GB1459629A - Ice dispensing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

1459629 Discharging hoppers KING-SEELEY THERMOS CO 17 May 1974 [28 Jan 1974] 21968/74 Heading B8S [Also in Division F4] An ice cube vending machine comprises a housing 12 including an ice storage bin 100 from which ice cubes are movable along a dispensing channel 160 to a dispensing cavity 210, and an ice transfer rotor 114 within the storage bin for selectively conveying ice cubes toward the channel 160 which is selectively blockable, control means being provided for operating the transfer rotor 114 independently of the channel blocking means to dispense cubes, or operating the rotor 114 together with the channel blocking means whereby the stored ice cubes are agitated without any dispensing taking place. The storage bin 100, which is supplied with ice cubes from an ice cube making unit within the housing 12 and above the bin, is formed from a mouldable synthetic polymeric material, with an upwardly inclined sidewall, 108 over which the rotor 114 is positioned, and an arcuate bottom wall 106 co-extensive with the lower part of the rotor 114 and extending into side walls 102, 104 substantially tangential to the rotor. The rotor 114 comprises a circular base 18 within an annular rim 116 and divided into sector pockets 122 by radial spokes 120, an aperture 134 being found formed in the base 118 and being associated with an L-shaped spoke portion 124, base portion 130 and cover 132 forming a scoop. The rotor 114 is normally positioned such that the aperture 134 is sited over a solid part of the housing wall 108 and upon rotating the rotor, the scoop gathers a certain volume of ice cubes which gravitate into the dispensing channel 160 as the aperture 134 passes over an aperture in the wall 108 communicating with the channel 106. The channel 106 is blocked during the agitation only operation by a plate pivotable into the channel under the control of a solenoid transmitting movement to the plate through a cable and pulley arrangement. The drive shaft from the motor 150 driving the rotor 114 incorporates a brake drum normally braked by a spring applied brake band which is released by solenoid action through a lever system when the rotor drive motor is energized. A single rotation of the rotor 114 when either a dispensing or agitating cycle is selected, is controlled by a cam disc mounted on the rotor shaft, which disc controls a switch for de-energizing the motor 15 and brake solenoid every time the rotor 114 reaches its normal rest position. Ice cubes dispensed into the cavity 210 are released therefrom by manual pull down against spring return pressure of a transparent door 206 which causes downward pivoting of the cavity base 218. Opening movement of the door 206 operates a switch to break the power supply circuit to the motor 150.