Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A SINGLE SERVING OF A FROZEN
CONFECTION
Reference To Pending Prior Patent Applications
This patent application:
(1) is a continuation-in-part of pending prior
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/625,690, filed
06/16/2017 by Sigma Phase, Corp. and Matthew Fonte for
SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A SINGLE SERVING OF A FROZEN
CONFECTION (Attorney's Docket No. 47354-0003001),
which patent application:
(a) claims benefit of prior U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Serial No. 62/351,001, filed
06/16/2016 by Xciting Innovations, LLC for SINGLE
SERVE ICE CREAM MACHINE: COMPRESSOR, VORTEX TUBE,
SPRAY NOZZLE, SINGLE POD OF DRY ICE CREAM MIX
(Attorney's Docket No. 47354-0003P01); and
(2) claims benefit of pending prior U.S.
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).
The three (3) above-identified patent
applications are hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
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Field Of The Invention
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
particularly to systems for providing a single serving
of a frozen confection.
Background Of The Invention
Current domestic ice cream makers are generally
designed to produce relatively large batches of ice
cream, typically ranging from 1.0 liter to 2.0 liters
or more, in a time period of approximately 20-60
minutes. In addition, most current domestic ice cream
makers also require that the containers (within which
the ice cream will be produced) be "frozen" before
making the ice cream, i.e., the container must be
placed in a freezer for approximately 4-8 hours before
use. Thus, there is a substantial delay between the
time that the making of the ice cream commences and
the time that the batch of ice cream is completed.
Furthermore, even after the batch of ice cream has
been completed, it is still necessary to manually
remove the ice cream from the ice cream maker, and
then it is also necessary to scoop out single servings
of the ice cream into a separate container (e.g., a
bowl, a cone, etc.) for consumption.
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Thus there is a need for a new 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.
In addition, it 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.
Summary Of The Invention
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
approximately 5 minutes or less and is capable of
producing at least 4 batches of frozen confection
sequentially without any lag time between the batches.
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In addition, the same system is also capable of
providing a single serving of a cold beverage, and/or
a single serving of a hot beverage.
In one preferred form of the invention, there is
provided 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; and
a water supply for introducing water into the
pod.
In another preferred form of the invention, there
is provided apparatus for providing and dispensing a
single serving of a 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 pod comprises at
least one internal paddle;
a cooling unit for cooling the pod;
a water supply for introducing water into the
pod; and
a rotation unit for rotating the at least one
internal paddle of the pod.
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In another preferred form of the invention, there
is provided 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;
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; and
a water supply for introducing water into the
pod.
In another preferred form of the invention, there
is provided a method for providing a single serving of
a frozen confection, the method comprising:
providing a pod comprising at least one
ingredient for providing a single serving of a frozen
confection;
cooling the pod;
introducing water into the pod;
simultaneously stirring the contents of the pod
while scraping at least one wall of the pod to prevent
a build-up of the frozen confection on the at least
one wall of the pod; and
ejecting the frozen confection out of the pod.
In another preferred form of the invention, there
is provided a pod for providing a single serving of an
ingestible substance, the pod comprising:
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a sealed container comprising:
at least one ingredient disposed within the
sealed container for forming a single serving of the
ingestible substance; and
at least one paddle disposed within the
sealed container for agitating the at least one
ingredient.
In still other forms of the invention, novel
systems are disclosed for providing a single serving
of a frozen confection.
And in still other forms of the invention, novel
pods are disclosed for providing a single serving of a
frozen confection.
In another form of the invention, there is
provided a method for providing a single serving of
ice cream, said method comprising:
providing:
a pod comprising:
a tapered body having a smaller first
end, a larger second end and a side wall extending
therebetween, said tapered body defining an interior;
a cap permanently mounted to said
larger second end of said tapered body;
a scraper mixing paddle movably
disposed within said interior of said tapered body,
said scraper mixing paddle comprising a blade;
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an exit port formed in said first end
of said tapered body and communicating with said
interior of said tapered body; and
an ingredient for providing a single
serving of ice cream when cooled; and
a nest comprising a tapered cavity having a
smaller first end, a larger second end and a side wall
extending therebetween;
inserting said pod into said second end of said
tapered cavity of said nest and causing said side wall
of said tapered body of said pod to seat substantially
flush against said side wall of said tapered cavity of
said nest;
cooling said nest and rotating said scraper
mixing paddle so as to stir said ingredient as said
ingredient is converted into ice cream, with said
blade of said scraper mixing paddle contacting, and
riding against and scraping, said side wall of said
pod;
opening said exit port; and
dispensing said ice cream from said pod through
said exit port.
Brief Description Of The Drawings
These and other objects and features of the
present invention will be more fully disclosed or
rendered obvious by the following detailed description
of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which
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is to be considered together with the accompanying
drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts, and
further wherein:
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;
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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;
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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
preferred arrangement for cooling a pod disposed in
the nest;
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
invention;
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; and
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
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encapsulant dissolves, releasing the CO2 or N2 and
creating a "fizz" in the frozen confection.
Detailed Description Of The Preferred Embodiments
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.
In addition, the same system is also capable of
providing a single serving of a cold beverage, and/or
a single serving of a hot beverage.
The System In General
In one preferred form of the invention, and
looking first at Figs. 1-6, there is provided a novel
system 10 for providing a single serving of a frozen
confection (e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, a
smoothie, etc.). System 10 is also capable of
providing a single serving of a cold beverage, and/or
a single serving of a hot beverage.
For clarity of explanation, 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
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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 Machine
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.
To this end, machine 20 is a reusable device
which generally comprises a housing 40, a nest
assembly 50, a lid assembly 60, a water supply 70, a
cold water and air delivery assembly 80, a heat
dissipation assembly 90 and control electronics 100.
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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). If desired, 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.
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
confection in a reduced period of time. To this end,
and as will hereinafter be discussed, nest assembly 50
and pod 30 are each provided with a unique
configuration and a unique construction so as to speed
up cooling of pod 30.
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More particularly, nest assembly 50 generally
comprises a nest 140 having a top surface 150, a
bottom surface 160 and a plurality of outer faces 170.
In one preferred form of the invention, nest 140 has
eight outer faces 170, so that nest 140 has a
generally octagonal configuration. Alternatively,
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
counterbore 190. A hollow cylinder 200 is disposed in
bore 180 and extends upward into counterbore 190. As
a result of this construction, an 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
discussed.
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
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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. If desired, multiple 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.
7, 8 and 11, 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
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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. As a result of this
construction, 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
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longitudinal gear 350 of plunger 330. As a result of
this construction, rotation motor 360 can cause
plunger 330 to rotate within lid 310, and 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
additional ingredients into pod 30 (see below).
Looking next at Figs. 1-6, water supply 70
generally comprises an ambient-temperature water tank
430 and a cold water tank 440. In one preferred form
of the invention, ambient-temperature water tank 430
may hold approximately 2.0 liters of water, and 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
aforementioned TEC assemblies 240, are provided for
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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
assemblies 470 are preferably connected to heat
dissipation assembly 90 so as to carry the heat
produced by TEC assemblies 470 to heat dissipation
assembly 90.
Looking next at Figs. 6 and 14, 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. In one preferred form of the invention,
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
received from the heat pipes 477 of TEC assemblies 470
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of cold water tank 440. Heat dissipation assembly 90
generally comprises a plurality of heat sinks 500
which draw heat from heat pipes 510 (which are
connected to heat pipes 270 of TEC assemblies 240 of
nest 140 and heat pipes 477 of TEC assemblies 470 of
cold water tank 440), a plurality of condensers 520
for receiving heat from heat sinks 500, and a
plurality of fans 530 for cooling condensers 520.
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. As seen in
Fig. 17, 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.
It will be appreciated that 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.
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The Pod
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.).
In the preferred form of the invention, pod 30 is
provided as a single-use, disposable pod, i.e., a new
pod 30 is used for each serving of the frozen
confection.
As noted above, and as will hereinafter be
discussed, pod 30 is provided with a unique
configuration and a unique construction so as to speed
up cooling of pod 30 (and its contents), whereby to
speed up the process of producing the frozen
confection.
More particularly, and looking now at Figs. 18-
20, 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. As a result of this construction, an
annular recess 620 (i.e., a toroidal 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). Note that the diameter of outer
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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
slightly greater than the diameter of hollow cylinder
200 of nest assembly 50, such that 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.
Preferably 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.) and inner hollow
tube 610 of pod 30 comprises a high heat-transfer
material (e.g., aluminum, a molded polymer, etc.). In
one preferred form of the invention, 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). It should be appreciated that the 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. Preferably base 580, outer hollow tube
600 and inner hollow tube 610 are substantially rigid.
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Thus it will be seen that, due to the unique
configurations and unique constructions of nest
assembly 50 and pod 30, when a pod 30 is disposed in
the annular recess 210 of nest 140, cold can be
efficiently applied to outer wall 640 of pod 30 by
outer wall 220 of nest 140, cold can be efficiently
applied to inner wall 650 of pod 30 by inner wall 230
of nest assembly 50, and cold can be efficiently
applied to base 580 of pod 30 by the floor of annular
recess 210 of nest 140. As a result, machine 20 can
rapidly cool pod 30 (and its contents) so as to
provide a single serving of a frozen confection in a
reduced period of time.
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
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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. As a result of this construction, fingers
720 may be used to turn cap 660 rotationally, such
that outer helical scraper paddle 670 rotates,
scrapping the interior surface of outer wall 640 of
pod 30, inner helical scraper paddle 680 rotates,
scraping the exterior surface of inner hollow tube
610, and struts 770 rotate, scraping floor 630 of base
580. It will be appreciated that the provision of
outer helical scraper paddle 670, inner helical
scraper paddle 680 and bottom scraper paddle 690 is
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highly advantageous, since 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
constructed so that they may be longitudinally
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
substantially into engagement with base 580 (see
below). In one preferred form of the invention, 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
configurations when a longitudinal force drives cap
660 against base 580 (or, more precisely,
substantially against base 580, since the flattened
outer helical scraper paddle 670 and the flattened
inner helical scraper paddle 680 will be disposed
between, and slightly separate, cap 660 from base
580). Bottom scraper paddle 690 may also be formed
out of spring steel. In another preferred form of the
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invention, 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
(e.g., Nitinol).
A bore 800 passes through base 580 and
communicates with the interior of annular recess 620.
A weakened portion 810 normally closes off bore 800
but may be ruptured upon the application of an
appropriate force so as to pass material (e.g., frozen
confection) therethrough. 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
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 forming 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,
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inasmuch as cold may be simultaneously applied to both
the outer surfaces of pod 30 and the inner surfaces of
pod 30.
By way of example but not limitation, in one
preferred form of the invention, pod 30 has an outer
diameter of 2.25 inches and a height of 3.75 inches
(i.e., outer hollow tube 600 has an outer diameter of
2.25 inches and a height of 3.75 inches), whereby to
provide a surface area of 26.49 square inches and a
volume of 14.90 cubic inches; and pod 30 has an inner
diameter of 1.4 inches and a height of 3.75 inches
(i.e., inner hollow tube 610 has an inner diameter of
1.4 inches and a height of 3.75 inches), whereby to
provide a surface area of 16.49 square inches and a
volume of 5.77 cubic inches; thereby yielding a total
pod surface area of 42.98 square inches (i.e., 26.49
square inches + 16.49 square inches = 42.98 square
inches) and a total pod volume of 9.13 cubic inches
(i.e., 14.90 cubic inches - 5.77 cubic inches = 9.13
cubic inches), and a surface area-to-volume ratio of
8.47:1.
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
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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.
Where pod 30 is to produce a single serving of
ice cream, in a preferred form of the invention, 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
(MSNF) (e.g., skim milk power (SMP), whole milk powder
(WMP), evaporated milk, condensed milk, etc.),
approximately 13% sucrose, approximately 0.5%
emulsifier and approximately 0.5% stabilizer.
By way of further example but not limitation, if
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.
Use Of The System
Looking now at Fig. 21, 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
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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.) is to be prepared.
When a single serving of a frozen confection is
to be prepared, 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. In
addition, a container (i.e., the container from which
the frozen confection will be consumed) 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).
When pod sensor 235 senses the presence of a pod
30 in annular recess 210 of nest 140, machine 20 cools
nest assembly 50 via TEC assemblies 240 and
cylindrical TEC 260, which in turn cools the pod 30
(and its contents) which is located in annular recess
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210 of nest 140. Note that 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. Note that 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). By way of example but not
limitation, 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). Note also that 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.
When pod 30 has been appropriately cooled, 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. In a
preferred form of the invention, 4 ounces of water at
2 degrees C is sprayed into pod 30. At the same time,
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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.
Note that only 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
assembly 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. In one preferred form of the
invention, a torque sensor is provided which adjusts
the rotational speed of the scraper paddles in
response to the changing viscosity of the frozen
confection in pod 30 (e.g., the rotational speed of
the scraper paddles slows with the increasing
viscosity of the frozen confection). In addition,
this rotational action causes outer helical scraper
paddle 670, inner helical scraper paddle 680 and
bottom scraper paddle 690 to continuously scrape the
walls of pod 30 so as to prevent the build-up of
frozen confection on the walls of pod 30 (which could
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inhibit cooling of the contents of pod 30). Then air
pump 490 pumps air into hollow fang 420 in plunger
330, and then through weakened portion 740 in cap 660,
so that the air enters the interior of pod 30 and
mixes with the contents of pod 30. Preferably enough
air is pumped into pod 30 to provide an approximately
30%-50% overrun (i.e., air bubbles) in pod 30, whereby
to give the ice cream the desired "loft". As this
occurs, 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).
In order to create a "smooth" frozen confection,
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
"coarse". System 10 is designed to produce a "smooth"
frozen confection by providing a majority of ice
crystals smaller than approximately 50 pm.
More particularly, to develop ice crystals with
the proper dispersion (number, size and shape), it is
necessary to control the freezing process: rates of
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nucleation vs. growth of crystals. System 10 does
this by simultaneously scraping the inner and outer
surfaces of annular recess 620 of pod 30. In
addition, in order to generate numerous small ice
crystals, 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). Furthermore,
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
"ripening" (i.e., growth) of the ice crystals. System
10 achieves this by using multiple internal scraper
paddles to remove ice crystals from the walls of the
pod, which helps create high-throughput rates which
keeps the ice crystals small (e.g., under 50 pm).
When the frozen confection in pod 30 is ready to
be dispensed into the container which has been placed
on tray 130 of machine 20 (i.e., the container from
which the frozen confection will be consumed), or into
a cone held above tray 130, vertical motor 380 moves
plunger 330 vertically, causing plunger 330 to force
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cap 660 of pod 30 downward, toward base 580 of pod 30,
with outer helical scraper paddle 670 and inner
helical scraper paddle 680 longitudinally compressing
with the advance of cap 660. This action reduces the
volume of annular recess 620. 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
confection passes through exit port 234 of nest 140
and into the container set on tray 130 (i.e., the
container from which the frozen confection will be
consumed) or into the cone held above tray 130. This
action continues until cap 660 has been forced against
base 580, effectively ejecting all of the frozen
confection out of pod 30 and into the container from
which the ice cream will be consumed.
Thereafter, 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
replaced by a fresh pod 30 and the foregoing process
repeated.
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Alternative Approaches For Cooling The Inner Portion
Of The Nest Assembly
If desired, and looking now at Fig. 22,
cylindrical TEC 280 may be replaced by a helical coil
840 which is itself cooled by a TEC element 850.
Alternatively, if desired, and looking now at
Fig. 23, 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).
Using The System To Provide A Cold Beverage
System 10 can also be used to provide a single
serving of a cold beverage. By way of example but not
limitation, 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. In this
circumstance, 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.
Where system 10 is to be used to provide a single
serving of a cold beverage, 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
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within pod 30, and mixed by outer helical scraper
paddle 670, inner helical scraper paddle 680 and
bottom scraper paddle 690. When mixing is completed,
vertical motor 380 is activated to eject the cold
beverage into a waiting container.
It will be appreciated that where a cold beverage
is to be produced, 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).
It will also be appreciated that where a cold
beverage is to be produced, outer helical scraper
paddle 670, inner helical scraper paddle 680 and
bottom scraper paddle 690 may be omitted from pod 30
if desired.
Using The System To Provide A Hot Beverage
System 10 can also be used to provide a single
serving of a hot beverage. By way of example but not
limitation, pod 30 may contain a supply of ingredients
for forming a hot beverage, e.g., hot chocolate, hot
coffee, etc. In this situation, 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.
Where system 10 is to be used to provide a single
serving of a hot beverage, a pod 30, containing a
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supply of the ingredients used to form the hot
beverage, is inserted into nest assembly 50. 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.
Note that 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. In
addition, if desired, 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.
In many cases, it may be desirable to "brew" a
hot beverage by passing water through a supply of
granulated ingredients, e.g., such as in the case of
coffee or tea. To that end, and looking now at Figs.
24-27, pod 30 can be provided with a filter 860 which
contains a supply of the granulated ingredients (e.g.,
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ground coffee beans, tea leaves, etc.) which is to be
brewed. In one preferred form of the invention, and
as shown in Figs. 24-27, 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. Note also that 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
maintain its structural integrity during collapse so
that the granulated contents of filter 860 do not pass
out of pod 30.
Cabinet Configuration
If desired, and looking now at Fig. 28, machine
20 can be mounted to a cabinet 870, where cabinet 870
sits on legs 880. In this construction, cabinet 870
can include additional cooling apparatus for removing
heat from heat dissipation assembly 90 (e.g.,
additional heat pipes, condensers and fans, or a
conventional refrigeration unit, etc.). Cabinet 870
may also be configured so as to house fresh pods 30
and/or containers for receiving the frozen confections
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(e.g., bowls and cones), cold beverages (e.g., cups)
and hot beverages (e.g., cups).
Chilling The Pod With A Refrigeration Coil
In another form of the invention, and looking now
at Figs. 29-31, 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
connected to heat dissipation assembly 90A, wherein
heat dissipation assembly 90A comprises a compressor
for driving refrigeration coil 240A.
It will be appreciated that, as a result of this
construction, 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
performance of TEC elements 250.
Alternative Nest And Pod Constructions
In the foregoing disclosure, 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
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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. However, if desired, 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.
Compressor-Cooled Machine With Fixed-Cap Pod
Looking next at Figs. 32-35, 35A, 35B and 35C,
there is shown another novel system 900 for providing
a single serving of a frozen confection, e.g., ice
cream (soft serve or hard), frozen yogurt, a frozen
protein shake, a smoothie, etc. For the purposes of
the present invention, 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). In this form of the
invention, water (hot or cold) is directed to the
proper nest 915 to form the desired cold confection or
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the desired hot or cold beverage. See, for example,
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). Preferably, 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.
In a preferred form of the invention, 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.
In one form of the invention, system 900 is able
to form a frozen confection without introducing water
and/or air into pod 910 (see below).
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Machine 905
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
quantities of approximately 1 quart or less within 5
minutes or less. 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.
More particularly, nest 915 comprises a body 930
defining a tapered (preferably frustoconical) recess
935 for receiving a correspondingly tapered
(preferably frustoconical) pod 910 and an interior
chamber 940 for cooling recess 935 of nest 915. Nest
915 further comprises an inlet 945 leading to interior
chamber 940 and an outlet 950 leading from interior
chamber 940.
In one form of the invention, tapered recess 935
of nest 915 comprises a smaller first end 951, a
larger second end 952 and a tapered side wall 953
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extending between the smaller first end 951 and the
larger second end 952. In one preferred form of the
invention, tapered recess 935 is frustoconical. In
one form of the invention, tapered side wall 953 of
recess 935 has a taper of approximately 5 degrees or
greater. In one form of the invention, smaller first
end 951 may be closed off. In another form of the
invention, smaller first end 951 may be partially
open. In another form of the invention, smaller first
end 951 may be completely open. See, for example,
Fig. 35B and Fig. 35C, which show additional
configurations for nest 915 (and which also show
additional configurations for pod 910).
It should be appreciated that where smaller 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, a line 970 connecting
circulation motor 960 with inlet 945 of nest 915, and
a line 975 connecting outlet 950 of nest 915 with
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reservoir 955. As a result of this construction,
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.
As a result of this construction, 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.
Eutectic Solution
In one preferred form of the invention, 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. More
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particularly, 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.
More particularly, while system 900 is parked
idle (i.e., prior to producing servings of a 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.) through its
refrigeration cycle so as to cool the coolant in
reservoir 955 of coolant unit 920, and then the
coolant in reservoir 955 cools the eutectic solution
contained within at least one container in nest 915 to
0 C to -114 C. Once the eutectic solution surrounding
nest 915 is cooled 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.
It will be appreciated that the cold lost from
the eutectic solution by removing heat from pod 910 is
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replaced by a heat exchange as the cooled eutectic
solution slowly warms. This maintains the temperature
of nest 915 between -40 C and 0 C while making
multiple pods of a frozen confection in quick
succession. As the eutectic solution warms,
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).
Between cooling of a pod and/or between uses of
machine 905, 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.
It should be appreciated that the eutectic
solution comprises a phase change material. In this
respect, it should also be appreciated that phase
change materials (PCMs) 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.
In this way, phase change materials enable thermal
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energy storage: heat or cold being stored at one
period of time and used at a later point in time.
It should be appreciated that a simple, cheap and
effective phase change material is water/ice.
Unfortunately, water/ice has a freezing point of 0 C
(+32 F), which precludes water/ice from the majority
of energy storage applications. However, a number of
alternative phase change materials have been
identified and developed that cool and warm like
water/ice, but at temperatures from the cryogenic
range to several hundred degrees centigrade. When
salts are added to water, they depress the freezing
point of the water. Adding more salt generally
depresses the freezing temperature further, but these
solutions do not freeze cleanly and at a precise
temperature, instead they tend to form a slush.
However, if a particular salt at a particular
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. This is represented in the
simplified graph shown in Fig. 36. The curved line on
the graph of Fig. 36 represents the freezing
curve. Starting from the left of the curve, the
composition is 100% water and the freezing point is
0 C (32 F). As salt is added, the freezing point of
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the salt/water mixture decreases. When freezing
occurs in this section of the graph, only pure water
freezes out of solution and the salt remains in
solution. If more salt is added, the freezing point
depresses further until the eutectic point is reached
at the lowest freezing point on the curve. Some 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.
Phase Change Latent Heat
PCM Density
Temperature Capacity
Type
( C) ( F) (kg/m3) (1b/ft3) (kJ/kg)
Btu/lb)
EO 0 32 1,000 62.4 332 143
E-2 -2.0 28 1,070 66.8 306 132
E-3 -3.7 25 1,060 66.2 312 134
E-6 -6.0 21 1,110 69.3 275 118
E-10 -10.0 14 1,140 71.2 286 123
E-11 -11.6 11 1,090 68.0 301 129
E-12 -12.3 10 1,110 69.3 250 108
E-14 -14.8 5 1,220 76.2 243 105
E-15 -15.0 5 1,060 66.2 303 130
E-19 -18.7 -2 1,125 70.2 282 121
E-21 -20.6 -5 1,240 77.4 263 113
E-22 -22.0 -8 1,180 73.7 234 101
E-26 -26.0 -15 1,250 78.0 280 112
E-29 -29.0 -20 1,420 88.6 222 95
E-32 -32.0 -26 1,290 80.5 243 105
E-34 -33.6 -28 1,205 75.2 240 103
E-37 -36.5 -34 1,500 93.6 213 92
E-50 -49.8 -58 1,325 82.7 218 94
E-75 -75.0 -103 902 56.3 102 44
E-78 -78.0 -108 880 54.9 115 49
E-90 -90.0 -130 786 49.1 90 39
E-114 -114.0 -173 782 48.8 107 46
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Volumetric Heat Specific Heat
Thermal
PCM Capacity Capacity
Conductivity
Type (MJ/m3 (kJ/kg (W/m (Btu/ft2
(Btu/ft3) (Btu/lb F)
EO 332 8,911 4.186 0.992 0.580
0.335
E-2 327 8,777 3.80 0.900 0.580
0.335
E-3 331 8,884 3.84 0.910 0.600
0.347
E-6 305 8,186 3.83 0.907 0.560
0.324
E-10 326 8,750 3.33 0.789 0.560
0.324
E-11 328 8,804 3.55 0.841 0.570
0.329
E-12 278 7,462 3.47 0.822 0.560
0.324
E-14 296 7,945 3.51 0.832 0.530
0.306
E-15 321 8,616 3.87 0.917 0.530
0.306
E-19 344 9,233 3.29 0.779 0.580
0.335
E-21 326 8,750 3.13 0.741 0.510
0.295
E-22 276 7,408 3.34 0.791 0.570
0.329
E-26 325 8,723 3.67 0.869 0.580
0.335
E-29 264 7,086 3.69 0.874 0.640
0.370
E-32 313 8,401 2.95 0.699 0.560
0.324
E-34 286 7,676 3.05 0.723 0.540
0.312
E-37 302 8,106 3.15 0.746 0.540
0.312
E-50 283 7,596 3.28 0.777 0.560
0.324
E-75 92 2,469 2.43 0.576 0.170
0.098
E-78 101 2,716 1.96 0.464 0.140
0.081
E-90 71 1,906 2.56 0.606 0.140
0.081
E-114 84 2,255 2.39 0.566 0.170
0.098
Compressor 980
If desired, a conventional reciprocating
compressor (e.g., the Tecumseh TC1413U-DS7C
compressor) may be used for compressor 980 of
refrigeration unit 925. Alternatively, rotary
compressors (e.g., such as those made by Aspen
Systems, Samsung and Rigid) may be used for compressor
980 of refrigeration unit 925. Alternatively, a
Direct Current Compressor R290 - 12-24 V by Danfoss
with evaporating temperatures ranging from -40 C to
10 C may be used.
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Tubing For The Refrigeration Cycle
As noted above, 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. In one form of the invention, conventional
refrigeration tubing is used to transfer the
refrigerant between the various components of
refrigeration unit 925. In another form of the
invention, and looking now at Fig. 37, a coaxial
refrigeration tube may be used to transfer the
refrigerant between the various components of
refrigeration unit 925, whereby to gain enhanced
refrigeration efficiency.
One Preferred Arrangement For Cooling A Pod
Disposed In The Nest
In one preferred form of the invention, where
nest 915 is cooled using a eutectic solution contained
in one or more containers at nest 915, 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
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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.
Direct Expansion Refrigeration Of Nest 915
In a preferred form of the invention,
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.
However, if desired, 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,
operating at temperatures well below ambient. In the
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cold plate of a direct expansion system,
the refrigerant from refrigeration unit 925 undergoes
an isothermal phase change, offering tight temperature
control across the cold plate. As seen in Fig. 38, 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. In a direct expansion system, the
evaporator absorbs heat directly from nest 915.
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.
Another Preferred Arrangement For Cooling A Pod
Disposed In The Nest
In another preferred form of the invention, 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. In this
form of the invention, 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.
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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.
Additionally, compressor 980 does not need to be
constantly running in order for multiple batches of
frozen confection to be made.
Pod 910
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. In the preferred
form of the invention, 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). However, it should be appreciated that, if
desired, 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).
Where pod 910 is reusable, 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
reversing the direction of the inner scraper paddle.
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The inner scraper paddle can be made by injection
molding or 3D printing.
More particularly, and looking now at Figs. 35,
35B, 39-42, 42A and 42B, pod 910 generally comprises a
canister 990, an internal scraper paddle assembly 995
and a cap 1000.
Canister 990 is tapered (preferably
frustoconical) and comprises a floor 1005 and a side
wall 1010 upstanding therefrom. In one form of the
invention, 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. In one preferred form of the
invention, tapered canister 990 is frustoconical.
Note that the 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.
In another form of the invention, 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.
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In one form of the invention, tapered side wall
1010 has a uniform thickness along its length.
In another form of the invention, 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.
It should be appreciated that providing 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.
It should also be appreciated that providing 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
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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
generally helical configuration. In one form of the
invention, 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.
Preferably 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.
Cap 1000 and floor 1005 can be made of insulating
materials or coated with insulating materials, e.g.,
aerogels.
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Prior to use, opening 1015 in floor 1005, and
opening 1050 in cap 1000, are closed off with
rupturable membranes.
As a result of the foregoing construction, when
upwardly-projecting stem 1045 is turned in a first
(counterclockwise) direction, sliding gate 1025 is
urged into its closed configuration and the contents
of pod 910 are forced upward toward cap 1000. When
upwardly-projecting stem 1045 is turned in the
opposite (clockwise) direction and rotated at speeds
ranging from 10 to 400 RPM, 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.
In another form of the invention, 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). In this form of the invention,
as internal scraper paddle assembly 995 is turned in
one direction, 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
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pod. Note that 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
transfer between the pod and the nest. When the
contents of the pod are to be released, removable seal
1060 is removed, and the contents of the pod exit
through opening 1015. Note that in this form of the
invention, the direction of turning scraper blades
1035 does not need to be reversed when discharging the
frozen confection from the pod.
In one preferred form of the invention, 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. When
the lid of machine 905 closes, the separating membrane
between zones can puncture or rupture allowing the
various contents to mix.
Close Fit Between Pod 910 And Nest 915
In practice, it has been found that providing a
close fit between pod 910 and nest 915 facilitates
rapid heat transfer between pod 910 and nest 915, and
hence enables faster production of a single serving of
a frozen confection. Such a close fit may be provided
in a variety of ways.
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By way of example but not limitation, 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.
By way of further example but not limitation,
frustoconical canister 990 of pod 910 could have an
incline, and 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.
By way of still further example but not
limitation, 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.
Or a pressurized fluid (e.g., air, CO2 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.
By way of further example but not limitation,
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.
By way of further example but not limitation,
recess 935 of nest 915 could comprise a magnetic
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material for receiving a ferrous alloy (i.e., steel)
canister 990 of pod 910, such that pod 910 is
magnetically pulled into nest 915 so as to make a
close fit with a pod 910 disposed in nest 915.
Contents Of Pod 910
The contents of pod 910 may be the same as the
contents of pod 30 discussed above.
It should also be appreciated that, if desired,
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.).
Furthermore, if desired, 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.
In addition to the foregoing, if desired, and
looking now at Fig. 44, "bubble beads" (e.g., an
encapsulant surrounding CO2 or N2) 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 CO2 or N2 and creating a "fizz" in the
frozen confection.
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It is also anticipated that 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.
In one preferred form of the invention, where a
frozen protein shake is to be produced, the contents
of pod 910 may be:
3-10% 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;
9-15% milk solids non-fat (MSNF) such as
concentrated (condensed/evaporated) milk, sweetened
condensed milk, milk powder, skim or whole sweet cream
buttermilk, concentrated or dried whey, concentrated
or dried, milk protein concentrates whey protein
concentrates or isolates hydrolyzed or modified milk
proteins, sodium caseinate;
4-14% 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;
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up to 0.5% emulsifiers such as mono- and
diglycerides, distilled monoglycerides (saturated or
unsaturated), polyoxyethylene sorbitan
monostearate(60) or monooleate (80), and others; and
have 5 to 60 grams of protein in the form of
whey, casein, pea, soy and or a combination of said
proteins.
In each 3-8 ounce serving of frozen protein
shake, there ideally would be greater than 10 grams of
protein and less than 200 calories.
Further examples of the 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:
SOFT SERVE Item# Type Manufacturer
Dole Vanilla Soft D500 Powder
Precision Foods
Serve
Dole Chocolate soft D510 Powder
Precision Foods
Serve
Frostline Vanilla D400 Powder
Precision Foods
Soft Serve
Frostline Chocolate D410 Powder
Precision Foods
Soft Serve
Frostline Vanilla DL28 Liquid
Precision Foods
Soft Serve (RTU)
Frostline Chocolate DL27 Liquid
Precision Foods
Soft Serve (RTU)
FROZEN YOGURT Item# Type Manufacturer
Frostline Vanilla Y800 Powder
Precision Foods
Yogurt
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Frostline Chocolate Y810 Powder Precision Foods
Yogurt
SHAKES Item# Type Manufacturer
Frostline Vanilla D425 Powder Precision Foods
Shake Mix
SLUSH Item# Type Manufacturer
Flavor Burst Premium FLA NB-3 Liquid Flavor Burst
Neutral Base Company
6 half-gallon jugs
per case - 1:5
mixing ration
FROZEN COFFEES Item# Type Manufacturer
JavaLatte Coffee FLA-JL-2 Powder Flavor Burst
Base Company
requires soft
service mix - see
available soft serve
mixes above
SMOOTHIES Item# Type Mnaufacturer
Frostline Smoothie D595 Powder Precision Foods
Base Mix
FROZEN CARBONATED Item# Type Manufacturer
BEVERAGE (FCB)
National Fruits Liquid National Fruit
Flavors Flavor
Chilly Willee Liquid Chilly Willee
National, Inc
FRUIT COCKTAILS - Item# Type Manufacturer
See receipt below!
Low Sweet Neutral Powder United Citrus
Base
Flavor Burst Premium FLA-NB-3 Liquid Flavor Burst
Neutral Base Company
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Soft Serve Ice Cream Mix Construction
In another form of the invention, when forming a
single serving of soft serve ice cream, 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. In this form of the invention, 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.
It should be appreciated that by injecting a
liquid soft serve ice cream mix into pod 910, fluid
(i.e., air or liquid) does not need to be subsequently
injected into the pod in order to create the frozen
confection (i.e., the soft serve ice cream). When pod
910 has been appropriately cooled, rotation of
internal paddle assembly 995 forms a single serving of
soft serve ice cream in pod 910.
Additionally, in this form of the invention, a
separate water reservoir tank (not shown) may be
provided 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
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CA 03088305 2020-07-10
WO 2019/140251
PCT/US2019/013286
the next single serving of soft serve ice cream is
prepared using novel system 900.
Modifications Of The Preferred Embodiments
It should be understood that many additional
changes in the details, materials, steps and
arrangements of parts, which have been herein
described and illustrated in order to explain the
nature of the present invention, may be made by those
skilled in the art while still remaining within the
principles and scope of the invention.
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