Abstract: An auger type ice maker in which the auger is supported by a thrust bearing carried by the extruding head at the top of the evaporator and in which the extruding head itself is entirely symmetrical around the axis of rotation of the auger and in which means is provided for preventing rotation of the ice in the plenum formed by the extruding head above the upper end of the auger. The auger is not required to compress the ice against any plate or other means which closes the upper end of an extruding passage as ice is being delivered to lower end thereof. The extruding head is formed with radially outwardly extending lugs received in slots in the upper surface of a flange at the top of the evaporator housing which lugs also are received in slots formed in a flange at the bottom of the storage housing so as to position the housing circumferentially above the axis of rotation of the auger.

Abstract: An ice cube maker in which a generally vertically disposed array of fins including first fins extending laterally outwardly from one side of a central vertical plane and second fins extending outwardly from the other side of the plane is disposed over an open top tank to which a predetermined volume of water supplied at the beginning of an ice-making operation in the course of which water from the tank is fed to a distributor over the tank so as to fall downwardly into the fins which are cooled to form ice. When water in the tank reaches a predetermined low level the ice is harvested by heating the fins to permit the ice to falls into a bin below the array. In response to movement of ice into the bin a new cycle is initiated.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for identifying certain disabling abnormal conditions in an ice maker. The system includes a display panel having a pair of indicator lights and a push button switch, which when used together with a legend enables the operator to determine which particular abnormal condition needs correction.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser in which a sensor provides an output corresponding to the level of the beverage in a storage reservoir from which the beverage is dispensed. In response to user actuation a dispensing valve is enabled for such a time interval, determined in accordance with the output of the sensor, as to compensate for variations in flow rate due to variations in the beverage level in the reservoir. The level sensor output is also used to control a level-indicating display and to disable the reservoir heater when the reservoir is empty. Preferably the sensor is a strain gauge adhered to the surface of a relatively thin resilient beam which supports a portion of the reservoir.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for cleaning the icemaker of a beverage dispensing machine having a carbonator in which carbonated water is introduced into the icemaker and into the water feeder tank and is allowed to stand for a period of time sufficient to dissolve or loosen bacterial slime and accumulated lime, after which time the carbonated water is drained and the system is flushed with still water. In one embodiment of the invention the feeder tank and icemaker are drained and carbonated water is introduced. In another embodiment carbon dioxide from the carbonator is introduced directly into the water in the icemaker and water feeder tank.

Abstract: A plate type ice maker for forming chunks of hard ice in which a member provided with an ice-forming passage having a cutting edge at one end thereof is moved over a plane freezing surface to cause ice crystals scraped from the freezing surface by the cutting edge to be forced into the forming passage in which they are subjected to compressive forces sufficient to form a rod of hard ice which emerges from the other end of the passage and which engages a breaker surface which fractures the rod to form a hard piece of ice.