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.

A machine for making liquid or semi-liquid food products comprises: a frame; a first container containing a liquid or semi-liquid base product; a second container defining a processing chamber for processing a base mixture made up of the liquid or semi-liquid base product and a gas; a stirrer mounted inside the second container; thermal treatment means associated with the second container, acting in conjunction with the stirrer to convert the base mixture inside the second container into a finished liquid or semi-liquid product; a connecting duct connecting the first container to the second container and configured to connect the first container to the second container in such a way as to allow the base mixture to be transferred to the second container; a dispenser connected to the second container to allow dispensing the finished product.

An apparatus for manufacturing cryogenically frozen supplementary beads, including a freezing chamber configured to contain a cryogenic liquid, at least one feed tray overlying the freezing chamber arranged and adapted to receive a liquid composition from a delivery source, the at least one feed tray having a plurality of orifices for the discharge of uniformly sized droplets of the liquid composition from the at least one feed tray, whereby the droplets are delivered by gravity into the freezing chamber there-below to form frozen beads, at least one clean-in-place structure, and a conveyor belt assembly comprising a conveyor belt, wherein at least a portion of the conveyor belt is positioned proximate a bottom of the freezing chamber such that the conveyor belt is positioned to receive frozen beads onto the conveyor belt.

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.

Provided is an appliance for preparing frozen or semi-frozen aerated edible products of the kind that undergo at least a partial phase change during preparation including ice cream, sorbet, 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.

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.

A kit for connecting to a processing container a device for feeding a liquid or semi-liquid food product, including at least: an internally hollow pipe having a first end and a second end, wherein at least one between the first and the second end includes an enlarged, external terminal portion; a receiving element provided with a hole for receiving at least the enlarged, external terminal portion at one end of the pipe and with an abutment for stopping the end of the pipe inside the hole; means for pushing and locking the enlarged, external terminal portion at the end inside the receiving hole in order to allow locking the enlarged, external terminal portion against the abutment.

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.

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.

An apparatus for reducing a temperature of products includes a housing having a chamber within, wherein the chamber has upper and lower regions; a conveyor for transporting the products through the chamber, the conveyor constructed for substantial gas flow to pass through the conveyor without substantially reducing the ability of the conveyor to transport the products; an agitator associated with the conveyor for selective, intermittent contact with the conveyor to displace the conveyor from a plane of travel, thereby displacing the products on the conveyor to substantially prevent the products from adhering to the conveyor and other of the products; a gas circulation device disposed within the chamber to generate circulating gas flow within the chamber; and a shroud disposed within the chamber for coacting with the conveyor to provide an interface between the upper and lower regions, the shroud constructed and arranged to guide the circulating gas flow from the lower region through the conveyor to the upper region, and thereby facilitating displacement of the products on the conveyor to increase exposed surface area of said products. A related method is also provided.