Chilled product post-processing apparatus

US9894912B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BLENDTEC, INC. · US

Inventors

• Joseph O. Jacobsen · American Fork, US
• David J. Throckmorton · Mapleton, US
• Thomas D. Dickson, Jr. · San Jose, US
• David Q. Bytheway · Springville, US
• Bradley Scott Maxfield · Spanish Fork, US
• Evan J. Bauer · Holladay, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 4, 2015
• Grant date: Feb 20, 2018
• Expiry date: Jun 19, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A23G9/281
• WIPO field: Food chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A machine for processing a chilled food product includes a product in a storage container, wherein the product has a frozen portion and a non-frozen portion in the storage container, and the frozen portion has a granular size. The machine mixes the frozen portion of the product with the non-frozen portion of the product within the storage container, flows the frozen portion and non-frozen portion into contact with a shearing apparatus, and shears at least the frozen portion with the shearing apparatus, thereby reducing the granular size of the frozen portion. The machine may refine and process chilled food products such as smoothies and slushes to have a smoother and more even consistency.