James T Farrell

US Patent:

6465034, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

Oct 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/003206

Inventors:

James J. Farrell - Orinda CA 94563

International Classification:

A23G 902

US Classification:

426524, 426519, 426565, 426474

Abstract:

The disclosed method for making a milkshake or smoothie includes the steps of providing a cup containing a block of ingredients, grinding the block, and adding a liquid heated to at least approximately 100Â F. The ingredients in the cup are provided in the form of a block frozen to substantially conform to the interior of the cup. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of whipping to incorporate air into a mixture of the heated liquid and the ground frozen substance in the cup. In that case, the incorporated air, heated liquid, and ground frozen substance form a milkshake or smoothie which has a total volume that exceeds the volume of the mixture of the heated liquid and block of frozen ingredients alone.

US Patent:

6474862, Nov 5, 2002

Filed:

Nov 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/010313

Inventors:

James J. Farrell - Orinda CA 94563

International Classification:

B01F 726

US Classification:

366147, 3661681, 366207, 366289, 366316

Abstract:

The present invention is a frozen drink machine and a method for making frozen drinks from a frozen substance which has been frozen into a block. According to the method of the present invention, a block of frozen substance is held in a vessel while a rotatable blade having features for grinding the frozen substance, and if desirable, for aerating the ground frozen substance, acts on the block, grinding the frozen substance while a heated liquid is simultaneously introduced into the vessel. An apparatus according to the present invention supports a cup containing the frozen substance, and includes a rotatable blade which is lowered into the cup and means for pumping a heated liquid into the cup.

US Patent:

6527207, Mar 4, 2003

Filed:

Nov 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/700091

Inventors:

James J. Farrell - Orinda CA 94563
Steven T. Dorsey - St. Joseph MN 56374

International Classification:

B02C 1818

US Classification:

241 23, 24119912

Abstract:

A cutting device for use in cutting through material in a container includes a rotatable shaft and a cutting element coupled to the shaft. The cutting element is laterally extendable and retractable relative to the shaft so as to accommodate tapered or non-cylindrical cups, as well as to allow use of the cutting elements in cups having different diameters.

US Patent:

7144150, Dec 5, 2006

Filed:

Nov 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/715171

Inventors:

James J. Farrell - Orinda CA, US

Assignee:

f'Real Foods L.L.C. - Orinda CA

International Classification:

B01F 15/00
B08B 3/02

US Classification:

366197, 366347, 366348, 366349, 134115 R

Abstract:

The present application describes a method for rinsing a splash shield. According to the disclosed method, a vessel containing contents to be mixed is positioned in a mixing machine, and a splash shield is positioned over the opening of the vessel. After the material within the vessel is mixed by a mixing element, the splash shield is separated from the vessel and rinsed by a nozzle on the mixing machine. In another embodiment, a vessel containing contents to be mixed is positioned in a holder on a mixing machine, and a splash shield (which may or may not be rinseable) is positioned over the opening of the vessel. The contents of the vessel are mixed using a mixing element. During and/or after mixing, opposed relative movement of the mixing element and vessel may occur, creating an upward lifting force on the vessel. The weight of the shield is sufficient to overcome this upward lifting force on the vessel and thereby causes the vessel to remain seated in the holder.

US Patent:

7520658, Apr 21, 2009

Filed:

Nov 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/284646

Inventors:

James J. Farrell - Orinda CA, US

Assignee:

f'REAL! Foods, LLC - Orinda CA

International Classification:

B01F 13/00
B01F 15/00

US Classification:

366197, 366203, 366207, 366347

Abstract:

The present application describes a method for rinsing a splash shield. A vessel containing contents to be mixed is positioned in a mixing machine, and a splash shield is positioned over the opening of the vessel. After the material within the vessel is mixed by a mixing element, the splash shield is separated from the vessel and rinsed by a nozzle on the mixing machine. In another embodiment, a vessel containing contents to be mixed is positioned in a holder on a mixing machine, and a splash shield (which may or may not be rinseable) is positioned over the opening of the vessel. The contents of the vessel are mixed using a mixing element. During and/or after mixing, opposed relative movement of the mixing element and vessel may occur, creating an upward lifting force on the vessel. The weight of the shield is sufficient to overcome this upward lifting force on the vessel and thereby causes the vessel to remain seated in the holder.

US Patent:

7520662, Apr 21, 2009

Filed:

Apr 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/116497

Inventors:

James J. Farrell - Orinda CA, US

Assignee:

f'REAL? Foods, LLC - Orinda CA

International Classification:

B01F 15/00
B08B 3/02

US Classification:

366347, 366348, 366349, 134115 R

Abstract:

The present application describes a method for rinsing a splash shield with water or a sanitizing solution. According to the disclosed method, a vessel containing contents to be mixed is positioned in a mixing machine, and a splash shield is positioned to shield the opening of the vessel. After the material within the vessel is mixed by a mixing element, the splash shield is separated from the vessel and rinsed by a nozzle on the mixing machine. In another embodiment, a vessel containing contents to be mixed is positioned in a holder on a mixing machine, and a splash shield (which may or may not be rinseable) is positioned over the opening of the vessel. The contents of the vessel are mixed using a mixing element. During and/or after mixing, opposed relative movement of the mixing element and vessel may occur, creating an upward lifting force on the vessel. The weight of the shield is sufficient to overcome this upward lifting force on the vessel and thereby causes the vessel to remain seated in the holder.

US Patent:

8336731, Dec 25, 2012

Filed:

Nov 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/265397

Inventors:

James Farrell - Orinda CA, US
Clayton Gardner - Alamo CA, US

Assignee:

F'Real Foods, LLC - Orinda CA

International Classification:

B65D 25/20

US Classification:

220738, 220630

Abstract:

A container for containing food and/or beverage ingredients is described. The container is of a type which may be supported in a support while the ingredients inside the container are processed, such as by a rotating blade or other mechanism. The container includes anti-rotation elements positionable in anti-rotational contact with a corresponding protruding portion in a container support in a manner which restricts rotational movement of the vessel relative to the container support. The off-set between each of the anti-rotation elements is an angle other than 180.

US Patent:

20110088558, Apr 21, 2011

Filed:

Oct 12, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/902277

Inventors:

James J. Farrell - Orinda CA, US
Jens Peter Voges - Oakland CA, US

Assignee:

F'Real Foods, LLC - Orinda CA

International Classification:

A23L 1/00
A23G 9/22

US Classification:

99275, 99460

Abstract:

A machine prepares semi frozen food products and/or beverages from pre-prepared (e.g. frozen) cups. A user chooses the desired frozen cup, inserts it into the machine, chooses how they would like it prepared from a range of thickness options, and the machine then opens a sealed chamber door and inserts the product upward into the chamber and prepares the product by blending it in the cup. Upon removal of the product and resealing of the chamber door, the cleaning mechanisms provide thorough cleaning of all food contact surfaces and the chamber interior. Automatic high temperature steam sanitation takes place in the chamber if the machine is not used for an extended period of time, thus greatly reducing or eliminating the need for manual cleansing and sanitation by an attendant and ensuring healthy food preparation at all times.