Abstract: An ice portion control for an ice dispenser is characterized by a chute having an upper end for receiving ice and a lower end. With the chute filled with ice, to vend a desired quantity of ice a dispensing gate at the lower end of the chute is opened for a selected one of a plurality of timed periods of durations selected to dispense from the chute associated predetermined quantities of ice. Adjusting the lengths of the timed periods varies the quantities of ice vended.

Abstract: A shut-off mechanism for an automatic ice maker that cooperates with the ice feeler arm to deactivate the harvesting of ice when the ice storage bin is not properly positioned to receive ice. When the storage bin is absent, a biased plunger of the shut-off mechanism urges the feeler arm to a raised position that deactivates the ice maker. However, when the storage bin is properly positioned, the bin engages the plunger and secures it in a retracted position such that the feeler arm is free to pivot in its normal manner for sensing the level of ice in the storage bin and controlling the ice maker accordingly.

Abstract: An icemaker including a freezer mold having a plurality of cavities along the longitudinal central axis of the mold in which water is to be frozen to form ice pieces with a crescent shape with a flat side and an arcuate side joined to form two opposite edge portions and having a first half and a second half. An ice piece ejector is rotatable in only one direction and has an axle along the longitudinal central axis of the mold. An ice piece ejector guide is located above the cavities longitudinally along the mold and has a resilent forward portion which is spring biased.

Abstract: There is an ice tray, an ejector for ejecting ice from the tray, an ice storage bin, a mechanism for delivering ice to the tray, a bail mechanism, and a motor for driving the ejector, water delivery mechanism, and bail mechanism. The bail mechanism includes a bail and a bail switch. The motor, via the bail mechanism, raises the bail from a lower position in which the switch energizes the icemaker to an upper position in which the switch opens and the icemaker is de-energized, then permits the bail to return to the lower position if the ice bin is not full. The bail is also manually raisable to a latch-up position to manually de-energize the icemaker. A compound spring provides a bias force to return the bail to the energizing position. The spring provides a weak return force over the range in which the motor drives the bail, a strong force in the range just prior to latch-up, and an intermediate force in the intermediate range.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling an automatic ice making system of a refrigeration apparatus. The device includes an electrical circuit which operates the ice making machine using a light interrupter system. A plused light source is placed such that it will be interfered when the ice has reached a predetermined level in the ice containing bin. The circuit uses operational amplifier signal processing components which activate the ice making machine once the light source is sensed for a predetermined period of time and deactivates the ice maker when the light source is not sensed for another predetermined period of time. The circuit also includes means for eliminating the effect of ambient lights.

Abstract: A control system for an icemaker and ice dispenser operates the icemaker to periodically harvest ice for introduction into a hopper of the ice dispenser whenever the hopper is less than full. During and in response to initiation of each harvest cycle, and independent of the level of ice in the hopper, the ice in the hopper is briefly agitated twice, once shortly after harvesting begins and again toward completion of the harvest cycle, such that the second agitation and the cycle end at about the same time. A thermostat senses the level of ice in the hopper, and when ice reaches the level of the thermostat, the icemaker is turned off.

Abstract: An ice dispenser apparatus includes an ice making mechanism (1) and, an ice storage box (5) for storing ice pieces produced by the ice making mechanism. When the ice pieces are dispensed a discharge port shutter (9) normally closing a discharge port (5c) provided in the ice storage box (5) at a lower portion thereof is opened by a discharge port shutter actuator (11). A transient storage chamber (13) is provided in communication with the discharge port (5c), the chamber having a normally closed aperture for transiently storing a predetermined amount of ice pieces discharged from the ice storage box (5) through the discharge port (5c) when the discharge port shutter (9) is opened. A transient storage chamber shutter (10) is provided in association with the transient storage chamber (13) and is adapted to be actuated by a transient storage chamber shutter actuator (12) for selectively opening or closing the aperture.

Abstract: An auger type ice making mahine has a refrigerator, an ice making cylinder for forming a layer of ice in cooperation with the refrigerator, and a top ice storage chamber in communication with the ice making cylinder for storing ice discharged therefrom. A bottom ice storage chamber is disposed below the top ice storage chamber for receiving and storing ice transferred from the top ice storage chamber. The top ice storage chamber is equipped with a top ice storage level detector for detecting the amount of ice stored within the top chamber, an ice dispensing gate mechanism capable of dispensing ice pieces stored in the top ice storage chamber outwardly therefrom, and an ice transfer system capable of transferring ice pieces from the top ice storage chamber to the bottom ice storage chamber. The bottom ice storage chamber is provided with a bottom ice storage level detector for detecting the amount of ice stored within the bottom chamber.

Abstract: An automatic ice making apparatus for freezing ice making water into ice having the shape of a cube or the like and storing the ice in an ice bank, in which the quantity of the ice stored in the ice bank is detected by a stored ice detecting device, and when the stored ice quantity is small or zero, the ice making operation is continued, while when the stored ice quantity corresponds to a predetermined quantity, the ice making operation is stopped. A stored ice detecting arm is provided replaceably through a joint member in order to attain an easy setting of the above stored ice quantity, that is, an easy adjustment of a detection level for the ice bank.

Abstract: An icemaker including a freezer mold having a front side and a back side with a plurality of partitioned walls disposed within the mold to define a plurality of cavities along the longitudinal central axis of the mold in which water is frozen to form ice pieces having a crescent shape with a flat side and an arcuate side joined to form two edge portions. A stripper member is disposed longitudinally along the front side of the mold and has a portion thereof above the cavities. An ice piece ejector is rotatable in only one direction and has its axle along the longitudinal central axis of the mold. An ice piece ejector guide is secured to the back side of the mold and located above the cavities longitudinally along the mold, aid guide extending laterally from the rear of the mold past the axle of the rotating ejector and spaced from the rotating ejector axle a distance slightly greater than the maximum thickness of the ice piece.

Abstract: An ice product storage detector which instantaneously detects when the ice products have filled the reservoir to its full capacity or when the amount of ice product in storage has decreased. The ice product storage detector includes a proximity switch provided on a barrier plate of a non-magnetizable material, the barrier plate being provided on the lower part of a base portion of the main body of the auger type ice making device, an ice storage detector plate rotatably mounted about a shaft in the ice product reservoir in positional registration with the proximity switch and which is formed of a low heat capacity and low thermo-conductive material, a pair of inclined plate sections provided on an ice product receiving portion of the ice product storage detector plate, and an auxiliary detector plate formed of a magnetizable material and provided on the ice product storage detector plate so as to be normally parallel to the detective surface of the proximity switch.

Abstract: A retention system for supporting a device on a first stationary member to have biased abutment with a cooperating second stationary member removably secured to the first stationary member. The system includes at least one resilient clip carried by the first stationary member and having a portion resiliently frictionally engaging the device so as to effectively retain the device in association with the first stationary member prior to the mounting of the second stationary member thereto. The spring clip further includes an end portion biasing the device outwardly from the first stationary member to be engaged by the second stationary member when the second stationary member is mounted to the first stationary member. The clip is removably retained in a slotted portion of the first stationary member for facilitated installation.

Abstract: A low cost automatic ice cube maker of simplified construction for use in the freezer compartment of a domestic refrigerator. The ice maker includes a one-piece, molded plastic bail or sensing arm for monitoring the level of ice cubes in an underlying storage bin. The movable bail includes a fingerlike resilient projection extending radially from one of the end portions of the bail. The distal end of the projection engages a portion of the ice maker fixed in position relative to the movable bail wherein the resilient projection functions as a springlike member biasing the bail toward a lowermost position. The ice maker also includes a pivotally mounted ice tray that can be easily snapped out of its ice making position for removal and cleaning at a location outside the freezer compartment. An externally accessible mechanism for actuating a test switch of the internal control circuit of the ice maker is provided to facilitate servicing of the ice maker.

Abstract: A control system for a tray type refrigerator ice maker having a motor driven programmer for controlling ice harvest by means of tray rotation and twist for ejecting cubes to a collector bin. The programmer also drives an arm for bin level sweep, which, if interrupted by the presence of accumulated bin ice, opens a cutout switch in series with the motor. A temperature sensing curie effect magnetic switch is series connected with the bin switch and motor for delaying harvest cycle motor drive until the surrounding tray temperature is sufficiently below freezing to indicate ice presence in the tray. A heater is series connected with the motor and disposed to cause opening of the temperature sensing switch shortly after motor start. A programmer actuated by-pass switch in parallel with the temperature sensing switch is held close to continue motor drive through the remainder of the harvest cycle.

Abstract: A control circuit for an auger type ice maker using a relay which is responsive to a predetermined level of an ice making water in a tank and to of a predetermined level of stored ice, and a timer circuit responsive to the commencement of the ice making cycle which corresponds to the detection of the water level and the completion of the ice making cycle which corresponds to the detection of the ice level, both by the relay. This timer circuit is arranged so that during the starting operation it starts to drive the auger motor at the beginning of the ice making cycle and then after a first predetermined time starts to drive the compressor, and during the stopping operation, it stops the compressor after a second predetermined time after the detection of the completion of the ice making cycle and then after a third predetermined time stops the auger motor. Should a short interruption of the supply of water occur, the timer circuit can ignore it because of its delay time.

Abstract: An icemaker including a freezer mold having a plurality of partitioned walls disposed within the mold to define a plurality of cavities in which water is to be frozen to form ice pieces having an edge portion. There is provided a stripper member disposed longitudinally along one side of the mold and having a portion thereof above the cavities and said portion having an upwardly depending ridge. The ejection of ice pieces from the mold is provided by a rotating ejector for rotatably moving the ice pieces to above the cavities and to continue rotating the ejector and moving the ice pieces onto the stripper member such that the edge portion of the ice pieces engage the upwardly depending ridge and are retained thereby. Continued rotation of the ejector pivots the ice pieces upwardly about the edge portion and past the vertical whereupon the ice pieces tumble off the stripper member laterally outward of the mold.

Abstract: An ice detector for an ice making machine which includes an ice storage switch main body mounted to an inner ceiling wall of an ice reservoir and including a detecting switch, an ice product detecting lever pivotally mounted to a supporting shaft of main body and a stopper provided in reservoir for contacting with one end of the ice product detecting lever. The ice product detecting lever is held in a non-vertical position by the stopper. In the preferred embodiments, the stopper is integrally formed with the main body of the ice storage switch.

Abstract: A spring support clip is provided for mounting a condensate collection receptacle adjustably pivotally relative to an upright wall on a dehumidifier. The support clip has a free end cooperating with the receptacle and is configured to be readily deflectable vertically but more resistant to deformation in other than the vertical direction. The spring support clip is arranged to simultaneously support and guidingly control pivoting movement of the receptacle occasioned by an increase in the condensate accumulation. A shut-off switch is operated depending upon the orientation of the receptacle as dictated by the condensate level.

Abstract: A method of assembling a rigid wire element for driven rotational movement including attaching a rotational element to a drive means with the rotational element having a transverse bore therethrough slightly larger in diameter than the rigid wire element diameter. A pivot element is located spaced from the rotational element and has an aperture slightly larger in diameter than the rigid wire element diameter. The rigid wire is formed having at one end thereof a relatively straight portion having at one end an integrally formed stop element and at the opposite end a terminal end portion formed at an acute angle relative to the straight portion. The opposite end of the rigid wire element has a U-shaped portion having two legs interconnected by a center section.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing frozen product characterized by flowing liquid substantially uniformly over a substantially vertically oriented freezing mold; supplying liquid refrigerant to a conductive surface in the freezing mold for freezing the liquid into predetermined shapes; collecting the excess liquid into a reservoir and circulating the excess liquid back over the top of the freezing mold, the liquid being at its freezing point; stopping the circulation of the liquid over the freezing mold and initiating a dump mode in which the freezing mold is heated and tilted to dump the frozen product into a receiving bin; detecting when the receiving bin has sufficient frozen product therein and stopping the production of more frozen product until some has been used; repeating the cycle orienting the freezing mold substantially vertically and starting the refrigeration equipment to freeze the product and repeat the cycle.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine having a control circuit for controlling the quantity of ice in an ice storage chamber. A signal generating circuit is provided for producing digital signals in response to ice being supplied to, and discharged from, the ice storage chamber. A counting circuit comprising an up-down counter receives the digital signals and adjusts a count value which represents the quantity of ice in the storage chamber. The counter produces an output signal when sufficient ice is available to supply vending needs, but not when the ice quantity falls below a predetermined value. The vending operation is suspended when the counter output signal is not produced.

Abstract: A flake ice vending machine for vending disposable receptacles filled with a mixture of flake ice and a flavored syrup, and including an auger type ice maker, a storage bin for storing the ice formed by the ice maker, an ice slicer for slicing the ice formed by the ice maker, and a discharge chute for discharging the flake ice formed by the ice slicer. Additional mechanisms are provided for dispensing a flavored syrup into the disposable receptacle and mechanisms for washing the area in which the disposable filled receptacles are provided so as to wash away the surplus syrup and ice.

Abstract: An ice maker in a freezer compartment and the method of controlling the ejection of ice pieces made by the ice maker, including a mold containing a plurality of spaced cavities for forming ice pieces, a water conduit for introducing water into the mold, a water valve, and an arrangement for signaling when the water in the mold is frozen, including a temperature sensor. A thermal mass is located in the freezer compartment spaced from the mold and in heat transfer relationship with the incoming water flowing through the conduit from the water valve to the mold. The temperature sensor is located in temperature sensing relationship with the thermal mass and is calibrated to actuate the signal arrangement when the water in the mold reaches a preselected temperature below 32.degree. F.

Abstract: A control system for an ice dispenser maintains an icemaker thereof continuously operative whenever an ice storage hopper is less than completely full. This is accomplished by continuing to operate the icemaker while momentarily agitating and leveling the mass of ice in the hopper whenever ice builds up around a thermostat therein, and thereafter sensing whether the ice has dropped away from the thermostat. If it has, the icemaker is maintained in operation and the cycle is repeated. If, however, it has not, then the icemaker is turned off until sufficient ice is dispensed from the hopper to again drop the ice level to below the thermostat. In this manner, the number of on-off cycles of the compressor and other components of the icemaker are minimized in maintaining the hopper completely full, which greatly increases their operating life and reliability.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring ice cubes and the like from a first location to a remote second location, the apparatus including a conduit system communicating the two locations and a source of air for causing ice to be moved through the conduit system between the two locations; the apparatus further including diverter means whereby ice cubes being transmitted from the first location to the second location may be diverted via the conduit system to a third location. The invention further includes means for preventing damage to the ice cubes being transmitted through the conduit system due to the high velocity of air being utilized therein and also means for disposing of any melt water which may exist within the conduit system as the ice cubes are being communicated between the various remote locations.

Abstract: A movable ice receptacle for use in a refrigeration apparatus having a refrigerated cabinet defining a space within which the receptacle is normally disposed and which is selectively closed by a movable closure. The receptacle is mounted for selective disposition in a rearward ice storage position and a forward ice access position. The mounting of the receptacle is such that, when the closure is moved to an open position, the receptacle is correspondingly repositioned forwardly from the storage position to the access position. The receptacle may be gravity biased toward the forward ice access position and urged against the bias thereof by structure associated both with the closure and the receptacle to move the receptacle to the rearward storage position as an incident of the closure being disposed in the space-closing position. The mounting structure may be arranged to swingably mount the receptacle for movement in an arc. The storage position may be at a level above the level of the access position.

Abstract: A freezer-refrigerator unit is provided with exterior ice service through the front of the cabinet. The unit has a panel forming a portion of the front closure of the freezer compartment and hinged at its lower edge to swing outwardly. Behind the panel is an ice tray, and the tray is supplied with ice cubes from an automatic ice maker located in the freezer compartment.

Abstract: An automatic ice maker having a motor starting circuit that is unaffected by barometric pressure changes thus obviating the need for altitude adjustment of the ice maker. A mercury column thermostatic sensor is used to provide control that will be accurate regardless of the ambient or altitude pressure while also having the ability to rapidly reset, thus eliminating the need for a back contact thermostat. The sensor, upon sensing the last ice cube to freeze in the ice tray, opens so that a rectifier SCR will be switched to conducting, shorting out a diode bridge circuit and energizing the ice maker motor after which the basic ice maker circuits lock the motor in its running mode for one cycle of ice harvesting.

Abstract: A slab type ice maker including an inclined refrigerated plate assembly is associated with a mechanically driven refrigerant compressor to cool the plate below freezing during an ice making cycle of operation whereby water circulated thereover by means of a motor driven pump will produce an ice slab thickness on the plate which is removed therefrom during a hot gas defrost harvest cycle of operation to be directed onto a heated grid for separation into individual cubes which are collected in a storage bin having a bin level thermostat therein that operates when the bin is filled to terminate machine operation.

Abstract: A control for shutting off an automatic ice maker in a refrigeration apparatus, such as a refrigerator-freezer. The ice maker apparatus is driven by an electric motor which is permitted to run continuously and thereby provide additional timing functions for other controls in the refrigeration apparatus. The ice maker mechanism is caused to be inoperative for purposes of providing ice bodies such as when the level of collected ice bodies in a storage bin reaches a preselected full level. The ice maker mechanism is made inoperative for providing ice by preventing delivery of water to the ice maker freezing mold. One end of a bin level sensing arm acting on and biased by a switch spring contact is utilized to prevent electrical conduction through the spring contact when a full level is detected by another end of the sensing arm.

Abstract: An ice maker control circuit for use with an ice maker of the type including an inclined refrigerated plate associated with means energized during an ice making cycle of operation to cause water to be continually circulated across the inclined plate as refrigerant is directed with respect thereto and wherein ice slabs built up on the plate are periodically released therefrom and directed to a cutting grid for separation into a plurality of cubes of ice; the control circuit including a bin ice accumulation switch responsive to a maximum build up of ice therein to terminate machine operation and an ice slab thickness control switch to selectively control circuit means for terminating the circulation of water over the plate and for initiating a hot gas defrost cycle of operation; the circuit further including a time delay thermal relay responsive to the bin ice accumulation switch sensing a maximum level of bin ice and operative to maintain an ice making cycle of operation until the ice slab reaches a desired th