Abstract: A frozen drink maker is described that includes a housing, a mixing vessel to mix a drink product, and a flexible seal. The housing includes an upper housing section and a lever moveable relative to the upper housing section between a coupled position and an uncoupled position. The flexible seal is between the upper housing section and the mixing vessel. The lever couples the mixing vessel to the upper housing section when in the coupled position and uncouples the mixing vessel from the upper housing section when in the uncoupled position. When the lever is in the coupled position, the mixing vessel is sealed against the upper housing section by the flexible seal.

Abstract: A frozen drink maker is described that includes a housing, a mixing vessel to mix a drink product, and a flexible seal. The housing includes an upper housing section and a lever moveable relative to the upper housing section between a coupled position and an uncoupled position. The flexible seal is between the upper housing section and the mixing vessel. The lever couples the mixing vessel to the upper housing section when in the coupled position and uncouples the mixing vessel from the upper housing section when in the uncoupled position. When the lever is in the coupled position, the mixing vessel is sealed against the upper housing section by the flexible seal.

Abstract: A funnel for covering a dispenser assembly of a frozen drink maker has an upper portion attachable to the dispenser assembly. The upper portion is configured to allow the dispenser assembly to selectively uncover a spout of the frozen drink maker to dispense a drink product from the spout in a horizontal direction. A lower portion of the funnel extends downward from the upper portion. The lower portion includes an inner wall defining a channel. The channel has a first region configured to direct a flow of the drink product at an angle relative to a front panel of the frozen drink maker, and a second region configured to direct the flow of the drink product parallel to the front panel in a substantially vertically downward direction.

Abstract: A drink maker is described that includes a housing, a mixing vessel configured to be removably coupled to the housing and receive a drink product, a dasher configured to mix the drink product within the mixing vessel, a drive motor configured to drive the dasher, and a controller. The controller is configured to detect an unsafe condition associated with the drink maker and, in response to detection of the unsafe condition, execute at least one control action comprising at least one of: alerting a user of the drink maker, deactivating the drive motor, preventing activation of the drive motor, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A removeable collection tray is configured for use with a frozen drink maker having a housing and an evaporator disposed in the housing. The collection tray includes a collection chamber for receiving liquid and a handle for removing the tray from the housing. The collection chamber is configured to be inserted within a slot in the housing adjacent the evaporator. When inserted into the slot, the collection chamber is vertically spaced from a bottom side of housing.

Abstract: A drink maker including a mixing vessel and a dasher, driven by a drive motor, arranged to mix the drink product. A cooling circuit is arranged to cool the drink product within the mixing vessel. A temperature sensor is arranged to detect a temperature of the drink product and output a temperature signal. A motor condition sensor is arranged to detect a motor condition associated with the drive motor and output a motor condition signal. A memory is arranged to store a first temperature value corresponding to a first target temperature and store a motor condition limit. A controller is arranged to: i) receive the temperature signal, ii) receive the motor condition signal, and ii) control the temperature associated with the drink product by controlling the cooling circuit based at least on the received temperature signal, the received motor condition signal, the first temperature value, and the motor condition limit.

Abstract: A compact countertop drink maker is provided. The drink maker includes a mixing vessel configured to receive a drink product and a base configured to support the mixing vessel. The drink maker also includes a dasher configured to mix the drink product within the mixing vessel. The drink maker further includes a cooling circuit configured to cool the drink product within the mixing vessel. In some embodiments, a total height of the drink maker is less than 20 inches. Additionally, or alternatively, a maximum dimension of the mixing vessel along a vertical axis is greater than or equal to 40% of the total height of the drink maker.

Abstract: A drink maker is described that includes a housing, a mixing vessel configured to be removably coupled to the housing and receive a drink product, a dasher configured to mix the drink product within the mixing vessel, a drive motor configured to drive the dasher, and a controller. The controller is configured to detect an unsafe condition associated with the drink maker and, in response to detection of the unsafe condition, execute at least one control action comprising at least one of: alerting a user of the drink maker, deactivating the drive motor, preventing activation of the drive motor, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A frozen drink maker is described that includes a housing, a mixing vessel to mix a drink product, and a flexible seal. The housing includes an upper housing section and a lever moveable relative to the upper housing section between a coupled position and an uncoupled position. The flexible seal is between the upper housing section and the mixing vessel. The lever couples the mixing vessel to the upper housing section when in the coupled position and uncouples the mixing vessel from the upper housing section when in the uncoupled position. When the lever is in the coupled position, the mixing vessel is sealed against the upper housing section by the flexible seal.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly for a frozen drink maker has a housing including a first portion attached to an outer surface of the frozen drink maker adjacent to a spout and a second portion spaced apart from the spout and extending outward from the outer surface. A lever attached to the second portion of the housing is rotatable relative to the second portion of the housing about a first pivot member. A seal operatively coupled to the lever is configured to seal the spout in a closed position. Rotation of the lever causes the seal to move into an open position to allow dispensing of a drink product through the spout.

Abstract: A drink maker is described that includes a housing, a mixing vessel configured to be removably coupled to the housing and to receive a drink product, a dasher configured to mix the drink product within the mixing vessel, a drive motor configured to drive the dasher, and a processor configured to: detect an undesirable condition associated with the drink maker; and in response to detection of the undesirable condition, execute at least one remedial action that includes at least one of: alerting a user of the drink maker, deactivating the drive motor, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A drink maker includes a mixing vessel arranged to receive a drink product and a dasher, driven by a drive motor, arranged to mix the drink product within the mixing vessel. A cooling circuit is arranged to cool the drink product within the mixing vessel, while a temperature sensor is arranged to detect a temperature associated with the drink product and output a temperature signal, and a memory is arranged to store a recipe including a first temperature value corresponding to a first target temperature. A controller, in communication with the memory, is arranged to: i) receive the temperature signal, and ii) control the temperature associated with the drink product by controlling the cooling circuit based on the received temperature signal, the first temperature value, and a manual temperature adjustment. A user interface is arranged to receive a user input to adjust the manual temperature adjustment.

Abstract: A drink maker is provided for motor detection. The drink maker includes a mixing vessel configured to receive a drink product. The drink maker also includes a dasher, driven by a drive motor, configured to mix the drink product within the mixing vessel. The drink maker also includes a cooling circuit, including a compressor, configured to cool the drink product. The drink maker further includes a motor condition sensor configured to detect a motor condition associated with the drive motor and output motor condition signals. The drink maker further includes a controller configured to determine, based on one or more first motor condition signals of the periodic motor condition signals, whether a value of the motor condition satisfies a first motor condition threshold. The controller is further configured to, in response to determining that the value of the motor condition satisfies the first motor condition threshold, turn off the compressor.

Abstract: A drink maker is provided with ventilation and baffling. The drink maker includes a mixing vessel configured to receive a drink product. The drink product is mixed within the mixing vessel. The drink maker also includes a cooling circuit configured to cool the drink product within the mixing vessel. The drink maker further includes a housing including at least one ventilation panel. The at least one ventilation panel includes at least one array of holes configured to permit airflow to ventilate the housing. The at least one ventilation panel also includes at least one baffling proximate to an interior surface of the at least one ventilation panel, the at least one baffling configured to at least partly occlude a set of holes in the at least one array of holes.

Abstract: A device for making drinks is provided that includes a housing, a mixing vessel, a drive motor, a dasher, a cooling circuit, and a coupling mechanism. The mixing vessel is configured to receive a drink product. The drive motor is positioned in the housing. The dasher is configured to mix the drink product in the mixing vessel and is driven by the drive motor. The mixing vessel has an opening through which the dasher is received in the mixing vessel when the mixing vessel is engaged with the housing. The cooling circuit is at least partly positioned in the housing and is configured to cool the drink product while the drink product is mixed in the mixing vessel. The coupling mechanism is configured to releasably retain the mixing vessel against the housing in the engaged position. The mixing vessel is configured to engage the housing to seal the opening.

Abstract: A shroud for a dispenser assembly of a frozen drink maker has a first panel section and a second panel section extending substantially parallel to the first panel section. A front section extends between the first and second panel sections. The first and second panel sections are configured to form a removable snap fit with a dispenser housing of the frozen drink maker. A length and shape of the shroud is selected to direct a drink product dispensed from a spout of the frozen drink maker downward.

Abstract: A mixing vessel for a frozen drink maker is described. The mixing vessel includes at least one curved sidewall defining a vessel chamber that is at least partly cylindrical configured to receive a drink product to be processed. The vessel chamber includes a front, a rear, a right side, a left side, a top, and a bottom, and the vessel chamber includes at least one asymmetric wall portion proximate to at least one of the front or the top of the vessel chamber. The at least one asymmetric wall portion is configured to promote slush flow within the vessel chamber.

Abstract: A mixing vessel for a frozen drink maker is described. The mixing vessel includes a curved sidewall defining a substantially cylindrical vessel chamber therein. The vessel chamber includes a front, a rear, a right side, a left side, and a top. The mixing vessel also includes at least one internal baffle configured to control slush flow within the vessel chamber. The at least one internal baffle may be a corner baffle positioned at the front top of the vessel chamber on either the right side or the left side, a side baffle extending laterally along the vessel chamber from the front to the rear, and/or a front baffle positioned at the front of the vessel chamber extending across the top from the right side to the left side.