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 bag assembly for use with a heat exchanger includes a flexible bag having of one or more sheets of polymeric material, the bag having a first end that bounds a first compartment and an opposing second end that bounds a second compartment, a support structure being disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment so that the first compartment is separated and isolated from the second compartment. A first inlet port, a first outlet port, and a first drain port are coupled with the flexible bag so as to communicate with the first compartment. A second inlet port, a second outlet port, and a second drain port are coupled with the flexible bag so as to communicate with the second compartment.

A bag assembly for use with a heat exchanger includes a flexible bag having of one or more sheets of polymeric material, the bag having a first end that bounds a first compartment and an opposing second end that bounds a second compartment, a support structure being disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment so that the first compartment is separated and isolated from the second compartment. A first inlet port, a first outlet port, and a first drain port are coupled with the flexible bag so as to communicate with the first compartment. A second inlet port, a second outlet port, and a second drain port are coupled with the flexible bag so as to communicate with the second compartment.

A method of mixing a fluid includes at least partially unfolding a collapsible bag bounding a compartment, the collapsible bag containing in the compartment at least a portion of an elongated drive line or drive shaft and an impeller secured to the drive line or drive shaft, the impeller including a plurality of impeller blades that are pivotable relative to the drive line or drive shaft, at least one of the plurality of impeller blades being in a collapsed position. A fluid is delivered into the compartment of the collapsible bag. The drive line or drive shaft is then rotated so as to rotate the impeller within the compartment and mix the fluid therein, the at least one of the plurality of impeller blades pivoting from the collapsed position to an expanded position as the impeller is rotated within the compartment.

A method of mixing a fluid includes at least partially unfolding a collapsible bag bounding a compartment, the collapsible bag containing in the compartment at least a portion of an elongated drive line or drive shaft and an impeller secured to the drive line or drive shaft, the impeller including a plurality of impeller blades that are pivotable relative to the drive line or drive shaft, at least one of the plurality of impeller blades being in a collapsed position. A fluid is delivered into the compartment of the collapsible bag. The drive line or drive shaft is then rotated so as to rotate the impeller within the compartment and mix the fluid therein, the at least one of the plurality of impeller blades pivoting from the collapsed position to an expanded position as the impeller is rotated within the compartment.

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

A chemical mixer tool for use in a storage drum is described. The chemical mixer tool typically comprises a mixer housing assembly in which one end of a mixer shaft is secured, the distal end of the mixer shaft having at least one collapsible impeller assembly removably attached thereon. The chemical mixer tool is configured to be removably secured to the top portion of the storage drum, with the distal end of the mixing shaft extending into the interior of the storage drum.

A method for filtering a gas comprises passing a gas through a compartment of a filter assembly, the filter assembly comprising: an inlet opening; a first outlet opening; a casing comprising polymeric film and bounding the compartment, the compartment communicating with the inlet opening and the first outlet opening; and a first filter at least partially disposed within the compartment. The method further comprising forming a first seal across a first section of the casing at a location between the inlet opening and the first filter to form a first sub-compartment within the casing and severing the casing at a first location.

A method for filtering a gas comprises passing a gas through a compartment of a filter assembly, the filter assembly comprising: an inlet opening; a first outlet opening; a casing comprising polymeric film and bounding the compartment, the compartment communicating with the inlet opening and the first outlet opening; and a first filter at least partially disposed within the compartment. The method further comprising forming a first seal across a first section of the casing at a location between the inlet opening and the first filter to form a first sub-compartment within the casing and severing the casing at a first location.

A portable preparation assembly to prepare liquid cosmetic/cleanser products in a personalised way has a container which is configured to contain a solvent liquid and includes a base wall, a lateral wall and an upper opening opposite to the base wall; a housing seat configured to house a solid cosmetic/cleanser and arranged at least partially inside the container; and a stirring device which is configured to stir the solvent liquid in the container so as to determine at least partial dissolution of the solid cosmetic/cleanser in the solvent liquid and mix the dissolved solid cosmetic/cleanser with the solvent liquid to obtain the liquid cosmetic/cleanser product.