Abstract: A feature for preventing material buildup in a mixing vessel of a frozen drink maker is described. The feature may include at least one protrusion extending into a vessel chamber of a mixing vessel. The at least one protrusion may be positioned on a central axis of a dasher that is positioned within the vessel chamber and the at least one protrusion may be sized and configured to fit into a space defined by one or more mixing blades of the dasher at a first end of the dasher.

Abstract: A drink maker is provided for temperature offset control. The drink maker includes a mixing vessel, a cooling circuit, and a controller. The mixing vessel is configured to receive a drink product, wherein the drink product is mixed within the mixing vessel. The cooling circuit is configured to cool the drink product within the mixing vessel. The controller is configured to determine an initial target temperature of the drink product, apply an offset to the initial target temperature to produce an updated target temperature of the drink product, and control the cooling circuit to change a temperature of the drink product to the updated target temperature.

Abstract: A drink maker is provided with a clog-resistant dispenser. The drink maker includes a mixing vessel, a spout, a grate, and a dispenser assembly. The mixing vessel is configured to contain a drink product. The spout includes an opening in the mixing vessel. The grate is configured to at least partly cover the spout. The dispenser assembly includes a seal and a plurality of protruding members. The seal is configured to close a flow from the spout in a closed position and open the flow from the spout in an open position. The plurality of protruding members extend from the seal and at least partially extend into the spout through the grate when the seal is in a closed position.

Abstract: A drink maker is provided with cooling operation self-assessment. The drink maker includes a mixing vessel, a cooling circuit, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The mixing vessel is configured to receive a drink product, wherein the drink product is mixed within the mixing vessel. The temperature sensor is configured to generate at least one temperature signal associated with at least one temperature of the drink product. The controller is configured to receive the at least one temperature signal from the temperature sensor, determine at least one temperature condition based on the at least one temperature signal, determine whether the at least one temperature condition satisfies at least one threshold, and, in response to determining that the at least one temperature condition satisfies the at least one threshold, generate at least one alert to a user.

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 pour-in opening for a frozen drink maker is disclosed. The frozen drink maker includes a dasher configured to rotate within a mixing vessel about a center axis. The pour-in opening is positioned on a top rear portion of the mixing vessel. The pour-in opening includes a surface that inclines radially with respect to the center axis of the dasher and an aperture positioned on the surface in fluid communication with an interior of the mixing vessel.

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 provided for phase change detection and control. 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 temperature sensor configured to periodically detect a temperature associated with the drink product and output periodic temperature signals indicative of the periodically detected temperature. The drink maker further includes a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether a phase change of the drink product has occurred based on the periodic temperature signals. The controller is also configured to control the cooling circuit based on determining whether the phase change has occurred.

Abstract: A drink maker is provided for phase change detection and notification. The drink maker includes a mixing vessel arranged 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 temperature sensor configured to repeatedly detect a temperature associated with the drink product and output temperature signals indicative of the detected temperatures. The drink maker further includes a controller. The controller is configured to determine that a condition associated with a phase change of the drink product has been satisfied based on the temperature signals. The controller is also configured to, in response to determining the condition, alert a user of the drink maker.

Abstract: A drink maker includes a mixing vessel arranged to receive a drink product and a dasher, driven by a drive motor, that is arranged to mix the drink product within the mixing vessel. A refrigeration circuit is arranged to cool the drink product within the mixing vessel. The refrigeration circuit includes a condenser. A cooling fan is configured to concurrently cool the drive motor and the condenser.

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.