GB2174614A

GB2174614A - Ice cream blending machine

Info

Publication number: GB2174614A
Application number: GB08604017A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edmond Palmer
Original assignee: GREAT ICE CREAM CO
Current assignee: GREAT ICE CREAM CO
Priority date: 1985-04-30
Filing date: 1986-02-18
Publication date: 1986-11-12
Also published as: JPS6324658B2; KR860007885A; GB8604017D0; IT8620270A0; JPS61249352A; GB2174614B

Abstract

A food blending machine includes a rotating auger (36) and a container (32) which receives food to be blended and which is moved to cause the rotating auger (36) to enter the container (32) and blend the food therein. The machine also includes a housing (10) which is formed to create an interior region (50) and an exterior blending region (30). The mechanisms (64, 76, 78) for rotating the auger and for causing the auger (36) to enter the container (32) are located substantially within the interior region (50) while the auger (36) and the container (32) are located in the blending region (30) which is sealed with respect to the interior region (50) so that the passage of foreign matter from the blending region to the interior region is substantially prevented. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ice cream blending machine The invention relates to ice cream blending machines and, more particularly, to an improved ice cream blending machine which permits a more sanitary operation.

Ice cream blending machines are machines capable of blending a portion of ice cream with additional ingredients, such as fruit or candy. Typically, these machines include a conical container formed with an opening at its bottom and a tapered auger which fits into the container. In use, a portion of ice cream and additional ingredients are placed into the container and the container is moved upwardly to permit entry of the auger. A motor causes the auger to spin, resulting in the softening of the ice cream, the blending of the additional ingredients and the extrusion of the mixture through the opening at the bottom of the container and into a serving cup for sale to a customer.

Preferably, the ice cream blending machines described above are mounted over a sink or drain and a water spray hose is provided so that at least the container and auger can be washed clean of ice cream after each serving.

Obviously, if the auger and conical container are not cleaned after each serving, each future serving will contain a bit of the previous serving. This is highly undesirable as it results in customer dissatisfaction and complaints, and also in the creation of unsanitary conditions.

The mounting of the machine over a sink and the availability of a spray hose is also desirable for cleaning residual ice cream splatters off the machine through out the day and for the end of the day clean-up.

While the ice cream machines which are mounted over a sink or drain are a great improvement over machines not so mounted, they suffer from other disadvantages which have heretofor not been overcome. Specifically, a major problem which arises from the use of a water spray hose for cleaning the presently available ice cream machines is that water inevitably finds its way into the operating mechanism of the machine (i.e., the motor and gear mechanism which drive the auger and raise the ice cream container) where it causes corrosion and other damage. In addition, the water carries ice cream and other water borne debris into the interior portion of the machine creating an unsanitary condition therein.This requires the frequent removal of the cover of the machine and the cleaning of the interior surfaces and operating mechanism, which is extremely difficult and never results in a totally clean and dry interior. Machines of the general type described above are shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,061,279 and 2,625,123.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an ice cream blending machine which provides a more sanitary operation than available with ice cream blending machines presently available.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ice cream blending machine which prevents the inadvertent entry of water and water-borne debris into the interior portion and operating mechanism of the ice cream blending machine thereby reducing corrosion and other damage as well as the creation of unsanitary conditions.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an ice cream blending machine in which the conical container and the auger used to blend the ice cream with the additional ingredients can be cleaned with water after each use while the interior portion and operating mechanism of the machine is protected from the penetration of water and water-borne debris.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an ice cream blending machine which eliminates areas where water, waterborne ice cream and other debris can penetrate and remain inaccessible.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an ice cream blending machine in which the ice cream blending portion of the machine is shrouded by a water proof structure whose function is to confine rinse water and guide it to a sink or drain located beneath the machine.

These an other objects are provided in accordance with the present invention, in which a food blending machine includes a rotating auger and a container which receives food to be blended and which is moved to cause the rotating auger to enter the container and blend the food therein. In addition, the blending machine includes a housing which is formed to create an interior region and an exterior blending region. The mechanism for rotating the auger and causing the auger to enter the container are located substantially within the interior region while the auger and the container are located in the blending region. The blending region is sealed with respect to the interior region so that the passage of foreign matter from the blending region to the interior region is substantially prevented.

The above brief description as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the ice cream blending machine of the present invention, shown with the auger disposed completely within the conical container; Figure 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the ice cream blending machine of the present invention with parts broken away and other parts shown in section; and, Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the ice cream blending machine of the present invention taken along the lines 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to Figs. 1-3, the ice cream blending machine of the present invention includes a housing 10 formed of side walls 12 and 14, top and bottom walls 16 and 18, and front and back walls 20 and 22. Front wall 20 is formed with inwardly sloping portions 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d and a recessed portion 20e. The lower most ends of each of the portions 20a-e of the front wall 20 terminate in a pan 24 having a frusto-conical funnel 26 adapted to communicate with a sink or drain (located beneath the machine and not shown in the drawings) through a coaxial circular opening 28 formed in the bottom wall 18.

Preferably, funnel 26 extends below bottom wall 18 and a seal is provided between the bottom wall and funnel 26 at the opening 28 to prevent entry of water and other foreign matter into the housing 10 at this location.

Front wall portions 20a-e form the ice cream blending region 30 of the machine which, with the exception of the drainage funnel 26, is water tight. Specifically, water, water borne debris and other foreign matter located within region 30 will pass downwardly along wall portions 20a-e, through funnel 26 and opening 28 to a sink or drain preferably located below the machine. Preferably, the housing 10 is formed of molded plastic with no seams present in the blending region 30, and so that front wall portions 20a-e form a smooth continuous surface. Further, when forming the housing 10 of molded plastic it is desirable to include a means of entry into the housing (preferably through the rear wall 22) to permit periodic inspection and repair of the elements contained therein.As will be more clearly seen in the following description, passage of water or water borne debris to any point within the housing 10 is substantially prevented in the ice cream blending machine of the present invention.

Disposed within the ice cream blending region 30 of the machine is a conically shaped container 32, formed with an opening 34 at its narrow end, and a conformingly shaped auger 36. The container 3 is supported within the ice cream blending region 30 of the machine in a frusto-conical support 38. Support 38 is formed with a pair of extensions 40 and 42 which connect the support to a pair of parallel extending guide rods 44 and 46. As will be more fully described below, guide rods 44 and 46 are used to move the container 32 between a lower position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and an upper position shown in Fig. 1.

Specifically, during use of the machine, a portion of ice cream and at least one additional ingredient to be blended with the ice cream is placed in the container 32 when it is in its lower position. The container is then moved to its upper position by movement of guide rods 44 and 46 during which time the auger 36 is rotated to cause the softening of the ice cream, the blending of the additional ingredients with the ice cream and the extrusion of the mixture through the opening 34. The mixture may then be collected in a serving cup and sold to a customer.

The mechanisms for rotating the auger 32 and moving the container 32 are located within the housing 10 and will now be described in detail. Specifically, a plurality of vertically extending sleeves 48 form the four bottom corners of the machine, the lower ends of which are adapted to adjustably receive threaded leveling pins 49 which may be used to level the machine or to mount the machine on a counter top, over a sink or drain.

Sleeves 48 are located within the housing 10, the interior region 50 of the machine, and serve to support and space the four corners of a base frame member 52 from bottom wall 18. For example, sleeves 48 may be formed with external threads at each end adapted to be received in the bottom wall 18 and base frame member 52. Base frame member 52 provides support for the pan 24 of the ice cream blending region 30 of the machine. In addition, the base frame member 52 supports a vertical frame member 54 which extends upwardly from the base frame member 52 and supports a guide rod and auger supporting assembly 56.

As best seen in Figs. 1 and 3, the guide rod and auger supporting assembly 56 extends from the interior region 50 of the machine into the ice cream blending region 30 of the machine through wall portion 20a and serves to permit passage of the guide rods 44 and 46 from one portion to the other. The seal between the assembly 56 and wall portion 20a is water proof, such that water, water borne debris or other foreign matter cannot pass from the ice cream blending region 30 of the machine into the interior region 50 of the machine. For example, if the assembly 56 and wall portion 20a are both formed of metal, the wall portion 20a is soldered or welded to the external surface of the assembly 56. Preferably, the wall portion 20a is formed of plastic and the assembly 56 is formed of aluminum, in which case a suitable glue or chalking compound is utilized. However, other conventional sealing methods may be used so long as they prevent the entry of moisture and other debris into the interior region 50 of the machine.

The support 56 rotatably carries the auger shaft 58, the upper most end of which is secured to a pulley 60 located in the interior region 50 of the machine and adapted to be rotated by an endless belt 62. A motor 64 mounted on the vertical frame member 54 drives the belt 62 through a pulley 66 secured to the motor's output shaft 68. Activation of the motor 64, resulting in rotation of the auger 36, is accomplished in a manner known in the art by downward movement of a handle 70 located outside of the housing 10 proximate the side wall 12. Specifically, downward movement of the handle may close a switch, not shown, to supply electric power to the motor 64. Any entry of power cables through the housing 10 for supplying power to the motor 64, will be adequately sealed to inhibit the entry of foreign matter into the interior region 50 of the machine.

Downward movement of handle 70 also results in upward movement of the container 32. Specifically, handle 70 extends upwardly from one end of a shaft 72, which shaft extends from outside of the housing 10 through wall 12 and into the interior region 50 of the machine. The passage of the shaft 72 through wall 12 is also provided with a seal, not shown, to inhibit entry of foreign matter into the interior region 50 of the machine. The end of the shaft 72 remote from the handle 70 is rotatably supported in the vertical frame member 54 and carries a pivot arm 74 such that downward movement of the handle 70 results in limited rotary movement in the counterclockwise direction of the pivot arm 74.The end of the pivot arm 74 remote from the shaft 72 is rotatably secured to the lower end of a vertically extending L-shaped arm 76 such that counterclockwise movement of the pivot arm 74 results in upward movement of the L-shaped arm 76.

The end of the L-shaped arm 76 remote from pivot arm 74 is rotatably connected to the intermediate portion of a lifting arm 78.

Lifting arm 78 is pivotally mounted at one end to the upper most portion of the vertical frame member 54 such that upward movement of the L-shaped arm 76 results in limited rotary movement of lifting arm 78 in the clockwise direction. The opposite end of the lifting arm 78 is rotatably connected to one end of a U-shaped bracket 80 and the other end of bracket 80 is similarly connected to a mounting bar 82. The ends of the guide rods 44 and 46 remote from the frusto-conical container support 38 and located on the opposite side of the guide rod and auger supporting assembly 56 are mounted in and extend from opposite sides of the mounting bar 82. As such, rotary movement of the lifting arm 78 in the clockwise direction results in upward movement of bracket 80, bar 82 and guide rods 44 and 46.Further, bracket 80 may be formed so as to permit adjustment of the amount of upward movement of the container 32, in order to insure the accurate entry of the auger 36 therein.

It will readily be appreciated that downward movement of the handle 70 results in counterclockwise movement of pivot arm 74, upward movement of arm 76 and clockwise movement of lifting arm 78. This causes bracket 80 to pull guide rods 44 and 46 upwardly thereby moving the container 32 from its lower position (Figs. 2 and 3) towards the auger 36 and to its upper position (Fig. 1). As noted above, downward movement of the handle also causes activation of motor 64 resulting in the concomitant rotation of the auger 36 and upward movement of the container 32.

As made clear from the above description, only the guide rods 44 and 46 move from the ice cream blending region 30 of the machine into the interior region 50 of the machine; and this movement is through the guide rod and auger supporting assembly 56 located at the upper end of the ice cream blending region 30. In order to prevent the entry of moisture into the interior region 50 via the guide rods 44 and 46, the portion of the assembly 56 through which the guide rods 44 and 46 pass are formed with close fitting bearings. Preferably, plastic bearings which function without the need for oil-based lubricants are used.

These bearings prevent entry of moisture and other foreign matter into region 50 and eliminate the possibility of oil based lubricants coming in contact with the container 32 or any ice cream therein. Further, residual moisture on the rods 44 and 46 will actually aid the operation of the plastic bearings. In addition, seals adapted to inwardly compress around the rods 44 and 46 may be used in conjunction with the close fitting bearings. The seals also effectively prevent the entry of moisture located on rods 44 and 46 into the interior region 50 of the machine as a result of the normal movement of rods 44 and 46 during use of the machine. In addition, since the assembly 56 is located at the upper end of the ice cream blending region 30, gravity prevents the accumulation of water thereon.

During use of the ice cream blending machine, a portion of ice cream and at least one additional ingredient are placed in the container 32 while it is in its lower position (Figs.

2 and 3). Handle 70 is then pulled downwardly causing both the movement of the container 32 towards the auger 36 and the rotation of the auger. As the container moves towards its upper position (Fig. 1) bringing the auger 36 in contact with the ice cream and additional ingredients container therein, the ice cream is softened, blended with the ingredients and finally extruded through the opening 34 in the container 32. The blended ice cream may be collected in a serving cup positioned directly beneath the opening 34 during this operation and then presented to a customer.

Obviously, after a single use at least the auger 36 and the interior of the container 32 are coated with residual ice cream and ingredients as a total and complete extrusion cannot be achieved. In addition, other areas of the ice cream blending region 30 of the machine may have been soiled due to splatters and the like.

In order to prevent the mixture of the residual ice cream and ingredients with subsequent servings, at least the auger 36 and the container 32 should be cleaned after each blending operation. This is most easily accomplished by use of a water spray hose, not shown, preferably located proximate to the machine. Water from the spray hose may be directed towards the auger.36, container 32 and all of the other elements in the ice cream blending region 30 defined by the wall portions 20a-e. Since the wall portions 20a-e together with the guide rod and auger supporting assembly 56 form a water tight ice cream blending region 30 all water, water borne debris and other foreign matter resulting from each cleaning exit through funnel 26 to a sink or drain.Water and water borne debris resulting from normal clean-up operations of the ice cream blending region 30 of the machine are therefore prevented from entering the interior region 50 of the machine. As a result, the interior region 50 and the operating mechanisms contained therein are protected from corrosion and other damage and the creation of unsanitary conditions due to the presence of water, water borne debris (including residual ice cream) and other foreign matter.

Further, frequent cleaning of the interior portion 50 is not required, while frequent cleaning of the ice cream blending region 50, auger 36 and container 32 may be easily and readily performed.

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention may be used in other specific forms or for other purposes without departing from its spirit or central characteristics. For example, the machine of the present invention could be formed utilizing only one of the guide rods 44 and 46. In addition, the center line of the auger 36 need not be in the same vertical plane as the center lines of the guide rods 44 and 46. Further, the guide rods 44 and 46 could be of any shape and could extend from the bottom of the machine thereby lifting the container 32 upwardly.

Also, the guide rods 44 and 46 could be motor driven and a water spray mechanism could form an integral part of the machine.

Claims

1. A food blending machine comprising an auger, a container adapted to receive food to be blended by the auger, means for rotating the auger, means for causing the rotating auger to enter said container and blend the food therein, and a housing formed so as to create an interior region and an exterior blending region, wherein the means for rotating the auger and the means for causing the auger to enter the container are disposed substantially in said interior region, the auger and the container are disposed in the blending region and the interior region is sealed so that the entry of foreign matter therein is substantially prevented.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blending region is sealed with respect to the interior region.

3. A machine as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the means for rotating said auger includes a motor which is located within the interior region and is adapted to be actuated upon the entry of the auger into the container.

4. A machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the means for causing the auger to enter the container includes at least one guide rod adapted to support the container within the blending region so that movement of the guide rod results in movement of the container.

5. A machine as claimed in Claim 4, in which the guide rod moves in both the blending region and the interior region and the machine further includes sealing means to prevent entry of foreign matter into the interior region via movement of the guide rod.

6. A machine as claimed in Claim 5, in which the sealing means comprises close fitting bearings.

7. A machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the blending region is provided with a drain for removal of foreign matter therefrom.

8. A machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, in which the blending region of the housing is formed of material which can be suitably shaped to form a continuous surface in the blending region.

9. A machine as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the blending region of the housing is moulded from plastics material.

10. A machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, comprising means in the interior region for moving the container to cause the rotating auger to enter the container and blend the food therein, means extending from the interior region for supporting the auger within the blending region and permitting rotation thereof, means extending from the interior region for supporting the container within the blending region and permitting movement thereof such that the auger can enter the container, wherein the means for supporting the auger and the container within the blending region are sealed with respect to the interior region.

11. A food blending machine, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.