Abstract: An ice bagging system that comprises a compressed flake nugget ice maker and an ice bagging device that receives compressed flake nugget ice dispensed from the ice maker. The ice bagging device includes at least one bag into which the compressed flake nugget ice is dropped. The ice bagging device is configured to seal and drop the bag of compressed flake nugget ice once a predetermined quantity of ice has been loaded into the at least one bag. An ice merchandiser supports at least the ice bagging device. The ice merchandiser is adapted to receive the at least one bag of compressed flake nugget ice dropped from the ice bagging device. Whereby the compressed flake nugget ice is dispensed from the ice maker directly to the bag of the ice bagging device and the at least one bag of compressed flake nugget ice is dropped directly from the ice bagging device into the ice merchandiser.

Abstract: A blending assembly that comprises a blender base that has an actuating member and a control mechanism, and a container that is removably mountable on the blender base. The container has an integral dispensing spout and dispensing valve. The dispensing valve opens and closes the dispensing spout. The container is adapted to receive ingredients. The control mechanism operates an impeller of the container to blend the ingredients and operates the actuating member to engage the dispensing valve to move the dispensing valve between open and closed positions with respect to the container, thereby opening and closing the dispensing spout for dispensing the blended ingredients.

Abstract: An auger-type ice-making apparatus includes a new and improved auger or auger assembly having one or more generally spiral flight portions with one or more grooves formed transversely across the outer edges of the flight portions. The grooves interrupt the generally spirally-extending contact between the outer auger edges and the inner surface of an evaporator housing, thus reducing the area of contact therebetween and, as a result, reducing the load on the auger bearings. The grooves also provide a stress-relieved area on the flight portion during scraping of ice particles from the inner surface of the evaporator and tend to balance the forces on the auger bearings.