Refrigeration systems for rapidly cooling food and drinks

A machine with a refrigeration system to cool food or drink in a pod, the machine comprising:

• an evaporator of the refrigeration system, the evaporator defining a receptacle sized to receive the pod, the evaporator comprising an inlet port to receive refrigerant and an outlet port to discharge refrigerant;
• and
• a processor controlling the refrigeration system;
• wherein the refrigeration system is operable to apply a freezing cycle to the food or drink in which refrigerant flows through the evaporator exchanging heat from ingredients in the pod to the refrigerant causing a temperature difference between an evaporator inlet temperature and an evaporator outlet temperature;
• and
• wherein the processor and the refrigeration system are configured such that:
• the refrigerant passes through the inlet port of the evaporator and becomes superheated during at least part of a first half of the freezing cycle;
• and
• the refrigerant passes through the outlet port of the evaporator in a non-superheated state during a second half of the freezing cycle.

A machine with a refrigeration system to cool food or drink in a pod, the machine comprising:

• an evaporator of the refrigeration system, the evaporator defining a receptacle sized to receive the pod, the evaporator comprising an inlet port to receive refrigerant and an outlet port to discharge refrigerant;
• and
• a processor controlling the refrigeration system;
• wherein the refrigeration system is operable to apply a freezing cycle to the food or drink in which refrigerant flows through the evaporator exchanging heat from ingredients in the pod to the refrigerant causing a temperature difference between an evaporator inlet temperature and an evaporator outlet temperature;
• and
• wherein the processor and the refrigeration system are configured such that:
• the refrigerant is superheated within 20 seconds of beginning the freezing cycle;
• and
• the temperature difference between the evaporator inlet temperature and the evaporator outlet temperature is less than 5° C. (9° F.) by the end of the freezing cycle.