Apparatus and process for the manufacture of a frozen confection

1. An apparatus for producing frozen confectionery products, the apparatus comprising

a mixing chamber,

the mixing chamber having

at least one frozen confection inlet connectable to a source of a frozen confection;

at least one sauce inlet connectable to a source of sauce; and

an outlet

wherein the at least one sauce inlet is positioned between the at least one frozen confection inlet and the outlet,

characterised in that the mixing chamber is rotatable.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising two frozen confection inlets.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a deflector between the least one frozen confection inlet and the at least one sauce inlet.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising three sauce inlets.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one frozen confection inlet is positioned at the top of the interior of the mixing chamber.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one sauce inlet is angled towards the rotational axis of the mixing chamber.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mixing chamber has a circular cross section and tapers towards the outlet.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mixing chamber has an upper part with parallel walls adjoining a lower part that is frusto-conical.

9. A process for producing frozen confectionery products, the process comprising:

providing an apparatus according to claim 1 ;

supplying a frozen confection to the at least one frozen confection inlet;

supplying a sauce to the at least one sauce inlet; and

extruding the frozen confection and sauce from the outlet,

characterised in that the mixing chamber is rotated thereby to distribute the sauce randomly throughout the frozen confection.

10. A process according to claim 9 wherein the frozen confection is an ice cream.

11. A process according to claim 9 wherein the sauce is a fat-based sauce.

12. A process according to claim 9 wherein the sauce is a water-based sauce.

13. A process according to claim 9 wherein the mixing chamber is rotated at a speed of from 75 to 250 rpm.

14. A process according to claim 9 wherein the frozen confection is supplied to the at least one frozen confection inlet at a flow rate of from 75 to 250 kg/hour.

15. A process according to claim 9 wherein the sauce is supplied to the at least one sauce inlet at a flow rate of at from 10 to 75 kg/hour.