How a Frozen Drink Maker's Removable Drip Tray Works

This patent describes a removable collection tray for frozen drink makers, designed with a handle and a specific placement near the cooling unit to easily catch and clean up liquid drips.

What it covers

This patent describes a special tray designed to catch liquid spills and drips inside a frozen drink maker. The tray has a "collection chamber" to hold the liquid and a "handle" so you can easily pull it out. It's made to slide into a specific "slot" inside the machine, right next to the "evaporator" (the part that makes things cold). When it's in place, the tray sits slightly above the very bottom of the machine, not directly on it. For example, if you're making a slushie and some melts or overflows, this tray would catch it, and you could simply remove it by the handle to empty and clean.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover collection trays that are permanently fixed inside a drink maker and cannot be removed.
• —Does not cover drip trays for appliances other than frozen drink makers, such as coffee machines or blenders without an evaporator.
• —Does not cover collection trays that lack a dedicated handle for removal.
• —Does not cover trays that rest directly on the bottom surface of the appliance housing, as this one is "vertically spaced".
• —Does not cover collection trays placed in areas of the drink maker not "adjacent the evaporator".

The clever bit

The novelty lies in the specific combination of features for a frozen drink maker: a removable tray with a handle, inserted into a slot adjacent the evaporator, and importantly, "vertically spaced" from the housing bottom. This precise placement and design optimize drip collection and ease of cleaning for this specific type of appliance.

Why it matters

This patent matters because it describes a practical improvement for consumer appliances. By making the drip collection tray easily removable and cleanable, it enhances user convenience and hygiene for frozen drink makers. This design helps prevent sticky messes and makes maintaining the appliance simpler, contributing to a better user experience in home and commercial settings.

Real-world examples

• 1.Home slushie machines
• 2.Commercial frozen beverage dispensers
• 3.Ice cream makers with drip trays
• 4.Smoothie makers with integrated cooling