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.

Abstract: A method and mechanism is disclosed for the conversion of ice chests of the type having a door to enable removal of unlimited quantities of ice as are in common use in hotels, motels, etc. The method involves a modification to the access door by the installation of an ice conveyor mechanism extending downwardly into a collector hopper placed within the ice chest bin. The ice lift conveyor mechanism is controlled by a token or coin-operated device to limit the quantity of ice dispensed from the ice chest. The ice lift conveyor mechanism is disclosed as a manually operated auger extending into the collector hopper with rotations of the auger controlled by a solenoid interlock gear mechanism, in turn controlled by a coin or token-operated control device.