Ice dispensing chute

Details Ice dispensing chute Ice dispensing chute

2005-11-15

2005-11-15

Kaufman, Joseph A. (Department: 3754)

Dispensing

With heating or cooling means

Cooling only

C222S505000, C141S082000, C141S362000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06964351

ABSTRACT:
An ice dispensing chute mechanism is characterized by an ice chute adapted for attachment at an upper ice inlet end to an ice retaining bin at an ice outlet from the bin. An actuating arm is pivotally mounted on the ice chute and has a lower end for being contacted and moved by a receptacle into which ice is to be dispensed from a lower ice discharge end of the chute and an upper end for contacting and moving a linkage mechanism upon rotation of the actuating arm by the receptacle. The linkage mechanism is pivotally mounted on the ice chute and is coupled to an ice gate that is linearly moved by the linkage mechanism between open and closed positions that establish and interrupt communication between the upper inlet to the chute and the ice outlet opening from the bin. Movement of the linkage mechanism by the actuating arm operates the linkage mechanism to translate the rotational movement of the actuating arm into linear movement of the ice gate between its open and closed positions to dispense ice and to cease dispensing ice into the receptacle. The ice chute consists of two halves that snap together in a releasable manner to permit easy disassembly of the ice chute for cleaning, repair or replacement of parts. The upper inlet to the ice chute is configured to impart to ice particles a trajectory through the chute that guides the ice particles into the receptacle while preventing the vast majority of the ice particles from contacting interior surfaces of the chute.

REFERENCES:
patent: 5437391 (1995-08-01), Landers et al.
patent: 6059149 (2000-05-01), Kanzler et al.
patent: 6135173 (2000-10-01), Lee et al.
patent: 2003/0230108 (2003-12-01), Lucas et al.
patent: 2004/0187516 (2004-09-01), Lee

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