Abstract: An arrangement for preventing the development of a frozen bond between individual pieces of cubed or crushed ice collected in a storage bin. The arrangement includes an upstanding flexible wall lining a majority of the inwardly facing wall surface of a storage bin. An agitator device is provided for moving the pieces of ice about within the confines defined by the flexible wall. The agitator includes a rotatable shaft, an arm secured to the rotatable shaft and extending radially thereof and a drive arrangement for drivingly rotating the shaft. Structure is provided for effecting a flexing of the flexible wall toward and away from the inwardly facing walls of the storage bin. The agitator device and the additional structure causing a flexing of the flexible wall periodically initiates a movement of the individual pieces of ice to thereby prevent the development of a frozen bond between the individual pieces of ice.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 27, 1987
Date of Patent:
March 22, 1988
Assignee:
Tobias Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors:
Lamar K. Tobias, Hugh J. Chapman, Daniel R. Herzog, Harold W. Williams