SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MIXING AND COOLING FOOD PRODUCTS

• Main Authors: PENDERGAST, SEAN, A, KATEMAN, PAUL, R, MOYSEY, PH.D.,STEVEN, P, DECARLO, JOHN, M, FINDLEY, MADISON, H
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 26.05.2010
• Subjects: CHEWING GUM; COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; CONFECTIONERY; FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; HUMAN NECESSITIES; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; THEIR TREATMENT, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES

A food-zone system for preparing a food product, such as a chilled or at least partially frozen food product, includes at least one chamber assembly including a chamber with an interior configuration that defines a food passage extending therethrough with a cylindrical or tubular shape. The chamber is sealed along at least one end and includes an exterior wall configured as a refrigerated wall that includes an interior adapted to circulate coolant. A scraping tool operatively couples with the chamber and extends into the food passage. The scraping tool is configured such that an outer perimeter of the scraping tool contacts at least a portion of the interior configuration of the chamber. As the scraping tool moves through the food passage, the scraping tool removes or scrapes a food product mix disposed, preferably as a thin layer or coating, along at least a portion of the interior configuration of the chamber when the food product is chilled or at least partially frozen. The scraping tool may be replaced with any of a variety of tools to perform different tasks of a food production cycle, including, but not limiting to, an applicator and coating tools for application or coating of a product mix, product mix ingredients, cleaning and/or other materials along the interior configuration of the chamber or inner wall of the food passage. The chamber may also serve as a mixing chamber. The food-zone system may be further arranged with multiple chambers serving as mixing and/or chilling/freezing chambers.