Abstract: A microchannel freezing cylinder assembly is disclosed that includes an inner cylinder located within an outer cylinder. Multiple grooves are located on the exterior of the inner cylinder that form multiple microchannels when the inner cylinder is located within the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder includes an inlet header and a distribution header, with multiple orifices located in a ridge between the inlet header and distribution header. The distribution header is in fluid communication with the microchannels.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an inner tube extending longitudinally along a central axis and having an inner surface bounding a product chamber and an outer surface having a plurality of channels disposed at circumferentially spaced intervals in alternating relationship with a plurality of fins about the circumference of the outer surface of the inner tube; and a longitudinally extending outer tube disposed coaxially about and circumscribing the inner tube in radially spaced relationship, the outer tube having an inner surface contacting the plurality of fins of the inner cylinder, the outer surface being welded to the fins at a plurality of weld locations.

Abstract: A microchannel freezing cylinder assembly is disclosed that includes an inner cylinder located within an outer cylinder. Multiple grooves are located on the exterior of the inner cylinder that form multiple microchannels when the inner cylinder is located within the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder includes an inlet header and a distribution header, with multiple orifices located in a ridge between the inlet header and distribution header. The distribution header is in fluid communication with the microchannels.

Abstract: A method of performing a heat treatment cycle on a volume of product in a frozen food dispensing machine includes disconnecting a product storage portion of the machine from a freezing portion and a dispensing portion of the machine, defining a heat treatment circuit including the freezing portion and the dispensing portion of the machine, maintaining a first volume of product at the product storage portion at a product storage temperature and performing a heat treatment cycle on a second volume of product disposed in the heat treatment circuit at a heat treatment temperature greater than the product storage temperature.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an inner tube extending longitudinally along a central axis and having an inner surface bounding a product chamber and an outer surface having a plurality of channels disposed at circumferentially spaced intervals in alternating relationship with a plurality of fins about the circumference of the outer surface of the inner tube; and a longitudinally extending outer tube disposed coaxially about and circumscribing the inner tube in radially spaced relationship, the outer tube having an inner surface contacting the plurality of fins of the inner cylinder, the outer surface being welded to the fins at a plurality of weld locations.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an inner tube extending longitudinally along a central axis and having an inner surface bounding a product chamber and an outer surface having a plurality of channels disposed at circumferentially spaced intervals in alternating relationship with a plurality of fins about the circumference of the outer surface of the inner tube; and a longitudinally extending outer tube disposed coaxially about and circumscribing the inner tube in radially spaced relationship, the outer tube having an inner surface contacting the plurality of fins of the inner cylinder, the outer surface being welded to the fins at a plurality of weld locations.

Abstract: A frozen product dispensing apparatus (20) comprises a refrigeration system (50) and a freezing cylinder (52). A source (42) of the product or precursors of the product is coupled to an inlet (124) of the freezing cylinder. An outlet valve (38) has an open condition for discharging product from the freezing cylinder. A beater assembly (53) is within the freezing cylinder and has an axis (502) and an outer helical member (152). A motor (62) is coupled to the beater assembly for driving rotation of the beater assembly about the axis so that when driving said rotation in a first direction (530), the outer helical member drives product (540) toward the outlet valve. The beater further comprises an inner helical member (200; 300; 400) within the outer helical member.

Abstract: A frozen food dispensing machine includes a refrigerated first zone including a product storage chamber. A second zone is operably connected to the first zone for flowing product from the first zone. A third zone is configured to receive a flow of product from the second zone, freeze the flow of product and dispense the flow of product. The first zone, the second zone and the third zone are isolatable from each other.

Abstract: A frozen food dispensing machine includes a refrigerated first zone including a product storage chamber. A second zone is operably connected to the first zone for flowing product from the first zone. A third zone is configured to receive a flow of product from the second zone, freeze the flow of product and dispense the flow of product. The first zone, the second zone and the third zone are isolatable from each other.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an inner tube extending longitudinally along a central axis and having an inner surface bounding a product chamber and an outer surface having a plurality of channels disposed at circumferentially spaced intervals in alternating relationship with a plurality of fins about the circumference of the outer surface of the inner tube; and a longitudinally extending outer tube disposed coaxially about and circumscribing the inner tube in radially spaced relationship, the outer tube having an inner surface contacting the plurality of fins of the inner cylinder, the outer surface being welded to the fins at a plurality of weld locations.

Abstract: A dispenser (20) for consumable products uses a single motor (40) to both drive a spinner (75) to mix the product and move a valve assembly (42) to open and close the dispenser (20). The valve assembly (42), which is axially aligned with the motor shaft (44) may be opened and closed by fixing an externally threaded shaft (46) on a drive shaft (44) extending from the motor (40) and then rotatably mounting an internally threaded flywheel (50) on the threaded shaft (46). A valve stem (64) may then be fixedly attached to the flywheel (50). When the motor (40) energizes, the flywheel (50) and valve stem (64) axially translate along the nut (46) to open the valve assembly (42). When the motor (40) de-energizes, the flywheel (50) and valve stem (64) axially translate along the nut (46) in an opposite direction to close the valve assembly (42).

Abstract: A system using waste heat of a refrigeration unit to heat a food product, having a heating loop connected to a refrigeration unit between the compressor and the condenser, and configured to allow refrigerant to enter the heating loop to transfer heat to a food product.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is provided for dispensing a semi-frozen product, such as a semi-frozen comestible or a semi-frozen drink. The dispensing apparatus has at least one freezing barrel defining a freezing chamber. The freezing barrel includes a longitudinally extending inner cylinder and an evaporator disposed about at least a portion of an outer surface of said inner cylinder. The evaporator includes a plurality of channels disposed about the outer surface of the inner cylinder. Each channel defines a heat exchange fluid flow passage through which refrigerant may pass in heat exchange relationship with product in the freezing chamber.

Abstract: A semi-frozen product dispenser (10 or 200) is provided for at least partially freezing and dispensing a product. The product dispenser may include at least one freezing barrel (20-1) defining a freezing chamber (C1) configured to receive the product. A refrigeration system (60 or 260) is provided for at least partially freezing product in the freezing chamber (C1). A fluid heating system (80 or 280) is also provided to remove heat from the refrigeration system (60 or 260) and use it in an auxiliary system, such as a water pre-heating system. The fluid heating system (80 or 280) may include a fluid heat exchanger (102) disposed in a high pressure refrigerant line (67 or 267), a fluid tank (82 or 282), and a fluid pump (96). Fluid may be continuously circulated through the fluid heat exchanger (102 or 302) when the refrigeration system is operated, thereby to continuously provide refrigerant cooling and fluid warming.

Abstract: A dispenser (20) for consumable products is disclosed. The dispenser (20) uses a single motor (40) to both drive a spinner (75) to mix the product and move a valve assembly (42) to open and close the dispenser (20). The valve assembly (42) is axially aligned with the motor shaft (44) to avoid any undesirable moments associated with prior art offset valve actuators. The valve assembly (42) may be opened and closed by fixing an externally threaded shaft (46) on a drive shaft (44) extending from the motor (40) and then rotatably mounting an internally threaded flywheel (50) on the threaded shaft (46). A valve stem (64) may then be fixedly attached to the flywheel (50). When the motor (40) energizes, the inertia of the flywheel (50) causes it to accelerate more slowly than the nut (46), thus causing the flywheel (50) and valve stem (64) to axially translate along the nut (46) to open the valve assembly (42).

Abstract: A method for heating and cooling a consumable product disposed in a product container includes the steps of: (i) heating the consumable product to a first temperature by transferring heat from ambient air to refrigerant through a liquid-to-air heat exchanger; and (ii) heating the consumable product to a second temperature without transferring heat from the ambient air to the refrigerant through the liquid-to-air heat exchanger; wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature.