US3651656A

US3651656A - Agitator for storage bin of ice cube maker

Info

Publication number: US3651656A
Application number: US889473A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold H Esser; Ralph B Olson
Original assignee: Schneider Metal Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Schneider Metal Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1969-12-31
Filing date: 1969-12-31
Publication date: 1972-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 1989-03-28

Abstract

An automatic apparatus for mechanically agitating ice cubes stored in the storage bin of an ice cube maker to obviate cube agglomerates resulting from fusion of stored cubes to each other. The agitator system of the invention includes means for ensuring that agitation takes place automatically at spaced time intervals for finite limited periods.

Description

United States Patent Esser et al.

[54] AGITATOR FOR STORAGE BIN OF ICE CUBE MAKER [72] Inventors: Harold ll. Esser, Chicago; Ralph B. Olson, Lombard, both of 111.

[73] Assignee: Schneider Metal Manufacturing Co.,

Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Dec. 31, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 889,473

[52] U.S.' Cl ..62/137, 62/344 [51] Int. Cl. ..F25c 1/00 [58] Field olSearch ..62/137, 344; 222/138 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,949,019 8/1960 Roberts ..62/l37X [451 Mar. 28, 1972 3,151,668 10/1964 Zimmermann ..62/344 X 3,217,509 11/1965 Weil et al ..62/344 X 3,329,223 7/1967 Swanson et al. ..62/344 X Primary ExaminerMeyer Perlin Assistant Examiner-Ronald C. Capossela Attorney-Kegan, Kegan & Berkman [57] ABSTRACT An automatic apparatus for mechanically agitating ice cubes stored in the storage bin of an ice cube maker to obviate cube agglomerates resulting from fusion of stored cubes to each other. The agitator system of the invention includes means for ensuring that-agitation takes place automatically at spaced time intervals for finite limited periods.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATEMTEB MR 2 8 1972 SHEET 1 OF 2 INVE/V TORS HAROLD H ESSER RALPH B. OLSON MOTOR- 32 PATENTEDMAR28 r972 8.651.656

sum 2 0r 2 HAROLD HESSER v RALPH B. OLSON zimm B) AGITATOR FOR STORAGE BIN F ICE CUBE MAKER This invention relates to an ice maker apparatus of the type which automatically produces ice cubes or cubelets. More particularly, the invention is directed to an improved agitator system for mechanically disturbing or agitating ice cubes stored in the bin or receptacle of the ice maker, at periodic time-spaced intervals.

Many machines for producing ice cubes automatically and for retaining or storing the ice cubes in a suitable bin or other receptacle are known in the prior art. One machine generally of the type in which the present invention finds utility is described in Leeson and Esser U.S. Pat. No. 3,423,949. That patent illustrates and describes the overall construction and operation of an automatic ice cube maker, and the entire disclosure of that patent, to the extent that it is not inconsistent herewith, is hereby incorporated by reference. The Leeson and Esser automatic ice cube maker includes a water supply system which delivers water to a cooled plate on which an ice slab is formed, refrigeration means for cooling the plate on which the ice slab forms, a sump system into which the excess, unfrozen water flows from the refrigerated plate during the ice making process, and evaporator recycling means by which the plate is warmed and the ice slab is freed from the plate. The mechanism also includes an element for sensing the level or height of ice stored in the storage bin and responsive to the presence of such ice to terminate further freezing and ice cube making cycles, so that the automatic machine will not produce beyond the storage capabilities of the bin, or beyond a predetermined level.

Referring specifically to the ice storage bins of automatic ice cube makers and dispensers, it has been found that, in time, the ice cubes stored in such bins tend to fuse to one another to form mechanical agglomerates or aggregates. Such aggregates interfere with the proper discharge and dispensing of ice cubes from the bin, causing objectionable interference with automatic dispensing mechanisms and posing a vexing problem. It is to a uniquely novel, and exceedingly effective mechanical system for obviating this problem that the present invention is directed.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a mechanical agitator which operates at periodic, time-spaced intervals to disturb stored ice, mechanically, thereby precluding the formation ofpermanent" aggregates offused cubes.

It is a related object of the invention to provide automatic agitator means to maintain the stored ice cubes in an ice maker or dispenser storage bin as discrete, separate, and physically distinct entities.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, in cooperation with a mechanical agitator, automatic means for periodically initiating action of the agitator to effect agitation of stored ice cubes and to break up aggregates which may have formed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide automatic agitation means for mechanically disturbing ice cubes stored in an ice maker storage bin and including means for controlling the time duration of the periodic operation of the agitator.

It is another important object of the invention to provide an ice cube agitator system in which agitation occurs automatically at controllable or predetermined time intervals.

Another object of the invention is to provide an agitator for mechanically disturbing or agitating ice cubes stored in the storage bin of an automatic ice maker, the means for effecting agitation utilizing motor means which serves also to dispense or discharge ice cubes from the storage bin, thus effecting significant savings in overall manufacturing costs.

A specific object of the invention is to provide, in an automatic ice cube maker, a mechanical agitator and improved means for periodically actuating the agitator to break up aggregates or agglomerates of ice cubes fused during bin storage.

A related object of the invention is to provide safety means to ensure that the agitator for agitating ice cubes stored in the storage bin will operate for only finite, limited time periods and at spaced time intervals.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ice maker which includes an agitator system embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical control circuit of an ice maker, and including a preferred arrangement of a system for regulating and controlling operation of the agitator of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of one means for controlling the timing of the agitator of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing one preferred embodiment of an electrical circuit for controlling the agitator system of the invention.

The aims and objects of the invention are achieved by providing, in conjunction with the storage bin of an automatic ice cube maker, a mechanical agitator which is actuated periodically and functions physically to disturb the stored ice cubes thus breaking up aggregates and ensuring that the cubes remain as discrete, individual elements. A preferred form of the present invention, provided for the purpose of illustrative disclosure and not by way of limitation, is depicted in FIG. I of the drawings. As shown, the ice cube maker 10 includes a refrigerated plate or evaporator plate 12, and a water jet tube 14 for supplying water to the underside 16 of the evaporator plate '12 to build an ice slab thereon. The freezing plate 12 is inclined downwardly from the front toward the rear, and the flowing water in excess of that transformed into ice on the evaporator plate 12 is received in a collecting trough 20 positioned below the evaporator plate at its lower end. The water collected in the trough is subsequently and continuously recirculated to the plate 12 by means of a suitable pump 22 and associated piping, and ultimately discharged as unwanted solids build up.

Refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator 12 from a conventional refrigeration assembly (not shown). A slab of ice is produced on the underside surface of the evaporator plate 12 and, when the ice slab has reached the desired thickness, the plate is heated so that the slab is freed and drops upon a frame-supported ice-cutting grid assembly 24 disposed below the plate 12 in substantial vertical correspondence therewith.

The ice slab freed from the underside of the evaporator plate 12 is supported by and bears upon a lattice of electrically heated ice-cutting wires 26 which melt their way through the slab, the slab advancing downwardly by gravity to pass through the grid 24 as the slab is dissected into discrete units such as prisms, cubes, or the like, the formed cubes falling into a storage receptacle or bin 28 below the ice-cutting grid 24.

In the usual and the intended operation of the ice cube maker, when the ice slab has been freed from the evaporator plate 12, and while the grid wires 26 are dissecting the ice slab into discrete portions, water continues to flow downwardly over the surface of the underside of the evaporator plate and a new ice slab is formed. The cycles continue until the storage bin 28 is filled with cubes to a predetermined level.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated, the physical level of ice contained in storage bin 28 is sensed by a thermostat 32 which detects variations in temperature correlated with the proximity of ice contained in the bin. As indicated in FIG. 1, the bin thermostat 32 is carried at the underside of the grid assembly 24 so that it overlies the storage bin 28. Upon sensing the ice cubes which have accumulated in the storage bin, the thermostat 32, which serves as an electrical switching means, functions to effect termination of further freezing and ice cube making cycles so that ice cube production will not exceed the need or the capacity of the bin. A detailed explanation of the operation of the overall device is found in a later portion of this specification in which the control circuitry of the ice cube making apparatus is described.

From time to time, as required, ice cubes may be removed from the storage bin 28. While this may be done manually through the use of a scoop or the like, it is preferred, in accordance with the practice of the present invention, to keep the bin closed and to provide more sanitary dispensing means. The mechanism utilized is shown in FIG. 1 and includes a dispensing auger 40, a dispensing chute 42 which is fed by the auger, and a drive motor 46. The latter is suitably linked by means of

sprockets

50 and 52 and a chain 56 to rotate the auger shaft. When the ice dispensing button of the machine is depressed, the drive motor 46 is energized and actuates the auger 40, the latter carrying ice cubes along the bottom of the tion of these objectionable aggregates which seriously impair the quality of the product and which interfere with the proper operation of the machine and with the dispensing operations. In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, physical disturbance or agitation of the ice stored in the bin is achieved through a mechanical agitator 60 which, in the form depicted, consists of a laterally extending rotatable shaft 62 to which are fastened agitation bars 66, the latter being secured along the shaft 62 at spaced intervals and extending generally normally thereto. The shaft 62 is suitably journaled at each end, and a sprocket wheel 70 keyed to the shaft meshes with the drive chain 56 so that the drive motor 46 which controls the ice dispensing auger 40 serves as well to drive the agitator 60.

' frequency with which ice is removed from the storage bin, in

accordance with the practice of the present invention means are provided to produce periodic agitation at spaced time intervals for limited, finite time increments. Several preferred mechanisms are described in the following paragraphs with reference to the electrical control system involved.

The control circuitry for the ice cube making apparatus is shown in FIG. 2. The instant application is directed primarily to the agitator circuitry and mechanism, and the general operation of the ice cube making apparatus is described herein principally to explain the structure and function of the agitator.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a first embodiment of the ice agitator control system. A source of electric current is delivered to the system at

terminals

72 and 72a. The bin thermostat 32, which senses variations in temperature caused by the relative proximity of ice in the ice storage bin 28, functions as a single pole double throw switch. When the stored ice is below a given level in the bin 28, the bin thermostat 32 closes contact A, causing current to be conducted to the ice cube making portion of the apparatus. Current is supplied to the compressor motor 74 and compressor motor starting relay 76. Current also is conducted through contact A of the bin thermostat 32 to a bank of time switches 78 operated by a timer motor 80. A timer selector switch 82 permits manual selection of any of a plurality of time periods for each ice producing cycle. A thermostat 84 switches from contact B to contact A at 20 F. during the ice producing cycle. At the end of the selected time period power is supplied to a hot gas solenoid 86, a water dump solenoid 88 and a relay coil 92 for relay 90 as timer switch 78 transfers from A to B. The hot gas solenoid 86 permits heated refrigerant to circulate through the cooling system, thereby freeing the formed ice slab from the evaporator. The water dump solenoid 88 discharges water from the system to preclude an accumulation of solids therein. Relay 90, operated by relay coil 92, stops the water pump 22 which provides water for freezing during the freezing cycle. When the temperature of thermostat 84 is raised to 40 F it switches from contact A to contact B, removing electrical power from the hot gas solenoid 86 and the water dump solenoid 88, permitting them to close, and, removing power from relay coil 92 supplies power to pump 22. At the same time, thermostat 84 provides power through its contact B to restart the condenser fan motor 94 which provides cooling for the condenser (not shown). lf thermostat 84 does not switch back to contact B within. a period of time determined by the setting of time switch 78, the time switch 78 bypasses thermostat 84, removing power from the

solenoids

86 and 88 and from the relay coil 92, and supplying power to the fan motor 94.

The control circuitry for the first embodiment of the ice agitator is shown in the upper portion of F IG. 2. When the bin 28 is filled with ice cubes, the bin thermostat 32 is cooled, and switches from contact A to contact B, thereby conducting electric currentthrough the closed contacts of a 2-second time delay relay 96, through the closed contacts 98 of the ice dispenser'relay 100, and then through the closed contacts of a l5-second time delay relay 102 to the coil of dispenser motor relay 104 which has two sets of contacts for starting and stopping the dispenser motor 46. Therefore, upon closure of contact B of the bin thermostat 32, current is conducted through the closed contacts to time delay relays 96 and 102 to energize the coil of the dispenser motor relay 104, starting thedispenser motor 46 which drives the ice agitator for a 2- second interval. Current from the bin thermostat 32 is also applied to the heating element of time delay relay 106, which heating element causes a bimetallic element to open the contacts after a 2-second delay, thereby deenergizing dispenser motor relay 104 and causing the dispenser motor 46 and agitator drive system to stop. An Amperite thermostatic delay relay, No. ll5c2 is suitable for use as relay 96. The heating element 106 of time delay relay 96 remains heated, holding relay 96 open, until the bin thermostat 32 switches back to contact A. Time delay relay 102 is a safety device which opens after 15 seconds should time delay relay 96 fail to open. Relay 102, once opened, remains open until manually reset.

The dispenser motor 46 is stopped instantaneously and positively when the dispenser motor relay 104 coil is deenergized. Upon deenergization of the coil, the windings of the dispenser motor 46 are connected across the motor brake. power supply 108 which holds a direct current electrical charge stored in capacitors. The stored electrical charge discharges through the motor windings and the braking current causes the motor 46 to stop immediately. A timer switching mechanism may be used in place of the thermostat 32 for initiating agitator operation. 1

ice may be dispensed manually by closing the ice switch 1 10, thereby permitting current to flow through a portion control timer switch 112 and an ice dispensing cut off switch 114 to energize the manual ice dispensing relay 100. Upon energization, relay switches from contact 98 to contact 116, thereby permitting electrical power to flow through the closed contact of time delay relay 102 to energize the coil of dispenser motor relay 104 operating the dispenser motor 46. The manual operation of the dispenser motor by means of ice switch causes relay contact 98 of relay 100 to open, thereby interrupting any current coming through the bin thermostat 32 and time delay relay 96. Thus, when the dispenser motor 46 is actuated by means of the manual ice switch 110, the circuitry for automatically actuating the dispenser motor 46 upon the closing of contact B of the bin thermostat 32 is disconnected and bypassed, and the closing of said bin thermostat 32 has no effect on the dispenser motor 46.

The quantity of ice dispensed upon closure of the ice switch 110 may be controlled by a portion control timer 118 which opens switch 112 after a preset interval, causing the dispenser motor 46 to stop. The portion control timer 118 may be selectably incorporated in the circuit by closing portion control switch 120. Energization of the coil of relay 100 will cause relay contact 122 to remain closed until the portion control timer switch 1 12 is opened.

A second embodiment of the agitator control system of the invention is shown schematically in FIG. 4. The bin thermostat 32 switches electric power to contact A to operate the refrigeration apparatus and produce ice. When the bin 28 is filled with ice cubes, the thermostat 32 is cooled and switches to contact B. Current is conducted from contact B of the bin thermostat to switch 126a which is a microswitch or similar device operated by means of a cam 128 carried on the agitator shaft 62 turned by the dispenser motor. Switch 1260, being closed, current is conducted through time delay relay 102 which is described above, to energize the coil of manual ice dispensing relay 100. Relay 100, when energized, has its contact 98 closed and its contact 116 open, conducting current from contact 98, and through the coil of relay 104, thereby energizing relay 104 to actuate the dispenser motor 46 as is shown in FIG. 2. When deenergized, its contact 98 opens and contact 116 closes. The dispenser motor 46 turns the cam 128 which cam opens microswitch 126 a and closes microswitch l26b. Upon the opening of microswitch 126a power is removed from relay coil 100, permitting contact 116 of relay 104 to open, and interrupting current to the coil of relay 100, thereby opening the circuit to the dispenser motor 46 and stopping it. As the temperature inside the bin rises, bin thermostat 32 switches back to close contact A, sending current through closed switch 126b, through the time delay relay 96 and again 'actuates relay 100, closing its contact 116 and opening its contact 98. The coil of relay 104 is again energized, starting the dispenser motor 46 which operates until switch l26b is opened by means of the cam 128 and switch 126a is closed. Thus, the dispenser motor 46 will operate to rotate the cam 128 180, or through any other preferred arc, each time the bin thermostat 32 switches from contact A to B or from contact B to A. The time delay relay 102, as described above, is a safety device intended to turn off the dispenser motor 46 if, for any reason, it does not stop running after seconds.

In still another embodiment of the invention, and as illustrated schematically in F IG. 3, the periodic energization of the agitator assembly 60 is achieved by means of a timer 130 driven by a motor 132, which timer operates at selectable time intervals to close a switch 134 to energize the drive motor 46. The switch 134 operates in conjunction with a conventional time delay or holding circuit (not shown) so that the switch remains closed for only a limited period in the order of about 2 seconds. Operation of the agitator for such limited periods at spaced time intervals in the range of about 3 hours has been found to provide adequate agitation so that aggregates are effectively broken up and proper operation of the machine is ensured.

It is to be understood that the specific embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings and described above are merely illustrative of the many forms which the invention may take in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. in ice maker apparatus for forming particulate ice, and including bin means for receiving and storing the particulate ice prior to removal therefrom for use,

mechanical agitator means for agitating ice contained in said bin means to free any fused portions of said particulate ice,

auger means distinct from said mechanical agitator means operable to discharge particulate ice stored in said bin means,

drive means,

mechanical linkage means operatively coupling said drive means to said agitator means and to said auger means for rotation thereof, and

thermostat means for detecting temperature changes in said bin means, said temperature changes being correlated with the level of ice stored in said bin means;

the improvement wherein said thermostat means is operative to connect electrical power to said drive means for energization thereof, thereby to rotate sald mechanical agitator means in response to a predetermined temperature detected by said thermostat means and correlating with a filling of said bin means to a predetermined selectable level, said thermostat means also being responsive to the predetermined selectable level of ice in said bin means to cut off production of ice by said ice maker apparatus; and wherein said apparatus includes first electrical circuit means responsive to' sensing of ice present in said bin means at a predetermined level to hold said drive means energized for a finite, limited time interval and to remove electric power from said drive means to terminate agitation of ice contained in said bin'means; and

fail-safe electrical circuit means connected in series with said drive means and with said first electrical circuit means,

said fail-safe electrical circuit means being operative to open said first electrical circuit means, and thereby to remove electrical power from said drive means in the event said first electrical circuit means fails to cut off power to said drive means at the end of said finite, limited time interval.

2. In ice maker apparatus for forming particulate ice, and including bin means for receiving and storing the particulate ice prior to removal therefrom for use,

drive means,

mechanical linkage means operatively coupling said drive means to said agitator means and to said auger means for rotation thereof, and,

the improvement wherein said thermostat means is operative to connect electrical power to said drive means for energization thereof, thereby to rotate said mechanical agitator means in response to a predetermined temperature detected by saidthermostat means and correlating with a filling of said bin means to a predetermined selectable level, said thermostat means also being responsive to the predetermined selectable level of ice in said bin means to cut off production of ice by said ice maker apparatus; and wherein said apparatus includes first electrical circuit means responsive to sensing of ice present in said bin means at a predetermined level to hold said drive means energized for a finite, limited time interval and to remove electric power from said drive means to terminate agitation of ice contained in said bin means; and

wherein said drive means includes motor means, second electrical circuit means for supplying power to said motor means, electrical timer means connected in series with said motor means for controlling the quantity of ice dispensed from said bin means by said auger means, and electrical switch means connected in series with said motor means and said timer means for energization thereof,

whereby upon activation of said motor means said timer means functions to close and open said switch means in programmed sequence to provide a finite, preselectable period of energization of said motor means, to effect rotation of said auger means to discharge particulate ice from said bin means for a finite, preselectable period of time.

Claims

1. In ice maker apparatus for forming particulate ice, and including bin means for receiving and storing the particulate ice prior to removal therefrom for use, mechanical agitator means for agitating ice contained in said bin means to free any fused portions of said particulate ice, auger means distinct from said mechanical agitator means operable to discharge particulate ice stored in said bin means, drive means, mechanical linkage means operatively coupling said drive means to said agitator means and to said auger means for rotation thereof, and thermostat means for detecting temperature changes in said bin means, said temperature changes being correlated with the level of ice stored in said bin means; the improvement wherein said thermostat means is operative to connect electrical power to said drive means for energization thereof, thereby to rotate said mechanical agitator means in response to a predetermined temperature detected by said thermostat means and correlating with a filling of said bin means to a predetermined selectable level, said thermostat means also being responsive to the predetermined selectable level of ice in said bin means to cut off production of ice by said ice maker apparatus; and wherein said apparatus includes first electrical circuit means responsive to sensing of ice present in said bin means at a predetermined level to hold said drive means energized for a finite, limited time interval and to remove electric power from said drive means to terminate agitation of ice contained in said bin means; and fail-safe electrical circuit means connected in series with said drive means and with said first electrical circuit means, said fail-safe electrical circuit means being operative to open said first electrical circuit means, and thereby to remove electrical power from said drive means in the event said first electrical circuit means fails to cut off power to said drive means at the end of said finite, limited time interval.

2. In ice maker apparatus for forming particulate ice, and including bin means for receiving and storing the particulate ice prior to removal therefrom for use, mechanical agitator means for agitating ice contained in said bin means to free any fused portions of said particulate ice, auger means distinct from said mechanical agitator means operable to discharge particulate ice stored in said bin means, drive means, mechanical linkage means operatively coupling said drive means to said agitator means and to said auger means for rotation thereof, and, thermostat means for detecting temperature changes in said bin means, said temperature changes being correlated with the level of ice stored in said bin means; the improvement wherein said thermostat means is operative to connect electrical power to said drive means for energization thereof, thereby to rotate said mechanical agitator means in response to a predetermined temperature detected by said thermostat means and correlating with a filling of said bin means to a predetermined selectable level, said thermostat means also being responsive to the predetermined selectable level of ice in said bin means to cut off production of ice by said ice maker apparatus; and wherein said apparatus includes first electrical circuit means responsive to sensing of ice present in said bin means at a predetermined level to hold said drive means energized for a finite, limited time interval and to remove electric power from said drive means to terminate agitation of ice contained in said bin means; and wherein said drive means includes motor means, second electrical circuit means for supplying power to said motor means, electrical timer means connected in series with said motor means for controlling the quantity of ice dispensed from said bin means by said auger means, and electrical switch means connected in series with said motor means and said timer means for energization thereof, whereby upon activation of said motor means said timer means functions to close and open said switch means in programmed sequence to provide a finite, preselectable period of energization of said motor means, to effect rotation of said auger means to discharge particulate ice from said bin means for a finite, preselectable period of time.