GB950238A - Ice storing and dispensing units - Google Patents

Abstract

950,238. Ice-making. AUTOMATIC CANTEEN CO. OF AMERICA. Jan. 30, 1961 [Feb. 17, 1960], No. 3406/61. Heading F4H. An ice-dispensing unit comprises means for storing and discharging the ice. The unit may comprise a housing divided into upper and lower compartments by a perforated partition and means for making ice in the lower compartment and discharging it into the upper compartment where it is stored and delivered, when required, by rotary means through an opening in the compartment wall, the said opening being provided with a deflector. As shown, the cylindrical insulated housing 2 is provided with a cover 8 having lugs 17 which project into brackets 18 to prevent rotation and has mounted in its lower portion an ice making mechanism 20 comprising an open topped cylinder 21 which encloses a helical feed screw 24 disposed around a central hollow cylinder 23. Water is supplied to the housing through a pipe 40, passes through perforations in cylinder 21 and is frozen on the surface of cylinder 23 which is cooled internally by refrigerant supplied through pipes 36 and 37. The helical feed screw 24 and its block 26 are rotated by means of a drive shaft 29 which has a sleeve 31 secured to its upper end and is connected to the drive shaft 34 of a motor 35 mounted on the housing cover 8, the said rotation supplying ice to the upper compartment where it is stored on a perforated partition 47. A sleeve 57 rotatably mounted on drive shaft 29 and attached to a paddle wheel 49 at its lower end is disposed around the lower end 62 of the sleeve 31, a clutch mechanism controlled by a solenoid 65 being provided so that the paddle wheel 49 and screw 24 may be rotated either independently or together. Ice is discharged through an opening 3 having a door 76 which is pivotally mounted at a point 77 and is operated by a solenoid 80 through a linkage 83. A deflector mounted above the door is shaped to break up the ice and guide it into the opening. The amount of ice supplied to the upper compartment is controlled by means of a plate 97 mounted on a plunger 96 which operates the compressor of the refrigeration system by means of a switch 94. An electrical control circuit (Fig. 12, not shown) includes a timing unit which operates solenoids 65 and 80, and when energized causes paddle wheel 49 to rotate through only two thirds of a revolution before it is disengaged from drive shaft 29, and closes door 76 at the end of this period.