A method of producing a granular aggregate in which wet granulated substances including active material particles, conductive material particles, a binding agent for binding the active material particles and the conductive material particles, and a solvent are aggregated includes adding a binding agent solution in which the binding agent is dissolved in the solvent to the active material particles having a solvent absorbing property, mixing the binding agent solution and the active material particles such that a primary granular aggregate in which granulated primary granulated substances are aggregated is produced, and mixing the conductive material particles into the primary granular aggregate and producing a granulated granular aggregate.

The present invention relates to a unique helical design for scraper blades (1) and a driver-disc (2) that allows for optimum performance when preparing single-serve portions (100-300 ml) of freshly-made frozen and/or chilled confections on demand directly in a packaging container. The present invention improves upon the prior art by not only shortening the time it takes (less than 180 seconds) to prepare portionable volumes of freshly made frozen/chilled confections with optimal microstructure inside a conically shaped container packaging, but also minimises cross-contamination and reduces the need for cleaning in-between portions/batches.

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

Apparatus for cooking foods includes an external container, an internal container, open at the top, a heating device and a rotating mixing device. The mixing device is selectively removable and comprises at least one mixing blade driven by the rotation motion.

A stirring element device, in particular for mixing media with a wide range of viscosities, in particular for a polycondensation reactor, includes at least one inner stirring blade and at least one outer stirring blade which are rotatable about a common axis of rotation, wherein at least the inner stirring blade is inclined at least section-wise relative to the axis of rotation. The inner stirring blade is arranged entirely in a subregion around the axis of rotation which is equivalent to a cylinder sector with a circular sector of less than 360 as base area.

A food preparation appliance has a base, a blade member rotatable in a direction of rotation, and a container with a closed bottom, an open top and a tubular sidewall together defining an interior space of the container. The top of the container is configured for releasable connection with the base, with the blade member disposed within the interior space of the container. The sidewall has a rib projecting inward of the interior space of the container and extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the sidewall from the top of the container toward the bottom of the container. The rib has, in the direction of rotation of the blade member, a peak defined as the shortest transverse dimension measured from the center of the container to the sidewall at a respective height along the portion of the sidewall having the rib, the rib being asymmetric in transverse cross-section.

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

Systems and methods operable to brew and then cool a beverage include inserting a pod into a recess of a machine for providing the beverage, the pod comprising granulated ingredients and a filter, displacing a cap of the pod, by a plunger, into the pod; the plunger being used to compress the graduated ingredients and the filter, heating water within the machine using a refrigeration system of the machine, flowing the heated water through the compressed granulated ingredients and through the filter of the pod to brew a brewed beverage; and dispensing the brewed beverage from the pod.

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

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