Abstract: Disclosed is a container suitable for containing a frozen confection. The container comprises a receptacle comprising a product outlet through which the frozen confection can be dispensed and wherein the outlet is closed by a self-closing valve. Inside of the receptacle is a flexible bag for containing the frozen confection. The container also comprises a propellant inlet through which pressurized gas can be introduced to a region inside the receptacle and outside of the bag to urge the frozen confection towards the product outlet. The self-closing valve is a slit valve made from a resilient material having a Shore hardness of greater than 30 but less than 50 as determined on the A scale.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for dispensing a frozen confection is provided comprising: an insulated chamber (2) housing a container (3) of a frozen confection; a refrigeration system (8); a nozzle (4) having an inner end which is connected to the container (3); and an outer end which is located outside the insulated chamber (2); means for applying pressure to the frozen confection thereby to dispense it from the container (3); a cap (7) which can enclose the outer end of the nozzle (4) when closed and which allows external access to the outer end of the nozzle (4) when open; and one or more channels which allow cold air to flow from the chamber (2) into the region around the outer end of the nozzle (4).

Abstract: A method for dispensing a frozen confection is provided the method comprising: providing a refrigerated, insulated chamber, which houses at least one container, containing a frozen confection at a temperature of ?12° C. or below; wherein the at least one container has an outlet which is closed by a self-closing valve; wherein the container comprises flexible bag containing the frozen confection located inside a bottle; pressurizing gas in the region inside the bottle and outside the flexible bag thereby applying pressure to the frozen confection so that the valve opens and the frozen confection is forced out of the container through the outlet; releasing the pressure so that the valve closes. An apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method for dispensing a frozen confection is provided the method comprising: providing a refrigerated, insulated chamber, which houses at least one container, containing a frozen confection at a temperature of ?12° C. or below; wherein the at least one container has an outlet which is closed by a self-closing valve; wherein the container comprises flexible bag containing the frozen confection located inside a bottle; pressurising gas in the region inside the bottle and outside the flexible bag thereby applying pressure to the frozen confection so that the valve opens and the frozen confection is forced out of the container through the outlet; releasing the pressure so that the valve closes. An apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for dispensing a frozen confection is provided comprising: an insulated chamber (2) housing a container (3) of a frozen confection; a refrigeration system (8); a nozzle (4) having an inner end which is connected to the container (3); and an outer end which is located outside the insulated chamber (2); means for applying pressure to the frozen confection thereby to dispense it from the container (3); a cap (7) which can enclose the outer end of the nozzle (4) when closed and which allows external access to the outer end of the nozzle (4) when open; and one or more channels which allow cold air to flow from the chamber (2) into the region around the outer end of the nozzle (4).

Abstract: A frozen confection comprising from 1 to 15 wt % of cereal meal particles having a size of from 0.1 to 1.0 mm and from 5 to 25 wt % of sweeteners is provided. A process for manufacturing the frozen confection is also provided, the process comprising the steps of: preparing a mix comprising water, 1 to 15 wt % of a cereal meal particles having a size of from 0.1 to 1.0 mm, and 5 to 25 wt % of sweeteners; holding the mix at a temperature of at least 70° C. for at least 10 minutes; pasteurizing and optionally homogenising the mix; then freezing and preferably aerating the mix to produce the frozen confection.

Abstract: A frozen confection comprising from 1 to 15 wt% of cereal meal particles having a size of from 0.1 to 1.0 mm and from 5 to 25 wt% of sweeteners is provided. A process for manufacturing the frozen confection is also provided, the process comprising the steps of: preparing a mix comprising water, 1 to 15 wt% of a cereal meal particles having a size of from 0.1 to 1.0 mm, and 5 to 25 wt% of sweeteners; holding the mix at a temperature of at least 70° C. for at least 10 minutes; pasteurising and optionally homogenising the mix; then freezing and preferably aerating the mix to produce the frozen confection.

Abstract: A self-sustaining log shaped frozen aerated product is produced by cold-extruding a low fat formulation at a temperature between ?15° C. and ?24° C. in order to achieve an ice content at ?18° C. of between 30% and 55%.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a frozen ice confection comprising a frozen composition incorporating inclusions in a desired distribution by combining a flow of frozen composition with one or more flows comprising inclusions, in such a way that the flows comprising inclusions are introduced discontinuously at a multiplicity of positions in the cross-section of flow of frozen composition, and extruding the resulting combined flow without first subjecting the combined flow to any active blending step.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a frozen ice confection comprising a frozen composition incorporating inclusions in a desired distribution by combining a flow of frozen composition with one or more flows comprising inclusions, in such a way that the flows comprising inclusions are introduced discontinuously at a multiplicity of positions in the cross-section of flow of frozen composition, and extruding the resulting combined flow without first subjecting the combined flow to any active blending step.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a frozen ice confection comprising a frozen composition incorporating inclusions in a desired distribution by combining a flow of frozen composition with one or more flows comprising inclusions, in such a way that the flows comprising inclusions are introduced discontinuously at a multiplicity of positions in the cross-section of flow of frozen composition, and extruding the resulting combined flow without first subjecting the combined flow to any active blending step.