An automatic frozen food product vending machine includes a frozen food product dispensing station for dispensing at least one frozen food product, a container dispenser for storing multiple frozen food product containers and configured to automatically dispense one frozen food product container at a time, a first movable platform for supporting a dispensed frozen food product container, a topping dispensing station for dispensing at least one topping, a second movable platform for supporting the dispensed frozen food product container, a user input device configured to receive a user selection of a desired frozen food product and a user selection of a desired topping, and processing electronics configured to automate operation of the vending machine after the user selections are made.

A self-contained food processor is provided for treating a food flow path in the food processor with a solution. The food flow path can be treated without requiring disassembly and reassembly of the food processor and without requiring direct operator input. The food processor includes a controller for directing passage of a solution through at least portions of the food flow path without requiring constant operator oversight. The food processor can employ available positive pressure water supply, such as public utility water pressure to selectively and automatically push solutions, including rinses, backwards or forwards through the food flow path in the food processor.

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for making a frozen confectionery product (3) by rotary vertical extrusion into a container (2), said apparatus comprising a nozzle (3) comprising a frozen confectionery passage (4) with one inlet port (5) and a single outlet port (6) having an elongated cross-section, two coating passages (7) with two coating inlet ports (8) and two corresponding coating outlet ports (9) having elongated cross-sections, wherein the frozen confectionery passage inlet port (5) and the single elongated outlet port (6) are joined by a funnel passage (10) expanding at an angle of at least 35-25, preferably 32-27, relative to the flow direction in the nozzle (3) and a land length passage (11) having walls parallel to the flow direction of the nozzle, and wherein the coating outlet ports (9) are positioned on the inside walls of the land length passage (11) upstream of the frozen confectionery outlet port (6) and extends in parallel to the frozen confectionery outlet port (6), so as to form an annular or helical coating layer (12) in or on the frozen confectionery (13) upon rotation of the nozzle (3) and the container (2) with respect to one another. The invention also relates to a method of making frozen confectionery product with large inclusions and to the product as such.

A machine for dispensing an individual portion of a frozen dessert may include a cartridge cart having walls forming a cavity having a longitudinal central axis and configured to accommodate a cartridge. The cartridge may include a tube having first and second ends, a nozzle disposed at the first end, and a piston disposed between the nozzle and the second end and configured to slidably move along the tube. The individual portion of the frozen dessert may be contained within the tube between the nozzle and the piston. The machine may also include a plunger, a drive source operably coupled to the plunger and configured to drive the plunger along the central axis, and a support configured to support the first end of the cartridge such that actuating the drive source causes the individual portion of frozen dessert to dispense through the nozzle.

An apparatus and a method of dispensing a flavored confection include a freezer to hold a flowable confection and a door that connects to the freezer. The door includes a syrup delivery system including one or more syrup pumps. The one or more syrup pumps are configured to deliver a flavored syrup into a container. A load cell assembly including a load cell configured to measure the weight of a container and the contents of the container holds the container adjacent to said freezer and the door. The syrup pump delivers the flavored syrup into the container for a predetermined period of time, and the flowable confection is dispensed from said freezer to the container until the load cell measures a predetermined weight for the container and the contents within the container.

A collapsible, deformable container and dispensing apparatus is disclosed herein. The deformable container includes an end wall section; a first annular wall section connected to the end wall section; a curved wall section connected to the first annular wall section; and a second annular wall section connected to the first annular wall section via the curved wall section, the second annular wall circumscribing a central void. Upon extrusion of a dispensable product from the deformable container by a force exerted upon the end wall section, the curved wall section is configured to deform into the central void circumscribed by the second annular wall section, and the first annular wall section is configured to deform into and invert within the central void circumscribed by the second annular wall section. The dispensing apparatus includes a container removal component for removing the deformable container after a dispensable product has been extracted therefrom.

A machine for storing and dispensing liquid or semi-liquid food products includes a refrigerated compartment internally including a supporting device for supporting at least one container of liquid or semi-liquid or semi-solid food product to be dispensed. A pump is connectable to the at least one container of liquid or semi-liquid or semi-solid food product to be dispensed. A dispensing nozzle is associated with the pump. A refrigeration system includes a refrigerating circuit associated with the refrigerated compartment to keep the compartment at a predetermined temperature. At least one door is included for closing the refrigerated compartment.

A self-contained food processor is provided for treating a food flow path in the food processor with a solution. The food flow path can be treated without requiring disassembly and reassembly of the food processor and without requiring direct operator input. The food processor includes a controller for directing passage of a solution through at least portions of the food flow path without requiring constant operator oversight. The food processor can employ available positive pressure water supply, such as public utility water pressure to selectively and automatically push solutions, including rinses, backwards or forwards through the food flow path in the food processor.

There is described a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a food product from a container. The dispensing apparatus comprises a support for supporting a container of product when the container is loaded into the apparatus, an actuator for effecting movement of the support in a first direction during a product dispensing stroke of the apparatus and in a second direction during a return stroke of the apparatus; and a retainer for retaining a spent container of product so that a spent container is removed from the support during the return stroke.

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for making a frozen confectionery product (3) by rotary vertical extrusion into a container (2), said apparatus comprising a nozzle (3) comprising a frozen confectionery passage (4) with one inlet port (5) and a single outlet port (6) having an elongated cross-section, two coating passages (7) with two coating inlet ports (8) and two corresponding coating outlet ports (9) having elongated cross-sections, wherein the frozen confectionery passage inlet port (5) and the single elongated outlet port (6) are joined by a funnel passage (10) expanding at an angle of at least 35-25, preferably 32-27, relative to the flow direction in the nozzle (3) and a land length passage (11) having walls parallel to the flow direction of the nozzle, and wherein the coating outlet ports (9) are positioned on the inside walls of the land length passage (11) upstream of the frozen confectionery outlet port (6) and extends in parallel to the frozen confectionery outlet port (6), so as to form an annular or helical coating layer (12) in or on the frozen confectionery (13) upon rotation of the nozzle (3) and the container (2) with respect to one another. The invention also relates to a method of making frozen confectionery product with large inclusions and to the product as such.