Blender with feature for dispensing product by weight

#1. Field of Invention

#Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for the preparation of blended drinks including ice and one or more flavorings.

#2. Discussion of Related Art

#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:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blender in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a blender in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

#This invention 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 invention 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.

#Some embodiments of the present invention include an apparatus for dispensing one or more flavoring products including, for example, juices, pieces of fruit, milk, cream, or flavored syrups (hereinafter referred to as “flavoring product,” “flavoring,” or “product”) into a blender cup placed on and supported by a platform while the platform is located in a first position. The platform supporting the blender cup is constructed and arranged to move into a second position at which shaved ice (hereinafter referred to as simply “ice”) and/or one or more additional products are dispensed into the blender cup. A blender motor is included in the platform such that the blender may be activated to mix the ingredients in the blender cup when the platform is in the first and/or second position, or in some embodiments, while in a third position. A weight sensor is coupled to the platform and configured to weigh the amount of product and/or the amount of ice dispensed into the blender cup such that a frozen drink with a defined quantity of various ingredients may be prepared by the apparatus.

#Dispensing of flavoring product into a blender cup in a position different from a position where ice is dispensed into the blender cup provides for numerous advantages. For example, if in the position where the ice is dispensed there is no need to include flavoring product dispensers, a larger ice chute may be provided than if the ice chute had to share a position with flavoring product dispensers. Embodiments having larger ice chutes may exhibit a greater rate of ice dispensation, lowering a cycle time for the preparation of a frozen drink, as compared to conventional systems with smaller ice chutes. Further, in embodiments where flavoring product dispensers are located in a different position than an ice dispenser, a greater number and variety of flavoring dispensers may be provided. This allows for such a system to be capable of preparing a greater variety of frozen drinks as compared to a system where the number and/or type of flavoring dispensers are limited due to concerns with blocking the dispensing of ice from an ice dispenser.