EP4704591A1

EP4704591A1 - Apparatus for preparing and dispensing refrigerated products

Info

Publication number: EP4704591A1
Application number: EP24738083.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabio CHIARINI
Original assignee: Egram Srl
Current assignee: Egram Srl
Priority date: 2023-05-05
Filing date: 2024-05-06
Publication date: 2026-03-11
Also published as: WO2024231964A1; IT202300008991A1

Abstract

The apparatus for preparing and dispensing refrigerated products comprises at least one containment tank (2) for the product to be prepared and dispensed, forming an upper opening (20) and equipped with a cover (3) for closing said upper opening (20). Inside said containment tank (2) a cooling device (4) is arranged, adapted to cool said product and integrally carried by said cover (3). A product mixing device (5) is associated with said cooling device (4). Said cover (3) is movable between a first operating position for preparing and dispensing the refrigerated product, in which said cooling device (4) is arranged in a vertical or substantially vertical position within said product containment tank (2), and a second operating position for accessing said tank, in which said cooling device (4) is extracted from said product containment tank (2).

Description

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND DISPENSING REFRIGERATED PRODUCTS Technical Field

[01] The object of the present invention is an apparatus for preparing and dispensing refrigerated products, such as for example granita, creamy ice creams, sorbets, frozen yoghurts and the like.

Prior art

[02] Over-the-counter apparatus are currently known that allow refrigerated products of the type of traditional water-based granitas or alternatively products such as creamy ice creams, sorbets, coffee creams and the like to be prepared and dispensed instantly.

[03] Such known apparatus generally consist of a tank adapted to contain the product to be prepared and dispensed, in which are arranged a cooling device for cooling the product to the appropriate temperature and a mixing device that implements the continuous circulation of the product inside the tank.

[04] The cooling device usually consists of an evaporator involved in the circulation of a refrigerant fluid, for example a coil evaporator arranged inside a tubular, substantially cylindrical body, arranged according to the horizontal axis of the tank. The evaporator is connected to a refrigeration system housed within a base body on which the product containment tank is mounted.

[05] The mixing device consists for example of an auger member rotated according to an axis longitudinal to the tank. The auger member of the mixing device wraps around the tubular body of the evaporator. The mixing device is adapted to convey the cooled product towards a front area, where a product dispensing device is placed. The dispensing device is equipped with a shutter element operable by means of an external lever member.

[06] In practice, the rotation of the auger member of the mixing device continuously pushes the product from the rear of the tank towards the front, where the dispensing device is placed. A continuous recirculation of the product is therefore created inside the tank, which ensures the desired fluidity.

[07] An apparatus for dispensing refrigerated products of this type is illustrated for example in international application WO 03/082022. Patent applications EP 1 688 046 and EP 3 360 421 also illustrate an apparatus for dispensing refrigerated products comprising a tank adapted to contain the product to be prepared and dispensed, in which are arranged a cooling device and a mixing device that implements the circulation of the product inside the tank; the cooling device consists of a cylindrical evaporator arranged according to the horizontal axis of the tank.

[08] A problem that arises in the use of the apparatus in question is determined by the need to carry out periodic maintenance, and in particular the cleaning of the product containment tank that must be carried out at the end of each working day. In fact, it is necessary to empty the tank of the product still present inside it, carefully remove the product residues left inside the tank after emptying and clean all its surfaces to ensure that adequate hygiene is maintained when the apparatus is next used. Particular attention must also be paid to the maintenance and cleaning of the sealing members in order to prevent the product leaking during use at the areas where the tank is connected with the cooling device.

[09] If product residues left on the tank are exposed to room temperature when the apparatus is not in use, this could easily produce degradation phenomena and lead to the formation of dangerous germs and bacteria that would compromise the quality of the product subsequently obtained.

[10] On the other hand, the aforementioned maintenance and cleaning operations of the tank to be carried out after the emptying of the tank itself require a non-negligible time and therefore affect the productivity of the apparatus.

Disclosure

[11] The object of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems, devising an apparatus that allows the preparation of refrigerated products, such as granita, creamy ice creams, sorbets, frozen yoghurts and the like to be carried out in an optimal manner.

[12] Within the scope of this task, it is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus capable of simplifying the cleaning operations of the product containment tank.

[13] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of ensuring a reduced energy consumption.

[14] Yet another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of simple construction and functional design, which is certainly reliable in operation, versatile in use, and relatively inexpensive.

[15] The aforementioned purposes are achieved, according to the present invention, by the apparatus for preparing and dispensing refrigerated products according to Claim 1.

[16] According to the present invention, the apparatus for preparing and dispensing refrigerated products comprises at least one containment tank forming an upper opening and adapted to contain the product to be prepared and dispensed; a cover for closing said upper opening of said containment tank; a cooling device adapted to be arranged inside said containment tank to cool said product; a mixing device of said product associated with said cooling device; a product dispensing device, placed at a front area of the product containment tank.

[17] According to one aspect of the present invention, said cooling device is integrally carried by said cover closing the upper opening of said tank.

[18] In particular, said cover is movable between a first operating position for preparing and dispensing the refrigerated product, in which said cooling device is arranged in a vertical or substantially vertical position within said product containment tank, and a second operating position for accessing said tank, in which said cooling device is extracted from said product containment tank.

[19] Advantageously, said cover is angularly rotatable according to a horizontal axis of rotation between said first operating position and said second operating position.

[20] Preferably, said product containment tank is arranged in a removable position on a base body internally containing a refrigeration system adapted to be connected to said cooling device.

[21] In particular, said base body is provided above with a saddle adapted to removably house said product containment tank.

[22] Preferably, said base body rearwardly forms a shoulder carrying hinged to the top, according to said horizontal axis of rotation, said closing cover.

[23] Preferably, said closing cover comprises a removable portion at the front adapted to allow limited access to said product containment tank.

[24] Preferably, said closing cover is configured by an arm rotatable angularly according to a horizontal axis of rotation, transverse to the median longitudinal plane of the apparatus, between said first operating position and said second operating position.

[25] In essence, the rotating arm cantilevers the cylindrical body of the cooling device.

[26] Preferably, said cooling device comprises a cylindrical tubular body internally carrying an evaporator member involved in the circulation of a refrigerant fluid.

[27] According to one embodiment, said evaporator member is made of a cylindrical jacket that extends at the inner surface of said cylindrical tubular body.

[28] Preferably, said mixing device comprises an auger member that develops around said cylindrical tubular body of the cooling device and is adapted to be rotated according to an axis longitudinal to said cooling device.

[29] According to one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a temperature sensor adapted to control the temperature of said product, said temperature sensor being associated at the front of said cylindrical tubular body of the cooling device.

[30] Preferably, said temperature sensor is associated with a front wall of said cylindrical tubular body of the cooling device.

[31] According to one aspect of the present invention, said front wall of the cylindrical body of the cooling device is configured to hold said temperature sensor in a protruding manner.

[32] Preferably, said front wall forms a bottom with a flattened shape provided with a perimeter edge that is sealingly associated with the inner wall of the cylindrical body of the cooling device.

[33] Preferably, said temperature sensor is contained entirely or largely within the space defined by the perimeter edge of the front wall of the cylindrical body. [34] Preferably, said temperature sensor is arranged eccentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical body of the cooling device.

[35] Advantageously, the apparatus comprises a stop device to stop said mixing device operating in said second operating position of the cover, in which said cooling device is extracted from said product containment tank.

[36] Preferably, said stop device comprises a microswitch adapted to be activated in said first operating position of the cover for preparing and dispensing the refrigerated product, wherein said cooling device is arranged in a vertical or substantially vertical position within said product containment tank.

[37] Advantageously, the apparatus comprises a selective locking device of said cover operating respectively in said first operating position for preparing and dispensing the refrigerated product, in which said cooling device is arranged in a vertical or substantially vertical position within said product containment tank, and in said second operating position for accessing said tank, in which said cooling device is extracted from said product containment tank.

[38] Preferably, said device for selectively locking the cover comprises a hinged member rotatably mounted behind said tank and actuated by elastic means to selectively engage a first or a second engagement seat configured by said cover.

[39] Preferably, said first and said second engagement seats are made, suitably spaced, on a circular surface formed inside said cover and concentric to the axis of rotation of the same cover.

[40] Preferably, said product containment tank comprises a pair of parallel side walls joined at the front by a front wall having, at least in an upper part, a curvature towards the inside of the tank itself.

Description of the drawings

[41] The details of the invention will become more evident from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for preparing refrigerated products, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figures 1 and 2 respectively show a side view and a front view of the apparatus in a first operating position; figure 3 shows the same side view of the apparatus in a second operating position; figure 4 shows said side view of the apparatus with a part thereof removed; figures 5 and 6 show a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus respectively in said first and second operating position; figure 7 shows a perspective view of the apparatus in question in the second operating position; figures 8 and 9 show, respectively, a longitudinal sectional view and a frontal view of the cooling device associated with the apparatus.

Description of embodiments of the invention

[42] With particular reference to these figures, 1 refers to the apparatus for preparing and dispensing of refrigerated products, such as for example granita, creamy ice creams, sorbets, frozen yoghurts and the like.

[43] The apparatus 1 provides at least one containment tank 2 for the product to be dispensed, preferably made of transparent plastic material. In the illustrated case, the apparatus provides for a single product containment tank, but it is possible to provide for the presence of a different number of such tanks arranged side by side, in particular for preparing and dispensing different products, for example two or more tanks.

[44] The product containment tank 2 comprises a pair of parallel side walls 21 joined at the front by a front wall 22 having, at least in an upper part, a curvature facing the inside of the tank itself.

[45] The product containment tank 2 is arranged in a removable position on a base body 10 internally containing a refrigeration system 8 adapted to be connected, as specified below, to a cooling device 4 for the product. In particular, the refrigeration system 8 comprises, in a substantially known manner, a compressor and a condenser.

[46] Preferably, the base body 10 is provided above with a saddle 12 adapted to removably house the product containment tank 2. In particular, the bottom of the tank 2 has suitable external reliefs 23 for centering on the saddle 12.

[47] The tank 2 is open at the top and equipped with a cover 3 for closing the upper opening 20. Preferably, the cover 3 has a removable portion 31 at the front adapted to allow limited access to the same product containment tank 2 (see Fig. 4).

[48] Inside the containment tank 2, a cooling device 4 is arranged to cool the product to the appropriate temperature. The cooling device 4 is constituted by a substantially cylindrical tubular body 40, closed at the front by a front wall 41 (see figures 8 and 9).

[49] Inside the tubular body 40, an evaporator member 42 is arranged, connected to the aforementioned refrigeration system 8 of the apparatus and adapted to be traversed by a suitable refrigerant fluid. The evaporator member 42 consists, for example, in a known manner, of a cylindrical jacket 43 implemented at the inner surface of the tubular body 40. However, it is possible to provide that the evaporator member 42 is made in a different way, for example by means of a coil evaporator arranged close to the inner surface of the tubular body 40.

[50] According to one aspect of the present invention, said cooling device 4 is integrally carried by the cover 3 closing the upper opening of the tank.

[51] In particular, said cover 3 is movable between a first operating position for preparing and dispensing the refrigerated product, in which said cooling device 4 is arranged in a vertical or substantially vertical position within said product containment tank 2, and a second operating position for accessing said tank, in which said cooling device 4 is extracted from said product containment tank 2.

[52] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover 3 is formed by an arm 32 forming an internal chamber 33. The arm 32 is rotatable angularly according to a horizontal axis of rotation 34, transverse to the median longitudinal plane of the apparatus, between said first operating position and said second operating position. In essence, the arm 32 cantilevers the cylindrical body 40 of the cooling device 4.

[53] More specifically, said arm 32 forming the cover 3 is hinged, according to said horizontal axis of rotation 34, to the top of a shoulder 11 that rises from the rear of the base body 10 of the apparatus. It should be noted that inside the cavity defined by said shoulder of the base body 10 is housed, in said first operating position, the rear part of the arm 32 forming the cover 3.

[54] The apparatus comprises a mixing device 5 consisting of an auger member 50 that develops around the cylindrical body 40 of the cooling device 4 and is adapted to be rotated according to an axis longitudinal to said cooling device 4, to implement the continuous circulation of the product inside the tank 2 itself. More precisely, the blades of the auger member 50 are adapted to keep the product mixed and to push it towards the lower area of the tank 2, where the dispensing area is located.

[55] The auger member 50 is rotated by a shaft 51 that axially crosses the cylindrical body 40. A portion of the shaft 51 protrudes from the front wall 41 of the cylindrical body 40 and is made integral with a front blade 52 of the auger member 50. The shaft 51 of the auger member 50 is adapted to be driven by a motor member 53, preferably an electric motor, by means of a suitable reduction member. In practice, this motor member 53 consists, for example, of a gearmotor housed inside the internal chamber 33 of the arm 32 forming the cover 3.

[56] The containment tank 2 frontally has a dispensing device 6 in communication with the lower portion of the same tank. The dispensing device 6 is provided with a shutter member 60 operable by means of an external lever member 61. The shutter member 60 is slidable within a cylindrical seat made, with a substantially vertical axis, by a sleeve 62 formed by the tank 2. More precisely, the shutter 60 is movable, in a known manner, in contrast to elastic means 63, between a closed position and a position for opening the gap of the sleeve.

[57] Inside the containment tank 2 a temperature sensor 7 is arranged, adapted to control the temperature of the product at the dispensing area. The temperature sensor 7 is for example associated frontally with the front wall 41 of the cylindrical body 40 of the cooling device 4 (see Figures 8 and 9). In particular, the temperature sensor 7 is arranged eccentrically with respect to the shaft 51 of the auger member 50.

[58] According to one embodiment, the front wall 41 of the cylindrical body 40 is formed in the shape of a kind of cup having the concavity facing the outside of the cooling device 4. In practice, the front wall 41 forms a bottom 44 with a flattened shape provided with a perimeter edge 45 that is associated in a sealing manner with the inner wall of the cylindrical body 40.

[59] In this way, the temperature sensor 7 is protruding from the bottom of the wall 41 and contained largely within the footprint of the aforementioned perimeter edge 45 of the same wall 41.

[60] Advantageously, the apparatus comprises a stop device 35 to stop the mixing device 5 upon rotation of the cover 3 into said second operating position for accessing said tank 2, in which said cooling device 4 is extracted from the product containment tank 4.

[61] Preferably, said stop device 35 is adapted to act on a microswitch 36 adapted to be activated when the cover 3 is brought into said first operating position for preparing and dispensing the refrigerated product, in which said cooling device 4 is arranged in a vertical or substantially vertical position within said product containment tank 2 (see fig. 5).

[62] In practice, the rotation of the cover 3 into the open position causes the deactivation of the microswitch 36 that controls the stop of the mixing device 5 (see Fig. 6).

[63] Advantageously, the apparatus comprises a selective locking device 9 of the cover 3 operating respectively in said first operating position for preparing and dispensing the refrigerated product, in which said cooling device 4 is arranged in a vertical or substantially vertical position within said product containment tank 2, and in said second operating position for accessing said tank, in which said cooling device 4 is extracted from said product containment tank 2.

[64] Preferably, said selective locking device 9 of the cover 3 comprises a hinged member 90 rotatably mounted on an axis of rotation 91 arranged behind the tank 2, inside the shoulder 11 of the base body 10.

[65] The hinged member 90 is actuated by elastic means 92 to selectively engage a first or a second engagement seat 93, 94 configured by the cover 3.

[66] Preferably, said first and said second engagement seat 93, 94 are made, suitably spaced, on a circular surface 37 formed inside the cover 3 and concentric to the axis of rotation 34 of the same cover 3.

[67] In practice, in the first operating position for preparing and dispensing the refrigerated product, the hinged member 90 is retained by the elastic means 92 inside the first engagement seat 93 locking the cover 3 in this position (see Fig. 5). When the cover 3 is rotated open to be brought into the second operating position of access to the tank, the hinged member 90 disengages from the first engagement seat 93 and slides on the circular surface 37 until it is inserted into the second engagement seat 94, locking the cover 3 in that second position (see Fig. 6).

[68] The operation of the apparatus for preparing and dispensing refrigerated products, such as granita, creamy ice creams, sorbets, frozen yoghurts and the like, is easily understandable from the preceding description.

[69] After introducing the product into the tank 2, through the upper opening 20, this opening 20 is closed by means of the angular rotation of the arm 32 forming the closing cover 3. In this operating position, the cylindrical body 40 of the cooling device 4 cantilevered by the arm 32 is arranged vertically inside the containment tank 2 and immersed in the product.

[70] The preparation cycle is then activated, in which the product is progressively frozen, passing from the liquid phase to the frozen phase of the granita, for example. In particular, the cooling device 8 is activated and the auger member 50 of the mixing device 5 is driven in rotation at a preset speed.

[71] At the end of the preparation, the refrigerated product can be dispensed through the dispensing device 6 in communication with the lower portion of the tank 2.

[72] The auger member 50 of the mixing device 5 being driven in rotation ensures the constant mixing of the product, the characteristics of which therefore remain constant within the entire containment tank.

[73] The product contained inside the tank 2 can be replenished by accessing the upper opening 20 of the same product containment tank 2 that is actuated by means of the removable portion 31 of the cover.

[74] The apparatus in question therefore achieves the purpose of optimally carrying out the preparation of refrigerated products, such as granita, creamy ice creams, sorbets and the like.

[75] This result is obtained by means of the inventive idea of associating the cooling device with an upper closing cover of the product containment tank which is movable between a first operating position for preparing and dispensing the refrigerated product, in which said cooling device is arranged in a vertical or substantially vertical position within said product containment tank, and a second operating position for accessing said tank, in which said cooling device is extracted from said product containment tank.

[76] In this way, the product containment tank is completely independent of the cooling device and can therefore be removed from the base body of the apparatus, when necessary, for the necessary cleaning operations or to be placed in a suitable refrigerator if it contains product that has not yet been consumed.

[77] This clearly saves not only a quantity of product that would otherwise have to be discarded, but also the energy required to produce that product.

[78] Since the cylindrical tubular body of the cooling device is not associated with the product containment tank, sealing gaskets are not required for preventing leaks and the associated cleaning operations.

[79] It is a prerogative of the invention that the aforementioned result is obtained by means of a very simple structure, which does not change the overall dimensions of the apparatus in use.

[80] The apparatus, disclosed by way of example, is subject to several modifications and variations depending on the different requirements.

[81] In the practical implementation of the invention, the materials employed, as well as the shape and sizes, may be any according to requirements.

[82] Where technical features mentioned in each claim are followed by reference marks, such reference marks have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the understanding of the claims and consequently they do not have any limiting value on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference marks.

Claims

1. An apparatus for preparing and dispensing refrigerated products, comprising at least one containment tank (2) forming an upper opening (20) and adapted to contain the product to be prepared and dispensed; a cover (3) for closing said upper opening (20) of said containment tank (2); a cooling device (4) adapted to be arranged inside said containment tank (2) to cool said product; a mixing device (5) for said product associated with said cooling device (4); a product dispensing device (6), placed at a front area of the product containment tank (2), characterized in that said cooling device (4) is integrally carried by said cover (3) and in that said cover (3) is movable between a first operating position for preparing and dispensing the refrigerated product, in which said cooling device (4) is arranged in a vertical or substantially vertical position within said product containment tank (2), and a second operating position for accessing said tank, in which said cooling device (4) is extracted from said product containment tank (2).

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said cover (3) is rotatable angularly according to an axis of rotation (34) between said first operating position and said second operating position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein that said cover (3) is configured by an arm (32) rotatable angularly according to a horizontal axis of rotation (34), transverse to the median longitudinal plane of the apparatus, between said first operating position and said second operating position.

4. The apparatus of claims 1 or 2, wherein said product containment tank (2) is arranged in a removable position on a base body (10) internally containing a refrigeration system (8) adapted to be connected to said cooling device (4).

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said base body (10) is provided above with a saddle (12) adapted to removably house said product containment tank (2).

6. The apparatus of claims 4 or 5, wherein said base body (10) rearwardly forms a shoulder (11 ) carrying hinged to the top, according to said axis of rotation (34), said cover (3).

7. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cover (3) comprises a removable portion (31 ) at the front adapted to allow limited access to said product containment tank (2).

8. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cooling device (4) comprises an evaporator member (42) arranged inside a cylindrical body (40) of tubular shape and adapted to be traversed by a refrigerant fluid.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said evaporator member (42) is made of a cylindrical jacket (43) arranged at the inner surface of said cylindrical body (40).

10. The apparatus of claims 8 or 9, wherein that said tubular-shaped cylindrical body (40) of the cooling device (4) is cantilevered from said cover (3).

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said mixing device (5) comprises an auger member (50) that develops around said cylindrical body (40) of the cooling device (4) and is adapted to be rotated according to an axis longitudinal to said cooling device (4).

12. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises a stop device (35) to stop said mixing device (5) operating in said second operating position of the cover (3), wherein said cooling device (4) is extracted from said product containment tank (2).

13. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises a selective locking device (9) of said cover (3) operating respectively in said first operating position for preparing and dispensing the refrigerated product, in which said cooling device (4) is arranged in a vertical or substantially vertical position within said product containment tank (2), and in said second operating position for accessing said tank, in which said cooling device (4) is extracted from said product containment tank (2).