Abstract: A split system ice-maker having a main unit, which houses the ice-making evaporators, and a remote unit, which houses an accumulator, a compressor and a condenser. At least two refrigeration lines are provided which connect the main unit to the remote unit. A four-way valve is located in the remote unit which directs the flow of refrigerant from the compressor to the condenser and then to the evaporator, during an ice-making mode, and additionally directs the flow of refrigerant directly to the evaporators during a harvest mode. The reversed flow in harvest mode briefly defrosts the evaporators, containing the ice-making grid, facilitating harvesting of the ice.

Abstract: A refrigeration evaporator comprising an enclosure having a closed top and bottom, enclosing a separator plate, lower baffle, and an upper baffle in the enclosure and spaced from one another to define a hot gas chamber, a refrigerant inlet area, a freezing chamber and a refrigerant outlet area. The evaporator is adapted to be connected to a refrigeration circuit having a freezing cycle and a harvest cycle wherein cold liquid refrigerant is directed into the freezing chamber during the freezing cycle, but prevented from entering the hot gas chamber; and hot gas is directed into the hot gas chamber and then into the freezing chamber during the harvest cycle. Water pipes extend vertically through the evaporator and through holes in the upper and lower baffles.

Abstract: An auger type ice flaking machine has an evaporator section defined in part by a vertically oriented flaker barrel with closed upper and lower ends, and a knurled longitudinally intermediate exterior side surface positioned within an annular hollow jacket structure externally and coaxially mounted on the barrel and having an outlet opening positioned adjacent its upper end and communicating with the accumulator portion of an associated refrigeration circuit. Spirally wrapped tightly around the knurled surface is a coiled length of refrigerant tubing having an open lower end, and an upper end connected to the outlet of the expansion valve portion of the refrigeration circuit, adjacent coils of the tubing being longitudinally spaced apart. During operation of the machine, refrigerant is flowed downwardly through the tubing, into the jacket interior, and then upwardly through the jacket and outwardly through its outlet opening.

Abstract: An auger type ice flaking machine has an evaporator section defined in part by a vertically oriented flaker barrel with closed upper and lower ends, and a knurled longitudinally intermediate exterior side surface positioned within an annular hollow jacket structure externally and coaxially mounted on the barrel and having an outlet opening positioned adjacent its upper end and communicating with the accumulator portion of an associated refrigeration circuit. Spirally wrapped tightly around the knurled surface is a coiled length of refrigerant tubing having an open lower end, and an upper end connected to the outlet of the expansion valve portion of the refrigeration circuit, adjacent coils of the tubing being longitudinally spaced apart. During operation of the machine, refrigerant is flowed downwardly through the tubing, into the jacket interior, and then upwardly through the jacket and outwardly through its outlet opening.

Abstract: A soft-serve freezer operates in a first mode, with both the auger and compressor operating, and a second energy saving mode in which only the refrigeration compressor operates. The control circuit monitors the power level to the auger to control the consistency of the mix. When the mix achieves a selected consistency, the auger discontinues its mixing function. Signal lights are provided to indicate when it is necessary to actuate the auger to obtain the desired consistency prior to dispensing the product and indicate that the mix has achieved the desired consistency.

Abstract: A comestible freezer has a freezing barrel with a cold wall, an input end and an output end and a feeder therewithin having a ribbon auger flight helix and a stationary blending bar within the helix. A portion of the ribbon auger flight helix has an outward twist or skew diverging from a radial plane through the axis of the helix and outwardly toward the barrel wall whereby to exert a component of thrust on the comestible toward the cold wall. A portion of the ribbon also has an inward twist or skew diverging from the radial plane and inwardly toward the blending bar whereby to exert a component of thrust on the comestible toward the bar.

Abstract: A frozen comestible freezer has a freezing chamber, a receiving chamber, and a tank of liquid comestible which is fed to the receiving chamber through an aerator proportioner which provides the correct proportion of liquid comestible and air for the aerator. The aerator proportioner has a feed tube solely for liquid comestible and an air tube solely for air. The tubes are mounted on a multi-level plug in the passage between the tank and the receiving chamber. The plug has a high level portion and a low level portion. The air tube extends through the high level portion of the plug and the liquid comestible feeding tube extends downwardly from the low level portion of the plug. A finger grip is provided on the high level portion of the plug. The low level portion of the plug constitutes a liquid comestible sump.

Abstract: The freezing chamber of a frozen or semi-frozen confection freezer has a mixing rotor having a shaft which extends through an opening in a wall. The seal between the shaft and wall comprises an elastomeric cup having a rim engaged with the wall about said opening. The cup has a hub engaged with the shaft and a yieldable skirt between the hub and the rim. The hub has a socket which receives a metal ring with an oblique wear surface. An O-ring is engaged between a fillet on the shaft and the oblique wear surface on the ring whereby the cup is self-centering with respect to the shaft, notwithstanding any tendency of the shaft to nutate.

Abstract: A soft-serve freezer operates in a first mode, with both the auger and compressor operating, and a second energy saving mode in which only the refrigeration compressor operates. The control circuit monitors the power level to the auger to control the consistency of the mix. When the mix achieves a selected consistency, the auger discontinues its mixing function. Signal lights are provided to indicate when it is necessary to actuate the auger to obtain the desired consistency prior to dispensing the product and indicate that the mix has achieved the desired consistency.