Rapidly cooling food and drinks
Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.
1. A machine for producing single serving of a cooled food or drink, the machine comprising:
a cooling system defining a recess sized to receive a pod comprising at least one ingredient for producing the frozen confection;
a track or rail extending perpendicularly to an axis of the recess;
a sliding lid assembly moveable along the track or rail between a closed position covering the recess and an open position uncovering the recess, the sliding assembly comprising:
a driveshaft movable parallel to an axis of the recess between an engaged position extending into the recess and a disengaged position outside the recess; and
a motor mechanically connected to the driveshaft and operable to rotate the driveshaft.
2. The machine of claim 1 , further comprising a drive belt extending between the motor and the drive shaft.
3. The machine of claim 2 , wherein the belt is under tension in both the open configuration and the closed configuration.
4. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the track or rail is two parallel tracks or rails.
5. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the cooling system comprises an evaporator defining the recess.
6. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the machine has the same overall dimensions when the sliding lid assembly is in its closed position and in its open position.
7. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the sliding lid assembly comprises a solenoid or a motor connected to the driveshaft to translate the driveshaft axially between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
8. The machine of claim 7 , wherein the driveshaft is configured to engage with a grommet to couple rotation to the mixing paddle when the sliding lid assembly is in the closed configuration.
9. The machine of claim 8 , wherein the driveshaft is configured for press-fit engagement with the grommet.
10. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the track or rail is a horizontal track or rail.
11. A machine for producing single serving of a cooled food or drink, the machine comprising:
a cooling system defining a recess sized to receive a pod comprising at least one ingredient for producing the frozen confection;
a track or rail extending perpendicularly to an axis of the recess;
a sliding lid assembly moveable along the track or rail between a closed position covering the recess and an open position uncovering the recess, the sliding assembly comprising:
a driveshaft movable parallel to an axis of the recess between an engaged position extending into the recess and a disengaged position outside the recess;
a motor mechanically connected to the driveshaft and operable to rotate the driveshaft, and
a solenoid or a motor connected to the driveshaft to translate the driveshaft axially between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
12. The machine of claim 11 , wherein the driveshaft is configured to engage with a grommet to couple rotation to the mixing paddle when the sliding lid assembly is in the closed configuration.
13. The machine of claim 12 , wherein the driveshaft is configured for press-fit engagement with the grommet.
14. The machine of claim 11 , further comprising a drive belt extending between the motor and the drive shaft.
15. The machine of claim 11 , wherein the belt is under tension in both the open configuration and the closed configuration.
16. The machine of claim 11 , wherein the track or rail is two parallel tracks or rails.
17. The machine of claim 11 , wherein the cooling system comprises an evaporator defining the recess.
18. The machine of claim 11 , wherein the machine has the same overall dimensions when the sliding lid assembly is in its closed position and in its open position.
19. The machine of claim 11 , wherein the track or rail is a horizontal track or rail.