United States Patent
`Levine
`
`[19]
`
`[11]
`
`[451
`
`Patent Number:
`
`Date of Patent:
`
`4,548,054
`
`Oct. 22, 1985
`
`
`
`62/342 X
`62/342
`366/313 X
`
`4/1970 Black
`3,505,075
`4/1976 Warlick
`3,952,538
`4,448,114 5/1984 Mayer
`
`Primary Examir2er—William E. Tapolcai
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm~—Char1es E. Baxley
`
`ABSTRAC1‘
`[57]
`This invention provides a safe and sanitary apparatus
`for blending hard ice cream (or other frozen confec-
`tions) with syrups and other ingredients. The funnel
`holding the materials to be mixed is advanced in pro-
`gressively increasing sweeps over the blending auger as
`the anger is rotated in clockwise and counterclockwise
`directions to produce a tasty and attractively marbled
`or blended product. A spray head and suitable auto-
`matic washing apparatus also is provided to rinse the
`auger and funnel surfaces.
`
`6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures
`
`[54] MIXING APPARATUS AND METHOD
`[75]
`Inventor: Morris M. Levine, Scarsdale, N.Y.
`
`[73] Assignee: CIC Int’l. Corp., New York, N.Y.
`[21] Appl. No.: 587,019
`[22] Filed:
`Mar. 7, 1984
`A23G 9/00
`[51]
`Int. Cl.‘
`.
`..
`62/342; 366/203
`[52] U.S. Cl. .
`62/342, 68; 366/203
`[58] Field of Searc
`[56]
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1,846,405 2/ 1932 Stroud ............
`
`1,946,771
`2/1934 Strongson ..
`
`1,968,268
`7/1934 Strongson ..
`1,982,339 11/1934 Ehrgnfeld ..
`
`1,993,024
`3/1935 Stroud
`2,300,542 11/1942 Forse .... ..
`2,662,489 12/1953 Moffett, Jr.
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`Hamilton Beach,
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`1017, p. 001
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`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1017, p. 001
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`

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`U.S. Patent Oct. 22, 1985
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`Hamilton Beach,
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`1017, p. 002
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`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1017, p. 002
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`U.S. Patent Oct. 22, 1985
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`Sheet2of2
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`Hamilton Beach,
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`1017, p. 003
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`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1017, p. 003
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`1
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`4,548,054
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`MIXING APPARATUS AND METHOD
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates to mixing machinery and meth-
`ods and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods
`for mixing condiments and other edible matter with ice
`cream and similar frozen confections, and the like.
`2. Prior Art Summary
`Frozen confections, “hard” ice cream, and similar
`foods, mixed with bits of fruit, syrup, condiments and
`other added ingredients are very popular and are con-
`sumed by the public in large quantities. Naturally, there
`is a need to devise machinery to satisfy this large de-
`mand through a product in which the added ingredients
`are suitably marbled or in which these ingredients are
`well distributed within the frozen confection without,
`however, either homogenizing the syrup and the con-
`fection or pulverizing particulate edible matter within
`the added ingredients. This mixing may be performed
`after the confection has been frozen in order to produce
`the visually pleasing and tasty streaks of syrup, fruit,
`and the like throughout the body of the confectionary
`product.
`There are a number of problems, however, in mixing,
`or perhaps, blending the usually viscous and sticky
`syrups, fruit particles, nuts and other ingredients with a
`mass of hard, frozen confection. There is a further
`group of problems that mature from the need to keep
`the confection in a frozen condition during the mixing
`operation in order to preserve its freshness and taste as
`well as to avoid ice formation within the confection if
`the confection should soften, or melt, and thus make it
`necessary to refreeze the product.
`These, as well as many other difficulties that have
`characterized the prior art have been the subject of a
`number of proposed solutions. The following patents
`are illustrative of some of these proposals.
`U.S. Pat. No. 1,846,405 granted Feb. 23, 1932 to W.
`A. Stroud for “Drink Mixer” shows a motor driven
`agitator that protrudes into a container which is auto-
`matically raised and lowered relative to the agitator,
`when the agitator is energized.
`U.S. Pat. No. 1,946,771 granted Feb. 13, 1934 to H. L.
`Strongson for “Automatically Timed Drink Mixer"
`shows an agitator within a cup in which the cup is
`gradually separated from the agitator as the mixing
`operation proceeds.
`'
`U.S. Pat. No. 1,982,339 granted Nov. 27, 1934 to T.
`R. Ehrenfeld for “Switch” shows a container that is
`moved slowly in an upward direction relative to the
`mixing element and rapidly in a relative downward
`direction.
`U.S. Pat. No. 2,300,542 granted Nov. 3, 1942 to H. D.
`Forse for “Automatic Fountain Mixer" discloses an
`apparatus in which the mixing duration is automatically
`timed and the mixing vessel is lowered from the mixing
`element as the cycle is complete.
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,742,724 granted July 3, 1973 to P.
`Carpigiani for “Ice Cream Machine" shows an ice
`cream freezer in which an extrusion mechanism is en-
`closed within a freezer coil.
`.
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,538 granted Apr. 27, 1976 to S.
`W. Warlick for “Portable Self-Contained Apparatus for
`Freezing Liquids" discloses a device in which the liquid
`container is rotated relative to the dasher.
`
`l0
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`U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,275 granted Dec. 6, 1977 to F. W.
`Herfeld for “Continuous Mixing Apparatus, Especially
`a Cooling Mixer and a Method for Producing Granu-
`lated Materia " shows an apparatus for discharging
`uniformly compounded mixtures of batched input mate-
`rials.
`None of these patents, however, suggest a technique
`for combining syrups, fruit particles and other confec-
`tions with hard ice cream or other frozen confections
`while it is in the frozen state to produce an attractively
`marbled or carefully blended product with chunks of
`condiments, and maintain hard ice cream.
`Many other technical problems also must be solved
`for a mixing machine to be a truly satisfactory device. A
`machine of this nature must be able not only to process
`commercially significant quantities of product, but it
`also must be capable of being cleaned swiftly and thor-
`oughly as well as being safe to operate.
`These and other problems that have characterized the
`prior art are overcome, to a large extent, through the
`practice of the invention. A typical embodiment of the
`invention has auger, or Archimedes’ Screw that is ro-
`tated about
`its longitudinal axis. A double-walled
`hopper in which refrigerating coils are encased between
`the hopper walls is moved in the longitudinal direction
`to engage the condiments with the hopper with the
`rotating auger. The auger makes the ice cream and
`condiments turn and twist as the auger rotates first in
`one direction, then in the opposite direction and so on
`while the condiment mixes with the ice cream. The
`refrigerating coils, interposed between the inner and
`outer hopper walls, moreover, continuously refrigerate
`the product that is being processed within the hopper to
`maintain the ice cream hardness.
`To prevent intermixing of flavors, a spray head is
`mounted on the apparatus close to the auger and the
`hopper when the hopper is telescoped over the auger.
`The spray head is thus enabled to direct a flow of water
`over the residue of ice cream and condiments on the
`contacting parts of the apparatus in order to swiftly
`cleanse the device and to prepare it to process the next
`order of condiment and ice cream.
`Thus, there is provided in accordance with the inven-
`tion, an apparatus for mixing syrups, nuts, fruit particles
`and the like with hard ice cream to produce an attrac-
`tively marbled or uniformly blended and tasty product.
`The apparatus is, in this respect, a sanitary, easily and
`swiftly cleaned device and one in which specific provi-
`sion is made for operator safety. In this respect, opera-
`tor safety is achieved through the electrical circuit that
`requires the operator to continuously manipulate two
`switches during the time needed to raise the hopper to
`the auger. In this manner, the operator’s hands must be
`positioned in a safe orientation relative to the moving
`parts of the apparatus, or all motion will stop.
`These and other features of the invention are pres-
`euted in more complete detail in the following descrip-
`tion of a typical embodiment of the invention when
`taken with the figures of the drawings. The scope of the
`invention, however,
`is limited only through the ap-
`pended claims.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a typical embodiment of
`the invention;
`FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the entire apparatus, a
`portion of which is shown in FIG. 1; and
`
`Hamilton Beach,
`
`1017, p. 004
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1017, p. 004
`
`

`
`3
`FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram for the electrical circuit
`associated with the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`4,548,054
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`l0
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`For a more detailed understanding of the invention,
`attention is invited to FIG. 1 which shows a generally
`rectangular frame 10 standing on legs 11. A refrigerator
`compressor and condenser assembly 12 (FIG. 2) is sup-
`ported in the frame 10 immediately above the legs 11 in
`order to provide refrigeration for ice cream that is being
`processed as described subsequently. Refrigerant, of
`which Freon—l2 (FR-12) is typical, flows from the con-
`denser assembly 12 through flexible tubing 13 to a verti-
`cally moveable refrigeration assembly 14.
`The vertical motion of the refrigeration assembly 14
`is controlled by means of a sliding Teflon guide 15 that
`is mounted in a slot 16 (FIG. 1) that is formed in a panel
`17 which is secured to the frame 10 above the condenser
`assembly 12. Not shown in the drawing, the coolant
`flows through a conduit in the refrigeration assembly 14
`to a cooling coil 20 which is mounted between the walls
`of a hopper, or funnel 21, by way of a funnel block (not
`shown) that joins the funnel to the refrigeration assem-
`bly 14. Coolant, flowing through the coil 20 is returned
`to the condenser 12 (FIG. 2) by way of the funnel block,
`the refrigeration assembly 14 and a flexible hose 22.
`It will be recalled that the refrigeration assembly 14 is
`vertically moveable, just as the funnel 21 (FIG. 1) and
`the funnel block to which it is attached also are verti-
`cally moveable. This vertical motion is imparted to the
`funnel 21 through a gear motor with a brake, which
`includes a rack 23 that is rigidly secured to the frame 10
`and a meshing pinion gear 24. To drive the pinion gear
`24, and the refrigeration assembly 14 to which the gear
`is attached, an electrical funnel motor 25 is provided to
`drive the gear.
`As illustrated in FIG. 1 an auger 26 that has a single
`helical thread 27 is mounted near the top of the frame 10
`with the apex of the helix oriented toward the open top
`or inlet of the funnel 21. Although the auger 26 does not
`move in a vertical direction it is, nevertheless, sup-
`ported on the frame 10 for rotation in clockwise and
`counterclockwise directions by means of a vertical shaft
`30 (FIG. 2), the lower end of which is secured to the
`auger 26 (FIG. 1) and the top end of which is sustained
`in a bearing 31 that is rigidly fixed in a horizontally
`disposed plate 32 which,
`in turn is mounted on the
`frame 10 in correct relative orientation by means of
`standoffs 33.
`Between the bearing 31 and the auger 26 (FIG. 1) and
`as illustrated in FIG. 2, a large auger gear 34 also is
`rigidly affixed to the shaft 30 in order to rotate with the
`shaft. The large auger gear 34 is driven by means of a
`toothed belt 35 that also meshes with a small auger gear
`36 in order to rotate the auger at a speed of about 350
`revolutions per minute. Power for the small auger gear
`36, which, in turn drives the auger 26 that is shown in
`FIG. 1 through a train that includes the belt 35, the
`large auger gear 34 and the shaft 30 at a speed of about
`350 revolutions per minute is provided by an auger
`motor 37 that also is fastened to the frame 10.
`Tap water for equipment washing purposes is sup-
`plied to a spray head 40 (FIG. 1) that discharges this
`water at the maximum diameter of the helical thread 27.
`The water for the spray head 40 flows, as shown in
`FIG. 2 through a tube that traverses almost the entire
`vertical length of the frame 10 from the legs 11 and
`
`4,
`through a manual valve 41 and a solenoid valve 38 to
`the spray head.
`Turning once more to FIG. 1, the discharge from the
`funnel 21 is oriented in longitudinal and axial alignment
`with a cup holder 42 that is mounted in a sink 43 that
`receives spent wash water, spilled ice cream and the
`like.
`Although a hydraulic system is preferred for operat-
`ing the dispenser apparatus because of the greater reli-
`ability and longer apparatus life that it will provide, an
`electrical circuit is described herein because it is this
`electrical circuit that actually was developed at the time
`of filing the instant application. Accordingly, attention
`is invited to FIG. 3 which shows a five-volt power
`supply 44 and a six-volt power supply 45 to provide
`appropriate voltage levels in the balance of the circuit,
`as required. Basically the circuit shown in FIG. 3 pro-
`vides a number of functional results:
`a. Drives the auger motor in clockwise and counter-
`clockwise directions;
`b. Drives the funnel in longitudinal directions;
`c. Activates and deactivates a solenoid valve for the
`water spray apparatus; and
`d. Activates and deactivates the refrigeration mecha-
`nism through the operation of the power switch.
`The circuit shown in FIG. 3 also provides a number
`of additional functions, of which energizing lamps to
`indicate the operational status of the apparatus, to be
`later described in more complete detail, is typical. Thus,
`the circuit is energized by closing a main switch 46 to
`supply line voltage to the power supplies 44, 45 through
`fuses 47, 50, respectively.
`is energized next by
`The refrigeration equipment
`operating a switch 51 to complete the circuit through to
`ground 52 for the refrigerator compressor and con-
`denser assembly 12 (FIG. 2). In addition to starting the
`refrigeration cycle, a “freeze” lamp 53 also is energized
`through a conductor 54.
`The machine is controlled by a microprocessor sys-
`tem 55 that functions as a universal logic and timing unit
`configured to this application by the software contained
`in an EPROM chip which is plugged into the micro-
`processor board.
`There are two power supplies. A five~volt supply 44
`that energizes the microprocessor and the six volt sup-
`ply 45 that energizes the lamps and relays as described
`subsequently in more complete detail.
`The microprocessor 55 receives inputsignals from
`three pushbutton switches on the control panel and
`from three micro switches inside the machine as fol»
`lows:
`A spring biased enable, or first start switch 56 must be
`held manually in a closed circuit condition when the
`funnel 21 is down in addition to either a manually oper-
`ated, spring biased start switch 87 or a spring biased
`wash switch 76 to insure, for safety purposes, that both
`of the operator’s hands are occupied and kept away
`from moving parts. Enabling or activating the switches
`56 and 76, for example, in the foregoing manner starts
`the mixing process. After mixing is completed, the fun-
`nel 21 is up.and the components in contact with the
`foodstuffs are washed automatically in response to a
`command from the microprocessor 55. When the funnel
`21 is down, wash is started manually by manipulating
`the switches 56 and 76. A bottom limit micro switch-
`closure 67 signals the microprocessor 55 that the funnel
`21 is at the bottom and the motor 25 must be stopped. A
`top limit micro switch 70, when closed, signals the
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`Hamilton Beach,
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`1017, p. 005
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`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1017, p. 005
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`4,548,054
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`5
`microprocessor 55 that the funnel 21 is near the top and
`to stop the motor 25. Space is left to allow the funnel 21
`to coast to prevent the funnel from crashing into a stop.
`After stopping the funnel 21 near to the auger 26, the
`microprocessor 55 can jog the funnel until a top switch
`68 (FIG. 3) closes at which point the funnel is com-
`pletely up.
`Both of the power supplies 44.45 are controlled by a
`power switch 46. In addition, funnel and auger motor
`relays 62,69 and water relay 81 are in series with the
`switch 46 so that in the event of relay failure powering
`down will stop the machine. The refrigeration is con-'
`trolled by a solid-state relay 84 that is activated when
`the 6 volt supply 45 is energized. Thus, this refrigera-
`tion load is not controlled through the power switch 46.
`A safety hazard is not created by energizing the refrig-
`eration relay 84 to start the refrigeration, and for this
`reason the refrigeration relay is not in circuit with the
`power switch 46.
`In operation, upon energizing the circuit, the micro-
`processor 55 registers the status of the bottom limit
`switch 67 for the funnel 21 in the down position and
`moves the funnel to the bottom, if necessary. The ready
`lamp 59 and freeze lamp 53 are then turned on by the
`microprocessor 55. All machine operations are the re-
`sult of a low-power signal from the microprocessor 55
`which activates a specific one of the relays and an inter-
`face chip (not shown in the drawing) to control the
`desired feature of device operation. The operator then
`loads the lowered funnel 21 with ice cream and condi-
`ments, or material to be blended, and manually keeps
`the enable and start switches 56 and 87, respectively,
`operated. The ready light 59 is extinguished and two
`start lamps 57 come on until the funnel 21 has fully
`risen, at which point the operator may release the
`switches 56 and 87. The start lamps 57 then are extin-
`guished and a blend lamp 60 comes on. The machine
`goes through the blend cycle and when complete, the
`blend light 60 is turned off and a serve lamp 85 is turned
`on, at which point the operator can remove the blended
`ice cream and give it to the customer.
`The operator then activates a wash switch 76 to start
`an automatic rinse cycle. The blend and freeze lights 60,
`53 are extinguished and wash light 82 is illuminated.
`When the wash cycle is complete, the funnel 21 is low-
`ered and the wash light 82 turns off. At the same time,
`the ready freeze lights 59,53 are illuminated and the
`machine is ready for the next cycle. If desired, a rinse,
`or wash, can be undertaken at any time by activating the
`enable and wash switches 56, 76 until the funnel 21 rises
`to the top of the apparatus. If the enable switch 56 or the
`start or wash switches 87,76 are released before funnel
`21 has fully risen, the funnel stops, reverses direction
`and goes down to prematurely terminate the cycle with-
`out blending the ice cream.
`Thus operating the refrigeration switch 51 completes
`a circuit to the common ground 52 that not only ener-
`gizes the compressor and condenser assembly 12 but
`also completes the circuit for the freezer lamp 53.
`To initiate vertical motion for the funnel, or hopper
`21 (FIG. 1) and rotation of the auger 26, as mentioned
`above, the start switch 56 and the start or wash switch
`76 are operated to complete the circuits through the
`microprocessor 55 to illuminate a start lamp 57, a blend
`lamp 60 and to energize the funnel motor 25 and the
`auger motor 37. As shown in FIG. 3, power is supplied
`to the funnel motor 25 through a conductor 61 that
`couples the funnel motor 25 to the six-volt power sup-
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`ply 45 through a relay switch 62 that is energized, in
`turn, by means of a signal from the microprocessor 55 in
`a conductor 63. It will be recalled that the funnel motor
`25 is connected to run, selectively,
`in opposite direc-
`tions, depending on the appropriate longitudinal direc-
`tion in which the funnel 21 (FIG. 1) is to move.
`To provide this direction control, a motor reversing
`relay 64 is provided in circuit with the microprocessor
`55 through a conductor 65. As shown, the funnel motor
`reversing relay 64 changes the direction of the motor
`rotation by operating ganged pairs of electrical contacts
`66 that reverse the direction of the electrical current in
`the motor’s windings as the funnel 21 (FIG. 1) operates
`limit switches 67, 70 (FIGS. 2 and 3) at the extremes of
`the funnel’s longitudinal travel. In this way, as the ex-
`tremes of permissible funnel travel are reached,
`the
`appropriate one of the limit switches 67,70 is operated
`to energize the reversing relay 64 that shifts the contacts
`66 and causes the current in the windings of the motor
`to reverse and thereby change the direction of the mo-
`tor’s rotation. Illustratively, when the funnel 21 is at its
`lowest point, the switch 67 is operated to complete a
`circuit from the common ground through the switch 67,
`a conductor 72 (FIG. 3), the microprocessor 55 and the
`conductor 65. Similarly, at the top of the funne1’s travel,
`the switch 70 is operated to complete a circuit to the
`reversing relay 64 through a path that includes the
`common ground, the switch 70, a conductor 71, the
`microprocessor 55 and the conductor 65.
`The direction of the auger motor 37 rotation, and
`hence, the rotational direction of the auger 26 (FIG. 1)
`also is controlled through appropriate energization of a
`motor reversing relay 73 that operates a pair of ganged
`electrical contacts 74 to reverse the direction of the
`electrical current through the windings of the motor.
`This signal, to reverse auger rotation direction, is sup-
`plied to the reversing relay 73 through a conductor 75
`that is connected to the microprocessor.
`Recall that the solenoid valve 38 (FIG. 2) initiates
`and terminates a wash cycle for the auger 26 (FIG. 1)
`and the funnel 21 by permitting tap water to flow from
`the spray head 40. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the wash
`switch 76 is operated to complete the circuit through to
`the common ground from the microprocessor 55 by
`way of a conductor 77. Activating the wash cycle in the
`foregoing manner compels the microprocessor 55 to
`respond in several ways. The microprocessor 55, for
`example, sends a signal through a conductor 80 to ener-
`gize a relay 81 which, in turn, couples the winding of
`the relay (not shown in the drawing) in the solenoid
`valve 38 to the six-volt power supply 45. So energized,
`the solenoid valve 38 is opened to permit wash water to
`discharge from the spray head 40 (FIG. 1) and clean the
`auger 26 and the funnel 21 of any residual flavors from
`the previously blended charge of ice cream and condi-
`ments. The waste wash water, moreover, is discharged
`from the funnel 21 and is collected in the sink 43 for
`ultimate disposal through the sewage system.
`Initiating the wash cycle in the foregoing manner also
`causes the microprocessor 55 (FIG. 3) to energize a
`wash cycle lamp 82 through a conductor 83.
`In operation, the funnel 21 (FIG. 1) is at its lowest
`point of travel. In this circumstance, and as illustrated in
`FIG. 3, the main switch 46 is closed to establish circuit
`continuity for the power supplies 44,45. The start
`switch 56 and either the wash switch 76 or start switch
`87 are jointly and continuously activated to energize the
`mixing apparatus. The refrigerator switch 51 also is
`
`Hamilton Beach,
`
`1017, p. 006
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1017, p. 006
`
`

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`4,548,054
`
`'7
`operated to energize the compressor and condenser
`assembly 12 by activating the relay 84 to apply six volt
`power from the supply 45 to the compressor motor. The
`energized compressor and condenser assembly 12 then
`lowers the temperature of the coolant in the refrigera-
`tion system so that the coolant, flowing in a closed cycle
`from the assembly 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2) through the flexi-
`ble tube 13, the refrigeration assembly 14, the cooling
`coil 20 in the funnel 21 and back through the refrigera-
`tion assembly 14 and the hose 22 to the compressor and
`condenser assembly reduces the temperature within the
`funnel 21 to a level at which hard ice cream will remain
`in a frozen state.
`At this point in the operation of the apparatus, the
`microprocessor 55 causes the freeze lamp 53 to glow,
`the start lamps 57 already having been in an illuminated
`status.
`
`The operation of this apparatus, as regulated through
`the microprocessor 55 can be divided into a “main pro-
`gram” and a number of “subroutines”. Thus, after a
`charge of hard ice cream and the condiments that are to
`be mixed with the ice cream are deposited in the now
`refrigerated funnel 21 (FIGS. 1 and 2), the funnel motor
`25 is energized to drive the pinion gear 24, the refrigera-
`tion assembly 14 and the funnel up to the point at which
`the auger 26 presses into the frozen confection. At this
`point, the microprocessor 55 also activates the auger
`motor 37 to rotate the auger 26. Through the micro-
`processor 55, the rotation of the auger 26 is controlled
`in a timed relationship to the rise and fall of the funnel
`21 plus the refrigeration of the funnel
`to produce a
`blend of condiments in a desirably hard ice cream with-
`out blending them into a whipped form which develops
`a soft ice cream and pulverizes the condiments. As
`previously mentioned, after stopping the funnel 21 at
`the auger 26, the microprocessor 55 can jog the funnel
`21 until the top limit switch 70 is operated, at which
`point the funnel has reached the top of its travel with
`the funnel completely telescoped over the auger.
`During this portion of the operation of the apparatus
`the ready lamp 59 is extinguished and the two start
`lamps 57, and the blend lamp 60 all are illuminated,
`again through the circuit response of the microproces-
`sor 55. When the blending process is complete, how-
`ever, the blend lamp 60 is turned off and a serve lamp 85
`is illuminated to inform the serving personnel that the
`now blended and refrigerated contents of the funnel 21
`now can be removed for consumption. The micro-
`processor 55 now activates once more the funnel re-
`versing relay 66 (FIG. 3) in order to lower the funnel 21
`(FIG. 1) to the lower limit of its travel whereupon the
`lower limit switch 67 is tripped to complete the blend
`and serve portions of the cycle of operation.
`Should it be desired to wash the funnel 21 and the
`auger 26 at this point to remove traces of the preceding
`blend flavors, the wash switch 76 is operated to com-
`plete the circuit to ground. This action causes the mi-
`croprocessor to turn off the ready lamp 59, the serve
`lamp 85 and the freeze lamp 53. The funnel motor 25,
`moreover,
`is energized to raise the funnel 21 until it
`telescopes over the auger 26. The microprocessor 55
`also activates the solenoid valve 38 in the tap water
`conduit to permit this water to discharge from the spray
`head 40 and thereby to cleanse the interior cup of the
`funnel 21 and the adjacent surface of the auger 26. The
`rinse or wash water from the spray head 40 is dis-
`charged from the apparatus by way of the sink 43. After
`a predetermined time, the solenoid valve 38 is deacti-
`
`8
`vated to terminate flow from the spray head 40 and the
`auger motor 37 is temporarily activated to “spin dry”
`the auger 26. In this way, the apparatus is now made
`ready to process a fresh charge of frozen confection and
`condiment, or mixing ingredient.
`The microprocessor 55 also is provided with a safety
`scan subroutine for added safety and protection. Thus,
`if either the start switch 87 or the wash switch 76 is not
`closed steadily to initiate a blending operation simulta-
`neously and continuously with the continued activation
`of the enable/start switch 56, the apparatus will not
`function.
`Thus there is provided in accordance with the princi-
`ples of the invention an apparatus that blends one or
`more condiments with hard ice cream or other frozen
`confection to produce an attractively marbled and tasty
`product in a manner that is safe, sanitary and inexpen-
`sive.
`I claim:
`1. An apparatus for blending hard ice cream with at
`least one condiment comprising a refrigerating com-
`pressor and condenser assembly, a funnel for holding
`the ice cream and condiment therein, a cooling coil in
`thermal communication with said funnel, said coil being
`coupled to said refrigerating assembly for freezing the
`ice cream therein, a funnel motor coupled to said funnel
`for moving said funnel in linear directions, an auger in
`alignment with said funnel to be telescoped therewithin
`during said linear funnel movement, an auger motor for
`rotating said auger in clockwise and counterclockwise
`direction, and an electrical circuit for progressively
`advancing said funnel over said auger as said auger is
`being rotated until said funnel is telescoped over said
`auger, said electrical circuit including means connect-
`ing with said auger motor and said funnel motor for
`activating said auger motor and said funnel motor to
`impart translatory motion to said funnel and reciprocat-
`ing rotational motion to said auger, said apparatus fur-
`ther comprising a spray head spaced from said auger, a
`water conduit establishing fluid communication with
`said spray head and a solenoid valve in said conduit for
`selectively interrupting said fluid communication there-
`through in order to wash said auger and said funnel,
`2. An apparatus for blending hard ice cream with at
`least one condiment comprising a refrigerating com-
`pressor and condenser assembly, a funnel for holding
`the ice cream and condiment therein, a cooling coil in
`thermal communication with said funnel, said coil being
`coupled to said refrigerating assembly for freezing the
`ice cream therein, a funnel motor coupled to said funnel
`for moving said funnel in linear directions, an auger in
`alignment with said funnel to be telescoped therewithin
`during said linear funnel movement, an auger motor for
`rotating said auger in clockwise and counterclockwise
`direction, and an electrical circuit for progressively
`advancing said funnel over said auger as said auger is
`being rotated until said funnel is telescoped over said
`auger, said electrical circuit including means connect-
`ing with said auger motor and said funnel motor for
`activating said auger motor and said funnel motor to
`impart translatory motion to said funnel and reciprocat-
`ing rotational motion to said auger, said apparatus fur-
`ther comprising a funnel motor reversing relay and an
`auger motor reversing relay for reversing the direc-
`tions, respectively, of said funnel and said auger rota-
`tion.
`3. An apparatus for blending hard ice cream with at
`least one condiment comprising a refrigerating com-
`
`l0
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`Hamilton Beach,
`
`1017, p. 007
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1017, p. 007
`
`

`
`4,548,054 ’
`
`9
`pressor and condenser assembly, a funnel for holding
`the ice cream and condiment therein, a cooling coil in
`thermal communication with said funnel, said coil being
`coupled to said refrigerating assembly for freezing the
`ice cream therein, a funnel motor coupled to said funnel
`for moving said funnel in linear directions, an auger in
`alignment with said funnel to be telescoped therewithin
`during said linear funnel movement, an auger motor for
`rotating said auger in clockwise and counterclockwise
`direction, and an electrical circuit for progressively
`advancing said funnel over said auger as said anger is
`being rotated until said funnel is telescoped over said
`auger, said electrical circuit including means connect-
`ing with said auger motor and said funnel motor for
`activating said auger motor and said funnel motor to
`impart translatory motion to said funnel and reciprocat-
`ing rotatiohal motion to said auger, said apparatus fur-
`
`10
`ther comprising at least two switches for continuous
`activation for energizing said funnel motor and said
`auger motor.
`4. An apparatus according to claim 1 further compris-
`ing a plurality of lamps, each for indicating a specific
`status of the apparatus.
`5. An apparatus according to claim 2 further compris-
`ing a meshing rack and pinion gear, said pinion gear
`being connected to said funnel motor in order to move
`said funnel along the length of said rack.
`6. An apparatus according to claim 5 further compris-
`ing a shaft connected on one end thereof to said auger,
`a large auger gear fixed to said shaft, a small auger gear
`fixed to said auger motor and a belt coupling said large
`and small auger gears in order to rotate said auger in
`clockwise and counterclockwise directions.
`ii
`33
`#1
`‘-i<
`*
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`l0
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`15
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`20
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`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Hamilton Beach,
`
`1017, p. 008
`
`Hamilton Beach, Exh. 1017, p. 008