Ice and beverage dispensing apparatus and method with dual purpose liner
US4641763A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 1984 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C5/24
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Ice from an ice-making source is loaded into a bin and rests upon a curved liner which is spaced above the bottom of the bin. Ice is moved through the bin and above the liner by a wire auger toward a discharge opening. Ice gravitationally feeds through openings in the liner to a cold plate which forms the bottom of the bin. The ice chills the cold plate, chilling beverages flowing through passages in the cold plate. As ice resting on the cold plate takes up heat, the ice melts. Water is drained from above the cold plate. Foamed-in-place polyurethane insulation surrounds the bin. A motor is mounted on the front of the bin. A drive connected to the motor drives the ice-moving auger and discharge equipment. A motor controller is mounted near an ice-discharge chute. Beverage-dispenser valves are connected to the front of the cold plate and are aligned with the dispenser chute.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.