NL2003460C2 - STIRRER FOR LIQUIDS, HOLDER FOR LIQUIDS AND COMPOSITION OF BOTH. - Google Patents

Description

Stirrer for liquids, holder for liquids and assembly of both

The present invention relates to a stirrer for liquids, a holder for liquids and an assembly of both. More in particular, the invention relates to such an assembly, intended for holding liquid foods, such as soup.

Stirrers and containers for liquids and liquid foods are known per se. The international patent application WO2006 / 028375 shows such a container, designed as a dispenser 10, provided with a stirrer. However, the known stirrers and containers have various disadvantages. For example, it is difficult to remove the stirrer from the holder, for example for cleaning the holder. In addition, the stirring action leaves something to be desired, in particular when non-liquid parts are ordered in the liquid to be stirred, for example a soup with solid ingredients, such as meatballs. Often these solid ingredients are not evenly distributed throughout the soup, whereby the number of balls or other solid ingredients per portion taken from the container differs considerably, or they are damaged by the stirrer. It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially eliminate the abovementioned disadvantages, or to propose a useful alternative. To this end, the invention provides a stirrer 20 according to claim 1, and a holder according to claim 11, as well as an assembly of both.

The stirrer according to the present invention comprises a shaft provided with at least a first stirring screw and at least one coupling means provided at one end of the shaft for releasably coupling the stirrer to a counter-coupling means of a drive device.

Because the stirrer is releasably coupled to a counter-coupling means, it can easily be taken from a holder in which the counter-coupling means and the drive device 30 are located, for cleaning purposes of the stirrer or a holder in which the liquid to be stirred is located. Also, when the counter-coupling means and / or the drive device are in a lid of the holder, opening of the lid of such a holder can be simplified with this, because the stirrer no longer has to be taken out of the holder at the same time as the lid is opened 2, which may be accompanied by uncontrolled movements that may result in the liquid spilling. The stirrer can be equipped with the coupling means at the end of the stirrer which is placed at the top during use, and the stirring screw can be situated on the shaft 5 at a distance therefrom. This axis can be a physically present axis, but should also be seen in this description as a mathematical concept, and in that sense does not have to extend over the entire length of the stirrer. A stirring screw is generally understood to mean any instrument for causing a helical rotation, and in particular propeller or wick or plate-shaped members. Liquids such as liquid foodstuffs are to be understood to mean all pourable or pourable media, thus also emulsions, suspensions and in particular all soup forms, including solid parts present therein, such as balls, vermicelli or vegetables.

The coupling means is preferably adapted to be coupled with the counter-coupling means in the axial direction without engagement and engaging in the tangential direction. In this way the coupling can be established in the axial direction (in practice, therefore, from above or below) and be released without the need for any force or pressure. In fact, the agitator is thereby "loosely connected" to the drive means, so that the latter can be removed without the agitator thereby being removed from the liquid. The engagement in tangential direction serves logically to transmit a driving rotational movement to the stirrer.

For transmitting this rotary movement, the coupling means in an advantageous embodiment comprises grooves extending in axial direction along the end of the shaft, for receiving recesses provided thereon on the counter-coupling means. In this way a coupling is provided which only engages in the tangential direction, and is freely detachable in the axial direction. Logically, it is also possible to use a mechanical reversal of this coupling means and counter coupling means.

The at least one stirring screw preferably has a substantially smooth surface, so that there cannot be any liquid or cavities contained therein or spaces enclosed by wall parts. The rudder screw preferably comprises two screw blades which extend 3 in line with each other, with an opposite angle of rotation. It has been found that such propeller blades have the least negative influence on parts present in the liquid. The sharper the surface parts, the greater the chance of damage to solid parts in the liquid.

5

To obtain a smooth surface and a hygienic stirring screw, it can be made from ABS. ABS allows great freedom of design, is temperature resistant and resilient, so that the stirring screw can easily be attached to the shaft. This shaft is preferably made from stainless steel.

10

In an advantageous embodiment, the stirring screw comprises at least one screw blade which is at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees, and in particular between 40 and 50 degrees, with a normal plane of the shaft. Such an angular rotation, which is relatively large for a stirring screw, already leads to a sufficient turbulence at relatively low speeds, of a few RPM.

To further optimize the stirring, the shaft comprises a second stirring screw at an axial distance with respect to the first stirring screw. As a result, the distribution of non-liquid parts into liquids appears to increase considerably. This is because the parts lifted up by the first stirring screw are in a liquid stream which is subsequently moved further upwards by the second stirring screw.

This effect can be increased if the first and the second stirring screws have mutual axial angular rotation about the central axis. This achieves that parts which have come out of the flood of the first stirring screw and thus have ended up in slower moving liquid are taken along by the second stirring screw and are thus lifted into the liquid level to a greater height. If one followed a part contained in the liquid, a substantially S-shaped ascending path of the part could be observed along an imaginary cylinder on the circumference of the stirring screw.

Practice has shown that an axial angle of rotation between 30 and 60, and in particular between 40 and 50 degrees, works particularly favorably, in particular in an application for filled soups.

4

In order to be able to place the stirrer in a container for liquids, it can be provided with a spacer. The spacer ensures that the stirrer can be rotatably arranged at an intended distance from the wall of the holder, and for this purpose comprises for instance an element with a length equal to a cross-section of an intended holder, which element comprises an eye for passing the stirrer shaft through it. By arranging the element in the holder, the shaft can be arranged at a predetermined position within the holder, for instance a central position, the stirrer being centered such that it does not touch the walls of the holder (net).

Furthermore, it is preferable if the end of the central axis remote from the coupling means comprises a point or bush shape for rotatably supporting the shaft on a respective bush or point base.

15

This substrate is thereby formed by the holder for the liquids, which furthermore comprises a receiving space for the liquid, a cover for closing off the receiving space, a counter-coupling means for engaging the stirrer and receiving on a side of the cover facing the receiving space and 20 comprises a drive device for driving the counter-coupling means.

In order to simplify the placement of the lid, and thereby the engagement of the counter-coupling means on the coupling means of the stirrer, the counter-coupling means may comprise protrusions which tapers to a side intended for coupling.

This ensures that the coupling means and the counter-coupling means are "self-searching". To further promote coupling, the coupling means and the coupling means can be formed from a somewhat flexible material, so that in particular the projections of the coupling means can be moved apart for receiving the coupling element.

30

The self-seeking effect is of particular advantage when the lid is pivotally connected to the holder on a peripheral side thereof. The coupling means can then stand at a small angle from each other during engagement with each other, which angle, incidentally, preferably has fallen into a fully coupled state.

5

If the cover is of the pivoting type, it is advantageous if it has a stepped section on a side facing the receiving space. As a result, condensation water depositing on the inside when the cover is opened, whereby it will be "oblique" with respect to an opening in the holder, is fed back into the holder. As a result, the liquid retains its intended viscosity and does not thicken, which would happen if condensation water were withdrawn from the liquid and discharged from the container. In addition, dripping of condensed water to the device is prevented in this way. The step shape is hereby oriented such that the cover "increases in thickness" in a direction from its outside to its inside. The step shape, however, does not have to be symmetrical, but can consist of ring-oval or elliptical elevations, which need not be arranged centrally on the lid.

In an advantageous embodiment, the cover also comprises the drive for the stirrer. This offers the advantage that the underside of the holder is free of "obstacles" and can for instance be provided with a dispensing device. This also avoids the risk that any liquid leaks will lead to an electrical short circuit in the lower parts. Finally, the drive can easily be reached in this way for maintenance.

In an advantageous embodiment the holder is provided with a control unit for controlling the drive, which can be arranged around the drive in a stirring mode, in which the drive has a speed within a first range, or in a cleaning mode in which the drive knows a speed within a second range, to operate. In general, the second range will be higher than the first range. Values found to be advantageous are between 0 and 10 RPM (depending on the liquid to be stirred) and preferably about 5 RPM for the stirring mode, and between 20 and 500 RPM, and in particular around 50 and around 350 RPM. , for the cleaning mode. The control unit can be arranged for alternating the direction of rotation of the drive.

6

The container and / or the lid can further be provided with heating means, which can heat the liquid or can keep it at a temperature, and can also bring a cleaning liquid to a suitable temperature.

The invention will now be elucidated with reference to the following figures, in which: - Figure 1 shows an overview of a holder with a stirrer according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a stirrer according to the present invention; Figures 3a and 3b show in detail a coupling between the stirrer and a drive for the stirrer;

Figure 4 shows in detail a lid for the container according to the present inventions

Figure 5 shows some views of a stirrer according to the present invention.

Figure 1 shows an overview of a holder 1 with a stirrer 2 according to the present invention. The holder 1 has a wall to which the stirring screws 4 and 5 of the stirrer 2 connect substantially form-fittingly. In the embodiment shown there is a very small gap of approximately 2 mm between the inside of the wall 3 and the tips of the stirring screws 4 and 5. On a lower side 6 of its shaft 7 the stirrer is provided with a bushing 6, which is mounted on a pin 8 provided on the bottom of the container, more particularly in the middle of a discharge opening for the liquid to a dispensing unit 9 provided at the bottom of the container. The holder is furthermore provided with a lid 10, which on a side remote from the holder comprises a drive 11 which is connected to a counter-coupling means 12 which is provided on the side of the lid 10 which faces the holder and which is arranged around the coupling means 13 of the stirrer 2. The holder further comprises an operable magnet closure for opening and closing the lid, and a tilting device 15, 30 for tilting the dispensing unit 9 relative to the holder 1, for maintenance and assembly applications.

Figure 2 shows a stirrer 2 according to the present invention. The stirrer for liquids such as liquid foodstuffs comprises a shaft 7 provided with a first 7 stirrer screw 4 and a second stirrer screw 5, which are placed at a mutual distance 16, 204 mm in size. The first stirring screw 4 is placed on a bottom side of the shaft 7 in order to be able to stir closely along the bottom of a holder. The underside 17 of the rudder screw 4 during intended use is therefore formed to a section of an intended holder, in this non-limitative example a holder with a hollow underside.

The stirrer further comprises a coupling means 13 provided at one end of the shaft for releasably coupling the stirrer 2 to a counter-coupling means 12 of a drive device 10, so as to arrange it in rotation about its axis 7.

The blades of the first stirring screw 4 and the second stirring screw 5 have a rotation A relative to a normal plane on the shaft 7, which in the example shown is 45 degrees. The two blades of a stirrer thus make an angle of 90 degrees to each other. The first rudder screw 4 and the second rudder screw 5 have respective longitudinal axes 18 and 18 "which are at an angle B to each other. In the non-limitative example shown, the angle 6 is 48 degrees. It has been experimentally determined that an angle of about 48 degrees, i.e. an angle between 40 and 55 degrees, at a rotation speed around 5RPM, yields surprisingly favorable stirring properties when stirring a filled soup.

The stirrer 2 is provided with a bushing 6 at an end intended during use as a bottom side, which for the purpose of placing on a cylindrical pin 8 which may be located at the bottom of a holder, may be formed slightly tapered towards its end. However, such a pin 8 can be formed for the same purpose. The pin 8 in the example shown is provided on a grid 20, which forms a discharge opening 21 to a dispensing member of the container.

Figure 3a shows in detail a coupling between the stirrer 2 and a counter-coupling part 12 of a drive for the stirrer. The coupling means 13 comprises grooves 22 extending in axial direction along the end of the shaft, for receiving therein recesses 23 provided on the counter coupling means, which grooves are provided with tapered ends 24. Figure 3b shows an alternative embodiment of the 8 counter coupling means, wherein the projections 23 are surrounded by a protective ring 25, which increases the robustness of the counter-coupling part.

Figure 4 shows in detail a lid 10 for the container according to the present invention. In particular, figure 4 shows a side of the cover 10 facing the holder. The side of the cover 10 facing the receiving space has an at least partially stepped cross-section 26, in which a recess 27 is arranged in the middle. When the lid is placed in an open - oblique - orientation, condensation water at locations 28 and 29 tends to fall back into the container present under the lid.

Figures 5a-5c finally show various views and dimensions of alternative embodiments of the stirrer 2 according to the present invention, wherein the stirring screws 4 "and 5" are formed from metal plate. In particular, in the plan view in Fig. 5a, a spacer 30 is shown, for centering the shaft 7 relative to an inner side of a wall 3 of a holder. The spacer 30 may, for example, be formed from metal wire, but a plastic - such as ABS - plate. The holder may comprise a groove or other clamping means on an inner side of its wall 3 for locking the spacer 30 parallel to the axial direction of the shaft 7. However, the stirrer 2, for example on its shaft 7, may be provided with means for fixing the spacer 30 at a fixed location along the axis.

In addition to the embodiments shown, many variations are possible, all of which are understood to fall within the scope of protection of the following claims. It should further be noted, however, that the various measures mentioned or shown in connection with each other from the description and / or claims can be applied separately.

Claims (22)

A stirrer for liquids such as liquid foodstuffs, comprising: an axle, comprising: 5. at least a first stirring screw, at least one coupling means, provided at one end of the axle, for releasably coupling the stirrer. 2. Stirrer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling means is adapted to be coupled with the counter-coupling means in the axial direction of the shaft and engaging in the tangential direction of the shaft. 3. Stirrer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the coupling means comprise grooves extending in axial direction along the end of the shaft, for receiving recesses provided thereon on the counter-coupling means. 4. Stirrer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one stirring screw has a substantially smooth surface. 20 5. Stirrer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one stirring screw is made from ABS. 6. Stirrer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stirrer screw comprises at least one screw blade which is at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees, and in particular between 40 and 50 degrees, with a normal plane of the shaft . Stirrer according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the central axis comprises a second stirring screw at an axial distance with respect to the first stirring screw. 30 8. Stirrer according to claim 7, wherein the first and the second stirring screw have an axial angular rotation around the axis. 9. Stirrer according to claim 8, wherein the axial angular rotation is between 30 and 60, and in particular between 40 and 50 degrees. 10. Stirrer as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the central axis is provided with a spacer, for rotatably mounting the stirrer at a distance from the wall of a holder, such as a soup pot. 11. Stirrer as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the end of the shaft remote from the coupling means comprises a point or bushing form, for rotatably supporting the shaft on a respective bushing or point-like surface. 12. Container for liquids such as liquid foods, comprising: - a receiving space for the liquid; - a lid for closing the receiving space; A counter-coupling means received on a side of the cover facing the receiving space for engaging a stirrer according to any one of the preceding claims; - a drive device for driving the counter-coupling means. A container according to claim 12, wherein the protrusions of the counter-coupling means are tapered. 14. Holder as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the lid is pivotally connected to the holder on a peripheral side. 25 15. Holder as claimed in any of the claims 12-14, wherein the lid has an at least partially stepped cross-section on a side facing the receiving space. 16. Holder as claimed in any of the claims 12-15, wherein the drive is arranged in the lid. 17. Holder as claimed in any of the claims 12-16, provided with a control unit, for controlling the drive. A container according to claim 17, wherein the control unit comprises: - a stirring mode, wherein the drive has a speed within a first range, and - a cleaning mode, wherein the drive has a speed within a second range, the second range being higher than the first range. 5 19. Holder as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the control unit is adapted to alternate the direction of rotation of the drive. 20. Assembly of a holder according to one of claims 12-19 with a stirrer 10 according to one of claims 1-11. A method for coupling a stirrer for liquids to a holder, in particular a stirrer according to any of claims 1-11 and a holder according to any of claims 12-19, comprising: 15. placing in the holder the stirrer; and - releasably coupling the stirrer with a counter-coupling means of a drive device. 22. Method for operating a holder for liquids with a stirrer, in particular a stirrer according to one of claims 1-11 and a holder according to one of claims 12-19, comprising: - driving in a stirring mode the stirrer with a speed within a first range, and - driving the stirrer with a speed within a second range in a cleaning mode, the second range being higher than the first range.