Ice conveyor system for refrigerator
US5117654A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jun 2, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C5/22
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ice dispenser for a refrigeration apparatus includes a container for storing ice bodies. The container has opposite front and rear walls and an access opening through the front wall. A housing is secured at the front wall adjacent the access opening and has a dispensing space for dispensing ice bodies. An ice conveyor transfers ice bodies stored in the container to the dispensing space. The ice conveyor includes a wire auger and a cylindrical sleeve surrounding the wire auger for rotation therewith. The cylinder has an outer wall including a helical rib extending outwardly therefrom. The sleeve rib moves ice bodies frontwardly at a slower rate than the wire auger.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.