Abstract: A slush drink maker for household use is described. It includes a base housing a motor, a mixing chamber removably mounted on the base, an ice canister and auger assembly disposed substantially horizontally inside the mixing chamber, and a cover for covering the mixing chamber. The ice canister and auger assembly include a cylindrical ice canister, an auger disposed around the ice canister, and a gearbox which drives the auger to rotate in a first direction and drive the ice canister to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. The ice canister has a divider that divides an interior space of the ice canister into two or more compartments parallel to a rotation axis of the ice canister. In addition, the auger and the front end of the mixing chamber have improved shapes which facilitate the dispensing of the content from the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An automated machine for making semi-frozen beverages includes a bowl system with a chamber and a dispensing assembly. A mixing system includes an auger rotatably received in said chamber and a dispensing assembly. A drive assembly includes a motor drivingly connected to a flexible drive belt connected to and adapted for driving the auger. A refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator cylinder for receiving refrigerant from a compressor. The evaporator cylinder is located within the auger. A consistency control mechanism controls a valve for discontinuing the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator cylinder when the product reaches a desired consistency.

Abstract: A surgical drape according to the present invention includes a disk member for removable attachment to a thermal treatment system dislodgment mechanism. The mechanism manipulates the drape to dislodge congealed sterile liquid adhered to the sides of a container formed by the drape within a thermal treatment system basin. The disk member includes a base and a cover, where the cover is disposed on the top portion or sterile surface of the drape. The drape sterile surface may further include other disk member components (e.g., base, etc.). In addition, the drape may further include one or more sensors to detect conditions within the drape container.

Abstract: Device and methods for dispensing flavored ice drinks, the device including one or more containers for holding a concentrated drink, water supply, a mixing unit for mixing the concentrated drink with the water into a substantially homogeneous liquid mixture, an ice making unit assembly for freezing freshly produced liquid mixture into ice cubes containing substantially identical ice quantity, a crushing and blending unit for crushing a pre measured amount of the ice cubes into small, drinkable ice particles, and blending the ice particles with a pre measured amount of freshly produced liquid mixture. The device also includes a vessel dispensing unit for dispensing a vessel to hold the ice drink, and a computerized control unit for controlling aspects of the process of producing the ice drink.

Abstract: A method of regulating the refrigerant temperature for a beverage machine, including a refrigeration system for producing a frozen beverage, operating at least one compressor at a speed to flow the refrigerant through the refrigeration system of the beverage machine and cooling the refrigerant with at least one condenser. The method may also include controllably varying the flow of air across the at least one condenser or the speed of the at least one compressor.

Abstract: An ice cream maker for making ice cream having a vessel, a motor being connected to a dasher in the vessel and a housing for housing the vessel and the motor. The housing has an inlet, an outlet and a valve at the outlet. When said valve is actuated, the ice cream is released from the vessel out of the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining particulate and traditional conventional ice cream is disclosed.

Abstract: A machine for the processing of foods while refrigerating the same at least at times, in particular an ice cream machine, comprising a container (11) to receive the starting substances and a refrigerating device, including a refrigerating circuit (21) with a compressor (23) and an evaporator (19), in particular in the form of a refrigerating coil wound around the container 11, coming into thermal contact with the foods at least indirectly, wherein to reduce the energy requirement and to improve the quality of the processed foods at least one second refrigerating circuit (22) with an evaporator (20) coming into thermal contact with the foods present in the container is provided and optionally both or all refrigerating circuits can be used or only one or fewer than all refrigerating circuits can be used.

Abstract: An ice cream machine for cooling liquid ice cream into frozen ice cream includes an evaporator system with a secondary evaporator. The evaporator system includes a cooling chamber having an ice cream input and an ice cream output. A valve can be placed at the ice cream input to achieve dry freeze operation. The valve can prevent the cooling chamber from being completely filled.

Abstract: A dual bowl ice cream maker and method for selectively driving one or two mixing bowls, each mixing bowl in a separate mixing compartment, without requiring manipulation of either mixing bowl.

Abstract: A motor system can be provided for a tank for mixing and chilling ice cream. The motor system includes a variable speed motor having a speed control. The speed control can be utilized to operate the motor in a forward or reversed speed or across a spectrum of more than two forward speeds. The motor can drive an auger. The auger can be operated in reverse to add semi-solid or solid inclusions to ice cream mix. The inclusions can be added through an aperture at the output of the tank. Appropriate time for discharge can be determined by time, temperature, or amperage.

Abstract: An ice cream machine for cooling liquid ice cream into frozen ice cream includes an evaporator system with a secondary evaporator. The evaporator system includes a cooling chamber having an ice cream input and an ice cream output. A valve can be placed at the ice cream input to achieve dry freeze operation. The valve can prevent the cooling chamber from being completely filled.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ice cream freezer comprising a system (1) including a freezer pipe (8) and a cooling system (9), a pipe system I is used for introducing ingredients by means of an introducing pump (1). A pipe system (U) is used for removing finished ice cream by means of a motor (10). There are provided indicators (4, 6) for recording parameters such as pressure temperature flow. In order to provide a situation where condensate dripping which may damage sensitive parts, and which at the same time is service and cleaning friendly, the freezer pipe (8) is placed under the other elements. The cooling system is placed in immediate vicinity of the freezer pipe (8). By this disposition, dripping due to condensate on freezer pipe/cooling system may only drip down on the floor and not onto sensitive components. Possible leakage in the ingredient pipe system I may only drip on freezer pipes that can stand flushing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a plurality of portions of a precooked food wherein the food is initially cooked at temperatures above 80° C. and prepared, the food is then cooled in a cooling phase within a maximum time of 120 min passing through the temperature range of 55° C. to 8° C. to a final temperature in the range of 8° C. to 0° C., and stored for a few days at the final temperature. The food is poured into an agitator vessel (22) during the cooling phase wherein the food is simultaneously thoroughly mixed and cooled during the cooling phase by an agitator (01, 26) constructed as a heat exchanger according to the invention.

Abstract: An ice cream machine for cooling liquid ice cream into frozen ice cream includes an evaporator having a cylindrical cooling tank and an auxiliary tank. The auxiliary tank ensures that the cylindrical cooling tank is flooded with liquid refrigerant during normal operation. The flooding of the cylindrical cooling tank provides more efficient and even cooling in an interior cooling chamber. The more efficient cooling allows the ice cream machine to utilize a smaller compressor, thereby reducing the cost and energy consumption of the ice cream machine. The auxiliary tank can be a coil of tubing or a cylindrical container positioned above the cylindrical cooling tank.

Abstract: A slush beverage maker is provided that is easy to assemble and disassemble, has few parts, and is easy to operate. The slush beverage maker has a mixing chamber for receiving ingredients to make a slush beverage. An auger is received within the mixing chamber to mix the ingredients. An ice drum is received within the auger in the mixing chamber. An ice blade is disposed in the ice drum to stir the ice mixture received by the ice drum when making a slush beverage. A hand crank is connected to both the auger and the ice blade to rotate both simultaneously. A blowby area in the mixing chamber outside the auger provides continuous flow of the slush beverage mixture, thereby avoiding freezing the auger within the mixture. Moreover, the ice blade speeds up the heat transfer between the slush beverage mixture and the ice mixture, thereby decreasing the time required to make a slush beverage.

Abstract: A method of controlling semi-frozen liquid beverage in a dispensing machine having a bowl to contain the beverage, a motor to turn a helical auger blade within the bowl to scrape the semi-frozen beverage, and a compressor to cool the beverage. The method includes the steps of actuating the compressor to the bowl until the temperature of the beverage is cool to reach an initial set point. The compressor is deactivated after temperature of the beverage is cooled at or below a set point. Torque on the motor caused by resistance to the auger blade is sensed after a defined time period following switching off of the compressor. The compressor is activated if the torque on the motor is below a certain level and the temperature set point is lowered from the initial set point to a lower set point in order to cool the product.

Abstract: Method for controlling and optimising the cycle for production of ice cream depending on the mixtures used in the ice-cream making machine, comprising a freezing cylinder exchanging heat with the evaporator of a refrigerating circuit, and a stirrer/scraper element rotating inside said freezing cylinder and actuated by a suitable electric motor, and further comprising a processing element, sensors for detecting continuously the temperature values of the refrigerating gas at the inlet and at the outlet of the evaporator and means for detecting continuously the value of the electric power used by the motor, said temperature values and said values for the electric power used by the motor being continuously input into said processing element; a software program in said processor for processing said values being able to provide an output signal which drives an impulse solenoid valve which introduces continuously the hot gases removed from the exhaust of the compressor into the main stream of refrigerating fluid.

Abstract: Device to produce ice-cream wherein there is an outer container (11), a cover (26), an inner container (14), a mixing blade (20) including a scraper fin (120), and an evaporator coil (21) located in cooperation with the bottom (17) of the inner container (14) through at least a contact surface (27). The mixing blade (20) is subjected to an axial thrust which keeps the scraper fin (120) pressed elastically at least on part of the bottom (17) of the inner container (14).

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising a fat phase and having overrun of at least 90%, characterized in that at least 50 w/w % of said fat phase is liquid at ?5° C. The invention particularly relates to such compositions in the form of an ice cream. The invention also provides a process for the preparation of a composition, wherein said process comprises aerating a mix comprising a fat phase in a freezer barrel enclosing an internal volume, said internal volume comprising an aeration means, wherein said aeration means displaces less than 40% of said internal volume, characterized in that at least 50 w/w % of said fat phase is liquid at ?5° C.

Abstract: An ice cream machine, at least including an assembly of an ice cream preparation unit and an ice cream display cabinet, in which the ice cream preparation unit includes an ingredient inlet, ice cream preparation unit and an ice cream outlet, and the ice cream display cabinet includes refrigeration unit and is designed for refrigerating ice cream in one or more ice cream containers. The space above the ice cream containers in the ice cream display cabinet can also be refrigerated, while the ice cream outlet of the ice cream preparation unit opens directly into the ice cream display cabinet.

Abstract: An apparatus for making frozen food products having a horizontal mixing spindle with a continuous, closed-loop, recessed, crisscrossed track around its outer lengthwise surface. A paddle wheel encircles the spindle and has a plug or guide skate that extends into the crisscrossed track and guides the paddle wheel back and forth along the length of the spindle as well as around the circumference of the spindle. A horizontal, cylindrical, cooling canister encloses the spindle and paddle wheel and is coupled to a refrigeration unit for keeping the canister and its contents cold. One end of the canister is provided with a push-type dispensing block for dispensing the frozen food product.

Abstract: An ice bank of an ice-making device for a refrigerator is disclosed, for smooth crush and discharge of ice, which includes a housing for storing ice made in an icemaker, and provided rotatably to apply the power to the stored ice at a rotation direction; an ice discharger having at least one hole through which the ice is discharge to the external; a crusher provided in the inside of the housing, the crusher guiding the stored ice to the hole of the ice discharge and crushing the ice as a predetermined size before discharging the ice to the hole according to a user's select; and rotating means for rotating the housing. Also, the crusher includes fixed crushing means fixed to the inside of the housing, and rotation crushing means rotated for being synchronized with the housing so as to crush the ice before discharging the ice to the external according to a user's select.

Abstract: An apparatus for blending and for making ice cream includes drive, blending, and stirring units. The drive unit includes a high-speed output gear unit driven rotatably by a drive shaft and formed with a first engaging hole that extends along a rotary axis, a speed-reduction gear unit driven rotatably by the drive shaft, and a low-speed output gear unit driven rotatably by the speed-reduction gear unit and formed with a second engaging hole that is coaxial with the first engaging hole. The blending unit engages removably the first engaging hole and is driven by the drive unit to rotate about the rotary axis at a higher speed. The stirring unit engages removably the second engaging hole and is driven by the drive unit to rotate about the rotary axis at a lower speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the discontinuous production of ice-cream from a liquid mixture. Said device comprises a processing container, in which at least one tool is mounted so that it can rotate and repeatedly apply the liquid mixture to and scrape the latter from the refrigerated interior wall of the processing container, a fill opening for the liquid mixture and a discharge opening for dispensing the ice-cream from the processing container. The longitudinal axis (L-L) of the processing container (10) is inclined at a first acute angle (&agr;) in relation to the horizontal (H) and the rotating tool (20) comprises spatulas which are configured and mounted in such a way that they continuously transport the ice-cream mass which forms to the discharge opening (15), lying at the lowest point of the processing container (10).

Abstract: Device to produce ice-cream wherein there is an outer container (11), a cover (26), an inner container (14), a mixing blade (20), and an evaporator coil (21) located in cooperation with the bottom (17) of the inner container (14), through at least a contact surface (27). The inner container (14) is axially mobile to assume at least an axial working position correlated to the position of the cover (26) when it is installed on the outer container (11), and is pressed elastically against the evaporator coil (21) by spring means (22) located under the evaporator coil (21).

Abstract: A method of dispensing a food product composed of a plurality of ingredients which are mixed to form the food product, includes the steps of providing a rotary surface having a rotary axis and a periphery, mixing together first and second fluid ingredients to form a liquid product mix, depositing the liquid product mix onto the surface while rotating the surface so that the liquid product mix spreads out on the surface in a layer, cooling the surface to a temperature low enough to at least partially freeze said layer to form a frozen product body, removing the product body from the surface as product body scrapings, and collecting and compacting the scrapings to form the food product.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ice cream freezer comprising a system (1) including a freezer pipe (8) and a cooling system (9), a pipe system I is used for introducing ingredients by means of an introducing pump (1). A pipe system (U) is used for removing finished ice cream by means of a motor (10). There are provided indicators (4, 6) for recording parameters such as pressure temperature flow. In order to provide a situation where condensate dripping which may damage sensitive parts, and which at the same time is service and cleaning friendly, the freezer pipe (8) is placed under the other elements. The cooling system is placed in immediate vicinity of the freezer pipe (8). By this disposition dripping due to condensate on freezer pipe/cooling system may only drip down on the floor and not onto sensitive components.

Abstract: Device for supporting and handling containers of liquid ice cream mix in ice cream making machines of the type in which the liquid ice cream mix is contained in special disposable containers which, after having been connected to a feeder tube equipped with a perforating spike, are turned upside down and placed in a refrigerated chamber in the body of the machine. Said device comprises a basket of an essentially cage-like structure open at the front and provided at the bottom and top with supporting surfaces, the said cage-like structure pivoting in the center of its flanks on the flanks of the chamber of the said machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing a frozen alcoholic beverage in which an alcoholic beverage component is mixed with at least one other liquid component prior to freezing and dispensing as a frozen beverage product. The individual beverage components flow through the dispensing apparatus from separate containers through separate pressure-controlled component feed systems, exiting into a common mixing area where they form a single beverage product. This resulting product then enters the freezing and dispensing system where it is maintained at a pressure of about 20-27 psi while being processed into a frozen alcoholic beverage product until it is dispensed.

Abstract: A method of controlling semi-frozen liquid beverage in a dispensing machine having a bowl to contain the beverage, a motor to turn a helical auger blade within the bowl to scrape the semi-frozen beverage, and a compressor to cool the beverage. The method includes the steps of actuating the compressor to the bowl until the temperature of the beverage is cool to reach an initial set point. The compressor is deactivated after temperature of the beverage is cooled at or below a set point. Torque on the motor caused by resistance to the auger blade is sensed after a defined time period following switching off of the compressor. The compressor is activated if the torque on the motor is below a certain level and the temperature set point is lowered from the initial set point to a lower set point in order to cool the product.

Abstract: Device to produce ice-cream wherein there is an outer container (11), a cover (26), an inner container (14), a mixing blade (20), and an evaporator coil (21) located in cooperation with the bottom (17) of the inner container (14), through at least a contact surface (27). The inner container (14) is axially mobile to assume at least an axial working position correlated to the position of the cover (26) when it is installed on the outer container (11), and is pressed elastically against the evaporator coil (21) by spring means (22) located under the evaporator coil (21).

Abstract: Device to produce ice-cream wherein there is an outer container (11), a cover (26), an inner container (14), a mixing blade (20) including a scraper fin (120), and an evaporator coil (21) located in cooperation with the bottom (17) of the inner container (14) through at least a contact surface (27). The mixing blade (20) is subjected to an axial thrust which keeps the scraper fin (120) pressed elastically at least on part of the bottom (17) of the inner container (14).

Abstract: A device for cheaply and quickly thawing frozen food and particularly frozen meat. A container impervious to water has a quick-release connection for connection to a pump. A second container for holding frozen food is immersed in the first container. The second container will have bores so that water will freely circulate from the first container to the second container. The pump recirculates water through both containers equalizing the water temperature in the container and more quickly thawing frozen food submerged within the water in the second container. A single pump may be connected to more than one water reservoir container making it possible to simply and quickly increase food thawing capacity by simply adding extra containers depending on the amount of frozen food to be thawed.

Abstract: A method of operating a frozen beverage machine is disclosed that utilizes a short “burst” heating of the beverage machine's freezing chamber. The method includes monitoring a beverage mixture within the freezing chamber of the frozen beverage machine, and heating the freezing chamber for a predetermined time period in response to the beverage mixture reaching a first predetermined state. The freezing chamber is then refrigerated until the beverage mixture reaches a second predetermined state.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring, characterizing, and testing coolant recirculation systems has, in combination, a heat load, a flow meter measuring flow rate of the coolant, inlet and outlet thermometers, and a data recorder connected to the flow meter, inlet thermometer, and outlet thermometer for recording their data outputs. The data recorder has an output representing flow rate, coolant inlet temperature, and coolant outlet temperature, whereby the coolant-recirculating heat exchanger system is characterized. A computer connected to the data recorder output is operable for computing heat removal capacity. The apparatus is specially adapted for methods of monitoring, characterizing, and testing coolant recirculation systems, including determining their maximum heat removal capacities.

Abstract: A method of continuous production of ice-solution suspension wherein the solution being continuously fed (7) to the processing zone (6) is overcooled: then, the turbulization (14) is performed in the overcooled solution; as a result, ice microcrystalls are formed in the solution; after that, the formed ice-solution suspension is removed (8) from the processing zone, in doing this, the said turbulization is chosen with such intensity that the formed ice microcrystalls mass transfer balance will be positive, considering their adhesion on the internal surfaces in processing zone. An installation (1) for continuous production of ice-solution suspension is also described.

Abstract: An ice cream machine for cooling liquid ice cream into frozen ice cream includes an evaporator system with a secondary evaporator. The evaporator system includes a cooling chamber having an ice cream input and an ice cream output. A valve can be placed at the ice cream input to achieve dry freeze operation. The valve can prevent the cooling chamber from being completely filled.

Abstract: A lightweight, easily adjustable, open-cavitied casting apparatus employing an adjustable-height blade for forming a food product into a sheet. The food product may be deposited on a moving support surface such as a casting belt or chill roll, on the upstream side of the casting apparatus.

Abstract: A method and machine for making frozen custard or similar products includes a freezing barrel, a pump for providing liquid mix to the freezing barrel, a dasher positioned in the freezing barrel for driving product through and dispensing the product from the freezing barrel, and a refrigeration system for chilling the freezing barrel. A user interface allows an operator to select from among a plurality of production rates. A system controller automatically controls the pumping rate, dasher motor speed, and chilling level to produce a product in the freezing barrel at the desired production rate and having the desired product quality and consistency. An ultrasonic sensor may be employed to monitor a level of liquid mix in a liquid mix container. A warning signal may be provided to the operator when the level of mix in the container runs low.

Abstract: A frozen beverage machine includes a mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet coupled to a freezing chamber. The freezing chamber has a drain valve and a dispensing valve coupled thereto. Beverage ingredients are pumped into corresponding ingredient inlets of the mixing block such that the ingredients are mixed in the mixing block to form a product mixture, and the product mixture flows from the mixing block outlet into the freezing chamber. The freezing chamber and the mixing block are refrigerated. The product mixture is drained from the freezing chamber via the drain valve, and a cleaning solution is pumped into a cleaning solution inlet of the mixing block and into the freezing chamber. The cleaning solution is drained from the freezing chamber via the drain valve.

Abstract: A method of freezing and dispensing a beer product comprises providing beer in a sealed, refrigerated storage container under pressure; feeding beer from the storage container to a sealed freezing chamber through a sealed delivery system; freezing the beer in the chamber; and dispensing frozen beer from the chamber. The frozen beer product preferably has a slush consistency and a density of about 50% to about 90% of the density of unfrozen beer, a temperature of between about 23° and 27° F. and a volume reduction in a filled 14 fluid ounce plastic cup sitting in 70° F. room for 30 minutes or less than 10%. A refrigerated cabinet for supplying beer comprises an insulated beer storage compartment; a refrigeration system comprising a compressor, a condenser, a thermal expansion device and an evaporator; a pressurized carbon dioxide tank in a separate, non-refrigerated compartment; and a fan for circulating air within the insulated beer storage compartment.

Abstract: A system for sensing the torque exerted upon a motor shaft assembly relative to the consistency of a mixture. The system includes a moving member for moving the mixture. One form of the mixture may be a chilled beverage in which the moving member moves the chilled beverage within a container. The motor shaft assembly includes a drive device coupled to the moving member for imparting movement to the moving member and a drive shaft connecting the drive device in the moving member. The drive shaft defines an axis of rotation. The drive shaft is adapted for rotation to effect movement of the moving member. The drive shaft includes at least one axially aligned resilient coupling extending generally coaxial with and radially spaced from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: Frozen aerated products having a mean ice crystal diameter of between about 20 and 60 microns and a mean equivalent diameter of about 32 to 36 microns and a homogeneous distribution of fats and proteins. These products are manufactured with a device having two endless screws, identical and parallel, meshing with each other and turning in the same direction, located in a casing fitted at one of its ends with a nozzle and at the other end with an inlet for feeding with composition to be frozen and, in an intermediate area, with an inlet for feeding air. The casing is provided with a jacket in which refrigerating fluids circulate.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a dynamic type ice cold storage method and system capable of efficiently suppressing, by an appropriate replenishment of water, an increase in concentration of an aqueous solution with the progress of freezing of the aqueous solution, thereby preventing a lowering in the coefficient of performance of a refrigerator, and hence diminishing power required for the formation of ice crystals. The temperature of an aqueous solution contained in a freezer which includes a heat exchanger for cooling is measured with a thermometer, and as the liquid temperature drops with the progress of freezing, melted water is replenished into the freezer from a melted water tank by means of a pump to keep almost constant the temperature of freezing performed by the heat exchanger for cooling.

Abstract: An ice cream machine for cooling liquid ice cream into frozen ice cream includes an evaporator system with a secondary evaporator. The evaporator system includes a cooling chamber having an ice cream input and an ice cream output. A valve can be placed at the ice cream input to achieve dry freeze operation. The valve can prevent the cooling chamber from being completely filled.

Abstract: An ice cream machine for cooling liquid ice cream into frozen ice cream includes an evaporator system with a secondary evaporator. The evaporator system can be a flooded evaporator or evaporator having an auxiliary tank or section of the evaporator that can ensure that a cooling chamber is surrounded by liquid refrigerant during normal operation. The secondary evaporator ensures consistent temperature within the evaporator during periods of low sales, hold modes, or non-production modes.

Abstract: A frozen confectionery maker includes a container having a cavity in its walls and base for receiving freezable solution. There is a lid for closing the container and a mixer rotatably engagable with the lid to locate within the container. A drive means receivable on the lid rotates the mixer. A fluid passage in juxtaposition the lid has at least a first opening proximate the mixer and a second opening at a dispensing spout. A valve is located within the fluid passage and has an operable position to close the passage. The mixer is adapted to deliver confectionery mixture in the container to the passage via the first opening. If the valve is in the operable position the mixture is returned to the container. If the valve is not in the operative position the mixture is dispensed at the spout.

Abstract: In the production of ice-cream products which are continuously extruded after passage of a flowthrough freezer, it would be ideal if the ice-cream could hereby be brought down to a discharge temperature of −12 to −25 degrees centigrade, as the products could then be brought directly to final storing. So far, however, this has not been practically possible, since the use of conventional production technique with associated. throughflow freezers creates fatal problems with respect to an unacceptable compaction of the air filled ice-cream and the heat development by the conveying and scraping effect of the conveyor worm in the throughflow freezer.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a dynamic type ice cold storage method and system capable of efficiently suppressing, by an appropriate replenishment of water, an increase in concentration of an aqueous solution with the progress of freezing of the aqueous solution, thereby preventing a lowering in the coefficient of performance of a refrigerator, and hence diminishing power required for the formation of ice crystals. The temperature of an aqueous solution contained in a freezer which includes a heat exchanger for cooling is measured with a thermometer, and as the liquid temperature drops with the progress of freezing, melted water is replenished into the freezer from a melted water tank by means of a pump to keep almost constant the temperature of freezing performed by the heat exchanger for cooling.