient shank portion attached to the outside of said stem and extending upwardly above 6aid stem, and a barb portion on the upper end of said shank poxtion to engage the flange.
According to a still further aspect, the invention relates to a method for enabling a user to mix a food product in a food mixer for subsequent consumption by the user, the food mixer having an elongate rotatable shaft with a flange near the top thereof, the user having been provided with a disposable agitator having an elongate hollow stem with a clip carrying a barb near the top thereof and the bottom thereof being configured like the bowl of a spoon c~mprising the steps of reinforcing the hollow stem by sliding the hollow stem upwardly over the ~haft of the agitator, snapping the barb over the flange by di6placing the clip to thereby secure the agitator on the shaft, mixing the food product with the agitator, displacing the clip to disengage the barb from the flange, 61iding the hollow 6tem downwardly away from the shaft, and using the agitat~r as a utensil to consume the fo~d product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~INGS
Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a food mixer having a disposable agitator according to the concept of the present invention.
Fig. 2 i8 an elevational view of one embodiment of a rotatable drive shaft of the food mixer adapted to receive a disposable agitator.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view through one embodiment of a dispo6able agitator designed for u6e with the shaft æhown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 i6 a sectional view taken sub6tPntially along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken ~ubst~ntially along line 5-5 of Fig. 3.
~3 Fig. 6 is an elevational view of another embodi-ment of a rotatable drive shaft of the food mixer adapted to receive a disposable agitator.
Fig. 7 is an elevational view of another embodi-ment of a disposable agitator designed for use with theshaft shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a partial elevational view of the disposable agitator of Fig. 7 attached to the rotatable drive shaft of Fig. 6.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9 of Fig. 8.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING O~T THE INVENTION
A conventional mixer 10 is shown schematically in Fig. 1 and includes a rotatable shaft 11 which carries the disposable agitator indicated generally by the numeral 12.
Mixer 10 is equipped with a mOtol^ which, when activated by switch 13, rotates shaft 11 and agitator 12. Positioning a cup of ice cream or the like, mixed with candy or other condiments, so that agitator 12 is in the ice cream results in a smooth blended product when shaft 11 is rotated.
One embodiment of shaft 11 is shown in detail in Fig. 2 as having an annular recess 14 near the top thereof and having a flat end 15 at the bottom thereof. As will hereinafter be described, recess 14 and flat end 15 serve as devices which enable coupling of shaft 11 to agitator 12 to prevent longitudinal and rotational movement of agitator 12 with respect to shaft 11. Shaft 11 can be constructed out of any durable material, such as stainless steel, and while it is shown as being somewhat tapered, it can take on an essentially cylindrical shape if desired.
The embodiment of agitator 12 used with the embodiment of shaft 11 shown in Fig. 2 is best shown in Fig. 3 and is preferably made of an inexpensive material, 3~ such as many common plastics, so that it can be economically discarded after use. Agitator 12 includes a hollow sleeve stem portion 16 at one end and an agitator blade portion 17 at the other end. Stem 16 is shown as being tapered to correspond to the tapel shown for shaft 11 although it will be appreciated that if shaft 11 were not tapeled, stem 16 would also not be tapered but would rather correspond in configulation to that of shaft 11.
An annular detent 18 is provided internally of stem 16 near the top thereof for locking engagement with recess 14 of shaft 11 to secure agitator 12 longitudinally of shaft 11. A lug 19 is provided internally near the 1~ bottom of stem 16 generally at the point where stem 16 connects with blade 17. Lug 19 makes a dog-like engagement with flat 15 of shaft 11 so that agitator 12 will rotate with shaft 11 in a non-slip fashion.
While blade 1~ could take the form of any well known agitating type configurations, it is shown as being in the shape of the bowl of a spoon having reinforcing webs 20 to strengthen the transition between stem 16 and blade 17.
Being so configured as a spoon, the agitator can serve the additional function of enabling the consumer to use it as a utensil for eating the product.
It should also be noted that the center of gravity of blade 17 is shown as being axially offset from the centerline of shaft 11 and stem 16 which has been found to enhance the agitating action. However, a blade 17 in line with ~he axis of rotation of shaft 11 could be constructed without departing from the spirit of this invention.
From the above description it should be appreci-ated that the disposable agitator 12 can be readily attached to shaft 11 by sliding the sleeve stem 16 over shaft 11 until detent 18 snaps into recess 14. Upon rotation of shaft 11, flat end 15 will engage lug 19 and the sleeve stem 16 will rotate with the shaft so that blade 17 will mix the product in a cup held by the user. After completion of the mixing process, agitator 12 can be removed and discarded or, if blade 17 is in the form of a spoon, as shown, it can be utilized as a utensil by the usel- to consume the product. It should be appreciated that during ~02399 the mixing process, sleeve stem 16 has protected shaft 11 from contact with the product and therefore no cleaning of shaft 11 is necessary preparatory to the next use.
Another embodiment of a rotatable shaft is shown in Fig. 6 and identified generally by the numeral llA.
Shaft llA has an upper cylindrical portion 21 attachable to the drive mechanism of mixer 10 and a lower portion 22 designed to receive the alternate embodiment of the agitator indicated generally by the numeral 12A in Fig. 7. An annular flange 23 is provided at the junction of portions 21 and 22 of shaft llA which, as will hereinafter be described in more detail, enables the coupling of shaft llA to agitator 12A to prevent longitudinal movement of agitator 12A with respect to shaft llA. Shaft llA, like shaft 11, is normally constructed of a durable material, such as stain-less steel, with lower portion 22 of shaft llA being generally square in configuration, and while it is shown as being tapered, such is not critical to the spirit of this invention.
Agitator 12A, like agitator 12, is preferably made of an inexpensive plastic material and includes a hollowsleeve stem portion 24 at one end and an agitator blade portion 25 at the other end. Blade portion 25 can be essentially identical to blade portion 17 of Fig. 3, that is, in the shape of a bowl of a spoon so as to serve the additional function of an eating utensil. Stem 24 is shown as being square in cross-section to conform with lower portion 22 of shaft llA and likewise, if desired, can be tapered, as shown. Stem 24 will thus rotate with shaft llA.
The upper end of stem 24 of agitator 12A is provided with a collar 26 which mates with flange 23 of shaft llA. A clip member indicated generally by the numeral 27 in Fig. 7 includes a resilient shank portion 28 extending outwardly from stem 24 of agitator 12A and terminating at its upper end as a barb portion 29. Barb 29 engages flange 23 to secure agitator 12A longitudinally of shaft llA.
Thus, disposable agitator 12A can be readily G-attached to shaft llA by sliding the hollow sleeve stem 24 over lower portion 22 of shaft llA. As barb 29 passes upwardly over flange 23, shank portion 28 of clip 27 will flex outwardly until barb 29 is above flange 23 at which time shank portion 28 will snap inwardly so that barb 29 engages flange 23 and longitudinally locks agitator 12A to shaft llA. The user can then conduct the mixing process in the identical manner and with the same advantages as described with respect to the embodiment shown in Figs. 2-5.
1~ From the foregoing it should be evident that a disposable agitator constructed as described herein will accomplish the objects of the present invention and other-wise substantially improve the food mixing art.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an agitator for a food mixer, such as a mixer of the type which will blend candy other condiments into ice cream, milk shakes or the like.
More particularly, this invention relates to an agitator blade which is disposable insuring sanitary conditions without having to clean the agitator between usages.
BACKGROUND ART
For many years mixers with agitator shafts extending downwardly have been used to mix food items, such as milk shakes, right in a cup. More recently, similar mixers have be~n used to mix solid food chunks, such as candy and the like, into soft serve ice cream and other foods of similar texture. Since such mixers have permanent agitator shafts, frequent cleaning, most often between each use, is required because it is highly likely that each user will be blending different materials. Such cleaning is quite time consuming ~or the commercial establishment which blends the product for the customer and is virtually impossible for the commercial establishment which invites the customer to blend his own product.
To date no one has developed an agitator assembly for such mixers which will not be in need of this frequent cl@onlng.
DISCLOSURE OF ~HE INVENTION
It is thus a primary object of the present invention to provide a disposable agitator for a food mixing device.
It is another object of the precent invention to provide an agitator, as above, which can be readily utilized by the consumer himself.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an agitator, as above, which i6 in the shape of a spoon so that the consumer can utilize the same as a utensil to eat the food product.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an agitator, as above, in which the ~owl of the spoon is axially offset from the shaft thereof to increase mixing action.
These and other objects of the present invention, which will become apparent from the descript~on to follow, are accomplished by the improvements hereinafter described and claimed.
In general, a disposable agitator is designed for engagement with a rotatable shaft having coupling means associated therewith. The agitator has a hollow stem adapted to fit over and rotate with the shaft, there being an agitator blade on the end of the stem. ~he stem is pxovided with means to engage the coupling means of the 6haft to position the stem longitudinally on the ~haft.
According to a broad aspect, the invention relates to a disposable food mixer agitator for use by a consumer, the agitator being engageable with a rotatable elsngate shaft, the ~haft tapering downwardly from a larger cros6 section to a smaller cross section and including coupling ;mean~, the agitator comprising, an elongate plastic ste~, said stem being hollow along its entire length and being adapted to fit over substantially the entire shaft and be strengthened thereby, said stem tapering downwardly from a larger cross section to a smaller cross section corresponding to the taper of the shaft, hlade means on the lower end of said ste~
configured to induce the consu~er to remove ~aid stem ~13023~9 .,~ ,~
from the 6haft ~nd use the agit~tor to con~ume the food, said ~lade means being in the 6hape of a bowl of a spoon and closing the lower end of 6aid stem to prevent contamination of the 6haft, and means on 6aid stem to temporarily engage the coupling means of the shaft to temporarily position 6aid hollow stem longitudinally on the shaft and permit rotation of said stem and said blade means with the shaft so that 6aid blade means will mix the food after which time the consumer is induced by ~aid blade means to remove said stem from the shaft and consume the food with the agitator thereby preventing contamination of the shaft from exposure to different food items.
According to a further broad aspect, the invention relates to a disposable agitator for use by a consumer with a food mixer having a rotatable shaft of a generally polygonal cross section and tapering downwardly from a larger cross section to a 6maller cross section,d the shaft having a generally annular flange thereof, the agitator comprising, a hollow ~tem of a plastic material - being hollow for substantially its entire length and having a generally polygonal cross section and taper corresponding to the taper of the shaft ~o that said stem can be fit over the 6haft by the consumer, be strengthened by the shaft, and be rotatable with the ~haft, means on the end of said stem to agitate the food and to induce the consumer to remove 6aid stem from the 6haft, ~aid means on the end of said stem being of a plastic material and configured in the shape of a bowl of a spoon 80 that the con6umer may consume the food product with the agitator, 6aid mean6 at the end of said stem closing the lower end of ~aid stem to prevent contamination of the shaft, and clip ~ean6 near the upper end of eaid stem to engage the flange on the ~haft 80 that the consumer can temporarily secure ~aid stem longitudinally on the shaft, said clip means including a ~302399 ,'l' `
resilient shank portion attached to the outside of said stem and extending upwardly above 6aid stem, and a barb portion on the upper end of said shank poxtion to engage the flange.
According to a still further aspect, the invention relates to a method for enabling a user to mix a food product in a food mixer for subsequent consumption by the user, the food mixer having an elongate rotatable shaft with a flange near the top thereof, the user having been provided with a disposable agitator having an elongate hollow stem with a clip carrying a barb near the top thereof and the bottom thereof being configured like the bowl of a spoon c~mprising the steps of reinforcing the hollow stem by sliding the hollow stem upwardly over the ~haft of the agitator, snapping the barb over the flange by di6placing the clip to thereby secure the agitator on the shaft, mixing the food product with the agitator, displacing the clip to disengage the barb from the flange, 61iding the hollow 6tem downwardly away from the shaft, and using the agitat~r as a utensil to consume the fo~d product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~INGS
Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a food mixer having a disposable agitator according to the concept of the present invention.
Fig. 2 i8 an elevational view of one embodiment of a rotatable drive shaft of the food mixer adapted to receive a disposable agitator.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view through one embodiment of a dispo6able agitator designed for u6e with the shaft æhown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 i6 a sectional view taken sub6tPntially along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken ~ubst~ntially along line 5-5 of Fig. 3.
~3 Fig. 6 is an elevational view of another embodi-ment of a rotatable drive shaft of the food mixer adapted to receive a disposable agitator.
Fig. 7 is an elevational view of another embodi-ment of a disposable agitator designed for use with theshaft shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a partial elevational view of the disposable agitator of Fig. 7 attached to the rotatable drive shaft of Fig. 6.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9 of Fig. 8.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING O~T THE INVENTION
A conventional mixer 10 is shown schematically in Fig. 1 and includes a rotatable shaft 11 which carries the disposable agitator indicated generally by the numeral 12.
Mixer 10 is equipped with a mOtol^ which, when activated by switch 13, rotates shaft 11 and agitator 12. Positioning a cup of ice cream or the like, mixed with candy or other condiments, so that agitator 12 is in the ice cream results in a smooth blended product when shaft 11 is rotated.
One embodiment of shaft 11 is shown in detail in Fig. 2 as having an annular recess 14 near the top thereof and having a flat end 15 at the bottom thereof. As will hereinafter be described, recess 14 and flat end 15 serve as devices which enable coupling of shaft 11 to agitator 12 to prevent longitudinal and rotational movement of agitator 12 with respect to shaft 11. Shaft 11 can be constructed out of any durable material, such as stainless steel, and while it is shown as being somewhat tapered, it can take on an essentially cylindrical shape if desired.
The embodiment of agitator 12 used with the embodiment of shaft 11 shown in Fig. 2 is best shown in Fig. 3 and is preferably made of an inexpensive material, 3~ such as many common plastics, so that it can be economically discarded after use. Agitator 12 includes a hollow sleeve stem portion 16 at one end and an agitator blade portion 17 at the other end. Stem 16 is shown as being tapered to correspond to the tapel shown for shaft 11 although it will be appreciated that if shaft 11 were not tapeled, stem 16 would also not be tapered but would rather correspond in configulation to that of shaft 11.
An annular detent 18 is provided internally of stem 16 near the top thereof for locking engagement with recess 14 of shaft 11 to secure agitator 12 longitudinally of shaft 11. A lug 19 is provided internally near the 1~ bottom of stem 16 generally at the point where stem 16 connects with blade 17. Lug 19 makes a dog-like engagement with flat 15 of shaft 11 so that agitator 12 will rotate with shaft 11 in a non-slip fashion.
While blade 1~ could take the form of any well known agitating type configurations, it is shown as being in the shape of the bowl of a spoon having reinforcing webs 20 to strengthen the transition between stem 16 and blade 17.
Being so configured as a spoon, the agitator can serve the additional function of enabling the consumer to use it as a utensil for eating the product.
It should also be noted that the center of gravity of blade 17 is shown as being axially offset from the centerline of shaft 11 and stem 16 which has been found to enhance the agitating action. However, a blade 17 in line with ~he axis of rotation of shaft 11 could be constructed without departing from the spirit of this invention.
From the above description it should be appreci-ated that the disposable agitator 12 can be readily attached to shaft 11 by sliding the sleeve stem 16 over shaft 11 until detent 18 snaps into recess 14. Upon rotation of shaft 11, flat end 15 will engage lug 19 and the sleeve stem 16 will rotate with the shaft so that blade 17 will mix the product in a cup held by the user. After completion of the mixing process, agitator 12 can be removed and discarded or, if blade 17 is in the form of a spoon, as shown, it can be utilized as a utensil by the usel- to consume the product. It should be appreciated that during ~02399 the mixing process, sleeve stem 16 has protected shaft 11 from contact with the product and therefore no cleaning of shaft 11 is necessary preparatory to the next use.
Another embodiment of a rotatable shaft is shown in Fig. 6 and identified generally by the numeral llA.
Shaft llA has an upper cylindrical portion 21 attachable to the drive mechanism of mixer 10 and a lower portion 22 designed to receive the alternate embodiment of the agitator indicated generally by the numeral 12A in Fig. 7. An annular flange 23 is provided at the junction of portions 21 and 22 of shaft llA which, as will hereinafter be described in more detail, enables the coupling of shaft llA to agitator 12A to prevent longitudinal movement of agitator 12A with respect to shaft llA. Shaft llA, like shaft 11, is normally constructed of a durable material, such as stain-less steel, with lower portion 22 of shaft llA being generally square in configuration, and while it is shown as being tapered, such is not critical to the spirit of this invention.
Agitator 12A, like agitator 12, is preferably made of an inexpensive plastic material and includes a hollowsleeve stem portion 24 at one end and an agitator blade portion 25 at the other end. Blade portion 25 can be essentially identical to blade portion 17 of Fig. 3, that is, in the shape of a bowl of a spoon so as to serve the additional function of an eating utensil. Stem 24 is shown as being square in cross-section to conform with lower portion 22 of shaft llA and likewise, if desired, can be tapered, as shown. Stem 24 will thus rotate with shaft llA.
The upper end of stem 24 of agitator 12A is provided with a collar 26 which mates with flange 23 of shaft llA. A clip member indicated generally by the numeral 27 in Fig. 7 includes a resilient shank portion 28 extending outwardly from stem 24 of agitator 12A and terminating at its upper end as a barb portion 29. Barb 29 engages flange 23 to secure agitator 12A longitudinally of shaft llA.
Thus, disposable agitator 12A can be readily G-attached to shaft llA by sliding the hollow sleeve stem 24 over lower portion 22 of shaft llA. As barb 29 passes upwardly over flange 23, shank portion 28 of clip 27 will flex outwardly until barb 29 is above flange 23 at which time shank portion 28 will snap inwardly so that barb 29 engages flange 23 and longitudinally locks agitator 12A to shaft llA. The user can then conduct the mixing process in the identical manner and with the same advantages as described with respect to the embodiment shown in Figs. 2-5.
1~ From the foregoing it should be evident that a disposable agitator constructed as described herein will accomplish the objects of the present invention and other-wise substantially improve the food mixing art.
Claims (15)
1. A disposable food mixer agitator for use by a consumer, the agitator being engageable with a rotatable elongate shaft, the shaft tapering downwardly from a larger cross section to a smaller cross section and including coupling means, the agitator comprising, an elongate plastic stem, said stem being hollow along its entire length and being adapted to fit over substantially the entire shaft and be strengthened thereby, said stem tapering downwardly from a larger cross section to a smaller cross section corresponding to the taper of the shaft, blade means on the lower end of said stem configured to induce the consumer to remove said stem from the shaft and use the agitator to consume the food, said blade means being in the shape of a bowl of a spoon and closing the lower end of said stem to prevent contamination of the shaft, and means on said stem to temporarily engage the coupling means of the shaft to temporarily position said hollow stem longitudinally on the shaft and permit rotation of said stem and said blade means with the shaft so that said blade means will mix the food after which time the consumer is induced by said blade means to remove said stem from the shaft and consume the food with the agitator thereby preventing contamination of the shaft from exposure to different food items.
2. A disposable food mixer agitator according to claim 1 wherein said coupling means of the shaft includes a generally annular flange near the top thereof and said means on said stem to engage the coupling means includes clip means engaging said flange.
3. A disposable food mixer agitator according to claim 2 wherein said clip means includes a resilient shank portion attached to the outside of said stem and a barb portion on the end of said shank portion, said barb portion extending above said stem and engaging said flange.
4. A disposable food mixer agitator according to claim 1 wherein said blade means is axially offset from the axial center of the shaft and said stem.
5. A disposable food mixer agitator according to claim 1 wherein the shaft includes a portion generally square in cross section and said stem is also generally square in cross section to fit over said shaft portion to permit rotation of said stem and said blade with the shaft.
6. A disposable food mixer agitator according to claim 5 wherein said coupling means of the shaft includes a generally annular flange near the top thereof and said means on said stem to engage the coupling means includes clip means engaging said flange.
7. A disposable food mixer agitator according to claim 6 wherein said clip means includes a resilient shank portion attached to the outside of said stem and a barb portion on the end of said shank portion, said barb portion extending above said stem and engaging said flange.
8. A disposable food mixer agitator according to claim 1 wherein the shaft is generally cylindrical and tapers downwardly from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter and said stem is generally cylindrical and correspondingly tapers downwardly from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter.
9. A disposable food mixer agitator according to claim 8 wherein the coupling means of the shaft includes an annular recess and said means on said stem to engage the coupling means includes a detent on the inside of said stem to engage the annular recess.
10. A disposable food mixer agitator according to claim g further comprising second means on said stem to engage the coupling means to permit rotation of said stem and said blade with the shaft.
11. A disposable food mixer agitator according to claim 10 wherein the coupling means of the shaft includes a flat end projecting from the bottom of the shaft and said second means on said stem to engage the coupling means includes a lug on the inside of said stem to engage the flat end upon rotation of the shaft.
12. A disposable agitator for a food mixer having a rotat-able shaft of a generally polygonal cross section and tapering downwardly from a larger cross section to a smaller cross section, the shaft having a generally annular flange thereon near the top thereof, the agitator comprising, a plastic stem being hollow along its entire length and having a generally polygonal cross section and taper corresponding to the taper of the shaft so that said stem can be fit over the shaft by the user and be rotatable with and gain added support from the shaft, an agitator blade in the shape of a bowl of a spoon carried at and closing the lower end of said stem, and clip means near the upper end of said stem to engage the flange on the shaft so that the user can temporarily secure said stem longi-tudinally on the shaft, said clip means including a resilient shank portion attached to the outside of said stem and a barb portion on the upper end of said shank portion and extending above the top of said stem to engage the flange.
13. A disposable agitator for use by a consumer with a food mixer having a rotatable shaft of a generally polygonal cross section and tapering downwardly from a larger cross section to a smaller cross section, the shaft having a generally annular flange thereon, the agitator comprising, a hollow stem of a plastic material being hollow for substantially its entire length and having a generally polygonal cross section and taper corresponding to the taper of the shaft so that said stem can be fit over the shaft by the consumer, be strengthened by the shaft, and be rotatable with the shaft, means on the end of said stem to agitate the food and to induce the consumer to remove said stem from the shaft, said means on the end of said stem being of a plastic material and configured in the shape of a bowl of a spoon so that the consumer may consume the food product with the agitator, said means at the end of said stem closing the lower end of said stem to prevent contamination of the shaft, and clip means near the upper end of said stem to engage the flange on the shaft so that the consumer can temporarily secure said stem longitudinally on the shaft, said clip means including a resilient shank portion attached to the outside of said stem and extending upwardly above said stem, and a barb portion on the upper end of said shank portion to engage the flange.
14. A method for enabling a user to mix a food product in a food mixer for subsequent consumption by the user, the food mixer having an elongate rotatable shaft with a flange near the top thereof, the user having been provided with a disposable agitator having an elongate hollow stem with a clip carrying a barb near the top thereof and the bottom thereof being configured like the bowl of a spoon comprising the steps of reinforcing the hollow stem by sliding the hollow stem upwardly over the shaft of the agitator, snapping the barb over the flange by displacing the clip to thereby secure the agitator on the shaft, mixing the food product with the agitator, displacing the clip to disengage the barb from the flange, sliding the hollow stem downwardly away from the shaft, and using the agitator as a utensil to consume the food product.
15. A method for enabling a user to mix a food product himself in a food mixer for subsequent consumption by the user, the food mixer having an elongate shaft with a flange near the top thereof comprising the steps of providing the user with a plastic agitator with an elongate hollow stem having a clip and a barb near the top thereof, the user thereafter sliding the hollow stem upwardly over substantially the entire shaft of the food mixer thereby reinforcing the stem, snapping the barb over the flange by laterally displacing the clip, mixing the food product with the agitator, the user being induced to remove the agitator from the shaft because the end of the agitator is in the configuration of the bowl of a spoon by displacing the clip to disengage the barb from the flange, and sliding the stem downwardly away from the shaft so that the user can thereafter use the agitator as a utensil to consume the food.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US89640086A | 1986-08-14 | 1986-08-14 | |
| US896,400 | 1986-08-14 | ||
| US5307387A | 1987-05-21 | 1987-05-21 | |
| US053,073 | 1987-05-21 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1302399C true CA1302399C (en) | 1992-06-02 |
Family
ID=26731411
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000543367A Expired CA1302399C (en) | 1986-08-14 | 1987-07-30 | Agitator for a food mixer |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU7853187A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1302399C (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1988001199A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IL93138A0 (en) * | 1990-01-23 | 1990-11-05 | John Edmark | Modular rack unit |
| IT1391721B1 (en) * | 2008-11-20 | 2012-01-27 | Carpigiani Group Ali Spa | MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD PRODUCTS SUCH AS ICE CREAMS, JELLY FROZEN AND SIMILAR. |
| US8721163B2 (en) | 2010-03-04 | 2014-05-13 | Vita-Mix Corporation | Agitator release for a food mixer |
| US8801266B2 (en) * | 2010-03-04 | 2014-08-12 | Vita-Mix Corporation | Agitator release for a food mixer |
| EP3119251A4 (en) | 2014-03-20 | 2017-11-29 | Vita-Mix Management Corporation | Container/lid/blender interlock |
| US11013371B2 (en) | 2017-03-10 | 2021-05-25 | Vita-Mix Management Corporation | Wireless food processor discs |
| USD863873S1 (en) | 2018-03-09 | 2019-10-22 | Vita-Mix Management Corporation | Food processor container |
| US11903523B2 (en) | 2019-07-22 | 2024-02-20 | Vita-Mix Management Corporation | Food processor assembly |
| US11877696B2 (en) | 2019-12-19 | 2024-01-23 | Vita-Mix Management Corporation | Food processor |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2485303A (en) * | 1946-07-13 | 1949-10-18 | Marcus Louise | Combined spoon and medicine bottle |
| US2833576A (en) * | 1955-11-15 | 1958-05-06 | Cirone Joseph | Connecting means for a mixer and a disposable mixing blade |
| GB1382019A (en) * | 1973-07-11 | 1975-01-29 | Atlas Copco Ab | Tool retainer |
| US4132489A (en) * | 1977-09-09 | 1979-01-02 | Berg Jr Albert T | Coupling unit for connecting poles in an end-to-end relationship |
| US4530606A (en) * | 1982-09-30 | 1985-07-23 | Hopkins Thomas R | Apparatus for stirring solutions in small vessels |
-
1987
- 1987-07-27 WO PCT/US1987/001771 patent/WO1988001199A1/en unknown
- 1987-07-27 AU AU78531/87A patent/AU7853187A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1987-07-30 CA CA000543367A patent/CA1302399C/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU7853187A (en) | 1988-03-08 |
| WO1988001199A1 (en) | 1988-02-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |