Method and apparatus for conveying ice lumps

In apparatus for conveying batches of ice lumps from a storage hopper to remotely located ice dispensers, ice lumps from the storage hopper are delivered into the main conduits through corresponding main valves and connecting conduits extending between each main valve and the storage hopper. Metering valves meter batches of ice lumps of predetermined size into the main conduits. Conveying air from an air blower is supplied to the main conduits through the main valves for conveying the batches of ice lumps. In use, batches of ice lumps are intermittently delivered into the main conduit, and the batches of ice lumps and conveying air are alternately supplied to the main conduit.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for conveying ice 
lumps from an ice lump source to a remote location. The term ice lump as 
used throughout this specification and the claims is intended to mean any 
type, size or shape of ice lump, for example, an ice lump of the type 
typically referred to as an ice cube commonly used in beverages, such ice 
lumps may be of any shape besides being cubic. Such ice lumps may be of 
regular or irregular shape, cylindrical shape, prismatic shape, spiral 
shape, and the like, and, indeed, such ice lumps may be hollow. The term 
ice lump is also intended to include a flake or particle of ice, such as, 
for example, flake ice, commonly used for cooling purposes. The term ice 
lump is also intended to include crushed ice. Needless to say, the term 
would also include an ice lump made from compressed flake ice. The 
invention also relates to a holding device for holding a batch of ice 
lumps for use in the conveying apparatus. Further, the invention relates 
to metering apparatus for metering a metered quantity of ice lumps. 
Additionally, the invention relates to a separator for separating ice 
lumps from a conveying medium. 
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
Apparatus for conveying ice lumps from an ice lump source to a plurality of 
remote locations is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,104,889. U.S. Pat. No. 
3,877,241 also discloses apparatus for conveying ice lumps from an ice 
lump source to a plurality of remote locations. However, the conveying 
apparatus disclosed in these U.S. patent specifications, as well as other 
conveying apparatus of the prior art, have been found to be 
unsatisfactory. Most ice lump conveying apparatus tend to be relatively 
complex, relatively noisy, require excessive energy and cause excessive 
melting of the ice lumps. In the conveying apparatus disclosed in U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,877,241 a conveying conduit extends between the ice lump source 
and the remote locations. A main conduit extends from the ice lump source, 
and a plurality of secondary conduits connected to the main conduit 
deliver the ice lumps to respective remote locations. Diverter valves 
connect the secondary conduits to the main conduit. Storage bins are 
provided at the remote locations for receiving the ice lumps and the ice 
lump source is provided by an ice maker. In the apparatus of this U.S. 
specification, conveying air is continuously delivered through the main 
conduit for conveying the ice lumps to the remote location. The conveying 
air is delivered into the main conduit by an air blower. On ice being 
required, a diverter valve diverts the ice lumps into the secondary 
conduit, which conveys the ice lumps to the appropriate storage bin. In 
this apparatus, air is recirculated to the source. 
In the conveying apparatus of this U.S. specification, the air and ice 
lumps are continuously and simultaneously fed into and through the 
conveying conduit until a demand for ice lumps has been satisfied. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,104,889 discloses substantially similar apparatus to that 
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,877,241. In the conveying apparatus of U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,104,889 conveying air and ice lumps are continuously and 
simultaneously fed into and through the conveying conduit until a demand 
for ice at a remote location has been satisfied. 
These conveying apparatus suffer from the disadvantages already described, 
in that they require excessive energy, they cause deterioration of the ice 
lumps and are unsuitable for delivering ice lumps over relatively long 
distances. 
There is therefore a need for a conveying apparatus which overcomes these 
problems. 
The present invention is directed towards providing a method and conveying 
apparatus for conveying ice lumps from an ice lump source to a remote 
location. The invention is also directed towards providing a holding 
device for holding a batch of ice lumps for use in conveying apparatus. 
The invention is further directed towards metering apparatus for metering 
a quantity of ice lumps, and the invention is also directed towards a 
separator for separating ice lumps from a conveying medium. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
One object of the invention is to provide a conveying apparatus for 
conveying ice lumps from an ice lump source to a remote location which 
overcomes the problems of known prior art. Another object of the invention 
is to provide a method for conveying ice lumps from an ice lump source to 
a remote location which also overcomes the problems of known prior art 
methods. The invention is further directed towards providing conveying 
apparatus and a method for conveying ice lumps from an ice lump source to 
a remote location in which the energy requirement is relatively low and 
which is suitable for conveying ice lumps over relatively long distances, 
and which does not generate excessive noise, and furthermore which 
minimises the risk of melting of the ice lumps. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a holding device for use in 
a conveying apparatus for holding a batch of ice lumps prior to being 
delivered into a storage bin, at, for example, a remote location. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a metering apparatus for 
metering a metered quantity of ice lumps from, for example, an ice lump 
dispenser. Typically, such a metered quantity would comprise a sufficient 
number of ice lumps for a glass of beverage. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a separator for separating 
ice lumps from a conveying medium. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to the invention, there is provided a method for conveying ice 
lumps from an ice lump source to a remote location through a conveying 
conduit means, the method comprising the steps of: 
delivering a batch of ice lumps into the conveying conduit means at an 
upstream end of the conveying conduit means, and 
supplying a conveying medium to the conveying conduit means after the batch 
of ice lumps has been delivered into the conveying conduit means for 
conveying the batch of ice lumps to the remote location. 
The advantages of the invention are many. The method of the invention is 
suitable for conveying ice lumps over relatively long distances. 
Furthermore, the energy requirements are relatively low, and the noise 
generated by apparatus using the method is also relatively low. 
Additionally, the risk of melting of the ice lumps is minimised. It is 
believed that these advantages result from the fact that the ice lumps are 
conveyed in batches. Furthermore, the fact that ice lumps and conveying 
medium are alternately supplied to the conveying conduit further 
facilitates in providing the advantages. 
In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the step of 
alternately delivering a batch of ice lumps and supplying conveying medium 
to the conveying conduit means for conveying a plurality of batches of ice 
lumps. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that the method is 
particularly suitable for conveying relatively large quantities of ice 
lumps in small batches over relatively long distances. 
In another embodiment of the invention, the supply of conveying medium is 
cut off to the conveying conduit means on each batch of ice lumps having 
been delivered to the remote location. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively efficient method and in particular, an energy efficient method. 
Preferably, only one batch of ice lumps is in the conveying conduit means 
at any one time. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that the method is 
particularly suitable for conveying ice lumps over relatively long 
distances with relatively low energy requirements and at relatively low 
noise. It is believed that this feature contributes considerably to 
minimising the risk of melting of the ice lumps. It has been found that 
where some melting of the ice lumps does occur, this, in general, is 
minimal. 
In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the step of 
monitoring the conveying conduit means to determine when a batch of ice 
lumps has been delivered to a remote location. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively efficient method of conveying ice lumps. 
In another embodiment of the invention, the next batch of ice lumps is 
delivered into the conveying conduit means on the previous batch having 
been delivered to the remote location. 
This feature of the invention results in a particularly efficient method 
and also provides for the relatively rapid delivery of ice lumps to a 
remote location. 
In one embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the step 
of polling the remote location to determine if a demand for ice lumps 
exists, and on a demand being determined to exist at the remote location, 
conveying a predetermined number of batches of ice lumps to the remote 
location. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively simple, effective and at the same time an efficient method. 
Where the method is applied to conveying apparatus, the conveying 
apparatus is of relatively simple construction and can be readily easily 
and simply maintained. 
In a further embodiment of the invention, the conveying conduit means 
delivers batches of ice lumps to a plurality of remote locations, the 
method further comprising the steps of sequentially polling the remote 
locations to determine if a demand for ice lumps exists at the remote 
locations, and on a demand being determined to exist at a remote location, 
conveying at least one batch of ice lumps to that remote location before 
polling the next sequential remote location. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a method 
which enables ice lumps to be conveyed from a single ice lump source to a 
plurality of remote locations in a relatively efficient manner. 
In a further embodiment of the invention, a plurality of batches of ice 
lumps are delivered to a remote location on a demand being determined to 
exist at that remote location. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a 
particularly efficient method for delivering the ice lumps to the remote 
location. 
In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of setting 
conveying conduit means to communicate the ice lump source with the remote 
location demanding ice lumps prior to a batch of ice lumps being delivered 
into the conveying conduit means. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it leads to a 
relatively efficient and cost effective method for conveying ice lumps. 
In a further embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the 
step of supplying the conveying medium to the conveying conduit means 
prior to setting the conveying conduit means for clearing the conveying 
conduit means of residual matter prior to setting the conveying conduit 
means. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it ensures that any 
residual matter, for example, ice lumps remaining from the conveying of a 
previous batch of ice lumps are cleared from the conveying conduit means 
prior to setting the conveying conduit means. 
Additionally, the invention provides a method for conveying ice lumps from 
an ice lump source to a remote location through a conveying conduit means, 
the method comprising the steps of: 
intermittently delivering a plurality of batches of ice lumps into the 
conveying conduit means at an upstream end of the conveying conduit means, 
and 
continuously supplying a conveying medium to the conveying conduit means 
for conveying the intermittently delivered batches of ice lumps to the 
remote location. 
The advantage of this aspect of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively efficient and low energy method for conveying ice lumps. 
Preferably, only one batch of ice lumps is in the conveying conduit means 
at any one time and the conveying medium is supplied to the conveying 
conduit means at the upstream end thereof. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a 
particularly efficient method for conveying ice lumps. 
Further, the invention provides a method for cleaning a conveying conduit 
means, the method comprising the steps of: 
delivering a cleaning fluid into the conveying conduit means adjacent one 
end thereof, and 
supplying a conveying medium to the conveying conduit means for conveying 
the cleaning fluid through the conveying conduit means. 
The advantage of this aspect of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively efficient method for cleaning a conveying conduit means. In 
particular, where the method is used for cleaning a conveying conduit 
means used in conveying batches of ice lumps, an effective method for 
cleaning the conveying conduit means is provided. Where the method for 
cleaning uses a disinfectant or a sanitization fluid, the method is also 
suitable for disinfecting or sanitising the conveying conduit means. 
In one embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the step 
of delivering a body member into the conveying conduit means for 
dispersing the cleaning fluid over the inner surface of the conveying 
conduit means, the body member being delivered into the conveying conduit 
means at the same end as the cleaning fluid prior to supplying the 
conveying medium to the conveying conduit means. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that the action of the 
body member co-operating with the cleaning fluid causes the cleaning fluid 
to disperse more effectively and efficiently over the inner surface of the 
conveying conduit means. 
In one embodiment of the invention, the body member is a resilient member. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that good dispersion of 
the cleaning fluid over the inner surface of the conveying means is 
provided, and the feeding of the body member from the ice lump source into 
the conveying conduit means is facilitated. 
In another embodiment of the invention, the body member is of cross section 
substantially corresponding to the cross section of the conveying conduit 
means, and being of size less than the cross section of the conveying 
conduit means. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that further improvement 
in the dispersion of the cleaning fluid over the inner surface of the 
conveying conduit means is achieved. 
Advantageously, the cleaning fluid is a liquid and the conveying medium is 
supplied at the same end of the conveying conduit means as the cleaning 
fluid. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that adequate cleaning is 
provided for. 
Additionally, the invention provides a method for drying a conveying 
conduit means for conveying batches of ice lumps, the method comprising 
the steps of supplying a drying medium to the conveying conduit means at a 
predetermined interval after the last batch of ice lumps has been 
delivered through the conveying conduit means. 
The advantage of this aspect of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively efficient method for drying the conveying conduit means in the 
event that a period of time elapses between batches of ice lumps being 
conveyed through the conveying conduit means. 
Preferably, the drying medium is delivered through the conveying conduit 
means for a predetermined period of time. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that better control of 
the drying of the conveying conduit means is achieved. 
Preferably, the drying medium is provided by the conveying medium, and is 
derived from the conveying medium source. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively efficient and effective, as well as a low cost method for 
drying a conveying conduit means. 
Additionally, the invention provides conveying apparatus for conveying ice 
lumps from an ice lump source to a remote location, the conveying 
apparatus comprising: 
conveying conduit means for conveying the ice lumps from the ice lump 
source to the remote location, the conveying conduit means having an 
upstream end and a downstream end, 
connecting means for connecting the upstream end of the conveying conduit 
means to the ice lump source, 
communicating means for communicating the conveying conduit means with a 
conveying medium source for conveying the ice lumps through the conveying 
conduit means, and 
means for alternately supplying a batch of ice lumps and conveying medium 
to the conveying conduit means so that on the batch of ice lumps being 
delivered into the conveying conduit means, the conveying medium is then 
supplied into the conveying conduit means. 
The advantages of the conveying apparatus according to the invention are 
many. In particular, it has been found that the conveying apparatus 
enables ice lumps to be conveyed over a relatively long distance with 
relatively low energy requirements. Further, the noise level generated by 
the conveying apparatus is relatively low. Additionally, ice lumps can be 
conveyed over relatively long distances with minimal deterioration to the 
ice lumps. It has been found that the ice lumps by being conveyed 
relatively rapidly and at a relatively high efficiency, reduces the amount 
of melting caused to the ice lumps to a minimum. Indeed, it has been found 
that by using the method and apparatus of the invention, the quantity of 
conveying medium required is minimised, thereby considerably reducing any 
danger of deterioration of ice lumps caused by melting. 
In one embodiment of the invention, metering means are provided for 
metering the ice lumps in batches into the conveying conduit means. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that the ice lumps are 
delivered into the conveying conduit means in a controlled manner. 
In another embodiment of the invention, the metering means comprises a 
metering valve. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that a relatively 
efficient, low cost and relatively maintenance free metering means is 
provided. 
In another embodiment of the invention, timer means is provided for 
operating the metering means for a predetermined period of time for 
delivering a batch of ice lumps of predetermined size. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that the batch size of 
each batch of ice lumps is tightly controlled. 
In another embodiment of the invention, the communicating means 
communicates the upstream end of the conveying conduit means with the 
conveying medium source. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides for a 
relatively efficient and cost effective construction of apparatus. It also 
provides for an efficient running apparatus. 
In one embodiment of the invention, the means for alternately supplying a 
batch of ice lumps and conveying medium to the conveying conduit means 
comprises a main valve means, the main valve means being alternately 
operable into an ice delivery position communicating the conveying conduit 
means with the ice lump source, and a conveying medium supply position 
communicating the conveying conduit means with the conveying medium 
source. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively efficient conveying apparatus and also a relatively convenient 
construction of apparatus which requires minimum onsite maintenance. 
In a further embodiment of the invention, the main valve means in the 
conveying medium supply position isolates the conveying conduit means from 
the ice lump source. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it minimises the 
possibility of deterioration of ice lumps at the ice lump source. 
In another embodiment of the invention, the main valve means is connected 
to the upstream end of the conveying conduit means, and to the connecting 
means, and to the communicating means. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively convenient construction of apparatus. 
In another embodiment of the invention, monitoring means is provided for 
monitoring when a batch of ice lumps has been conveyed to a remote 
location. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that the arrival of a 
batch of ice lumps at a remote location can relatively efficiently be 
determined. 
Preferably, the monitoring means comprises a pressure sensor for monitoring 
back pressure in the conveying conduit means. The advantage of this 
feature of the invention is that it provides a relatively simple means of 
determining when a batch of ice lumps has arrived at a remote location. 
In another embodiment of the invention, the means for alternately supplying 
a batch of ice lumps and conveying medium is responsive to the monitoring 
means detecting delivery of a batch of ice lumps so that on delivery of a 
batch of ice lumps, the means for alternately supplying a batch of ice 
lumps and conveying medium supplies the next batch of ice lumps to the 
conveying conduit means. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it further improves 
the efficiency of the conveying apparatus. 
Preferably, the connecting means extends downwardly from the ice lump 
source to facilitate delivery of batches of ice lumps to the conveying 
conduit means under gravity. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively simple construction of apparatus which is cost effective to 
manufacture and to run. Furthermore, this feature also leads to an 
apparatus with an improved efficiency. 
In another embodiment of the invention, portion of the conveying conduit 
means adjacent the upstream end and extending therefrom extends downwardly 
from the connecting means to facilitate delivery of batches of ice lumps 
into the conveying conduit means under gravity. 
This feature of the invention further improves the efficiency of the 
apparatus. 
In a further embodiment of the invention, the conveying apparatus conveys 
batches of ice lumps from the ice lump source to a plurality of remote 
locations, the remote locations being connected to the ice lump source by 
respective conveying conduit means of a plurality of conveying conduit 
means. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a 
conveying apparatus which effectively and efficiently conveys batches of 
ice lumps from an ice lump source to a plurality of remote locations. 
In another embodiment of the invention, each conveying conduit means is 
connected to the ice lump source by a corresponding means for alternately 
supplying a batch of ice lumps and conveying medium into the conveying 
conduit means. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively effective and efficient, and low cost apparatus. 
In another embodiment of the invention, the conveying conduit means conveys 
batches of ice lumps from the ice lump source to a plurality of remote 
locations, the conveying conduit means comprising a main conveying conduit 
means and a plurality of secondary conveying conduit means connected to 
the main conveying conduit means, the main conveying conduit means 
extending from the ice lump source, and the secondary conveying conduit 
means terminating at respective remote locations. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it likewise provides 
an apparatus which is efficient and effective to run. 
Preferably, each secondary conveying conduit means is connected to the main 
conveying conduit means by a diverter valve means for alternately 
connecting the upstream end of the main conveying conduit means with the 
secondary conveying conduit means and a portion of the main conveying 
conduit means downstream of the diverter valve means. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it permits batches 
of ice lumps to be efficiently diverted to respective remote locations. 
In one embodiment of the invention, means for sequentially polling the 
remote locations to determine if a demand for ice lumps exists at the 
remote location, the means for alternately supplying a batch of ice lumps 
and conveying medium into the conveying conduit means being responsive to 
the polling means. 
The advantage of this aspect of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively efficient method of operating the apparatus. 
In a further embodiment of the invention, the communicating means extends 
round the ice lump source to form heat exchange means for cooling the 
conveying medium. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it further reduces 
any danger of deterioration of ice lumps during conveying in that the 
temperature of the conveying medium is reduced on passing through the heat 
exchange means. 
In a further embodiment of the invention, a buffer storage means is 
provided for storing ice lumps, the buffer storage means being connected 
to the means for alternately supplying a batch of ice lumps and conveying 
medium to the conveying conduit means, for conveying ice lumps from the 
ice lump source to the buffer storage means, and delivery means being 
provided from the buffer storage means for delivering ice lumps from the 
buffer storage means to the ice lump source. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it permits 
relatively large quantities of ice lumps to be stored during periods when 
the demand for ice is relatively low, and the stored ice lumps are then 
available for use during peak periods of demand. 
Additionally, the invention provides conveying apparatus for conveying ice 
lumps from an ice lump source to a remote location, the conveying 
apparatus comprising: 
conveying conduit means for conveying the ice lumps from the ice lump 
source to the remote location, the conveying conduit means having an 
upstream end and a downstream end, 
connecting means for connecting the upstream end of the conveying conduit 
means to the ice lump source, 
communicating means for communicating the conveying conduit means with a 
conveying medium source for conveying the ice lumps through the conveying 
conduit means, and 
means for intermittently delivering batches of ice lumps from the ice lump 
source to the conveying conduit means. 
The advantages of this aspect of the invention are many. The conveying 
apparatus of this aspect of the invention conveys ice lumps in an 
efficient manner over relatively long distances and with minimum 
deterioration of the ice lumps. 
In one embodiment of the invention, the intermittent delivery means 
delivers the next batch of ice lumps into the conveying conduit means on 
the previous batch of ice lumps being conveyed to the remote location. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively efficient apparatus. 
In another embodiment of the invention, ice lumps are delivered into the 
conveying conduit means adjacent a venturi or a nozzle, the conveying 
medium being conveyed through the venturi or nozzle for drawing the ice 
lumps of a batch of ice lumps into the conveying conduit means. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that the efficiency with 
which ice lumps are delivered into the conveying conduit means is 
considerably improved, and furthermore, the risk of back pressure causing 
conveying medium to reach the ice lump source is reduced, thereby 
minimising any risk of deterioration of ice lumps in the ice lump source. 
While the size, in other words, the weight of each batch of ice lumps may 
vary from conveying apparatus to conveying apparatus, the weight of a 
batch of ice lumps will depend on a number of variables. For example, the 
weight of a batch of ice lumps will be dependent on the cross sectional 
area of the conveying conduit means. The weight will also be dependent on 
the shape of the cross section of the conveying conduit means, as well as 
the length of the conveying conduit means, and the way the conveying 
conduit means is laid. For example, if the conveying conduit means is 
provided in a relatively level run, the weight of each batch of ice lumps 
would, preferably, be smaller than if the conveying conduit means which 
had a number of vertical drop portions through which the batches of ice 
lumps were dropped. Needless to say, a sloping conveying conduit means 
would accommodate a batch of ice lumps of weight lying between the weight 
which could be efficiently carried by a substantially level conveying 
conduit means or a conveying conduit means with a number of vertical drop 
portions. Additionally, the size and capacity of the conveying medium 
source and the energy of the conveying medium source will also play a part 
in determining the weight of a batch of ice lumps for efficient operation 
of the conveying apparatus. However, it is believed that, in general, the 
weight of a batch of ice lumps should not exceed 10 grammes of ice lumps 
for each one square millimeter of cross sectional area of conveying 
conduit means. While this figure is given as a guide to the upper value of 
a batch size, it is not intended to in any way limit the invention or the 
scope of the claims. In general, it is believed preferable that the weight 
of a batch of ice lumps should not exceed 5 grammes of ice lumps for each 
square millimeter of cross sectional area of conveying conduit means. More 
normally, it is envisaged that the weight of a batch of ice lumps would be 
of the order of 1 to 2 grammes of ice lumps for each square millimeter of 
cross sectional area of conveying conduit means. A recommended normal 
batch size of ice lumps for a conveying conduit means of circular cross 
section of 50 millimeters diameter would be 2 Kg batch size based on the 
ratio of one gramme of ice for each square millimeter of cross sectional 
area of conveying conduit means. 
The advantage of maintaining the weight of a batch of ice lumps within the 
values given above is that, in general, the conveying apparatus functions 
relatively efficiently and with minimum amount of risk of melting of the 
ice lumps. 
Further, the invention provides a holding device for temporarily holding 
ice lumps prior to being delivered into a secondary storage means of an 
ice lump conveying apparatus, the holding device comprising a holding 
container having an inlet for receiving the ice lumps and an outlet 
through which the ice lumps are delivered into the secondary storage 
means, valve means mounted in the outlet for selectively closing the 
outlet, exhaust means being provided from the holding container for 
exhausting conveying medium therefrom, and drain means being provided from 
the holding container for draining water therefrom. 
The advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the use of the 
holding device permits a batch of ice lumps to be held remote of a 
secondary storage means until the conveying medium has been exhausted 
prior to the batch of ice lumps being delivered into the secondary storage 
means. This thus minimises the risk of deterioration of ice lumps caused 
by melting in the storage means, which could otherwise be affected by the 
conveying medium. 
In a further embodiment of the invention, the holding container comprises a 
side wall diverging outwardly downwardly towards the outlet. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it minimises the 
risk of bridging of ice lumps in the holding container. 
In another embodiment of the invention, the outlet from the holding 
container is downwardly directed. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively efficient construction of holding device. 
In a further embodiment of the invention, the valve means comprises a flap 
valve, the flap valve being adapted for monitoring the level of ice lumps 
in the secondary storage means. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively low cost, while at the same time effective means for monitoring 
the level of ice lumps in the secondary storage means and particularly the 
maximum level. 
Further, the invention provides metering apparatus for metering a metered 
quantity of ice lumps through a dispensing outlet of ice lump conveying 
apparatus, the metering apparatus comprising a metering chamber for 
collecting the metered quantity of ice lumps, the metering chamber having 
an inlet through which ice lumps are delivered into the metering chamber 
and an outlet through which the metered quantity of ice lumps are 
delivered from the metering chamber, first and second valve means being 
provided in the inlet and outlet, respectively, for selectively opening 
the inlet and outlet for collecting and dispensing the metered quantity of 
ice lumps, a dispensing tube extending from the outlet of the metering 
chamber to a dispensing outlet, a third valve means being provided in the 
dispensing tube adjacent the dispensing outlet for retaining a metered 
quantity of ice lumps from the metering chamber prior to being delivered 
through the dispensing outlet. 
The advantage of this aspect of the invention is that it provides 
relatively efficient apparatus for dispensing predetermined quantities of 
ice, and this has a particular advantage where the ice lumps are being 
dispensed directly into a beverage glass. 
Furthermore, the invention provides a separator for separating ice lumps 
from a conveying medium, the separator comprising a housing defining a 
hollow interior region, an inlet being provided to the hollow interior 
region for delivering ice lumps and conveying medium into the interior 
region, a diverting means extending transversely across the interior 
region for engaging and diverting ice lumps from the interior region, an 
exhaust means from the interior region for exhausting conveying medium, 
and a drain means for draining water from the interior region. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively efficient means of separating ice lumps from the conveying 
medium, and this has a particular advantage where the ice lumps are being 
delivered directly into a storage bin at a remote location. By using the 
separator, the conveying medium is directed away from the storage bin, 
thereby minimising the risk of deterioration of the ice lumps which might 
otherwise be caused as a result of conveying medium being blown onto the 
ice lumps in the storage bin. 
Advantageously, the separator comprises damping means for slowing down the 
ice lumps. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that the ice lumps are 
slowed down before being conveyed into a bin, dispenser or the like at a 
remote location, thereby minimising the damage to the ice lumps being 
conveyed or ice lumps in the storage bin or dispenser at the remote 
location. A further advantage of this feature of the invention is that the 
separator operates relatively silently. 
Additionally, the invention provides a diverter valve comprising a housing 
defining a hollow interior region, three ports being provided, and a 
valving member slidably mounted in the interior region of the housing and 
being slidable laterally from a first position towards one lateral end of 
the housing to a second position towards a second lateral end of the 
housing, at least one of the said ports being provided in the valving 
member so that the said one port is alternately communicable with the 
other ports as the valving member is moved into the first and the second 
positions. 
The advantage of this aspect of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively efficient, effective and also a relatively maintenance free 
diverter valve. Another advantage of the diverter valve according to the 
invention is that the diverter valve can be readily easily manufactured 
and produced at relatively low cost. 
Advantageously, an outlet is provided from the interior region for 
providing access by the said at least one port in the valving member. 
The advantage of this feature of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively simple construction of diverter valve. 
In a further embodiment of the invention, a duct means is provided 
connecting the said one lateral end with the said other lateral end, and a 
flowable disinfectant material is packed in the interior region, and the 
disinfectant material is transferred between alternate said one and other 
lateral ends of the interior region of the housing as the valving member 
is moved from one position to the other. Preferably, the disinfectant 
material is pressurised and advantageously, the disinfectant material is 
grease. 
The advantage of these features of the invention is that it provides a 
relatively hygienic diverter valve, which, in general, avoids the ingress 
of bacteria, microbes and other foreign matter into the conveying conduit. 
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following 
description of some preferred embodiments thereof, which are given by way 
of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 to 8 there is 
illustrated conveying apparatus according to the invention indicated 
generally by the reference numeral 1 for conveying lumps of ice, typically 
ice lumps which are normally referred to as ice cubes for cooling 
beverages or the like. However, the ice lumps may be of any desired shape, 
cubic, cylindrical, regular shape, irregular shape or the like. The 
apparatus 1 conveys the ice lumps in discrete batches from an ice source 
at a central location to any one of a plurality of remote locations. The 
remote locations may be remote from each other and may be a considerable 
distance from each other, as well as being a considerable distance from 
the central location on the one hand. However, on the other hand, some or 
all of the remote locations may be relatively close to the central 
location. Typically, the apparatus 1 is particularly suitable for 
conveying ice lumps from a central ice making location, for example, on 
the top floor of a hotel or the like, to remote locations, for example, on 
different floors of the hotel. Alternatively, the apparatus may, for 
example, be mounted in a bar or restaurant or other premises and may 
convey ice lumps from a central ice making location within the bar to a 
plurality of dispensers, also within the bar or premises. 
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, the apparatus 1 comprises an ice lump source, in 
this embodiment of the invention, a main storage means, namely, a main 
storage hopper 2 for storing ice lumps which is located at the central 
location. Batches of ice lumps are conveyed from the main storage hopper 2 
through a plurality of conveying conduit means, namely, four main 
conveying conduits 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d to a plurality of secondary storage 
means, namely, four corresponding dispensers 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d located at 
four respective remote locations. Each main conduit 5 extends from an 
upstream end 24 to a downstream end 9 which is connected to a 
corresponding dispenser 7. For convenience, the main storage hopper 2 and 
the dispensers 7 are illustrated in block representation in FIG. 1, 
however, both are described in more detail below. Each dispenser 7 
comprises a hopper 8 for receiving the batches of ice lumps from the 
corresponding main conduit 5. A conveying medium is supplied to the main 
conduits 5 as will be described below from a conveying medium source for 
conveying batches of ice lumps through the main conduits 5 to the 
corresponding dispensers 7. In this embodiment of the invention, the 
conveying medium is air, which is derived from a pressure source, in this 
case, an air blower 10 which supplies conveying air to the main conduits 5 
at a pressure in the range of 0.1 bar to 0.8 bar. The blower 10 is driven 
by an electrically powered motor 19, the operation of which is controlled 
by a control circuit 18 illustrated in FIG. 5 and described below. 
The main storage hopper 2 may be any one of a number of ice storage hoppers 
which will be well known to those skilled in the art. Such storage 
hoppers, in general, would typically comprise an agitating means mounted 
within the hopper to prevent fusing or bridging of the ice lumps, and 
would also comprise a discharge means mounted within the hopper for 
discharging ice lumps from the hopper 2. In this embodiment of the 
invention, the main storage hopper 2 is of circular horizontal cross 
section and comprises rotatable discharge paddles 4 mounted within the 
hopper adjacent the base thereof for urging ice lumps through a plurality 
of outlets 12, in this case, four outlets 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d. An 
electrically powered motor 6 controlled by the control circuit 18 drives 
the rotatable discharge paddles 4. An ice maker (not shown) which will be 
well known to those skilled in the art delivers ice lumps into the main 
storage hopper 2. Metering means for metering batches of ice lumps through 
the hopper outlets 12 comprise metering valves 14a to d mounted adjacent 
respective hopper outlets 12a to d. Each metering valve 14 is a gate valve 
comprising a housing 13. A closure plate 15 is slidable in the housing 13 
from a closed position closing the outlet 12 to an open position opening 
the outlet 12. Solenoids 16a to d mounted on the main storage tank 2 
adjacent the outlets 12 are connected to respective closure plates 15a to 
d for operating the closure plates 15. A timer 17 in the control 18 
controls the length of time the respective closure plates 15 are open for 
determining the size of each batch of ice lumps. In this embodiment of the 
invention, the timer 17 is set to meter batches of ice lumps through the 
outlets 12 of weight 2.25 Kg. 
Means for alternately supplying a batch of ice lumps and conveying medium 
into the main conduits 5 comprise main valve means, namely, four main 
valves 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d, each having three ports, namely, two inlet 
ports 21 and 22 and an outlet port 23. The means for alternately supplying 
a batch of ice lumps and conveying medium into the main conduit 5 also, in 
this embodiment of the invention, comprises the control circuit 18 which 
switches on and off the motor 19 of the blower 10 as will be described 
below. The outlet port 23 of each main valve 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d is 
connected to its corresponding main conduit 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, 
respectively, at an upstream end 24 of the respective main conduit 5. The 
inlet port 21 of each valve 20 is connected to a corresponding outlet 12 
by connecting means, in this case, a connecting conduit 25. The inlet port 
22 of each main valve 20 is connected to the blower 10 through 
communicating means, namely, a communicating conduit 26 which extends from 
the blower 10 and branch conduits 27 connecting the communicating conduit 
26 with respective inlet ports 22. Each main valve 20 is a flap valve 
which is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and comprises a housing 28 which 
defines bores 29 and 30 of square cross section which communicate the 
outlet port 23 with the inlet ports 21 and 22, respectively. A valving 
flap 31 extends from and is rigidly mounted on a pivot shaft 32 which is 
pivotally mounted in the housing 28 adjacent the junction of the bores 29 
and 30. The valving flap 31 is pivotal from an ice delivery position 
illustrated in FIG. 4 to a conveying medium supply position illustrated in 
FIG. 5. In the ice delivery position, the outlet port 23 and inlet port 21 
communicate for communicating the corresponding main conduit 5 with the 
metering valve 14 for delivering a batch of ice lumps into the main 
conduit 5. In the air supply position, the outlet port 23 communicates 
with the inlet port 22 for communicating the conduit 5 with the blower 10 
for supplying conveying medium into the main conduit 5. When the valving 
flap 31 is in the ice delivery position illustrated in FIG. 4, the valving 
flap 31 closes the bore 30, thereby isolating the conveying conduit 5 from 
the conveying air supply from the blower 10. When the valving flap 31 is 
in the air delivery position illustrated in FIG. 5 the valving flap 31 
isolates the inlet port 21, thereby preventing back flow of conveying air 
through the connecting conduit 25. 
An arm 33 extending from the pivot shaft 32 of each main valve 20 carries 
means for switching the main valve 20 from the conveying medium supply 
position to the ice delivery position. The said means comprises a counter 
weight 34 mounted on the arm 33 for urging the valving flap 31 into the 
ice delivery position of FIG. 4. Retaining means for retaining the valving 
flap 31 in the ice delivery position of FIG. 4 comprises an electromagnet 
35 mounted on the housing 28 which on being energized acts on the counter 
weight 34 for retaining the valving flap 31 in the ice delivery position 
against the pressure of the conveying air from the blower 10, thereby 
isolating the main conduit 5 from the blower 10. The weight of the counter 
weight is so chosen that the pressure of the conveying air from the blower 
10 is sufficient to overcome the weight of the counter weight 34 for 
pivoting the valving flap 31 into the conveying air supply position 
illustrated in FIG. 5 when the electromagnet 35 is de-energised. In this 
embodiment of the invention, the weight of the counter weight is 200 
grammes which provides a turning moment on the pivot shaft of 
approximately 10 gramme meters. Accordingly, the action of the conveying 
air at between 0.1 bar and 0.8 bar acting on the valving flap 31 has been 
found to be sufficient to overcome the turning moment provided by the 
counter weight. 
On a supply of conveying air being required for conveying a batch of ice 
lumps through the main conduit 5, the electromagnet 35 of the main valve 
20 corresponding to the conduit 5 through which the batch of ice lumps is 
to be conveyed is de-energised, while the electromagnets 35 of the other 
main valves 20 remain energised. Under the control of the control circuit 
18 described below, the motor 19 is powered to drive the blower 10 which 
supplies conveying air to the main valves 20. The valving flap 31 of the 
main valve 20, the electromagnet 35 of which has been de-energised, is 
pivoted into the air supply position by the conveying air and conveying 
air is delivered into the main conduit 5 until the batch of ice lumps has 
been conveyed to the corresponding dispenser 7, as will be described in 
more detail below. On the batch of ice lumps having been conveyed to the 
dispenser 7, the control circuit switches off power to the motor 19, 
thereby de-activating the blower 10 and the valving flap 31 of the main 
valve 20 which had been in the air supply position pivots under the weight 
of the counter weight into the ice delivery position. The electromagnet 35 
is energised, thereby retaining the valving flap 31 in the ice delivery 
position. 
Each connecting conduit 25 extends downwardly from the corresponding hopper 
outlet 12 to the corresponding main valve 20 to facilitate delivery of 
batches of ice lumps from the hopper outlets 12 into the main conduit 5 
under gravity. Furthermore, a portion 36 of each main conduit 5 adjacent 
the upstream end 24 extends downwardly from the corresponding main valve 
20 likewise to facilitate delivery of the batches of ice lumps into the 
main conduit 5. 
In this embodiment of the invention, the main conduit 5 is of plastics 
material and of circular cross section of approximately 50 mm internal 
diameter. It has been found that a conduit of internal diameter of 50 mm 
is particularly suitable for conveying batches of ice lumps in which the 
ice lumps have a maximum dimension of approximately 30 mm. The connecting 
conduit 25 is illustrated as being of square cross section, although if 
desired the cross section of the connecting conduit 25 may be circular and 
also of 50 mm, or of other cross section. Where the connecting conduit 25 
is provided of square cross section, it is preferable that the internal 
dimensions of the cross section should be 50 mm by 50 mm. The bores 29 and 
30 and the ports of each main valve 21, 22 and 23 are also of square cross 
section and are 50 mm by 50 mm cross section. Needless to say, the cross 
section of the bores and ports of the main valve may be of any other 
desired size and shape. Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the 
cross section of the bores of the main valves may be partly square and 
partly circular, for example, a D-shaped cross section. 
Monitoring means for determining when a batch of ice lumps has been 
conveyed to a dispenser 7 at a remote location comprises an air pressure 
sensor 37 mounted on the communicating conduit 26 for monitoring the air 
pressure of the conveying air in the communicating conduit 26. It has been 
found that on a batch of ice lumps being delivered to a dispenser 7, the 
back pressure in the communicating conduit 26 drops. Sensing means 
comprising level sensors 38 illustrated in block representation in FIGS. 1 
and 6 are provided in respective dispensers 7 for monitoring the level of 
ice lumps in each dispenser 7. 
Referring to FIG. 6, the control circuit 18 for controlling the apparatus 1 
is illustrated in block representation. A central processing unit 40 
controls the circuit 18 and the operation of the apparatus 1. The timer 17 
is controlled and read by the central processing unit 40. Means for 
varying the set time of the timer 17 for varying the batch size of the 
batches of ice lumps is provided, although these are not shown. Such means 
for varying the set time will be well known to those skilled in the art. 
The motor 6 for driving the discharge paddles 4 of the main storage hopper 
2 and the motor 19 for driving the blower 10 are controlled by the central 
processing unit 40, and the time period for which the motor 6 is on is 
determined by the timer 17 as will be described below. The solenoids 16 of 
the metering valves 14 are controlled by the central processing unit 40. 
The electromagnets 35 of the main valves 20 are controlled by the central 
processing unit 40. The central processing unit 40 reads the pressure 
sensor 37 and also the level sensors 38. The central processing unit 40 
runs under the control of software which comprises a number of routines 
for controlling the operation of the apparatus, the two main routines are 
a polling routine for checking the level of ice lumps in each dispenser 7, 
and a routine for conveying ice lumps from the main storage hopper 2 in 
batches to a dispenser 7 requiring ice lumps. A flow chart of the polling 
routine is illustrated in FIG. 7 and a flow chart of the ice lump 
conveying routine is illustrated in FIG. 8. 
Referring to FIG. 7, the routine for polling the level dispensers 38a to d 
in the dispenser 7a to d comprises the following steps. Block 41 sets N=1, 
N is an integer from 1 to 4 and represents one of the dispensers 7a to 7d. 
Dispenser N=1 would be dispenser 7a, dispenser N=2 would be dispenser 7b 
and so on. Block 42 checks the value of N. If N is greater than 4, the 
level sensors 38 in all dispensers 7 will have been polled and the routine 
is returned to block 41 to commence the next polling sequence. If N is not 
greater than 4, the routine moves on to block 43, which polls level sensor 
38 number N. Block 44 reads level sensor 38 number N and the routine moves 
on to block 45, which checks if level sensor 38 number N is demanding ice. 
If a demand for ice is determined by block 45, the routine moves on to 
block 46 which calls up the ice lump conveying routine of FIG. 8. If there 
is no demand for ice at level sensor 38 number N, the routine moves on to 
block 47, which increments N by 1 and returns the routine to block 42. 
Referring now to FIG. 8 the routine for conveying batches of ice lumps 
through the apparatus 1 will now be described. Block 51 energises all 
electromagnets 35a to d of the main valves 20a to d, thereby retaining all 
main valves 20 in the ice delivery position. Block 52 energises the 
solenoid 16 to open the metering valve 14 number N which corresponds to 
the dispenser 7 number N, the level sensor 38 number N of which is 
demanding ice. Block 52a activates the motor 6 to drive the discharge 
paddles 4 for discharging ice lumps through the outlet 12. Block 53 sets 
the timer 17 to time a predetermined period of time. The operation of 
blocks 52, 52a and 53 are carried out simultaneously. Block 54 reads the 
timer 17 and moves the routine on to block 55 which checks if the timer 
has timed out. If the timer has not timed out, the routine is returned to 
block 54 to read the timer again. On the timer having timed out, the 
routine moves on to block 56, which immediately deactivates the motor 6 
and closes the metering valve 14 number N, thereby preventing further 
delivery of ice lumps into the main conduit 5. At this stage, a batch of 
ice lumps to be conveyed through the main conduit 5 is now in the portion 
36 at the upstream end 24 of the main conduit 5. The routine then moves to 
block 56a, which activates the motor 19 to drive the blower 10 for 
supplying conveying air. The routine then moves to block 57, which 
de-energises the electromagnet 35 of the main valve 20 number N, 
permitting the pressure of the conveying air to open the valving flap 31 
and moving the valving flap 31 into the air supply position (FIG. 4). Air 
from the blower 10 is delivered through the inlet port 22 of the main 
valve 20 through the outlet port 23 into the main conduit 5 and conveys 
the batch of ice lumps through the main conduit 5. The routine then moves 
on to block 58, which reads the pressure sensor 37 and then moves on to 
block 59, which checks if the back pressure monitored by the pressure 
sensor 37 is low. If the back pressure is not low, the routine returns to 
block 58, which again reads the pressure monitored by the pressure sensor 
37. On block 59 determining that the back pressure monitored by the 
pressure sensor 37 is low, the routine moves on to block 60, which 
de-activates the motor 19, terminating the supply of conveying air. This 
permits the counter weight 34 to pivot the valving flap 31 of the valve 20 
number N into the ice delivery position. The routine then moves to block 
60a, which energises the electromagnet 35 of the main valve 20 number N, 
thereby retaining the main valve 20 number N in the ice delivery position, 
and isolating the main conduit 5 from the blower 10. The routine then 
moves to block 61 which reads the level sensor 38 number N of the 
dispenser 7 number N and the routine moves on to block 62. Block 62 checks 
if the level sensor 38 number N is still demanding ice. If block 62 
determines that the level sensor 38 is still demanding ice, the routine 
moves to block 63 which returns the routine to block 51 to commence a 
further ice conveying cycle to convey another batch of ice to the 
dispenser 7 number N. If block 62 determines that there is no further 
demand for ice from level sensor number 38, the routine moves to block 64 
which returns the control of the central processing unit to the polling 
routine of FIG. 6. In this case, block 64 returns control to block 42 in 
the polling routine. 
These routines and other routines are controlled by a main computer 
programme which deals with other housekeeping functions of the central 
processing unit 40 and of the apparatus 1. For example, where a 
predetermined time, for example, one hour, elapses after the last demand 
for ice has been made from any particular dispenser 7, a routine for 
drying the main conduit 5 corresponding to that dispenser 7 is called up. 
The routine for drying the main conduit 5 sets the main valves 20 so that 
conveying air derived from the blower 10 is delivered through that main 
conduit 5 for a predetermined period of time for drying the main conduit 5 
and so on for the other main conduits 5a to d. In this embodiment of the 
invention, the conveying air is delivered through the main conduit 5 for 
approximately ten minutes for drying. Needless to say, the length of the 
drying time may be varied to suit any particular main conduit, for 
example, a longer drying time will be provided for a relatively long main 
conduit, while a shorter drying time will be provided for a relatively 
short main conduit. Further, where the main conduit does not continuously 
fall, but rather rises and falls over its length, then the time period for 
which conveying air is delivered through the main conduit 5 for drying 
purposes will be relatively longer. Periodically, a cleaning cycle is 
carried out of the main conduits 5 of the apparatus. The cleaning cycle 
requires the introduction of a cleaning fluid into the conduits 5 of the 
apparatus for cleaning the conduits 5 and the main valves 20. Such a 
cleaning cycle is described in another embodiment of the invention 
described below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 16. 
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that due to the method 
for conveying ice lumps through the main conduits 5 at any one time, only 
one batch of ice lumps will be in a main conduit 5. Indeed, as described, 
a single batch of ice lumps only will be in the main conduits 5 at any one 
time. Although, if desired, in certain cases, it will be appreciated that 
while each main conduit 5 will only carry a single batch of ice lumps at 
any one time, each main conduit 5 could carry a single batch of ice lumps 
simultaneously with one or more of the other main conduits 5. Further, it 
will be appreciated that in this embodiment of the invention, in an ice 
conveying cycle a batch of ice lumps is first delivered into the main 
conduit 5 and the conveying air is then supplied into the main conduit 5 
for conveying the batch of ice lumps to the dispenser at the remote 
location. 
In use, ice lumps from the ice maker (not shown) are delivered into and 
stored in the main storage hopper 2. Initially at start up, the central 
processing unit under the control of the polling routine of FIG. 7 on 
finding a demand for ice in the hopper 8 of dispenser 7a, namely, 
dispenser N=1 calls up the ice conveying routine of FIG. 8 and dispenser 
number 7a is filled with ice. The polling routine and the ice conveying 
routine continue until all dispensers 7a to 7d have been supplied with 
ice. The central processing unit is then returned to the control of the 
polling routine. On a dispenser 7 requiring ice, the central processing 
unit 40 under the control of the ice lump conveying routine of FIG. 8 
delivers a plurality of batches of ice lumps to the dispenser 7 requiring 
ice until the dispenser 7 is full. 
It is envisaged in some embodiments of the invention that certain 
dispensers may not be fitted with level sensors. In which case, it is 
envisaged that the quantity of ice lumps being dispensed from a dispenser 
at the remote location would be monitored. When it would be determined 
that the dispenser required ice, a number of batches of ice lumps would be 
conveyed to the dispenser using the method already described until a 
predetermined quantity of ice lumps had been conveyed to the dispenser. It 
is envisaged that in such an arrangement at start up the quantity of ice 
lumps being conveyed to each dispenser would be sufficient to fill the 
dispensers up to two-thirds of their capacity. On the monitoring means for 
monitoring the quantity of ice lumps being dispensed determining that half 
the quantity of ice lumps had been dispensed, in other words, that the 
level of ice lumps in the dispenser had dropped to one-third of the 
capacity of the dispenser, a further quantity of ice lumps would be 
conveyed to the dispenser in batches, which would again constitute a 
quantity equal to two-thirds of the capacity of the dispenser. This would 
then approximately fill the dispenser. Thereafter, on the monitoring means 
determining that two-thirds of the capacity of the dispenser had been 
dispensed, a further quantity of ice lumps equivalent to two-thirds of the 
capacity of the dispenser would be conveyed to the dispenser. In all 
cases, it is envisaged that a quantity of ice lumps equivalent to 
two-thirds of the capacity of the dispenser would be made up of a 
plurality of batches of ice lumps of predetermined size and as already 
described of approximately 2.25 Kg weight. Although, the weight of a batch 
size can be varied to suit the type of dispenser 7 to which the batches of 
ice lumps are being conveyed. It is envisaged that for dispensers having 
hoppers or bins of relatively small volume, the batch size will be 
relatively small, while the batch size will be relatively large for 
dispensers with hoppers or bins of relatively large volume. It is 
envisaged that the batch size may be varied between 1 Kg and 4 Kg in 
conveying apparatus, where the main conduit is of 50 mm internal diameter 
without unduly affecting the efficiency with which the conveying apparatus 
operates. 
As discussed above, other factors besides the size and type of dispenser at 
the remote location will play a part in determining the batch size of ice 
lumps for most efficient operation of the conveying apparatus. However, it 
is envisaged that, in general, the weight of a batch of ice lumps should 
not exceed 10 grammes of ice lumps for each one square millimeter of cross 
sectional area of the conveying conduit. Although, in general, it is 
believed preferable that the weight of a batch of ice lumps should not 
exceed 5 grammes of ice lumps for each square millimeter of cross 
sectional area of the conveying conduit means, and more normally, the 
weight of a batch of ice lumps would not exceed 1 to 2 grammes of ice 
lumps for each one square millimeter of cross sectional area of conveying 
conduit means. 
Referring now to FIGS. 9 to 16 there is illustrated conveying apparatus 
according to another embodiment of the invention indicated generally by 
the reference numeral 70 for conveying ice lumps in batches from an ice 
lump source, namely, a main storage hopper 71 to a plurality, in this 
case, four secondary storage means, namely, dispensers 72a, 72b, 72c and 
72d at a plurality of respective remote locations. Conveying conduit 
means, in this embodiment of the invention, is provided by a main conduit 
73 and a plurality, namely, three secondary conduits 74a, 74b and 74c. The 
secondary conduits 74a, 74b and 74c are connected to, and deliver batches 
of ice lumps to the dispensers 72a, 72b and 72c, respectively. Batches of 
ice lumps are delivered to the dispenser 72d by the main conduit 73. The 
main conduit 73 extends from an upstream end 76 to a downstream end 77 
connected to the dispenser 72d. In FIG. 9 the main storage hopper 71 and 
the dispensers 72 are illustrated in block representation, however, it 
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any suitable main 
hopper may be used or any suitable dispenser may be used. The main hopper 
is described in detail below, and A suitable dispenser is described later 
in the specification. Diverter valve means, namely, diverter valves 75a, 
75b and 75c connect the secondary conduits 74a, 74b and 74c, respectively, 
to the main conduit 5. The diverter valves 75 are described in detail 
below with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14. Each diverter valve 75 alternately 
connects the upstream end 76 of the main conduit 73 with a secondary 
conduit 74 or a portion of the main conduit 73 downstream of the diverter 
valve 75. Conveying medium, in this case, conveying air is delivered from 
a conveying medium source, namely, an air blower 78 into the main conduit 
73 for conveying batches of ice lumps through the main conduit 73 and the 
secondary conduits 74. An electrically powered motor 79 drives the air 
blower 78 under the control of a control circuit 86 which is described 
below with reference to FIG. 15. 
The main storage hopper 71 may be any suitable type of storage hopper which 
will be well known to those skilled in the art, and typically may comprise 
agitating means to prevent fusing and bridging of ice lumps in the main 
storage hopper 71 and also may comprise discharge means for discharging 
ice lumps from the main storage hopper 71. In this embodiment of the 
invention, the main storage hopper 71 is substantially similar to the main 
storage hopper 2 of the conveying apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 8, with the 
exception that only a single outlet 80 is provided. Discharge paddles (not 
shown) but similar to the discharge paddles 4 of the main storage hopper 2 
of the conveying apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 8 are provided in the main 
storage hopper 71 for urging ice lumps through the outlet 80. A motor 84 
under the control of the control circuit 86 drives the discharge paddles 
(not shown). A metering valve 81 similar to the metering valves 14 of the 
apparatus 1 is provided in the hopper outlet 80 for metering batches of 
ice lumps of predetermined size through the hopper outlet 80 into the main 
conduit 73 as will be described below. The metering valve 81 comprises a 
closure plate 82 which is operable by a solenoid 83 mounted on the main 
storage hopper 71. A timer 85 in the control circuit 86 controls the time 
period for which the closure plate 82 of the metering valve 81 is open, 
and the time period for which the motor 84 drives the discharge paddles 
(not shown) in the main storage hopper 71, thereby determining the batch 
size of each batch of ice lumps. 
Means for alternately delivering a batch of ice lumps and supplying 
conveying air into the main conduit 73 comprises a main valve 88 similar 
to the main valve 20 of the apparatus 1, and for convenience, similar 
components of the main valve 88 to those of the main valves 20 of the 
apparatus 1 are identified by similar reference numerals. The means for 
alternately supplying a batch of ice lumps and conveying medium into the 
main conduit 73 also, in this embodiment of the invention, comprises the 
control circuit 86 which switches on and off the motor 79 of the blower 78 
as will be described below. The main valve 88 comprises three ports, 
namely, a pair of inlet ports 89 and 90 and an outlet port 91. The outlet 
port 91 is connected to the upstream end 76 of the main conduit 73. The 
inlet port 89 is connected through a connecting means in this case a 
connecting conduit 92 to the hopper outlet 80. The inlet port 90 of the 
main valve 88 is connected to the blower 78 by communicating means in this 
case a communicating conduit 93 extending from the air blower 78 to the 
inlet port 90. 
The connecting conduit 92 extends downwardly from the hopper outlet 80 to 
the main valve 88 to facilitate delivery of batches of ice lumps from the 
hopper 2 into the main conduit 73 under gravity. A portion 94 of the main 
conduit 73 adjacent the upstream end 76 extends downwardly from the main 
valve 88 also for facilitating delivery of the batches of ice lumps under 
gravity into the main conduit 73. In this embodiment of the invention, the 
length of the connecting conduit 92 extending downwardly from the hopper 
outlet is approximately 0.03 meters and the length of the portion 94 of 
the main conduit 73 extending downwardly from the main valve 88 is 
approximately 0.70 meters. 
In this embodiment of the invention, the main and secondary conduits 73 and 
74 are of size and construction similar to the main conduits 5 of the 
apparatus 1. The connecting conduit 92 is also of similar size to the 
connecting conduit 25 of the conveying apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1 to 8. Air is 
delivered at a pressure in the range of 0.1 bar to 0.8 bar to the main 
conduit 73 from the blower 78. 
Monitoring means for monitoring when a batch of ice lumps has been conveyed 
to a dispenser 72 comprises a pressure sensor 95 similar to the pressure 
sensor 37 of the apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1 to 8. The pressure sensor 95 is 
mounted on the communicating conduit 93 for monitoring back pressure in 
the communicating conduit 93. Level sensors 96 are provided in each 
dispenser 72 for determining the level of ice lumps in the respective 
dispensers 72. 
Referring now to FIGS. 10 to 14, the diverter valves 75 will now be 
described. Each diverter valve 75 comprises a housing 98 comprising top 
and bottom walls 99 and 100, respectively, joined by side walls 101 and 
lateral end walls 102 which together define a hollow interior region 103. 
A valving member, namely, a valve plate 104 having a valve opening 105 is 
slidably mounted in the interior region 103. A solenoid 106 mounted by a 
bracket 107 to the housing 98 is connected to the valve plate 104 by a 
connecting rod 108 for sliding the valve plate 104 through the interior 
region 103 from a first position adjacent one lateral end wall 102 to a 
second position adjacent the other lateral end wall 102. The valve plate 
104 is illustrated in the first position in FIG. 13 and in the second 
position in FIG. 14. A pair of outlet ports 109 and 110 extend from the 
bottom wall 100 and are respectively connected to the main conduit 73 to a 
portion of the main conduit 73 downstream of the diverter valve 75 and to 
a secondary conduit 74. An inlet port 111 extends from the valve plate 104 
and communicates with the valve opening 105. The inlet port 111 is 
connected to the portion of the main conduit 73 on the upstream side of 
the diverter valve 75. A slot 112 in the top wall 99 accommodates the 
inlet port 111. Each diverter valve 75 communicates a portion of the main 
conduit 73 upstream of the diverter valve 75 with a portion of the main 
conduit 73 downstream of the diverter valve 75 when the diverter valve 75 
is in the first position of FIG. 13. The upstream end of the main conduit 
73 is communicated with the corresponding secondary conduit 74 when the 
diverter valve is in the second position of FIG. 14. When the valve plate 
104 is in the first position, the inlet port 111 communicates with the 
outlet port 109 through the valve opening 105, see FIG. 13. When the valve 
plate 104 is in the second position, the inlet port 111 communicates with 
the outlet port 110 through the valve opening 105. 
In this embodiment of the invention, the interior region 103 of the housing 
98 is adapted to receive a flowable disinfectant material, namely, a 
disinfectant grease. The disinfectant grease is pressurized and prevents 
the ingress of contaminants into the outlet ports 109 and 110 and the 
inlet port 111. First and second sealing means comprising O-rings 114 and 
115, respectively, co-operate with the valve plate 104 and the housing 98 
to prevent the grease entering the outlet ports 109 and 110 and the inlet 
port 111. The O-ring seal 114 extends in a groove 116 around the slot 112, 
while two O-ring seals 115 extend in grooves 117 around the outlet ports 
109 and 110. Secondary outlets 118 in the end walls 102 are connected 
through a connecting means, namely, a connecting tube 119 for accommodate 
the flow of grease between the ends of the interior region 103 as the 
valve plate 104 slides from one end wall 102 to the other end wall 102 of 
the housing 98. 
Referring now to FIG. 15, the control circuit 86 for controlling the 
apparatus 70 is illustrated in block representation. The control circuit 
86 comprises a central processing unit 120 which controls and reads the 
timer 85. The central processing unit also reads the pressure sensor 95 
and the level sensors 96a to d of the dispensers 72a to d. The operation 
of the motor 84 for driving the discharge paddles (not shown) and the 
motor 79 for driving the blower 78 is also controlled by the central 
processing unit 120. The operation of the solenoid 83 of the metering 
valve 81 is controlled by the central processing unit 120 as is the 
electromagnet 35 of the main valve 88. The solenoids 106a to c of the 
diverter valves 75a to c are controlled by the central processing unit for 
communicating the upstream end 76 of the main conduit 73 with the 
dispenser 72 requiring ice lumps for conveying batches of ice lumps 
thereto. The central processing unit 120 operates under the control of 
software which comprises a main computer programme and a plurality of 
routines. One routine polls the level sensors 96a to d of the dispensers 
72a to d to ascertain if a demand for ice lumps exists at any of the 
dispensers 72. This routine is substantially similar to the polling 
routine of FIG. 7 of the apparatus 1. A flow chart of a routine for 
conveying ice lumps from the main storage hopper 71 to a dispenser 72 is 
illustrated in FIG. 16. 
Referring to FIG. 16, the flow chart of the ice lump conveying routine will 
now be described. On a dispenser 72 requiring ice, block 121 energises the 
electromagnet 35 of the main valve 88, thereby retaining the main valve 88 
in the ice delivery position. Block 122 operates the solenoids 106 to set 
the diverter valves 75 so that only the dispenser 72 number N requiring 
ice is connected to the upstream end 76 of the main conduit 73. In this 
embodiment of the invention, the number N is an integer from 1 to 4 
corresponding respectively with the dispensers 72a to 72d. This is similar 
to the value of N described with reference to the apparatus 1. Block 123 
operates the solenoid 83 which opens the metering valve 81 for metering a 
batch of ice lumps through the hopper outlet 80. Block 123a activates the 
motor 84 for driving the discharge paddle for discharging ice lumps 
through the outlet 80 and the metering valve 81. Block 124 sets the timer 
85 to commence timing a predetermined interval which determines the batch 
size of the ice lumps. The operations of blocks 123, 123a and 1224 are 
carried out simultaneously. Block 125 reads the timer and moves the 
routine on to block 126 which checks if the timer 85 has timed out. If the 
timer has not timed out, the subroutine returns to block 125. If the timer 
has timed out, the routine moves to block 127, which de-activates the 
motor 84 and operates the solenoid 83 which closes the metering valve 81, 
thereby preventing the delivery of further ice lumps through the metering 
valve 81. The routine then moves to block 128 which de-energises the 
electromagnet 35 of the main valve 88. The routine moves to block 128a 
which activates the motor 79 to drive the blower 78 for supplying 
conveying air to the main conduit 73. The action of the conveying air on 
the valving flap of the main valve 88 pivots the valving flap into the air 
supply position, and conveying air is delivered into the main conduit 73 
for conveying the batch of ice lumps to the dispenser 72 number N. The 
routine then moves to block 129, which reads the pressure sensor 95, and 
moves to block 130. Block 130 checks if the pressure read from the 
pressure sensor 95 is low. If the pressure is not low, the routine is 
returned to block 129. If the pressure read from the pressure sensor 95 is 
low, indicating that the batch of ice lumps has been conveyed to the 
dispenser 72 number N, the routine moves on to block 131. Block 131 
de-activates the motor 79 thereby terminating the supply of conveying air 
to the main conduit 73. This per, nits the valving member of the main 
valve 88 to return to the ice delivery position under the weight of the 
counter weight 34. Block 131b energises the electromagnet 35, thereby 
retaining the main valve 88 in the ice delivery position. Block 131c reads 
the level sensor 96 of the dispenser 72 number N and moves the routine on 
to block 132. Block 132 checks if the sensor 96 of the dispenser 72 number 
N is demanding more ice lumps. If ice lumps are demanded, the routine 
moves to block 133 which returns the routine to block 121 to convey 
another batch of ice lumps to the dispenser 72 number N. If no more ice 
lumps are demanded, the routine moves to block 134 which returns the 
control of the central processing unit 120 to the polling routine. In this 
case, control is returned to a block similar to the block 42 of the 
polling routine of FIG. 7. 
In use, operation of this apparatus 70 is substantially similar to the 
operation of the apparatus 1. Initially at set up the dispensers 72 are 
filled with ice lumps sequentially from dispenser 72a to dispenser 72d. 
The ice lumps are conveyed in batches to each dispenser 72 until that 
dispenser 72 has been filled. The diverter valves 75 are then reset to 
communicate the next sequential dispenser 72 with the upstream end 76 of 
the main conduit 73. Batches of ice lumps are conveyed through the main 
conduit 73 and the secondary conduit 75 using the routine of FIG. 16. The 
polling routine (not shown) polls the level sensors 96 of the dispensers 
72. On a dispenser 72 demanding ice, the ice conveying routine of FIG. 16 
is called up and batches of ice lumps are conveyed to the dispenser 72 
demanding ice until the demand for ice has been satisfied. The control of 
the central processing unit 120 is then returned to the polling routine 
(not shown), which polls the next sequential dispenser 72, and so on. 
It will be appreciated that in this embodiment of the invention at any one 
time only one single batch of ice lumps is being conveyed through the main 
and secondary conduits 73 and 74. The next batch of ice lumps is not 
dispensed from the main hopper 2 until the previously dispensed batch of 
ice lumps has been conveyed to the dispenser 72. 
It is envisaged that in certain cases, prior to the diverter valves 75 
being set to connect a dispenser 72 with the upstream end 76 of the main 
conduit 73, conveying air may be delivered into the main conduit 73 for 
clearing the main and secondary conduits 73 and 74 of any residual matter 
prior to setting the diverter valves 75. 
If desired, the software in the central processing unit 120 may comprise a 
routine for introducing a delay between each polling cycle of the 
dispensers 72. A typical delay may be 120 seconds. 
In the event that a period of time of, for example, sixty minutes elapses 
since the conveying apparatus carried out a conveying cycle for conveying 
a batch of ice lumps to a dispenser 72, a drying cycle routine in the 
central processing unit 120 is called up to put the conveying apparatus 70 
through a drying cycle. In a drying cycle, the motor 79 is activated to 
drive the blower 78 for delivering conveying air into the main conduit 73 
for drying. The electromagnet 35 of the main valve 88 is de-energized, 
thereby permitting the supply of conveying air from the blower 78 into the 
main conduit 73. The diverter valves 75 are sequentially set after 
respective intervals of ten minutes for connecting the respective 
dispensers 72a to 72d to the upstream end 76 of the main conduit 73 so 
that air is blown through the main conduit 73 and each secondary conduit 
74 for time periods each of ten minutes. As described with reference to 
the conveying apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 8, the time periods during which 
conveying air for drying is delivered into the main conduit 73 and each 
secondary conduit 74 may be longer or shorter than ten minutes as desired, 
and as required. Indeed, the time period may vary from secondary conduit 
74 to secondary conduit 74, depending on the length and the configurations 
of the secondary conduits 74. During a drying cycle, the polling routine 
of the central processing routine continues to poll the dispensers 72 to 
ascertain if there is a demand for ice lumps. If such a demand exists, the 
drying cycle is terminated and the central processing unit under the 
control of the ice conveying routine delivers batches of ice lumps to the 
appropriate dispenser 72. On the drying cycle being completed, the 
conveying apparatus returns to normal mode and the polling routine of the 
central processing unit 120 continues to poll the dispensers 72a to 72d at 
appropriate intervals. 
A routine for carrying out a cleaning cycle of the apparatus 70 is also 
provided in the central processing unit 120. A cleaning cycle is 
substantially similar to a conveying cycle with the exception that a dose 
of cleaning liquid, for example, a detergent, disinfectant or sanitising 
liquid is delivered into the main conduit 73 from the main storage hopper 
71 through the hopper outlet 80 and the connecting conduit 92. The 
cleaning liquid is then blown through the main conduit 73 and secondary 
conduits 74 by conveying air from the blower 78 for cleaning and/or 
disinfecting the inner surfaces of the conduits 73 and 74 and the main 
valve 88 and the diverter valves 75. Throughout a cleaning cycle, as will 
be described below, the diverter valves 75 are sequentially re-arranged so 
that the main conduit 73 and all the secondary conduits 74 are subjected 
to the cleaning liquid, as well as the dispensers 72. Any suitable 
detergent, disinfectant or sanitising liquid may be used, or indeed a 
combination of two or three of such liquids may be used. In general, it is 
envisaged that a dose of cleaning liquid would comprise approximately 1 
liter to 8 liters of the liquid. However, this will depend on the length 
of conduit to be cleaned, disinfected, sanitised or the like, and the 
strength of the liquid. It is preferable that the liquid used should be of 
the type which cleans, disinfects or sanitises as the case may be on 
contact with a surface. 
To improve dispersion of the cleaning liquid over the inner surfaces of the 
conduits 73 and 74 and the valves 88 and 75, in other words, to improve 
wetting of these surfaces, one or more body members in this case spherical 
body members (not shown) of resilient material are introduced into the 
main storage hopper 71 with the cleaning liquid and are discharged through 
the hopper outlet 80 by the action of the discharge paddles (not shown), 
through the metering valve 81 and are delivered through the connecting 
conduit 92, the main valve 88 into the main conduit 73. The body members 
(not shown) and cleaning liquid are then blown through the main conduit 73 
and the selected secondary conduit 74, thereby causing improved wetting of 
the inner surfaces of the conduits 73 and 74 and the valves 88 and 75. In 
this embodiment of the invention, each body member is of a resilient 
sponge material encapsulated in a net of plastics material. The diameter 
of the body member is approximately 10% less than the diameter of the 
inner cross section of the main and secondary conduits 73 and 74. 
A cleaning cycle is as follows. The electromagnet 35 of the main valve 88 
is energised, thereby retaining the main valve 88 in the ice delivery 
position. The diverter valves 75 are set to communicate one of the 
dispensers 72 with the main storage hopper 71. A dose of cleaning liquid 
and a number of body members, for example, from 1 to 10 are introduced 
into the main storage hopper 71. The motor 84 is activated to rotate the 
discharge paddles, and the metering valve 81 is opened, thereby permitting 
the cleaning liquid and the body men%bets to flow under gravity into the 
main conduit 73 through the connecting conduits 72 and the main valve 88. 
The electromagnet 35 of the main valve 88 is de-energised. The motor 79 is 
then activated for driving the blower 78 for supplying conveying air into 
the main conduit 73 through the main valve 88. The conveying air supplied 
by the blower 78 conveys the cleaning liquid and the resilient member or 
members (not shogun) through the main conduit 73 and the selected 
secondary conduit 74 to the corresponding dispenser 72. As the conveying 
air conveys the cleaning liquid and resilient body members, turbulence is 
generated between the cleaning liquid and the conveying air, thereby 
causing the cleaning liquid to splash and wet the inner surface of the 
conduits 73 and 74 and the valves 75 and 88. The wetting action is further 
enhanced by the action of the resilient body members moving through the 
conduits 73 and 74. On the cleaning liquid and resilient body member 
having been conveyed to the dispenser 72, the motor 79 is de-activated, 
thereby terminating the supply of conveying air to the main conduit 73. 
The resilient body members are then removed from the dispenser 72 at the 
remote location and returned to the main storage hopper 71 for use with 
the next dose of cleaning liquid in the next cleaning cycle. 
For each setting of the diverter valves 75, the conveying apparatus 70 may 
be subjected to one or more cleaning cycles. It is envisaged that from one 
to five cleaning cycles may be provided for each setting of the diverter 
valve 75. A separate dose of cleaning liquid together with the resilient 
body members is provided for each cleaning cycle. On the desired number of 
cleaning cycles having been completed, the setting of the diverter valves 
75 is re-arranged for communicating the next sequential dispenser 72 with 
the main storage hopper 71. The cleaning cycle or cycles are then repeated 
and subsequently the diverter valves 75 are reset to communicate the next 
sequential dispenser 72 with the main storage hopper 71 and so on. 
It will be appreciated that a routine for carrying out a cleaning cycle 
substantially similar to the cleaning cycle just described may be provided 
in the central processing unit 40 of the conveying apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1 
to 8. The cleaning routine in the case of the conveying apparatus 1 would 
sequentially operate the main valves 20 of the conveying apparatus 1 for 
sequentially cleaning, disinfecting, sanitising or the like the main 
conduits 5. 
It will of course be appreciated that the conveying air delivered by the 
air blower in the conveying apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 8 and the conveying 
apparatus of FIGS. 9 to 16 may be treated prior to being delivered into 
the main conduit. In fact, it is envisaged that the air may be treated 
adjacent the air blower, or indeed, upstream of the air blower. Needless 
to say, where other conveying medium sources are provided, the conveying 
medium may also be treated. Such treatment may comprise passing the air 
through filters, scrubbers and the like to remove contaminants, bacteria 
and the like from the conveying air or conveying medium. Additionally, the 
treatment may comprise regulating the humidity of the air, for example, 
drying the air or the like. Such treatment of the conveying air or 
conveying medium can be carried out irrespective of whether the conveying 
air or conveying medium is used to convey ice lumps, carry out a drying 
cycle or carry out a cleaning cycle. 
Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, there is illustrated portion of conveying 
apparatus 140 for conveying batches of ice lumps from an ice lump source 
to a plurality of, namely, four dispensers at remote locations. The 
apparatus 140 is substantially similar to the apparatus 70 and similar 
components are identified by the same reference numeral. 
The main difference between this apparatus 140 and the apparatus 70 is that 
a buffer storage means comprising a buffer storage bin 143 is provided for 
storing ice lumps produced during off peak periods when demand for ice by 
the dispensers (not shown) at the remote locations is relatively low, for 
subsequent use at peak demand periods when the demand for ice lumps from 
the dispensers is relatively high. An ice maker 141 for making ice lumps 
is illustrated in block representation. Operation of the ice maker 141 is 
under the control of the central processing unit 120 of a control circuit 
173 for controlling the apparatus 140. The control circuit 173 is 
substantially similar to the control circuit 86 of the apparatus 70 and 
similar components are identified by the same reference numeral. 
The apparatus 140 comprises a main storage hopper 71 which delivers batches 
of ice lumps through a metering valve 81 into the main conduit 73 through 
a main valve 88. Conveying air is delivered into the main conduit 73 
through the main valve 88 from a blower 78 driven by a motor 79. A 
plurality of diverter valves 75, only one of which is illustrated, 
communicates the main conduit 73 through secondary conduits 74 with a 
plurality of dispensers (not shown) similar to the dispensers 72. The ice 
maker 141 makes the ice lumps and delivers the ice lumps into the main 
storage hopper 71 through a delivery chute 142. 
A secondary diverter valve 144 in the main conduit 73 communicates a 
delivery conduit 145 with the main conduit 73 for delivering ice lumps in 
batches into the buffer storage bin 143. The secondary diverter valve is 
controlled by the central processing unit of the control circuit 173. 
Delivery means comprising a gate valve 135 in an outlet 136 delivers ice 
lumps to the main storage hopper 71 from the buffer storage bin 143 down a 
chute 146 which communicates the buffer storage bin 143 with the main 
storage hopper 71. The gate valve 135 is solenoid operated and controlled 
by the central processing unit 120 of the control circuit 173. Discharge 
paddles (not shown) similar to the discharge paddles 4 of the main storage 
hopper 2 of the apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1 to 7 is provided in the buffer 
storage bin 143 for discharging ice lumps through the outlet 136. An 
electrically powered motor 175 under the control of the central processing 
unit rotates the discharge paddles (not shown). In this embodiment of the 
invention, the ice maker 141 and the buffer storage bin 143 are mounted 
above the main storage hopper 71, so that ice lumps may be delivered from 
the ice maker 141 and the buffer storage bin 143 under gravity into the 
hopper 71. 
Sensing means comprising level sensors 137, 138, 196 and 197 are mounted in 
the main storage hopper 71 for monitoring the level of ice lumps in the 
main storage hopper 71 for controlling the conveying of batches of ice 
lumps from the main hopper 71 to the buffer storage bin 143, and also for 
controlling the delivery of ice lumps from the buffer storage bin 143 to 
the main storage hopper 71. This is described in detail below. The level 
sensors 137, 138, 196 and 197 are read by the central processing unit 120. 
The level sensor 137 is a maximum level sensor, and on the level of ice 
lumps in the main storage hopper 71 reaching the level of the maximum 
level sensor 137, the ice maker 141 is deactivated by the central 
processing unit 120 of the control circuit 173. The level sensor 138 is a 
minimum level sensor, and on the level of ice lumps in the main storage 
hopper 71 dropping to the level of the minimum level sensor 138, an ice 
lump delivery routine, described below, is activated in the central 
processing unit 120 for delivering ice lumps from the buffer storage bin 
143 into the main hopper 71. The level sensor 196 is an intermediate 
maximum level sensor, and on the level of ice lumps in the main storage 
hopper 71 reaching the level of the intermediate maximum sensor 196, the 
central processing unit under the control of an ice lump conveying routine 
delivers batches of ice lumps from the main storage hopper 71 to the 
buffer storage bin 143. The level sensor 197 is an intermediate minimum 
level sensor, and on the level of ice lumps in the main storage hopper 71 
dropping to the level of the intermediate minimum level sensor 197, the 
ice lump conveying routine is terminated and no further batches of ice 
lumps are delivered to the buffer storage bin 143 until the level of ice 
lumps in the main storage hopper 71 again reaches the level of the 
intermediate maximum level sensor 196. 
A maximum level sensor 139 is mounted on the buffer storage bin 143 for 
controlling the maximum level of ice lumps in the buffer storage bin 143 
to avoid overfilling of the buffer storage bin 143. The level sensor 139 
is read by the central processing unit 120. 
A suitable software routine is provided in the central processing unit 120 
for operating the conveying apparatus 140 for conveying batches of ice 
lumps into the buffer storage bin 143 and also for delivering the ice 
lumps from the buffer storage bin 143 into the main storage hopper 71. The 
operation of the routine for conveying batches of ice lumps from the 
hopper 71 into the buffer storage bin 143 is substantially similar to the 
routine for conveying batches of ice lumps from the main storage hopper 71 
to a dispenser 72 already described with reference to FIG. 16 of the 
apparatus 70. The polling routine polls the level sensors 137, 138, 196 
and 197 in the main storage hopper 71 and on the level of ice lumps in the 
main storage hopper 71 exceeding the intermediate maximum level sensor 
196, the ice lump conveying routine sets the diverter valve 144 to 
communicate the main conduit 73 with the buffer storage bin 143 and 
batches of ice lumps are conveyed through the main conduit 73 and the 
delivery conduit 145 until the level of ice lumps in the main storage 
hopper 71 drops to the level of the intermediate minimum level sensor 197, 
or until the polling routine determines that a demand for ice lumps exists 
at a dispenser (not shown), or until the level of ice lumps in the buffer 
storage bin 143 reaches the level of the level sensor 139. On the level of 
ice lumps in the main storage hopper 71 dropping to the level of the 
intermediate minimum level sensor 197, the conveying routine conveying ice 
lumps from the main storage hopper 71 to the buffer storage hopper 143 is 
terminated, and control of the central processing unit 120 is returned to 
the polling routine. On the other hand, should the polling routine 
determine that a demand for ice lumps exists while the central processing 
unit 120 is under the control of the ice lump conveying routine conveying 
ice lumps from the main storage hopper 71 to the buffer storage bin 143, 
that ice lump conveying routine is terminated and the central processing 
unit 120 under the control of an ice lump conveying routine commences to 
deliver batches of ice lumps to the dispenser demanding ice lumps. 
On the polling routine determining that the level of ice lumps in the main 
storage hopper 71 has dropped to the level of the minimum level sensor 
138, the ice lump delivery routine in the central processing unit 120 is 
called up. The ice lump delivery routine controls the central processing 
unit 120 to open the gate valve 135 and to activate the motor 175 for 
delivering ice lumps from the buffer storage hopper 143 into the main 
storage hopper 71. On the level of ice lumps in the main storage hopper 71 
reaching the level of the intermediate maximum level sensor 196, the ice 
lump delivery routine closes the gate valve 135 and de-activates the motor 
175. The ice lump delivery routine is terminated, and control of the 
central processing unit 120 reverts to the polling routine. 
While the central processing unit 120 is under the control of the ice lump 
conveying routine conveying ice lumps into the buffer storage bin 143, 
should the level of ice lumps in the buffer storage bin 143 reach the 
maximum predetermined level determined by the sensor 139, the ice lump 
conveying routine is terminated. 
At any stage, should the polling routine determine that the level of ice 
lumps in the main storage bin 71 has reached the maximum level sensor 137, 
the central processing unit 120 under the control of a suitable routine 
de-activates the ice maker 141, such routines will be well known to those 
skilled in the art. Alternatively, the maximum level sensor 137 may be 
read directly by the ice maker 141 without any connections to the central 
processing unit 120. 
Additionally, in this embodiment of the invention, heat exchange means is 
provided for cooling the conveying air prior to the conveying air being 
supplied into the main conduit 73. The heat exchange means comprises a 
heat exchanger comprising a heat exchange coil 148 of conduit wrapped 
around the outer surface of the main storage hopper 71. The heat exchange 
coil 148 comprises an inlet 147 and an outlet 149 which are connected to 
the communicating conduit 93 so that conveying air from the blower motor 
78 is passed through the heat exchange coil 148 prior to being delivered 
into the main valve 88. 
Operation of the apparatus 140 is substantially similar to the operation of 
the apparatus 70 with the exception that during off peak periods when 
there is a low demand for ice lumps from the dispensers 72, batches of ice 
lumps are delivered into the buffer storage bin 143. Furthermore, when 
there is high demand for ice lumps, ice lumps are delivered from the 
buffer storage bin 143 into the main storage hopper 71 as already 
described. 
While a particular type of diverter valve and secondary diverter valve has 
been described for use in the apparatus of FIGS. 9 to 16 and FIGS. 17 and 
18, any other suitable type of diverter valves may be used. 
Referring to FIGS. 19 to 22, there is illustrated conveying apparatus 
according to another embodiment of the invention indicated generally by 
the reference numeral 150 for conveying ice lumps from an ice source, 
namely, a main storage hopper 151 to a plurality of in this case four 
secondary storage means, namely, dispensers 152a, 152b, 152c and 152d 
located at remote locations. The ice lumps are conveyed in batches through 
conveying conduit means, namely, a main conduit 153 and secondary conduits 
154a to c. The main and secondary conduits 153 and 154 are substantially 
similar to the main and secondary conduits 73 and 74 of the apparatus 70. 
Furthermore, the size of the conduits 153 and 154 are similar in size to 
the main and secondary conduit 73 and 74. Each secondary conduit 154 is 
connected to the main conduit 153 by a respective diverter valve 156 
similar to the diverter valves 75. A conveying medium source, namely, an 
air blower 157 supplies conveying medium, namely, conveying air into the 
main conduit 153 at an upstream end 158 thereof. The blower 157 is driven 
by an electrically powered motor 176 under the control of the control 
circuit 171 described with reference to FIG. 21 below. The main difference 
between the apparatus 150 and the apparatus 70 is that the main valve 88 
of the apparatus 70 has been dispensed with in the apparatus 150, and 
conveying air is delivered continuously into the main conduit 153. 
The main storage hopper 151 is similar to the main storage hopper 2 of the 
conveying apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1 to 8 with the exception that only a 
single outlet 177 is provided through which ice lumps are discharged from 
the hopper 151. Discharge paddles (not shown) rotatably mounted in the 
main storage hopper 151 are driven by an electrically powered motor 178 
for discharging ice lumps through the outlet 177. The motor 178 is 
controlled by the control circuit 171. 
In this embodiment of the invention, the upstream end 158 of the main 
conduit 153 is connected to the outlet 177 of the main storage hopper 151 
by a connecting means, namely, a connecting conduit 159 which is 
substantially similar to the main conduit 153 and of similar cross 
section. A communicating means, namely, a communicating conduit 160 
connects the upstream end 158 of the main conduit 153 with the blower 157. 
The communicating conduit 160 terminates in a nozzle 161 adjacent the 
upstream end 158 of the main conduit 153 for creating a venturi effect 
adjacent the junction of the connecting conduit 159 and the main conduit 
153 for drawing ice lumps from the connecting conduit 159 into the main 
conduit 153 with a venturi action. 
Metering means for metering batches of ice lumps through the connecting 
conduit 159 into the main conduit 153 comprises a metering valve 162 which 
is provided by a gate valve similar to the metering valves 14 of the 
conveying apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1 to 8. The metering valve 162 comprises a 
housing 163 and a closure plate 164 slidable in the housing 163 for 
opening and closing the valve 162. A solenoid 166 mounted on the housing 
163 operates the closure plate 164 from an open to a closed position and 
vice versa. The solenoid 166 is controlled by the control circuit 171. A 
timer 170 in the control circuit 171 times the time period for which the 
solenoid 166 retains the metering valve 162 open and the motor 178 drives 
the discharge paddles (not shown) for determining the size of a batch of 
ice lumps. 
A pressure release means, namely, a pressure release valve 167 is provided 
downstream in the main conduit 153 for exhausting conveying air from the 
main conduit 153 to further relieve pressure at the Junction of the 
connecting conduit 159 and the main conduit 153 to facilitate delivery of 
ice lumps into the main conduit 153. The pressure release valve 167 by 
reducing pressure at the junction of the connecting conduit 159 and the 
main conduit 153 also prevents back flow of conveying air through the 
connecting conduit 159 into the main storage hopper 151 when the metering 
valve 162 is open. A solenoid 155 operates the pressure release valve 167 
under the control of the control circuit 171. In certain cases, it is 
envisaged that the pressure release means of this embodiment of the 
invention may be dispensed with altogether, or where a pressure release 
means is provided, other suitable pressure release means may be used. 
In this embodiment of the invention, the connecting conduit 159 extends 
downwardly from the main storage hopper 151 to facilitate delivery of ice 
lumps under gravity to the main conduit 153. Although not illustrated, if 
desired, an upstream portion 165 of the main conduit 153 may also extend 
downwardly from the connecting conduit 159 to further facilitate delivery 
of the ice lumps into the main conduit 153 under gravity. 
Monitoring means for determining when a batch of ice lumps has been 
delivered to a dispenser comprises a pressure sensor 168 similar to the 
pressure sensor 95 of the conveying apparatus 70. The pressure sensor 168 
is mounted on the communicating conduit 160 for monitoring the back 
pressure of conveying air in the communicating conduit 160. Level sensors 
169 similar to the level sensors 96 of the conveying apparatus 70 monitor 
the level of ice lumps in the dispensers 152. 
It is envisaged that in certain cases the pressure sensor 168 may be 
dispensed with. In such cases, suitable sensors may be provided in the 
dispensers for determining when a batch of ice lumps has been conveyed to 
a dispenser. Alternatively, a timer may be provided which would determine 
the length of time between batches being conveyed, and the time would be 
set sufficiently long to allow time for each batch to be conveyed to a 
dispenser before the next batch was delivered into the main conduit. 
The control circuit 171 comprises a central processing unit 172 which reads 
the pressure sensor 168 and the level sensors 169. The central processing 
unit 172 controls the solenoid 166 of the metering valve 162 and the 
solenoid 155 and the pressure release valve 167. The central processing 
unit 172 also sets and reads the timer 170, and further, controls the 
diverter valves 156a, b and c. The central processing unit also controls 
the operation of the motors 176 and 178. The central processing unit 172 
operates under the control of software which includes routines similar to 
those already described. A polling routine similar to the polling routine 
of the conveying apparatus 1 is provided for polling the dispensers 152a 
to 152d to determine if a demand for ice exists. A flow chart of an ice 
conveying routine for conveying batches of ice lumps to the dispensers 152 
is illustrated in FIG. 22. 
Referring to FIG. 22, block 180 of the flow chart activates the motor 176 
to drive the blower 157 for delivering conveying medium through the nozzle 
161 into the main conduit 153. Block 181 operates the solenoids 106 and 
sets the diverter valves 156 to communicate the dispenser 152 number N 
demanding ice lumps with the upstream end 158 of the main conduit 153. 
Block 182 operates the solenoid 166, which opens the metering valve 162 
and activates the motor 178 for delivering a batch of ice lumps into the 
main conduit 153. Block 183 operates the solenoid 155, which opens the 
pressure release valve 167 for relieving pressure at the junction of the 
connecting conduit 159 and the main conduit 153. Block 184 sets the timer 
170 to commence timing the time period for which the motor 178 is to drive 
the discharge paddles (not shown) and the metering valve 162 is to remain 
open for delivering the batch of ice lumps. The operations of blocks 182, 
183 and 184 are carried out simultaneously. The routine then moves to 
block 185 which reads the timer and block 186 checks if the timer has 
timed out. If the timer has not timed out, the routine returns to block 
185. If the timer 170 has timed out, the routine moves on to block 187, 
which closes the metering valve 162 and de-activates the motor 178. The 
routine then moves to block 188 which closes the pressure release valve 
167 after a further short time delay. The routine moves on to block 189, 
which reads the pressure sensor 168 and moves on to block 190, which 
checks if the back pressure read from the pressure sensor 168 is low. If 
the back pressure is not low, the routine returns to block 189. If the 
back pressure read from the pressure sensor 168 is low, the routine move 
on to block 191 which reads the level sensor in the dispenser 152 number N 
and moves the routine on to block 192. Block 192 checks if the level 
sensor 169 of the dispenser 152 number N is demanding ice. If no more ice 
is being demanded, the routine moves to block 193 which de-activates the 
motor 176, thereby terminating the supply of conveying air to the main 
conduit 153, and returns the control of the central processing unit to the 
polling routine. The control would be returned to a block similar to block 
42 of the routine of FIG. 7. Should the level sensor 169 of the dispenser 
152 be demanding more ice lumps, the routine moves to block 194, which 
returns the routine to block 181 to con, hence another ice lump conveying 
cycle. If desired, the motor 176 may run continuously to continuously 
supply conveying air into the main conduit 153, even when there is no 
demand for ice lumps. In which case, block 193 would not de-activate the 
motor 176. 
The routine of FIG. 22 is so arranged that at any one time only one batch 
of ice lumps will be conveyed through the main conduit 153 and a secondary 
conduit 154. 
In use, the polling routine polls the dispensers 152 to determine if a 
dispenser is demanding ice. On a demand for ice being made by a dispenser 
152, the central processing unit 172 calls up the ice lump conveying 
routine, which operates as just described with reference to the flow chart 
of FIG. 20 delivering batches of ice lumps to the dispenser 152 demanding 
ice. 
During periods where batches of ice lumps are not being demanded, the motor 
176 driving the blower 157 may be de-activated. Indeed it is envisaged 
that the motor 176 may be normally de-activated and would only be 
activated on by the ice lump conveying routine after the diverting valves 
had been set to communicate the particular dispenser demanding ice with 
the upstream end 158 of the main conduit 153. Furthermore, it is envisaged 
in certain cases that the motor 176 driving the blower 157 may be 
de-activated each time a batch of ice lumps has been conveyed to a 
dispenser, and would only be activated again after a batch of ice lumps 
had been delivered into the main conduit 153. Alternatively, the motor 176 
may be activated simultaneously each time a batch of ice lumps is being 
delivered into the main conduit 153. Where the motor 176 driving the 
blower 157 is de-activated each time a batch of ice lumps has been 
conveyed to a dispenser, and is only activated after a batch of ice lumps 
has been delivered into the main conduit 153, it will be appreciated that 
the batches of ice lumps and conveying air will be alternately delivered 
into the main conduit. Where the conveying air is continuously delivered 
into the conduit, the batches of ice lumps will be intermittently 
delivered during delivery of the conveying air. 
It will be appreciated that in certain cases the nozzle 161 may be 
dispensed with and air from the communicating conduit 160 would be 
delivered directly into the main conduit 153. 
The pressure release valves 167, if desired, may be dispensed with, or 
where a pressure release valve is used, other suitable pressure release 
valves may be provided. It is also envisaged that pressure release means 
may be provided downstream in the main conduit adjacent one of the 
dispensers, or downstream in the secondary conduits adjacent a dispenser 
for slowing down batches of ice lumps in the conduit. 
Referring now to FIGS. 23 and 24 a secondary storage means, namely, a 
dispenser also according to the invention indicated generally by the 
reference numeral 200 is illustrated. The dispenser 200 may be provided in 
place in any or all of the dispensers 7 of the conveying apparatus 1, the 
dispensers 72 of the conveying apparatus 70 and the dispenser 152 of the 
conveying apparatus 150. The dispenser 200 comprises a housing 201 which 
forms a cylindrically shaped dispensing hopper 202 which holds ice lumps 
and from which ice lumps are dispensed in relatively small metered 
quantities as will be described below. The dispensing hopper 202 is formed 
by a base 205, a circular side wall 206 extending upwardly from the base 
205 to a top wall 207. The ice lumps are dispensed through any one of a 
plurality of outlets 203 in the side wall 206. In this embodiment of the 
invention, only three outlets 2203 from the dispensing hopper 202 are 
illustrated, however, in general, many more than three outlets 203 will be 
provided. In practice, it is envisaged that the dispenser 200 will be 
mounted overhead and dispensing tubes 204 will extend downwardly from the 
dispensing outlets 203 for dispensing the small metered quantities of ice 
lumps, which may, for example, be dispensed directly into a glass or the 
like. This aspect of the invention will be described in more detail below. 
The housing 201 also forms a holding device 208 also according to the 
invention for holding ice lumps until a full batch of ice lumps has been 
delivered to the dispenser 200. The holding device 208 comprises a holding 
container 211 having a circular side wall 209 extending upwardly from the 
top wall 207 of the dispensing hopper 202 to a top wall 210. An inlet port 
212 in the top wall 210 for connecting to a main conduit or a secondary 
conduit of the conveying apparatus 1, 70, 140 and 150 accommodates ice 
lumps into the holding device 208. A circular opening in the top wall 201 
forms an outlet 213 from the holding container 211 which communicates the 
holding device 208 with the dispensing hopper 202 for delivery of a batch 
of ice lumps into the dispensing hopper 202. Valve means comprising a flap 
valve formed by a closure plate 215 selectively closes the outlet 213. The 
closure plate 215 is pivotally connected at 216 to the top wall. A spring 
(not shown) biases the closure plate 215 into the closed position closing 
the outlet 213. A retaining means for retaining the closure plate 215 in 
the closed position comprises a latch 218 operated by a solenoid 219 which 
retains the closure plate 215 closing the outlet 213. The closing force of 
the spring (not shown) acting on the closure plate 215 is sufficiently low 
that the weight of a batch of ice lumps on the closure flap 215 is 
sufficient to overcome the closing force and thereby open the closure 
plate 215 for delivery of a batch of ice lumps into the dispensing hopper 
202. However, the spring force is sufficiently great that once the batch 
of ice lumps has been delivered into the dispensing hopper 202, the spring 
closes the closure plate 215 to close the outlet 213. 
A drain means comprising a drain tube 220 from the side wall 209 of the 
holding device 208 adjacent the top wall 207 drains residual water from 
the holding device to prevent the water being delivered into the 
dispensing hopper 202. Suitable seals (not shown) are provided around the 
closure plate 215 to prevent the ingress of water into the dispensing 
hopper 202 when the closure plate 215 is closed. The orientation of the 
closure plate 215 and the arrangement of the seals is such as to direct 
water to the drain outlet 220. 
Exhaust means for exhausting conveying air delivered with a batch of ice 
lumps from the holding device 208 comprises an exhaust vent 221 which 
extends around the side wall 209. The provision of the exhaust vent 221 
avoids the conveying air being blown into the dispensing hopper 202. The 
closure plate 215 is retained closed until the conveying air has been 
exhausted through the exhaust vent 221. 
The circular side wall 209 diverges outwardly downwardly towards the outlet 
213. This it has been found avoids bridging of ice lumps of a batch of ice 
lumps in the holding device 208. While the holding device 208 has been 
described for holding a single batch of ice lumps, it will be appreciated 
that if desired the holding device 208 may hold more than a single batch 
of ice lumps. 
Returning to the dispensing hopper 202, agitating means for agitating ice 
lumps in the dispensing hopper 202 comprises an agitator 224 for 
preventing bridging and fusing of ice lumps in the dispensing hopper 202. 
The agitator 224 also acts to urge ice lumps from the dispensing hopper 
202 through the dispensing outlets 203. The agitator 224 comprises a 
plurality of paddles 225 extending radially from a drive shaft 226. The 
drive shaft 226 is rotatably mounted in bearings 227 centrally in the base 
205 of the dispensing hopper 202. An electrically powered drive motor 228 
drives the shaft 226 for rotating the paddles. It has been found that if 
the agitator 224 is only activated when ice lumps are to be dispensed 
through a dispensing outlet or outlets 203 from the dispensing hopper 202, 
the quantity of ice lumps dispensed is proportional to the number of 
rotations of the shaft 226. Accordingly, by counting the number of 
rotations of the shaft 226, the quantity of ice lumps dispensed from the 
dispensing hopper 202 can be determined. Furthermore, by monitoring the 
quantity of ice lumps delivered in batches into the dispensing hopper 202, 
as well as the rate of dispensing of ice lumps from the dispensing hopper 
202, the level of ice lumps in the dispensing hopper 202 can be 
determined. This, in certain cases, is used as a means for determining the 
level of ice lumps in the hopper 202. However, if desired a level sensor 
which may be a mechanical, infra red, ultrasonic or thermostatic sensor, 
or the like may be provided in the dispensing hopper 202 for determining 
the level of ice lumps in the dispensing hopper 202. 
It is envisaged that the closure plate 215 may be used for determining when 
the dispensing hopper 202 is full. When the dispensing hopper 202 is 
virtually full of ice lumps, a batch of ice lumps being delivered from the 
holding device 208 into the dispensing hopper 202 will not discharge fully 
from the closure plate 215, and the weight of the ice lumps on the closure 
plate 215 will retain the closure plate 215 open or partly open. The 
pressure sensor in the communicating conduit of any of the conveying 
apparatus already described may be used to determine the position of the 
closure plate or in certain cases an optical sensor, microswitch or the 
like may be used. While the closure plate is open, the pressure sensor 
will read a low back pressure. Accordingly, by supplying conveying air 
into the main conduit of the conveying apparatus for a short period of 
time after the ice lumps should have been delivered into the dispensing 
hopper 202, the position of the closure plate can be monitored by the 
pressure sensor. Once the closure plate 215 closes, the pressure sensor 
will detect a high back pressure. 
Returning now to the dispensing tubes 204, each dispensing tube 204 at its 
upstream end 229 adjacent the dispensing outlet 203 comprises a metering 
apparatus which comprises a metering chamber 230 for collecting a metered 
quantity of ice lumps, in this case, typically ten ice lumps. The 
dispensing chamber 230 is formed in the dispensing tube 204 and comprises 
an inlet 231 and an outlet 232. A first valve means comprising a first 
solenoid operated gate valve 233 closes the inlet 231 and a second valve 
means, namely, a second solenoid operated gate valve 234 closes the outlet 
232 from the metering chamber 230. Accordingly, to collect a metered 
quantity of ice lumps in the metering chamber 230, the second valve 234 is 
closed and the first valve 233 is opened, thereby allowing ice lumps into 
the metering chamber 230 until the metering chamber 230 is full, at which 
stage the first gate valve 233 is closed. When a metered quantity of ice 
lumps is required, the second valve 234 is opened, thereby dispensing the 
metered quantity of ice lumps into the dispensing tube 204. The second 
valve 234 is then closed, and the first valve 233 is again opened to 
collect the next metered quantity of ice lumps. A third valve means, 
namely, a third solenoid operated gate valve 235 is provided in each 
dispensing tube 204 adjacent a dispensing outlet, namely, a dispensing 
nozzle 236 for holding a metered quantity of ice lumps adjacent the nozzle 
236 ready for dispensing through the nozzle 236. As well as acting to 
retain a metered quantity of ice lumps in the dispensing tube 204 adjacent 
the dispensing nozzle 236, the third solenoid operated gate valve 235 also 
acts to prevent ice lumps being discharged through the nozzle 236 directly 
from the metering chamber 230 with a high velocity which would cause 
splashing or the like if the ice lumps were discharged into a glass 
containing a beverage. A button operated switch 237 is provided on the 
nozzle 236 of each dispensing tube 204 for activating the third solenoid 
operated gate valve 235. The first, second and third valves 233, 234 and 
235 are interlinked so that on a metered quantity of ice being dispensed 
through the nozzle 236, the third valve 235 closes and the second valve 
234 opens to deliver another metered quantity of ice lumps to be retained 
in the dispensing tube 204 by the third valve 235. The first and second 
valves 233 and 234 of the metering chamber again operate as already 
described to collect the next metered quantity of ice. 
When the dispenser 200 is used in connection with any of the conveying 
apparatus according to the invention already described, the dispenser 200 
operates under the control of the central processing unit of the conveying 
apparatus. The first, second and third valves 233, 234 and 235 are 
monitored by the central processing unit and the operation of the motor 
228 is controlled and monitored by the central processing unit, as is the 
solenoid operated latch 218. Alternatively, the monitoring and control of 
the valves and motor of the dispenser 200 may be carried out by a 
microprocessor specifically provided for the dispenser 200 or a group of 
dispensers 200. Such microprocessor may or may not be interlinked with a 
central processing unit of a conveying apparatus. 
In use, with the solenoid operated latch 218 retaining the closure plate 
215 closing the outlet 213 a batch of ice lumps is delivered into the 
holding device 208. On the delivery of the batch of ice lumps being 
completed, which would normally be determined by the pressure sensor 
monitoring the back pressure in the communicating conduit of a conveying 
apparatus, the latch 218 is released, thereby permitting the closure plate 
215 to open under the weight of the batch of ice lumps, and the batch of 
ice lumps is delivered into the dispensing hopper 202. The closure plate 
215 is then pivoted into the closed position closing the outlet 213 under 
the action of the return spring. On the closure plate 215 pivoting into 
the closed position, the solenoid operated latch 218 is engaged with the 
closure plate 215 thereby retaining the closure plate 215 closing the 
outlet 213. It is envisaged in certain cases that a time delay may be 
provided after a batch of ice lumps has been delivered into the holding 
device 208 before the solenoid operated latch 218 releases the closure 
plate 215 to ensure that the conveying air has exhausted through the 
exhaust vent 221, and the water has drained away through the drain tube 
220. Any water which collects in the holding device 208 is drained through 
the drain outlet tube 220. The motor 228 is operated to drive the paddles 
225 for discharging ice lumps through the dispensing outlets 203. The ice 
lumps are dispensed in metered quantities through the dispensing nozzle 
236 by operating the button switch 237 as already described. 
Referring now to FIGS. 25 and 26 there is illustrated a separator according 
to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 240 for 
separating conveying air from ice lumps, prior to the ice lumps being 
dispensed into a secondary storage means at a remote location. The 
separator 240 may be mounted directly in a dispensing hopper, such as, for 
example, the dispensing hopper 202 where a holding device is not provided, 
or may be mounted in a holding device 208 of the dispenser 200. Needless 
to say, the separator 240 may be provided in any hopper, bin or the like 
for holding ice lumps. The separator 240 comprises a housing having a base 
wall 242 and a top wall 243 joined by side walls 244 and 245 and end walls 
246 and 247. The housing 241 defines a hollow interior region 248. An 
inlet port 249 to the interior region 248 is provided in the top wall 243 
which may be connected to a main or secondary conduit of the conveying 
apparatus already described for delivering ice lumps and conveying air 
which may contain entrained water into the interior region 246. A 
diverting means comprising a plurality of spaced apart arcuate diverting 
bars 250 of circular cross section extend transversely of the interior 
region 248 between the end walls 246 and 147 for engaging and directing 
ice lumps through an outlet 251 in the end wall 247. The spacing between 
the bars 250 is set to prevent ice lumps passing between the bars 250. In 
this embodiment of the invention, the spacing between the bars 250 is 4 
mm. Such a spacing, it has been found, is particularly suitable for 
dealing with ice lumps of maximum dimension 30 mm and minimum dimension 15 
mm. 
A drain means, namely, a drain outlet 252 is provided from the base wall 
242 downstream of the diverting bars 250 for draining water from the 
interior region 248. A pipe 253 from the drain outlet is connected to a 
sump (not shown) for collecting the water. In practice, the pipe 253 and 
sump (not shown) would be airtight, thereby preventing conveying air 
passing through the drain outlet 252, although this is not necessary. An 
exhaust means comprising an exhaust grille 255 is provided in the end wall 
246 for exhausting conveying air from the interior region 248. The grille 
255 may exhaust to atmosphere or in certain cases, the exhausted air may 
be ducted from the grille 255. 
A subhousing 257 comprising a top wall 258 and a pair of side walls 259 
extends from the housing 241 around the outlet 251. Means for slowing down 
the ice lumps exiting through the outlet 251 comprises a damping means for 
absorbing some of the kinetic energy of the ice lumps. The damping means 
comprises a plate member 260 pivotally connected by a hinge 261 to the top 
wall 258. The plate member 260 depends downwardly into the path of the ice 
lumps discharged through the outlet 251 and extends transversely thereof. 
A pad 262 of a resilient plastics material mounted on the plate member 260 
engages the ice lumps and absorbs some of the kinetic energy of the ice 
lumps. In certain cases, it is envisaged that the plate will be biased 
into the position substantially transversely of the path of the ice lumps 
by a spring, or a counter weight. Indeed, in certain cases, it is 
envisaged that the weight of the plate member 260 could be sufficient to 
absorb most of the kinetic energy of the ice lumps. The ice lumps, on 
striking the plate member 260, may pivot the plate member 260 slightly in 
the direction of the arrow A, and on the kinetic energy of the ice lumps 
being absorbed, the ice lumps then drop downwardly between the side walls 
259. The bars 25 extend slightly through the outlet 251 to provide a 
smooth passage of the ice lumps through the outlet 251. 
In use, it is envisaged that the separator will be mounted in an 
orientation with the side walls 244 and 245 and the end walls 246 and 247 
extending substantially vertically. Ice lumps and conveying medium which 
may have entrained water are delivered through the inlet port 249 into the 
interior region 248. The ice lumps are diverted by the diverting bars 250 
through the outlet 251. On engaging the closure flap 256, kinetic energy 
in the ice lumps is absorbed and the ice lumps drop between the side walls 
259 of the subhousing 257. Air is exhausted through the exhaust grille 255 
and water entrained in the air collects in the lower portion of the 
interior region 248 and drains through the drain outlet 252 into a sump 
(not shown). 
Referring now to FIGS. 27 to 29 there is illustrated a separator 269 
according to another embodiment of the invention. In this case, the 
separator 269 is substantially similar to the separator 240, and similar 
components are identified by the same reference numerals. Only the 
subhousing which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 270 is 
different. The subhousing 270 comprises a top wall 271 and side walls 272 
which extend from the housing 241 of the separator 269 around the outlet 
251. An end wall 273 extends downwardly from the top wall 271 between the 
side walls 272. Damping means for slowing down the ice lumps in this case 
is provided by a plurality of baffles 274 mounted on the side walls 272 
and extending transversely therefrom into the path of the ice lumps 
exiting from the outlet 251. The baffles 274 are of a resilient plastics 
material and are arranged in spaced apart pairs. The baffles 274 of each 
pair are spaced apart a distance g which decreases in a downstream 
direction. The baffles 274a of the pair furthest from the outlet 251 
almost touch. The baffles 274 may be of any other resilient material, such 
as rubber or a synthetic rubber. 
In use, as the ice lumps impinge on the baffles 274 the kinetic energy of 
the ice lumps is gradually absorbed by the baffles 274 until the ice lumps 
strike the pair of baffles 274a furthest from the outlet 251. 
Referring now to FIGS. 30 to 32 there is illustrated a separator 279 
according to another embodiment of the invention. The separator 279 is 
substantially similar to the separator 240 and similar components are 
identified by the same reference numeral. In this embodiment of the 
invention, only the subhousing which is indicated generally by the 
reference numeral 280 is different. The subhousing 280 comprises a plate 
281 which extends from the end wall 247 of the housing 241 above the 
outlet 251. In this embodiment of the invention, the damping means for 
slowing down the ice lumps comprises a spiral track 283 formed on the 
underside of the plate 281 by a downwardly extending spiral wall 284 which 
extends downwardly from the plate 281. Side walls 285 and 286 extending 
from the housing 241 on each side of the outlet 251 direct ice lumps into 
the spiral track 283. The underside of the spiral track 283 is open. The 
kinetic energy of the ice lumps is absorbed as the ice lumps pass along 
the spiral track. On sufficient kinetic energy being absorbed, the ice 
lumps fall downwardly from the track 283. A bin, hopper or the like (not 
shown) would be mounted beneath the plate 281 for collecting the ice 
lumps. 
Referring to FIGS. 33 and 34, there is illustrated an alternative means for 
alternately supplying a batch of ice lumps and conveying medium into the 
main conduit means which may be used in the conveying apparatus 1 of FIGS. 
1 to 8, the conveying apparatus 70 of FIGS. 9 to 16 and the conveying 
apparatus 140 of FIGS. 17 and 18. This means for alternately supplying a 
batch of ice lumps and conveying medium into the conveying conduit 
comprises a main valve also according to the invention indicated generally 
by the reference numeral 300. The main valve 300 comprises a housing 301 
of steel having a top wall 302 and a bottom wall 303 joined by side and 
end walls 304 and 305, respectively. The housing defines a hollow interior 
region 306. A pair of inlet ports 309 and 310 extending from the top wall 
302 adjacent each other communicate with the interior region 306. The 
inlet port 309, in use, is connected to the connecting conduit for 
communicating the inlet port 309 with an ice lump source, namely, a main 
storage hopper for the delivery of ice lumps to the inlet port 309. The 
inlet port 310, in use, is connected to a communicating conduit for 
delivering a conveying medium to the inlet port 310 from a conveying 
medium source. An outlet port 311 communicating with the interior region 
306 extends from the bottom wall 303 for connecting the main valve 11 to a 
main conduit, for example, the main conduit 5 of the apparatus 1 or the 
main conduit 73 of the apparatus 70 or 140. A valving member, namely, a 
valve plate 314 is slidable within the interior region 306 for 
alternatively communicating the outlet port 311 with the inlet port 309 
and the inlet port 310. A valving opening 316 in the valve plate 314 
communicates the outlet port 311 with the inlet port 309 when the valve 
plate 314 is in an ice delivery position as shown in FIG. 33 for 
delivering batches of ice lumps into the main conduit. The valving opening 
316 communicates the outlet port 311 with the inlet port 310 when the 
valve plate 314 is in a conveying medium supply position as shown in FIG. 
34 for supplying conveying air into the main conduit. Means for switching 
the main valve 300 from the ice delivery position to the conveying medium 
supply position, and vice versa, comprises a solenoid 317 mounted on the 
housing 301 by a bracket 318. A connecting rod 319 connects the solenoid 
317 to the valve plate 314 for sliding the valve plate 314 from the ice 
delivery position to the conveying medium supply position and vice versa, 
in the direction of the arrows D and E, respectively. Suitable seals (not 
shown), for example, 0-ring seals substantially similar to the 0-ring 
seals described in the diverter valves 75 with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14 
are provided in the housing 301 between the top and bottom walls 302 and 
303 and the valve plate 314 so that when the valve plate 314 is in the ice 
delivery position, the inlet port 310 is isolated from the outlet port 
311. Similarly, when the valve plate 314 is in the conveying medium supply 
position, the inlet port 309 is isolated from the outlet port 311. 
While the means for switching the main valve 300 from the ice delivery 
position to the conveying medium supply position and vice versa has been 
described as comprising a solenoid, any other suitable switch means may be 
used. Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that a pneumatic ram, 
hydraulic ram or the like may be used. It will of course be appreciated 
that throughout the description of the various embodiments of the 
invention, where solenoids have been described for switching valves or 
moving components, any other suitable equivalent switching or moving means 
may be used, such as, for example, a pneumatic ram, hydraulic ram or the 
like. 
Indeed, it will also be appreciated that where electrically powered motors 
have been described for driving various components, such as, for example, 
discharge paddles, air blowers and the like, any other suitable means for 
driving such components may be provided, for example, pneumatic motors, 
hydraulic motors and the like. 
Further, it will be appreciated that in certain cases, some or all of the 
various valve means and means for alternately supplying a batch of ice 
lumps and conveying medium into a conduit may be operated by any other 
means, and indeed, in certain cases, may be manually operated. 
While a particular construction of main storage hoppers have been 
described, any other suitable type and construction of main storage 
hoppers may be used. Needless to say, ice lumps may be provided from an 
ice lump source other than a storage hopper. Further, while the second 
storage means at the remote locations have been described as being 
dispensers, any other secondary storage means may be used, for example, a 
bin from which ice lumps would be manually scooped, a hopper or any other 
suitable storage means. Further, while the dispensers at the remote 
locations have been described as being provided with sensors for sensing 
the level of ice lumps in the dispensers, this is not necessary. Where the 
secondary storage means are provided by bins from which ice would be 
manually removed, a sensor may not be provided. However, in such a case, 
where it was desirable that the bin at the remote location should be 
polled to ascertain if a demand for ice existed, it is envisaged that a 
manually operated switch would be provided adjacent the bin which an 
operator could activate should ice lumps be required. This switch would be 
polled by the polling routine. 
Additionally, in the event that a level sensor for determining when the 
dispensers at the remote locations are full is not provided, it is 
envisaged that on a demand for ice being made by a dispenser, a 
predetermined number of batches of ice lumps will be conveyed to the 
dispenser demanding ice. In practice, it is envisaged that either the 
dispenser would have a minimum level sensor which on the level of ice 
lumps dropping to the minimum level sensor, an ice lump demand signal 
would be triggered. This would, in due course, be polled by the polling 
routine. Alternatively, if a dispenser were provided with no level sensor, 
the discharge of ice lumps from the dispenser would be monitored for 
determining when a demand for ice existed in a dispenser. In other cases, 
it is envisaged that a demand for ice signal at a dispenser may be 
triggered manually by an operator operating a switch at or adjacent the 
dispenser. In such a case of manual triggering of an ice demand signal, it 
is envisaged that the number of ice batches delivered to the dispenser may 
also be determined manually by the operator, who would merely operate a 
switch to terminate conveying of batches of ice lumps. 
Further, it will be appreciated that while the control circuit of the 
various conveying apparatus have in all cases polled the dispensers at the 
remote location to ascertain if a demand for ice existed, this is not 
essential. In certain cases, it is envisaged that the control circuit 
would not poll the dispensers at the remote locations, and in which case, 
it is envisaged that when a demand for ice existed at a dispenser at a 
remote location, an ice demand signal would be relayed to the control 
circuit. The ice demand signal could be relayed over cabling, or could be 
transmitted by radio, microwaves or the like. Such signal would, as well 
as indicating a demand for ice, identify the dispenser at the remote 
location demanding ice. 
It will of course be appreciated that where the control circuit does poll 
the dispensers at remote locations, the polling may be carried out by 
signals relayed along cables or transmitted by radio, microwave signals or 
the like. 
Needless to say, any suitable type of sensing means for sensing ice level 
may be used, mechanical sensors may be used, thermosensors may be used, 
infra-red, ultra-sonic or light sensors or the like may be used as 
desired. 
While the conveying medium has been described as being air, any other 
suitable conveying medium may be used, although needless to say, air, in 
general, would be the most convenient conveying medium. While an air 
blower has been described for providing the conveying air, any other 
suitable conveying air or medium source may be used. For example, a 
compressor, further the conveying medium or air may be held in a receiver 
which would be fed by a compressor or an air blower or the like. While the 
conveying air has been described as being supplied at a particular 
pressure, the conveying air may be supplied at any other desired pressure. 
It is believed where the apparatus is required to deliver ice lumps over 
relatively short runs, a lower air pressure would be acceptable than for 
long runs. 
Further, while the conveying apparatus has been described for conveying ice 
lumps with a maximum dimension of 30 mm, the conveying apparatus is 
suitable for conveying ice lumps of other maximum dimensions. However, 
where the maximum dimension is relatively high, allowance will have to be 
made in the cross sectional area of the conveying conduit. It is believed 
that a conveying conduit of circular cross section is preferable to other 
cross sections, and where conveying conduits of circular cross section is 
used, it is recommended that the diameter of the internal cross section of 
the conduit should be at least 10% greater than the maximum dimension of 
an ice lump. Although it is preferable that the diameter of the conveying 
conduit should be at least 30% greater than the maximum dimension of the 
ice lumps being conveyed. Needless to say, conveying conduits of other 
cross sections besides circular cross sections may be used. Where 
conveying conduits of cross sections other than circular cross sections 
are used, it is believed that the minimum transverse dimension of the 
conveying conduit should be at least 10% greater than the maximum 
dimension of the ice lumps being conveyed, and preferably, the minimum 
transverse dimension of the conveying conduit should be at least 30% 
greater than the maximum dimension of the ice lump. All the above 
relationships between the maximum dimension of an ice lump and the 
dimensions of the cross sectional area of the conveying conduit have been 
given as recommendations only. They are not intended to limit the scope of 
the invention or the claims in any way. 
As mentioned above, the method and conveying apparatus may also be used for 
conveying a particle or particles of ice, a flake or flake of ice, for 
example, flake ice. 
While the means for alternately supplying ice lumps and conveying medium 
into the conveying conduit have been described as comprising a main valve 
means, any other suitable means for alternately supplying ice lumps and 
conveying medium may be used. Where a valve means is used, any suitable 
type of valve means besides a flap valve or the valve of FIGS. 33 and 34 
may be used. Additionally, other means for switching the main valve of the 
conveying apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 8, FIGS. 9 to 17 and FIGS. 18 to 22 may 
be used besides a counterweight for returning the valving flap of the 
valve. For example, a return spring may be used, or any other suitable 
biasing or urging means may be used, as well as, for example, a solenoid, 
pneumatic or hydraulic ram or the like. Alternatively, it is envisaged 
that a valve means may be dispensed with altogether and the means for 
alternately supplying ice lumps and conveying medium into the conveying 
conduit would be provided by a combination of the metering means and a 
means for alternately isolating the conveying medium source from the 
conveying conduit. For example, the isolating means may comprise a valve 
such as, for example, a gate valve or the like in the communicating 
conduit. Alternatively, the means for isolating the conveying medium 
source may comprise a means for switching on and switching off the air 
blower motor or compressor or the like to provide conveying medium as 
required. Additionally, it will be appreciated that, if desired, in the 
conveying apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 8, FIGS. 9 to 16, FIGS. 17 and 18 and 
FIGS. 19 to 22, the conveying air source could be left activated 
continuously. In other words, the motor driving the blower would be left 
running continuously. Alternatively, where the conveying air source is 
provided by a compressor and receiver, the compressor and receiver would 
continuously supply air into the communicating conduit. The supply of 
conveying air from the communicating conduit into the main conduit would 
then be controlled by the main valve or valves as the case may be. 
Alternatively, an isolating valve may be provided in the communicating 
conduit for controlling the supply of conveying air to the main valve or 
into the main conduit. 
Needless to say, any other suitable metering means besides a metering valve 
may be provided for metering a batch of ice lumps into the conveying 
conduit. While the ice lumps have been described as being delivered into 
the conveying conduit from the main storage hopper under gravity, any 
other suitable means may be used. 
While diverter valves of a particular shape and construction have been 
described, any other suitable type of diverter valves means may be used. 
It is also envisaged that in the conveying apparatus 150 of FIGS. 19 to 22, 
while it is preferable that the conveying medium should be continuously 
delivered into the main conveying conduit, in certain cases, it is 
envisaged that the air may be intermittently delivered into the conveying 
conduit, and would be alternately delivered into the conveying conduit 
with the ice lumps. In other words, a batch of ice lumps would be 
delivered into the conveying conduit and then the conveying air would be 
delivered into the conveying conduit and so on. The air would not be 
delivered into the conveying conduit until the batch of ice lumps had been 
conveyed to the remote location at which stage the conveying air would be 
de-activated and the next batch of ice lumps would be delivered into the 
conveying conduit. 
Needless to say, the conveying apparatus 150 of FIGS. 19 to 22 may be used 
for conveying a batch of ice lumps from an ice lump source to a single 
remote location. For example, in certain cases, it is envisaged that a 
plurality of main conduits 153 would be provided between the main storage 
hopper 150 and a plurality of respective remote locations. Each main 
conduit 153 would deliver to one remote location only. This would be a 
similar arrangement to the arrangement of the apparatus 1 of FIGS. 1 to 8, 
but with the exception that the conveying air and batches of ice lumps 
would be delivered into the main conduit using the nozzle arrangement 161 
of the apparatus 150. 
While a particular construction of dispenser has been described in FIGS. 23 
and 24, other constructions could be provided. It will of course be 
appreciated that other constructions of holding device may be provided. 
For example, while it is preferable it is not essential that the side wall 
of the holding device should diverge outwardly downwardly. Other suitable 
valve means for holding a batch of ice lumps in the holding device may be 
provided besides a flap valve. Needless to say, any other suitable exhaust 
means may be provided and other suitable drain means may be provided from 
the holding device. 
Other suitable metering apparatus may be used besides the metering 
apparatus described in the dispensing tubes 204 and needless to say, the 
metering apparatus in the dispensing tubes 204 may be dispensed with. 
It is also envisaged that separators of other shape and construction may be 
used. Other suitable diverting means besides diverting bars may be 
provided, any permeable type of diverting means may be used. Other means 
for slowing down ice lumps may be used in the separators, and such means 
may be dispensed with. 
Furthermore, it will be appreciated that while in the embodiments of the 
invention described, the batch size of ice lumps is constant for each 
apparatus, it will of course be appreciated that the batch size may vary 
from apparatus to apparatus. Furthermore, the batch size may vary within a 
particular conveying apparatus, for example, where some dispensers at 
remote locations are at considerably longer distances from the ice lump 
source than others, then the batches of ice lumps to the more remote 
locations may be smaller than the batches of ice lumps being delivered to 
the nearer remote locations. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the 
batches of ice lumps may vary from conveying cycle to conveying cycle. 
Since the batches of ice lumps are determined by the length of time the 
metering valve is open and the discharge paddles operate, while this gives 
a relatively constant batch size of ice lumps, it will, of course, be 
appreciated that some drift and variation may occur from time to time. 
Accordingly, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that 
it is not essential for the size of batches of ice lumps to be constant in 
each conveying apparatus, and indeed, for conveying to each remote 
location. 
It is also envisaged in some embodiments of the invention that the main 
valve means could act as a metering means for metering batches of ice 
lumps of predetermined weight into the main conduit means. By timing the 
period of time for which the main valve means is in the ice delivery 
position, the weight of a batch of ice lumps delivered into the conveying 
conduit means could be relatively accurately controlled. 
Further, it will be appreciated that in many cases a secondary conduit may 
have other secondary conduits branched therefrom. In general, it is 
envisaged that each secondary conduit branched from another secondary 
conduit would be connected to the secondary conduit by a diverter valve 
means. 
While the conveying apparatus has been described for conveying batches of 
ice lumps from an ice lump source to a plurality of remote locations, the 
apparatus may be used for conveying batches of ice lumps from an ice lump 
source to a single remote location only. Furthermore, it is envisaged that 
the apparatus may be used for conveying a single batch of ice lumps to a 
remote location. 
It will also be appreciated that in the embodiment of the invention 
described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, a mechanical linkage may be 
provided between the maximum level sensor 137 and the ice maker 141 for 
switching off the ice maker in the event of the level of ice lumps in the 
main storage hopper 71 reaching the maximum level sensor 137. 
While in the embodiments of the invention described, the conveying 
apparatus has been illustrated as comprising four dispensers at four 
discrete locations, any number of dispensers or other storage means at any 
number of locations may be provided. Indeed, in certain cases, the 
conveying apparatus may be used for conveying ice lumps from an ice lump 
source to a single remote location. Furthermore, it will be appreciated 
that it is not necessary to provide a storage means at a remote location, 
the ice lumps may be delivered at the remote location through a nozzle or 
the like for immediate use.