Portable frozen drink machine

• US 6,959,562 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2003
• Issued: 11/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Coleman Company Incorporated (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Coleman Company Incorporated (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Boenig, James Michael, Navedo, Jose Enrique
• Primary Examiner(s): Tapolcai, William E.
• Application Number:
  US10/737,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20050126201A1
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 623/20, 366/242, 366/244, 366/247, 366/249, 366/251
• US Class Current: 62/320
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 9/045 of slush-ice, e.g. semi-frozen beverage
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 9/08 Batch production A23G9/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 9/224 Agitators or scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 5/18 Storing ice

Abstract

A portable frozen drink machine that utilizes ice shaving technology for producing ice particles for a frozen drink. An ice hopper utilizing the ice shaving technology is connected by a common shaft to a mixer. The mixer is positioned below the ice hopper and extends into a beverage container. Ingredients for the frozen drink are put in the beverage container, and the ice particles fall downward from the ice hopper into the beverage container. The mixer stirs the ingredients, forming a well-mixed frozen drink.

Claims

1. A frozen drink machine, comprising:

an ice shaver connected to a shaft, the rotation of which operates the ice shaver, the ice shaver being mounted to a housing;

a motor for rotating the shaft;

a beverage container positioned below the ice shaver to receive ice particles made by the ice shaver, the beverage container supporting the housing; and

a mixer, driven by the motor and positioned for mixing drink ingredients and the ice particles in the beverage container.

2. The frozen drink machine of claim 1, further comprising a portable, self contained, cordless power source for supplying power to the motor.

3. The frozen drink machine of claim 2, wherein the power source is one or more batteries.

4. The frozen drink machine of claim 1, further comprising a spout on the beverage container.

5. The frozen drink machine of claim 1, further comprising a door or panel on the beverage container for adding drink ingredients to the beverage container.

6. The frozen drink machine of claim 1, wherein the beverage container is insulated.

7. The frozen drink machine of claim 1, wherein the mixer is configured to rotate with the shaft.

8. The frozen drink machine of claim 7, wherein the mixer comprises a mixing blade.

9. The frozen drink machine of claim 8, wherein the mixer comprises a helical blade.

10. The frozen drink machine of claim 7, wherein the mixer comprises a helical blade.

11. The frozen drink machine of claim 1, wherein the mixer comprises a mixing blade.

12. The frozen drink machine of claim 11, wherein the mixer comprises a helical blade.

13. The frozen drink machine of claim 1, wherein the mixer comprises a helical blade.

14. The frozen drink machine of claim 1, wherein the ice shaver comprises an ice hopper, the ice hopper comprising:

an impeller for rotating ice around the ice hopper along a path; and

a blade in the path for shaving the ice as the ice passes the blade.

15. The frozen drink machine of claim 14, wherein the blade is spaced so as to shave ice a thickness of ice less than approximately 6 millimeters.

16. The frozen drink machine of claim 15, wherein the blade is spaced so as to shave ice a thickness of ice in the range of approximately 1 to 4 millimeters.

17. The frozen drink machine of claim 16, wherein the blade is spaced so as to shave ice a thickness of ice in the range of approximately 2 to 2.5 millimeters.

18. The frozen drink machine of claim 1, wherein the motor is mounted within or on the housing.