APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING FROZEN CONFECTION COMPRISING PARTICULATE MATERIAL

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for dispensing frozen confectionery comprising particulate material, the apparatus comprising: a frozen confectionery dispenser, a particulate material dispenser, and a handle means (14); wherein the handle means (14) is adapted to provide a first actuation action for activation of the frozen confectionery dispenser and a second actuation action for activation of the particulate material dispenser, wherein the first and second actuation actions are independent of each other.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing frozen confectionery comprising particulate material, the apparatus comprising: a frozen confectionery dispenser, a particulate material dispenser, and a handle means; wherein the handle means is adapted to provide a first actuation action for activation of the frozen confectionery dispenser and a second actuation action for activation of the particulate material dispenser, wherein the first and second actuation actions are independent of each other.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first actuation action comprises translation of the handle means.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the translation of the handle means is from an upper to a lower position.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second actuation action comprises pressing a switch or button.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the handle means comprises a region which is grippable by a single human hand so that the single human hand is capable of carrying out both the first and second actuations actions independently of each other.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and or the second actuation action is gradual, wherein the greater the extent of the action is carried out the greater the rate of dispensing of frozen confectionery material and/or particulate material.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the particulate material dispenser comprises a chamber having an open exit, wherein the chamber is adapted to be rotatable in use such that the open exit follows a pathway having both an upper region and a lower region, and arranged to pass through the lower region at a non-zero speed a plurality of times during a single serving; the open exit being sized to allow a portion of stored particulate material to fall out of the chamber via the open exit under gravity each time the open exit passes through the lower region of the pathway.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the rotation of the chamber is provided by a motor.

9. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the switch or button actuates the motor.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the switch or button allows variation in the speed of rotation of the chamber in use.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, which is adapted to fix the speed of rotation at a substantially constant value whilst the open exit passes through its lower region.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, which can fit inside a cuboid container having a volume of no greater than 0.2 m.sup.3, preferably no greater than 0.1 m.sup.3.

Description

[0029] The invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only, and with reference to the following figures, in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in use.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a close-up perspective view of the handle means of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

[0033] Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 10 according to the invention which is adapted to deliver a frozen confection, e.g. ice cream, and associated particulate material added at the moment of delivery of the frozen confection. The apparatus is sized to be suitable for use in the home of a user.

[0034] The apparatus comprises a source of frozen confection (not shown) and a source of particulate material 12.

[0035] The apparatus has a handle 14, the downwards movement of which actuates the delivery of the frozen confectionery out of the outlet 16. The handle also comprises a grippable portion 18 which comprises a button 20 on the end thereof. Pressing button 20 actuates the delivery of the particulate material to be delivered onto the flowing surface of the frozen confection material, as it is being dispensed.

[0036] The use of the handle means 14 to independently actuate both the frozen confectionery material and the particulate material is shown in FIG. 2. As can be seen, container 12 can rotate within a stationary housing. The rotation of the rotatable housing is controlled by a motor (not shown) contained within the apparatus body.

[0037] Thus, a user can grip the grippable portion 20 and actuate the handle 14 to deliver the frozen confection by pulling downwards to move the handle 14 downwards. Independently of any downwards motion, a user can also press button 20 as desired to add as much or as little particulate material as is desired to the flowing frozen confection. Thus, in use the container 12 rotates and thus an open exit at one end of the container 12 follows a pathway which is a vertical circle. As the container rotates so that the open exit passes through the lower region of the pathway, a portion of particulate material is dispensed to be brought into contact with the flowing surface of the frozen confectionery.

[0038] Additionally, as the actuation of the frozen confection and the particulate material is independent, a user could, for example continue to dispense particulate material after a single serving of frozen confection has been dispensed, e.g. in order to generate a topping of particulate material. Alternatively a user can simply not press button 20 at all if no particulate material is desired for that serving.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows the handle means in the uppermost position and therefore in a position where no frozen confection is being delivered. However pressing the button 20 can still actuate the particulate material dispenser, as described above.