Frozen beverage machine
First Claim
1. A frozen beverage machine, comprising:
- a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets, the process control block including a flow control device for controlling the flow of ingredients therethrough;
a mixing block connected to the freezing chamber such that the mixing block is chilled via thermal communication with the freezing chamber, the mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet, the mixing block inlets being connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together;
at least one freezing chamber connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom;
a refrigeration system arranged to refrigerate the at least one freezing chamber;
a controller connected to the process control block, the controller operable to control operation of the frozen beverage machine; and
a dispensing valve connected to the freezing chamber.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A frozen beverage machine includes a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets. A mixing block has a plurality of inlets connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together therein. At least one freezing chamber is connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom, and a refrigeration system is arranged to refrigerate the freezing chamber. A dispensing valve and a drain valve are connected to the freezing chamber. A controller is connected to the process control block to control operation of the frozen beverage machine. The beverage machine includes an automated sanitizing system operated by the controller, in which the beverage mixture is drained from the freezing chamber via the drain valve, and a cleaning solution is pumped into a cleaning solution inlet of the mixing block and into the freezing chamber to sanitize the machine. The cleaning solution is then drained from the freezing chamber via the drain valve.
102 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A frozen beverage machine, comprising:
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a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets, the process control block including a flow control device for controlling the flow of ingredients therethrough;
a mixing block connected to the freezing chamber such that the mixing block is chilled via thermal communication with the freezing chamber, the mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet, the mixing block inlets being connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together;
at least one freezing chamber connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom;
a refrigeration system arranged to refrigerate the at least one freezing chamber;
a controller connected to the process control block, the controller operable to control operation of the frozen beverage machine; and
a dispensing valve connected to the freezing chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
a valve body a nozzle releasably connected to the valve body such that the nozzle is rotatable in first and second directions within the valve body; and
a handle connected to the nozzle, the nozzle actuated by side-to-side motion of the handle, wherein the valve is actuated by moving the handle in either ther first or direction.
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21. The frozen beverage machine of claim 20, wherein the nozzle defines a chevron-shaped notch and the valve body defines a bore extending therethrough, and wherein a pin extends through the bore and seats in the chevron-shaped notch such that the chevron-shaped notch rides on the pin when the nozzle is rotated by the handle.
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22. A frozen beverage machine, comprising:
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a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets, the process control block including a flow control device for controlling the flow of ingredients therethrough;
mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet, the mixing block inlets being connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together;
a plurality of check valves, each of the mixing block inlets having one of the check valves coupled thereto;
at least one freezing chamber connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom;
a refrigeration system arranged to refrigerate the at least one freezing chamber;
a controller connected to the process control block, the controller operable to control operation of the frozen beverage machine; and
a dispensing valve connected to the freezing chamber.
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23. A frozen beverage machine comprising:
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a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets, the process control block including a flow control device for controlling the flow of ingredients therethrough;
a mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet, the mixing block inlets being connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together;
at least one freezing chamber connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom;
at least one bag for holding a volume of a cleaning solution, each bag situated in a respective box, at least one of the mixing block inlets being connected to the bag;
a refrigeration system arranged to refrigerate the at least one freezing chamber;
a controller connected to the process control block, the controller operable to control operation of the frozen beverage machine; and
a dispensing valve connected to the freezing chamber.
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24. A frozen beverage machine, comprising:
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a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets, the process control block including a flow control device for controlling the flow of ingredients therethrough;
a mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet, the mixing block inlets being connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together, a static mixer situated at the outlet of the mixing block;
at least one freezing chamber connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom;
a refrigeration system arranged to refrigerate the at least one freezing chamber;
a controller connected to the process control block, the controller operable to control operation of the frozen beverage machine; and
a dispensing valve connected to the freezing chamber.
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25. A frozen beverage machine, comprising:
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a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets, the process control block including a flow control device for controlling the flow of ingredients therethrough;
a mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet, the mixing block inlets being connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together;
at least one freezing chamber connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom;
a refrigeration system arranged to refrigerate the at least one freezing chamber;
a pressure transducer connected to the mixing block to sense the pressure in the freezing chamber;
a controller connected to the process control block, the controller operable to control operation of the frozen beverage machine, wherein the controller receives an output of the pressure transducer, and wherein the controller is programmed to control refrigeration of the freezing chamber in response to the pressure of the freezing chamber; and
a dispensing valve connected to the freezing chamber.
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26. A frozen beverage machine, comprising:
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a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets, the process control block including a flow control device for controlling the flow of ingredients therethrough;
a mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet, the mixing block inlets being connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together;
at least one freezing chamber connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom;
a refrigeration system arranged to refrigerate the at least one freezing chamber;
a controller connected to the process control block, the controller operable to control operation of the frozen beverage machine;
a dispensing valve connected to the freezing chamber;
adrain valve assembly attached to the freezing chamber for draining the contents thereof; and
a source of compressed air connected to the drain valve assembly, wherein the drain valve assembly is air-operated. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A frozen beverage machine, comprising:
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a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets, the process control block including a flow control device for controlling the flow of ingredients therethrough;
a mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet, the mixing block inlets being connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block arc mixed together;
at least one freezing chamber connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom;
a refrigeration system arranged to refrigerate the at least one freezing chamber;
a controller connected to the process control block, the controller operable to control operation of the frozen beverage machine; and
a dispensing valve connected to the firing chamber, the dispensing valve including a valve body defining a bore extending therethrough, a nozzle releasably connected to the valve body and defining a chevron-shaped notch, a handle connected to the nozzle, a pin extending through the bore and seated in the chevron-shaped notch such that the chevron-shaped notch rides on the pin when the nozzle is rotated by side-to-side motion of the handle, such that the valve is actuated by moving the handle in either first or second directions.
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Specification