CA2447679A1 - Fully automatic electronic milkshake mixer - Google Patents
Fully automatic electronic milkshake mixer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2447679A1 CA2447679A1 CA002447679A CA2447679A CA2447679A1 CA 2447679 A1 CA2447679 A1 CA 2447679A1 CA 002447679 A CA002447679 A CA 002447679A CA 2447679 A CA2447679 A CA 2447679A CA 2447679 A1 CA2447679 A1 CA 2447679A1
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- Canada
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- accordance
- mixing machine
- container
- agitator
- automatic mixing
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Abstract
A fully automatic electronic milkshake mixer (10, Figure 1) in which an operator sets scoop dial control (34, Figure 1), based upon the number of scoops of ice-cream or related products placed in mixer cup. The mixer cup (28, Figure 2) rotates automatically by motorized lower drive wheels (48, Figure 1), and a top cup rim container guide/wheel assembly (54, Figure 1) engages mixer cup upper lip (56, Figure 2). Different sized mixer cups rotat e perfectly, for faster, more complete mixing. The mixer automatically shifts from low to high speed (anti-splash feature), and turns off automatically wh en milkshake is done. A "ready" light (42, Figure 1) illuminates, and a chime (68, Figure 3) sounds volume control and on/off being adjustable. "Manual" momentary pushbutton (32, Figure 1) allows manual control of mixing speed an d time, if desired, while cup rotates. For next milkshake, electronic mixer returns to fully automatic mode.
Claims (68)
1. An automatic mixing machine (10) for mixing beverages, said automatic mixing machine characterized by:
a) a support structure including a base (12) and upwardly-extending wall members (16, 18) connected to the base, wherein the wall members carry an agitator drive housing (22) positioned in spaced relationship to the base and from which at least one rotatable agitator member (24, 26) extends toward the base for agitating beverages, wherein the at least one agitator member is rotatable about an agitator axis of rotation;
b) upper and lower container supports (48, 54) carried by the support structure for supporting a beverage container (28) in a substantially upright position so that the agitator (26) extends into the container, wherein the lower container support includes a container drive having at least one rotatable container drive wheel (48) for engaging a container base (52), and wherein the at least one container drive wheel is rotatable about an axis of rotation that is disposed transversely relative to the agitator axis of rotation for rotating the container about its axis during a mixing operation; and c) drive means (74, 190) for rotating the at least one container drive wheel (48) and for rotating the at least one agitator (26).
a) a support structure including a base (12) and upwardly-extending wall members (16, 18) connected to the base, wherein the wall members carry an agitator drive housing (22) positioned in spaced relationship to the base and from which at least one rotatable agitator member (24, 26) extends toward the base for agitating beverages, wherein the at least one agitator member is rotatable about an agitator axis of rotation;
b) upper and lower container supports (48, 54) carried by the support structure for supporting a beverage container (28) in a substantially upright position so that the agitator (26) extends into the container, wherein the lower container support includes a container drive having at least one rotatable container drive wheel (48) for engaging a container base (52), and wherein the at least one container drive wheel is rotatable about an axis of rotation that is disposed transversely relative to the agitator axis of rotation for rotating the container about its axis during a mixing operation; and c) drive means (74, 190) for rotating the at least one container drive wheel (48) and for rotating the at least one agitator (26).
2. An automatic mixing machine in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the at least one drive wheel (48) has a substantially hourglass shape and includes a recessed inner peripheral region (88, 90, 92) within which a container base rim (52) is adapted to be received.
3. An automatic mixing machine in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the at least one drive wheel (48) is a unitary structure.
4. An automatic mixing machine in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the at least one drive wheel includes an outer drive surface (88) that is adapted to face an inner side of a container base rim and an inner drive surface (92) adapted to face an outer side of a container base rim, and wherein the outer and inner drive surfaces are spaced from each other.
5. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that the drive surfaces (88, 92) are inclined at an acute angle to an axis about which the drive surfaces rotate.
6. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that the drive surfaces (88, 92) face each other.
7. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized by a pair of rotatable, laterally-spaced drive wheels (48) that are supported from the support structure, wherein the drive wheels are disposed so that they each contact a base (52) of a container (28) carried between the upper and lower container supports (48, 54).
8. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized by a container drive motor (74) operatively connected with the at least one drive wheel (48) for positively rotating the drive wheel.
9. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized by a container upper rim guide member (54) for contacting a container upper rim (56) and for guiding rotational movement of the container upper rim as the container (28) rotates about its axis of rotation during a mixing operation.
10. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the upper rim guide member (54) includes at least one rotatable guide wheel (58) for engaging an upper rim (56) of a container.
11. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that the at least one guide wheel (58) has a substantially hourglass shape and includes a recessed inner annular region within which a container upper rim (56) is adapted to be received.
12. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that the at least one guide wheel (58) is a unitary structure.
13. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that the at least one guide wheel (58) includes a first guide surface (162) that is adapted to face an inner side of a container upper rim (56) and a second guide surface (162) that is adapted to face an outer side of a container upper rim (56).
14. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the guide surfaces (162) are inclined at an acute angle relative to an axis about which the at least one guide wheel (58) rotates.
15. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 15, characterized in that the guide surfaces (162) face each other.
16. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 9, characterized by a pair of laterally-spaced guide wheels (58) that are rotatably carried by and are supported from the upper rim guide member (54), wherein the guide wheels contact the container upper rim (56) at angularly-spaced positions.
17. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that the guide wheels (58) are rotatably carried on respective axes that are angularly disposed relative to each other.
18. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the upper and lower container supports (48, 54) are arranged to receive and to rotatably support beverage containers having different volumetric capacities.
19. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the upper and lower container supports (48, 54) are arranged to receive and to rotatably support beverage containers formed from different container materials.
20. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized by a selector (34) for manually providing user input information upon which agitator operating speeds and agitator operating times are based.
21. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 20, characterized in that the user input information corresponds with a predetermined volume of semi-solid material to be mixed with a liquid material within the container (28) during a mixing operation.
22. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized by at least one indicator (42, 68) for providing a signal indicative of the completion of a mixing operation.
23. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 22, characterized in that the signal is a visual signal provided by an indicator light (42).
24. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 22, characterized in that the signal is an audible signal provided by a sound source (68).
25. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 24, characterized by a switch (46) for selectively turning the sound source (68) off and on.
26. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 24, characterized by a volume control (44) for selectively varying the volume of the audible signal provided by the sound source (68).
27. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 24, characterized in that the sound source is a chime (68).
28. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 22, characterized by two indicators (42, 68) for providing respective visual and audible signals.
29. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized by means for automatically controlling agitator operating speed and operating time based upon an operator-provided volume of semi-solid material to be mixed with a liquid within the container (28) during a mixing operation.
30. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 29, characterized by means for manually overriding tie means for automatically controlling the agitator (26) to enable selection by an operator of agitator operating speeds and operating times.
31. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 1, said automatic mixing machine characterized by a user-operable selector (34) for automatically selecting and setting predetermined mixing speeds and predetermined mixing times for mixing a beverage placed in the beverage container (28).
predetermined mixing times for mixing a beverage placed in the beverage container (28).
predetermined mixing times for mixing a beverage placed in the beverage container (28).
32. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 28, characterized in that the selector is calibrated in increments representative of an amount of semi-solid, frozen material placed into the beverage container by the user.
33. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the beverage includes an initially semi-solid, substantially frozen constituent and an initially liquid constituent to be mixed with the initially substantially frozen constituent.
34. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 33, wherein the substantially frozen constituent is an ice-cream product and the liquid constituent is a milk product.
35. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 32, characterized in that the selector (34) is a scoop dial having graduations (38) corresponding to a number of ice-cream scoops placed in the beverage container (28) by a user.
36. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 35, characterized in that the scoop dial graduations (38) include adjacent demarcations (40) to allow for smaller and larger scoop volumes by incrementally reducing or increasing mixing times, respectively.
37. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 35, characterized in that the scoop dial (34) controls an automated mixing operation having predetermined mixing speeds and predetermined mixing times.
38. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 31, characterized in that at the end of a predetermined mixing operation the mixing machine automatically turns itself off.
39. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the drive means includes a first drive motor (190) operatively coupled with the agitator (26) for rotating the agitator, and a second drive motor (74) operatively coupled with the at least one container drive wheel (48) for rotating the at least one container drive wheel.
40. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 37, characterized by means responsive to a scoop dial position (38) for setting a first, slow mixing speed for a first mixing time, followed by a second, higher mixing speed for a second mixing time to avoid splashing of ingredients out of the beverage container (28) during a mixing operation.
41. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 40, characterized in that the duration of the first, slow mixing speed is the same for each position (38) of the scoop dial.
42. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 41, characterized in that at least one scoop dial position (38) controls an automatic mixing operation having a single, predetermined mixing speed and a single, predetermined mixing time.
43. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 36, characterized by means for overriding automatic operation with a manual selector (32) for allowing manual control over agitator operating speeds and mixing times.
44. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 43, characterized in that the drive means (74) for rotating the at least one container drive wheel (48) is operative when the selector (32) for manually overriding automatic operation is activated to initiate manual control of agitator speed and mixing time.
45. An automatic mixing machine (10) in accordance with claim 43, characterized by reset means for returning automatically to automated operation for a next mixing operation after a manual override mixing operation.
46. A method for mixing a beverage based upon a semi-solid material to be intermixed with a liquid material in a container (28) carried on a mixing machine (10) having an agitator (26), said method characterized by:
a) selecting an agitator speed and agitator operating time schedule based upon a predetermined quantity of the semi-solid material;
b) positively rotating the container (28) about its longitudinal axis during a mixing operation by engaging a powered, rotating drive wheel (48) with a base rim (52) of the container;
c) automatically operating the agitator (26) at at least one first predetermined speed for at least one first time period for intermixing the semi-solid material and the liquid material to provide a desired final beverage consistency.
a) selecting an agitator speed and agitator operating time schedule based upon a predetermined quantity of the semi-solid material;
b) positively rotating the container (28) about its longitudinal axis during a mixing operation by engaging a powered, rotating drive wheel (48) with a base rim (52) of the container;
c) automatically operating the agitator (26) at at least one first predetermined speed for at least one first time period for intermixing the semi-solid material and the liquid material to provide a desired final beverage consistency.
47. A method in accordance with claim 46, characterized in that the at least one first speed is less than a second speed at which the agitator (26) is operated after the at least one first time period has expired.
48. A method in accordance with claim 47, characterized in that the at least one first time period is longer than a second time period at which the agitator (26) is operated after the at least one first time period has expired.
49. A method in accordance with claim 48, characterized in that the second speed is maintained for a second time period that is about one-half of the first time period.
50. A method in accordance with claim 46, characterized in that a second operating time period that follows the first time period is longer than the first time period.
51. A method in accordance with claim 50, characterized in that the second operating time period is about 150% of the first time period.
52. A method in accordance with claim 50, characterized in that the second time period is about 250% of the first time period.
53. A method in accordance with claim 50, characterized in that the second time period is about 350% of the first time period.
54. A method in accordance with claim 50, characterized in that the second time period is about 400% of the first time period.
55. A method in accordance with claim 46, characterized in that the container (28) is continuously rotated during a mixing operation.
56. A method in accordance with claim 55, characterized in that the container (28) rotation is in the same direction as rotation of the agitator (26).
57. A method in accordance with claim 46, characterized in that a signal (42, 68) is provided indicative of the conclusion of a mixing operation.
58. A method in accordance with claim 57, characterized in that the signal (68) is an audible signal.
59. A method in accordance with claim 58, characterized in that the audible signal is controlled by an on-off switch (46).
60. A method in accordance with claim 58, characterized in that the audible signal volume is controlled by a volume control (44).
61. A method in accordance with claim 58, characterized in that the audible signal is a chime (68).
62. A method in accordance with claim 57, characterized in that the signal is a visual signal.
63. A method in accordance with claim 62, characterized in that the visual signal is an indicator light (42).
64. A method in accordance with claim 47, characterized in that the agitator (26) operation at the first and second speeds for the at least one first time period takes place automatically and without user intervention.
65. A method in accordance with claim 46, characterized by the step of overriding automatic agitator (26) operation by activation of a manual selector (32).
66. A method in accordance with claim 65, characterized by automatic beverage container (28) rotation after activation of manual selector (32).
67. A method in accordance with claim 65, characterized by the step of automatically resetting the mixing machine from a manual agitator speed and operating time control mode to an automatic agitator speed and agitator operating time schedule mode upon completion of a manually-controlled mixing operation.
68. A method in accordance with claim 46, characterized in that the semi-solid and liquid material combination is substantially a mixture of ice-cream milkshake and related products.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2001/015387 WO2002092209A1 (en) | 2001-05-11 | 2001-05-11 | Fully automatic electronic milkshake mixer |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2447679A1 true CA2447679A1 (en) | 2002-11-21 |
| CA2447679C CA2447679C (en) | 2009-12-08 |
Family
ID=31185967
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002447679A Expired - Fee Related CA2447679C (en) | 2001-05-11 | 2001-05-11 | Fully automatic electronic milkshake mixer |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2447679C (en) |
-
2001
- 2001-05-11 CA CA002447679A patent/CA2447679C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2447679C (en) | 2009-12-08 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20160511 |