Abstract: A spray assembly for a refrigerated display case has inclined bottom plates defining a first chamber below the bottom plates and a spray chamber above the bottom plates. Pressurized water is delivered into the first chamber through a water pipe having a normally closed control valve connected thereto for pressure delivery of water to a spray support pipe which extends from the first chamber into the spray chamber centrally thereof. A spray pipe is mounted on and communicates with the spray support pipe and has a plurality of opposed rows of water outlets for delivering a pattern of pressurized streams of water onto interior surfaces of the case and the undersurfaces of the grates and tubing of the cooling system for washing them down and for successive disposal through a drain pipe depending from the bottom plates.

Abstract: A condiment holder is provided with a top plate which includes a plurality of openings extending along the plate for supporting individual condiment containers within the holder, the plate having formed thereon a layer of frost thereby giving the appearance of the condiments resting in ice. The condiment holder comprises a conventional refrigeration unit which passes refrigerant through refrigerant lines placed underneath and in contact with the top plate adjacent each and every one of the plate openings thereby producing the frost or ice layer along the top surface of the plate and providing a refrigerated storage area below the top plate within the condiment holder to maintain the individual condiments refrigerated. The condiment holder is further provided with a water flush system which comprises a self-draining base placed along the bottom of the holder and a pair of water jets located on one end of the base which flush the base with water or other cleaning fluid which is then drained from the base.

Abstract: The vacuum chamber includes an airtight generally cylindrical wall and a pair of end members. Vacuum pumps in the chamber evacuate the chamber. The chamber is rotated along the longitudinal axis whereby the centrifugal force of the rotating cylindrical wall acts against the force resulting from the pressure differential between the inside of the evaluated chamber and ambient pressure on the outside of the cylindrical wall to prevent the cylindrical wall from collapsing. An inner member is mounted in the chamber, but the chamber rotates with respect to the inner member. In a low temperature embodiment for freeze drying refrigerated air cools the outside of the chamber to reduce the temperature within the chamber. The consensables condense on the inside of the cold cylindrical wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and dispensing a cold product comprises a scraper member operable to scrape a forming wall which is maintained near or below freezing temperature. A substance comprising the product in fluid form is directed to the scraper member and sprayed onto the forming wall during relative movement between the piston member and the wall where it forms a thin layer and the scraper removes the formed product. A cleansing fluid is selectively supplied in one instance to cleanse the apparatus between different substances dispensed, and in another instance, to cleanse and sanitize the apparatus.

Abstract: The interior walls of a refrigerated space below a product support shelf in a refrigerated case are automatically washed and cleaned at intervals.

Abstract: Freezing in streams of cooled air is carried out at two stages, whereof the first one whose purpose consists in superficial preliminary freezing of the product proceeds in a fluidic bed, and the second one consisting in deep freezing proceeds on a grid conveyor. The fresh product fed to the fluidic bed is spread uniformly over its surface. The grate of the fluidic chute is provided with cleaning combs preventing the possibility of the particles of the product freezing to the chute.

Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus for refrigerating an object comprising a cooler and a transfer belt for transferring said object on said cooler, said cooler being contacted with said transfer belt directly or through a slidable layer or powder. Said slidable layer or powder consists of a heat-conducting and slidable substance.

Abstract: A freezing unit is described having plural compartments on upper and lower levels for accommodating air moving means, refrigeration coils and conveyors for receiving and maintaining the articles to be frozen in the unit. The refrigeration coils are disposed in a compartment on the lower level with compartments on either side. The air moving means is disposed over one of the side compartments and the conveyors can be disposed either over the other side compartment, adjacent to it or within it. This arrangement of components permits ease of access and allows plural conveyors to be deployed and used together or alternatively in their respective compartments. Partitions with variable closures are also provided for directing the flow of refrigerated air to the desired compartments.

Abstract: An air cooling apparatus having a cooler including a plurality of fins arranged in substantially parallel relationship with a predetermined spacing therebetween and heat transfer tubes extending through the fins in a plurality of positions in the fins is further provided with at least one defrosting device having a plurality of projecting members of a width slightly smaller than the spacing between the fins which projecting members are each located between the adjacent two fins. The defrosting device is mounted for rotation about the heat transfer tubes and operative to remove frost from the surfaces of the cooler while rotating which frost has been formed during the operation of the air cooler.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for cleaning the icemaker of a beverage dispensing machine having a carbonator in which carbonated water is introduced into the icemaker and into the water feeder tank and is allowed to stand for a period of time sufficient to dissolve or loosen bacterial slime and accumulated lime, after which time the carbonated water is drained and the system is flushed with still water. In one embodiment of the invention the feeder tank and icemaker are drained and carbonated water is introduced. In another embodiment carbon dioxide from the carbonator is introduced directly into the water in the icemaker and water feeder tank.