Patent Description:
A need keenly felt in the sector in question is that of particularly quickly bringing the product from the icy or semi-icy state to the liquid state, when it must be completely removed from the processing tank for cleaning / product substitution.

In fact, it is often the case that the product in the tank must be substituted when a predetermined time has elapsed which makes said product in the tank incompatible with selling and/or food safety.

In light of this, the icy product must be rendered liquid in order to be able to completely remove it from the tank in a fast, easy way.

Therefore, there is now a widespread need to have available a machine that allows, in a particularly fast, easy way, the icy product to be brought from the semi-solid, that is to say, icy state to the liquid state, so that it can be easily extracted.

The aim of this innovation is therefore to meet the above-mentioned requirements by providing a machine for making and dispensing a liquid or semi-liquid food product (hereinafter also defined as a cold or ice beverage), in particular but not limited to products such as slushes, sorbets, cold creams, soft ice cream, etc..

In particular, the aim of this innovation is to provide a machine for making a liquid or semi-liquid food product (cold or ice beverage), in particular but not limited to products such as slushes, sorbets, creams, soft ice cream, etc., that allows the icy product present in the tank to be quickly and easily extracted.

Document <CIT> discloses a method for pasteurising and restoring the refrigerant cycle in a freezing machine for making crushed-ice drinks and the like comprises a pasteurising step during which a predetermined maximum temperature is reached and a step of restoring the refrigerant cycle, during which a predetermined freezing temperature is reached; the step of restoring the refrigerant cycle comprises a sub-step of rapid cooling of the pasteurising temperature with a first thermal excursion with passage from the temperature to a temperature and a sub-step of slow cooling from the temperature to the freezing temperature with a second thermal excursion, in which the first thermal excursion is greater than the second thermal excursion.

Document <CIT> shows a method of pasteurizing alimentary products or mixtures and of sterilizing the elements contacting such products and mixtures in the machines for making ice--cream products and/or for pasteurizing alimentary liquid mixtures and provided with a gas-compression refrigerating unit comprising a condenser connected at one side to the delivery of a refrigerant fluid from said compressor, and at the other side to the inlet of an evaporator which is in heat-exchange relationship with a chamber for treating and/or containing said products or mixtures, an expansion valve being interposed therebetween.

Document <CIT> shows a machine for the thermal treatment of liquid and semi-liquid food products which comprises: at least two tanks for containing respective products to be subjected to the thermal treatment, at least one dispenser for dispensing the product contained in said tanks, at least one stirrer mounted inside each tank for mixing the product contained therein, thermal treatment means operatively acting on the products contained in the containers. The thermal treatment means comprise at least one circuit for circulation of an operating fluid and at least two first heat exchangers operating according to a thermodynamic cycle; each of the two first heat exchangers being associated with a respective tank; said thermal treatment means being configured in such a way as to implement at least one operating mode of removing heat from the respective tank by means of one first heat exchanger and simultaneously transferring heat to the respective tank by means of the other first heat exchanger.

Document <CIT> shows a method of operating a frozen beverage machine is disclosed that utilizes a short "burst" heating of the beverage machine's freezing chamber. The method includes monitoring a beverage mixture within the freezing chamber of the frozen beverage machine, and heating the freezing chamber for a predetermined time period in response to the beverage mixture reaching a first predetermined state. The freezing chamber is then refrigerated until the beverage mixture reaches a second predetermined state.

These and other aims are substantially achieved by the machine for making liquid or semi-liquid products (cold or ice beverages) as described in the appended claims.

Further features and advantages are more apparent in the detailed description of a non-limiting example embodiment of the innovation.

The technical features of the invention, with reference to the above aims, are clearly described in the claims below and its advantages are more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a non-limiting example embodiment of the invention, and in which:.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral <NUM> denotes a machine for making cold products (that is to say, products suitable for being made at a temperature below <NUM>) such as slushes, sorbets, creams, soft ice cream, cold creams, etc..

More generally, the machine <NUM> is adapted to make and dispense cold or ice beverages.

The machine <NUM> for making and dispensing cold or ice beverages, such as cool drinks, slushes, sorbets and the like, comprises at least:.

According to another aspect, the machine <NUM> preferably comprises a containment compartment <NUM> at least for the second heat exchanger <NUM> and the compressor <NUM>.

The machine <NUM> further and preferably comprises, according to another aspect, at least one first airflow intake cavity 14A in fluid communication with said containment compartment <NUM> and with the outside environment and at least one second airflow release cavity 14B in fluid communication with said containment compartment <NUM> and with the outside environment.

It should be noticed that said second release cavity 14B is located above the first intake cavity 14A (that is to say, higher up), so as to create an airflow with a component moving from the bottom upwards.

In use, the fact that the first intake cavity 14A and the second release cavity 14B are at two different heights means that it is possible to create an airflow that passes through the inner compartment <NUM>.

It should be noticed that, preferably, the airflow has a vertical (ascending) component and a horizontal component (directed from the front part of the machine <NUM> to the back part of it).

With reference to the stirrer <NUM>, it should be noticed that said stirrer <NUM> is a helical stirrer.

It should be noticed that the thermal treatment cylinder <NUM> comprises a longitudinal inner cavity (not illustrated), in which a motion transmission shaft passes freely.

The motion transmission shaft (not illustrated) is coupled to the stirrer <NUM>, preferably to the front portion of the stirrer <NUM>.

The machine <NUM> also comprises an electronic control and drive unit U.

The machine <NUM> comprises a selection interface I, operatively acting on said electronic control and drive unit U for adjusting the operation of one or more elements of the machine <NUM>.

There follows a description of the refrigerating plant <NUM>, with particular reference to what is illustrated in the appended <FIG>.

In particular, as illustrated in <FIG>, the refrigerating plant <NUM> preferably comprises a first pipe 20A connecting the first exchanger <NUM> to the compressor <NUM>, in particular a pipe connecting the outfeed 6B of the first exchanger <NUM> to the infeed 11A of the compressor <NUM>.

The machine <NUM> comprises, downstream of said compressor <NUM> (with reference to the direction of normal circulation of the refrigerant fluid), a selective connecting unit <NUM>.

The selective connecting unit <NUM> is configured for alternately connecting the outfeed 11B of the compressor <NUM> to the infeed 6A of the first exchanger <NUM> or to the infeed 7A of the second exchanger <NUM>.

It should be noticed that the selective connecting unit <NUM> is adapted to operate between a first configuration, in which it connects the outfeed 11B of the compressor to the infeed 6A of the first exchanger, and a second configuration in which it connects the outfeed 11B of the compressor to the infeed 7A of the second exchanger <NUM>.

It should be noticed that, preferably, the control unit U is operatively connected to the selective connecting unit <NUM>, for controlling it in such a way as to switch it to the two configurations, that is to say, the first configuration and the second configuration.

Preferably, the selective connecting unit <NUM> is a multi-way valve, with one infeed and two outfeeds.

More generally, the selective connecting unit <NUM> is equipped with one infeed and two outfeeds.

The valve, or more generally the selective connecting unit <NUM>, is configured to, selectively and alternately, put its own infeed 21A in fluid communication with one or the other of its own outfeeds (21B, 21C).

The control unit U controls the selective connecting unit <NUM>.

It should be noticed that the selective connecting unit <NUM> is normally in the first configuration when the machine <NUM> is in a production mode: in this mode the first exchanger <NUM> removes heat from the product in the tank <NUM>, that is to say, a thermodynamic cooling cycle is carried out (preferably with vapour compression).

It should be noticed that the refrigerating plant <NUM> comprises a circuit in which a thermal carrier fluid is present, circulating in the compressor <NUM>, first exchanger <NUM>, second exchanger <NUM> and pressure reducing (i.e.: throttling) unit <NUM>.

It should be noticed that the selective connecting unit <NUM> is normally in the second configuration when the machine <NUM> is in a defrost mode: in this mode the first exchanger <NUM> transfers heat to the surface of the cylinder <NUM> located in the tank <NUM>.

It should be noticed that, in that second configuration, the plant <NUM> implements a "hot gas" technique, in which the first exchanger <NUM> transfers heat into the tank; in use, the refrigerant fluid, in the form of a gas is made to recirculate between the compressor and the first exchanger <NUM>.

The refrigerant fluid, in the form of a gas heats up and transfers heat to the cylinder <NUM>.

The selection interface I comprises at least one control I1 for setting the configuration of the selective connecting unit <NUM> (between the first and the second operating modes), that is to say, for switching between the two configurations.

It should be noticed that the plant <NUM> comprises, at the outfeed 7B of the second exchanger <NUM>, that is to say, downstream of the second exchanger <NUM>, the pressure reducing unit <NUM>.

In other words, the outfeed 7B of the second exchanger <NUM> is connected to the infeed 16A of the pressure reducing unit <NUM>.

In contrast, the infeed 7A of the second exchanger <NUM> is connected to an outfeed 21C of the connecting unit <NUM>.

Said pressure reducing unit <NUM> is preferably a throttle (expansion) valve. Preferably, the outfeed 16B of the pressure reducing unit <NUM> is connected to the infeed 6A of the first exchanger <NUM>.

There follows a description of the thermal treatment plant <NUM>, with particular reference to what is illustrated in the appended <FIG> (first embodiment).

<FIG> shows a thermal treatment plant <NUM> for a tank <NUM>, that is to say, adapted to cool the product in a tank <NUM>.

In particular, as illustrated in <FIG>, the thermal treatment plant <NUM> preferably comprises a first pipe <NUM> connecting the first exchanger <NUM> to the compressor <NUM>, in particular a pipe <NUM> connecting the outfeed 6B of the first exchanger <NUM> to the infeed 11A of the compressor <NUM>.

It should be noticed that located in said pipe <NUM> there is a further heat exchanger <NUM>, which is interposed between the compressor <NUM> and the first exchanger <NUM>, in particular located between the infeed 11A of the compressor <NUM> and the outfeed 6B of the first exchanger <NUM> (along said pipe <NUM>).

The selective connecting unit <NUM> comprises at least one first valve <NUM>, associated with the first circuit for closing it / opening it and at least one second valve <NUM>, associated with the second circuit for closing it / opening it.

It should be noticed that the first and second circuits share several components and pipes, whilst from the outfeed 11B of the compressor to the infeed 6A of the first exchanger said first and second circuits have two pipes C1,C2 (branches of the circuit) that are separate and parallel.

The selective connecting unit <NUM> is operatively active on each of said two pipes C1,C2 (branches of the circuit) that are separate and parallel.

In particular, the first valve <NUM> is active on the pipe C1 whilst the second valve is active on the pipe C2.

Preferably, the first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM> are switched simultaneously.

Therefore, the control unit is configured for controlling the first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM> in such a way as to switch them simultaneously. More precisely, when the first valve <NUM> is open and the second valve <NUM> is closed, and vice versa.

The second valve <NUM> is located downstream of said compressor <NUM> (with reference to the direction of normal circulation of the refrigerant fluid), for closing a pipe <NUM> (which is part of the plant <NUM>).

The pipe <NUM> connects the outfeed 11B of the compressor with the infeed 6A of the first exchanger <NUM>.

Said valve <NUM> allows the pipe <NUM> to be opened or closed, that is to say, it may be switched between a closed configuration of the pipe <NUM> and an open configuration of the pipe <NUM>.

Therefore, it should be noticed that with the second valve <NUM> in the closed configuration, the thermal carrier fluid passes through the second exchanger <NUM>, the auxiliary exchanger <NUM>, the pressure reducing unit <NUM>, the first exchanger <NUM> and the compressor <NUM>, that is to say, it circulates along the entire first circuit.

In that situation, the first valve <NUM> is open.

In that situation, the second valve <NUM> is closed.

The first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM> are located on parallel branches C1, C2 which connect, respectively, the outfeed 11B of the compressor <NUM> with the infeed 6A of the first exchanger <NUM>.

More precisely, in that closed configuration, the thermal plant <NUM> allows a vapour-compression thermodynamic cycle to be carried out (the fluid flows in the first circuit, performing a vapour-compression thermodynamic cycle between the various components).

It should be noticed that, according to that thermodynamic cycle, the first heat exchanger <NUM> absorbs heat from the liquid or semi-liquid product in the tank <NUM>, cooling the liquid or semi-liquid product.

In contrast, it should be noticed that in the heating configuration of the selective connecting unit <NUM>, the thermal carrier fluid flows through the first exchanger <NUM>, the compressor <NUM>, the pipe <NUM> and the further exchanger <NUM>, that is to say, along the second circuit.

More precisely, in that heating configuration of the selective connecting unit <NUM>, the thermal plant <NUM> carries out a hot gas thermodynamic cycle.

It should be noticed that in the heating configuration of the selective connecting unit <NUM>, the second valve <NUM> is open whilst the first valve <NUM> is closed.

It should be noticed that, according to that hot gas thermodynamic cycle, the first heat exchanger <NUM> transfers heat to the liquid or semi-liquid product in the tank <NUM>, defrosting the liquid or semi-liquid product.

Preferably, the control unit U controls the selective connecting device <NUM>.

It should be noticed that the selective connecting device <NUM> is normally in the first configuration when the machine <NUM> is in a production mode: in this mode the first exchanger <NUM> removes heat from the product in the tank <NUM>, that is to say, a thermodynamic cooling cycle is carried out (preferably a vapour-compression thermodynamic cycle).

It should be noticed that the selective connecting unit <NUM> is normally in the second heating configuration when the machine <NUM> is in a defrost mode: in this mode the first exchanger <NUM> transfers heat to the surface of the cylinder <NUM> located in the tank <NUM>.

It should be noticed that, in that second configuration, the plant <NUM> implements a "hot gas" technique, in which the first exchanger <NUM> transfers heat into the tank; in use, the refrigerant fluid, in the form of a gas is made to recirculate between the compressor <NUM> and the first exchanger <NUM>.

The refrigerant fluid, in the form of a gas heats up and transfers heat to the cylinder <NUM> due to circulation in the second circuit and in particular due to heating in the compressor <NUM>.

In this way, advantageously, it is possible to extremely quickly defrost, for cleaning and/or maintenance, the product accumulated in the tank <NUM>.

It should be noticed that said operation is normally carried out by the operators when the product in the tank <NUM> needs to be substituted, because it has been in the tank <NUM> for too long, which is incompatible with food safety and/or selling.

Thanks to the defrost technique implemented above, the time required for that operation is significantly reduced.

It should be noticed that switching between the first and second configurations of the selective connecting unit <NUM> may occur at any time, when production, maintenance or cleaning require the switch to one or the other configuration (first or second).

According to one aspect, the selection interface I comprises at least one control I1 for setting the configuration of the selective connecting unit <NUM> (between the first and the second configuration), that is to say, for switching between the two configurations.

More precisely, the second exchanger <NUM> is connected to the further exchanger <NUM> by means of a pipe <NUM>.

The further exchanger <NUM> is connected to the first exchanger <NUM> by means of a pipe <NUM>.

It should be noticed that located in said pipe <NUM> is the pressure reducing unit <NUM>, which is therefore operatively interposed (in the first circuit) between the further exchanger <NUM> and the first exchanger <NUM>.

Said throttling unit <NUM> is preferably a throttle valve.

Preferably, the outfeed 16B of the throttling unit <NUM> is connected to the infeed 6A of the first exchanger <NUM>.

It should be noticed that the outfeed 6B of the first exchanger is connected to the infeed 11A of the compressor by means of a pipe <NUM> (that pipe <NUM> is shared by the first and second circuit).

In particular, said pipe <NUM> affects the further exchanger <NUM>.

Preferably, the plant <NUM> comprises an additional pressure reducing element <NUM>, located in the pipe <NUM> upstream of the pressure reducing unit <NUM> (more precisely between the additional exchanger <NUM> and the pressure reducing unit <NUM>).

Said additional pressure reducing element <NUM> is part of the first circuit. There follows a description of further aspects relating to the machine <NUM>.

It should be noticed that, preferably, the machine <NUM> comprises a sensor <NUM>, associated with the tank <NUM>, and adapted to detect a parameter (shape, geometry, quantity) concerning the ice present in the tank <NUM>.

Said parameter may be, for example, one or more of the following: the quantity of ice, the dimensions (medium or maximum) of the ice crystals, etc..

Preferably, the control unit U is configured for adjusting one or more components of the thermal treatment plant <NUM> based on the signal of said sensor <NUM>, in particular when the selective connecting unit <NUM> is in the first cooling configuration (that is to say, the machine <NUM> is in the production mode).

It should be noticed that, preferably, according to the above aspect, the control unit U is configured for adjusting the power (in particular the speed) of the compressor <NUM>.

Preferably, the control unit U is configured for automatically switching the selective connecting unit <NUM> from the first cooling configuration to the second heating configuration (that is to say, for automatically switching from the production mode to the defrost mode).

It should be noticed that, preferably, the control unit U is configured for automatically switching the selective connecting unit <NUM> from the first cooling configuration to the second heating configuration based on a machine operating parameter.

Preferably, said machine operating parameter comprises a parameter that is one or more of the following: product temperature in the tank <NUM>, temperature of the outside environment, product consistency, stirrer motor absorption, etc..

Preferably, according to this aspect, the machine <NUM> comprises one or more sensors adapted to detect a machine operating parameter (in particular a parameter that is one or more of the following: product temperature in the tank <NUM>, temperature of the outside environment, product consistency, stirrer motor absorption, etc.).

Therefore, the control unit U is electrically connected to said one or more sensors for automatically switching the selective connecting unit <NUM> from the first cooling configuration to the second heating configuration based on a machine operating parameter detected by said one or more sensors.

Preferably, defrosting occurs as follows.

Defrosting comprises an initial heating step.

The selective connecting unit <NUM> is first switched from the first cooling configuration to the second heating configuration, so as to heat the product, that is to say, product residues, in the tank <NUM>.

In this step, the compressor <NUM> is kept active.

Then, defrosting comprises a step of switching the selective connecting unit <NUM> from the second heating configuration to the first cooling configuration.

In this way, the product in the tank <NUM> is cooled.

<FIG> shows a machine <NUM> with two tanks and a single thermal treatment plant <NUM> (which allows thermal treatment of the product in both tanks <NUM>).

It should be noticed that the two tanks <NUM> may be independent, that is to say, each tank <NUM> may be kept in production, defrosting, or inactive independently of the other.

The embodiment of the thermal treatment plant <NUM> in <FIG> is a single thermal treatment plant <NUM> for both tanks <NUM>.

According to an alternative embodiment, defrosting may be carried out by means of manual activation.

In the machine <NUM> an ascending vertical cooling airflow is created, which strikes the components of the machine <NUM> belonging to the thermal treatment plant <NUM> which are adapted to release thermodynamic heat (preferably the compressor <NUM> and the second exchanger <NUM>).

In this way, the machine <NUM> is energy efficient, since the cooling flow that is established by the arrangement of the first airflow intake cavity 14A and the second airflow release cavity 14B is optimum for extremely rapid removal of the heat from the second exchanger <NUM>, thereby maximising the energy efficiency of the machine <NUM>.

According to another aspect, the containment compartment <NUM> is formed by a front wall 15A, by a rear wall 15B, by an upper wall 15C, by a lower wall 15D, and by a pair of lateral walls (15E, 15F), right and left.

It should be noticed that the containment compartment <NUM> is located below the containment tank <NUM>.

Preferably, the machine <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM> and one or more of the front wall 15A, the rear wall 15B, the upper wall 15C, the lower wall 15D, and the pair of lateral walls (15E, 15F), right and left, are removable relative to the frame <NUM>.

Preferably, said frame <NUM> is formed by one or more vertical members.

It should be noticed that, preferably, the compressor <NUM> is located above the lower wall 15D.

It should be noticed that, preferably, the second exchanger <NUM> is located above the lower wall 15D.

Preferably, the airflow (natural or with forced circulation) strikes the second exchanger <NUM>; more preferably, said airflow also strikes the compressor <NUM>. It should be noticed that, preferably, the machine <NUM> is equipped with a lid <NUM> hinged to the containment tank <NUM>, for allowing loading of the basic product to be processed.

Preferably, the first intake cavity 14A is made in the lower wall 15D.

Even more preferably, the first intake cavity 14A is made in the front wall 15A.

According to another aspect, the first intake cavity 14A is made in one of the lateral walls (15E, 15F).

According to another aspect, the second release cavity 14B is made in the rear wall 15B.

According to another aspect, the second release cavity 14B is made in one of the lateral walls (15E, 15F).

It should be noticed that the machine <NUM> may comprise a plurality of first intake cavities 14A, and a plurality of second release cavities 14B.

In such a case, preferably the first intake cavities 14A are made in the front and/or lower wall, and/or in the lateral walls, whilst the second release cavities 14B are made in the rear wall and/or in the lateral walls. Said intake cavity 14A and/or release cavity 14B may be made in the form of an opening or of a slit or of any interruption (including absence) of one of the walls of the containment compartment <NUM>.

According to another aspect, the machine <NUM> may comprise a fan, located in said containment compartment <NUM>, for generating a forced (ascending) cooling airflow.

With reference to the accompanying figures, it should be noticed that they show a double machine.

In this case, that machine is equipped with two product processing and dispensing units, each comprising:.

With reference to the thermal treatment plant <NUM>, the double machine <NUM> may comprise two independent refrigerating plants, each adapted to cool and/or heat the products in one tank <NUM> or a single, shared thermal treatment plant.

Claim 1:
A machine (<NUM>) for making and dispensing cold or ice beverages, such as cool drinks, slushes, sorbets and the like, comprising at least:
- a containment and processing tank (<NUM>) for the product to be dispensed which has a front wall (<NUM>), which is equipped at the bottom of it with a dispensing mouth (<NUM>) for dispensing the beverage,
- a dispenser (<NUM>), located at the beverage dispensing mouth (<NUM>) and able to be turned on or off to allow the beverage to be dispensed;
- a thermal treatment cylinder (<NUM>) located inside the containment tank (<NUM>);
- a stirrer (<NUM>) located outside an outer surface of said thermal treatment cylinder (<NUM>) and adapted to rotate about a respective axis of rotation (X1);
- a thermal treatment plant (<NUM>) comprising a first cooling circuit and a second heating circuit, the first cooling circuit being defined at least by a first exchanger (<NUM>) associated with the thermal treatment cylinder (<NUM>), by a second heat exchanger (<NUM>), by an auxiliary exchanger (<NUM>), by a pressure reducing unit (<NUM>), by a compressor (<NUM>) and by respective pipes (<NUM>, <NUM>), and the second circuit being defined at least by the first exchanger (<NUM>) associated with the thermal treatment cylinder (<NUM>), by the auxiliary exchanger (<NUM>), by the compressor (<NUM>) and by respective pipes (<NUM>, <NUM>), the thermal treatment plant (<NUM>) also comprising a selective connecting unit (<NUM>) configured for turning on, in a first cooling configuration, the first cooling circuit, for applying a thermodynamic cooling cycle to the product in the tank (<NUM>), or for turning on, in a second heating configuration, the second heating circuit, for applying a hot gas thermodynamic heating cycle to the product in the tank (<NUM>), also comprising an electronic control and drive unit (U) operatively connected to the selective connecting unit (<NUM>), for controlling it in such a way as to switch it to the two configurations, that is to say, between the first configuration and the second configuration and a selection interface (I), operatively acting on said electronic control and drive unit (U) and comprising at least one control (<NUM>) for setting the configuration of the selective connecting unit (<NUM>), between the first and the second operating configurations.