Patent ID: 8469232

Claim:
An ice dispensing system comprising: a rotating bin having an inner surface, an outer surface, and an opening extending between the inner surface and the outer surface, the rotating bin having a hollow generally cylindrical body; at least one projection extending from the inner surface of the bin positioned near the opening to aid in directing ice and capturing a regulated amount of ice during rotation of the bin between a first position and a second position; an input chute having a first end coupled to and in fluid communication with an ice making machine and a second end in fluid communication with the opening in the bin when the bin is in the first position; an output chute in fluid communication with the opening of the bin when the bin is in the second position; a containment system to prevent ice from exiting the opening while the bin rotates from the first position to the second position, the containment system comprising a flexible piece of material held in contact with an exterior portion of the barrel by a tensioning system; and a drive system coupled to the bin for rotating the bin between the first position and the second position, wherein the bin is configured to rotate from the first position to the second position and the opening has a geometry and size that directs ice within the bin and captures the regulated amount of the ice during rotation between the first position and the second position and dispenses the regulated amount of ice into the output chute when the bin reaches the second position.