JPS6324658B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an ice cream mixer, and more specifically, to an improved ice cream mixer that allows for more hygienic work. It is.

(b) Prior Art An ice cream mixer is a machine that can mix a portion of ice cream with additional ingredients such as fruit or candy. Typically, such machines include a conical container with an opening in the bottom and a tapered auger fitted into the container. In use, a portion of the ice cream and additional ingredients are placed in a container to accommodate an auger that moves the container upwardly. A motor rotates an auger that softens the ice cream, mixes additional ingredients therein, and forces the mixture through an opening in the bottom of the container and into a dispensing cup for sale to a consumer.

The ice cream mixer described above is mounted on a sink or drain and is provided with a water spray hose so that a portion of the container and auger can be rinsed off each time after dispensing the ice cream. If the auger and cone are not cleaned, each subsequent dispense of ice cream will contain a small portion of the previous dispense. This is very undesirable since consumers will be dissatisfied and complain, resulting in unsanitary conditions. Mounting the ice cream mixer over the sink and utilizing a water spray hose is also preferred to wipe any remaining ice cream splatter from the machine throughout the day and at the end of the day's cleaning.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention Although ice cream mixers that are mounted over a sink or drain are a significant improvement over machines that are not so mounted, there are other drawbacks that have hitherto not been overcome. have. In particular, a major problem posed by the use of water spray hoses to clean today's ice cream machines is that water inevitably spills over the machine's operating mechanisms (i.e., the motor and gear mechanism that drives the auger and lifts the ice cream container). This causes corrosion and other damage. Furthermore, the water carries ice cream and other water-entrained debris into the interior of the machine, creating unsanitary conditions. For this reason, it is necessary to frequently remove the cover of the machine and clean the inner surface and operating mechanism, which is very difficult and does not result in a completely clean and dry interior. Machines of the general type described above are described in US Pat. Nos. 3,061,279 and 2,625,123.

(d) Means for solving the problems The ice cream mixing machine of the present invention includes an auger,
a container configured to contain food to be mixed by the auger, means for rotating the auger, means for placing the rotating auger into the container to mix the food in the container, and a housing, the housing having an inner portion and an outer portion. a mixing section, a means for rotating the auger and a means for placing the auger into the container are substantially disposed within the inner section, the auger and the container are disposed within the mixing section, and the mixing section is shaped to form a mixing section; The above problem is solved by an arrangement characterized in that the sections are sealed to the inner section so as to substantially prevent the passage of foreign matter from the mixing section into the inner section.

(E) Operation Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an ice cream blender that operates more hygienically than ice cream blenders used today.

Another object of the invention is to prevent water and water-borne debris from entering the interior and operating mechanisms of the ice cream mixer, thereby preventing corrosion and other damage and unsanitary conditions. Our objective is to provide an ice cream mixing machine that prevents.

Another object of the invention is that the conical container and the auger used for mixing the ice cream with additional ingredients can be cleaned after each use while keeping the interior of the machine and the operating machinery free of water and debris. Our goal is to provide you with a protective ice cream blender.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ice cream mixing machine in which the ice cream mixing portion of the machine is covered by a waterproof structure which serves to trap the rinse water and guide it to a sink or drain positioned below the machine. It is to provide.

According to the present invention, these objects are achieved by providing a food mixing machine that includes a rotating auger and a container that contains the food to be mixed and, when moved, causes the rotating auger to enter the container and mix the food. . Furthermore, the ice cream mixer includes a housing shaped to define an inner portion and an outer mixing portion. A mechanism for rotating the auger into the vessel is positioned generally within the inner section, while the auger and vessel are positioned within the external mixing section. The mixing section is sealed to the inner section, thus substantially preventing the passage of foreign matter from the mixing section to the inner section.

(F) Embodiment Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the ice cream mixer of the present invention is formed of side walls 12, 14, top and bottom walls 16, 18, and front and rear walls 20 and 22. The housing 10 includes a housing 10. The front wall 20 has an inwardly sloping portion 20.
a, 20b, 20c, 20d and the recessed part 20e
is provided. The lower end of each of the sections 20a-e of the front wall 20 terminates in a dish 24 which is connected to the bottom wall 18.
A frusto-conical funnel 26 communicates with the sink (positioned below the drain machine and not shown) through a coaxial circular opening 28 in the drain machine.
have. The funnel 26 preferably extends below the bottom wall 18 and a seal 28 is provided between the bottom wall 18 and the funnel 26 at the opening 28 to prevent water and foreign matter from entering the housing 10 at this location. .

Portions 20a-e of the front wall form the ice cream mixing portion 30 of the machine, and this portion is connected to the drain funnel 26.
It is watertight except for the following points. In particular, the water, water-entrained debris and other foreign matter within section 30 flows downwardly along wall sections 20a-e through funnel 26 and opening 28 to a sink or drain, preferably located below the machine. . Housing 10 is preferably molded of plastic so that there are no seams in mixing section 30, so sections 20a-e form a smooth continuous surface. Furthermore, if the housing 10 is made of molded plastic, it may be desirable to include a means for accessing the housing (preferably through the rear wall 22) for periodic inspection and repair of the components contained therein. As will become clearer from the following description, the passage of water or water-entrained debris anywhere within the housing 10 is substantially prevented in the ice cream mixer of the present invention.

Disposed within the ice cream mixing section 30 of the machine is a conical container 32 with an opening 34 formed at its narrow end and an auger 36 of corresponding shape. The container 32 is supported on a frusto-conical support 38 within the ice cream mixing section 30 of the machine. Support 38 is provided with a pair of extensions 40, 42 connecting it to a pair of parallel guide rods 44, 46.

As will be described in detail later, the guide rods 44 and 46 are connected to the container 3.
2 is used to move between the lower position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the upper position shown in FIG. In particular, during use of the machine, a portion of the ice cream and at least one additional ingredient to be mixed therewith are placed in the container 32 when in the lower position. Container 32 is then moved to an upper position by moving guide rods 44, 46 while rotating auger 36 to soften the ice cream, incorporate additional ingredients into the ice cream, and force the mixture through opening 34. The mixture can then be collected into ration cups and sold to consumers.

A mechanism for rotating auger 36 and moving container 32 is positioned within housing 10 and will be described in detail below. In particular, the vertically extending sleeve 4
8 form the four bottom corners of the machine, and the ends of the sleeves are adapted to adjustably accommodate threaded balancing pins 49, which are used to balance the machine or to flush the machine, i.e., on a drain. Used to attach to the top of the sales stand. The sleeve 48 is connected to the housing 10
The base frame member 52 is positioned within an inner portion 50 of the base frame member 52 and serves to support and space the base frame member 52 from the bottom wall 18. For example, the sleeve 48 can be threaded at each end that is received by the bottom plate 18 and the base frame member 52. The base frame member 52 is attached to the tray 2 of the ice cream mixing section 30 of the machine.
I support 4. Furthermore, the base frame member 52
supports a vertical frame member 54 that extends upwardly from the base frame member 52 and supports a guide rod and auger support combination 56.

As shown in detail in Figures 1 and 3,
A guide rod and auger support assembly 56 extends from the inner section 50 of the machine through the wall section 20a and into the ice cream mixing section 30 of the machine.
46 to pass from one part to the other. The seal between the combination 56 and the wall section 20a is watertight, so that debris or other foreign matter entrained in the water will be trapped in the ice cream mixing section 3 of the machine.
0 to the inner portion 50 is not possible. For example, if assembly 56 and wall portion 20a are both made of metal, wall portion 20a may be soldered or welded to the exterior surface of assembly 56. Preferably, wall portion 20a is made of plastic and assembly 56 is made of aluminum, in which case a suitable glue or tyoke compound is used. However, other conventional sealing methods may be used as long as they prevent moisture and other debris from entering the interior portion 50 of the machine.

Assembly 56 supports an auger shaft 58, the upper end of which is secured to a pulley 60 positioned in the interior portion 50 of the machine and rotated by an endless belt 62. A motor 64 mounted on vertical frame member 54 drives belt 62 via a pulley 66 secured to its output shaft 68. A handle 7 is positioned on the outside of the housing 10 adjacent to the side wall 12 to operate the motor 64 to rotate the auger 36.
0 downwards in a manner known in the art. In particular, moving the handle 70 downward closes a switch (not shown) to supply power to the motor 64. The power cable entry into the housing 10 for powering the motor 64 is suitably sealed to prevent foreign objects from entering the interior portion 50 of the machine. Moving the handle 70 downward also moves the container 32 upward. In particular, the handle 70 preferably extends from one end of a shaft 72 that extends from the outside of the housing 10 through the wall 12 and into the interior portion 50 of the machine.
It extends to The passage through the wall 12 of the shaft 72 is also provided with a seal (not shown) to prevent foreign matter from entering the interior portion 50 of the machine. The end of the shaft 72 opposite the handle 70 is rotatably supported on the vertical frame member 54 to support a pivot arm such that when the handle 70 is moved downwardly, the pivot arm 74 is rotated.
will be rotated counterclockwise. The end of the arm 74 opposite to the shaft 72 has an L extending vertically.
It is rotatably attached to the lower end of the --shaped arm 76, and when the pivot arm 74 moves counterclockwise, the
This will cause the - shaped arm 76 to move upward.

The end of L-shaped arm 76 opposite pivot arm 74 is pivotally connected to the intermediate portion of lifting arm 78. Lifting arm 78 is pivotally connected at one end to the top portion of vertical frame member 54 and thus
The upward movement of the --shaped arm 76 causes a limited degree of rotational movement of the lifting arm 78 in a clockwise direction. The other end of lifting arm 78 is rotatably connected to one end of a U-shaped bracket 80, the other end of which is similarly connected to mounting rod 82. The ends of the guide rods 44, 46 opposite the frusto-conical container support 38 and opposite the guide rod and auger support assembly 56 are mounted within and extend from opposite sides of the mounting plate. . Furthermore, the bracket 80 can adjust the upward momentum of the container 32 to ensure accurate entry of the auger 36 into the container.

It will be readily appreciated that moving handle 70 downwardly causes pivot arm 74 to move counterclockwise and arm 78 to move upwardly to cause lift arm 78 to move clockwise. This is done by having bracket 80 pull guide rods 44, 46 upwardly, thereby moving container 32 from its lower position (FIGS. 2 and 3) toward its upper position (FIG. 1). As previously mentioned, moving the handle downward causes the motor 64 to operate accordingly and the auger 3
6 to move the container 12 upward.

As can be seen from the above explanation, the guide rods 44, 46
The chisel moves from the ice cream mixing section 30 to the inner section 50 of the machine, and this movement is via a guide and auger support assembly 56 positioned at the upper end of the ice cream mixing section 30. To prevent moisture from entering the inner portion 50 through the guide rods 44, 46, tight fitting bearings are formed in the portions of the assembly 56 through which the guide rods 44, 46 pass.
It is preferred to use plastic bearings, which function without the need for oil-based lubricants. These bearings prevent moisture and other foreign matter from entering the inner portion 50 and prevent lubricant from coming into contact with the container 12 or the ice cream therein. Furthermore, the moisture remaining on the guide rods 44, 46 actually aids the action of the plastic. Furthermore, inwardly compressing seals around the guide rods 44, 46 can be used in conjunction with tight-fitting bearings. This seal also prevents the guide rods 44, 46 from moving as a result of normal movement of the guide rods 44, 46 during use of the machine.
4, 46 The moisture located in the inner part of the machine 5
Effectively prevents it from going to 0. Furthermore, because the assembly 56 is positioned at the top of the ice cream mixing section 50, gravity prevents water from accumulating on the assembly. During use of the ice cream mixer, a portion of the ice cream and at least one additional ingredient are placed in the container 12 while it is in the lowered position (FIGS. 2 and 3). Then,
Pull the handle 70 downward to move the container 32 to the auger 36
Rotate the auger. As the container moves toward its upper position (FIG. 1) with the auger 36 in contact with the ice cream and additional ingredients contained in the container, the ice cream is softened and mixed with the additional ingredients until finally in the container 32. It is forced out through the opening 34. The mixed ice cream is collected in a dispensing cup positioned directly below opening 34 during operation of the machine and delivered to the consumer.

After one use, at least auger 36 and container 3
Since the inside of No. 2 cannot be completely extruded, it is covered with the remaining ice cream and ingredients.
Furthermore, other parts of the ice cream mixing section 30 of the machine may become contaminated by splashes and the like. At a minimum, the auger 36 and container 32 must be cleaned after each mixing operation to prevent mixing of ingredients with remaining ice cream during subsequent extrusion dispensing. This is preferably done by using a water spray hose (not shown) positioned close to the machine.
This can be done very easily using the . Water from the spray hose flows into the ice cream mixing section 3 formed by the auger 36, container 32 and wall sections 20a-e.
It can be directed directly to all other elements within 0. The wall portions 20a-e, together with the guide rod and auger support assembly 56, form a watertight ice cream mixing section 30 so that during each cleaning, water, water-entrained debris, and other foreign matter are forced through the funnel 26 or into the drain. Discharge. Water and water-entrained debris resulting from normal cleaning operations on the ice cream mixing section 30 are thus prevented from entering the inner section 58 of the machine. As a result, the inner part 50 and the operating mechanisms therein are protected from corrosion and other damage and the occurrence of unsanitary conditions due to water, water-entrained debris (including ice cream residue) and other foreign objects. . Furthermore, while the inner portion 50 does not need to be cleaned frequently, the ice cream mixing portion 50, auger 36, and container 32 can be easily cleaned more frequently.

(G) Effects of the Invention As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms and used for other purposes without departing from its principles. For example, the machine of the present invention has one of the guide rods 44, 46.
It is also possible to use only one. Furthermore, the centerline of the auger need not be in the same vertical plane as the centerline of the guide rods 44,46. Furthermore, the guide rods 44, 46 can extend from the bottom of the machine at any angle to allow the container 32 to be lifted upwardly. The guide rods 44, 46 can also be motor driven and the water spray mechanism can form an integral part of the machine.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view of the ice cream mixer of the present invention showing the auger fully positioned within the conical container. FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the ice cream mixing machine of the present invention, with some parts omitted and other parts shown in cross section. FIG. 3 is a side view of the ice cream mixer of the present invention taken along line 3--3 in FIG. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Housing, 20a-e...Container support means, 30...Blending part, 32...Container, 36...
...Auger, 44, 46...Means for bringing the auger into the container, 50...Inner portion, 64...Auger rotation means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Sealed inner part 50 and outer open mixing part 3
0 molded housing 10; a container 32 disposed in the mixing section for containing the food to be mixed; and a guide projecting from the inner section into the mixing section so as to be able to rise and fall and supporting the container. members 40, 42, 44, 46, an integrally molded auger 36 projecting and rotatably supported within the mixing section toward the container; A device 60, 62, 64, 66 rotatably driven by electric power, a link mechanism 74, 76, 78, 80 disposed within the inner portion for raising and lowering the guide member, and a linkage mechanism 74, 76, 78, 80 mounted outside the housing. and a handle 70 for operating the linkage mechanism. 2. A food mixing machine according to claim 1, wherein the means for rotating the auger includes a motor, the motor being positioned within the inner portion and adapted to be activated when the auger enters the container. 3. A food mixing machine according to claim 1, wherein the means for introducing the auger into the container includes at least one guide rod adapted to support the container in the mixing part so that its movement causes the container to move. . 4. The guide rod moves within both the mixing part and the inner part, and the machine further includes sealing means to prevent foreign matter from entering the inner part by movement of the guide rod. Section 3 food mixing machine. 5. A food mixer according to claim 4, wherein the sealing means comprises a tight-fitting bearing. 6. The food mixing machine according to claim 1, wherein the mixing portion is provided with a drain for removing foreign matter. 7. The food mixer of claim 1, wherein the mixing portion of the housing is made of plastic molded to form a continuous surface thereon.