US20060162347A1 - Apparatus for Dispensing a Product from a Rotary Surface - Google Patents
Apparatus for Dispensing a Product from a Rotary Surface Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060162347A1 US20060162347A1 US11/278,928 US27892806A US2006162347A1 US 20060162347 A1 US20060162347 A1 US 20060162347A1 US 27892806 A US27892806 A US 27892806A US 2006162347 A1 US2006162347 A1 US 2006162347A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- scraper
- product
- cylinder
- apparatus defined
- scrapings
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/0064—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for processing of food articles
- G07F17/0071—Food articles which need to be processed for dispensing in a cold condition, e.g. ice and ice cream
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
- A23G9/04—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream
- A23G9/045—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream of slush-ice, e.g. semi-frozen beverage
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
- A23G9/04—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream
- A23G9/14—Continuous production
- A23G9/16—Continuous production the products being within a cooled chamber, e.g. drum
- A23G9/163—Continuous production the products being within a cooled chamber, e.g. drum with intermittent operation
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
- A23G9/04—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream
- A23G9/20—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream the products being mixed with gas, e.g. soft-ice
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
- A23G9/04—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream
- A23G9/22—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups
- A23G9/228—Arrangement and mounting of control or safety devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
- A23G9/04—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream
- A23G9/22—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups
- A23G9/28—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
- A23G9/04—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream
- A23G9/22—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups
- A23G9/28—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing
- A23G9/281—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing at the discharge end of freezing chambers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
- A23G9/04—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream
- A23G9/22—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups
- A23G9/28—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing
- A23G9/281—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing at the discharge end of freezing chambers
- A23G9/282—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing at the discharge end of freezing chambers for dispensing multi-flavour ice-creams
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
- A23G9/04—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream
- A23G9/22—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups
- A23G9/28—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing
- A23G9/281—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing at the discharge end of freezing chambers
- A23G9/283—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing at the discharge end of freezing chambers for filling containers with material
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
- A23G9/44—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor characterised by shape, structure or physical form
- A23G9/46—Aerated, foamed, cellular or porous products
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
- A23G9/44—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor characterised by shape, structure or physical form
- A23G9/48—Composite products, e.g. layered, laminated, coated, filled
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B41/00—Fluid-circulation arrangements
- F25B41/20—Disposition of valves, e.g. of on-off valves or flow control valves
- F25B41/22—Disposition of valves, e.g. of on-off valves or flow control valves between evaporator and compressor
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
- F25C1/12—Producing ice by freezing water on cooled surfaces, e.g. to form slabs
- F25C1/14—Producing ice by freezing water on cooled surfaces, e.g. to form slabs to form thin sheets which are removed by scraping or wedging, e.g. in the form of flakes
- F25C1/145—Producing ice by freezing water on cooled surfaces, e.g. to form slabs to form thin sheets which are removed by scraping or wedging, e.g. in the form of flakes from the inner walls of cooled bodies
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Confectionery (AREA)
- Freezing, Cooling And Drying Of Foods (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application is a divisional of prior application U.S. Ser. No. 10/881,684, filed on Jun. 30, 2004, which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 10/726,815, filed on Dec. 3, 2003 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,952,928), which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 10/160,674, filed on Jul. 31, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,228), which claims the benefit of Provisional application Ser. No. 60/336,252, filed on Nov. 2, 2001. The contents of each of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- Aerated frozen food products generally require the mixing of selected liquid ingredients with a prescribed volume of air and freezing of the resultant mixture and dispensing of the finished product. The desirability of the finished product is often related directly to the manner and to the degree in which the air is metered and blended with the liquid ingredients of the mixture, referred to as overrun, and the manner in which the blended mix is frozen and then dispensed. The prior art is replete with examples of apparatus for dispensing ice cream and other semi-frozen dairy products such as soft ice cream and frozen yogurt.
- Conventionally, such machines are usually dedicated to dispensing one or two flavors of product and, in some cases, a combination of the two. For example, in an ice cream shop, there may be one machine with two separate freezing chambers for making and dispensing chocolate and vanilla ice cream, a second two-chamber machine for making and dispensing strawberry and banana ice cream, a third machine dedicated to making and dispensing coffee and frozen pudding flavors, and so on. The reason for this is that each chamber typically contains a volume of ice cream greater than is required for a single serving. In order to dispense a different flavor ice cream, that chamber must be emptied and cleaned before the new flavor can be made in that chamber and appear at the outlet of the dispenser. Additionally, the vat of preflavored mix from which the frozen product is made must also be very clean. While high volume ice cream shops and confectionery stores may have sales to justify the presence of several dispensing machines dispensing many different products and flavors, smaller sales outlets can usually only afford one or two such machines and are thus restricted in the number of flavors that they can offer to customers.
- Further, because the product is typically formed in a quantity that is greater than that to be dispensed at any one serving, the excess product remains in the chamber after formation and until additional servings draw it down. The excess is thus subjected to further freezing, which promotes crystallization. Because of the relatively large quantity of the premixed flavors, and the continuous freezing of several quarts of the product, the freshness and palatability of the product may be adversely affected in outlets with relatively slow sales of the product.
- Another disadvantage of the prior dispensers is that they have many interior surfaces and moving parts that are difficult and time consuming to clean and maintain at the end of each day or at intervals prescribed by local Health Department regulations. Each dispenser must be purged of any remaining product, and it's chamber walls, pumps and other internal parts cleaned thoroughly to prevent growth of bacteria that could contaminate the product being delivered by the dispenser. Not only is the cleaning operation expensive in terms of down time, it is also costly in terms of product waste and is an unpleasant and difficult job to get employees to do properly.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,967 discloses a method and apparatus for producing and dispensing an aerated product, wherein the apparatus includes a mixing chamber having a first inlet for receiving a liquid, a second inlet for receiving a gas, and an outlet leading to a continuous tube that has a relatively small cross section. The tube has one end positioned to receive the fluid effluent from the mixing chamber outlet and its other end is spaced from that outlet so that the effluent is subjected to confined turbulent mixing in the tube until the fluid product is discharged from the other end of the tube. If that product is to be cooled, the tube leads to a cooling zone or surface that cools and at least partially freezes the liquid product issuing from that tube. The apparatus disclosed there is especially suitable for making and dispensing frozen yogurt and ice cream and allows for the service of individualized fresh product portions in a variety of flavors.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,713 discloses a dispenser product supply unit that includes a pressurizable container for containing a product liquid or base and having an opening leading into one end of a conduit. Formed integrally in the conduit is a mixing chamber at which a gas may be added to the liquid, followed by an elongated tube for causing turbulent flow of the mixed fluids. Side branches from the conduit may also be present for introducing one or more flavors into the fluid flowing through the conduit. The opposite or outlet end of the conduit may be coupled to a distribution manifold that can distribute the aerated liquid issuing from the turbulence tube onto a freezing surface as a relatively thin layer. The container, conduit and side branches constitute a one-piece disposable structure that is especially suitable for producing and dispensing flavored dairy products from an associated dispensing apparatus in an efficient and sanitary manner.
- While the apparatus described in the above patents, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, have existed separately in the prior art, until now no way has been found to combine them into a single machine capable of efficiently and economically making and dispensing different frozen food confections in a wide variety of flavors and in different formats (e.g., as a cup or cone).
- This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing and dispensing aerated and/or blended food products. While the invention may be used to produce a variety of products, it has particular application to the production and dispensing of frozen confections such as ice cream and frozen yogurt. Consequently, we will describe the invention in that context. It should be understood, however, that various aspects of the invention to be described also have application to the making and dispensing of various other food products.
- Disclosed herein is an improved apparatus for making, mixing and/or dispensing various food products on demand. The apparatus can produce and dispense various food products and does not require the maintenance of a large supply of pre-flavored mixes and/or a large supply of finished product within the apparatus. The apparatus can also facilitate changing substantially immediately from one product type to another to satisfy the demands of individual customers.
- Further, embodiments of the apparatus can produce and dispense individualized portions of freshly aerated flavored frozen products on demand and in different formats (e.g., as a cup or cone). Embodiments of the apparatus for producing and dispensing aerated frozen products are also designed to be easy to clean and to maintain in a sanitary condition. Additionally, the apparatus can selectively mix or blend many different flavors while aerating a base product such as a neutral ice cream, fat-free ice cream, soy, sorbet or yogurt base. When embodied as a frozen product-dispensing machine, the apparatus can have minimal product carryover from one serving to the next, which prevents, e.g., a serving of vanilla ice cream from being contaminated by residue from a prior serving of chocolate ice cream.
- Further still, apparatus for this general type can occupy a relatively small amount of floor space, while being able to dispense food products having a wide variety of bases, flavors and mix-ins. An apparatus of this type can also maintain the product supply under sanitary conditions until it is dispensed. The apparatus can also effectively and efficiently carry out the dispensing methods disclosed in the above patents.
- One embodiment of the apparatus is a self-contained unit housed in a cabinet having a door containing a product selection control panel and a portal providing access to a product dispensing station including a vertically moveable tray that can support a product container such as a cup or cone placed on the tray. The apparatus includes a rotary horizontal freezing surface and motive means for rotating that surface about an axis. The freezing surface constitutes the evaporator component of a closed-loop refrigeration system situated in the cabinet. When the refrigeration system is in operation, it maintains the surface of the freezing surface at a selected temperature that is low enough to freeze or partially freeze a liquid product mix such as sorbet, yogurt or ice cream mix deposited on that surface.
- Spaced above the freezing surface is a turret section including a turret having a plurality of pumpable containers filled with different liquid flavors and supported on a rotary manifold. The manifold defines a plurality of mixing chambers, one for each container, and a separate turbulence tube leading from each mixing chamber to a separate outlet port in a depositing head over the freezing surface. Each container is connected to one of the mixing chambers of the manifold and motive means are provided for rotating the turret independently of the freezing surface, about an axis located above the freezing surface.
- Disposed adjacent to the turret are product base delivery means including one or more vertically moveable nozzles or fittings, each of which receives compressed air and a different one of a plurality of liquid product bases pumped thereto from bulk supplies stored in the cabinet. Each of the aforesaid nozzles, when operative, may deliver to the turret a liquid product base along with air (or not). By rotating the turret to position a selected mixing chamber of the manifold opposite a selected one of the delivery means nozzles, and lowering the nozzles to establish connections to that chamber while activating appropriate pumps, the selected product base with or without air delivered by a nozzle is brought together with the selected flavor pumped from a flavor container. The two fluids are then intimately mixed together in the manifold and conducted to the manifold's depositing head so that a fixed volume or portion of the selected flavored and aerated (or not) product mix is deposited on the freezing surface.
- The apparatus also comprises a stationary product delivery section disposed between the turret section and the freezing surface. The delivery section has product mix leveling means in the form of a radially oriented self-cleaning roller having a conical surface spaced above the freezing surface. When the freezing surface is rotated, the liquid product mix deposited thereon by the turret section is spread out and leveled to the height of the gap between the roller and the freezing surface. Resultantly, the surface freezes or partially freezes the leveled product mix to form a thin, flat layer of frozen, flavored, aerated (or not) product. The delivery section also includes a radial scraper angularly spaced behind the roller, which scrapes the layer of frozen product from the rotating freezing surface and gathers it into a radially extending ridge row of frozen scrapings that is aligned with a vertically oriented forming cylinder located at the periphery of the delivery section just beyond the edge of the freezing surface.
- The delivery section also has a radially moveable scraping blade that operates in conjunction with the radial scraper to push the ridge row of frozen product through a side window of the forming cylinder to gather and compress the frozen product within that cylinder. As will be seen, when the scraping blade is fully extended, it actually closes the window in the cylinder allowing a piston moveable along the cylinder to further compact the product into a scoop shape and push the scoop of frozen product out the bottom of the cylinder into a container (e.g., a cup or cone) that has been placed on the tray at the product dispensing station and raised to position the container at a selected elevation under the forming cylinder. After the container is filled, the tray is lowered so that the container may be removed from the tray through the portal in the cabinet door.
- As will be described in more detail later, provision is made for cleaning the freezing surface, leveling roller, forming cylinder and piston between servings to minimize product carryover from one serving to the next. Also as will become apparent, the apparatus is designed so that all critical components of the apparatus are readily accessible for cleaning and routine maintenance. Thus, the present apparatus is able to efficiently and effectively dispense, on demand, a variety of food products for a prolonged period of time and requires only a minimum amount of maintenance.
- It should also be understood that various aspects of the invention may be used to mix, blend and dispense various other hot or cold food products such as hot chocolate, instant soups, juices and even candy, cookies, omelets, crepes and the like.
- In the accompanying drawings, described below, like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating particular principles of the methods and apparatus characterized in the Detailed Description.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of dispensing apparatus incorporating the invention with the front door of the apparatus shown partially open. -
FIG. 2 is a similar view of theFIG. 1 apparatus on a slightly larger scale with the front door removed and with the apparatus' turret section and delivery section shown in their closed positions. -
FIG. 3 is a similar view of the apparatus with its turret section shown in the open position and the delivery gate cover removed. -
FIG. 4 is a similar view of the apparatus showing both the turret section and delivery sections (sans cover) in their open positions. -
FIG. 5 is a right front perspective view of theFIG. 1 apparatus devoid of the cabinet and other parts. -
FIG. 6A is a fragmentary perspective view on a larger scale showing part of the turret section of theFIG. 1 apparatus in greater detail. -
FIG. 6B is a sectional view on a larger scale showing in detail a flavor bottle pump in theFIG. 6A turret section. -
FIG. 6C is a fragmentary perspective view showing the underside of the turret section. -
FIG. 6D is a sectional view on a larger scale taken alongline 6D-6D ofFIG. 6A . -
FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing the leveling roller in the delivery section of theFIG. 1 apparatus. -
FIG. 8A is a perspective view from below illustrating the compaction/forming assembly in the delivery section of theFIG. 1 apparatus. -
FIG. 8B is a similar view from above of a portion of that assembly. -
FIG. 8C is a sectional view on a larger scale taken alongline 8C-8C ofFIG. 8A . -
FIG. 8D is a fragmentary perspective view showing another portion of the delivery section in greater detail. -
FIG. 8E is a fragmentary sectional view, on a larger scale, showing a part of theFIG. 8A assembly in greater detail. -
FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of another part of the delivery section. -
FIG. 10 is a sectional view on a larger scale taken along line 10-10 ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the refrigeration loop in theFIG. 1 apparatus. -
FIG. 12A is a sectional view on a larger scale of the rotary coupling/seal assembly for the rotary freezing surface in theFIG. 1 apparatus. -
FIG. 12B is a similar view on a much smaller scale of another such assembly embodiment. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, our dispensing apparatus is a standalone unit housed in acabinet 10 having atop wall 10 a,opposite sidewalls front wall 12 containing louvers to provide inlet air to the primary refrigeration unit. The front opening into the cabinet may be closed by a hingeddoor 14 that may be swung between an open position wherein the door allows access to the interior of the cabinet and a closed position wherein the door covers the opening into the cabinet. Suitable means 15 a, 15 b are provided for latching or locking the door in it's closed position. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , a relatively large opening or portal 16 is provided indoor 14 so that when the door is closed, the portal 16 provides access to a dispensingstation 17 within the cabinet at which a customer may pick up a food product dispensed by the apparatus. Preferably, the portal is provided with a swing-out door 16 a so that the portal is normally closed blocking access tostation 17. A customer may select the particular product to be dispensed by depressing the appropriate keys of acontrol panel 18 mounted indoor 14 after viewing product availability on anelectronic display 19 abovepanel 18. In the event the apparatus is being used as an automatic vending machine, thecontrol panel 18 may include the usual mechanisms for accepting coins, debit cards and currency and possibly delivering change in return. For advertising purposes, an illuminateddisplay 20 may be built into the front ofdoor 14 as shown inFIG. 1 . - Referring now to
FIGS. 2 and 5 , thecabinet 10 includes ahorizontal shelf 22 supported by the cabinet walls more or less midway along the height of the front opening into the cabinet. Apan 22 a may sit onshelf 22 as shown inFIG. 2 to catch fluid droppings.Shelf 22 includes anupstanding rotary coupling 24 covered by aboot 25, wherein thecoupling 24 rotatably supports a horizontal freezingsurface 26. As shown inFIG. 5 , freezingsurface 26 has a dependingshaft 28 that extends down into therotary coupling 24, the input shaft of the coupling carrying apulley 32 that is coupled by a belt, and perhaps anidler mechanism 34, to the shaft of anelectric motor 36 mounted to the underside ofshelf 22. Under the control of acontroller 38 incabinet 10,motor 36 may be activated to rotate freezingsurface 26 at a controlled speed in the direction of the arrow A shown inFIG. 2 . As we shall see,controller 36 is programmed to control all aspects of the apparatus including control of the speed and temperature ofsurface 26, the timing of various operations to be described, the operation of interlocks, base product and flavor selections, etc. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , freezingsurface 26 contains an internal spiral or sinuous fluid conduit orpath 42, the opposite ends of which are connected viarotary coupling 24 to fluid lines (not shown) leading to and from a refrigeration system (shown generally at 44) that operates under the control ofcontroller 38. Suitable couplings with rotary fluid seals will be described later in connection withFIGS. 12A and 12B . - Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 11 ,refrigeration system 44 comprises a primary compressor 44 a, and a primary condenser andfan unit 44 b. When the dispensing apparatus is in operation and the freezingsurface 26 is rotating, therefrigeration system 44, under the control ofcontroller 38, circulates refrigerant through the freezing surface so as to cool theupper surface 26 a thereof to a selected low temperature (e.g., −5 to +17° F.). - Preferably, freezing
surface 26 is a direct expansion freezing surface; i.e., it functions as the evaporator component in the closed refrigerant loop of therefrigeration system 44, and the refrigeration control circuit incontroller 38 has two modes of operation, to wit: STANDBY and DUMP. The STANDBY mode is operative during inactive periods of the apparatus to maintain theupper surface 26 a of freezingsurface 26 at a specified temperature, T1 (e.g., 0° F.). The DUMP mode is operative during periods of active product production. Since product production is intermittent, the refrigerator control circuit can switch frequently between the two modes. - The STANDBY mode uses a
standard expansion valve 40 in the refrigeration loop ofsystem 44 whose valve orifice is sized to control the temperature of freezingsurface 26 to maintain theupper surface 26 a at the temperature T1. Due to the limits of the expansion valve, this control mode cannot provide the heat removal required to freeze the product mix onsurface 26 a. Therefore, the DUMP mode is utilized to provide a high rate of heat removal from theupper surface 26 a. The DUMP mode of operation utilizes a second, or so-calleddump valve 41, that is connected in parallel with the standard expansion valve in the loop ofrefrigerator system 44. This mode provides a high heat removal rate fromupper surface 26 a by flooding therefrigerant conduit 42 insurface 26 with liquid refrigerant. As the refrigerant changes state to a gas in surface 26 (i.e., the evaporator component of the refrigeration loop), it cools the portion of thesurface 26adjacent conduit 42 to a temperature T2, that is appreciably lower than T1. This creates a large temperature differential with theupper surface 26 a causing the temperature of that surface to drop rapidly. - In order to prevent the
surface 26 a from dropping below temperature T1, the depositing of product mix onsurface 26 a byturret section 52 is initiated and the refrigerant modes are switched simultaneously, or within a short period of time. This sets up a large temperature differential between the lower portion ofsurface 26 and the product mix being applied to theupper surface 26 a thereof creating a high heat transfer rate. When the turret section stops applying product to surface 26 and the proper product temperature has been achieved, therefrigeration control system 44 changes the operating mode from DUMP back to STANDBY until the dispensing process is ready to be initiated again. - For this application, the orifice of the dump valve is sized intentionally to prevent the liquid refrigerant from changing state to refrigerant gas. The intended effect of this is to allow liquid refrigerant to flow into the evaporator (i.e., surface 26). Heat added to the evaporator (i.e., surface 26) by the depositing of the relatively warm product mix on that surface will cause the liquid refrigerant in
surface 26 to change state to a gas. - The dump valve can be any type of metering or throttling device. In some applications, it may be desirable to use a manually set bypass valve, such as a needle valve or a capillary tube, that is operative in the DUMP mode to cause the aforesaid refrigerant gasification in
surface 26. - Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, preferably an
electric blower 45 is mounted insidecabinet 10 in the corner between thecabinet walls duct 46 to a secondary cooling unit orsystem 47 at the bottom ofcabinet 10.Unit 47, under the control ofcontroller 38, expels cold air, which cools thecabinet 10 interior and especially the space undershelf 22 containing the supplies of the product base to be described later. If a more uniform temperature within the cabinet is desired for a particular application, the air flow path throughduct 46 may be reversed so that cold air is discharged at the top of the cabinet. Thus, the apparatus contains two distinct and separately controlled coolingsystems surface 26 and the latter of which cools theinterior cabinet 10. - As best seen in
FIGS. 2 and 5 , the apparatus includes a turret section (shown generally at 52), which provides a plurality of different flavors. Positioned next to theturret section 52 is a product base delivery means (indicated generally at 54), which, upon command, can deliver a selected one of a plurality of product bases, aerated or not, to the turret section where it is mixed with a selected flavor fromturret section 52. The turret section thoroughly mixes and aerates (or not) the flavored product base and deposits same on theupper surface 26 a of freezingsurface 26. Disposed betweenturret section 52 and the freezingsurface 26 is a product delivery section shown generally at 56. Thedelivery section 56 includes means for spreading the flavored mix on thesurface 26 a so that it forms a layer of selected area and thickness, which becomes frozen or partially frozen.Delivery section 56 also includes means for scraping the frozen or partially frozen product from freezingsurface 26, compacting the product into a “scoop” and delivering that scoop to the dispensingstation 17 from where it may be removed by the consumer through the portal 16 in cabinet door 14 (FIG. 1 ). - It is apparent that the rotation of freezing
surface 26 with respect to the fixeddelivery section 56 provide the necessary relative motion to facilitate the distribution and collection of the food product on that surface. Obviously the same effort could be accomplished with a stationary freezingsurface 26 and arotary delivery section 56. In each case, the speed of rotation affects the dwell time of the products on thesurface 26. That, in turn, affects the speed and degree of freezing and therefore the texture and mouth feel of the resulting product. - The
Turret Section 52 - Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 3 , theturret section 52 is specifically designed to minimize parts and to maintain sanitary pathways for the fluids being deposited on the freezingsurface 26. It is illustrated as a swing-out unit, but could just as well be implemented as a pull-out drawer. In any event, the illustrated section includes ahorizontal gate 58 that is connected by ahinge 62 to the cabinet'ssidewall 10 b.Gate 58 may be swung between a closed, operative position withincabinet 10 illustrated inFIG. 2 and an open position shown inFIG. 3 wherein the turret gate is swung out to provide access to the components of the turret section for resupply and maintenance purposes. Ahandle 64 is present at the free end ofgate 58 to facilitate swinging the gate between those two positions, and alatch 66 andkeeper 66a are provided to latch the gate in its closed position shown inFIG. 2 . - Suspended from
gate 58 is a turret (shown generally at 67) comprising ashaft 68 that has an upper end rotatably supported withingate 58 and extending down to a lower end 68 a, which, when theturret section 52 is in its closed position, is situated in a clearance notch 69 (FIG. 3 ) formed in thedelivery section 56.Shaft 68 is rotated by a servomotor 70 (FIG. 6C ) mounted ingate 58 under the control ofcontroller 38. A portion of that motor extending below the gate may be enclosed by acover 71. Mounted and rotatably fixed toshaft 68 is a circular plate 75 (FIG. 4 ) that supports a multiplicity, herein twelve, of wedge-shaped bottles orcontainers 74 held in position by spacers 76 projecting up from that plate. Thus, the flavor positions are directly related to the home position of theshaft 68 as detected by a home sensor (not shown). - Removably mounted to the lower end of
shaft 68 underplate 75 is acircular manifold 72 having a relatively thick side wall that extends up around that plate. A pin (not shown) projecting up from the upper surface of the manifold engages in a hole onplate 75 to rotatably fix the manifold to the plate and thus toshaft 68. The manifold is held in place against the plate by anut 77 threaded onto the lower end of the shaft. - As seen from
FIGS. 6A and 6B , eachbottle 74 has a radially outwardly facingpumping section 78 including a radiallymoveable piston 82. When apiston 82 is depressed or moved inward towardshaft 68, the liquid in the correspondingbottle 74 is pumped out through anoutlet conduit 84 that extends down into atop opening 86 in theside wall 72 a ofmanifold 72. To eliminate the need for cleaning pump parts, thepumping section 78 may be permanently attached to bottle 74, which may itself be disposable. - As shown in
FIG. 6B , thepumping section 78 is installed in anopening 88 in the front wall 74 a ofbottle 74 adjacent to the bottom thereof. For reasons to be described later, the mouth of that opening is surrounded by aradial flange 89. The pumping section includes a generallycylindrical housing 92, which slidably receives thepiston 82. The piston is movable between an outer position shown inFIG. 6B and an inner position closer to the closed inner end 92 a of the housing. The piston is biased to its outer position by acoil spring 94 compressed between thepiston 82 and the housing end 92 a. - Pumping
section 78 also includes anantechamber 96 in fluid communication with the interior of thehousing 92 at the closed end 92 a thereof.Antechamber 96 opens into the interior of the correspondingbottle 74 and is fitted with acheck valve 98 so that whenpiston 82 is moved to its extended or outer position shown inFIG. 6B , liquid inbottle 74 is drawn intoantechamber 96 and intohousing 92. Also in fluid communication withantechamber 96 is afluid passage 102 that is connected by way of acheck value 104 to theoutlet conduit 84. When thepiston 82 is moved to its inner or retracted position, the liquid inantechamber 96 and thehousing 92 interior is expelled throughpassage 102 andcheck value 104 to theoutlet conduit 84,section 78 also including provision for venting the bottle. - In order to maintain optimum product quality, each
bottle 74 is preferably used only once; i.e., it is a disposable item. It may be filled initially through an opening 105 (FIG. 6C ) near or at the top of the bottle, the opening of which is then sealed to prevent reuse of the bottle. - As best seen in
FIGS. 6A and 6C , the outer end of eachoutlet conduit 84 is turned down and makes a sliding seal with theside wall 86 a of theopening 86 into which it extends. Eachopening 86 leads to aseparate mixing chamber 108 having anoutlet 109 that connects to a separate turbulence tube orpassage 110 leading to aseparate outlet port 112 in a depositinghead 114 at the underside ofmanifold 72. In other words,outlet conduit 84 from eachbottle 74 connects to adifferent mixing chamber 108 whose outlet is connected by adifferent turbulence tube 110 to adifferent port 112 inhead 114. The provision of a separate fluid path to head 114 for each flavor minimizes carryover from one product serving to the next.Ports 112 form a circular array in the depositinghead 114 that is located above the freezing table 26 whenturret section 52 is in its closed position shown inFIG. 2 . The structure and function of theturbulence tubes 110 are described in detail in the aforesaid patents incorporated by reference. - For reasons that will become apparent, each mixing
chamber 108 has two additional inlet branches extending totop openings manifold wall 72 a on opposite sides of thecorresponding opening 86 therein. In other words, in the illustrated apparatus with twelveflavor bottles 74,manifold 72 defines twelve mixingchambers 108 connected to twelve long,sinuous turbulence tubes 110 leading to twelveoutlet ports 112 inhead 114. Typically, the tubes orpassages 110 are in the order of 2 to 4 feet long, a preferred length being about 3 feet. Preferably, the manifold is molded (using the lost wax process) or otherwise formed as a generally cylindrical block containing theaforesaid mixing chambers 108 andconduits 110. -
Manifold 72 is preferably removable fromshaft 68 as noted above in order to facilitate its cleaning. For this, a special cup-like attachment connected to a supply of water and detergent at a sink may be engaged to the depositinghead 114 in order to backflush all of themanifold passages 110. - The Product
Base Delivery Means 54 - Referring now to
FIGS. 3, 6A and 6D, delivery means 54 operates in concert withmanifold 72 to make and break connections of the tubing supplying the product bases to the manifold so as to deliver product bases to the manifold via a minimum number of tubing joints or splits. The delivery means 54 included ablock 126 mounted to theside wall 10 c ofcabinet 10. Formed inblock 126 is a pair of laterally spaced-apartvertical passages 128 for slidably receiving a pair ofguide rods 132. The upper ends ofrods 132 are secured to ablock 134 anchored by suitable fasteners to the bottom of acircular disk 136 having a top flange 136 a. - Delivery means 54 also includes a relatively large bracket or
shuttle 138 having a horizontal arm 138 a and avertical arm 138 b. Arm 138 a is provided with a large opening 142 for receivingdisk 136 with some clearance but whose edge underlies disk flange 136 a. The bracket arm 138 a is fastened to anoverlying plate 146.Plate 146 and bracket arm 138 a form apocket 147 fordisk 136 that, for reasons that will become apparent, permits some movement ofplate 146 relative todisk 136 but only in a horizontal plane. In other words, there is a small gap between the edge disk flange 136 a and the side wall ofpocket 147. To center theplate 146 relative todisk 136, a set of eightsprings 154 is provided, the springs being stretched between fourposts 156 extending down from bracket arm 138 a at locations that define the four corners of a square and four outboard posts located midway along each side of that square. As shown inFIG. 6D , thesprings 154 underlie the opening 142 in the bracket arm 138 a and engage the sides ofdisk 136. Thus, the springs tend to maintainplate 146 centered ondisk 136, but allow some horizontal movement of the plate. - Referring to
FIGS. 6A and 6D , a vertical, double-actingpneumatic actuator 158 is mounted to block 126 betweenopenings 128 therein.Actuator 158 has ashaft 158 a that connects to block 134.Actuator 158 is normally charged with air through one inlet so that itsshaft 158 a is extended so as to maintain bracket orshuttle 138 in a raised position relative toturret section 52 as shown inFIG. 6A . When air is delivered to the other actuator inlet and the one inlet is vented under the control of controller 38 (FIG. 5 ), the bracket orshuttle 138 is moved downward relative to the turret section as will be described in detail later. - The
vertical bracket arm 138 b has twotabs 138 c that are bent towardturret section 52 such that the tabs overlie theside wall 72 a ofmanifold 72. Thetabs 138 c support a pair of mirror-image nozzle assemblies each shown generally at 164. Each nozzle assembly includes anupper section 164 a mounted to atab 138 c and alower section 164 b that is releasably secured to the upper section by clips 166. As we shall see,section 164 b is part of a disposable product base supply unit. - The
upper nozzle section 164 a includes a fitting 168 that has aneck 168 a extending up through ahole 172 in the associatedtab 138 c and is secured to that tab. Eachfitting neck 168 a is connected via ahose 169 to a supply of compressed air as will be described presently. Fitting 168 has aninternal passage 170 that is upwardly-inwardly tapered. Also the fitting has anexternal shoulder 171. - The
lower nozzle section 164 b includes a fitting 172 having a tapered tubular upper end ornose 174 adapted to plug intopassage 170 of fitting 168 to establish a fluid-tight face seal therewith. Of course, other comparable seals are possible including an O-ring, gland seal, etc.Clips 166 extend up from fitting 172 and are arranged to engage theshoulder 171 to releasably couple together the twofittings vertical leg 182, and aside branch 184 that opens intoleg 182.Side branch 184 is connected totubing 185 leading to a source of liquid product base that is part of the disposable product base supply unit mentioned above. - Referring to
FIGS. 6A and 6B , for reasons to be described, delivery means 54 also include anactuator 186 mounted tobracket arm 138 b between that bracket arm and block 126. Theactuator 186 has ashaft 186 a that extends through the bracket arm and is terminated by a plunger 188 (FIGS. 3 and 6 B) that facesturret section 52 between the twonozzle assemblies 164. - As shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6 A, the twoair hoses 169 are connected to outlets from acompressed air tank 194 that is pressurized by anair compressor 196. When outlet valves (not shown) in the lines from thetank 194 are opened under the control ofcontroller 138, air at a selected pressure is delivered tonozzle assemblies 164. - Each
nozzle assembly 164 also receives a liquid product base. More particularly as shown inFIGS. 2 and 5 ,cabinet 10 has arack 197 that supports a plurality, herein two, oftrays 204. Each tray contains a sealedflexible bag 206 containing a liquid product base. Each bag is part of a disposable base product supply unit mentioned above, wherein the unit may be similar to the one described in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,713. For example, thebag 206 in onetray 204 may contain a yogurt base while the bag in the other tray may be filled with an ice cream base or simply water or a water mix to make a slush. Each bag is connected to one of thetubes 185 leading to anozzle section 164b (FIG. 6A ). Eachtube 185 extends out of the associatedtray 204 and is passed through aroller pump 210 on its way to one of thenozzle assemblies 164. When eachroller pump 210 is activated under the control ofcontroller 38, that pump and its associatedtube 185 function as a peristaltic pump to pump liquid product base from the correspondingbag 206 to thecorresponding nozzle assembly 164. Preferably, eachpump 210 is driven by a DC servo with feedback control so that the pump pumps at a selected rate for a selected period to assure precise portion control over the dispensed product base. - When compressed air and the product base are provided simultaneously to each
nozzle assembly 164, the two fluids mix within the nozzle assembly and that fluid mixture is discharged through the nozzle discharge end 182 a of that assembly. If the product to be dispensed is not aerated (e.g., a slush), compressed air is not delivered to the operative nozzle assembly during the dispensing cycle. As we shall see presently, the product base is combined inchamber 108 within the manifold 72 with a selected flavor from one of thebottles 74 in theturret 67. Preferably, eachnozzle assembly 164 incorporates one or more check valves (not shown) to isolate the lines leading from the base supply and the air supply. Most preferably, a check valve is located in the fitting 172 of each lowernozzle assembly section 164 b. - Referring to
FIG. 6A , the relative position ofturret 67 and product base delivery means 54 is such that when theturret 67 is rotated to position one ofbottles 74 directly opposite delivery means 54; as described above, thenozzle assemblies 164 of the delivery means are disposed directly above the pair ofpassages manifold side wall 72 a that bracket theopening 86 that receives theoutlet tube 84 from that opposing bottle. Also, the actuator plunger 188 (FIGS. 3 and 6 B) of the delivery means 54 is located directly above thepump piston 82 of thatsame bottle 74. Thus, when the delivery meansactuator 158 is actuated by controller 38 (FIG. 5 ) to shift bracket orshuttle 138 to its aforesaid lower position, the tapered discharge ends 182 a ofnozzle assemblies 164 are plugged into theunderlying openings manifold wall 72 a making seals with the side walls of those openings. As noted previously, theshuttle 138 is movable in the vertical direction and maintains thenozzle assembly 164 in a vertical orientation. But to accommodate misalignment of thenozzle assembly 164 and turret, theshuttle 158 is compliant in the horizontal plane. Thus, the nozzle ends 182 a shift as necessary to establish good seals with the walls ofopenings 16 a, 116 b. Of course, other comparable flexure arrangements may be contemplated to provide the necessary relative movement between the nozzles with manifold to establish good seals between the two. - At this point, the
actuator plunger 188 is now positioned directly opposite thepiston 82 of that bottle'spumping section 78 as shown in phantom inFIG. 6B . Thus, ifcontroller 38 should activate the baseproduct mix pump 210 serving one of thenozzle assemblies 164 while initiating the delivery of compressed air to that same nozzle assembly, the nozzle assembly will deliver a selected volume of air and product base to theoperative mixing chamber 108 inmanifold 72. If the controller should also activateactuator 186, theactuator plunger 188 will extend against thepiston 82 of theoperative bottle 74 causing a selected amount of flavor to be pumped viaoutlet tube 84 to thesame mixing chamber 108. To assure that a precise portion of flavor is dispensed with each actuation of theplunger 188, a pair ofgrippers 214 with in-turned ends 214 a may project from the front of the bracket orshuttle leg 138 b as shown inFIG. 6B . When theshuttle 138 is in its raised position shown inFIG. 6A , the grippers extend out over thebottle flange 89. But when the shuttle is in its lower position shown inFIG. 6B , the gripper ends 214 a engage behind the bottle flange at the opposite sides thereof thereby holding the bottle while theplunger 188 presses against thepump piston 82 thus eliminating any compliances inherent in the shuttle and turret system. The same effect may be obtained by engaging a depending pin on the shuttle in a hole in the manifold or vice versa. - All three fluids will come together in the
chamber 108 and will be thoroughly mixed and aerated (if selected) in theturbulence tube 110 extending from that chamber to the depositinghead 114 so that by the time the fluid mixture reaches thecorresponding outlet port 112 in thathead 114 and is deposited on the freezingsurface 26, the flavor will be distributed uniformly throughout the mix and the mix may have a selected amount of aeration or overrun. - Often only one
nozzle assembly 164 is active at any given time, However, in some cases, it may be desirable to also deliver air to the “inactive” assembly, which plugs into themanifold opening chamber 108 and come out that adjacent opening. Variations on the turret and nozzle assemblies may include various check valve implementations to organize and control flow through the flow paths of both liquids and the air. - The
Delivery Section 56 - Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4,
delivery section 56 is also designed as a swing-out unit for easy cleaning and maintenance, although it could just as well be a pull-out drawer. In another device embodiment, theturret section 52 anddelivery section 54 may be formed as a single unit that is separable from freezingsurface 26. In any event, the illustratedsection 56 preferably comprises apan-like shelf 220 that has a side wall 220 a and is connected by ahinge 222 to the interior surface of thecabinet sidewall 10 c so that the shelf can be swung between a closed, operative position shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 wherein the shelf is interposed between the freezingsurface 26 and the manifold 72, and an open position shown inFIG. 4 wherein the shelf is swung out to provide access to the components of the delivery section for cleaning and maintenance. Theshelf 220 may be maintained in its closed position by asuitable latch 224 shown inFIGS. 2, 4 and 8B. Theshelf 220 has acircular cutout 226 formed in its forward edge that defines thenotch 69, which provides clearance for the shaft lower end 68 a of theturret 67 when both the turret and the delivery sections are in their closed positions shown inFIG. 2 . - Suspended from the underside of
shelf 220 is a roller assembly shown generally at 227 inFIGS. 2 and 5 . As best seen inFIG. 7 ,assembly 227 comprises aconical leveling roller 228 rotatably supported at its opposite ends by abracket 232.Bracket 232 is actually composed of twoseparate sections 232 a and 232 b that are releasably connected together by athumbscrew 234. By removing the thumbscrew, the two sections can be spread apart allowing theroller 228 to be separated frombracket 232 in the event it becomes necessary to clean or replace the roller. - A slotted
post 236 extends up frombracket 232 and is slidably received in avertical promontory 238 formed in aplate 242 that is normally mounted to the underside ofshelf 220.Promontory 238 is also slotted to provide clearance for one end of alever arm 244 so that that end of the lever arm can be pivotally connected to the upper end ofpost 236.Lever arm 244 is itself pivotally connected at 246 topromontory 238 so that when the opposite end of the lever arm is moved up and down, thebracket 232 androller 228 are moved up and down relative toplate 242. Note that the engagement oflever arm 244 in the slottedpromontory 238 fixes the angular position ofpost 236 so thatroller 228 is orientated radially with respect to the rotary axis of table 26. To produce the rocking motion of the lever arm, anactuator 248 is mounted to plate 242 with theshaft 248 a of the actuator being pivotally connected to the end oflever arm 244 remote frompost 236. Thepivot 246 forlever arm 244 is created from a combination of parts that allows for vertical adjustment of the pivot point to compensate for parts tolerances and to permit adjustment of the actuator stroke. Alternatively, a fixed throw solenoid could act directly onpost 236. - The
roller 228 is comprised of a rigid internal core covered by an elastomeric sheath. At each end of the sheath is acircular ridge 250. Whenplate 242 is mounted to the underside ofshelf 220 as shown inFIG. 2 , theroller surface 228 a is spaced a selected small distance above the freezing surface (e.g., 0.020 inch) byridges 250, which set the gap for the thickness of product on freezingsurface 26. That thickness affects the freezing rate of the liquid mix deposited onsurface 26, which has an impact on freezing characteristics, ice crystal formation, etc., which, in turn, can affect the texture and mouth feel of the final product. On the other hand, whenactuator 248 is actuated under the control of the controller 38 (FIG. 5 ), a compressive force is transferred toroller 228 throughlever arm 244. This force compresses theelastomeric ridges 250 allowing theconical roller surface 228 a to contact the freezingsurface 26 so that product residue on the roller offsets to surface 26. As will be seen later, this is done periodically to clean the surface of the roller to minimize carryover from one serving to the next. - As we shall see also, when the depositing
head 114 ofturret section 52 deposits liquid product mix on freezingsurface 26, preferably at a location at about one-half the radius thereof, as that surface rotates,roller 228 spreads out that deposit onupper surface 26 a to the level determined by the height of ridges 250 (i.e., 0.020 in.). Thereupon, the leveled product mix becomes frozen or partially frozen due to the low temperature of the freezingsurface 26. - In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the depositing
head 114 ofmanifold 72 may be provided with anattachment 252 that may be secured to head 114 bynut 77. The attachment, shown inFIG. 6C , includes a cup-like base 253 supporting a plurality of dependingflexible tubes 254. The upper ends of the tubes are arranged to connect to theoutlet ports 112 inhead 114 while the lower ends, which are closed, extend down next toroller 228. Thetubes 254 have side openings 254 a directed towardroller 228. Resultantly, when liquid mix flows out ofports 112, it is directed bytubes 254 against theconical surface 228 a ofroller 228. This avoids splatter that could occur if the liquid is deposited directly onto (i.e., normal to) surface 26 a. Such splatter could make it more difficult to maintain the desired minimum level of carryover and ease of cleaning. - In some applications, other means may be employed besides a roller to level and control the thickness of the liquid deposit on
surface 26. For example, a radially oriented leveling blade may be used, wherein the blade is normally maintained at a selected elevation (gap) above the surface and may be periodically brought into contact with that surface momentary in order to clean the blade edge. - Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 8 A, thedelivery section 56 also includes a compaction assembly shown generally at 256 mounted toshelf 220 so that, whensection 56 is in its closed position shown inFIG. 2 ,assembly 256 is oriented radially with respect to the rotary axis of freezingsurface 26. As best seen inFIGS. 8A to 8C,assembly 256 includes acorner bracket 258 at the outer end of the assembly, which has avertical leg 258 a that is normally secured to the side wall 220 a ofshelf 220 as inFIG. 2 . At the inner end of the assembly is asupport plate 262 that is normally mounted to the underside ofshelf 220. Also, normally secured to the underside of that shelf betweenbracket 258 andplate 262 is abracket 264 having a generally L-shaped cross-section. That bracket pivotally supports a scraper assembly shown generally at 265. - As best seen in
FIG. 8C ,assembly 265 comprises an invertedU-shaped channel 266. Aneye 266 a projecting up from the top wall of the channel receives ahorizontal pin 267 extending tobracket 264 and is retained by athumb screw 268 extending through a hole in that bracket and into the threaded end of that pin. That pin/eye connection prevents vertical and horizontal movement of the channel but allows limited pivotal motion thereof so that the scrapper assembly will contact the freezingsurface 26 all along its length as will be described presently despite possible height variations in that rotating surface. - Snugly received in
channel 266 is an invertedU-shaped liner 269 having a front wall or blade 269 a, arear wall 269 b and atop wall 269 c. Thelower edge margin 271 of therear wall 269 b is crimped around the adjacent edge ofchannel 266 to secure the liner to the channel. The liner front wall or blade 269 a extends below therear edge margin 271 and its lower edge is beveled to form asharp scraping edge 272. - Just above
edge 272, the liner front wall is thickened to form a forwardly extendingshelf 273. Further as shown inFIG. 8C , thechannel 266 is internally notched at 274 just aboveshelf 273 to provide a space for receiving anelastomeric strip 275 that extends the length ofchannel 266. A gap G is provided between linertop wall 269 c and the top wall ofchannel 266 so that the liner front wall 269 a and itsscraping edge 272 can move vertically relative to the channel with theresilient strip 275 providing compliance. Thus thestrip 275 functions as a spring to urgeedge 272 toward freezingsurface 26. A series of small tabs orfeet 269′ project to the same plane as thescraping edge 272 of thechannel 266 front wall. These feet ride along freezingsurface 26 just behind scrapingedge 272 to add stability to thescraper assembly 265. - Referring to
FIGS. 8A and 8B , for reasons that will become apparent, theliner 269 defines a radial alley orpath 270 for pushing means in the form of ascraper blade 276. Theblade 276 is curved about a vertical axis and its side edges resiliently but slidably engage theliner side walls 269 a, 269 b.Blade 276 is secured to one end of arigid beam 278 having atoothed rack 282 is formed in the side ofbeam 278 facing liner front wall 269 a. Also, a dependingshaft 284 is rotatably mounted in thesupport plate 262 directly oppositerack 282. Theshaft 284 is slidably received in anotch 285 adjacent to the inner end ofchannel 266. An enlargement 284 a ofshaft 284 seats on the top ofchannel 266 and the shaft carries aspur gear 286 whose teeth mesh with those of the rack. Also onshaft 284 belowgear 286 is aradial enlargement 284 b that rotatably engages under alateral rib 278 a ofbeam 278 to help support the beam. When theshaft 284 is rotated in one direction or the other, thescraper blade 276 is moved back and forth in a horizontal direction alongpath 270 inliner 269. -
Shaft 284 is rotated by areversible motor 292 mounted to the top ofplate 262, is the motor shaft being connected via aspeed reducer 293 to the upper end of the shaft.Motor 292 is operated under the control of controller 38 (FIG. 5 ) to move thescraper blade 276 from a retracted position shown inFIG. 8A wherein theblade 276 is located at the inner end ofliner 269 underplate 262 to an extended position wherein the blade is positioned at the outer end of the liner underbracket 258. - As best seen in
FIGS. 2 and 5 , when thecompaction assembly 256 is properly mounted to theshelf 220, thechannel 266 extends radially out from the rotary axis of the freezingsurface 26 such that thehorizontal leg 258 b ofbracket 258 extends out laterally beyond the shelf side wall 220 a over the dispensingstation 17. In this position of theassembly 256, thescraping edge 272 resiliently engages theupper surface 26 a of the freezingsurface 26 along a radius of that surface that lags behindroller 228 by about 270°. - It will be obvious from the foregoing that after the liquid product mix has been leveled by
roller 228 and frozen on the rotating freezingsurface 26, the frozen product will encounter thescraping edge 272 lagging 270° behind the roller. The scraping edge will scrape the frozen product from thesurface 26 a and gather it into a ridge row of frozen product extending alongpath 270 inliner 269. Ifmotor 292 is now activated,scraper blade 276 will be moved radially alongpath 270 to its extended position at the edge ofshelf 220 thereby pushing that ridge row to the edge ofshelf 220 and into a forming cylinder to be described shortly. - As best seen in
FIGS. 3 and 8 D, theshelf 220 is connected tocabinet wall 10 c by ahinge 222.Shelf 220 is attached to hinge 222 by way of atorsion bar 295 that extends perpendicular to hinge 222 and has one end connected to the hinge and the other end secured toshelf 220. Thetorsion bar 295 permits the shelf to rotate counterclockwise (FIG. 8D ) relative to hinge 222 from a stable position that orientsscraper assembly 266 at some small angle of about 1° above the horizontal. This allowsshelf 220 to swing between its closed operative position shown inFIG. 2 to its open position shown inFIG. 4 without thescraper assembly 266 rubbing against the freezingsurface 26. Astop 287 on thehinge 222 is engaged by avertical plate 289 connected toshelf 220 to prevent over travel ofshelf 220 in the counter clockwise direction inFIG. 8D . - After
shelf 220 has been swung to its closed position (shown inFIG. 4 ), thelatch 224, which is mounted tocabinet side wall 10 b, is moved to its latched position. More particularly, the latch includes a base 288 normally secured to wall 10 b. The base supports an upstandingtubular housing 296.Housing 296 slidably receives avertical shaft 297 having aflange 297 a adjacent to its upper end. Compressed between theflange 297 a and ashoulder 296 a of the housing is acoil spring 298 that biases theshaft 297 upwards inhousing 296. Alever arm 299 is connected by apivot 300 to the top ofhousing 296. The lever arm is formed with a dependingcam 299 a so that when thelever arm 299 is moved downward, the cam engages the top ofshaft 297 and the shaft is shifted downward. Mounted to the lower end ofshaft 297 is a lostmotion plunger 300 with anoverhang 300 a that extends over the shelf. Whenshelf 220 is moved to its closed position, acam 301 at the edge of shelf engages under acam follower 302 projecting out frombase 295. Resultantly, whenlever 299 is swung down,shaft 297 is moved down thereby pushingplunger 300 into ahole 303 in the top ofshelf 220. Also, the shelf itself is pushed downward by the plunger against the upward bias provided by thetorsion bar 295 until thescraper edge 272 engages against freezingsurface 26. The lostmotion plunger 300 provides compliance in the event thatupper surface 26 a of freezing surface is not flat. The fact that thescraper assembly 265 is mounted toshelf 220 bypin 267 enables that assembly to remain parallel withupper surface 26 a and produce a uniform loading of the freezingsurface 26. - Of course in lieu of the lever-actuated
shaft 297, other comparable means (e.g., a pneumatic cylinder or solenoid actuator controlled by controller 38) may be used to lock the shelf in its closed position automatically (FIG. 5 ). - Referring now to
FIGS. 2, 8A , 8B, and 8E, thecompaction assembly 256 also includes a vertical formingcylinder 304 that is secured to the radially outer end ofchannel 266 byfasteners 305. A lower end ofcylinder 304 is open. In addition, the side wall of the cylinder facing the outer end of the liner has awindow 306 that is sized so that when thescraper blade 276 is moved to its extended position pushing the ridge row of frozen product into the cylinder in the process, the blade eventually closeswindow 306 thus essentially becoming part of the forming cylinder side wall. - Mounted to the
bracket leg 258 b directly abovecylinder 302 is a vertical, double-actingpneumatic cylinder 307 containing apiston 308. Mounted to the lower end of the piston rod is a downwardly facinghemispherical ejection cup 309 whose diameter is slightly less than the inside diameter of formingcylinder 304 so that the cup can slide up and down within the cylinder along with thepiston 308. As best seen inFIG. 8E ,cup 309 has a concave lower surface 309 a whose mouth is spanned by anelastic diaphragm 310 that is specially shaped so that whencup 309 pushes frozen product down incylinder 304,diaphragm 310 is deformed by product into the cup as shown by dashed lines in that figure so that the thus compacted product assumes a dome or, scoop or other molded shape depending upon the shape of surface 309 a. Asuitable vent passage 311 is provided incup 308 to vent the space above thediaphragm 310. Whencup 309 reaches the end of its downward movement, the resilience ofdiaphragm 310 will cause the diaphragm to reassume its natural shape shown in solid lines inFIG. 8C . In so relaxing, the diaphragm actually peels away from the ice cream thereby releasing the ice cream “scoop” fromcup 309 allowing it to drop into a container placed undercup 309. - In an alternative arrangement, the diaphragm may have a normal shape shown by the dashed lines in
FIG. 8E and be forced downward or outward by compressed air introduced throughpassage 311 to eject the product scoop. - In either event, the
diaphragm 310 is preferably provided with a reinforced edge margin 310 a that functions both as a sliding seal and a wiper to clean the interior surface ofcylinder 304 as thecup 309 moves up and down within the cylinder. - Air ports 311 a and 311 b are provided at the respective upper and lower ends of
cylinder 307. The ports are connected by valved air hoses 312 a and 312 b, respectively, to thecompressed air tank 194 shown inFIG. 5 . When air is supplied to port 311 a and vented from port 311 b, thepiston 308 andcup 309 attached thereto move downward withincylinder 304. On the other hand, when air is supplied to port 311 b and vented through port 311 a, the piston and cup move upwardly within the cylinder. - Still referring to
FIG. 8A , also mounted to thebracket leg 258 b on opposite sides ofcylinder 307 may be a pair ofrotary actuators cylinder 307 as well asactuators protective boot 325 as shown inFIG. 2 . Theshaft 322 a ofactuator 322 extends down through thebracket leg 258 b; its lower end is releasably keyed to the upper end of avertical shaft 326 rotatably mounted to abracket 328 extending from one side ofcylinder 304 and is, in turn, secured by thefasteners 305 to the adjacent end of thechannel 266.Shaft 326 extends down to a point just below the lower end ofcylinder 304 and the lower end of that shaft is connected to adiscoid door 332 having essentially the same diameter as that ofcylinder 304.Door 332 can be swung byactuator 322 under the control of controller 38 (FIG. 5 ) between an open position shown inFIG. 8B wherein the door is located to one side ofcylinder 304 and a closed position wherein the door completely closes the bottom opening into the cylinder while the cylinder is being loaded with frozen product byscraper blade 276 as described above. It should be understood, however, that in some applications, thedoor 332 may not be necessary. - As best seen in
FIGS. 8A, 8B and 9, the otherrotary actuator 324 operates in a similar manner to swing acleaning cup 336 located at the opposite side ofcylinder 304 fromdoor 332 between an open position shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B wherein the cup is swung to one side of the cylinder and a closed position wherein the cup is disposed directly under the lower end of the cylinder. As we shall see,cup 336 is used to periodically clean the interior ofcylinder 304 and theejection cup 309 therein. To this end, aninlet port 338 is provided in a wall of cleaningcup 336 and that port is connected bytubing 342 to a clean water misting source shown generally at 344 mounted to the rear wall ofcabinet 10 behind the product base delivery means 54 as seen inFIG. 3 .Cup 336 also includes anoutlet port 342 connected bytubing 348 to avacuum waste container 358 mounted to thecabinet side wall 10 b behind dispensingstation 17 as shown inFIG. 5 . - Referring to
FIG. 9 , the mistingsource 344 comprises a relativelylarge bottle 345 containing a supply of water or other cleaning fluid. Cleaning fluid from the bottle is pumped from the bottle via atube 349 containing anautomatic pinch valve 350 controlled bycontroller 38 and fed viatube 342 toinlet 338. Pumping air from tank 194 (FIG. 5 ) is delivered to the bottle viatube 351. A manually setneedle valve 352 controls the air/fluid ratio delivered totube 342 andcup 336. - At the appropriate time in the operating cycle of the apparatus, cleaning
cup 336 may be moved into position under formingcylinder 304. Theaforesaid pinch valve 350 is opened bycontroller 38 and mist is ejected from anozzle 336 a in the cup (FIG. 8B ) and directed up into formingcylinder 304 to clean any residue from the prior product serving from the interior surface of the cylinder, thediaphragm 310 and other product contact points thereby minimizing carryover to the next serving. Thepinch valve 350 then closes allowing just air to be blown viatube 342 andnozzle 336 a into the formingcylinder 304 to dry the components in preparation for the next product serving. The waste fluid is then conveyed from thecup 336 via theoutlet tube 348 to thewaste container 358 shown inFIG. 5 . Preferably, means (not shown) are provided for drawing a vacuum incontainer 358 so that the waste fluid is actually sucked fromcup 336 to the waste container. Of course, cleaning of the cylinder may be done at other times in the dispensing cycle under the control of controller 38 (FIG. 5 ). - Referring now to
FIGS. 4 and 10 , preferably provision is made for depositing mix-ins such as jimmies, crushed nuts and the like on the base product mix spread out on the freezingsurface 26. Although such depositing means are not strictly part of the delivery section of the apparatus, they are closely related thereto and accordingly will be introduced at this point. The depositing means comprise a plurality ofbins 362 removably mounted to thecabinet sidewall 10 b and the cabinet rear wall behind theclosed turret section 52. The bins have open tops to facilitate filling the bins with different mix-ins. Preferably, covers 361 normally close the top openings intobins 362 to protect the bins contents. Each bin has a downwardly inclined or V-shapedbottom wall 362 a leading to aslot 363 that extends out over freezingsurface 26. Filling that slot is aroller 364 rotatably mounted at the bottom of the bin with agear 365 projecting from the end of the bin. When the bin is in place,gear 365 meshes with a similar gear (not shown) driven by amotor 366 mounted to wall 10 b. Each roller is formed with a plurality ofgrooves 365 so that when the roller is rotated bymotor 366 under the control ofcontroller 38, mix-in particles will be carried around by the grooved roller and sprinkled onto the spread out and leveled product on the freezingsurface 26. Thus, while the selection of a particular mix-in is controlled by the consumer by depressing a particular button on control panel 18 (FIG. 1 ), thecontroller 38 controls the timing and amount of the mix-in deposit onsurface 26. - The
Product Dispensing Station 17 - Referring now to
FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the components of dispensingstation 17 are supported by ashelf 370 located at the front ofcabinet 10 adjacent to thecabinet side wall 10 b. The dispensing station includes aplate 372 mounted toshelf 370 and supporting a vertical, double-actingpneumatic cylinder 374 that contains a piston 376 (FIG. 5 ).Cylinder 374 has the usual inlet/outlet ports at its upper/lower ends and these ports are connected by threetubes compressed air tank 194 shown inFIG. 5 , suitable valves being provided in the air lines to control the air flow to and fromcylinder 374. Attached to the upper end ofpiston 376 withinstation 17 is alift plate 380 that moves up and down with the piston and removably mounted to the lift plate is atray 381. The tray is adapted to support a product container C such as a cup or cone. If the latter, the tray is shaped to hold the cone vertically. Preferably threeguide rods 382 extend down fromlift plate 380 through suitable openings insupport plate 372 aroundcylinder 374 to stabilize the tray during its up and down movements. Also, a bellows or boot 384 may be connected betweensupport plate 372 andlift plate 380 to protectively enclose the sliding piston. -
Cylinder 374 operates under the control ofcontroller 38 to movetray 380 at least between a lower retracted position shown inFIGS. 1 and 5 whereintray 380 and its contents are readily accessible through the dispensingportal 16 in theclosed cabinet door 14 and an upper extended position illustrated inFIG. 2 wherein the cup or cone supported on the tray is disposed directly under the open lower end of the formingcylinder 304 in position to receive the frozen compacted product pushed out of the cylinder by theejection cup 309. In addition, thecontroller 38 is preferably programmed to set thetray 380 at one or more intermediate positions to allow for servings with more than one scoop of frozen product (e.g., a double decker cone). -
Rotary Coupling 24 - Referring now to
FIGS. 5 and 12 A, as described above, the freezingsurface 26 has a dependingshaft 28 that is rotated by a drivenpulley 32.Surface 26 contains afluid path 42 whose opposite ends are connected byrotary coupling 24 to fluid lines leading to and fromrefrigeration system 44.Coupling 24 includes acylindrical housing 402 that is mounted toshelf 22 and receives theshaft 28. As shown there, both the shaft and thehousing 402 are stepped to accommodate anupper bearing element 404 at the top ofhousing 402 and a largerlower bearing element 406 at the bottom of the housing. Theshaft 28 extends below thelower bearing element 406 where it is connected to thepulley 32. - As shown in
FIG. 12A ,shaft 28 has anaxial passage 408 whose upper end communicates with aradial passage 410 that leads to anelbow fitting 412 connected to one end of thefluid path 42 in freezingsurface 26. Aside passage 414 is provided adjacent to the opposite end ofpassage 408, which communicates with aradial passage 416 inhousing 402 whose outer end is provided with a fitting 418 for conducting refrigerant to therefrigeration system 44. Rotary seals 422 a and 422 b are provided betweenshaft 28 andhousing 402 above and belowpassages - Refrigerant fluid from
refrigeration system 44 is introduced intocoupling 24 by way of a fitting 424 in the side ofhousing 402. Fitting 424 communicates with aradial passage 426 in the side ofhousing 402 that leads through aradial hole 427 in theshaft 28 to anannular passage 428 that surroundspassage 408. Arotary seal 430 is provided betweenpassage 426 andbearing element 404, which, along with theseal 422 a, confines the inflowing refrigerant to those fluid pathways. - The refrigerant flowing into the
annular passage 428 leaves that passage via aside hole 432 near the upper end ofshaft 28. Thathole 432 leads to anelbow fitting 434 that is connected to the other end of thefluid path 42 in the freezingsurface 26. - The fluid flow through the
coupling 24,shaft 28 and freezingsurface 26 is indicated by the arrows inFIG. 12A . Thus, thecoupling 24 along withshaft 28 conduct refrigerant through the freezingsurface 26 so that that surface can function as the evaporator component of therefrigeration system 44 as described above, while still allowing that surface to be rotated at the desired speed. -
FIG. 12B illustrates another rotary seal embodiment shown generally at 24′. In this embodiment, astationary shaft 28′ supports a discoid table 452 mounted to the upper end of the shaft. Table 452 has a raised lip or rim 452 a enabling table 452 to contain a viscous, thermally conductive liquid 454 such as propylene glycol. Also supported on table 452 in that liquid 454 is a multiplicity ofball bearings 456. - In this embodiment, the freezing
surface 26′ is positioned on top of table 452 so that the underside of the freezing surface rests on theball bearings 456. Acircular recess 458 is provided in the underside ofsurface 26′, which provides clearance for the upper edge of the rim or lip 452 a that establishes the liquid 454 level, and surface 26′ is formed with a dependingflange 26 b′ that encircles table 452. To enablesurface 26′ to rotate relative to table 452, arotary seal 462 is provided between rim 452 a andflange 26 b′. Also, askirt 464 is secured to the lower edge offlange 26 b′, wherein the skirt has a reduceddiameter neck 464 a that surroundsshaft 28′. Preferably abearing element 466 is provided betweenskirt 464 a andshaft 28′ to allow the skirt along with freezingsurface 26′ to rotate to relative to table 452. The lower end of theskirt neck 464 a is formed as apulley 467 that may be rotated by a conventional belt drive (not shown). - A pair of
longitudinal passages shaft 28′ and table 452 for conducting refrigerant through a long spiral orsinuous passage 473 inplate 452. As the refrigerant fromrefrigeration system 44 is circulated throughplate 452, heat is transferred by conduction and convection through the liquid 454 to maintain the freezingsurface 26′ at the desired low temperature, while at the same time allowing that surface to be rotated bypulley 467. - Operation of the Apparatus
- As mentioned above, all of the various fluid lines are provided with appropriate valves that operate under the control of
controller 38 to deliver the various fluids at the correct times and in the correct amounts to achieve accurate product portion control. Likewise, all of the various electrical components of the apparatus are activated by the controller in a selected sequence during each product dispensing cycle to dispense at the dispensing station 17 a controlled portion of the particular flavored product selected by the operator at the apparatus'control panel 18. The apparatus is also provided with conventional position sensors and interlocks for safety reasons and to prevent its various subsystems from operating out of sequence and to signal when a particular function is not performed. For example, the door 16 a to dispensingstation 17 is locked when the machine is in a dispensing cycle. Also, the machine will not commence a dispensing cycle unless a container C is ontray 380. - In the case of the motor-activated parts (i.e.,
scraper 276,door 332 and cleaning cup 336), special provisions are made for detecting when those parts are not performing their intended functions at the correct times in the apparatus operating sequence. More particularly, the drive circuit for eachmotor such door 332 to move between stops at its open and closed positions is known (e.g., 5 seconds). The current drawn by the associated motor (i.e., motor 322) is monitored bycontroller 38 to detect when a current spike occurs when the part reaches a stop thereby stopping the motor shaft. If the spike occurs at the known elapsed time (i.e., 5 seconds), then the controller “knows” that thedoor 332 has fully closed (or opened). On the other hand, if the spike occurs at, say, 3 seconds or 7 seconds, the controller “knows” that the door is only particularly closed (or opened) and thereupon stops the dispensing cycle. - When the apparatus is in its initial state, the
refrigeration system 44 is operative so that theupper surface 26 a of freezingsurface 26 has the desired low temperature (e.g., 0° F.). Also,surface 26 is usually already rotating although provision may be made for stopping rotation at a selected time after the previous dispensing cycle. Also initially, thetray 380 is in its lower position, theroller 228 is in its raised position, the cylinder door 332 (if present) is closed, cleaningcup 336 is swung to the side and thescraper blade 276 is retracted to its position shown inFIG. 8A . - A customer or operator makes a product selection by placing the appropriate container C on
tray 380 and depressing the required buttons incontrol panel 18, perhaps after depositing money. More specifically, he/she may select from among the available product bases (e.g., ice cream or yogurt) and among the available flavors (e.g., vanilla, chocolate, etc.). Available also is a selection of mix-ins (e.g., jimmies, crushed nuts, etc.). - The selections are stored in the memory of
controller 38, which then carries out the steps required to deliver the selected frozen product to the dispensingstation 17 as follows: -
- a) delivers compressed air to the
lowest port 378 c ofcylinder 274 and vents theupper port 378 a to raisetray 380 to its upper position shown inFIG. 2 or by delivering air to port 378 b, to a lower raised position if the customer has selected a serving with more than one scoop; - b) activates the
motor 70 to position thebottle 74 containing the selected flavor opposite the product base delivery means 54; - c) activates
actuator 158 to plugnozzles 164 intopassages - d) opens the
compressed air hose 169 and activates pump 210 of the line to thenozzle assembly 164 that delivers a controlled portion of the selected base product mix, while activatingactuator 186 to pump flavor from theoperative bottle 74 so that a controlled amount or portion of aerated flavored product mix is deposited by the depositinghead 114 onto the freezingsurface 26; - e) turns off the delivery of said fluids to the
operative nozzle assembly 164 and retracts the nozzle assemblies frommanifold 72; - f) possibly activates the
roller motor 366 of a selected one of the mix-inbins 362 if a mix-in has been selected; - g) at this point, the liquid deposited on the rotating freezing
surface 26 is leveled automatically byroller 228 and becomes frozen or partially frozen before it is scraped from the freezing surface byscraper assembly 265 and collected into a ridge row of frozen product that extends in a line along path oralley 270 between thescraper blade 276 and thewindow 306 of formingcylinder 304; - h) activates
motor 292 to extend thescraper blade 276, which pushes the row of frozen product throughwindow 306 into formingcylinder 304 so that the product compacts against the closed door 332 (if present) thereby forming a solid cylindrical body of frozen product withincylinder 304; - i) delivers compressed air to the lower port of
cylinder 307 while venting the upper port to retractejection cup 309 slightly and then activatesactuator 322 to open the forming cylinder door 332 (if present); - j) activates
actuator 248 to pressroller 228 against the freezingsurface 26 with enough force to compress the roller'selastomeric ridges 250 so that the roller'sconical surface 228 a contacts the freezing surface; the roller is held in this position for a time that allows enough rotations of the roller (e.g., two) to cause offsetting of any product residue on the roller to the freezingsurface 26 thereby cleaning the roller, with the offset product being scraped up byblades 269 a and 276 and included in the present serving, thereby minimizing product carryover from one serving to the next; alternatively,controller 38 may be programmed to clean the roller before the next depositing step so that any roller residue offset to the freezing surface is included in the next serving; of course, the residue can also be scraped manually or automatically into a waste container (not shown) under the edge ofsurface 26; - k) delivers compressed air to the upper port 310 a of
pneumatic cylinder 310 while venting the lower port to extendejection cup 309 and perhaps also delivers compressed air tocup 309 to push out itsdiaphragm 310, thereby releasing the compacted frozen product portion out the bottom ofcylinder 304 into container C; - l) delivers compressed air to the
upper port 378 a ofcylinder 374 while venting at least one of the lower ports tolower tray 380 thereby allowing removal of the product-filled container C fromtray 380 through the portal 16 in thecabinet door 14; - m) activates
rotary actuator 324 to rotate cleaningcup 336 under the formingcylinder 304; - n) opens
valve 350 of the mistingsource 344 to deliver cleaning mist via cleaningcup 336 to the interior of formingcylinder 304 and actuates the vacuum pump serving thewaste container 358 to collect waste liquid from the cleaning cup; - o) possibly activates
cylinder 307 to raise and lower theejection cup 309 withincylinder 304 to ensure thorough cleaning of the cup and the interior wall of the cylinder by sliding seals 310 a; - p) closes
pinch valve 350 of the mistingsource 344 to deliver just air to cleaningcup 336 to air dry the interior ofcylinder 304; - q) activates
cylinder 307 to raiseejection cup 309; and - r) actuates
motor 292 in reverse to retract thescraper blade 276 thereby completing the dispensing cycle.
- a) delivers compressed air to the
- If desired, the cleaning
cup 336 may be left in the closed position of the dispensing cycle so that at the beginning of the next cycle, the apparatus may execute a pre-cleaning ofcylinder 304; after which, thecup 336 may be moved to its open position and be replaced by door 332 (if present). - It is contemplated that an end-of-day cleaning cycle be carried out by substituting for
product base bags 206, similar bags containing a cleaning solution and cycling the apparatus to rotateturret 67, usingnozzle assemblies 164, and to pump cleaning solution, in turn, to each pair ofmanifold openings flow paths 110 inmanifold 72, includingextension tubes 254. - The
controller 38 controls and manages all of the functions and activities of the apparatus, including the timing thereof, necessary to make, and to maintain strict portion control of, all products being dispensed by the apparatus and to assure prompt and effective delivery of those products, as well as to maintain the machine in a sanitary and properly refrigerated condition. The controller may also be programmed to carry out various housekeeping and inventory control functions. To facilitate this, theflavor bottles 74,bags 206 of product base and mix-inbins 362 may be marked with coded indicia (e.g., bar codes), which identify and pertain specifically to the particular substance in the bottle, bag or bin. Onesuch bar code 392 is illustrated on abottle 74 inFIG. 6A . To read the coded indicia, the apparatus may include a code scanner or reader 294 (shown inFIG. 1 ) that may be plugged into areceptacle 296 in thecabinet door 14 abovedisplay 19 and connected tocontroller 38. Alternatively, the scanner or reader may be plugged into a receptacle inside the cabinet. When resupplying the apparatus, the codedindicia 292 on the bottles, bags and bins may be read out by scanner orreader 294 and loaded into the internal memory ofcontroller 38. The controller preferably also stores therein other data for controlling the operation of the apparatus depending upon the ingredients being mixed to form the finished product. - Thus, the controller may store data reflecting the amount of a selected flavor that should be mixed with a particular product base to obtain an optimum food product. For example, less chocolate flavor may be required to make a serving of chocolate ice cream as compared with chocolate yogurt; less flavor may be needed to make chocolate ice cream as compared with strawberry ice cream, etc. Thus,
controller 38 is programmed to mix the proper amount of the ingredients available in the apparatus at a given time as reflected by thecontainer codes 392 written into the memory ofcontroller 38, to cause the apparatus to dispense products with superior qualities. In other words, in a sense, the product ingredients and the processing thereof are optimized to suit the apparatus and its control functions. Resultantly, when a customer selects a particular product at control panel 18 (FIG. 1 ), the apparatus will dispense a selected product with the proper ratio of ingredients for that particular product. - Other examples of the type of control exercised by the controller depending upon the ingredients being mixed include optimum residence time on
surface 26,optimum surface 26 temperature. - Likewise, the amount of mix-in dispensed for a given serving may vary depending upon the types of mix-ins contained in
bins 362.Controller 38 is programmed to control eachdispenser motor 366 to dispense the proper amount of the particular mix-in selected by the customer, which may vary depending upon the particular product base selected by the customer. - Preferably also stored in the controller memory is the number of servings that can be delivered from each bottle, bag and bin and the time when that particular container was last replaced. Thus, the controller can keep track of the amount of material remaining in each such container and thus can update product availability information being displayed by
display 19 and trigger an alarm or an appropriate display message on thedisplay 19 to signal that it is time to refill or replace empty or near empty containers or containers whose contents may be outdated. - Of course
controller 38 can be programmed to causedisplay 19 to show other information such as “flavor of the month” product discounts, special sales and the like. - Other Options
- s alluded to above, certain sections of the above-described apparatus may have separate utility. For example, the
turret section 52 and delivery means 54 may operated to dispense selected beverages (e.g., soft drinks) fromhead 114 into a container positioned under that head. For this, thetubing 185 leading to each nozzle assembly may be connected to a source of water or carbonated water. Another option is to fill thebottles 74 with various liquid soup, coffee, tea, chocolate, etc., bases, which, when combined with hot water fromnozzle assemblies 164, will result in a selected heated product being delivered to a container positioned underhead 114. Even a powder (e.g., chocolate, coffee, soup base, etc.) may be delivered along with the air as a slurry viahoses 169 tonozzle assemblies 164 and combined therein with a liquid such as milk, water, etc., fromtubing 185 to dispense at head 114 a hot or cold beverage or other liquid food product. - Also,
surface 26 may be made hot instead of cold by circulating a hot fluid through passage 42 (FIG. 5 ) therein or by incorporating a heating element in that surface. If, then, an egg base is delivered tonozzle assemblies 164 and mixed therein with milk delivered viahoses 169 and deposited on thehot surface 26, the resultant product may be an omelet, pancake, candy, cookie, etc., depending upon the particular product base. Various liquid toppings (e.g., tomato sauce, fudge sauce, maple syrup, etc.) frombottles 74 may be added to the resultant product after the product has set onsurface 26, and various add-ons such as cheese, diced peppers, onions, coconut, etc., frombins 362 may be sprinkled byrollers 364 on the top of the set product resident on thehot surface 26. - Also, it should be understood that various
alternate surface 26 configurations may be more appropriate to make certain products. For example, to cool or partially freeze a beverage or a strip of candy, it may be more efficient todesign surface 26 as a vertically oriented rotary chilled funnel with the liquid fromhead 114 being deposited on the upper end of the interior surface of the funnel and the cold or frozen product being delivered to a container under the funnel. - Still further, the set or solidified product on
surface 26—be it ice cream, an omelette, cookie, etc.—may be removed from that surface manually using a spatula or scraper instead of relying ondelivery section 56 for that purpose. - Also, the basic concept of controlling various aspects of the making and dispensing of a product from a plurality of ingredients, including mixing ratios, process times, ingredient, replacement times, etc., based on coded information corresponding to the replacement time and type of the ingredients, has other obvious application aside from food dispensing.
- It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained. Also, certain changes may be made in carrying out the above method and in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
- It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention described herein.
Claims (21)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/278,928 US20060162347A1 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2006-04-06 | Apparatus for Dispensing a Product from a Rotary Surface |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US33625201P | 2001-11-02 | 2001-11-02 | |
US10/160,674 US6698228B2 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2002-07-31 | Method and apparatus for producing and dispensing an aerated and/or blended food product |
US10/726,815 US6952928B2 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2003-12-03 | Method for producing and dispensing an aerated and/or blended food product |
US10/881,684 US7052728B2 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2004-06-30 | Method and apparatus for dispensing a product from a rotary surface |
US11/278,928 US20060162347A1 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2006-04-06 | Apparatus for Dispensing a Product from a Rotary Surface |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/881,684 Division US7052728B2 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2004-06-30 | Method and apparatus for dispensing a product from a rotary surface |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060162347A1 true US20060162347A1 (en) | 2006-07-27 |
Family
ID=26857117
Family Applications (6)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/160,674 Expired - Fee Related US6698228B2 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2002-07-31 | Method and apparatus for producing and dispensing an aerated and/or blended food product |
US10/726,815 Expired - Fee Related US6952928B2 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2003-12-03 | Method for producing and dispensing an aerated and/or blended food product |
US10/881,684 Expired - Fee Related US7052728B2 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2004-06-30 | Method and apparatus for dispensing a product from a rotary surface |
US10/971,796 Expired - Fee Related US7131279B2 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2004-10-22 | Method and apparatus for producing and dispensing an aerated and/or blended food product |
US11/278,928 Abandoned US20060162347A1 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2006-04-06 | Apparatus for Dispensing a Product from a Rotary Surface |
US11/278,993 Abandoned US20060162348A1 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2006-04-07 | Apparatus for Leveling a Liquid Deposited on a Flat Surface |
Family Applications Before (4)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/160,674 Expired - Fee Related US6698228B2 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2002-07-31 | Method and apparatus for producing and dispensing an aerated and/or blended food product |
US10/726,815 Expired - Fee Related US6952928B2 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2003-12-03 | Method for producing and dispensing an aerated and/or blended food product |
US10/881,684 Expired - Fee Related US7052728B2 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2004-06-30 | Method and apparatus for dispensing a product from a rotary surface |
US10/971,796 Expired - Fee Related US7131279B2 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2004-10-22 | Method and apparatus for producing and dispensing an aerated and/or blended food product |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/278,993 Abandoned US20060162348A1 (en) | 2001-11-02 | 2006-04-07 | Apparatus for Leveling a Liquid Deposited on a Flat Surface |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (6) | US6698228B2 (en) |
EP (2) | EP2145545A2 (en) |
JP (2) | JP4383874B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN100408948C (en) |
AU (1) | AU2002353968A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2465925C (en) |
DE (1) | DE60232357D1 (en) |
MX (1) | MXPA04004950A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003041513A2 (en) |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060278098A1 (en) * | 2003-07-18 | 2006-12-14 | Ake Javenius | Foodstuff preparing device and method |
WO2008146274A2 (en) * | 2007-05-25 | 2008-12-04 | Crytec Ltd. | Improved components, system and method for fabricating pumpable ice |
US20090120306A1 (en) * | 2007-08-23 | 2009-05-14 | Decarlo John M | Systems and methods of mixing and cooling food products |
US7640755B1 (en) | 2003-02-07 | 2010-01-05 | Moobella, Llc | Dynamic process control |
US20100058773A1 (en) * | 2008-09-08 | 2010-03-11 | Fluid Management Operations, Llc. | Point of sale method and apparatus for making and dispensing aerated frozen food products |
WO2010098855A2 (en) | 2009-02-25 | 2010-09-02 | Moobella, Inc. | Apparatus and method for enhancing food product overrun produced in food processing system or apparatus |
WO2010098851A2 (en) | 2009-02-25 | 2010-09-02 | Moobella, Inc. | System and method of temperature adjustment and control of food processing/dispensing system or apparatus |
WO2010098850A1 (en) | 2009-02-25 | 2010-09-02 | Moobella, Inc. | Apparatus and method of reducing carry over in food processing systems and methods |
WO2010110915A1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2010-09-30 | Moobella, Inc. | Food compositions compromising dried probiotics, methods of manufacture and uses thereof |
WO2010110921A1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2010-09-30 | Moobella, Inc. | Frozen dessert compositions having increased overrun percentage |
US7900372B2 (en) * | 2008-04-18 | 2011-03-08 | Mabe Canada Inc. | Clothes dryer with louvre cover |
US8109113B2 (en) * | 2008-09-08 | 2012-02-07 | Fluid Management Operations, Llc | Point of sale method and apparatus for making and dispensing aerated frozen food products |
US8386074B2 (en) | 2010-05-25 | 2013-02-26 | Interactive Vending Corporation | Vending machine |
US9687110B2 (en) | 2013-12-04 | 2017-06-27 | Teca Technologies Limited | Pancake maker apparatus, methods and systems |
US20200327769A1 (en) * | 2017-11-27 | 2020-10-15 | Maximilian M. Anziano | Interactive Frozen Confectionery Vending Machine |
Families Citing this family (145)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6505475B1 (en) | 1999-08-20 | 2003-01-14 | Hudson Technologies Inc. | Method and apparatus for measuring and improving efficiency in refrigeration systems |
US7726136B2 (en) * | 2001-11-02 | 2010-06-01 | Moobella, Llc | Systems and methods for dispensing product |
US6698228B2 (en) * | 2001-11-02 | 2004-03-02 | Moobella, Llc | Method and apparatus for producing and dispensing an aerated and/or blended food product |
DK175108B1 (en) * | 2002-05-27 | 2004-06-07 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance | Method and system for creating molded eating utensils |
US7021206B2 (en) * | 2002-06-18 | 2006-04-04 | Eckenhausen Roland B | Hot dairy-based beverage dispenser |
US7908871B2 (en) * | 2002-07-31 | 2011-03-22 | Moobella, Inc. | Systems and methods for dispensing product |
US6941858B2 (en) * | 2002-08-27 | 2005-09-13 | Moobella, Llc | Efficient manufacture and distribution of chilled solid food products |
US7640843B2 (en) | 2003-01-24 | 2010-01-05 | Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. | Cartridge and method for the preparation of beverages |
ITMI20030326A1 (en) * | 2003-02-25 | 2004-08-26 | Francesco Bravo | MACCHIANA FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ICE CREAM IN DOSES PROVIDED WITH A FEEDING DEVICE FOR A PREPARATION. |
US7290682B2 (en) * | 2003-04-15 | 2007-11-06 | John Harra | Dispensing system for blended frozen food compositions |
WO2004091324A2 (en) * | 2003-04-15 | 2004-10-28 | John Harra | Apparatus for processing, storing, and dispensing soft serve frozen food product |
ITRM20030292A1 (en) * | 2003-06-11 | 2004-12-12 | Ct Design S A S Di Aldo Ciabat Ti & C | MACHINE FOR THE AUTOMATIC DISTRIBUTION OF PASTY FOOD PRODUCTS, IN PARTICULAR ICE CREAM AND / OR YOGURT. |
US20040261625A1 (en) * | 2003-06-25 | 2004-12-30 | Fowlkes Vaheed Munir | Infant-formula preparation device |
US7024920B2 (en) * | 2003-09-30 | 2006-04-11 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Lubricity measurement using MEMs sensor |
ITGE20030085A1 (en) * | 2003-10-29 | 2005-04-30 | Carpigiani Group Ali Spa | ICE CREAM PISTON DEVICE FOR MACHINES |
ITMO20040020A1 (en) * | 2004-01-29 | 2004-04-29 | Spm Drink Systems Srl | MACHINE FOR THE PREPARATION AND DISPENSING OF BEVERAGES |
US20050180086A1 (en) * | 2004-02-12 | 2005-08-18 | Schaefer Stuart A. | Removable, portable controlable power link for controlling and powering components of structures at an agribusiness |
US20050199646A1 (en) * | 2004-03-09 | 2005-09-15 | Moy Christopher J. | Method and system for providing a beverage having a customized color |
US7621669B1 (en) | 2004-03-09 | 2009-11-24 | Flavor Burst Co., L.L.P. | Blender for ingredients and flavoring for soft-serve freezer product |
US7178976B2 (en) * | 2004-03-09 | 2007-02-20 | Flavor Burst Co. | Blender for ingredients into soft-serve freezer products |
US7665398B2 (en) * | 2004-03-09 | 2010-02-23 | Flavor Burst Co., L.L.P. | Soft-frozen confection blending and dispensing freezer |
FR2872269B1 (en) * | 2004-06-29 | 2006-10-20 | Lgl France Sa | HEAT EXCHANGE DEVICE FOR COLD PRODUCTION MACHINE |
US20060003065A1 (en) * | 2004-07-01 | 2006-01-05 | Kateman Paul R | Dry-base aerated food product dispensing method and apparatus |
US7779648B2 (en) * | 2004-11-01 | 2010-08-24 | Tecumseh Products Company | Heat exchanger with enhanced air distribution |
US7648050B1 (en) | 2004-11-29 | 2010-01-19 | Stacey Ehlers | Fluoride dispenser |
US7891290B1 (en) * | 2004-12-06 | 2011-02-22 | Integrated Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Machine for making dairy products |
ITPI20040091A1 (en) * | 2004-12-07 | 2005-03-07 | Marco Bianchi | DISTRIBUTOR FOR HOT FOOD PRODUCT |
US7472643B2 (en) * | 2004-12-31 | 2009-01-06 | Whirlpool Corporation | Disposable flavor insert for water dispenser |
BRPI0606624A2 (en) * | 2005-01-14 | 2009-07-07 | Moobella Llc | systems and methods for distributing products |
US7428824B1 (en) * | 2005-04-25 | 2008-09-30 | Michael William Malachowsky | Method and system for making and vending ice |
NL1029124C2 (en) * | 2005-05-25 | 2006-11-28 | Friesland Brands Bv | Dispenser system with gas injection. |
US20070109068A1 (en) * | 2005-11-15 | 2007-05-17 | Gilbarco Inc. | Multi-layer security system and method to prevent unauthorized access to fuel dispenser compartments |
WO2007070028A1 (en) * | 2005-12-12 | 2007-06-21 | Carrier Commerical Refrigeration, Inc. | Housing with integrated water line |
US8989893B2 (en) * | 2006-01-31 | 2015-03-24 | Robofusion, Inc. | Method and apparatus for dispensing frozen confectionery |
US7896038B2 (en) * | 2006-01-31 | 2011-03-01 | Puffin Innovations, Llc | Method and apparatus for dispensing frozen confectionary |
US7913879B2 (en) * | 2006-03-06 | 2011-03-29 | The Coca-Cola Company | Beverage dispensing system |
US9821992B2 (en) * | 2006-03-06 | 2017-11-21 | The Coca-Cola Company | Juice dispensing system |
US9415992B2 (en) | 2006-03-06 | 2016-08-16 | The Coca-Cola Company | Dispenser for beverages having a rotary micro-ingredient combination chamber |
US10631558B2 (en) * | 2006-03-06 | 2020-04-28 | The Coca-Cola Company | Methods and apparatuses for making compositions comprising an acid and an acid degradable component and/or compositions comprising a plurality of selectable components |
US7757896B2 (en) | 2006-03-06 | 2010-07-20 | The Coca-Cola Company | Beverage dispensing system |
US8960500B2 (en) | 2006-03-06 | 2015-02-24 | The Coca-Cola Company | Dispenser for beverages including juices |
US10280060B2 (en) | 2006-03-06 | 2019-05-07 | The Coca-Cola Company | Dispenser for beverages having an ingredient mixing module |
US8739840B2 (en) | 2010-04-26 | 2014-06-03 | The Coca-Cola Company | Method for managing orders and dispensing beverages |
US8123075B2 (en) * | 2006-07-25 | 2012-02-28 | Bunn-O-Matic Corporation | Automatic fill system for beverage machine |
US20080052094A1 (en) * | 2006-08-24 | 2008-02-28 | Img Management Group Inc. | Water dispensing systems and methods |
US20080073370A1 (en) * | 2006-09-22 | 2008-03-27 | Anderson David B | Apparatus and methods for portioning and dispensing a frozen product |
US20080140437A1 (en) * | 2006-12-08 | 2008-06-12 | Nestec S.A. | Method for dispensing and selling frozen confection products |
US7997448B1 (en) * | 2007-02-01 | 2011-08-16 | Robert Leyva | Universal beverage dispenser |
NL2000750C2 (en) * | 2007-02-07 | 2008-08-11 | Toeca Internat Company B V | Device and method for cooling drinks. |
ATE505987T1 (en) * | 2007-02-20 | 2011-05-15 | Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv | DEVICE FOR PRODUCING BEVERAGES HAVING AN EASY-TO-CLEAN PIPE SYSTEM AND AT LEAST ONE LINE FOR TRANSPORTING A LIQUID DRINK INGREDIENT |
GB2447024A (en) * | 2007-02-27 | 2008-09-03 | Kraft Foods R & D Inc | A dispensing machine for hot or cold drinks |
US8479784B2 (en) * | 2007-03-15 | 2013-07-09 | The Coca-Cola Company | Multiple stream filling system |
GB2463350B (en) | 2007-05-18 | 2010-07-28 | Kraft Foods R & D Inc | Improvements in or relating to beverage preparation machines |
GB2449421B (en) | 2007-05-18 | 2009-09-09 | Kraft Foods R & D Inc | Improvements in or relating to beverage preparation machines |
GB2449213B (en) | 2007-05-18 | 2011-06-29 | Kraft Foods R & D Inc | Improvements in or relating to beverage preparation machines and beverage cartridges |
GB2449630B (en) * | 2007-05-18 | 2010-01-06 | Kraft Foods R & D Inc | Beverage preparation machines and methods for operating beverage preparation machines |
GB2449422B (en) | 2007-05-18 | 2009-09-16 | Kraft Foods R & D Inc | Improvements in or relating to beverage preparation machines |
US7914199B2 (en) * | 2007-05-21 | 2011-03-29 | Moobella, Inc. | Apparatus and methods for fabricating a frozen food product |
US7866509B2 (en) | 2007-07-25 | 2011-01-11 | The Coca-Cola Company | Dispensing nozzle assembly |
EP2203907A2 (en) * | 2007-09-06 | 2010-07-07 | The Coca-Cola Company | Method for controlling a plurality of dispensers |
EP2203906A1 (en) * | 2007-09-06 | 2010-07-07 | The Coca-Cola Company | Beverage dispenser |
MX2010002291A (en) * | 2007-09-06 | 2010-05-03 | Coca Cola Co | Systems and methods of selecting and dispensing products. |
US8162176B2 (en) | 2007-09-06 | 2012-04-24 | The Coca-Cola Company | Method and apparatuses for providing a selectable beverage |
EP2212237B1 (en) * | 2007-09-06 | 2018-11-21 | The Coca-Cola Company | Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling the dispense of a plurality of beverage forming ingredients |
BRPI0816442A2 (en) | 2007-09-06 | 2017-05-16 | Coca Cola Co | product dispenser, and method for operating the same |
AU2008296269A1 (en) * | 2007-09-06 | 2009-03-12 | The Coca-Cola Company | Method for consumer-dispenser interactions |
RU2479482C2 (en) | 2007-09-06 | 2013-04-20 | Дзе Кока-Кола Компани | System and method for reconfiguring dynamic matrix of ingredients in dispenser of fluids |
AU2008296257B2 (en) * | 2007-09-06 | 2013-08-01 | The Coca-Cola Company | Systems and methods for facilitating consumer-dispenser interactions |
US8306655B2 (en) | 2007-09-06 | 2012-11-06 | The Coca-Cola Company | Systems and methods for providing portion control programming in a product forming dispenser |
WO2009049094A1 (en) | 2007-10-09 | 2009-04-16 | Fawn Engineering Corporation | Apparatus and method for single or multiple temperature zone(s) in refrigerated vending machine |
WO2009058094A1 (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2009-05-07 | Irics Company Pte Ltd | System and method for confectionery preparation |
WO2009114707A2 (en) * | 2008-03-12 | 2009-09-17 | Whirlpool Corporation | Double-sided door module |
US8820109B2 (en) * | 2008-05-13 | 2014-09-02 | Fluid Management Operations Llc | Point of sale method and apparatus for making and dispensing aerated frozen food products |
US8684232B2 (en) * | 2008-11-05 | 2014-04-01 | Full Process S.A. | Colorant fluid dispensing device for dispensing multiple colorant fluids |
US8224481B2 (en) * | 2009-01-19 | 2012-07-17 | Access Business Group International Llc | Method and apparatus for dispensing fluid compositions |
KR101665545B1 (en) * | 2009-06-23 | 2016-10-14 | 삼성전자 주식회사 | Ice maker unit and refrigerator having the same |
IT1397928B1 (en) | 2009-12-23 | 2013-02-04 | S P M Drink Systems S R L Ora S P M Drink System Spa | HANDLING DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR FLUID AND / OR PASTOSED PRODUCTS. |
US8757222B2 (en) | 2010-04-26 | 2014-06-24 | The Coca-Cola Company | Vessel activated beverage dispenser |
WO2011153231A1 (en) * | 2010-06-01 | 2011-12-08 | Performance Vendors Llc | Automated mixing and dispensing of powdered beverages |
JP2013528388A (en) | 2010-06-04 | 2013-07-11 | ペプシコ,インコーポレイテッド | Frozen beverage preparation manifold |
US8746719B2 (en) | 2010-08-03 | 2014-06-10 | Polaris Industries Inc. | Side-by-side vehicle |
US9228575B2 (en) * | 2010-11-16 | 2016-01-05 | Zoeller Pump Company, Llc | Sealed and self-contained tankless water heater flushing system |
USD694620S1 (en) | 2011-03-08 | 2013-12-03 | Kraft Foods R&D, Inc. | Beverage cartridge |
GB2488799A (en) | 2011-03-08 | 2012-09-12 | Kraft Foods R & D Inc | Drinks Pod without Piercing of Outer Shell |
GB2489409B (en) | 2011-03-23 | 2013-05-15 | Kraft Foods R & D Inc | A capsule and a system for, and a method of, preparing a beverage |
US8746506B2 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2014-06-10 | Pepsico, Inc. | Multi-tower modular dispensing system |
US8985396B2 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2015-03-24 | Pepsico. Inc. | Modular dispensing system |
US8588967B2 (en) | 2011-07-06 | 2013-11-19 | Dominic Anthony Carelli | Internet-accessible pet treat dispensing apparatus |
US8588968B2 (en) | 2011-07-06 | 2013-11-19 | Dominic Anthony Carelli | Internet-accessible pet treat dispensing system and method |
EP3560344B1 (en) * | 2012-02-14 | 2023-11-15 | Solo Gelato Ltd. | System for the preparation of cooled edible products |
DK177517B1 (en) * | 2012-03-22 | 2013-08-26 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance | Arrangement and method for mixing particulate filling into consumer ice mass |
US9320297B2 (en) | 2012-03-22 | 2016-04-26 | Lemniscate Innovations Llc | Spherification/reverse spherification automated and integrated system and method |
US9392809B2 (en) | 2012-04-05 | 2016-07-19 | Conopco, Inc. | Apparatus and process for preparing frozen confectionery products |
US20150150269A1 (en) * | 2012-08-01 | 2015-06-04 | Frito-Lay North America, Inc. | Continuous process and apparatus for making a pita chip |
USD697797S1 (en) | 2012-09-12 | 2014-01-21 | Kraft Foods R&D, Inc. | Beverage cartridge |
US9764937B2 (en) * | 2013-05-15 | 2017-09-19 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Mass based low product indicator |
US9635874B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2017-05-02 | The Vollrath Company, L.L.C. | Automatic frozen food product vending machine |
US20140322414A1 (en) * | 2013-04-26 | 2014-10-30 | Foremost Farms Usa, Cooperative | Apparatus and method for molding and chilling cheese |
US10595544B2 (en) | 2013-08-14 | 2020-03-24 | Solo Gelato Ltd. | System, machine and method for the preparation of cooled edible products |
GB201315499D0 (en) * | 2013-08-30 | 2013-10-16 | British American Tobacco Co | A vending machine |
WO2015038360A1 (en) | 2013-09-16 | 2015-03-19 | Idea Boxx, Llc | Automated cleaning system for food processor and method |
ITRM20130634A1 (en) * | 2013-11-18 | 2015-05-19 | Leonardo Gullini | STRUCTURE FOR ESTEMPORARY PREPARATION OF ICE CREAM. |
EP2939577A1 (en) * | 2014-04-29 | 2015-11-04 | F.A.S. International S.p.A. | Ingredient-loading device for preparation units of vending machines |
US9737083B2 (en) * | 2014-05-07 | 2017-08-22 | Ali S.p.A.—Carpigiani Group | Device for transferring liquid, semiliquid or powdered products and system for mixing the products |
EP3148346B1 (en) * | 2014-05-30 | 2017-11-01 | Unilever PLC, a company registered in England and Wales under company no. 41424 | Apparatus and process for the manufacture of a frozen confection |
CN106455852A (en) * | 2014-06-25 | 2017-02-22 | 雀巢产品技术援助有限公司 | Dispensing system |
DE102014213798A1 (en) * | 2014-07-16 | 2016-01-21 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Household refrigerating appliance with a water dispenser unit having a receiving unit for inserting a flavor container |
WO2016024139A1 (en) * | 2014-08-13 | 2016-02-18 | Dimitrios Bothos | Vending machine for selected quantities of distinct perfumes |
WO2016054213A1 (en) | 2014-10-01 | 2016-04-07 | Kraft Foods Group Brands Llc | Coffee pod |
KR101502287B1 (en) * | 2014-11-25 | 2015-03-18 | 김진천 | A horizontality drum type machine for making ice |
US10169977B2 (en) | 2015-01-08 | 2019-01-01 | Harry Steinbok | Serving utensil placement monitoring system |
JP2018505102A (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2018-02-22 | アンハイザー−ブッシュ インベブ エセ.アー. | Pressed beverage concentrate and apparatus and method for producing a beverage therefrom |
UA123858C2 (en) * | 2015-01-30 | 2021-06-16 | Анхесер-Бюш Інбев С.А. | Methods, appliances, and systems for preparing a beverage from a base liquid and an ingredient150 |
ES2579978B2 (en) * | 2015-02-16 | 2017-04-07 | Smart Spirits, S.L. | Alcoholic beverage infuser |
US20160242434A1 (en) * | 2015-02-24 | 2016-08-25 | Robofusion, Inc. | Fro-Style Flavor System |
EP3284068A4 (en) * | 2015-04-17 | 2019-01-09 | The Vollrath Company, L.L.C. | Automatic frozen food product vending machine |
US10492513B1 (en) * | 2015-04-17 | 2019-12-03 | Robert M. Sullivan | Automated beverage dispensing system and method |
ITUB20152936A1 (en) * | 2015-08-06 | 2017-02-06 | Carpigiani Group Ali Spa | MACHINE AND METHOD FOR THE REALIZATION OF LIQUID OR SEMILIQUID FOOD PRODUCTS. |
CA3007499C (en) | 2015-12-11 | 2020-07-28 | Idea Boxx, Llc | Flow balancing in food processor cleaning system |
USD834092S1 (en) | 2016-01-07 | 2018-11-20 | The Vollrath Company, L.L.C. | Frozen food product vending machine |
US20170119200A1 (en) * | 2016-01-19 | 2017-05-04 | Anthony David Bressi | Automated beverage and fragrance synthesizers |
EA035537B1 (en) * | 2016-02-05 | 2020-07-01 | Юнилевер Н.В. | Frozen confection |
US10143228B2 (en) * | 2016-04-04 | 2018-12-04 | Creator, Inc. | System and method for dispensing spices and sauces on foodstuffs |
WO2017176609A1 (en) * | 2016-04-06 | 2017-10-12 | Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc. | Syrup compartment for a frozen food product dispensing machine |
ITUA20162572A1 (en) | 2016-04-13 | 2017-10-13 | Ali Group Srl Carpigiani | MACHINE AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LIQUID OR SEMILEQUID PRODUCTS. |
US11116352B2 (en) * | 2016-09-13 | 2021-09-14 | Kerry Luxembourg S.à.r.l. | Beverage preparation system |
CA2983303C (en) * | 2016-10-24 | 2019-11-19 | The Vollrath Company, L.L.C. | Frozen food product dispensing machine including mixing manifold |
IT201600124688A1 (en) * | 2016-12-09 | 2018-06-09 | Ilventitre S R L | "DEVICE FOR THE PREPARATION AND DELIVERY OF A CONE OR ICE CREAM CUP" |
IT201700069237A1 (en) * | 2017-06-21 | 2018-12-21 | Ali Group Srl Carpigiani | MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LIQUID OR SEMILIATED PRODUCTS AND METHOD OF OPERATION OF THE MACHINE. |
US10743562B2 (en) * | 2017-11-27 | 2020-08-18 | Maximilian M Anziano | Ice-cream vending machine |
US11127241B2 (en) | 2018-03-05 | 2021-09-21 | The Vollrath Company, L.L.C. | Delivery door for automatic frozen food product vending machine |
WO2019220364A1 (en) * | 2018-05-18 | 2019-11-21 | Jagadeesh Induru | 3d nonpareils sprinkle kit |
CN113710096A (en) * | 2019-02-05 | 2021-11-26 | 因文特赫姆有限责任公司 | Frozen dessert machine |
CA3134105A1 (en) * | 2019-03-21 | 2020-09-24 | Vivid Robotics, Inc. | Food preparation robot and method for use |
CN114127499A (en) * | 2019-06-28 | 2022-03-01 | 泰而勒商业食品服务有限公司 | System and method for storing and dispensing food with chambers bordered by a heat transfer compound |
US11317748B2 (en) * | 2020-01-23 | 2022-05-03 | Jacqueline Foster | Programmable lock box |
USD983603S1 (en) | 2020-12-31 | 2023-04-18 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Blade for a micro puree machine |
US11641978B2 (en) | 2020-12-31 | 2023-05-09 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Micro puree machine |
US11925298B2 (en) | 2020-12-31 | 2024-03-12 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Micro puree machine |
USD985334S1 (en) | 2020-12-31 | 2023-05-09 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Nested bowl for a micro puree machine |
USD985331S1 (en) | 2020-12-31 | 2023-05-09 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Housing for a micro puree machine |
US11154163B1 (en) | 2020-12-31 | 2021-10-26 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Micro puree machine |
US11871765B2 (en) | 2020-12-31 | 2024-01-16 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Micro puree machine |
US20220202247A1 (en) | 2020-12-31 | 2022-06-30 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Micro puree machine |
CN116337516B (en) * | 2023-05-30 | 2023-08-01 | 成都理工大学 | Geological detection sample core sampling device and method |
Citations (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2995158A (en) * | 1959-04-06 | 1961-08-08 | Elliot G Oberg | Coin-operated milk shake vending machine |
US3191398A (en) * | 1962-12-07 | 1965-06-29 | Mueller Brass Co | Apparatus for congealing liquids having a moving scraper |
US3571849A (en) * | 1969-05-21 | 1971-03-23 | Gen Electric | Rolling mill apparatus for high pressure generation |
US3863462A (en) * | 1973-06-29 | 1975-02-04 | Allan J Treuer | Flake ice producing machine |
USRE28924E (en) * | 1973-01-30 | 1976-08-10 | Reynolds Products Inc. | Plate type ice maker |
US4142377A (en) * | 1977-12-02 | 1979-03-06 | General Motors Corporation | Ice maker flexible tray construction |
US4195489A (en) * | 1974-11-22 | 1980-04-01 | The Jimmy Dean Meat Company | Portion controlled frozen food |
US4328107A (en) * | 1980-11-28 | 1982-05-04 | Synergo, Inc. | Process and apparatus for forming dispersions |
US4421022A (en) * | 1980-03-31 | 1983-12-20 | Burgin Kermit H | Apparatus for producing and collecting a liquid extract and a dry by-product from a mash |
US4494582A (en) * | 1983-04-05 | 1985-01-22 | Safeway Stores, Incorporated | Ice cream making and packaging system and method |
US4569209A (en) * | 1982-05-03 | 1986-02-11 | Intercontinentale Ziegra-Eismaschinen Gmbh | Device for making fragmented ice |
US4604875A (en) * | 1984-12-03 | 1986-08-12 | Kellex Industries Ltd. | Ice machine |
US4682475A (en) * | 1985-01-24 | 1987-07-28 | King-Seeley Thermos Co. | Ice making apparatus |
US4808346A (en) * | 1972-07-20 | 1989-02-28 | Strenger & Associates | Carbonated beverage dispensing apparatus and method |
US4942910A (en) * | 1986-11-07 | 1990-07-24 | Fantasy Flavors Inc. | Process and apparatus for making shaped confections |
US5069044A (en) * | 1990-02-21 | 1991-12-03 | Prr Industries, Inc. | Ice block press |
US5292030A (en) * | 1990-08-06 | 1994-03-08 | Kateman Family Limited Partnership | Method and apparatus for producing and dispensing aerated products |
US5363659A (en) * | 1987-07-31 | 1994-11-15 | Heat And Control, Inc. | Ice making apparatus |
US5473909A (en) * | 1990-08-06 | 1995-12-12 | The Kateman Family Limited Partnership | Method and apparatus for producing and dispensing aerated or blended fluid products |
US5727713A (en) * | 1990-08-06 | 1998-03-17 | Kateman Family Limited Partnership | Closed dispenser product supply unit |
US5758571A (en) * | 1990-08-06 | 1998-06-02 | Kateman Family Limited Partnership | Method and apparatus for producing and dispensing aerated or blended fluid products |
US5868065A (en) * | 1996-09-16 | 1999-02-09 | Kateman Family Limited Partnership | Apparatus for manufacturing frozen confection |
US6171629B1 (en) * | 1996-01-09 | 2001-01-09 | Rheon Automatic Machinery Co., Ltd. | Methods and apparatus for joining dough blocks |
US6672343B1 (en) * | 1999-06-21 | 2004-01-06 | Eos Gmbh Optical Systems | Device for supplying powder for a device for producing a three-dimensional object layer by layer |
US6698228B2 (en) * | 2001-11-02 | 2004-03-02 | Moobella, Llc | Method and apparatus for producing and dispensing an aerated and/or blended food product |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB191123762A (en) * | 1911-10-27 | 1912-07-11 | Marks Garelick | Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Freezing. |
US3436927A (en) * | 1968-02-23 | 1969-04-08 | Robert J Gruber | Food freezing and proportioning method and apparatus |
US4098095A (en) * | 1976-05-21 | 1978-07-04 | Roth Eldon N | Refrigeration apparatus for viscous paste substance |
US4349575A (en) * | 1980-09-15 | 1982-09-14 | Roth Eldon N | Method for freezing and forming meat patties |
JPS6041445A (en) * | 1984-07-09 | 1985-03-05 | Masami Araki | Apparatus for stuffing ice cream |
US5037350A (en) * | 1984-12-14 | 1991-08-06 | Hardee's Food Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for forming meat patties having a closer-to-handformed appearance and texture |
DD246219A3 (en) * | 1984-12-20 | 1987-06-03 | Gotha Ingbuero & Mech | DEVICE FOR PRODUCING STONE ICE |
US5257510A (en) * | 1992-12-18 | 1993-11-02 | Kraft General Foods, Inc. | Scraper apparatus for freezer drums |
JP2869407B1 (en) * | 1998-02-19 | 1999-03-10 | 日世冷機株式会社 | Frozen dessert production equipment |
US6370886B1 (en) * | 2000-01-25 | 2002-04-16 | York International Corporation | Apparatus for freezing and cutting liquids |
US7033632B2 (en) * | 2002-05-06 | 2006-04-25 | Schreiber Foods, Inc. | Casting food products to controlled dimensions |
US7448516B2 (en) * | 2003-06-16 | 2008-11-11 | Sunshine Ice Cream | Ice cream vending machine |
-
2002
- 2002-07-31 US US10/160,674 patent/US6698228B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-11-01 AU AU2002353968A patent/AU2002353968A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-11-01 WO PCT/US2002/035123 patent/WO2003041513A2/en active Application Filing
- 2002-11-01 DE DE60232357T patent/DE60232357D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-11-01 JP JP2003543413A patent/JP4383874B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-11-01 CN CNB028267001A patent/CN100408948C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-11-01 CA CA2465925A patent/CA2465925C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-11-01 EP EP09159984A patent/EP2145545A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-11-01 EP EP02789372A patent/EP1448939B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-11-01 MX MXPA04004950A patent/MXPA04004950A/en active IP Right Grant
-
2003
- 2003-12-03 US US10/726,815 patent/US6952928B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2004
- 2004-06-30 US US10/881,684 patent/US7052728B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-10-22 US US10/971,796 patent/US7131279B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2006
- 2006-04-06 US US11/278,928 patent/US20060162347A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2006-04-07 US US11/278,993 patent/US20060162348A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2009
- 2009-07-06 JP JP2009159447A patent/JP2009278983A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (29)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2995158A (en) * | 1959-04-06 | 1961-08-08 | Elliot G Oberg | Coin-operated milk shake vending machine |
US3191398A (en) * | 1962-12-07 | 1965-06-29 | Mueller Brass Co | Apparatus for congealing liquids having a moving scraper |
US3571849A (en) * | 1969-05-21 | 1971-03-23 | Gen Electric | Rolling mill apparatus for high pressure generation |
US4808346A (en) * | 1972-07-20 | 1989-02-28 | Strenger & Associates | Carbonated beverage dispensing apparatus and method |
USRE28924E (en) * | 1973-01-30 | 1976-08-10 | Reynolds Products Inc. | Plate type ice maker |
US3863462A (en) * | 1973-06-29 | 1975-02-04 | Allan J Treuer | Flake ice producing machine |
US4195489A (en) * | 1974-11-22 | 1980-04-01 | The Jimmy Dean Meat Company | Portion controlled frozen food |
US4142377A (en) * | 1977-12-02 | 1979-03-06 | General Motors Corporation | Ice maker flexible tray construction |
US4421022A (en) * | 1980-03-31 | 1983-12-20 | Burgin Kermit H | Apparatus for producing and collecting a liquid extract and a dry by-product from a mash |
US4328107A (en) * | 1980-11-28 | 1982-05-04 | Synergo, Inc. | Process and apparatus for forming dispersions |
US4569209A (en) * | 1982-05-03 | 1986-02-11 | Intercontinentale Ziegra-Eismaschinen Gmbh | Device for making fragmented ice |
US4494582A (en) * | 1983-04-05 | 1985-01-22 | Safeway Stores, Incorporated | Ice cream making and packaging system and method |
US4604875A (en) * | 1984-12-03 | 1986-08-12 | Kellex Industries Ltd. | Ice machine |
US4682475A (en) * | 1985-01-24 | 1987-07-28 | King-Seeley Thermos Co. | Ice making apparatus |
US4942910A (en) * | 1986-11-07 | 1990-07-24 | Fantasy Flavors Inc. | Process and apparatus for making shaped confections |
US5363659A (en) * | 1987-07-31 | 1994-11-15 | Heat And Control, Inc. | Ice making apparatus |
US5069044A (en) * | 1990-02-21 | 1991-12-03 | Prr Industries, Inc. | Ice block press |
US5727713A (en) * | 1990-08-06 | 1998-03-17 | Kateman Family Limited Partnership | Closed dispenser product supply unit |
US5433967A (en) * | 1990-08-06 | 1995-07-18 | Kateman Family Limited Partnership | Method for producing and dispensing aerated or blended food products |
US5473909A (en) * | 1990-08-06 | 1995-12-12 | The Kateman Family Limited Partnership | Method and apparatus for producing and dispensing aerated or blended fluid products |
US5603257A (en) * | 1990-08-06 | 1997-02-18 | Turbo Dynamix Limited Partnership | Apparatus for producing and dispensing aerated or blended fluid products |
US5292030A (en) * | 1990-08-06 | 1994-03-08 | Kateman Family Limited Partnership | Method and apparatus for producing and dispensing aerated products |
US5758571A (en) * | 1990-08-06 | 1998-06-02 | Kateman Family Limited Partnership | Method and apparatus for producing and dispensing aerated or blended fluid products |
US6171629B1 (en) * | 1996-01-09 | 2001-01-09 | Rheon Automatic Machinery Co., Ltd. | Methods and apparatus for joining dough blocks |
US5868065A (en) * | 1996-09-16 | 1999-02-09 | Kateman Family Limited Partnership | Apparatus for manufacturing frozen confection |
US6672343B1 (en) * | 1999-06-21 | 2004-01-06 | Eos Gmbh Optical Systems | Device for supplying powder for a device for producing a three-dimensional object layer by layer |
US6698228B2 (en) * | 2001-11-02 | 2004-03-02 | Moobella, Llc | Method and apparatus for producing and dispensing an aerated and/or blended food product |
US6952928B2 (en) * | 2001-11-02 | 2005-10-11 | Moobella, Llc | Method for producing and dispensing an aerated and/or blended food product |
US7052728B2 (en) * | 2001-11-02 | 2006-05-30 | Moobella, Llc | Method and apparatus for dispensing a product from a rotary surface |
Cited By (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7640755B1 (en) | 2003-02-07 | 2010-01-05 | Moobella, Llc | Dynamic process control |
US20060278098A1 (en) * | 2003-07-18 | 2006-12-14 | Ake Javenius | Foodstuff preparing device and method |
WO2008146274A2 (en) * | 2007-05-25 | 2008-12-04 | Crytec Ltd. | Improved components, system and method for fabricating pumpable ice |
WO2008146274A3 (en) * | 2007-05-25 | 2010-02-25 | Crytec Ltd. | Improved components, system and method for fabricating pumpable ice |
US20090120306A1 (en) * | 2007-08-23 | 2009-05-14 | Decarlo John M | Systems and methods of mixing and cooling food products |
US7900372B2 (en) * | 2008-04-18 | 2011-03-08 | Mabe Canada Inc. | Clothes dryer with louvre cover |
US8109113B2 (en) * | 2008-09-08 | 2012-02-07 | Fluid Management Operations, Llc | Point of sale method and apparatus for making and dispensing aerated frozen food products |
US20100058773A1 (en) * | 2008-09-08 | 2010-03-11 | Fluid Management Operations, Llc. | Point of sale method and apparatus for making and dispensing aerated frozen food products |
US8215124B2 (en) * | 2008-09-08 | 2012-07-10 | Fluid Management Operations, Llc | Point of sale method and apparatus for making and dispensing aerated frozen food products |
WO2010098851A2 (en) | 2009-02-25 | 2010-09-02 | Moobella, Inc. | System and method of temperature adjustment and control of food processing/dispensing system or apparatus |
WO2010098850A1 (en) | 2009-02-25 | 2010-09-02 | Moobella, Inc. | Apparatus and method of reducing carry over in food processing systems and methods |
WO2010098855A2 (en) | 2009-02-25 | 2010-09-02 | Moobella, Inc. | Apparatus and method for enhancing food product overrun produced in food processing system or apparatus |
WO2010110915A1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2010-09-30 | Moobella, Inc. | Food compositions compromising dried probiotics, methods of manufacture and uses thereof |
WO2010110921A1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2010-09-30 | Moobella, Inc. | Frozen dessert compositions having increased overrun percentage |
US8386074B2 (en) | 2010-05-25 | 2013-02-26 | Interactive Vending Corporation | Vending machine |
US9687110B2 (en) | 2013-12-04 | 2017-06-27 | Teca Technologies Limited | Pancake maker apparatus, methods and systems |
US20200327769A1 (en) * | 2017-11-27 | 2020-10-15 | Maximilian M. Anziano | Interactive Frozen Confectionery Vending Machine |
US11625970B2 (en) * | 2017-11-27 | 2023-04-11 | Maximilian M. Anziano | Interactive frozen confectionery vending machine |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20050198990A1 (en) | 2005-09-15 |
EP1448939B1 (en) | 2009-05-13 |
US20060162348A1 (en) | 2006-07-27 |
CA2465925C (en) | 2010-09-28 |
EP1448939A4 (en) | 2007-07-18 |
US6698228B2 (en) | 2004-03-02 |
WO2003041513A2 (en) | 2003-05-22 |
EP1448939A2 (en) | 2004-08-25 |
DE60232357D1 (en) | 2009-06-25 |
US6952928B2 (en) | 2005-10-11 |
CN1612996A (en) | 2005-05-04 |
US7052728B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 |
JP2009278983A (en) | 2009-12-03 |
JP2005538681A (en) | 2005-12-22 |
CN100408948C (en) | 2008-08-06 |
US20030085237A1 (en) | 2003-05-08 |
US20040112078A1 (en) | 2004-06-17 |
MXPA04004950A (en) | 2005-04-08 |
WO2003041513A3 (en) | 2003-11-27 |
US20040250554A1 (en) | 2004-12-16 |
AU2002353968A1 (en) | 2003-05-26 |
CA2465925A1 (en) | 2003-05-22 |
US7131279B2 (en) | 2006-11-07 |
JP4383874B2 (en) | 2009-12-16 |
EP2145545A2 (en) | 2010-01-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7052728B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for dispensing a product from a rotary surface | |
US7726136B2 (en) | Systems and methods for dispensing product | |
US7908871B2 (en) | Systems and methods for dispensing product | |
US7207506B1 (en) | Blending station apparatus and method | |
US6485768B2 (en) | Method of preparing frozen confections | |
US7914199B2 (en) | Apparatus and methods for fabricating a frozen food product | |
US20070251260A1 (en) | Systems and methods for dispensing product | |
US8820109B2 (en) | Point of sale method and apparatus for making and dispensing aerated frozen food products | |
WO1999049739A1 (en) | Soft ice creams, process for producing the same and device for producing soft ice creams | |
US20100075013A1 (en) | Point of Sale Method and Apparatus for Making and Dispensing Aerated Frozen Food Products | |
US8215124B2 (en) | Point of sale method and apparatus for making and dispensing aerated frozen food products | |
CN1311756C (en) | Device and method for producing and distributing gas-filled and/or mixed food |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MOOBELLA LLC, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KATEMAN, PAUL R.;REEL/FRAME:020645/0741 Effective date: 20080102 Owner name: MOOBELLA LLC,MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KATEMAN, PAUL R.;REEL/FRAME:020645/0741 Effective date: 20080102 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: KATEMAN, PAUL R., MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF RESERVED RIGHTS FROM ASSIGNEE TO INVENTOR;ASSIGNOR:MOOBELLA LLC;REEL/FRAME:020654/0733 Effective date: 20080102 Owner name: KATEMAN, PAUL R.,MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF RESERVED RIGHTS FROM ASSIGNEE TO INVENTOR;ASSIGNOR:MOOBELLA LLC;REEL/FRAME:020654/0733 Effective date: 20080102 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MOOBELLA ACQUISITION CORP., MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MOOBELLA LLC;REEL/FRAME:023389/0498 Effective date: 20090806 Owner name: MOOBELLA ACQUISITION CORP.,MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MOOBELLA LLC;REEL/FRAME:023389/0498 Effective date: 20090806 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |