IP Library Granted Patent US 7,587,972
Granted Patent B2
US 7,587,972 · App. 10/851,806 · Granted Sep 15, 2009

Drink making machine

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,587,972
App. No.
10/851,806
Granted
Sep 15, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A drink making machine ( 10 ) includes an ice shaving and dispensing unit ( 11 ) which provides a predetermined amount of ice, by weight, through a chute ( 21 ) to the pitcher ( 17 ) of a blending unit ( 12 ). A nozzle ( 30 ) is carried by the chute ( 12 ) and provides water through a nozzle opening ( 41 ) until a predetermined amount of water, by weight, is received by the pitcher ( 14 ). The water from the opening ( 41 ) is not allowed to directly impinge against the bottom of the pitcher ( 17 ). The water from the opening ( 41 ) is not allowed to directly impinge against the bottom of the pitcher ( 17 ) so that it does not adversely affect the weight measurements being taken.

Claims (13)

1. Apparatus for making a drink of at least a liquid and ice comprising a blending assembly including a pitcher, an ice dispensing assembly, a chute to transfer ice from said ice dispensing assembly to said pitcher, and a nozzle positioned in said chute, said nozzle having an elongate passageway with a first end and a second end, and an opening near said second end, said first end communicating with a source of liquid, said nozzle opening extending from said passageway at an angle relative to said passageway, wherein liquid may be provided through said nozzle opening directly to said pitcher.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said nozzle includes a hook to engage said chute.

3. Apparatus for making a drink of at least a liquid and ice comprising a blending assembly including a pitcher, an ice dispensing assembly, a chute to transfer ice from said ice dispensing assembly to said pitcher, said chute having an opening therein, and a nozzle carried by said chute, said nozzle communicating with a source of liquid to provide liquid to said pitcher, and having a block received in said opening.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said block includes opposed tabs to engage said opening.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said nozzle includes a hook to engage said chute.

6. Apparatus for making a drink of at least a liquid and ice comprising a blending assembly including a pitcher, an ice dispensing assembly, a chute to transfer ice from said ice dispensing assembly to said pitcher, and a nozzle positioned in said chute, said nozzle having an elongate passageway with a first end and a second end, and an opening near said second end, said first end communicating with a source of liquid, said nozzle opening extending from said passageway at an angle relative to said passageway, wherein liquid may be provided through said nozzle opening to said pitcher without directly impacting the bottom of said pitcher.

7. Apparatus for making a drink of at least a liquid and ice comprising a blending assembly including a pitcher, an ice dispensing assembly, a chute to transfer ice from said ice dispensing assembly to said pitcher, a nozzle carried by said chute, said nozzle including a liquid passageway having a first end and a second end, said passageway being adapted to communicate with a source of liquid at said first end and an opening near said second end to provide liquid to said pitcher, and a plug at said second end of said liquid passageway.

8. Apparatus for making a drink of at least a liquid and ice comprising a blending assembly including a pitcher, an ice dispensing assembly, a chute to transfer ice from said ice dispensing assembly to said pitcher, and a nozzle positioned in said chute, said nozzle having an elongate passageway with a first end and a second end, and an opening near said second end, said first end communicating with a source of liquid, said nozzle opening extending from said passageway at an angle relative to said passageway, wherein liquid may be provided through said nozzle opening directly to said pitcher, and wherein said nozzle includes an elongate bar having said passageway therethrough.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a nozzle opening in said bar communicating with said passageway.

10. Apparatus for making a drink of at least a liquid and ice comprising a blending assembly including a pitcher, an ice dispensing assembly, a chute to transfer ice from said ice dispensing assembly to said pitcher, and a nozzle carried by said chute, said nozzle communicating with a source of liquid and including an elongate bar having a passageway therethrough and a nozzle opening in said bar, said nozzle opening being angled relative to said passageway to provide liquid to said pitcher without directly impacting the bottom of said pitcher.

11. Apparatus for making a drink of at least a liquid and ice comprising a blending assembly including a pitcher, an ice dispensing assembly, a chute to transfer ice from said ice dispensing assembly to said pitcher, and a nozzle carried by said chute, said nozzle communicating with a source of liquid and including an elongate bar having a passageway therethrough to provide liquid to said pitcher, said nozzle further including a mounting block at one end of said bar, said mounting block having an opening therein and a channel from said opening to said passageway.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said chute has an opening therein and said block includes opposed tabs to engage said opening in said chute.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said nozzle includes a hook at the other end of said bar to engage said chute.

Assignments (6)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2023
From: VITA-MIX MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 064425/0099 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2023
From: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: VITA-MIX MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 064422/0916 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 5, 2016
From: VITA-MIX MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
To: KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 039256/0146 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 20, 2015
From: VITA-MIX CORPORATION
To: VITA-MIX HOLDINGS COMPANY
Reel/Frame 035742/0250 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2015
From: VITA-MIX HOLDINGS COMPANY
To: VITA-MIX MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 035742/0443 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 12, 2004
From: KATZ, JONATHAN M.; RUKAVINA, STEPHEN P.; BAIR, KENNETH W.
To: VITA-MIX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015743/0625 →