AU690973B2 - Mixing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT o 0 a

S*

0* Invention Title: "MIXING APPARATUS" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 2 THIS INVENTION relates to a mixing and extruding apparatus particularly useful for, but not necessarily limited to, mixing and extruding thixotropic substances such as ice-cream or frozen yoghurts.

One known mixing and extruding apparatus includes a support with a rotatably mounted Auger which has a conical shaped body with a helical blade.

A funnel shaped receptacle having an internal surface which is of complementary shape and size to the Auger is slidably mounted to the support along an upright axis. This thereby allows relative movement between the auger and receptacle.

In use, typically a mixture comprising a measure of ice-cream and a flavouring (which may be pieces of fruit) are placed in the receptacle. The 4* Auger then rotates and the receptacle is slowly manually moved by an operator towards the Auger which results in the mixture being mixed and extruded out of the narrow outlet of the receptacle and collected by a cup or cone held underneath.

S" One problem with the above described mixing and extruding apparatus is that the relative movement between the Auger and receptacle is controlled manually. Accordingly, this can lead to inconsistent mixing and extruding of the ice-cream and flavouring.

Furthermore, the cup or cone which collects the extruded ice-cream is also be moved manually and in unison with the receptacle in a manner such that the distance between the outlet and cup or cone is usually slowly increased during extrusion. This can increase the operator skill required to adequately use the apparatus therefore variations in consistency and appearance of the extruded ice-cream may result in a non-standardised product being distributed at retail outlets.

It is an object of the invention to overcome or alleviate at least one of the problems associated with prior art mixing and extruding apparatus suitable for ice-cream, frozen yoghurts and the like.

Accordingly to one aspect of the invention there is provided a mixing and extruding apparatus .e including: a base; Sa receptacle removably mounted to the base; a body movable with respect to the base between an operative position and an inoperative e S20 position; eeSS9* S"mixing means removably mounted to the body *eeS S for operative coupling to a drive means mounted in the oego body such that when the body is in the operative position the mixing means co-acts with the receptacle to mix a mixture contained in the receptacle and to extrude the mixture through an outlet of the receptacle; actuation means mounted between the base and l~IP ~E~C the body for effecting movement of the body relative to the base between said operative position and said inoperative position to thereby move the mixing means relative to the receptacle; and control means for automatically controlling the actuation means, wherein said control means includes a position sensor for detecting when a distance between the mixing means and the receptacle is greater than a threshold distance, and wherein when said distance is less than said threshold distance said control means allows power to be supplied to said drive means.

o* o 4 Suitably, said mixing means is an Auger.

The Auger may be tapered along at least part of the length thereof.

Preferably at least part of the Auger is conical or frusto-conical.

Preferably, said receptacle is funnelled.

Suitably, said receptacle is frusto-conical.

The control means may control both said actuation means and said drive means.

10 Preferably, said control means includes a position sensor for detecting when a distance between a portion of said first part and a portion of said second part is greater than a threshold distance, wherein when said distance is less than said 15 threshold distance said control means allows power to be supplied to said drive means.

Preferably, said position sensor is a switch.

Preferably, said control means includes a down switch contact and up switch contact for controlling supply of power to said actuation means.

The down switch contact may be push button activated. Suitably, said control means is adapted to supply power to said actuation means to provide relative movement of said first part towards said second part whilst the push button is activated.

Preferably, the control means is adapted to supply power to said drive means whilst said push button is activated and said distance is less than said threshold distance.

Suitably, the control means includes limit sensors for controlling said actuation means thereby limiting the minimum and maximum distance of said first part relative to said second part.

Suitably, said first part and said second part are pivotally attached and are thereby moveable about a pivotal axis.

Preferably, said second part is a base, wherein in use said base is, stationary and said movement is effected by said actuation means moving said first part.

The receptacle may be releasably mountable Sto said second part.

Preferably, when mounted said receptacle is movable between an aligned position, to receive and co-act with said mixing means, and a non-aligned position.

Suitably, when mounted said receptacle is movable about an upright axis. This preferably allows self alignment of said receptacle and said mixing 25 means.

*9 Preferably, said actuation means is an electrically powered ram.

In order hat the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect reference will now be made to a preferred embodiment in which: FIG 1 is a perspective view of the invention when in a mixing position, FIG 2 is a perspective view of the invention when in a non-mixing position, FIG 3 illustrates control circuitry applicable to FIGS 1 and 2.

Referring to FIGS 1 and 2 there is illustrated a mixing and extruding apparatus 1 comprising a first part in the form of top 2 and a second part in the form of a base 3. Top 2 is pivotally mounted to base 3 by hinge 4 thereby so

S

e allowing relative movement between top 2 and base 3 15 about pivotal axis A.

Mounted to top 2 is a drive means comprising an A.C. motor 5 with a first pulley 6 attached at so. output shaft 7. Also mounted to top 2 is a rotatable Sshaft 8 with an associated second pulley 9. A lower end of shaft 8 allows for releasable mounting thereto of an Auger 10. Auger 10 is tapered to be conical as S. shown in FIG 1, however, only part of the length of Auger 10 needs to be tapered as illustrated in FIG 2.

Pulleys 6 and 9 engage a drive belt 11 which operatively couples motor 5 to Auger An upright arm 12 is mounted to base 3 and pivotally mounted to the upper end of arm 12 about an upright axis B is a receptacle mounting member 13 having a tapered aperture for receiving a conical funnelled receptacle 14 with an outlet aperture An electrically driven threaded ram driven by a D.C. motor 16, is mounted at one end to a plate 17 of base 3 by an arrangement of pivot pin 18 and tabs 19. Similarly the other end of ram 15 is mounted to a plate 20 of top 2 by an arrangement of pivot pin 21 and tabs 22. Accordingly, ram provides relative movement between top 2 and base 3 about axis A.

A lower limit switch 23 is mounted to a plate 24 of base 3 and an aligned bolt 25 is mounted :to plate 20 in a location to activate switch 23.

An upper limit switch 26 is mounted to base 3 by a bracket (not shown) and is positioned to be activated by contact with ram 15 when top 2 and base 3 a S" are at the required maximum distance apart as shown in FIG 2.

A position sensor switch 27 is also mounted 20 to base 3 by a bracket (not shown) and is positioned S" to be activated by contact with ram 15 when the distance between plates 20 and 17 is less than a threshold distance.

Located on top 2 are lower push button switch 28 and raise push button switch 29 which form part of a control circuit of FIG 3. Furthermore, for maintenance and safety, a lid 31 is removably located on top 2.

8 Referring to FIG 3, there is illustrated control circuitry comprising lower push button switch 28 in series with lower limit switch 23, relay contact RLC2, D.C. motor 16 and relay contact RLC1. Hence, when top 2 and base 3 are at the maximum distance apart (illustrated in FIG 2) and switch 28 is activated, D.C. current is supplied to motor 16 thereby effecting pivotal movement of top 2 towards base 3. As a result, Auger 10 moves towards receptacle 14 only whilst switch 28 remains activated and when ram 15 contacts and activates switch 27 contactor coil CC is energised thereby closing contacts Cl. When contacts C1 are closed A.C. is supplied to motor 5 resulting in rotation of Auger oL V 15 A mixture of, for example, ice-cream and "flavouring such as fruit located in receptacle 14 are V. V Sethen mixed and extruded by rotating Auger 10 co-acting with receptacle 14 in which the mixture is extruded ".out of aperture

V.

20 When top 2 and base 3 are positioned relative to each other as shown in FIG 1, bolt activates limit switch 23. D.C. current is therefore no longer supplied to motor 16, however, as long as switch 28 remains activated Auger 10 will still rotate thereby mixing and extruding the ice-cream and flavouring.

To raise top 2, switch 29 is activated which is in series with upper limit switch 26 and a relay coil RL. When top 2 and base 3 are in the position as shown in FIG 1, switch 26 is closed and when button 29 is activated relay coil RL energises causing relay contacts RLC1, RLC2 to move from the position shown to their other position. This therefore supplies a D.C.

current to motor 16 of opposite polarity which results in pivoted movement of top 2 away from base 3. A diode D1 connected between the common of RLC1 and button 29 maintains energisation of relay coil RL when button 29 is released. When top 2 and base 3 are at their maximum distance apart (FIG 2) switch 26 becomes open circuit by contact of ram 15. This de-energises relay coil RL and D.C current is no longer supplied to motor 16.

15 Auger 10 is releasably mounted to shaft 8, for cleaning purposes. Similarly, receptacle 14 is removable from mounting member 13 to allow cleaning.

Further, mounting member is pivotally mounted to arm 12 to allow self alignment of Auger 10 and receptacle 20 14.

The invention as described allows for automatic control of relative movement between Auger and receptacle 14. This therefore offers an advantage over manually controlled mixing and extruding apparatus. Furthermore position sensor 27 offers a safety feature in which Auger lu is only allowed to rotate when substantially positioned inside receptacle 14.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein.

S a, a* e •e re 4

Claims (18)

1. A mixing and extruding apparatus including: a base; a receptacle removably mounted to the base; a body movable with respect to the base between an operative position and an inoperative position; mixing means remov Ily mounted to the body for operative coupling to a drive means mounted in the body such that when the body is in the operative position the mixing means co-acts with the receptacle to mix a mixture contained in the receptacle and to extrude the mixture through an outlet of the receptacle; actuation means mounted between the base and the body for effecting movement of the body relative to the base between said operative position and said inoperative position to thereby move the mixing means b: relative to the receptacle; and a. 0! control means for automatically controlling S the actuation means, wherein said control means includes a position sensor for detecting when a distance between the mixing means and the receptacle is greater than a threshold distance, and wherein when S 25 said distance is less than said threshold distance said control means allows power to be supplied to said drive means. I I 12

2. A mixing and extruding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mixing means is an Auger.

A mixing and extruding apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the Auger is tapered along at least part of the length thereof.

4. A mixing and extruding apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least part of the Auger is conical or frusto-conical.

5. A mixing and extruding apparatus as claimed e* 10 in any preceding claim, wherein said receptacle is e* funnelled.

A mixing and extruding apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said receptacle is frusto-conical.

7. A mixing and extruding apparatus as claimed 15 in any preceding claim, wherein the control means is e• adapted to control both said actuation means and said drive means.

8. A mixing and extruding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said position sensor is a switch.

9. A mixing and extruding apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means includes a down switch contact and up switch contact for controlling supply of power to said actuation means. A mixing and extruding apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the down switch contact is push button activated.

I IY a

11. A mixing and extruding apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said control means is adapted to supply power to said actuation means to provide relative movement of said body towards said base whilst the push button is activated.

12. A mixing and extruding apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the control means is adapted to supply power to said drive means whilst said push button is activated and said distance is less than .9 0 said threshold distance.

13. A mixing and extruding apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control means too* o includes limit sensors for controlling said actuation means thereby limiting the minimum and maximum 99 9 S 15 distance of movements of said body relative to said 9.e base.

14. A mixing and extruding apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said body and said base are pivotally attached and are thereby moveable about a pivotal axis.

A mixing and extruding apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein when mounted said receptacle is movable between an aligned position, to receive and co-act with said mixing means, and a non- aligned position. r pl IIIPSPT 9 1

16. A mixing and extruding apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein when mounted said receptacle is movable about an upright axis to allow self alignment of said receptacle and said mixing means.

17. A mixing and extruding apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said actuation means is an electrically powered ram.

18. A mixing and extruding apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to S* 10 and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. S* S fo o Dated this Nineteenth day of February 1998 FLAVORBLEND (AUST) PTY LTD by their Patent Attorneys 15 FISHER ADAMS KELLY be S ~p~sr bl~ I I 1 C ABSTRACT A mixing and extruding apparatus includes a first part and a second part moveable relative to each other. Mountable to the first part is an Auger which when mounted is operatively coupled to a drive means for rotating the Auger. A funnelled receptacle is mounted to the second part and co-acts with the Auger to mix and extrude through an outlet of the receptacle a mixture of ice-cream and flavouring. A ram is mounted to the first part and the second part, for providing relative movement therebetween, in which control means controls the ram during operation. *a S. S S o• II I! I