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A soft ice cream machine which has a controller in contact with a freezing chamber. The controller is provided with temperature information from a temperature sensor, which senses when the temperature of the ice cream is approaching a temperature which could bring about freeze-up and disables the co

A soft ice cream machine which has a controller in contact with a freezing chamber. The controller is provided with temperature information from a temperature sensor, which senses when the temperature of the ice cream is approaching a temperature which could bring about freeze-up and disables the compressor until the mixture warms up a selectable amount. The controller automatically switches the refrigeration compressor and the mixer and auger to a standby condition when the controller senses that the dispensing spigot has not been actuated. The controller further senses when the temperature of the ice cream in the freezing chamber is approaching a temperature which would give an inadequately frozen product unacceptable to consumers.

대표청구항 ▼

1. In an apparatus for manufacturing soft ice cream and the like from prepared liquid mixes, said apparatus having a reservoir, temperature sensor freezing chamber, compressor, mixer and auger, and dispenser means, said reservoir releasing said prepared mixes into said freezing chamber as needed, sa

1. In an apparatus for manufacturing soft ice cream and the like from prepared liquid mixes, said apparatus having a reservoir, temperature sensor freezing chamber, compressor, mixer and auger, and dispenser means, said reservoir releasing said prepared mixes into said freezing chamber as needed, said compressor, and said mixer and auger being actuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T2 or warmer in said soft ice cream, and being deactuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T1 a preset amount cooler than said T2, said apparatus having a start-up and normal mode of operation, a serve mode of operation, and a standby mode of operation, the improvement comprising: a. controller means responsive to said temperature sensor, and said dispenser means, and controlling said compressor, said mixer and auger; b. in said start-up and normal mode, said controller means: 1. actuates said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said temperature T2; 2. turns off said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or cooler than said temperature T1; 3. goes into said serve mode of operation whenever said dispenser means is actuated. 4. goes into said standby mode of operation whenever said dispenser means has not been actuated for a preset period of time; c. in said serve mode of operation, said controller means: 1. actuates said compressor, and said mixer and auger, whenever said dispenser means is actuated; 2. disables said compressor when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T4 a selectable amount cooler than temperature T1, and enables said compressor when said temperature sensor detects a temperature wrmer than said T4; 3. turns off said mixer and auger, and said compressor when said dispenser means is deactuated, and goes into said start-up and normal mode of operation; d. in said standby mode of operation, said controller means cyclically: 1. actuates said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said temperature T3; 2. disables said compressor whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than said temperature T4; 3. goes into serve mode of operation whenever said dispenser means is actuated. 2. In an apparatus for manufacturing soft ice cream and the like from prepared liquid mixes, said apparatus having a reservoir, temperature senaor, freezing chamber, compressor, mixer and auger, and dispenser means, said reservoir releasing said prepared mixes into said freezing chamber as needed, said compressor, and said mixer and auger being actuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T2 or warmer in said soft ice cream, and being deactuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T1 a preset amount cooler than said T2, said apparatus having a start-up and normal mode of operation, a serve mode of operation, and a standby mode of operation, the improvement comprising: a. controller means responsive to said temperature sensor, and said dispenser means, and controlling said compressor, said mixer and auger; b. in said start-up and normal mode, said controller means cyclically: 1. actuates said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said temperature T2; 2. turns off said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or cooler than said temperature T1; 3. goes into said serve mode of operation whenever said dispenser means is actuated; and 4. goes into said standby mode of operation whenever said dispenser means has not been actuated for a preset period of time. 3. In an apparatus for manufacturing soft ice cream and the like from prepared liquid mixes said apparatus having a reservoir, temperature sensor, freezing chamber, compressor, mixer and auger, and dispenser means, said reservoir relesing said prepared mixes into said freezing chamber as needed, said compressor, and said mixer and auger being actuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T2 or warmer in said soft ice cream, and being deactuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T1 a preset amount cooler than said T2, said apparatus having a start-up and normal mode of operation, a serve mode of operation, and a standby mode of operation, the improvement comprising: a. controller means responsive to said temperature sensor, and said dispenser means, and controlling said compressor, said mixer and auger; b. in said serve mode of operation, said controller means: 1. actuates said compressor, said mixer and auger whenever said dispenser means is activated; 2. disables said compressor when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T4 a selectable amount cooler than temperature T1, and enables said compressor when said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said T4; 3. turns off said mixer and auger, and said compressor when said dispenser means is deactuated, and goes into said start-up and normal mode of operation. 4. In an apparatus for manufacturing soft ice cream and the like from prepared liquid mixes said apparatus having a reservoir, temperature sensor, freezing chamber, compressor, mixer and auger, and dispenser means, said reservoir releasing said prepared mixes into said freezing chamber as needed, said compressor, and said mixer and auger being actuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T2 or warmer in said soft ice cream, and being actuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T1 a preset amount cooler than said T2, said apparatus having a start-up and normal mode of operation, a serve mode of operation, and a standby mode of operation, the improvement comprising: a. controller means responsive to said temperature sensor, and said dispenser means, and controlling said compressor, and said mixer and auger; b. in said standby mode of operation, said controller means cyclically: 1. actuates said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or warmer a temperature T3, warmer than T1 be a selectable amount; 2. disables said compressor whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than said temperature T4; and 3. goes into serve mode of operation whenever said dispenser means is actuated. 5. In an apparatus for manufacturing soft ice cream and the like from prepared liquid mixes, said apparatus having a reservoir, temperature sensor freezing chamber, compressor, mixer and auger, and dispenser means, said reservoir releasing said prepared mixes into said freezing chamber as needed, said compressor, and said mixer and auger being actuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T2 or warmer in said soft ice cream, and being deactuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T1 a preset amount cooler than said T2, said apparatus having a start-up and normal mode of operation, the improvement comprising: a. controller means responsive to said temperature sensor, and said dispenser means, and controlling said compressor, and said mixer and auger; b. in said start-up and normal mode, said controller means cyclically: 1. actuates said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said temperature T2; 2. turns off said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or cooler than said temperature T1; 3. goes into said serve mode of operation whenever said dispenser means is actuated; 4. goes into said standby mode of operation whenver said dispenser means has not been actuated for a preset perod of the time; c. in said serve mode of operation, said controller means: 1. actuates said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said dispenser means is actuated; 2. disables said compressor when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T4 a selectable amount cooler than temperature T1, and enables said compressor when said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said T4; and 3. turns off said mixer and auger, and said compressor when said dispenser means is deactuated, and goes into said start-up and normal mode of operation. 6. In an apparaus for manufacturing soft ice cream and the like from prepared liquid mixes, said apparatus having a reservoir, temperature sensor, freezing chamber, compressor, mixer and auger, and dispenser means, said reservoir releasing said prepared mixes into said freezing chamber as needed, said compressor, and said mixer and auger being actuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T2 or warmer in said soft ice cream, and being deactuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T1 a preset amount cooler than said T2, said apparatus having a start-up and normal mode of operation, a serve mode of operation, and a standby mode of operation, the improvement comprising: a. controller means responsive to said temperature sensor, and said dispenser means, and controlling said compressor, said mixer and auger; b. in said start-up and normal mode, said controller means cyclically: 1. actuates said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said temperature T2; 2. turns off said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or cooler than said temperature T1; 3. goes into aid serve mode of operation whenever said dispenser means is actuated; 4. goes into said standby mode of operation whenever said dispenser means has not been actuated for a preset period of time; c. in said standby mode of operation, said controller means cyclically: 1. actuates said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said temperature T3; 2. disables said compressor whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than temperature T4; and 3. goes into serve mode of operation whenever said dispenser means is actuated. 7. In an apparatus for manufacturing soft ice cream and the like from prepared liquid mixes, said apparatus having a reservoir, temperature sensor, freezing chamber, compressor, mixer and auger, and dispenser means, said reservoir releasing said prepared mixes into said freezing chamber as needed, said compressor, and said mixer and auger being actuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T2 or warmer in said soft ice cream, and being deactuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T1 a preset amount cooler than said T2, said apparatus having a start-up and normal mode of operation, a serve mode of operation, and a standby mode of operation, the improvement comprising: a. controller means responsive to said temperature sensor, and said dispenser means, and controlling said compressor, and said mixer and auger; b. in said serve mode of operation, said controller means: 1. actuates said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said dispenser means is 2. disables said compressor when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T4 a selectable amount cooler than temperature T1, and enables said compressor when said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said T4; 3. turns off said mixer and auger, and said compressor when said dispenser means is deactuated, and goes into said start-up and normal mode of operation; c. in said standby mode of operation, said controller means cyclically: 1. actuates said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or warmer a temperature T3, warmer than T1 be a selectable amount; 2. disables said compressor whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than said temperature T4; 3. goes into serve mode of operation whenever said dispenser means is actuated. 8. In an apparatus for manufacturing soft ice cream and the like from prepared liquid mixes said apparatus having a reservoir, temperature sensor freezing chamber, compressor, mixer and auger, dispenser means, and portion control means, said reservoir releasing said prepared mixes into said freezing chamber as needed, said compressor and said mixer and auger being actuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T2 or warmer in said soft ice cream, and being deactuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T1 a preset amount cooler than said T2, said apparatus having a start-up and normal mode of operation, a serve mode of operation, and a standby mode of operation, the improvement comprising: a. controller means responsive to said temperature sensor, and said dispenser means, and controlling said compressor, said mixer and auger, and said portion control means; b. in said start-up and normal mode, said controller means; 1. disables said portion control means whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature T3 warmer than said temperature T1 by a selectable amount; 2. actuates said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said temperature T2; 3. enables said portion control means when said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than T3; 4. turns off said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or cooler than said temperature T1; 5. goes into said serve mode of operation whenever said dispenser means is actuated; and 6. goes into said standby mode of operation whenever said dispenser means has not been actuated for a preset period of time; c. in said serve mode of operation, said controller means: 1. actuates said compressor, said mixer and auger, and said portion control means said dispenser is actuated; 2. disables said compressor when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T4 a selectable amount cooler than temperature T1, and enables said compressor when said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said T4; 3. turns off said mixer and auger, and said compressor when said portion control means terminates or said dispenser means is deactuated, and goes into said start-up and normal mode of operation; d. in said standby mode of operation, said controller means cyclically: 1. disables said portion control means and actuates said compressor whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or warmer than said temperature T3; 2. enables said portion control means when said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than said temperature T3; 3. disables said compressor whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than said temperature T4; and 4. goes into said serve mode of operation whenever said dispenser means is activated. 9. In an apparatus for manufacturing soft ice cream and the like from prepared liquid mixes said apparatus having a reserovir, temperature sensor freezing chamber, compressor, mixer and auger, dispenser means, and portion control means, said reservoir releasing said prepared mixes into said freezing chamber as needed, said compressor and said mixer and auger being actuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T2 or warmer in said soft ice cream, and being deactuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T1a preset amount cooler than said T2, said apparatus having a start-up and normal mode of operation, a serve mode of operation, and a standby mode of operation, the improvement comprising: a. controller means responsive to said temperature sensor, and said dispenser means, and controlling said compressor, said mixer and auger, and said portioon control means; b. in said start-up and normal mode, said controller means: 1. disables said portion control means whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature T3 warmer than said temperature T1 by a selectable amount; 2. actuates said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said temperature T2; 3. enables said portion control means when said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than T3; 4. turns off said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or cooler than said temperature T1; 5. goes into said serve mode of operation whenever said dispenser means is actuated; and 6. goes into said standby mode of operation whenever said dispenser means has not been actuated for a preset period of time. 10. In an apparatus for manufacturing soft ice cream and the like from prepared liquid mixes said apparatus having a reservoir, temperature sensor freezing chamber, compressor, mixer and auger, dispenser means, and portion control means, said reservoir releasing said prepared mixes into said freezing chamber as needed, said compressor and said mixer and auger being actuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T2 or warmer in said soft ice cream, and being deactuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T1 a preset amount cooler than said T2, said apparatus having a start-up and normal mode of operation, a serve mode of operation, and a standby mode of operation, the improvement comprising: a. controller means responsive to said temperature sensor, and said dispenser means, and controlling said compressor, said mixer and auger, and said portion control means; in said serve mode of operation, said controller means: 1. actuates said compressor, said mixer and auger, and said portion control means said dispenser is actuated; 2. disables said compressor when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T4 a selectable amount cooler than temperature T1, and enables said compressor when said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said T4; 3. turns off said mixer and auger, and said compressor when said portion control means terminates or said dispensor means is deactuated, and goes into said start-up and normal mode of operation. 11. In an apparatus for manufacturing soft ice cream and the like from prepared liquid mixes said apparatus having a reservoir, temperature sensor freezing chamber, compressor, mixer and auger, dispenser means, and portion control means, said reservoir releasing said prepared mixes into said freezing chamber as needed, said compressor and said mixer and auger being actuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T2 or warmer in said soft ice cream, and being deactuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T1 a preset amount cooler than said T2, said apparatus having a start-up and normal mode of operation, a serve mode of operation, and a standby mode of operation, the improvement comprising: a. controller means responsive to said temperature sensor, and said dispensers means, and controlling said compressor, said mixer and auger, and said portion control means; b. in said standby mode of operation, said controller means cyclically: 1. disables said portion control means and actuates said compressor whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or warmer than said temperature T3; 2. enables said portion control means when said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than said temperature T3; 3. disables said compressor whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than said temperature T4; and 4. goes into said serve mode of operation whenever said dispenser means is activated. 12. In an apparatus for manufacturing soft ice cream and the like from prepared liquid mixes said apparatus having a reservoir, temperature sensor freezing chamber, compressor, mixer and auger, dispenser means, and portion control means, said reservoir releasing said prepared mixes into said freezing chamber as needed, said compressor and said mixer and auger being actuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T2 or warmer in said soft ice cream, and being deactuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T1 a preset amount cooler sais than T2, said apparatus having a start-up and normal mode of operation, a serve mode of operation, and a standby mode of operation, the improvement comprising: a. controller means responsive to said temperature sensor, and said dispenser means, and controlling said compressor, said mixer and auger, and said portion control means; b. in said start-up and normal mode, said controller means: 2. disables said portion control means whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature T3 warmer than said temperature T1 by a selectable amount; 2. actuates said compresssor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said temperature T2; 3. enables said portion control means when said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than T3; 4. turns off said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or cooler than said temperature T1; 5. goes into said serve mode of operation whenever said dispenser means is actuated; and 6. goes into said standby mode of operation whenever said dispenser means has not been actuated for a preset period of time; c. in said serve mode of operation, said controller means: 1. actuates said compressor, said mixer and auger, and said portion control means said dispenser is actuated; 2. disables said compressor when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T4 a selectable amount cooler than temperature T1, and enables said compressor when said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said T4; 3. turns off said mixer and auger, and said compressor when said portion control means terminates or said dispenser means is deactuated, and goes into said start-up and normal mode of operation. 13. In apparatus for manufacturing soft ice cream and the like from prepared liquid mixes said apparatus having a reservoir, temperature sensor freezing chamber, compressor, mixer and auger, dispenser means, and portion control means, said reservoir releasing said prepared mixes into said freezing chamber as needed, said compressor and said mixer and auger being actuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T2 or warmer in said soft ice cream, and being deactuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T1 a preset amount cooler than said T2, said apparatus having a start-up and normal mode of operation, a serve mode of operation, and a standby mode of operation, the improvement comprising: a. controller means responsive to said temperature sensor, and said dispenser means, and controlling said compressor, said mixer and auger, and said portion control means; b. in said start-up and normal mode, said controller means: 1. disables said portion control means whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature T3 warmer than said temperature T1 by a selectable amount; 2. actuates said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said temperature T1; 3. enables said portion control means when said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than T3; 4. turns off said compressor, and said mixer and auger whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or cooler than said temperature T1; 5. goes into said serve mode of operation whenever said dispenser means is actuated; and 6. goes into said standby mode of operation whenever said dispenser means has not been actuated for a preset period of time; c. in said standby mode of operation, said controller means cyclically: 1. disables said portion control means and actuates said compressor whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or warmer than said temperature T3; 2. enables said portion control means when said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than said temperature T3; 3. disables said compressor whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than said temperature T4; and 4. goes into said serve mode of operation whenever said dispenser means is activated. 14. In an apparatus for manufacturing soft ice cream and the like from prepared liquid mixes said apparatus having a reservoir, temperature sensor freezing chamber, compressor, mixer and auger, dispenser means, and portion control means, said reservoir releasing said prepared mixes into said freezing chamber as needed, said compressor and said mixer and auger being actuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T2 or warmer in said soft ice cream, and being deactuated when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T1 a preset amount cooler than said T2, said apparatus having a start-up and normal mode of operation, a serve mode of operation, and a standby mode of operation, the improvement comprising: a. controller means responsive to said temperature sensor, and said dispenser means, and controlling said compressor, said mixer and auger, and said portion control means; b. in said serve mode of operation, said controller means: 1. actuates said compressor, said mixer and auger, and said portion control means said dispenser is actuated; 2. disables said compressor when said temperature sensor detects a temperature T4 a selectable amount cooler than temperature T1, and enables said compressor when said temperature sensor detects a temperature warmer than said T4; 3. turns off said mixer and auger, and said compressor when said portion control means terminates or said dispenser means is deactuated, and goes into said start-up and normal mode of operation; c. in said standby mode of operation, said controller means cyclically: 1. disables said portion contol means and actuates said compressor whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or warmer than said temperature T3; 2. enables said portion control means when said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than said temperature T3; 3. disables said compressor whenever said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than said temperature T4; and 4. goes into said serve mode of operation whenever said dispenser means is activated. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, 6, 8, or 13 having a READY light and a NOT READY light, wherein said controller means, in said start-up and normal, and in said standby, modes of operation: a. turns off said READY light and turns on said NOT READY light when said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or warmer than said temperature T3; and b. turns on said READY light and turns off said NOT READY light when said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than said temperature T3. 16. The apparatus of claim 2, 5, 9, or 12 having a READY light and a NOT READY light, wherein said controller means, in said start-up and normal mode of operation: a. turns off said READY light and turns on said NOT READY light when said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or warmer than said temperature T3; and b. turns on said READY light and turns off said NOT READY light when said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than said temperature T3. 17. The apparatus of claim 4, 7, 11, or 14 having a READY light and a NOT READY light, wherein said controller means, in said standby mode of operation: a. turns off said READY light and turns on said NOT READY light when said temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or warmer than said temperature T3; and b. turns on said READY light and turns off said NOT READY light when said temperature sensor detects a temperature cooler than said temperature T3.