阅读说明：本技术 用于制作液体和半液体产品的机器 (Machine for making liquid and semi-liquid products ) 是由 R·拉扎里尼 F·塔西 于 2021-04-15 设计创作，主要内容包括：用于制作液体或半液体食品的机器(1),包括框架(13)和热系统(14),该热系统使用主热交换器流体执行至少一个热力学循环,还包括生产单元(G1)。生产单元(G1)设有：加工容器(3),该加工容器(3)具有腔体(9),该腔体限定用于制作液体或半液体食品的加工腔室(4)；搅拌器(5),该搅拌器在固定位置处施加于或可施加于框架上并且装配或可装配在加工容器(3)中；以及加工容器(3)与驱动轴(11a)之间的联接装置(23),以允许从马达(11)到加工容器(3)的联接以及因而传动。特别地,搅拌器(5)设有由不同材料制成的内芯(5a)和外壳(5b)。(Machine (1) for making liquid or semi-liquid food products, comprising a frame (13) and a thermal system (14) which performs at least one thermodynamic cycle using a main heat exchanger fluid, and a production unit (G1). The production unit (G1) is provided with: a processing container (3), the processing container (3) having a cavity (9) defining a processing chamber (4) for making a liquid or semi-liquid food product; a stirrer (5) which is applied or applicable to the frame at a fixed position and is fitted or fittable in the processing container (3); and a coupling device (23) between the processing container (3) and the drive shaft (11a) to allow coupling and thus transmission from the motor (11) to the processing container (3). In particular, the stirrer (5) is provided with an inner core (5a) and an outer shell (5b) made of different materials.)

1. A machine (1) for making liquid or semi-liquid food products, comprising:

-a frame (13);

-a thermal system (14) performing at least one thermodynamic cycle using a main heat exchanger fluid and comprising a compressor (20), a heat exchanger (21) and a pressure reduction element (22), all of which are affected by the main heat exchanger fluid cycle;

-at least one motor (11) equipped with a drive shaft (11a) rotatable about a vertical axis (X);

-at least one production unit (G1) comprising:

-a processing container (3) provided with a cavity (9) defining a processing chamber (4) for making a liquid or semi-liquid food product, wherein the thermal system (14) acts on the container (3);

-an agitator (5), which agitator (5) is applied or applicable on the frame at a fixed position and is fitted or fittable in the processing vessel (3);

-coupling means (23) between the processing container (3) and the drive shaft (11a) to allow coupling and thus transmission from the motor (11) to the processing container (3);

characterized in that the stirrer (5) is provided with an inner core (5a) and an outer shell (5b) made of different materials.

2. Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said inner core (5a) of said stirrer is made of metallic material and/or wherein said outer shell (5b) of said stirrer (5) is made of plastic material.

3. Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said inner core (5a) of said stirrer is made of metallic material and/or wherein said outer shell (5b) of said stirrer (5) is made of a different metallic alloy.

4. Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said inner core (5a) of said stirrer is made of metallic material and/or wherein said outer shell (5b) of said stirrer (5) is made of ceramic material.

5. Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said inner core (5a) of said stirrer is made of metallic material and/or wherein said outer shell (5b) of said stirrer (5) is made of composite material.

6. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said agitator (5) comprises an elongated body (5') extending along the height of said container (3) and a lower portion (5 ") shaped to match the bottom (3a) of said container (3).

7. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising a thrust element (15) acting on said agitator (5) and configured to keep said agitator (5) pressed towards said bottom (3a) of said container (3), in particular to bring said agitator (5) into contact with said bottom (3a) to exert a scraping action.

8. Machine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said thrust element (15) is made in the form of an elastically deformable element, in particular a helical compression spring.

9. Machine (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by further comprising anchoring means (10) fixable to said frame and configured to engage an upper portion of said elongated body (5 '), and wherein said thrust element (15) is interposed between said anchoring means (10) and said upper portion of said elongated body (5').

10. Machine (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that said anchoring means (10) are removably mounted to said frame (13) by means of at least one threaded quick-connect-disconnect means, in particular a threaded means provided with an operating handle.

11. Machine (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said anchoring means (10) have an elongated shape, which is oriented transversely with respect to said elongated body of said stirrer (5) in the assembled configuration, and in that said anchoring means (10) have an end portion (10a), said end portion (10a) being provided with a hole (10b), said hole (10b) having at least two portions with different diameters, a first portion of said hole (10b) slidably housing an end pin of said stirrer (5) and a second portion of said hole (10b) housing at least partially said thrust element (15).

12. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stirrer (5) has, along its main extension, a cross section whose shape is substantially constant and preferably also of constant size.

13. Machine (1) according to claim 12 when depending on claim 6, characterized in that a constant-shape section extends from said elongated body (5') to said lower portion (5 ") of said stirrer (5).

14. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by further comprising an additional thrust element (101) acting on said agitator (5) and configured to keep said agitator (5) pressed against a lateral wall of said container (3), in particular to bring said agitator (5) into contact with said lateral wall of said container (3) to exert a scraping action.

15. Machine (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that said additional thrust element (101) comprises a spring.

16. Machine (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that said spring of said additional thrust element (101) comprises a first end (E1) connected to said frame and a second end (E2) connected to said agitator (5).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a machine and a method for making liquid and semi-liquid products in the field of ice cream (gelato), sorbet, soft ice cream, etc.), baking and confectionery (cream and chocolate cream, etc.) or catering (flavoured soups, etc.).

Background

It is well known that a strongly felt need in this field is to be able to make ice cream type products very quickly and in small portions according to the individual needs of the customer.

In particular, a need which is particularly strongly felt in the industry is to make liquid or semi-liquid food products immediately while the customer waits.

On the other hand, the need felt particularly strongly by machine manufacturers is to be able to provide a machine which is capable of making liquid and semi-liquid products in the field of ice cream in very small quantities (in single portions) and which is particularly simple and reliable.

Another particularly strongly felt need in the field of interest is the need for a machine that allows to reduce the risk of contamination of the product, thus improving food safety.

Disclosure of Invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide a machine for making liquid or semi-liquid food products that is able to satisfy the above-mentioned needs and, more particularly, a machine that allows to make small quantities of products in the ice cream, baking and confectionery or catering field particularly easily according to the requirements expressed on site by the customer.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine for making liquid and semi-liquid products for the ice cream, baking and confectionery or catering field, which is particularly safe in terms of food hygiene.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a machine that can make liquid and semi-liquid products in the ice cream, baking and confectionery or catering field and which can optimize the product processing.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a machine for making liquid and semi-liquid products for the ice cream, baking and confectionery or catering field and comprising the technical features defined in one or more of the appended claims.

Drawings

The technical features of the present application are clearly described in the following claims with reference to the above objects and advantages thereof will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred, non-limiting exemplary embodiments, in which:

figure 1 is a schematic view of a machine according to the invention;

figure 2 shows a perspective view of a detail of the machine of figure 1;

figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a detail of figure 2;

figure 4 is another perspective view of a detail of figures 2 and 3;

figure 5 shows a corresponding cross-sectional schematic view of a possible embodiment of a detail of the machine of figure 1;

figures 6 and 7 show respective perspective views of a detail of the machine of the invention;

figure 8 shows another perspective view of a detail of the machine of the invention.

Detailed Description

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates a machine for making liquid and semi-liquid products for the ice cream, baking and confectionery or catering field.

The machine 1 is preferably designed to make products for the ice cream, baking and confectionery or catering industry.

Products of the ice cream, baking and confectionery or catering industry refer to products such as ice cream (soft serve ice cream, granitas, sorbets, granitas etc.) as well as products such as creamy and chocolate creams or flavoured soups.

These products may be hot or cold and are not distinguished here.

Preferably, but not exclusively, the machine 1 is an ice cream machine, suitable for making handmade ice cream.

In the context of the present invention, the term "ice cream" is used to denote a food preparation based on milk or milk-derived products and to which fruits, aromas or other ingredients have been added to obtain different flavours.

As shown in fig. 1, the machine 1 comprises:

-a frame 13;

a thermal system 14, which performs at least one thermodynamic cycle using a main heat exchanger fluid, comprising a compressor 20, a first heat exchanger 21, a second heat exchanger and a pressure reduction element 22, all of which have the main heat exchanger fluid flowing through them (as shown in fig. 1);

a motor 11 equipped with a drive shaft 11a rotatable about a vertical axis X and a motor 12 rotating the shaft 11 a;

at least one production unit G1.

The production unit G1 includes:

a cylindrical processing container 3, which is subjected to a thermal system 14 and is provided with a cavity 9 defining a processing chamber 4 for making liquid or semi-liquid food products;

an agitator 5 applied or able to be applied at a fixed position on the frame and fitted or able to be fitted in the processing container 3;

coupling means 23 between the first processing container 3 and the drive shaft 11a to allow coupling and thus transmission from the motor 11 (through the drive shaft 11a) to the first processing container 3.

It should be noted that the stirrer 5 is fixed to the machine frame; that is, when the first processing container 3 is driven to rotate (by the rotation of the drive shaft 11a), the agitator remains fixed and does not rotate together with the first processing container 3.

In the preferred embodiment shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, there is also provided an auxiliary container 6, the auxiliary container 6 having a cavity 7 and a channel 8, the cavity 7 being shaped to rotatably receive the container 3 and being fixed relative to the frame 13, the channel 8 being for circulating a primary heat exchanger fluid associated with the auxiliary container 6 and defining a secondary heat exchanger 24 of the thermal system 14, the primary heat exchanger fluid circulating in the secondary heat exchanger 24.

The machine 1 preferably also comprises a control and drive unit configured to regulate and control the different work portions.

In this embodiment, the processing vessel 3 and the auxiliary vessel 6 are cylindrical and are arranged coaxially in use.

Preferably, the machine 1 comprises a platform provided with at least one hollow in which the processing container 3 and the auxiliary container 6 are inserted.

More specifically, the cavity 9 of the processing container 3 defining the processing chamber 4 is substantially cylindrical, and the cavity 7 of the auxiliary container 6 is shaped to rotatably accommodate the processing container 3.

The cavity 9 of the processing container 3 is a cavity that is open only at the top and has a closed bottom.

Furthermore, the cavity 7 of the auxiliary container 6 is open at the top to allow insertion of the process container 3 therein, and at the bottom to allow coupling of the first process container 3 to the drive shaft 11a, as described in more detail below.

As regards the coupling means 23, they may comprise at least one ridge formed on the drive shaft 11a and at least one coupling groove formed in the container 3, or more generally a splined coupling.

The processing container 3 may be removably housed in the cavity 7 of the auxiliary container 6, so that the operator can perform maintenance, cleaning and/or replacement operations on this component or on other components of the machine 1 located in the vicinity of the container 3.

A gap 47, i.e. an empty space 47, is defined between the process vessel 3 and the auxiliary vessel 6, which gap 47 can be filled with an auxiliary heat exchanger fluid.

The process vessel 3 is provided with at least one channel 30 on its outside, the function of which is to achieve an optimal heat transfer by means of an auxiliary heat exchanger fluid between the first vessel 3 and the auxiliary vessel 6. When the first container 3 is driven in rotation, the presence of the channels 30 causes the auxiliary heat exchanger fluid to swirl, thus increasing the heat exchange efficiency (thus making it possible to change from the natural convection state to the forced convection state).

The channel 30 extends over a side (outer) surface of the container 3, for example over a helical side of the container 3.

The machine 1 comprises a cover casing 41, which cover casing 41 covers the channel 8 for circulating the primary heat exchanger fluid and which is fixed outside the auxiliary container 6 to sealingly cover the circulation channel 8.

The main heat exchanger fluid circulates in the circulation channel 8.

The circulation channel 8 thus defines the aforementioned second exchanger of the thermal system 14.

The main heat exchanger fluid is thus circulated in the circulation channel 8 by means of the pressure head generated by the compressor 20 of the thermal system.

Thus, cooling and/or heating of the product inside the container 3 is achieved by means of two heat exchanger fluids, a main heat exchanger fluid and an auxiliary heat exchanger fluid, which are in heat exchange with each other (through other elements).

The product inside the processing container 3 is partially processed by the mechanical action exerted by the stirrer 5, whereby the product is mixed.

More specifically, the stirrer 5 is applied or can be applied to the frame 13 at a fixed position and is fitted or can be fitted in the processing container 3.

In other words, in use, the stirrer 5 is attached to the frame and the movement of the product relative to the stirrer 5 is caused by the rotation of the container 3 itself.

Structurally, as shown in fig. 5, the agitator 5 includes an inner core 5a and an outer shell 5 b.

The inner core 5a is completely enclosed in the outer shell 5 b.

The distinguishing feature of the present invention relates to the materials from which the inner core 5a and outer shell 5b are made. More specifically, the inner core 5a and the outer shell 5b are made of different materials.

Preferably, the inner core 5a is made of a metallic material, or in any case, of a high-strength material, to provide a durable structure for the stirrer 5.

In other words, the inner core 5a defines a load-bearing structure of the stirrer 5, which is able to resist the mechanical stresses to which it is subjected during normal operation of the machine 1.

The outer shell 5b at least partially covers the inner core 5a and is configured to be in contact with the product in use. Preferably, the housing 5b is made of a plastic material.

More preferably, the housing 5b is made of food-safe plastic, which is adapted to be in contact with food, thereby reducing the risk of contamination and improving food safety.

According to another aspect, the housing 5b is made of a material that is easy to clean and sterilize.

Advantageously, this structure makes the stirrer 5 particularly robust.

Looking in more detail at this structure, the stirrer 5 has an elongated body 5' and a lower portion 5 ".

Preferably, the stirrer 5 has a J-shape.

More specifically, the elongated body 5' extends along the height of the container 3 and has a substantially elongated configuration with a predominant direction of extension, which, in use, is preferably vertical.

On the other hand, the bottom 5 "is shaped to match the bottom 3a of the container.

More specifically, as shown in fig. 5, the bottom 3a of the container 3 has an axisymmetric shape having an upwardly concave axisymmetric recess and a central convex portion.

The bottom 5 "of the stirrer 5 is shaped to match the shape of the container 3 and thus in combination therewith optimizes the processing of the product and thus helps to prevent the product from sticking to the container walls and forming undesirable lumps.

According to another constructive aspect, the stirrer 5 has, along its main extension direction, a cross section whose shape is substantially constant and preferably also of constant size.

In particular, the section with constant shape extends from the elongated body 5' to the bottom 5 ″ of the stirrer 5 and is preferably polygonal (rectangular, trapezoidal or triangular), or alternatively circular or even elliptical.

The stirrer 5 is preferably applied or applicable to the frame 13 by means of the anchoring means 10.

More specifically, the anchoring device 10 may be fitted to the frame 13 and configured to engage an upper portion of the elongated body 5' of the stirrer 5.

Preferably, the anchoring means 10 are removably mounted to the frame 13 by at least one threaded quick-connect-disconnect means (for example a threaded means provided with an operating handle).

Preferably, the anchoring means 10 have an elongated shape, which in the mounted configuration is oriented transversely to the elongated body 5' of the stirrer 5, and more particularly radially with respect to the container 3.

According to another aspect of the invention, the machine comprises a thrust element 15 acting on the stirrer 5 and configured to keep the stirrer 5 pressed towards the bottom 3a of the container 3, in particular to bring the stirrer 5 into contact with the bottom 3a to exert a scraping action. Cleaning the container is therefore easier, since the scraping action prevents the formation of lumps on the inner wall of the container.

Preferably, the thrust element 15 is made in the form of an elastically deformable element, in particular a helical compression spring.

In a preferred embodiment, the thrust element 15 is interposed between the anchoring device 10 and the upper portion of the elongated body 5'.

More specifically, the anchoring device 10 has an end 10a provided with a hole 10b, the hole 10b having at least two portions of different diameter: a first upper portion of the bore 10b slidably receives the end pin of the stirrer 5, while a second lower portion of the bore 10b at least partially receives the thrust element 15.

In this way, one end of the thrust element 15 is housed in the second portion of the hole 10b and is integral with the anchoring device 10, while the other opposite end is integral with the upper portion of the elongated body 5'.

As can be seen in fig. 8, the machine also comprises an additional (second) thrust element 101 acting on the stirrer 5 and configured to keep the stirrer 5 pressed against the lateral wall of the container 3, in particular to bring the stirrer 5 into contact with the lateral wall of the container 3 to exert a scraping action.

This additional (second) thrust element 101 is independent of the thrust element 15 described previously: the machine 1 may comprise one or both of the thrust elements (15, 101).

Preferably, the additional thrust element 101 comprises a spring.

Preferably, the spring of the additional thrust element 101 is configured to be in an extended configuration in a normal state (i.e. during normal use).

Therefore, the elastic return force of the spring of the additional thrust element 101 is directed in the direction a towards the end E2 of the wall of the container 3.

More precisely, the end E1 of the spring is fixed to the frame of the machine, while the end E2 of the spring is fixed to the beater 5.

Therefore, the elastic force of the spring tends to bring the agitator 5 into contact with the side wall.

Advantageously, the machine described herein overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art, since it enables optimization of the process of making the product.

This result is obtained thanks to the shape of the stirrer, the distinguishing features of which optimize its function.

Furthermore, advantageously, the machine described herein overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art, since it enables to reduce the risk of contamination of the product and thus to improve the food safety.

This result is obtained thanks to the structure of the stirrer, in particular to the possibility of easily disassembling the stirrer for maintenance, cleaning and/or replacement operations, and also to the material from which it is made.