Patent ID: 6009718
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: F25C

Abstract:
An ice dispenser comprising:an ice making device including an auger that rotates around a substantially vertical axis, and an agitator attached to an upper end portion of the auger;a chip ice stocker having a cylindrical wall formed around the agitator and an opening formed on the cylindrical wall; andan opening open/closure device 26 including a bracket 32 attached to the cylindrical wall 12a, a shutter 27 pivotably joined to the bracket via a connecting shaft 33, shutter springs 34 for energizing the shutter around the connecting shaft so that the shutter closes the opening, a solenoid 31 fixed on the bracket, a plunger 30 that is actuated at right angle to the connecting shaft by the electromagnetic action of the solenoid, a link 29 for joining the shutter and the plunger, a supporting pivot 38 attached to the link 29 parallel to the connecting shaft, a shutter lock arm 36 pivotably supported around the supporting pivot and having a hollow portion 37 shaped so as to engage an outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft 33, and shutter lock spring means 39 for locking the shutter by applying spring force to the shutter lock arm 36 pivoted around the supporting pivot 38 thereby pressing the hollow portion on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft;wherein the connecting shaft 33 is provided with a sleeve 40 formed from material which is softer than the shutter lock arm 36, and having an outer periphery surface which engages to the hollow portion.