Agitating Patents (Class 62/68)
  • Patent number: 6766650
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Kan-Pak, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James P. Cunha, Dennis J. Cohlmia, James A. Steinbacher, Joel D. Hockenbury
  • Patent number: 6688130
    Abstract: An ice making machine comprises a housing, an evaporator connected to a freezing system, a base frame having a plurality of freezing cells for being filled with water to be frozen, a freezing base plate provided with the evaporator and freezing fingers formed on the lower surface of the freezing base plate to be dipped into the water supplied to the freezing cells, and an air removing means for pumping the water into the freezing cells to remove air bubbles inside the water, thereby forming clear pieces of ice. The air removing means comprises a water path disposed at the base frame to be connected to the freezing cells, a water pocket connected to the water path and being replenished with water form an external water supply, and a pressing means for repeatedly pressing the water pocket to pump the water of the water pocket into each freezing cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Oh-bok Kim
  • Patent number: 6672079
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Harold F. Ross
  • Patent number: 6651448
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventors: Harold F. Ross, Daniel L. Dorn
  • Patent number: 6637214
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: V & L Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Leitzke, Patrick J. Martello
  • Patent number: 6625993
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Lancer FBD
    Inventors: Jimmy I. Frank, Thomas L. Guy, III
  • Patent number: 6609384
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Isao Satoh
  • Patent number: 6564559
    Abstract: A method for freezing a supercooled liquid, includes the steps of forming a liquid phase of a supercooled liquid and a gas phase adjacent to the liquid phase in a container, vibrating a gas-liquid interface formed by said liquid phase and the gas phase by applying vibration upon the gas-liquid interface and/or a vicinity thereof along the gas-liquid interface, forming splashed waves of the supercooled liquid, scattering liquid drops of the supercooled liquid, crashing the liquid drops upon a portion of an inner wall of the container where the gas phase is located, mixing resulting liquid drops and bubbles into the supercooled liquid through the gas-liquid interface, subjecting said bubbles mixed in the supercooled liquid to expansion, compression, disruption, clustering and disappearance, thereby vigorously oscillating the gas-liquid interface and freezing the supercooled liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Tsutomu Hozumi, Akio Saito, Seiji Ohkawa, Hiroyuki Kumano
  • Publication number: 20020083730
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Mark S. Giroux, Joseph M. Trewhella, Darryl Alan Goodson
  • Patent number: 6413444
    Abstract: A phase change particulate saline slurry and methods and apparatus are provided for producing phase change particulate saline slurries. One method for producing phase change particulate saline slurries includes the steps of providing a liquid with a set percentage freezing point depressant, such as, a set percentage saline solution; subcooling the saline solution to a freezing point to produce ice particles; and increasing an ice particle concentration under controlled temperature for a period of time to provide a set ice particle concentration for the phase change particulate saline slurry. In another method for producing phase change particulate saline slurries, water and a first set amount of sodium chloride are provided to produce a saline solution. The saline solution is cooled to a set temperature. A selected percentage of chunk ice is added to the saline solution and the chunk ice is broken into ice particles. The ice particles have a small size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Kasza
  • Publication number: 20020043071
    Abstract: A frozen beverage machine includes a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets. A mixing block has a plurality of inlets connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together therein. At least one freezing chamber is connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom, and a refrigeration system is arranged to refrigerate the freezing chamber. A dispensing valve and a drain valve are connected to the freezing chamber. A controller is connected to the process control block to control operation of the frozen beverage machine. The beverage machine includes an automated sanitizing system operated by the controller, in which the beverage 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 to sanitize the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Jimmy I. Frank, Thomas L. Guy
  • Publication number: 20020043070
    Abstract: A juice dispensing apparatus particularly designed for dispensing a “not from concentrate juice” packaged in a bag in a box format, the apparatus having a compartment in which the bag in a box is mounted, a thermoelectric device for cooling the compartment and a piezoelectric device for agitating the juice in the bag to thereby maintain the juice in a suspension. The apparatus requires minimal maintenance while permitting the dispensing of fruit juices or vegetable juices which are not reconstituted from a concentrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventor: Marc Bedard
  • Publication number: 20020033021
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Jimmy I. Frank
  • Patent number: 6289683
    Abstract: An ice sculpture mold, forming assembly and process is described in which a mold body is releasably received within an immersion tank having an open top end defined by a peripheral rim, and a closed bottom. The mold includes an internal cavity shaped as a negative of a selected ice sculpture form, and includes a top section positionable adjacent the open top end of the immersion tank and a bottom section positionable adjacent the closed bottom of the immersion tank. The mold body also includes at least one water intake and discharge openings formed in the upper section mold body, openly communicating with the internal cavity. A water circulating pump and water delivery tube are connected to each intake opening. The water discharge and intake openings are positioned on the mold to enable circulation of water within the assembled mold cavity to facilitate freezing of water in the assembled mold cavity to form an ice sculpture that is visually clear and devoid of clouding and air bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Ice Cast Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Daukas, Dennis D. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 6176090
    Abstract: An apparatus for transforming a frozen confection having a coarse texture into a confection having a smooth texture and lighter appearance. The apparatus is comprised of a maceration assembly used in conduction with a frozen confection machine. The apparatus includes a motor, an electrical connection between the motor and a power supply and a mounting bracket for mounting the motor to the confection machine. Extending from the motor is at least one rotatable motor shaft. The shaft extends through a mount having an integral mount cylinder with a seal seat. A sealing device such as an o-ring, is positioned within the seal seat. A whipping device is attached to the rotatable shaft which extends into a maceration chamber. The maceration chamber has an inlet for receiving frozen confection and an outlet for discharging a semi-frozen confection slurry and is hollow and open at one end, the open end sliding over the whipping device and mount, while forming a seal with the sealing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Rich Coast Corporation
    Inventor: Lance W. Ufema
  • Patent number: 6082120
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process, a control unit, and a device for continuously deep freezing foams, e.g., edible foams, in particular ice cream and whipped cream, to the storage temperature, without using deep freezing tunnels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventors: Ralf Hoffmann, Erich Windhab, Carl Hoyer, Friedrich H. F. Rogge
  • Patent number: 6079215
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for freeze granulation of a medium such as a biopharmeceutical product. The medium is put into a chamber and mixed using a pair of counter rotating agitators. The agitators have angled blades or paddles on them in order to induce motion in the medium parallel to the axis of the agitator shafts. A set of liquid nitrogen and liquid carbon dioxide nozzles are attached to the chamber. The liquid nitrogen nozzles spray a mist of liquid nitrogen into the medium. The liquid carbon dioxide nozzles spray carbon dioxide snow into the chamber. The liquid nitrogen and the carbon dioxide can be sprayed into the chamber at the same time or alternately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Integrated Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 6077447
    Abstract: A device for producing fibrinogen includes a platen having a surface configured for heat exchange with a container, which is adhered to the platen by device of a vacuum and heat exchange allowing both cooling and heating to occur along the boundary between the container and the platen. The platen is operatively coupled to a device of rocking the platen about a horizontal axis and the container allows scavenging of a cryoprecipitate fibrinogen from the blood product for subsequent utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: ThermoGenesis Corp.
    Inventors: Philip H. Coelho, Terry L. Wolf, Curtis D. Mau, Jeffery D. Arnett, Richard F. Huyser
  • Patent number: 5916248
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Bravo S.p. A.
    Inventor: Genesio Bravo
  • Patent number: 5862672
    Abstract: Sterile surgical fluid is maintained in one or more temperature controlled basins provided at the top of a cabinet. One or more insulated temperature controlled compartments are formed in the cabinet for storing supplemental supplies of the surgical fluid at the temperatures close to the temperatures of the basins to facilitate replenishing and/or replacing the fluid in the basins. The storage compartments can be used for long-term temperature controlled fluid storage when basin temperature is not being controlled (i.e., between surgical procedures).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Mark Licata
  • Patent number: 5845513
    Abstract: There is described a device that proceeds to operate the stirrer and the cup for containing the water in a machine for the production of ice cubes. The device comprises a single motor that gives motion to a first rotating shaft operated in a continuous manner and to a second rotating shaft operated in a discontinuous manner. The first rotating shaft is connected to the stirrer by first motion transmission means suitable for converting the rotation of said first shaft into an alternating oscillatory movement of the stirrer. The second rotating shaft is in turn connected to the bowl of water by second motion transmission means suitable for converting the rotation of said second shaft into a corresponding motion of tipping the bowl over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Castel Mac S.p.A.
    Inventor: Paolo Fornasari
  • Patent number: 5743097
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the flow rate of refrigerant to a refrigeration device is provided. The system includes a mixing chamber that retains and produces the product, a compressor, and an evaporator secured to the exterior of the mixing chamber for providing freezing of the product being produced within it. The system further includes a expansion valve coupled to the evaporator that regulates the flow of the refrigerant through the evaporator. A scraper rotatably mounted within the mixing chamber is provided for scraping the frozen product from the interior surface of the mixing chamber. A beater motor rotates the scraper. An electronic control is provided for controlling the refrigeration cycle. The electronic control employs a microprocessor which is operated in accordance with an algorithm for controlling the operation of the expansion valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Jimmy I. Frank
  • Patent number: 5732559
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Blentech Corporation
    Inventors: Darrell Horn, John M. Lennox, III, Greg Tapscott
  • Patent number: 5728417
    Abstract: A cryogenic control system measures product temperature in a cryogenic food mixing machine such as a vacuum tumbler or agitator blender to determine the time it takes for the product to be chilled down to the point where the first cells of product start to freeze, and then stop the addition of cryogenic after a number of seconds beyond this point. By measuring the length of time it takes to chill the product down to the freezing point temperature, the proper forming point can be programmed as a multiple of this time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Blentech Corporation
    Inventors: Darrell Horn, John M. Lennox, III, Greg Tapscott
  • Patent number: 5713209
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for at least partially freezing a food product which is at least partly liquid in a batch mode is disclosed including a double screw extruder (12) including first and second, substantially intermeshing, self-wiping screws (14, 16) rotatably received in a figure 8-shaped barrel (30) with minimal clearance. In the preferred form, the freezing block (20) includes multiple refrigerant channels (36) spaced closely and in the most preferred form spaced approximately 0.32 centimeters from the barrel (30) and from each other. Thus, the refrigeration system can change the barrel surface temperature rapidly and specifically in approximately one second when the food product is introduced into the barrel (30). A ratio between the radius of the flight (40) at the crest (42) to the radius at the root (38) of the screws (14, 16) is in the order of 1.04 to reduce the total amount of product in the barrel (30) at any given time and decreasing the product residence time in the extruder (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Hunchar, Terry G. Reishus, Bernhard Van Lengerich, Jose Tadeo V. de Castro, Kenneth A. Focht, Chaitanya Kanojia, Clifford S. Lansil, Christopher T. Zirps
  • Patent number: 5687582
    Abstract: A refrigeration system uses a refrigerant which contains, as a main component, hydrocarbon or HFC-152a. A fluid tube, such as, a gas charge port tube is hermetically connected to a refrigerant flow passage in the refrigeration system for filling at least the refrigerant into the refrigerant flow passage. The fluid tube is sealed against leakage of the refrigerant from the refrigerant flow passage by means of a pinched portion and a squashed portion of a flat-plate shape which extends from the pinched portion to a distal end thereof. The squashed portion may be folded at a plurality of portions for enhancing the sealing effect. Further, instead of the squashed portion, an adhesive may be used for reinforcing the sealing effect provided by the pinched portion. Alternatively or with the use of the adhesive, an elastomer may be used for reinforcing the sealing effect provided by the pinched portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Refrigeration Company
    Inventors: Masao Mangyo, Takao Kawashima, Yuji Mori
  • Patent number: 5680769
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Inventor: Avraham Katz
  • Patent number: 5661981
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the granulation of granulatable and/or pelletizable substances in which the substance to be granulated is introduced in the form of a closed jet into a rapidly flowing refrigerant--preferably liquid nitrogen. This purpose is served by a vertically arranged reaction tube (2) into the upper part of which the jet enters and through which the refrigerant circulates by means of a transport element (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Buse Gese GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Peter Laux, Stefan Kosock
  • Patent number: 5615559
    Abstract: A freezing system for processing frozen edible product includes a freezing section, an inlet section, a product discharge section, and a recirculation section that selectively recycles processed product through at least a portion of the outlet section back to the freezing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: APV Crepaco Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Kress, James W. Griffin
  • Patent number: 5457962
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: O.R. Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Mark Licata
  • Patent number: 5331820
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: O.R. Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Mark Licata
  • Patent number: 5280710
    Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous process for the preparation of slush hydrogen. The process comprises substantially continuously injecting liquid hydrogen at a temperature slightly above its triple point temperature into a slush hydrogen generator; forming solid hydrogen by removing hydrogen vapor from the slush hydrogen generator; fracturing and dispersing surface solid as it is formed into the slush; concentrating the crystalline solid particles in the slush to a level of at least 30%, and preferably from 45 to 60%, by weight; and substantially continuously removing the slush hydrogen from said slush hydrogen generator at a rate such that a substantially constant level of slush is maintained in said slush hydrogen generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee S. Gaumer, Jr., Robert B. Moore, Glenn E. Kinard
  • Patent number: 5275006
    Abstract: Rotary vacuum evaporation of a primary refrigerant cools a secondary refrigerant mixed with it. The secondary refrigerant does not change state and meanders through a low pressure cooling circuit for refrigeration applications. The primary refrigerant changes state and remains in a short and secure circuit. Evaporation is produced at a surface around the axis of rotation and within the mixture by opposed centrifugal and centripetal forces acting through a narrow afferent mesial passage between rotating disks mounted on a hollow shaft. Vapor is stripped from the surface, scrubbed by cyclonic flow through the afferent mesial passage, and condensed by a centrifugal compressor, which is a centrifugal pump having its inlet communicating with the bore of the hollow shaft and the afferent mesial passage. Latent heat is drawn off by water, making this a water heater, and the water is produced by de-humidification. The primary refrigerant and the secondary refrigerant are cheap and environmentally harmless, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventor: Wilmot H. McCutchen
  • Patent number: 5261255
    Abstract: A method and device for fractionating pouches of cryoprecipitable material including a membrane which provides a barrier within an interior of the device with the membrane receiving the pouches of cryoprecipitable material therewithin. The interior of the device includes a sump having a heat transfer fluid stored therein and maintained at a temperature which is to be achieved by the cryoprecipitable material as it cycles between freezing and thawing. The pouch of material, after placement within the membrane, is exposed (through the membrane) to hydrostatic forces associated with the heat transfer fluid in the sump collapsing the membrane on the pouch while pulsating jets impinge indirectly upon the pouch through the membrane. In this way, as the contents within the pouch change temperature, circulation of the fluid within the pouch occurs for more rapid realization of the cycling target temperatures for the cryoprecipitable material within the pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Instacool Inc. of North America
    Inventors: Philip H. Coelho, Terry Wolf
  • Patent number: 5205129
    Abstract: An apparatus for freezing and dispensing semi-frozen food products having two freezing chambers, one compressor for supplying refrigerant to both freezing chambers, one beater drive motor for driving the beaters in both chambers, two solenoid valves control flow of refrigerant from the single compressor to the evaporators for the freezing chambers and periodic pulse width modulated signals are applied to operate the two solenoid valves alternately during each period and signals are modulated to have substantially equal duty cycles in an initial freeze mode and to have unequal duty cycles when product is dispensed from only one freeze chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Wright, Peter F. McNamee
  • Patent number: 5177980
    Abstract: In an automatic ice maker of a refrigerator, water is supplied into an ice tray disposed in an ice making compartment of the refrigerator. The water in the ice tray is frozen and then, the ice tray is turned with a twisting motion by a drive mechanism including a motor so that ice cubes are removed from the ice tray. Vibration is applied to the ice tray by an electromagnet excited by a pulse current during a water freezing step so that escape of air bubbles out of the water is promoted. A cover covers an upper open end of the ice tray during the water freezing step so that freezing is retarded at the water surface side as compared with the ice tray bottom side. Alternatively, a heater is employed for the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akira Kawamoto, Hiroshi Oike, Akihiki Ichii
  • Patent number: 5172556
    Abstract: An automatic ice maker includes an ice tray supplied with water, which water is made into ice. After the water in the ice tray is made into ice, the ice tray is inverted so that ice cubes are removed from the ice tray. During the ice making stage, a vibrator vibrates the ice tray so that the ice making at the water surface side in the ice tray is retarded, which causes air bubbles contained in the water in the ice tray to escape therefrom, thereby providing transparent ice cubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hiroshi Oike
  • Patent number: 5154062
    Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous process for the preparation of slush hydrogen by the freeze-thaw technique. The process comprises substantially continuously injecting liquid hydrogen at or near its triple point temperature into a slush hydrogen generator; forming solid hydrogen by removing hydrogen vapor from the slush hydrogen generator; alternately adjusting the pressure in the slush hydrogen generator to a pressure below the triple point of hydrogen and then to a pressure slightly above the pressure at the triple point thereby effecting formation and dispersion of solids in said slush; concentrating the crystalline solid particles in the slush to a level of at least 30%, and preferably from 45 to 60%, by weight; and substantially continuously removing the slush hydrogen from said slush hydrogen generator at a rate such that a substantially constant level of slush is maintained in said slush hydrogen generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee S. Gaumer, Jr., Robert B. Moore, Glenn E. Kinard
  • Patent number: 5136849
    Abstract: A snow composition is here provided which comprises ofabout 100 parts by weight of snow selected from the group comprising of natural snow, artificial snow made by a snow machine, and icy snow made by shattering ice blocks to fragments andabout 0.1 to about 10.0 parts by weight of a super absorbent polymer in granule form having an average particle size of about 20 to about 500 .mu.m before water absorption.A method for making artificial snow is also provided here.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignees: Miura Dolphins Co., Ltd., Tonen Corporation, Osaka Organic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Tonen Chemical Corp., Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Miura, Kazuo Hirano, Takayuki Nate, Taiji Kambayashi, Masahisa Ohtsuka, Toshitake Nagai
  • Patent number: 5104232
    Abstract: An improved vacuum tumble mixer (10) is provided, the mixer having a horizontal drum (11) with a cylindrical mid-section (12), frusto-conical or dished entry and discharge ends (13, 14), and entry and discharge openings (16, 17) axially into the ends, the drum (11) being rotatable in one direction to tumble products therein and rotatable in the other direction to discharge the contents from the dischage opening. A plurality of primary vanes (26) are secured helically to the interior of the mid-section (12) of the drum, the primary vanes having radial tumbling surfaces (27) to tumble the product and to move the product gently towards the entry end of the drum, the vanes (26) having opposed channel-shaped discharge surfaces (28) which progressively increase in height to convey the products in the drum to discharge chutes (31) that extend helically along the discharge end (14) of the drum to the discharge opening (17). A chilling system (50) can be provided with one or more CO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Blentech Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Lennox, III
  • Patent number: 5100239
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing concrete by mixing concrete materials including a cement, aggregate, admixture and at least one of water and ice. The aggregate is moved prior the mixing and a low-temperature liquid is sprayed on the aggregate for cooling while the aggregate is being moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Shimizu Construction Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadamu Ono, Sadao Goto, Koji Minegishi, Kenichi Oshita, Daisuke Ishikura, Yoshiaki Negami, Kazuya Kamezaki, Katsuhiko Kimura, Takashi Kuwahara, Yasuo Kajioka
  • Patent number: 5095710
    Abstract: The present invention concerns improvements in the electronic control of frozen carbonated beverage machines and improvements in electric defrost heaters used therein. A control scheme is shown that provides for accurately determining the viscosity of a semi-frozen beverage as a function of the torque of a drive motor used in the harvesting and mixing thereof. The torque is first calculated based upon the current and voltage to the motor and the phase difference there between. The torque is adjusted to compensate for motor efficiency after which the net torque value is converted to a viscosity scale. The viscosity scale has a zero value relating to the net torque experienced by the motor when the beverage is known to be completely liquid. Viscosity is maintained within a narrow range based upon pre-defined three level low, medium and high viscosity sets, and wherein compressor short-cycling is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Black, Joseph W. Kieffer, Darrell D. Brown, Tom D. Tagliapietra
  • Patent number: 5038572
    Abstract: Apparatus for chilling and working fat-containing compositions, comprising:(a) means for chilling a composition passed therethrough,(b) a crystallizer-unit, comprising a rotor, suitable for working the fat-containing composition, placed downstream of said chilling means,(c) means for measuring the rotation speed of the rotor of the crystallizer-unit, and/or means for measuring the residence time of the fat-containing composition in the crystallizer-unit, which means are able to generate a signal responsive to the rotation speed of or residence time in the crystallizer-unit,(d) computing means which, on the basis of the signals generated by means (c), are able to calculate target values for the residence time and/or rotation speed, and(e) controlling means which may adjust the residence time and/or rotation speed of the crystallizer-unit in accordance with the target values calculated by (d) for the residence time and/or rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Van den Bergh Foods Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Pleun De Bruijne, Jacobus Van Eendenburg, Hendrik J. Human
  • Patent number: 4852359
    Abstract: An ice-maker for use in a freezer compartment and a process of making clear ice cubes are disclosed. The ice-maker includes an ice-forming tray supported on a carrier body. The carrier body has a housing with an air-circulating fan directing a flow of air toward the tray during the ice-making process. The apparatus also includes means for moving the ice-forming tray during the ice-making process, to allow gases to escape so that substantially clear ice cubes are formed. In the process of the invention, the ice-maker is placed in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator. An ice-forming tray is placed on the carrier body. Cold air from the freezer compartment is blown across the tray during the ice-making process. The ice-forming tray is moved during the ice-making process to allow entrapped gases in the water to escape. With or without the air-circulating fan, the apparatus and process may cause the carrier body to move in at least two different axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Inventor: Ermanno J. Manzotti
  • Patent number: 4803847
    Abstract: A control system for an icemaker and ice dispenser operates the icemaker to periodically harvest ice for introduction into a hopper of the ice dispenser whenever the hopper is less than full. During and in response to initiation of each harvest cycle, and independent of the level of ice in the hopper, the ice in the hopper is briefly agitated twice, once shortly after harvesting begins and again toward completion of the harvest cycle, such that the second agitation and the cycle end at about the same time. A thermostat senses the level of ice in the hopper, and when ice reaches the level of the thermostat, the icemaker is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Remcor Products Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Koeneman, Benjamin D. Miller, Thaddeus M. Jablonski
  • Patent number: 4773233
    Abstract: A freezer machine wherein ice cream or ice cubes can be selectively prepared by replacement of a removable ice cream-forming container and its associated first stirring element with a removable annular multicell frame assembly and its associated second stirring element. The ice cream-forming container is coupled within a freezing vessel mounted in a box-type cabinet, and the first stirring element is settled in the container to whip the ingredients to be frozen into ice cream. The frame assembly is coupled within the freezing vessel, and the second stirring element is settled in the freezing vessel to stir the water to be frozen into ice cubes within the frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sakichi Kawasumi, Tomio Suyama
  • Patent number: 4761962
    Abstract: In a process for freezing liquid or semiliquid food products in the form of essentially uniform pellets, the nonfrozen food product is introduced into a container. The product is agitated within the container, while a liquid cooling gas is sprayed over the product. The partially frozen food product is then removed from the container before it is completely frozen and after formability has been achieved, and is formed into essentially uniform pellets which are completely frozen outside the container. An apparatus for carrying the process into effect comprises a container, an agitator mounted within said container, spray nozzles opening into the upper part of the said container for spraying the underlying food product in the container with a liquid cooling gas, a forming device for forming the partially frozen food product removed from said container into essentially uniform pellets, and a freezer for completely freezing the pellets thus formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Frigoscandia Contracting AB
    Inventor: Alvar Andersson
  • Patent number: 4704873
    Abstract: A method of producing microfine frozen particles from water, liquid drugs, juices, etc. comprises the steps of atomizing a mixture of a liquid with a gas and directing the mixture toward a body of a refrigerant liquid whose surface is stirred by application of kinetic energy to form ripples. The refrigerant liquid being liquid nitrogen, liquid air, a cooled organic solvent or the like, so that the atomized liquid undergoes heat exchange with the refrigerant liquid to form fine frozen particles. An apparatus for practicing the method, comprises a vessel for containing the refrigerant liquid, apparatus for forming ripples at the surface of the refrigerant liquid by injecting a gas, or by applying vibrations to the vessel or the refrigerant liquid, an atomizer functioning as a mixer and atomizer for a liquid and a gas, and an apparatus for collecting the microfine frozen particles from the refrigerant liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Taiyo Sanso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sekiji Imaike, Takeki Hata, Norio Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 4697428
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for concentrating solutions by partly freezing-out solvent, consisting of a vessel surrounded laterally by an insulated cooling jacket, the vessel comprising a stirring means and a draining aperture at the bottom. The cooling jacket does not extend down to the lowermost portion of the vessel. The lowermost portion of the vessel in which the stirring means and the draining aperture are accommodated, externally comprises, preferably is surrounded by, a heating medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Duphar International Research B.V.
    Inventors: Henri M. Ruijten, Hans De Bree, Peter H. Van Amsterdam
  • Patent number: RE36390
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for the cooling of edible foams, where a cooling or freezing system for pre-freezing of the foam is directly outlet-connected to an aeration system, a motor driven extruder device designed as combined deep freezing and transport device is outlet-connected to the cooling and freezing system, in which the pre-frozen foam can be cooled down to storage temperature, and the aeration device, the cooling or freezing system and the extruder device are connected together by means of pipes. The device of the present invention is characterized in that the extruder device has at least one double screw system with two screws positioned parallel to each other with their rotational axes. The lands of the screws of the double screw system scrape against the inner cylinder mantle surface of the housing surrounding it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventors: Ulrich Fels, deceased, by Elisabeth Fels, legal representative, Erich Windhab, Ralf Hoffmann, Peter von Holdt, Lutz Hahn