U.S. patent application number 13/303297 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-23 for ice shaver safety blade cartridge for beverage blender.
This patent application is currently assigned to ISLAND OASIS FROZEN COCKTAIL CO., INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is John Michael Herbert, Bryan R. Hotaling, John A. MacNeill. Invention is credited to John Michael Herbert, Bryan R. Hotaling, John A. MacNeill.
Application Number | 20130126650 13/303297 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48425863 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130126650 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hotaling; Bryan R. ; et
al. |
May 23, 2013 |
ICE SHAVER SAFETY BLADE CARTRIDGE FOR BEVERAGE BLENDER
Abstract
An ice shaver assembly includes an ice hopper and a blade
cartridge having a blade and a body in which the blade is
permanently affixed. The body has an upper surface above which the
blade protrudes so as to shave ice passing along the upper surface.
The body further has fastener-less mounting features configured to
mount the blade cartridge on the ice hopper within an opening of
the ice hopper.
Inventors: |
Hotaling; Bryan R.;
(Harvard, MA) ; Herbert; John Michael;
(Winchester, MA) ; MacNeill; John A.; (Acton,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hotaling; Bryan R.
Herbert; John Michael
MacNeill; John A. |
Harvard
Winchester
Acton |
MA
MA
MA |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ISLAND OASIS FROZEN COCKTAIL CO.,
INC.
Walpole
MA
|
Family ID: |
48425863 |
Appl. No.: |
13/303297 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
241/275 ;
241/286 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 43/0722 20130101;
A47J 43/0716 20130101; A47J 47/01 20130101; A47J 43/0761 20130101;
A23L 2/00 20130101; B26D 2003/286 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
241/275 ;
241/286 |
International
Class: |
F25C 5/12 20060101
F25C005/12; F25C 5/04 20060101 F25C005/04 |
Claims
1. An ice shaver assembly comprising: an ice hopper; and a blade
cartridge including a blade, and a body in which the blade is
permanently affixed, the body having an upper surface above which
the blade protrudes so as to shave ice passing along the upper
surface, the body further having fastener-less mounting features
configured to mount the blade cartridge on the ice hopper within an
opening of the ice hopper.
2. The ice shaver assembly of claim 1, wherein the blade cartridge
further includes a sliding rail mount.
3. The ice shaver assembly of claim 2, wherein the sliding rail
mount includes a rail defining an alternating sequence of rail
portions and gaps defined between rail sections, constructed and
arranged to mate with a rail of the ice hopper having a
complementary sequence of rail sections and gaps.
4. The ice shaver assembly of claim 2, wherein the sliding rail
mount further includes an outrigger rail defined at an end of a
spring arm arranged to provide pressure in a direction
approximately perpendicular to a sliding direction of the sliding
rail mount.
5. The ice shaver assembly of claim 1, wherein the blade cartridge
further includes a blade guard over the blade, the blade guard
being configured to protect an operator while handling the blade
cartridge.
6. The ice shaver assembly of claim 5, wherein the blade guard
includes a hook that covers a sharpened edge of the blade, and a
barbed spring latch arranged to prevent the cover unhooking from
the sharpened edge of the blade.
7. The ice shaver assembly of claim 6, wherein the blade guard
further includes a feature preventing closure of a cover of the ice
shaver assembly when the blade guard is attached to the blade
cartridge.
8. The ice shaver assembly of claim 6, wherein the blade guard
further includes a feature preventing operation of the ice shaver
when the blade guard is attached to the blade cartridge.
9. An ice shaver safety blade cartridge comprising: a blade; and a
body in which the blade is permanently affixed, the body having an
upper surface above which the blade protrudes so as to shave ice
passing along the upper surface, the body further having
fastener-less mounting features configured to mount the blade
cartridge on the ice hopper within an opening of the ice
hopper.
10. The blade cartridge of claim 9, further comprising a sliding
rail mount.
11. The blade cartridge of claim 10, wherein the sliding rail mount
includes a rail defining an alternating sequence of rail portions
and gaps defined between rail sections, constructed and arranged to
mate with a rail of the ice hopper having a complementary sequence
of rail sections and gaps.
12. The blade cartridge of claim 10, wherein the sliding rail mount
includes an outrigger rail defined at an end of a spring arm
arranged to provide pressure in a direction approximately
perpendicular to a sliding direction of the sliding rail mount.
13. The blade cartridge of claim 9, further comprising a blade
guard over the blade, the blade guard being configured to protect
an operator while handling the blade cartridge.
14. The blade cartridge of claim 13, wherein the blade guard
includes a hook that covers a sharpened edge of the blade, and a
barbed spring latch arranged to prevent the blade guard from
unhooking from the sharpened edge of the blade.
15. The blade cartridge of claim 14, wherein the blade guard
further includes a feature preventing closure of a cover for the
ice hopper when the blade guard is attached to the blade
cartridge.
16. The blade cartridge of claim 13, wherein the blade guard
further includes a feature preventing operation of an ice shaver
when the blade guard is attached to the blade cartridge.
17. An ice shaver assembly comprising: an ice hopper; and a blade
cartridge including a blade, and a body in which the blade is
permanently affixed, the body having an upper surface above which
the blade protrudes so as to shave ice passing along the upper
surface, the body further having means for mounting the blade
cartridge on the ice hopper within an opening of the ice hopper
without a fastener.
18. The ice shaver assembly of claim 17, wherein the means for
mounting the blade cartridge on the ice hopper within the opening
further includes a sliding rail mount.
19. The ice shaver assembly of claim 18, wherein the sliding rail
mount includes a rail defining an alternating sequence of rail
portions and gaps defined between rail sections, constructed and
arranged to mate with a rail of the ice hopper having a
complementary sequence of rail sections and gaps.
20. The ice shaver assembly of claim 18, wherein the sliding rail
mount further includes an outrigger rail defined at an end of a
spring arm arranged to provide pressure in a direction
approximately perpendicular to a sliding direction of the sliding
rail mount.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Disclosure
[0002] The present disclosure relates to ice shaver blades used in
beverage preparation equipment, such as smoothie blenders. Aspects
of embodiments relate to assemblies which facilitate the
maintenance of ice shavers in such blenders, during which worn
blades are exchanged for fresh blades.
[0003] 2. Discussion of Related Art
[0004] An example of a conventional ice shaver from a smoothie
blending machine is shown in FIG. 1. An example of a conventional
ice shaver, generally indicated at 100, is shown in relevant part
in FIG. 1. Cubed or crushed ice is received into a hopper or
receptacle having an inverted cone shape 101. A rotating stirrer
(not shown, interior of hopper) moves the ice past an opening 102
through the wall of the cone in which is mounted a cartridge 103
holding a sharp blade 104. The blade shaves the ice into numerous
chips, which when small enough fall past the blade (direction A)
into a chute which directs them into a blender cup for further
processing.
[0005] As further shown in FIG. 1, the opening through the wall of
the cone-shaped receptacle receives the cartridge 103 holding the
ice shaving blade 104. The cartridge is fixed into the opening
using thumb screws, wing screws, screws requiring a tool to apply
and remove, or the like, together indicated at 105. This removable
design is used because the ice shaver blade 104 wears and becomes
dull with use. It therefore needs replacement at intervals,
dependent on use.
[0006] Access to the blade cartridge 103 for replacement is
obtained by disassembling and removing the ice receptacle and
shaver apparatus from the beverage blender machine because it was
previously found desirable to keep the fasteners 105 for the blade
cartridge on the outside (below the receptacle chamber), rather
than inside where they would contact the ice, which is a food
product that must meet cleanliness standards, and which is in
periodic motion that could create mechanical problems for the
fasteners, such as wear and particle infiltration. First, a cover
106 is removed by removing several cover fasteners each indicated
at 107. The hopper 101 is then unbolted from the machine in which
it resides, so access can be obtained to the blade cartridge
fasteners 105. This results in an assembly requiring substantial
disassembly for maintenance, and exposing the maintenance worker to
a sharp, exposed edge on the blade cartridge 103.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] One aspect of the disclosure is directed to an ice shaver
assembly comprising an ice hopper and a blade cartridge including a
blade and a body in which the blade is permanently affixed. In one
embodiment, the body has an upper surface above which the blade
protrudes so as to shave ice passing along the upper surface. In
another embodiment, the body further has fastener-less mounting
features configured to mount the blade cartridge on the ice hopper
within an opening of the ice hopper.
[0008] Embodiments of the ice shaver assembly are further directed
to the blade cartridge including a sliding rail mount. The sliding
rail mount includes a rail defining an alternating sequence of rail
portions and gaps defined between rail sections, constructed and
arranged to mate with a rail of the ice hopper having a
complementary sequence of rail sections and gaps. The sliding rail
mount further includes an outrigger rail defined at an end of a
spring arm arranged to provide pressure in a direction
approximately perpendicular to a sliding direction of the sliding
rail mount. The blade cartridge further includes a blade guard over
the blade. The blade guard is configured to protect an operator
while handling the blade cartridge. The blade guard includes a hook
that covers a sharpened edge of the blade, and a barbed spring
latch arranged to prevent the cover unhooking from the sharpened
edge of the blade. The blade guard further includes a feature
preventing closure of a cover of the ice shaver assembly when the
blade guard is attached to the blade cartridge. The blade guard
further includes a feature preventing operation of the ice shaver
when the blade guard is attached to the blade cartridge.
[0009] Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to an ice
shaver safety blade cartridge comprising a blade and a body in
which the blade is permanently affixed, the body having an upper
surface above which the blade protrudes so as to shave ice passing
along the upper surface, the body further having fastener-less
mounting features configured to mount the blade cartridge on the
ice hopper within an opening of the ice hopper.
[0010] Embodiments of the blade cartridge are further directed to a
sliding rail mount. The sliding rail mount includes a rail defining
an alternating sequence of rail portions and gaps defined between
rail sections, constructed and arranged to mate with a rail of the
ice hopper having a complementary sequence of rail sections and
gaps. The sliding rail mount includes an outrigger rail defined at
an end of a spring arm arranged to provide pressure in a direction
approximately perpendicular to a sliding direction of the sliding
rail mount. The blade cartridge further comprises a blade guard
over the blade, the blade guard being configured to protect an
operator while handling the blade cartridge. The blade guard
includes a hook that covers a sharpened edge of the blade, and a
barbed spring latch arranged to prevent the blade guard from
unhooking from the sharpened edge of the blade. The blade guard
further includes a feature preventing closure of a cover for the
ice hopper when the blade guard is attached to the blade cartridge.
The blade guard further includes a feature preventing operation of
an ice shaver when the blade guard is attached to the blade
cartridge.
[0011] Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to an ice
shaver assembly comprising an ice hopper and a blade cartridge
including a blade and a body in which the blade is permanently
affixed. In one embodiment, the body has an upper surface above
which the blade protrudes so as to shave ice passing along the
upper surface. In another embodiment, the body further has means
for mounting the blade cartridge on the ice hopper within an
opening of the ice hopper without a fastener. In a certain
embodiment, the means for mounting the blade cartridge on the ice
hopper within the opening further includes a sliding rail
mount.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to
scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical
component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by
a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be
labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an ice shaver
hopper with blade and blade cartridge, showing the assembly
thereof;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an ice shaver assembly
of an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0015] FIGS. 3 and 4 are top perspective views of the ice shaver
assembly of FIG. 2 showing the removal of a cover from a hopper of
the ice shaver assembly;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the ice shaver
assembly showing a blade cartridge secured to the hopper of the ice
shaver assembly;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the ice
shaver assembly similar to FIG. 5 showing the cover removed from
the hopper;
[0018] FIGS. 7 and 8 are exploded bottom perspective views of the
ice shaver assembly showing the removal of the blade cartridge from
the hopper;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view the blade cartridge;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the blade
cartridge;
[0021] FIGS. 11 and 13 are perspective views of a blade guard of
the blade cartridge; and
[0022] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the blade
guard removed from the blade cartridge.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] According to aspects of an embodiment of the disclosure, an
ice shaver safety blade cartridge mounts to an ice hopper wall
using a fastener-less, mount that is easily dismounted when
desired. The ice shaver safety blade cartridge can optionally
include a removable or fixed blade guard that protects from cuts a
person changing the blade or performing other maintenance
operations. Further, when the guard is in a position to protect the
person, a feature prevents the ice hopper from being fully closed
and operational, further enhancing the safety of operators and
maintainers of the equipment.
[0024] An exemplary embodiment of an ice shaver assembly having a
safety blade cartridge in accordance with the teachings provided
herein is now described. First, the major components of the ice
shaver assembly are described without the blade cartridge; next the
blade cartridge, itself, is described without the blade guard; next
the blade cartridge is described with the blade guard; and, finally
the mounting of the blade cartridge to and dismounting of the blade
cartridge from the hopper is described.
[0025] Hopper and Cover
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates an ice shaver assembly generally
indicated at 200. As shown, the ice shaver assembly 200 includes a
hopper 202 having an inverted cone shape and a cover 204 that is
configured to be secured to the hopper. As with ice shaver 100,
cubed or crushed ice is received into the hopper 202 of the ice
shaver assembly 200 and a rotating stirrer (not shown) moves the
ice past an opening 206 that enables the ice to enter the ice
shaver assembly. In FIG. 2, the cover 204 is illustrated as being
secured to the hopper 202.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates the ice shaver assembly 200 in which the
cover 204 is in the process of being removed from the hopper 202.
Specifically, the cover 204 is secured to the hopper 202 by placing
the cover over the hopper and rotating the cover counterclockwise
so that interlocking features 208 of the cover are received within
or otherwise engaged by corresponding interlocking features 210 of
the hopper. The cover 204 includes a tab 212, which engages
portions of the hopper 202 to secure the cover to the hopper after
rotating the cover counterclockwise. To remove the cover 204, the
tab 212 is moved inboard toward the center of the cover and the
cover is rotated clockwise to disengage the interlocking features
of the cover and the hopper 202. The tab 212 is constructed of
suitable material, such as plastic, so that the cover 204 can flex
an appropriate amount or distance to disengage from the hopper
202.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates the cover 204 being lifted away from the
hopper 202 so as to expose the interior regions of the hopper.
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates a blade cartridge assembly, generally
indicated at 214, of the ice shaver 214 that is secured to the
hopper 202 so that the blade cartridge projects outwardly from the
underside of the hopper. The blade cartridge 214 is positioned so
that it is received within the opening 206 formed in the hopper
202. As shown, the blade cartridge 214 includes a safety blade
guard 216 that prevents the cover 204 from being secured to the
hopper 202 when the safety blade guard is provided.
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates the hopper 202 having the blade cartridge
214 with the cover 204 being spaced from the hopper.
[0031] Blade Cartridge
[0032] FIGS. 7-9 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the blade
cartridge having a body 218 that permanently secures a blade 220 at
an angle with respect to the body. A sharp edge of the blade 220
extends through an opening 222 formed in an upper surface 224 of
the body 218. The body 218 of the blade cartridge 214 further
includes a sliding mount to attach the body of the blade cartridge
to a wall 226 of the hopper 202 to enable fastener-less mounting of
the body of the blade cartridge to the hopper. The sequence of
operation for dismounting the body 218 of the blade cartridge 214
will be explained as follows. The sliding mount of the blade
cartridge 214 includes a pair of rails 228, one on each side of the
blade cartridge, that engage corresponding rails 230 formed on the
hopper 202, one on each side of the opening 206 into which the
blade cartridge is mounted. In order to reduce the distance over
which the blade cartridge 214 must be slid in order to engage the
rails 228 of the blade cartridge with the rails 230 of the hopper
202, each rail includes plural rail portions that are separated
from each other by gaps. The rail portions match in approximate
length and pass through corresponding gaps in the rails 230 of the
hopper 202 to which the blade cartridge 214 is mounted. Likewise,
each rail 230 of the hopper 202 includes plural rail portions that
are separated from each other by gaps. The arrangement is such that
the rail portions of each rail 230 of the hopper 202 match in
approximate length and pass through the gaps in the rails 228 of
the blade cartridge 214, which correspond.
[0033] The blade cartridge 214 is installed by aligning the rail
portions of the rails 228 of the blade cartridge 214 with the gaps
of the rails 230 of the hopper 202. Once aligned, the body 218 of
the blade cartridge 214 is slid into place so that the rails 228 of
the blade cartridge 214 engage the rails 230 of the hopper 202.
[0034] The structures of the rails 228, 230 of the blade cartridge
214 and the hopper 202, respectively, are arranged to recess the
blade cartridge into the wall 226 of the hopper, so as to result in
a flush finish between the inside surface of the hopper wall and
the inside surface of the blade cartridge. For example, as shown,
the rails 228 of the blade cartridge 214 can be positioned along
parallel edges of the blade cartridge, and the rails 230 of the
hopper 202 can be positioned along parallel edges defining the
opening 206 in the hopper wall into which the blade cartridge is
mounted.
[0035] In an alternate embodiment, the blade cartridge can have a
round shape for mounting in a round hole in the ice hopper wall. In
that case, the edge of the blade cartridge and the hole in the ice
hopper wall can have features defining a bayonet mount. The bayonet
mount features should be on the edges of the opening and the blade
cartridge, so as to produce a flush inside surface to the hopper,
as explained in connection with the first embodiment described.
[0036] FIG. 9 illustrates the exemplary blade cartridge 214
incorporating features for maintaining the blade cartridge in a
well-sealed position against the wall 226 of the hopper 202 once
mounted. As shown, two bearing surfaces 232 are formed at the ends
of spring arms 234, so as to pull the rails of the blade cartridge
against the rails of the hopper, when the blade cartridge is in the
mounted position. The provision of the spring arm 234 having the
bearing surface 232 may sometimes be referred to as an outrigger
rail.
[0037] Blade Guard
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 9-14, and more particularly to FIGS. 9
and 10, the blade guard 216 of the blade cartridge 214 is provided
to perform several functions. The primary function of the blade
guard 216 is to protect the maintenance person from accidental
contact with the exposed sharp edge of the blade 220. The blade
guard 216 also provides greater surfaces for gripping the blade
cartridge 214 during maintenance operations. Features of the blade
guard 216 prevent improper installation of the blade guard, and
also prevent assembly and operation of the ice shaver assembly 200
while the blade guard is in place.
[0039] The blade guard 216, illustrated by itself in FIGS. 11 and
13, can be made of any suitable material, such as plastic. The
blade guard 216 is constructed to include a body 236 having a
hooked cover feature 238 that hooks onto the sharp edge of the
blade 220. The hooked cover feature 238 is disposed at the end of a
hard, springy sheet of plastic, molded in a generally "U"-shape.
The body 236 of the blade guard 218 has a shape that fits uniquely
in a recess in the bottom of the blade cartridge 214. The blade
guard 216 further has an extended finger 240 that projects in a
direction so as to block installation of the cover 204 of the ice
shaver assembly 200 while the blade guard is in place, thereby
preventing potentially dangerous operation of the ice shaver
assembly with the blade guard in place.
[0040] FIG. 12 illustrates the removal of the blade guard 216 from
the blade cartridge 214. In order to remove the blade guard 216
from the blade cartridge 214, a tongue 242 and a rear wall 244 of
the blade guard are compressed (moved toward each other), and while
the tongue is compressed, the hook 238 covering the blade 220 is
retracted from the blade. This allows the blade guard 216 to be
removed by moving the blade guard in a downward direction. Another
feature 246 prevents the blade guard 216 from being installed in a
reverse or backwards direction.
[0041] In an alternative embodiment, the blade guard can be
constructed and arranged to be applied from the working side of the
blade cartridge. With this construction, a ridge covers the sharp
edge of the blade. A hooked latch feature disposed at the end of a
hard, springy sheet of plastic, molded in a generally "U"-shape,
catches a ridge interior to the blade cartridge. The body of the
blade guard has a shape including an extended finger that projects
in a direction so as to block backwards installation of the blade
cartridge. The body of the blade guard further extends in a
direction so as to block installation of the cover of the ice
shaver assembly while the blade guard is in place, thereby
preventing potentially dangerous operation of the ice shaver
assembly with the blade guard in place.
[0042] Operation
[0043] To remove and replace a worn blade 220 from the ice shaver
assembly 200, the cover 204 is removed from the hopper 202 by
moving the tab 212 of the cover inboard toward the center of the
cover and rotating the cover in a clockwise direction to disengage
the interlocking features 208, 210 of the cover and the hopper,
respectively. Once the cover 204 is removed, the sliding mount of
the blade cartridge 214 enables the blade cartridge to be slid out
of the rails 230 of the hopper 202 defining the opening 206 and
moved away from the hopper once the rails 228 of the blade
cartridge 214 clear the rails of the hopper. A new blade cartridge
214 having a fresh or new blade 220 is provided with the blade
guard 216 to protect the installer from contact with the sharp edge
of the blade. The new blade cartridge 214 is installed by aligning
the rail portions of the rails 228 of the blade cartridge with the
recesses of the rails 230 of the hopper 202. Once aligned, the body
218 of the blade cartridge 214 is slid into place so that the rails
228 of the blade cartridge engage the rails 230 of the hopper
202.
[0044] Once the blade cartridge 214 is installed on the hopper 202,
the blade guard 216 is removed by compressing the tongue 242 and
the rear wall 244 of the blade guard. While compressing the tongue
242 and the rear wall 244, the hook 238 covering the blade 220 is
retracted from the blade. This movement allows the blade guard 216
to be removed by moving the blade guard in a downward
direction.
[0045] Once the blade cartridge 214 is secured to the hopper 202,
the cover 204 may be secured to the hopper by placing the cover
over the hopper and rotating the cover counterclockwise so that
interlocking features 208 of the cover are received within or
otherwise engaged by the corresponding interlocking features 210 of
the hopper.
[0046] This disclosure is not limited in its application to the
details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth
in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
ice shaver assembly disclosed herein is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as
limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," "having,"
"containing," "involving," and variations thereof herein is meant
to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as
well as additional items.
[0047] Having thus described several aspects of at least one
embodiment of this disclosure, it is to be appreciated various
alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to
those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and
improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are
intended to be within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of
example only.
* * * * *