Machine for making frozen confectionary product in re-useable product tubes
A dispensing machine for dispensing a frozen confectionary product, the machine comprising: a first storage area for storing a first storage tray with one or more first tubes, a serving station comprising a first position under the one or more first tubes for receiving a container, a means for extruding frozen confectionary out of the tubes, a cutting device for cutting at least a portion of the frozen confectionary into the container. The dispensing machine further comprises means for transferring the one or more first tubes in the first storage area to the serving station and from the serving station to a storage area, and at least two zones comprising a first zone wherein the temperature is lower than the temperature in the second zone, and wherein the first storage area is located in the first zone and the serving station is located in the second zone.
1 . A dispensing machine for dispensing a frozen confectionary product, the dispensing machine comprising:
a first storage area for storing a first storage tray with one or more first tubes in the dispensing machine,
a serving station for receiving one or more first tubes comprising a frozen confectionary or a frozen confectionary component from the first storage tray, the serving station comprises:
a first position under the one or more first tubes for receiving a container,
a member configured for extruding the frozen confectionary out of the one or more first tubes located in the serving station,
a cutting device configured for cutting at least a portion of the frozen confectionary into the container,
a member configured for transferring the one or more first tubes in the first storage area to the serving station and from the serving station to the first storage area, and wherein the one or more first tubes are reusable;
at least two zones, the at least two zones comprising a first zone wherein the temperature is lower than the temperature in a second zone, and wherein the first storage area is located in the first zone and the serving station is located in the second zone;
a member configured for detecting when contents of one of the one or more first tubes is below a pre-determined threshold; and
a member configured for moving the one of the one or more first tubes having contents below the pre-determined threshold into an empty tube location in a tray located in the dispensing machine.
2 . The dispensing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the dispensing machine comprises a second storage area separate from the first storage area for storing a second storage tray comprising one or more second tubes comprising an additional component, and
a member for transferring the one or more second tubes from the second storage area to the serving station, and wherein the serving station comprises a second position under the one or more second tubes for receiving the container.
3 . The dispensing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the dispensing machine comprises a third zone wherein a second storage area is positioned, and wherein the temperature of the third zone is higher than the temperature of the first zone.
4 . The dispensing machine according to claim 3 , wherein the temperature of the first zone is −20-−16° C., the temperature of the second zone is −10-−6° C., and the temperature of the third zone is 6-8° C.
5 . The dispensing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the member configured for transferring the one or more first tubes is a robotic arm.
6 . The dispensing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the dispensing machine comprises a member configured for conveying the frozen confectionary product to an outlet on the dispensing machine.
7 . The dispensing machine according to claim 2 , wherein the dispensing machine comprises heaters for heating the one or more second tubes in the serving station prior to dispensing the portion of the additional component of the frozen confectionary into the container.
8 . The dispensing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the dispensing machine comprises a user interface for receiving an indication of a type of frozen confectionary product to be dispensed.
9 . The dispensing machine according to claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more first tubes comprises a first flap located on a first end of each tube, a second locking flap located on a second end of each tube.
10 . The dispensing machine according to claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more first tubes comprises a sealing cap.
11 . The dispensing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the dispensing machine comprises a door configured for opening to receive and remove trays with tubes.
12 . A dispensing machine for dispensing a frozen confectionary product, the dispensing machine comprising:
a first storage area for storing a first storage tray with one or more first tubes in the dispensing machine,
a serving station for receiving one or more first tubes comprising a frozen confectionary or a frozen confectionary component from the first storage tray, the serving station comprises:
a first position under the one or more first tubes for receiving a container,
a member configured for extruding the frozen confectionary out of the one or more first tubes located in the serving station,
a cutting device configured for cutting at least a portion of the frozen confectionary into the container,
a member configured for transferring the one or more first tubes in the first storage area to the serving station and from the serving station to the first storage area, and wherein the one or more first tubes are reusable;
at least two zones, the at least two zones comprising a first zone wherein the temperature is lower than the temperature in a second zone, and wherein the first storage area is located in the first zone and the serving station is located in the second zone; and
a buffer unit located in the dispensing machine, wherein the buffer unit is configured for storing the frozen confectionary product prior to conveying, by a member configured for conveying the frozen confectionary product to an outlet on the dispensing machine, the frozen confectionary product to the outlet.
13 . The dispensing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the dispensing machine comprises a rotating table located in the dispensing machine.
14 . The dispensing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more first tubes have an inner profile having a shape selected from the group consisting of a disc, a star, a hexagon, a square and a polygon.