Abstract:
An apparatus and method for making particulate ice cream with a freezing point sufficient for use within a typical retail grocery or home freezing environment is disclosed.
Abstract:
The cryogenic processor comprises a tray or multiple trays that receives liquid feed composition from a delivery source. A plurality of orifices or combination of orifices and feed droppers, hereinafter feed assembly, associated with the tray are specifically arranged and adapted for discharging uniformly sized droplets of the liquid composition from the tray. In a key aspect of the improvement, a regulated flow of ambient air is provided to the feed assembly by a venturi assembly or other source of partial vacuum. The vacuum assembly allows ambient air to be pulled into the cryogenic processor and across the feed assembly which prevents liquid composition from freezing and accumulating in the flow channels of the feed assembly, thus allowing continuous formation of uniformly sized beads. Adjustable door inlets are also adapted and arranged as a means to control the flow of incoming ambient air, as well as the flow of outgoing gaseous refrigerant. Further, a filter is provided at the air inlet so that the ambient air is filtered to remove any microbiological contaminants before introducing the ambient air to the region of the feed tray. In accordance with another embodiment and aspect of the present invention, the outer structure of the cryogenic processor includes a “vacuum jacket” to improve the thermal characteristics of the processor. In this regard, the outer structure of the processor includes a double wall structure. The inner region is this double wall structure is evacuated to provide improved thermal conductivity properties, and thereby improves the efficiency of the cryogenic processor.
Abstract:
A method of preparing and storing a free-flowing frozen supplementary product, including preparing a supplementary composition for freezing, dripping the supplementary composition into a freezing chamber, freezing the dripped supplementary composition into beads, and transporting the frozen beads by conveyor belt out of the freezing chamber.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a composition comprising a powder coated particulate ice cream product, wherein the particulate ice cream product is cryogenically formed. The particulate ice cream product may further comprise a plurality of coatings including one or more powder coatings. The present invention further relates to methods for coating these cryogenically frozen ice cream particles.
Abstract:
A method for producing clumped frozen food products includes the steps of forming a plurality of cryogenically manufactured ice cream units; conveying the units along a conveyor to a rotating container; disposing a liquid on the units while the units are within the rotating container, wherein the liquid hardens into a binder that facilitates fusion of individual units with one another to form a plurality of clumps, each of the clumps respectively comprising a plurality of fused units coupled with the binder. After forming into clumps, the clumps may be removed from the rotating container and stored in a frozen form.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method of flash freezing a whey-based liquid into small beads and then packaging the beads for consumers is disclosed. The beads are stored in a conventional freezer, or colder, until desired. The beads can be consumed in their frozen form to provide a convenient source of protein or can be reconstituted into a beverage base as needed. In particular, a warm or cold beverage may be easily and affordably created using the frozen beads.
Abstract:
Particulate frozen food products exhibiting properties that allow the particles to remain free-flowing when stored in a typical retail grocery or home freezing environment are disclosed. Preferred embodiments include dairy-based products.
Abstract:
Particulate frozen food products exhibiting properties that allow the particles to remain free-flowing when stored in a typical retail grocery or home freezing environment are disclosed. Preferred embodiments include dairy-based products.
Abstract:
The present invention is generally directed to a method for modifying a vending machine to provide a vending machine for storing product at a temperature no greater than −40 degrees Celsius. The method of the invention includes the steps of replacing an existing refrigeration compressor with a different compressor having a higher compression and replacing an existing refrigerant with a more efficient refrigerant. Then, the length of an existing capillary tube was increased (preferably to approximately 21 inches). Finally, a new thermostat capable of achieving a −40 Celsius set point. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the pre-existing thermostat was rewired into a safety switch, which is operable to disable the vending machine from dispensing product if the temperature exceeds the set point. A novel business method is also provided; namely a method of manufacturing and distributing ice cream. In accordance with this method, a novelty ice cream product is manufactured to take on a beaded and free-flowing form. This ice cream product is then shipped and distributed through vending machines capable of maintaining temperatures sufficiently cold to preserve the beaded and free-flowing form of the ice cream product.
Abstract:
A propane gas delivery system having a large storage tank, a supply conduit to deliver propane gas, a first regulator and a second regulator to reduce pressure, where a secondary containment tank is provided to receive and retain any liquid propane which enters the supply conduit, whether due to overfilling of the main tank or condensation within the supply conduit, and which allows the liquid propane to reconvert into the gas phase. A float valve is provided in the outflow conduit of the secondary tank to prevent flow of liquid propane from the secondary tank in the event the amount of liquid trapped by the secondary tank exceeds its retention capacity.