This disclosure relates to ice storage containers and, more particularly, to a mechanism for dispensing ice from an ice storage container.
Ice dispensers are common devices seen anywhere food is served, including kitchens, picnics, tailgate parties, and so on. Many ice dispensers rely on ice being made separately or brought in bags. Ice may be poured from a bag into the dispenser, and thereafter may be dispensed as needed, commonly into a user's cup. This is a more streamlined method of delivering ice than, for example, removing ice directly from the bag by hand, which requires direct contact between the user's skin and ice, leading to discomfort for the user and possibly contaminating the ice with any bacteria on the user's hand. Furthermore, a bag of ice may spill and be wasted if, for example, the bag splits or falls over.
Conventional ice dispensers use complicated mechanisms to feed ice from a storage hopper to a dispensing point. These mechanisms often require electricity, limiting their use to areas where they can be plugged in. Manually powered dispensers customarily use an auger or similar device to move ice to the user's cup, and require a significant amount of effort on the part of the user to turn this auger. Both electrical and manual dispensers usually require two hands to operate: one hand to push a button or turn an auger and a second hand to hold a cup to catch the ice exiting the dispenser. As a result, users who do not have two hands free have difficulty using these dispensers. Still further, the complicated mechanisms of the dispensers are susceptible to jamming, and ice cubes may stick together to form blockages (e.g., domes of ice) that prevent ice from being dispensed. These blockages may prevent the dispenser from operating until it is opened and the jam cleared manually.
Furthermore, ice requires refrigeration to remain solid at room temperature. Left in an unrefrigerated environment, for example outdoors at a picnic or tailgate party, ice will gradually melt into water. This water must be drained out of whatever storage container is holding the ice, or else the water may be dispensed along with the ice, or may re-freeze the ice cubes into blockages which may jam the dispenser as described above.
Therefore, what is needed is an ice dispenser which addresses some or all of the above issues.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an ice dispenser. The ice dispenser may be configured to be operated by one hand and automatically break up ice blockages.
The ice dispenser may comprise a storage bin. The storage bin may be configured to store ice. A lower surface of the storage bin may define an ice outlet, and the ice may be configured to exit the storage bin via the ice outlet by way of gravity.
The ice dispenser may further comprise a chute. The chute may be disposed underneath the storage bin. The chute may be configured to rotate about a pivot point between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the chute may be configured to prevent ice from exiting the storage bin via the ice outlet, and in the open position, the chute may be configured to allow ice to exit the storage bin via the ice outlet by way of gravity.
The ice dispenser may further comprise a blockage breaker. The blockage breaker may be disposed on the chute. The blockage breaker may extend into the storage bin through the ice outlet and move with the chute. When the chute rotates from the open position to the closed position, the blockage breaker may move further into the storage bin, thereby breaking ice blockages in the storage bin.
In some embodiments, the ice dispenser may further comprise an elastic member. The elastic member may be connected to the chute. The elastic member may be configured to urge the chute toward the closed position and may apply force to the blockage breaker when the chute rotates from the open position to the closed position to break the ice blockages in the storage bin.
In some embodiments, the ice dispenser may further comprise a stopper. The stopper may be disposed underneath the storage bin adjacent to the ice outlet. In the closed position, the chute may rest against the stopper to prevent ice from exiting the storage bin via the ice outlet. A position of the stopper may adjustable. The position of the stopper may be configured to limit a size of the ice allowed to exit the storage bin via the ice outlet.
In some embodiments, the chute may define an opening distal from the pivot point. In the open position, the chute may be configured to allow ice to travel down the chute in an ice dispensing direction and exit the chute via the opening.
In some embodiments, the ice dispenser may further comprise a lever. The lever may be connected to an underside of the chute adjacent to the opening. The lever may extend from the chute upstream of the opening in the ice dispensing direction. The chute may be rotatable from the closed position and the open position by force applied to the lever.
In some embodiments, the ice dispenser may further comprise a backstop. The backstop may be connected to an end of the chute adjacent to the opening. The backstop may extend from the chute downstream of the opening in the ice dispensing direction. The backstop may comprise a wall and a handle disposed on the wall. The chute may be rotatable from the closed position and the open position by force applied to the handle.
In some embodiments, the chute may define a drain hole distal from the pivot point. Melted ice may be configured to drip from the storage bin through the ice outlet and through the drain hole in the closed position.
In some embodiments, the ice dispenser may further comprise a tank. The tank may be disposed beneath the storage bin, and the chute may be positioned within the tank. In the open position, the chute may be configured to allow ice to enter the tank by way of gravity.
In some embodiments, a front surface of the tank may be open. In the open position, ice entering the tank may be accessible from the open front surface.
In some embodiments, a front surface of the tank may comprise a lip extending downward from the tank. The lip may be configured to engage with an edge of a mounting surface when the tank is disposed on the mounting surface.
In some embodiments, a lower portion of the tank may comprise a drain valve. The drain valve may be configured to selectively allow melted water in the tank to exit the tank.
In some embodiments, a wall disposed in the tank may be configured to limit a range of rotational movement of the chute between the open position and the closed position. A lower portion of the wall may define a vent, and the vent may be configured to allow melted water in the tank to drain to either side of the wall.
In some embodiments, the blockage breaker may comprise a body and a primary wedge. A proximal end of the body may be connected to the chute and a distal end of the body extends into the storage bin. The primary wedge may be disposed at the distal end of the body. The primary wedge may be configured to break the ice blockages when the chute rotates from the open position to the closed position and the blockage breaker is moved further into the storage bin.
In some embodiments, the blockage breaker may further comprise a secondary wedge. The secondary wedge may be disposed along a length of the body prior to the distal end. The secondary wedge may have a width that is narrower than a width of the primary wedge. The secondary wedge may be configured to break the ice blockages when the chute rotates from the closed position to the open position and the blockage breaker is moved out of the storage bin.
In some embodiments, an upper surface of the storage bin defines an ice inlet. Ice may be configured to enter the storage bin via the ice inlet.
In some embodiments, the ice dispenser may further comprise a lid. The lid may be removably disposed on the ice inlet and may be configured to cover the ice inlet.
In some embodiments, a lower surface of the lid may comprise an ice breaker. The ice breaker may extend into the storage bin through the ice inlet. The ice breaker may be configured to break ice blockages in the storage bin when the lid is disposed on the ice inlet.
In some embodiments, a grate may be disposed within the storage bin between the ice inlet and the ice outlet and may extend laterally within the storage bin. The grate may define an array of openings, which may be configured to prevent blocks of ice that are larger than the array of openings from exiting the storage bin via the ice outlet.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of dispensing ice. The method may be performed manually by one hand of a user, with no direct contact with the ice.
The method may comprise filling a storage bin with ice. A lower surface of the storage bin may define an ice outlet, and a chute disposed underneath the storage bin may be configured to prevent ice from exiting the storage bin via the ice outlet when the chute is in a closed position.
The method may further comprise rotating the chute about a pivot point from the closed position to an open position. In the open position, the chute may be configured to allow ice to exit the storage bin via the ice outlet by way of gravity.
The method may further comprise rotating the chute from the open position back to the closed position. A blockage breaker disposed on the chute may extend into the storage bin through the ice outlet and moves with the chute, such that when the chute rotates from the open position back to the closed position, the blockage breaker may be moved further into the storage bin, thereby breaking ice blockages in the storage bin.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the disclosure, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Although claimed subject matter will be described in terms of certain embodiments, other embodiments, including embodiments that do not provide all of the benefits and features set forth herein, are also within the scope of this disclosure. Various structural, logical, process step, and electronic changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure is defined only by reference to the appended claims.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an ice dispenser 10. The ice dispenser 10 may be configured to be operated by one hand and automatically break up ice blockages.
The ice dispenser 10 may comprise a storage bin 500. The storage bin 500 may be configured to store ice. For example, the storage bin 500 may be insulated to help maintain the temperature within the storage bin 500 to prevent or slow ice from melting in the storage bin 500. As shown in
The ice dispenser 10 may further comprise a lid 510. The lid 510 may be removably disposed on the ice inlet 502 and may be configured to cover the ice inlet 502. The lid 510 may be insulated to help further maintain the temperature within the storage bin 500 to prevent or slow ice from melting in the storage bin 500. A lower surface of the lid 510 may comprise an ice breaker 515. For example, as shown in
The storage bin 500 may include a grate 520, as shown in
The ice dispenser 10 may further comprise a chute 200. The chute 200 may be disposed underneath the storage bin 500. The chute 200 may be configured to rotate about a pivot point 205 between closed position (shown in
The ice dispenser 10 may further comprise an elastic member 210, as shown in
The ice dispenser 10 may further comprise a stopper 400. The stopper 400 may be disposed underneath the storage bin 500 adjacent to the ice outlet 501. The stopper 400 may cooperate with the chute 200 to prevent ice from exiting the storage bin 500 via the ice outlet 501. For example, in the closed position shown in
Referring to
The ice dispenser 10 may further comprise a lever 100. The lever 100 may be connected to an underside of the chute 200 adjacent to the opening 240. The lever 100 may extend from the chute 200 upstream of the opening 240 in the ice dispensing direction. Accordingly, when ice is dispensed, it may exit the opening 240 onto the lever 100 (or into any vessel placed in front of the lever 100). The chute 200 may be rotatable from the closed position and the open position by force applied to the lever 100, as further described below. A distal end of the lever 100 may comprise a cup rest 105 protruding from the lever 100. The cup rest 105 may be configured to support a cup or other vessel and/or align the cup/vessel underneath the opening 240 when ice is being dispensed.
The ice dispenser 10 may further comprise a backstop 230. The backstop 230 may be connected to an end of the chute 200 adjacent to the opening 240. The backstop 230 may extend from the chute 200 downstream of the opening 240 in the ice dispensing direction. The backstop 230 may be configured to direct ice into the opening 240. For example, when ice is dispensed, it may travel down the chute 200 and contact the backstop 230 before falling into the opening 240. Accordingly, the backstop 230 may prevent ice from spilling out too quickly when being dispensed. A position of the backstop 230 may be adjustable. For example, the backstop 230 may be moved up or down relative to the opening 240 in fixed increments or at any point within a range. By adjusting the position of the backstop 230 relative to the opening 240, the backstop 230 may allow smaller or larger chunks of ice to exit the opening 240. The backstop 230 may comprise a wall 235 a handle 110 disposed on the wall 235. Ice being dispensed may contact the wall 235 before falling into the opening 240. The chute 200 may be rotatable from the closed position and the open position by force applied to the handle 110, as further described below.
Referring back to
Referring back to
The blockage breaker 300 may further comprise a secondary wedge 330. The secondary wedge 330 may be disposed along a length of the body 310 prior to the distal end. The secondary wedge 330 may have a width that is narrower than a width of the primary wedge 320. The secondary wedge 330 may be configured to break the ice blockages when the chute 200 rotates from the closed position to the open position and the blockage breaker 300 is moved out of the storage bin 500, as shown in
The ice dispenser 10 may further comprise a tank 600. As shown in
The tank 600 may define an open front surface 601. In the open position, ice entering the tank 600 may be accessible from the open front surface 601. Accordingly, a user may insert a cup or another vessel into the tank 600 via the open front surface 601 in order to dispense ice into the cup/vessel. The user may also insert their hand or finger (not holding the cup/vessel) into the open front surface 601 to press the handle 110 to dispense ice into the cup/vessel.
The ice dispenser 10 may be positioned on a mounting surface, e.g., a table, a countertop, a truck tailgate, etc. For example, the tank 600 may be placed on the mounting surface. A front surface of the tank 600 may comprise a lip 630 extending downward from the tank 600. The lip 630 may be configured to engage with an edge of the mounting surface when the tank 600 is disposed on the mounting surface. Accordingly, the lip may prevent the ice dispenser 10 from moving or tipping over when a user applies force to the lever 100 or the handle 110 to dispense ice.
A wall 620 disposed in the tank 600 may be configured to limit a range of rotational movement of the chute 200 between the open position and the closed position. For example, the wall 620 may extend laterally within the tank 600, and may be spaced apart from the chute 200 in the closed position. In the open position, the chute 200 and/or the lever 100 may contact the wall 620, thereby preventing further rotation of the chute 200. Accordingly, the wall 620 may prevent over-rotation of the chute 200 and/or over-extension of the elastic member 210, which could damage the ice dispenser 10.
The tank 600 may be configured to collect melted water or spilled ice during use of the ice dispenser 10. For example, water may melt from ice stored in the storage bin 500, which may drip from the ice outlet 501 even when the chute 200 is in the closed position. Ice may also spill from a user's cup when dispensing ice with the chute 200 in the open position. Accordingly, the tank 600 may collect the melted water and spilled ice so as to avoid spilling outside of the ice dispenser 10. The wall 620 may be opaque to block sight of the tank 600 and melted water on the other side of the wall 620. The wall 620 may be made of a permeable structure (e.g., a screen), which allows melted water in the tank 600 to drain to either side of the wall 620. A lower portion of the wall 620 may define a vent 625, and the vent 625 may be configured to allow melted water in the tank 600 to drain to either side of the wall 620. A lower portion of the tank 600 may comprise a drain valve 610. The drain valve 610 may be configured to selectively allow melted water in the tank 600 to exit the tank 600. For example, the drain valve 610 may be a removable plug or other type of valve that can be opened by a user to empty the tank 600.
In some embodiments, the ice dispenser 10 may be configured to be broken down or disassembled and subsequently reassembled. For example, the storage bin 500 may be disassembled from the tank 600. In the disassembled state, the storage bin 500 may fit within the tank 600. The chute 200 may be disassembled from the storage bin 500 and/or the tank 600. By disassembling the ice dispenser 10, it may be easier to store or transport to different locations where it can be reassembled for use.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method 20 of dispensing ice. The method may be performed manually by one hand of a user, with no direct contact with the ice. As shown in
At step 21, a storage bin is filled with ice. A lower surface of the storage bin may define an ice outlet, and a chute disposed underneath the storage bin may be configured to prevent ice from exiting the storage bin via the ice outlet when the chute is in a closed position.
At step 22, the chute is rotated about a pivot point from the closed position to an open position. In the open position, the chute may be configured to allow ice to exit the storage bin via the ice outlet by way of gravity.
At step 23, the chute is rotated from the open position back to the closed position. A blockage breaker disposed on the chute may extend into the storage bin through the ice outlet and moves with the chute, such that when the chute rotates from the open position back to the closed position, the blockage breaker may be moved further into the storage bin, thereby breaking ice blockages in the storage bin 500.
It should be understood that steps 22 and 23 may be repeated to dispense varying amounts of ice. For example, the time between steps 22 and 23 or the number of times that steps 22 and 23 are performed may define the amount of ice that is dispensed. In the case of an ice blockage that prevents ice from exiting the storage bin by way of gravity in the open position, steps 22 and 23 may be repeated to move the blockage breaker in and out of the storage bin, thereby breaking ice blockages. Such a “double pump” sequence of steps 22 and 23 may effectively break ice blockages and dispense ice in an efficient manual operation. Step 21 may be repeated when the storage bin is empty in order to continue to dispense ice.
The method 20 may be performed with the ice dispenser 10 according to any of the exemplary embodiments described above. For example, as illustrated in
Although the present disclosure has been described with respect to one or more particular embodiments, it will be understood that other embodiments of the present disclosure may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Hence, the present disclosure is deemed limited only by the appended claims and the reasonable interpretation thereof.
This application claims priority to the provisional patent application filed Sep. 12, 2022 and assigned U.S. App. No. 63/405,549, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63405549 | Sep 2022 | US |