A beverage mixing system/method allowing faster mixing/blending of frozen beverages is disclosed. The system/method in various embodiments utilizes inductive coupling to introduce heat into the frozen beverage during the mixing/blending process via a rotating driveshaft and attached mechanical agitator to speed the mixing/blending process. Exemplary embodiments may be configured to magnetically induce heat into the driveshaft and/or mechanical agitator mixing blade to affect this mixing/blending performance improvement. This heating effect may be augmented via the use of high power LED arrays aimed at heatsinks configured on the mechanical mixing driveshaft and/or into the frozen slurry to provide additional heat input. The system/method may be applied with particular advantage to the mixing of ice cream type beverages and other viscous beverage products.

A machine for making liquid or semi-liquid food products, including: a first processing container for processing a liquid or semi-liquid base product and defining a processing chamber; a stirrer mounted inside the first processing container; a thermal system including a heat exchanger, associated with the first processing container; a processing and control unit, including a module for receiving and transmitting data, a processing module and a memory containing processing software instructions which can be carried out by the processing module, the processing and control unit defining a storage node of a distributed architecture database.

A support system for management of a machine for treating food products includes an augmented reality visor including: a camera for capturing a first image; a display for displaying a second image; and a first module for transmitting the first image and receiving the second image. Included is a machine for treating food products, including a treatment chamber for receiving a food product, an actuator for applying a treatment process on the food product inside the treatment chamber, and a second module connectable to the first module. A processing and control unit is connected to the second module for receiving the first image from the visor through the second module, identifying a plurality of real elements within the first image, generating the second image, incorporating a graphic element into the second image, and transmitting the second image to the visor through the second module.

A beverage mixing system/method allowing faster mixing/blending of frozen beverages is disclosed. The system/method in various embodiments utilizes inductive coupling to introduce heat into the frozen beverage during the mixing/blending process via a rotating driveshaft and attached mechanical agitator to speed the mixing/blending process. Exemplary embodiments may be configured to magnetically induce heat into the driveshaft and/or mechanical agitator mixing blade to affect this mixing/blending performance improvement. This heating effect may be augmented via the use of high power LED arrays aimed into the frozen slurry to provide additional heat input. The system/method may be applied with particular advantage to the mixing of ice cream type beverages and other viscous beverage products.

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 system for cooling and mixing a food or drink in a pod includes an apparatus for cooling and mixing a food or drink in a pod, the hermetically sealed pod, and a magnetic stir bar. The apparatus has a cooling system defines a recess sized to receive the pod. The apparatus includes a magnetic stirring assembly for rotating the magnetic stir bar and an actuator operable to create a vibration in the recess, The magnetic stirring assembly is operable to generate a magnetic field in the recess of the cooling system and has a rotating magnet. The magnetic stirring assembly rotates the immersed magnetic stir bar in the pod causing the food or drink to rotate to the wall of the pod to increase heat transfer from the food or drink to the cooling system.

The present invention relates to an automatic viscosity control system and method for food products dispensed from frozen beverage and soft-serve ice cream equipment. A mixing cylinder includes an auger interconnected with an auger motor. A refrigeration system chills the food product in the mixing cylinder to a predetermined frozen malleable consistency. A motor sensor measures amperage draw or torque of the auger motor resultant from resistance of rotating the auger through the food product. By transitioning between starting or speeding up a compressor when the amperage draw or the torque of the auger motor is below a predetermined high motor performance setting, and slowing or stopping the compressor when the amperage draw or the torque of the auger motor is between a predetermined low motor performance setting and the predetermined high motor performance setting the viscosity of the food product is automatically controlled.

The present invention relates to a portion control system for food products dispensed from frozen beverage equipment and soft-serve ice cream equipment. The system, injects a food product into a mixing cylinder and chills the food product to a predetermined frozen malleable consistency. When a portion-controlled dispense amount volume indicating volume of the food product to dispense is received a dispense time is determined based on a dispense amount volume and current values of dispense condition variables. If the auger motor is initially off a surge dispense amount volume is first determined and dispensed, the auger motor started, and the remainder dispense time and dispense amount volume are determined and dispensed. If the auger motor is initially on a dispense time is determined. Dispense time is determined by interpolating between dispense table records that comprise dispense times, dispense amount volumes, and dispense condition variables.

Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.