A Clean in Place assembly for a food processor includes a self-cleaning valve assembly, wherein the self-cleaning valve assembly is in fluid communication with a food flow path in the food processor. The self-cleaning valve assembly includes a valve receiving chamber and valve configured to selectively fluidly connect a food flow path inlet port to a food flow path outlet port; fluidly connect the food flow path inlet port to a multivalent port; and fluidly connect a treating solution to a dead space between the valve and the valve receiving cavity. Food product can be selectively drained or retained in food flow path, wherein the self-cleaning valve can be continuously or intermittently exposed to a treating solution for treating non-food flow path portions of the self-cleaning valve assembly.

The present invention provides a beverage machine with at least three distinct zones 1, 3, 4. A first zone 1 for storing a liquid or semi-liquid product at ambient temperature, a second zone 3 for processing the stored product, in particular for cooling the product to a predetermined serving temperature, and a third zone 4 for storing the cooled product and maintaining it at the predetermined serving temperature. From the third zone 4 an iced beverage can be dispensed.

The present invention provides a beverage machine with at least three distinct zones 1, 3, 4. A first zone 1 for storing a liquid or semi-liquid product at ambient temperature, a second zone 3 for processing the stored product, in particular for cooling the product to a predetermined serving temperature, and a third zone 4 for storing the cooled product and maintaining it at the predetermined serving temperature. From the third zone 4 an iced beverage can be dispensed.

A device for shredding deep-frozen food products provided in block form comprises a tool which is rotated around an axis of rotation (X) and advanced towards the block, thereby scraping off layers from the block. The device comprises two drive motors for generating rotational and feed movements of the tool, which can be controlled separately, at least one being of variable-speed. The device also includes a gear arrangement coupled to the drive motors in such a way that only one of the drive motors rotates the tool and other drive motors together serve to feed the tool, in a way that at a certain rotational speed ratio of the two drive motors the tool is rotated without axial movement of the latter and, at other rotational speed ratios advancing or retracting movement of the tool along the axis of rotation (X) occurs.

A device for shredding deep-frozen food products provided in block form comprises a tool which is rotated around an axis of rotation (X) and advanced towards the block, thereby scraping off layers from the block. The device comprises two drive motors for generating rotational and feed movements of the tool, which can be controlled separately, at least one being of variable-speed. The device also includes a gear arrangement coupled to the drive motors in such a way that only one of the drive motors rotates the tool and other drive motors together serve to feed the tool, in a way that at a certain rotational speed ratio of the two drive motors the tool is rotated without axial movement of the latter and, at other rotational speed ratios advancing or retracting movement of the tool along the axis of rotation (X) occurs.

An apparatus for delivering particulate material to a frozen confectionery material to provide a single serving to a consumer. The apparatus comprises a chamber for storing the particulate material, and a supply of frozen confectionery. The chamber has an open exit, wherein the chamber is adapted to be rotatable in use such that the open exit follows a pathway having both an upper region and a lower region, and arranged to pass through the lower region at a non-zero speed a plurality of times during a single serving. The open exit is sized to allow a portion of stored particulate material to fall out of the chamber via the open exit under gravity each time the open exit passes through the lower region of the pathway. The apparatus also is arranged to bring particulate material that has left the chamber into contact with the supply of frozen confectionery.

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.

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.