GB2482203A

GB2482203A - Carbonated batter dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2482203A
Application number: GB1012526.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rohan Karkhanis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-20
Filing date: 2010-07-27
Publication date: 2012-01-25
Also published as: GB201012132D0; GB201012526D0

Abstract

An apparatus for mixing, carbonating and dispensing batter comprising a CO2 dispenser 100, 101 a CO2 injection pipe 103, a batter outlet 110, a batter receiving vessel 104, a mixing paddle 106, a motor 108 for driving said paddle and batter dispenser. The CO2 injection outlet 105 is preferably located at the batter dispensing means 107. There is a housing substantially enclosing the features above which comprises two sections, upper and lower, which are connected by a hinge allowing the sections to pivot with respect to each other.

Description

Patent Application of Rohari Karkhanis for Carbonated batter dispenser Baclçground of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to a dispenser for carbonated batter.

[2] Batter dispensers are known in the art. For example, US 6216921 to Spruill discloses an apparatus for dispensing funnel cake batter or other batter in a sanitary, time saving and labour saving manner. The apparatus comprises: a generally cylindrical vessel; a lid for refilling said vessel; a safety valve mounted on said lid with a sealed passageway in communication with said vessel for relieving pressure therein; and an inlet pressure valve means with a passageway in communication with said vessel and adapted to be connected with gas pressurizing means to create a positive pressurization of a batter contained in said vessel. A conduit means is disclosed for permitting flow of batter, and a liquefied carbon dioxide tank interconnected to a compressed gas regulator is disclosed for controlling flow of carbon dioxide. A hose is disclosed connected to said inlet pressure valve for depressurising the vessel.

[3] It is further known in the art to carbonate batter before dispensing, in order to produce a lighter batter.

US2O1O1O87O8 to Wawzynski discloses a refillable compressed air driven system for carbonating and dispensing batter. The system includes a vessel adapted to hold a determined amount of batter and compressed air, a compressed air inlet port in the vessel, a compressed air outlet port in the vessel, a batter inlet port in the vessel, a batter outlet port in the vessel, a compressed air supply line fluidly connected to the compressed air inlet port and configured to supply compressed air from a compressor, an exhaust valve operably coupled to the compressed air outlet port, a hopper operably coupled to the batter inlet port, a batter inlet valve disposed between the hopper and the vessel, and a dispenser operably coupled to the batter outlet port. A method of use entails loading batter through the hopper into the vessel, charging the vessel with compressed air to a determined pressure range, dispensing batter through the dispenser to form units of food products until substantially all of the batter loaded in the vessel is dispensed, evacuating the compressed air, and repeating the foregoing steps.

Brief Suxmnary of the Invention [4] It can be seen from the forgoing that there is a prevalent need to dispense batter conveniently. There is a further need to carbonate batter before dispensing.

[5] it would be advantageous to provide a batter carbonation and dispensation system wherein the batter outlet was prevented from clogging. It would be further advantageous to have such a system wherein the batter dispensing tube was self-cleaning. It would be yet further advantageous if the system was simple to use and maintain. It would be still further advantageous to be able to dispense the batter in any direction and amount. It would be yet further advantageous to be able to mix the raw ingredients which form the batter, in the same equipment that carbonates and dispenses the batter.

[6] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for carbonating batter and dispensing said batter into a desired location. It is a further object of the invention to provide a means for mixing ingredients to form batter, within the same apparatus which carbonates and dispenses the batter. It is a yet further object of the invention to provide the above apparatus in a compact device.

[7] To this end, an apparatus for mixing, carbonating and dispensing batter is disclosed, comprising: a CO2 dispenser; a CO2 injection pipe; a batter outlet; a batter receiving vessel; a mixing paddle; a motor for driving said paddle; and batter dispensing means. Preferably the apparatus is characterised in that at least part of said batter outlet is at least part of said CO2 injection pipe.

[8] An advantage of the present invention is that batter can be carbonated and immediately dispensed while containing a maximal amount of air. A further advantage is that the hose enables batter to be dispensed in any direction and any amount, facilitating many applications into dishes, pans, trays and the like of all shapes, depths and sizes. A yet further advantage is that the use of the same pipe for alternately feeding CO2 to the batter and feeding batter in the opposite direction saves on space making the equipment smaller, and saves on components making it cheaper and lighter. Furthermore, it ensures the batter pipe doesn't get clogged since pressurised gas is frequently sent down it.. Yet further, this pipe is cleaned each time CO2 passes through it.. A still further advantage is that the in-built motor and mixer device will mix raw ingredients into a batter, without the need to mix the batter elsewhere, before carbonating and dispensing.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [9] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [10] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the invention; and [11] Figure 2 shows an internal view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[12] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1 and 2, an apparatus for mixing, carbonating and dispensing batter, is disclosed, comprising: a CO2 dispenser; a CO2 injection pipe; a batter outlet; a batter receiving vessel; a mixing paddle; a motor for driving said paddle; and batter dispensing means. Preferably the apparatus is characterised in that at least part of said batter outlet is at least part of said CO2 injection pipe.

[13] The CO2 dispenser preferably comprises one or more cavities for receiving one or more CO2 canisters 101, connecting means 100 as known in the art for connecting the canisters to a gas pipe, and a gas pipe 103 connecting the canister to the CO2 injection pipe. The gas pipe may be any gas conducting pipe known in the art and may be any shape and take any route to the CO2 injection pipe. Preferably the gas pipe is shaped to fit inside the housing described below.

[14] The CO2 injection pipe outlet 105 is disposed in the batter receiving vessel 104 such that CO2 is injected directly into the batter. The CO2 injection pipe 102 may be any gas conducting pipe known in the art and may be any shape, and may comprise a valve, nozzle or the like at its outlet end to enable CO2 from the canisters to exit the CO2 injection pipe in measured amounts. In particular, in the preferable case where at least part of the CO2 injection pipe is also part of the batter outlet, means such as at least one bi-directional valve as known in the art may be provided to determine the flow direction in the section of the pipe which is to conduct both CO2 and batter, to determine which substance flows at a given time. The bi-directional valve or valves may be connected via electronic controls, PCBs and the like, to a control panel (described below) such that the valves respond to requests from a user.

[15] The batter outlet is the means by which batter exits the batter receiving vessel and is dispensed out of the apparatus to be fried or otherwise cooked. The batter outlet may be any pipe, aperture, or other means which enables this. However, preferably the batter outlet comprises three portions: a first portion 107 of pipe inside the batter receiving vessel, which section is also the CO2 injection pipe; a second portion of pipe 109 within the housing of the apparatus from the first portion to the outer wall of the housing; and a third portion comprising a flexible hose 110 which can be angled to control the direction of dispensed batter. The hose may be any flexible hose known in the art and may comprise any suitable material. In particular the hose may comprise gooseneck tubing with a waterproof inner lining and may be extendable, pulling out of the housing to extend and retracting into the housing when released.

[16] In the preferred embodiment, the first portion of the batter outlet is disposed in the centre of the batter receiving vessel which enables it to draw in batter from the centre of the vessel where the batter will be best mixed.

[17] 31-directional valves or other opening and closing means may be disposed where the first portion, which is also the CO2 injection pipe, becomes the second portion, which is

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dedicated to batter dispensation. This prevents CO2 from entering the second section and batter from entering the gas pipe leading to the CO2 injection pipe.

[18] Batter dispensing means 112 are disposed at. the end of the batter outlet for dispensing batter when desired, in the amount desired. In the preferable case, where there is a flexible hose, the batter dispensing means may be disposed at the end of the flexible hose. The batter dispensing means may be any means enabling a user to control at least the time when batter is dispensed, and may be a push button and single direction release valve or any other means. Furthermore a push button or the like may be disposed on the control panel (described below) for dispensing the batter, while the valve is disposed on the hose.

The dispensing means may be configured to always dispense a predetermined amount of batter, as known in the art, or may enable a user to determine the amount dispensed. In particular, a push button and dispensing valve may be used such that when pressed, the button opens the valve and sends a signal to the control PCB or the like to operate any valves in the batter outlet to enable batter to flow out of the apparatus, and batter is dispensed. When released, the button causes the dispensing valve to close and no batter is released.

[19] An advantage of having at least some of the CO2 injection pipe in common with the batter outlet is that injecting pressurised CO2 gas through the pipe regularly cleans out that part of the pipe preventing it from becoming clogged with batter.

A further advantage is that it reduces the number of components used, decreasing weight, size and cost of the apparatus. A yet further advantage is that this enables both CO2 to be injected and batter to be drawn from the same place. That is, CO2 can be injected directly in the centre of the batter, which is the best place to ensure even CO2 distribution, and batter can be drawn in from the centre of the vessel for dispensing, which is the best place for the most evenly mixed, high quality batter.

[20] The section of pipe common to the CO2 injection pipe and the batter outlet is preferably that inside the batter receiving vessel, which is substantially vertical and disposed substantially vertically from the top centre of the vessel to a point substantially below this towards approximately half way between the top and bottom of the vessel. Alternatively the common section may be longer or shorter than this depending on many design considerations.

[21] Furthermore, alternatively there may be no common section to the CO2 dispensing pipe and batter outlet, and the two may be completely separate pipe systems.

[22] The batter receiving vessel 104 is preferably a bowl which can be mounted within the housing (described below) and removed from the housing for cleaning and the like. It may be any bowl or any container able to receive and contain batter during mixing and dispensing. Preferably the vessel is substantially rotationally symmetrical and it may comprise changes in shape to cooperate with the means for securing the vessel in the housing as described below. The vessel may have a handle or handles to facilitate removal, and may comprise any other features. It may be metal, plastic or any suitable material.

[23] The mixing paddle 106 is a device for stirring, beating, whisking or otherwise mixing the batter in the vessel, as known in the art for food processors and the like. The mixing paddleis mounted to the motor for driving the paddle. The motor 108 may be an electric induction motor or any suitable motor known in the art, and may comprise gears for connecting to and driving the paddle at appropriate speeds. The speed of paddle drive may be variable via controls on a control panel and a PCB or other electronic controls as known widely in the art. Since the batter outlet is preferably disposed in the centre of the batter receiving vessel, the paddle is preferably disposed off-centre with respect to the vessel and designed as shown in the figures to move around the batter outlet without interfering with it. The paddle may be any shape, design and material known in the art and may move in any way around the vessel to mix the batter.

[24] The apparatus preferably further comprises a housing.

The housing substantially encloses at least some, and most preferably all of the apparatus during use. The housing may be PVC, polycarbonate or any other engineering polymer or other material, and is preferably shaped as shown in the figures. The housing contains the pipes, canisters, motor and other components safely and securely and protects these components from dust, water, food, dirt and damage, also enabling the apparatus to be cleaned easily and enhancing the appearance of the apparatus.

[25] The housing preferably comprises an upper housing 114 and a lower housing 116, with a hinge 118 between the upper and lower housings.

[26] The upper housing comprises at least a lid to the vessel, preferably substantially enclosing the vessel, such that during carbonation, batter is not projected outside the apparatus. Furthermore the upper housing may contain at least the mixing paddle, such that when the housing is opened the mixing paddle is removed from the vessel to facilitate vessel access.

The upper housing may also contain the CO2 dispensing means, motor, batter outlet, CO2 injection pipe and any other components.

[27] The lower housing contains at least the batter receiving vessel, and may also contain any other components. In particular the lower housing may comprise means for securing the vessel, such as a snap-release, spring-release or other mechanism for holding the vessel in position, and releasing when required.

Further, the profile of the lower housing may be shaped around the vessel to hold the vessel in position.

[28] The hinge may be any hinge known in the art enabling the upper and lower housings to move with respect to each other in such a way that the bowl can be accessed. Thus by operating the hinge the housing can be opened to access the batter receiving vessel. The mixing paddle may be moved away from the vessel when opening, further facilitating access to the vessel.

This may enable any or all of the following processes: adding of ingredients, removal of the vessel, manual removal of the batter, and the like. In this way, the apparatus can be used as a food mixer as well as a batter carbonator and dispenser.

[29] Furthermore the housing may enclose only some components and the bowl may be unenclosed or partially unenclosed and therefore permanently accessible, and there may be no requirement for a hinge. Yet further, there may be no housing.

The apparatus may be usable as a food mixer simply by adding ingredients to and removing them from, the open vessel.

[30] Preferably, the apparatus further comprises cooling means adjacent to said vessel for cooling batter in said vessel.

The cooling means may be any refrigerant or other cooling means known in the art and may be disposed within a lower housing or elsewhere, preferably surrounding said bowl for maximal cooling effect. An advantage of the cooling means is that the CO2 will dissolve faster at cooler temperatures, creating a lighter batter in less time. A further advantage is that batter is kept fresh for longer in the apparatus, enabling storage of batter in the apparatus. This is particularly advantageous in the case where the batter dispenser is used in a commercial food outlet where small amounts of batter are required sporadically, such that the batter is not in constant use but must be available immediately when needed. The cooling means maintains the batter in a fresh and ready to dispense state.

[31] A control panel 120 may be disposed on the outside of the housing or anywhere on the apparatus, to enable a user to control the apparatus. The control panel may comprise a dial or dials, buttons, switches or the like via which a user controls the apparatus. The dials, buttons, switches or the like may be connected via P035 and electronic control components as known in the art to the motor, canister(s) and valve(s). The design and components for such a control panel are widely known in the art and as such are not described herein in detail.

[321 The apparatus may be connected to the mains by a standard electrical plug or may be battery powered, or powered by any means or combination of means.

[33] An advantage of the present invention is that batter can be carbonated and immediately dispensed while containing a maximal amount of air. A further advantage is that the hose enables batter to be dispensed in any direction and any amount, facilitating many applications into dishes, pans, trays and the like of all shapes, depths and sizes. A yet further advantage is that the use of the same pipe for alternately feeding CO2 to the batter and feeding batter in the opposite direction saves on space making the equipment smaller, and saves on components making it cheaper and lighter. Furthermore, it ensures the batter pipe doesn't get clogged since pressurised gas is frequently sent down it. Yet further, this pipe is cleaned each time CO2 passes through it. A still further advantage is that the in-built motor and mixer device will mix raw ingredients into a batter, without the need to mix the batter elsewhere, before carbonating and dispensing.

Claims

Claims 1. An apparatus for mixing, carbonating and dispensing batter, comprising: a CO2 dispenser; a CO2 injection pipe; a batter outlet; a batter receiving vessel; a mixing paddle; a motor for driving said paddle; and batter dispensing means.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 characterised in that at least part of said batter outlet is at least part of said CO2 injection pipe.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a flexible hose connected to said batter dispensing means.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vessel can be accessed, whereby the apparatus can be used as a food mixer.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a housing substantially enclosing at least some of said apparatus.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said housing comprises an upper housing, a lower housing, and a hinge between said upper and lower housings, wherein: said upper housing comprises at least a lid to said vessel; and at least said batter receiving vessel is disposed in said lower housing.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising cooling means adjacent to said vessel for cooling batter in said vessel.