Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an inner tube extending longitudinally along a central axis and having an inner surface bounding a product chamber and an outer surface having a plurality of channels disposed at circumferentially spaced intervals in alternating relationship with a plurality of fins about the circumference of the outer surface of the inner tube; and a longitudinally extending outer tube disposed coaxially about and circumscribing the inner tube in radially spaced relationship, the outer tube having an inner surface contacting the plurality of fins of the inner cylinder, the outer surface being welded to the fins at a plurality of weld locations.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an inner tube extending longitudinally along a central axis and having an inner surface bounding a product chamber and an outer surface having a plurality of channels disposed at circumferentially spaced intervals in alternating relationship with a plurality of fins about the circumference of the outer surface of the inner tube; and a longitudinally extending outer tube disposed coaxially about and circumscribing the inner tube in radially spaced relationship, the outer tube having an inner surface contacting the plurality of fins of the inner cylinder, the outer surface being welded to the fins at a plurality of weld locations.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an inner tube extending longitudinally along a central axis and having an inner surface bounding a product chamber and an outer surface having a plurality of channels disposed at circumferentially spaced intervals in alternating relationship with a plurality of fins about the circumference of the outer surface of the inner tube; and a longitudinally extending outer tube disposed coaxially about and circumscribing the inner tube in radially spaced relationship, the outer tube having an inner surface contacting the plurality of fins of the inner cylinder, the outer surface being welded to the fins at a plurality of weld locations.

Abstract: A dual valve injector assembly having a base; a passageway in the base for receiving a food product; a first draw valve in communication with the passageway and a first spout, the first spout dispensing the food product at a first draw rate; and a second draw valve in communication with the passageway and a second spout, the second spout dispensing the food product at a second draw rate; wherein the second draw rate is lower than the first draw rate.

Abstract: A dual valve injector assembly having a base; a passageway in the base for receiving a food product; a first draw valve in communication with the passageway and a first spout, the first spout dispensing the food product at a first draw rate; and a second draw valve in communication with the passageway and a second spout, the second spout dispensing the food product at a second draw rate; wherein the second draw rate is lower than the first draw rate.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an inner tube extending longitudinally along a central axis and having an inner surface bounding a product chamber and an outer surface having a plurality of channels disposed at circumferentially spaced intervals in alternating relationship with a plurality of fins about the circumference of the outer surface of the inner tube; and a longitudinally extending outer tube disposed coaxially about and circumscribing the inner tube in radially spaced relationship, the outer tube having an inner surface contacting the plurality of fins of the inner cylinder, the outer surface being welded to the fins at a plurality of weld locations.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an inner tube extending longitudinally along a central axis and having an inner surface bounding a product chamber and an outer surface having a plurality of channels disposed at circumferentially spaced intervals in alternating relationship with a plurality of fins about the circumference of the outer surface of the inner tube; and a longitudinally extending outer tube disposed coaxially about and circumscribing the inner tube in radially spaced relationship, the outer tube having an inner surface contacting the plurality of fins of the inner cylinder, the outer surface being welded to the fins at a plurality of weld locations.

Abstract: A valve assembly for dispensing a confectionary product has an inlet (70), a first outlet (72), and a second outlet (90). The assembly has a valve member (80) shiftable between: a first condition providing communication between the inlet and the first outlet; and a second condition providing communication between the inlet and the second outlet.

Abstract: A dual valve injector assembly having a base; a passageway in the base for receiving a food product; a first draw valve in communication with the passageway and a first spout, the first spout dispensing the food product at a first draw rate; and a second draw valve in communication with the passageway and a second spout, the second spout dispensing the food product at a second draw rate; wherein the second draw rate is lower than the first draw rate.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an inner tube extending longitudinally along a central axis and having an inner surface bounding a product chamber and an outer surface having a plurality of channels disposed at circumferentially spaced intervals in alternating relationship with a plurality of fins about the circumference of the outer surface of the inner tube; and a longitudinally extending outer tube disposed coaxially about and circumscribing the inner tube in radially spaced relationship, the outer tube having an inner surface contacting the plurality of fins of the inner cylinder, the outer surface being welded to the fins at a plurality of weld locations.

Abstract: A grill includes a lower platen assembly having a lower grilling surface and a pivotally attached upper platen assembly having an upper grilling surface. The upper platen assembly includes three motors encased in a shell. A cable attached to each motor suspends the upper grilling surface. The grill is automatically calibrated to ensure that the upper grilling surface is level. Each motor independently and sequentially raises the upper grilling surface from the lower grilling surface. When the upper grilling surface lifts from the lower grilling surface, the current in the motor changes. The settings of each motor at this instant are stored in a control to determine the calibration point when the upper grilling surface is level. The grill also automatically recognizes a food item placed on the lower grilling surface to determine the cooking parameters of the grill.

Abstract: A dispenser (20) for consumable products uses a single motor (40) to both drive a spinner (75) to mix the product and move a valve assembly (42) to open and close the dispenser (20). The valve assembly (42), which is axially aligned with the motor shaft (44) may be opened and closed by fixing an externally threaded shaft (46) on a drive shaft (44) extending from the motor (40) and then rotatably mounting an internally threaded flywheel (50) on the threaded shaft (46). A valve stem (64) may then be fixedly attached to the flywheel (50). When the motor (40) energizes, the flywheel (50) and valve stem (64) axially translate along the nut (46) to open the valve assembly (42). When the motor (40) de-energizes, the flywheel (50) and valve stem (64) axially translate along the nut (46) in an opposite direction to close the valve assembly (42).

Abstract: A system using waste heat of a refrigeration unit to heat a food product, having a heating loop connected to a refrigeration unit between the compressor and the condenser, and configured to allow refrigerant to enter the heating loop to transfer heat to a food product.

Abstract: An improved grill with an upper platen position and a pressure control is disclosed. The grill may include a lower platen assembly having a lower grilling plate, and an upper platen assembly movably connected to the lower platen assembly. The upper platen assembly may include an upper grilling plate operatively connected to a manipulator capable of applying positive pressure on and adjusting position of the upper grilling plate. Methods of using the grill to cook food items are also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve assembly for dispensing a confectionary product has an inlet (70), a first outlet (72), and a second outlet (90). The assembly has a valve member (80) shiftable between: a first condition providing communication between the inlet and the first outlet; and a second condition providing communication between the inlet and the second outlet.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is provided for dispensing a semi-frozen product, such as a semi-frozen comestible or a semi-frozen drink. The dispensing apparatus has at least one freezing barrel defining a freezing chamber. The freezing barrel includes a longitudinally extending inner cylinder and an evaporator disposed about at least a portion of an outer surface of said inner cylinder. The evaporator includes a plurality of channels disposed about the outer surface of the inner cylinder. Each channel defines a heat exchange fluid flow passage through which refrigerant may pass in heat exchange relationship with product in the freezing chamber.

Abstract: A semi-frozen product dispenser (10 or 200) is provided for at least partially freezing and dispensing a product. The product dispenser may include at least one freezing barrel (20-1) defining a freezing chamber (C1) configured to receive the product. A refrigeration system (60 or 260) is provided for at least partially freezing product in the freezing chamber (C1). A fluid heating system (80 or 280) is also provided to remove heat from the refrigeration system (60 or 260) and use it in an auxiliary system, such as a water pre-heating system. The fluid heating system (80 or 280) may include a fluid heat exchanger (102) disposed in a high pressure refrigerant line (67 or 267), a fluid tank (82 or 282), and a fluid pump (96). Fluid may be continuously circulated through the fluid heat exchanger (102 or 302) when the refrigeration system is operated, thereby to continuously provide refrigerant cooling and fluid warming.

Abstract: A dispenser (20) for consumable products is disclosed. The dispenser (20) uses a single motor (40) to both drive a spinner (75) to mix the product and move a valve assembly (42) to open and close the dispenser (20). The valve assembly (42) is axially aligned with the motor shaft (44) to avoid any undesirable moments associated with prior art offset valve actuators. The valve assembly (42) may be opened and closed by fixing an externally threaded shaft (46) on a drive shaft (44) extending from the motor (40) and then rotatably mounting an internally threaded flywheel (50) on the threaded shaft (46). A valve stem (64) may then be fixedly attached to the flywheel (50). When the motor (40) energizes, the inertia of the flywheel (50) causes it to accelerate more slowly than the nut (46), thus causing the flywheel (50) and valve stem (64) to axially translate along the nut (46) to open the valve assembly (42).

Abstract: A method for heating and cooling a consumable product disposed in a product container includes the steps of: (i) heating the consumable product to a first temperature by transferring heat from ambient air to refrigerant through a liquid-to-air heat exchanger; and (ii) heating the consumable product to a second temperature without transferring heat from the ambient air to the refrigerant through the liquid-to-air heat exchanger; wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature.

Abstract: A grill includes a lower platen assembly having a lower grilling surface and a pivotally attached upper platen assembly having an upper grilling surface. The upper platen assembly includes three motors encased in a shell. A cable attached to each motor suspends the upper grilling surface. The grill is automatically calibrated to ensure that the upper grilling surface is level. Each motor independently and sequentially raises the upper grilling surface from the lower grilling surface. When the upper grilling surface lifts from the lower grilling surface, the current in the motor changes. The settings of each motor at this instant are stored in a control to determine the calibration point when the upper grilling surface is level. The grill also automatically recognizes a food item placed on the lower grilling surface to determine the cooking parameters of the grill.