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ICE DISPENSER AND COMBINATION
ICE AND BEVERAGE DISPENSER
BACKGROUND OF TfIE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to apparatus for
dispensing both ice and beverages and, more particularly,
but not by way of limitation to a beverage dispenser that
includes a large ice storage capacity and an improved ice
dispensing system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Available space is a valuable commodity in small
convenience stores, cafeterias, concession stands, fast
food service lines, and the like. Accordingly, the
relevant industry sets certain ice and beverage dispenser
size and dimensional requirements based on practical
limitations of service counter area related to ease of
everyday operation and routine maintenance. The industry
is constantly looking for improved apparatus that take up
less counter space while delivering the same or increased
levels of efficiency. Consequently, small compact machines
facilitating the delivery of food service and suitable for
service counters of set and limited dimensions are
constantly in demand.
U.S. Patent No. 4,930,685 issued June 5, 1990 to
Landers discloses an ice dispenser. The ice dispenser
includes an ice bin having an inward and rear<aard sloped
front wall and forward sloped semi-cylindrical bottom wall.
. 30 A paddle wheel is positioned in a recess in the sloping
front wall. The~paddle wheel includes a circular plate
lying along a central portion of the annular recess The
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paddle wheel further includes a truncated conical plate
converging from the circular plate and paddles extending
radially from the conical plate. As the paddle wheel
rotates, ice entering the recess from the ice bin is lifted
to a discharge chute communicating with the recess.
With both ice and chilled beverages becoming a
necessary part of modern day food service, combined ice and
chilled beverage dispensers are desirable because they
logically increase efficiency by eliminating the need for
two separate machines thereby making more counter space
available. U.S. Patent No. 5,104,007 issued April 14, 1992
to Utter discloses one such design. Utter discloses an ice
handling and beverage dispenser including an agitator
assembly mounted within a downwardly sloping ice storage
bin. The assembly includes a rotor connected to an
agitator that contains a frame to sweep the ice. The rotor
includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged L-shaped
ice moving scoops. A motor rotatable drives the agitator
assembly whereby the scoops lift ice from a location
adjacent the of the bin to an outlet chute thereabove.
Although both Landers and Utter operate
satisfactorily, they both suffer from several
disadvantages. Landers includes only an ice dispenser and,
therefore, does not save counter space because a separate
beverage dispenser is required. Additionally, both Landers -'
and Utter utilize two ice compartments; a first for storing
potable ice and a second for storing ice used to cool the
cold plate. That configuration is inefficient because the
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division of the ice restricts the supply of both potable ice and
ice used to cool the cold plate.
Applicant's U.S. Patent No. 5,054,654 issued October 8, 1991
to Schroeder, et al. discloses an alternative combination ice and
beverage dispenser. Schroeder et al. disclose an ice storage and
dispensing system utilizing a circular rotating tray and an
intermediate cone chute to dispense ice efficiently in
combination with chilled beverage dispensing.
A highly desirable combination ice and beverage dispenser
would provide only one large storage compartment and a unique
means for directing ice to the lowest end of a paddle wheel
located within the ice compartment. Such a design would almost
double the capacity of potable ice storage as compared to the
dispensers disclosed in the aforementioned patents.
SUb~La~v OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus
for dispensing ice includes a bin and a shroud that contains a
recess for housing a wheel. The shroud mounts to a front wall
of the bin and includes a chute that communicates exterior to the
bin. The shroud further includes a chute formed by a curved
plate that directs ice into the recess so that the wheel can
raise the ice to the chute. A plate mounts at an angle sloping
downward towards the front wall of the bin to direct water from
the bin. A discharge chute assembly mounts to the ice bin and
communicates with the chute of the shroud that delivers
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ice exterior to the bin. A gear motor drives the wheel to
facilitate the lifting of the ice to the chute of the shroud
delivering ice exterior to the bin.
In the combination ice and beverage dispenser, the plate
mounted within the bin is replaced with a cold plate mounted
within the bin at an angle sloping downward towards the front
wall of the bin. The cold plate slopes at the downward angle to
direct water from the bin. Furthermore, the cold plate
communicates at inlets to a beverage source to cool beverages
before dispensing. Dispensing valves communicate with outlets
from the cold plate to permit the dispensing of beverages from
the ice and beverage dispensing apparatus.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide an ice dispenser with a shroud housing a dispensing wheel
that delivers ice to a discharge chute of the ice dispenser.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an
enlarged ice storage bin in combination with an ice and beverage
dispenser.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an ice dispenser that not only includes a large storage capacity
of potable ice but which also maximizes the amount or volume of
ice that covers the cold plate to ensure that the beverage lines
embedded in the cold plate are maintained at the proper
temperature.
Still other objects, features, and advantages of the
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present invention will become evident to those skilled in
the art in light of the following.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating
the assembly of the bin liner for either the ice dispenser
or combination ice and beverage dispenser.
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating
the dispensing wheel drive system.
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating
the dispensing wheel and dispensing wheel shroud.
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating
the final assembly of the ice bin and inclusion of
dispensing valves for the combination ice and beverage
dispenser.
Figure 5 is a front plan view illustrating the
dispensing wheel.
Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating the
mounting of the drip tray onto either the ice dispenser or
combination ice and beverage dispenser.
Figure 7 is a side plan view in cross-section
illustrating a partially assembled combination ice and
beverage dispenser.
Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating the
dispensing wheel shroud.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As illustrated in Figures 1 and 7, dispensing
apparatus 10 includes liner 11, base 12, and mounting plate
13. Mounting plate 13 connects to base 12 using any
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suitable means such as screws or nuts and bolts. Liner 11
includes opening 14 to receive support 15 therein. Support 15
mounts to liner 11 using any suitable means such as screws or
nuts and bolts. Insert 16 resides within support 15 and their
attachment permits the mounting of liner 11 onto mounting
plate 13. Although liner 11 mounts onto mounting plate 13,
support 15 spaces liner 11 and mounting plate 13 apart to
create a gap therebetween that holds insulating foam. Once
support 15 has been secured in opening 14, mounting plate 13
is placed against support 15 followed by the placement of
insert 16 through opening 17 into support 15. Insert 16 is
then secured to support 15 using any suitable means such as
screws or nuts and bolts to affix liner 11, support 15,
mounting plate 13, and insert 16 together.
Dispensing apparatus 10 includes chute 29 to provide a
discharge passageway. Consequently, chute 29 spans the gap
between liner 11 and mounting plate 13 to permit the
communication of ice exterior to dispensing apparatus 10.
Chute 29 fits through opening 20A of liner 11 and opening 20B
of mounting plate 13. Chute 29 includes a lip that abuts the
interior of liner 11 about opening 20A to prevent the
dislodging of chute 29 from within openings 20A and H.
If dispensing apparatus 10 dispenses only ice, it
includes plate 75 having sides 70A and B. Sides 70A and B
attach to liner 11 using any suitable attachment means such
as screws or nuts and bolts to secure plate 75 within liner
11. The sidewalls of liner 11 slope downwardly from the
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rear wall to the front wall so that the connection of plate
75 to liner 11 results in plate 75 residing at an angle
sloping toward the front wall of liner 11. Plate 75
resides at an angle sloping toward the front wall of liner
11 (approximately 5 degrees in this preferred embodiment)
to facilitate the drainage of water off plate 75.
Furthermore, plate 75 includes drain hole 77 that
communicates with drain hole 23 of base 12 so that any
water accumulating on plate 75 may be drained from
dispensing apparatus 10.
If dispensing apparatus 10 dispenses both ice and
beverages, plate 75 is replaced with cold plate 18. Cold
plate 18 is a standard cold plate including inlet lines 21A
that connect to a beverage source and outlet lines 21B that
connect to dispensing valves to allow the dispensing of
beverages. Cold plate 18 attaches to liner 11 using
brackets 19A and B and any suitable attachment means such
as screws or nuts and bolts. The sidewalls of liner 11
slope downwardly from the rear wall to the front wall so
that the connection of cold plate 18 to liner 11 results in
cold plate 18 residing at an angle sloping toward the front
wall of liner 11. Cold plate 18 resides at an angle
sloping toward the front wall of liner 11 (approximately 5
degrees in this preferred embodiment) to facilitate the
drainage of water off cold plate 18. Furthermore, cold
plate 18 includes drain hole 22 that communicates with
drain hole 23 of base 12 so that any water accumulating on
cold plate 18 may be drained from dispensing apparatus 10.
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Dispensing apparatus 10 includes tray 24 that connects to
liner 11 using bracket 25 and any suitable attachment means
such as screws or nuts and bolts. Tray 24 provides a platform
that supports a container holding ice during the dumping of
ice into dispensing apparatus 10.
As illustrated in Figures 2 and 7, dispensing apparatus
includes gear motor 26 that resides in the cavity defined
by insert 16. Gear motor 26 mounts within ;naPrr ~~ "Q;"n
bracket 28 and any suitable attachment means such as screws or
10 nuts and bolts. Both insert 16 and support 15 include
openings therethrough to permit shaft 27 of gear motor 26 to
protrude into liner 11. A locking bearincr (not ~hnwnl mn"nt~
within the openings through insert 16 and support 15 using any
suitable means such as an adhesive to provide a holder for
seal 80. Seal 80 includes flange 81 and cylindrical portion
82 having opening 83 therethrough that receives shaft 27 of
gear motor 26. Seal 80 includes splines 84, while the locking
bearing includes matching grooves that receive splines 84 to
lock seal 80 within the locking bearing. Dispensing apparatus
10 includes seal 80 to prevent water and ice from escapting
liner 11 through the openings in insert 16 and support 15
necessary to permit shaft 27 to protrude into liner 11.
Dispensing apparatus 10 includes door frame 30,
door 31, chute 34, and tube chute 35 to direct ice travelling
through chute 29 into a container. Door frame 30
fits within the outlet from chute 29 and connects to
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mounting plate 13 using any suitable means such as screws
or nuts and bolts. Door 31 pivotally attaches within door
frame 30 using a pivot pin (not shown) to prevent the
discharge of ice except during the activation of dispensing
apparatus 10. Chute 34 fits over door frame 30 and
connects to mounting plate 13 using any suitable means such
screws. Tube chute 35 pivotally connects to the underside
of chute 34 using brackets and pivot pins (not shown) to
provide the outlet for ice discharged from dispensing
apparatus 10.
Solenoid 32 attaches to mounting plate 13 using any
suitable means such as screws and is coupled to door 31 via
lever 33 to control the opening and closing of door 31.
Switch 36 mounts to the front of chute 34 using any
suitable means such as screws to control the activation of
solenoid 32 and gear motor 26. Switch 36 includes
contactor 36A that abuts protrusion 35A of tube chute 35.
When tube chute 35 is pivoted, protrusion 35A moves away
from switch 36 thereby releasing contactor 36A which
facilitates the activation of switch 36. Spring 37
connects between protrusion 34A of chute 34 and protrusion
35A of tube chute 35 to provide a restoring force against
the pivoting of tube chute 35. Lever 38 mounts at the
lower rear portion of tube chute 35 using any suitable
means such as pins (not shown) to provide a tube chute
pivot point accessible to a user.
As illustrated in Figure 3, dispensing apparatus 10
includes splash plate 39 that attaches to wrapper 61 (see
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Figure 4) using any suitable means such as screws to prevent
dispensed beverages from contacting gear motor 26. Faucet
plate 40 attaches to mounting plate 13 using any suitable means
such as screws to provide a connection point for the dispensing
valves referenced generally with numeral 41 (see Figure 4).
As illustrated in Figures 3, 7 and 8, dispensing apparatus
includes wheel 42 and shroud 43 to facilitate the dispensing
of ice from dispensing apparatus 10. Shroud 43 includes
cylindrical portion 44 that defines a recess in which wheel 42
10 resides. Cylindrical portion 44 includes chute 45 and openings
46 and 47 therethrough. Cylindrical portion 44 further
includes depression 48A having opening 48B therethrough. Chute
45 and depression 48A permit the angled positioning of shroud
43 at the front wall of liner 11. Depression 48A resides
around a portion of shroud 15, while chute 45 inserts into
chute 29 so that shroud 43 is suspended at an angle sloping
away from the top of the front wall of liner 14. Bonnet 49
extends from cylindrical portion 44 and includes lip 50 that
abuts tray 24 to help support and increase the rigidity of
shroud 43. Shroud 43 includes curved plate 51 extending from
the lower end of cylindrical portion 44 to furnish a chute that
funnels ice into the recess defined by cylindrical portion 44.
Curved plate 44 extends into the interior of bin 62 towards
rear wall 170 of liner 11 to form a passageway between rear
wall 170 and extended end 171 of curved plate 44 (see Figure
7) .
Wheel 42 includes disk 52 and annular flange 53
extending therefrom. Disk 52 includes grommet 54 formed
integrally therewith to support shaft 27 of gear motor 26
which passes through opening 48B of depression 48A. Shaft
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27 is coupled to grommet 54 to permit the rotary driving of
wheel 42 (described herein). Wheel 42 includes paddles 55A-J
to facilitate the delivery of ice to chute 45. Paddles 55A-J
may be of any suitable material such as rubber, plastic, metal,
etc. Paddles 55A-J fit into slots about annular flange 53 and
are held in place by friction or a suitable adhesive (see
Figure 5). Alternatively, disk 52, annular flange 53, and
paddles 55A-J may be molded as a single piece using any
suitable material such as plastic, metal, etc. to form wheel
42.
As illustrated in Figures 4 and 7, dispensing apparatus
10 includes agitator 58 that prevents ice within dispensing
apparatus 10 from freezing together. One end of agitator 58
fits within the grommet 54 of disk 52 and is secured to shaft
27 of gear motor 26 using agitator pin 59. Agitator pin 59
passes through aligned openings in grommet 54, shaft 27, and
agitator 58 to couple both wheel 42 and agitator 58 to shaft
27. The opposite end of agitator 58 fits within bushing 60 to
permit the rotation of agitator 58 within liner 11.
Wrapper 61 fits about liner 11 and connects to mounting
plate 13 using any suitable means such as screws or nuts and
bolts. An insulating foam is sprayed between mounting plate
13 and wrapper 61; liner 11, which includes support 15 attached
thereto; and plate 75 or cold plate 18 which form an insulated
water-tight bin 62 for storing ice. Merchandiser 63
attaches to mounting plate 13 above dispensing valves 41 using
any suitable means such as screws or nuts and bolts.
Dispensing apparatus 10 includes merchandiser 63 to provide
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an aesthetically pleasing appearance as well as furnish a
frame for displaying advertising material. Additionally,
lid 65 fits on top of wrapper 61 to provide a cover for bin
62.
As illustrated in Figure 6, mounts 90 and 91 and locks 92
and 93 permit the attachment of drip tray 64 in front of
mounting plate 13 below dispensing valves 41. Drip tray 64
collects spilled product and delivers it to a drain to prevent
product from accumulating about dispensing apparatus 10. Drip
tray 64 includes brackets 94 and 95 that each include a pair
of hooks. Mounts 90 and 91 are substantially U-shaped and
include pins that support the hooks of brackets 94 and 95.
Mounts 90 and 91 attach to base 12 using any suitable means
such as screws. Locks 92 and 93 are substantially L-shaped and
attached to mounting plate 13 using respective screws 96 and
9 8 and bearings 9 7 and 9 9 . Hearings 9 7 and 9 9 allow their
respective locks 92 and 93 to swivel which facilitates the
locking of drip tray 64 onto mounts 90 and 91.
To attach drip tray 64, locks 92 and 93 are first
swivelled away from mounts 90 and 91, respectively. Brackets
94 and 95 are then placed onto the pins of a respective mount
90 and 91 to support drip tray 64 in front of mounting plate
13. After the placement of drip tray 64 onto mounts 90 and 91,
locks 92 and 93 are swivelled over mounts 90 and 91,
respectively, such that they lock brackets 94 and 95,
respectively, onto mounts 90 and 91 to prevent accidental
dislodgement of drip tray 64 from brackets 94 and 95.
In operation, lid 65 is removed and bin 62 filled with
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ice manually using tray 24 as a platform to permit the
dumping of ice into bin 62 from a suitable ice container.
Alternatively, lid 65 may be removed and an ice making
machine mounted onto dispensing apparatus 10 such that the
ice machine directly communicates ice into bin 62 in
response to control signals generated by ice level sensors
positioned within bin 62. When an ice maker is placed over
bin 62, tray 24 permits the manual dumping of ice into bin
62 if the ice maker malfunctions or cannot replenish ice
quickly enough to meet customer demand.
Once ice resides within bin 62, ice dispensing may
begin. The angular positions of cold plate 18 and shroud
43 within bin 62 direct ice onto curved plate 51 of shroud
43. Curved plate 51 directs the ice into the lower section
of cylindrical portion 44 of shroud 43. The placement of
wheel 42 in the recess defined by cylindrical portion 44
creates pockets that facilitate the lifting of ice to chute
45. Specifically, adjacent ones of paddles 55A-J, annular
flange 53, and the inner surface of cylindrical portion 44
defining the recess in which wheel 42 resides produce
pockets.
To activate wheel 42 and dispense ice, a user pushes
lever 38 toward splash plate 39, typically with a cup. The
pushing of lever 38 causes tube chute 35 to pivot toward
splash plate 39 and away from switch 36. As tube chute 35
pivots away, protrusion 35A releases contactor 36A,
resulting in the activation of switch 36. The activation
of switch 36 permit the actuation of solenoid 32 and gear
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motor 26. Once activated solenoid 32 opens door 31 via
lever 33 to permit the discharge of ice through chute 34
and tube chute 35 into the cup below.
Once actuated, gear motor 26 rotates wheel 42 within
shroud 43 to lift ice to chute 45. Curved plate 51 directs
ice into the pockets defined by wheel 42 and shroud 43 so
that, as wheel 42 rotates, it lifts ice to chute 45 of
shroud 43. Additionally, a portion of the ice exits shroud
43 at openings 46 and 47 to fill the front portion of bin
62 with ice. The ice within bin 62 not only provides ice
for beverages but also cools beverages flowing through cold
plate 18. Accordingly, ice must reside on the maximum
amount of cold plate surface area to ensure beverages are
dispensed at a minimum temperature. Thus, ice exiting
shroud 43 via openings 46 and 47 drops in front of and onto
the forward portion of cold plate 18.
As the ice reaches chute 45, it passes through chute
45 into chute 34 and then down tube chute 35 into the cup
below. As long as the user presses lever 38, gear motor 26
rotates wheel 42 to facilitate the delivery of ice.
However, once lever 38 is released, spring 37 pulls tube
chute 35 back to its unpivoted position. As a result,
protrusion 35A depresses contactor 36A to deactivate switch
36 and thus solenoid 32 and gear motor 26. With gear motor
26 deactivated, dispensing wheel 42 stops rotating to end _
the delivery of ice. Furthermore, the deactuation of
solenoid 32 allows door 31 to close which prevents ice flow
through chute 34 into tube chute 35.
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In addition to rotating wheel 42, gear motor 26
rotates agitator 58. Agitator 58 travels circularly
through the ice within bin 62 to break apart any ice chunks
that have frozen together. Accordingly, agitator 58
ensures the ice within bin 62 remains small enough to fit
within the pockets defined by wheel 42 and shroud 43.
Furthermore, dispensing apparatus 10 includes a timer that
periodically actuates gear motor 26 to facilitate the
rotation of wheel 42 and agitator 58. However, the timer
does not actuate solenoid 32 so that door 31 remains
closed. Consequently, wheel 42 rotates to deliver ice at
the front of bin 62 via openings 46 and 47, while agitator
58 rotates to prevent ice within bin 62 from freezing
together.
For the combination ice and beverage dispenser, a user
may dispense a beverage after receiving a cup of ice. The
user depresses a lever of one of dispensing valves 41 which
opens to permit beverage to flow from cold plate 18 into
the cup via the opened dispensing valve. The dispensed
product may be any suitable beverage such as a fruit drink
or carbonated soda water formed by mixing a beverage syrup
with water or carbonated water at dispensing valves 41.
Consequently, cold plate 18 connects to any suitable remote
beverage source such as a bag in a box or "figal" along
with a carbonated water and plain water source.
Although the present invention has been described in
terms of the foregoing embodiment, such description has
been for exemplary purposes only and, as will be apparent
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to one of ordinary skill in the art, many alternatives,
equivalents, and variations of varying degrees will fall
within the scope of the present invention. That scope,
accordingly, is not to be limited any in respect by the
foregoing description, rather, it is defined only by the
claims which follow.
