Portable frozen confection machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11519650-B2
Application number	US-202017007959-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 31, 2020
Priority date	Oct 21, 2013
Publication date	Dec 6, 2022
Grant date	Dec 6, 2022

Abstract

The disclosure extends to apparatuses, methods, and systems, for producing frozen confections and conditioning ice for use in frozen confections. The disclosure further extends to apparatuses, methods, and systems for providing a frozen confection machine that is portable and sized for easy storage as well as a portable frozen convection experience.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A frozen confection machine comprising:
a housing comprising a hopper portion, wherein the hopper portion is configured for receiving ice therein;
a motor comprising a drive shaft disposed within the housing;
a blade configured for conditioning ice;
a paddle that is driven by the drive shaft and that is configured to move ice into the blade;
a spout that is configured to dispense conditioned ice;
wherein the blade is at least partially disposed within a wall of the housing and in alignment with an opening between an interior of the hopper portion and the spout; and
wherein the hopper portion has an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion of the hopper portion tapers downwardly toward the lower portion;
wherein the blade is disposed within the lower portion of the hopper portion; and
wherein the blade is arcuate having a radius of curvature that matches a radius of curvature of the lower portion of the hopper portion.

2. The frozen confection machine of claim 1 , wherein the paddle is disposed on a paddle wheel that is attached to the drive shaft; and
wherein the paddle wheel is angled downward toward a front of the frozen confection machine where conditioned ice is dispensed.

3. The frozen confection machine of claim 1 , wherein the paddle is disposed on a paddle wheel that is attached to the drive shaft; and
wherein the paddle wheel is angled downward toward the blade.

4. The frozen confection machine of claim 1 , wherein the paddle is disposed on a paddle wheel that is attached to the drive shaft; and
wherein the paddle wheel is angled downward toward the spout.

5. The frozen confection machine of claim 1 , wherein the blade is stationary relative to the housing.

6. The frozen confection machine of claim 5 , wherein the blade is arched.

7. The frozen confection machine of claim 1 , wherein the blade comprises a plurality of teeth that are offset relative to each other.

8. The frozen confection machine of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of teeth are offset in an alternating pattern.

9. The frozen confection machine of claim 1 , further comprising a lid for covering the hopper portion.

10. The frozen confection machine of claim 9 , wherein the lid has a transparent portion for monitoring ice in the hopper portion.

11. The frozen confection machine of claim 9 , wherein the lid comprises a latching mechanism for holding the lid in a closed position.

12. The frozen confection machine of claim 9 , further comprising a safety switch that is actuated by the lid when the lid is in a closed position, such that the motor will not operate unless the lid is in the closed position.

13. The frozen confection machine of claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a handle;
wherein the handle is vertically oriented with respect to a vertical axis defined by the frozen confection machine; and
wherein the motor is disposed within the housing, such that the drive shaft of the motor rotates about an axis that is fixed at an angle relative to the handle.

14. The frozen confection machine of claim 1 , wherein the hopper portion further comprises a sidewall defining a hole located between the upper portion and the lower portion where ice moves from the hopper portion to the paddle; and
wherein the sidewall defining the hole is angled downward toward a front of the frozen confection machine where conditioned ice is dispensed.

15. The frozen confection machine of claim 14 , wherein the sidewall defining the hole is angled downward toward the spout.

16. The frozen confection machine of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall defining the hole is angled downward toward the blade.

17. The frozen confection machine of claim 1 , wherein the motor is driven by a battery.

18. The frozen confection machine of claim 1 , wherein the hopper portion has a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the hopper portion tapers from the front portion to the rear portion.

19. The frozen confection machine of claim 18 , wherein the front portion is larger than the rear portion.

20. The frozen confection machine of claim 1 , wherein the frozen confection machine further comprises a base for resting the frozen confection machine on a surface;
wherein the upper portion comprises an upper rim;
wherein the lower portion comprises an upper rim;
wherein the upper rim of the upper portion is substantially parallel to the base; and
wherein the upper rim of the lower portion is angled toward the base.

21. The frozen confection machine of claim 1 , wherein the drive shaft and the spout are both angled in directions that are offset from vertical.

Assignees

• Snowie LLC

Inventors

• Rupp Carl A

Classifications

• A23G9/045 Primary

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

• B02C18/2291

  Feed chute arrangements · CPC title

• A47J43/046

  with tools driven from the bottom side · CPC title

• B02C18/2216

  Discharge means · CPC title