Patent Grant
11112161
The present disclosure generally relates to ice making and dispensing devices.
Ice vending machines can output prepackaged containers of ice and/or produce ice that is packaged at the vending machine. When packaged at the ice machine, the ice machine includes an ice maker and a hopper. Ice exits the hopper and is dispensed through a chute. A container is positioned at a lower end of the chute in the so-called vending compartment that is dimensioned to prevent the container from coming in contact with fluid present in the vending compartment. The container is judiciously disposed to catch and accommodate the dispensed ice.
Embodiments of the invention provide an ice machine that includes a cabinet (defining a compartment and having a cabinet door coupled thereto through a hinge assembly) and a frame removably positioned within the cabinet and laterally offset relative to a lateral centerline of the compartment. The ice machine also contains a hopper that is supported by the frame (such hopper includes an ice dispensing interface) and a housing having a top and a bottom and affixed to the cabinet door to be moved from inside the compartment when the cabinet door is opened. This housing defines an ice harvesting chamber. The bottom of the housing includes a surface separated from the top by a first distance at a first location at such surface and by a second distance at a second location at such surface, the first distance and the second distance are not equal to one another. The ice machine additionally includes at least a chute coupled with the housing and in communication with the ice dispensing interface; and a container hanging assembly operably coupled with the chute.
Embodiments further provide an ice machine that includes a cabinet (defining a compartment with a compartment volume and having a cabinet door coupled thereto through a hinge assembly) with a frame surrounding a frame volume and removably positioned within the cabinet. The frame includes a base portion of the frame and a support portion of the frame, and is laterally offset relative to a lateral centerline of the compartment. The frame volume is smaller than the compartment volume. A hopper is disposed on top of the support portion of the frame and has an ice dispensing interface. A chute is coupled with a housing that hangs on the cabinet door and is in communication with the ice dispensing interface. The housing has a bottom that is unequally distanced from the hopper at first and second locations along the bottom.
Embodiments additionally provide an ice machine that, in addition to a cabinet enclosing a compartment with a compartment volume and having a cabinet door hingedly coupled thereto, includes a frame surrounding a frame volume that is smaller than the compartment volume (such frame is being repositionably located within the cabinet and supports a hopper with the support portion of the frame). The frame is offset from a lateral centerline of the compartment. The ice machine further contains a housing defining an ice harvesting (or, interchangeably, vending) chamber with a bottom configured to define at least first and second levels of the bottom along a vertical direction. The housing is attached to the cabinet door whereby the ice harvesting chamber is hinged away from the compartment volume when the cabinet door is opened. The ice machine includes a chute coupled with the housing and in communication with the ice dispensing interface; and an attachment rod attached to and extending through a rear wall of the housing and including a retainer on an end portion thereof (the retainer disposed vertically above a lower portion of the chute).
The invention will be more fully understood by referring to the following Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments in conjunction with the not-to scale Drawings, of which:
Generally, the sizes and relative scales of elements in Drawings may be set to be different from actual ones to appropriately facilitate simplicity, clarity, and understanding of the Drawings. For the same reason, not all elements present in one Drawing may necessarily be shown in another.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
As required, detailed examples of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed examples of the invention may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detailed design and some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show function overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition or assembly is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition or assembly can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.
The following disclosure describes a free-standing ice machine that may be placed virtually anywhere. The ice machine can be used by a consumer to purchase freshly bagged ice and, in some cases, chilled water that is ready for consumption. In some examples, the ice machine includes a cabinet and supports a cabinet door hingedly coupled thereto. A frame is positioned within the cabinet and includes a base portion and a support portion. A cooling module is supported by the support portion of the frame and includes an ice maker and a hopper. The hopper is operably coupled with an ice dispensing interface. A trough is coupled with the base portion of the frame and is fluidly coupled with a fluid outlet. A housing is operably coupled with the door and defines an ice harvesting chamber. A chute is coupled with the housing and is in communication with the ice dispensing interface of the cooling module. A container hanging assembly is coupled with the chute. A chamber door is hingedly coupled to the cabinet door and is configured to provide access to an ice harvesting chamber in an open position.
In the example illustrated in
The cabinet door 20 may further define a void that allows access to an ice harvesting chamber 24. A chamber door 26 is hingedly coupled to the cabinet door 20 and can provide access to an ice harvesting chamber 24 in an open position. When not in use, the chamber door 26 may be placed in a closed position to assist in retaining chilled air within the cabinet 12. In some instances, the cabinet door 20 may rotate in a first direction (e.g., 28) about a vertical axis and the chamber door 26 may rotate in a second, opposing direction (e.g., 30) about a vertical axis.
In some instances, when the cabinet door 20 is placed in the closed position, one or more locks 32, 34, 36 may be used to prevent unwanted opening of the cabinet door 20. For example, as illustrated in
Second and third locks 34, 36 may be disposed vertically above and/or below the first lock 32. In some instances, the second and third locks 34, 36 are of a varying type from the first lock 32. For example, the second and third locks 34, 36 may be configured at padlocks having locking bodies coupled to the cabinet door 20 that interact with anchor assemblies that are fixed to the cabinet 12.
With reference to
A frame 46 can be positioned within the compartment 14 and includes any number of portions for supporting various components of the ice machine 10. In some examples, the frame 46 may be formed of any material and can be fixed to the cabinet 12 or free-standing. As illustrated in
An agitator 56 may be positioned in the hopper 54 and is rotated using a motor 58. In some examples, the agitator 56 may periodically agitate the ice contained in the storage bin is to keep the ice in a fluid state and to maintain the ice in a level orientation with respect to the storage bin. Maintaining the ice at a level orientation generally ensures that the hopper 54 is maintained in a substantially predefined capacity.
In some examples, the hopper 54 includes an ice dispensing interface 60 having a flap 62 thereon that is positioned over an exit aperture of the hopper 54. The flap 62 may be moved between a closed position in which the flap 62 prevents ice from exiting the hopper 54 through the exit aperture and an open position in which ice may exit the hopper 54 through the aperture. In some examples, the ice dispensing interface 60 can be biased in a closed position and coupled with an electrically actuable device, such as a servo motor, that moves the flap 62 between the closed position and an open position. In some instances, a user may be capable of choosing various amounts of ice to be dispensed from the hopper 54. In such instances, the flap 62 may be moved for the closed position to the open position for predefined periods of time correlating the amount of ice chosen by the user. Additionally or alternatively, the agitator 56 may be operated for various predefined times to move a desired amount of ice through the aperture. It will be appreciated that the amount of ice moved through the aperture can be detected or monitored through any type of sensor positioned within the hopper 54, along the chute, in the chamber 24, or at any other location.
A protective structure 40 may be operably coupled with the cabinet 12 and surround the cooling module 50. For example, as illustrated in
In some examples, such as the ones illustrated in
With reference to
Additional supports 70 may couple to the legs on opposing end portions of the supports. For example, a first support 70a may extend from a rearward leg to a forward leg, as illustrated in
In the examples illustrated in
The support portion 66 is supported by the base portion 64 of the frame 46 on a lower portion and supports the cooling module 50 on an opposing upper portion. The support portion 66 can include one or more brackets that couple with the cooling module 50 and/or the base portion 64 of the frame 46. In addition, the support portion 66 may house the motor 58 and/or any other practicable components.
In some examples, such as the embodiments illustrated in
A water valve assembly 80 may be positioned in a laterally offset orientation from the frame 46 within the cabinet 12 and fluidly coupled with a water supply that is external to the compartment 14. The water valve assembly 80 can include a control valve and/or a flow meter for measuring a water pressure within the valve assembly.
In some examples, a sump 128 is defined by the cabinet 12. The cooling module drain pipe 51 fluidly coupled with the cooling module 50 and/or a drain hose 55 fluidly coupled with the hopper 54 may direct unwanted fluid to the sump 128. A sump pump 130 is configured to remove the unwanted fluid from the sump 128. In various examples, the sump pump 130 may include an inlet hose 132 that is positioned at or near the bottom of the sump 128. The sump pump 130 may include a float switch assembly 134, which forms part of an electric circuit including a power cord which supplies electric power to the pump motor upon the water level in the sump 128 rising to a first predetermined level. This causes the pump 130 to discharge water from the sump 128 through a discharge pipe 136 to a storm drain or other water dispersal facility. The float switch assembly 134 interrupts the application of electric power to the pump motor when the water level in the sump falls to a second predetermined level below the first predetermined level.
In some examples, such as the embodiment illustrated in
The cabinet door 20 may also support various components of the ice machine 10 which may have a first portion that is accessible on an exterior side of the cabinet door 20 and a second portion that is accessible from the interior side of the cabinet door 20. For instance, in the examples illustrated in
The payment station 86 is configured to accept bills, coins, credit cards, and other forms of payment. In some examples, the payment station 86 may include a payment interface in which prices for various quantities of ice may be set. Additionally, the payment interface may be coupled with a remote electronic device and the prices and/or any other information may be provided or updated from the remote electronic device.
Upon receipt of payment, ice can be dispensed into a container, bag, cup, bin, ice chest, etc. and delivered to the consumer through actuation of the switch assembly 88. As illustrated in
A housing 90 is operably coupled with the cabinet door 20 and, in combination with the cabinet door 20, defines an ice harvesting chamber 24. For example, as illustrated in
The chute 100 can be in communication with the ice dispensing interface 60 of the cooling module 50 and extend through the housing 90 to terminate within the ice harvesting chamber 24. The chute 100 has a body 104 that can be defined by a rear wall 106, a front wall 108, and a pair of side walls 110 coupling with the rear and front walls 106, 108. The chute 100 has an upper portion 112 that extends above the housing 90, as illustrated in
In some examples, such as the embodiment illustrated in
An attachment rod 118 is coupled with the brace 116 on a first end portion and extends through the rear wall 92 of the housing 90. However, in some examples, the attachment rod 118 may be coupled with a brace 116 or the housing 90 within the ice harvesting chamber 24 rather than extending through the housing 90. The attachment rod 118 may be elongated and capable of holding one or more containers 120 thereon and may be formed from a polymeric material, an elastomeric material, a metallic material, combinations thereof, or any other practicable material. In some examples, the ice machine 10 may include more than one attachment rod 118 for supporting a common container 120 or various containers 120.
A retainer 122 is positioned on a second end portion. The retainer 122 may have a width that is greater than the width of the attachment rod 118. Accordingly, when one or more containers 120 are placed on the attachment rod 118, the increased width of the retainer 122 may removable maintain the containers 120 on the attachment. In some examples, the retainer 122 may be positioned vertically above the lower portion 114 of the chute 100 and/or between the chute 100 and the rear wall 92 of the housing 90.
In various examples, one or more containers 120 may be maintained on the attachment rod 118 and generally prevented from falling off of the attachment rod 118 by the retainer 122. In some instances, the containers 120 may be preassembled on the attachment rod 118 such that a new attachment rod 118 with one or more containers 120 thereon is attached to the brace 116 when additional containers 120 are needed. In other instances, additional containers 120 may be attached to the attachment rod 118 such that the rod may be used multiple times.
In various examples, the chute 100 can include a container hanging assembly 124 thereon, which may be integrally formed with the chute 100 or later attached thereto. For example, as illustrated in
In use, a stack or group of containers 120 hangs from the attachment rod 118. When a user is to collect ice that is dispensed from the chute 100, the user attaches a portion of the target container 120 (that is typically the first one in the stack facing the user) to the container hanging assembly 124 while the container 120 is still retained on the attachment rod 118 to generally vertically align an opening of the container 120 with the opening of the chute 100. Next, the user utilizes the actuation switch to dispense ice into the target container 120. Once the ice is within the target container 120, the target container 120 is removed from the attachment rod 118 (with the rest of the stack of the containers still hanging from the attachment rod) and the container hanging assembly 124 and removed from the ice harvesting chamber 24.
A person of skill appreciates that, in practice, when the bottom 96 of the vending compartment 24 (housing 90) is at a single level, the fluid formed by condensations and/or melting of ice often comes in contact with the pack of containers or bags 120, making them stick to one another as a result of the capillary effect and thereby complicating the use of these containers (by making it difficult for the use to separate one container from another)
It is appreciated that in a related embodiment, the bottom portion of the chamber 240 can be formed as a substantially planar or substantially curved surface that does not have a step-like profile but that is affixed to the side walls of the chamber (compare with the side walls 98 of
The ice machine of the present disclosure may offer a variety of advantages. For instance, use of the ice machine may allow for easy access to containers within the ice harvesting chamber. By hanging the containers, the containers may be generally removed from the bottom wall of the housing preventing the containers from contributing to excess fluid buildup in the ice harvesting chamber by maintaining an open drain. The reduced fluid buildup may allow for a higher perceived value and/or reduce the potential for mold buildup.
The ice machine provided herein may also allow for better operation through the combination of the housing forming the ice harvesting chamber and the chute that directs ice from the hopper into the ice harvesting chamber. Such configurations may increase the percentage of ice that is retained within the container upon dispensing from the hopper.
In addition, the offset frame assembly provided in some examples of the ice machine allows for various components to be used and/or supported by the frame while maintaining space within the compartment for various other components. The offset frame may also reduce the amount of material needed to support the components of the ice machine thereby reducing the cost of the ice machine.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other non-limiting examples of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms: couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
Furthermore, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected” or “operably coupled” to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Some examples of operably couplable include, but are not limited to, physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the provided examples is illustrative only. Although only a few examples of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connectors or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system might be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other examples without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The examples of structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
This US Patent application is a continuation-in-part from the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/600,104 filed on Oct. 11, 2019 and now published as US 2021/0108846, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3151668 | Zimmermann | Oct 1964 | A |
| 3717286 | Crider | Feb 1973 | A |
| 5112477 | Hamlin | May 1992 | A |
| 20100313524 | Pape | Dec 2010 | A1 |
| 20160292953 | Brown | Oct 2016 | A1 |
| 20180187939 | Blosser | Jul 2018 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16600104 | Oct 2019 | US |
| Child | 17314703 | US |
