Ice machine

An ice machine is provided herein that includes a cabinet having a cabinet door coupled thereto through a hinge assembly. A frame is positioned within the cabinet and includes a base portion and a support portion. A hopper is supported by the support portion of the frame. The hopper includes an ice dispensing interface. A housing is operably coupled with the cabinet door and defines an ice harvesting chamber. A chute is coupled with the housing and is in communication with the ice dispensing interface. A container hanging assembly is operably coupled with the chute. An attachment rod is coupled to the housing and is positioned on an opposing side of the chute from the container hanging assembly. A drain is defined by a bottom portion of the housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to ice making and dispensing devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ice vending machines can output prepackaged containers of ice and/or produce ice that is packaged at the vending machine. When packaged at the ice machine, the ice machine includes an ice maker and a hopper. Ice exits the hopper and is dispensed through a chute. A container is positioned at a lower end of the chute to catch the dispensed ice therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to some examples of the present disclosure, an ice machine includes a cabinet having a cabinet door coupled thereto through a hinge assembly. A frame is positioned within the cabinet and includes a base portion and a support portion. A hopper is supported by the support portion of the frame. The hopper includes an ice dispensing interface. A housing is operably coupled with the cabinet door and defines an ice harvesting chamber. A chute is coupled with the housing and is in communication with the ice dispensing interface. A container hanging assembly is operably coupled with the chute. An attachment rod is coupled to the housing and is positioned on an opposing side of the chute from the container hanging assembly. A drain is defined by a bottom portion of the housing.

According to some examples of the present disclosure, an ice machine includes a cabinet having a cabinet door coupled thereto through a hinge assembly. A frame is positioned within the cabinet and includes a base portion and a support portion. The frame is laterally offset relative to a lateral compartment centerline. A hopper is supported by the support portion of the frame and has an ice dispensing interface. A chute is coupled with a housing and in communication with the ice dispensing interface.

According to some examples of the present disclosure, an ice machine includes a cabinet having a cabinet door hingedly coupled thereto. A frame is positioned within the cabinet and supports a hopper. The hopper includes an ice dispensing interface. A housing is operably coupled with the door and defines an ice harvesting chamber. A chute is coupled with the housing and is in communication with the ice dispensing interface. An attachment rod extends through a rear wall of the housing and includes a retainer on an end portion thereof. The retainer is disposed vertically above a lower portion of the chute.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXAMPLES

The following disclosure describes a free-standing ice machine that may be placed virtually anywhere. The ice machine can be used by a consumer to purchase freshly bagged ice and, in some cases, chilled water that is ready for consumption. In some examples, the ice machine includes a cabinet and supports a cabinet door hingedly coupled thereto. A frame is positioned within the cabinet and includes a base portion and a support portion. A cooling module is supported by the support portion of the frame and includes an ice maker and a hopper. The hopper is operably coupled with an ice dispensing interface. A trough is coupled with the base portion of the frame and is fluidly coupled with a fluid outlet. A housing is operably coupled with the door and defines an ice harvesting chamber. A chute is coupled with the housing and is in communication with the ice dispensing interface of the cooling module. A container hanging assembly is coupled with the chute. A chamber door is hingedly coupled to the cabinet door and is configured to provide access to an ice harvesting chamber in an open position.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 1A, an ice machine10includes a cabinet12that defines a compartment14. The compartment14may be accessed through a front access opening16and/or a top access opening18. A cabinet door20is coupled to the cabinet12through a hinge assembly22having one or more hinges and provides selective access to the compartment14of the cabinet12through the front access opening16.

The cabinet door20may further define a void that allows access to an ice harvesting chamber24. A chamber door26is hingedly coupled to the cabinet door20and can provide access to an ice harvesting chamber24in an open position. When not in use, the chamber door26may be placed in a closed position to assist in retaining chilled air within the cabinet12. In some instances, the cabinet door20may rotate in a first direction (e.g.,28) about a vertical axis and the chamber door26may rotate in a second, opposing direction (e.g.,30) about a vertical axis.

In some instances, when the cabinet door20is placed in the closed position, one or more locks32,34,36may be used to prevent unwanted opening of the cabinet door20. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 1A, a first lock32may be positioned on an opposite side of the cabinet door20from the hinge assembly22. The first lock32may be configured as a plug lock or a handle lock that includes a lock body that is fixed to the door20and retains the cabinet door20in the closed position through retainment within a void38defined by the cabinet12.

Second and third locks34,36may be disposed vertically above and/or below the first lock32. In some instances, the second and third locks34,36are of a varying type from the first lock32. For example, the second and third locks34,36may be configured at padlocks having locking bodies coupled to the cabinet door20that interact with anchor assemblies that are fixed to the cabinet12.

With reference toFIG. 1B, a cooling module drain pipe51may be coupled with the cooling module50that is disposed at least partially above the cabinet12. In some instances, the cooling module drain pipe51extends along an exterior portion of the cabinet and through an opening in the cabinet12such that a first portion of the drain pipe51is fluidly coupled to the cooling module externally from the cabinet and a second opposing portion of the drain pipe51is positioned within the compartment14. It will be appreciated that in some examples, the drain pipe51may be concealed within the compartment or maintain a position external from the compartment14without departing from the teachings provided herein.

A frame46can be positioned within the compartment14and includes any number of portions for supporting various components of the ice machine10. In some examples, the frame46may be formed of any material and can be fixed to the cabinet12or free-standing. As illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B, a frame46may be fixed in an offset position relative to a lateral compartment centerline48. In some instances, the frame46may be positioned on an opposing side of the cabinet12from the hinge assembly22supporting the cabinet door20thereby allowing access to various components that are supported by the frame46. For example, in the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the frame46can support a cooling module50that includes an ice maker52and/or a hopper54. The ice maker52may include any device capable of freezing water to form ice. The amount of ice produced is controlled by limit switches that sense the amount of ice that is stored in the hopper54ready for delivery, the limit switches being operable to either activate or deactivate the ice maker52, as production warrants. Ice produced in the ice maker52is deposited into the hopper54, which may be insulated.

An agitator56may be positioned in the hopper54and is rotated using a motor58. In some examples, the agitator56may periodically agitate the ice contained in the storage bin is to keep the ice in a fluid state and to maintain the ice in a level orientation with respect to the storage bin. Maintaining the ice at a level orientation generally ensures that the hopper54is maintained in a substantially predefined capacity.

In some examples, the hopper54includes an ice dispensing interface60having a flap62thereon that is positioned over an exit aperture of the hopper54. The flap62may be moved between a closed position in which the flap62prevents ice from exiting the hopper54through the exit aperture and an open position in which ice may exit the hopper54through the aperture. In some examples, the ice dispensing interface60can be biased in a closed position and coupled with an electrically actuable device, such as a servo motor, that moves the flap62between the closed position and an open position. In some instances, a user may be capable of choosing various amounts of ice to be dispensed from the hopper54. In such instances, the flap62may be moved for the closed position to the open position for predefined periods of time correlating the amount of ice chosen by the user. Additionally or alternatively, the agitator56may be operated for various predefined times to move a desired amount of ice through the aperture. It will be appreciated that the amount of ice moved through the aperture can be detected or monitored through any type of sensor positioned within the hopper54, along the chute, in the chamber24, or at any other location.

A protective structure40may be operably coupled with the cabinet12and surround the cooling module50. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 1A, the protective structure40may define a cavity42and include a grill44. When the cooling module50is in use, heat is rejected therefrom that is transferred to the ambient environment proximate to the cooling module50, which allows for a more efficient ice machine10. In some instances, the cabinet12, the one or more doors20,26, and the protective structure40may each be formed a metallic, polymeric, and/or any other practicable material.

In some examples, such as the ones illustrated inFIGS. 1A, 2A, and 2B, a gasket69may be disposed around the perimeter of the front access opening16, and/or the top access opening18or portions of either opening. The gasket69may be disposed between the cabinet12and the cabinet door20when the cabinet door20is placed in a closed position. Likewise, the gasket69may additionally or alternatively be positioned between the protective cover and the cabinet12when the protective cover is placed in an assembled position. The gasket69, when positioned in any location, may be configured to further prevent heat transfer between the compartment14of the cabinet12and the ambient environment surrounding the cabinet12, a softer closing, assist with masking offsets/tolerances, prevent noise, vibration, or harshness when the cooling module50is in use, and/or assist with any other function.

With reference toFIGS. 2A-7, the frame46includes a base portion64and a support portion66. The base portion64includes a pedestal68that anchors one or more legs extending upwardly therefrom. In some examples, the cabinet12and the pedestal68can be integrally formed or a common component. A bottom portion of the one or more legs is operably coupled with the pedestal68to provide additional rigidity to the legs. In various embodiments, the bottom portion of the one or more legs may have a width that is greater than a width of an intermediate portion of the one or more legs. The wider bottom portions may allow for additional fastening of the legs to the pedestal68and/or provide a sturdier base than a narrower leg.

Additional supports70may couple to the legs on opposing end portions of the supports. For example, a first support70amay extend from a rearward leg to a forward leg, as illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B. A second support70bmay extend between a pair of forwardly positioned legs. The additional supports may be integrally formed with one or more of the legs or later attached thereto.

In the examples illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B, a trough72is coupled with one of the supports70b. The through may be formed with or fixed to the second support and include a base section and a plurality of walls extending upwardly therefrom. The base section may be non-parallel to the pedestal68of the frame46to assist in directing fluids therein towards a fluid outlet74that is coupled with the trough72. The fluid outlet74may be configured to remove fluids from the cabinet12.

The support portion66is supported by the base portion64of the frame46on a lower portion and supports the cooling module50on an opposing upper portion. The support portion66can include one or more brackets that couple with the cooling module50and/or the base portion64of the frame46. In addition, the support portion66may house the motor58and/or any other practicable components.

In some examples, such as the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B, various components can be disposed within the cabinet12in an offset relationship from the frame46(i.e., the various components may be positioned within the compartment14but laterally or longitudinally offset from the frame46). For example, a control panel76can be positioned on an opposite side of the compartment14from the frame46. The control panel76may include various switches and controls for controlling the various components of the ice machine10. In the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the control panel76can be housed in an enclosed housing78, which may protect the control panel76from containments and/or water vapor within the compartment14.

A water valve assembly80may be positioned in a laterally offset orientation from the frame46within the cabinet12and fluidly coupled with a water supply that is external to the compartment14. The water valve assembly80can include a control valve and/or a flow meter for measuring a water pressure within the valve assembly.

In some examples, a sump128is defined by the cabinet12. The cooling module drain pipe51fluidly coupled with the cooling module50and/or a drain hose55fluidly coupled with the hopper54may direct unwanted fluid to the sump128. A sump pump130is configured to remove the unwanted fluid from the sump128. In various examples, the sump pump130may include an inlet hose132that is positioned at or near the bottom of the sump128. The sump pump130may include a float switch assembly134, which forms part of an electric circuit including a power cord which supplies electric power to the pump motor upon the water level in the sump128rising to a first predetermined level. This causes the pump130to discharge water from the sump128through a discharge pipe136to a storm drain or other water dispersal facility. The float switch assembly134interrupts the application of electric power to the pump motor when the water level in the sump falls to a second predetermined level below the first predetermined level.

In some examples, such as the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2B, the valve assembly80may be coupled with a conduit that supplies water to a water filtration assembly82. The water filtration assembly82may include a particulate filter for removing dirt, sand, rust and other large and fine particles from the water and in some cases a carbon filter for removing chlorine. The water filtration assembly82may additionally or alternatively include a filter that utilizes granular activated charcoal, silver-impregnated ceramic, deionization, distillation or reverse osmosis, or a combination thereof and include any number of filtration canisters through which the water may pass.

The cabinet door20may also support various components of the ice machine10which may have a first portion that is accessible on an exterior side of the cabinet door20and a second portion that is accessible from the interior side of the cabinet door20. For instance, in the examples illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9, the various components may include illuminable signage84, a payment station86, and/or a switch assembly88. The illuminable signage84may display any desired information to an on-looker of the ice machine10through the use of a light assembly. The light assembly may be illuminated any time the ice machine10is in service, during predefined time periods, or during low-light conditions, such as at night. In examples in which the light assembly is illuminated during low-light conditions, the light assembly may be operably coupled with a light sensor.

The payment station86is configured to accept bills, coins, credit cards, and other forms of payment. In some examples, the payment station86may include a payment interface in which prices for various quantities of ice may be set. Additionally, the payment interface may be coupled with a remote electronic device and the prices and/or any other information may be provided or updated from the remote electronic device.

Upon receipt of payment, ice can be dispensed into a container, bag, cup, bin, ice chest, etc. and delivered to the consumer through actuation of the switch assembly88. As illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9, the switch assembly88is in the form of an electronic push-button, though it should be understood that any suitable input device, such as a toggle switch, rocker switch, or microswitch could also be utilized. In some examples, the switch assembly88may additionally, and/or alternatively, be configured as a capacitive sensor. The capacitive sensor provides a sense activation field that encompasses an area proximate the switch assembly88and can detect capacitive changes resulting from a conductor, such as a finger of a user, being within the sense activation field of the capacitive sensor. It will be appreciated, however, that additional or alternative types of proximity sensors can be used for detecting various other signal changes, such as, but not limited to, inductive sensors, optical sensors, temperature sensors, resistive sensors, the like, or combinations thereof.

A housing90is operably coupled with the cabinet door20and, in combination with the cabinet door20, defines an ice harvesting chamber24. For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 8-11, the housing90includes a rear wall92, an upper wall94, a lower wall96, and a pair of side walls98. The upper wall94may define an opening through which a chute100extends. The lower wall96may define a drain102that may be aligned with the trough72such that any fluid exiting the drain102can be caught by the trough72when the cabinet door20is placed in the closed position.

The chute100can be in communication with the ice dispensing interface60of the cooling module50and extend through the housing90to terminate within the ice harvesting chamber24. The chute100has a body104that can be defined by a rear wall106, a front wall108, and a pair of side walls110coupling with the rear and front walls106,108. The chute100has an upper portion112that extends above the housing90, as illustrated inFIG. 8, and a lower portion114that terminates within the ice harvesting chamber24, as illustrated inFIG. 10. In some examples, such as the one illustrated inFIG. 8, the side walls may extend vertically above the front and/or the rear wall106proximate the upper portion112. In such instances, the side walls may be positioned on opposing sides of the flap62and assist in guiding ice from the hopper54through the chute100when the flap62is moved to the open position.

In some examples, such as the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11, a brace116may extend away from a rear wall92of the housing90, or any other wall of the housing90, on an opposing side of the housing90from the chute100. The brace116may be integrally formed with any portion of the housing90or later attached thereto.

An attachment rod118is coupled with the brace116on a first end portion and extends through the rear wall92of the housing90. However, in some examples, the attachment rod118may be coupled with a brace116or the housing90within the ice harvesting chamber24rather than extending through the housing90. The attachment rod118may be elongated and capable of holding one or more containers120thereon and may be formed from a polymeric material, an elastomeric material, a metallic material, combinations thereof, or any other practicable material. In some examples, the ice machine10may include more than one attachment rod118for supporting a common container120or various containers120.

A retainer122is positioned on a second end portion. The retainer122may have a width that is greater than the width of the attachment rod118. Accordingly, when one or more containers120are placed on the attachment rod118, the increased width of the retainer122may removable maintain the containers120on the attachment. In some examples, the retainer122may be positioned vertically above the lower portion114of the chute100and/or between the chute100and the rear wall92of the housing90.

In various examples, one or more containers120may be maintained on the attachment rod118and generally prevented from falling off of the attachment rod118by the retainer122. In some instances, the containers120may be preassembled on the attachment rod118such that a new attachment rod118with one or more containers120thereon is attached to the brace116when additional containers120are needed. In other instances, additional containers120may be attached to the attachment rod118such that the rod may be used multiple times.

In various examples, the chute100can include a container hanging assembly124thereon, which may be integrally formed with the chute100or later attached thereto. For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11, the container hanging assembly124extends from the second end portion of the chute100in the form of a pair of hooks126. The hooks126can include a first segment that extends away from the second portion of the chute100and a second segment that extends upwardly from the first segment.

In use, a container120hangs from the attachment rod118. When a user is to collect ice that is dispensed from the chute100, the user attaches a portion of the container120to the container hanging assembly124while the container120is still retained on the attachment rod118to generally vertically align an opening of the container120with the opening of the chute100. Next, the user utilizes the actuation switch to dispense ice into the container120. Once the ice is within the container120, the container120is removed from the attachment rod118and the container hanging assembly124and removed from the ice harvesting chamber24.

The ice machine of the present disclosure may offer a variety of advantages. For instance, use of the ice machine may allow for easy access to containers within the ice harvesting chamber. By hanging the containers, the containers may be generally removed from the bottom wall of the housing preventing the containers from contributing to excess fluid buildup in the ice harvesting chamber by maintaining an open drain. The reduced fluid buildup may allow for a higher perceived value and/or reduce the potential for mold buildup.

The ice machine provided herein may also allow for better operation through the combination of the housing forming the ice harvesting chamber and the chute that directs ice from the hopper into the ice harvesting chamber. Such configurations may increase the percentage of ice that is retained within the container upon dispensing from the hopper.

In addition, the offset frame assembly provided in some examples of the ice machine allows for various components to be used and/or supported by the frame while maintaining space within the compartment for various other components. The offset frame may also reduce the amount of material needed to support the components of the ice machine thereby reducing the cost of the ice machine.