A machine for making ice cream includes a production unit including a processing container. The machine also includes a thermal treatment system associated with the processing container and a dispenser operatively connected to the processing container to allow extracting an ice cream type product from the machine. The machine also includes a supporting body fitted under the dispenser and a supporting element connected removably to the supporting body. The supporting element includes a receiving cavity, configured to reversibly house a container used to contain the ice cream type product delivered by the dispenser, and cooling means configured to cool the supporting element.

A machine for processing liquid or semi-liquid food products, comprising: a container for processing liquid or semi-liquid food products and provided with walls and an outlet; a stirrer, made at least partly from ferromagnetic material and disposed inside the processing container, the stirrer rotating about a mixing axis to mix the product to be dispensed; an actuator connected to the stirrer to set the stirrer in rotation about the mixing axis, the machine being characterized in that it comprises an induction element comprising one or more wound conductors for generating a magnetic field when an electric current flows through them, the induction element being disposed outside the processing container so that the magnetic field generated passes through at least part of the walls of the processing container to reach the stirrer and causes heating by magnetic induction.

A variegator and a process for using it. The variegator permits the manufacturer to obtain desirable patterns of distribution of sauce and chunks in frozen confections while at the same time permitting fast cleaning-in-place times to minimize factory downtime. The variegator comprises a) one or more conduits, each suitable for feeding a base frozen confection to a first opening or set of openings into a chamber, b) one or more conduits suitable for feeding a fluid variegating material such as a sauce through a second openings or set of openings at a level below the first set into the chamber below the base frozen confection opening, and c) a static mixer below the variegating material opening, the static mixer comprising at least two baffles.

A variegator and a process for using it. The variegator permits the manufacturer to obtain desirable patterns of distribution of sauce and chunks in frozen confections while at the same time permitting fast cleaning-in-place times to minimize factory downtime. The variegator comprises a) one or more conduits, each suitable for feeding a base frozen confection to a first opening or set of openings into a chamber, b) one or more conduits suitable for feeding a fluid variegating material such as a sauce through a second openings or set of openings at a level below the first set into the chamber below the base frozen confection opening, and c) a static mixer below the variegating material opening, the static mixer comprising at least two baffles.

Described is a system for treating food products, the system comprising at least one machine comprising: a first container for treating a food product; at least one temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature inside the container; and a processing and control unit, operatively connected to the at least one sensor to receive the temperature detected and comprising a module for receiving and transmitting at least the temperature detected. The system also comprises a plurality of processing nodes defining an information write module configured to write to a distributed architecture database of the distributed ledger type information indicating at least the temperature received from the receiving and transmitting module.

A predetermined volume of ice-cream mix is provided to an ice cream making system or method. The ice-cream mix is cooled and whipped to form ice cream.

A method for making and dispensing liquid or semi-liquid food products is implemented in a machine including a one containment tank for containing a liquid basic product, a processing circuit for that product, to obtain a liquid or semi-liquid food product, a dispenser for dispensing the food product, an actuator acting on the basic product and/or on the food product and/or on parts of the machine, and a user interface for controlling the making and dispensing. The method, implemented by a control and processing unit connected with the user interface, includes: measuring one or more operating parameters, activating a first data communication for obtaining the operating parameters, receiving the operating parameters, activating a second data communication with the user interface for receiving commands representing selectable settings of preparations, and controlling the actuator as a function of the operating parameters and commands received.

A method for making and dispensing liquid or semi-liquid food products is implemented in a machine including a one containment tank for containing a liquid basic product, a processing circuit for that product, to obtain a liquid or semi-liquid food product, a dispenser for dispensing the food product, an actuator acting on the basic product and/or on the food product and/or on parts of the machine, and a user interface for controlling the making and dispensing. The method, implemented by a control and processing unit connected with the user interface, includes: measuring one or more operating parameters, activating a first data communication for obtaining the operating parameters, receiving the operating parameters, activating a second data communication with the user interface for receiving commands representing selectable settings of preparations, and controlling the actuator as a function of the operating parameters and commands received.

A frozen confection dispenser including a reservoir for receiving and holding a product to be dispensed, an evaporator with cylindrical cooling element, a movement device including a helical element arranged to rotate concentrically externally of a cooling element in such a way as to advance the product along the longitudinal axis of the cooling element, a driver engaged with the movement device for the rotation thereof, and a dispenser for dispensing of the product, wherein the helical element has an angle of attack of less than 60° relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. A helical element and a method for dispensing frozen confection with a dispenser are also disclosed.

A machine for making liquid or semi-liquid food products, specifically ice cream, includes a vessel for processing liquid or semi-liquid base products by means of a stirring device driven by a motor. The mixture in the vessel is transferred through a duct, along which movement means for moving the mixture are operatively located, these movement means comprising a rotary device including two juxtaposed discs, on which a series of rollers is mounted in such a way as to press a flexible portion of the duct, and an opposing element confronting the rollers.