# Lever-Action Seal for Detaching a Frozen Drink Maker's Mixing Cup > This patent describes a frozen drink maker that uses a lever and a flexible seal to easily attach and detach the mixing cup from the main machine. - **Patent:** US 12733658 - **Original title:** Drink maker with detachably connectable mixing vessel - **Granted:** 2026 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** consumer_electronics, mechanical, materials ## What it does This patent describes a frozen drink maker designed for easy attachment and detachment of its mixing vessel. The machine includes a main housing, which has an upper section, and a mixing vessel where the drink ingredients are blended. A flexible seal sits between the upper housing section and the mixing vessel. The key feature is a lever on the housing that moves. When the lever is in a "coupled position," it securely connects the mixing vessel to the upper housing, with the flexible seal ensuring a leak-proof connection. Moving the lever to an "uncoupled position" releases the mixing vessel. For example, to make a smoothie, you would fill the mixing vessel, place it on the drink maker, push the lever to lock and seal it, blend your drink, then pull the lever to quickly remove the vessel. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover drink makers where the mixing vessel is permanently attached to the housing. - Does not cover attachment mechanisms that do not involve a movable lever to couple and uncouple the vessel. - Does not cover systems where a flexible seal is not present between the upper housing section and the mixing vessel. - Does not cover drink makers that use a twist-lock or magnetic attachment system without a distinct lever action. - Does not cover appliances where the seal is located elsewhere, not specifically between the upper housing and the mixing vessel. ## The clever bit The clever aspect is the specific combination of a simple, user-friendly lever mechanism with a flexible seal to create a secure, leak-proof, and easily detachable connection for a mixing vessel. This design simplifies the process of attaching and removing the blending cup, improving convenience for the user. ## Real-world examples 1. Home blenders 2. Smoothie makers 3. Frozen cocktail machines 4. Food processors with detachable cups ## Why it matters This patent addresses a common user frustration with kitchen appliances: securely attaching and detaching parts for use and cleaning. By providing a simple lever mechanism for coupling and uncoupling the mixing vessel, it aims to make frozen drink makers more user-friendly and efficient. The flexible seal ensures mess-free operation, which is important for consumer satisfaction in home appliance design. This design could influence future developments in small kitchen appliances, prioritizing convenience and ease of maintenance. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does Lever-Action Seal for Detaching a Frozen Drink Maker's Mixing Cup cover? This patent describes a frozen drink maker that uses a lever and a flexible seal to easily attach and detach the mixing cup from the main machine. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What problem does this patent solve? This patent addresses a common user frustration with kitchen appliances: securely attaching and detaching parts for use and cleaning. By providing a simple lever mechanism for coupling and uncoupling the mixing vessel, it aims to make frozen drink makers more user-friendly and efficient. The flexible seal ensures mess-free operation, which is important for consumer satisfaction in home appliance design. This design could influence future developments in small kitchen appliances, prioritizing convenience and ease of maintenance. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover drink makers where the mixing vessel is permanently attached to the housing. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733658/drink-maker-with-detachably-connectable-mixing-vessel **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12733658 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How a Refillable Capsule Plug Seals Cleaning Concentrates](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11958662/starlink-gen-3) — A specialized plug design for refillable cleaning product capsules that ensures a secure, leak-proof seal when the capsule is attached to a bottle. - [Removable Protective Cap for Robot Arm Parts](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12736122/cap-for-a-robot-arm) — This patent describes a cap designed to be easily attached and removed from a robot arm element, using a clever system of interlocking shapes and a flexible part to hold it securely. - [How a Pitcher Uses Removable Rulers to Measure Beverage Ingredients](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE49412/strain-and-recovery-tracking) — A pitcher with a built-in vertical slot that holds a removable ruler, which acts as both a recipe guide and a measuring tool for adding ingredients directly into the container. - [How Keurig's Original Single-Serve Coffee Pod System Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5325765/keurig-single-serve-coffee-pod) — This 1994 patent describes the original Keurig system for brewing single cups of coffee using a special filter pod that holds coffee grounds and separates them from the brewed liquid. - [How Cup Noodles Are Designed to Cook Perfectly](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3997676/cup-noodles-instant-ramen-ando) — A 1976 patent describing the specific shape, density, and placement of dehydrated noodles inside a cup to ensure they cook evenly and quickly when hot water is added.