Abstract: The method for manufacturing frozen aerated products includes the use of 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 with a device for feeding with composition to be frozen and, in an intermediate area, with a device for feeding with air, the casing being provided with a jacket in which refrigerating fluids circulate.

Abstract: A method for feeding a liquid mixture (11) to the beating cylinder (12, 30) of a soft ice-cream production machine, is characterised in that only a single measure of liquid mixture, withdrawn from a feed vessel (10), is firstly subjected to rapid heating to a temperature of around +85.degree. C., then immediately afterwards to rapid pre-cooling, and is finally fed to a beating chamber (20) of said beating cylinder (12, 30) in which said mixture is beaten. This ensures that the measure is free from bacterial load.

Abstract: A device for the manufacture of a frozen aerated product which includes a freezer, a pump for introducing a frozen aerated product mix and air into the freezer, a tubular crystallizer system having upstream and downstream ends and having a longitudinal shaft within and extending beyond the ends of the crystallizer system through seals, a ram for reciprocating the longitudinal shaft upstream and downstream, the longitudinal shaft being provided with one or more scrapers in a transverse plane along its length which divide the crystallizer system into compartments, whose perimeters are adjacent to and capable of scraping the internal wall of the crystallizer system and whose bodies are provided with at least one longitudinal channel, a high pressure stuffing pump for feeding the frozen aerated product from the freezer to the crystallizer system, a jacket containing a heat transfer fluid for removing heat from the frozen aerated product within the crystallizer system, and a backpressure valve for conveying the fr

Abstract: An ice-making machine includes a housing having a brine solution inlet to receive brine solution from which ice is to be made and having an ice-brine slurry outlet to permit the egress of an ice-brine slurry from the housing. A heat exchanger within the housing has a heat exchange surface. The heat exchanger further includes a refrigerant inlet, a refrigerant outlet and at least one refrigerant circuit interconnecting the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet to permit a flow of refrigerant through the heat exchanger to extract heat from the brine solution contacting the heat exchange surface. The at least one refrigerant circuit is constituted by refrigerant passages integrally formed in a body portion of the housing. A blade assembly within the housing carries a plurality of blades each of which is in contact with the heat exchange surface.

Abstract: An aerated mixture of unflavored ice cream, yogurt or other food base mix is applied to one end of the interior of an elongated freezing chamber and is advanced along the chamber by a rotating screw or auger. As the mix is advanced within the chamber, it is cooled and worked to form a semi-solid product. Prior to discharge from the remote end of the chamber, flavor is injected and mixed into the product. The free volume in the system from chamber inlet to the discharge point is carefully limited to a minimum amount so that most of the product is cleared from the system during each individual serving. The result is the availability of individual servings of a fresh, high-quality frozen food product.

Abstract: A toy ice cream maker being a preferably aluminum can with a lid insertable into a larger container wherein the larger container is encased in a spherical foam jacket. The smaller can has a lid and the larger can has a lid providing that ingredients for a frozen dessert may be inserted into the inner container and a mixture of rock salt and ice is insertable in the space between the inner and outer can. Another lid, formed integrally with the jacket seals the ice and rock salt in position. After the dessert ingredients have been sealed in the inner container and the rock-salt and ice have been sealed in the cooling container, the device, being a soft ball, is a toy that children delight in rolling around thereby hastening congealing the ingredients to form the dessert.

Abstract: An apparatus for baking bread and making ice cram includes a housing unit, a bread baking assembly, an ice-cream making assembly and a base assembly. A selected one of the bread baking assembly and the ice-cream making assembly can be mounted into the housing unit and can be activated by a motor-driven member of the base assembly.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance for preparing yogurt, soft frozen yogurt and ice cream, hard frozen yogurt and ice cream, and cheese. The appliance includes a container having a generally square open top around the periphery of which are switch actuators or contacts. A square cover having a plurality of vent openings formed therethrough and electrical switch devices positioned about its periphery for cooperation with those on the rim of the container is used to select the mode of operation for accommodating the type of food item being prepared based on which of the four possible ways it can be positioned on the container. A motor-driven paddle device is rotationally journaled with respect to the cover and the motors therefor are adapted to be driven either continuously or with a predetermined duty cycle, dependent upon the product being made.

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 cryogenic control system measures rotational resistance in a cryogenic food mixing machine such as a vacuum tumbler or agitator blender to determine by test the length of time it takes from the start of chilling to reach the maximum energy level T.sub.me, and the length of time it takes to chill the product to the desired forming point stiffness T.sub.f, to establish a ratio T.sub.f /T.sub.me for that product and batch size. This ratio can then be used for subsequent cycles, regardless of cryogenic flow rate, to determine the optimum product chilling point.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved frozen beverage dispenser overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art noted above. Not only is the beverage dispenser relatively simple to construct and maintain, but it also provides an exceptionally fast freeze down time and accurate monitoring and control of the thickness of the slush dispensed from the beverage dispenser of the invention. The components of the beverage dispenser of the invention are housed within a compact housing incorporating solid state design with few mechanical moving parts. The closed loop system includes an evaporator, heat exchanger, condenser, compressor, and a filter/dryer. A tank feed system directs the beverage mix to a cylindrical mixing chamber having a rotatable beater bar located therein. The beater bar is coupled to a direct drive control system which monitors and controls the thickness of the slush formed in the mixing cylinder.

Abstract: An air/liquid mix regulator is disclosed for use in a frozen confectionary dessert dispensing machine. The mix regulator regulates the amount of liquid and air entering the freezing chamber of the frozen dessert machine. The regulator has a single aerator tube having both an air inlet passage and a liquid inlet passage which are least partially divided. The aerator tube has different liquid inlet openings at each end so that it is invertible and usable with differing liquid viscosities. The aerator tube is engageable with a base section of the regulator and has a check valve therein to prevent the backflow of aerated mix into the storage chamber to prevent frothing and foaming in the storage hopper. The single check valve is located in an area of the base section that takes advantage of the relatively warmer liquid in the storage hopper to prevent freezing and sticking of the check valve.

Abstract: A system for automatically rapidly chilling liquids and semisolids which includes a frame which supports a drive motor which contains a substantially vertical drive shaft having a connecting member at one end. A sealed, hollow chilling utensil which contains a refrigerant, and which has a neck portion which contains a connecting member which is adapted for fixed engagement with the connecting member of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A portable soft frozen beverage dispenser apparatus has a housing supported on wheels and having a refrigerated storage tank for the storage of a soft frozen beverage therein and having a motor driven rotating mixing blade within the tank. A refrigerated dispenser storage tank is used for further storage and dispensing of the soft frozen beverage and also has a rotating mixing blade therein. Tubing connects the refrigerated storage tank with the dispenser storage tank through a motor driven pump which pumps the soft frozen beverage from the storage tank to the dispenser storage tank while a second tubing recirculates the soft frozen beverage from the dispenser storage tank back to the refrigerated storage tank. A nozzle in the dispenser storage tank dispenses the soft frozen beverage so that a stored soft frozen beverage can be rapidly dispensed from a wheeled storage vehicle.

Abstract: A system for commercially making and dispensing individual portions of freshly perpared frozen yogurt or ice cream comprising providing a battery of miniature batch type ice cream making machines having containers with capacities of up to 800 ml., refrigeration means for cooling the containers to desired temperatures for making frozen yogurt or ice cream, yogurt or ice cream mix, and flavor concentrates, whereby separate individual portions of freshly prepared frozen yogurt or ice cream can be prepared simultaneously for serving to a number of customers by introducing separate individual portions of frozen yogurt or ice cream mix and flavor concentrates into the containers, activating the ice cream making machines for the required time and scooping up the individual portions of frozen yogurt or ice cream for serving to customers.

Abstract: A combined machine for the dual production of crushed ice or ice cream includes a processing cylinder provided with a stirrer means, a refrigerating circuit and a device for operating the stirrer. The refrigerating circuit includes an evaporator in heat exchange relation with the processing cylinder, a compressor, a condenser, a filter and a control system for controlling the expansion of the refrigerating fluid. The control system includes a thermostatic expansion valve and a capillary tube, inserted in parallel in the circuit, as well as a switch disposed in the flow circuits of the control system.

Abstract: A two-piece blade for use in a scraped surface heat exchanger comprising a larger plastic frame constructed of a plastic material component mixed with a metal component whose presence within a food product is detectable with conventional metal detecting equipment and a smaller metal edge that is substantially self-sharpening and replaceable.

Abstract: Heat is applied to a solid or semi-solid material in a cylindrical container in such a way that a precise, predetermined amount of heat is transferred to a horizontal layer of the material until it softens sufficiently to allow the heating element to sink into the material where it will heat the next layer. The container is rotated about a vertical axis, and a horizontally-oriented heating element is lowered into contact with the material to apply heat to a horizontal layer. The heating element is lowered through the material in a controlled manner to heat progressively lower layers within the container, until the whole container has been heated. The heating element may be heated by pumping hot water therethrough, or by other means. A container of hot liquid may be cooled in a similar fashion, by gradually raising a cooling element from the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A domestic appliance (1) for making ice-cream is provided, comprising a motor (8), a stirring tool (12) drivable by the motor(8), and switching means (69) for starting a first mode of operation of the domestic appliance (1), in which mode the stirring tool (12) can be driven with a speed n (21 r.p.m.) within a speed range, the switching means (69) are adapted to start a further mode of operation of the domestic appliance, in which further mode the stirring tool (12) can be driven with at least one further speed (71 r.p.m.) within a further speed range, and wherein there has been provided a time control device (66) by means of which the drive of the stirring tool (12) with the further speed n (71 r.p.m.) can be limited to a given time interval (T).

Abstract: A sterile drape assembly includes a sheet of sterile drape material bonded to a disk-like member. The drape establishes a sterile field atop a surgical slush machine and is conformable to a cooling basin to provide a drape container impervious to the sterile slush medium. The disk-like member is preferably bonded to the bottom of the drape container and is engageable by a movable member projecting into the basin. The movable member (e.g., a longitudinally reciprocable vertical shaft) moves the member and the drape to dislodge frozen pieces of the sterile medium that attach to the sides of the drape container.

Abstract: Improved frozen beverage dispensing apparatus includes a latch member for inhibiting operation of the dispensing apparatus when the apparatus is in a defrost cycle. The apparatus includes a container for storing a beverage under pressure in at least a partially frozen state, a normally closed dispensing valve mounted with the container and a manually operable lever for operating the dispensing valve. The dispensing valve has a longitudinal bore communicating with the interior of the container. A defrost relay operates a solenoid at the onset of the defrost cycle to move the latch member into engagement with the lever. When the defrost cycle has been completed, the solenoid disengages the latching member from the lever so that the lever can be operated to open the dispensing valve. A faucet member extends downwardly from the dispensing valve.

Abstract: An automatic device for producing a cooled semi-liquid food product includes a pump, a suction conduit connected to the pump and provided with a connection piece which is connected during operation to a reservoir, a pressure conduit connected to the pump which defines a draught end, and a cooling element. The cooling element includes a cooled part which is located in the pressure conduit. The device further incorporates a cleaning device having a cleaning conduit which is provided with a connection piece that fits on a closeable opening of the pressure conduit and with a connection piece removably attached to the connection piece of the suction conduit, a closeable drain conduit connected to the cleaning conduit, a closeable supply conduit for liquid under pressure for cleaning or rinsing that is connected to the cleaning conduit, an arrangement for blocking the drain conduit and an assembly for blocking the liquid supply conduit.

Abstract: A sterile drape assembly includes a sheet of sterile drape material bonded to a disk-like member. The drape establishes a sterile field atop a surgical slush machine and is conformable to a cooling basin to provide a drape container impervious to the sterile slush medium. The disk-like member is preferably bonded to the bottom of the drape container and is engageable by a movable member projecting into the basin. The movable member (e.g., a longitudinally reciprocable vertical shaft) moves the member and the drape to dislodge frozen pieces of the sterile medium that attach to the sides of the drape container.

Abstract: The feed hopper base plate, at least, of the hamburger maker (otherwise known as a hamburger machine), is cooled by suitable means so as to prevent or limit the dripping of liquids contained in the minced meat. This has positive effects as regards the processing of the minced meat, and its preservation even during processing. By keeping the cooling means running, intermittent use of the hamburger maker is possible, without necessitating cleaning of the latter each time it stops.

Abstract: A Stirling cycle refrigerator comprises a refrigerating force supplying section including a Stirling freezing unit driven in Stirling cycle, a motor for driving the Stirling freezing unit, and a first heat transmitting part for emitting a refrigerating force from the Stirling freezing unit; and a refrigerating force applying section including a case, a cover covering the case, a second heat transmitting part for receiving refrigerating force from the first heat transmitting part, and a freezing processing device for freezing contents in the case for a desired type. The refrigerating force applying section peforms freezing by means of the refrigerating force supplied by the refrigerating force supplying section. The Stirling cycle refrigerator enables rapid freezing of food and successive reiterative production of ice cream, being of a smaller size compared to a conventional refrigerator.

Abstract: The frozen dessert machine of the present invention provides an inner core in its refrigeration chamber.

Abstract: The frozen dessert machine of the present invention has an automated dispenser for controlling the portion size.

Abstract: An ice cream having a property of excellent meltdown in the mouth, a fat content of 5 to 18% by weight and an overrun of 10 to 150% by weight, containing air cells of 60 .mu.m or more in diameter at a ratio of at least 80% of the total air cells, is disclosed. Further, a process for producing an ice cream having a property of excellent softness even at a freezing temperature, which comprises incorporating air into an ice cream mix in a first cylinder of the cylinders of two linked continuous freezers to give an overrun, transferring the mix to a second cylinder at a specific temperature, and then mixing and kneading the mix in the second cylinder without giving any additional overrun. In the process for production, an apparatus characterized by having a pipeline linking an apparatus for supplying the rest of an ice cream mix to a pipeline linking the first cylinder and the second cylinder of the cylinders of 2 linked continuous freezers is used.

Abstract: Frozen pieces of sterile medium, such as saline, are dislodged from a sterile drape container in a surgical slush producing machine a manipulating the drape relative to the cooled basin to which the drape container conforms. Manipulation of the drape is achieved by pushing, twisting, pulling, lifting, etc., on the drape to displace it from the basin. Such movement of the drape may be effected on a continuous and automatic basis, or by manual means using a member or implement to facilitate drape movement. The system cabinet includes a refrigerated compartment for pre-chilling sterile liquid to be used in forming the surgical slush.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically dispensing food product, such as hard ice cream, comprising an insulated housing having a refrigerated chamber therein and a receptacle in the chamber for holding a supply of food product under refrigeration. The receptacle has an open upper end to permit loading of food product into the receptacle and a lower end.

Abstract: The machine includes an ice cream making machine, and a duct for feeding the produced ice cream to a tube communicating at its lower end with a mixing chamber. Injectors are provided opening into said tube in proximity of the mixing chamber for feeding one or more syrups to mixing chamber. A mixer is mounted in said mixing chamber, and the mixer is operated in order to mix the ice cream and the syrups which are delivered to the mixing chamber from the tube by a piston slidable into the tube. The syrup feeding injectors are located between the ice cream feeding duct and the mixing chamber, in an area of the tube which is separated from the ice cream feeding duct by at least one sealing element.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance which enables automatic preparation of desserts or other food products according to instructions pre-programmed into the appliance. Programmed preparation steps can include any desired sequence of heating, cooling, and mixing of ingredients placed in a detachable container of the appliance. Accessory attachments can be provided to the appliance for automatically adding recipe ingredients to the container during automatic preparation. A dispensing pump may also be provided for dispensing a heated or frozen product from the container.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus comprises a heat exchanger with a food path for connecting a source of food substance to the heat exchanger and a pump located in the food path for conveying food substance from the source to the heat exchanger. A pressure sensor is provided for sensing pressure downstream of the pump and for transmitting a pressure signal corresponding to a measured pressure downstream of the pump. A controller connected between the pump and the pressure sensor controls the pump in response to the pressure signal.

Abstract: Frozen pieces o sterile medium, such as saline, are dislodged from a sterile drape container in a surgical slush producing machine by manipulating the drape relative to the cooled basin to which the drape container conforms. Manipulation of the drape is achieved by pushing, twisting, pulling, lifting, etc. on the drape to displace it from the basin. Such movement of the drape may be effected on a continuous and automatic basis, or by manual means using a member or implement to facilitate drape movement. The system cabinet includes a refrigerated compartment for pre-chilling sterile liquid to be used in forming the surgical slush.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a vat having a lateral wall and a bottom for pasteurizing, maturing and maintaining a product. A cover adjacent to the lateral wall and to the bottom controls the temperature of the product present in the vat. A first heat-exchange circuit is defined by the cover and by the vat. A heat-exchange fluid circulates in the first heat-exchange circuit. The first heat-exchange circuit includes a heat generator for the heating of the heat-exchange fluid and includes a first heat exchanger for the cooling of the heat-exchange fluid. A second heat-exchange circuit has a tank. A diathermic liquid circulates in the second heat-exchange circuit. A second heat-exchanger is disposed in the tank, and a refrigeration group is connected, in a heat-exchange relationship, to the second heat-exchanger. The second heat-exchange circuit is connected to the first heat-exchanger by a by-pass conduit parallel to the first heat-exchanger.

Abstract: Apparatus for the storage and projection of ice balls comprising in combination:a revolving tank terminated by an opening in the lower part for linking with a ball injection chamber (44) to which are fixed:a) a motor (32) able to rotate an axial rod (30) equipped with mixing or stirring blades (36) of an Archimedean screw (38) and, between the two, a means for sealing the passage of the balls (40),b) a jack (34) able to control a translation of the axial rod (30),a gun (4) for projecting the balls and connected to the outlet (58) of the injection chamber,a compressed air source (6),on the gun, a double contact trigger (60), the first contact of which controls the injection of air and the second contact controls the raising jack (34) of the axial rod (30) and the rotation of the motor (32).

Abstract: A food processing apparatus comprises a heat exchanger with a food path for connecting a source of food substance to the heat exchanger and a pump located in the food path for conveying food substance from the source to the heat exchanger. A pressure sensor is provided for sensing pressure downstream of the pump and for transmitting a pressure signal corresponding to a measured pressure downstream of the pump. A controller connected between the pump and the pressure sensor controls the pump in response to the pressure signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of ice cream, milkshakes, sorbets, frozen desserts and the like, in each case from a pumpable starting mixture, comprises a storage container (1) for the starting mixture and a cooling or freezing cylinder (2) arranged below said container with which it communicates via a supply conduit (25), in which cylinder (2) a stirring and scraping mechanism (9) is arranged, the supply conduit (25) opening into an inlet chamber (7) located at one end of the cylinder (2), a discharge valve (19) being provided at the other end of the cylinder (2), only the cylinder (2) being provided with a heating (6) for pasteurizing the starting mixture, a thermostat (53) being provided to limit the wall temperature of the cylinder (2), and devices being provided for transporting the starting mixture from the inlet chamber (7) to the discharge valve (19).

Abstract: Apparatus for rapid chilling of bottles and cans having a main bowl (46) and an inner bowl (48) in the main bowl. A basket (90) is mounted in the inner bowl and is adapted to receive bottles (92) to be chilled. The inner bowl has an opening (66) at its lower end. An agitator (88) driven by a submerged motor (86) assists in the circulation of cooling fluid in the main bowl and the inner bowl. The inner bowl has openings (76) near its upper end. Cooling fluid passes through these openings and into the gap between the inner bowl and the main bowl. Refrigeration coils (80) cool the cooling fluid.

Abstract: The system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,659 (Keyes et al) for producing surgical slush is improved to permit the slush to be collected directly in a drape or sheet, thereby eliminating the separate product basin and liquid thermal transfer medium required in the prior system. The sheet is made to conform to a heat transfer basin atop the system refrigeration unit and is impervious to the surgical liquid from which the slush is formed. In order to prevent damage to the drape by abrupt edges of basin spacers permanently projecting from the heat transfer wall into the basin interior, the spacers are covered or recessed by protective members eliminating all possible contact between the sheet and the spacer edges.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a semi-frozen confection of the present invention has a freezing cylinder for main ingredient of the semi-frozen confection, and a syrup refrigerating cylinder installed in the vicinity of both a semi-frozen confection dispensing conduit and the freezing cylinder. Accordingly, when preparing a semi-frozen confection composed of, e.g., ice cream and syrup to be served in a cone, rise in the temperature of the ice cream caused by the syrup may be restrained, thereby enabling the semi-frozen confection produced to retain its shape. The apparatus further has a microcomputer for controlling the rotating speed of at least one of the mixers respectively housed in the freezing cylinder and in the syrup refrigerating cylinder. This permits the proportion of, e.g., the ice cream and syrup composing the semi-frozen confection to be varied as desired.

Abstract: A refrigeration controllere for use with an apparatus for manufacturing soft-ice-cream and the like by beating and refrigerating at a preset temperature an ice-cream mix supplied from a hopper into refrigeration cylinders.The controller is adapted to monitor refrigeration time and refrigeration temperatures of the refrigeration cylinders and the hopper so that, in case refrigeration time becomes too long due to wrong temperature setting, the preset lower temperature limit is shifted up to correct the wrong temperature setting, thereby permitting a layman to control the apparatus and provide ice-cream having proper softness and at the same time save energy and the life-time of the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically dispensing food product such as hard food product, having a refrigerated container for holding a supply of food product, a chamber adjacent the container for receiving food product and for delivery therefrom of a serving portion of food product, and a mechanism in the container for removing food product from the supply for delivery to the chamber thereby to pack the chamber with food product. A method of dispensing food product such as hard ice cream is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary mixer scraper blade commonly termed a beater scraper blade for a freezer machine for producing ice cream, frozen yogurt and like confectionery foods in which the mixer has diametrically opposite scraping blades at opposite ends thereof. The scraper blades have a generally triangular cross sectional shape with a thick body portion narrowing to the thin scraping edge thus presenting a leading face of the blade which is presented at an angle which facilitates removal therefrom of material it engages during mixing and scraping thus reducing tendencies toward hangup of material thereon. Since the blades have a cross sectional shape with a thicker section than conventional blades they can be made of resinous material instead of metal because the shape imparts greater flex strength to the blades compared to conventional parallel sided blades.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a frozen confection product from a liquid food substance comprises a gas port for selectively injecting gas from a pressurized source into the liquid food substance at an injection point to form a mixture, a freeze tube having an inlet end and an outlet end and having a substantially cylindrical wall for containing the mixture therein, a cooling circuit for cooling an external surface of the cylindrical wall, and a whipping auger disposed within the freeze tube for emulsifying the liquid food substance portion of the mixture with the gas portion thereof, the whipping auger propelling a first portion of the mixture in a helical pattern from the inlet end of the freeze tube toward the outlet end and for simultaneously propelling a second portion of the mixture in a direction from the outlet end toward the inlet end of the freeze tube.

Abstract: An installation for the making of food products, particularly expanded food products, such as ice cream. There is a freezing system to cool and homogenize the product which is then transported to a packing system. The freezing system comprises a refrigerated cylindrical chamber with agitating means mounted for rotation inside the cylinder. The agitating means comprises an Archimedes' screw fitted on its periphery with scraper knives aligned in the direction of the length of the screw and touching the internal surface of the double walled cylindrical chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a small electric household utensil for the production of foods by mixing by stirring from original components which are slightly liquid at the start of work, in the preparation of which foods the production temperature deviates from the ambient temperature, the temperature change in the original components which is required during the production process being achieved by means of a thermal energy dispenser, the thermal energy dispenser (6) bringing the inner wall (4a) of a pot-shaped container (4, 24) to the production temperature and a stirring tool (10) intermixing the production components during the production process.

Abstract: A soft serve ice cream dispensing apparatus includes a tank, a closure plate having an integrally formed dispensing chamber and a recirculation passageway and a dispensing valve. When the dispensing valve is closed, the recirculation passageway is not in communication with the dispensing chamber. This allows the apparatus to recirculate ice cream without causing it to flow through the dispensing chamber. During recirculation, the ice cream is recirculated in an open loop consisting of the recirculation passageway, a hollow tube and the tank. The hollow tube is in flow communication with the recirculation chamber, formed in the closure plate, and the interior of the tank and extends approximpately one-third of the distance into the tank. An important aspect of the invention relates to the simplicity and reduced number of parts of the recirculation system which significantly facilitates cleaning.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a manufacturing method and apparatus for ice-cream products which enable a consumer to select and nominate the material and to be supplied and ice-cream in accordance with his preference from those selected material. According to the present invention, the method comprises preparing a mixture of the material bulk of ice-cream selected by an individual in accordance with his preference, filling into a container thereof by means of applying thereto a liquid nitrogen or a liquid nitrogen based gas while said bulk is agitated.

Abstract: Improvements are provided in machines for processing frozen comestibles of the type in which a frozen comestible is placed in a mixing cup and the mixing cup is moved toward an auger which mixes the frozen comestible into a smooth, soft material. The improvements comprise a chain driven drive for moving the mixing cup toward the auger. Further improvement include spring biased mounting means for mounting the auger of the machine to the drive shaft of the machine. An additional improvement comprises means for circulating cooled air from a freezer located adjacent to the mixing machine through the housing of the mixing machine to cool the mixing cup and the auger.