A machine for making and dispensing liquid, semi-liquid and/or semi-solid food products and which includes at least a cylinder for containing and processing basic products, means for heating and cooling the cylinder wrapped around at least part of the cylinder and a mixer unit positioned inside the cylinder which is able to mix the basic products during their processing; the machine also includes a supply duct for supplying the products into the cylinder, a dispensing duct for withdrawing the food products from the cylinder and means for recirculating the products contained in the containment and processing cylinder which are able to withdraw the products from the cylinder through the dispensing duct and to return them into the cylinder through the supply duct.

A chain link is provided with a bushing construction where a chain pin is used for connecting a plurality of chain links, where the chain pin is inserted through the bushing along an axis, where the bushing in a cross section orthogonal to the axis has a circular cross section and where a resilient sleeve is arranged around the chain pin, where the chain pin has a flat face along the axis, and the resilient sleeve has a corresponding flat face in engagement with the flat face of the pin, and where the outer periphery of the resilient sleeve, when mounted on the chain pin, has a non-circular cross section, such that a free space is provided between the outer periphery of the sleeve and the inside of the bushing.

A refrigerated food processing and dispensing apparatus including a freezing barrel, the freezing barrel having an inlet port; a refrigerated ingredient storage compartment; a pump having an inlet and an outlet; a pressure block positioned within the refrigerated ingredient storage compartment that includes a fluid inlet, a gas inlet, an interior passage in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the gas inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the interior passage, and a first pressure transducer coupled to the pressure block and configured to provide a signal corresponding to the pressure within the interior passage; a gas control valve having an input coupled to a source of pressurized gas and an outlet; and a gas check-valve positioned within the refrigerated ingredient storage compartment having an input fluidly coupled to the outlet of the gas control valve and an output fluidly coupled to the pressure block gas input.

A refrigerated food processing and dispensing apparatus including a freezing barrel, the freezing barrel having an inlet port; a refrigerated ingredient storage compartment; a pump having an inlet and an outlet; a pressure block positioned within the refrigerated ingredient storage compartment that includes a fluid inlet, a gas inlet, an interior passage in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the gas inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the interior passage, and a first pressure transducer coupled to the pressure block and configured to provide a signal corresponding to the pressure within the interior passage; a gas control valve having an input coupled to a source of pressurized gas and an outlet; and a gas check-valve positioned within the refrigerated ingredient storage compartment having an input fluidly coupled to the outlet of the gas control valve and an output fluidly coupled to the pressure block gas input.

The present invention provides an apparatus for producing frozen confectionery products, the apparatus comprising a mixing chamber, the mixing chamber having: at least one frozen confection inlet connectable to a source of a frozen confection; at least one sauce inlet connectable to a source of sauce; and an outlet, wherein the at least one sauce inlet is positioned between the at least one frozen confection inlet and the outlet, characterised in that the mixing chamber is rotatable. The present invention provides a process for producing frozen confectionery products, the process comprising: providing the foregoing apparatus; supplying a frozen confection to the at least one frozen confection inlet; supplying a sauce to the at least one sauce inlet; and extruding the frozen confection and sauce from the outlet, characterised in that the mixing chamber is rotated thereby to distribute the sauce randomly throughout the frozen confection.

An interface assembly for a frozen dessert machine is disclosed that includes a freezer door having opposed front and rear sides and including at least one recessed mounting pocket formed in the rear side thereof, the at least one recessed mounting pocket including a cornice covering an upper portion thereof, and at least one elongated baffle having opposed proximal and distal end portions, the proximal end portion of the at least one baffle including a retention flange that is dimensioned and configured for detachable reception within the at least one mounting pocket of the freezer door behind the cornice.

A method of preparing and storing a free-flowing frozen supplementary product, including preparing a supplementary composition for freezing, dripping the supplementary composition into a freezing chamber, freezing the dripped supplementary composition into beads, and transporting the frozen beads by conveyor belt out of the freezing chamber.

The present disclosure provides an improved system and method that includes a food dispensing machine for dispensing a base food product through a dispensing valve and adding ingredients and other additives, such as flavors and the like, to the base food product when the product is dispensed from a product chamber. Apparatuses and methods for maintaining a consistent mix of the base product in the freezing chamber are disclosed as are processes for calibrating desired proportions of ingredients.

Provided is a port for a food processing appliance, in particular an appliance for the processing of ingredients and preparing a cooled edible product therefrom, e.g. ice cream, sorbet, gelato, frozen yogurt, soft-serve ice cream, slushes, shakes, blended frozen coffee drinks, etc., particularly such an appliance intended for home use, offices, or for small businesses.

Provided is a port for a food processing appliance, in particular an appliance for the processing of ingredients and preparing a cooled edible product therefrom, e.g. ice cream, sorbet, gelato, frozen yogurt, soft-serve ice cream, slushes, shakes, blended frozen coffee drinks, etc., particularly such an appliance intended for home use, offices, or for small businesses.