Frozen custard machine

Abstract

A relatively compact frozen custard machine is provided. The frozen custard machine includes a housing. The housing is configured to support a first evaporator, a second evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. The housing is configured to be supported by an elevated surface, such as an existing countertop.

1 . A frozen custard machine comprising: 
 a housing;    a first evaporator supported within the housing, the first evaporator including a cooling chamber, the cooling chamber having a length less than 20 inches;    a second evaporator supported within the housing, the second evaporator including a hopper configured to hold a liquid mix; and    a compressor supported within the housing, the compressor having a horsepower rating of less than 3 horsepower;    wherein the housing is configured to be, supported on an elevated worksurface.    
   
   
       2 . The frozen custard machine of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling chamber includes a liquid mix input in fluid communication with the hopper and a frozen custard product output.  
   
   
       3 . The frozen custard machine of  claim 2 , further comprising a gate at the frozen custard product output and at least one valve is provided at the liquid mix input, the valve allowing liquid mix to enter the cooling chamber and the valve preventing the liquid mix from entering the cooling chamber, the valve including a control input.  
   
   
       4 . The frozen custard machine of  claim 3 , further comprising a control system coupled to the control input, the control system ensuring that the cooling chamber is not more than 50 percent filled when the gate is closed.  
   
   
       5 . The ice cream making system of  claim 4 , wherein the valve is controlled to maintain the cooling chamber filed to 25-50 percent.  
   
   
       6 . The frozen custard machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first evaporator includes a first evaporator chamber and a second evaporator chamber surrounding the cooling chamber, the second evaporator being used during a non-production mode.  
   
   
       7 . The frozen custard machine of  claim 6 , wherein the compressor is operatively coupled to both the first evaporator chamber and the second evaporator chamber.  
   
   
       8 . The frozen custard machine of  claim 7 , wherein the second evaporator includes an evaporator chamber for cooling the hopper.  
   
   
       9 . The frozen custard machine of  claim 8 , wherein the compressor is operatively coupled to the evaporator chamber of the second evaporator.  
   
   
       10 . The frozen custard machine of  claim 9 , wherein the compressor does not exceed a power rating of 1 horsepower.  
   
   
       11 . The frozen custard machine of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the cooling chamber is less than 15 inches.  
   
   
       12 . The frozen custard machine of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a height less than 48 inches, a depth less than 30 inches and a width less than 25 inches.  
   
   
       13 . The frozen custard machine of  claim 1 , wherein the frozen custard machine has an overall weight of less than 500 pounds.  
   
   
       14 . A frozen custard machine comprising: 
 a housing;    a first evaporator supported within the housing, the first evaporator including a cooling chamber;    a second evaporator supported within the housing, the second evaporator including a hopper configured to hold a liquid mix; and    a compressor supported within the housing, the compressor operatively coupled to the first evaporator and the second evaporator and having a horse power rating of less than 3 horsepower;    wherein the first evaporator is configured to output between approximately 3 gallons and 6 gallons of frozen custard an hour,    wherein the housing is configured to be supported on an elevated worksurface.    
   
   
       15 . The frozen custard machine of  claim 14 , wherein the housing has a height less than 48 inches, a depth less than 30 inches and a width less than 25 inches.  
   
   
       16 . The frozen custard machine of  claim 14 , wherein the frozen custard machine has an overall weight of less than 500 pounds.  
   
   
       17 . The frozen custard machine of  claim 14 , wherein the first evaporator includes a first evaporator chamber and a second evaporator chamber surrounding the cooling chamber, the second evaporator being used during a non-production mode.  
   
   
       18 . The frozen custard machine of  claim 17 , wherein the second evaporator includes an evaporator chamber for cooling the hopper.  
   
   
       19 . A frozen custard machine comprising: 
 a housing having a height less than 48 inches, a depth less than 30 inches, and a width less than 25 inches;    a first evaporator supported within the housing, the first evaporator including a first evaporator chamber and a second evaporator chamber;    a second evaporator supported within the housing, the second evaporator including a hopper configured to hold a liquid mix; and    a compressor supported within the housing;    wherein the housing is configured to be supported on an elevated worksurface.    
   
   
       20 . The frozen custard machine of  claim 19 , wherein the first evaporator is configured to output between 3 gallons and 6 gallons of frozen custard product an hour during a production mode.