U.S. patent application number 12/322638 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-05 for apparatus and method for dispensing water and ice.
Invention is credited to Pat J. Kahanek, JR., Darren White.
Application Number | 20100192612 12/322638 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42396586 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100192612 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
White; Darren ; et
al. |
August 5, 2010 |
Apparatus and method for dispensing water and ice
Abstract
A portable apparatus for dispensing ice, water and/or ice water
in large quantities to large groups of people is provided. The
apparatus includes a portable housing including a plurality of ice
making machines disposed to dispense ice into an ice hopper. A
plurality of finger members is movably disposed within the ice
hopper to prevent ice from clumping. The hopper is adapted to
dispense ice into a plurality of ice and water dispensing
compartments. Each compartment is provided with an ice dispensing
passageway and a water dispensing conduit that are preferably
situated close to one another so that water and ice can be
simultaneously dispensed into a container placed within a
compartment. The apparatus includes an ice button and a water
button for each compartment to control dispensing of ice and water.
Pressing the ice button may also cause movement of the fingers
members within the ice hopper.
Inventors: |
White; Darren; (Pasadena,
TX) ; Kahanek, JR.; Pat J.; (Pasadena, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
C. Dale Quisenberry
Ste 920, 6750 West Loop S.
Bellaire
TX
77401
US
|
Family ID: |
42396586 |
Appl. No.: |
12/322638 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/344 ;
222/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 5/20 20180101; F25C
1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/344 ;
222/1 |
International
Class: |
F25C 5/16 20060101
F25C005/16 |
Claims
1. A portable apparatus for dispensing water and ice in large
quantities comprising: a portable housing; an ice hopper disposed
within the portable housing; a plurality of ice-making machines
disposed within the portable housing to dispense ice into the ice
hopper; a plurality of ice and water dispensing compartments
disposed to receive ice from the ice hopper, each ice and water
dispensing compartment including an ice dispensing passageway
disposed between the ice hopper and the ice and water dispensing
compartment and adapted to dispense ice into the ice and water
dispensing compartment, and a water dispensing conduit adapted to
connect between a source of water and dispense water into the ice
and water dispensing compartment; an ice button adapted to open the
ice dispensing passageway; a water button adapted to open the water
dispensing conduit; and a plurality of finger members adapted for
movement within the ice hopper.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a shaft adapted for
movement within the ice hopper, the plurality of finger members
being attached to the shaft.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the shaft is adapted for
reciprocating movement within the ice hopper.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, further including an air compressor
adapted to actuate at least one air cylinder coupled to the
shaft.
5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the shaft is adapted for
rotatable movement within the ice hopper.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, further including a motor coupled to
the shaft.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, further including a second shaft
disposed for rotatable movement within the hopper in substantially
parallel relationship to the shaft, a motor coupled through a gear
reducer to a first pulley attached to the shaft, and the first
pulley being engaged through a continuous member to a second pulley
attached to the second shaft.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fingers are
moved in response to pressing the ice button.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a timer adapted to
cause movement of the finger members at a predetermined time for a
predetermined time period.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water dispensing conduit
and ice dispensing passageway are disposed adjacent one another to
permit simultaneous dispensing of water and ice into a
container.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a valve assembly
disposed between the hopper and each compartment, the valve
assembly including an ice control valve and a water control
valve.
12. A portable apparatus for dispensing water and ice in large
quantities comprising: a portable housing; an ice hopper disposed
within the portable housing; a plurality of ice-making machines
disposed within the portable housing to dispense ice into the ice
hopper; a plurality of ice and water dispensing compartments
disposed to receive ice from the ice hopper, each ice and water
dispensing compartment including an ice dispensing passageway
disposed between the ice hopper and the ice and water dispensing
compartment and adapted to dispense ice into the ice and water
dispensing compartment, and a water dispensing conduit adapted to
connect between a source of water and dispense water into the ice
and water dispensing compartment, the water dispensing conduit and
the ice dispensing passageway being disposed adjacent one another
to permit simultaneous dispensing of water and ice into a
container; an ice button associated with each compartment adapted
to control the flow of ice from the ice dispensing passageway into
the compartment; a water button associated with each compartment
adapted to control the flow of water from the water dispensing
conduit into the compartment; and a shaft adapted for moving a
plurality of finger members within the ice hopper.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the shaft is adapted for
reciprocating movement within the ice hopper.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the shaft is adapted for
rotatable movement within the ice hopper.
15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plurality of fingers are
moved in response to pressing the ice button.
16. The apparatus of claim 12, further including a timer adapted to
cause movement of the finger members at predetermined times for a
predetermined time period.
17. The apparatus of claim 12, further including a valve assembly
disposed between the hopper and each compartment, the valve
assembly including an ice control valve and a water control
valve.
18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the ice control valve is one
of a knife valve, a pneumatically-operated valve and an
electrically-operated valve.
19. A method of dispensing water and ice in large quantities
comprising: positioning a portable housing near a large group of
people in need of at least one of ice, water and ice water, the
portable housing including a plurality of ice-making machines
situated to dispense ice into a hopper and then into a plurality of
ice and water dispensing compartments, each compartment including
an ice dispensing passageway and a water dispensing conduit
situated to simultaneously dispense ice and water into a container;
connecting a source of water to the water dispensing conduit;
pressing an ice dispensing button to cause ice to be dispensed from
the hopper into one of the ice and water dispensing compartments;
pressing a water dispensing button to cause water to flow through
the water dispensing conduit into the one of the ice and water
dispensing compartments; and causing a plurality of finger members
within the hopper to move within the hopper to prevent ice
contained within the hopper to clump together.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein pressing the ice dispensing
button causes the plurality of fingers members to move within the
ice hopper.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally pertains to the dispensing
of ice and water, and more particularly to dispensing ice and water
in large quantities at a central location.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] There are numerous instances in which a portable device is
needed to dispense large quantities of ice, water and/or ice water
at a central location. This need can arise anywhere there is a
large group of people in need of ice, water and/or ice water. For
example, when large refineries shut down and large crews of
hundreds of workers are at the plant to perform various duties it
is often a requirement that sufficient amounts of ice water be
provided for the workers. Another example where this need might
arise is during disaster relief efforts, such as resulting from
hurricanes, floods, fires, etc.
[0005] Others have obtained patents in the past related to
dispensing water and/or ice, examples of which include U.S. Pat.
No. 2,528,795 to Shontz, U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,590 to DiSanto, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,112,477 to Hamlin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,380 to DiSanto,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,312 to Boulter, U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,869 to
DiSanto, U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,684 to Guidry, II et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 6,622,506 to Sanders, U.S. Pat. No. 6,912,873 to Sanders, and
Des. U.S. Pat. No. 275,958 to Burns. As will become apparent from
the following description and discussion, the present invention is
directed to an improved method and apparatus of dispensing ice,
water and/or ice water that overcomes the deficiencies in the
previous methods and devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect, the present invention may be a portable
apparatus for dispensing water and ice in large quantities
comprising: a portable housing; an ice hopper disposed within the
portable housing; a plurality of ice-making machines disposed
within the portable housing to dispense ice into the ice hopper; a
plurality of ice and water dispensing compartments disposed to
receive ice from the ice hopper, each ice and water dispensing
compartment including an ice dispensing passageway disposed between
the ice hopper and the ice and water dispensing compartment and
adapted to dispense ice into the ice and water dispensing
compartment, and a water dispensing conduit adapted to connect
between a source of water and dispense water into the ice and water
dispensing compartment; an ice button adapted to open the ice
dispensing passageway; a water button adapted to open the water
dispensing conduit; and a plurality of finger members adapted for
movement within the ice hopper. Another feature of this aspect of
the invention may be that the apparatus may further include a shaft
adapted for movement within the ice hopper, the plurality of finger
members being attached to the shaft. Another feature of this aspect
of the invention may be that the apparatus may be that the shaft is
adapted for reciprocating movement within the ice hopper. Another
feature of this aspect of the invention may be that the apparatus
may further include an air compressor adapted to actuate at least
one air cylinder coupled to the shaft. Another feature of this
aspect of the invention may be that the apparatus may be that the
shaft is adapted for rotatable movement within the ice hopper.
Another feature of this aspect of the invention may be that the
apparatus may further include a motor coupled to the shaft. Another
feature of this aspect of the invention may be that the apparatus
may further include a second shaft disposed for rotatable movement
within the hopper in substantially parallel relationship to the
shaft, a motor coupled through a gear reducer to a first pulley
attached to the shaft, and the first pulley being engaged through a
continuous member to a second pulley attached to the second shaft.
Another feature of this aspect of the invention may be that the
apparatus may be that the plurality of fingers are moved in
response to pressing the ice button. Another feature of this aspect
of the invention may be that the apparatus may further include a
timer adapted to cause movement of the finger members at a
predetermined time for a predetermined time period. Another feature
of this aspect of the invention may be that the apparatus may be
that the water dispensing conduit and ice dispensing passageway are
disposed adjacent one another to permit simultaneous dispensing of
water and ice into a container. Another feature of this aspect of
the invention may be that the apparatus may further include a valve
assembly disposed between the hopper and each compartment, the
valve assembly including an ice control valve and a water control
valve.
[0007] In another aspect, the invention may be a portable apparatus
for dispensing water and ice in large quantities comprising: a
portable housing; an ice hopper disposed within the portable
housing; a plurality of ice-making machines disposed within the
portable housing to dispense ice into the ice hopper; a plurality
of ice and water dispensing compartments disposed to receive ice
from the ice hopper, each ice and water dispensing compartment
including an ice dispensing passageway disposed between the ice
hopper and the ice and water dispensing compartment and adapted to
dispense ice into the ice and water dispensing compartment, and a
water dispensing conduit adapted to connect between a source of
water and dispense water into the ice and water dispensing
compartment, the water dispensing conduit and the ice dispensing
passageway being disposed adjacent one another to permit
simultaneous dispensing of water and ice into a container; an ice
button associated with each compartment adapted to control the flow
of ice from the ice dispensing passageway into the compartment; a
water button associated with each compartment adapted to control
the flow of water from the water dispensing conduit into the
compartment; and a shaft adapted for moving a plurality of finger
members within the ice hopper. Another feature of this aspect of
the invention may be that the apparatus may be that the shaft is
adapted for reciprocating movement within the ice hopper. Another
feature of this aspect of the invention may be that the apparatus
may be that the shaft is adapted for rotatable movement within the
ice hopper. Another feature of this aspect of the invention may be
that the apparatus may be that the plurality of fingers are moved
in response to pressing the ice button. Another feature of this
aspect of the invention may be that the apparatus may further
include a timer adapted to cause movement of the finger members at
predetermined times for a predetermined time period. Another
feature of this aspect of the invention may be that the apparatus
may further include a valve assembly disposed between the hopper
and each compartment, the valve assembly including an ice control
valve and a water control valve. Another feature of this aspect of
the invention may be that the apparatus may be that the ice control
valve is one of a knife valve, a pneumatically-operated valve and
an electrically-operated valve.
[0008] In yet another aspect, the invention may be a method of
dispensing water and ice in large quantities comprising:
positioning a portable housing near a large group of people in need
of at least one of ice, water and ice water, the portable housing
including a plurality of ice-making machines situated to dispense
ice into a hopper and then into a plurality of ice and water
dispensing compartments, each compartment including an ice
dispensing passageway and a water dispensing conduit situated to
simultaneously dispense ice and water into a container; connecting
a source of water to the water dispensing conduit; pressing an ice
dispensing button to cause ice to be dispensed from the hopper into
one of the ice and water dispensing compartments; pressing a water
dispensing button to cause water to flow through the water
dispensing conduit into the one of the ice and water dispensing
compartments; and causing a plurality of finger members within the
hopper to move within the hopper to prevent ice contained within
the hopper to clump together. Another feature of this aspect of the
invention may be that the apparatus may be that pressing the ice
dispensing button causes the plurality of fingers members to move
within the ice hopper.
[0009] Other features, aspects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following discussion and
detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a partially cut away side view of a specific
embodiment of an apparatus for dispensing ice, water and/or ice
water in accordance with the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown
in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a compartment for dispensing
ice, water and/or ice water that is located on a side of the
apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a partial side view showing a connection between
an ice hopper and one of the dispensing compartments.
[0014] FIG. 5 is an end view showing various components of an
alternative embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top view showing various components of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 5.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an end view similar to FIG. 5 but showing
different components of the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a side view showing various components of the
present invention.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a top view of an agitator section having straight
fingers in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a top view of an agitator section having straight
fingers in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a top view of a coupling adapted to couple the
agitator sections shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0021] FIG. 12 is an end view of the shaft on the agitator section
shown in FIG. 10.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a top view of various components of a specific
embodiment of the present invention showing four assemblies of the
agitator sections shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, with each assembly being
coupled together with the coupler shown in FIG. 11.
[0023] FIG. 14 is another specific embodiment of an agitator shaft
and finger assembly.
[0024] FIG. 15 is an end view of the assembly shown in FIG. 14.
[0025] FIG. 16 is an end view similar to FIG. 7, showing the
assembly of FIGS. 14 and 15 disposed within an ice hopper.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a perspective view looking into an ice hopper
through an access door in the ice hopper showing a specific
embodiment of L-shaped fingers connected to agitator shafts within
an ice hopper.
[0027] While the invention will be described in connection with the
preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not
intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the
contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications,
and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals
denote identical elements throughout the several views, there is
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a specific embodiment of a portable
apparatus 10 for dispensing ice and/or water comprising a portable
housing 12 having a plurality of ice/water dispensing compartments
14, each have an access door 16. For purposes of this invention,
the term "portable" means capable of being moved from location to
location without disassembly, without being affixed or mounted to
or detached from the ground or permanent foundation, and without
being formed into or as part of or detached from a fixed structure.
The apparatus 10 is provided with an ice button 18 and a water
button 20 disposed, for example, above each compartment 14. With
reference to FIG. 3, when the water button 20 is depressed, water
will be dispensed into a container 15 positioned in the compartment
14 via a water dispensing conduit 22. When the ice button 18 is
depressed, ice will be dispensed into the container 15 positioned
in the compartment 14 via an ice dispensing chute or passageway 24.
In a specific embodiment, the ice chute 24 may be made from a
section of PVC pipe. In a specific embodiment, the ice chute 24 may
be a section of PVC pipe having a diameter of six inches. In a
specific embodiment, the container 15 may be a 10-gallon cooler,
and each compartment 14 may be sized so as to receive the container
15. In a specific embodiment, the water dispensing conduit 22 and
the ice chute 24 are preferably located adjacent one another such
that both ice and water can be dispensed into the container 15
either simultaneously or without repositioning the container
15.
[0029] In use, for example, the apparatus 10 may be used to fill
numerous containers 15 with ice, water and/or ice water that may
then be distributed in the vicinity of the apparatus 10 (e.g., at
various points throughout a refinery or industrial environment) so
that, for example, workers will have ready access to cold drinking
water. In this regard, the apparatus of the present invention is
preferably constructed of components of sufficient size and
capacity to generate large volumes of ice and dispense large
volumes of ice, water and/or ice water to large groups of people,
whether it be a large group of laborers in an industrial
environment, a large group of displaced persons dealing with a
natural disaster, or any other large group of people in need of
large quantities of ice, water and/or ice water.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the inside of the housing 12 contains
the various components necessary to create ice. For example, with
reference to FIG. 1, a hopper 26 is shown, as are a plurality of
ice making machines 28 positioned above the hopper 26. In a
specific embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus 10 may
include four ice-making machines 28. Any number of ice-making
machines 28 may be used. In a specific embodiment, each ice-making
machine 28 may be a Model No. SD-1892N manufactured by Manitowoc
Ice, Inc. of Manitowoc, Wis., and be capable of making 1,800 pounds
of ice every 24 hours; and four such units 28 are capable of making
a combined total of 6,400 pounds of ice every 24 hours. In a
specific embodiment, the hopper 26 may be constructed from
stainless steel (e.g., 316SS), and the hopper 26 may be configured
to hold approximately 7,000 pounds of ice. The bottom of the hopper
26 is preferably designed with appropriate angled floors (e.g.,
downward cones or pyramids) and apertures to feed the ice towards
the ice chutes 24 and into the compartments 14. In a specific
embodiment, the apparatus 10 may be provided with eight
compartments 14, with four compartments 14 on opposite sides of the
housing 12.
[0031] In a specific embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 4, the
apparatus 10 may be provided with a valve assembly 30 disposed
between the hopper 26 and each compartment 14. In a specific
embodiment, each valve assembly 30 may include an air-actuated
knife valve 31 to control flow of ice from the hopper 26 into the
compartment 14, and may also include a water valve 33 to control
the flow of water into the compartment 14. In a specific
embodiment, the knife valve 31 may be a "Quick-Acting PVC Gate
Valve", Part No. 3999K33 available from McMaster-Carr Supply
Company, of Elmhurst, Ill., www.mcmaster.com. The water valve 33 is
connected to a plumbing system within the housing 12. The ice and
water valves 31 and 33 may be of any known type, including, for
example, without limitation pneumatically-actuated valves or
electrically-actuated valves. A water inlet connection 27 may be
attached to the housing 12 and is preferably accessible from the
exterior of the apparatus 10, which may be supplied with water by
hooking it to a water hose or source of water located at the
deployment site. The water inlet connection 27 is in fluid
communication with the water conduit 22. Each water button 20 is
adapted to control its corresponding water valve 33 and thus
control the flow of water from the water inlet connection 27 to its
corresponding water conduit 22. The buttons 18 and 20 are wired
internally in a known manner so as to control opening and closing
of the air and water valves 31 and 33. The ice button 18 is
preferably wired to activate the agitation system (discussed
below), preferably such that the agitation system remains actuated
for a predetermined period of time (e.g., through the use of an
analog or digital timer, as discussed below) after the ice button
18 is depressed. The plumbing system also preferably includes
appropriate piping to drain excess water, such as from melted ice,
away from the various components of the apparatus 10, such as the
ice machines 28, the hopper 26 and the compartments 14.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, it can be seen that in a specific
embodiment the housing 12 may also include an internal partition 32
to separate the "cold" side of the apparatus 10 from the "hot" side
of the apparatus 10. The "hot" side may house an air compressor 34
and appropriate condensers and blowers 35 for each ice machine 28.
The housing 12 includes appropriate vents or vented doors 36
through which the blowers may move heat away from the housing 12.
An electrical circuit box 50 may also be provided on the hot side
for providing electricity to the various components as needed.
Electrical power is supplied to the box 50 at the deployment site
(e.g., by a generator or from power available at the site). The
apparatus 10 may include an air tank 38 on the "cold" side and
connected to the air compressor 34 in a known manner for supplying
the necessary air to operate the valve assemblies 30 depending on
the type of valves contained therein. The air tank 38 is connected
in a known manner to the valve assemblies 30.
[0033] Referring again to FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 is also
preferably provided with an agitator assembly 40 that includes a
plurality of fingers 42 mounted to a longitudinal shaft 41 adapted
for longitudinal or reciprocal movement back and forth within the
hopper 26 to move the fingers 42 back and forth to keep the ice
from clumping together. The agitator assembly 40 preferably
includes an electromechanical system 44 that may include, for
example, a pair of air cylinders 45 and 47 adapted to shift the
agitator assembly 40 and fingers 42 back and forth within the
hopper 26. The system 44 is preferably wired into the ice buttons
18 so that the agitator fingers 42 are shifted each time an ice
button 18 is depressed. The system 44 is also preferably configured
to include a timer 49 so that the agitator fingers 42 are shifted
on a regular basis, such as every five minutes, and/or for a
predetermined period of time when an ice button is pressed. The
timer 49 may be digital or analog.
[0034] Another specific embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 5-15. This embodiment is provided with a
different agitator assembly. Instead of the agitator assembly 40
discussed above that moves the shaft 41 and fingers 42
longitudinally back and forth within the hopper 26 in a
reciprocating manner to prevent the ice from clumping, this
embodiment is provided with an agitator assembly 52 that rotates a
plurality of fingers 54 within the hopper 26' to prevent the ice
from clumping together.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 5, in a specific embodiment, each side of
the apparatus 10' may include an agitator assembly 52. In a
specific embodiment, each assembly 52 may include a motor 56
connected through a gear reducer 58 to a first pulley 60. Each
assembly 52 also preferably includes a second pulley 62 and a
continuous member (e.g., a belt or chain) 64 connected between the
first and second pulleys 60 and 62. FIG. 6 is a top view showing
these components on one side of the apparatus 10', and further
illustrating a first shaft 66 and a second shaft 68, to which the
fingers 54 are attached. The first shaft 66 is connected through
the gear reducer 58 to the first pulley 60. The second shaft 68 is
connected to the second pulley 62. While not shown in FIG. 6, the
opposite or right side of the hopper 26' preferably includes the
same components in a mirror image as shown on the left side of
hopper 26'. Each shaft 66/68 is rotatably mounted using bearings to
each end of the hopper 26' in a known manner (see, e.g., bearings
67 and 69). Depending on the length of the hopper 26' it may also
be desirable to support the shafts 66/68 with bearings at an
intermediate point within the hopper 26', such as at an internal
partition 71 (see FIG. 13). The motors 56 are electrically
connected (e.g., by cable 70) to a control box 72. The control box
72 may include various electrical components know to those of
ordinary skill in the art to control movement of the agitator
shafts 66/68 and fingers 54. The control box 72 may include a
digital or analog timer 74 to control the time and duration of
agitation. The control box 72 is also preferably electrically
connected in a known manner such that activation of the agitator
assembly occurs whenever an ice button is pushed to dispense ice
within the compartments 14'. When the ice button is depressed, the
motors 56 will be turned on so as to cause the pulleys 60 and 62 to
rotate, thereby causing the fingers 56 to spin inside the hopper
26' to agitate and prevent clumping of ice inside the hopper
26'.
[0036] The fingers 54 may be provided in any variety of
configurations. For example, in one specific embodiment, as shown
in FIG. 6, the fingers 54 may be L-shaped members attached to the
shafts 66/68 so as to form an "S" configuration. In another
specific embodiment, the fingers 54 may be straight as shown in
FIGS. 7, 9, 10 and 13, wherein the straight fingers 54 extend
outwardly from the shaft 66/68 in a substantially perpendicular
configuration. As shown in FIGS. 9-11, in this embodiment, the
shaft and finger portion of the agitator assembly may be provided
in two sections, i.e., a first section 78 (shown in FIG. 9) and a
second section 80 (shown in FIG. 10). With reference to FIG. 13,
the first and second sections 78 and 80 are shown coupled together
by a coupler 82 (see FIG. 11) and disposed within the hopper
26'.
[0037] In another specific embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14-17, the
fingers 54 may be L-shaped members that are attached to the shafts
66/68 so as to form opposite-facing "U" shaped members disposed at
right angles to one another. This embodiment is more clearly shown
in FIG. 17, which is a perspective view looking into the inside of
the hopper 26' through an access door 94 (see FIG. 16). In FIG. 17,
a plurality of finger assemblies 84 are shown in spaced relation
along each of the shafts 66/68. In this specific embodiment, each
finger assembly 84 includes a first L-shaped member 86, a second
L-shaped member 88, a third L-shaped member 90 and a fourth
L-shaped member 92. Each L-shaped member includes a base leg
designated by the letter "a" (e.g., 86a) and an outer leg
designated by the letter "b" (e.g., 86b). The L-shaped members are
preferably attached to the shafts such that the base legs "a" are
disposed so as to form right angles between the base legs "a" and
the shaft, and such that the outer legs "b" are disposed in
substantially parallel relation to the shaft. In addition, the
first and third L-shaped members 86 and 90 are disposed in
substantially the same plane (i.e., at substantially 180 degrees
relative to one another) and facing in the same direction (i.e.,
outer legs 86b and 90b are pointing in the same direction) so as to
form a "U". Similarly, the second and fourth L-shaped members 88
and 92 are disposed in substantially the same plane (i.e., at
substantially 180 degrees relative to one another) and facing in
the same direction (i.e., outer legs 88b and 92b are pointing in
the same direction) so as to form a "U". In a specific embodiment,
the L-shaped members may disposed such that the outer legs 86b and
90b, on the one hand, and the outer legs 88b and 92b, on the other
hand, are pointed in opposite directions. In a specific embodiment,
the L-shaped members may be disposed such that the base legs 86a
and 90a are disposed at substantially right or 90-degree angles to
the base legs 88a and 92a.
[0038] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to
the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials or
embodiments shown and described, as obvious modifications and
equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art.
Accordingly, the invention is therefore to be limited only by the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *
References