INFLATABLE CUSHION
An inflatable cushion useable for an ice cream maker. The ice cream maker can be spherical in shape and the inflatable cushion can approximate a spherical or dodecahedron shell. The inflatable cushion can be comprised of two half-shell portions that are pivotable with respect to one other to be selectively placed in a closed or open position. The ice cream maker can be snugly inserted within the inflatable cushion.
1 . An ice cream maker assembly comprising:
an inflatable cushion; and
an ice cream maker snugly disposed within the inflatable cushion.
2 . The ice cream maker assembly of claim 1 wherein the inflatable cushion is generally spherically shaped when inflated.
3 . The ice cream maker of claim 2 wherein the inflatable cushion comprises pentagonal sections.
4 . The ice cream maker of claim 3 wherein the pentagonal sections have edge portions that are welded together.
5 . The ice cream maker assembly of claim 1 wherein the inflatable cushion comprises a first half portion and a second half portion, with the two half portions being pivotable about a connection rim portion for selectively opening or closing the half portions.
6 . The ice cream maker of claim 5 further comprising attachment members attached proximate the rims of each of the first half portion and second half portion.
7 . The ice cream maker of claim 6 wherein each of the first half portion and second half portion comprise six pentagonal sections.
8 . The ice cream maker of claim 1 wherein the inflatable cushion is generally dodecahedron in shape.
9 . An inflatable cushion comprising:
a first inflatable half-shell portion;
a second inflatable half-shell portion connected to the first half-shell portion, each of the half-shell portions being pivotable with respect to the other; and
a plurality of attachment members attached to an outside surface of each inflatable half-shell portion near a rim of each half-shell portion.
10 . The inflatable cushion of claim 9 wherein at least one of the inflatable half-shell portions comprises pentagonal sections.
11 . The inflatable cushion of claim 9 wherein at least one of the inflatable half-shell portions comprises a plurality of uniformly geometrically shaped sections.
12 . The inflatable cushion of claim 11 wherein the at least one of the inflatable half-shell portions is formed of a welded piece having gaps between the geometrically shaped sections.
13 . The inflatable cushion of claim 12 wherein the gaps are sealed to form the half-shell portion.
14 . A method of agitating ice cream comprising:
placing ice cream ingredients and ice in a spherically shaped ice cream maker;
placing the ice cream maker within an inflatable cushion; and
agitating the ice cream maker by imparting momentum to the inflatable cushion.
15 . The method of claim 14 wherein the inflatable cushion comprises a first half-shell portion and a second half-shell portion connected to the first half-shell portion, each of the half-shell portions being pivotable with respect to the other.
16 . The method of claim 15 wherein each half-shell portion is comprised of a plurality of uniformly shaped geometric sections.
17 . The method of claim 16 wherein the geometric sections are pentagonal.
18 . The method of claim 17 wherein each of the half-shell portions is formed from a welded piece having gaps between the pentagonal sections.
19 . The method of claim 18 further comprising welding edges of the pentagonal sections together to seal the gaps.
20 . The method of claim 15 further comprising connecting corresponding attachment members located on each of the half-shell portions.