Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for preparing a cooled food product, comprising: a receiving seat (1), for accommodating an essentially cup-shaped container, comprising a heat exchange element (1a) having a heat exchange contact surface (21) arranged to be in contact with an outer surface of a side wall (8d) of the container when the container is placed in the machine, and a stirring unit (5) connectable to a stirring member (9) and arranged for driving the stirring member (9) according to a combination of movements, wherein at least one of the combination of movements has a component directed towards the interior of the container when placed in the receiving seat (1). The method further relates to a system comprising the machine and a container and a method of preparation.

Abstract: A method actuates a pumping device that has an optimal driving voltage. The pumping device includes a pumping chamber that has a pumping membrane, an inlet and an outlet chamber, a voltage controlled actuator connected to the pumping membrane, a stop position defined by a mechanical stop, and a sensor for determining whether the pumping membrane has reached the mechanical stop. The method performs a learning and working phase. The learning phase is adapted to determine the optimal driving voltage.

Abstract: The invention relates to machine for preparing frozen confectionery comprising receiving means (1) forming a seat for accommodating an essentially cup-shaped container (8), said receiving means comprising an heat exchange element (1a) having a heat exchange contact surface arranged to be in contact with an heat exchange portion (12) of the container (8) when the container is placed in the machine; wherein said heat exchange element(1a) has an inverted conical or curved shape or a plurality of inverted conical sections, or a combination of curved and inverted conical sections. The confectionery produced can be a frozen product such as soft ice or a chilled dessert such as mousse or whipped yogurt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a beverage machine with at least three distinct zones 1, 3, 4. A first zone 1 for storing a liquid or semi-liquid product at ambient temperature, a second zone 3 for processing the stored product, in particular for cooling the product to a predetermined serving temperature, and a third zone 4 for storing the cooled product and maintaining it at the predetermined serving temperature. From the third zone 4 an iced beverage can be dispensed.

Abstract: A method for actuating a pumping device with an optimal driving voltage, wherein the pumping device comprises a pumping chamber (4) having a pumping membrane (1), an inlet (3) and an outlet chamber (5), a voltage controlled actuator (6) connected to said pumping membrane (1), said pumping membrane reaching a stop position defined by a mechanical stop (2) a sensor for determining whether the pumping membrane has reached said mechanical stop (2); said method comprising a learning and working phase, wherein the learning phase comprises the following steps actuation of the pumping membrane (1) by applying a predetermined actuation voltage Vact to the actuator (6) said pumping membrane (1) reaching said position in an over-actuation step or not reaching said mechanical stop (2) position in an under-actuation process; after the over-actuation step, decreasing the voltage so that the pumping membrane (1) has left said mechanical stop (2) position and storing as the optimal voltage Vact optimal or in the under-actuat