Apparatus and method for producing frozen, comestible products entrained with a gas

A method of forming a comestible frozen product comprising:

• aseptically introducing a freezable liquid mixture having a Brix value greater than 15 into a conduit, the conduit having a first end for receiving the freezable liquid mixture and a second end fluidly connected to a freezing chamber;
• introducing an aseptic compressed gas into the conduit at an intermediate portion, the intermediate portion being between the first end and second end;
• controlling a ratio of compressed gas and freezable liquid mixture within the conduit to form an entrained freezable liquid mixture and maintain a state of overpressurization;
• introducing the entrained freezable liquid mixture into the freezing chamber;
• and
• freezing the entrained freezable liquid mixture to form a comestible frozen product.

An apparatus for dispensing a comestible frozen product, the apparatus comprising:

• a reservoir containing a freezable comestible mixture having a Brix value greater than 15;
• a freezing chamber;
• an accumulator;
• an overrun control module coupled to the accumulator;
• a product conduit having a first end and a second end,
• wherein the first end of the product conduit is aseptically and removably coupled to the reservoir, and
• wherein the second end of the product conduit is coupled to the overrun control module;
• a gas conduit coupling a compressed gas source containing a compressed gas to one of the product conduit, the overrun control module, and the accumulator;
• and
• a dispensing assembly coupled to the freezing chamber for dispensing a comestible frozen product;
• wherein the overrun control module has adjustable connections with the product conduit and the gas conduit and adjustably regulates the quantities of freezable comestible mixture and compressed gas that flow to the accumulator to maintain a state of overpressurization;
• wherein the compressed gas combines with the freezable comestible mixture to form an entrained liquid mixture, and wherein the freezing chamber receives the entrained liquid mixture to form the comestible frozen product.