U.S. patent application number 09/896100 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-10 for method and apparatus for making ice on a dynamic schedule.
This patent application is currently assigned to CRANE CO.. Invention is credited to Henning, Mark R., Huffman, John, Newkirk, Franklin D., Petersen, Ronald P., Stettes, Gregory G..
Application Number | 20020002831 09/896100 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23644350 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020002831 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huffman, John ; et
al. |
January 10, 2002 |
Method and apparatus for making ice on a dynamic schedule
Abstract
An ice making device including a control system to regulate the
dispensing of manufactured ice to a hopper for subsequent
dispensing into a container such as a cup. The control system
senses a low level of ice in the hopper and initiates a signal that
is sent to a controller. The controller initiates a time delay that
prevents discharge of ice from the ice making device to the hopper
until a monitored variable about the ice meets a predetermined
value. When the value is reached, additional ice is dispensed to
the hopper. Such an ice making device has use in combination with a
beverage dispensing device.
Inventors: |
Huffman, John; (Fenton,
MO) ; Petersen, Ronald P.; (Arnold, MO) ;
Henning, Mark R.; (St. Charles, MO) ; Stettes,
Gregory G.; (Pacific, MO) ; Newkirk, Franklin D.;
(Florissant, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William N. Hulsey III
Hughes & Luce, L.L.P.
Suite 2800
1717 Main Street
Dallas
TX
75201
US
|
Assignee: |
CRANE CO.
100 First Stamford Place
Stamford
CT
06902
|
Family ID: |
23644350 |
Appl. No.: |
09/896100 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09896100 |
Jun 29, 2001 |
|
|
|
09415092 |
Oct 8, 1999 |
|
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|
6301908 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 1/147 20130101;
F25C 5/187 20130101; F25C 5/24 20180101; F25C 2600/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/137 |
International
Class: |
F25C 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An ice making device comprising; an ice dispenser, said ice
dispenser having an ice former, said ice former having an outlet
and being adapted for discharging ice from the outlet on command,
said ice dispenser further having a hopper positioned for receiving
ice discharged from the outlet; a low ice level sensor operatively
associated with the hopper and operable to monitor a first
parameter of the ice dispenser, said first parameter being
indicative of a low ice level in the hopper; and a controller
operably connected to the ice former and the low ice level sensor
and operable to monitor a second parameter of the ice dispenser,
said second parameter being indicative of an operating condition of
the ice dispenser, said controller being operable to reenable the
ice forma for full discharge of ice by the ice former to the hopper
in response to the first and second parameters being met.
2. An ice making device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second
parameter is met when a predetermined time delay period
expires.
3. An ice making device as set forth in claim 2 wherein the ice
making device has an operating cycle spanning a cycle time period
including within the cycle time period the predetermined time delay
period and said second parameter is met when the predetermined time
delay period expires.
4. An ice making device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said time
delay period commences upon generation of the low level signal.
5. An ice making device as set forth in claim 3 including a high
ice level sensor operatively associated with the hopper and
operable to monitor a third parameter of the ice dispenser, said
third parameter being indicative of a high ice level in the hopper
and wherein said time delay period commences upon generation of a
high ice level signal generated by the high ice level sensor.
6. An ice making device as set forth in claim 3 wherein ice is
dispensed from the hopper a number of times during an operating
cycle of the ice making device and said second parameter is met
when a predetermined number of dispenses is met.
7. An ice making device as set forth in claim 6 wherein the number
of dispenses is counted commences with a signal generated by the
low ice level sensor indicating a low ice level.
8. An ice making device as set forth in claim 6 including a high
ice level sensor operatively associated with the hopper and
operable to monitor a third parameter of the ice dispenser, said
third parameter being indicative of a high ice level in the hopper
and wherein ice is dispensed from the hopper a number of times and
the number of dispenses being counted commences with a signal
generated by the high ice level sensor indicating a high ice
level.
9. An ice making device as set forth in claim 3 wherein ice is
dispensed multiple times from the hopper for a total period of time
during an operating cycle of the ice making device and said second
parameter is met when a predetermined period of total time of
multiple ice dispenses is met.
10. An ice making device as set forth in claim 9 wherein the
predetermined period of total time of multiple ice dispenses
commences with a signal generated by the low ice level sensors
indicating a low ice level.
11. An ice making device as set forth in claim 9 including a high
ice level sensor operatively associated with the hopper and
operable to monitor a third parameter of the ice dispenser, said
third parameter being indicative of a high ice level in the hopper
and wherein ice is dispensed multiple times from the hopper for the
predetermined period of total time of ice dispenses commences with
a signal generated by the high ice level sensor indicating a high
ice level.
12. An ice making device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said
controller is operable to disable full discharge of ice for at
least one predetermined time period of stand-by irrespective of the
first and second parameters, said time periods of stand-by
including at least one of holidays, day of week, date and time of
day.
13. A method of making ice in an ice making device having a hopper
and dispensing ice from the hopper, said method comprising: making
ice; discharging said ice at a full discharge rate to a hopper;
monitoring at least two ice making parameters one of which being
ice level in the hopper; terminating fill discharge of ice to the
hopper when the ice level reaches a predetermined high ice level;
and reenabling full discharge of ice to the hopper when at least
two ice making parameters each meet a respective predetermined
value.
14. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said full discharge
of ice to the hopper is substantially continuous during ice
making.
15. A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein one of the at least
two ice making parameters includes a low ice level in the
hopper.
16. A method as set forth in claim 15 wherein one of the at least
two ice making parameters includes an elapsed time period since a
predetermined operating point of the ice making device.
17. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein the predetermined
operating point is a high ice level signal or a low ice level
signal.
18. A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the elapsed time
period is a time period commences upon generation of the low ice
level signal.
19. A method as set forth in claim 18 wherein another of the two
ice making parameters including a predetermined number of ice
dispenses from the hopper.
20. A method as set forth in claim 19 wherein the predetermined
number of ice dispenses is measured from a last generated high ice
level signal or a low ice level signal.
21. A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the predetermined
operating point is a low ice level signal and the number of ice
dispenses is measured from a last generated low ice level
signal.
22. A method as set forth in claim 18 wherein another of the two
ice making parameters including a predetermined period of time of
ice dispensing from the hopper.
23. A method as set forth in claim 22 wherein the predetermined
period of time of ice dispensing is measured from a last generated
high ice level signal or a low ice level signal.
24. A method as set forth in claim 23 wherein the predetermined
operating point is a low ice level signal and the predetermined
period of time of ice dispensing is measured from a last generated
low ice level signal.
25. A method as set forth in claim 24 wherein full discharge of ice
is terminated for at least one predetermined time period of
stand-by irrespective of said operating parameters.
26. A method as set forth in claim 25 wherein said time period of
rest includes at least one of holidays, day of week, date and time
of day.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application,
Ser. No. 09/415,092, filed Oct. 8, 1999 entitled: "Apparatus and
Method for Making and Dispensing Ice", issued on ______ on 2001 as
U.S. Pat. No. ______ and is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety
[0002] The present invention relates to an ice making apparatus and
method particularly adapted for use in conjunction with automatic
beverage dispensers or other devices requiring frequent dispensing
of small quantities of ice. It is also particularly adapted for ice
makers utilizing small hoppers relative to the total amount of ice
dispensed, which typically make ice continuously during an ice
making cycle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Automatic ice makers are well known in the art and are
available in many forms and typically have hoppers for temporary
storage of manufactured ice. Beverage dispensers of the coin
operated type, dispense both ice and beverage when the requisite
amount of money is provided and a beverage selection is made. A cup
is automatically dispensed, ice is fed to the cup and then beverage
is dispensed to the cup. Such vending machines are commonly used in
cafeterias and break rooms. A typical vending machine is a model
328 from Crane National Vendors. Many ice makers have control
systems to improve their operation and/or efficiency. Typically,
the ice maker will cease making ice when the ice bin is full and
commence ice making when the ice level in the hopper reaches a low
level. Such a control system does not readily adapt itself to ice
makers having small hoppers, for example, a four-pound capacity
hopper, relative to the amount of ice dispensed, like ice makers
associated with coin operated beverage dispensers. Nor is such a
control system well adapted for ice makers where the amount of
dispensed ice varies, sometimes significantly, throughout a day or
by day of week. Ice makers using such control systems can produce
poor quality ice and present operational problems such as ice
clumping. When ice is retained in a hopper for an extended period,
it tends to clump together forming large blocks of ice that cannot
be dispensed requiring its removal sometimes leaving an empty or
nearly empty hopper and thereby potentially unable to meet demand.
Also, the ice feeder in the hopper may break the clumped ice and
unclumped ice degrading its quality by leaving pieces that are too
large or small and may also warm the ice.
[0004] Clumping can occur at night, over weekends or during other
periods when the rate of ice dispensing is reduced. Generally, ice
makers associated with vending machines function such that ice in
the hopper is not being moved or mixed unless dispensing is
occurring or ice is being made which lack of movement can also
encourage clumping. Clumping can be due to the temperature in the
hopper rising during periods of non-dispensing and non-mixing
allowing localized melting of the ice followed by refreezing.
Additionally the weight of the ice itself can cause localized
melting also followed by refreezing. Further, continued mixing, as
discussed above, can warm the ice, providing conditions that can
lead to later clumping and can also degrade the ice quality through
breakage.
[0005] The ice quality problem is exacerbated by current control
systems operating in a manner such that when the low ice level is
attained, the ice maker is activated and makes ice until the high
level sensor turn off the ice maker. No accommodation is provided
with such a control method to accommodate fluctuating ice demand
during extended operating periods. Lack of ice and poor quality ice
presents consumer acceptance problems.
[0006] Ice makers are many times part of vending machines that are
on service routes.
[0007] Should an ice maker become non-functional, e.g., because of
ice clumping, it may be several days between visits by a service
person to remedy the situation. A vending machine may then be out
of service for extended periods of time causing consumer
inconvenience.
[0008] The apparatus of the present invention includes a control
system that is operable to commence ice making upon two or more
operating conditions being met with one of the operating conditions
being a low ice level in the hopper. The use of two or more
operating conditions for control of ice making accommodates
fluctuating ice demand and thereby improves operation and ice
quality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0009] Among the several objects and features of the present
invention may be noted the provision of a device for making ice
that utilizes at least two operating parameters to control
commencement of ice making; the provision of such a device that is
effective for ice makers having small storage hoppers; the
provision of such a device that continuously makes ice during an
ice making portion of an operating cycle; the provision of such an
ice making device that is automatic in operation; and the provision
of such an ice making device that provides quality ice.
[0010] The present invention involves the provision of an ice
dispenser having an ice former with an outlet. Ice is discharged
from the outlet on command into a hopper positioned for receiving
ice discharged from the outlet. A low ice level sensor is
operatively associated with the hopper and is operable to monitor a
first parameter of the ice dispenser, the first parameter being
indicative of a low ice level in the hopper. A controller is
operably connected to the ice former and the low ice level sensor
and is operable to monitor a second parameter of the ice dispenser,
the second parameter being indicative of an operating condition of
the ice dispenser. The controller is also operable to reenable the
ice former for full discharge of ice by the ice former to the
hopper in response to the first and second parameters.
[0011] The present invention also involves the provision of an ice
making device comprising an ice dispenser having an ice former. The
ice former has an outlet and is adapted for discharging ice from
the outlet on command. The ice dispenser also has a hopper
positioned for receiving ice discharged from the outlet and a
feeder associated with the hopper operable to feed ice to a
discharge for dispensing ice from the hopper. A low ice level
sensor is operatively associated with the hopper and operable to
monitor a first parameter of the ice dispenser, the first parameter
being indicative of a low ice level in the hopper. The low ice
level sensor is operable to generate a low ice level signal. A high
ice level sensor is operatively associated with the hopper and
operable to monitor a second parameter of the ice dispenser. The
second parameter is indicative of a high ice level in the hopper
and the high ice level sensor is operable to generate a high ice
level signal. A controller is operably connected to the ice former,
the low ice level sensor and the high ice level sensor and is
operable to monitor third parameters of the ice dispenser. The
third parameters are indicative of operating conditions of the ice
dispenser and include the number of times ice has been dispensed
from the hopper and a time period. The controller is operable to
reenable the ice former for fall discharge of ice by the ice former
to the hopper in response to the first parameter and at least one
of the third parameters meeting a respective predetermined
value.
[0012] Additionally, the present invention involves the provision
of a method of making ice in an ice making device having a hopper
and dispensing ice from the hopper. The method includes making ice
and discharging the ice at a full discharge rate to the hopper. At
least two ice making parameters are monitored, one of which is ice
level in the hopper. Full discharge of ice to the hopper is
terminated when the ice level reaches a predetermined high ice
level. Full discharge of ice to the hopper is reenabled when at
least two ice making parameters each meet a respective
predetermined value.
[0013] Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in
part pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and
not limitation in the accompanying figures, in which like
references indicate similar elements, and in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is an operation flowchart of a controller for an ice
making device; and
[0016] FIG. 2 is side elevation sectional view of an ice making
device with control elements shown schematically.
[0017] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
[0018] Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the figures are
illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily
been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the
elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other
elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] The reference numeral 10 designates generally an ice making
device (FIG. 2) comprising an ice storage hopper 12, ice former 14
and ice dispenser 16. A preferred ice making device is model
638090900004 from IMI Cornelius. The ice former 14 includes an
auger shaft 18 rotatably mounted in a tube 20. The auger 18 is
driven by a motor 21 operably connected thereto. A freezer section
19 includes refrigeration coils 22 surrounding the tube 20 and
operably connected to a refrigeration unit 25 that includes a
compressor 23. Insulation 24 in a housing 26 surrounds the coils
22. A water inlet tube 27 communicates with the interior 31 of tube
20. Preferably water flow in the inlet tube 27 is controlled by a
water flow control valve arrangement preferably of the float valve
type having a water flow control valve 28 and a float chamber 30.
One or more switches 29 are operably connected to the valve 28
signaling high and low water levels in the chamber to control the
valve 28. Preferably the valve 28 is a solenoid operated valve.
Water flows into the space 31 between the auger 18 and the interior
surface 32 of the tube 20 and freezes and is fed to a discharge 34
at the upper end of the auger 18. The formed ice 35 breaks into
individual pieces after exiting the tube 20 and is then fed through
a bottom opening 36 into the hopper 12. An ice breaker (not shown)
could be provided in the tube 20 to assist in ice breakage if
desired. The bottom wall 38 of the hopper 12 is frustoconically
shaped, sloping downwardly to its outer perimeter. An ice outlet
opening 40 is positioned in a sidewall 42 of the hopper 12 and is
operable for dispensing ice to a beverage cup or the like. A door
43 is movably mounted on the sidewall 42 and selectively opens and
closes the opening 40 upon command. The command includes a
dispensing signal generated by a consumer initiating operation by
inserting money and making a selection in the case of an automatic
beverage dispenser by actuating a switch 41 or the like.
Preferably, the door 43 closes after a predetermined elapsed time
of dispensing. The auger 18 has an upper end 44 with a shaft 45
secured thereto. A plurality of paddles 46 are secured to and
extend laterally outwardly from the shaft 45. Rotation of the auger
18 and the shaft 45 with the paddles 46 induces ice flow from the
hopper 12 through the outlet 40. If the auger 18 is not already
rotating because of ice making, the signal from the switch 41 will
start the motor 21 to achieve ice dispensing and also open the door
43. After a predetermined time, the door 43 closes and the motor 21
will stop, unless the device 10 is in ice making mode, terminating
the dispensing of ice 35 through the opening 40.
[0020] Ice level sensing means is provided and is operable to
generate signals indicative of a high ice level and a low ice level
in the hopper 12. Any suitable sensing means can be used.
Preferably, a diaphragm 47 is movably mounted in the hopper 12. The
diaphragm 47 has an actuator shaft 48 engageable with a switch 49
such as a limit switch. The diaphragm 47 rests on the ice 35
indicating generally the level of the top surface of the pile of
ice in the hopper 12. When the top surface of the ice pile reaches
a predetermined high level in the hopper 12, the switch 49
generates a signal such as by making or breaking a circuit
indicative of a high ice level. When the ice level lowers from ice
dispensing, the diaphragm 47 moves down in the hopper 12 until it
reaches a predetermined low level again activating the switch 49 to
generate a second signal such as by breaking or making a circuit
(the opposite of the switch generating the high ice level signal)
indicative of a predetermined low ice level. The diaphragm 47 and
switch 49 form both high and low ice level sensors. Other forms of
ice level sensors could be used. For example a swing arm
arrangement like those used in home refrigerator ice makers could
be used. A two switch arrangement could also be used.
[0021] A controller 50 is operably connected to various components
of the ice making device 10 to control the operation thereof. The
controller 50 operates in a manna shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, the
controller 50 is a programmable logic circuit device as are known
in the art. Ice making is commenced by activating the refrigeration
unit 25 and feeding water into the space 31. The motor 21 is also
activated driving the auger 18 to move formed ice 35 to and out the
outlet 34 and bottom opening 36. The formed ice 35 is discharged
into and fills the hopper 12 until a high ice level signal is
generated by ice reaching the high ice level thereby activating the
sensor 49. When the high ice level signal is generated, the
manufacture of ice is at least partially and preferably completely
terminated stopping fall ice discharge to the hopper 12 (i.e. the
production of ice at a generally normal rate). The operation of the
ice making device 10 will be discussed in terms of ice making being
completely temporarily stopped when the ice 35 in the hopper 12
reaches a predetermined high level as sensed by the high ice level
sensor 49. It is to be understood that the making of ice could be,
alternatively, slowed down substantially to stop full ice
discharge, for example less than about 20% of normal ice production
rates. Ice making ceases when the high level sensor 49 is
activated.
[0022] The high ice level signal, which can be the making or
breaking of a circuit, is indicative of a high ice level and is
transmitted to the controller 50 and disables the motor 21 and
hence the auger 18 and the compressor 23 of the refrigeration unit
25. Ice 35 is dispensed from the hopper 12 through the opening 40
from time to time. For ice dispensing, the motor 21 is reactivated
to drive the auger 18, shaft 45 and paddles 46 to help move ice to
the opening 40. When the ice 35 reaches a predetermined low level
in the hopper 12, the low level ice sensor 49 generates a signal
indicative of the low ice level which could be the making or
breaking of a circuit. The controller 50 is further operable to
monitor an additional parameter indicative of a second operating
condition of the ice making device 10. The second operating
condition can be indicative of current and/or former operating
conditions. The controller 50 is operable to reenable the ice
forming auger 18 for full discharge of ice 35 by the ice former 14
to the hopper 12 in response to the low level signal and the second
operating condition. When the second operating condition reaches a
predetermined value and the low ice level signal indicates low ice,
the ice former 14, including the auger 18, will be reenabled for
full discharge of ice to the hopper 12. The second operating
condition can be any suitable operating condition, e.g., elapsed
time, the length of time ice has been dispensed, i.e. the total or
cumulative amount of elapsed time during which one or more ice has
been dispensed since a starting point, number of dispenses of ice
from the hopper 12, etc. Some second operating conditions are
monitored from a starting point. Preferably, the starting point is
the generation of the low ice level signal, however, it could also
be measured from the generation of the full ice level signal. Also,
more than one operating condition can be monitored and can be used
individually or in combination for reenabling fall discharge of
ice.
[0023] It has been found desirable to initiate a time delay (as
described below) when the low ice level signal is generated. When
ice storage hoppers have small storage capacities, as is typically
the case for automated beverage dispensers which can have a full
capacity on the order of four lbs., it has been found desirable to
generate the low ice level signal when the hopper 12 has ice in the
range of about 40% through about 80%, preferably in the range of
about 50% through about 70% and most preferably about 60% of the
capacity at the full ice level as indicated by the high ice level
sensor 49. The degree of ice fill in the hopper 12 to initiate the
low ice level signal will depend on the size of hopper relative to
the rate of ice dispensing. Having a significant amount of ice in
the hopper 12 provides for the use of a small hopper and dispensing
of high quality ice while being able to meet demand for ice. The
initiation of a predetermined time delay period with a significant
amount of ice in the hopper 12 allows the hopper to be further
emptied without jeopardizing the ability to meet demand.
[0024] A typical time delay would be in the range of about 1/2 hour
through about 4 hours, preferably in the range of about 1 hour
through about 3 hours and most preferably about 2 hours of elapsed
time since the most recent low ice level signal (starting
point).
[0025] Other second operating conditions that can be monitored
include the amount of time ice 35 is dispensed and the number of
times ice has been dispensed through the opening 40 since the last
low ice level signal (starting point). Both are indicative of the
quantity of ice that has been dispensed. Preferably the amount of
time of ice dispensing is used as a second operating condition. The
ice dispensing time is measured by measuring the length of time the
door 43 is open. In a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned time
delay period is initiated by the low ice level signal during which
time period full ice discharge is disabled until another operating
condition is met. As seen in FIG. 1, full ice discharge is
reenabled when either the time delay period has elapsed, as
described above, or within the time delay period upon meeting
another operating condition as described above. When the operating
conditions are met, the controller 50 effects commencement of
operation of the ice forma 14 for full ice discharge to the hopper
12 by activating the compressor 23 and powering the motor 21 to
drive the auger 18. Full discharge of ice is continued until the
ice reaches and activates the high ice level sensor 49. When the
high ice level sensor 49 is activated, the full discharge of ice is
again ceased. In the described preferred embodiment, the ice making
cycle starts again upon receipt of the low ice level signal. It is
to be understood that the controller 50 can be programmed for a
variety of operating modes, for example, cycle initiation could be
the high ice level signal. Rate of ice dispenses could be monitored
instead of or in addition to the number of dispenses or total time
of dispensing. If the ice making device 10 is used in an
environment where there are regular periods of non operation, the
controller 50 could be programmed for preselected time periods of
stand-by mode such as date, e.g., weekends, holidays, e.g.,
Thanksgiving, day of week, e.g., weekends, and/or time of day,
e.g., early morning hours, when consumers would not normally be
present. During such stand-by periods, the ice former 14 would be
disabled from full discharge of ice irrespective of the other
operating parameters and control functions effected by the
controller 50 for normal operation. The controller 50 operates on
an ice making cycle basis. A cycle of ice making is between common
operating points in successive cycles, e.g., the period between two
successive high ice level signals, which is a preferable operating
mode, or between two low ice level signals. When an ice making
cycle is completed, the controller 50 resets itself for another
cycle. The monitoring of the operating conditions will be
reinitiated at the appropriate signal and the monitored operating
conditions will be remeasured.
[0026] The operation of the controller 50 is illustrated in FIG. 1.
The operation of the ice making device 10 is described below using
a time delay period and the amount of elapsed time of ice
dispensing as monitored operating parameters for control of the ice
making device. The ice making device 10 is powered up, control box
80, and the compressor 23 and motor 21 are off, control box 51. The
controller 50 is preprogrammed with initial operating parameter
data, control box 82, with the total cumulative elapsed time of ice
dispensing required to disable the time delay period and the time
delay period are set. Ice making commences by activating the
compressor 23 and the motor 21, control box 84. The controller 50
checks the ice level signal, control box 86, and evaluates the
signal for whether or not the hopper 12 is full, control box 88. If
the hopper 12 is not full, ice making continues and if it is full,
the compressor 23 and motor 21 are disabled from producing full
discharge of ice 35, control box 90. After the motor 21 and
compressor 23 are disabled, the controller 50 checks the signal
from the ice level switch 49 and determines if the hopper 12 is
full, control box 94. If the hopper 12 is full, the compressor 23
and motor 21 are maintained disabled, control box 96. If a signal
from the switch 41 is received, control box 98, the controller 50
rechecks the level of ice in the hopper 12, control boxes 92, 94.
If the hopper 12 is not full, control box 94, the total time of ice
dispensing is set to zero and the time delay period is also set to
zero, control box 100. The controller 50 evaluates whether or not
the time delay period, after resetting to zero now exceeds the
predetermined time delay period, control box 101. The elapsed time
of the time delay period, control box 102, is summed or monitored,
control box 103. If the predetermined time delay period is
exceeded, the compressor 23 and motor are reenabled for full
discharge of ice 35, control box 84. If the time delay period has
not expired or been exceeded, the controller 50 determines the
total time of dispensing of ice 35 from multiple dispenses through
the opening 40, control box 104. The value of the time of ice
dispensing is provided by measuring the total time the door 43 is
open for multiple ice dispenses, control box 106, as initiated by a
signal generated by activating the switch 41, control box 108. The
controller 50 determines if the amount of time of ice dispensing
exceeds a predetermined value, control box 110. If the cumulative
time of ice dispensing exceeds the predetermined value, the time
delay is disabled and the compressor 23 and motor 21 are reenabled
for full ice discharge, control box 84. If the time of ice
dispensing does not reach the predetermined value set therefore,
the compressor 23 and motor remain disabled, control box 112.
[0027] When introducing elements of the present invention or the
preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and
"said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the
elements. The tams "comprising," "including," and "having" are
intended to be inclusive and mean that that may be additional
elements other than the listed elements.
[0028] As various changes could be made in the above constructions
without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended
that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense.
* * * * *