Ice and beverage dispensing apparatus
US6321802A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C5/24
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An automatic ice and beverage dispensing machine having an ice dispensing chute assembly which is rotatable. As a rotating chute rotates rearward, a lifting motion first moves a locking device which locks a door in place and then elevates the door so that ice can freely flow from an ice storage bin. A switch is contacted which initiates the flow of ice from the ice storage bin. Releasing the rotating chute causes it to rotate (due to gravity) back to its initial, neutral position, disengaging the switch and stopping the flow of ice from the ice storage bin, reversing the lifting action on the door and the locking device, closing the door and locking the door in place to prevent further flow of ice from the ice storage bin.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.