# US 11,439,158 B2 · Apparatus and process for the manufacture of a frozen confection

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,439,158 B2
- Document ID: US11439158B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/313,613
- Filed: 2015-05-12
- Published: 2017-07-06
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2014-05-30
- Assignees: Conopco, Inc.
- Applicants: Conopco, Inc.
- Inventors: Antonio Farina
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439158B2

## CPC

- A23G 9/282: {for dispensing multi-flavour ice-creams}
- A23G 9/163: {with intermittent operation}
- A23G 9/283: {for filling containers with material}
- A23G 9/48: Composite products, e.g. layered {, laminated}, coated, filled
- B01F 23/451: by injecting one liquid into another
- B01F 23/47: involving high-viscosity liquids, e.g. asphalt
- B01F 35/7179: {using sprayers, nozzles or jets}
- A23G 9/506: {products with an edible support, e.g. a cornet}
- A23V 2002/00: Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
- A23G: COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06)
- A23V: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION

## Abstract

The present invention provides 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. The present invention provides a process for producing frozen confectionery products, the process comprising: providing the foregoing apparatus; 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.

## Claims

### Claim 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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising three sauce inlets.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

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

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

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

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

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

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

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

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

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.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

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.