Frozen beverage machine

A frozen beverage machine, comprising:

• a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets, the process control block including a flow control device for controlling the flow of ingredients therethrough;
• mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet, the mixing block inlets being connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together;
• a plurality of check valves, each of the mixing block inlets having one of the check valves coupled thereto;
• at least one freezing chamber connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom;
• a refrigeration system arranged to refrigerate the at least one freezing chamber;
• a controller connected to the process control block, the controller operable to control operation of the frozen beverage machine;
• and
• a dispensing valve connected to the freezing chamber.

A frozen beverage machine comprising:

• a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets, the process control block including a flow control device for controlling the flow of ingredients therethrough;
• a mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet, the mixing block inlets being connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together;
• at least one freezing chamber connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom;
• at least one bag for holding a volume of a cleaning solution, each bag situated in a respective box, at least one of the mixing block inlets being connected to the bag;
• a refrigeration system arranged to refrigerate the at least one freezing chamber;
• a controller connected to the process control block, the controller operable to control operation of the frozen beverage machine;
• and
• a dispensing valve connected to the freezing chamber.

A frozen beverage machine, comprising:

• a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets, the process control block including a flow control device for controlling the flow of ingredients therethrough;
• a mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet, the mixing block inlets being connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together,
• a static mixer situated at the outlet of the mixing block;
• at least one freezing chamber connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom;
• a refrigeration system arranged to refrigerate the at least one freezing chamber;
• a controller connected to the process control block, the controller operable to control operation of the frozen beverage machine;
• and
• a dispensing valve connected to the freezing chamber.

A frozen beverage machine, comprising:

• a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets, the process control block including a flow control device for controlling the flow of ingredients therethrough;
• a mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet, the mixing block inlets being connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together;
• at least one freezing chamber connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom;
• a refrigeration system arranged to refrigerate the at least one freezing chamber;
• a pressure transducer connected to the mixing block to sense the pressure in the freezing chamber;
• a controller connected to the process control block, the controller operable to control operation of the frozen beverage machine, wherein the controller receives an output of the pressure transducer, and wherein the controller is programmed to control refrigeration of the freezing chamber in response to the pressure of the freezing chamber;
• and
• a dispensing valve connected to the freezing chamber.

A frozen beverage machine, comprising:

• a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets, the process control block including a flow control device for controlling the flow of ingredients therethrough;
• a mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet, the mixing block inlets being connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together;
• at least one freezing chamber connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom;
• a refrigeration system arranged to refrigerate the at least one freezing chamber;
• a controller connected to the process control block, the controller operable to control operation of the frozen beverage machine;
• a dispensing valve connected to the freezing chamber;
• adrain valve assembly attached to the freezing chamber for draining the contents thereof;
• and
• a source of compressed air connected to the drain valve assembly, wherein the drain valve assembly is air-operated.

A frozen beverage machine, comprising:

• a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets, the process control block including a flow control device for controlling the flow of ingredients therethrough;
• a mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet, the mixing block inlets being connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block arc mixed together;
• at least one freezing chamber connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom;
• a refrigeration system arranged to refrigerate the at least one freezing chamber;
• a controller connected to the process control block, the controller operable to control operation of the frozen beverage machine;
• and
• a dispensing valve connected to the firing chamber, the dispensing valve including a valve body defining a bore extending therethrough, a nozzle releasably connected to the valve body and defining a chevron-shaped notch, a handle connected to the nozzle, a pin extending through the bore and seated in the chevron-shaped notch such that the chevron-shaped notch rides on the pin when the nozzle is rotated by side-to-side motion of the handle, such that the valve is actuated by moving the handle in either first or second directions.