Integrated ice and beverage dispenser
US7017353B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C2600/04
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ice cube-making machine that is characterized by noiseless operation at the location where ice cubes are dispensed and be lightweight packages for ease of installation. The ice cube-making machine has an evaporator package, a separate compressor package and a separate condenser package. Each of these packages has a weight that can generally by handled by one or two installers for ease of installation. The noisy compressor and condenser packages can be located remotely of the evaporator package. The maximum height distance between the evaporator package and the condenser package is greatly enhanced by the three package system. A pressure regulator operates during a harvest cycle to limit flow of refrigerant leaving the evaporator, thereby increasing pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator and assisting in defrost thereof. The evaporator can be integrated with a beverage dispenser and an ice dispenser.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.