Method and apparatus for making food products

Abstract

A machine ( 10 ) for mixing a food product in a container includes a container holder ( 38 ) having an axis and adapted to receive a container. An agitator ( 30 ) is rotated by a motor ( 22 ) on an axis and is positioned above the container holder ( 38 ). A motor ( 47 ) moves the container holder ( 38 ) upwardly to selectively position the agitator ( 30 ) in the container with the axis of rotation of the agitator ( 30 ) being displaced from the axis of the container holder ( 38 ). A motor ( 45 ) can rotate the container holder ( 38 ) on its axis while the agitator ( 30 ) is in the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Apparatus for mixing a food product in a container having a bottom and a body portion of a particular configuration comprising a container holder shaped in the same configuration as the container and adapted to receive the container therein, an agitator positioned above said container holder, and a motor to move said container holder toward and away from said agitator such that said agitator is within the container but not touching the bottom of the container. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second motor to rotate said agitator on an axis, said container holder having an axis which is displaced from the axis of rotation of said agitator such that when said agitator is in the container, the body portion of the container is not engaged by said agitator. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a third motor to rotate said container holder. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus for mixing a food product in a container comprising a container holder carried by a travel plate and having a bottom surface and a body portion extending upwardly from said bottom surface, said container holder being adapted to receive the container on said bottom surface and within said body portion, and a rotatable agitator positioned above said container holder, said travel plate moving said container holder upwardly so that said agitator is selectively positioned in the container and being rotatable while said agitator is in the container without allowing said agitator to engage the portion of the container positioned on said bottom surface and without allowing said agitator to engage the portion of the container positioned within said body portion. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising a motor to rotate said agitator on an axis, said container holder having an axis which is displaced from the axis of rotation of said agitator when said agitator is positioned in the container. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising a guide mechanism positioned on each side of said travel plate to guide said travel plate during its upward and downward movement. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said agitator includes a rotatable shaft, a stem received on said shaft and having one end attached to said shaft, and a blade positioned on the other end of said stern, said blade configured like the bowl of a spoon. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising a first motor to selectively move said container holder upwardly and downwardly, a second motor to rotate said agitator, and a third motor to selectively rotate said container holder. 
     
     
         9 . A method of mixing a food product in a container having a bottom and a body portion with an agitator having an axis of rotation comprising the steps of placing the container in a container holder having an axis, moving the container holder relative to the agitator such that the agitator enters the container with its axis of rotation displaced from the axis of the container holder, and rotating the agitator within the container without allowing the agitator to engage the bottom or body portion of the container. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of selectively rotating the container holder. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the container holder is rotated less than one full revolution, is then stopped, and is again rotated less than one full revolution. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of reversing the direction of movement of the container holder while the agitator is still in the container.