ASSOCIATED METHODS

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.

62/599,732, filed 17/12/2017, the entire disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to capsules for food products and, more particularly, to a method, a device and/or a system for serving a blended food product, such as frozen food products and/or beverages, through a capsule in a blending machine.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Blending machines are well known in the art for mixing and transforming a hard, frozen food product such as ice cream to a substantially soft, smooth, and creamy product fit to serve.

[0004] A commonly available over-the-counter machine for blending such frozen food products utilizes an auger that extends into a generally funnel-shaped mixing container. A frozen food product such as ice cream and/or other ingredients (such as fruit) are placed in the container and subsequently blended by the auger component of the machine. The mixing container typically allows the blended product to be dispensed through a bottom opening thereof. However, such machines are cumbersome to use and require routine cleaning to comply with food safety guidelines. Additionally, machine operators must prepare any additional ingredients previous to blending, such as peeling and cutting fruit, which is time consuming and requires space and labor. An example of such a machine can be seen in U. S. Pat. Pub. No. 20080219090 to Duane H Heinhold. [0005] Furthermore, various devices have been developed for the purpose of blending and dispensing a soft-serve form of frozen food products. One example of a conical screw blender is U. S. Pat. Pub. No. 20080094934 to Win-Chin Chiang that discloses about a conical screw blender that can be used for mixing as well as for drying of food materials. The conical screw blender includes an inverted cone-shaped vessel, a material inlet, a material outlet, a driven screw housed within the vessel, and at least two non-diffused gas injection lines attached to the vessel.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,006 to Hochstein et al that discloses about a novel container equipped with an integral stirring mechanism. The container is used for a pre-packaged food product, such as a frozen beverage. According to the patent, the stirrer is fixedly configured as a part of the container structure.

[0007] U. S. Pat. Pub. No. 20070291583 to Robert Joseph Baschnagel discloses a drink blender system with a single use lid permitting a user to dispose of the lid and integrated mixing components present therein after use.

[0008] A capsule for beverage ingredients may be seen in U. S. Pat. No. 9072402 to Antoine Ryser. According to the document, the capsule is designed for insertion in a beverage production device. The capsule comprises a cup-like body portion, a flange-like rim portion, a delivery wall and a sealing member having-in a radial cross-sectional view-at least one concentric protrusion and/or recession.

[0009] A capsule for mixing a viscous beverage is described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 20160214787. The capsule utilizes pressure created by an internal mixing unit to deposit the mixed beverage. Increased pressure is not ideal for achieving a desired consistency for certain frozen food products, such as ice cream, which should contain a certain amount‘overrun’ or mixed air to be considered superior quality for serving.

[0010] Although solutions exist in the art for blending as well as dispensing a soft-serve form of food products, there still exists a significant need in the art for an improved blending and dispensing system that facilitates speedy blending and dispensing of frozen food products without requiring excessive maintenance or compromising food safety.

SUMMARY

[0011] Aspects of the invention relate in part to the use of capsules storing food product and configured to blend and dispense the same in an efficient, hygienic manner.

[0012] In one aspect, a capsule for blending and dispensing food product stored therein comprises a receptacle with a top opening and a bottom opening. The bottom opening is hermetically sealed by a seal to form a receiving chamber surrounded by a wall of the receptacle. The receiving chamber is adapted to receive and store a food product therein. The capsule also comprises a lid removably covering the top opening. The lid comprises a central opening centrically aligned with the top opening. The capsule also comprises a blending component embedded with the food product. The blending component has a top end accessible through the central opening of the lid and a tip portion.

[0013] In the same aspect, the top end of the blending component is configured to be actuated by a driveshaft of an electronic control system through the central opening of the lid. In a blending mode, the driveshaft causes the blending component to blend the food product to a soft-serve consistency. In a dispensing mode, the driveshaft causes the blending component to dispense the blended food product through the bottom opening.

[0014] In the same aspect, during the blending mode, the blending component is rotated by the driveshaft in a particular direction and during the dispensing mode, the blending component is rotated by the driveshaft in another direction.

[0015] In the same aspect, the blending component is auger-like and features a blade wrapping around a central shaft. The blade spans helically around the central shaft between the top end and the tip portion of the blending component. The central shaft is configured to be rotationally engaged by the driveshaft.

[0016] In the same aspect, the blade comprises a top surface and a bottom surface which meet at an outer edge. The outer edge contacts the wall of the receptacle and contains the food product. During the blending mode, the top surface urges the food product toward the lid. During the dispensing mode, the bottom surface urges the food product toward the bottom opening. These modes may be preferable for, for example, frozen food products.

[0017] In the same aspect, to achieve a soft-serve consistency, the electronic control system switches from the blending mode to the dispensing mode when the driveshaft reaches a target rotations-per-minute (RPM). The actual RPM of the driveshaft is measured via a processor of the electronic control system through an RPM sensor of the same. When the actual RPM is substantially the same as the target RPM, the blending mode is completed and the dispensing mode begins.

[0018] Alternately, the blending component is configured to warm the food product to a desired temperature while the blending component blends the food product to soften the consistency of the same before dispensing. A temperature sensor of the electronic control system measures the temperatures and the processor compares the measured temperature to a target temperature.

[0019] In the same aspect, the receptacle is substantially conically shaped and furthermore, the blending component tapers from the top end to the tip portion.

[0020] In the same aspect, the receptacle also has a food product label readable by the electronic control system. The label comprises an identification of the food product and/or one or more parameters for effecting the operation of the electronic control system, which can include any combination of a target RPM, a target temperature, and/or a duration of blending time.

[0021] In an alternate aspect geared for blending and dispensing beverages, a capsule for blending and dispensing food product stored therein comprises a receptacle with a top opening and a bottom opening. The bottom opening is hermetically sealed by a seal to form a receiving chamber surrounded by a wall of the receptacle. The receiving chamber is adapted to receive and store a food product therein. The capsule also comprises a lid removably covering the top opening. The lid comprises a central opening centrically aligned with the top opening. The capsule also comprises a blending component embedded with the food product. The blending component has a top end accessible through the central opening of the lid and a tip portion. [0022] In the same aspect, the top end of the blending component is configured to be actuated by a driveshaft of an electronic control system through the central opening of the lid. In a blending mode, the blending mode causes the bottom surface to urge the frozen beverage toward the bottom opening, which is tightly sealed. In the dispensing mode, the seal is broken, either by the electronic control system or by a user, and the bottom surface subsequently urges the blended beverage toward the bottom opening and dispenses the same.

[0023] In the same aspect, during the blending mode, the blending component is rotated by the driveshaft in a particular direction and during the dispensing mode, the blending component is rotated by the driveshaft in the same direction.

[0024] In the same aspect, the blending component is auger-like and features a blade wrapping around a central shaft. The blade spans helically around the central shaft between the top end and the tip portion of the blending component. The central shaft is configured to be rotationally engaged by the driveshaft.

[0025] In the same aspect, the blade comprises a top surface and a bottom surface which meet at an outer edge. The outer edge contacts the wall of the receptacle and contains the food product. During the blending mode, the bottom surface urges the food product toward the tip portion. During the dispensing mode, the bottom surface urges the food product toward the bottom opening. These modes may be preferable for, for example, beverages.

[0026] In another aspect, a method of blending and dispensing a food product stored in a capsule involves actuating, through a driveshaft of an electronic control system, a top end of a blending component disposed within a receiving chamber of a receptacle. The receptacle has a top opening and a bottom opening. The bottom opening is hermetically sealed by a removable seal to form the receiving chamber, which is surrounded by a wall of the receptacle. The receiving chamber is adapted to receive and store a food product therein. The receiving chamber is covered with a lid which has a central opening centrically aligned with the top opening. The method further involves blending the food product to a soft serve consistency and dispensing the same through the bottom opening.

[0027] In the same aspect, blending involves rotating the driveshaft in a first direction and dispensing involves rotating the driveshaft in a second direction.

[0028] In the same aspect, the blending component is auger-like in that it features a blade helically or helicoidally spanning a central shaft, from a top end to a tip portion of the blending component. The central shaft is rotationally engaged by the driveshaft. The blade has a top surface and a bottom surface which meet at an outer edge. The outer edge contacts the walls of the receptacle. During the step of blending, the top surface urges the food product toward the lid. During the step of dispensing, the bottom surface urges the food product toward the bottom opening.

[0029] In the same aspect, the method involves switching the blending mode to the dispensing mode when an actual RPM of the driveshaft measured by a processor of the electronic control system through an RPM sensor of the electronic control system reaches a target RPM.

[0030] In the same aspect, the method involves, before proceeding to actuate the blending component, reading a food product label of the receptacle through one or more sensors of the electronic control system. The food product comprises one or more of the group consisting of: an identification of the food product, and one or more parameters for effecting the operation of the electronic control system selected from the group consisting of: target RPM, target temperature, and duration of blending time.

[0031] In the same aspect, receptacle is substantially conically shaped and the blending component tapers from the top end to the tip portion.

[0032] In another aspect, a method of blending and dispensing a food product stored in a capsule involves actuating, through a driveshaft of an electronic control system, a top end of a blending component disposed within a receiving chamber of a receptacle. The receptacle has a top opening and a bottom opening. The bottom opening is hermetically sealed by a removable seal to form the receiving chamber, which is surrounded by a wall of the receptacle. The receiving chamber is adapted to receive and store a food product therein. The receiving chamber is covered with a lid which has a central opening centrically aligned with the top opening. The method further involves blending the food product to a soft serve consistency and dispensing the same through the bottom opening.

[0033] In the same aspect, blending involves rotating the driveshaft in a first direction and dispensing involves rotating the driveshaft in the first direction.

[0034] In the same aspect, the blending component is auger-like in that it features a blade helically or helicoidally spanning a central shaft, from a top end to a tip portion of the blending component. The central shaft is rotationally engaged by the driveshaft. The blade has a top surface and a bottom surface which meet at an outer edge. The outer edge contacts the walls of the receptacle. During the step of blending, the bottom surface urges the food product toward the bottom opening. During the step of dispensing, the bottom surface urges the food product toward the bottom opening, provided that the seal has been removed, by the electronic control system or by a user thereof.

[0035] In the same aspect, the method involves switching the blending mode to the dispensing mode when an actual RPM of the driveshaft measured by a processor of the electronic control system through an RPM sensor of the electronic control system reaches a target RPM.

[0036] In the same aspect, the method involves, before proceeding to actuate the blending component, reading a food product label of the receptacle through one or more sensors of the electronic control system. The food product comprises one or more of the group consisting of: an identification of the food product, and one or more parameters for effecting the operation of the electronic control system selected from the group consisting of: target RPM, target temperature, and duration of blending time.

[0037] In the same aspect, receptacle is substantially conically shaped and the blending component tapers from the top end to the tip portion. 10038] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The embodiments of this invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a capsule having a blending component rotatably disposed within a receptacle for blending and dispensing a soft serve form of food products and/or beverages disposed within the capsule, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the capsule of FIG.1 showing receptacle, blending component, and a lid, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 3 is another exploded view of the capsule shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the capsule of FIG. 1 showing a hollow central shaft which allows the blending component suspended in a food product to be actuated by a driveshaft of an electronic control system through the lid of the capsule, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic control system configured to actuate the blending component of FIG. 1, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a process flowchart describing an exemplary method for blending and dispensing a frozen food product stored in a capsule as shown in FIG. 1.

[0046] Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

Elements described herein as coupled may have a direct or indirect connection with one or more other intervening elements.

[0048] Referring to FlGs. 1-3, a capsule 100 is shown to comprise a receptacle 102 which includes a top opening l02a and a bottom opening 102b. The bottom opening l02b is hermetically sealable, for example, by using a seal 114 to form a receiving chamber 102c surrounded by a wall 102d of the receptacle 102. The receiving chamber 102c is configured to receive and store food products, particularly frozen food products, therein as a result of a manufacturing process. The food product may include beverages, suspended solids, or any other food product that may benefit from blending prior to dispensing.

[0049] The seal 114 may aid in preventing leakage of food product outside the capsule 100 when the capsule is filled with the food product, i.e., through the top opening l02a and/or the bottom opening l02b. The bottom seal 114 prevents contaminants from entering the receptacle and may be removed by, for example, removing a packaging (not shown) which may adhere to the bottom seal 114 and, when removed, may also remove the bottom seal 114 to expose the bottom opening 102b. The shape of the receptacle in the illustrated embodiments may be substantially conical shape, the narrower end of which terminates at the bottom opening 102b. The bottom opening 102b may be an aperture having walls shaped for optimum dispensing of soft-serve frozen product. However, it should be understood that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the shape of the receptacle 102 or the bottom opening 102b.

[0050] The capsule 100 further comprises a lid 110 removably covering the top opening l02a of the receptacle 102. The lid 110 may comprise sidewalls 1 lOb configured to fit onto a flange 102e of the receptacle 102. The flange l02e may be shaped in such a way so as to facilitate holding the receptacle 102 in place, especially while internal components are rotated by an external drive mechanism. In one embodiment, the flange l02e may be rectangularly-shaped. In another embodiment, the flange 102e may comprise one or more fins (not shown) protruding from above and/or beneath the flange 102e and which may act as hooks and may facilitate holding the receptacle 102 in place and/or preventing it from rotating. For example, the flange 102e may fit into a holding chamber which may receive the flange l02e within one or more recesses of the holding chamber and keep the receptacle 102 in place and/or prevent it from rotating.

[0051] The lid 110 comprises a central opening 110a which may preferably be, but not limited to, circular in shape. According to an embodiment, an additional seal (not shown) may be temporarily applied over the central opening 110a during packing to prevent accidental leakage of the stored food product from the capsule 100 prior to deploying the capsule 100 to be engaged with an electronic control system. Keeping the central opening llOa sealed prevents contaminants from entering the capsule 100 and prevents the contents of the capsule 100 from potentially leaking out of the capsule 100.

[0052] The capsule 100 further comprises a blending component 104 mounted within the receiving chamber l02c of the receptacle 102. The blending component 104 is deposited into the receiving chamber l02c with a tip portion 104b pointing into the receiving chamber 102c. When properly disposed within the receiving chamber 102c, the blending component 104 sits within the capsule 100 such that a top end 104a of the blending component 104 sits flush with the flange l02e of the receptacle 102. As such, a bottom surface 110c of the lid 110 sits on both the flange l02e of the receptacle 102 and the top end 104a of the blending component 104. [0053] The blending component 104 may be embedded with the food product stored inside the receiving chamber l02c, i.e., the blending component 104 may freely suspend within the receiving chamber l02c and be surrounded by the food product (e.g., frozen ice cream).

[0054] According to another embodiment, the blending component 104 may be fixedly or removably mounted within the receiving chamber l02c of the receptacle 102 with its top end l04a fixedly or removably attached to the lid 110.

[0055] In one embodiment, the blending component 104 is an auger-like component as best shown in the figures.“Auger” or“auger-like” as used herein are meant to refer to any component incorporating a screw-shaped surface. In one embodiment,“auger” or“auger-like” may refer to a conically or cylindrically-profiled component having at least one continuous wide surface (e.g., blade 104c) spanning helically around a central axis (e.g., shaft 104d) between a top end (e.g., top end 104a) and a tip portion (e.g., tip portion 104b). However,“auger” or“auger-like” is not meant to be limited to the illustrated embodiments and the above features. For example,“auger” or“auger-like” as used herein may alternately refer to a helicoidally-shaped component.

[0056] According to a preferred embodiment, the blending component 104 is an auger-like component as shown in FIGs 1-4. The auger-like blending component 104 comprises a top end 104a, a tip portion 104b, a blade 104c, and a central shaft 104d. The top end 104a may be configured to engage with a drive shaft of a commercially available or specifically design electronic control system.

[0057] In one embodiment, the top end 104a comprises an aperture 104e leading to a hollow interior 104f of the driveshaft 104d. A driveshaft 120 of an electronic control system (not shown) may be inserted through the aperture 104e and through at least a portion of the hollow interior 104f of the central shaft 104d. Furthermore, the driveshaft 120 may be any form factor. For example, as shown, the driveshaft 120 has a hexagonal profile. However, different driveshaft 120 form factors may be used, such as a star or a slot shape. [0058] The hollow interior l04f may be sized to fit at least the length of the driveshaft 120. Alternately, the hollow interior l04f may gradually taper to a point, taper to a flat surface, or comprise internal protrusions which the driveshaft 120 may engage with to more effectively rotate the blending component 104. The hollow interior l04f plays a functional role since the profile of the hollow interior l04f is shaped such that a correspondingly-shaped driveshaft (e.g., driveshaft 120) may engage and rotate the blending component 104 within the capsule 100. The hollow interior 104f also reduces the overall material cost of the blending component 104 and adapts the blending component 104 for manufacturing by, for example, an injection mold since the hollow interior 104f facilitates removal from the injection mold.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the central shaft 104d is substantially conically shaped. In another embodiment, the central shaft 104d is substantially cylindrically shaped. The blade 104c may span around the central shaft and toward the tip portion 104b and the tip portion 104b may terminate to a flat surface (as shown). The diameter of the flat surface may be less than the diameter of the bottom opening 102b and may be adjusted to alter the flow of the food product 103 leaving the capsule 100.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the blade 104c comprises a top surface 104g and a bottom surface 104h. The top surface 104g and the bottom surface 104f protrude from the central shaft 104d and couple at the outer edge 104i, which rests substantially flush against the wall 102f of the receiving chamber 102c. This contact allows the blending component 104 to contain a flow of a food product 103. To ensure that the flow of the food product 103 is not hindered or constrained, a gap between the threads of the blade 104c may be a minimum distance.

[0061] The blending component 104 as shown is only one example of the structural shape of an auger-like blending component. The blending component 104 may be a mirror image of what is shown or may be a different auger-like shape entirely.

[0062] In one embodiment, in a blending mode of the capsule 100, the blending component 104 is rotated in a particular direction (e.g., counter-clockwise) by the action of the driveshaft 120. This blends a food product 103 by causing the top surface l04g to push the food product 103 upwards against the lid 110. As the food product 103 is pushed against the lid 110, the food product 103 eddies near the top of the capsule 100, circling back into the flow of food product 103. Meanwhile, the lid 110 stays flush with the top end l04a of the blending component 104, preventing any food product 103 from exiting the capsule 100.

[0063] The rotational direction described above, which causes the top surface to urge the food product 103 toward the lid 110, may be preferred for frozen food products. In another embodiment geared for beverages, the blending mode may instead involve rotating the blending component 104 in the other direction, causing the food product 103 to eddy near the sealed bottom opening 102b. Once the food product 103 is blended, the seal 114 may be broken to allow the blending component 104 to continue rotating in the same direction to dispense the product.

[0064] As the outer edge 104i slides against the wall 102f of the receptacle 102, production of particulate matter due to friction may be reduced by ensuring the outer edge 104Ϊ sits precisely flush against the wall l02f to prevent excess friction. During operation, as the food product 103 (typically a frozen food product) melts, the melted food product effectively lubricates the outer edge 104i, thus reducing friction further. Furthermore, the driveshaft 120 ideally does not apply a downward force on the blending component 104, which is a conically-shaped embodiment. As such, the outer edge 104i of the blade 104c is not excessively urged against the wall 102f.

[0065] In a second operational mode of the capsule 100, the blending component 104 is rotated clockwise by the action of the driveshaft 120 and dispenses the food product 103 by causing the bottom surface 104h to push the food product 103 down and dispense the same through the bottom opening 102b.

[0066] Contact friction between the outer edge 104i and the wall 102f is transformed into heat during rotation. This heat may be conducted by the receiving chamber 102, the blending component 104 and the lid 110 and gradually warms the food product 103 (typically frozen) as it is blended and translated lid-ward by the motion of the blade l04c. The food product 103 is blended in this way until a desired consistency is achieved. The desired consistency of a food product may depend on the constituents of the food product, the particular taste of the user, a manufacturer recommendation.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, the blending component 104 rotates until the food product 103 reaches a desired consistency. When the blending mode begins, a torque applied on the driveshaft 120 may be highest and the RPM of the driveshaft 120 may be lowest due to resistance by the frozen or near-frozen consistency of the food product 103. As friction melts the frozen food product 103, the load on the driveshaft decreases and the RPM of the driveshaft rises.

[0068] Intuitively, temperature may be used to determine consistency, but temperature readings will only provide insight into measurements taken around the temperature sensor. The temperature of the food product close to the external wall of the capsule may be a different temperature than that of food product close to the central shaft. Although this issue can be remedied by utilizing a plurality of sensors to create a heat map, this may not be as practical as using the driveshaft’ s actual RPM and comparing it to a target RPM closely associated with a desired consistency.

[0069] As the blade 104c whips through the food product 103, the overall consistency will loosen and actual RPM will increase. The actual RPM can be subsequently compared against a target RPM to reliably measure consistency. For example, a preferred target RPM of the driveshaft 120 may be at least 500 RPM. However, the target RPM may change based on the form factor of the components of the capsule 100, the specifications of the actuator 156, the initial consistency of the food product 103, the constituents of the food product 103, food product 103 manufacturer specifications, the dimensions of the capsule and components therein, and other factors. [0070] Referring now to FlGs. 1-6, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic control system (ECS) 150. The ECS 150 comprises the driveshaft 120, a processor 152, a memory 154, an actuator 156 and one or more sensors 158. In one embodiment, the one or more sensors 158 comprise one or more from the group consisting of: an RPM sensor, a proximity sensory, a temperature sensor, and a photosensor. The actuator 156 refers to any electromechanical apparatus that can actuate the driveshaft 120, i.e., insert the driveshaft 120 into the central shaft 104d and subsequently rotate the blending component 104. Based on a given load, the actuator 156 is configured to apply a certain amount of torque. Other electronic control systems which effectively actuate the blending component 104 through the central opening 110a of the lid 110 may be contemplated by a person of ordinary skill in the art and are considered within the scope of the embodiments expressed herein.

[0071] Referring additionally to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, the memory 154 stores instructions executable by the processor 152 and which, when executed, cause the ECS 150 to perform a method 160 for utilizing a capsule 100 to blend a food product 103 therein and subsequently dispense the food product 103.

[0072] In one embodiment, the method 160 involves an optional step 161 of determining the capsule 100 is disposed in a predetermined position. The predetermined position ensures the blending component 104 is in alignment with and adequate proximity to the driveshaft 120. In one example, the capsule 100 may be disposed within a specified portion of a housing (not shown) of the ECS 150. A user may place the capsule 100 and the placement of the same may be determined by the one or more sensors 158 of the ECS 150.

[0073] Or, the user may place the capsule 100 in the predetermined position and trigger a‘start’ button which may cause the ECS 150 to proceed without completing step 161.

[0074] In one embodiment, the ECS 150 then performs a step 163 of actuating the blending component 104 in a blending mode in which the blending component 104 is rotated by the driveshaft 120 in a direction such that the food product 103 is urged by the blending component 104 toward the lid 110.

[0075] In another embodiment, the ECS 150 performs a step 163 of actuating the blending component 104 in a blending mode in which the blending component 104 is rotated by the driveshaft 120 in a direction such that the food product 103 is urged by the blending component 104 toward the bottom opening 102b.

[0076] Among the ECS 150 functions is to measure the actual RPM of the driveshaft 120 during rotation (in any direction). Depending on the consistency of the food product 103 at the time of actuation, the actual RPM of the driveshaft 120 may vary widely. It will be generally accepted that an initial consistency of a frozen food product 103 will provide greater resistance to a rotational force than when the frozen food product 103 is warmed. As the blending component 104 is rotated, the friction between the blade l04c and the wall l02f of the receptacle l02c generates heat which loosens the consistency of the food product 103. Once the consistency of the food product 103 loosens, the actual RPM of the driveshaft 120 increases and can be used by the processor to determine how close the food product 103 is to the desired consistency. In a preferred embodiment, the actual RPM of the driveshaft 120 is compared to a target RPM by the processor 152. Reaching the target RPM indicates a desired consistency has been achieved. The target RPM may be a particular value, such as 500 RPM, or may be a range of RPMs. The target RPM may vary based on the contents of the food product 103. The target RPM may be provided by the ECS manufacturer or the capsule manufacturer.

[0077] In another embodiment, step 163 involves determining whether the desired consistency is reached by measuring the external temperature of the receptacle 102. Based on a predetermined model, the internal temperature may be determined based on the external temperature. For example, the interior of the receptacle 102 may be approximately 2 degrees Celsius lower than the exterior, but the difference may differ based on the contents of the food product 103, the material used for the receptacle 102, the dimension of the wall l02f, and other factors. Although temperature may be easy to measure and may be applicable to many situations where quality control before dispensing is desired, the RPM of the driveshaft 120 is a much more reliable indicator for the consistency of the food product 130.

[0078] When the target RPM has been reached, the ECS 150 performs a step 164 of actuating the blending component 104 in a dispensing mode in which the blending component 104 is rotated by the driveshaft 120 in an opposite direction to that of the blending mode such that the food product 103 is urged by the blending component 104 toward a bottom opening l02b of the capsule 100 and dispensed therethrough.

[0079] In an optional step 161 performed after step 161, the ECS 150 may recognize, through the one or more sensors, a food product label 102g adhered or imprinted onto the exterior of the receptacle 102. In one embodiment, the label 102g may comprise identification (ID) information of the food product 103 stored in the receptacle 102 and additionally, parameters which may modify the operation of the ECS 150. For example, the label 102g may comprise a target RPM for the food product stored therein. Or the label 102g may comprise food ID information which may be used to look up a target RPM in a library of key- value pairs stored in the memory 154 and searchable by the processor 152. Upon reading the label 102g through, for example, an optical sensor of the ECS 150, the ECS 150 may use the information therein to adjust the target RPM.

[0080] In another example, the label 102g may be a company logo or trademark which may be recognized by the processor 152 as a known brand. Based on the logo and/or other ID information, the ECS 150 may utilize corresponding configuration information stored in a library of the memory 154 to effect the operation of the ECS 150. In yet another example, the label 102g may comprise one or more RGB values, the corresponding data for which may be stored in a library of the memory 154 of the ECS 150.

[0081] In another example, the label 102g may comprise a predetermined temperature against which to compare the external temperature of the receptacle 102. In yet another example, the label l02g may comprise a duration of time to spend actuating the blending component 104. In another example, the label l02g may comprise a static or variable torque rating to apply through the actuator 156. The label 102g may comprise any of the above information in a human- readable form and/or a machine-readable form (e.g., barcode, QR code) and may be read by any of the one or more sensors 158. A machine-readable form may be preferred in order to automate the ECS 150 and reconfigure the ECS 150 as needed based on the capsule 100 used.

[0082] In another embodiment, the ECS 150 functions may be manually operable by a user, for example in a commercial or residential setting. A user may choose a capsule 100 from a plurality of capsules having different types of frozen food products stored therein, such as different flavors of ice cream. The ECS 150 may comprise one or more control interfaces 151 for initializing certain operations, such as buttons, dials, or sliders. In one embodiment, a driveshaft engagement button may be activated to cause the driveshaft 120 to engage with the blending component 104 after the user places the capsule in an appropriate position. In a further embodiment, a blend button may be activated to rotate the blending component 104 according to a blending mode in which the food product 103 is urged toward the lid 110. In yet a further embodiment, a dispense button may be activated to rotate the blending component 104 according to a dispensing mode in which the food product 103 is urged toward the bottom opening 102b. In yet another embodiment, a dial may be utilized to manually increase or decrease the amount of rotational torque created by the driveshaft 120 and change the RPM of the driveshaft 120.

[0083] All references including patents, patent applications and publications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.