A machinery and related method for processing and selling ice cream extemporaneously

Abstract

Machinery for processing an ice cream product includes an inlet and a collection chamber, a processing chamber adapted to receive the ice cream product and delimited by a first actuator element and a second actuator element that are movable along a processing direction, a baffle placed inside the processing chamber that separates the processing chamber into two parts and that has a plurality of openings, a control system that controls the reciprocation of the first and second actuator elements to move away from or closer to the baffle so that the ice cream product placed inside the processing chamber can be pushed one or more times from one side to the other of the baffle through the plurality of openings.

Claims

1. Machinery (1) for extemporaneous processing of an ice cream product (100) and comprising: a processing chamber (40) adapted to receive the ice cream product (100) and delimited by a first actuator element (8; 280) and a second actuator element (5; 250) movable along a processing direction; an opening (30) that gives access to said processing chamber (40); at least one baffle (6; 260) placed inside the processing chamber (40) and that separates said chamber into two parts (40′, 40″; 240′, 240″), said baffle (6; 260) being equipped with a plurality of through openings; wherein said first actuator element (8; 280) and said second actuator element (5; 250) are opposed to each other with the baffle (6; 260) interposed therebetween; and wherein a control system controls said first actuator element (8; 280) and said second actuator element (5; 250) according to a moving away from/moving closer to the baffle (6; 260) motion in such a way that the ice cream product (100) placed inside the processing chamber (40) is pushed by said first and said second actuator elements (5, 8; 250, 280) multiple times from one side to the other of the baffle through the plurality of openings with which the baffle is equipped.

2. The machinery (1), according to claim 1, further comprising an outlet (3) for the processed ice cream product and a movable third actuator element (7) adapted to push the processed ice cream product through the outlet.

3. The machinery (1), according to claim 1, wherein said first and said second actuator elements (5, 7, 8) are pistons.

4. The machinery (1), according to claim 1, wherein said control system is programmed in such a way that, when the first actuator element (8) is moved forward toward the baffle (6), forcing the ice cream product to pass through the openings of the baffle, the second actuator element (5) is moved backward in such a way as to leave a space (40″) for receiving the ice cream product, and then to operate said second actuator element toward the baffle (6) in such a way as to again push the product through the baffle in a direction opposite to the previous direction while the first actuator element is brought back into a backward position to generate the space (40′) for receiving the ice cream product.

5. The machinery (1), according to claim 1, wherein said processing chamber (40) extends horizontally.

6. The machinery (1), according to claim 2, wherein the outlet is formed by a conduit that extends vertically with respect to the processing chamber (40).

7. The machinery (1), according to claim 1, wherein the baffle (6) is positioned perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the processing chamber (40) and with through holes that extend along said longitudinal direction.

8. The machinery (1), according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second actuator elements (250, 280) are integral with a frame (200) controlled by a motor drive.

9. An extemporaneous processing method of an ice cream product according to the machinery (1) as claimed in claim 1, and comprising the steps of: preparing a predetermined amount of the ice cream product (100) within a processing chamber (40) in the machinery; operating a first and a second actuator elements (5, 8) to push the ice cream product from one side of a baffle disposed between the first and the second actuator elements to another side for a predetermined number of times.

10. The extemporaneous processing method, according to claim 9, further comprising the step of pushing the ice cream product through an outlet with a movable third actuator element (7) to allow a discharge of the ice cream product once the pushing though the baffle (6) for the predetermined number of times has terminated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Further characteristics and advantages of the present machinery, according to the invention, shall be more apparent with the following description of some embodiments thereof, provided by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] FIGS. 1 to 3 show an axonometric view of a first possible construction solution;

[0036] FIG. 4 describes the configuration of a baffle;

[0037] FIGS. 5 to 12 outline an operating cycle;

[0038] FIGS. 13 and 14 outline variants of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] FIG. 1 describes, in an axonometric view, the present machinery according to the invention.

[0040] It envisages a loader 2 through which a certain amount of ice cream preparation can be placed inside the machinery itself

[0041] The loader 2 can for example be produced in the form of a plurality of rotating rollers or conveyor belt in such a way that the portion of ice cream product (for example in cube form, as better clarified below) can be moved toward the inside of the machinery and therefore processed.

[0042] The loader 2 thus ends on an opening 30 (visible in FIG. 2) that grants access to a processing chamber 40 (more visible in the cross section of FIG. 5).

[0043] Loading, through the opening, can also take place manually by dropping the ice cream by gravity through the opening 30.

[0044] The machinery thus forms a collection chamber for the product which is, as said, a processing chamber for the product.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the chamber has a square cross section, in that the frame 20 of the machine extends according to this shape. Other shapes could obviously be produced.

[0046] For example, as better clarified below, a circular cross sectional shape is preferred in that the other components are more functional.

[0047] As therefore better shown in the longitudinal cross section of FIG. 5, the processing chamber 40 is in the shape of a duct having a predetermined cross section (for example square as in the drawings or circular) and delimited at its two ends by a first 8 and a second actuator element 5 (or pushing elements, however you may refer to them), which are slidable along the chamber according to the double direction of travel indicated by the arrows shown FIG. 5. The actuator elements are therefore pushing surfaces.

[0048] These actuator elements can be in the form of electric, pneumatic or hydraulic pushers depending on requirements.

[0049] The pusher, as can be seen from the drawings, thus forms a flat push surface (8′, 5′, 7′) and is provided with a rear rod that connects to the movement motor. The thrust surface, along its lateral perimeter (hence the part that slides on contact with the frame), can be accompanied by a suitable gasket so that the sliding with the wall of the chamber 40 occurs without the risk of product leakages.

[0050] As always shown in FIG. 5, and also visible in FIG. 4 and in FIGS. 1 to 3, inside said chamber 40 there is provided a baffle 6 that physically separates said chamber into two parts, i.e. a first part (40′) delimited by the baffle and by the actuator 8 and a second part (40″) delimited by the baffle 6 and by the actuator 5. A first part of the chamber (40′) therefore has a space delimited by the frame 20, the piston 8 and the baffle 6. The second part of the chamber (40″) has a space delimited by the frame 20, baffle 6 and piston 5.

[0051] The actuators can thus slide along the chamber in such a way as to move closer to the baffle or move away therefrom.

[0052] The two actuator elements are therefore opposed one against another according to a same work direction but with opposite directions.

[0053] The baffle, then then shown in FIG. 4, is in the form of a grid equipped with a plurality of through holes, exactly like a sort of sieve. It is transversely arranged in the chamber so as to physically divide it into said two parts (40′, 40″) and with the holes that extend along the direction of motion of said actuators (5, 8). The baffle is thus a dividing wall of the chamber 40 but provided with a plurality of through holes through which a fluid element can pass from one side to the other of the baffle.

[0054] Then at the second part (40″) of the chamber, there is provided a third actuator element (7), which is arranged in such a way as to move along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chamber (40), thus a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion of the two actuators (8, 5).

[0055] Above the chamber 40, in line with the direction of motion of the third actuator element 7 and thus above the second part (40″), there is provided an outlet channel for the expulsion of the finished product that is pushed out thanks to the lifting of said third actuator element.

[0056] At the end of this outlet conduit there can be arranged a further baffle with an opening for the outlet of the product. This baffle can have a single opening shaped with different shapes so that the product that is discharged adopts this decorative shape.

[0057] A control system controls, through special motors, the correct movement of the actuators and the correct synchronism thereof.

[0058] Approach speed, maximum distance and thrust force are calibrated.

[0059] In unison, the system can control the movement of the conveyor belt.

[0060] The entire machinery is preferably maintained, for example through a refrigerated container, at a temperature of about −20° C. or below this temperature, so that the processing occurs at these temperatures, in accordance with regulations on maintaining the ice cream at temperature during storage.

[0061] Although the standing time of the single-dose remains in the machinery is very brief and the order of seconds, maintaining the machinery at a predetermined temperature nevertheless contributes to not breaking the cold chain.

[0062] The shape of the collection chamber 40 with circular cross section, as mentioned, is preferred in that pistons (or pushers or however you may refer to them) are more easily produced and functional. The sliding thereof is in fact much more uniform and the interposition of gaskets that prevent lateral leakages is facilitated.

[0063] In the preferred configuration of the invention, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the inlet of the product takes place upstream of the baffle through the opening 30 while the expulsion of the processed product takes place downstream of the baffle where there is placed the third actuator element 7 that pushes out the product through the opening 3.

[0064] Nothing however would prohibit a solution with dropping by gravity of the finished product, without the need for the third actuator element, although obviously the preferred solution is much more functional.

[0065] In addition, if desired, the third piston 7 could be arranged at the first part (40′), thus also exploiting the opening 30 as output for the finished product.

[0066] The baffle has a shape, rectangular or circular for example, with diametrical dimension of about 5 cm or 6 cm.

[0067] Holes can be provided with diametrical dimensions ranging from about 3mm to 8mm and with a variable number of holes, for example 12 to 40.

[0068] A variant of the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0069] In this case the two actuator elements 250 and 280 are fixed and made integral to a frame 200, for example a metal frame, thus forming a single integral body.

[0070] The frame is connected to a shaft and from here to a motor drive that moves this frame with respect to the fixed baffle 260. For clarity, FIG. 14 shows, by way of example, step A and step B wherein said frame 200 slides vertically with respect to the baffle so as to move away/move closer the two surfaces 250 and 280 constituting the two actuator elements. Thus, with a downward movement of the frame, as per step A, the actuator element 250 moves closer to the baffle, thereby reducing the chamber 240″ and forcing the product being processed to pass through the baffle toward the chamber 240′. Subsequently an inverse movement as per step B, in which the frame is raised, forces the product to pass through the baffle from the chamber 240′ toward the chamber 240″ in that the actuator element 280 moves closer to the baffle while the actuator element 250 moves away. The concept is thus identical to the previous configurations, with the only difference being that through this frame 200, made integral to the two actuator elements, it is possible to control the movement thereof through a single motor drive connected to the shaft 201. There is thus a constructively simpler and more economical solution.

[0071] For completeness, FIG. 13 then shows a further actuator element 290 that serves to push the product, first onto the baffle 260, and then, once processed, it continues to push it toward the actuator element 207 that directs it toward the outlet. Although not represented in FIG. 13, the actuator element 290 is shaped so as to delimit the product so as to contain it without laterally covering it during the pushing action.

[0072] This solution with frame 200 can be applied to all the described configurations, i.e. to all those relating to FIGS. 1 to 12, wherein the machine extends with a horizontal processing chamber or, as in the case of FIG. 3, with a machine wherein the processing chamber is vertical.

[0073] Having structurally described the invention, let us now move on to a description of the operation thereof, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12 and equivalently FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0074] With reference to FIG. 5, there is shown a cube of ice cream 100 that is introduced into the collection chamber 40, through the conveyor belt 2 for example. The belt carries it to the mouth 30 where it falls by gravity into the chamber 40.

[0075] A plurality of single-portion cubes, of various flavours, are prepared beforehand. For each flavour, one proceeds with normal batch freezing of the product, however without the need to have to add any chemical additive, given that the processing process of the present machine allows, as has been clarified, a delicious and creamy product to be obtained.

[0076] The batch frozen product is then portioned in the form of cubes, balls or other single-dose shapes that can be stored at a storage temperature of about −20° C. or below this temperature. They can be arranged within loaders that can be placed above the conveyor belt or directly on the opening 30 (thus without the need for a belt) and machinery can be provided as described for each flavour. Essentially there can be envisaged a loader containing cubes of a single flavour arranged on the belt of the respective machine or on the mouth 30.

[0077] This machinery thus in parallel constitute an apparatus for the retail sale of ice cream in multiple flavours.

[0078] When a user requests a flavour, it is possible to select the corresponding loader that will drop the cube/cubes onto the corresponding conveyor belt 2 (or directly into the mouth) so that the cube 100 falls into the chamber 40 of the corresponding machine, as per FIG. 6.

[0079] The access opening 30 drops the cube in part 40′ of the chamber. The corresponding piston 8 is then operated so that it moves toward the baffle 6 pushing and forcing the cube to pass through the baffle while the other piston is in a backward position leaving a space that indeed forms the chamber 40″ (see FIG. 7).

[0080] The pistons, preferably, are pushed with a force of about 200-250 kg and the entire cycle described completes in a time of about 8-10 sec.

[0081] As per FIGS. 6 and 7, the piston that pushes the product through the sieve ensures that the product flakes in the form of filaments in that it is forced to pass through the holes, until it has fully passed into part 40″, as per FIG. 8.

[0082] The piston 5, which is in a backward position precisely to create the space 40″ for receiving the product, now moves forward toward the baffle while the other piston moves backward into the initial position to generate the space 40′ for receiving the product. In this way, the piston 5 also again forces the passage of the product through the sieve and this passage is shown in the sequence of FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0083] This passage cycle from one part to the other of the sieve can occur a variable number of times, for example two or more times, preferably three times or more than three. In any case, the number of passages must be such that at the end the processed product is placed in the part of the processing chamber where there is provided the outlet for the finished product. Therefore according to the figures, for example, processings can be performed with a number of passages of three, five, seven, etc. when the vertical piston 7 is placed on the part opposite to the inlet for the product. If, on the other hand, there is provided an outlet on the same part as the inlet for the product, then there could be provided an equal number of passage cycles through the baffle, for example two, four, etc.

[0084] Generally, although possible, only one passage from the first part of the chamber 40′ to the second is insufficient to obtain a desired creaminess value. However, the thrust intensity and the number of passages can be adjusted as desired, in order to find a compromise that is deemed optimal.

[0085] The last passage is obviously the one in which the product is released into the part 40″ of the chamber where there is the vertical piston 7 that is operated to discharge the product from the vertical conduit.

[0086] FIGS. from 9 to 11 show a series of passage steps until the product is ready to be expelled.

[0087] The machinery operates at a temperature of about −20° C. with a pre-dosed cube that is also maintained at about −20° C. However, this forced passage through the baffle causes a breakage of the structure of the frozen product, which softens, and the heat that develops due to friction in the passage on the whole also contributes to further softening the product making it perfectly creamy and soft and with an even greater level of softness and creaminess than the traditional product prepared with the chemical additives.

[0088] Thanks to this machinery, it is no longer necessary to add any chemical product and there is no risk of product wastage.

[0089] The product prepared in the form of multiple single-dose portions, without additives, can be preserved for as long as desired (generally up to six months) in loaders at the correct temperature and the described processing process, which lasts in the order of seconds, allows a soft ice cream, genuine and creamy ice cream to be served right away. This processing passage through the baffle in fact restores an even greater creaminess to the treated product.

[0090] The cubes are then prepared in the traditional way without additives and can then be distributed and sold to the owners of the present machine, without the cold chain ever breaking.

[0091] Therefore when a user requests a flavour for example, the owner operates the machine corresponding to the flavour selected and the described processing process starts with a series of product passages through the sieve.

[0092] On completion of a certain number of passages, the product, ready for sale, is located above the vertical actuator 7, which pushes it along the outlet conduit, precisely toward the output 3, as per FIG. 12.

[0093] At this point the product is collected with a normal spatula and served in the classical way on a wafer or in a tub. According to this solution, a further advantage of the machinery is that it allows, once the finished product has been expelled, the addition thereon of fresh fruit, almonds or anything else that may be desired to enrich the flavour.

[0094] If the baffle at the top has an opening having a predetermined shape (for example having a flower or star cross section), the creamy product will take this form, all to the benefit of a beautiful decoration.

[0095] The dimensions of this machinery are thus very contained, in that placeable as a direct sales counter and it is possible to arrange multiple such machinery in series, thus creating a battery, each one dedicated to processing and distributing (selling) the individual flavour. It therefore effectively and economically replaces the current counters of traditional ice cream parlours.