US4392361A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-contained ice cream apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-05-28
•
Granted: 1983-07-12
•
Expires: 2001-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained apparatus (20, 100, 200) for making an ice cream type mixture includes a mixing chamber or container (22, 103, 222) which is controllably cooled by a refrigeration unit (50, 50, 50") including a coil (52, 52', 52") surrounding the container (22, 103, 222). A blade (32-36, 105, 208-209) such as a flexible blade, is rotatably driven in the container (22, 103, 222) by a motor (28, 28', 28") and may preferably include an angled multifunction blade (32) and a scraper blade (36). The multifunction blade (32) primarily performs three functions of forcing the mixture contents downwardly toward the base wall (33) and forcing these contents outwardly from the center (26) toward the side wall (35) and kneading the ingredients while the scraper blade (36) forces those contents upwardly from the base wall (33) and from the side wall (35) toward the center (26) thereby cyclically intermixing the warmer and colder contents and providing a substantially uniform temperature gradient for the mixture. The base wall (233) of the chamber (222) may also include protruding ribs (207) which cooperate with the flexible blade (209) to crush or shred fruit added to the mixture. The apparatus (100) may also include a heater coil 106 surrounding the container 103 for selectively heating the contents to be mixed instead of refrigerating them, as well as a separate container (107) and blade 109 for blending vegetables with the blade 109 being selectively driven by the same motor (28') which drives the blade (105) associated with the other container (103).
Inventors
- 👤 Alfredo Cavalli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:53
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23G; A23G9/00; A23G9/04; A23G9/08; A23G9/12; A23G9/22; A23G9/224; A23G9/30; A23G9/305; A47; A47J; A47J27/00; A47J27/14; B; B01; B01F; B01F27/00; B01F27/05; B01F27/051; B01F27/054; B01F27/11; B01F27/112; B01F27/1123; B01F27/1125; B01F27/11253; B01F27/80; B01F27/90; B01F35/00; B01F35/90; B01F35/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A self contained apparatus for making an ice cream type mixture from a plurality of ingredients therefor comprising a mixing chamber having a base wall and a side wall with respect thereto, refrigeration means for controllably cooling the interior of said chamber, blade means rotatably mountable in said mixing chamber for rotation about an axis of said chamber, and means for controllably rotatably driving said blade means within said chamber about said axis, said blade means comprising means for scraping said side and base walls for forcing said ingredients from said side wall toward said axis and upwardly away from said base wall and for forcing said ingredients from said axis toward said side wall and downwardly toward said base wall as said blade means rotates about said axis for stirring and intermixing said ice cream ingredients throughout said chamber interior, said blade means being configured and disposed for substantially continually transporting the warmer portions of the mixture toward the colder areas thereof and the colder portions of the mixture toward the warmer areas thereof during the rotation of said blade means for providing a substantially uniform temperature gradient for substantially the entire resultant ice cream mixture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A self contained apparatus for making an ice cream type mixture from a plurality of ingredients therefor comprising a mixing chamber having a base wall and a side wall with respect thereto, refrigeration means for controllably cooling the interior of said chamber, blade means rotatably mountable in said mixing chamber for rotation about an axis of said chamber, and means for controllably rotatably driving said blade means within said chamber about said axis, said blade means comprising means for scraping said side and base walls for forcing said ingredients from said side wall toward said axis and upwardly away from said base wall and for forcing said ingredients from said axis toward said side wall and downwardly toward said base wall as said blade means rotates about said axis for stirring and intermixing said ice cream ingredients throughout said chamber interior, said blade means being configured and disposed for substantially continually transporting the warmer portions of the mixture toward the colder areas thereof and the colder portions of the mixture toward the warmer areas thereof during the rotation of said blade means for providing a substantially uniform temperature gradient for substantially the entire resultant ice cream mixture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mixing chamber is substantially defined by a surface of revolution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said refrigeration means comprises a refrigeration coil substantially surrounding said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said refrigeration means further comprises condensor means associated with said refrigeration coil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said refrigeration means further comprises compressor means associated with said condensor and refrigeration coil means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said rotatably mounted blade means comprises mixing means angled in two intersecting planes with respect to the base wall of said mixing chamber for providing said stirring and intermixing of said ice cream ingredients as said angled mixing means rotate about the axis of said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said angled mixing means comprises a first blade capable of both kneading and stirring and intermixing said ice cream ingredients.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said blade means further comprises a second blade capable of scraping said side and base walls.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second blade is angled with respect to said base wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second blade is rotatably mounted substantially 180° apart from said first blade in the direction of rotation of said blade means about the axis of said mixing chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said blade means comprises flexible blade means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said first blade is a flexible blade.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said rotating blade means provide a swirling action during the mixing of said ice cream ingredients for substantially turning over said ice cream mixture within said mixing chamber by substantially continually intermixing the bottom, top, inner and outer portions of said mixture together as said blade means rotates about said axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said refrigeration means comprises a refrigeration coil substantially surrounding said chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rotatably mounted blade means comprises mixing means angled in two intersecting planes with respect to the base wall of said mixing chamber for providing said stirring and intermixing of said ice cream ingredients as said angled mixing means rotate about the axis of said chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said angled mixing means comprises a first blade capable of both kneading and stirring and intermixing said ice cream ingredients.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein said blade means further comprises a second blade capble of scraping said side and base walls.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 17 wherein said second blade is rotatably mounted substantially 180° apart from said first blade in the direction of rotation of said blade means about the axis of said mixing chamber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said blade means comprises flexible blade means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said mixing means comprises flexible blade means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rotating blade means provides a swirling action during the mixing of said ice cream ingredients for substantially turning over said ice cream mixture within said mixing chamber by substantially continually intermixing the bottom, top, inner and outer portions of said mixture together as said blade means rotates about said axis.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said rotating mixing means provides a swirling action during the mixing of said ice cream ingredients for substantially turning over said ice cream mixture within said mixing chamber by substantially continually intermixing the bottom, top, inner and outer portions of said mixture together as said blade means rotates about said axis.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said chamber axis is the longitudinal axis thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises a self-contained portable household type apparatus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 24 wherein said means for rotatably driving said blade means comprises a relatively low horsepower motor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 25 wherein said motor has a horsepower less than 1.0.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 26 wherein said blade means is assymmetrical about said axis.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for rotatably driving said blade means comprises a relatively low horsepower motor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 28 wherein said motor has a horsepower less than 1.0.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said blade means is assymmetrical about said axis.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
212 words
A self-contained apparatus for making an ice cream type mixture from a plurality of ingredients therefor comprising a mixing chamber having a base wall and a side wall with respect thereto, refrigeration means for controllably cooling the interior of said chamber, blade means mountable in said mixing chamber for relative rotation between said blade means and said mixing chamber about the axis of said chamber, and means for controllably causing said relative rotation between said blade and said chamber about said chamber axis, said blade means comprising means for scraping said side and base walls for forcing said ingredients from said side wall toward said axis and upwardly away from said base wall and for forcing said ingredients from said axis toward said side wall and downwardly toward said base wall as said relative rotation of said blade means about said axis occurs for stirring and intermixing said ice cream ingredients throughout said chamber interior, said blade means being configured and disposed for substantially continually transporting the warmer portions of the mixture toward the colder areas thereof and the colder portions of the mixture toward the warmer areas thereof during said relative rotation of said blade means for providing a substantially uniform temperature gradient for substantially the entire resultant ice cream mixture.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
212 words
A self-contained apparatus for making an ice cream type mixture from a plurality of ingredients therefor comprising a mixing chamber having a base wall and a side wall with respect thereto, refrigeration means for controllably cooling the interior of said chamber, blade means mountable in said mixing chamber for relative rotation between said blade means and said mixing chamber about the axis of said chamber, and means for controllably causing said relative rotation between said blade and said chamber about said chamber axis, said blade means comprising means for scraping said side and base walls for forcing said ingredients from said side wall toward said axis and upwardly away from said base wall and for forcing said ingredients from said axis toward said side wall and downwardly toward said base wall as said relative rotation of said blade means about said axis occurs for stirring and intermixing said ice cream ingredients throughout said chamber interior, said blade means being configured and disposed for substantially continually transporting the warmer portions of the mixture toward the colder areas thereof and the colder portions of the mixture toward the warmer areas thereof during said relative rotation of said blade means for providing a substantially uniform temperature gradient for substantially the entire resultant ice cream mixture.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said mounted blade means comprises mixing means angled in two intersecting planes with respect to the base wall of said mixing chamber for providing said stirring and intermixing of said ice cream ingredients as said relative rotation between said angled mixing means and said chamber occurs about said chamber axis.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 32 wherein said angled mixing means comprises a first blade capable of both kneading and stirring and intermixing said ice cream ingredients.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 33 wherein said blade means further comprises a second blade capable of scraping said side and base walls.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said blade means provides a swirling action during the mixing of said ice cream ingredients for substantially turning over said ice cream mixture within said mixing chamber by substantially continually intermixing the bottom, top, inner and outer portions of said mixture together as said relative rotation between said blade means and said chamber about said chamber axis occurs.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 35 wherein said refrigeration means comprises a refrigeration coil substantially surrounding said chamber.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said refrigeration means comprises a refrigeration coil substantially surrounding said chamber.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said chamber axis is the longitudinal axis thereof.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said blade means comprises flexible blade means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said apparatus comprises a self-contained portable household type apparatus.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 40 wherein said means for causing said relative rotation comprises a relatively low horsepower motor.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 41 wherein said motor has a horsepower less than 1.0.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said means for causing said relative rotation comprises a relatively low horsepower motor.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 43 wherein said motor has a horsepower less than 1.0.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 31 wherein said blade means is assymmetrical about said axis.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-07-11 | 1987-01-10 | 1987-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-11 | 1991-01-10 | 1991-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-11 | 1995-01-10 | 1995-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |