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 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.

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: 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.

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: A fluid dispensing device includes a valve body defining a longitudinal opening therein, an inlet in flow communication with the longitudinal opening that defines an axis generally transverse to the longitudinal opening, and an outlet defined by a first end of the longitudinal opening. A sealing member is situated within the longitudinal opening, and a valve stem is linearly movable within the longitudinal opening and adapted to seat against the sealing member to control fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet. A nozzle is coupled to the valve body adjacent the outlet and defines an opening therethrough such that fluid can flow from the outlet through the nozzle. An apparatus is situated within the nozzle so as to cause fluid flowing from the outlet through the nozzle to do work.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving the consistency and quality of a frozen carbonated beverage product. The invention utilizes a method of monitoring the level of liquid in the mixing chamber of a frozen carbonated beverage machine to accomplish this result. The method involves measuring the pressure spikes that occur in the mixing chamber. The magnitude of a pressure spike is indicative of the amount of liquid in the mixing chamber. If a pressure spike is too high or too low, that is indicative that there is too much or too little liquid in the mixing chamber. By regulating the amount of liquid in the chamber, the consistency and quality of the beverage product can be maintained. The present invention uses a microprocessor to determine when the spikes are outside of an acceptable predetermined range.

Abstract: An improved refrigerated mixing chamber for the food and beverage industry and associated method of manufacture is provided. The chamber is manufactured from a pre-formed piece of stainless steel that has been cold pressed into shape so that it has no axial welds. The device further includes an outer sleeve that is shrink fitted around the chamber. The sleeve has an advancing helically groove formed on its inside surface. The combination of the helical groove and the outer surface of the chamber forms a helical passageway through which refrigerant flows. The method of manufacture causes the grooves in the outer sleeve to interfere with the outer surface of the chamber such that an advancing helical rib is formed around the chamber. This rib aids in strengthening the chamber.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling the consistency and quality of a frozen carbonated beverage product made by mixing several ingredients including syrup, water and carbon dioxide in a mixing chamber of a frozen carbonated beverage machine. The apparatus includes a process flow block that controls the flow of the ingredients from ingredient supply sources to the mixing chamber. A pair of transducers are also provided for measuring the pressure of carbon dioxide being injected into the mixing chamber and the pressure of the product in the mixing chamber. A central processing unit communicates the measured pressures to an EPROM which employs an algorithm for determining a low set point pressure value and a high set point pressure value based upon the pressure of carbon dioxide being injected into the mixing chamber. A pair of solenoids are also provided which control the supply of the ingredients into the mixing chamber in response to command signals from the central processing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the diameter of an object is disclosed. A rotatable wheel of known diameter capable of movement in three axes is contacted with an object capable of rotation. The wheel is attached to a shaft encoder which produces pulses as the wheel rotates. As the object is rotated, start and end reference marks are sensed and the pulses produced by the shaft encoder are counted. A microprocessor calculates the diameter of the object knowing the wheel diameter and counts per revolution and the counts per revolution of the object. The apparatus can be adapted to measure the internal or external diameter of smooth objects or the internal or external pitch diameter of threaded objects. The apparatus can also use a calibrated object to measure the diameter of a wheel of unknown diameter to allow the wheel to be used in later measurements.

Abstract: A gage and method are disclosed for measuring the inside or outside diameter of a product at a selected distance from the end of the product. The gage has a pair of blocks slidable along a pair of parallel vertical guide rails. Each block has a bearing pad which can be positioned against the end of the product to be measured. An arm extends horizontally from each block and is slidably mounted in an aperture extending through the block. A contact depends vertically from the end of each arm. One contact is mounted on a vertically reciprocable dial indicator plunger. The contacts are first positioned horizontally and vertically using gage blocks which correspond to the specified diameter and distance from the end of the pipe. The gage is then positioned against the end of the product and the contacts are brought into contact with the surface of the product at diametrically opposed points thereon. The dial indicator displays the deviation of the actual diameter from the specified diameter.