Method and apparatus for the production of frozen, composite food products

Abstract

In order to produce a frozen, composite food product including at least two components, a continuous flow of pieces of the first component is advanced along a mixing tank in which the pieces are simultaneously tossed and a continuous flow of at least one second component is spread on the first component as it advances through the mixing tank.

I claim:  
     
       1. A method for the continuous production of a frozen, composite food product including at least two components, which method comprises the steps of: 
       freezing a first component of the composite product;  
       advancing a continuous flow of loose pieces of the first frozen component of the composite product along a mixing tank towards an output end thereof, and  
       tossing the pieces of the first frozen component which then fall back into the tank resulting in the simultaneous tossing and falling back into the tank of said pieces, wherein the pieces are in a dispersed condition as a result of being tossed and falling back into the tank,  
       spreading on the pieces of first frozen component a continuous flow of at least one second component of the composite food product, the second component freezing upon contact with the individual pieces of the frozen first component.  
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the supply of a refrigerant fluid into the tank to increase the rate of cooling of the second component upon contact with the pieces of the first, frozen component. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 2 , in which the refrigerant fluid is liquid nitrogen. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the second component is supplied in at least two independent flows in at least two successive different positions in the mixing tank. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 2 , in which the refrigerant fluid is powered dry ice.