Semi-frozen beverage dispensing apparatus

• US 6,705,106 B1
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kan-Pak LLC (Golden State Foods Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kan-Pak LLC (Golden State Foods Corporation)
• Inventors: Hockenbury, Joel D., Steinbacher, James A., Cunha, James P., Cohlmia, Dennis J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tapolcai, William E.
• Application Number:
  US10/261,846
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 623/42, 623/43, 623/92, 623/94, 623/89, 623/90, 222/129.1, 222/146.6
• US Class Current: 62/342
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 9/045 of slush-ice, e.g. semi-frozen beverage
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 9/228 Arrangement and mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0811 provided with coded information

Abstract

A method of controlling semi-frozen liquid beverage in a dispensing machine having a bowl to contain the beverage, a motor to turn a helical auger blade within the bowl to scrape the semi-frozen beverage, and a compressor to cool the beverage. The method includes the steps of actuating the compressor to the bowl until the temperature of the beverage is cool to reach an initial set point. The compressor is deactivated after temperature of the beverage is cooled at or below a set point. Torque on the motor caused by resistance to the auger blade is sensed after a defined time period following switching off of the compressor. The compressor is activated if the torque on the motor is below a certain level and the temperature set point is lowered from the initial set point to a lower set point in order to cool the product.

Claims

1. A bowl for a beverage dispenser, which bowl comprises:

an elongated cylindrical body;

an entirely open back capable of mating with said dispenser;

a closed top; and

a closed, partially domed front.

2. A bowl for a beverage dispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein an axis of said cylindrical body is at an angle to horizontal plane of said dispenser.

3. A bowl for a beverage dispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cylindrical body has a receptacle port to receive a pin extending from said dispenser in order to lock said bowl in place.

4. A bowl for a beverage dispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bowl receives a cylindrical evaporator through said entirely open back.

5. A bowl for a beverage dispenser, which bowl comprises:

an elongated cylindrical body wherein an axis of said elongated cylindrical body is at an angle to a horizontal plane of said dispenser;

an open back capable of mating with said dispenser;

a closed top; and

a closed, partially domed front.

6. A bowl for a beverage dispenser as set forth in claim 5 wherein said cylindrical body has a receptacle port to receive a pin extending from said dispenser in order to lock said bowl in place.

7. A bowl for a beverage dispenser as set forth in claim 5 wherein said bowl receives a cylindrical evaporator through said entirely open back.

8. A bowl for a beverage dispenser, which bowl comprises:

an elongated cylindrical body, wherein said cylindrical body has a receptacle port to receive a pin extending from said dispenser in order to lock said bowl in place;

an open back capable of mating with said dispenser; and

a closed, partially domed front.

9. A bowl for a beverage dispenser as set forth in claim 8 wherein an axis of said cylindrical body is at an angle to a horizontal plane of said dispenser.

10. A bowl for a beverage dispenser as set forth in claim 8 wherein said bowl receives a cylindrical evaporator through said open back.