BLOCK ICE SHAVER

• US 20130233142A1
• Filed: 03/07/2012
• Published: 09/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SNOWIE LLC
• Original Assignee: SNOWIE LLC
• Inventors: Rupp, Carl A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,939,389 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 83/401
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/046 with tools driven from the bottom side
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 5/12 Ice-shaving machines
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/647 With means to convey work relative to tool station

Abstract

The disclosure pertains generally to shave ice confection machines and processes, and more particularly to a block ice shaving apparatus, system and method whereby an improved blade and blade assembly produce more consistent output with increase machine life.

Claims

1. An ice shaving machine, comprising:

a cabinet;

an ice block feeder;

a mechanical drive mechanism;

a blade assembly mechanically connected to said mechanical drive mechanism;

wherein said blade assembly comprises;

a blade configured to rotate relative to a block of ice when said mechanical drive mechanism is activated, wherein said blade comprises a plurality of openings and a plurality of cutting surfaces adjacent to said openings for allowing ice shavings to pass therethrough, wherein said cutting surfaces and said openings are arranged on surface of said blade, and wherein said blade further comprises a plurality of attachment points; and

a blade holder configured to detachably retain said blade at the plurality of attachment points, wherein said blade holder has a plurality of arms that radiate from a center hub;

a control mechanism for activating and deactivating said mechanical drive mechanism.

2. The ice shaving machine of claim 1, wherein said plurality of arms comprise a pass through portion and a blade attachment portion.

3. The ice shaving machine of claim 2, wherein said center hub is configured to mechanically couple with a drive motor, wherein said center hub portion comprises a blade support for interacting with said blade.

4. The ice shaving machine of claim 3, wherein the machine further comprises a spout assembly comprising a spout and an outer shell fitting over and around said blade, said spout assembly having a domed portion for providing a domed round top for the produced shaved ice.

5. The ice shaving machine of claim 3, wherein the machine further comprises a safety cover.

6. The ice shaving machine of claim 1, wherein the blade is attached to the blade holder and is placed under tension.

7. The ice shaving machine of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of arms of the blade holder comprises an attachment structure that corresponds with an attachment point of the blade, wherein a radial measurement from a center of rotation of the blade holder to said attachment structure of each of said arms is less than a radial measurement from a center of rotation of the blade to said attachment point of said blade, thereby causing said blade to be placed in tension when said blade is assembled to said blade holder.

8. The ice shaving machine of claim 7, wherein the center hub comprises a blade support that mechanically communicates and interacts with said blade to control the amount of flex of said blade as a load is placed on said blade.

9. The ice shaving machine of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of arms of said blade holder are curved.

10. The ice shaving machine of claim 1, wherein said blade is flexible.

11. The ice shaving machine of claim 3, wherein said blade support is configured to abut said blade to control blade flex.

12. The ice shaving machine of claim 1, wherein said plurality of attachment points of said blade out number the plurality of arms of said blade holder.

13. The ice shaving machine of claim 1, wherein said blade is releasably attached to said blade holder, such that said blade is positionable relative to said blade holder by detaching and rotating said blade with respect to said blade holder and then reattaching said blade to said blade holder.

14. The ice shaving machine of claim 3, wherein said spout assembly further comprises a flap that is flexible and pliable, such that it is wrappable around at least a portion of a container and wherein the flap operates as a chute to direct shaved ice into the container.

15. The ice shaving machine of claim 1, wherein said cabinet is made of a plastic material and has a drip pan with a drain.

16. The ice shaving machine of claim 1, wherein said mechanical drive mechanism is a drive motor located within said cabinet.

17. The ice shaving machine of claim 16, wherein said drive motor further comprises an electric motor and a gear box.

18. The ice shaving machine of claim 1, wherein said control mechanism further comprises a switch device.

19. The ice shaving machine of claim 1, wherein said control mechanism further comprises a foot pedal switch.

20. The ice shaving machine of claim 1, wherein the ice block feeder is attached to said cabinet and comprises a drive shaft that operates to actuate said ice block feeder into contact with the block of ice, thereby forcing the block of ice into contact with the blade.

21. The ice shaving machine of claim 20, wherein said ice block feeder comprises dual driving arms.

22. The ice shaving machine of claim 21, wherein said dual driving arms are screw driven.

23. The ice shaving machine of claim 20, wherein said ice block feeder comprises a single driving arm.

24. The ice shaving machine of claim 23, wherein said single driving arm is screw driven.

25. The ice shaving machine of claim 5, wherein the safety cover comprises a lid that is movably fastened to said safety cover, wherein the safety cover further comprises a safety switch to shut off the operation of the machine when the said lid is raised.

26. The ice shaving machine of claim 5, wherein the safety cover further comprises an ice block guide that adds a biasing force laterally to the block of ice so that said block of ice is consistently fed into the blade.

27. The ice shaving machine of claim 26, wherein the ice block guide is connected or attached to said lid.

56. The ice shaving machine of claim 1, wherein the blade is attached to the blade holder and is substantially static with respect to said blade holder.

28. A blade assembly for use in shaving a block of ice comprising:

a blade configured to rotate relative to the block of ice;

wherein said blade comprises a plurality of openings and a plurality of cutting surfaces that are located adjacent to said plurality of openings for allowing ice shavings to pass therethrough, wherein said plurality of cutting surfaces and said plurality of openings are arranged on a surface of said blade;

wherein the blade further comprises a plurality of attachment points, wherein at least one of said attachment points is disposed around a perimeter of said blade; and

a blade holder configured to detachably retain said blade at the plurality of attachment points;

wherein said blade holder comprises a plurality of arms that radiate outwardly from a center hub, wherein each of said plurality of arms comprises a blade attachment structure that corresponds with an attachment point of said blade.

29. The blade assembly of claim 28, wherein a radial measurement from a center of rotation of the blade holder to said attachment structure of each of said arms is less than a radial measurement from a center of rotation of the blade to said attachment point of said blade, thereby causing said blade to be placed in tension when said blade is assembled to said blade holder.

30. The blade assembly of claim 28, wherein said center hub is configured to mechanically couple with a drive motor.

31. The blade assembly of claim 28, wherein said plurality of arms comprise a pass through portion.

32. The blade assembly of claim 28, wherein the center hub comprises a blade support that mechanically communicates and interacts with said blade to control the amount of flex of said blade as a load is placed on said blade.

33. The blade assembly of claim 28, wherein each of the plurality of arms of said blade holder are curved.

34. The blade assembly of claim 28, wherein said blade is flexible.

35. The blade assembly of claim 32, wherein said blade support is configured to abut said blade to control blade flex.

36. The blade assembly of claim 28, wherein said plurality of attachment points of said blade out number the plurality of arms of said blade holder.

37. The blade assembly of claim 28, wherein said blade is releasably attached to said blade holder, such that said blade is positionable relative to said blade holder by detaching and rotating said blade with respect to said blade holder and then reattaching said blade to said blade holder.

38. A system for shaving a block of ice comprising:

an ice shaving machine, comprising;

a cabinet;

an ice block feeder;

a drive motor;

a blade assembly mechanically connected to said drive motor;

wherein said blade assembly comprises;

a blade configured to rotate relative to a block of ice when said drive motor is activated, wherein said blade comprises a plurality of openings and a plurality of cutting surfaces adjacent to said openings for allowing ice shavings to pass therethrough, wherein said cutting surfaces and said openings are arranged on surface of said blade, and wherein said blade further comprises a plurality of attachment points; and

a blade holder configured to detachably retain said blade at the plurality of attachment points, wherein said blade holder has a plurality of arms that radiate from a center hub;

a spout assembly comprising an outer shell fitting over and around said blade;

a safety cover; and

a control mechanism for activating and deactivating said drive motor.

39. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 38, wherein the system further comprises a safety blockage clearing tool having contours that correspond to dimensions of said spout assembly.

40. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 38, wherein the system further comprises a flavor dispensing station.

41. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 38, wherein said plurality of arms comprise a pass through portion and a blade attachment portion.

42. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 38, wherein said center hub is configured to mechanically couple with the drive motor, wherein said center hub portion comprises a blade support for interacting with said blade.

43. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 38, wherein said spout assembly comprises a domed portion for providing a domed round top for the produced shaved ice.

44. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 38, wherein the blade is attached to the blade holder and is placed under tension.

45. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 44, wherein each of the plurality of arms of the blade holder comprises an attachment structure that corresponds with an attachment point of the blade, wherein a radial measurement from a center of rotation of the blade holder to said attachment structure of each of said arms is less than a radial measurement from a center of rotation of the blade to said attachment point of said blade, thereby causing said blade to be placed in tension when said blade is assembled to said blade holder.

46. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 45, wherein the center hub comprises a blade support that mechanically communicates and interacts with said blade to control the amount of flex of said blade as a load is placed on said blade.

47. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 38, wherein each of the plurality of arms of said blade holder are curved.

48. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 38, wherein said blade is flexible.

49. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 42, wherein said blade support is configured to abut said blade to control blade flex.

50. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 38, wherein said plurality of attachment points of said blade out number the plurality of arms of said blade holder.

51. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 38, wherein said blade is releasably attached to said blade holder, such that said blade is positionable relative to said blade holder by detaching and rotating said blade with respect to said blade holder and then reattaching said blade to said blade holder.

52. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 38, wherein the system further comprises a foot pedal switch to actuate said control mechanism.

53. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 38, wherein the ice block feeder is attached to said cabinet and comprises a drive shaft that operates to actuate said ice block feeder into contact with the block of ice, thereby forcing the block of ice into contact with the blade.

54. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 38, wherein the safety cover comprises a lid that is movably fastened to said safety cover, wherein the safety cover further comprises a safety switch to shut off the operation of the machine when the said lid is raised.

55. The system for shaving a block of ice of claim 38, wherein the safety cover further comprises an ice block guide that adds a biasing force laterally to the block of ice so that said block of ice is consistently fed into the blade.