Ice cube and crushed ice dispenser
US5056688A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 2, 1990 |
| Grant date | Oct 15, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 2, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C2400/08
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A selective ice cube and crushed ice dispenser having a crusher section including a crusher arm mounted to a horizontal shaft axially rotatable in either direction, and a stationary crusher arm mounted to one side of the shaft. When the shaft is driven in one direction, ice pieces fed to the crusher section are caught and crushed between the rotating and stationary crusher arms. However, when the shaft is driven in the opposite direction, the ice pieces escape down the side of the shaft opposite the stationary crusher arms thereby avoiding being crushed. The ice piece feed within the ice piece receptacle is also rotatably driven by the shaft and is operable to feed ice pieces to the crusher section regardless of which direction the shaft is being driven.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.