公开(公告)号：US06401464B2

公开(公告)日：2002-06-11

申请号：US09938058

申请日：2001-09-17

申请人： Curt D. Jones ,  Stan Jones ,  Thomas G. Timmons

发明人： Curt D. Jones ,  Stan Jones ,  Thomas G. Timmons

IPC分类号： F25D1306

CPC分类号： G07F11/165 ,  A23G9/225 ,  F25B41/067 ,  F25B45/00 ,  F25B2400/18 ,  F25D11/04 ,  F25D25/00 ,  F25D29/00 ,  G07F9/105

摘要： 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.

摘要翻译： 本发明一般涉及一种用于修改自动售货机以提供一种用于在不高于-40摄氏度的温度下储存产品的自动售货机的方法。 本发明的方法包括以下步骤：用具有较高压缩率的不同压缩机代替现有的制冷压缩机，并用更有效的制冷剂代替现有制冷剂。 然后，现有毛细管的长度增加（优选为约21英寸）。 最后，一个新的恒温器能够达到-40摄氏度的设定点。 此外，在优选实施例中，将预先存在的恒温器重新连接到安全开关中，如果温度超过设定点，其可操作以禁止自动售货机分配产品。 还提供了一种新颖的商业方法; 即制作和分发冰淇淋的方法。 根据该方法，制造新颖的冰淇淋产品以呈串珠状和自由流动的形式。 然后，这种冰淇淋产品通过能够保持足够冷的温度的自动售货机运输和分配，以保持冰淇淋产品的串珠和自由流动的形式。

公开(公告)号：US06560973B2

公开(公告)日：2003-05-13

申请号：US10215525

申请日：2002-08-08

申请人： Curt D. Jones ,  Stan Jones ,  Thomas G. Timmons

发明人： Curt D. Jones ,  Stan Jones ,  Thomas G. Timmons

IPC分类号： B65B6308

CPC分类号： G07F11/165 ,  A23G9/225 ,  F25B41/067 ,  F25B45/00 ,  F25B2400/18 ,  F25D11/04 ,  F25D25/00 ,  F25D29/00 ,  G07F9/105

摘要： 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.

公开(公告)号：US06308522B1

公开(公告)日：2001-10-30

申请号：US09596596

申请日：2000-06-19

申请人： Curt D. Jones ,  Stan Jones ,  Thomas G. Timmons

发明人： Curt D. Jones ,  Stan Jones ,  Thomas G. Timmons

IPC分类号： F25B4106

CPC分类号： G07F11/165 ,  A23G9/225 ,  F25B41/067 ,  F25B45/00 ,  F25B2400/18 ,  F25D11/04 ,  F25D25/00 ,  F25D29/00 ,  G07F9/105

摘要： 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.

摘要翻译： 本发明一般涉及一种用于修改自动售货机以提供一种用于在不高于-40摄氏度的温度下储存产品的自动售货机的方法。 本发明的方法包括以下步骤：用具有较高压缩率的不同压缩机代替现有的制冷压缩机，并用更有效的制冷剂代替现有制冷剂。 然后，现有毛细管的长度增加（优选为约21英寸）。 最后，一个新的恒温器能够达到-40摄氏度的设定点。 此外，在优选实施例中，将预先存在的恒温器重新连接到安全开关中，如果温度超过设定点，其可操作以禁止自动售货机分配产品。 还提供了一种新颖的商业方法; 即制作和分发冰淇淋的方法。 根据该方法，制造新颖的冰淇淋产品以呈串珠状和自由流动的形式。 然后，这种冰淇淋产品通过能够保持足够冷的温度的自动售货机运输和分配，以保持冰淇淋产品的串珠和自由流动的形式。

公开(公告)号：US06481226B2

公开(公告)日：2002-11-19

申请号：US09938059

申请日：2001-09-21

申请人： Curt D. Jones ,  Stan Jones ,  Thomas G. Timmons

发明人： Curt D. Jones ,  Stan Jones ,  Thomas G. Timmons

IPC分类号： F25B106

CPC分类号： G07F11/165 ,  A23G9/225 ,  F25B41/067 ,  F25B45/00 ,  F25B2400/18 ,  F25D11/04 ,  F25D25/00 ,  F25D29/00 ,  G07F9/105

摘要： 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.

公开(公告)号：US07316122B1

公开(公告)日：2008-01-08

申请号：US10752073

申请日：2004-01-06

申请人： Curt D. Jones ,  Stan Jones

发明人： Curt D. Jones ,  Stan Jones

IPC分类号： F25C1/12

CPC分类号： A23G1/50 ,  A23G3/50 ,  A23G9/04 ,  A23G9/06 ,  A23G9/163 ,  A23G9/166 ,  A23G9/32 ,  A23G9/44 ,  A23L3/362 ,  A23L3/375

摘要： A tray assembly for use in feeding liquid composition to a freezing chamber is disclosed. The tray has a plurality of projections that are designed to provide regulated discharge of the liquid composition from the tray and to feed the liquid composition into the freezing chamber in uniformly sized drops. The projections area each downwardly disposed in relation to the tray. The tray has a bottom wall with a plurality of orifices, where each orifice is associated with a corresponding projection. These projections are uniform in size and can be formed using computerized welding techniques. An alternate embodiment in which the tray is pressurized is also disclosed.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于将液体组合物送入冷冻室的托盘组件。 托盘具有多个突起，其被设计成从托盘提供液体组合物的稳定排放并且以均匀尺寸的液滴将液体组合物进料到冷冻室中。 所述突起区域各自相对于所述托盘向下设置。 托盘具有具有多个孔的底壁，其中每个孔与相应的突起相关联。 这些突起的尺寸是均匀的，并且可以使用计算机焊接技术形成。 还公开了托盘被加压的替代实施例。

公开(公告)号：US06209329B1

公开(公告)日：2001-04-03

申请号：US09617724

申请日：2000-07-17

申请人： Curt D. Jones ,  Stan Jones

发明人： Curt D. Jones ,  Stan Jones

IPC分类号： F25C100

CPC分类号： A23G9/14 ,  A23C3/045 ,  A23G9/04 ,  A23G9/06 ,  A23G9/16 ,  A23G9/166 ,  A23L3/361 ,  A23L3/375 ,  F25C1/00

摘要： 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.

摘要翻译： 低温处理器包括从输送源接收液体进料组合物的托盘或多个托盘。 与托盘相关联的多个孔口或下列进料组件的孔口或进料滴管的组合被特别地布置并且适于从液体组合物排出均匀尺寸的液滴。 在改进的关键方面，通过文氏管组件或其他部分真空源将进气组件的调节的环境空气流提供给进料组件。 真空组件允许环境空气被拉入低温处理器并且横跨进料组件，防止液体组合物冷冻并积聚在进料组件的流动通道中，从而允许连续形成均匀尺寸的珠粒。 可调节的门入口也被适配和布置为用于控制进入的环境空气的流动以及流出的气态制冷剂的流动的装置。 此外，在空气入口处设置过滤器，使得在将环境空气引入进料盘的区域之前，环境空气被过滤以除去任何微生物污染物。 根据本发明的另一实施例和方面，低温处理器的外部结构包括用于改善处理器的热特性的“真空护套”。 在这方面，处理器的外部结构包括双壁结构。 内部区域是这种双壁结构被抽真空以提供改善的导热性能，从而提高低温处理器的效率。

公开(公告)号：US07147884B2

公开(公告)日：2006-12-12

申请号：US10326253

申请日：2002-12-19

申请人： Curt D. Jones ,  Stan Jones

发明人： Curt D. Jones ,  Stan Jones

IPC分类号： A23G9/04

CPC分类号： A23G9/282 ,  A23G9/48

摘要： A novel frozen product and method for making the same are disclosed, wherein a beaded frozen product is intermixed with conventional ice cream. In this regard, the beaded ice cream (or other frozen produce) may be intermixed with soft-serve ice cream on an individual serving basis, or may be intermixed with ice cream manufactured on a large scale production (e.g., packaged with ice cream conventionally sold in grocery stores). With regard to individual servings, beads of ice cream may be injected at a dispensing nozzle of machine for dispensing soft-serve ice cream. Alternatively, the beaded ice cream may be introduced into a reservoir of soft-serve ice cream and intermixed through a stirring or agitation process. With regard to packaged ice cream, such as that purchased in grocery stores, beaded ice cream may be introduced into a conventional ice cream mix at a stage in the process where the non-beaded ice cream is still flowable such that the beaded ice cream may be stirred or agitated to mix and disperse relatively evenly throughout the ice-cream product. Upon final freezing, the beads of ice cream, which retain their beaded form, will be intermixed and suspended throughout the ice-cream product.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种新型的冷冻产品及其制备方法，其中将串珠冷冻产品与常规冰淇淋混合。 在这方面，串珠冰淇淋（或其他冷冻产品）可以单独服务的方式与软冰淇淋混合，或者可以与大规模生产的冰淇淋混合（例如，与冰淇淋一起包装 在杂货店出售）。 关于个人服务，可以在机器的分配喷嘴处注入冰淇淋珠以分配软冰淇淋。 或者，将串珠冰淇淋引入软冰淇淋的容器中并通过搅拌或搅拌过程混合。 关于包装冰淇淋，例如在杂货店中购买的冰淇淋，串珠冰淇淋可以在非串珠冰淇淋仍然可流动的过程的阶段被引入传统的冰淇淋混合物，使得串珠冰淇淋可以 搅拌或搅拌以相对均匀地混合并分散在整个冰淇淋产品中。 在最终冷冻时，保持其串珠形式的冰淇淋珠将混合并悬浮在整个冰淇淋产品中。

公开(公告)号：US06494049B1

公开(公告)日：2002-12-17

申请号：US09754707

申请日：2001-01-04

申请人： Stan Jones ,  Milford D. Jones ,  Curt D. Jones

发明人： Stan Jones ,  Milford D. Jones ,  Curt D. Jones

IPC分类号： F25C100

CPC分类号： A23G9/44 ,  A23C3/045 ,  A23G9/04 ,  A23G9/06 ,  A23G9/14 ,  A23G9/16 ,  A23G9/166 ,  A23L3/361 ,  A23L3/375 ,  F25C1/00

摘要： A cryogenic processor is provided for liquid feed preparation of a free-flowing frozen product comprising. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the cryogenic processor includes a freezing chamber having a substantially conical shape, at least one feed tray overlying the freezing chamber arranged and adapted to receive liquid composition from a delivery source, the tray having a plurality of orifices for the discharge of uniformly sized droplets of the composition from the feed tray, whereby the droplets are delivered by gravity into the freezing chamber there-below. The cryogenic processor also includes at least one sensor associated with the feed tray for determining a depth of liquid composition in the feed tray, at least one valve associated with a liquid composition delivery line, the valve being configured to control the rate at which liquid composition is delivered from the delivery source to the feed tray, and a controller responsive to the at least one sensor for controlling a position of the valve, and therefore the rate at which liquid composition is delivered from the delivery source to the feed tray.

摘要翻译： 提供一种用于自由流动冷冻产品的液体饲料制备的低温处理器，其包括。 根据本发明的一个方面，低温处理器包括具有基本上圆锥形状的冷冻室，至少一个进料托盘，覆盖冷冻室，其布置并适于从输送源接收液体组合物，该托盘具有多个孔口 用于从进料塔排出组合物的均匀尺寸的液滴，由此液滴通过重力输送到下面的冷冻室中。 所述低温处理器还包括至少一个与所述进料托盘相关联的传感器，用于确定所述进料盘中的液体组成的深度，所述至少一个阀与液体组合物输送管线相关联，所述阀被构造成控制液体组成 从输送源输送到进料托盘，以及控制器，其响应于至少一个传感器来控制阀的位置，并且因此控制液体组合物从输送源输送到进料盘的速率。

公开(公告)号：US5664422A

公开(公告)日：1997-09-09

申请号：US731058

申请日：1996-10-09

申请人： Curt D. Jones

发明人： Curt D. Jones

IPC分类号： A23G9/22 ,  A23C3/04 ,  A23G9/04 ,  A23G9/06 ,  A23G9/32 ,  A23G9/40 ,  A23G9/52 ,  A23L3/36 ,  A23L3/375 ,  F25D17/02

CPC分类号： A23G9/40 ,  A23C3/045 ,  A23G9/04 ,  A23G9/045 ,  A23G9/06 ,  A23G9/52 ,  A23L3/361 ,  A23L3/375 ,  A23G2200/00

摘要： A dropper assembly for feeding liquid composition to a freezing chamber comprises a tray having a plurality of feed elements that are designed to provide regulated discharge of the liquid composition from the tray and to feed the liquid composition into the freezing chamber in uniformly sized drops. The feed elements each comprise a projection that is downwardly disposed in relation to the tray. The tray has a bottom wall with a plurality of orifices, each orifice associated with a corresponding projection. The projection has an inlet opening associated with the corresponding orifice in the tray and an outlet opening where droplets are formed and released. The dimension of the inlet opening is greater than the dimension of the outlet opening. The narrowing taper of the flow channel that extends from the inlet opening to the outlet opening promotes regulated accumulation of liquid composition to facilitate regulated discharge and formation of uniformly sized droplets. An inventive method is also provided for feeding liquid composition to a freezing chamber to form uniformly sized beads of frozen product. The inventive method utilizes the novel dropper assembly.

摘要翻译： 用于将液体组合物供给到冷冻室的滴管组件包括具有多个进料元件的托盘，所述进料元件被设计成提供来自托盘的液体组合物的调节排放并且以均匀尺寸的液滴将液体组合物进料到冷冻室中。 进给元件各自包括相对于托盘向下设置的突起。 托盘具有带有多个孔的底壁，每个孔与相应的突起相关联。 突起具有与托盘中的对应孔口相关联的入口开口和形成并释放液滴的出口。 入口的尺寸大于出口的尺寸。 从入口开口延伸到出口开口的流动通道的变窄的锥度促进液体组合物的调节的积聚，以促进调节的排放和形成均匀尺寸的液滴。 还提供了一种本发明的方法用于将液体组合物供入冷冻室以形成均匀尺寸的冷冻产品珠粒。 本发明的方法利用新颖的滴管组件。

公开(公告)号：US20110076378A1

公开(公告)日：2011-03-31

申请号：US12807975

申请日：2010-09-17

申请人： Curt D. Jones ,  Robert Lynn

发明人： Curt D. Jones ,  Robert Lynn

IPC分类号： A23L2/38 ,  A23L3/36 ,  A23P1/00 ,  A23L2/52

CPC分类号： A23L2/56 ,  A23G9/06 ,  A23G9/14 ,  A23G9/44 ,  A23L2/385 ,  A23L3/375

摘要： An apparatus and method of flash freezing an energy beverage 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 and then reconstituted into a beverage base as needed. In particular, a warm or cold beverage may be easily and affordably created using the frozen beads.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种将能量饮料液体快速冷冻成小珠粒，然后将消费者包装珠粒的装置和方法。 将珠子储存在常规冷冻器中或较冷的条件下，直到需要，然后根据需要重新配制成饮料基料。 特别地，使用冷冻珠可以容易且经济地制造温或冷饮料。