Abstract: A weigh scale unit may be used in conjunction with a beverage preparation machine to prepare beverages efficiently. The weigh scale unit may provide the status of ingredient addition to a beverage receptacle. The weigh scale unit may send instructions and/or data to the beverage preparation machine. In some embodiments, the beverage preparation machine sends instructions and/or data to the weigh scale unit.

Abstract: An individual frozen drink dispenser includes a housing having a base configured to support a blender cup, a dispensing chamber disposed above the blender cup and configured to support a frozen beverage container containing frozen ingredients suitable for preparing a frozen drink, at least one dispensing mechanism configured to move from a pre-dispense position to a dispense position in which the dispensing mechanism drives the frozen ingredients from the frozen beverage container into the blender cup, and a drive mechanism coupled to the housing and configured to drive the movement of the dispensing mechanism from the pre-dispense position to the dispense position. A method of preparing a frozen drink is further disclosed.

Abstract: A weigh scale unit may be used in conjunction with a beverage preparation machine to prepare beverages efficiently. The weigh scale unit may provide the status of ingredient addition to a beverage receptacle. The weigh scale unit may send instructions and/or data to the beverage preparation machine. In some embodiments, the beverage preparation machine sends instructions and/or data to the weigh scale unit.

Abstract: A weigh scale unit may be used in conjunction with a beverage preparation machine to prepare beverages efficiently. The weigh scale unit may provide the status of ingredient addition to a beverage receptacle. The weigh scale unit may send instructions and/or data to the beverage preparation machine. In some embodiments, the beverage preparation machine sends instructions and/or data to the weigh scale unit.

Abstract: A weigh scale unit may be used in conjunction with a beverage preparation machine to prepare beverages efficiently. The weigh scale unit may provide the status of ingredient addition to a beverage receptacle. The weigh scale unit may send instructions and/or data to the beverage preparation machine. In some embodiments, the beverage preparation machine sends instructions and/or data to the weigh scale unit.

Abstract: An individual frozen drink dispenser includes a housing having a base configured to support a blender cup, a dispensing chamber disposed above the blender cup and configured to support a frozen beverage container containing frozen ingredients suitable for preparing a frozen drink, at least one dispensing mechanism configured to move from a pre-dispense position to a dispense position in which the dispensing mechanism drives the frozen ingredients from the frozen beverage container into the blender cup, and a drive mechanism coupled to the housing and configured to drive the movement of the dispensing mechanism from the pre-dispense position to the dispense position. A method of preparing a frozen drink is further disclosed.

Abstract: A weigh scale unit may be used in conjunction with a beverage preparation machine to prepare beverages efficiently. The weigh scale unit may provide the status of ingredient addition to a beverage receptacle. The weigh scale unit may send instructions and/or data to the beverage preparation machine. In some embodiments, the beverage preparation machine sends instructions and/or data to the weigh scale unit.

Abstract: A weigh scale unit may be used in conjunction with a beverage preparation machine to prepare beverages efficiently. The weigh scale unit may provide the status of ingredient addition to a beverage receptacle. The weigh scale unit may send instructions and/or data to the beverage preparation machine. In some embodiments, the beverage preparation machine sends instructions and/or data to the weigh scale unit.

Abstract: A drain system for a food preparation machine includes a preparation area drain tray; a rinsing station including a water source; a water collection tray disposed below the rinsing station so as to collect water supplied from the water source; and, a passage from the rinsing station to the preparation area drain tray directing water to flush the preparation area drain tray with water supplied from the water source.

Abstract: A drain system for a food preparation machine includes a preparation area drain tray; a rinsing station including a water source; a water collection tray disposed below the rinsing station so as to collect water supplied from the water source; and, a passage from the rinsing station to the preparation area drain tray directing water to flush the preparation area drain tray with water supplied from the water source.

Abstract: A drain system for a food preparation machine includes a preparation area drain tray; a rinsing station including a water source; a water collection tray disposed below the rinsing station so as to collect water supplied from the water source; and, a passage from the rinsing station to the preparation area drain tray directing water to flush the preparation area drain tray with water supplied from the water source.

Abstract: A blade structure has at least three pairs of blade arms constructed and arranged to create regions of material movement in a blender cup, wherein material is moved outward and upward in a lower region near outer walls of the blender cup, material is moved upward and inward in an upper region near the outer walls of the blender cup, material is chopped and moved downward in a region partway between the outer walls and a central axis of the blender cup, and material is moved downward near the central axis of the blender cup.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for preparing frozen drinks. The apparatus comprises a platform configured to support a blender cup, the platform reversibly translatable between a first position beneath an ice shaver and a second position beneath a flavoring dispenser and a weight sensor mechanically coupled to the platform and configured to produce an output indicative of a weight of an object present on the platform.

Abstract: A spill guard device for preventing unwanted spillage of material from a container. The device comprises a body shaped to fit on the rim of the container, the body having a U-shape in cross-section, and having a flange extending inwardly and adjacent the spout of the container, the flange preventing the material from spilling from the container as it is poured out via the spout. A notch in the underside of the body cooperates with a ridge formed on the exterior of the container, parallel and adjacent to the rim, to secure the device on the rim in proper location.

Abstract: A magnetic induction drive for a rotatable driven member in a sealed housing, in particular, a shaft-mounted blade in a blender cup or a shaft-mounted blade in an ice shaver, uses a comparatively thin circular drive plate of a magnetizable material with circumferentially arrayed poles enclosed within a housing secured to a drive shaft. A brushless d.c. motor in a base separate from the housing has a rotor formed as an array of pie-shaped permanent magnet regions that interact with an electronically controlled, rotating electromagnetic field produced by a ring of stator coils. A second such permanent magnet is coupled to rotate coaxially and in unison with the rotor, with poles of opposite polarity aligned and adjacent one another. A steel disc is sandwiched between and bonded to the rotor and the second permanent magnet. The magnetic field (lines of flux) of the second magnet extends axially away from the rotor to induce magnetic poles of opposite polarity in the drive plate.

Abstract: In a food processing machine, a removable food receptacle and a platform on which the receptacle is positioned in the machine, are constructed so that the food receptacle, as it is introduced into the machine, is guided into proper position. The platform is provided with a raised shoulder that includes a portion that is contacted by the receptacle when inserted into the machine in an improper direction, and that causes the receptacle to turn to the proper direction. The raised shoulder further includes a portion to stop the receptacle from further insertion once it is in proper position, and portions to maintain the receptacle in proper orientation on the platform during processing and/or delivery of food.

Abstract: A drainage system for a food processing machine comprises a drain pan located at the base of the machine, the drain pan receiving unwanted liquid from various locations in the machine, and permitting the removal of the unwanted liquid from the machine. In a preferred embodiment, the drain pan is employed in an ice shaver/blender machine and receives unwanted liquid generated by the melting of ice stored in the ice hopper, unwanted liquid spilled in the shaver and blender areas, and unwanted liquid collected within the main body of the machine. The drain pan includes a plurality of outlets which may be selectively chosen to facilitate routing the unwanted liquid out of the machine in a desired direction.

Abstract: A self-seating cover assembly for a removable food receptacle for a food processing machine, the cover being movably mounted on a support structure attached to the machine and shaped so that, by the act of positioning the food receptacle into the machine, the cover is caused to seat itself in desired position atop and extending partially into the receptacle. The cover is preferably removably mounted on the support structure through an aperture in the cover, and the structure and the cover are constructed to cooperatively maintain the cover in a desired rotational position. The cover may be mounted on a chute through which food is delivered into the receptacle through the mounting aperture in the cover.