Inflatable cushion

Abstract

An inflatable cushion useable for an ice cream maker. The ice cream maker can be spherical in shape and the inflatable cushion can approximate a spherical or dodecahedron shell. The inflatable cushion can be comprised of two half-shell portions that are pivotable with respect to one other to be selectively placed in a closed or open position. The ice cream maker can be snugly inserted within the inflatable cushion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ice cream maker assembly comprising:
 an inflatable cushion; and   an ice cream maker snugly disposed within the inflatable cushion.   
     
     
         2 . The ice cream maker assembly of  claim 1  wherein the inflatable cushion is generally spherically shaped when inflated. 
     
     
         3 . The ice cream maker of  claim 2  wherein the inflatable cushion comprises pentagonal sections. 
     
     
         4 . The ice cream maker of  claim 3  wherein the pentagonal sections have edge portions that are welded together. 
     
     
         5 . The ice cream maker assembly of  claim 1  wherein the inflatable cushion comprises a first half portion and a second half portion, with the two half portions being pivotable about a connection rim portion for selectively opening or closing the half portions. 
     
     
         6 . The ice cream maker of  claim 5  further comprising attachment members attached proximate the rims of each of the first half portion and second half portion. 
     
     
         7 . The ice cream maker of  claim 6  wherein each of the first half portion and second half portion comprise six pentagonal sections. 
     
     
         8 . The ice cream maker of  claim 1  wherein the inflatable cushion is generally dodecahedron in shape. 
     
     
         9 . An inflatable cushion comprising:
 a first inflatable half-shell portion;   a second inflatable half-shell portion connected to the first half-shell portion, each of the half-shell portions being pivotable with respect to the other; and   a plurality of attachment members attached to an outside surface of each inflatable half-shell portion near a rim of each half-shell portion.   
     
     
         10 . The inflatable cushion of  claim 9  wherein at least one of the inflatable half-shell portions comprises pentagonal sections. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable cushion of  claim 9  wherein at least one of the inflatable half-shell portions comprises a plurality of uniformly geometrically shaped sections. 
     
     
         12 . The inflatable cushion of  claim 11  wherein the at least one of the inflatable half-shell portions is formed of a welded piece having gaps between the geometrically shaped sections. 
     
     
         13 . The inflatable cushion of  claim 12  wherein the gaps are sealed to form the half-shell portion. 
     
     
         14 . A method of agitating ice cream comprising:
 placing ice cream ingredients and ice in a spherically shaped ice cream maker;   placing the ice cream maker within an inflatable cushion; and   agitating the ice cream maker by imparting momentum to the inflatable cushion.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the inflatable cushion comprises a first half-shell portion and a second half-shell portion connected to the first half-shell portion, each of the half-shell portions being pivotable with respect to the other. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein each half-shell portion is comprised of a plurality of uniformly shaped geometric sections. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the geometric sections are pentagonal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein each of the half-shell portions is formed from a welded piece having gaps between the pentagonal sections. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising welding edges of the pentagonal sections together to seal the gaps. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising connecting corresponding attachment members located on each of the half-shell portions.