Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
PORTABLE FROZEN CONFECTION MACHINE
BACKGROUND
[0001] Frozen confections have become increasingly popular and desired in
more and more settings.
Machines for conditioning the ice used in frozen confections are typically
large and of commercial grade in
order to accommodate the commercial settings in which they are used. However,
often frozen confections
are desired in a commercial or home environment or small party setting where
portability and storage are
desired. What is needed is a frozen confection machine that is portable,
provides convenient operation and
good performance, and is sized for easy storage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive implementations of the present
disclosure are described with
reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like parts throughout the various
views unless otherwise specified. Advantages of the present disclosure will
become better understood with
regard to the following description and accompanying drawings where:
[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a portable frozen confection
machine in accordance with the
technologies and features of the disclosure;
[0004] FIG. 2 illustrates a cutaway view of an embodiment of a portable
frozen confection machine in
accordance with the technologies and features of the disclosure;
[0005] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a portable
frozen confection machine
in accordance with the technologies and features of the disclosure;
[0006] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a portable frozen confection
machine illustrating its
configuration angles in accordance with the technologies and features of the
disclosure;
[0007] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a blade for a portable frozen
confection machine in
accordance with the technologies and features of the disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a kit that includes a portable
frozen confection machine in
accordance with the technologies and features of the disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a blade,
lower wall of a hopper portion,
and a paddle wheel of a portable frozen confection machine in accordance with
the technologies and features
of the disclosure;
1
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
[0010] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective rear-view of an embodiment of a
portable frozen confection
machine in accordance with the technologies and features of the disclosure;
and
[0011] FIG. 9 illustrates a side-view of an embodiment of a portable frozen
confection machine in
accordance with the technologies and features of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The disclosure extends to apparatuses, methods, and systems, for
producing frozen confections
and conditioning ice for use in frozen confections. The features and
advantages of the disclosure will be set
forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the
description, or may be learned
by the practice of the disclosure without undue experimentation. The features
and advantages of the
disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and
combinations particularly pointed
out in the appended claims.
[0013] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in
accordance with the
disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the
drawings and specific language
will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no
limitation of the scope of the
disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of
the inventive features illustrated
herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as
illustrated herein, which would
normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of
this disclosure, are to be
considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed.
[0014] Before the structure, systems and methods for producing frozen
confections are disclosed and
described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the
particular structures, configurations,
process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such structures,
configurations, process steps, and materials
may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed
herein is used for the purpose
of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting
since the scope of the disclosure
will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
[0015] In describing and claiming the subject matter of the disclosure, the
following terminology will
be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.
[0016] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the
appended claims, the singular forms
"a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise.
2
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
[0017] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing,"
"characterized by," and
grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not
exclude additional, unrecited
elements or method steps.
[0018] As used herein, the phrase "consisting of" and grammatical
equivalents thereof exclude any
element or step not specified in the claim.
[0019] As used herein, the phrase "consisting essentially of- and
grammatical equivalents thereof limit
the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not
materially affect the basic and
novel characteristic or characteristics of the claimed disclosure.
[0020] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an implementation
of a frozen confection
machine 100 that is configured to be portable. As can be seen in the figure
the machine 100 for conditioning
ice may comprise a body portion having a housing 105 and a handle portion 110
for convenient portability
and positioning. The machine may further comprise a hopper 120 for receiving
the ice to be conditioned. In
an implementation the handle portion110 may comprise a rubber material,
grooves, a textured surface,
and/or the like for providing grip for moving and holding the machine 100. The
machine 100 may further
comprise a lid 115 configured to cover the hopper 120. It will be appreciated
that the lid 115 may comprise a
transparent portion for monitoring ice in the hopper portion. The lid 115 may
further have a catch 125
mechanism, such that when the catch 125 is released, the lid 115 is allowed to
rotate or pivot upwards into
an open position, such that ice may be introduced into the hopper 120 of the
machine 100. In an
embodiment, the lid 115 may be made of a clear material to provide the user
the ability to see the ice level in
the hopper. Additionally, the machine may comprise a spout 130 and ice shaper
135 for delivering and
shaping the conditioned ice into a cup or other container for receiving the
shaved ice product. It should be
noted that the housing 105, lid 115, spout 130 and shaper 135 may be made from
any suitable material such
as for example: plastics and metals.
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a cutaway view of a frozen confection machine
200. As can be seen in the
figure, a motor 202 may be disposed within the housing 205 of the machine 200.
The motor 202 may be
electric and may be driven by DC or AC current. An embodiment having a DC
motor may be driven by a
battery that may also be disposed within the housing. The housing 205 may
comprise a base portion 206 that
is sized and shaped to provide stability during use. The base portion 206 may
comprise feet 207 that provide
traction and may be made from a vibration dampening material to reduce noise
and vibration during use.
3
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
[0022] As also illustrated in the figure, the machine 200 may comprise a
handle portion 210 that is
configured to fit a user's hand for easy portability. The handle portion 210
may be aligned and configured so
as to be held by a user during ice conditioning to compensate for forces
generated by the motor 202 and the
paddle 212 while conditioning the ice.
[0023] In an embodiment, the motor 202 may be directly connected to a drive
shaft 242 that drives the
paddle 212 thereby moving ice into a blade 213. The blade 213 may be secured
to the hopper 220, such that
the blade is stationary. It should be noted that in an embodiment the motor
202 may drive a blade that spins
in order to condition the ice. The motor 202 may be disposed within the
housing 205, such that the motor's
axis of rotation is generally aligned with the body of the machine 200.
Additionally, the axis of rotation of
the paddle 212 may also be generally aligned with the body of the machine 200.
In an embodiment the
housing 205 may further comprise a door for easily accessing the blade for
maintenance.
[0024] An embodiment may comprise a motor that is indirectly connected to
paddle wheel through a
device with a transmission or gearing.
[0025] As can be seen in the figure, the machine may comprise a hopper 220
for receiving and holding
the unconditioned ice, and may comprise a spout portion 230 for dispensing the
conditioned ice after being
processed and moved throughout a portion the body of the machine 200. The
spout 230 may be configured
to deliver conditioned ice into a shaper 235 for providing a shaped top for
the conditioned ice within a cup
or container. The shaper 235 may impart a shape to a final shaved ice product
so that little or no additional
shaping needs to be performed by a user. In an implementation, and additional
flexible hand shaping flap
233 may be included, which allows users more options for shaping during use
without having to come into
contact with the edible conditioned ice product. The flexible shaping flap may
be attached below or near the
spout as illustrated.
[0026] A lid 215 may be provided for covering the hopper 220. The lid 215
may comprise a latch 217
for locking the lid 215 in a predetermined position. Additionally, the lid 215
may be configured so as to
operate a switch 240 that turns on the motor so that the machine may not be
operated without the lid 215 in
place, or locked in place by the latch 217. In one embodiment, the latch 217
or catch 125 may be omitted
such that downward pressure provided by a user's hand and applied to the lid
215 keeps the motor spinning
and operational. This can be a safety feature so that when the downward
pressure or force provided by the
4
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
user's hand is removed the motor and paddle 212 stop rotating and is not
operational. The lid 215 may be
hinged 218 relative to the body of the machine 200 so that it rotates between
opened and closed positions.
[0027] For example, during use the machine 200 may be positioned on a work
surface by a user by way
of the handle 210. The user may then lift the lid 215 to expose the hopper
220, and ice may then be
introduced into the hopper 220. The lid 215 may then be closed and held down
by the latch 217, a user's
hand, or other mechanism thereby actuating the switch 240 to turn on the motor
202. The switch 240 may
include a rocker switch that provides an upward bias using a spring or other
biasing mechanism, such that
the lid 215 moves away from a closed or fully closed position when downward
pressure is not applied and/or
the latch 217 is not secured. The motor 202 then turns the paddle 212 to drive
ice into the blade 213 (or drive
the blade 213, in at least one embodiment). The ice is conditioned as it moves
through the blade 213 and into
the spout 230 and shaper 235. The conditioned ice may then be delivered to a
cup, or other container as may
be desired by a user, and shaped by the shaper 235, and the flexible hand
shaping flap 233, resulting in cup
or container full of conditioned ice or product, which may have a pleasingly
shaped top. For example, ice
within the hopper 220 may be too large to pass through an opening or blade 213
covering an opening near
the spout 230. Only after the ice is conditioned (chopped, shaved, turned into
"snow," or otherwise
conditioned) is it able to pass from an interior of the hopper 220 and out
through the spout 230 into a cup.
[0028] In an implementation, an external switch may be provided for
actuating the machine. For
example the external switch may be a foot pedal or other switch for actuating
the machine. After filling the
cup with conditioned ice, a flavoring, drink, or other edible content may be
added to the conditioned ice for
consumption.
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a frozen confection machine
300. The machine may be
constructed primarily of two housing halves 305a and 305b that may be joined
together to thereby hold a
motor 302, paddle wheel 312, and blade 322 in a working configuration relative
to each other. A paddle
wheel 312 may include paddles located near a center axis, as in FIG. 2, or may
include paddles located near
a rim or edge, as in FIG. 3. As can be seen in the figure, the motor 302 may
be disposed within the housing
305 of the machine 300. The housing halves 305a and 305b may comprise a base
portion that is sized and
shaped to provide stability during use. The base portion may comprise feet 307
that provide traction and
may be made from a vibration dampening material to reduce noise and vibration
during use.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
[0030] As also illustrated in the figure, the machine 300 may comprise a
handle portion that is
configured to fit a user's hand for easy portability. The handle portion may
be aligned and configured so as
to be held by a user during ice conditioning to compensate for forces
generated by the motor 302 and the
paddle wheel 312 while conditioning the ice.
[0031] In an embodiment the motor 302 may be directly connected to a drive
shaft 332 that drives the
paddle wheel 312 thereby moving ice into a blade 322. It should be noted that
in an embodiment the drive
shaft 332 may be connected to the paddle wheel 312 with a shaft connector 342.
The motor 302 may be
disposed within the housing 305a-b such that the motor's axis of rotation is
generally aligned with the body
of the machine 300. Additionally, the axis of rotation of the paddle wheel 312
may also be generally aligned
with the body of the machine 300. In an embodiment, the housing may further
comprise a door for easily
accessing the blade for maintenance. For example, a door in the hopper or a
sidewall near the blade may be
selectively opened to access remove, and/or replace the blade 322. In one
embodiment, no door is needed to
access the blade as it may be accessed by releasing one or more fasteners,
such as screws, to allow a hopper
portion 320 to be moved upward and access the blade from above.
[0032] As can be seen in the figure, the machine may comprise a hopper 320
for receiving the
unconditioned ice, and may comprise a spout portion 330 for dispensing the
conditioned ice after being
processed and moved throughout a portion of the body of the machine 300. The
spout 330 may be
configured to deliver conditioned ice into a cup or container. The spout may
include a shaper 335 portion for
providing a shaped top for the conditioned ice within a cup or container.
[0033] The machine 300 may also include a lower wall 352 that encompasses a
lower portion of the
hopper 320 or may form part of a wall of a hopper 320. The wall 352 may
include grooves for receiving and
holding the blade 322 at an opening 360 in the lower wall 352. For example,
the blade 322 may slide
downward into the grooves to be positioned in front of the opening 360 so that
only ice that is conditioned is
allowed to exit the hopper 320 through the spout 330.
[0034] A lid 315 may be provided for covering the hopper 320. The lid 315
may comprise a latch for
locking the lid in a predetermined position. Additionally, the lid 315 may be
configured so as to operate a
switch 340 that turns on the motor so that the machine 300 may not be operated
without the lid 315 in place.
Additionally, a power cord 350 may be provided to power the machine 300.
Various fasteners FF may be
used to mount the various components of the machine together. Foot pads 344
may be used to dampen
6
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
vibrations created during use. Rubber grommets 346 may be used to seal opening
in the housing of the
machine.
[0035] As can be seen in the figure, an embodiment may comprise drive shaft
332 that is directly
connected to and directly drives the paddle wheel 312.
[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment illustrating the angle between a
handle portion and the axis of
rotation of the motor 412 and paddle 413 of a machine 400. Illustrated in the
figure is a frozen confection
machine 400 having an angle 425 between a first line 420 drawn through the
handle portion 415 and
generally aligned with the base portion of the machine and a second line 410
that represents the axis of
rotation of the motor 412. The angle 425 formed by the intersection of the
first line 420 and the second line
410 may be chosen during design to dampen or otherwise negate forces generated
by the motor 412 and the
paddle 413 as the machine processes ice. In an embodiment, the motor may be
disposed within the housing,
such that the drive shaft of the motor rotates about an axis 410 that is fixed
at an angle relative to the handle
415. It will be appreciated that in an embodiment, the angle 425 may be
selected from a range of between
about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. In an embodiment, the angle may be
selected from a range of about 40
degrees to about 50 degrees. In use, a user may grasp the handle 415 to steady
the machine during use.
[0037] The angle of the motor 412 is not vertical or perpendicular to a
surface on which the machine
400 rests. Thus, a base region of the hopper provided by the paddle wheel 435
is not horizontal. Rather the
paddle wheel 435 provides a base that is tilted at an angle. The angle of the
base may improve performance
during the conditioning or ice and dispending of conditioned ice. For example,
the paddle wheel 435 is tilted
toward a location of the blade 430. The tilt toward the blade 430 may improve
conditioning of ice and may
also improve exiting of the conditioned ice through the blade 430. The tilt
may also improve how forces or
vibrations resulting from conditioning ice are absorbed. For example, with the
non-horizontal angle of the
base, at least some of the vibration or forces are in a vertical direction.
These vertical vibrations or forces
may be more advantageously absorbed by a surface via a base or rubber feet
than if all more of the forces or
vibrations were in a horizontal direction. The vertical portion of vibrations
or forces may be less likely to be
absorbed a user, leading to increased comfort for a user and may also lead to
longer operation life of the
motor 412 and/or machine 400. Thus, the angle of the motor, paddle wheel 325,
and/or lower region of a
hopper may improve performance, machine longevity, and user comfort.
7
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a blade 500 configured for
conditioning ice as it is
dispensed to a user. Those in the art will know that when processing ice, ice
buildup on equipment can be a
problem. Illustrated in the figure is an embodiment of a blade 500 that
resists ice buildup while providing
conditioned ice suitable for confectionary use. As illustrated, a blade 500
may be an arched or arcuate planar
sheet to match a curvature of a wall or housing and may comprise a plurality
of teeth 505. The teeth 505
may be configured as slots or slits in the blade 500 that allow conditioned
ice to form on a first side of the
blade and pass through the blade 500 to a second side. In an embodiment, the
teeth 505 may be uniform and
placed regularly about the blade 500. It will be appreciated that in an
embodiment the blade 500 may
comprise a plurality of offset teeth 505 relative to each other. For example,
a tooth or slot may be vertically
offset from a neighboring tooth or slot. The plurality of teeth 505 may be
offset in an alternating pattern.
Additionally, the teeth 505 may be situated on the blade in a pattern as is
illustrated in the figure. As can be
seen in the figure, the teeth 505 alternate between an up position and down
position relative to a center line
555, which is shown as a dashed line in the figure. The offset may reduce
icing on the teeth 505 of the blade
500. It will be appreciated that any pattern may be employed, for example,
three teeth in a row may be
placed in a down position relative to the centerline 555, while next three
teeth are placed in an up position
relative to the centerline 555. The pattern may repeat as many times as
desired. It will be appreciated that
any number of teeth may be placed in an up position and any number of teeth
may be placed in a down
position with respect to the centerline 555 without departing from the scope
of the disclosure. Teeth may
also be formed with circular holes (similar to those of a cheese grater) or
any other hole or slot shape. For
example, the teeth may include a square, rectangular, triangular, oblong
circular, or other shaped hole. In one
embodiment, the holes may have a bent or raised edge that protrudes at least
slightly above a surface of the
planar portion to present an edge for cutting or conditioning the ice.
Although the blade 500 is shown having
a curved planar shape, the blade 500 may be shaped or bent or flattened in
other configurations. For
example, the blade 500 may include a substantially flat planar shape with
little or no curvature.
[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a kit 600 comprising a frozen
confection making system
that comprises an ice conditioning machine 610 and a carrying case 615. The
case 615 may comprise a
carrying handle 616. Additionally, a kit 600 may comprise cups 620 and/or
topping containers 625, which
may be used to dispense flavors for the conditioned ice, for serving the
conditioned ice and creating the
frozen confections. Additionally, a kit 600 may comprise additional items such
as a power cord, battery and
8
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
backup battery. An embodiment of a kit may include a tool 630 that is
specially configured for maintaining
the ice conditioning machine 610.
[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates a close up expanded view of a lower wall 702 and
blade 704 of an ice
conditioning machine. The blade 704 may include a blade similar to the blade
500 illustrated in FIG. 5. The
lower wall 702 may surround a lower portion of an interior of a hopper. The
lower wall 702 may include
clear plastic so that a state of ice and/or the blade 704 within the hopper
can be seen. In one embodiment, the
lower wall 702 is integrally formed with a spout 706 where conditioned ice may
be dispensed. An opening
708 in the wall 702 is positioned at the spout 706. A paddle wheel 710 may be
inserted and positioned at a
bottom of or below the lower wall 702. The paddle wheel 710 may be secured to
a drive axle or motor using
a fastener 712. The wall 702 includes a recessed or an indented region bounded
by grooves 714. The
recessed or indented region may have a size matching the blade 704 so that the
blade can be received into
the recessed or indented region. Once positioned, an interior surface of the
blade 704 (a surface that faces
inward) may be further from an axis of the lower wall 702 than an interior
surface of the lower wall 702 to
limit ice from impacting an edge of the blade 704.
[0041] The blade 704 is positioned in-line with the lower wall 702 and may
have a curvature matching
the lower wall 702. When assembled, the blade 704 covers the opening 708 in
the wall so that ice may only
exit the hopper or lower wall 702 through the blade 704. Thus, only
conditioned ice may exit through the
spout while remaining ice to-be-conditioned remains in the hopper.
[0042] The lower wall 702 also includes attachment features 716 for
securing the wall to or within a
housing. In one embodiment, the blade 704 is replaceable. In one embodiment,
one or more fasteners
securing the attachment features 716 may be released to allow a housing or
other portion of a machine to be
pulled back and/or up to expose a top region of the blade. The blade 704 may
then be slid upward for
removal and a new blade may be slid downward into the recessed or indented
portion. In one embodiment,
once positioned, a lower portion of the blade 704 is positioned in a slot in a
housing below the blade and an
upper portion of the blade is positioned between the lower wall 702 or spout
706 on the outside and a
portion of a hopper or housing on an upper side. Slits or slots in the blade
704 may remain exposed so that
ice can come in contact with the blade 704 to condition the ice.
[0043] The spout 706 may be shaped to impart a desired dome or rounded top
to a shaved ice product
or snow cone. For example, the spout 706 includes a rounded spout with a
substantially circular diameter
9
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
that will form a top shape for conditioned ice as a cup or container is
filled. The shape of the spout 706 may
be configured to provide a desired shape and thus creating a shaved ice
product may require little or no
shaping after moving a container or cup away from the spout 706.
[0044] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of a machine 800 for
conditioning ice. The
machine 800 includes a base 805 for supporting the machine on a surface the
machine 800 includes a handle
810 with grooves for providing portability and grip on the machine 800. The
machine 800 includes a hopper
802 and lid 815 for selectively covering an interior of the hopper 802. In one
embodiment, the lid 815 rests
in an at least partially open state, as illustrated in FIG. 8. For example, a
bias mechanism (such as in a rocker
switch) may provide an upper force on a plunger 845 to bias the lid 815 from a
closed position.
[0045] In order to use the machine 800, a downward force on the lid 815 may
drive the plunger 845
into the rocker switch. When the plunger 845 has compressed the bias far
enough, the switch may activate a
motor to begin to spin paddles in the hopper 820 to condition ice. In one
embodiment, the switch may
activate when a lower lip 850 of the lid 815 is substantially a same vertical
height as an upper lip 855 of the
hopper 820. In one embodiment, the switch may activate when a vertical
distance between the lower lip 850
and the upper lip 855 is less than the width of a finger of a child (about 1/4
of an inch or less). The bias and
the activation of the switch may reduce any chance of injury or harm to a
user. For example, a user's hands
cannot be in the hopper when the motor is turning or otherwise operational.
[0046] The machine 800 does not include a latch for holding the lid in or
near a closed position. Thus, a
constant downward pressure may be required to condition ice. If pressure is
removed, the lid 815 may return
to a partially open position, the switch may be opened, and the motor is
turned off. Thus, the machine 800
may require that a user's hand be positioned on the lid in order to condition
ice, leading to increased safety
and decreased chances of movement of the machine 800.
[0047] The machine 800 includes a lower wall 835 at a lower region of the
hopper 820. In one
embodiment, the lower wall 835 and the lid 815 include a transparent plastic
or glass to allow viewing of the
condition of ice in the hopper 820.
[0048] The machine 800 includes a spout 830 with a shaped upper portion
840. The spout 830 has a
tapered sidewall sized to accommodate a cup 860, or container of other size,
to receive conditioned ice. For
example, the taper may allow a plurality of different cup sizes to be used
with the machine 800. The shaped
top portion 840 may include an upward bulge on the spout 830 to allow for a
symmetrical dome or rounded
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
top to be imparted to a shaved ice product. The spout 830 include a lower
surface 865, which guides
conditioned ice into the cup 860 and also imparts a shape to a top of the
conditioned ice in the cup 860.
Thus, a user may simultaneously receive conditioned ice into the cup 860 and
shape the conditioned ice in
the cup.
[0049] The frozen confection machines as disclosed herein may be used for
any ice conditioning
purposes. For example, ice may be condition for flavored or unflavored
consumption as part of a drink,
smoothie, snow cone, slushy, or any other type of drink, recipe, or consumable
material. The frozen
confection machines may also be used as portable or hand operated snow making
or ice conditioning for
non-consumable purposes such as for decorations, medical purposes, or the
like. For example, ice may be
conditioned to create snow or shaved ice for placement in a bag for
application to a part of the body to
reduce swelling. As another example, ice may be conditioned for snow or ice
decorations or the like. The
portable and convenient operation, with or without a handle, provided by
embodiments of the ice
conditioning machines presented herein may allow for conditioning of small to
large amounts of ice for any
purpose or in any location.
Examples
[0050] The following examples pertain to further embodiments.
Example 1 is a frozen confection machine. The frozen confection machine
includes a housing including a
handle portion and a hopper portion. The hopper portion is configured for
receiving ice therein. The frozen
confection machine includes a motor including a drive shaft disposed within
the housing. The frozen
confection machine includes a blade configured to condition the ice. The
frozen confection machine includes
a spout configured for dispensing conditioned ice. The blade is disposed
within the housing between the
hopper portion and the spout. 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
portion. In Example 2, the blade of
Example 1 is stationary relative to the housing. In Example 3, the blade of
Example 2 includes is arched. In
Example 4, the blade as in any of Examples 1-3 includes a plurality of offset
teeth relative to each other. In
Example 5, the plurality of teeth of Example 4 is offset in an alternating
pattern. In Example 6, the frozen
confection machine as in any of Examples 1-5 includes a lid configured for
covering the hopper portion. In
Example 7, the lid as in Example 6 has a transparent portion for monitoring
ice in the hopper portion. In
Example 8, the frozen confection machine as in Example 7 further includes a
flexible shaping flap that is
11
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
attached near the spout. In Example 9, the frozen confection machine as in any
of Examples 1-8 further
includes a paddle wheel for moving ice against the blade. In Example 10, the
paddle wheel as in Example 9
is in mechanical communication with the drive shaft of the motor. In Example
11, the angle as in of
Examples 1-10 is selected from a range between about 30 degrees to about 60
degrees. In Example 12, the
angle as in Example 11 includes is selected from a range of about 40 degrees
to about 50 degrees. In
Example 13, the frozen confection machine as in any of Examples 1-12 further
includes an electrical cord. In
Example 14, the frozen confection machine as in any of Examples 1-13 further
includes a battery. In
Example 15, the frozen confection machine as in any of Examples 1-14 further
includes a foot operated
switch. In Example 16, the frozen confection machine as in any of Examples 1-
15 further includes damping
pads. In Example 17, the lid as in any of Examples 6-7 includes a latching
mechanism for holding the lid in
a closed position. In Example 18, the frozen confection machine as in any of
Examples 1-18 further includes
a safety switch.
[0051] Example 19 is a kit for making frozen confections. The kit for
making frozen confections
includes a frozen confection machine configured to be portable, a plurality of
confectionary toppings
configured to be used with a conditioned ice product of the frozen confection
machine. The frozen
confection machine includes a frozen confection machine as in any of Examples
1-18. In Example 20, the kit
as in Example 19 includes a carrying case configured to carry said frozen
confection machine and said
confectionary toppings. In Example 21, the kit as in any of Examples 19-20
further includes serving
containers configured to hold and serve conditioned ice product of the frozen
confection machine. In
Example 22, the kit as in any of Examples 19-21 includes a hand tool
configured for maintaining the frozen
confection machine.
[0052] Example 23 is a frozen confection machine. The frozen confection
machine includes a hopper
portion for receiving ice into an interior, a motor configured to rotate a
drive shaft, a blade to condition the
ice in the hopper during rotation of the motor, a lid for selectively covering
the interior of the hopper, a bias
member for biasing the lid away from a closed position, and a switch for
causing the motor to actuate in
response to the lid being pressed to a closed position. In Example 24, the
bias member of Example 23
provides a bias force and the bias force is greater than a force provided by a
weight of the lid. In Example
25, an additional downward force on the lid of any of Examples 23-24 is
required to actuate the switch such
that the lid rests in an at least partially open position in absence of the
additional downward force. In
12
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
Example 26, the bias member as in Example 25 causes the lid to return to the
at least partially open position
in response to removal of the additional downward force. In Example 27, the
frozen confection machine as
in any of Examples 23-26 further includes a plunger actuated by the lid,
wherein the plunger is in
mechanical communication with the switch when the lid is in or near the closed
position. In Example 28, the
frozen confection machine as in any of Examples 23-27 further includes a
rocker switch, wherein the rocker
switch includes the bias member and the switch. In Example 29, the hopper
portion as in any of Examples
23-28 includes a container rim and the lid includes a lid rim. The closed
position includes a position where
the lid rim is at a substantially same height as the container rim, or lower
than the container rim. In Example
30, the hopper portion as in any of Examples 23-29 includes a container rim
and the lid includes a lid rim,
wherein the lid rests at a position with a non-zero vertical distance between
a position of the container rim
and the lid rim. In Example 31, the drive shaft as in any of Examples 23-30
drives a paddle in the interior of
the hopper.
[0053]
Example 32 is a frozen confection machine. The frozen confection machine
includes a container
for receiving ice or other material, a motor for actuating a paddle or blade
within the container, a lid for
selectively covering an interior of the container, a switch for causing the
motor to actuate in response to the
lid being pressed to a closed position, and a bias member for biasing the lid
away from the closed position.
In Example 33, the bias member of Example 32 provides a bias force and wherein
the bias force is greater
than a force provided by a weight of the lid. In Example 34, an additional
downward force on the lid of any
of Examples 32-33 is required to actuate the switch such that the lid rests in
an at least partially open
position in absence of the additional downward force. In Example 35, the bias
member as in Example 34
causes the lid to return to the at least partially open position in response
to removal of the additional
downward force. In Example 36, the frozen confection machine as in any of
Examples 32-35 further
includes a plunger actuated by the lid, wherein the plunger is in mechanical
communication with the switch
when the lid is in or near the closed position. In Example 37, the frozen
confection machine as in any of
Examples 32-36 further includes a rocker switch, wherein the rocker switch
includes the bias member and
the switch. In Example 38, the hopper portion as in any of Examples 32-37
includes a container rim and the
lid includes a lid rim, wherein the closed position includes a position where
the lid rim is at a substantially
same height as the container rim or lower than the container rim. In Example
39, the hopper portion as in
any of Examples 32-38 includes a container rim and the lid includes a lid rim,
wherein the lid rests at a
13
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
position with a non-zero vertical distance between a position of the container
rim and the lid rim. In
Example 40, the drive shaft as in any of Examples 32-39 drives a paddle in the
interior of the hopper.
[0054] Example 41 is a frozen confection machine. The frozen confection
machine includes a hopper
portion for receiving ice into an interior, a motor configured to rotate a
drive shaft, a blade to condition the
ice in the hopper during rotation of the motor, a lid for selectively covering
the interior of the hopper, a bias
member for biasing the lid away from a closed position, and a switch for
causing the motor to actuate in
response to the lid being pressed to a closed position. The bias member
provides a bias force and wherein
the bias force is greater than a force provided by a weight of the lid. An
additional downward force on the
lid is required to actuate the switch such that the lid rests in an at least
partially open position in absence of
the additional downward force. The bias member causes the lid to return to the
at least partially open
position in response to removal of the additional downward force. In Example
42, the lid as in Example 40 is
in the closed position when the lid is below a threshold position and the lid
is in the partially open or open
position when the lid is above the threshold position.
[0055] Example 43 is a frozen confection machine. The frozen confection
machine includes a housing
including a hopper portion configured for receiving ice into an interior, a
motor for driving a drive shaft, a
blade configured to condition the ice during rotation of the drive shaft, and
a spout configured for dispensing
conditioned ice, wherein the spout includes a shaped top portion for imparting
a shape to the conditioned ice.
In Example 44, the spout of Example 43 includes a lower portion, wherein the
upper shaped portion and the
lower portion provide surfaces to shape a final shaved ice product. In Example
45, the surfaces as in
Example 44 are configured to shape the final shaved ice product as a rounded
dome. In Example 46, the
spout as in any of Examples 43-45 includes a lower surface having a downward
angle for guiding
conditioned ice into a receiving container. In Example 47, the shaped top
portion as in any of Examples 43-
46 includes an upward bulge having a smaller curvature diameter than an
opposite lower side of the spout. In
Example 48, the shaped top portion as in any of Examples 43-47 is formed
integrally with the spout. In
Example 49, the spout as in any of Examples 43-48 is formed integrally with at
least a portion of a wall of
the hopper. In Example 50, the spout as in any of Examples 43-49 is tapered to
accommodate different
diameters of receiving containers.
[0056] Example 51 is a frozen confection machine. The frozen confection
machine includes a housing
including a hopper portion configured for receiving ice into an interior of
the hopper portion, a motor for
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
driving a drive shaft, a blade configured to condition the ice during rotation
of the drive shaft, and a spout
configured for dispensing conditioned ice. The spout includes an upper portion
and a lower portion, wherein
the upper portion and the lower portion provide surfaces to shape a final
shaved ice product. In Example 52,
the blade of Example 51 is positioned at an opening in the hopper portion
between the interior of the hopper
portion and the spout. In Example 53, the surfaces as in any of Examples 51-52
are configured to shape the
final shaved ice product as a rounded dome. In Example 54, the lower portion
as in any of Examples 51-53
includes a lower surface having a downward angle for guiding conditioned ice
into a receiving container. In
Example 55, the upper portion as in any of Examples 51-54 has an upward bulge
having a smaller curvature
diameter than an opposite lower side of the spout. In Example 56, the spout as
in any of Examples 51-55 is
formed integrally with at least a portion of a wall of the hopper. For
example, the spout and wall may be part
of a single piece of molded or bonded plastic. In Example 57, the spout as in
any of Examples 51-56 is
tapered to accommodate different diameters of receiving containers.
[0057] Example 58 is a frozen confection machine that includes a housing
including a hopper portion
configured for receiving ice into an interior of the hopper portion, a motor
for driving a drive shaft, a blade
configured to condition the ice during rotation of the drive shaft, and a
spout configured for dispensing
conditioned ice. The spout includes an upper portion and a lower portion,
wherein the upper portion and the
lower portion provide surfaces to shape a final shaved ice product. The spout
is tapered to accommodate
different diameters of receiving containers. The blade is positioned at an
opening in the hopper portion
between the interior of the hopper portion and the spout.
[0058] Example 59 is a frozen confection machine including a housing
including a hopper portion
configured for receiving ice into an interior of the hopper, a motor for
driving a drive shaft, a spout, and a
blade configured to condition the ice during rotation of the motor. The blade
is positioned at an opening in
the hopper portion between the interior of the hopper portion and the spout.
In Example 60, the blade of
Example 59 includes is positioned near a bottom of the interior region of the
hopper. In Example 61, the
blade as in any of Example 59-60 includes a planar sheet with one or more
holes or slits. In Example 62, the
planar sheet of Example 61 includes a plurality of vertical slits forming
blades. In Example 63, a vertical slit
of the plurality of vertical slits of Example 61 is vertically offset from a
neighboring vertical slit. In Example
64, the conditioned ice as in any of Examples 59-63 passes through the one or
more holes or slits to exit the
hopper. In Example 65, the blade as in any of Examples 59-64 is positioned in-
line with a wall of the
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
hopper. In Example 66, the wall of the hopper of Example 65 includes a groove
or notch, wherein an interior
surface of the planar sheet is in substantially at a greater or equal distance
from a center of the hopper than
an interior surface of the wall. In Example 67, the frozen confection machine
as in any of Examples 59-66
further includes one or more paddles in the interior of the hopper driven by
the drive shaft, wherein the
motor is configured to rotate the paddles to cause the ice to move relative to
and against the blade to
condition the ice.
[0059] Example 68 is a frozen confection machine including a housing
including a hopper portion
configured for receiving ice into an interior of the hopper, a motor for
driving a drive shaft, a spout, and a
blade including a planar sheet with a plurality of vertical slits configured
to condition the ice during rotation
of the motor. The blade is positioned at an opening in the hopper portion
between the interior of the hopper
portion and the spout. The conditioned ice passes through the one or more
holes or slits to exit the hopper. In
Example 69, the blade of Example 68 is positioned near a bottom of the
interior region of the hopper. In
Example 70, a vertical slit of the plurality of vertical slits as in any of
Examples 68-69 is vertically offset
from a neighboring vertical slit. In Example 71, the blade as in any of
Examples 68-70 is positioned in-line
with a wall of the hopper. In Example 72, the wall of the hopper of Example 71
includes a groove or notch,
wherein an interior surface of the planar sheet is in substantially at a
greater or equal distance from a center
of the hopper than an interior surface of the wall. In Example 73, the frozen
confection machine as in any of
Examples 68-72 further includes one or more paddles in the interior of the
hopper driven by the drive shaft,
wherein the motor is configured to rotate the paddles to cause the ice to move
relative to and against the
blade to condition the ice.
[0060] Example 74 is a system or device that includes means for
implementing a method, system,
machine or device as in any of Examples 1-73.
[0061] It will be appreciated that the foregoing description has been
presented for the purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the disclosure to the precise form
disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the
above teaching. Further, it should
be noted that any or all of the aforementioned alternate implementations may
be used in any combination
desired to form additional hybrid implementations of the disclosure.
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
[0062] It should be noted that embodiments shown in the figures and
described herein are intended to
be exemplary and that any variations in the size and the relative proportions
of the individual components
fall within the scope of this disclosure.
[0063] Further, although specific implementations of the disclosure have
been described and illustrated,
the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of
parts so described and illustrated.
The scope of the disclosure is to be defined by the claims appended hereto,
any future claims submitted here
and in different applications, and their equivalents.
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-21
