WO2013012314A1

WO2013012314A1 - Mixing bowl unit for a vending machine

Info

Publication number: WO2013012314A1
Application number: PCT/NL2011/050526
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonius Petrus Julius Sweere; Mara Maria Wilhelmina Van Haandel; Wiebe Nicolaas Van Druten
Original assignee: Friesland Brands BV
Current assignee: FrieslandCampina Nederland BV
Priority date: 2011-07-20
Filing date: 2011-07-20
Publication date: 2013-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 2014-01-20

Abstract

The invention provides a mixing bowl unit (100) for a vending machine, comprising an upper bowl (110), a mixing chamber (120) and a product outlet spout (130). The upper bowl (110) comprises inlets (111a, 111b) and a bowl outlet (112) to the mixing chamber (120). The mixing chamber (120) comprises a mixing chamber opening (121) to receive a mixer unit (300) and an opening (124) to the product outlet spout (130). The product outlet spout (130) has a cylindrical shape with a curved cylindrical axis (131). The upper bowl (110), mixing chamber (120) and product outlet spout (130) are a seamless unit.

Description

Mixing bowl unit for a vending machine

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a mixing bowl unit for a vending machine, to a mixing device for a vending machine comprising such mixing bowl, as well as to a vending machine comprising such mixing bowl unit or mixing device, respectively.

Background of the invention

Vending machines for beverages with mixers for mixing ingredients to produce the beverage, as well as such mixers per se, are known in the art.

WO2009007811 for instance describes a beverage vending machine mixer for mixing a soluble product and hot water, wherein a first injection means injects water directly onto the bottom of a mixing chamber, a second injection means injects water tangentially into the top of the mixing chamber, and, mixing means being located between the bottom of the mixing chamber and an outflow chamber connected to outflow means, the beverage is pushed to the outflow point.

Further, US 5839610 describes an ingredient mixing apparatus and moisture reduction system for a liquid vending machine which is capable of mixing a predetermined portion of dry ingredient with a liquid and vending the resultant mixture. The ingredient mixing apparatus includes a mixing bowl which has a cylindrical upper portion and conical lower portion with an outlet spout at the bottom. The liquid is injected into the bowl at a tangent so that it swirls about the bowl for mixing. The dry ingredient is dropped into the top of the bowl simultaneously with the liquid injection so that the two mix before leaving the bowl through the bottom. A top cap is provided for the mixing bowl with a depending wall extending adjacent the inner cylindrical surface of a portion of the bowl. A divider wall also supported by the cap extends down into the mixing bowl to divide it into two sections. Suction is provided on the second section to remove steam or vapour and airborne dry ingredient from the bowl. The moisture reduction system includes a series of mixing bowls and a manifold that removes the steam and dry ingredient from the mixing bowls.

EP0986983, of the same applicant, describes a hot beverage vending machine adapted for making coffee drinks from a freeze dried mixture by utilizing mixing bowls and delivery tubes surrounded by a heater shroud. A smooth edge whipper is utilized to whip the coffee mixture to the proper consistency after it leaves the mixing bowl to provide the proper cream appearance in the cup. The mixture is directed into a cup by an adjustable outlet tube so that the coffee mixture is directed against the side of the cup below the full line. The adjustable outlet tube also contributes to the proper drink appearance by reducing the number of large bubbles in the cup.

US-A-4, 193,522 discloses a mixing device for a dispensing machine. The housing 12 comprises an upper bowl, mixing chamber and a product outlet spout, and from the drawings it can be seen that the housing is a seamless unit. In the mixing bowl a straight shaped flow breaker 61 is present. The product outlet spout is a straight cylinder segment without curvature.

Summary of the invention

A disadvantage of prior art systems may be that product may accumulate at seams in the mixing bowl. In hot beverage vending machines this may not be a problem, because hot water may remove the accumulated product and/or reduce the possibility of accumulation and growth of germs. However, in cold beverage vending machines, for instance in yoghurt vending machines, accumulation of product is not desired, because this might lead to accumulation of bacteria. Hence, in order to reduce costs (such as cleaning costs) and to reduce risks, accumulation of product should be prevented.

Further, prior art systems often have a complicated mixing bowl unit, with a plurality of pieces. Removal and re-introduction of the mixing bowl unit may therefore be unnecessarily complicated and lead to time loss in cleaning the machine. Further, the more pieces, the more chances on loss or damage of pieces.

Hence, it is an aim of the invention to provide an alternative mixing bowl unit, which further at least partly obviates one or more of above-described drawbacks. It is further an aim of the invention to provide an alternative mixing device, which further at least partly obviates one or more of above-described drawbacks. It is yet a further aim of the invention to provide an alternative vending machine, which further at least partly obviates one or more of above-described drawbacks.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a mixing bowl unit for a vending machine, comprising an upper bowl, a mixing chamber and a product outlet spout ("spout"), wherein: a. the upper bowl comprises one or more inlets and a bowl outlet to the mixing chamber;

b. the mixing chamber comprises a mixing chamber opening to receive a mixer unit and an opening to the product outlet spout; and

c. the product outlet spout has a cylindrical shape with a curved cylindrical axis.

In prior art mixing devices, a straight outlet is provided, or a very short outlet to which a further channel (e.g. a flexible tube) is connectable, as these variants of an outlet spout are easy to produce. In the present invention, an integrated outlet spout is provided, which has a cylindrical shape with a curved cylindrical axis. This allows to use the mixing bowl unit for a direct delivery of a beverage into a cup or like container, without needing an extension to be attached to the outlet spout.

The upper bowl, mixing chamber and product outlet spout are a seamless unit. An advantage of a seamless unit is that less or substantially no (beverage) material may accumulate. This reduces the need of cleaning (and for instance lead to a reduction in cleaning frequency) and may also reduce the risk of undesired micro-bacterial accumulation.

In a specific embodiment, the upper bowl further may comprise a curved flow breaker. In general, a flow breaker is arranged in line of the flow of liquid entering via an inlet in the upper bowl. Present flow breakers often are arranged as protrusion arranged perpendicular to the wall of the upper bowl and having sharp edges. In the present invention, however, the flow breaker may be curved and may have a smooth surface and may be shaped as a slope/slant on the wall of the upper bowl, without sharp edges. As indicated above, the smooth surface may reduce or prevent accumulation of micro-organisms and/or product.

The upper bowl may comprise one or more inlets. The upper bowl may comprise at least one inlet for a powder (granulate), which is general the top opening of the upper bowl, and at least one inlet for a liquid (such as hot or cold water), which is in general arranged in the upper bowl wall. In the line of the liquid flow through this opening for a liquid, the upper bowl may comprise the above mentioned flow breaker. As mentioned above, this flow breaker has a slope shape and has no sharp edges. In this way, a smooth internal surface of the bowl wall is obtained, nevertheless having a protrusion that may function as flow breaker. The upper bowl further comprises a bowl outlet to the mixing chamber.

The mixing chamber comprises a mixing chamber opening to receive a mixer unit and an opening to the product outlet spout. In a specific embodiment, the mixing chamber has an internal mixing chamber surface with at a non-zero distance from the mixing chamber opening an inwardly extending narrowing. This may be used to tightly close the mixing chamber by the mixer unit (see also below).

Hence, starting materials to provide the beverage are introduced into the upper bowl, wherein (already) some mixing may take place, amongst others due to the optional presence of the flow breaker. The (mixed) starting materials leave the upper bowl via the bowl outlet and arrive in the mixing chamber, wherein a mixer unit (see below), introduced via the mixing chamber opening, mixes (with a stirrer) the starting materials to provide the product. Mixed product leaves the mixing chamber via the opening to the spout, travel through the spout and is allowed to escape from the spout opening, and drop for instance in a beaker or other item that may hold the beverage. The consumer may take the beaker or other item from the vending machine (see below) and consume the beverage.

The spout is a continuously curved spout in a further embodiment. This may be advantageous during production such as injection moulding, and may further enable the creating of a single mixing bowl unit. Especially, the product outlet spout has the shape of a curved cylinder and the radius of the curved cylinder axis is in the range of 2-8 cm.

In a specific embodiment, the mixing bowl unit, comprising the upper bowl, mixing chamber and outlet spout, is (thus) obtainable by injection moulding. However, also other methods may be applied, which may optionally introduce one or more seams. For instance, the mixing bowl unit or parts thereof may be assembled from two or more entities, and welding the entities together to obtain the mixing bowl unit or parts thereof. Such entities may for instance be obtained by injection moulding. In another embodiment, the mixing bowl unit or parts thereof may be assembled from two or more entities, which entities are attached to each other by one or more of gluing together, screwing to one another, welding together, snapping to one another, etc.

Above, the mixing bowl unit was elucidated. The mixing bowl unit may have its mixing function especially when the mixer unit is at least partly arranged within the mixing chamber (opening). In this way, the mixer unit may mix (with a stirrer) the materials (temporarily) present in the mixing chamber, before the materials leave into the outlet spout.

Hence, in a further aspect, the invention provides a mixing device for a vending machine comprising a mixing bowl, as defined herein, and a mixer unit arranged in the mixing chamber opening, wherein the mixer unit comprises a hollow mixing chamber closure that together with the mixing chamber form a male-female closure, thereby closing the mixing chamber opening, and wherein the hollow mixing chamber closure at least partially hosts a stirrer, stirrer driving axis or both stirrer and stirrer driving axis. The stirrer may especially comprise an impeller. The hollow mixing chamber closure closes the mixing chamber opening.

As mentioned above, the arrangement of mixer unit in mixing chamber opening leads to a good closure. For instance, this may be facilitated by the narrowing in/on the internal mixing chamber surface as indicated above. This may be used to clasp for instance part of the mixer unit into the mixing chamber, thereby providing the male- female closure. However, alternatively or additionally, other embodiments may be applied.

In an embodiment, one or more of the mixing chamber and mixing chamber closure comprise a contact part comprising a flexible material. The flexible material may especially be used to close the mixing chamber with the closure by the mixer unit. The term "contact part" is used, to indicate that that part (mixing chamber or mixing chamber closure) makes contact with the other part (mixing chamber closure or mixing chamber).

For instance, in an embodiment, the narrowing may comprise a flexible material, whereas the rest of the mixing chamber wall comprises less flexible or rigid material. Hence, in an embodiment, the mixing bowl unit is obtainable by two-component injection moulding.

In another embodiment, the hollow mixing chamber closure comprises a rigid material with an extremity comprising a flexible material. Hence, in an embodiment, the hollow mixing chamber closure is obtainable by (two-component) injection moulding.

Herein, a flexible material has a Shore A durometer hardness in the range of e.g. 20-100 and a rigid material has a Shore R durometer hardness in the range of e.g. at least 50, such as in the range of 50-150, such as 50-90. The flexible material may comprise an elastomer and the rigid material may comprise a thermoplastic. The hardness can be assessed according to ISO 2039-1. When a single material is applied, the hardness may for instance be in the range of 60A-90A or in the range of 40D-90D, but more generally in the range of 50R-150R, or 50-100R. The material of the mixing bowl unit may have a shore hardness in the range of in the range of 50R-150R, e.g. 50- 100R, such as 70R-90R.

In an embodiment, the mixing chamber has a cylindrical shape. Especially in such an embodiment, the hollow mixing chamber closure comprises a conically shaped closing part. The closing part may be arranged in the mixing chamber and may for instance clasp at the narrowing.

The mixing unit is configured to allow providing a stirrer within the mixing chamber. Therefore, the mixer unit comprises a driver axis opening for the driving axis of the stirrer.

This opening is well sealed in a further embodiment, without substantially inhibition the rotation of the driver axis. Such opening may be sealed by a gasket around the driving axis. This gasket is (thus) arrangeable around the driving axis and is especially configured to seal the driver axis opening.

Now, to prevent seams, also the mixer unit may be optimized.

In a specific embodiment, the gasket and stirrer are a single unit, especially a seamless gasket-stirrer unit. Such gasket-stirrer unit may comprise a stirrer part and a gasket part, wherein the stirrer part may comprise a rigid material and wherein the gasket part may comprise a flexible material. Especially in the latter embodiment, the flexible material comprised by the gasket part may allow a good closing by the gasket part (via the flexible material) of the (rigid) closing part. The gasket-stirrer unit may be obtainable by injection moulding, e.g. two-component injection moulding.

Alternatively, the hollow mixing chamber closure and the gasket are a single unit, especially a seamless mixing chamber closure-gasket unit. Such mixing chamber closure-gasket unit may comprise a mixing chamber closure part and a gasket part, wherein the mixing chamber closure part may comprise a rigid material and wherein the gasket part may comprise a flexible material. Especially in the latter embodiment, the flexible material comprised by the gasket part may allow a good closing by the gasket part (via the flexible material) of the driver axis. The mixing chamber closure- gasket unit may be obtainable by injection moulding, especially two-component) injection moulding.

With the embodiments indicated above, it is possible to provide a mixing device comprising no O-rings. Again, this is beneficial in view of hygiene and/or maintenance.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides a vending machine, comprising at least one mixing device as described above, i.e. such vending machine comprises a mixing bowl unit and a mixer unit, wherein the latter is arranged to allow a stirrer rotate in the mixing chamber of the mixing bowl unit. In a further embodiment, the vending machine may comprise a plurality of mixing devices, especially a plurality of the mixing devices according to the invention. Especially, the vending machine may be configured to produce a cold beverage, such as yoghurt, yoghurt drink, milk, milk based drink, cold chocolate drink, ice tea (cold tea), ice coffee (cold coffee). In an embodiment, the vending machine is a yoghurt vending machine. Herein, the term beverage may refer to a drinkable beverage, but also to a spoonable beverage, such as for instance quark, mousse, custard and pudding, or similar products. Herein, the term "yoghurt" may in a specific embodiment also refer to a yoghurt like product. Likewise, herein, the terms "quark" and "custard" may in specific embodiments also refer to a quark like product and custard like products, respectively. For instance, based on milk powder, yoghurt like products may be made. However, the vending machine according to the invention may also be configured to produce a hot beverage, such as one or more of coffee, hot water, tea, hot chocolate, soup, etc. Therefore, in general, the vending machine may be configured to produce a drink that can be composed of at least a liquid, especially water, and at least a powder (such as milk powder).

The term "substantially" herein, such as in "substantially all emission" or in "substantially consists", will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term "substantially" may also include embodiments with "entirely", "completely", "all", etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term "substantially" may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. The term "comprise" includes also embodiments wherein the term "comprises" means "consists of.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

The devices herein are amongst others described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation or devices in operation.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figures la- Id schematically depict the mixing bowl unit of the invention in side (la) view, in perspective view (lb,lc) , and in top view (Id), respectively;

Figures 2a-2d schematically depict embodiments of the mixer unit (but yet without stirrer and stirrer driving axis);

Figures 3a-3b schematically depict an embodiment of the mixing bowl unit, with special attention to an embodiment of a narrowing within the mixing chamber;

Figures 4a-4b schematically depict an embodiment of the single gasket-stirrer unit; and Figure 5 schematically depicts an embodiment of a vending machine comprising the mixing bowl unit.

The embodiments schematically depicted in the drawings may have other scales, if desired. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, some features of the embodiments depicted in the schematic drawings may relate to non-technical features. For instance, the length of the product outlet spout may at partly be chosen as a matter of design.

Description of preferred embodiments

Figure la schematically depicts an embodiment of mixing bowl unit 100. The mixing bowl unit 100 comprises an upper bowl 110, a mixing chamber 120, and a product outlet spout 130. The upper bowl 110 comprises an inlet 111a, this is the top opening (especially for a powder). Further the upper bowl 110 comprises another inlet indicated with reference 111b (see for instance figures lb- Id) (especially for a liquid). The upper bowl 110 further comprises a bowl outlet 112 which connects the upper bowl 110 with the mixing chamber 120.

The mixing chamber on its turn comprises a mixing chamber opening 121, which opening is used for a mixer unit (not depicted; see further below). The mixing chamber 120 further comprises an opening 124 to the product outlet spout 130.

Hence products being introduced via inlets 111a and 111b may (partly) mix within the upper bowl 110, leave this upper bowl 110 via the bowl outlet 112 to the mixing chamber 120, wherein the products are mixed by the mixer of the mixing unit 300, and leave the mixing bowl unit via the product outlet spout 130. The product outlet spout 130 has a spout cylinder axis 131. This spout cylinder axis has a radius R.

Figure lb schematically depicts the same mixing bowl unit 100, but now in perspective. In this figure also opening 111b is visual. Further as can be seen in this figure the upper bowl 110 comprises a flow breaker 113. This flow breaker 113 has a curved structure and no sharp edges. In this way, the product will not accumulate at the flow breaker 113. The flow of a liquid flowing into the upper bowl 110 via inlet 111b may break on the flow breaker, since the flow breaker is arranged in line with the inlet 11 lb for a liquid. Note that the flow of the liquid will nearly include a full turn within the upper bowl 110. Before reaching the inlet 111b again, the flow may break on the flow breaker 113. Figure lc again depicts the mixing bowl unit 100 in perspective, but now from the back side. In this schematic drawing now the mixing chamber opening 121 is better visible. The mixing chamber 120 has a mixing chamber internal surface 122. This internal surface 122 of the mixing chamber may comprise a narrowing 123. This narrowing 123 is arranged at a non-zero distance from the mixing chamber opening 121 and extends inwardly.

Figure Id schematically depicts the mixing bowl unit 100 from above. It is now better visible that the flow breaker 113 is a curved flow breaker, and does not contain sharp edges.

Figure 2a schematically depicts, in front view, an embodiment of a mixer unit

300 and without a stirrer, such as an impeller. The mixer unit 300 comprises in this embodiment a conically shaped closing part 315, and in the centre a driver access opening 330. Reference 318 indicates an extremity of the conically shaped closing part 315. The extremity 318, or the closing part 315, has a contact part 317. It is this contact part 317 that may have in an embodiment contact with the mixing chamber internal surface 122, when the mixer unit is at least partly introduced with its conically shaped closing part 315 in the mixing chamber 120. The contact part 317 will then contact the narrowing 123 and thereby provide a closure. Figure 2b schematically depicts again an embodiment of the mixer unit, again without a stirrer such as an impeller; but now in perspective. Figure 2c schematically depicts again an embodiment of the mixer unit 300, but now in side view. As can be seen in those schematically depicted embodiments, is that the conical closing part has a large opening, configured to make contact with the mixing chamber 120, and a small opening, i.e. driver access opening 330. The contact part 317 may consist of a flexible material, whereby the closure of the mixing chamber with the closing part 315 may be facilitated. For instance, the contact part 317 may comprise a material having a shore hardness in the range of 20A-100A and the closing part 315 (and the rest of mixer unit 300) may comprise a material having shore hardness in the range of 50R-90R. Would one single material may be applied, a material having a shore hardness in the range of 50R-90R might be applied.

Figure 2d schematically depicts again an embodiment of the mixer unit 300, in side view, but now drawn partly opened. Here a specific embodiment is shown. In use an axis of stirrer, such as an impeller, will be introduced through opening 330. Around this axis a gasket 340 will be placed in order to get a good closure. Here in the schematically depicted embodiment of figure 2d, this gasket 340 and the closing part 315 are one single unit. This unit is indicated as closure-gasket unit indicated with reference 360. This closure-gasket unit 360 comprises a closure part 361 and a gasket part 362 (in fact gasket 340, but now as integral part of the closure-gasket unit 360). In this way a seamless mixing chamber closure-gasket unit 360 may be obtained. In a specific embodiment the mixing chamber closure part 361 comprises a rigid material and the gasket part 362 comprises a flexible material. This may especially allow a good closure of the access in the opening 330. In this way, a driving axis is well surrounded and substantially no opening between driving axis and gasket part 362 might be present. The gasket part 362 may for instance be of a material having a shore hardness in the range of 20A-100A and the mixing chamber closure part 361 may comprise a material having a shore hardness in the range of 50R-90R.

Figure 3a schematically depicts an embodiment of the mixing bowl unit 100 wherein at least part of the mixer unit 300 is arranged in the mixing chamber opening 121. In this way a mixing device is obtained, which is indicated with reference 200. As mentioned above the mixer unit 300 comprises a hollow mixing chamber closure 310. Together with the mixing chamber 120, the hollow mixing chamber closure 310 forms a male-female closure. In this way the mixing chamber opening 121 is closed.

In this figure also a stirrer 320 is shown which is hosted by the hollow mixing chamber closure 310. Further a stirrer 320 is connected to a stirrer driving axis 321, which may rotate within the driver access opening 330. Figure 3b schematically depicts an enlargement of the place where the contact part 317 of the mixing chamber closure 310 contacts the mixing chamber internal surface 122, especially at the narrowing 123. The extremity 318 of the hollow mixing chamber closure 310 and/or the narrowing 123 may comprise a flexible material. The reset of the mixing chamber closure 310 and/or mixing chamber 120 will in general comprise rigid material. In general, all materials will be polymeric materials. Examples of materials are for instance a poly propylene (PP) or a poly amide (PA), or (another) thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer, which may especially be used as rigid materials, and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), such as a thermoplastic poly urethane. Reference 401 refers to a unit that is able to receive the beverage from the mixing device 200, such as a beaker.

Figures 4a and 4b schematically depict an embodiment wherein the gasket 340 and the stirrer 320 are a single unit, e.g. a seamless unit. This gasket-stirrer unit is indicated with reference 350. The gasket-stirrer unit 350 comprises a stirrer part 351 and a gasket part 352. In an embodiment the stirrer part 351 comprises a rigid material and the gasket part 352 comprises a flexible material. The gasket-stirrer unit 350 may substantially consist of one material. Here, an impeller 325 is depicted, which can be used to stir the materials in the mixing chamber. The gasket-stirrer unit 350 may be of a single material having a shore hardness in the range of 60A-90A. However, the gasket- stirrer unit 350 may also be made of materials having different harnesses. For instance, the gasket part 352 may comprise a material having a shore hardness 20A-100A and the stirrer part 351 may comprise a material having a shore hardness in the range of 50R-90R. Alternatively, the gasket part 352 may comprise a material having a shore hardness 20A-50A and the stirrer part 351 may comprise a material having a shore hardness in the range of 60A-100A.

Hence there are several options of combining the gasket 340, the mixing chamber closure 310, and the stirrer 320. Figures 4a-4b schematically depict an embodiment of a gasket-stirrer unit 350; figure 2d schematically depicts an embodiment of a closure- gasket unit 360.

Figure 5 schematically depicts an embodiment of a vending machine 400 which comprises at least one mixing device 200. As mentioned above, the mixing device 200 comprises mixing bowl unit 100 and mixing unit (not visible). In use, they form the mixing device 200 for the vending machine 400. Reference 410 schematically indicates a motor. The beaker, in which the mixed product may be introduced, is indicated with reference 401. Reference 402 indicates a container for hosting an ingredient for a beverage especially when this ingredient will be introduced via opening 111a. Further a liquid ingredient may enter opening 111b. This liquid ingredient is indicated with reference 403.

Specific embodiments are depicted in the accompanying schematic drawings. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, embodiments may be combined.

Claims

1. A mixing bowl unit (100) claim for a vending machine, comprising an upper bowl (110), a mixing chamber (120) and a product outlet spout (130), wherein a. the upper bowl (1 10) comprises inlets (111a, 111b) and a bowl outlet (112) to the mixing chamber (120);

b. the mixing chamber (120) comprises a mixing chamber opening (121) to receive a mixer unit (300) and an opening (124) to the product outlet spout (130);

c. the product outlet spout (130) has a cylindrical shape with a curved cylindrical axis (131); and

wherein the upper bowl (110), mixing chamber (120) and product outlet spout (130) are a seamless unit.

2. The mixing bowl unit (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the upper bowl (110) further comprises a curved flow breaker (113).

3. The mixing bowl unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product outlet spout (130) has the shape of a curved cylinder and wherein the radius (R) of the curved cylinder axis is in the range of 2-8 cm.

4. The mixing bowl unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, obtainable by injection moulding.

5. The mixing bowl unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mixing chamber (120) has an internal mixing chamber surface (121) with at a non-zero distance from the mixing chamber opening (121) an inwardly extending narrowing (123).

6. A mixing device (200) claim for a vending machine comprising a mixing bowl unit (100) according to any one of claims 1-5 and a mixer unit (300) arranged in the mixing chamber opening (121), wherein the mixer unit (300) comprises a hollow mixing chamber closure (310) that together with the mixing chamber opening (121) form a male-female closure, thereby closing the mixing chamber opening (121), and wherein the hollow mixing chamber closure (310) at least partially hosts a stirrer (320), stirrer driving axis (321) or both stirrer (320) and stirrer driving axis (321).

7. The mixing device (200) according to claim 6, wherein one or more of the mixing chamber (120) and mixing chamber closure (310) comprise a contact part (127,317) comprising a flexible material.

8. The mixing device (200) according to any one of claims 6-7, wherein the mixing chamber (120) has a cylindrical shape and wherein the hollow mixing chamber closure (310) comprises a conically shaped closing part (315).

9. The mixing device (200) according to any one of claims 7-8, wherein the hollow mixing chamber closure (310) comprises a rigid material with an extremity

(318) comprising a flexible material.

10. The mixing device (200) according to any one of claims 7-9, wherein the hollow mixing chamber closure (310) is obtainable by injection moulding.

11. The mixing device (200) according to any one of claims 7-10, wherein the mixer unit (300) comprises a driver axis opening (330) for the driving axis (321) of the stirrer (320), wherein a gasket (340) is arrangeable around the driving axis (321) to seal the driver axis opening (330).

12. The mixing device (200) according to claim 11, wherein the gasket (340) and stirrer (320) are a seamless gasket-stirrer unit (350).

13. The mixing device (200) according to claim 12, wherein the gasket-stirrer unit (350) comprises a stirrer part (351) and a gasket part (352), wherein the stirrer part (351) comprises a rigid material and wherein the gasket part (352) comprises a flexible material.

14. The mixing device (200) according to any one of claims 12-13, wherein the gasket-stirrer unit (350) is obtainable by injection moulding.

15. The mixing device (200) according to claim 11, wherein the hollow mixing chamber closure (310) and the gasket (340) are a seamless mixing chamber closure- gasket unit (360).

16. The mixing device (200) according to claim 15, wherein the mixing chamber closure-gasket unit (360) comprises a mixing chamber closure part (361) and a gasket part (362), wherein the mixing chamber closure part (361) comprises a rigid material and wherein the gasket part (362) comprises a flexible material.

17. The mixing device (200) according to any one of claims 15-16, wherein the mixing chamber closure-gasket unit (360) is obtainable by (two-component) injection moulding.

18. The mixing device (200) according to any one of claims 6-17, comprising no O-rings.

19. The mixing device (200) according to any one of claims 6-18, wherein the stirrer (320) comprises an impeller (325).

20. A vending machine (400) claim, comprising at least one mixing device (200) according to any one of claims 6-19.

21. The vending machine (400) according to claim 20, wherein the vending machine (400) is configured to produce a cold beverage.

22. The vending machine (400) according to any one of claims 20-21, wherein the vending machine (400) is a yoghurt vending machine.