Abstract: An ice making and delivery apparatus for making and delivering ice to different ones of a plurality of receptacle units is provided, in which ice delivered via a conduit to a diverter valve mechanism, is diverted from alignment with one ice discharge line to another, depending upon sensors in ice receptacles recognizing a level of build-up of ice in any given receptacle, for computer control of a gearmotor for moving the diverter valve from one position to another. Various controls are provided for preventing ice build-up, and for operating the diverter valve during a “dwell” period of ice movement in the conduit, as distinguished from a “push” period of ice movement in the conduit to the diverter valve. A force multiplication technique is employed for moving the diverter valve notwithstanding the presence of ice therein.

Abstract: An ice making, and delivery apparatus for making and delivering ice to different ones of a plurality of receptacle units is provided, in which ice delivered via a conduit to a diverter valve mechanism, is diverted from alignment with one ice discharge line to another, depending upon sensors in ice receptacles recognizing a level of build-up of ice in any given receptacle, for computer control of a gearmotor for moving the diverter valve from one position to another. Various controls are provided for preventing ice build-up, and for operating the diverter valve during a “dwell” period of ice movement in the conduit, as distinguished from a “push” period of ice movement in the conduit to the diverter valve. A force multiplication technique is employed for moving the diverter valve notwithstanding the presence of ice therein.

Abstract: An ice distribution device for delivering ice to an ice retaining unit is provided, whereby a nozzle of the distribution device is adapted to be rotated in an eccentric rotation when installed at an upper end of an ice retaining unit, such that, when it is rotated about its axis, forces acting inside an eccentrically mounted nozzle will produce both axial and lateral components, with the lateral components of force providing a controlled “wobble”, that will deliver a substantially uniform distribution of ice within the retaining unit. A sensing device, which may be ultrasonic, mechanical or some other means, may be used to sense the level of build-up of ice within a retaining unit, for discontinuing the flow of ice to the distribution device, or diverting it to another ice retaining unit, as may be desired. The distribution and sensing devices are mounted on a top wall of the ice retaining unit and are adapted to accommodate top walls of such units of various thicknesses.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus is provided in which a refrigeration cycle is used to produce ice inside an evaporator that is generally horizontally disposed, with a hollow auger being provided with a helical flight thereon, for scraping ice from the inner wall of the evaporator and pushing the ice toward one end of the auger, by which it is compressed and moved by a paddle toward a flange, in which it is delivered to an ice breakup device, by which the ice is diverted into a compression zone, with water being squeezed from the ice and the ice delivered to a transport tube and then to an ice retainer. Filling the retainer or jamming of ice nuggets inside the transport will effect a shut-down of the apparatus. Various water level controls for a water reservoir are provided, whereby the auger is flooded inside and outside, for enhancing ice formation. Nugget-type ice is provided by the ice making apparatus. The apparatus allows for changing the nugget size/shape without negative ice hardness consequences.

Abstract: Apparatus transports rod(s) of ice of flaked or chipped ice through a tube to a remote ice bin, in which the ice is broken into nuggets. A method of cleaning the transport tube is also provided in which ice pushes a dry conformable article and a wet conformable articles carrying sanitizing solution through the tube, with the conformable articles preferable being sponges, and with the wet article sanitizing algae, bacteria, etc. during movement through the tube, and with the dry conformable article scraping debris from wall(s) of the tube during transport.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus is provided in which a refrigeration cycle is used to produce ice inside an evaporator that is generally horizontally disposed, with a hollow auger being provided with a helical flight thereon, for scraping ice from the inner wall of the evaporator and pushing the ice toward one end of the auger, by which it is compressed and moved by a paddle toward a flange, in which it is delivered to an ice breakup device, by which the ice is diverted into a compression zone, with water being squeezed from the ice and the ice delivered to a transport tube and then to an ice retainer. Filling the retainer or jamming of ice nuggets inside the transport will effect a shut-down of the apparatus. Various water level controls for a water reservoir are provided, whereby the auger is flooded inside and outside, for enhancing ice formation. Nugget-type ice is provided by the ice making apparatus. The apparatus allows for changing the nugget size/shape without negative ice hardness consequences.

Abstract: Apparatus transports rod(s) of ice of flaked or chipped ice through a tube to a remote ice bin, in which the ice is broken into nuggets. A method of cleaning the transport tube is also provided in which ice pushes a dry conformable article and a wet conformable articles carrying sanitizing solution through the tube, with the conformable articles preferably being sponges, and with the wet article sanitizing algae, bacteria, etc. during movement through the tube, and with the dry conformable article scraping debris from wall(s) of the tube during transport.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing ice in a container and dispensing ice from the container is provided in the form of a storage bin, having ice agitating apparatus for engaging ice to loosen the same and to keep ice particles from adhering together in a common mass. An ice dispenser is provided for delivering ice from a lower to an upper end. The ice dispenser and the ice agitator are provided with separate drives.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus is provided in which a refrigeration cycle is used to produce ice inside an evaporator that is generally horizontally disposed, with a hollow auger being provided with a helical flight thereon, for scraping ice from the inner wall of the evaporator and pushing the ice toward one end of the auger, by which it is compressed and moved by a paddle toward a flange, in which it is delivered to an ice breakup device, by which the ice is diverted into a compression zone, with water being squeezed from the ice and the ice delivered to a transport tube and then to an ice retainer. Filling the retainer or jamming of ice nuggets inside the transport will effect a shut-down of the apparatus. Various water level controls for a water reservoir are provided, whereby the auger is flooded inside and outside, for enhancing ice formation. Nugget-type ice is provided by the ice making apparatus. The apparatus allows for changing the nugget size/shape without negative ice hardness consequences.

Abstract: An ice making and ice delivery system is provided, whereby nuggets of ice are formed from scraped ice in the ice making apparatus, which is cooled by an evaporator in a refrigeration cycle, with the evaporator being provided with refrigerant from a closed circuit compressor/condenser refrigerant system, with the evaporator and its associated ice making apparatus being capable of being disposed at a location remote from the condenser unit, for delivery of ice from one or more such evaporator/ice making apparatus to one or more ice storage units, which units can likewise be located spaced apart form the evaporator/ice making units, and with one or more ice delivery conduits providing for delivery of ice from the ice making unit(s) to the storage unit(s) by means other than gravity.

Abstract: An auger apparatus for conveying ice, together with the auger itself and an apparatus for storing ice in a storage bin which uses such an auger apparatus is provided. The auger is disposed in a tube, and does not require cylindrical bearings at its ends. The auger is rotationally molded, of one-piece hollow molded construction, preferably of a plastic such as polyethylene.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing ice in a container and dispensing ice from the container is provided in the form of a storage bin, having ice agitating apparatus for engaging ice to loosen the same and to keep ice particles from adhering together in a common mass. An ice dispenser is provided for delivering ice from a lower to an upper end. The ice dispenser and the ice agitator are provided with separate drives.

Abstract: An auger-type ice maker comprises a generally cylindrical-walled freezing chamber, a rotatable ice auger within the chamber, and a compacting head whereby ice formed in the freezing chamber is transferred by rotation of the auger into the compacting head and discharged therefrom via a nozzle. The nozzle is provided with an annular water-receiving canal for receiving water squeezed from ice as it compressed while passing through a converging nozzle. The configuration of the converging nozzle is arcuate, and is defined by a surface of revolution that is a frustum of a radius-defined convex conical passageway.

Abstract: An ice access and discharge apparatus for an ice bin including an access opening for access to ice in the bin and a slidably disposed ice baffle for baffling ice within the bin away from the access opening and metering ice flow to an ice discharge spout and to provide ice on a first in-first out basis. The ice discharge spout has a slidably disposed ice discharge gate for manually metering ice into an ice container.

Abstract: An ice bin for storing manufactured ice therein, having four walls and a floor and provided with a bin liner disposed in the ice bin adjacent the four walls of the ice bin. The liner has four, generally planar panels which are connected by at least one edge joint. Each edge joint has two slots formed at right angles to one another, each slot formed by two legs for holding two adjacent liner panels at generally right angles to one another. Each joint further has two spacers disposed adjacent each slot and generally at right angles to each slot for defining a space for insulation between the ice bin and liner panels, to aid in assembly, and to contribute to the strength of the liner.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an under-counter ice storage apparatus for dual-sided dispensing of ice above the counter for use in a food service establishment which delivers particulate ice from a single ice storage receptacle to two ice discharge chutes on opposite sides of the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an ice retaining receptacle for storage of ice, an ice elevator for elevating a quantity of ice from a level inside the ice storage receptacle to a dispensing level, and a pair of generally back-to-back facing ice dispensing chutes. A single user or two users simultaneously may obtain particulate ice from the two back-to-back facing ice delivery chutes by actuation of a switch associated with that user's delivery chute. The ice storage and dispensing apparatus may further comprise a bank of beverage dispensers adjacent to each ice dispensing chute.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for an auger-type ice maker comprising a generally cylindrically-shaped freezing chamber, a rotatable ice auger within the freezing chamber, and an annular compacting head at an end of the freezing cheer whereby ice formed in the freezing chamber is transferred by means of rotation of the ice auger into a region above the auger where it is compacted. The inner surface of the cylindrical freezing chamber is provided with a plurality of axial grooves to guide the column of ice created by the auger and to oppose rotation of the column of ice induced by the rotation of the ice auger, and the top surface of the auger, adjacent to the compacting head, has a knurled surface to aid in the discharge of ice. The combination of the axial grooves and the knurled auger surface creates a denser, higher quality product of ice than prior inventions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel ice storing and dispensing apparatus having drainage means therein for removing melted ice from areas in which ice is to be stored or contained. The apparatus further includes a portable cart having a front actuated draining mechanism which is adapted to discharge any ice melt which may accumulate in the cart into the apparatus drainage means.

Abstract: The load support structure includes a compression member joined adjacent its ends to the end portions of a tension member. A foam plastic is disposed between said members and bonded to the juxtaposed surfaces of said members so that force applied to one of said members will be resisted by the shear and tension modulus of the foam plastic whereby the load support structure can support increased loads. The support structure may be the floor in a storage housing.