Dispensing – Nozzles – spouts and pouring devices – Integral with container walls
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-05
2001-07-10
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Nozzles, spouts and pouring devices
Integral with container walls
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257465
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a container for holding ice cubes and for controllably dispensing the ice cubes into a drinking vessel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various methods of making and distributing ice cubes are known in the art. In this specification, the term “ice cube” will be understood to refer to any fragment of ice of a size and shape which is customarily contained in drinking vessels for the purpose of keeping beverages cool. While many such fragments indeed have a generally cubic appearance, other shapes are known, such as cylinders and segments thereof, or less regular shapes.
A common method of making ice cubes is to manually fill separate compartments of an ice cube tray with water which is frozen in a freezer. Using the formed ice cubes involves the inconvenience of removing them from the ice cube tray and usually transferring them to an intermediate storage container which is kept in the freezer, or an insulated ice bucket when more immediate use is required. The ice is normally handled with a scoop, a pair of tongs or even with the fingers to transfer it to a drinking vessel.
In instances where a comparatively large quantity of ice is required, manufactured ice may be purchased and stored in a freezer. Portions of the manufactured ice can be transferred to an intermediate storage container as required.
In refrigerators which have automatic ice makers, ice cubes are dispensed into a holding container in a freezer compartment of the refrigerator. This container has a function equivalent to that of the intermediate storage containers for the manually made ice cubes.
In some cases, the holding container is part of a system which allows ice cubes to be automatically dispensed on demand into a drinking vessel through a chute in the freezer compartment door. While this represents a convenience to the user, the process is sometimes too slow, since there is on occasion a need to distribute relatively large quantities of ice in a short time.
It would be advantageous to dispense ice directly into several drinking vessels in fairly quick succession. A conventional holding container does not lend itself to this; when tipping the container to pour ice cubes into a drinking vessel, it is difficult if not impossible to control the ice cubes exiting the container. Not only is there a lack of structure to guide the ice into a receiving vessel, but also ice cubes build up near the rim of the container until it is tipped too far, whereupon an excess of ice exits the container, typically overfilling the vessel and being spilt on the floor. Alternative current systems also include automatic ice making machines. These automatic machines fill a cube mold, displace the ice into a reservoir and translate the ice through a freezer door to facilitate translation of the ice from the reservoir, the automatic dispenser draw the ice from the bottom, or lower portion, of the reservoir. Therefore, the need still exists for an ice dispensing structure which facilitates selective dispensing of the ice. The need also exists for an accurate dispensing of the ice without requiring extensive or complicated mechanical drives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The apparatus of the present invention addresses these problems. The apparatus includes a storage compartment in which ice cubes are stored and a chute with an inlet and an outlet for the ice, the chute providing a passageway for the ice which is completely enclosed for a least a part of its length. In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a hold-back flange to reduce unintended translation of the ice from the storage. The apparatus can be used for storing ice which it receives from an automatic ice maker, or ice which is manually produced in ice-cube trays, or manufactured ice.
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Deal David
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Salai, Eq. Stephen B.
Shaver Kevin
Shaw Esq. Brian B.
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