Mixing Vessel Baffles For A Drink Maker

Patent No. US12285028 (titled "Mixing Vessel Baffles For A Drink Maker") was filed by Sharkninja Operating Llc on Aug 27, 2024.

’028 is related to the field of frozen drink makers, specifically addressing the problem of controlling slush flow within the mixing vessel. Existing designs often struggle with slush sticking to the vessel walls and top, leading to inefficient mixing, non-uniform dispensing, and product waste. This is particularly problematic in smaller, household-sized units where the limited headspace exacerbates the issue.

The underlying idea behind ’028 is to strategically incorporate internal baffles within the mixing vessel to redirect the slush flow. These baffles, positioned near the front and top of the vessel, are designed to counteract the tendency of the slush to climb the walls and adhere to the top surface. By carefully shaping and positioning these baffles, the invention aims to ensure thorough mixing and prevent blockage within the vessel.

The claims of ’028 focus on a mixing vessel for a frozen drink maker that includes a vessel chamber with at least one asymmetric wall portion , specifically a side baffle , near the front or top. This side baffle extends laterally along either the left or right side of the vessel chamber and is configured to direct slush flow away from the side wall and back towards the center of the chamber. The claims also cover a frozen drink maker incorporating such a mixing vessel and a dasher.

In practice, the side baffle, and optionally a front baffle and a corner baffle, work together to manage the slush flow. The side baffle, with its curved surface, deflects the upwardly moving slush away from the top of the vessel. The front baffle redirects slush accumulating at the front top of the vessel towards the rear. The corner baffle smoothly connects the side and front baffles, ensuring a continuous and efficient redirection of the slush.

This design differs from prior approaches that rely solely on a tall vessel height to control slush flow. By incorporating internal baffles, ’028 enables a more compact design suitable for household use, while also improving mixing efficiency and reducing waste. The specific shape and placement of the baffles are crucial for achieving optimal slush control and preventing the issues associated with slush buildup on the vessel walls and top.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the mid-2020s when ’028 was filed, at a time when frozen drink makers typically included a transparent tank or mixing vessel in which a drink product is received and processed, including being cooled, often transforming the drink product from a pure liquid (or a combination of a liquid and portions of ice) to a frozen or semi-frozen product. At this time, some frozen drink makers included a mixing system within the mixing vessel having a mixing blade or auger that is rotated by a motor via a drive shaft and drive assembly.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner approved the application because the prior art does not disclose the specific details of the claimed invention, particularly the side baffle configuration that promotes slush flow within the vessel chamber. The examiner stated that there was no motivation to combine existing references to achieve the claimed invention, and any such combination would either destroy one reference or result in impermissible hindsight. Specifically, claims 1, 8, and 14 were deemed inventive due to the side baffle's configuration and its function in directing slush flow.

Claims

This patent contains 23 claims, with independent claims 1, 9, and 16. The independent claims are directed to a mixing vessel for a frozen drink maker, and a frozen drink maker including such a mixing vessel, where the vessel has an asymmetric wall portion or internal wall feature to promote slush flow. The dependent claims generally add further details and features to the mixing vessel and frozen drink maker described in the independent claims.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)	Support for Specification	Interpretation
Asymmetric wall portion (Claim 1, Claim 9)	“The application, in various implementations, addresses deficiencies associated with controlling slush flow within a mixing vessel of a frozen drink maker. This application describes illustrative systems, methods, and devices that use one or more internal baffles positioned within the mixing vessel to direct slush flow for thorough mixing and to prevent blockage within the mixing vessel. The one or more internal baffles control flow of contents within the mixing vessel can also reduce waste (e.g., waste caused by slush sticking to the vessel instead of dispensing through the spout).”	A portion of the vessel chamber wall that is not uniform and is located near the front or top of the vessel chamber. It is designed to encourage the movement of slush within the vessel.
Dasher (Claim 9)	“The mixing vessel may be configured to accommodate a dasher that rotates within the vessel chamber about a center axis and the corner baffle may be positioned such that the dasher is directed toward the corner baffle while moving upwardly within the vessel chamber. In these and other implementations, the corner baffle is positioned on the left side of the vessel chamber and the dasher is arranged to rotate in a clockwise direction.”	A component that rotates within the mixing vessel to move the drink product.
Internal wall feature (Claim 16)	“The application, in various implementations, addresses deficiencies associated with controlling slush flow within a mixing vessel of a frozen drink maker. This application describes illustrative systems, methods, and devices that use one or more internal baffles positioned within the mixing vessel to direct slush flow for thorough mixing and to prevent blockage within the mixing vessel.”	A feature on the inside wall of the vessel chamber, located near the front or top, that promotes slush flow.
Side baffle (Claim 1, Claim 9, Claim 16)	“In some implementations, the mixing vessel also includes a side baffle extending laterally along the vessel chamber from the front to the rear. The side baffle may include a curved surface that protrudes inwardly relative to a cross-section of the vessel chamber when viewed along a center axis of the vessel chamber. In these and other implementations, the side baffle is positioned on the left side or the right side of the vessel chamber.”	A feature that extends along the left or right side of the vessel chamber. It is designed to direct slush flow away from the side of the vessel and back towards the center.
Vessel chamber (Claim 1, Claim 9, Claim 16)	“The mixing vessel includes a curved sidewall defining a substantially cylindrical vessel chamber therein. The vessel chamber includes a front, a rear, a right side, a left side, and a top.”	The space within the mixing vessel where the drink product is placed and processed. It has a front, rear, right side, left side, top, and bottom.

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US12285028

SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC

Application Number: US18816489
Filing Date: Aug 27, 2024
Status: Granted
Expiry Date: Jan 18, 2044
External Links: Slate, USPTO, Google Patents

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