Apparatus and method for manufacturing a frozen confectionary product

Abstract

The invention relates to apparatus and method of making a frozen confectionary product such as ice cream or sorbet in which a confectionary mix is churned in a vessel whilst a liquid gas such as liquid nitrogen is added. Existing churning apparatus moves a stirrer through the ice cream mix in an epicyclical motion. This tends to splash liquid nitrogen so that it evaporates without contributing to the freezing of the ice cream. In the improved mixing method, the stirrer is repeatedly drawn against the inside wall(s) of the vessel. This reduces splashing of the liquid nitrogen. The drawing action also removes build up of frozen confectionary product on both the stirrer and the vessel walls and allows unfrozen confectionary mix to move to the edges of the vessel and be preferentially frozen.

1 . A method of making a frozen confectionary product in which an unfrozen confectionary mix, agitated within a vessel, is cooled and frozen by a liquid gas; wherein an agitator agitating the unfrozen confectionary mix has a motion which comprises repeatedly drawing the agitator against an inside wall of the vessel. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the vessel is rotated in order that a subsequent motion causes the agitator to draw against a different portion of the inside wall of the vessel. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the agitator is drawn downwardly towards the base of the vessel. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the motion comprises an opposing movement in which the agitator moves away from the inside wall of the vessel. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein the motion comprises an opposing upward movement in which the agitator moves away from the inside wall of the vessel. 
     
     
         6 . A method according  claim 1  wherein in addition to the motion, the agitator is caused to rotate about its primary axis. 
     
     
         7 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the liquid gas is delivered into the vessel. 
     
     
         16 . A method of making a frozen confectionary product in which an unfrozen confectionary mix, agitated within a vessel, is cooled and frozen by a liquid gas:
 characterised in that an agitator agitates the mix with a cyclic motion comprising:
 a downward movement through the confectionary mix towards the base of the vessel which moves frozen confectionary mix from an inner surface of the vessel towards the base of the vessel; and 
 an upward movement which moves unfrozen confectionary mix towards the surface of the confectionary mix; there further being a transversal movement such that the upward and downward movements do not occur within the same part within the vessel. 
   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein the cyclic motion comprises:
 a downward movement running proximate to an inside wall of the vessel; and 
 that during the upward movement the agitator runs nearer the centre of the vessel as compared with the downward movement. 
 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein in the downward movement the agitator contacts the inside wall of the vessel. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein the agitator also rotates about its primary axis. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein the vessel rotates. 
     
     
         21 . Apparatus for making a frozen confectionary product comprising:
 an agitator driven to agitate a confectionary mix within a vessel; and   means to supply a liquid-gas to cool and freeze the confectionary mix within the vessel, wherein the agitator is driven to be repeatedly drawn against an inner wall of the vessel.   
     
     
         22 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  for making a single portion of a frozen confectionary product.