Frozen confection machine

Abstract

An operator interface including an indicator of at least one edible item for selection is included, the operator interface is in communication with the programmable controller. A dispensing system in communication the operator interface is included, the dispensing system includes at least one nozzle operable to dispense at least one flowable edible product, the at least one nozzle being operable to penetrate the least one edible item. The programmable controller is operable to associate the at least one edible item with the least one flowable edible product. The dispensing system dispenses an amount of the at least one flowable edible product associated with the selected edible item from the at least one nozzle when the at least one edible item is selected.

1 . A flowable edible product dispensing apparatus, comprising:
 a programmable controller;   an operator interface including an indicator of at least one edible item for selection, the operator interface in communication with the programmable controller;   a dispensing system in communication the operator interface, the dispensing system including at least one nozzle operable to dispense at least one flowable edible product, the at least one nozzle being operable to penetrate the least one edible item;   the programmable controller being operable to associate the at least one edible item with the least one flowable edible product; and   the dispensing system dispenses an amount of the at least one flowable edible product associated with the selected edible item from the at least one nozzle when the at least one edible item is selected.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a refrigeration unit disposed within the housing and in communication with the programmable controller, the refrigeration unit storing the at least one flowable edible product. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a mixing system in communication the programmable controller. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic sensor proximate the at least one nozzle, and wherein when the electric sensor is activated, the at least one flowable edible product associated with the selected edible item is dispensed. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator includes an image of the at least one edible items. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the operator interface includes a wireless transmitter for communicating with the dispensing apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle includes a plunger, and wherein when the at least one edible item is selected from the operator interface and wherein flowable edible product is dispensed from the plunger. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including an operating condition during which the at least one flowable edible product is dispensable and a standby condition in which the at least one flowable edible product is not dispensable. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further including a mixing system in communication the programmable controller, and wherein when the dispensing system is in the standby condition, the mixing system is in an off state. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein during the operating condition the dispensing system includes a first preset temperature at which the at least one flowable edible product is dispensed and wherein during the standby condition the dispensing system includes a second preset temperature higher than the first preset temperature. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein when the at least one edible item is selected, the dispensing system dispenses an amount of the at least one flowable edible product associated with the selected edible item out from the at least one nozzle into a portion of the at least one edible item. 
     
     
         12 . A method of preparing a flowable edible product, comprising:
 presenting a visual indicator on a display;   associating the visual indicator with at least one of an edible item and an inedible item and with a flowable edible product;   selecting the visual indicator presented on the display; and   penetrating at least a portion of at least one of the edible item and the inedible item;   dispensing the flowable edible product associated with the selected visual indicator into a portion of at least one of the edible item and the inedible item.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein dispensing the flowable edible product associated with the selected visual indicator into a portion of at least one of the edible item and the inedible includes dispensing a predetermined amount of flowable edible product in response to the selecting of at least one of the plurality of visual indicators presented on the visual display. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined amount of flowable edible product is associated with each of at least one of the edible item and the inedible item. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further including actuating an operator interface on the display to dispense the flowable edible product. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further including actuating an operator interface remote from the display to dispense the flowable edible product. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the operator interface is in communication with an electric sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein activation of the electric sensor causes the dispensing of the edible product. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein selecting at least one of the plurality of visual indicators presented on the display includes actuating a touch screen control on the display. 
     
     
         20 . A flowable edible product dispensing apparatus, comprising:
 a programmable controller;   an operator interface including a visual indicator of at least one inedible item for selection, the operator interface in communication with the programmable controller;   a dispensing system in communication the operator interface, the dispensing system including at least one nozzle operable to dispense at least one flowable edible product, the at least one nozzle being operable to penetrate the at least one inedible item;   the programmable controller being operable to associate the at least one inedible item with the least one flowable edible product; and   the dispensing system dispenses an amount of the at least one flowable edible product associated with the at least one inedible item from the at least one nozzle when the at least one inedible item is selected.