Mixing machine with movable bowl support
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsRicky D. Kesig, Joel J. Everhart, John A. Cremeens
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A food mixing machine includes a mixer body including a column and a head extending from the column. A rotatable output member extends downward from the head for receiving a mixer tool. A bowl support is mounted for vertical movement along the column between a lowered position away from the head and a raised position toward the head. A drive assembly is linked to selectively drive the rotatable output member. A user interface, including a touch-screen display, is located on the mixer body. A controller is associated with the user interface, wherein the controller is configured to communicate mixing machine condition information via the touch-screen display.
Claims11
A food mixing machine, comprising:
- a mixer body including a column and a head extending from the column;
- a bowl support mounted for movement along the column between a lowered position away from the head and a raised position toward the head;
- at least one sensor for indicating location of the bowl support along the column;
- a prime mover connected for powered movement of the bowl support back and forth between the raised position and the lowered position under operator control via a bowl drive actuation input;
- a controller configured such that, during triggering of the bowl drive actuation input to move the bowl support toward the lowered position, the controller generates an interrupt when the at least one sensor indicates that the bowl support has moved down to a specified position between the raised position and the lowered position.
A food mixing machine, comprising:
- a mixer body including a column and a head extending from the column;
- a bowl support mounted for powered movement along the column between a lowered position away from the head and a raised position toward the head;
- a user interface located on the mixing machine;
- a control system configured such that, during powered movement of the bowl support toward the lowered position, the control system:
- (i) generates an interrupt when the bowl support has moved down to a specified position between the raised position and the lowered position;
- and/or
- (ii) initiates an unlock bowl message, that is communicated via the user interface.
A method of operating a food mixing machine that includes a mixer body including a column and a head extending from the column, and a bowl support mounted for movement along the column between a lowered position away from the head and a raised position toward the head, the method comprising:
- during powered downward movement of the bowl support toward the lowered position, interrupting the downward movement of the bowl support based upon the bowl support reaching a certain location between the raised position and the lowered position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.