Patent Publication Number: US-2022225831-A1

Title: Micro puree machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/139,494, filed Dec. 31, 2020, entitled MICRO PUREE MACHINE, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a kitchen and food processing device, and more particularly, to a device and system for micro pureeing frozen ingredients to make frozen foods and drinks. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Home use machines that are intended to make ice creams, gelatos, frozen yogurts, sorbets and the like are known in the art. Typically, a user adds a series of non-frozen ingredients to a bowl. The ingredients are then churned by a paddle while a refrigeration mechanism simultaneously freezes the ingredients. These devices have known shortcomings including, but not limited to, the amount of time and effort required by the user to complete the ice cream making process. Machines of this nature are impractical for preparing most non-dessert food products. 
     An alternative type of machine known to make a frozen food product is a micro-puree machine. Typically, machines of this nature spin and plunge a blade into a pre-frozen ingredient or combination of ingredients. While able to make frozen desserts like ice creams, gelatos, frozen yogurts, sorbets and the like, micro-puree style machines can also prepare non-dessert types of foods such as non-dessert purees and mousses. In addition, the devices are able to prepare either an entire batch of ingredients to be served or they can prepare a pre-desired number of servings. Known machines of this nature are commercial-grade and are exceedingly large and heavy. They require complex systems that are difficult to maintain and are typically too expensive, cumbersome and/or impractical for home use by consumers. 
     The present invention solves these and other problems in the prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for the processing of food and beverage ingredients. 
     In one exemplary embodiment according the present disclosure, a device for processing food and beverage items is provided including a lower housing, an upper housing and a middle housing, together with an interface for user inputs and a display for providing information to the user. The device further comprises a gearbox assembly and a drive motor assembly, as well as a position motor. The position motor enables vertical movement of the gearbox assembly and drive motor assembly. The drive motor assembly provides power to a power shaft and coupling connected to a rotating blade assembly that engages with ingredients for processing. 
     In some embodiments, the blade assembly comprises one or more cutting blades having alternating grooves with distinct dimensions to create a cutting profile that provides for improved power management and processing efficiencies. The blade assembly in some embodiments further comprises a central hub for accommodating a power coupling, with improved engagement features for connecting the power coupling and the blade assembly. 
     In some embodiments, the device further includes a lifting platform and cam path tubular insert for providing vertical movement of a bowl assembly and lid assembly by rotational movement of an outer bowl handle. 
     In some embodiments, the beaker of the bowl assembly is disposable, and can be prefilled with desired ingredients and sold as a standalone item. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure including a bowl assembly and lid assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is another isometric view of the device of  FIG. 1  without the bowl assembly and lid assembly; 
         FIG. 3A  is a left side view of the device of  FIG. 1  without the bowl assembly and lid assembly; 
         FIG. 3B  is a left side view of the device of  FIG. 1  with the bowl assembly and lid assembly in an up position; 
         FIG. 3C  is a left side view of the device of  FIG. 1  with the bowl assembly and lid assembly in a down position; 
         FIG. 4A  is a right side view of the device of  FIG. 1  without the bowl assembly and lid assembly; 
         FIG. 4B  is a right side view of the device of  FIG. 1  with the bowl assembly and lid assembly in an up position; 
         FIG. 4C  is a right side view of the device of  FIG. 1  with the bowl assembly and lid assembly in a down position; 
         FIG. 5A  is a rear view of the device of  FIG. 1  with the bowl assembly and lid assembly in an up position; 
         FIG. 5B  is a right side cutaway view of the device of  FIG. 5A  along section A-A; 
         FIG. 6A  is a rear view of the device of  FIG. 1  with the bowl assembly and lid assembly in a down position; 
         FIG. 6B  is a left side cutaway view of the device of  FIG. 6A  along section B-B; 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of internal components of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8A  is front view of gearbox and drive motor assemblies of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8B  is side cutaway view of the assemblies of  FIG. 8A  along section C-C; 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the gearbox and drive motor assemblies of the device with housings removed; 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the blade assembly of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of the underside of the blade assembly of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of the top of the blade assembly of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13A  is a section view through the center of the central support hub; 
         FIG. 13B  is a plan view of the top of the central support hub; 
         FIG. 14A  is an isometric view of the power coupling of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14B  is a plan view of the bottom of the power coupling of  FIG. 14A ; 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view of the central support hub from above; 
         FIG. 16A  is a cutaway view of the central support hub along section A-A of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 16B  is a cutaway view of the central support hub along section B-B of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a section view through a cutting blade of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a cutting profile of the blade assembly of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 19  is an isometric view of a V-shaped groove on the underside of the central support hub; 
         FIG. 20  is an isometric view of the exterior of the beaker of the bowl assembly; 
         FIG. 21  is an isometric view of the outer bowl of the bowl assembly; 
         FIG. 22  is an isometric view of the bottom of the outer bowl; 
         FIG. 23  is an isometric view of the exterior of the lifting platform; 
         FIG. 24  is an isometric view of the interior of the lifting platform; 
         FIG. 25A  is a plan view of the cam path tubular insert; 
         FIG. 25B  is a sectional view of the cam path tubular insert along section A-A of  FIG. 25A ; 
         FIG. 26  is a sectional view of the cam path tubular insert inside the lifting platform; 
         FIG. 27  is an isometric view of the underside of the lid assembly with a blade assembly installed therein; 
         FIG. 28  is top view of the blade assembly and spring-biased primary sets of clips; 
         FIG. 29  is a side cross-sectional view of  FIG. 28  along line  1 - 1  with additional features of the lid assembly shown; 
         FIG. 30  is an enlarged view of the interaction between the primary set of clips and the blade assembly; 
         FIG. 31A  is an overhead view of the lid assembly with the clip release lever in the home position; 
         FIG. 31B  is an overhead view of the lid assembly with the clip release lever in approximately a mid-way rotated position; 
         FIG. 31C  is an overhead view of the lid assembly with the clip release lever in the fully-rotated position; 
         FIG. 32  is a partial isometric view of the underside of the upper housing; 
         FIG. 33A  is a schematic view of the interaction between the clip release lever and the clip lever contact ledge during installation when no blade is present; 
         FIG. 33B  is a schematic view of the interaction between the clip release lever and the clip lever contact ledge during installation when a blade is properly installed; 
         FIG. 34A  is an overhead schematic view of the initial stages of installation of the bowl assembly and the lid assembly with no blade assembly installed in the lid assembly; 
         FIG. 34B  is an overhead schematic view part way through the installation of the bowl assembly and the lid assembly with no blade assembly installed in the lid assembly; 
         FIG. 34C  is an overhead schematic view of the final stages of installation of the bowl assembly and the lid assembly with no blade assembly installed in the lid assembly; 
         FIG. 35A  is an overhead schematic view of the initial stages of installation of the bowl assembly and the lid assembly with a blade assembly properly installed in the lid assembly; 
         FIG. 35B  is an overhead schematic view part way through the installation of the bowl assembly and the lid assembly with a blade assembly properly installed in the lid assembly; and 
         FIG. 35C  is an overhead schematic view of the final stages of installation of the bowl assembly and the lid assembly with a blade assembly properly installed in the lid assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure. 
     Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It is also understood that all spatial references, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, top, upper, lower, bottom, left and right, are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of a device  10  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The device  10  includes a lower housing or base  100  and an upper housing  140 . A middle housing  120  extends between the lower housing  100  and upper housing  140 . The upper housing  140  includes an interface  142  for receiving user inputs to control the device  10  and/or display information. The device  10  includes a removable bowl assembly  350  and lid assembly  400  on the base  100 .  FIG. 2  shows the device  10  with the bowl assembly  350  and lid assembly  400  removed. 
     As further described herein, the bowl assembly  350  receives one or more ingredients for processing. The bowl assembly  350  and lid assembly  400  are placed on the lower housing  100  as show in  FIG. 1 . The bowl assembly  350  and lid assembly  400  are rotatable on a lifting platform  362  from a down position to an up position, and vice versa. 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate left side views of the device  10  without a bowl assembly  350  and lid assembly  400 , with the bowl assembly  350  and lid assembly  400  in an up position, and with the bowl assembly  350  and lid assembly  400  in a down position, respectively.  FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate right side views of the device  10  without a bowl assembly  350  and lid assembly  400 , with the bowl assembly  350  and lid assembly  400  in an up position, and with the bowl assembly  350  and lid assembly in a down position, respectively. 
     As will be discussed in more detail below, when the bowl assembly  350  and lid assembly  400  are raised vertically to the up position, a blade assembly  300  within the lid assembly  400  engages with a power coupling  252  at the distal end of power shaft  250  extending from the upper housing  140 . A rotational force is delivered via the power coupling  252  to the blade assembly  300  to spin one or more blades as they engage with ingredients inside the bowl assembly  350 . 
       FIG. 5A  is rear view of the device  10 , with the bowl assembly  350  in the up position, showing a section line A-A.  FIG. 5B  is right side cutaway view of the device  10  along section A-A.  FIG. 6A  is rear view of the device  10 , with the bowl assembly  350  in the down position, showing a section line B-B.  FIG. 6B  is a left side cutaway view of the device  10  along section B-B. 
     The upper housing  140  includes gearbox assembly  220  and a drive motor assembly  240  connected to the gearbox assembly  220 . The drive motor assembly  240  includes a drive motor housing  242  and a drive motor  244 . The gearbox assembly  220  includes a gearbox housing  222  containing a plurality of gears for delivering power from the drive motor  244  to a power shaft  250 . The power coupling  252  is positioned on a distal end of the power shaft  250 . 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the gearbox assembly  220  and drive motor assembly  240  of the device  10  with surrounding structure. The device  10  includes an upper support  280  and a lower support  282  positioned in the upper housing  140 . The gearbox assembly  220  and drive motor assembly  240  are slidable up and down with respect to the upper and lower supports  280 ,  282  along a plurality of pillars  270 ,  272 ,  274 ,  276 . The pillars and supports provide rigidity and concentric alignment. In the exemplary embodiment, the gearbox assembly  220  and drive motor assembly  240  are supported on the pillars via apertures  223 ,  225  in the gearbox housing  222 . In other embodiments, there may be apertures on the drive motor housing  242  in addition to or instead of on the gearbox housing  222 . 
     The device  10  includes a position motor  260  (e.g., DC motor) which drives a gearbox  262 . The gearbox  262  is engaged with a vertical threaded rod or worm gear  264  extending between the upper and lower supports  280 ,  282 . Actuation of the position motor  260 , either manually via the interface  142  or automatically, moves the gearbox assembly  220  and drive motor assembly  240  up and down. The rod pitch of the worm gear  264  relate to a vertical decent rate of the device  10 . The drive motor assembly  240  moves down into a cavity  122  in the middle housing  120  (see  FIGS. 5B and 6B ). 
     The power shaft  250  and power coupling  252  move together with the gearbox assembly  220  and drive motor assembly  240 . Thus, actuation of the position motor  260  in turn allows for vertical movement and positioning of a blade assembly  300  removably attached to the power coupling  252 . In the exemplary embodiment, the up and down travel distance is between 70 and 120 mm, or between 90 and 100 mm, such as about 94 mm. 
     The power coupling  252 , and therefore the blade assembly  300 , may be controlled at different rotational speeds (e.g., via the drive motor  244 ) and moved up and down (e.g., via the position motor  260 ) in different patterns and speeds to make different food items such as frozen purees and desserts. Exemplary programs are illustrated below in Table 1. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Decent 
                   
                 Retraction 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Blade 
                   
                 Blade 
                   
                   
                   
                 Total 
               
               
                   
                 Speed 
                 Decent 
                 Speed 
                 Retraction 
                 Decent 
                 Retract 
                 Program 
               
               
                 Program 
                 (rpm) 
                 Time (s) 
                 (rpm) 
                 Time (s) 
                 RPM/mm 
                 RPM/mm 
                 RPM/mm 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Ice Cream 
                 1200 
                 60 
                 450 
                 30 
                 13 
                 2 
                 15 
               
               
                 Sorbet 
                 1600 
                 120 
                 450 
                 30 
                 34 
                 2 
                 36 
               
               
                 Gelato 
                 1200 
                 60 
                 450 
                 30 
                 13 
                 2 
                 15 
               
               
                 Milkshake 
                 1600 
                 60 
                 450 
                 30 
                 17 
                 2 
                 19 
               
               
                 Smoothie 
                 1600 
                 120 
                 1600 
                 30 
                 34 
                 9 
                 43 
               
               
                 Bowl 
               
               
                 Frozen 
                 1600 
                 120 
                 450 
                 30 
                 34 
                 2 
                 36 
               
               
                 Drink 
               
               
                 Slush 
                 1600 
                 120 
                 1600 
                 30 
                 34 
                 9 
                 43 
               
               
                 Whip/ 
                 1000 
                 30 
                 1000 
                 30 
                 5 
                 5 
                 11 
               
               
                 Re-Spin 
               
               
                 Mix-In 
                 450 
                 30 
                 450 
                 30 
                 2 
                 2 
                 5 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 8A  is front view of the gearbox assembly  220  and drive motor assembly  240  of the device  10  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 8B  is side cutaway view of the assemblies of  FIG. 8A  along a section C-C. As discussed above, the gear assembly  220  includes a housing  222 . In the exemplary embodiment, the housing  222  includes upper and lower portions removably attached together. A housing  242  of the drive motor assembly  240  is removably attached to the lower portion of the housing  222 . In other embodiments, the housing  242  is formed together with the housing  222  or at least together with the lower portion of the housing  222 . In the exemplary embodiment, the housing  242  includes a plurality of openings  243  for ventilation and cooling of the drive motor  244 . The device  10  may further include a fan  245  on the motor  244 . 
       FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the gearbox assembly  220  and drive motor assembly  240  with the housings  222 ,  242  removed. In the exemplary embodiment, the drive motor  244  is rotatably connected to a transmission  230 . The transmission  230  is connected to a first gear  232 . The first gear  232  drives a gear  238 , either directly or through one or a plurality of intermediate gears  234 ,  236 , which then drives the power shaft  250 . 
     The device  10  comprises a moving blade assembly  300  for processing food and beverage items.  FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the moving blade assembly  300 .  FIG. 11  is a plan view of the underside of the moving blade assembly  300 .  FIG. 12  is a plan view of the top of the moving blade assembly  300 . The moving blade assembly  300  comprises one or more cutting blades  301 ,  302  and one or more mixing blades  303 ,  304 . The moving blade assembly  300  further comprises a central support hub  305 . The cutting blades  301 ,  302  and the mixing blades  303 ,  304  extend outward from central support hub  305 . The central support hub  305  provides a central opening  306  for accepting the power coupling  252 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , cutting blades  301  and  302  of said moving blade assembly  300  comprise a horizontally extending length having a proximal end  312  and a distal end  313 . The proximal end  312  meets the central support hub  305 . The cutting blades  301 ,  302  comprise a leading edge  314  and a follower edge  315 . Likewise, mixing blades  303 ,  304  extend from the central support hub  305  and are generally positioned in an opposing orientation. 
       FIG. 13A  and  FIG. 13B  show the engagement features of the central support hub  305 . The central support hub  305  comprises a plurality of male helical couplings  307  positioned along the interior sides of the central opening  306  and extending into the central opening  306 . Between said male helical couplings  307  are vacancies  308 . In an exemplary embodiment, the male helical couplings  307  comprise an angled lead in  309 .  FIG. 14A and 14B  show the corresponding engagement features of the power coupling  252 . The power coupling  252  has a plurality of external male helical coupling components  254  with an angled lead-in  256 . Said male helical coupling components  254  engage with corresponding vacancies  308  within the central support hub  305 . In some embodiments, the power coupling  252  includes a magnet  258  at a distal end to aid in positioning and removably securing the blade assembly  300  and the power coupling  252 . 
       FIGS. 13A, and 28-30  show engagement features of the blade assembly  300  for engagement with the lid assembly  400 . The central support hub  305  comprises an angled external ledge  310  and undercut  311 . As will be discussed more fully below, the lid assembly  400  comprises a primary sets of clips  408  that are spring-biased toward the center of the lid assembly  400 . As the central support hub  305  travels upward into the lid assembly  400 , the clips engage the undercut  311 . The lid assembly  400  and the blade assembly  300  are held together prior to the blade assembly  300  engaging the power coupling  252 . 
     It will be appreciated that the moving blade assembly  300  can be a unitary structure or can comprise distinct structures joined together either directly or indirectly. The moving blade assembly  300  in one embodiment is cast stainless steel with a PVD titanium coating. 
     In an exemplary embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 15, 16A and 16B , cutting blades  301 ,  302  and mixing blades  303 ,  304  are curved, with said curvature extending along all or at least a portion of the length of the blades in a concave configuration in relation to the direction of blade rotation during use. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , the said cutting blades  301 ,  302  further comprise a rake angle labeled “A” and a clearance angle labeled “B”. The plane of rotation defines a horizontal reference plane and the axis of rotation is orthogonal to said plane of rotation. Said rake angle A is that angle extending between the rake surface  316  and the vertical axis of rotation. The clearance angle B is the angle extending between the reference plane and the underside  317  of the blade. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 11 , the first cutting blade  301  further comprises one or more grooves  320 ,  321 ,  322  to aid in cutting efficiency and power management. The grooves  320 ,  321 ,  322  are positioned along the leading edge  314  and extend into the body of the cutting blade  301 . The second cutting blade  302  also comprises one or more grooves  323 ,  324 , again to aid in cutting efficiency and power management. The grooves  323 ,  324  are positioned along the leading edge  314  and extend into the body of the blade  302 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, with respect to the first cutting blade  301 , the dimension D 1  of a first groove  320  is greater than the dimension D 2  of a second groove  321 . Likewise, the dimension D 2  of the second groove  321  is greater than the dimension D 3  of the third groove  322 . Similarly, with respect to the second cutting blade  302 , the dimension D 4  of the fourth groove  323  is greater than the dimension D 5  of the fifth groove  324 . Referring to  FIG. 18 , the said grooves  320 ,  321 ,  322 ,  323 ,  324  are positioned along the leading edges  314  of the cutting blades  301 ,  302  so as to create alternate cutting profile rings. The largest groove on the first cutting blade  301 , the first groove  320 , is positioned closest to the proximal end  312  while the smallest groove on the first cutting blade  301 , the third groove  322 , is positioned closest to the opposing end of the first cutting blade  301 . Similarly, the largest groove on the second cutting blade  302 , the fourth groove  323 , is positioned closer to the proximal end  312  while the smallest groove on the second cutting blade  302 , the fifth groove  324 , is positioned closer to the opposing end of the second cutting blade  302 . This arrangement of alternating grooves on opposing cutting blades  301 ,  302  creates a favorable cutting profile. 
     In a further aspect of the blade assembly  300 , the central support hub  305  comprises at least one V-shaped groove  325  on the underside of the central support hub  305  as can be seen in  FIG. 19 . One edge of the V-shaped groove  325  extends along a portion of the side of the first cutting blade  301 . In an alternate embodiment (not shown), a second V-shaped groove  325  could be provided along a portion of the side of the second cutting blade  302 . The V-shaped groove  325  aids in directing the material to be processed away from the central support hub  305  and into the path of the cutting blades  301 ,  302  and the mixing blades  303 ,  304 . 
     The device  10  further includes a bowl assembly  350  that joins with a lid assembly  400 . The bowl assembly  350  comprises a beaker  351  and an outer bowl  352 . The beaker  351  fits inside the outer bowl  352 . The beaker  351  holds the food materials to be processed by the device  10  during use. 
       FIG. 20  is an isometric view of the exterior of the beaker  351  and one or more alternating beaker alignment features  353 ,  354  on the bottom of the beaker  351 . In an exemplary embodiment, a first type of beaker alignment features  353  have a peripheral wall  355  that meets the bottom surface of the beaker  351  at an angle. A second type of alignment features  354  have a peripheral wall  356  that creates a vertical face  357 . Once the beaker  351  is joined with the outer bowl  352 , the vertical face  357  prevents rotation of the beaker  351  inside the outer bowl  352  when the moving blade assembly  300  is operating during use of the device. 
     The beaker alignment features  353 ,  354  also aid in the fixing of frozen ingredients within said beaker  351 . The beaker alignment features  353 ,  354  prevent such ingredients from rotational movement within the beaker  351  in the direction of the moving blade assembly  300  during use. It will be appreciated that in one embodiment, the beaker  351  can be manufactured from a disposable material to enhance the convenience of using the device  10 . Further, the beaker  351  can be sold as a stand alone item, and further can be prefilled with ingredients to be processed during use of the device  10 . 
       FIG. 21  is an isometric view of the outer bowl  352  comprising a handle  358 . As noted above, the beaker  351  fits within the outer bowl  352 . As can be seen in  FIG. 22 , the bottom of outer bowl  352  comprises one or more alignment features  361  that engage with the alignment features  353 ,  354  on the bottom of beaker  351 . The vertical faces  357  of the beaker alignment features abut the outer bowl alignment features  361  to prevent the relative rotational movement of the beaker  351  within the outer bowl  352  during use of the device  10 . 
     The outer bowl  352  further comprises lid locking features to attach the lid assembly  400  to the outer bowl by rotation.  FIG. 21  shows an outwardly projecting lip  359  along a portion of the circumference of the outer bowl  352 . The lip  359  is interrupted along the circumference of the outer bowl  352 . One or more protrusions  360  extend in a downward biased position from the lip  359  at the point where the lip is interrupted. Lid assembly connectors  373  travel along the lip  359  during rotation of the lid assembly  400  onto the outer bowl  352 . The protrusion  360  acts as a ramp for said connectors  373 . When the end of the protrusion  360  is reached, the lid assembly connectors  373  occupy the aforementioned spaces existing along the lip  359 . 
       FIG. 23  is an isometric view of the top of the lifting platform  362 .  FIG. 24  is an isometric view of the interior of the lifting platform  362 . The outer bowl  352  comprises locating and locking elements for positioning and connecting the outer bowl  352  to the top of the lifting platform  362 . As can be seen in  FIG. 22  and  FIG. 23 , the underside of the outer bowl  352  comprises one or more indentations  363  sized to receive corresponding projections  364  on the top of said lifting platform  362 . At least one such projection on the top of said lifting platform  362  comprises a cutaway  365  ( FIG. 23 ) to receive a corresponding ledge  366  ( FIG. 22 ) on the outer bowl  352  when the outer bowl  352  is rotated on the lifting platform  362 , locking the outer bowl  352  and the lifting platform  362  together. 
     Referring to  FIG. 24  and  FIG. 25 , the interior of lifting platform  362  further comprises one or more pins  367 . The pins  367  follow a cam path  368  located on the interior wall of a cam path tubular insert  369  positioned inside the lifting platform  362 .  FIG. 26  is a cutaway view showing the cam path tubular insert  369  positioned within the lifting platform  362  with the bowl assembly  350  in the down position. When the bowl assembly  350  is locked to the lifting platform  362  and rotated via the handle  358 , the pins  367  travel along the cam path  368 , vertically raising the bowl assembly  350 , lid assembly  400 , and lifting platform  362 , enabling the blade assembly  300  to engage with the power coupling  252 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 27 , a view of the underside of the lid assembly  400  with a blade assembly  300  releasably retained therein is shown. The lid assembly  400  includes a lid  404 , a clip release lever  406 , and a primary set of clips  408 . The central support hub  305  of the blade assembly  300  is inserted into a central aperture  412  of the lid assembly  400 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 28 , an isolated overhead view of the blade assembly  300  and the primary set of clips  408  is shown. The primary set of clips  408  are spring biased toward the central support hub  305  by at least one spring  414 . The spring(s)  414  are shown unattached and in the compressed state in  FIG. 28 . In normal use, however, the spring(s)  414  are extended and attached to opposing primary clips  408  such that the spring(s)  414  tend to pull the opposing primary clips  408  toward each other. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 29 and 30 , the primary set of clips  408  are shown engaged with the central support hub  305 . The central support hub  305  includes an external angled ledge  310  and an external undercut  311 . Each primary clip in the set  408  includes a primary engagement structure  418  that includes a primary upper retention surface  420  and a primary lower surface  422 . Although two primary clips  408  are shown in the embodiment, more or fewer than two clips can be utilized. 
     During the connection process, when the central support hub  305  of the blade assembly  300  is positioned in lid assembly  400 , the primary lower surfaces  422  engage with the external angled ledge  310  of the central support hub  305 . The primary lower surfaces  422  contact the external angled ledge  310  of the central support hub  305  and, when the blade assembly is pressed into the lid assembly  400 , the primary lower surfaces  422  engage the external angled ledge  310  and tend to urge the primary set of clips  408  to move outwards against the force of the spring(s)  414 . The outward movement of the primary set of clips  408  allows the primary engagement structures  418  to pass by the outside of the central support hub  305 . When a blade assembly  300  is not located in the lid assembly  400 , the primary set of clips  408  are urged by the spring(s)  414  to a rest position that is further inward than shown in, e.g.,  FIG. 30 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 , after the primary engagement structures  418  travel past the outside of the central support hub  305 , the primary engagement structures  418  then enter the external central support hub undercut  311 . The spring(s)  414  urge the primary set of clips  408  toward, and remain in, an engaged position. The external central support hub undercut  311  has a generally flat surface that extends radially outward at an approximately 90-degree angle relative to the central axis of the blade assembly  300 . Similarly, the primary upper retention surface  420  is preferably angled such that it engages with the external central support hub undercut  311  in a manner that retains the blade assembly  300  in the lid assembly  400  even in the event that significant disengagement forces are applied to the blade assembly  300 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 31A-C , the lid assembly  400  also includes a clip release lever  406 . The clip release lever  406  is retained on the remainder of the lid assembly  400  in a manner such that it can move rotationally relative to the remainder of the lid assembly  404  within a pre-determined range of motion. The embodiment shown permits rotation from a home position (0-degrees of rotation) to a fully-rotated position. In the embodiment shown, the clip release lever  406  includes a lever arm  430  and primary lever engagement surfaces  432 . Therefore, motion of the clip release lever  406  directly imparts motion on the primary set of the clips  408 , and vice versa, as shown sequentially in  FIGS. 31A, 31B and 31C . 
     The primary lever engagement surfaces  432  engage with the pins  436  of the primary set of clips  408  during at least some portion of the rotation of the clip release lever  406 . The primary lever engagement surface  432  acts to move the primary set of clips  408  from the home position where the primary set of clips  408  are fully spring biased toward each other and are in the rest position ( FIG. 31A ) to a fully-rotated position where the primary set of clips  408  are retracted away from each other ( FIG. 31C ). As shown, the primary lever engagement surfaces  432  are located on an inner surface of opposing angled slots on the clip release lever  406  and engage with pins  436  on each of the primary clips  408  during at least a portion of the rotational travel of the clip release lever  406 . In the present embodiment, the primary set of clips  408  are spring biased toward the central hub support  305  when a blade assembly  300  is positioned in lid assembly  400 . In the present embodiment, the clip release lever  406  is in the mid-way position (see  FIG. 31B ), which is approximately half-way between the home position ( FIG. 31A ) and the fully-rotated position ( FIG. 31C ), when a blade assembly  300  is positioned in the lid assembly  400 . Once the clip release lever  406  has been rotated past the position shown in  FIG. 31B , the primary set of clips  408  begin to retract from the central support hub  305  until the primary set of clips  408  are fully retracted and cease retaining the blade assembly  300  in the lid assembly  400 . When the clip release lever  406  is in the fully-rotated position ( FIG. 31C ), the primary set of clips  408  are retracted outward to a position outside of the central support hub  305 , allowing the blade assembly  300  to be disengaged from the lid assembly  400 , if desired. Likewise, in the position shown in  FIG. 31C , the blade assembly  300  can also be installed into the lid assembly  400 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 32, 33A, and 33B , the upper housing  140  includes a clip lever contact ledge  440 . During the installation of the bowl assembly  350  and the lid assembly  400  onto the lower housing  100 , the bowl and lid assemblies  350 ,  400  are placed on the lifting platform  360  and rotated relative to the lower base  100 . As the installation of the bowl assembly  350  and the lid assembly  400  takes place, the lid assembly  400  rises upwards as it rotates relative to the lower base  100 . In the event that the blade assembly  300  is properly installed in the lid assembly  400 , the clip release lever  406  will rise to a height necessary to contact the clip lever contact ledge  440  during its rotation (see  FIG. 33B ). Conversely, in the event the blade assembly  300  is not installed in the lid assembly  400 , the clip release lever  406  will not rise to the height necessary to contact the clip lever contact ledge  440  ( FIG. 33A ) and the clip release lever will rotate past the ledge  440 . In instances where the clip release lever  406  contacts the clip lever contact ledge  440 , the rotation of the clip release lever  406  relative to the lower base  100  will halt, and the clip release lever  406  will commence rotation relative to the remainder of the lid assembly  400 . In instances where the clip release lever  406  does not contact the clip lever contact ledge  440 , the rotation of the clip release lever  406  relative to the lower base  100  will continue, and the clip release lever  406  will continue to rotate with the remainder of the lid assembly  400  relative to the lower base  100 . Therefore, the clip release lever  406  will be in a different position when the bowl assembly  650  and lid assembly  400  are fully installed depending on whether a blade assembly  300  is installed or not. In some embodiments, the final position of the clip release lever  406  when the bowl assembly  350  and lid assembly  400  are installed can be detected by the device to determine whether to operate as intended, or to indicate to the user that the blade assembly  300  is not properly installed. 
     In order for the power shaft  250  to properly connect to the blade assembly  300  during installation, the blade assembly  300  must be seated properly in the lid assembly  400  both prior to and immediately after completion of the connection to the power shaft  250 . In order to detect proper location of the blade assembly  300 , the device  10  can further include a blade assembly detection mechanism  450  that detects the positioning of the blade assembly  300 . For example, the system can utilize optical, mechanical and/or electrical means. 
     In operation, a user places ingredient(s) inside the beaker  351  and then into a freezer until the ingredients are brought to the appropriate temperature; typically, the temperature is sub-freezing. The beaker  351  holding the frozen ingredients is then placed into the outer bowl  352 . The blade assembly  300  is inserted into the lid assembly  400  such that the external central hub undercut engages the spring-biased primary sets of clips  408 . The installation of the blade assembly  300  into the lid assembly  400  causes the clip release lever to rotate from the home position ( FIG. 31A ) to the mid-way rotated position ( FIG. 32B ). The lid assembly  400  (with installed blade assembly  300 ) is then placed onto the beaker  351  and outer bowl  352  and, together, placed onto the lifting platform  360 . 
     The user then rotates the bowl and the lid assemblies  350 ,  400  relative to the lower base  100  such that the lifting platform  362  rises upwards, moving the blade and lid assemblies  350 ,  400  toward the power shaft  250  and power shaft coupling  254  until the connection is completed. During the rotation, the clip release lever  406  rises to a height necessary to contact the clip lever contact ledge  440  ( FIG. 35B ) which halts the rotation of the clip release lever  406  relative to the lower base  100  and causes rotation of the clip release lever  406  relative to the remainder of the lid assembly  400 . Preferably, the lid assembly  400  and blade assembly  300  are raised to a height necessary for the power shaft  250 /power shaft coupling  254  connection to be at least partially complete prior to the clip release lever contacting the ledge. More preferably, the power shaft  250 /power shaft coupling  254  connection is fully complete prior to the clip release lever contacting the ledge. Once the power shaft  250 /power shaft coupling  254  connection is complete, the magnet  258  on the power shaft  250  attaches to the blade assembly  300 , retaining the blade assembly  300  in place. As the installation continues, the rotation of the clip release lever  406  relative to the remainder of the lid assembly  400  causes the primary set of clips  408  to disengage from the central support hub  305  of the blade assembly  300  while the bowl assembly  350  and remainder of the lid assembly  400  continue rotating until the installation is completed. 
     In instances where the blade assembly  300  is not installed in the lid assembly  400  prior to installation of the bowl assembly  350  and lid assembly  400  into the device, the clip release lever  406  will be located in the home position at the commencement of the installation process. As the bowl assembly  350  and lid assembly  400  rotate on the lifting platform  360 , the clip release arm  430  will, as shown in  FIGS. 34A-C , pass under the ledge  440  prior to rising to the height necessary to contact the ledge  440 . The clip release lever  406  will continue to rotate with the lid assembly  400  throughout installation, indicating to the device  10  and/or user that the blade assembly  300  is not installed, and the device  10  will not operate as expected. 
     In instances where the blade assembly  300  is properly installed in the bowl assembly  350  and lid assembly  400 , the user may optionally select to operate the device  10  using a pre-determined program to produce a desired product using the user interface. Alternatively, a manual operation, where the user dictates the speed of the rotation of the blade, the rate of descent of the blade, and/or the depth the blade enters into the ingredient(s) (among other controllable parameters), can be carried out. The drive motor operates to turn the power shaft  250  and, accordingly, the blade assembly  300 . As the blade assembly  300  turns, the cutting blades  301 ,  302  and mixing blades  303 ,  304  also begin to spin. 
     The position motor  260  operates to move drive motor assembly  240  and the blade assembly  300  upward and downward, based on the direction of operation. The now-spinning blade assembly  300  can then be plunged to a desired depth into the frozen ingredients at a desired spin rate and descent rate. As the blade assembly  300  spins in the frozen ingredients, the cutting blades  301 ,  302  operate to repeatedly cut through a thin layer of the frozen ingredients and the mixing blades  303 ,  304  operate to mix and smooth the loosened frozen ingredients. 
     After the blade assembly  300  has reached the desired lowest position in the frozen ingredients, the blade assembly  300  is then moved back upwards toward the lid assembly  400  by reversing the direction of the position motor  260 . The blade assembly  300  can, optionally, be repeatedly plunged into the frozen ingredient(s) additional times. After the final plunge into the frozen ingredients, the position motor  260  is operated until the blade assembly  300  is returned to the lid assembly  400 . 
     The user then rotates the bowl and lid assemblies  350 ,  400  relative to the lower base  100  in the opposite direction that was utilized during installation. The rotation of the bowl and lid assemblies  350 ,  400  permits rotation of the clip release lever  406  from the fully-rotated position to the midway rotated position and the primary set of clips  408  re-engage with the central support hub  305  of the blade assembly  300 . The rotation of the bowl assembly and lid assemblies  350 ,  400  also causes the lifting platform  360  to move downwards toward the lower base  100 . As the bowl and lid assemblies  350 ,  400  move downwards, the blade assembly  300  separates from the power coupling  252 . The bowl and lid assemblies  350 ,  400  are then removed from the remainder of the device  10 , and the lid assembly  400  (with the blade assembly  300  still installed therein) is removed from the bowl assembly  350 . The now-processed ingredients can now be enjoyed. 
     The user can optionally rotate the clip release lever  406  to the fully rotated position, releasing the primary set of clips  408  from engagement with the central support hub  305 . With both the primary sets of clips  408  released, the user can easily remove the blade assembly  300  from the lid assembly  400  for cleaning and/or storage. 
     As shown throughout the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts. While illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the disclosure and are not to be considered as limiting. Additions, deletions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description.