Control of frozen beverage dispenser
US12029223B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 6, 2020 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 23, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA23G9/228
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A frozen product dispenser provides a controller to control the rate of freezing and the temperature range of a frozen product. The controller monitors the temperature of the product as well as the torque applied to a scrapper blade. For example, the torque may be measured based on monitoring a current draw of a scrapper motor. The torque may be tracked over time to determine a rate of change in the torque. The rate of freezing may be controlled by setting a maximum rate of increase in the torque. Upon determining that the rate of increase in the monitored torque exceeds the maximum rate, a compressor for the frozen product dispenser may be turned off for a predetermined period of time and/or a hot gas bypass may be opened. A heat transfer medium may decouple thermal contact between an evaporator and the product to control the rate of freezing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.