Refrigeration – Automatic control – By congealed removable product condition
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-08
2001-10-16
Tapolcai, William E. (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Automatic control
By congealed removable product condition
C062S233000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301908
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ice making apparatus and method particularly adapted for use in conjunction with automatic beverage dispensers or other devices requiring frequent dispensing of small quantities of ice. It is also particularly adapted for ice makers utilizing small hoppers relative to the total amount of ice dispensed which typically make ice continuously during an ice making cycle.
Automatic ice makers are well known in the art and are available in many forms and typically have hoppers for temporary storage of manufactured ice. Beverage dispensers of the coin operated type, dispense both ice and beverage when the requisite amount of money is provided and a beverage selection is made. A cup is automatically dispensed, ice is fed to the cup and then beverage is dispensed to the cup. Such vending machines are commonly used in cafeterias and break rooms. A typical vending machine is a model 328 from Crane National Vendors. Many ice makers have control systems to improve their operation and/or efficiency. Typically, the ice maker will cease making ice when the ice bin is full and commence ice making when the ice level in the hopper reaches a low level. Such a control system does not readily adapt itself to ice makers having small hoppers, for example, a four pound capacity hopper, relative to the amount of ice dispensed, like ice makers associated with coin operated beverage dispensers. Nor is such a control system well adapted for ice makers where the amount of dispensed ice varies, sometimes significantly, throughout a day or by day of week. Ice makers using such control systems can produce poor quality ice and present operational problems such as ice clumping. When ice is retained in a hopper for an extended period, it tends to clump together forming large blocks of ice that cannot be dispensed requiring its removal sometimes leaving an empty or nearly empty hopper and thereby potentially unable to meet demand. Also, the ice feeder in the hopper may break the clumped ice and unclumped ice degrading its quality by leaving pieces that are too large or small and may also warm the ice.
Clumping can occur at night, over weekends or during other periods when the rate of ice dispensing is reduced. Generally, ice makers associated with vending machines function such that ice in the hopper is not being moved or mixed unless dispensing is occurring or ice is being made which lack of movement can also encourage clumping. Clumping can be due to the temperature in the hopper rising during periods of non-dispensing and non-mixing allowing localized melting of the ice followed by refreezing. Additionally, the weight of the ice itself can cause localized melting also followed by refreezing. Further, continued mixing, as discussed above, can warm the ice, providing conditions which can lead to later clumping and can also degrade the ice quality through breakage.
The ice quality problem is exacerbated by current control systems operating in a manner such that when the low ice level is attained, the ice maker is activated and makes ice until the high level sensor turns off the ice maker. No accommodation is provided with such a control method to accommodate fluctuating ice demand during extended operating periods. Lack of ice and poor quality ice presents consumer acceptance problems.
Ice makers are many times part of vending machines that are on service routes. Should an ice maker become non-functional, e.g., because of ice clumping, it may be several days between visits by a service person to remedy the situation. A vending machine may then be out of service for extended periods of time causing consumer inconvenience.
The apparatus of the present invention includes a control system that is operable to commence ice making upon two or more operating conditions being met with one of the operating conditions being a low ice level in the hopper. The use of two or more operating conditions for control of ice making accommodates fluctuating ice demand and thereby improves operation and ice quality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the several objects and features of the present invention may be noted the provision of a device for making ice that utilizes at least two operating parameters to control commencement of ice making; the provision of such a device that is effective for ice makers having small storage hoppers; the provision of such a device that continuously makes ice during an ice making portion of an operating cycle; the provision of such an ice making device that is automatic in operation; and the provision of such an ice making device that provides quality ice.
The present invention involves the provision of an ice dispenser having an ice former with an outlet. Ice is discharged from the outlet on command into a hopper positioned for receiving ice discharged from the outlet. A low ice level sensor is operatively associated with the hopper and is operable to monitor a first parameter of the ice dispenser, the first parameter being indicative of a low ice level in the hopper. A controller is operably connected to the ice former and the low ice level sensor and is operable to monitor a second parameter of the ice dispenser, the second parameter being indicative of an operating condition of the ice dispenser. The controller is also operable to reenable the ice former for full discharge of ice by the ice former to the hopper in response to the first and second parameters.
The present invention also involves the provision of an ice making device comprising an ice dispenser having an ice former. The ice former has an outlet and is adapted for discharging ice from the outlet on command. The ice dispenser also has a hopper positioned for receiving ice discharged from the outlet and a feeder associated with the hopper operable to feed ice to a discharge for dispensing ice from the hopper. A low ice level sensor is operatively associated with the hopper and operable to monitor a first parameter of the ice dispenser, the first parameter being indicative of a low ice level in the hopper. The low ice level sensor is operable to generate a low ice level signal. A high ice level sensor is operatively associated with the hopper and operable to monitor a second parameter of the ice dispenser. The second parameter is indicative of a high ice level in the hopper and the high ice level sensor is operable to generate a high ice level signal. A controller is operably connected to the ice former, the low ice level sensor and the high ice level sensor and is operable to monitor third parameters of the ice dispenser. The third parameters are indicative of operating conditions of the ice dispenser and include the number of times ice has been dispensed from the hopper and a time period. The controller is operable to reenable the ice former for full discharge of ice by the ice former to the hopper in response to the first parameter and at least one of the third parameters meeting a respective predetermined value.
Additionally, the present invention involves the provision of a method of making ice in an ice making device having a hopper and dispensing ice from the hopper. The method includes making ice and discharging the ice at a full discharge rate to the hopper. At least two ice making parameters are monitored, one of which is ice level in the hopper. Full discharge of ice to the hopper is terminated when the ice level reaches a predetermined high ice level. Full discharge of ice to the hopper is reenabled when at least two ice making parameters each meet a respective predetermined value.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
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patent:
Henning Mark R.
Huffman John
Newkirk Franklin D.
Petersen Ronald P.
Stettes Gregory G.
Crane & Co.
Hughes & Luce, L.L.P.
Tapolcai William E.
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