Low profile ice dispenser
US6039220A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 6, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 6, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F13/005
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention comprises a below countertop dispenser that provides for reliable less destructive dispensing of ice, and that can fully remove the ice from the storage bin thereof. The invention herein utilizes a two part mechanism for lifting ice from the storage bin to a dispense chute positioned above the countertop. A disk type agitator/lift mechanism is first used to lift the ice to an ice channel communicating with the bottom of an auger housing. The bottom of the auger housing is positioned above the bottom most point of the ice storage bin. An auger is positioned vertically in the auger housing and provides for lifting ice from the bottom of the auger housing to the dispense chute.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.