Method and apparatus for sensing and controlling the level of ice in an ice dispenser

An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the level of ice in an ice storage container includes an emitter mounted within the ice storage container and a detector mounted directly opposite from the emitter. A pulse circuit drives the emitter such that it outputs a pulse train that triggers the detector. A receiver circuit outputs a signal responsive to the detection of the pulse train by the detector. A controller activates an ice maker responsive to the output of the receiver circuit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to ice making, ice storage, and ice 
dispensing equipment and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, 
to a method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling the level of ice 
in an ice storage container. 
An ice level control system will require a device capable of providing a 
signal indicating the level of ice in an ice storage container. Such a 
device may be formed from an emitter/detector pair wherein the emitter 
outputs an infrared beam sensed by the detector. When the detector senses 
the beam, the ice level is below the emitter/detector pair which indicates 
that insufficient ice resides in the ice storage container. Conversely, 
when the detector does not sense the beam, the ice level is above the 
emitter/detector pair which indicates that sufficient ice resides in the 
ice storage container. 
When choosing an emitter/detector pair for use in an ice level control 
system, the most important factors are cost and size. Unfortunately, low 
cost, small size emitter/detector pairs presently cannot be employed in 
ice level control systems because the signal strength of the infrared beam 
output from the emitter is insufficient to span the ice storage container 
and, therefore, is not sensed by the detector. More powerful 
emitter/detector pairs do exist, however, those emitter/detector pairs are 
cost prohibitive. Accordingly, a method and apparatus that will permit the 
use of low cost, small size emitter/detector pairs will significantly 
improve current ice level control systems. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for monitoring and 
controlling the level of ice in an ice storage container includes an 
emitter mounted within the ice storage container and a detector mounted 
directly opposite from the emitter. A pulse circuit drives the emitter 
such that it outputs a pulse train that triggers the detector. A receiver 
circuit outputs a signal responsive to the detection of the pulse train by 
the detector. A controller activates an ice maker responsive to the output 
of the receiver circuit. 
The apparatus further includes a second emitter mounted within the ice 
storage container and a second detector mounted directly opposite from the 
second emitter. A second pulse circuit drives the second emitter such that 
it outputs a pulse train that triggers the second detector. A second 
receiver circuit outputs a signal when the second detector fails to detect 
the pulse train. The controller deactivates the ice maker responsive to 
the output of the second receiver circuit. 
The pulse circuits each include a timer configured to generate a pulse 
train signal, an invertor for inverting the pulse train signal, and a 
power transistor for amplifying the pulse train signal. By including the 
pulse circuit, the apparatus utilizes low cost, small size emitters 
because the signal strength of the generated pulse train is sufficient to 
span an ice storage container. 
The receiver circuits each include an amplifier for amplifying the pulse 
train signal detected by the detector, a multivibrator configured to 
output a first signal responsive to the input of the pulse train wherein, 
when the multivibrator fails to detect the pulse train for a predetermined 
time period, it outputs a second signal, and a switch responsive to the 
first and second signals output by the multivibrator. The use of the pulse 
train facilitates the use of the receiver circuits which monitor the 
detectors and only transition when the pulse train has been interrupted 
for a predetermined period. 
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a method 
and apparatus that permits the use of low cost, small size 
emitter/detector pairs by employing a pulse train to power the emitters. 
Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will 
become evident to those skilled in the art in light of the following.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference to FIGS. 1-8, an ice dispenser and a combination ice and 
beverage dispenser utilizing the ice level sensing and control system of 
this preferred embodiment will be described. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 
7, dispensing apparatus 10 includes liner 11, base 12, and mounting plate 
13. Mounting plate 13 connects to base 12 using any suitable means such as 
screws or nuts and bolts. Liner 11 includes opening 14 to receive shroud 
15 therein. Shroud 15 mounts to liner 11 using any suitable means such as 
screws or nuts and bolts. Insert shroud 16 resides within shroud 15 and 
their attachment permits the mounting of liner 11 onto mounting plate 13. 
Although liner 11 mounts onto mounting plate 13, shroud 15 spaces liner 11 
and mounting plate 13 apart to create a gap therebetween that holds 
insulating foam. Once shroud 15 has been secured in opening 14, mounting 
plate 13 is placed against shroud 15 followed by the placement of insert 
shroud 16 through opening 17 into shroud 15. Insert shroud 16 is then 
secured to shroud 15 using any suitable means such as screws or nuts and 
bolts to affix liner 11, shroud 15, mounting plate 13, and insert shroud 
16 together. 
Dispensing apparatus 10 includes chute 29 to provide a discharge 
passageway. Consequently, chute 29 spans the gap between liner 11 and 
mounting plate 13 to permit the communication of ice exterior to 
dispensing apparatus 10. Chute 29 fits through opening 20A of liner 11 and 
opening 20B of mounting plate 13. Chute 29 includes a lip that abuts the 
interior of liner 11 about opening 20A to prevent the dislodging of chute 
29 from within openings 20A and B. 
If dispensing apparatus 10 dispenses only ice, it includes plate 75 having 
sides 76A and B. Sides 76A and B attach to liner 11 using any suitable 
attachment means such as screws or nuts and bolts to secure plate 75 
within liner 11. The sidewalls of liner 11 slope downwardly from the rear 
wall to the front wall so that the connection of plate 75 to liner 11 
results in plate 75 residing at an angle sloping toward the front wall of 
liner 11. Plate 75 resides at an angle sloping toward the front wall of 
liner 11 (approximately 5 degrees in this preferred embodiment) to 
facilitate the drainage of water off plate 75. Furthermore, plate 75 
includes drain hole 77 that communicates with drain hole 23 of base 12 so 
that any water accumulating on plate 75 may be drained from dispensing 
apparatus 10. 
If dispensing apparatus 10 dispenses both ice and beverages, plate 75 is 
replaced with cold plate 18. Cold plate 18 is a standard cold plate 
including inlet lines 21A that connect to a beverage source and outlet 
lines 21B that connect to dispensing valves to allow the dispensing of 
beverages. Cold plate 18 attaches to liner 11 using brackets 19A and B and 
any suitable attachment means such as screws or nuts and bolts. The 
sidewalls of liner 11 slope downwardly from the rear wall to the front 
wall so that the connection of cold plate 18 to liner 11 results in cold 
plate 18 residing at an angle sloping toward the front wall of liner 11. 
Cold plate 18 resides at an angle sloping toward the front wall of liner 
11 (approximately 5 degrees in this preferred embodiment) to facilitate 
the drainage of water off cold plate 18. Furthermore, cold plate 18 
includes drain hole 22 that communicates with drain hole 23 of base 12 so 
that any water accumulating on cold plate 18 may be drained from 
dispensing apparatus 10. 
Dispensing apparatus 10 includes tray 24 that connects to liner 11 using 
bracket 25 and any suitable attachment means such as screws or nuts and 
bolts. Tray 24 provides a platform that supports a container holding ice 
during the dumping of ice into dispensing apparatus 10. 
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7, dispensing apparatus 10 includes gear 
motor 26 that resides in the cavity defined by insert shroud 16. Gear 
motor 26 mounts within insert shroud 16 using bracket 28 and any suitable 
attachment means such as screws or nuts and bolts. Both insert shroud 16 
and shroud 15 include openings therethrough to permit shaft 27 of gear 
motor 26 to protrude into liner 11. A locking bearing (not shown) mounts 
within the openings through insert shroud 16 and shroud 15 using any 
suitable means such as an adhesive to provide a holder for seal 80. Seal 
80 includes flange 81 and cylindrical portion 82 having opening 83 
therethrough that receives shaft 27 of gear motor 26. Seal 80 includes 
splines 83, while the locking bearing includes matching grooves that 
receive splines 83 to lock seal 80 within the locking bearing. Dispensing 
apparatus 10 includes seal 80 to prevent water and ice from escaping liner 
11 through the openings in insert shroud 16 and shroud 15 necessary to 
permit shaft 27 to protrude into liner 11. 
Dispensing apparatus 10 includes door frame 30, door 31, chute 34, and tube 
chute 35 to direct ice travelling through chute 29 into a container. Door 
frame 30 fits within over the outlet from chute 29 and connects to 
mounting plate 13 using any suitable means such as screws or nuts and 
bolts. Door 31 pivotally attaches within door frame 30 using a pivot pin 
(not shown) to prevent the discharge of ice except during the activation 
of dispensing apparatus 10. Chute 34 fits over door frame 30 and connects 
to mounting plate 13 using any suitable means such screws. Tube chute 35 
pivotally connects to the underside of chute 34 using brackets and pivot 
pins (not shown) to provide the outlet for ice discharged from dispensing 
apparatus 10. 
Solenoid 32 attaches to mounting plate 13 using any suitable means such 
screws and is coupled to door 31 via lever 33 to control the opening and 
closing of door 31. Switch 36 mounts to the front of chute 34 using any 
suitable means such as screws to control the activation of solenoid 32 and 
gear motor 26. Switch 36 includes contactor 36A that abuts protrusion 35A 
of tube chute 35. When tube chute 35 is pivoted, protrusion 35A moves away 
from switch 36 thereby releasing contactor 36A which facilitates the 
activation of switch 36. Spring 37 connects between protrusion 34A of 
chute 34 and protrusion 35A of tube chute 35 to provide a restoring force 
against the pivoting of tube chute 35. Lever 38 mounts at the lower rear 
portion of tube chute 35 using any suitable means such as pins (not shown) 
to provide a tube chute pivot point accessible to a user. 
As illustrated in FIG. 3, dispensing apparatus 10 includes splash plate 39 
that attaches to wrapper 61 (see FIG. 4) using any suitable means such as 
screws to prevent dispensed beverages from contacting gear motor 26. 
Faucet plate 40 attaches to mounting plate 13 using any suitable means 
such as screws to provide a connection point for the dispensing valves 
referenced generally with numeral 41 (see FIG. 4). 
As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 7, and 8, dispensing apparatus 10 includes wheel 
42 and shroud 43 to facilitate the dispensing of ice from dispensing 
apparatus 10. Shroud 43 includes cylindrical portion 44 that defines a 
recess in which wheel 42 resides. Cylindrical portion 44 includes chute 45 
and openings 46 and 47 therethrough. Cylindrical portion 44 further 
includes depression 48A having opening 48B therethrough. Chute 45 and 
depression 48A permit the angled positioning of shroud 43 at the front 
wall of liner 11. Depression 48A resides around a portion of shroud 15, 
while chute 45 inserts into chute 29 so that shroud 43 is suspended at an 
angle sloping away from the top of the front wall of liner 14. Bonnet 49 
extends from cylindrical portion 44 and includes lip 50 that abuts tray 24 
to help support and increase the rigidity of shroud 43. Shroud 43 includes 
curved plate 51 extending from the lower end of cylindrical portion 44 to 
furnish a chute that funnels ice into the recess defined by cylindrical 
portion 44. 
Wheel 42 includes disk 52 and annular flange 53 extending therefrom. Disk 
52 includes grommet 54 formed integrally therewith to support shaft 27 of 
gear motor 26 which passes through opening 48B of depression 48A. Shaft 27 
is coupled to grommet 54 to permit the rotary driving of wheel 42 
(described herein). Wheel 42 includes paddles 55A-J to facilitate the 
delivery of ice to chute 45. Paddles 55A-J may be of any suitable material 
such as rubber, plastic, metal, etc. Paddles 55A-J fit into slots about 
annular flange 53 and are held in place by friction or a suitable adhesive 
(see FIG. 5). Alternatively, disk 52, annular flange 53, and paddles 55A-J 
may be molded as a single piece using any suitable material such as 
plastic, metal, etc. to form wheel 42. 
As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, dispensing apparatus 10 includes agitator 
58 that prevents ice within dispensing apparatus 10 from freezing 
together. One end of agitator 58 fits within the grommet 54 of disk 52 and 
is secured to shaft 27 of gear motor 26 using agitator pin 59. Agitator 
pin 59 passes through aligned openings in grommet 54, shaft 27, and 
agitator 58 to couple both wheel 42 and agitator 58 to shaft 27. The 
opposite end of agitator 58 fits within bushing 60 to permit the rotation 
of agitator 58 within liner 11. 
Wrapper 61 fits about liner 11 and connects to mounting plate 13 using any 
suitable means such as screws or nuts and bolts. An insulating foam is 
sprayed between liner 11, mounting plate 13, and wrapper 61 and to form an 
insulated water-tight bin 62 for storing ice. Merchandiser 63 attaches to 
mounting plate 13 above dispensing valves 41 using any suitable means such 
as screws or nuts and bolts. Dispensing apparatus 10 includes merchandiser 
63 to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance as well as furnish a 
frame for displaying advertising material. 
As illustrated in FIG. 6, mounts 90 and 91 and locks 92 and 93 permit the 
attachment of drip tray 64 in front of mounting plate 13 below dispensing 
valves 41. Drip tray 64 collects spilled product and delivers it to a 
drain to prevent product from accumulating about dispensing apparatus 10. 
Drip tray 64 includes brackets 94 and 95, while mounts 90 and 91 include 
pins that support brackets 94 and 95. Mounts 90 and 91 attach to base 12 
using any suitable means such as screws. Locks 92 and 93 attach to 
mounting plate 13 using respective screws 96 and 98 and bearings 97 and 
99. Bearings 97 and 99 allow their respective locks 92 and 93 to swivel 
which facilitates the locking of drip tray 64 onto mounts 90 and 91. 
To attach drip tray 64, locks 92 and 93 are first swivelled away from 
mounts 90 and 91, respectively. Brackets 94 and 95 are then placed onto 
the pins of a respective mount 90 and 91 to support drip tray 64 in front 
of mounting plate 13. After the placement of drip tray 64 onto mounts 90 
and 91, locks 92 and 93 are swivelled over mounts 90 and 91, respectively, 
such that they lock brackets 94 and 95, respectively, onto mounts 90 and 
91 to prevent accidental dislodgement of drip tray 64 from brackets 94 and 
95. 
As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, emitter 150 mounts at a lower portion of 
one sidewall of liner 11, while detector 151 mounts on the opposite 
sidewall directly across from emitter 150. Similarly, emitter 152 mounts 
at an upper portion of one sidewall of liner 11, while detector 153 mounts 
on the opposite sidewall directly across from emitter 152. Emitters 150 
and 152 and detectors 151 and 153 fit within holes through liner 11 and 
are secured therein using any suitable means such as brackets. In this 
preferred embodiment, emitters 150 and 152 are Honeywell Model No. 
SE5470-003 infra-red emitters, and detectors 151 and 153 are Honeywell 
Model No. SD5443-003 infra-red detectors. 
As illustrated in FIG. 9, an identical pulse circuit 154 mounts on a 
control board (not shown) to drive emitters 150 and 152. Similarly, as 
illustrated in FIG. 10, an identical receiver circuit 155 also mounts on 
the control board and recieves a signal from detectors 151 and 153. The 
control board receives power from a standard 110/120 VAC line and includes 
a voltage regulator to furnish the 5 VDC required for the operation of the 
pulse circuits 154 and receiver circuits 155. 
The control board further includes a microprocessor that monitors the 
output from each receiver circuit and controls a relay in response 
thereto. When the microprocessor receives a signal indicating the ice 
level in bin 62 is low, it actuates the relay until it receives a signal 
indicating the ice bin 62 is filled. In this preferred embodiment, the 
microprocessor is a Microchip Model PIC16C54 microprocessor powered by the 
5 VDC on the control board. 
The relay is electrically coupled to an ice making machine mounted onto 
dispensing apparatus 10. When actuated, the relay provides power to the 
ice making machine so that it delivers ice into bin 62. With the ice maker 
in place over bin 62, tray 24 functions to allow the manual dumping of ice 
into bin 62 if the ice maker malfunctions or cannot replenish ice quickly 
enough to meet customer demand. 
The pulse circuits 154 increase the signals level of a pulse train output 
from their respective emitters 150 and 152 by pulsing each emitter 150 and 
152 with higher voltage and current (i.e., power) at a predetermined duty 
cycle (10% in this preferred embodiment). The pulse circuits 154 each 
include an LM566 timer 156 configured in an astable mode of operation and 
powered by the 5 VDC input from the control board at pin 4. Resistors 157 
and 158 and capacitor 159 connect between the 5 VDC and a reference 
potential (e.g., ground) and further connect to threshold pin 2 and 
trigger pin 6 to establish the on time and off time of timer 156. 
Discharge pin 1 connects between resistors 157 and 158 to provide 
capacitor 159 with a discharge path when timer 156 is on. Control voltage 
pin 3 connects to the reference potential via capacitor 160 to set the 
level of the threshold voltage, while pin 5 is the output pin. 
In operation, capacitor 159 charges through resistors 157 and 158 at the 
rate set by the values of those two resistors. As long a capacitor 159 has 
a level of charge below the threshold level, trigger pin 6 receives no 
signal and timer 156 remains off. Once capacitor 159 reaches the threshold 
voltage, trigger pin 6 receives a signal resulting in the turning on of 
timer 156. With timer 156 on, capacitor 159 discharges to the reference 
potential through discharge pin 1. After capacitor 159 discharges, trigger 
pin 6 ceases to receive a signal and timer 156 turns off which begins the 
charging cycle of capacitor 159. Accordingly, timer 156 pulses on and off 
to produce a duty cycle signal on output pin 5. 
Output pin 5 connects to the base of transistor 161 via resistor 162 to 
furnish transistor 161 with an activation signal. The collector of 
transistor 161 connects via resistor 163 to the 5 VDC to receive a bias 
voltage, and the emitter of transistor 161 connects to the reference 
potential. In this preferred embodiment, transistor 161 is a Model No. 
2N3904 NPN transistor that inverts the pulse output from timer 156 and 
inputs the inverted signal to the base of transistor 164 thereby providing 
an activation signal. The collector of transistor 164 connects to a 
respective emitter 150 and 152 via current limiting resistor 165, while 
the emitter of transistor 164 connects to the reference potential. In this 
preferred embodiment, transistor 164 is a Model No. TIP120 NPN Darlington 
high-powered transistor that outputs an increased current and voltage to a 
respective emitter 150 and 152 in response to the inverted duty cycle 
signal output from transistor 161. 
Detectors 151 and 153 each receive the infra-red pulses from their 
respective emitter 150 or 152 and produce a corresponding electrical pulse 
input into receiver circuits 155. Receiver circuits 155 include transistor 
166 and resistors 167-169 to amplify the pulse train output from detectors 
151 and 153. In this preferred embodiment, transistor 166 is a Model No. 
2N3904 NPN transistor. 
Receiver circuits 155 further include multivibrator 170 that inputs the 
amplified pulse train at its pin 2 to determine when ice resides between 
emitter 150 and detector 151 and emitter 152 and detector 153. In this 
preferred embodiment, multivibrator 170 is a Model No. 74LS123 
retriggerable monostable multivibrator configured to output a high signal 
as long as it receives the amplified pulse train. Resistor 171 and 
capacitor 172 connect between the 5 VDC and the reference potential and 
further to pin 1 of multivibrator 170 to set the output from multivibrator 
170 in the absence of the amplified pulse train. R/C pin 3 connects 
between resistor 171 and capacitor 172 to set the R/C time constant of 
multivibrator 170 that establishes the period during which the amplified 
pulse train must be interrupted before the output from multivibrator 170 
changes. 
In operation, as long as multivibrator 170 receives an input pulse from a 
respective detector 151 and 153 before the expiration of the R/C time 
constant, it outputs a high signal on pin 4. However, if the R/C time 
constant expires before the receipt of an input pulse, the connection of 
multivibrator 170 to resistor 171 and capacitor 172 results in 
multivibrator 170 transitioning to output a low signal on pin 4. 
The base of transistor 173 connects to pin 4 via resistor 174 to receive 
the output of multivibrator 170. The collector of transistor 173 connects 
to the microprocessor (not shown), while its emitter connects to the 
reference potential. In this preferred embodiment, transistor 166 is a 
Model No. 2N3904 NPN transistor. When no ice resides between a respective 
emitter/detector pair 150 and 151 or 152 and 153, receiver circuits 155 
output a low signal because transistor 173 connects the microprocessor to 
the reference potential. Conversely, when ice does reside between a 
respective emitter/detector pair 150 and 151 or 152 and 153, receiver 
circuits 155 output a high signal because, with transistor 173 turned off, 
the microprocessor is connected to the 5 VDC. 
The microprocessor monitors the outputs from detectors 151 and 153 and 
their respective receiver circuits 155 to determine when the ice making 
machine must deliver ice into bin 62. During the majority of the time, ice 
will reside between emitter/detector pair 150 and 151. Thus, the pulse 
train will be interrupted resulting in the microprocessor receiving a high 
signal. As long as the microprocessor receives that high signal, it will 
not activate the ice making machine so that ice is delivered into bin 62. 
However, once the level of the ice in bin 62 drops below emitter/detector 
pair 150 and 151, the microprocessor receives a low signal indicating that 
ice must be placed in bin 62. Accordingly, the microprocessor outputs a 
signal that actuates the relay resulting in the ice making machine 
depositing ice into bin 62. 
After receiving a low signal from detector 151 and its respective receiver 
circuit 155, the microprocessor will maintain the relay actuated until it 
receives a high signal from detector 153 and its respective receiver 
circuit 155. With the relay actuated, the microprocessor will monitor the 
output from detector 153 and its respective receiver circuit 155 to 
determine when ice resides between emitter/detector pair 152 and 153. As 
long as the microprocessor receives a low signal, it will not deactuate 
the relay. However, once the level of ice in bin 62 rises over 
emitter/detector pair 152 and 153, the pulse train is interrupted so that 
the microprocessor receives a high signal indicating that bin 62 is 
filled. Accordingly, the microprocessor outputs a signal that deactuates 
the relay resulting in the ice making machine ceasing to deposit ice into 
bin 62. 
Alternatively, emitter/detector pair 152 and 153 may be removed and the ice 
making machine placed on a timer. In that instance, the microprocessor 
would activate the timer so that the ice making machine would deliver ice 
into bin 62 until the timer timed out. 
Once bin 62 has been filled, ice dispensing may begin. The angular 
positions of cold plate 18 and shroud 43 within bin 62 direct ice onto 
curved plate 51 of shroud 43. Curved plate 51 directs the ice into the 
lower section of cylindrical portion 44 of shroud 43. The placement of 
wheel 42 in the recess defined by cylindrical portion 44 creates pockets 
that facilitate the lifting of ice to chute 45. Specifically, adjacent 
ones of paddles 55A-J, annular flange 53, and the inner surface of 
cylindrical portion 44 defining the recess in which wheel 42 resides 
produce pockets. 
To activate wheel 42 and dispense ice, a user pushes lever 38 toward splash 
plate 39, typically with a cup. The pushing of lever 38 causes tube chute 
35 to pivot toward splash plate 39 and away from switch 36. As tube chute 
35 pivots away, protrusion 35A releases contactor 36A, resulting in the 
activation of switch 36. The activation of switch 36 permit the actuation 
of solenoid 32 and gear motor 26. Once activated solenoid 32 opens door 31 
via lever 33 to permit the discharge of ice through chute 34 and tube 
chute 35 into the cup below. 
Once actuated, gear motor 26 rotates wheel 42 within shroud 43 to lift ice 
to chute 45. Curved plate 51 directs ice into the pockets defined by wheel 
42 and shroud 43 so that, as wheel 42 rotates, it lifts ice to chute 45 of 
shroud 43. Additionally, a portion of the ice exits shroud 43 at openings 
46 and 47 to fill the front portion of bin 62 with ice. The ice within bin 
62 not only provides ice for beverages but also cools beverages flowing 
through cold plate 18. Accordingly, ice must reside on the maximum amount 
of cold plate surface area to ensure beverages are dispensed at a minimum 
temperature. Thus, ice exiting shroud 43 via openings 46 and 47 drops in 
front of and onto the forward portion of cold plate 18. 
As the ice reaches chute 45, it passes through chute 45 into chute 34 and 
then down tube chute 35 into the cup below. As long as the user presses 
lever 38, gear motor 26 rotates wheel 42 to facilitate the delivery of 
ice. However, once lever 38 is released, spring 37 pulls tube chute 35 
back to its unpivoted position. As a result, protrusion 35A depresses 
contactor 36A to deactivate switch 36 and thus solenoid 32 and gear motor 
26. With gear motor 26 deactivated, dispensing wheel 42 stops rotating to 
end the delivery of ice. Furthermore, the deactuation of solenoid 32 
allows door 31 to close which prevents ice flow through chute 34 into tube 
chute 35. 
In addition to rotating wheel 42, gear motor 26 rotates agitator 58. 
Agitator 58 travels circularly through the ice within bin 62 to break 
apart any ice chunks that have frozen together. Accordingly, agitator 58 
ensures the ice within bin 62 remains small enough to fit within the 
pockets defined by wheel 42 and shroud 43. Furthermore, dispensing 
apparatus 10 includes a timer that periodically actuates gear motor 26 to 
facilitate the rotation of wheel 42 and agitator 58. However, the timer 
does not actuate solenoid 32 so that door 31 remains closed. Consequently, 
wheel 42 rotates to deliver ice at the front of bin 62 via openings 46 and 
47, while agitator 58 rotates to prevent ice within bin 62 from freezing 
together. 
For the combination ice and beverage dispenser, a user may dispense a 
beverage after receiving a cup of ice. The user depresses a lever of one 
of dispensing valves 41 which opens to permit beverage to flow from cold 
plate 18 into the cup via the opened dispensing valve. The dispensed 
product may be any suitable beverage such as a fruit drink or carbonated 
soda water formed by mixing a beverage syrup with water or carbonated 
water at dispensing valves 41. Consequently, cold plate 18 connects to any 
suitable remote beverage source such as a bag in a box or "figal" along 
with a carbonated water and plain water source. 
Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing 
embodiment, such description has been for exemplary purposes only and, as 
will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, many alternatives, 
equivalents, and variations of varying degrees will fall within the scope 
of the present invention. That scope, accordingly, is not to be limited 
any in respect by the foregoing description, rather, it is defined only by 
the claims which follow.