Methods and systems for preparing, packaging, and distributing a frozen confection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10676008-B2
Application number	US-201715812178-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 14, 2017
Priority date	Nov 14, 2016
Publication date	Jun 9, 2020
Grant date	Jun 9, 2020

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices for providing a pre-packaged frozen confection. The system includes a vehicle comprising three wheels, an ice chest secured to the vehicle, and a toppings dispenser attached to at least one of the vehicle or the ice chest. The toppings dispenser includes at least one receptacle configured for holding a liquid topping, a housing attached to at least one of the vehicle or the ice chest, and a spout in fluid communication with the receptacle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for dispensing a pre-packaged frozen confection, the system comprising:
a vehicle comprising
at least three wheels,
and a seat;

an ice chest secured to the vehicle at a first position on a first side of the seat;
a toppings dispenser attached to the vehicle at a second position on a second side opposite the first side of the seat, the toppings dispenser comprising:
at least one receptacle configured for holding a liquid topping;
a housing attached to the vehicle, the housing configured to hold the at least one receptacle; and
a spout in fluid communication through the housing with the receptacle.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the ice chest is disposed between two of the at least three wheels of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1 , the vehicle further comprising:
an ice chest connection member; and
an ice chest platform attached to the ice chest connection member and disposed between two of the at least three wheels;
wherein the ice chest is secured to the platform and disposed between two of the at least three wheels.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the ice chest is secured to the platform at a backside of the seat.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the ice chest is secured to the platform at a frontside of the seat.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is a pedal cycle.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is motorized.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the toppings dispenser is attached to a top of the ice chest such that the spout is accessible to a user standing to a side of the system.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to hold eight receptacles in a 4×2 configuration.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a power source connected to the ice chest.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the ice chest further comprises:
an ice chest casing attached to the vehicle; and
an ice chest insert configured to be removably inserted in the ice chest casing;
wherein the ice chest insert is configured to maintain a low temperature for storing the pre-packaged frozen confection.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the toppings dispenser further comprises a tube providing fluid communication between the receptacle and the spout.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein a plurality of tubes and a plurality of spouts are in fluid communication with a single receptacle.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pre-packaged frozen confection is stored in the ice chest.

15. A system for dispensing a pre-packaged frozen confection, the system comprising:
a vehicle comprising
at least three wheels,
a wheel hub disposed in a center of at least one wheel of the at least three wheels,
at least one platform support member attached to the wheel hub, and
a toppings dispenser platform attached to the at least one platform support member;

an ice chest secured to the vehicle;
a toppings dispenser secured to the toppings dispenser platform, the toppings dispenser comprising:
at least one receptacle configured for holding a liquid topping;
a housing attached to the vehicle, the housing configured to hold the at least one receptacle; and
a spout in fluid communication with the receptacle.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the ice chest is disposed between two of the at least three wheels of the vehicle.

17. A method of providing a pre-packaged frozen confection, the method comprising:
storing the pre-packaged frozen confection in an ice chest attached to a vehicle; and
transporting the vehicle, the vehicle comprising:
at least three wheels and a seat;
an ice chest secured to the vehicle between two of the wheels at a position on a first side of the seat;
a toppings dispenser attached to the vehicle at a position on a second side of the seat opposite the first side of the seat and configured to dispense a liquid topping, the toppings dispenser comprising:
at least one receptacle configured for holding a liquid topping;
a housing attached to the vehicle, the housing configured to hold the at least one receptacle; and
a spout in fluid communication through the housing with the receptacle.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising connecting the ice chest to a source of power.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising preparing the pre-packaged frozen confection to be food-grade and ready for immediate distribution to a consumer.

20. The method of claim 17 , further comprising applying the liquid topping to the pre-packaged frozen confection.

21. The method of claim 17 , wherein the vehicle is a pedal cycle.

22. The method of claim 17 , the vehicle further comprising:
an ice chest connection member; and
an ice chest platform attached to the ice chest connection member and disposed between two of the at least three wheels;
wherein the ice chest is secured to the ice chest platform and disposed between two of the at least three wheels.

Assignees

• Snowie LLC

Inventors

• Rupp Carl A

Classifications

• B62K5/02

  Tricycles (children's tricycles B62K9/02) · CPC title

• B60P3/0257 Primary

  the object being a vending stall, restaurant or food kiosk · CPC title

• A23G9/045

  of slush-ice, e.g. semi-frozen beverage · CPC title

• B60P3/007

  for delivery of small articles, e.g. milk, frozen articles · CPC title

• A23G9/28

  for portioning or dispensing · CPC title