Pressure vessel, system and/or method for dispensing a comestible mixture

A method for dispensing a comestible frozen mixture, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a housing holding a pressure tight chamber sealable to retain air pressure and having a first end and an opposed second end wherein the pressure tight chamber is held in the housing such that the second end is positioned above the first end wherein the first end is defined by an opening wherein a removable lid fits resealably over the opening and wherein the pressure tight chamber presents surfaces on its first and second end stably supporting the pressure tight chamber on a substantially planar supporting surface;
• a collapsible bag containing a liquid mixture freezable to form the comestible frozen mixture and having an outlet at a neck of the bag, wherein the bag is removably disposed within the pressure tight chamber chamber and the neck is supported by and accessible through the first end and wherein the opening of the first end is sized to receive the collapsible bag containing the liquid mixture through the opening into the chamber volume wherein the collapsible bag containing the liquid mixture substantially fills the pressure tight chamber;
• a hose providing a coupling attachable to the neck to permit the mixture to flow outward from the collapsible bag therethrough;
• a refrigeration system communicating with the hose to receive the liquid mixture therefrom to form the comestible frozen mixture, the refrigeration system providing a chamber for holding the comestible frozen mixture in communication with a dispensing valve;
• and a source of pressurized gas communicating with the second end of the pressure tight chamber to inflate a space between walls of the pressure tight chamber and the collapsible bag to expel the liquid from the collapsible bag;
• placing the collapsible bag containing the liquid mixture inside the pressure tight chamber wherein the pressure tight chamber is held in the housing such that the first end is positioned above the second end;
• attaching the neck of the collapsible bag to the first end;
• rotating the pressure tight chamber such that the second end is positioned above the first end;
• connecting the hose from the neck to the refrigeration system;
• compressing the gas in the pressure tight chamber to inflate the space between the walls of the pressure tight chamber and the collapsible bag;
• and
• communicating the liquid mixture from the collapsible bag to the freezing chamber through the hose.

A machine for dispensing a comestible frozen mixture, the machine having:

• a pressure tight chamber sealable to retain air pressure wherein the first end is defined by an opening wherein a removable lid fits resealably over the opening and wherein the pressure tight chamber presents surfaces on its first and second end stably supporting the pressure tight chamber on a substantially planar supporting surface;
• a collapsible bag containing a liquid mixture freezable to form the comestible frozen mixture and having an outlet, wherein the bag is removably disposed within the pressure tight chamber and wherein the opening of the first end is sized to receive the collapsible bag containing the liquid mixture through the opening into the chamber volume wherein the collapsible bag containing the liquid mixture substantially fills the pressure tight chamber;
• a hose providing a coupling attachable to the outlet to permit the mixture to flow outward from the collapsible bag therethrough;
• a refrigeration system communicating with the hose to receive the liquid mixture therefrom to form the comestible frozen mixture, the refrigeration system providing a chamber for holding the comestible frozen mixture in communication with a dispensing valve;
• and
• a source of pressurized gas communicating with the pressure tight chamber to inflate a space between walls of the pressure tight chamber and a bottom surface of the collapsible bag opposite the neck to expel the liquid from the collapsible bag wherein the source of pressurized gas is a single air compressor also communicating with the chamber of the refrigeration system to entrain air in the comestible frozen slurry.