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Reveals Virtual Ice Cream Shop in the Space of a Vending Machine PHOENIX, AZ – Here’s the scoop. Literally. MooBella LLC today unveiled its MooBella Ice Cream System at DEMO 2006, the pre-eminent conference noted for showcasing the world’s most promising new technologies. The revolutionary MooBella System marries innovative, multi-patented technology with one of America’s favorite treats to produce a delicious 4.5 ounce scoop
of ice cream served in a cup and
made fresh—and to order—for each consumer. MooBella has created a virtual ice cream shop that produces
more than 90 combinations of real ice cream in real time—in the space of a vending machine.The machine itself is only 42 inches wide by 76.5 inches high by 33 inches deep, utilizing less than ten square feet. Its attractive, lively and appealing design features brightly colored scoops of ice cream which lets consumers know exactly what the machine offers. Using an LCD panel that is both informative and intuitive, consumers select the type of ice cream, flavor and mix-in of their choice and the machine produces a mouth-watering treat in approximately 45 seconds. According to Bruce Ginsberg, MooBella President and COO, “Ice cream has traditionally been a multi-step, batch process. Besides needing myriad pieces of processing equipment, distribution to consumers is difficult and costly, requiring storage and shipping in sub-zero temperatures. Because the finished product can remain in the distribution system for up to a year, its quality can deteriorate due to temperature fluctuations throughout the distribution channel.” He continued, “The MooBella System’s disruptive technology, however, enables us to instantaneously mix and flash freeze the ingredients, taking only seconds to provide consumers with a great tasting scoop of ice cream plus mix-ins in the flavor of their choice.” Multi-patented Technology to Transform the Industry MooBella’s technology is as robust as its ice cream is delicious. With twelve US and six foreign patents issued and with several others pending, the system’s modular design enables easy upgrades, changes and maintenance. The modules are coupled with distributed controls and managed by the Linux operating system. The comprehensive databases interact to aerate, flavor, mix and flash freeze the ingredients to produce the fresh, delicious product. The PC-based system enables consumer selection and entertainment, operator interaction and diagnostic activity. The wireless capabilities, which are Internet-based, allow the system to communicate accurate sales data, track inventory in real-time, receive machine alerts, as well as send information back to MooBella. Not only has MooBella created the Ice Cream System’s technology, the company has also developed its ice cream mix and flavorings. Offerings include an all natural Premium mix as well as a “Light” version that contains 50% less fat and 25% fewer calories. The mix is aseptically produced so as to not require refrigeration. All ingredients are packaged in disposable, shelf-stable bags and can be shipped by standard, non-refrigerated trucking, creating substantial savings. It also greatly reduces the need for freezer storage space, which is a huge benefit for its target audience, foodservice operators. Continued Ginsberg, “Our system is designed initially for placement in college, hospital or business cafeterias that have attendants to collect payment. We believe MooBella can change the ice cream experience for the consumers who frequent those locations. Equally important, are the numerous benefits for foodservice operators. MooBella has the potential to transform the frozen dessert industry.” Benefits to Foodservice There are numerous benefits for foodservice operators including: • The opportunity to create a new revenue stream, increasing sales per square foot with a product that may not have been possible to offer before. • Software insures automatic portion control and temperature control that prevents waste by delivering uniform scoop size and consistency. • Software monitors inventory—won’t display a flavor on LCD panel if not available, reducing consumer disappointment. • Machine has only 7 parts to clean, vs. 33 in a traditional soft-serve machine; software manages sanitation—built-in safeguards interrupt machine’s operation if not properly cleaned every 24 hours. • All ingredients in the machine remain packaged; there is no human contact with any ingredients. • Modular design of machine shortens down-time; software recognizes problem areas; component parts can be replaced within minutes rather than days. There are a number of ways that MooBella can transform the ice cream industry: • The freezing process is handled by the machine, which eliminates the high cost of refrigerated trucking to deliver the product as well as freezer space for storing product. • The company’s technology eliminates the time lapse—and hence quality degradation—between making the ice cream and the consumer eating the finished product. • Existing retail food chains that do not sell ice cream have the potential to become ice cream shops overnight by adding MooBella machines to their locations. “Our MooBella System is truly a one-of-a-kind phenomenon,” continued Ginsberg. “Our trials confirm that consumers love the great taste and wide selection of ice cream flavors and varieties. Our trials further show that foodservice operators appreciate the benefits of a self-service, intelligent machine that requires a small amount of space and saves time and money on inventory, maintenance, service and labor.” MooBella is currently field-testing the machine for both operations and marketing purposes. It expects to have commercial units in the New England area in 2006. About MooBella MooBella LLC has been in operation since 2001, although founder, Paul Kateman, has been working on the vision of freshly made ice cream in a vending-style machine since the early-1990s. Today, the company’s technology, management “bench strength” in the ice cream and frozen dessert industries, engineering and brand-management have combined to turn that vision into a reality. The MooBella Ice Cream System, which offers 96 varieties of delicious ice cream made fresh to order, can be found in select cafeterias in hospitals and universities in and around Boston, MA. For more information, please visit www.moobella.com . February 7, 2006 |
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