Abstract: Systems for controlled heating and/or agitation for liquid food or beverage product creation are disclosed. A dispenser for producing a food or beverage liquid product from a frozen contents in a receptacle includes a chamber configured to hold a receptacle containing the contents and a dilution liquid inlet configured to supply a dilution liquid to the interior of the receptacle. The dispenser also includes a perforator configured to perforate the receptacle and form a product outlet from the receptacle for the liquid product and an agitator configured to impart motion to the receptacle and/or the contents in the receptacle that increases a flow path from the liquid inlet to the product outlet taken by at least a portion of dilution liquid, when supplied, relative to a flow path from the liquid inlet to the product outlet taken by the portion of dilution liquid without the imparted motion.

Abstract: A method and equipment for extracting dissolvable solids from small particles using a staged, counter-current battery of centrifuges is described. The advantages gained by working with particles having a mean diameter smaller than 50 microns and doing the extraction with the particles dispersed in a non-flowing liquid are (1) a significant reduction in the concentration gradient of the dissolvable solids across the diameter of the particles and throughout the body of particles being extracted in a comparable standard column battery and (2) higher overall yields because extraction can be conducted to a uniform limit rather than being constrained by a local (surface or column position) limit. As regards coffee extraction, the equipment and method are intended for the production of high quality concentrated coffee extracts rather than the production of soluble or instant coffee.

Abstract: Systems for controlled heating and/or agitation for liquid food or beverage product creation are disclosed. A dispenser for producing a food or beverage liquid product from a frozen contents in a receptacle includes a chamber configured to hold a receptacle containing the contents and a dilution liquid inlet configured to supply a dilution liquid to the interior of the receptacle. The dispenser also includes a perforator configured to perforate the receptacle and form a product outlet from the receptacle for the liquid product and an agitator configured to impart motion to the receptacle and/or the contents in the receptacle that increases a flow path from the liquid inlet to the product outlet taken by at least a portion of dilution liquid, when supplied, relative to a flow path from the liquid inlet to the product outlet taken by the portion of dilution liquid without the imparted motion.

Abstract: A container (32) includes a sealable body including a chamber (42), at least one opening formed in the sealable body, and a vacuum sealing assembly (52) mounted to the sealable body adjacent at least one opening. The vacuum sealing assembly (52) includes a valve (60) and a mechanism (70) moveable between a first position that maintains the valve (60) in a sealing engagement with at least one opening and a second position that removes the valve (60) from the sealing engagement or exposes the valve (60) for removal from the sealing engagement.

Abstract: Systems for controlled heating and/or agitation for liquid food or beverage product creation are disclosed. A dispenser for producing a food or beverage liquid product from a frozen contents in a receptacle includes a chamber configured to hold a receptacle containing the contents and a dilution liquid inlet configured to supply a dilution liquid to the interior of the receptacle. The dispenser also includes a perforator configured to perforate the receptacle and form a product outlet from the receptacle for the liquid product and an agitator configured to impart motion to the receptacle and/or the contents in the receptacle that increases a flow path from the liquid inlet to the product outlet taken by at least a portion of dilution liquid, when supplied, relative to a flow path from the liquid inlet to the product outlet taken by the portion of dilution liquid without the imparted motion.

Abstract: A method and equipment for extracting dissolvable solids from small particles using a staged, counter-current battery of centrifuges is described. The advantages gained by working with particles having a mean diameter smaller than 50 microns and doing the extraction with the particles dispersed in a non-flowing liquid are (1) a significant reduction in the concentration gradient of the dissolvable solids across the diameter of the particles and throughout the body of particles being extracted in a comparable standard column battery and (2) higher overall yields because extraction can be conducted to a uniform limit rather than being constrained by a local (surface or column position) limit. As regards coffee extraction, the equipment and method are intended for the production of high quality concentrated coffee extracts rather than the production of soluble or instant coffee.

Abstract: Methods are described for creating shapes for the frozen liquid contents stored within single-serve pods used in dispensing machines for products such as coffee. Shapes may include freezing a liquid held statically in the pod in various orientations. Methods may include freeze/thaw/refreeze strategies, freezing the liquid while the pod is spinning or tumbling, use of preforms from molds, preforms made with probes, and/or use of preforms that have been formed by extrusion or pressing. In some embodiments, a shape is produced that does not interfere with the entrance of entrance or exit needles projected into the pod by the dispenser and shapes that do not interfere with the flow of a melting/diluting liquid during its transit from entrance to exit needle.

Abstract: Systems for and methods of controlled liquid food or beverage product creation are provided. A method of producing a liquid product from a receptacle containing frozen liquid contents includes receiving the receptacle containing a frozen liquid contents in a dispenser, identifying a characteristic of the receptacle, the contents, and/or a desired product, melting at least a portion of the contents to generate the product by selectively heating the receptacle and/or the contents without adding liquid to the interior of the receptacle and/or supplying a liquid to the interior of the receptacle, wherein the selectively heating without adding liquid to the interior of the receptacle and/or supplying the liquid is based on the identified characteristic. The method also includes perforating the receptacle and dispensing the product from the receptacle.

Abstract: Systems for controlled heating and/or agitation for liquid food or beverage product creation are disclosed. A dispenser for producing a food or beverage liquid product from a frozen contents in a receptacle includes a chamber configured to hold a receptacle containing the contents and a dilution liquid inlet configured to supply a dilution liquid to the interior of the receptacle. The dispenser also includes a perforator configured to perforate the receptacle and form a product outlet from the receptacle for the liquid product and an agitator configured to impart motion to the receptacle and/or the contents in the receptacle that increases a flow path from the liquid inlet to the product outlet taken by at least a portion of dilution liquid, when supplied, relative to a flow path from the liquid inlet to the product outlet taken by the portion of dilution liquid without the imparted motion.

Abstract: A beverage supplement and method for making the same is disclosed. In some embodiments the beverage supplement is comprised of a first frozen composition made from at least one additive mixed with at least one liquid and a second frozen composition made from at least one additive mixed with at least one liquid, wherein the resulting frozen compositions may have different/varying surface areas, shapes, volumes, flavors, and concentrations. Varying the combination of surface areas, shapes, volumes, formulas, flavors, and concentrations of frozen compositions influences the duration of complete liquefaction and the release of additives, allowing a user to create an iced beverage with greater flavor control.

Abstract: Systems for and methods of controlled liquid food or beverage product creation are provided. A method of producing a liquid product from a receptacle containing frozen liquid contents includes receiving the receptacle containing a frozen liquid contents in a dispenser, identifying a characteristic of the receptacle, the contents, and/or a desired product, melting at least a portion of the contents to generate the product by selectively heating the receptacle and/or the contents without adding liquid to the interior of the receptacle and/or supplying a liquid to the interior of the receptacle, wherein the selectively heating without adding liquid to the interior of the receptacle and/or suppling the liquid is based on the identified characteristic. The method also includes perforating the receptacle and dispensing the product from the receptacle.

Abstract: Systems for controlled heating and/or agitation for liquid food or beverage product creation are disclosed. A dispenser for producing a food or beverage liquid product from a frozen contents in a receptacle includes a chamber configured to hold a receptacle containing the contents and a dilution liquid inlet configured to supply a dilution liquid to the interior of the receptacle. The dispenser also includes a perforator configured to perforate the receptacle and form a product outlet from the receptacle for the liquid product and an agitator configured to impart motion to the receptacle and/or the contents in the receptacle that increases a flow path from the liquid inlet to the product outlet taken by at least a portion of dilution liquid, when supplied, relative to a flow path from the liquid inlet to the product outlet taken by the portion of dilution liquid without the imparted motion.

Abstract: Systems for and methods of controlling liquid food or beverage product creation are disclosed. A dispenser for producing a food or beverage liquid product from a frozen contents in a receptacle includes a chamber configured to hold the receptacle and a non-diluting heater configured to heat the receptacle and/or the frozen contents within the receptacle; the non-diluting heater does not add liquid to an interior of the receptacle. The dispenser also includes a reservoir configured to contain a liquid. The reservoir includes a reservoir outlet configured to withdraw liquid from the reservoir. The beverage dispenser further includes a product outlet configured to withdraw a food or beverage liquid product from the receptacle and a controller that causes the dispenser to selectively perform at least one of: heating at least one of the receptacle and the frozen contents using the non-diluting heater and withdrawing liquid from the reservoir through the reservoir outlet.

Abstract: Systems for and methods of controlled liquid food or beverage product creation are provided. A method of producing a liquid product from a receptacle containing frozen liquid contents includes receiving the receptacle containing a frozen liquid contents in a dispenser, identifying a characteristic of the receptacle, the contents, and/or a desired product, melting at least a portion of the contents to generate the product by selectively heating the receptacle and/or the contents without adding liquid to the interior of the receptacle and/or supplying a liquid to the interior of the receptacle, wherein the selectively heating without adding liquid to the interior of the receptacle and/or suppling the liquid is based on the identified characteristic. The method also includes perforating the receptacle and dispensing the product from the receptacle.

Abstract: Methods of controlled heating and/or agitation for liquid food or beverage product creation are disclosed. A method of producing a melted food or beverage liquid product includes receiving a receptacle containing frozen liquid contents in a chamber of a dispenser and identifying a characteristic of the receptacle and/or the contents. The method also includes melting at least a portion of the contents by selectively performing at least one of: heating the receptacle and/or the contents, supplying a dilution liquid to an interior of the receptacle, and/or applying motion to the receptacle and/or the contents in the receptacle. The selectively performing at least one of heating, supplying dilution liquid, and/or applying motion is based on the identified characteristic. The method further includes perforating the receptacle and dispensing the melted food or beverage liquid product from the receptacle.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for creating a consumable liquid food or beverage product from frozen contents. A container is configured for insertion into an apparatus. The container includes a frozen content, a receptacle defining an opening and a cavity for receiving and storing the frozen content, and a closure formed over the opening of the receptacle for sealing the frozen content within the cavity of the receptacle. The receptacle is perforable, and the container is configured for insertion into an apparatus that is configured to create a consumable liquid beverage from the frozen content within the container, such that the frozen content is extracted through a perforation created in the receptacle by the apparatus.

Abstract: Systems for and methods of agitation in the production of beverage and food receptacles from frozen contents are provided. A method of producing a melted food or beverage liquid product from a receptacle containing frozen liquid contents includes receiving a receptacle in a chamber of a dispenser. The receptacle defines an enclosed inner volume containing a frozen liquid contents. The method also includes melting at least a portion of the frozen liquid contents to generate a melted food or beverage liquid product by applying motion to at least one of the receptacle and the frozen liquid contents, perforating the receptacle, and dispensing the melted food or beverage liquid product from the receptacle.

Abstract: Systems for and methods of controlling liquid food or beverage product creation are disclosed. A dispenser for producing a food or beverage liquid product from a frozen contents in a receptacle includes a chamber configured to hold the receptacle and a non-diluting heater configured to heat the receptacle and/or the frozen contents within the receptacle; the non-diluting heater does not add liquid to an interior of the receptacle. The dispenser also includes a reservoir configured to contain a liquid. The reservoir includes a reservoir outlet configured to withdraw liquid from the reservoir. The dispenser further includes a product outlet configured to withdraw a food or beverage liquid product from the receptacle and a controller that causes the dispenser to selectively perform at least one of: heating at least one of the receptacle and the frozen contents using the non-diluting heater and withdrawing liquid from the reservoir through the reservoir outlet.

Abstract: Methods of controlled heating and/or agitation for liquid food or beverage product creation are disclosed. A method of producing a melted food or beverage liquid product includes receiving a receptacle containing frozen liquid contents in a chamber of a dispenser and identifying a characteristic of the receptacle and/or the contents. The method also includes melting at least a portion of the contents by selectively performing at least one of: heating the receptacle and/or the contents, supplying a dilution liquid to an interior of the receptacle, and/or applying motion to the receptacle and/or the contents in the receptacle. The selectively performing at least one of heating, supplying dilution liquid, and/or applying motion is based on the identified characteristic. The method further includes perforating the receptacle and dispensing the melted food or beverage liquid product from the receptacle.

Abstract: Systems for controlled heating and/or agitation for liquid food or beverage product creation are disclosed. A dispenser for producing a food or beverage liquid product from a frozen contents in a receptacle includes a chamber configured to hold a receptacle containing the contents and a dilution liquid inlet configured to supply a dilution liquid to the interior of the receptacle. The dispenser also includes a perforator configured to perforate the receptacle and form a product outlet from the receptacle for the liquid product and an agitator configured to impart motion to the receptacle and/or the contents in the receptacle that increases a flow path from the liquid inlet to the product outlet taken by at least a portion of dilution liquid, when supplied, relative to a flow path from the liquid inlet to the product outlet taken by the portion of dilution liquid without the imparted motion.