Abstract:
A method for displaying and selling frozen edible products from an insulated container equipped with passive cooling means is provided, the method comprising placing frozen edible products which contain particles of ice or other frozen material having a size of from 0.5mm to 10mm in an insulated container which is situated at a point of sale in an ambient temperature environment.
Abstract:
An apparatus for making and dispensing frozen aerated products includes a rotating horizontal freeze plate with an upper surface for receiving a chilled aerated mix. The horizontal freeze plate rotates about its central axis. The apparatus further includes a scraper for scraping frozen aerated mix off of the rotating freeze plate. The scraper includes a scraper blade with a leading edge that extends radially across the portion of the freeze plate and that engages the upper surface of the freeze plate. The scraper blade is directed opposite the direction of rotation of the freeze plate. The scraper further includes a body that forms an elongated semi-cylindrical channel above the scraper blade that extends radially above the freeze plate for the collection of scraped, frozen and aerated mix. The apparatus also includes a plow for pushing the scraped, frozen and aerated mix through the channel towards a cup held by a cup-lifter mechanism disposed at an end of the channel.
Abstract:
The present device for dispensing beverage cans is mounted in a refrigerator (10) whose front door (11) is provided with a dispensing opening (12) and comprises: a chute (20) disposed in the interior of the refrigerator (10) to lodge a plurality of beverage cans (30); a dispensing porthole (40) externally carrying a cradle (50) and being inferiorly and horizontally articulated to the front door (11), to be displaced between a closed position, blocking the dispensing opening (12), and an open position, projecting inclinedly to the interior of the refrigerator (10); and an extracting lever (60) medianly and horizontally articulated internally to the refrigerator to be displaced, by the porthole (40), from a non-operative position to an operative position, in which it releases the first beverage can (30) of the chute (20), gravitationally rolling said can over the dispensing porthole (40) towards the cradle (50).
Abstract:
A frozen confectionary vending machine 10 employs robotics 16 and other features to provide a customized frozen confectionary product, with or without toppings, in an entertaining environment. At least portions of the vending machine interior 20 are visible to customers as the machine 10 assemblies a frozen confectionary product according to specifications selected by the customer. A robotic arm 16 moves a product receptacle 108 between various dispensing stations 11, 13, 15 that dispense measured amounts of a frozen confectionary and one or more optional toppings into the receptacle 108. After assembly, the product is moved by the robotic arm 16 to a product delivery port 120 that provides customer assess to the product in a sanitary manner.
Abstract:
A soft serve ice cream vending machine is disclosed. The vending machine includes a machine cabinet; a door pivotably connected to he machine cabinet; the door including a cup dispensing slot and an ice cream dispensing slot; a product dispensing button connected to the door; a cup dispenser adapted to dispense a cup and connected to the door; a money acceptor connected to the door; a flexible product container connected to a freezer engine adapted to receive a product, the freezer engine having an outlet proximate to the ice cream dispensing slot; a venturi air valve connected to the freezer engine; a spigot control device connected to the freezer engine and to the product dispensing button, whereby upon engagement of the product dispensing button the spigot control device engages the freezer engine for a predetermined period of time.
Abstract:
A soft serve ice cream vending machine is disclosed. The vending machine includes a machine cabinet; a door pivotably connected to he machine cabinet; the door including a cup dispensing slot and an ice cream dispensing slot; a product dispensing button connected to the door; a cup dispenser adapted to dispense a cup and connected to the door; a money acceptor connected to the door; a flexible product container connected to a freezer engine adapted to receive a product, the freezer engine having an outlet proximate to the ice cream dispensing slot; a venturi air valve connected to the freezer engine; a spigot control device connected to the freezer engine and to the product dispensing button, whereby upon engagement of the product dispensing button the spigot control device engages the freezer engine for a predetermined period of time.
Abstract:
A dispenser unit (10) for dispensing bulk frozen food items including a cabinet (14) having at least one hopper (24) having a drum (44), a deflector (42) and flexible gate valve (46), a dispense assembly (16) and a control system (12) is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for dispensing bulk frozen food items which includes inserting the bulk frozen food items in a dispenser unit having at least one hopper storage area, transporting the bulk frozen food item to a bottom area of the hopper storage area, dropping the bulk frozen food item from the bottom area of the hopper storage area into a dispense assembly, including a bucket (50), a dispensing door assembly (54), a load cell system (70), a proximity sensor (72), and at least one basket (28), and releasing the bulk frozen food items into the at least one basket when the proximity sensor of the dispense assembly detects the at least one basket
Abstract:
A hot and cold vending machine. The vending machine may include a product compartment (141), a refrigeration system (305), and a ventilation system (180) in communication with the refrigeration system and the product compartment. The ventilation system may include a valve (240) positioned in communication with the product compartment. A heater (270) may be positioned about the product compartment. The valve and the heater may be selectively activated such that product compartment may be hot or cold.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a dispensing control mechanism (30) for use with a dispensing apparatus (10) of the type that dispenses a flowable substance, such as ice cream. The dispensing control mechanism (30) is mechanically linked with the dispensing apparatus (10) to which it is operatively applied in a configuration in which a displacement arrangement thereof, by its operation, can displace a closure member (18) of the dispensing apparatus (10) which permits or blocks the passage of flowable substance from the apparatus. Operation of the displacement arrangement is electronically controlled, the associated electronic control means enabling controlled dispensing of a flowable substance from the dispensing apparatus.