Means Excavating From Bulk With Simultaneous Shaping (e.g., Ice Cream Scoop Or Plugger, Etc.) Patents (Class 425/187)
  • Patent number: 11234443
    Abstract: A foodstuff, and a method and system of making the same, comprises a biscuit having a generally planar top surface and a generally planar bottom surface. The biscuit includes first indicia on the top surface that has a plurality of projections that extend from the top surface. The biscuit also includes second indicia on the bottom surface that has an imprint recessed from the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands, LLC
    Inventors: Mihaelos N. Mihalos, Theodore N. Janulis, Alan John Kino, Kenchu Antonio Tham
  • Patent number: 8814554
    Abstract: An ice cream scoop includes a head configured to scoop frozen food product, a handle extending from the head to an end, the handle including an internal cavity with the end open to the internal cavity, a heat transfer fluid contained in the internal cavity and in thermal communication with the head, an end cap that closes the end of the handle, a gasket disposed between the end cap and the handle to seal the internal cavity, and a pin that secures the end cap to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark V. LeGreve, Dake Wang, Michael Hollen
  • Patent number: 8790107
    Abstract: An ice cream scoop includes a handle, a scooper coupled to an end of the handle, a scraper installed in the scooper, a link rod extended from an end of the scraper into the end of the handle, and a transmission device installed on the link rod. The ice cream scoop further includes an operating device with an end pivotally coupled to the handle, such that the operating device can be swayed between a first position and a second position with respect to the handle. The operating device further includes a driving portion coupled to the transmission device. If the operating device is swayed between the first and second positions, the link rod will be rotated, and the scraper will be moved along an internal wall of the scooper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Intercontinental Marketing Services Far East Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tung-Hsien Lee, Sheng-Chi Lin
  • Patent number: 8641401
    Abstract: A combination scoop and mold press includes two generally cup-shaped half-mold members, which engage one another at mold member edges in mirror-image alignment to form a generally enclosed mold. The half-mold members of the scoop and mold press are carried on opposite ends of a unitary piece of injection molded polymeric material, which has a live hinge joint equidistantly spaced between the mold members. Either of the half-mold members may be utilized to scoop out an appropriate mass of bait dough having at least the volume of the closed mold. At least one of the half-mold members is equipped with a notch or slit through which the shank of a fish hook, or the line which is tied to the fish hook, may pass. Finger pressure is used to bring the mold half-members together, compressing the bait dough around the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Randall L. Leininger
  • Patent number: 7427194
    Abstract: An ice cream scooping implement includes an elongated handle that has an axial bore extending from a handle distal end and terminates approximately midway therealong. The handle has an end cap removably mated to a proximal end thereof. A scooping section is telescopically and removably insertable into the axial bore and includes a mechanism for locking the scooping section within the handle. A heating element is concentrically seated about a proximal portion of the scooping section, is in direct contact with the scooping section, is isolated from the handle, and is formed from thermal-conductive and electrical-conductive material, including tungsten. The heating element includes a pair of conductive terminals that extend proximally along a longitudinal length thereof. A mechanism is included for supplying power to the heating element. The terminals are directly engaged with the power supplying mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Inventor: Renae A. Lopez
  • Patent number: 7338026
    Abstract: A top for use with an ice cream container, the top keeping the ice cream contained therein fresh, tasteful, and easily dispensable. When the top is placed or fitted into an ice cream container, the top is pressed down into the ice cream. The force of the top being pressed downward shapes the surface of the ice cream to conform to the shape of the top As the top is pressed downward, air escapes through the holes and the inner surface of the top touches the surface of the re-shaped ice cream. The top also has at least one projection, which may be moved independently of the rest of the top, the projection pressed or projected down into the ice cream. The depression made by the projection facilitates a spoon or serving instrument to be easily inserted into the ice cream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventors: Joe Solmonson, Michelle Solmonson
  • Publication number: 20070292551
    Abstract: A heated scooping utensil comprises a handle assembly, a scoop assembly and means for releaseably retaining the handle attachment structure of the scoop body in engagement with the housing. The handle assembly includes a housing and an electrical power supply at least partially contained within an interior space of the housing. The electrical interconnect portion of the electrical power supply is exposed at an exterior surface of the housing. The scoop assembly includes a scoop body and a heating element. The heating element is attached to the scoop body. The scoop body includes a handle attachment structure disengagably engaged with the housing. The heating element includes an electrical interconnect portion disconnectably interconnected with the electrical interconnect portion of the electrical power supply. The means for releaseably retaining the handle attachment structure enables the handle attachment structure of the scoop body to be selectively engaged with and disengaged from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Edgar D. Taylor, Jaison D. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7270530
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portioning device for foodstuffs, in particular ice cream. Said device comprises a handle consisting of two handle halves that are interconnected by an articulation and can be pivoted in relation to one another, a scoop that is attached to said handle and a blade that is adapted to the interior shape of the scoop. Said blade is mounted so that it can pivot close to the surface of said scoop and carries out a pivoting displacement when the handle is operated. The handle is equipped, between the articulation and the scoop, preferably in the vicinity of the articulation, with a resilient pad consisting of an elastic material, preferably a rubber ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Christof Schülling
  • Patent number: 7261537
    Abstract: A forced hot air ice cream scoop and heater for facilitating the removal of ice cream from its container having a handle portion having a first end and a distal end, an inlet and an outlet at the first end of the handle portion, a body having a ladle disposed on the distal end of the handle portion, an air passageway extending from the inlet of the handle portion to the ladle and back to the outlet of the handle portion, wherein the passageway is in fluid connection with the inlet and the outlet, a heater having a heating element for generating heat and a blower for distributing the heat as hot air through the passageway, thereby heating the ladle. A temperature sensing device may be provided for sensing the temperature of the hot air, while an adjustable temperature setting device may also be provided for adjusting the temperature of the hot air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Howard S. Mitz
  • Patent number: 6722871
    Abstract: The present invention includes a device for dispensing food products such as ice cream, yogurt, sherbet, sorbet, whipped topping, cheesecake filling, pudding and the like comprising a scoop having a channel portion with a tapered, semi-circular cross section along a curved axis. The scoop is designed to be mounted on or adjacent to a container of food product and to extend substantially across one half of the opening of the container. The scoop may be mounted to the container with the smaller cross-sectional area mounted adjacent to the sidewall of the container and with the larger cross-sectional area mounted proximate the center of the container. Alternatively, the scoop may be mounted with the larger cross-sectional area adjacent the sidewall and with the smaller cross-sectional area mounted proximate the center of the container. The cross-sectional area of the channel portion in either case is tapered from end to end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Jim Dandy, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Howe, William A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20030198706
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ice-cream disher, which is easy to manufacture, and which can scoop out a certain amount of ice-cream stored in an ice-cream drum. It is an ice-cream disher, which comprises a hemispherical scooping bowl; a connecting member, extending to one side, which is attached to the scooping bowl; a handle joined to the connecting member; and a scooping means, comprising fixing to the support plate a rotation-axis rod with a gear for enabling semi-rotation of the scooping tongue within the scooping bowl, and fitting a lever having a working plate onto the clamp pin by way of a spring, which is in gear with the gear, wherein the attachment construction of the connecting member to the handle comprises inserting the rear end into the insertion groove formed at the frontal end of the handle, and then forcibly inserting a clamp pin into the pin holes formed in the vertical direction of the connecting member and the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Sun Kwan Kim
  • Patent number: 6416309
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for serving ice cream with a chemically-heated ice cream scoop. The scoop comprises a bowl and a handle with an interior cavity filled with a nontoxic, supercoolable salt solution. The salt solution may be selectively crystallized by triggering an activator in fluid communication with the solution. Crystallization evolves a significant amount of heat that is used to elevate the temperature of the scoop bowl, thereby decreasing the cutting force required to separate a serving of ice cream from a storage container and reducing adherence of the ice cream within the scoop bowl. After use, the scoop may be recharged by elevating the temperature of the crystallized solution above its crystallization temperature. The process of crystallization, melting, and supercooling may be repeated indefinitely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Michlitsch, Shaun Meredith, Daniel J. Keating, Yaakov Weinstein, Eugene Lee, Michael D. Rees, Darren Soetantyo, Sean Padgett, Steven D. Eppinger
  • Patent number: 5368465
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved ice-cream scoop designed to alleviate strain on the operator's wrist, and to provide support and stability to the wrist. This improved scoop design significantly reduces the fatigue and discomfort associated with frequent and extended periods of use and lessens the potential for carpal tunnel syndrome. The scoop includes a hemispherical hollow bowl, handle, and forearm appendage connected to said bowl wherein said forearm appendage extends above the handle and conforms to the shape of an operator's forearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Inventor: Matthew J. Wanderer
  • Patent number: 5326248
    Abstract: A product serving apparatus includes an apportioning scoop, a product separation assembly for separating the product from the scoop, a hand operated actuator assembly for driving the product separation assembly, and an integral handle and support assembly affixed to the scoop. The handle assembly provides a substantially smooth exterior which is impermeable to soil or food product. The handle assembly provides a crevice-free exterior extending over the entire distance between its ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Thuecks, William I. Kessler, Alan J. Schommer
  • Patent number: 4758150
    Abstract: This invention relates to a scoop for dispensing balls of ice cream. The scoop comprises a spoon or dish portion equipped with a sweeping band or doctor blade mounted for rotation on the spoon, and a handle. The spoon and its sweeping band are removably engageable with the handle by means of three fixed pins, or through a ring nut which is secured to the spoon and can be fitted on the handle. The pivot pin of the sweeping band is operatively connected to a drive system actuated by an electric motor or a fluid-operated cylinder/piston unit housed in the handle. The electric motor or the fluid-operated unit can be controlled through a pushbutton and is arranged to impart a rotary motion through approximately 180.degree. first in one direction and then in the opposite direction to the sweeping band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Inventors: Bruno Fanini, Adelio Ciresola, Alberto Aldegheri
  • Patent number: 4721449
    Abstract: An improved ice cream scoop for scooping ice cream from bulk containers of the character having a spring biased ejection mechanism for ejecting the ice cream from the scoop in which, upon a failure of the ejection mechanism, a new mechanism can be easily and quickly installed without the use of tools and without the need for removal of fasteners of any kind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Inventor: Scott Alberts
  • Patent number: 4699582
    Abstract: An improved two component ice cream scoop made of plastic, includes a bowl portion and handle portion integrally connected, the handle portion further includes an ejecting lever which is biased by a tongue spring, wherein the head portion of the ejecting lever is adjacent to the inside of said bowl portion and can be moved up when the tail portion of said ejecting lever is pressed, for pushing the ice cream out of the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Inventor: Kuen-Pao Chen
  • Patent number: 4420948
    Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing a wide variety of types and flavors of a solid food, such as ice cream, in spherical-shaped balls or scoops. The dispensing system is housed in a structure that provides a plurality of drawer-like compartments that are accessible from a front side thereof. The structure may advantageously comprise the walls of a freezer or refrigeration unit when the solid food to be dispensed must be maintained at a low temperature. Each compartment is loaded by sliding it out from its compartment and placing the food to be dispensed within a barrel or holding chamber thereof. Once loaded, the compartment is slid back into the housing structure. The back side of the barrel or holding chamber is open and aligned with a movable plunger that moves forward and maintains a constant pressure on the food contained therein. The plunger is controlled by a suitable pressure source, such as a pressurized air cylinder or hydraulic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Inventor: Don H. Savage
  • Patent number: H846
    Abstract: A frozen foot server includes a handle portion and a scoop portion and has an electrical heating element embedded in the scoop portion. The heating element includes a plurality of portions that are each positioned in the scoop portion to heat special areas of the inner and the outer surface of that scoop portion according to the particular portion of the scooping, transporting and dispensing process being carried out. The heating element can be positioned according to whether the server will be operated by a right-handed operator or by a left-handed operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventors: Milton W. Allen, Sharon J. Allen