Vending machine for ice-cream and the like and operating method thereof

An operating method for a vending machine for ice-cream (1) which comprises:

• a batch-freezing unit (11) that is adapted to internally produce the soft ice-cream and is provided with a valve assembly (12) with controlled opening and closing, through which the soft ice-cream can selectively flow out of the batch-freezing unit (11);
• and a vessel-holding structure, which is adapted to temporarily support a portion vessel (100), arranging said portion vessel (100) beneath the valve assembly (12) so as to collect the soft ice-cream that flows out of, and falls from, the same valve assembly (12);
• the operating method for the vending machine comprising the steps of:
• placing an empty portion vessel (100) beneath the valve assembly (12);
• and
• then filling the portion vessel (100) with a predetermined amount of soft ice-cream;
• the operating method for the vending machine (1) being characterized in that the filling of the portion vessel (100) comprises the steps of:
• placing the portion vessel (100) beneath the valve assembly (12), at a predetermined distance (do) from the latter;
• opening the valve assembly (12) so as to cause the soft ice-cream to fall into the portion vessel (100) beneath;
• determining the time taken by the soft ice-cream coming out of the valve assembly (12) to reach the portion vessel (100) beneath;
• calculating a total opening time of the valve assembly (12) based on the time taken by the soft ice-cream to reach the portion vessel (100);
• and
• in subsequent deliveries of soft ice-cream to a new portion vessel (100), closing the valve assembly (12) when the total opening time of the valve assembly (12) previously calculated has elapsed.

A method for pouring a semi-solid foodstuff product of creamy consistency inside a container comprising the steps of:

• placing the container beneath a valve assembly from which the semi-solid foodstuff product of creamy consistency flows out, at a predetermined distance from the nozzle from which the foodstuff product flows out;
• opening the valve assembly so as to cause the semisolid foodstuff product of creamy consistency to fall into the container beneath;
• determining the time taken by the semi-solid foodstuff product of creamy consistency coming out of the valve assembly to reach the container beneath;
• calculating a total opening time of the valve assembly based on the time taken for the semi-solid foodstuff product of creamy consistency to reach the container beneath;
• and
• in subsequent deliveries of semi-solid foodstuff to a new container, closing the valve assembly when the previously calculated total opening time of the valve assembly has elapsed.