Patent ID: 6324855
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: F25C,H03K

Abstract:
A proximity ice level detector for detecting a full ice level state of ice in an ice bin, the ice being made and dispensed by an ice maker, the proximity ice level detector comprising:a proximity sensor disposed in or adjacent the ice bin at the full ice level state of the ice in the ice bin;a controller operative in conjunction with the proximity sensor and the ice maker for reading signals from the proximity sensor such that, when the proximity sensor detects the ice at the full ice level state, the controller causes the ice maker to cease making ice and, when the proximity sensor fails to detect the ice at the full ice level state, the controller causes the ice maker to make ice and dispense the made ice into the ice bin; anda sleeve fabricated from a material approved for contact with items consumed by humans, the sleeve sized and adapted to encase the proximity switch therein.