Method and apparatus for producing and dispensing aerated or blended fluid products

Abstract

Apparatus for producing and dispensing a product comprises a mixer which has a first inlet for receiving a liquid, a second inlet for receiving a fluid, and an outlet. A relatively long continuous turbulence passage of relatively small cross section has one end positioned to receive the effluent from the mixer outlet and its other end spaced from the mixer outlet so that the effluent is subjected to confined turbulent mixing in the turbulence passage until the fluid product is discharged from the passage other end. If that product is to be cooled, the turbulence passage leads to a cooling area which cools and at least partially freezes the fluid product issuing from that passage. A method of producing the product is also disclosed. The invention has particular application to the making and dispensing of frozen yogurt and ice cream and allows for the serving of individualized fresh portions in a variety of flavors and with little required cleaning.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.