Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
  • A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
  • A23G9/04—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream
  • A23G9/08—Batch production
  • A23G9/12—Batch production using means for stirring the contents in a non-moving container
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
  • A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
  • A23G9/04—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream
  • A23G9/20—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream the products being mixed with gas, e.g. soft-ice
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
  • A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
  • A23G9/04—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream
  • A23G9/22—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups
  • A23G9/224—Agitators or scrapers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
  • A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
  • A23G9/04—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream
  • A23G9/22—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups
  • A23G9/228—Arrangement and mounting of control or safety devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
  • A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
  • A23G9/04—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream
  • A23G9/22—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups
  • A23G9/28—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
  • A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
  • A23G9/04—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream
  • A23G9/22—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups
  • A23G9/28—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing
  • A23G9/281—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing at the discharge end of freezing chambers
  • A23G9/282—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing at the discharge end of freezing chambers for dispensing multi-flavour ice-creams
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
  • A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
  • A23G9/04—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream
  • A23G9/22—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups
  • A23G9/28—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing
  • A23G9/281—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing at the discharge end of freezing chambers
  • A23G9/283—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing at the discharge end of freezing chambers for filling containers with material
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
  • A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
  • A23G9/04—Production of frozen sweets, e.g. ice-cream
  • A23G9/22—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups
  • A23G9/28—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing
  • A23G9/288—Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups for portioning or dispensing for finishing or filling ice-cream cones or other edible containers; Manipulating methods therefor
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
  • A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
  • A23G9/44—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor characterised by shape, structure or physical form
  • A23G9/50—Products with edible or inedible supports, e.g. cornets
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23G—COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
  • A23G9/00—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor
  • A23G9/44—Frozen sweets, e.g. ice confectionery, ice-cream; Mixtures therefor characterised by shape, structure or physical form
  • A23G9/50—Products with edible or inedible supports, e.g. cornets
  • A23G9/506—Products with edible or inedible supports, e.g. cornets products with an edible support, e.g. a cornet
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
  • B01F27/05—Stirrers
  • B01F27/051—Stirrers characterised by their elements, materials or mechanical properties
  • B01F27/053—Stirrers characterised by their elements, materials or mechanical properties characterised by their materials
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
  • B01F27/05—Stirrers
  • B01F27/09—Stirrers characterised by the mounting of the stirrers with respect to the receptacle
  • B01F27/091—Stirrers characterised by the mounting of the stirrers with respect to the receptacle with elements co-operating with receptacle wall or bottom, e.g. for scraping the receptacle wall
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
  • B01F27/05—Stirrers
  • B01F27/11—Stirrers characterised by the configuration of the stirrers
  • B01F27/114—Helically shaped stirrers, i.e. stirrers comprising a helically shaped band or helically shaped band sections
  • B01F27/1145—Helically shaped stirrers, i.e. stirrers comprising a helically shaped band or helically shaped band sections ribbon shaped with an open space between the helical ribbon flight and the rotating axis
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
  • B01F27/80—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis
  • B01F27/88—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis with a separate receptacle-stirrer unit that is adapted to be coupled to a drive mechanism
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
  • B01F27/80—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis
  • B01F27/90—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis with paddles or arms 
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
  • B01F35/56—General build-up of the mixers
  • B01F35/562—General build-up of the mixers the mixer or mixing elements being collapsible, i.e. when discharging the products
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
  • B01F35/75—Discharge mechanisms
  • B01F35/754—Discharge mechanisms characterised by the means for discharging the components from the mixer
  • B01F35/75425—Discharge mechanisms characterised by the means for discharging the components from the mixer using pistons or plungers
  • B01F35/754251—Discharge mechanisms characterised by the means for discharging the components from the mixer using pistons or plungers reciprocating in the mixing receptacle
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
  • B01F35/90—Heating or cooling systems
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F2101/00—Mixing characterised by the nature of the mixed materials or by the application field
  • B01F2101/06—Mixing of food ingredients
  • B01F2101/13—Mixing of ice-cream ingredients

Definitions

• Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/616,742 filed 01/12/2018 by Sigma Phase, Corp. and Matthew Fonte for SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A SINGLE SERVING OF A FROZEN CONFECTION (Attorney's Docket No. 47354- 0004P01 ) .
• This invention relates generally to systems for providing a frozen confection (e.g., "soft serve” or regular (“hard”) ice cream, frozen yogurt, frozen protein shakes, smoothies, etc. ) , and more
• a frozen confection e.g., "soft serve” or regular (“hard”) ice cream, frozen yogurt, frozen protein shakes, smoothies, etc.
• a frozen confection in a reduced period of time, and which is dispensed directly into the container (e.g., a bowl, a cone, etc.) from which it will be consumed.
• the container e.g., a bowl, a cone, etc.
• the same system would also be desirable for the same system to be capable of providing a single serving of a cold beverage, and/or a single serving of a hot beverage.
• the present invention comprises the provision and use of a novel system for providing a single serving of a frozen confection, in a reduced period of time, and which is dispensed directly into the container (e.g., a bowl, a cone, etc.) from which it will be consumed.
• the novel system is small enough to fit onto kitchen countertops, fit underneath kitchen cabinets (which are typically 18 inches in height or less), be powered by 120 volt kitchen electric wall sockets with a maximum of 1800 watts, and weigh less than 50 lbs.
• the novel system is capable of making at least 5 fluid ounces of frozen confection in
• the same system is also capable of providing a single serving of a cold beverage, and/or a single serving of a hot beverage.
• apparatus for providing a single serving of an ingestible substance, the apparatus comprising: a nest for receiving a pod containing at least one ingredient for forming a single serving of the ingestible substance, wherein the nest comprises an annular recess for receiving a pod having an annular configuration;
• a cooling unit for cooling the pod
• a water supply for introducing water into the pod .
• apparatus for providing and dispensing a single serving of a ingestible substance
• a nest for receiving a pod containing at least one ingredient for forming a single serving of the ingestible substance, wherein the pod comprises at least one internal paddle;
• apparatus for providing a single serving of an ingestible substance comprising: a nest for receiving a pod containing at least one ingredient for forming a single serving of the ingestible substance;
• a heat transfer unit for transferring heat between the pod and the nest, wherein the heat
• transfer unit is capable of (i) taking heat out of the pod, and (ii) supplying heat to the pod;
• a water supply for introducing water into the pod .
• a method for providing a single serving of a frozen confection comprising:
• a pod comprising at least one
• a pod for providing a single serving of an ingestible substance comprising: a sealed container comprising:
• At least one paddle disposed within the sealed container for agitating the at least one ingredient .
• novel systems are disclosed for providing a single serving of a frozen confection.
• novel pods are disclosed for providing a single serving of a frozen confection.
• a method for providing a single serving of ice cream comprising:
• a pod comprising:
• tapered body having a smaller first end, a larger second end and a side wall extending therebetween, said tapered body defining an interior;
• said scraper mixing paddle comprising a blade; an exit port formed in said first end of said tapered body and communicating with said interior of said tapered body;
• a nest comprising a tapered cavity having a smaller first end, a larger second end and a side wall extending therebetween;
• Figs. 1-6 are schematic views showing a novel system for providing a single serving of a frozen confection, wherein all of the components of the system are shown in Figs. 1-3 as being opaque and wherein some of the components of the system are shown in Figs. 4-6 as being transparent;
• Figs. 7-12 are schematic views showing further details of the nest assembly of the system shown in Figs. 1-6;
• Figs. 13 and 14 are schematic views showing further details of (i) the lid assembly of the system shown in Figs. 1-6, (ii) portions of the cold water and air delivery assembly of the system shown in Figs. 1-6, and (iii) the control electronics of the system shown in Figs. 1-6;
• Figs. 15 and 16 are schematic views showing, among other things, further details of the heat dissipation assembly of the system shown in Figs. 1-6;
• Fig. 17 is a schematic view showing further details of the control electronics of the system shown in Figs. 1-6;
• Figs. 18-20 are schematic views showing further details of the pod of the system shown in Figs. 1-6;
• Figs. 21 is a schematic view showing exemplary operation of the system shown in Figs. 1-6;
• Figs. 22 and 23 are schematic views showing alternative approaches for cooling the inner portion of the nest assembly of the system shown in Figs. 1-6;
• Figs. 24-27 are schematic views showing another pod which may be used with the system shown in Figs. 1-6;
• Fig. 28 is a schematic view showing another novel system for providing a single serving of a frozen confection
• Figs. 29-31 are schematic views showing another novel system for providing a single serving of a frozen confection
• Figs. 32-35 are schematic views showing another novel system formed in accordance with the present invention, wherein the novel system comprises a compressor-cooled machine with a fixed-cap pod;
• Fig. 35A is a schematic view showing another novel system formed in accordance with the present invention, wherein the novel system comprises a pair of nests for producing a desired cold confection or a desired hot or cold beverage;
• Figs. 35B and 35C are schematic views showing additional nest and pod configurations formed in accordance with the present invention.
• Fig. 36 is a graph showing the eutectic point of a eutectic solution
• Fig. 37 is a schematic view showing a coaxial tube for delivering the refrigerant driven by the compressor with enhanced efficiency
• Fig. 37A is a schematic view showing one
• Fig. 38 is a schematic view showing a direct expansion system which may be used to cool the nest assembly
• Fig. 38A is a schematic view showing another preferred arrangement for cooling a pod disposed in the nest
• Figs. 39-42 are schematic views showing another form of pod which may be used with the present
• Fig. 42A is a schematic view showing another form of pod which may be used with the present invention.
• Fig. 42B is a schematic view showing movement of the contents of the pod during mixing
• Fig. 43 is a schematic view showing how the nest assembly may comprise a flexible bladder for receiving a pod, such that the flexible bladder makes a close fit with a pod disposed in the nest assembly;
• Fig. 44 is a schematic view showing "bubble beads" contained in the ingredients disposed within a pod, wherein the encapsulant is selected so that when water is added to the interior of the pod, the encapsulant dissolves, releasing the C0 2 or N 2 and creating a "fizz" in the frozen confection.
• the present invention comprises the provision and use of a novel system for providing a single serving of a frozen confection, in a reduced period of time, and which is dispensed directly into the container (e.g., a bowl, a cone, etc.) from which it will be consumed .
• the container e.g., a bowl, a cone, etc.
• the same system is also capable of providing a single serving of a cold beverage, and/or a single serving of a hot beverage.
• a novel system 10 for providing a single serving of a frozen confection e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, a
• System 10 is also capable of providing a single serving of a cold beverage, and/or a single serving of a hot beverage.
• system 10 will first be described in the context of providing a single serving of a frozen confection; then system 10 will be described in the context of providing a single serving of a cold beverage; and then system 10 will be described in the context of providing a single serving of a hot beverage.
• System 10 generally comprises a machine 20 and a pod 30, wherein machine 20 is configured to, among other things, receive a pod 30 containing a supply of ingredients for forming a single serving of the frozen confection, cool pod 30 (and its contents), introduce cold water and air into pod 30, agitate the contents of pod 30 so as to form the frozen confection, and then eject the frozen confection from pod 30 directly into the container (e.g., a bowl, a cone, etc.) from which it will be consumed.
• the container e.g., a bowl, a cone, etc.
• Machine 20 is configured to, among other things, receive a pod 30 containing a supply of ingredients for forming a single serving of the frozen confection, cool pod 30 (and its contents), introduce cold water and air into pod 30, agitate the contents of pod 30 so as to form the frozen confection, and then eject the frozen confection from pod 30 directly into the container (e.g., a bowl, a cone, etc.) from which it will be consumed.
• a pod 30 containing a supply of ingredients for forming a single serving of the frozen confection
• cool pod 30 and its contents
• introduce cold water and air into pod 30 agitate the contents of pod 30 so as to form the frozen confection
• the frozen confection from pod 30 directly into the container (e.g., a bowl, a cone, etc.) from which it will be consumed.
• the container e.g., a bowl, a cone, etc.
• machine 20 is a reusable device which generally comprises a housing 40, a nest
• Housing 40 is shown in Figs. 1-6.
• Housing 40 generally comprises a base 110, a cover 120 mounted to base 110, and a tray 130 mounted to base 110.
• Cover 120 serves to enclose interior components of machine 20 and to support other components of machine 20.
• Tray 130 serves to receive a container (e.g., a bowl) into which the frozen confection is to be ejected and from which the frozen confection is to be consumed (alternatively, where the frozen confection is to be consumed from a cone, the cone is held above tray 130) .
• a cooling element e.g., a
• thermoelectric (TEC) assembly comprising a
• thermoelectric cooler (TEC) element may be disposed in the base of tray 130 so that tray 130 can "pre cool” a container (e.g., a bowl) which is to receive the frozen confection.
• TEC thermoelectric cooler
• Nest assembly 50 is shown in further detail in Figs. 7-12.
• Nest assembly 50 serves to receive a pod 30 containing a supply of ingredients for forming a single serving of the frozen confection and, among other things, rapidly cool pod 30 (and its contents) so as to provide a single serving of a frozen
• nest assembly 50 and pod 30 are each provided with a unique
• nest assembly 50 generally comprises a nest 140 having a top surface 150, a bottom surface 160 and a plurality of outer faces 170.
• nest 140 has eight outer faces 170, so that nest 140 has a
• nest 140 may have a different number of outer faces 170.
• Nest 140 is preferably formed out of a high heat-transfer material such as aluminum.
• Nest 140 also comprises a bore 180 and a
• annular recess 210 i.e., a toroidal recess 210 is formed in top surface 150 of nest 140.
• Annular recess 210 is generally characterized by an outer wall 220 (which is defined by the aforementioned counterbore 190) and an inner wall 230 (which is defined by the aforementioned hollow cylinder 200) .
• Annular recess 210 is sized to receive pod 30 therein as will hereinafter be
• Nest 140 also comprises a bore 232 which opens on bottom surface 160 of nest 140 and communicates with the interior of annular recess 210.
• An exit nozzle 233 is mounted to bottom surface 160 of nest 140 at bore 232 so that exit port 234 of exit nozzle 233 communicates with the interior of annular recess 210.
• a pod sensor 235 is provided in nest 140 to detect when a pod 30 is disposed in annular recess 210 of nest 140.
• Nest assembly 50 also comprises a plurality of thermoelectric (TEC) assemblies 240.
• TEC assemblies 240 each comprise a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) element 250, a heat sink 260 and a plurality of heat pipes 270 extending between TEC element 250 and heat sink 260 so as to transfer heat from TEC element 250 to heat sink 260.
• TEC elements 250 can be stacked on each heat sink 260 so as to achieve higher temperature differences than can be had with single-stage TEC elements 250. As seen in Figs.
• TEC assemblies 240 are positioned against outer faces 170 of nest 140 so that TEC elements 250 can provide cold or heat to outer faces 170 of nest 140, depending on the direction of the electric current flow supplied to TEC elements 250, whereby to provide cold or heat to outer wall 220 of annular recess 210 of nest 140 (and hence to provide cold or heat to a pod 30 disposed in annular recess 210 of nest 140) . It will be appreciated that when machine 20 is to be used to provide a frozen confection, the direction of the electric current flow supplied to TEC elements 250 causes cold to be applied to outer faces 170 of nest 140.
• Heat pipes 270 are preferably of the sort shown in Fig. 12, i.e., they provide a high heat-transfer capacity for transferring heat from TEC elements 250 to heat sinks 260. Heat pipes 270 are preferably also connected to heat dissipation assembly 90 so as to carry the heat collected by heat pipes 270 to heat dissipation assembly 90 for further dissipation to the environment .
• Nest assembly 50 also comprises a cylindrical TEC 280 for providing cold to inner wall 230 of annular recess 210, and a cylindrical TEC 290 for supplying heat to inner wall 230 of annular recess 210.
• Lid assembly 60 is shown in further detail in Figs. 13 and 14.
• Lid assembly 60 generally comprises a handle 300 to which is mounted a lid 310, such that lid 310 moves in conjunction with handle 300.
• Handle 300 is pivotally mounted to cover 120 of housing 40 via a pivot pin 320.
• lid assembly 60 can pivot towards or away from nest assembly 50 (see Fig. 1) .
• a lid sensor 325 (Figs. 1 and 2) is provided for detecting when lid 310 is in its closed position.
• Lid assembly 60 comprises a plunger 330 which is movably mounted to lid 310. More particularly, plunger 330 comprises a circumferential gear 340 and a longitudinal gear 350, and lid assembly 60 comprises a rotation motor 360 for driving a rotation gear 370 and a vertical motor 380 for driving a vertical gear 390, with rotation gear 370 of rotation motor 360 engaging circumferential gear 340 of plunger 330, and with vertical gear 390 of vertical motor 380 engaging longitudinal gear 350 of plunger 330.
• rotation motor 360 can cause plunger 330 to rotate within lid 310
• vertical motor 380 can cause plunger 330 to move vertically within lid 310.
• Plunger 330 further comprises a plurality of fingers 400 for engaging counterpart fingers on pod 30 (see below), and a pair of hollow fangs 410, 420 for penetrating the top of pod 30 and delivering
• water supply 70 generally comprises an ambient-temperature water tank 430 and a cold water tank 440.
• ambient-temperature water tank 430 may hold approximately 2.0 liters of water
• cold water tank 440 may hold approximately 0.5 liter of water.
• Ambient-temperature water tank 430 comprises a removable cover 445 to enable ambient-temperature water tank 430 to be filled with water.
• a line (not shown) is provided for moving water from ambient- temperature water tank 430 to cold water tank 440.
• a water sensor 450 (Fig. 4) is provided for monitoring for the presence of water in ambient-temperature water tank 430, and a water temperature sensor 460 (Fig. 6) is provided for monitoring the temperature of the water in cold water tank 440.
• a plurality of TEC assemblies 470 each preferably similar to the
• TEC assemblies 240 are provided for chilling the water in cold water tank 440, i.e., TEC assemblies 470 comprise TEC elements 473, heat sinks 475 and heat pipes 477. Heat pipes 477 of TEC
• thermoelectric assemblies 470 are preferably connected to heat dissipation assembly 90 so as to carry the heat produced by TEC assemblies 470 to heat dissipation assemb1y 90.
• cold water and air delivery assembly 80 generally comprises a water pump 480 which pumps cold water from cold water tank 440 into hollow fang 410 of plunger 330, and an air pump 490 which pumps air into hollow fang 420 of plunger 330.
• hollow fang 410 comprises a spray nozzle for injecting droplets of atomized water into pod 30 (see below), whereby to facilitate the formation of the frozen confection (see below) .
• Such spray nozzles are well known in the art of liquid dispersion.
• Cold water and air delivery assembly 80 also comprises various fluid lines (not shown) for transferring water from cold water tank 440 to hollow fang 410 of plunger 330 and for introducing air into hollow fang 420 of plunger 330.
• Heat dissipation assembly 90 is shown in further detail in Figs. 15 and 16. Heat dissipation assembly 90 dissipates heat received from heat pipes 270 of TEC assemblies 240 of nest 140 and dissipates heat
• Heat dissipation assembly 90 generally comprises a plurality of heat sinks 500 which draw heat from heat pipes 510 (which are
• Control electronics 100 generally comprise a power supply 540 (Fig. 14), a central processing unit (CPU) 550 and a user interface 570 (Fig. 2), e.g., a display screen, operating buttons, etc.
• power supply 540 and CPU 550 are connected to the aforementioned water sensor 450, water temperature sensor 460, TEC assemblies 470, cylindrical TEC 280, cylindrical TEC 290, lid sensor 325, pod sensor 235, TEC assemblies 240, water pump 480, air pump 490, rotation motor 360, vertical motor 380, condensers 520, fans 530 and user interface 570.
• CPU 550 is appropriately programmed to operate machine 20 in response to instructions received from user interface 570 as will hereinafter be discussed.
• machine 20 is preferably configured to operate at a maximum load of 1800 watts, which is generally the maximum load that standard outlets in a kitchen can handle.
• Pod 30 contains a supply of ingredients for providing a single serving of a frozen confection (e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, a smoothie, etc.) .
• a frozen confection e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, a smoothie, etc.
• pod 30 is provided as a single-use, disposable pod, i.e., a new pod 30 is used for each serving of the frozen
• pod 30 is provided with a unique
• pod 30 generally comprises a base 580 having an opening 590 formed therein.
• An outer hollow tube 600 rises upward from the outer perimeter of base 580, and an inner hollow tube 610 is disposed in opening 590 of base 580 and rises upward from the inner perimeter of base 580.
• an annular recess 620 i.e., a toroidal recess 620
• annular recess 620 is formed between base 580, outer hollow tube 600 and inner hollow tube 610, with annular recess 620 being generally characterized by a floor 630 (defined by base 580), an outer wall 640 (defined by outer hollow tube 600) and an inner wall 650 (defined by inner hollow tube 610) .
• the diameter of outer hollow tube 600 of pod 30 is slightly less than the diameter of counterbore 190 of nest 140, and the diameter of inner hollow tube 610 of pod 30 is
• pod 30 can be seated in annular recess 210 of nest 140, with outer hollow tube 600 of pod 30 making a close sliding fit with outer wall 220 of nest 140 and with inner hollow tube 610 of pod 30 making a close sliding fit with inner wall 230 of nest assembly 50.
• base 580 of pod 30 comprises a high heat-transfer material (e.g., aluminum, a molded polymer, etc.), outer hollow tube 600 of pod 30 comprises a high heat-transfer material (e.g., aluminum, a molded polymer, etc.), outer hollow tube 600 of pod 30 comprises a high heat-transfer material (e.g., aluminum, a molded polymer, etc.), outer hollow tube 600 of pod 30 comprises a high heat-transfer material (e.g., aluminum, a molded polymer, etc.), outer hollow tube 600 of pod 30 comprises a high heat-transfer material (e.g.,
• base 580, outer hollow tube 600 and inner hollow tube 610 comprise a plastic/thin metallic film composite (i.e., a body of plastic having an external covering of a thin metallic film) .
• plastic/thin metallic film composite allows for improved thermal transfer and helps preserve the contents of pod 30, while also providing pod 30 with a unique packaging appearance.
• base 580, outer hollow tube 600 and inner hollow tube 610 are substantially rigid.
• Pod 30 also comprises a cap 660, an outer helical scraper paddle 670, an inner helical scraper paddle 680, and a bottom scraper paddle 690.
• Cap 660 has an outer edge 700 which is sized slightly smaller than the diameter of outer wall 640 of pod 30, and cap 660 has an inner hole 710 which has a diameter slightly larger than inner hollow tube 610 of pod 30, such that cap 660 can move longitudinally into, and then along, annular recess 620 of pod 30 (see below) .
• Cap 660 is preferably substantially rigid .
• Cap 660 also comprises fingers 720 for engaging counterpart fingers 400 of plunger 330, whereby rotational and longitudinal motion can be imparted to cap 660 of pod 30 by plunger 330, as will hereinafter be discussed.
• Cap 660 also comprises two weakened portions 730, 740 for penetration by hollow fangs 410, 420, respectively, of plunger 330, as will hereinafter be discussed in further detail.
• Outer helical scraper paddle 670 extends between cap 660 and bottom scraper paddle 690, and comprises an outer edge 750 which makes a close sliding fit with outer wall 640 of annular recess 620.
• Inner helical scraper paddle 680 extends between cap 660 and bottom scraper paddle 690, and comprises an inner edge 760 which makes a close sliding fit with inner hollow tube 610 of pod 30.
• Bottom scraper paddle 690 comprises an outer ring 770 which contacts base 580 and makes a close sliding fit with outer wall 640 of annular recess 620, an inner ring 780 which contacts base 580 and makes a close sliding fit with inner hollow tube 610 of pod 30, and a pair of struts 790 which contact base 580 and extend between outer ring 770 and inner ring 780.
• fingers 720 may be used to turn cap 660 rotationally, such that outer helical scraper paddle 670 rotates,
• outer helical scraper paddle 670, inner helical scraper paddle 680 and bottom scraper paddle 690 can simultaneously (i) agitate the contents of pod 30 so as to ensure uniform and rapid formation of the frozen confection, and (ii) prevent the build-up of frozen confection on base 580, outer hollow tube 600 and inner hollow tube 610, which could inhibit cooling of the contents of pod 30.
• Outer helical scraper paddle 670 and inner helical scraper paddle 680 are configured and
• cap 660 is compressed by applying a longitudinal force to cap 660, whereby to move cap 660 into, and along, annular recess 620 of pod 30, so as to bring cap 660
• outer helical scraper paddle 670 and inner helical scraper paddle 680 are made out of spring steel, with outer helical scrapper paddle 670 and inner helical scraper paddle 680 compressing to substantially flat
• Bottom scraper paddle 690 may also be formed out of spring steel.
• outer helical scraper paddle 670 and/or inner helical scraper paddle 680 (and/or bottom scraper paddle 690) may be made out of a plastic. If desired, outer helical scraper paddle 670 and/or inner helical scraper paddle 680 (and/or bottom scraper paddle 690) may comprise a shape memory material
• Nitinol ( e . g . , Nitinol ) .
• a bore 800 passes through base 580 and
• a weakened portion 810 normally closes off bore 800 but may be ruptured upon the application of an
• An exit nozzle 820 is mounted to base 580 adjacent to bore 800 so that exit port 830 of exit nozzle 820 communicates with the interior of annular recess 620 when weakened portion 810 has been ruptured.
• Pod 30 generally has a surface area-to-volume ratio which is greater than 2:1, and which is
• pod 30 preferably approximately 8:1. It will be appreciated that increasing the surface area of pod 30 increases the speed of forming the frozen confection in pod 30, since it allows heat to be drawn out of pod 30 (and its contents) more quickly. It will also be appreciated that increasing the surface area of pod 30 increases the speed of forming the frozen confection in pod 30, since it allows heat to be drawn out of pod 30 (and its contents) more quickly. It will also be appreciated that increasing the surface area of pod 30 increases the speed of forming the frozen confection in pod 30, since it allows heat to be drawn out of pod 30 (and its contents) more quickly. It will also be
• pod 30 with a toroidal configuration (i.e., with both interior and exterior access surfaces) provides increased surface area and enables more rapid cooling of pod 30 and its contents, inasmuch as cold may be simultaneously applied to both the outer surfaces of pod 30 and the inner surfaces of pod 30.
• outer hollow tube 600 has an outer diameter of 2.25 inches and a height of 3.75 inches
• pod 30 has an
• Pod 30 contains a fresh supply of ingredients for forming the frozen confection (e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, smoothie, etc.) . More particularly, pod 30 may contain a frozen confection mix (dry or liquid) containing, for example, sugar and powder crystals, preferably many of which are less than 50 pm in size, and preferably containing at least 0.1% stabilizers by volume. A dry frozen confection mix preferably has at least 50% of its constituents (e.g., the sugar and powder crystals) having a size of 50 pm or less.
• a frozen confection mix dry or liquid
• a dry frozen confection mix preferably has at least 50% of its constituents (e.g., the sugar and powder crystals) having a size of 50 pm or less.
• pod 30 may hold approximately 4-6 ounces of ingredients, and the ingredients may comprise approximately 8% fat (e.g., cream, butter, anhydrous milk fat, vegetable fat, etc.), approximately 1% milk solids-non-fat
• the ingredients may comprise approximately 8% fat (e.g., cream, butter, anhydrous milk fat, vegetable fat, etc.), approximately 1% milk solids-non-fat
• MSNF skim milk power
• WMP whole milk powder
• sucrose approximately 13%
• pod 30 contains 1.25 ounces of dry yogurt mix, 5 ounces of frozen yogurt will be formed in pod 30 after running machine 20.
• machine 20 is prepared for use by introducing water into ambient-temperature water tank 430 and turning on machine 20.
• Water sensor 450 confirms that there is water in ambient- temperature water tank 430.
• Machine 20 then pumps water from ambient-temperature water tank 430 into cold water tank 440 and chills the water in cold water tank 440 using TEC assemblies 470.
• Water temperature sensor 460 monitors the temperature of the water in cold water tank 440.
• Preferably the water in cold water tank 440 is cooled to between approximately 1-3 degrees C.
• Machine 20 then sits in this standby condition, re-cooling the water in cold water tank 440 as needed, until a single serving of a frozen
• confection e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, smoothie, etc.
• ice cream e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, smoothie, etc.
• lid assembly 60 of machine 20 is opened and a fresh pod 30 is positioned in annular recess 210 of nest 140. This is done so that exit nozzle 820 of pod 30 seats in exit nozzle 233 of nest 140. Then lid assembly 60 is closed so that fingers 400 of plunger 330 engage fingers 720 of pod 30, and so that hollow fangs 410, 420 of plunger 330 penetrate the two weakened portions 730, 740 of pod 30.
• a container i.e., the container from which the frozen confection will be consumed
• tray 130 of machine 20 the container from which the frozen confection will be consumed
• the container is placed on tray 130 of machine 20, with the container being centered below exit nozzle 233 of nest assembly 50 (alternatively, where the frozen confection is to be consumed from a cone, the cone is held above tray 130) .
• cylindrical TEC 280 which in turn cools the pod 30 (and its contents) which is located in annular recess 210 of nest 140.
• TEC assemblies 240 cool the outer faces 170 of nest 140 so as to cool outer wall 220 of annular recess 210, whereby to cool hollow outer tube 600 of pod 30, and cylindrical TEC 280 cools hollow cylinder 200 so as to cool inner wall 230 of annular recess 210, whereby to cool hollow inner tube 610 of pod 30.
• the high surface area- to-volume ratio of pod 30, provided by its toroidal configuration allows for faster cooling of the pod 30 (and its contents) .
• the contents of pod 30 can be cooled to a temperature of approximately -30 degrees C so as to form ice cream within 2 minutes (the contents of pod 30 will turn to ice cream at a temperature of -18 degrees C, a lower temperature will produce ice cream even faster) .
• the heat removed from pod 30 via TEC assemblies 240 and cylindrical TEC 280 is transferred to heat dissipation assembly 90 for dissipation to the environment.
• water pump 480 pumps an appropriate amount of cold water (e.g., at least 1.25 ounces of cold water) from cold water tank 440 into hollow fang 410 in plunger 330, and then through weakened portion 730 in cap 660, so that the cold water is sprayed into the interior of pod 30 and mixes with the contents of pod 30.
• cold water e.g., at least 1.25 ounces of cold water
• 4 ounces of water at 2 degrees C is sprayed into pod 30.
• rotation motor 360 rotates plunger 330, whereby to rotate cap 660 of pod 30, which causes outer helical scraper paddle 670, inner helical scraper paddle 680 and bottom scraper paddle 690 to rotate within annular recess 620 of pod 30.
• cap 660 outer helical scraper paddle 670, inner helical scraper paddle 680 and bottom scraper paddle 690 rotate, and the remainder of pod 30 remains stationary, inasmuch as exit nozzle 820 of pod 30 is disposed in exit nozzle 233 of nest assemb1y 50.
• This rotational action agitates the contents of pod 30 so as to ensure uniform and rapid mixing of the contents of pod 30.
• the rotational speed of the scrapper paddles can change from approximately 5 to approximately 400 RPM depending on the viscosity of the frozen confection.
• a torque sensor is provided which adjusts the rotational speed of the scraper paddles in
• outer helical scraper paddle 670, inner helical scraper paddle 680 and bottom scraper paddle 690 continue to agitate the contents of pod 30 so as to ensure uniform and rapid mixing of the contents of pod 30 and so as to continuously scrape the walls of pod 30, whereby to prevent a build-up of frozen confection on the walls of pod 30 (which could inhibit cooling of the contents of pod 30) .
• the majority of ice crystals formed in the frozen confection should be smaller than approximately 50 pm. If many of the ice crystals are larger than 50 pm, or if there are extremely large ice crystals (i.e., over 100 pm) present, the frozen confection will be
• System 10 is designed to produce a "smooth" frozen confection by providing a majority of ice crystals smaller than approximately 50 pm.
• the freezing conditions within pod 30 must promote nuclei formation and minimize ice crystal growth. Promoting ice nucleation requires very low temperatures, e.g., ideally as low as -30 degrees C, in order to promote rapid nucleation.
• System 10 freezes the contents of pod 30 very quickly (e.g., under 2 minutes), thereby preventing ice crystals from having the time to "ripen” (i.e., grow) .
• ice nuclei once ice nuclei have formed, conditions that minimize their growth are needed to keep the ice crystals as small as possible. To obtain the smallest possible ice crystals, it is necessary to have the shortest residence time possible in order to minimize
• Vertical motor 380 continues to move plunger 330 vertically, reducing the volume of annular recess 620, until the force of the frozen confection in pod 30 ruptures weakened portion 810 of pod 30 and the frozen confection is forced out exit port 830 of pod 30, whereupon the frozen
• the used pod 30 may be removed from machine 20 and, when another single serving of a frozen confection is to be prepared, it may be
• cylindrical TEC 280 may be replaced by a helical coil 840 which is itself cooled by a TEC element 850.
• a TEC assembly 240 may be mounted to bottom surface 160 of nest 140 so that TEC assembly 240 can cool hollow cylinder 200 of nest 140 (as well as the bottom surface of nest 140) .
• System 10 can also be used to provide a single serving of a cold beverage.
• pod 30 may contain a supply of ingredients for forming cold tea (also sometimes referred to as “iced tea”) , cold coffee (also sometimes referred to as “iced coffee”), cold soda, cold beer, etc.
• pod 30 may contain a dry or liquid cold tea mix, a dry or liquid cold coffee mix, a dry or liquid soda mix or a dry or liquid beer mix, etc.
• a pod 30, containing a supply of the ingredients used to form the cold beverage is inserted into nest assembly 50.
• Nest assembly 50 is then used to cool pod 30, and cold water is pumped from cold water tank 440 into pod 30, where it is combined with the ingredients contained within pod 30, and mixed by outer helical scraper paddle 670, inner helical scraper paddle 680 and bottom scraper paddle 690.
• vertical motor 380 is activated to eject the cold beverage into a waiting container.
• air may or may not be pumped into pod 30 (e.g., air may not be pumped into pod 30 when cold tea or cold coffee is being produced, and air may be pumped into pod 30 when cold soda or cold beer is being produced) .
• outer helical scraper paddle 670, inner helical scraper paddle 680 and bottom scraper paddle 690 may be omitted from pod 30 if desired.
• System 10 can also be used to provide a single serving of a hot beverage.
• pod 30 may contain a supply of ingredients for forming a hot beverage, e.g., hot chocolate, hot coffee, etc.
• pod 30 may contain a dry mix formed from ingredients which, when mixed with hot water, provide the desired beverage, e.g., a hot chocolate powder, an instant coffee mix, etc.
• system 10 is to be used to provide a single serving of a hot beverage, a pod 30, containing a supply of the ingredients used to form the hot
• nest assembly 50 is then used to heat pod 30, and ambient- temperature water is pumped from ambient-temperature water tank 430 into pod 30, where it is combined with the ingredients contained within pod 30, and mixed by outer helical scraper paddle 670, inner helical scraper paddle 680 and bottom scraper paddle 690.
• TEC assemblies 240 may be used to supply heat to the outer surfaces of nest 140 by simply reversing the direction of the electric current flow supplied to TEC elements 250, and cylindrical TEC 290 may be used to supply heat to the inner column of nest 140, whereby to heat the contents of pod 30.
• the ambient-temperature water in ambient-temperature water tank 430 may be heated before injection into pod 30, e.g., via resistance heaters positioned in the line between ambient- temperature water tank 430 and hollow fang 410 of plunger 330. It will be appreciated that where a hot beverage is to be produced, air is generally not pumped into pod 30.
• pod 30 can be provided with a filter 860 which contains a supply of the granulated ingredients (e.g., ground coffee beans, tea leaves, etc.) which is to be brewed.
• filter 860 is disposed adjacent to cap 660, e.g., filter 860 is secured to cap 660, and outer helical scraper paddle 670, inner helical scraper paddle 680 and bottom scraper paddle 690 are omitted from pod 30.
• filter 860 when plunger 330 collapses cap 660 towards base 580, filter 860 will preferably also collapse, whereby to allow compression of the granulated ingredients contained within filter 860, so as to press the fluid out of filter 860, e.g., in the manner of a so-called "French Press” coffee maker. It should also be appreciated that filter 860 is constructed so that it will
• machine 20 can be mounted to a cabinet 870, where cabinet 870 sits on legs 880.
• cabinet 870 can include additional cooling apparatus for removing heat from heat dissipation assembly 90 (e.g.,
• Cabinet 870 may also be configured so as to house fresh pods 30 and/or containers for receiving the frozen confections (e.g., bowls and cones), cold beverages (e.g., cups) and hot beverages (e.g., cups) .
• frozen confections e.g., bowls and cones
• cold beverages e.g., cups
• hot beverages e.g., cups
• nest assembly 50 may be replaced by an alternative nest assembly 50A comprising a nest 140A in the form of a torus characterized by an outer wall 220A and an inner wall 230A, wherein the torus is formed out of a high heat-transfer material (e.g., aluminum) , and further wherein TEC assemblies 240 are replaced by a refrigeration coil 240A which is
• heat dissipation assembly 90A is connected to heat dissipation assembly 90A, wherein heat dissipation assembly 90A comprises a compressor for driving refrigeration coil 240A.
• nest assembly 50A (and hence a pod 30 disposed in nest assembly 50A) can be cooled via a conventional refrigeration system.
• This construction can be advantageous since it can quickly cool a pod 30 to -40 degrees C, which is beyond the thermal
• nest assembly 50 and nest assembly 50A comprise an internal cooling element (e.g., hollow cylinder 200 containing TEC 280) as well as external cooling elements (e.g., TEC assemblies 240), and pod 30 comprises an inner opening (i.e., the lumen of inner hollow tube 610) for receiving the internal cooling element of nest assemblies 50 and 50A.
• the internal cooling element may be omitted from nest assemblies 50 and 50A, in which case the inner opening of pod 30 may also be omitted.
• a single serving of a frozen confection e.g., ice cream (soft serve or hard), frozen yogurt, a frozen protein shake, a smoothie, etc.
• a single serving of a frozen confection may be considered to be approximately 2 fluid ounces to approximately 8 fluid ounces.
• System 900 is also capable of providing a single serving of a cold beverage, and/or a single serving of a hot beverage.
• System 900 may comprise two nests 915, where one nest 915 is configured to receive a frozen confection pod at 5-8 ounces and another adjacent nest 915, which may be smaller in size, is configured to receive a coffee pod (e.g., a K-Cup pod) or a cold beverage pod (e.g., an iced tea pod) .
• a coffee pod e.g., a K-Cup pod
• a cold beverage pod e.g., an iced tea pod
• water hot or cold
• Fig. 35A which shows two nests 915 for producing a desired cold confection or a desired hot or cold beverage (note that the configuration of system 900 may differ slightly depending on whether a single nest or double nest is to be provided) .
• a pod detector (not shown) is provided in each nest 915 to identify which nest has received which type of pod (e.g., frozen confection, hot coffee, iced tea, etc.) so that the machine sends the appropriate cold or hot water to the appropriate nest.
• type of pod e.g., frozen confection, hot coffee, iced tea, etc.
• system 900 generally comprises a machine 905 and a pod 910, wherein machine 905 is configured to, among other things, receive pod 910 containing a supply of ingredients for forming a single serving of the frozen confection, cool pod 910 (and its contents), introduce cold water and air into pod 910 (where appropriate, see below) , agitate the contents of pod 910 so as to form the frozen confection, and then eject 3 to 8 ounces of the frozen confection from pod 910 directly into the container (e.g., a pre-chilled bowl, an ambient bowl, a cone, etc.) from which it will be consumed .
• the container e.g., a pre-chilled bowl, an ambient bowl, a cone, etc.
• system 900 is able to form a frozen confection without introducing water and/or air into pod 910 (see below) .
• Machine 905 is able to form a frozen confection without introducing water and/or air into pod 910 (see below) .
• Machine 905 is generally similar to machine 20 described above, except that machine 905 uses a compressor to cool pod 910 and water supply 70 may be omitted in some circumstances (see below) . More particularly, machine 905 comprises a nest 915 for receiving pod 910, a coolant unit 920 for cooling nest 915, and a refrigeration unit 925 for cooling coolant unit 920. Machine 905 weighs less than 50 lbs and is configured to produce and dispense single servings of frozen confections or hot or cold beverages in
• the frozen confection will have between 10-60% overrun (i.e., air content) per single serving batch. It should be appreciated that the amount of overrun varies according to the particular product being made in pod 910.
• nest 915 comprises a body 930 defining a tapered (preferably frustoconical ) recess 935 for receiving a correspondingly tapered
• Nest 915 further comprises an inlet 945 leading to interior chamber 940 and an outlet 950 leading from interior chamber 940.
• tapered recess 935 of nest 915 comprises a smaller first end 951, a larger second end 952 and a tapered side wall 953 extending between the smaller first end 951 and the larger second end 952.
• tapered recess 935 is frustoconical .
• tapered side wall 953 of recess 935 has a taper of approximately 5 degrees or greater.
• smaller first end 951 may be closed off.
• smaller first end 951 may be partially open.
• smaller first end 951 may be completely open. See, for example,
• first end 951 of nest 915 is either partially open or completely open, it may be possible to create a better fit of pod 910 in nest 915. More particularly, with the bottom of nest 915 partially or fully open, pod 910 fits in nest 915 without "bottoming out” so a better fit is created between the walls of the nest and the walls of the pod, thereby allowing for much more efficient cooling of the pod.
• Coolant unit 920 comprises a reservoir 955 for containing a supply of coolant, a circulation motor 960, a line 965 connecting reservoir 955 to
• circulation motor 960 with inlet 945 of nest 915, and a line 975 connecting outlet 950 of nest 915 with reservoir 955.
• coolant contained in reservoir 955 can be circulated through interior chamber 940 of nest 915 so as to cool a pod 910 contained in recess 935 of nest 915.
• Refrigeration unit 925 comprises a refrigeration cycle comprising a compressor 980, a condenser 985, an expansion valve (not shown) located downstream of the condenser, and an evaporator (not shown, but could be an immersion coil in a coolant tank) located at reservoir 955 of coolant unit 920, such that
• compressor 980 can drive a refrigerant through the refrigeration cycle to cool the coolant disposed within reservoir 955 of coolant unit 920.
• refrigeration unit 925 can be used to cool coolant unit 920, and coolant unit 920 can be used to cool a pod 910 disposed in nest 915. Note that by selecting an appropriate coolant for coolant unit 920, and by providing a reservoir 955 of appropriate size, sufficient "cold" can be accumulated within coolant unit 920 so that multiple batches of frozen confection can be sequentially produced with substantially no lag time .
• At least one container holding a eutectic solution is disposed adjacent to the pod seat of nest 915.
• This eutectic solution is used to store "cold" at the nest.
• coolant unit 920 is used to cool the eutectic solution to the point of freezing, and then the eutectic solution absorbs heat from pod 910, whereby to produce the frozen confection.
• compressor 980 of refrigeration unit 925 is turned on.
• Compressor 980 circulates its
• refrigerant e.g., Freon, Norflurane referred to as R- 134A, R-407C, R-404A, R-410A, etc.
• R- 134A Freon, Norflurane referred to as R- 134A, R-407C, R-404A, R-410A, etc.
• the coolant in reservoir 955 cools the eutectic solution contained within at least one container in nest 915 to 0°C to -114°C.
• system 900 automatically turns off compressor 980 of
• refrigeration unit 925 Note that compressor 980 of refrigeration unit 925 does not need to run while system 900 is making the frozen confection, since the already-cooled coolant in coolant unit 920, and/or the eutectic solution in at least one container in the nest, is actually used to cool a pod 910 in nest 915. Of course, compressor 980 of refrigeration unit 925 may be run while system 900 is making the frozen confection if desired.
• circulation motor 960 of coolant unit 920 keeps pumping coolant to the nest to help carry the cooling load of the eutectic container. Additionally, compressor 980 of refrigeration unit 925 automatically turns back on, pumping refrigerant to coolant unit 920 (which is re-cooling the eutectic solution) .
• frost may accumulate on the inside of nest 915. Flashing heat to the surface of nest 915 defrosts the surface of nest 915. This flash heat may be in the form of warm air, induction coil heat, resistance heat, etc.
• phase change materials are compositions that store and release thermal energy during the processes of warming and cooling. Phase change materials typically release (in the form of latent heat) large amounts of energy upon cooling, but absorb equal amounts of energy from the immediate environment upon warming.
• phase change materials enable thermal energy storage: heat or cold being stored at one period of time and used at a later point in time.
• phase change material is water/ice.
• a concentration is added to water, the resulting solution freezes and melts cleanly at a constant temperature, releasing and storing large amounts of energy as it does so.
• This temperature is called the eutectic point and the composition is called a eutectic solution.
• Fig. 36 The curved line on the graph of Fig. 36 represents the freezing
• PCMs are a gel.
• PCMs can be made of sodium polyacrylate, salt hydrates, or paraffins which are high molecular mass hydrocarbons with a waxy consistency at room temperature. Paraffins are made up of straight chain hydrocarbons and vegetable based PCMs. Below is a list of sub-zero eutectic PCM solutions with phase changes ranging from 0 to -114°C.
• compressor may be used for compressor 980 of
• refrigeration unit 925 Alternatively, rotary
• compressors e.g., such as those made by Aspen
• Direct Current Compressor R290 - 12-24 V by Danfoss with evaporating temperatures ranging from -40°C to 10°C may be used.
• refrigeration unit 925 circulates refrigerant from compressor 980, through condenser 985, through an expansion valve (not shown) located downstream of the condenser, and through an evaporator (not shown) located at reservoir 955 of coolant unit 920.
• conventional refrigeration tubing is used to transfer the
• a coaxial refrigeration tube may be used to transfer the
• both coolant unit 920 and the eutectic solution container (s) are able to store "cold” so as to increase the efficiency of system 900. More particularly, compressor 980 drives refrigerant through reservoir 955 of coolant unit 920 so as to cool the coolant in reservoir 955, whereby to store "cold" in reservoir 955. The coolant in reservoir 955 is then driven to the eutectic solution container (s) in nest 915 by circulation motor 960 of coolant unit 920 so as to cool the eutectic solution, whereby to store additional "cold” in the nest. See Fig. 37A. In this way, multiple batches of frozen confection may be made in succession inasmuch as there is sufficient "cold” stored in the system to allow for cooling of multiple pods without having to wait for refrigeration unit 925 to cool multiple batches of frozen confection. Additionally,
• compressor 980 does not need to be constantly running in order for multiple batches of frozen confection to be made .
• refrigeration unit 925 is used to cool the coolant in reservoir 955 of coolant unit 920, and coolant unit 920 is used to cool nest 915 (or the eutectic solution contained in one or more containers at nest 915) , whereby to cool a pod 910 disposed in nest 915.
• a direct expansion system may be used to cool nest 915.
• a direct expansion system eliminates the use of a secondary coolant loop (i.e., the coolant loop of coolant unit 920) and uses the refrigerant of refrigeration unit 925 to directly cool nest 915 via a cold plate.
• the cold plate can be customized to generate a very high heat flux,
• a direct expansion system consists of the basic 4 components of a vapor compression refrigeration system: a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator.
• the evaporator absorbs heat directly from nest 915.
• coolant unit 920 Inasmuch as no secondary coolant loop is required (i.e., coolant unit 920 is eliminated), minimal parts are needed in the direct expansion system. No fans are required to circulate cool air and no pump is required to circulate the coolant, which simplifies system construction and improves system efficiency.
• At least one container holding a eutectic solution is disposed adjacent to the pod seat of nest 915.
• Refrigeration unit 925 is used to directly cool the eutectic solution to the point of freezing.
• coolant unit 920 is eliminated.
• Compressor 980 drives refrigerant directly through nest 915 so as to cool the eutectic solution in the container (s) adjacent to the pod seat in nest 915, whereby to store "cold” in the nest. See Fig. 38A. In this way, multiple batches of frozen confection may be made in succession as there is sufficient "cold" stored in the nest to allow for cooling of multiple pods without having to wait for refrigeration unit 925 to cool multiple batches of frozen confection.
• compressor 980 does not need to be constantly running in order for multiple batches of frozen confection to be made.
• pod 910 is generally similar to pod 30 described above, except that pod 910 has its cap permanently fixed in place and is sealed shut.
• pod 910 is provided as a single use, disposable pod, i.e., a new pod is used for each serving of the frozen confection (or hot or cold beverage) .
• pod 910 may be provided as a multi-use, reusable pod, i.e., a pod may be reused (after filling with fresh ingredients) to provide additional servings of the frozen confection (or hot or cold beverage) .
• the cap of the pod is selectively removable from the remainder of the pod.
• Pod 910 is provided with an inner scraper paddle made of plastic which is configured to eject the frozen confection out the bottom of the pod by
• the inner scraper paddle can be made by injection molding or 3D printing.
• pod 910 generally comprises a canister 990, an internal scraper paddle assembly 995 and a cap 1000.
• Canister 990 is tapered (preferably
• tapered canister 990 comprises a smaller floor 1005, a larger cap 1000 and a tapered side wall 1010 extending between the smaller floor 1005 and the larger cap 1000.
• tapered canister 990 comprises a smaller floor 1005, a larger cap 1000 and a tapered side wall 1010 extending between the smaller floor 1005 and the larger cap 1000.
• tapered canister 990 is frustoconical .
• taper of canister 990 matches the taper of nest 915, so that pod 910 can make a close fit within nest 915, whereby to facilitate excellent heat transfer between the pod and the nest.
• tapered side wall 1010 has a taper of approximately 5 degrees or greater .
• Canister 990 has an opening 1015 in its base.
• a nozzle 1020 is formed adjacent to opening 1015.
• a sliding gate 1025 selectively opens or closes opening 1015 as will hereinafter be discussed.
• a stop 1030 is formed on floor 1005 to limit movement of sliding gate 1025.
• tapered side wall 1010 has a uniform thickness along its length.
• tapered side wall 1010 has a thickness which varies along its length. More particularly, tapered side wall 1010 may be thinner adjacent to the smaller floor 1005 and may be thicker adjacent to the larger cap 1000, such that the pod ingredients will freeze faster adjacent to smaller floor 1005 than the pod ingredients will freeze adjacent to larger cap 1000.
• canister 990 with a tapered side wall 1010 is important for creating good surface contact between pod 910 and nest 915 (i.e., between tapered side wall 1010 of pod 910 and tapered side wall 953 of nest 915) . Providing a close fit between pod 910 and nest 915 is critical for adequate heat transfer from nest 915 to pod 910 in order to efficiently freeze the contents of pod 910.
• canister 990 with a tapered side wall 1010 focuses the contents of the pod so that the contents move toward opening 1015 in canister 990 of pod 910. Specifically, when pod 910 is used to make a frozen confection, tapered side wall 1010 focuses the frozen confection as it freezes toward opening 1015 and out nozzle 1020.
• Canister 990 preferably comprises a thin side wall formed out of a material which has high heat transfer capability, e.g., a thin metal, a thin plastic, etc.
• Canister 990 is preferably 50-500 microns thick so as to provide a high heat transfer rate between nest 915 and pod 910.
• Canister 990 is also preferably somewhat deformable so that canister 990 has some ability to expand against nest 915, whereby to ensure high heat transfer between the pod and the nest.
• Internal scraper paddle assembly 995 comprises a plurality of scraper blades 1035 which have a
• the scrapper blades 1035 can have a rubber squeegee on the ends of the blades so as to better conform to and scrape the inner wall of pod 910.
• openings 1040 are formed in scraper blades 1035.
• Internal scraper blade assembly 995 also comprises an upwardly-projecting stem 1045 which can rotate at speeds from 10 to 400 RPM.
• Cap 1000 is secured to (i.e., permanently fixed to) canister 990.
• Cap 1000 comprises an opening 1050 for admitting fluids (e.g., liquid or air) into the interior of canister 990 and an opening 1055 for permitting upwardly-projecting stem 1045 to project out of the interior of canister 990.
• fluids e.g., liquid or air
• Cap 1000 and floor 1005 can be made of insulating materials or coated with insulating materials, e.g., aerogels . Prior to use, opening 1015 in floor 1005, and opening 1050 in cap 1000, are closed off with
• sliding gate 1025 is urged into its open configuration and the contents of pod 910 are forced downward, against floor 1005 of canister 990, whereupon the rupturable membrane covering opening 1015 in floor 1005 fails, allowing the contents of pod 910 to exit through opening 1015 and thus nozzle 1020.
• nozzle 1020, sliding gate 1025 and stop 1030 may be omitted, and opening 1015 may be closed off with a removable seal 1060 (see Fig. 42A) .
• a removable seal 1060 see Fig. 42A
• the contents of the pod are forced downward (via plurality of scraper blades 1035) until the churning contents hit floor 1005, and then the contents move upward within the pod (see Fig. 42B) , with openings 1040 of plurality of scraper blades 1035 facilitating the upward rise of the contents of the pod.
• the contents of the pod are also forced in a radially-outward direction during mixing, which helps apply a radially-outward force to tapered side wall 953 of nest 915, which helps seating of the tapered side wall 1010 of pod 910 against the tapered side wall 953 of nest 915, which enhances heat
• pod 910 may comprise multiple compartments or zones that house different contents, i.e., powder ice cream in one zone and a cream or milk or water in a second zone.
• contents i.e., powder ice cream in one zone and a cream or milk or water in a second zone.
• the separating membrane between zones can puncture or rupture allowing the various contents to mix.
• pod 910 could include screw threads (not shown) on the outside surface of canister 990 and nest 915 could include counterpart screw threads (not shown) on the surfaces of recess 935 of nest 915, such that pod 910 can be screwed into close contact with nest 915.
• frustoconical canister 990 of pod 910 could have an incline
• frustoconical recess 935 of nest 915 could have a corresponding incline, such that when the lid assembly of machine 905 is closed, pod 910 is driven downward into a close fit with nest 915.
• pod 910 may be configured so that when a force is applied to the upper end of pod 910, pod 910 expands slightly so as to bring itself into closer proximity with recess 935 of nest 915.
• a pressurized fluid e.g., air, 00 2 or
• Nitrogen may be injected into the interior of pod 910 so as to swell the side wall of canister 990 of pod 910 into closer proximity to recess 935 of nest 915.
• recess 935 of nest 915 could comprise a flexible bladder 1065 (Fig. 43) for receiving canister 990 of pod 910, such that the flexible bladder makes a close fit with a pod 910 disposed in nest 915.
• recess 935 of nest 915 could comprise a magnetic material for receiving a ferrous alloy (i.e., steel ) canister 990 of pod 910, such that pod 910 is
• nest 915 magnetically pulled into nest 915 so as to make a close fit with a pod 910 disposed in nest 915.
• the contents of pod 910 may be the same as the contents of pod 30 discussed above.
• pod 910 may have a conventional yogurt product (e.g., yogurt in a gel-like form) sealed therein, such that novel system 900 thereafter forms frozen yogurt for dispensing into a container (e.g., a bowl, a cone, etc . ) .
• a conventional yogurt product e.g., yogurt in a gel-like form
• novel system 900 thereafter forms frozen yogurt for dispensing into a container (e.g., a bowl, a cone, etc . ) .
• pod 910 may contain liquid ingredients which, when cooled and agitated, form the desired frozen confection. In this form of the invention it may not be necessary to pump any further ingredients into the pod in order to create the desired frozen confection.
• “bubble beads” may be contained in the ingredients disposed within pod 910.
• This encapsulant is selected so that when water is added to the interior of pod 910, the encapsulant dissolves, releasing the C0 2 or N 2 and creating a "fizz" in the frozen confection.
• pod 910 may comprise the contents necessary to make a frozen protein shake, e.g., a whey protein powder, a casein protein powder, a pea protein powder, a soy protein powder, etc., essentially any powder which, when mixed with water and chilled, will make a frozen protein shake.
• the contents of pod 910 may be:
• milk fat such as cream, plastic cream, butter, anhydrous milk fat/butter oil, nondairy fat such as palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil and other safe and suitable vegetable oils;
• MSNF 9-15% milk solids non-fat
• sugar and corn syrup sweetener ingredients up to 0.5% stabilizers or thickeners such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (cellulose gun) , guar gum, locust bean gum, sodium alginate, propylene glycol alginate, xanthan, carrageenan, modified starches, microcrystalline cellulose (cellulose gel), gelatin, calcium sulfate, propylene glycol monostearate or other monoesters, and others; up to 0.5% emulsifiers such as mono- and
• monostearate 60
• monooleate 80
• others have 5 to 60 grams of protein in the form of whey, casein, pea, soy and or a combination of said proteins .
• pod ingredients can include the following soft serve ice cream powder, powder yogurt, powder shake mix, liquid slush mix, powder coffee base mix, powder smoothie mix, powder or liquid low sweet neutral base and premium neutral base ingredients are listed below:
• water supply 70 may be replaced by a cooler (not shown) .
• the cooler may accept a container (e.g., a plastic bottle or a plastic bag) which holds approximately 1.0 liter to approximately 3.0 liters of liquid soft serve ice cream mix.
• pod 910 is used to form the single serving of soft serve ice cream, by receiving the liquid soft serve ice cream mix and agitating the single serving of soft serve ice cream mix while it is cooling.
• internal paddle assembly 995 forms a single serving of soft serve ice cream in pod 910.
• a separate water reservoir tank (not shown) which is able to pump approximately 0.5 ounce to approximately 1.0 ounce of water through the tube connecting the container (e.g., the plastic bottle or the plastic bag) to the pod so as to flush residual liquid soft serve ice cream mix from the tube before the next single serving of soft serve ice cream is prepared using novel system 900.

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• 2019
  • 2019-01-11 MX MX2020007437A patent/MX2020007437A/es unknown
  • 2019-01-11 EP EP19702778.2A patent/EP3737239A1/en active Pending
  • 2019-01-11 CN CN201980008293.9A patent/CN111918556A/zh active Pending
  • 2019-01-11 KR KR1020207020029A patent/KR20200103028A/ko unknown
  • 2019-01-11 JP JP2020538828A patent/JP2021510518A/ja active Pending
  • 2019-01-11 WO PCT/US2019/013286 patent/WO2019140251A1/en unknown
  • 2019-01-11 CA CA3088305A patent/CA3088305A1/en active Pending
• 2023
  • 2023-10-13 JP JP2023177143A patent/JP2024009955A/ja active Pending

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