US3570720A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combination storage receptacle and dispenser
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1969-08-06
•
Granted: 1971-03-16
•
Expires: 1989-08-06
Abstract
Abstract An ice piece dispenser comprising a relatively wide and shallow receptacle having a generally concave bottom wall and a dispensing outlet in the front thereof contains an auger-type dispensing means horizontally supported in the receptacle in spaced relationship with the sidewalls of the receptacle. The dispensing means includes a feed section for dispensing ice pieces through the outlet and a conveying section spaced from the feed section for conveying ice pieces to the feed section at a rate in excess of that at which ice pieces are dispensed by the feed section so that the excess ice pieces move tangentially into adjacent portions of the receptacle and are recirculated to thereby agitate the contents of receptacle and break up any ice clumps or clusters. A single longitudinally extending step or shoulder in the bottom wall of the receptacle below the conveying section and adjacent the inlet end of the feed section is provided to deflect ice pieces moving in a tangential direction into the feed section without materially interferring with the recirculation pattern of the stored ice pieces.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W Curry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:19
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F13/00; G01F13/001; G01F13/005; F; F25; F25C; F25C5/00; F25C5/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
An ice piece dispenser comprising: a receptacle for receiving and collecting ice pieces, said receptacle having a discharge opening at the front end thereof; dispensing means horizontally and rotatably supported in said receptacle and comprising a feed section adjacent said opening and a conveying section rearwardly of said feed section; said feed section comprising a cylindrical collar having an outlet for discharging ice pieces to said discharge opening and an inlet at the rear end thereof, said collar containing conveyOr means for advancing ice pieces entering said feed section inlet through said collar upon rotation of said dispensing means; said conveying section comprising a helically coiled member for moving ice pieces in said receptacle towards said feed section during rotation of said dispensing means at a greater rate than ice pieces can enter said feed sections; the bottom wall portions of said receptacle on opposite sides of said feed section inlet extending away from said dispensing means to form recirculation areas whereby ice pieces which do not enter said feed section can move transversely into said areas; and means for facilitating entrance of ice pieces moving transversely along the bottom wall adjacent said feed section inlet into said inlet comprising a projection on said bottom wall adjacent said feed section inlet and below said dispensing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
An ice piece dispenser comprising: a receptacle for receiving and collecting ice pieces, said receptacle having a discharge opening at the front end thereof; dispensing means horizontally and rotatably supported in said receptacle and comprising a feed section adjacent said opening and a conveying section rearwardly of said feed section; said feed section comprising a cylindrical collar having an outlet for discharging ice pieces to said discharge opening and an inlet at the rear end thereof, said collar containing conveyOr means for advancing ice pieces entering said feed section inlet through said collar upon rotation of said dispensing means; said conveying section comprising a helically coiled member for moving ice pieces in said receptacle towards said feed section during rotation of said dispensing means at a greater rate than ice pieces can enter said feed sections; the bottom wall portions of said receptacle on opposite sides of said feed section inlet extending away from said dispensing means to form recirculation areas whereby ice pieces which do not enter said feed section can move transversely into said areas; and means for facilitating entrance of ice pieces moving transversely along the bottom wall adjacent said feed section inlet into said inlet comprising a projection on said bottom wall adjacent said feed section inlet and below said dispensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The dispenser of claim 1 in which said projection also extends longitudinally of said receptacle beneath said conveyor section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The dispenser of claim 1 in which the inner surface of the bottom portion of said feed section collar at the inlet end thereof is below the adjacent portion of said receptacle bottom wall and said projection is within said adjacent portion of said bottom wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
209 words
An ice piece dispenser comprising: a receptacle having a discharge opening at the front end thereof; dispensing means horizontally and rotatably supported in said receptacle and comprising a feed section adjacent said opening and a conveying section rearwardly of said feed section; said feed section comprising a cylindrical collar having an outlet for discharging ice pieces to said discharge opening and an inlet at the rear end thereof, said collar containing a conveyor means within and substantially coextensive with said collar for advancing ice pieces through said collar upon rotation of said dispensing means; said conveying section comprising a helically coiled wire component for moving ice pieces in said receptacle towards said feed section during rotation of said dispensing means, said conveying section being spaced from said feed section inlet; the bottom wall portions of said receptacle on opposite sides of said feed section inlet slanting away from said dispensing means to form recirculation areas whereby ice pieces which do not enter said feed section move transversely into said areas; and means for facilitating entrance of ice pieces moving transversely along the bottom wall adjacent said feed section inlet into said inlet comprising a shoulder in said bottom wall adjacent said feed section inlet and below said dispensing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
209 words
An ice piece dispenser comprising: a receptacle having a discharge opening at the front end thereof; dispensing means horizontally and rotatably supported in said receptacle and comprising a feed section adjacent said opening and a conveying section rearwardly of said feed section; said feed section comprising a cylindrical collar having an outlet for discharging ice pieces to said discharge opening and an inlet at the rear end thereof, said collar containing a conveyor means within and substantially coextensive with said collar for advancing ice pieces through said collar upon rotation of said dispensing means; said conveying section comprising a helically coiled wire component for moving ice pieces in said receptacle towards said feed section during rotation of said dispensing means, said conveying section being spaced from said feed section inlet; the bottom wall portions of said receptacle on opposite sides of said feed section inlet slanting away from said dispensing means to form recirculation areas whereby ice pieces which do not enter said feed section move transversely into said areas; and means for facilitating entrance of ice pieces moving transversely along the bottom wall adjacent said feed section inlet into said inlet comprising a shoulder in said bottom wall adjacent said feed section inlet and below said dispensing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The dispenser of claim 4 in which said shoulder also extends below said conveyor section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The dispenser of claim 5 in which the lower portion of said feed section is positioned in a shallow arcuate depression in said receptacle so that the lower portion of said collar is slightly below the portion of said receptacle bottom wall rearwardly adjacent said feed section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-15 | 1974-09-14 | 1975-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-15 | 1978-09-14 | 1979-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-15 | 1982-09-14 | 1983-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |