Frozen beverage device

Abstract

A frozen beverage device has a container and sealable cover to convert a liquid, such as a non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverage into an at least semi-frozen slurry containing ice crystals. Freezing devices, which may have a range of shapes, contain refrigerant to form a thin layer of ice/ice crystals on the deformable walls of the freezing devices, the ice crystals being released therefrom due to agitation of the liquid by shaking/rotation and/or squeezing on the container and/or cover.

1 . An apparatus for converting a liquid into a semi-frozen or frozen slurry form, comprising:
 a container, having a mouth, operable to receive the liquid;   a cover operable to sealably close the mouth of the container; and   at least one freezing device, having a closed body at least partially filled with a refrigerant material; so arranged that when the refrigerant material is cooled below a freezing temperature of the liquid; and when the freezing device is placed in the liquid, at least a portion of the liquid surrounding the freezing device will form an at least partially frozen layer on the exterior of the or each freezing device, and will be displaced therefrom by deformation of the or each side wall when the freezing device impacts one or more walls of the container and/or the cover.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container and the cover are formed from food-grade metal-, plastic- or polymer-material(s), which optionally incorporate reinforcing fibers; and wherein the container and the cover are optionally insulated and/or are at least partially transparent or semi-translucent to enable the cooling process to be observed. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cover incorporates a closable opening, operable to allow the liquid to be introduced to the container; or the at least semi-frozen slurry to be discharged from the container; and/or allow the liquid and/or the slurry to be consumed by a drinking straw or the like. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the container and the cover are formed integrally; and a closure for the closeable opening is formed integrally with, or attached to, the cover. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein where the apparatus is to be re-used, the container and cover are formed of metals, and/or of tough plastics- or polymer-materials, which are optionally fiber-reinforced; but where the apparatus is to be a disposable article, the container and cover are injection- or blow-molded of thin plastic- or polymer-material, or formed of waxed paper or cardboard. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container and/or the cover are provided with sealing means to seal a junction between the mouth of the container and the cover; and the container and cover are releasably connected by screw-threadable, bayonet-coupling, frictional, or other releasable-engagement means. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a strainer member, optionally of the same material as the container and/or the cover, is removably provided at the mouth of the container, to allow the at least semi-frozen slurry to flow into the cover, when the container is inverted, whilst retaining the freezing device(s) within the container, after the cover is released from the container to enable consumption of the at least semi-frozen slurry. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the closed body of the or each freezing device has at least good heat-transfer characteristics; and suitable materials for the manufacture of the or each freezing device includes plastics, such as polyurethane, PVC, rubber, latex, vinyl; or flexible metals, such as thin stainless steel or aluminum sheet or foil. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the closed body of the or each freezing device is of cylindrical shape with a cylindrical side wall that operates in the manner of a concertina. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the or each closed body has an internal capacity ranging from 10 milliliters (10 ml) to 50 liters (50 L); and the number of the freezing device(s) to be placed in the container, to at least semi-freeze the liquid in the container, is selected so that the total internal capacity of the freezing device(s) is in the range of 50 to 200%, of the volume of the liquid. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the maximum dimension(s) of the freezing device(s) is less than the minimum dimension(s) of the container and/or the cover. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the closed body of the or each freezing device is filled in the range of 70-90% of its internal capacity with the refrigerant material; and the refrigerant materials include salt/water, salt/propylene glycol/water, propylene glycol/water, sugar/water mixtures, soft drinks or the like. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the refrigerant materials include 20% salt/80% water; 10% salt/3% propylene glycol/87% water; or 30% propylene glycol/70% water mixtures, all the percentages being on the basis of % (w/w); and the refrigerant material(s) are capable of being cooled to a temperature, optionally −18° C. or lower, which is below the freezing temperature of the liquid in the container and cover.