阅读说明：本技术 用于接纳和处理装有用于冰淇淋产品的基础制备物的小盒的单元 (Unit for receiving and processing cartridges containing base preparations for ice cream products ) 是由 A·库奇 R·拉扎里尼 于 2019-06-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于接纳和处理装有用于冰淇淋产品的基础制备物的小盒的单元,其特征在于包括保持单元(2)和排出装置(3)。保持单元(2)设有保持壳体(2a),保持壳体构造为接纳装有用于冰淇淋产品的基础制备物的小盒(C)。排出装置(3)包括喷嘴(4),喷嘴能连接到压缩空气源,并且构造为沿保持单元(2)的方向发射空气射流,并且当小盒(C)在保持壳体内时,该空气射流适于撞击小盒,从而沿着排出方向(X)排出小盒。(A unit for receiving and processing capsules containing a base preparation for an ice cream product, characterized in that it comprises a holding unit (2) and a discharge device (3). The holding unit (2) is provided with a holding housing (2a) configured to receive a capsule (C) containing a base preparation for an ice cream product. The ejection means (3) comprise a nozzle (4) connectable to a source of compressed air and configured to emit a jet of air in the direction of the holding unit (2) and adapted to strike the capsule (C) when it is inside the holding casing, so as to eject it along an ejection direction (X).)

1. A unit for receiving and processing capsules containing a base preparation for an ice cream product, characterized in that it comprises:

-a holding unit (2) provided with a holding housing (2a) configured to receive a capsule (C) containing a base preparation for an ice cream product;

-an expulsion device (3) comprising a nozzle (4) connectable to a source of compressed air, said nozzle (4) being configured to emit a jet of air in the direction of the holding unit (2) and adapted to strike the capsule (C) when it is inside the holding casing (2a), so as to expel it from the holding casing (2a) along an expulsion direction (X).

2. A unit as claimed in claim 1, characterized by comprising a processing chamber (5) located at the bottom of the holding unit (2).

3. The unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the holding unit (2) is movable between a discharge position, in which the capsule (C) faces the nozzle (4), and a processing position, in which the capsule (C) is at least partially inside the processing cavity (5).

4. A unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein said holding unit (2) is vertically movable between said discharge position, in which said capsule (C) faces said nozzle (4), and said processing position, in which said capsule (C) is at least partially inside said processing chamber (5).

5. A unit as in claim 3 or 4, comprising an actuating member configured to drive the holding unit (2) between the discharge position and the processing position.

6. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining unit (2) comprises a guide (6) defining the retaining housing (2a) and adapted to receive an upper edge portion of the capsule (C), the guide (6) being configured to constrain the capsule (C) in a movement along a discharge direction (X).

7. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a dispensing unit (7) equipped with at least one abutment element in contact with a top wall of the capsule (C), the abutment element being movable between a spaced-apart position in which the capsule (C) is spaced apart from it and a contact-compression position in which it compresses the top wall of the capsule (C).

8. The unit according to the preceding claim, comprising an actuator of the dispensing unit (7) operatively associated with the dispensing unit (7) to drive it between the spaced-apart position and the contact compression position.

9. A machine for making liquid and/or semi-liquid products for the ice-cream field, comprising:

-a unit (1) for receiving and processing capsules containing a base preparation for ice cream products according to any one of claims 1 to 8;

-a processing receptacle (11) forming a processing chamber for making an ice cream product;

-an agitator mounted within the process chamber;

-a cooling system (12) provided with at least one heat exchanger associated with the process vessel (11) for exchanging heat with the process vessel (11) for cooling the process vessel (11);

-injection means for injecting a diluent, associated with said process container (11), for injecting the diluent into said process container (11).

10. Method for making a liquid or semi-liquid product in a machine for making liquid and/or semi-liquid products for the ice cream field, comprising the steps of:

-preparing a machine (10) for making liquid and/or semi-liquid products for the ice-cream sector according to claim 8;

-preparing a capsule (C) containing a base preparation in a housing of a receiving and processing unit;

-transferring said base preparation from said capsule (C) to a processing container (11);

-feeding a diluent into a container (11);

-stirring and mixing the base preparation and the dilution liquid by means of a stirrer and simultaneously cooling the base preparation and the dilution liquid to a temperature between-2 ℃ and-15 ℃, thereby making a portion of ice cream;

-activating the ejection means (3) to eject the capsule (C) from the holding case (2a), wherein the step of activating the ejection means (3) comprises a step of emitting, through the nozzle (4), an air jet in the direction of the holding unit (2) which hits the capsule (C) and slides it along the ejection direction (X).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of producing liquid and semi-liquid products for the ice cream field.

Background

In particular, the invention relates to a unit for receiving and processing cartridges containing base preparations for ice cream products, for example containing base preparations for ice cream products.

As is known, a strongly felt need in the field is to be able to quickly make products of the ice cream type in smaller portions and meeting the individual requirements of the customers.

In fact, customers often require the ability to provide food products that are prepared on-site according to their specific requirements.

The need felt particularly strongly by machine manufacturers is to be able to provide liquid and semi-liquid products in the field of making ice cream in very small quantities (single servings) and particularly simple and reliable machines.

Another particularly strongly felt need in the related art is the need for machines capable of reducing the risk of contamination of the product, thus improving the safety of the food product.

Disclosure of Invention

In this context, the technical purpose forming the basis of the present invention is to propose a unit for receiving and handling capsules containing a base preparation for ice cream products, overcoming at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, the object of the present invention is to propose a unit for receiving and handling capsules containing a base preparation for ice cream products, wherein the unit is capable of controlling the movement of the capsules, in particular the discharge of the capsules, in an efficient and automatic manner, thereby also reducing the risk of contamination of the product.

The technical purpose specified and the aims particularly pointed out are substantially achieved by a unit for receiving and processing cartridges containing basic preparations for ice cream products comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.

The invention discloses a unit for receiving and processing capsules containing a base preparation for an ice cream product, characterized in that it comprises a holding unit and an ejection device.

The holding unit is provided with a holding housing configured to receive a capsule containing a base preparation for an ice cream product.

The ejection means comprise a nozzle connectable to a source of compressed air and configured to emit a jet of air in the direction of the holding unit and adapted to hit the capsule when it is in the holding casing, so as to eject it in an ejection direction.

The dependent claims, which are included herein by reference, correspond to different embodiments of the invention.

Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent in the following non-limiting description, with reference to a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a unit for receiving and processing cartridges containing base preparations for ice cream products, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a unit for receiving and processing cartridges containing base preparations for ice cream products;

figure 2 shows the unit shown in figure 1 during the step of ejecting the capsule;

figure 3 shows a machine for making liquid and/or semi-liquid products for the ice cream field, comprising a unit for receiving and handling capsules according to the invention.

Detailed Description

Reference numeral 1 designates a receiving and handling device for receiving and handling items such as: units of small boxes of basic preparations of ice cream products, such as soft ice cream, craftsman Italian ice cream (artiisan gelato), sorbet (sorbet), slush drinks and the like.

In the context of the present invention, the term "ice cream" is used to denote food preparations based on milk or milk products and added with fruit, spices or other ingredients to obtain different tastes.

More specifically, the unit 1 comprises:

a holding unit 2 provided with a holding housing 2a configured to receive a capsule C containing a base preparation for an ice cream product (in powder, liquid or concentrate form);

-ejection means 3 suitable for triggering the ejection of the capsule C from the casing.

It should be noted that the base preparation in capsule C may be a powder preparation, a liquid preparation or a concentrated preparation (which is usually subsequently diluted with a diluent).

The discharge device 3 in turn comprises a nozzle 4 connectable to a source of compressed air and configured to emit a jet of air in the direction of the holding unit 2, in particular in the discharge direction X.

The nozzles 4 are directed such that when the capsule is inside the retaining case 2a, the air jets can hit the capsule C, thereby pushing it along the discharge direction X and thus discharging it from the retaining case 2 a.

Below the holding unit 2 there is a process chamber 5.

The processing chamber 5 defines a passage through which, after being extracted from the capsule C, the base preparation can be emptied from the unit 1 to be fed to another food processing/processing station located downstream of the unit 1, such as for example a processing container of a machine for manufacturing liquid and/or semi-liquid products in the field of ice cream.

Advantageously, the holding unit 2 is movable between a discharge position, in which the capsule faces the nozzle 4, and a working position, in which the capsule is at least partially inside the working chamber 5.

In other words, the holding unit may adopt the ejection position shown in fig. 1, in which the capsule C is inserted into and ejected from the holding case 2a, and in which the capsule C is preferably spaced from the processing chamber 5 (to avoid interference with the walls of the chamber when the capsule C is inserted/ejected).

Once the capsule C has been inserted into the holding casing 2a, the holding unit 2 can be brought into a working position in which the capsule, in particular the bottom part thereof, is at least partially inserted into the working cavity 5.

In this way, the base preparation can be efficiently taken out of the capsule and transported through the processing chamber 5 to the product processing station located downstream of the unit 1 and the risk of the base preparation escaping is avoided.

Advantageously, the unit 1 comprises an actuating member of the holding unit 2 configured to move the holding unit 2 (preferably vertically) from the ejection position to the processing position.

Advantageously, the retaining unit comprises guides 6 that help to define the retaining case 2 a.

The guide 6 is adapted to receive the upper edge portion of the capsule C, constraining it to travel only along the ejection direction X.

In other words, once the capsule C has been inserted in the casing 2, the edge of its upper wall locks to the guide 6, the guide 6 retaining the capsule in a position in which it can only slide along the discharge direction X both during its insertion in the retaining unit 2a and during its discharge from the latter after being hit by the jet from the nozzle 4.

More specifically, once the capsule C has been inserted in the casing 2, it is locked by the edge of its upper wall to the guide 6.

The guides 6 thus define pairs of facing rails (a pair of rails facing each other), each of which slidably engages opposite portions of the upper edge of the capsule C.

Next, when the holding unit 2 is in this discharge position, the nozzle 4 faces the holding casing 2a and therefore the guide 6, and the jet of air is delivered along a discharge direction X substantially parallel to the main extension direction of the guide 6.

The unit 1 also comprises a dispensing unit 7 equipped with at least one element in contact with the upper wall of the capsule C.

The contact element is movable between a spaced position with respect to capsule C and a contact compression position in which it exerts a pressure on the upper wall of capsule C, causing it to be compressed (squashed).

In particular, the unit comprises an actuating member of the dispensing unit configured to move the dispensing unit 7 (preferably vertically) from the spaced position to the contact compression position and vice versa.

Advantageously, the unit 2 according to the invention makes it possible to ensure a high level of efficiency and automation, eliminating the risk of accidentally contaminating the product during production.

The invention also has the object: machine 10 for making liquid and/or semi-liquid products for the ice-cream field, comprising:

a unit 1 for receiving and processing capsules containing a base preparation for ice cream products, as described above;

a processing container 11 forming a processing chamber;

-an agitator mounted within the process chamber;

a cooling system 12 provided with at least one heat exchanger associated with the process vessel for exchanging heat with and cooling the process vessel;

-a diluent injection device for injecting diluent into the process vessel.

In its more general aspect, the machine 10 is, for example, of the type described in the patent application EP3158872 in the name of the group of kapok (ALI s.p.a. -CARPIGIANI GROUP).

According to another aspect, a method for making a liquid or semi-liquid product in a machine for making liquid and/or semi-liquid products for the ice cream sector is also defined, comprising an initial step of preparing a machine for making liquid and/or semi-liquid products for the ice cream sector as described above.

This step is followed by a step of loading into the housing 2 of the unit 1 a capsule C containing a base preparation, such as for example a base preparation for an ice cream product.

Operationally, this means that the capsule C is inserted into the holding unit 2 so that its upper edge engages the guide 6 and slides it into the holding casing 2a along the discharge direction X.

Once capsule C has been correctly positioned, the dispensing unit is activated so as to open and compress (squeeze) the capsule, thereby extruding the base preparation from the capsule.

The base preparation is then transferred from the capsule C to the processing vessel 11.

When all of the base preparation has been transferred, there is a step of feeding the dilution liquid into the container 11.

The base preparation is then stirred so that the dilution is mixed therein by means of a stirrer located in the process chamber.

At the same time, the mixture of base preparation and diluent is cooled to a temperature between-15 ℃ and-2 ℃ to produce a serving of ice cream.

Finally, the method comprises the step of activating the ejection means 3, so as to trigger the ejection of the capsule C from the retaining casing 2a along the ejection direction X.

Preferably, the capsule C is inserted into and ejected from the holding casing 2a when the holding unit 2 is placed in the ejection position, and the base preparation is extracted from the capsule C when the holding unit 2 is in the processing position.

In other words, the method of the invention comprises moving the holding unit 2 (preferably vertically) from the discharge position to the processing position before the step of transferring the base preparation from the capsule C to the processing container.

The method disclosed herein also comprises moving the holding unit 2 (preferably vertically) from the processing position to the ejection position before the step of activating the ejection means to eject the capsule from the holding casing 2 a.

More specifically, the step of activating the ejection means comprises the step of activating the air flow directed towards the holding unit 2 through the nozzle 4, so as to cause the capsule C to be ejected from the holding casing 2a along the ejection direction X.

Advantageously, the present invention achieves the predetermined objectives by overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art and providing the following to the user: i.e. providing a unit for receiving and processing capsules containing a base preparation for ice cream products, a machine equipped with such a unit and a method for using the machine, to allow overcoming the technical drawbacks of the prior art highlighted above and to allow managing the capsule ejection process in an efficient and automated manner.