Abstract: Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Abstract: Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Abstract: A machine for providing a single serving of a frozen confection includes a housing and a lid movably attached to the housing and configured to move between an open position in which a receptacle sized to receive a pod is exposed and a closed position in which the receptacle is inaccessible, the pod containing ingredients for producing the single serving of the frozen confection. The machine includes a cooling assembly sized to receive the ingredients and disposed within the housing such that a longitudinal axis of the cooling assembly is stationary relative to the housing as the lid is moved between the open position and the closed position, the cooling assembly operable to cool the ingredients to produce the single serving of the frozen confection. The machine includes a mixing motor operable to rotate a paddle to mix the ingredients to produce the frozen confection from the ingredients.

Abstract: Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Abstract: A machine for cooling a food or drink includes a refrigeration system operable to cool ingredients for producing the cooled food or drink. The refrigeration system includes an evaporator defining a receptacle sized to receive the ingredients. The evaporator includes an inlet to receive a refrigerant and an outlet to discharge the refrigerant. The refrigeration system includes a closed-loop refrigerant path passing through the evaporator between the inlet of the evaporator and the outlet of the evaporator for exchanging heat between the received ingredients and the refrigerant to cool the received ingredients. The refrigeration system includes a compressor operable to pump the refrigerant through the closed-loop refrigerant path. The compressor includes an inlet to receive the refrigerant and an outlet to discharge the refrigerant. The refrigeration system includes a thermo-electric device located along the closed-loop refrigerant path between the outlet of the evaporator and the inlet of the compressor.

Abstract: Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Abstract: Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing shelf stable pods containing food or drink to be rapidly cooled, include inserting a mixing paddle into an aluminum can through an open end of a body of the can and sterilizing the can and mixing paddle at temperatures below a stress relief temperature of the can in a first aseptic chamber. The method also includes filling the can with a sterilized food or drink in the aseptic chamber, sealing a sterilized base of the can to the open end of the body of the can with a food-safe adhesive to create a hermetic seal, removing the can from the first aseptic chamber while maintaining the hermetic seal outside the first aseptic chamber, and mechanically seaming the base to the can.

Abstract: A machine for brewing and cooling a beverage includes a housing, a refrigeration system, a first nest, a second nest, a fluid system, and a dispensing port. The first and second nests are arranged in the housing and include first and second recesses, respectively. The second nest has walls defining the second recess. The refrigeration system is located within the machine and is confirmed to cool the walls of the second nest. The fluid system is configured to transfer water to the first recess of the first nest. The dispensing port is fluidly connected with the recess of the first nest.

Abstract: Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Abstract: Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Abstract: Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Abstract: A machine for providing a single serving of a cold beverage or frozen confection includes a nest assembly and a lid assembly. The nest assembly defines a recess for receiving a pod containing at least one ingredient for forming a single serving of the cold beverage or frozen confection and at least one helical internal paddle. The nest assembly has a cooling unit operable to cool the nest assembly. The lid assembly includes a lid and a plunger to rotate the at least one helical internal paddle of the pod to dispense the cold beverage or frozen confection forced out of the pod by rotation of the internal paddle. The frozen confection is ejected directly into a container or cone without coming into contact with other portions of the machine.

Abstract: Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Abstract: A machine for providing a single serving of a cold beverage or a frozen confection is disclosed. The machine includes a cooling system, a first assembly, and a second assembly. The first assembly includes the cooling system and has sidewalls partially defining a recess for receiving a pod containing at least one ingredient for forming the single serving of the cold beverage or frozen confection and at least one internal paddle. The second assembly has a lid and a plunger movably mounted to the lid. The plunger is operable to engage a top of the pod and rotate the at least one internal paddle of the pod to scrape the cold beverage or a frozen confection off a wall of the pod and mix contents of the pod.

Abstract: Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.