# US 9,433,315 B2 · Self-cleaning drain for food preparation apparatus

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- Number: US 9,433,315 B2
- Document ID: US9433315B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/232,000
- Filed: 2014-04-01
- Published: 2014-07-31
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2011-02-10
- Assignees: Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Company, Inc.
- Applicants: Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Co., Inc.
- Inventors: Bryan R. Hotaling
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433315B2

## CPC

- A47J 31/4428: {with a drip-tray underneath}
- A23G 9/045: {of slush-ice, e.g. semi-frozen beverage}
- A23G 9/30: Cleaning; Keeping clean; Sterilisation
- A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A23G: COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF

## Abstract

A drain system for a food preparation machine includes a preparation area drain tray; a rinsing station including a water source; a water collection tray disposed below the rinsing station so as to collect water supplied from the water source; and, a passage from the rinsing station to the preparation area drain tray directing water to flush the preparation area drain tray with water supplied from the water source.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A beverage preparation machine comprising:
a beverage processing station including a blender and a drip tray disposed below the blender to collect fluids from the blender during processing, the drip tray being configured to collect fluids and deliver the fluids to a drain;
a rinse station positioned laterally away from the beverage processing station, the rinse station including a water source and a water collection tray and being configured to rinse an inverted blender cup, the water collection tray being positioned at a higher elevation than the drip tray; and
a passage permitting fluid communication from the water collection tray to the drip tray.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The beverage preparation machine of claim 1, wherein the passage comprises a trough.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The beverage preparation machine of claim 2, wherein the water collection tray has a low point located adjacent to the trough.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The beverage preparation machine of claim 3, wherein the trough is inclined from the water collection tray to the drip tray.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The beverage preparation machine of claim 4, wherein the drip tray has a low point at the drain.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The beverage preparation machine of claim 5, wherein the drip tray, the water collection tray, and the trough are formed from a pan.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The beverage preparation machine of claim 6, wherein the pan is formed from a molded, unitary body.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The beverage preparation machine of claim 5, wherein the drain has an outlet.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The beverage preparation machine of claim 5, wherein the drip tray has channels formed therein, the channels being configured to direct water flow from the trough to areas where rinse water is desired before draining.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The beverage preparation machine of claim 9, wherein the channels of the drip tray are formed in a shape of a spiral.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The beverage preparation machine of claim 10, wherein the water collection tray has channels formed therein, the channels being configured to direct water flow to the trough.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The beverage preparation machine of claim 1, wherein the water source includes an outlet positioned above the water collection tray.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The beverage preparation machine of claim 1, wherein the blender includes a blender cup supported above the drip tray.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The beverage preparation machine of claim 1, wherein the passage comprises a tube.