Abstract: A container for product to be dispensed takes the form a body defining a compartment for storing frozen confection such as ice cream and sorbet, and a receptacle releasably coupled with the body. The body has a lower region with an outlet through which the frozen confection to be dispensed from the compartment. The receptacle defines an open chamber, when decoupled from the container, for receiving frozen confection dispensed through said outlet. An external profile of the body is configured to nest with internal profile of the receptacle, with the outlet of the body covered by the receptacle when the receptacle is releasably coupled with the body. An internal surface of the receptacle is configured to engage an external surface of the body, for releasably coupling the receptacle with the body.

Abstract: This invention relates to containers of the kind having an outlet through which product is to be dispensed, e.g. food product. There is provided a container for product to be dispensed. The container has an upper part intended to move or deform in order to reduce the volume within the container. The container has an outlet intended to open during movement or deformation of said upper part. The outlet comprises a plurality of movable parts. The outlet further comprises a plurality of fixed parts located between said movable parts. The movable and fixed parts are arranged for shaping product as it is dispensed from the container through the outlet. A method of dispensing and a vending machine for dispensing portions of ice cream or other frozen product from the container are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to containers of the kind having an outlet through which product is to be dispensed, e.g. food product. There is provided a container for product to be dispensed. The container has an upper part intended to move or deform in order to reduce the volume within the container. The container has an outlet intended to open during movement or deformation of said upper part. The outlet comprises a plurality of movable parts. The outlet further comprises a plurality of fixed parts located between said movable parts. The movable and fixed parts are arranged for shaping product as it is dispensed from the container through the outlet. A method of dispensing and a vending machine for dispensing portions of ice cream or other frozen product from the container are also provided.

Abstract: Individual portions of ice cream are dispensed from a bulk container. A motor drives a lead screw, to expand a scissor linkage and drive a dispensing head against the bulk container. Pressure applied to the container causes it to collapse and discharge ice cream from an outlet. The lead screw is orthogonal with the movement of the dispensing head and the axis of collapse of the container. The container, motor and lead screw are carried on a drawer which is slidably mounted in a refrigerated housing. Pressure is monitored to regulate operation of the motor. An encoder controls the motor for a specific portion size.

Abstract: Individual portions of ice cream are dispensed from a bulk container. A motor drives a lead screw, to expand a scissor linkage and drive a dispensing head against the bulk container. Pressure applied to the container causes it to collapse and discharge ice cream from an outlet. The lead screw is orthogonal with the movement of the dispensing head and the axis of collapse of the container. The container, motor and lead screw are carried on a drawer which is slidably mounted in a refrigerated housing. Pressure is monitored to regulate operation of the motor. An encoder controls the motor for a specific portion size.

Abstract: Individual portions of ice cream are dispensed from a bulk container. A motor drives a lead screw, to expand a scissor linkage and drive a dispensing head against the bulk container. Pressure applied to the container causes it to collapse and discharge ice cream from an outlet. The lead screw is orthogonal with the movement of the dispensing head and the axis of collapse of the container. The container, motor and lead screw are carried on a drawer which is slidably mounted in a refrigerated housing. Pressure is monitored to regulate operation of the motor. An encoder controls the motor for a specific portion size.

Abstract: This invention relates to containers of the kind having an outlet through which product is to be dispensed, e.g. food product. There is provided a container for product to be dispensed. The container has an upper part intended to move or deform in order to reduce the volume within the container. The container has an outlet intended to open during movement or deformation of said upper part. The outlet comprises a plurality of movable parts. The outlet further comprises a plurality of fixed parts located between said movable parts. The movable and fixed parts are arranged for shaping product as it is dispensed from the container through the outlet. A method of dispensing and a vending machine for dispensing portions of ice cream or other frozen product from the container are also provided.

Abstract: A sealing assembly includes a container and a sealing mechanism for the container. The container body has an out-turned lip provided at an open end that surrounds a perimeter thereof. The sealing mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion has a bearing surface supporting the underside of the out-turned lip. The second portion is fitted over the open end of the container and includes an abutment surface in abutment with the upperside of the out-turned lip. The second portion has a blending impeller for use in blending product within the container. The first and second portions are united to clamp the out-turned lip of the body between the first portion and the second portion and thereby seal product within the container.

Abstract: A method of preparing a blended food product includes the steps of: introducing a composition of food product(s) into a container, providing a closure for the container, the closure carrying an impeller; inverting the container so that the closure with its blending element lies lowermost; and driving the blending element to blend the composition to form a blended food product. Prior to blending, the container is mounted in a holder and clamped in place between the closure and the holder, to prevent leakage during blending. The holder may be in the form of a sleeve. A drive master is also provided for use with two sets of blending lids.

Abstract: Individual portions of ice cream are dispensed from a bulk container. A motor drives a lead screw, to expand a scissor linkage and drive a dispensing head against the bulk container. Pressure applied to the container causes it to collapse and discharge ice cream from an outlet. The lead screw is orthogonal with the movement of the dispensing head and the axis of collapse of the container. The container, motor and lead screw are carried on a drawer which is slidably mounted in a refrigerated housing. Pressure is monitored to regulate operation of the motor. An encoder controls the motor for a specific portion size.

Abstract: Individual portions of ice cream are dispensed from a bulk container. A motor drives a lead screw, to expand a scissor linkage and drive a dispensing head against the bulk container. Pressure applied to the container causes it to collapse and discharge ice cream from an outlet. The lead screw is orthogonal with the movement of the dispensing head and the axis of collapse of the container. The container, motor and lead screw are carried on a drawer which is slidably mounted in a refrigerated housing. Pressure is monitored to regulate operation of the motor. An encoder controls the motor for a specific portion size.

Abstract: Individual portions of ice cream are dispensed from a bulk container. A motor drives a lead screw, to expand a scissor linkage and drive a dispensing head against the bulk container. Pressure applied to the container causes it to collapse and discharge ice cream from an outlet. The lead screw is orthogonal with the movement of the dispensing head and the axis of collapse of the container. The container, motor and lead screw are carried on a drawer which is slidably mounted in a refrigerated housing. Pressure is monitored to regulate operation of the motor. An encoder controls the motor for a specific portion size.

Abstract: Individual portions of ice cream are dispensed from a bulk container. A motor drives a lead screw, to expand a scissor linkage and drive a dispensing head against the bulk container. Pressure applied to the container causes it to collapse and discharge ice cream from an outlet. The lead screw is orthogonal with the movement of the dispensing head and the axis of collapse of the container. The container, motor and lead screw are carried on a drawer which is slidably mounted in a refrigerated housing. Pressure is monitored to regulate operation of the motor. An encoder controls the motor for a specific portion size.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing ice cream includes a seating for a container and a plunger for extruding product from the container. An actuator controls movement of the plunger between retracted and extended positions. An output member of the actuator moves from an extended position to a retracted position to drive the plunger to its extended position, for a dispensing operation. The output member is arranged for upward movement to move the plunger to its retracted position. The output member and plunger have respective axes of movement which are off set from one another, one behind the other. The actuator is arranged in a housing and the plunger is located at a height generally above the actuator.

Abstract: The invention provides mixing apparatus which has a container base and a container lid with the lid carrying mixing means extending through the lid with at one end a mixing element and at the other end a drive connection to a drive motor. When the drive is operated the mixing element mixes the contents of the container, usually when the container inverted. The lid has a rim portion with a circumferential slot and the top edge of the container is located into the slot when the lid is assembled with the container whereby to improve connection between the lid and the container during mixing. The lid within the rim portion carries the mixing means and, during mixing, the assembly is held to lock the assembly together.

Abstract: A frozen or semi-frozen ingredient is pre-packed in a drinks vessel at a packing location. The pre-packed drinks vessel is then transported to a dispensing location remote from said packing location. Liquid is poured into the drinks vessel at said dispensing location and blended with the frozen or semi-frozen ingredient. The drinks vessel defines a chamber in which the frozen or semi-frozen ingredient is packed at the packing location, the chamber having a base and a side wall extending up from the base. The frozen or semi-frozen ingredient is packed in said chamber in such a manner as to define a spacing between said frozen or semi-frozen ingredient and said side wall, into which the liquid ingredient may flow when added at the dispensing location.

Abstract: The invention provides mixing apparatus which has a container base and a container lid with the lid carrying mixing means extending through the lid with at one end a mixing element and at the other end a drive connection to a drive motor. When the drive is operated the mixing element mixes the contents of the container, usually when the container inverted. The lid has a rim portion with a circumferential slot and the top edge of the container is located into the slot when the lid is assembled with the container whereby to improve connection between the lid and the container during mixing. The lid within the rim portion carries the mixing means and, during mixing, the assembly is held to lock the assembly together.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus has a container base and a container lid with the lid carrying a mixing mechanism extending through the lid. The mixing mechanism includes at one end a mixing element and at the other end a drive connection to a drive motor. When the drive is operated, the mixing element mixes the contents of the container, usually with the container inverted. The lid has a rim portion with a circumferential slot, and the top edge of the container is located in the slot when the lid is assembled with the container to improve the connection between the lid and the container during mixing. The lid within the rim portion carries the mixing mechanism and during mixing, the assembly is held to lock the assembly together.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is primarily intended for dispensing product from product containers by extrusion. In controlling discharge of product a flexible tube is connected to the container outlet and the tube is engageable with drive means for deforming the tube and controlling product discharged along the tube to an outlet nozzle. Usually there will be valves towards the entry and exit of the flexible tube and the drive means engages the tube between the spaced positions.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is primarily intended for dispensing product from product containers by extrusion. In controlling discharge of product a flexible tube is connected to the container outlet and the tube is engageable with drive means for deforming the tube and controlling product discharged along the tube to an outlet nozzle. Usually there will be valves towards the entry and exit of the flexible tube and the drive means engages the tube between the spaced positions.