Abstract: An air/liquid mix regulator is disclosed for use in a frozen confectionary dessert dispensing machine. The mix regulator regulates the amount of liquid and air entering the freezing chamber of the frozen dessert machine. The regulator has a single aerator tube having both an air inlet passage and a liquid inlet passage which are least partially divided. The aerator tube has different liquid inlet openings at each end so that it is invertible and usable with differing liquid viscosities. The aerator tube is engageable with a base section of the regulator and has a check valve therein to prevent the backflow of aerated mix into the storage chamber to prevent frothing and foaming in the storage hopper. The single check valve is located in an area of the base section that takes advantage of the relatively warmer liquid in the storage hopper to prevent freezing and sticking of the check valve.

Abstract: A frozen comestible freezer with a freezing chamber, a receiving chamber, and a tank of liquid comestible fed to the receiving chamber through an aerator proportioner which provides the correct proportion of liquid comestible and air for the freezing chamber. The aerator proportioner further contains means for isolating pressure exerted by the comestible product in the chamber from the combined pressures exerted by the liquid comestible and atmospheric pressure of air admitted into the receiving chamber, and thereby minimize backflow concerns brought about by pressure imbalance.