US3881642A

US3881642A - Ice dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3881642A
Application number: US395659A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter Hardold Hoenisch
Original assignee: King Seeley Thermos Co
Current assignee: King Seeley Thermos Co
Priority date: 1973-09-10
Filing date: 1973-09-10
Publication date: 1975-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 1992-05-06
Also published as: IT1007350B; CA1007207A

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing discrete articles, such as ice or the like and including an enclosure adapted to be mounted upon a service counter, a dispensing assembly mounted within the enclosure in a manner such that the interior components of the assembly may be moved into and out from the enclosure in a drawer-like fashion; the assembly including an ice storage bin and means for supplying ice from a suitable source thereof into the bin, and an ice dispensing rotor rotatably mounted within the bin and adapted to transfer ice from the interior of the bin to a discharge chute from where the ice may be deposited into an ice receiving receptacle, such as a glass or the like, and control means including an actuating lever adapted to be engaged by the receptacle and operable to effect actuation of the dispensing rotor.

Description

United States Patent [191 Hoenisch May 6,1975

[ ICE DISPENSING APPARATUS [73] Assignee: King-Seeley Thermos C0., Ann Arbor, Mich.

221 Filed: Sept. 10,1973

21 Appl. No.: 395,659

Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner--Thomas E. Kocovsky Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harness, Dickey & Pierce [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for dispensing discrete articles, such as ice or the like and including an enclosure adapted to be mounted upon a service counter, a dispensing assembly mounted within .the enclosure in a manner such that the interior components of the assembly may be moved into and out from the enclosure in a drawerlike fashion; the assembly including an ice storage bin and means for supplying ice from a suitable source thereof into the bin, and an ice dispensing rotor rotatably mounted within the bin and adapted to transfer ice from the interior of the bin to a discharge chute from where the ice may be deposited into an ice receiving receptacle, such as a glass or the like, and control means including an actuating lever adapted to be engaged by the receptacle and operable to effect actuation of the dispensing rotor.

31 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures V HAY B1975 saw so; 3

ICE DISPENSING APPARATUS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to dispensing apparatus and, more particularly, to a new. and improved apparatus for dispensing discrete articles such as ice cubes or the like.

Generally speaking, the ice dispensing apparatus of the present invention includes an exterior enclosure which is adapted to be conveniently mounted, for example, below or upon a service counter or the like. The interior components of the apparatus are mounted in a drawer-like fashion within the enclosure and thereby may be moved between a first position located interiorly of the enclosure and a second position withdrawn from the enclosure to provide for convenient access thereto. Extending across the front of the enclosure is a face member defining a dispensing area within which receptacles, such as glasses and the like, may be inserted for purposes of having ice deposited thereinto. Located within the dispensing area is an actuating lever that is cooperable with an electrical control switch which operates a dispensing motor that functions to drive a pair of generally coaxially arranged shafts, one of which operates a dispensing rotor and the other of which is provided with a camming arrangement that controls the cyclic action of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention. The dispensing rotor is provided with a pair of diametrically arranged openings and with means for causing ice within the bin to be moved toward a discharge opening which is communicable via an ice discharge chute with the dispensing area. Upon proper energization of the motor, the rotor will operate to cause ice to be moved from the bin to the aforesaid opening and when the opening in the rotor moves into registry with the discharge opening, the ice is permitted to slide downwardly along the chute toward and into the receptacle which is inserted into the discharge area. The apparatus includes a control system which operates by means of the aforesaid camming arrangement whereby a predetermined charge or quantity of ice will be dispensed during each vend cycle and upon termination of the cycle when the receptacle, such as the glass, is disengaged from the actuating lever, the dispensing motor will again be temporarily energized whereby to effect preselected rotational positioning of the rotor preparatory to the next subsequent vend cycle.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for dis pensing discrete articles such as ice or the like.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a new and improved ice dispensing apparatus which is of a relatively simple design. is economical to manufacture and which is easy to maintain.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved ice dispensing apparatus which is extremely simple to clean and thereby maintain in a sanitary condition.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus, as above described, which functions to automatically dispense predetermined quantities of discrete articles. such as ice, and -which may be modified to continuously vend such articles if so desired.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus that will find universality of application since it may be mounted either upon or below an associated service counter or the like.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved ice dispensing apparatus which may be operatively associated with various types of either manual or automatic ice supply means, such as ice transport systems or the like known in the art.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the ice dispensing apparatus of the present invention; I

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the ice dispensing rotor incorporated in the present invention, as taken in the direction of the arrow 3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an elevated perspective view of the ice dispensing apparatus of the present invention and illustrates an alternate way of operatively mounting the same;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a preferred electrical control system incorporated in the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the operation of the ice dispensing rotor incorporated in the apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For purposes of clarity in description, the terms inward, outward and derivatives thereof will have reference to the geometric center of the ice dispensing apparatus of the present invention. Similarly, the terms forward and rearward and words of similar import will have reference to the ice dispensing apparatus of the present invention as depicted in FIG. 2, with the forward side thereof being located at the left side of this FIG. and the rearward side thereof being located at the right side of this FIG.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, an ice dispensing apparatus 10, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown as being operatively mounted below or upon the underside of a service counter or the like 12. The apparatus 10 generally in cludes an exterior enclosure I4 including a pair of spaced parallel generally vertically extending side walls, 16, I8, a back or rear wall 20, a generally horizontally disposed bottom wall 22 and a generally horizontally disposed top wall 24 which is adapted to be secured by any suitable means to the underside of the counter 12. The forward end of the enclosure I4 is closed by a front face. generally designated by the numeral 26 which. along with the interior components of the apparatus I0, is adapted to be moved forwardly and rearwardly from within the enclosure I4 in a drawerlike manner. More particularly, a pair of spaced-apart slides or guideway means 28 and 30 are mounted upon the upper ends of the side walls I6. 18 and are adapted to permit the front face 26 and interior components of the apparatus to be moved forwardly and rearwardly into and outward from the interior of the enclosure for purposes of servicing, inspections or the like.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the front face 26 includes a peripheral edge portion 32 and a generally central recessed dispensing portion 34, the latter which includes a rearward wall 36, a lower wall 38, and a pair of inwardly inclined or converging side walls 40 and 42. The uppermost portion of the recessed area 34 includes an upper wall 44 which defines a central opening 46 through which ice being dispensed by the apparatus 10 egresses. The lower end of the rearward wall 36 is formed with a drain opening 48 through which excess ice and/or melt water may be communicated to a drain opening, as will be described. The front face 26 is preferably fabricated of a molded polymeric material such as a suitable plastic, where to provide for ease in maintenance and assure for the sanitary dispensing of cubes from the apparatus 10 of the present invention.

The front face 26 is operatively secured via a frame structure 50 to a rearwardly located ice storage bin, generally designated by the numeral 52. The frame structure 50 includes a forward portion 54 secured by means of suitable screws, bolts, rivets or the like to the front face 26. The structure 50 also includes a rearward portion or wall 56 and a lower portion 58, the latter of which is formed with an opening 60 through which melt water and the like may be communicated from the drain opening 48 to the lower'end of the enclosure 14 which, as best seen in FIG. 2, may be provided with a suitable drain fixture 61 that is communicable with a suitable external drain conduit or the like. The ice storage bin 52 includes a forward wall 62 that is operatively secured by means of suitable screws, bolts, or the like to the rearward portion 56 of the frame structure 50. Additionally, the storage bin 52 includes a rearward wall 64 and a pair of generally spaced-apart side walls 66 that are connected with a generally circular-shaped forwardly inclined bottom wall 68 (see FIG. 4).

It is to be noted that the ice storage bin 52 may be supplied with ice in cube or other forms in a variety of different ways and that the present invention is in no way intended to be limited to a specific type of means of periodically supplying such ice to the storage bin 52 for subsequent dispensing by the apparatus 10. By way of a first example of a typical means for supplying ice to the apparatus 10, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus 10 may be communicable with a suitable conduit or the like 72 through which ice may be supplied, for example, by an ice transport system of the type shown and described in US. Pat. application Ser. No. 395,712, filed Sept. 10, 1973, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The conduit 72 includes an inlet portion 74 which extends generally horizontally into the interior of the enclosure 14 and is formed with an upwardly extending discharge portion 76. The discharge portion 76 of the conduit 72 is adapted to transmit ice upwardly into an inlet conduit 78 which is carried upon the ice storage bin 52 adjacent the rearward end thereof. More particularly, the inlet conduit 78 extends upwardly through a suitable opening 80 formed in the bottom wall 68 of the bin 52, with the upper end of the conduit 78 being secured by means of a suitable support bracket or the like 82 in the manner best shown in FIG. 2. The upper end of the conduit 78 is provided with a right angle deflecting elbow 84 which causes ice which is forced upwardly within the conduit 78 to be deflected into the interior of the storage bin 52. As described in the aforementioned copending patent application, ice is supplied through the inlet conduit 72 by means of a relatively high velocity flow of air, which flow of air is sufficient to cause the ice to be communicated from the discharge portion 76 of the conduit 72 into and through the conduit 78 without any need for a direct communication or connection therebetween, thus permitting the interior components of the apparatus 10 to be moved inwardly and outwardly from the enclosure 14 in the drawer-like manner as hereinabove described.

FIG. 5 illustrates an above counter installation of the ice dispensing apparatus 10 of the present invention wherein instead of being provided with an ice supplying conduit, such as the aforementioned conduit 72, the upper side 24 of the enclosure 14 is provided with an access opening 88 which is normally closed by a suitable closure member or door 90. At such time as it is desired to replenish the supply of ice within the storage bin 52, the door 90 may be simply removed, whereupon the ice may be inserted through the opening 88 into the interior of the bin 52. It will be appreciated, of course, that the apparatus 10 may be supplied with a variety of different ice supply means other than those described hereinabove and it is reiterated that the present invention is therefore not intended to be in any way limited to any one specific way of supplying ice to the apparatus 10.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the forward wall 62 of the ice storage bin 52 is formed with a central opening 92, which opening 92 is communicable via an ice discharge chute 94 with the opening 46 formed in the front face 26. As shown, the chute 94 extends downwardly and forwardly, whereby ice deposited through the opening 92 will slide under the influence of gravity downwardly and forwardly toward and through the opening 46. Disposed within the recessed area 42 directly below the opening 46 is dispensing switch assembly 96 which includes a generally U-shaped receptacle engaging lever 98 that is pivotably mounted at its upper end and adapted to be engaged by a receptacle, such as the glass 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in order to effect operation of the assembly 10. The lever 98 is adapted to cause inward movement of a push rod 102 upon engagement by the receptacle 100, which push rod 102 is cooperable with a switch actuating arm or element 104 of an electrical control switch 106 that is mounted directly rearwardly of the rearward wall portion 36, as best seen in FIG. 2. The switch assembly 106 is adapted to operate in a manner hereinafter to be described in opening and closing an electrical control circuit during an ice dispensing cycle such that upon engagement of the lever 98 with a receptacle 100, ice will be discharged through the chute 94.

As best seen in FIG. 2, disposed interiorly of the frame structure 50 is an electrically energized drive motor, generally designated by the numeral 108. The motor 108 is drivingly engaged to a gear box or transmission 110 which in turn includes a pair of generally coaxial forwardly and rearwardly extending rotatable drive shafts 112 and 114. The drive shaft 112 extends rearwardly through an opening 116 formed in the forward wall 62 of the storage bin 52 and is adapted to have a generally circular or annular-shaped dispensing rotor 120 operatively mounted thereon. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotor 120 is of a cup shaped configuration and includes a generally circular-shaped peripheral side wall 122 which extends perpendicular from circular bottom portion 124. The rotor 120 includes a central portion 126 which is formed with a central opening 128 through which the rearward end portion 118 of the shaft 112 projects. Means in the form of a suitable retaining nut or the like 130 is threadably mounted on the end portion 118 to operatively secure the rotor 120 to the shaft 112. As seen in FIG. 3, the bottom portion 124 of the rotor 120 is formed with a pair of diametrically

opposed openings

132 and 134 and a pair of

ice blades

136 and 138 extend rearwardly adjacent each of the

openings

132, 134, respectively. Upon energization of the motor 108, the dispensing rotor 120 will rotate within the bin 52, resulting in the

ice blades

136, 138 carrying ice within the bin 52 upwardly toward the opening 92. The rotor 120 is mounted directly adjacent the rearward side of the forward wall 62 of the storage bin 52 at a position wherein the bottom portion 124 thereof closes or covers the opening 92 until such time as the rotor 120 rotates a sufficient radial distance to where one of the

openings

132 or 134 is in registry with the opening 92, whereupon the ice disposed adjacent the

particular opening

132 or 134 will move through the opening 92 and thereafter slide downwardly along the chute 94 toward and through the opening 46. As will be apparent, subsequent rotation of the rotor 120 will cause the ice disposed adjacent of the other of the

openings

132 or 134 to be rotated to a position in registry with the opening 92, whereupon this ice will be communicated via the opening 92, discharge chute 94 and opening 46 toward and into a suitable receptacle, such as the receptacle 100. By virtue of the downwardly and forwardly inclination of the bottom 68 of the storage bin 52, ice disposed therewithin will continuously move under the influence of gravity toward the lower end of the dispensing rotor 120, whereupon such ice will be moved interiorly of the rotor 120 by the respective of the

ice blades

136, 138 which confront the ice stored within the bin 52.

The shaft 114 of the transmission or gear box 110 projects forwardly in the manner best shown in FIG. 2 and is provided with a camming element 142 on the forwardmost end portion thereof. As schematically illustrated in FIG. 6, the camming element 142 includes a pair of

eccentric portions

144 and 146 which are cooperative with a pair of

electrical switch assemblies

148 and 150 that are disposed adjacent the shaft 114. The

switch assemblies

148, 150 comprise switch actuating arms 153 and 154, respectively, that are adapted to bear upon the periphery of the camming element 142 in a manner such that the

assemblies

148, 150 are selectively actuated in a manner hereinafter to be described, as the outer ends of the

arms

152, 154 move into registry with the

eccentric cam portions

144 and 146. Thus, rotation of the shaft 114 results in selective actuation and deactuation of the

switch assemblies

148 and 150 via the actuating

arms

152, 154 and

eccentric portions

144 and 146 of the element 142.

Disposed adjacent the lower or bottom 68 of the ice storage bin 52 is an ice level switch assembly, generally designated by the numeral 156. The assembly 156 includes an ice sensing plate 158 disposed interiorly of the bin 52 and which is selectively movable in response to the quantity or volume of ice contained therewithin.

The plate 158 is cooperable with an actuating rod 160 which extends downwardly through the bottom 68 and isadapted for engagement with a switch actuating arm 162 of an electrical switch 164 that is mounted on the underside of the bin 52 by means of a suitable mounting bracket or the like 166. The assembly 156 is adapted to operate in a manner such that whenever the volume of ice within the storage bin 52 drops below some predetermined level, the switch 164 will be actuated to send a control signal to the means for supplying ice into the assembly 10 such as, for example, an ice transport system as described in the aforementioned US. Pat. application Ser. No. 395,712, filed Sept. 10, 1974.

Referring now in detail to FIG. 6 and the electrical control circuit which is preferably embodied in the ice dispensing apparatus 10 of the present invention, as shown in this FIG. the apparatus 10 is adapted to be operatively associated with a suitable source of electric current, which source is preferably a 1 10-1 15 volt AC current, generally designated by the numeral 168. The control circuit includes a pair of primary conductors and 172, the former of which is connected to one of the leads of the motor 108 and the latter of which is connected to a motor control of the type well known in the art and generally designated by the numeral 174. The motor control 174 includes a triac 176, resistor 178 and capacitor 180, and is connected via a conductor 182 with the switch actuating arm 152 of the switch 148. As illustrated, the arm 152 is movable between

contacts

184 and 186 in response to rotation of movement of the camming element 142 in a manner hereinafter to be described. The contact or terminal 186 is connected via conductor 188 with contact 190 of the control switch 106 having the switch actuator 104 which is movable in response to engagement of the lever 98 with a receptacle, such as the receptacle 100. The actuator 104 is movable between contacts 190 and 192, the latter of which is connected via a conductor 194 with an actuating arm 196 of a manually actuable switch 198 having a contact 200. The contact 200 is connected via conductor 202 with contact 204 of the switch assembly 150, the actuating arm 154 of which is movable between the contact 204 and a contact 206 which is connected to the conductor 194. The actuating arm 154 is connected via conductor 208 with the aforementioned conductor 182. The electrical circuit of the dispensing assembly of the present invention is completed by means of a conductor 210 which connects the actuating arm 104 of the switch 106 via a suitable resistor 212 with the motor control 174.

In operation of the apparatus 10, the actuating arm 104 of the control switch 106 is normally engaged with the contact 190, while the arm 154 is engaged with the contact 206 and the arm 152 is engaged with the contact 184. At such time as a receptacle 100 is engaged with the lever 98, the actuating arm 104 is biased from engagement with the Contact 190 to engagement with the contact 192. When this occurs, a circuit is completed to the motor 108 from the electrical source 168 via the anode of the triac 176, the conductor 210, arm 104, conductor 194, contact 206, arm 154 of switch 150, and finally through the conductors 208 and 182. Accordingly, current will be supplied to the motor 108 to effect energization thereof. As previously mentioned, upon energization of the motor 108, the dispensing rotor 120 will rotate toward a position wherein one of the

openings

132 or 134 is in registry with the opening 192. For example, the rotor 120 would be oriented in the manner shown in FIG. 7 wherein the opening 132 has been moved into alignment with the opening 92, with the result that the

openings

132, 134 are generally vertically oriented, i.e., are disposed in the dotted line position in FIG. 7. The camming element 142 is rotationally positioned upon the shaft 114 relative to the rotational position of the rotor 120 on the shaft 112 such that the aforesaid of the

openings

134 or 136 moves into registry with the opening 92 at the same time as the camming portion 146 of the cam 142 is engaged by the actuating arm 154. Accordingly, as the arm 154 engages the camming portion 146, the arm 154 will move out of engagement with the contact 206 and into engagement with the contact 244, thereby opening the aforesaid circuit and causing deenergization of the motor 108. At this time, the ice disposed adjacent the

opening

134 or 136 which is in registry with the opening 92 will pass downwardly and forwardly along the chute 194 through the opening 46 and into the receptacle 100.

After the vend cycle has been completed and the receptacle 100 is moved away from the lever 98, the actuating arm 104 of the switch 106 will again move into engagement with the contact 190. It will be noted that at this time, the actuating arm 152 of the switch 148 is disengaged from the camming portion 144 of the cam 142 and thus the arm 152 is engaged with the contact 186. Accordingly, a circuit is completed from the electrical source 168 through the conductor 210, arm 104, contact 190, conductor 188, contact 186, arm 152 of the switch 148 and conductor 182 to the motor 108. resulting in re-energization of the motor 108. Accordingly, the motor 108 will cause the rotor 120 to be rotated approximately 90 such that the

openings

132 and 134 move from the dotted line position in FIG. 7 to the solid line position in this FIG. at which time the arm 152 of the switch 148 will move into engagement with the camming portion 152. Thus, the arm 152 will move from engagement with the contact 186 to engagement with the contact 184, thereby opening the aforesaid circuit to cause de-energization of the motor 108 preparatory to the next vend cycle. It will be seen from the above that as a result of the relationship between the camming element 142 and

openings

132, 134 of the dispensing rotor 120, the rotor 120 is rotated approximately 90 at such time as the lever 98 is engaged by a receptacle. whereupon one of the

openings

132 or 134 permits ice to be communicated via the chute 94 to the receptacle. Likewise. when the receptacle is disengaged from the lever 98, the rotor 120 again rotates approximately 90 preparatory to the next vend cycle so that the rotor 120 will always close the opening 92 at the end of each vend cycle. The switch assembly 198 is intended to provide for continuous dispensing of ice and may be provided as an optional feature on the dispensing apparatus 10. At such time as the actuating am 196 is moved into engagement with the contact 200. a circuit is completed via the conductor 194, arm 196. contact 200, 202 and contact 204 with the arm 154 of the switch 150, whereby even though the arm I54 moves into engagement with one of the

camming portions

144 or 146 and thus into engagement with the contact 204, a circuit is completed to the motor 108 to maintain energization thereof, with the result that the rotor will continuously rotate until such time as the lever 98 is released.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments illustrated herein are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An ice dispensing apparatus comprising,

an ice storage bin,

conveying means for communicating ice from the ap- V paratus toward an ice receptacle or the like,

a dispensing rotor having a portion thereof in communication with ice within said storage bin and operable upon selective rotation thereof to transmit ice to said conveying means, and control means operable during a vend cycle to rotate said dispensing rotor a predetermined amount and for stopping rotation of said rotor at the end of said cycle, and after said vend cycle rotating said rotor a predetermined additional amount and thereby predeterminately positioning said rotor subsequent to said vend cycle.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes motor means for actuating said rotor, and wherein said control means is operable to energize said motor during and after a vend cycle.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rotor rotates approximately 90 during a vend cycle.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control means includes means responsive to rotation of the rotor for selectively energizing and de-energizing an electrical motor.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 whereinsaid control means includes cam means rotatable concomitantly with said rotor and switch means actuatable in response to rotation of said cam means.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein said switch means includes a first switch for de-energizing an electrical motor at the end of a vend cycle and second switch means operable to de-energize said motor at a predetermined time after tennination of said vend cycle.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 6 which includes means responsive to preselected movement of an ice receptacle for actuating and deactuating a third switch means. said third switch means being operable when actuated to effect energization of said electric motor and being operable upon deactuation thereof to complete a circuit re-energizing said electric motor.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said rotor includes first and second openings spaced approximately apart, and wherein ice is communicable through said openings upon registry thereof with said conveying means.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said conveying means includes an opening in said storage bin and ice conveying chute means communicating ice from said opening to a discharge area located at the forward end of said dispensing apparatus.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes an enclosure. and wherein said apparatus is movably supported within said enclosure and slidable in a drawer-like manner between a first position disposed substantially interiorly of said enclosure and a second position wherein said apparatus is partially withdrawn from said enclosure.

11. The invention as set forth in claim wherein the axis of rotation of said rotor is arranged at an upwardly inclined angle relative to the direction of movement of said apparatus as it is moved into and out of said enclosure.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 11 wherein said rotor rotates approximately 90 during a vend cycle.

13. The invention as set forth in claim 11 wherein said control means includes means responsive to rotation of the rotor for selectively energizing and deenergizing said electrical motor.

14. The invention as set forth in claim 13 wherein said control means includes cam means rotatable concomitantly with said rotor and switch means actuatable in response to rotation of said cam means.

15. The invention as set forth in claim 14 wherein said swtich means includes a first switch for deenergizing said electrical motor at the end of a vend cycle and second switch means operable to de-energize said motor at a predetermined time after termination of said vend cycle.

16. The invention as set forth in claim 15 which includes means responsive to preselected movement of an ice receptacle for actuating and deactuating a third switch means, said third switch means being operable when actuated to effect energization of said electric motor and being operable upon deactuation thereof to complete a circuit re-energizing said electric motor.

17. The invention as set forth in claim 13 wherein said rotor includes first and second openings spaced approximately l80 apart, and wherein ice is alternately communicable through said openings upon registry thereof with said means for transferring ice to a dispensing area.

18. The invention as set forth in claim 17 wherein said last-mentioned means includes an opening in said storage bin and ice conveying chute means communicating ice from said opening to a discharge area located at the forward end of said dispensing apparatus.

19. The invention as set forth in claim 10 which includes guideway means for movably supporting said assembly for sliding movement between said first and second positions.

20. The invention as set forth in claim 10 which includes means for supplying discrete articles to said storage bin, and comprising an access opening in said enclosure.

21. The invention as set forth in claim 20 wherein said access opening has conduit means extending therethrough and communicating a source of discrete articles with said storage bin.

22. The invention as set forth in claim 20 wherein said access opening is disposed above said storage bin and includes removable closure means for selectively opening and closing said access opening.

23. ln the method of dispensing discrete articles, such as ice or the like, in an apparatus having a storage bin, a dispensing rotor and a conveying means for conveying articles toward an article discharge area, the steps which include rotating the dispensing rotor during a vend cycle for a predetermined amount of rotation and thereby transfering articles from the bin toward the conveying means, and

after said vend cycle rotating said rotor a predetermined additional amount and thereby positioning the rotor preparatory to the next subsequent vend cycle.

24. The method as set forth in claim 23 which includes the step of supplying discrete articles through an access opening into said storage bin.

25. The invention as set forth in claim 23 which includes the step of conveying articles along a discharge chute from said storage bin toward said discharge area.

26. The invention as set forth in claim 23 which includes the step of operating said dispensing rotor in response to engagement of an article receiving receptacle with an actuating lever located in said discharge area.

27. The invention as set forth in claim 23 which includes the step of rotating said rotor by means of an electric motor and controlling energization and deenergization of said motor in response to rotation of said rotor.

28. The invention as set forth in claim 27 which in cludes the step of controlling energization and deenergization of said motor with cam means and cam actuatable switch means.

29. The invention as set forth in claim 28 which includes the step of de-energizing said motor in response to actuation of a first switch means and deactuating said motor a predetermined time after said vend cycle with second switch means.

30. The invention as set forth in claim 29 which includes the step of completing a first circuit from a source of electrical energy to said motor upon engagement of the receptacle with an actuating lever in said discharge area, opening said first circuit in response to actuation of said first switch means, re-energizing said motor in response to disengagement of said receptacle from said lever and finally de-energizing said motor in response to actuation of said second switch means.

31. The invention as set forth in claim 30 which includes the step of rotating said rotor approximately upon engagement of said receptacle with said lever and which includes the step of rotating said rotor another 90 upon disengaging said receptacle from said lever. =l l =l= l

Claims

1. An ice dispensing apparatus comprising, an ice storage bin, conveying means for communicating ice from the apparatus toward an ice receptacle or the like, a dispensing rotor having a portion thereof in communication with ice within said storage bin and operable upon selective rotation thereof to transmit ice to said conveying means, and control means operable during a vend cycle to rotate said dispensing rotor a predetermined amount and for stopping rotation of said rotor at the end of said cycle, and after said vend cycle rotating said rotor a predetermined additional amount and thereby predeterminately positioning said rotor subsequent to said vend cycle.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rotor rotates approximately 90* during a vend cycle.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said control means includes cam means rotatable concomitantly with said rotor and switch means actuatable in response to rotation of said cam means.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein said switch means includes a first switch for de-energizing an electrical motor at the end of a vend cycle and second switch means operable to de-energize said motor at a predetermined time after termination of said vend cycle.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 6 which includes means responsive to preselected movement of an ice receptacle for actuating and deactuating a third switch means, said third switch means being operable when actuated to effect energization of said electric motor and being operable upon deactuation thereof to complete a circuit re-energizing said electric motor.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said rotor includes first and second openings spaced approximately 180* apart, and wherein ice is communicable through said openings upon registry thereof with said conveying means.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes an enclosure, and wherein said apparatus is movably supported within said enclosure and slidable in a drawer-like manner between a first position disposed substantially interiorly of said enclosure and a second position wherein said apparatus is partially withdrawn from said enclosure.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein the axis of rotation of said rotor is arranged at an upwardly inclined angle relative to the direction of movement of said apparatus as it is moved into and out of said enclosure.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 11 wherein said rotor rotates approximately 90* during a vend cycle.

13. The invention as set forth in claim 11 wherein said control means includes means responsive to rotation of the rotor for selectively energizing and de-energizing said electrical motor.

15. The invention as set forth in claim 14 wherein said swtich means includes a first switch for de-energizing said electrical motor at the end of a vend cycle and second switch means operable to de-energize said motor at a predetermined time after termination of said vend cycle.

17. The invention as set forth in claim 13 wherein said rotor includes first and second openings spaced approximately 180* apart, and wherein ice is alternately communicable through said openings upon registry thereof with said means for transferring ice to a dispensing area.

23. In the method of dispensing discrete articles, such as ice or the like, in an apparatus having a storage bin, a dispensing rotor and a conveying means for conveying articles toward an article discharge area, the steps which include rotating the dispensing rotor during a vend cycle for a predetermined amount of rotation and thereby transfering articles from the bin toward the conveying means, and after said vend cycle rotating said rotor a predetermined additional amount and thereby positioning the rotor preparatory to the next subsequent vend cycle.

27. The invention as set forth in claim 23 which includes the step of rotating said rotor by means of an electric motor and controlling energization and de-energization of said motor in response to rotation of said rotor.

28. The invention as set forth in claim 27 which includes the step of controlling energization and de-energization of said motor with cam means and cam actuatable switch means.

31. The invention as set forth in claim 30 which includes the step of rotating said rotor approximately 90* upon engagement of said receptacle with said lever and which includes the step of rotating said rotor another 90* upon disengaging said receptacle from said lever.