Device for preparing a frozen food product from a liquid mixture

A device for preparing a frozen food product from a liquid mixture, the device comprising:

• a cup holder comprising a cavity configured for releasably receiving a cup in which the frozen food product is to be prepared from the liquid mixture;
• a cooling unit configured for cooling the cavity of the cup holder;
• and
• a stirring unit, comprising:
• a stirring element configured for stirring with a stirring motion the liquid mixture in the cup for preparing the frozen food product, wherein the stirring element comprises an elongated rod extending along an elongation axis and at least one stirring blade connected to the elongated rod;
• and
• a drive system configured for driving the stirring motion of the stirring element in the cup, wherein the drive system comprises a motor and a coupling element configured for releasably coupling the stirring element to the motor and configured for transforming rotation of the motor into the stirring motion of the stirring element, wherein the motor is arranged for rotating in a first direction during an operational phase, thereby imparting a forward stirring motion to the stirring element, and for rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction during a termination phase following the operational phase, thereby imparting a reverse stirring motion to the stirring element, and wherein the coupling element comprises coupling means to releasably couple with complementary coupling means provided on the stirring element,
• wherein the at least one stirring blade is arranged to contact the cup during the operational phase and the termination phase, wherein the coupling means of the stirring element are provided on the elongated rod, wherein the coupling means of the stirring element comprise one of protrusions and slots, and wherein the coupling means of the coupling element comprise the other one of the protrusions and slots, wherein the protrusions and slots together form a bayonet type coupling arranged to remain coupled upon rotation of the stirring element in the first direction during the operational phase and arranged to decouple upon rotation of the stirring element in an opposite direction during the termination phase.