A layered drink or dessert dispensing apparatus that accepts a single serving container and transfers the container through a grater that transfers the product into a cup glass or bowl while maintaining the layers. The dispensing apparatus pushes the product through the container while the grater turns. The container is configured in a non-round shape, so the consumer container does not rotate as the grinder or grater is rotated under the container. The grater has one blade or a plurality of teeth or scoops that “cut” through the layered product in the consumer container to extract, remove and scoop the beverage or dessert. The course configuration of the grater minimizes harm to pulp, fibers and/or seeds that may exist in the drink or dessert. Different layers with different densities and material are all equally removed and fall through the dispensing apparatus.

A machine for providing a single serving of a cold beverage or a frozen confection is disclosed. The machine includes a cooling system, a first assembly, and a second assembly. The first assembly includes the cooling system and has sidewalls partially defining a recess for receiving a pod containing at least one ingredient for forming the single serving of the cold beverage or frozen confection and at least one internal paddle. The second assembly has a lid and a plunger movably mounted to the lid. The plunger is operable to engage a top of the pod and rotate the at least one internal paddle of the pod to scrape the cold beverage or a frozen confection off a wall of the pod and mix contents of the pod.

A machine for making liquid or semi-liquid food products, including: a first processing container for processing a basic liquid or semi-liquid product and defining a processing chamber; a stirrer positioned inside the first processing container; a thermal system including a heat exchanger, associated with the first processing container; at least one sensor, configured to measure an operating parameter of the machine; a processing and control unit, operatively connected to the at least one sensor and including a module for receiving and transmitting data captured by the sensor, wherein the module for receiving and transmitting data is configured to transmit data captured by the sensor to a “smart contract” program.

A machine for making liquid or semi-liquid food products, including: a first processing container for processing a basic liquid or semi-liquid product and defining a processing chamber; a stirrer positioned inside the first processing container; a thermal system including a heat exchanger, associated with the first processing container; at least one sensor, configured to measure an operating parameter of the machine; a processing and control unit, operatively connected to the at least one sensor and including a module for receiving and transmitting data captured by the sensor, wherein the module for receiving and transmitting data is configured to transmit data captured by the sensor to a “smart contract” program.

A machine for processing liquid or semi-liquid food products, includes: at least one container for containing the product to be processed; at least one stirrer, mounted inside the container, to rotate about an axis of rotation; the machine is characterized in that the stirrer comprises at least: a first protuberance extending along the axis of rotation; a plurality of scraping elements, each provided with a cavity for accommodating the first protuberance; a first locking element, removably associable with the first protuberance and movable between an engaged position, where it is locked to the first protuberance to couple the scraping elements to the first protuberance, and a disengaged position, where it is movable relative to the first protuberance to allow uncoupling the scraping elements.

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.

A method for producing a consumable product having ingredients or supplements with enhanced bioavailability or absorption rate by the consumer's body. The consumable product is disposed within a squeezable plastic tube which can be refrigerated or frozen. One of the sealed ends of the tube is removed to access the consumable product therein.

Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks. Some machines include a refrigeration system to cool food or drink in a pod. The machines include an evaporator defining a receptacle sized to receive the pod. The evaporator includes an inlet port to receive refrigerant and an outlet port to discharge refrigerant.

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