A machine for making liquid or semi-liquid products, including: a first processing container for processing a basic liquid or semi-liquid product and defining a processing chamber; a cooling cylinder mounted inside the first container; a rotary stirrer mounted inside the first container and outside the cooling cylinder; a thermal treatment system provided with at least a first exchanger associated with the cooling cylinder; a second processing container; a connecting duct designed to connect the second processing container to the first processing container to transfer the basic liquid or semi-liquid product from the second processing container to the first processing container; a dispensing device associated with the first processing container to deliver the liquid or semi-liquid product to the outside.

Methods and systems for conveniently producing fresh smoothies, which can be tailored to the particular nutritional requirements and desires of the individual customer. The system is typically a semi-automatic or fully automatic system and may be in the form of a vending machine for smoothies. It allows a consumer to select ingredients and other options, and provides a freshly-made smoothie in a short amount of time. The system generally includes a user input apparatus for receiving orders and customer preferences, and then makes a smoothie to order, delivers the smoothie to the customer, and cleans the blending device.

The apparatus for preparing and dispensing food products comprises at least one containment tank (2) predisposed to contain the product to be prepared. Inside the containment tank (2) a mixing device (3) is arranged for determining the continuous circulation of the product. The apparatus comprises temperature control means (9) and product consistency control means (30) for controlling the consistency of the product being prepared. The product consistency control means (30) comprise a first microswitch (31) and a second microswitch (32) predisposed to be selectively operated when a first threshold value and a second threshold value of resistance against elastic means (22) acting on the mixing device (3) are exceeded, in order to control the stop of cooling or heating means (4) of the product contained within the tank (2).

A method and assembly for preparing a drink based on frozen food comprises storing frozen food in various containers (111) in the form of first granular materials and under deep-freeze conditions, crushing (12) a portion of at least one of the first granular materials into a second granular material, and placing the second granular material into a cup (9). A first liquid (16) is added to the cup at a temperature of at least 50 C. The cup, filled with the foods and possibly the first liquid, is closed (154), and the content of the cup is ground into a homogeneous mass. Lastly, the cup is opened and served.

An improved refrigeration compressor actuator is described for a chilled food dispensing apparatus. The actuator is connected to a temperature sensor located near or at the evaporator unit of the apparatus. The temperature of the apparatus is controlled by a compressor actuator that measures the temperature from the temperature sensor and is responsive to the rate of change in temperature per unit time.

A machine for making and dispensing iced food products such as granitas, slush drinks and the like including: at least one closed and sealed chamber for containing and processing the product to be dispensed; a corresponding tank for feeding the basic ingredients needed for obtaining the product to be dispensed; a connecting pipe between an outlet of the tank and the inlet of the chamber; and a flow meter positioned along said pipe.

A machine for producing frozen comestibles having a control system based on one or more operational characteristics, including product characteristics, to control the consistency and quality of the comestible, and to extend the useful lifespans of its components.

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 simultaneously making first and second liquid or semi-liquid products includes a first stirrer operating on a first container and a second stirrer operating on a second container. A thermodynamic heat treatment system includes a circuit filled with a heat exchanger fluid, a compressor operating on the fluid, a first heat exchanger affected by the fluid to exchange heat with the first container, and a second heat exchanger affected by the fluid to exchange heat with the second container. A first device for adjusting the flow rate of the fluid allows adjustment of the thermal power exchanged by the first heat exchanger. A second device for adjusting the flow rate of the fluid allows adjustment of the thermal power exchanged by the second heat exchanger. A control unit controls the first and second devices as a function of a measured operating parameter of the machine.

A connector for connecting a deformable bag for liquid or semi-liquid products to a machine for distributing the product and includes a body with an opening passing therethrough and acting as a product outlet and connected to the machine, with a thermal sensor supported so as to be positioned inside the bag, in contact with the liquid or semi-liquid product. The sensor is fixed in a second opening that is parallel or almost parallel to the product transit opening and a connecting cable comes out of the end of the body intended to remain outside the bag. The assembly formed by the bag and the connector and the machine for distributing a liquid or semi-liquid food product supplied with the bag equipped with the connector.