Abstract: A system for dispensing fluid for a food product includes a valve-less fluid block including one or more internal air passages defined within its interior with each air passage configured to operatively couple with an air source. The block includes one or more internal dispensing passages defined within the block interior. Each dispensing passage is configured to operatively couple with a flow channel. The flow channel is disposed external to the block and is configured to operatively couple with a fluid source. The dispensing passages are disposed and further configured in fluid communication with the air passages within the interior of the block and place the flow channels in fluid communication with the air passages. A port is defined in the block and is adapted to dispense fluid from the interior of the block.

Abstract: A system for dispensing with a valve-less block including internal air passages coupled with an air source and internal dispensing passages coupled with a flow channel. The flow channel is disposed external to the block and couples with a fluid source. The dispensing passages are further configured in fluid communication with the air passages and place the flow channels in fluid communication with the air passages. A port is defined in the block to dispense fluid from the block. At least one sensor is coupled with each flow channel and indicates the presence of at least one of air and fluid in the flow channel. The detection of air or fluid ensures a location of a flow front of a fluid residing in the flow channel, and ensures the presence of an air gap that serves as a check valve to prevent mixing of fluids and to prevent backflow.

Abstract: An apparatus for a frozen food product, such as an ice cream or frozen-yoghurt product, produces an aerated and flavored base mix. The base mix is provided in a liquid form to the apparatus and is mixed with a gas in the apparatus to aerate the base mix. Flavor is added to the aerated base mix in a turbulence tube of the apparatus, and the aerated and flavored base mix is then deposited out of the turbulence tube onto a cold plate of the apparatus as a thin layer material. The cold plate may be disposed such that it is in open view of a customer. One or more solid-food mix-in additives can be added to the aerated and flavored base mix on the cold plate. The aerated and flavored base mix is allowed to at least partially freeze on the cold plate with the additive(s) dispersed therein to produce a frozen food product, which is then manually scraped from the cold plate and served to a customer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing and dispensing aerated and/or blended products, such as food products.