Methods and systems for conveniently producing fresh smoothies, which can be tailored to the particular nutritional requirements and desires of the individual customer. The system is typically a semi-automatic or fully automatic system and may be in the form of a vending machine for smoothies. It allows a consumer to select ingredients and other options, and provides a freshly-made smoothie in a short amount of time. The system generally includes a user input apparatus for receiving orders and customer preferences, and then makes a smoothie to order, delivers the smoothie to the customer, and cleans the blending device.

Methods and systems for conveniently producing fresh smoothies, which can be tailored to the particular nutritional requirements and desires of the individual customer. The system is typically a semi-automatic or fully automatic system and may be in the form of a vending machine for smoothies. It allows a consumer to select ingredients and other options, and provides a freshly-made smoothie in a short amount of time. The system generally includes a user input apparatus for receiving orders and customer preferences, and then makes a smoothie to order, delivers the smoothie to the customer, and cleans the blending device.

An ice cream making assembly includes a mixing bowl having an outer housing and an inner liner defining a wall cavity therebetween. The mixing bowl further includes a radiator fin unit received within a portion of the wall cavity and a phase-change medium filling a further portion of the wall cavity surrounding at least a portion of the radiator fin unit. The radiator fin unit defines an outer chamfer extending generally along an outer cross-sectional profile of the wall cavity and a tapered inner profile extending along inner cross-sectional profile of the wall cavity and in at least partial contact with the inner liner. The assembly further includes a dasher including first and second mixing arms extending outwardly from an anchor end of the axle and upwardly and outwardly to generally follow an angled inner profile of the a food-product receiving cavity defined by the liner.

An ice cream making assembly includes a mixing bowl having an outer housing and an inner liner defining a wall cavity therebetween. The mixing bowl further includes a radiator fin unit received within a portion of the wall cavity and a phase-change medium filling a further portion of the wall cavity surrounding at least a portion of the radiator fin unit. The radiator fin unit defines an outer chamfer extending generally along an outer cross-sectional profile of the wall cavity and a tapered inner profile extending along inner cross-sectional profile of the wall cavity and in at least partial contact with the inner liner. The assembly further includes a dasher including first and second mixing arms extending outwardly from an anchor end of the axle and upwardly and outwardly to generally follow an angled inner profile of the a food-product receiving cavity defined by the liner.

Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

A blade assembly for a micro puree machine including a central support hub, a cutting blade, a mixing blade, a central opening, an angled ledge and an undercut. The cutting blade extends outward from a circumferential surface of the central support hub and defines a curved leading edge. The central opening is configured to receive a power shaft therein. The angled ledge is located at an upper end of the central support hub and extends about at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the central support hub. The undercut is located on the outer perimeter of the central support hub and is positioned closer to a lower end of the central support hub than the angled ledge. The undercut includes an engagement surface that extends outwards from a central axis of the central support hub and is configured to receive and retain a clip mechanism.

A blade assembly for a micro puree machine including a central support hub, a cutting blade, a mixing blade, a central opening, an angled ledge and an undercut. The cutting blade extends outward from a circumferential surface of the central support hub and defines a curved leading edge. The central opening is configured to receive a power shaft therein. The angled ledge is located at an upper end of the central support hub and extends about at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the central support hub. The undercut is located on the outer perimeter of the central support hub and is positioned closer to a lower end of the central support hub than the angled ledge. The undercut includes an engagement surface that extends outwards from a central axis of the central support hub and is configured to receive and retain a clip mechanism.