Modular blending system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10172373-B2
Application number	US-201314061103-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 23, 2013
Priority date	Oct 23, 2012
Publication date	Jan 8, 2019
Grant date	Jan 8, 2019

Abstract

A modular blending system is shown and described. The modular blending system may include a storage device capable of storing a plurality of flavoring products, and an ice shaving mechanism removably attached to the storage device, the ice shaving mechanism including an ice dispenser. The modular blending system may also include a fluid dispensing unit in fluid communication with the flavoring products, where the fluid dispensing unit is separate from the ice dispenser.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A modular blending system comprising:
a storage device comprising a housing capable of storing a plurality of flavoring products, the housing comprising a top surface, the top surface comprising at least one first attachment mechanism;
an ice shaving mechanism including an ice dispenser and at least one second attachment mechanism, wherein the at least one first attachment mechanism selectively engages with the at least one second attachment mechanism to removably attach the ice shaving mechanism to the top surface of the housing;
a fluid dispensing unit in fluid communication with the flavoring products, wherein the fluid dispensing unit comprises a nozzle that operatively expels the flavoring products, wherein the nozzle is separate from the ice dispenser, and wherein the fluid dispensing unit is disparately detachable from the storage device relative to the ice shaving mechanism; and
a blender comprising a blender housing that houses a motor, wherein the blender housing is selectively attachable with the top surface of the housing, the blender juxtaposed the ice shaving mechanism when attached with the top surface,
wherein the storage device, blender and ice shaving mechanism are operable when at least one of the blender or the ice shaving mechanism is selectively detached from the top surface.

2. The modular blending system of claim 1 , wherein the storage device is refrigerated.

3. The modular blending system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a support removably attached with the top surface of the housing;
a blender container comprising a blade assembly, wherein the blender container is removably engaged with the support in an operative position, and wherein the blender container may receive contents from at least one of the ice shaving mechanism and fluid dispensing unit.

4. The modular blending system of claim 3 , further comprising a container cleaner adjacent the support.

5. The modular blending system of claim 1 , further comprising an ice shaver housing, wherein at least a portion of the ice shaving mechanism is positioned within the ice shaver housing.

6. The modular blending system of claim 5 , further comprising an ice shoot extending from the ice shaver housing and operatively coupled with the ice shaving mechanism.

7. The modular blending system of claim 6 , further comprising a water dispenser extending from the ice shaver housing in proximity to the ice shoot.

8. The modular blending system of claim 1 , further comprising a water dispenser, wherein the water dispenser is separate from the fluid dispensing unit.

9. The modular blending system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of casters operatively coupled with the storage device, wherein the casters configured to position the storage device upon application of a predetermined force.

10. The modular blending system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one tray engaged with the storage device, wherein the tray is configured to operatively position a dispensing unit within the storage device.

11. The modular blending system of claim 10 , further comprising a pumping system fluidly engaged between the at least one tray and the fluid dispensing unit, wherein the pumping system is configured to move contents of a dispensing unit from the tray to the fluid dispensing unit.

12. The modular blending system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a central processing unit operatively coupled with the storage device, the ice shaving mechanism and the fluid dispensing unit; and
a graphical user interface operatively coupled with the central processing unit, the graphical user interface configured to operate at least one of the storage device, ice shaving mechanism and the fluid dispensing unit.

13. The modular blending system of claim 12 , wherein the graphical user interface is configured to manually operate at least one of the storage device, ice shaving mechanism and the fluid dispensing unit.

14. The modular blending system of claim 12 , wherein the graphical user interface is configured to automatically operate at least one of the storage device, ice shaving mechanism and the fluid dispensing unit.

15. The modular blending system of claim 12 , wherein the graphical user interface is configurable to automatically operate at least one of the storage device, ice shaving mechanism and the fluid dispensing unit in a predetermined manner.

16. A modular blending system comprising:
a refrigeration unit comprising a top panel and at least two attachment members disposed on the top panel;
an ice shaving mechanism selectively secured to the top panel of the refrigeration unit, the ice shaving mechanism including an ice dispenser;
a blender comprising a blender base comprising a housing that houses a motor, wherein the housing is selectively secured to the top panel of the refrigeration unit, and wherein the blender is operable when the housing is selectively detached from the top panel of the refrigeration unit; and
a fluid dispensing unit in fluid communication with the refrigeration unit, wherein the fluid dispensing unit is separate from the ice dispenser,
wherein the at least two attachment members selectively secure the ice shaving mechanism and the housing to the top surface.

17. The modular blending system of claim 16 , a water dispensing member selectively secured to the top panel of the refrigeration unit.

18. The modular blending system of claim 17 , wherein the water dispensing member is integral with the ice shaving mechanism.

19. The modular blending system of claim 17 , further comprising a support in operative communication with the fluid dispensing unit, ice shaving mechanism and the water dispenser.

20. The modular blending system of claim 19 , wherein the blender is adjacent the support.

21. The modular blending system of claim 19 , wherein the support is selectively secured with the top panel of the refrigeration unit.

22. The modular blending system of claim 16 , further comprising a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface in operative communication with the refrigeration unit, the ice shaving mechanism, the blender and the fluid dispensing unit.

23. The modular blending system of claim 22 , wherein the graphic user interface is programmable to operate at least one of the ice shaving mechanism, blender and fluid dispensing unit without human intervention.

24. The modular blending system of claim 22 , wherein the graphical user interface is programed to indicate maintenance requirements for at least one of the ice shaving mechanism, blender and fluid dispensing unit.

25. A modular blending system comprising:
a refrigeration unit comprising a first housing having a top surface that is planar;
an ice shaving mechanism selectively secured to the top surface of the refrigeration unit, the ice shaving mechanism including a second housing and an ice dispenser;
a blender comprising a blender base comprising a third housing that houses a motor, wherein the third housing is selectively secured to the top surface of the refrigeration unit, and wherein the blender is operable when the third housing is selectively detached from the refrigeration unit;
a fluid dispensing unit in fluid communication with the refrigeration unit, wherein the fluid dispensing unit is separate from the ice dispenser;
at least one tube fluidly engaged with the fluid dispensing unit at one end and configured to fluidly

Assignees

• Vita Mix Corp
• Vita Mix Man Corp

Inventors

• Kolar David J
• Hobbs Joseph
• Mayer Susan
• Mehlman Fred
• Boozer Richard D
• Zale Casey

Classifications

• A47J31/407

  with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means · CPC title

• A47J31/402

  Liquid dosing devices · CPC title

• A47J31/40

  Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea · CPC title

• A47J31/00

  Apparatus for making beverages (household machines or implements for straining foodstuffs A47J19/00; preparation of non-alcoholic beverages, e.g. by adding ingredients to fruit or vegetable juices, A23L2/00; coffee or tea pots A47G19/14; tea infusers A47G19/16; brewing of beer C12C; preparation of wine or other alcoholic beverages C12G) · CPC title

• A23G9/22

  Details, component parts or accessories of apparatus insofar as not peculiar to a single one of the preceding groups · CPC title