Mixing device

Abstract

A mixing device suitable to mix substances or liquid or semi-liquid mixtures to increase the volume thereof, includes a hub which develops along a central axis and two mixing spokes connected to the hub, wherein each of the spokes includes an external lateral fin and two upper and lower connection segments, which connect respective upper and lower ends of the lateral fin to the hub.

Claims

1. A mixing device suitable to mix substances or liquid or semi-liquid mixtures to increase the volume thereof, comprising a hub which develops along a central axis and two mixing spokes connected to the hub, wherein each of said spokes comprises an external lateral fin and two upper and lower connection segments, which connect respective upper and lower ends of said lateral fin to said hub, and wherein said lateral fins and said upper and lower connection segments have respective longitudinal axes of development inclined with respect to each other and/or with respect to said central axis, wherein said spokes are disposed angled with respect to each other by an angle of 180 with respect to said central axis and develop with respect to said central axis in a truncated cone-shaped volume, and in that said fins have respective external edges lying on a common truncated cone-shaped surface, having a flared shape between said lower connection segment and said upper connection segment, and the lateral fin of at least one spoke lies on a vertical lying plane inclined with respect to said central axis by an angle of vertical inclination comprised between 2 and 10.

2. The mixing device as in claim 1, wherein said external edges have a flaring angle comprised between 1 and 15 with respect to the central axis.

3. The mixing device as in claim 1, wherein said external edges have a flaring angle comprised between 5 and 10 with respect to said central axis.

4. The mixing device as in claim 1, wherein each of said two spokes has a through aperture delimited by said connection segments, by said lateral fin and by said hub suitable to allow, during use, the passage of the substances or the mixture.

5. The mixing device as in claim 1, wherein the lateral fin of at least one spoke lies on a vertical lying plane inclined with respect to said central axis by an angle of vertical inclination comprised between 4 and 8.

6. The mixing device as in claim 1, wherein said upper and lower connection segments of at least one spoke are angled with respect to each other by an angle of horizontal inclination comprised between about 15 and about 25.

7. The mixing device as in claim 5, wherein said upper and lower connection segments of at least one spoke are angled with respect to each other by an angle of horizontal inclination comprised between about 18 and about 22.

8. The mixing device as in claim 1, wherein at least one spoke is provided with grooves and/or extensions made in an external edge of the respective lateral fin, defining passage channels configured to promote the generation of small bubbles suitable to increase the volume of the substances and of the mixture to mix.

9. The mixing device as in claim 8, wherein at least one spoke is provided with other grooves made in an internal edge of the lateral fin so as to define extensions, said other grooves being disposed alternate with respect to the grooves and cooperating with them in order to increase the volume of the substances more effectively.

10. The mixing device as in claim 8 or 9, wherein said passage channels and said grooves have respective squared corners.

11. The mixing device as in claim 1, wherein said upper and lower connection segments are angled with respect to the respective lateral fin, defining between them respective included angles, comprised between 155 and 175.

12. The mixing device as in claim 1, wherein at least one of either said upper or lower connection segments has a shape tapered from said hub toward said fin.

13. A machine to prepare ice-cream comprising a truncated cone-shaped container in which the ingredients are disposed, a cooling circuit to cool the container, a motor member and a mixing device as in claim 1 disposed in said container, wherein the hub is connected to a drive shaft of the motor member in order to be made to rotate around said central axis, and said lateral fins are each located at least partly in contact with the internal side walls of the container.

14. A machine as in claim 13, wherein said central axis of rotation is inclined by an angle not greater than 20 with respect to a horizontal plane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of an example form of a mixing device according to an embodiment described here;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a view from one side of the mixing device of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a lateral view from a different side of the mixing device of FIGS. 1 and 2.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a view from above of the mixing device according to embodiments described here;

(6) FIGS. 5 AND 6 show details respectively of the two spokes of the mixing device according to embodiments described here.

(7) To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

(8) We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

(9) Embodiments described here with reference to the attached drawings concern a mixing device, or mixing blade 10, of the type suitable to be used to mix liquid or semi-liquid substances, or mixtures, and to incorporate air therein to increase their volume.

(10) The mixing device 10 is, in particular, suitable to be applied in an ice cream machine (not shown) provided with a container, or tub, inside which the ingredients to be mixed are located, and a cooling circuit suitable to cool the walls of the container, and therefore the substances or mixtures in contact therewith.

(11) According to some embodiments, the mixing device 10 comprises two mixing spokes, or blades, 11a, 11b, also indicated as a whole with the reference number 11.

(12) The mixing device 10 comprises a hub 12 configured to be connected to a drive shaft of a motor member and to be rotated by the latter around a central axis X.

(13) According to some embodiments, the spokes 11 are connected to and extend from the hub 12.

(14) According to some embodiments, the mixing device 10 consists of the hub 12 and two spokes 11, which are made in a single body.

(15) According to some embodiments, the two spokes 11 are disposed diametrically distanced with respect to the central axis X, that is, they are disposed at an angle of 180 with respect to each other.

(16) The drawings do not show either the container inside which the mixing device 10 operates during use, or the motor member which rotates the hub 12 of the mixing device 10 around the central axis X.

(17) According to some embodiments, the mixing device 10 is detachable from the drive shaft and removable from the container for hygiene reasons, so as to allow an adequate cleaning thereof.

(18) According to some embodiments, the hub 12 is hollow and has a tubular shape provided with at least a first aperture 17 through which a drive shaft can pass by means of which the same hub 12 can be made to rotate.

(19) According to some embodiments, the hub 12 comprises a base portion 18 with a diameter greater than the mean diameter of the hub 12, suitable to be put in contact with the bottom of a tub, or container for the ingredients, so as to prevent the mixture from accumulating in the central portion, and therefore not being mixed in a suitable manner.

(20) According to some embodiments, the mixing spokes 11 comprise an external lateral fin 14, and two connection segments, an upper connection segment 15 and a lower connection segment 16, which connect respective upper and lower ends of the lateral fin 14 to the hub 12.

(21) According to some embodiments, each mixing spoke 11 defines a substantially quadrangular through aperture 13, delimited by the connection segments 15, 16, by the external lateral fin 14 and by the hub 12, through which the mixture to be mixed can pass.

(22) According to other embodiments, the through aperture 13 can take any shape desired.

(23) According to some embodiments, the lateral fins 14 and the respective upper 15 and lower 16 connection segments develop along respective axes of longitudinal development that are skewed, that is, inclined with respect to each other and/or with respect to the central axis X.

(24) According to some embodiments, the mixing spokes 11 are C-shaped.

(25) The angle between the respective upper 15 and lower 16 connection segments determines a helical shape of the spokes 11.

(26) Furthermore, according to some embodiments, the external edges 22 of the lateral segments can be inclined toward the outside and upward to adapt to a truncated cone-shaped container.

(27) According to some embodiments, the spokes 11 are configured so that the respective external edges 22 of the lateral fins 14 lie on a truncated cone-shaped surface, flared toward the upper connection segment 15.

(28) This conformation of the lateral fins 14, with the respective edges inclined toward the outside, makes them suitable to adapt to a container with a truncated cone shape.

(29) The inclination of the external edges 22 can be correlated to the inclination and to the flaring of the lateral walls of the container with which they have to cooperate during use, so that the spokes 11 can efficiently remove the mixture from the lateral walls.

(30) According to some embodiments, the truncated cone-shaped surface can have a flaring angle comprised between 1 and 15 with respect to the central axis.

(31) By way of example, the external edge 22 of one, or each spoke 11 can be inclined by a flaring angle for example comprised between 0 and 15, preferably between 5 and 10 with respect to the central axis X.

(32) According to some embodiments, the lower connection segments 16 are connected to the hub 12 in correspondence with the base portion 18.

(33) According to some embodiments, the lower connection segments 16 of the two spokes 11 have respective flat lower surfaces 19 which are made in continuity with the lower surface of the base portion 18 and all lie on a first common lying plane 1.

(34) According to some embodiments, the lower connection segments 16 have a first 30 and a second 31 side which extend in a direction transverse to the flat lower surface 19, and an upper surface 32 which partly delimits the through aperture 13.

(35) In this way, during use, the lower connection segments 16 can remove the mixture that accumulates in correspondence with a bottom wall of the container, allowing a more effective mixing which confers greater homogeneity to the final mixture.

(36) According to some embodiments, the upper connection segments 15 can be connected to the hub 12 in correspondence with an upper portion thereof.

(37) By way of example, the upper connection segments 15 can be connected to the hub 12 in a position comprised between about and about of its overall length with respect to the first lying plane 1 of the base portion 18 and of the flat lower surfaces 19.

(38) In this way, the upper connection segments 15 also contribute to the mixing of the mixture and of the substances, increasing the overall efficiency of the mixing device 10.

(39) According to further embodiments, the upper connection segments can be connected to the hub 12 in correspondence with its upper end opposite the base portion 18, and be configured to remove the mixture in correspondence with a lid to close the container in which the mixing device 10 is inserted and enclosed.

(40) According to some embodiments, at least one mixing spoke 11 is skewed with respect to the central axis X, that is, it lies at least in part on a lying plane which does not include the central axis X.

(41) According to some embodiments, at least one mixing spoke 11 has at least one angle of vertical inclination and at least one angle of horizontal inclination .

(42) According to some embodiments, the two mixing spokes 11 have a geometry of substantially the same shape and all have the same angles of vertical and horizontal inclination.

(43) According to possible variants, one spoke 11 can have an angle of vertical and/or horizontal inclination different from the other spoke 11.

(44) According to some embodiments, the lateral fins 14 lie on a first vertical lying plane skewed with respect to the central axis X.

(45) According to some embodiments, the first vertical lying plane is inclined with respect to the axis of rotation by an angle of vertical inclination comprised between 2 and 10.

(46) According to other embodiments, the angle of vertical inclination can be comprised between 4 and 8.

(47) The smaller the angle of vertical inclination , the greater the action performed by the lateral fins 14, during use, to keep the mixture in contact with the cooled walls of the container, acting substantially as a spatula, so as to increase the heat exchange between the mixture and the cooled wall of the container and consequently reduce the preparation time of the ice cream.

(48) According to embodiments described with reference to the attached drawings, the angles of vertical inclination are right-hand.

(49) According to possible variants, not shown, the angles of vertical inclination are left-hand.

(50) The reduced angles of vertical inclination also allow to invert the direction of rotation of the mixing device 10 without destructuring or damaging the mixture being worked.

(51) According to some embodiments, the lateral fins 14 have respectively an internal edge 21 which delimits the through aperture, an external edge 22, opposite the internal edge 21 and suitable to cooperate, during use, at least partially, with the lateral surface of a container, or tub, for the substances or with the mixture to be mixed, and two lateral surfaces 20, 20 which connect the two edges 21, 22 to each other.

(52) According to some embodiments, the vertical lying plane A can be the plane on which at least one lateral surface 20, 20 lies.

(53) According to further embodiments, the lateral surfaces 20, 20 lie on respective first vertical lying planes A parallel to each other.

(54) According to some embodiments, the external lateral fins 14 have a substantially uniform thickness along a longitudinal development thereof.

(55) According to variant embodiments, the lateral fins 14 can have an external lateral portion with a thickness decreasing toward the external edge 22.

(56) According to some embodiments, the lower connection segments 16 have a tapered shape with a thickness decreasing from the hub 12 toward the respective lateral fin 14.

(57) According to some embodiments, the lower connection segments 16 in a plan view from above can have a shape substantially symmetrical with respect to a median axis M.

(58) According to some embodiments, the median axis M extends in a substantially radial direction with respect to the central axis X, that is, substantially orthogonal thereto.

(59) According to some embodiments, the upper connection segments 15 have a tapered shape between the hub 12 and the lateral fin 14.

(60) According to some embodiments, the upper connection segments 15 have a first side 24 disposed substantially in a radial direction to the central axis X, and a second side 25, opposite the first side 24, and disposed inclined with respect thereto, joined together by respective upper 23 and lower 36 surfaces.

(61) The second side 25 can be disposed, for example, substantially tangent to an external surface of the hub 12.

(62) According to some embodiments, the upper surfaces 23 of all two spokes 11 lie on a second common lying plane 2.

(63) According to some embodiments, the first and second lying planes 1, 2 are parallel to each other.

(64) According to some embodiments, the upper 15 and lower 16 connection segments of a same spoke 11 are angled with respect to each other by the angle of horizontal inclination .

(65) According to some embodiments, the angle of horizontal inclination can be correlated to, and vary as a function of, the amplitude of the angle of vertical inclination and the longitudinal length of the lateral fin 14.

(66) For example, the angle of horizontal inclination can be measured on a plane orthogonal to the central axis X as the angle included between the median line M of the lower connection segment 16 and the first side 24 of the upper connection segment 15, both substantially radial with respect to the central axis X.

(67) According to some embodiments, the angle of horizontal inclination is comprised between about 15 and about 25.

(68) According to variant embodiments, the angle of horizontal inclination is comprised between about 18 and about 22.

(69) According to another variant, the angle of horizontal inclination is about 20.

(70) According to some embodiments, the upper connection segment 15 is offset in a counterclockwise direction by an angle of horizontal inclination with respect to the lower connection segment 16.

(71) According to a further embodiment, the upper connection segment 15 can be offset in a clockwise direction by the angle of horizontal inclination with respect to the lower connection segment 16.

(72) According to this solution, during the rotation of the mixing device 10 around the central axis X in a counterclockwise direction, the lower connection segment 16 follows the upper connection segment 15.

(73) According to variant embodiments, one or more of the upper connection segments 15 and/or the lower connection segments 16 can be angled with respect to the respective lateral fin 14, defining with respect to each other respective included angles , equal to, or different from each other.

(74) By way of example, the included angles , can vary between 150 and 180.

(75) According to some embodiments, the included angles , can vary between 155 and 175.

(76) The included angles , between the fins 14 and the respective connection segments 15, 16 allow to confer discontinuity to the mass of the mixture to be mixed, preventing it from becoming stratified on the spoke 11, so as to obtain a more homogeneous and uniform mixture.

(77) According to some embodiments, the upper included angle between the second side 25 of the upper connection segment 15 and the adjacent lateral surface 20 of the respective lateral fin 14 is greater than the lower included angle between the second side 31 of the lower connection segment 16 and the same lateral surface 20 of the lateral fin 14; for example, the difference between the two angles above can be correlated to the amplitude of the angle of vertical inclination .

(78) According to some embodiments, at least one spoke 11 is provided with grooves 26 made in correspondence with the external edge 22 of the lateral fin 14 and configured to promote the generation of air bubbles with small sizes, which can be incorporated into the mixture during the mixing process.

(79) According to further embodiments, at least one spoke 11 is provided with further grooves 34, made in an internal edge 21 of the lateral fin 14, configured to cooperate with the grooves 26 made in the external edge 22 of the lateral fin 14 in order to volumize the substances more, and more effectively

(80) The grooves 26, 34 allow to incorporate as much air as possible into the mixture to increase its volume.

(81) The grooves 26 are separated by protruding portions, or extensions 27, the ends of which define the portions of the external edge 22 configured to cooperate, during use, with the walls of a container, or tub.

(82) The grooves 34 are made starting from the internal edge 21 so as to define protruding extensions 33 also in the internal edge 21 of the lateral fin 14.

(83) The protruding extensions 27 are made in correspondence with the grooves 34 so as to lighten the structure of the lateral fin 14 and at the same time maintain its mechanical characteristics unaltered. This configuration allows a greater effectiveness of the mixing device 10, making the mixture more amalgamated, creamy, light and fluffy.

(84) According to some embodiments, the protruding extensions 27 can have a height H equal to the depth P of the grooves 34.

(85) According to some embodiments, the protruding extensions 27, 33 can have a constant thickness.

(86) According to variant embodiments, the protruding extensions 27, 33 can have a decreasing thickness respectively toward the external 22 and internal 21 edge.

(87) According to further variant embodiments, the lateral surface of the external edge 22 can be oblique with respect to the first lying plane of the lateral fin 14, so as to facilitate the removal of the mixture from the walls of the container, or tub.

(88) The cooperation of the grooves 26/extensions 27 with the walls of a container, or tub, determines the formation of passage channels 28 which, during the rotation of the mixing device, determine the generation of the air bubbles.

(89) According to some embodiments, the grooves 26 and the extensions 27 define corners 29 of the passage channels 28, while the grooves 34 and the extensions 33 define corners 35.

(90) In a first solution, the corners 29 and/or the corners 35 are square so as to create discontinuities suitable to generate bubbles of small sizes, which, when mixed with the mixture, increase its volume, allowing to obtain a soft and creamy final product.

(91) Providing grooves 26, 34 and extensions 27, 33 both on the external edges 22 and also on the internal edges 21 of the spokes 11 allows to further increase the volume of the final mixture.

(92) According to possible variants, at least some of the corners 29 and/or 35 can be at least partly rounded.

(93) If both spokes 11 are provided with respective grooves 26, the grooves of one spoke 11 can be offset in height with respect to the grooves 26 of the other spoke 11, so as to guarantee the correct removal of the mixture from the lateral walls of the tub, or container.

(94) According to some embodiments, the grooves 26 on the two spokes 11 can be completely offset in height with respect to each other, or slightly overlapping.

(95) If both spokes 11 are provided with grooves 26 and 34, the grooves 26 will be disposed alternately with respect to the grooves 34 and offset in height with respect to each another, so as to guarantee a more homogeneous mixing action such as to make the mixture more creamy.

(96) FIGS. 5 and 6 show by way of example the lateral fins 14 of respective spokes 11a, 11b of a mixing device 10 provided with respective grooves 26, 34 and extensions 27, 33.

(97) As can be seen, the grooves 26 of the spoke 11 a are offset with respect to the grooves 26 of the other spoke 11b so as to follow autonomous circumferential paths and guarantee, during use, the correct removal of the mixture from the lateral walls of the container. The grooves 34 of the spoke 11a are also disposed offset with respect to the grooves 26 of the other spoke 11b following autonomous circumferential paths so as to mix each part of the mixture in a continuous and homogeneous manner, volumizing it and making it more creamy.

(98) Furthermore, the grooves 34 are made in correspondence with the extensions 27 so as to achieve the purposes above without having to increase the overall thickness of the lateral fins 14 and, therefore, the weight and bulk of the spokes 11.

(99) It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the mixing device 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

(100) It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of mixing device 10, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.