Method of, and apparatus for, making frozen beverage, ice cream and other frozen confections

A method of making a frozen product, where the method includes the steps of:

• freezing a refrigerant material in a device including an outer wall and an inner wall sealably connected together to form at least one refrigerant cavity;
• and the refrigerant material at least partially filling the at least one refrigerant cavity, the refrigerant material being able to be cooled below a freezing temperature of a liquid to at least partially-freeze the liquid to form a semi-frozen slurry and/or frozen particles when the liquid is brought into contact with the inner wall;
• at least partially filling a freezing compartment of the device with a liquid to be frozen;
• closing the device with a lid or cover;
• placing the device in the squeezing compartment of a squeezing apparatus having a squeezing compartment to receive the device;
• and at least one mechanism in the squeezing compartment operable to engage the device;
• and
• operating the squeezing apparatus for a time period to assist heat transfer from the liquid to the refrigerant material to enable the liquid to become at least semi-frozen.

A method of converting a liquid into a semi-frozen or frozen form, using a device including an outer wall and an inner wall sealably connected together to form at least one refrigerant cavity and a refrigerant material at least partially filling the at least one refrigerant cavity, the refrigerant material being able to be cooled below a freezing temperature of the liquid to at least partially-freeze the liquid to form a semi-frozen slurry and/or frozen particles when the liquid is brought into contact with the inner wall, including the steps of:

• cooling the refrigerant material in the refrigerant cavity of the device below the freezing temperature of the liquid;
• placing the liquid in a freezing compartment in the device into contact with the inner wall of the device;
• and
• agitating the liquid as the liquid freezes by squeezing or flexing the walls of the device, shaking the device and/or stirring the liquid.

A method for converting a liquid into a semi-frozen or frozen form, using freezer bag including an outer wall and an inner wall sealably connected together to form at least one refrigerant cavity, and a refrigerant material at east partially filling the at least one refrigerant cavity, the refrigerant material being able to be cooled below a freezing temperature of the liquid to at least partially-freeze the liquid to form a semi-frozen slurry and/or frozen particles when the liquid is brought into contact with the inner wall, the method including the steps of:

• cooling the refrigerant material in the refrigerant cavity of the freezer bag below the freezing temperature of the liquid;
• placing the liquid in a freezing compartment in the freezer bag into contact with the inner wall of the freezer bag;
• and
• agitating the liquid as the liquid freezes by squeezing or flexing the walls of the freezer bag, shaking the freezer bag and/or stirring the liquid.

A method of for converting a liquid into a semi-frozen or frozen form, using a freezing spoon or stirrer having, a hollow body at least partially-filled with a refrigerant material, such as an antifreeze mix, which includes one of water mixed with salts, sugar, alcohols, propylene glycol, calcium chloride, and/or other safe antifreeze products, including the steps of:

• cooling the refrigerant material in the refrigerant cavity of the freezing spoon or stirrer below the freezing temperature of the liquid;
• placing the liquid in a container;
• and
• agitating the liquid as the liquid freezes by inserting the freezing spoon or stirrer into the liquid in a reciprocation motion and/or to stir the liquid.