GB2193111A

GB2193111A - A motorized stirring assembly for frozen confection maker

Info

Publication number: GB2193111A
Application number: GB08702971A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Susumu Uesaka
Original assignee: Nippon Light Metal Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nippon Light Metal Co Ltd
Priority date: 1986-07-29
Filing date: 1987-02-10
Publication date: 1988-02-03
Also published as: GB8702971D0; IT8667974A0; JPS6323988U; IT1196879B; IT8654259V0

Abstract

A motorized stirring assembly for an ice cream maker is provided with a housing (32) which houses an electric motor (34), and a reduction gear assembly (36). The reduction gear assembly is operatively coupled to the motor and transmits a rotary force to a cross-shaped shaft (58) which operatively engages a cross- shaped aperture in the shaft (28) of the agitating blades (12) of the ice cream maker. The housing (32) is also provided with a channel which engage the handle (23) of the ice cream maker to prevent relative rotation between the two parts. A pivotable door (30) is mounted on the top of the cover member (24) of the ice cream maker. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A motorized stirring assembly for frozen confection maker The invention is directed to motorised stirring assemblies for frozen confection makers for rotating agitating blades, located in the confection maker, thereby stirring the contents of the confection maker.

Traditionally, home ice cream makers have been formed from two nesting vessels comprising an inner vessel and an outer vessel. A clearance is maintained between the vessels and is filled with ice chips, to which salt is added for chilling the contents of the inner vessel. The ingredients for making ice cream are added to the inner vessel and stirred therein, by agitating blades which are rotated in the vessel. The agitating blades are coupled to a hand crank through a cover member.

Examples of similar ice cream makers are described in U.S.A. Patents Nos. 1,527,352, 1,701,764, 2,491,952, and 2,557,813.

More recently, ice cream makers comprising an outer receptacle for holding a double-walled inner vessel have been manufactured. The double-walled inner vessel has an annular space in which is located a freezable slush which is used to chill the contents of the inner vessel. The inner vessel is placed in a home freezer unit wherein the slush becomes frozen. The inner vessel can then be placed in an outer receptable and the ingredients added for making ice cream. As with more traditional home ice cream makers, agitating blades are located in the vessel and a hand crank assembly extending through a cover member is used to agitate the ice cream. An example of such an ice cream maker is described in U.S.A. Patent No. 4,488,817.

Hand cranking of the ice cream ingredients in an ice cream maker can be a relatively tedious process. Motor assemblies have been used to facilitate this task; see U.S.A. Patent No. 3,921,961. Typically the motor assemblies are electrically powered and are fixedly coupled to a cover member.

One aspect of the invention resides in a device for making frozen confections, such as ice cream, comprising: a vessel defining a volume for holding ingredients for a frozen confection, the vessel being provided with an anti-rotation means for preventing rotation of the vessel during stirring of the ingredients; stirring means positioned inside of the vessel and adapted and constructed for stirring the ingredients located in the vessel; and motor means for rotating the stirring means to stir the ingredients in the vessel, the motor means being provided with a housing having a mounting element which engages the anti-rotation means of the vessel to prevent rotation of the motor means relative to the vessel.

Another aspect of the invention is a device for providing a rotational force for stirring the contents of a vessel, such as an ice cream freezer, comprising: a housing; an electric motor located in the housing to provide a rotational force; a motor coupling element operationally coupled to the electric motor and adapted and constructed to be releasably coupled to a stirring means positioned in a vessel; and a mounting element formed by the housing and adapted and constructed to engage an anti-rotation element formed on the vessel to prevent relative rotation between the vessel and the housing.

The present invention includes a stirring assembly which may be detachably coupled to an ice cream maker for rotating agitating blades positioned in the ice cream maker. The stirring assembly comprises a housing which is provided with an electric motor operatively coupled through a reducing gear assembly to a journalled shaft which can be detachably coupled to agitating blades located in the ice cream maker. The housing may also be provided with either batteries or an electrical cord for supplying electricity to the motor or.both.

A channel is preferably formed in the housing and comprises a mounting element which engages a protruding portion on the ice cream maker to form an anti-rotation means. The channel and the protruding portion form a structural assembly preventing relative rotation between the stirring assembly and the ice cream maker during rotation of the agitating blades.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a motorized stirring assembly which can be readily added and adapted to be used with existing ice cream makers. As such,the channel on the housing is adapted and constructed to engage a handle on the ice cream maker, which forms the protruding portion.

The motor housing is shaped to be held by a user, if the ice cream maker is not provided with a handle or other similar protruding portion for engaging the channel.

This invention is further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of an ice cream maker provided with a motorized stirring assembly in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a channel located at the bottom of the motor housing; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the handle of the ice cream maker; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the top of the cover member of the ice cream maker; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of motorized stirring assembly having an integrally formed supported flange; and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, showing the modified stirring assembly illustrated in Fig. 5.

Motorized stirring assembly 10 is adapted and constructed for rotating agitating blades 12 of ice cream maker 14. The ice cream maker itself is better described in U.S.A. Patent No. 4,488,817. However a brief description of the ice cream maker will now be made to provide background. Ice cream maker 14 comprises an outer receptable 16 into which is inserted a double-walled cylindrical vessel 18. Vessel 18 forms an annular space 20 into which is placed a freezable slush.

A ring 22 joins vessel 18 to outer receptable 16, preventing relative rotation between the vessel and the receptable. The inner vessel also forms a mixing chamber 21 into which ingredients are placed for making ice cream. The outer receptable 16 is provided with a handle 23 which is adapted and constructed to be gripped by an operator to prevent rotation of the ice cream maker during hand cranking of the agitating blades.

The mixing chamber 21 is enclosed by a cover member 24 which is provided with a central hub 26 for a shaft 28 of agitating blades 12. The cover member also cooperates with ring 22 to prevent relative rotation between the cover member and the ring. The cover member may be provided with a pivota bie door 30 which closes a window opening in the cover member. The pivotable door is described in more detail below.

It should be noted at this juncture, that the invention is being described with regards to an ice cream maker, but would be suitable for any device for making similar frozen confections. As such, the invention is not limited to ice cream makers per se.

Motorized stirrer assembly 10 comprises a housing 32 in which is located an electric motor 34 and a reduction gear means 36. The motor is controlled by an on/off switch 38 located between the motor and a source of electric power. The motor may be supplied with electricity from batteries 40 or an electric power cord 42 which may be plugged into a conventional wall outlet. Electric power cord 42 may be coupled to the housing by a jack 43 so that it can be easily removed when the stirrer is being run off batteries. Electrical switch 38 is latched into an on position when it is first pressed inwardly and must be pressed again to switch into an off position.

Electric motor 34 is provided with a small bevel gear 44 which is operatively coupled to a large.bevel gear or crown gear 46 for rotating an axle 49. A small spur gear 48 is mounted on axis 49 and in turn rotates a large spur gear 50 mounted on a shaft 52. A small spur gear 54 is mounted on shaft 52 and rotates a large spur gear 56 which drives a cross-shaped shaft 58. Shaft 28 of agitating blades 12 is provided with a cross-shaped aperture into which cross-shaped shaft 58 is inserted.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, both the ice cream maker and the housing of the motorized stirrer assembly are provided with cooperating structures for preventing relative rotation between the two assemblies. The ice cream maker is provided with a handle 23 or some other protruding portion which engages a channel 60 formed in motor housing 32. By locating the cooperating channel and handle radially outwardly from the centre of the ice cream maker, the moment arm is increased.

Therefore, the force and related structure necessary to prevent relative rotation is reduced.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, cover member 24 is provided with pivotable door 30 which is used to close the window 62 located in the cover. The window is used when adding ingredients to vessel 18. The door is provided with round aperture 64 which is pivotally mounted on the protruding central bearing hub 26 of cover member 24. Typically the cover member is formed from a transparent plastic material, so that the contents of vessel 18 can be readily observed.

A user of the above-described device guides cross-shaped shaft 58 into cross-shaped aperture of shaft 28 so that the motorized stirrer assembly is operatively coupled to the agitating blades of the ice cream maker. In addition, at the same time, channel 60 is located in engagement with handle 23 to prevent relative rotation of the two units when the stirrer is switched on. A user then merely depresses switch 38, turning on the stirrer assembly which rotates agitating blades 12.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a modified form of stirrer assembly 10 wherein a cylindrical supporting flange 70 is integrally formed with the stirrer assembly housing so as to support stirrer assembly 10 by cover member 24 through supporting flange 70.

In the previously described embodiment, stirrer assembly 10 is supported by inserting cross-shaped shaft 58 into the cross-shaped aperture formed in the upper portion of shaft 28. The stirrer assembly is supported by the lower end of shaft 28 received in the bearing recess formed in the bottom wall of the inner vessel member. In the modified embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, however, in order to prevent the load of stirrer assembly 10 from being transmitted to the bearing recess in the bottom wall of the inner vessel member which might affect the smooth operation of agitator blades 12, cylindrical supporting flange 70 is integrally formed in the lower surface of housing 32 of stirrer assembly 10. Supporting flange 70 is adapted to abut against the annular groove formed around bearing hub 26 of cover member 24 so as to support the load given by the stirrer assembly 10 by cover member 25 shown in Fig. 6. The supporting flange thereby prevents the load of stirrer assembly 10 from being transmitted to the lower end of shaft 28 received in the bearing recess formed in the bottom wall of the inner vessel member. Supporting flange 70 may comprise other structural configurations than that shown in Fig. 5.

Both of the above-described embodiments of the present invention provide an ice cream maker which can be easily disassembled and stored in neat condition when it is not used.

The present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiment, but is limited solely by the claims.

Claims

1. A device for making frozen confections, such as ice cream, comprising: a vessel defining a volume for holding ingredients for a frozen confection, the vessel being provided with an anti-rotation means for preventing rotation of the vessel during stirring of the ingredients; stirring means positioned inside of the vessel and adapted and constructed for stirring the ingredients located in the vessel; and motor means for rotating the stirring means to stir the ingredients in the vessel, the motor means being provided with a housing having a mounting element which engages the anti-rotation means of the vessel to prevent rotation of the motor means relative to the vessel.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stirring means is provided with a stirrer coupling element which is adapted and constructed to be releasably coupled to a motor coupling element of the motor means.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the motor means comprise an electric motor which is operationally coupled to the motor coupling element for rotating the stirring means.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the motor means is further provided with a reduction gear positioned between the electric motor and the motor coupling element.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the motor means is further provided with an electric power source supplying electrical energy to the electric motor.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the electric power source comprises batteries that are housed in the housing of the motor means.

7. A device as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the electric power source comprises a jack mounted on the housing on the motor meanstfor coupling the electric motor to an electrical cable.

8. Advice as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the anti-rotation means of the vessel comprises a protruding portion which engages the mounting element of the motor means.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mounting element comprises a channel which is positioned about the protruding portion of the anti-rotation means.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the protruding portion of the anti-rotation means is a handle assembly extending from the vessel.

11. A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 10, wherein the vessel is provided with a detachable cover having a bearing hub through which the stirrer coupling element of the stirring means is coupled to the motor coupling element of the motor means.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the vessel is provided with a transparent cover.

13. A device as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the housing is provided in the lower surface thereof with a support means which abuts against the detachable cover of the vessel for supporting the motor means by the cover.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the housing is supported at its both ends by the supporting means formed in the lower surface thereof and the channel engaging with the upper end of a handle.

15. A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 14, wherein the stirrer coupling element comprises a cross-shaped aperture and the motor coupling element comprises a crossshaped projection which is releasably received in the cross-shaped aperture of the stirrer coupling element.

16. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover is provided with a window through which ingredients can be added to the vessel, and with a movable door for closing the window.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the movable door is pivotally coupled to the cover.

18. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the vessel defines a cylindrical volume and the cover is circular.

19. A device as claimed in claims 11, 16 and 18, wherein the bearing hub is centraily located in the circular cover and the window is located radially outwardly from the bearing hub.

20. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the vessel comprises a doublewalled inner receptacle defining the volume for ingredients, and placed inside an outer receptable.

21. A device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the vessel is further provided with means to prevent relative rotation between the inner receptacle and the outer receptacle.

22. A device-as claimed in claims 10 and 21, wherein the handle assembly is secured to and extends from the outer receptacle.

23. A device for providing a rotational force for stirring the contents of a vessel, such as an ice cream freezer, comprising: a housing; an electric motor located in the housing to provide a rotational force; a motor coupling element operationally coupled to the electric motor and adapted and constructed to be releasably coupled to a stirring means positioned in a vessel; and a mounting element formed by the housing and adapted and constructed to engage an anti-rotation element formed on the vessel to prevent relative rotation between the vessel and the housing.

24. A device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the electric motor is provided with a reduction gear positioned between the electric motor and the motor coupling element.

25. A device as claimed in claim 23 or 24, wherein the electric motor is further provided with an electric power source for supplying electrical energy to the electric motor.

26. A device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the electric power source comprises batteries which are housed in the housing.

27. A device as claimed in claim 25 or 26, wherein the electric power source comprises a jack mounted on the housing for coupling the electric motor to an electrical cable.

28. A device as claimed in any of claims 23 to 27, wherein the mounting element comprises a channel.

29. A device as claimed in any of claims 23 to 28, wherein the housing is adapted and constructed to be hand held by a user.

30. A device for making frozen confections, constructed and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

31. A device for providing a rotational force constructed and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.