Coned augers for bulk mixers are described. The coned augers comprise first end and second end an auger post having a first end opposite a second end; fighting extending along and about the auger post, the pitch oriented to move bulk material generally from the first end toward the second end during operation of the auger; a coned section along the auger post, the coned section comprising a first cone protruding about the periphery of the auger post, the first cone having a tapered end opposite a wide end. Mixers comprising the coned augers are also described.

Coned augers for bulk mixers are described. The coned augers comprise first end and second end an auger post having a first end opposite a second end; fighting extending along and about the auger post, the pitch oriented to move bulk material generally from the first end toward the second end during operation of the auger; a coned section along the auger post, the coned section comprising a first cone protruding about the periphery of the auger post, the first cone having a tapered end opposite a wide end. Mixers comprising the coned augers are also described.

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

Embodiments of the present disclosure include an agitating system of an agricultural system having a drive system configured to operate an agitator and a controller comprising a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to alternatingly instruct the drive system to operate the agitator in an active operation for an active time and instruct the drive system to suspend operation of the agitator for a dwell time after the active time.

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.

There is provided a method for producing hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS), including an esterification step of reacting hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose with an acetylating agent and a succinoylating agent in the presence of an aliphatic carboxylic acid in a kneader reactor equipped with two or more stirring blades rotating around their own axes and orbitally revolving, to obtain a reaction product solution containing HPMCAS; a precipitation step of precipitating the HPMCAS by mixing the reaction product solution with water to obtain a suspension of the precipitated HPMCAS; and a washing and recovery step of washing the HPMCAS in the suspension and recovering the washed HPMCAS. Further, there is provided HPMCAS having yellowness at 20° C. of 15.0 or less, as determined in a 2% by mass solution of the HPMCAS in a mixed solvent of dichloromethane, methanol and water in a mass ratio of 44:44:10.

There is provided a method for producing hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS), including an esterification step of reacting hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose with an acetylating agent and a succinoylating agent in the presence of an aliphatic carboxylic acid in a kneader reactor equipped with two or more stirring blades rotating around their own axes and orbitally revolving, to obtain a reaction product solution containing HPMCAS; a precipitation step of precipitating the HPMCAS by mixing the reaction product solution with water to obtain a suspension of the precipitated HPMCAS; and a washing and recovery step of washing the HPMCAS in the suspension and recovering the washed HPMCAS. Further, there is provided HPMCAS having yellowness at 20° C. of 15.0 or less, as determined in a 2% by mass solution of the HPMCAS in a mixed solvent of dichloromethane, methanol and water in a mass ratio of 44:44:10.

A reactor filter washer dryer (R-FWD) apparatus and methods of using the apparatus for producing washed and dried product of a reaction is disclosed. The R-FWD comprises a vessel defining a process chamber, a filter plate laterally disposed on the vessel base, an agitator assembly, a solids discharge port in the vessel operable to remove the solid fraction of the slurry retained by the filter plate, and a filtrate outlet in the vessel for outflowing the liquid phase of the slurry filtered through the filter plate.

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.

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