Ice and ice/beverage dispensers

• Main Authors: FANCHER HERSHEL E, LUCAS ALAN S, SLONE WM. DEREK, BENNETT M. SCOTT
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 18.12.2003
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BLASTING; COLD ROOMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT COVERED BY ANY OTHERSUBCLASS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; HEATING; ICE-BOXES; LIGHTING; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE; REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; REFRIGERATORS; WEAPONS

An apparatus for a countertop ice dispenser or ice and beverage dispenser is made from a single piece plastic ice bin. Parts for the dispenser are assembled into sub-assemblies before final assembly. The ice bin may be made by a rotomolding process. This uses relatively inexpensive molds with reasonable control over the thickness of the resulting bin, while allowing up to 0.005'' of variation per inch of length in the overall size of the ice bin. The resulting ice bin has hollow walls that can be filled with insulating foam. An attractive dispenser may be assembled from such an ice bin, with metal panels and a plastic base. If a combined ice/beverage dispenser is desired, a cold plate and dispensing valve may be included. The plastic base and a plastic drain pan have integral attachments that mate for assembly. The dispenser may also be easily disassembled for repair.