A machine for making liquid or semi-liquid food products, including: a first processing container for processing a basic liquid or semi-liquid product and defining a processing chamber; a stirrer positioned inside the first processing container; a thermal system including a heat exchanger, associated with the first processing container; at least one sensor, configured to measure an operating parameter of the machine; a processing and control unit, operatively connected to the at least one sensor and including a module for receiving and transmitting data captured by the sensor, wherein the module for receiving and transmitting data is configured to transmit data captured by the sensor to a smart contract program.

A machine for making liquid or semi-liquid food products includes a plurality of supply containers containing a basic mixture and deformable wall, so the space occupied by each first container depends on a quantity of basic mixture therein. A processing container includes a stirrer and thermal treatment system, operating with one another to convert the basic mixture into a liquid or semi-liquid product. A connecting system connects the supply containers to the processing container to transfer the basic mixture from one of the supply containers to the processing container and includes a plurality of pneumatically operated closing valves, where each of the valves is associated with one of the supply containers and can be activated and deactivated independently of the remaining valves to allow the placement of one of the containers in connection with the processing container.

The invention relates to a container (20) comprising in its inner volume a food product to be dispensed, the container volume being closed by a closure (21) and comprising identification means (22); the container (20) being further provided with means designed to engage with corresponding driving means to displace the identification means (22) according to a certain pre-defined path in order to allow its reading. The invention further relates to a device operable with such a container (20), the device comprising a driving element (31) and a reader (33), the driving element engaging with means in the container (20) to displace the identification means (22) according to a certain pre-defined path with respect of the reader (33). Moreover, the invention relates to a system for preparing cold or frozen dessert products from a fluid comprised in a container, the system comprising a container (20) and a device operating it.

A vending machine for ice-cream and the like comprising: a batch-freezing unit that is capable of producing, inside itself, soft ice-cream and is provided with a valve assembly with a controlled opening and closing, through which the soft ice-cream can selectively flow out of the batch-freezing unit; a vessel-holding structure, which is adapted to temporarily support a portion vessel, placing it immediately beneath the valve assembly so as to collect the soft ice-cream that flows out of, and falls from, the valve assembly; and an electronic control device adapted to control at least said valve assembly; and a first detection device adapted to determine when the soft ice-cream coming out of the valve assembly touches the portion vessel stationary beneath the valve assembly; the electronic control device being adapted to control said valve assembly based on the signals coming from said first detection device.

A stick insertion device (1) for inserting a stick (11) into an ice cream product (3) extruded from an extrusion jet (7) and having a height seen in the extrusion direction (9) of the extrusion jet (7), and at least one end surface (5) which is substantially parallel to the extrusion direction (9) and into which the stick (11) is inserted with orientation substantially perpendicular to the extrusion direction (9), wherein the stick insertion device (1) comprises: a stick pusher (15), capable of making a linear and reciprocating movement, an actuator (17) with a first and a secondary outer position, used to activate the stick pusher (15), a servo mechanism (19) for controlling the actuator's (17) movement, a control unit (21), connected to the servo mechanism (19), characterised in that the stick insertion device (1) comprises at least one sensor (23) for measurement of the stick's (11) position in relation to the ice cream product's (3) height, horizontal position in relation to the ice cream product's (3) end surface (5) and angle (65) in relation to the ice cream product's (3) end surface (5), that the control unit (21) is connected to the at least one sensor (23) and the servo mechanism (19), that the control unit (21) is configured to control the servo mechanism's (19) stroke length based on signals from the at least one sensor (23), and that the control unit (21) is configured to control the servo mechanism's (19) start time and end time for the insertion of the stick (11) based on signals from the aforementioned at least one sensor (23).

A machine for the production of ice cream includes a support body defining a housing compartment, a tub configured to contain the ingredients for the preparation of the ice cream which can be removably inserted in said housing compartment, a cooling circuit, a mixing device configured to mix the ingredients during the ice cream preparation process, a lid and clamping devices.

The present invention provides an ice shaver with a power control drive system to rotate the ice block and blade with respect to one another and to press the ice block and the blade together. The power drive system includes an in-line, over-center, linear throw column extending through an opening in an enclosure and carrying a spike plate. A motor is carried by and contained with the column and movable with the column toward a shave deck with a blade. A perimeter size and shape of the column matches a perimeter size and shape of the opening. The column substantially closes the opening in the enclosure.

The invention relates to a machine for preparing a cooled food product, comprising: a receiving seat (1), for accommodating an essentially cup-shaped container, comprising a heat exchange element (1a) having a heat exchange contact surface (21) arranged to be in contact with an outer surface of a side wall (8d) of the container when the container is placed in the machine, a cooling unit (4) arranged for cooling the heat exchange element (1a) and, a stirring unit (5) connectable to a stirring member (9) and arranged for driving the stirring member (9) in at least one rotational movement; wherein it comprises means for measuring the temperature of the product while being prepared, a control unit for automatically setting output parameters according to input parameters received by the control unit and compared to threshold values stored in the unit; wherein the output parameters comprises: at least one rotational velocity of the stirring member and the cooling power of the cooling unit, and wherein the input parameters comprises any one or more of: the measured product temperature, the stirring time.

A machine for processing liquid or semi-liquid food products including a containing element for containing the product to be dispensed; a stirrer for stirring the product to be dispensed; a heat exchanger fluid flowing in a circuit in a direction of circulation through an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and a pressure reducing element; a fan rotating about an axis of rotation to force an air flow towards the condenser; a control unit connected to the fan to control the fan through a speed signal; a temperature sensor, located downstream of the condenser in the circulation direction to detect a condensation temperature and configured to send to the control unit a temperature signal as a function of which the control unit generates the speed signal.

The method for controlling an apparatus for dispensing food products envisages associating a tank (2) for containing the product to be dispensed with measuring means (10) for measuring the weight of the tank (2) itself and measuring the variations in said weight of the tank (2) with respect to a predetermined reference value. The weight variations in the product contained in the tank (2) are calculated according to said variations in the weight of the tank (2).