Patent Description:
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 container. 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 also 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, consumers can prepare either an entire batch of ingredients or a pre-desired number of servings. However, in some cases, vibration of the machine or other forces during processing may cause the container to become slightly loosened from the coupling of the machine. <CIT> discloses a micro puree machine having a bowl assembly mounted on a rotatable platform, with complementary locking elements for preventing rotation of the bowl assembly relative to the platform.

The disclosure describes a micro puree machine with a locking assembly for locking the container to a coupling on the machine, preventing the container from rotating out of the coupling during processing. The locking assembly includes at least one protrusion on the container configured to slidably engage a slot on an interior surface of the coupling when the container is rotated in a clockwise direction. The coupling has a clip that is moveable from a second position, in which the clip prevents rotation of the container in the counterclockwise direction, to a first position, in which the clip allows rotation of the container in the counterclockwise direction. The clip is spring biased toward the second position. Pressing a button on the coupling moves the clip from the second to the first position.

The following implementations of the locking assembly and methods of use are disclosed.

Implementations of a locking assembly for locking a container to a coupling of a micro puree machine of this disclosure include a container having at least one protrusion on an outer surface of the container. The at least one protrusion is configured to slidably engage a slot on an interior surface of the coupling when the at least one protrusion is rotated in a first direction. A clip is positioned within the coupling and moveable from a first position to a second position. The clip is configured to allow rotation of the at least one protrusion into the slot when the clip is in the first position and to prevent rotation of the at least one protrusion out of the slot in a second direction when the clip is in the second position. A button is configured to move the clip from the second position to the first position when the button is actuated toward the clip.

In further implementations, the container is locked to the coupling when the clip is in the second position. In implementations, a container axis extending between a top and a bottom of the container is not vertically aligned with a vertical axis of the micro puree machine when the container is locked to the coupling. In implementations, the container axis forms an angle of between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees with respect to the vertical axis of the micro puree machine. In other implementations, the container axis forms an angle of between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees with respect to the vertical axis of the micro puree machine. In implementations, the clip is configured to move along the container axis between the first position and the second position. In implementations, the clip is biased toward the second position. In implementations, the button has a first angled surface configured to engage a second angled surface of the clip to move the clip from the second position to the first position. In implementations, the clip has a projection configured to engage the at least one protrusion to prevent the at least one protrusion from rotating in the second direction. In implementations, the button is assembled to the clip by means of a plurality of flexures on the button configured to engage a plurality of slots in the clip.

Implementations of a method of locking a container to a coupling of a micro puree machine of this disclosure include inserting the container into the coupling. The container has at least one protrusion on an outer surface of the container. The method also includes rotating the container in a first direction relative to the coupling such that the at least one protrusion slidably engages a slot on an interior surface of the coupling. The rotation causes a clip within the coupling to move from a second position to a first position. The method also includes moving the clip from the first position to the second position after the at least one protrusion is fully rotated into the slot. The clip is configured to prevent rotation of the at least one protrusion out of the slot in a second direction when the clip is in the second position.

In further implementations, a container axis extending between a top and a bottom of the container is not vertically aligned with a vertical axis of the micro puree machine when the container is locked to the coupling. In implementations, moving the clip from the second position to the first position comprises moving the clip along the container axis. In implementations, the clip is biased toward the second position. In implementations, the clip has a projection configured to engage the at least one protrusion to prevent the at least one protrusion from rotating in the second direction.

Implementations of a method of removing a container from a coupling of a micro puree machine of this disclosure include actuating a button toward a clip within the coupling. The actuation causes the clip to move from a second position to a first position. The method also includes rotating the container relative to the coupling such that at least one protrusion on an outer surface the container slidably disengages from a slot on an interior surface of the coupling. The method also includes removing the container from the coupling. The clip is configured to move from the first position to the second position after the at least one protrusion is fully rotated out of the slot.

In further implementations, the clip is configured to move along a container axis extending between a top and a bottom of the container when the clip moves from the second position to the first position. In implementations, the clip is biased toward the second position. In implementations, the button has a first angled surface configured to engage a second angled surface of the clip to move the clip from the second position to the first position. In implementations, the button is assembled to the clip by means of a plurality of flexures on the button configured to engage a plurality of slots in the clip.

A reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings will make apparent the advantages of these and other structures. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description serve as an explanation only and do not restrict aspects of the disclosure as claimed.

Reference to the detailed description, combined with the following figures, will make the disclosure more fully understood, wherein:.

In the following description, like components have the same reference numerals, regardless of different illustrated implementations. To illustrate implementations clearly and concisely, the drawings may not necessarily reflect appropriate scale and may have certain structures shown in somewhat schematic form.

<FIG> shows an isometric view of a micro puree machine <NUM> according to an illustrative implementation of the present disclosure. The micro puree machine <NUM> may include a base <NUM> and an upper housing <NUM>. A middle housing <NUM> may extend between the base <NUM> and the upper housing <NUM>. The upper housing <NUM> may include an interface <NUM> for receiving user inputs to control the micro puree machine <NUM> and/or display information. The micro puree machine <NUM> may also include a removable container <NUM> and a lid <NUM>. The container <NUM> may contain one or more pre-frozen ingredients for processing. A user may couple the container <NUM> to a coupling <NUM> on an angled surface <NUM> of the upper housing <NUM> by rotating the container <NUM> relative to the coupling <NUM>, as further described below. When engaged with the coupling <NUM>, the container <NUM> may not be aligned with a vertical axis V of the micro puree machine <NUM>. Instead, a container axis A extending between a top and bottom of the container <NUM> may form an angle of between <NUM> degree and <NUM> degrees with respect to the vertical axis V. Preferably, the container axis A forms an angle of about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees relative to the vertical axis V. In implementations, the container <NUM> may include features <NUM> on the bottom surface of the container <NUM> to aid in the fixing of frozen ingredients within the container <NUM>. The features <NUM> may prevent such frozen ingredients from rotational movement within the container <NUM> during use. In implementations, the container <NUM> can be manufactured from a disposable material to enhance the convenience of using the micro puree machine <NUM>. Further, the container <NUM> can be sold as a stand-alone item and can also be prefilled with ingredients to be processed during use of the micro puree machine <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the micro puree machine <NUM> of <FIG> with the container <NUM> and the lid <NUM> disassembled from the coupling <NUM> according to some implementations. As shown in <FIG>, the coupling <NUM> comprises a button <NUM> for unlocking the container <NUM> from the coupling <NUM> as further described below. An inner surface <NUM> of the coupling <NUM> also comprises locating and locking elements for positioning and connecting the container <NUM> to the coupling <NUM>. Specifically, the inner surface <NUM> of the coupling <NUM> comprises one or more slots <NUM> sized to receive at least one corresponding protrusion <NUM> on an outer surface of the container <NUM>. In some implementations, the at least one protrusion <NUM> may be two protrusions <NUM> spaced on opposing sides of an outer surface of the container <NUM> and configured to engage two corresponding slots <NUM> on the coupling <NUM>. In other implementations, the at least one protrusion <NUM> may be four protrusions <NUM> spaced equally apart about an outer surface of the lid <NUM> and configured to engage four corresponding slots <NUM> on the coupling <NUM>. However, the disclosure contemplates more or fewer than two or four protrusions <NUM> and slots <NUM>. In implementations, the slots <NUM> may be angled and extend in a helical manner relative to an annular lower surface 500a of the coupling <NUM>. Similarly, the protrusions <NUM> may be correspondingly angled relative to an upper annular surface 350a of the container <NUM>. In implementations, insertion of the protrusions <NUM> into the slots <NUM> may form a bayonet-type mount.

<FIG> shows the container <NUM> inserted into the coupling <NUM> (shown in a transparent view for ease of illustration) but before the container <NUM> is secured to the coupling <NUM> according to some implementations. As shown in <FIG> , the user may rotate the container <NUM> relative to the coupling <NUM> in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) such that the protrusions <NUM> rotate into the slots <NUM>, securing the container <NUM> to the coupling <NUM> <FIG>). Because of the angle of the slots <NUM> and the protrusions <NUM>, rotating the container <NUM> relative to the coupling <NUM> may cause the container <NUM> to move both rotationally and axially within the coupling <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross-sectional view of the container <NUM> secured to the coupling <NUM> according to some implementations. As shown in <FIG> , the lid <NUM> may house a blade <NUM> that engages a power shaft <NUM> when the container <NUM> is secured to the coupling <NUM>. When blending frozen ingredients, an ice wall may form between the power shaft <NUM> and the blade <NUM>, requiring a greater force to disengage the blade <NUM> from the power shaft <NUM>. However, as shown in <FIG> , as the user rotates the container <NUM> relative to the coupling <NUM> in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) to disengage the container <NUM> from the coupling <NUM>, the container <NUM> may move both rotationally and axially away from the coupling <NUM>. This rotational and axial movement may advantageously allow the blade <NUM> to disengage from power shaft <NUM> using less force than would be needed if the container <NUM> could only move rotationally relative to the coupling <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate components of a bowl lock assembly <NUM> of this disclosure according to some implementations. As shown in <FIG> , the bowl lock assembly <NUM> comprises the button <NUM> and a moveable clip <NUM>. The button <NUM> may comprise a first portion 602a and a second portion 602b having a first angled surface <NUM>. The button <NUM> may be assembleable to the clip <NUM> through flexures <NUM> configured to engage corresponding slots <NUM> on the clip <NUM>. The first angled surface <NUM> may be configured to engage a second angled surface <NUM> on the clip <NUM> such that actuating the first portion 602a of the button <NUM> (such as by pressing) toward the clip <NUM> causes the clip <NUM> to move along the container axis A. A projection <NUM> on the clip <NUM> may be configured to engage the protrusions <NUM>, as further described below.

As shown in <FIG>, the button <NUM> may extend through an outer wall <NUM> of the coupling <NUM> such that the first portion 602a is engageable by a user while the second portion 602b extends into the interior of the coupling <NUM>. The clip <NUM> may be positioned within the interior of the coupling <NUM> and may be biased by a spring <NUM> or other biasing element toward a locked position, as shown. When the container <NUM> is in the locked position (that is, when the protrusions <NUM> have been fully rotated into the slots <NUM> of the coupling <NUM>), the first angled surface <NUM> of the button <NUM> may only partially engage the second angled surface <NUM> on the clip <NUM>. In this position, the projection <NUM> on the clip <NUM> may prevent the protrusions <NUM> from rotating out of the slots <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, when the user presses the button <NUM>, the first angled surface <NUM> may fully engage the second angled surface <NUM> on the clip <NUM>, moving the clip <NUM> along the container axis A against the force the spring <NUM>. In this position, the projection <NUM> may no longer prevent the protrusions <NUM> from rotating out of the slots <NUM>, allowing the user to rotate the container <NUM> out of the coupling <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate a method of locking and unlocking the container <NUM> from the coupling <NUM> using the locking assembly <NUM>, according to some implementations. As shown in <FIG>, the user may first insert the container <NUM> into the coupling <NUM> such that the protrusions <NUM> align with the slots <NUM> on the coupling <NUM>. In this relative position of the container <NUM> and the coupling <NUM>, the clip <NUM> may be biased by the spring <NUM> in the downward position. As shown in <FIG>, the user may rotate the container <NUM> in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) such that the protrusions <NUM> begin to rotate into the slots <NUM>. As the protrusion <NUM> rotates past the clip <NUM>, the protrusion <NUM> pushes the clip <NUM> upwards against the force of the spring <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, as the user continues to rotate the container <NUM>, the protrusion <NUM> may rotate past the projection <NUM> on the clip <NUM>. Once the protrusion <NUM> is clockwise of the projection <NUM>, the spring <NUM> may cause the projection <NUM> to move downward, preventing the protrusion <NUM> from being rotated counterclockwise out of the slot <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, when the user wishes to remove the container <NUM> from the coupling <NUM>, the user may actuate the button <NUM> to move the clip <NUM> upwards along the container axis A such that it no longer blocks the protrusion <NUM> from rotating counterclockwise. This allows the user to rotate the container <NUM> counterclockwise out of the coupling <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate an alternate bowl lock assembly <NUM> of this disclosure according to some implementations. As shown in <FIG>, the bowl lock assembly <NUM> comprises a button <NUM> and a moveable clip <NUM>. The button <NUM> may comprise a pin <NUM> (<FIG>) configured to engage an angled slot <NUM> on the clip <NUM>. A projection <NUM> on the clip <NUM> may be configured to engage the protrusions <NUM> on the lid <NUM>. In implementations, sliding the button <NUM> along an axis perpendicular to the container axis A from a locked position (<FIG>) to an unlocked position (<FIG>) may cause the clip <NUM> to move along the container axis A. As shown in <FIG> , the button <NUM> may extend through an outer wall <NUM> of the coupling <NUM> such that a first portion 702a is slidable by a user while the pin <NUM> extends into the interior of the coupling <NUM>. The clip <NUM> may be positioned in the interior of the coupling <NUM> and may be biased by a spring <NUM> or other biasing element toward a locked position.

<FIG> illustrate a method of locking and unlocking the container <NUM> from the coupling <NUM> using the locking assembly <NUM>, according to some implementations. As shown in <FIG>, when the container <NUM> is in the locked position (that is, when the protrusions <NUM> have been fully rotated into the slots <NUM> of the coupling <NUM>), the pin <NUM> of the button <NUM> may be positioned in an upper end 708a of the angled slot <NUM>. In this position, the projection <NUM> on the clip <NUM> prevents the protrusions <NUM> from rotating out of the slots <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, when the user slides the button <NUM> along an axis perpendicular to the container axis A, the pin <NUM> also moves to the lower end 708b of the angled slot <NUM>. This movement of the pin <NUM> causes the clip <NUM> to move along the container axis A against the force the spring <NUM>. In this position of the clip <NUM>, the projection <NUM> no longer prevents the protrusions <NUM> from rotating out of the slots <NUM>, allowing the user to rotate the container <NUM> out of the coupling <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A locking assembly for locking a container (<NUM>) to a coupling (<NUM>) of a micro puree machine (<NUM>), the locking assembly comprising:
a container (<NUM>), the container (<NUM>) having at least one protrusion (<NUM>) on an outer surface of the container (<NUM>), the at least one protrusion (<NUM>) configured to slidably engage a slot (<NUM>) on an interior surface of the coupling (<NUM>) when the at least one protrusion (<NUM>) is rotated in a first direction;
a clip (<NUM>) positioned within the coupling (<NUM>) and moveable from a first position to a second position, the clip (<NUM>) configured to allow rotation of the at least one protrusion (<NUM>) into the slot (<NUM>) when the clip (<NUM>) is in the first position and to prevent rotation of the at least one protrusion (<NUM>) out of the slot (<NUM>) in a second direction when the clip (<NUM>) is in the second position; and
a button (<NUM>) configured to move the clip (<NUM>) from the second position to the first position when the button (<NUM>) is actuated toward the clip (<NUM>).