Method and apparatus for producing and dispensing an aerated and/or blended food product
US6698228B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 2, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C1/145
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Apparatus for dispensing a frozen or partially frozen food product has a freezing surface with a central axis and periphery, a motor for rotating the freezing surface about that axis, a turret spaced above the freezing surface for depositing a selected amount of liquid product mix on the freezing surface while it is rotating so that the liquid mix spreads out on the freezing surface and cools to form a flat, at least partially frozen product body and a product delivery assembly disposed between the turret and the freezing surface. That assembly includes a scraper supported above the freezing surface and having a working edge engaging the freezing surface while it is rotating to scrape the frozen product body into a ridge row of scraped product. A vertical forming cylinder positioned adjacent to the periphery of the freezing surface has a side window and a bottom opening. A scraper blade may push the row of product into the forming cylinder through the window thereby compacting the scrapings into a shaped solid body. An ejector in the cylinder pushes the shaped solid body out of the bottom opening into a container such as a cup or cone. A dispensing method is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.