U.S. patent number 3,837,587 [Application Number 05/405,044] was granted by the patent office on 1974-09-24 for combination ice crusher and drink mixer.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Sunbeam Corporation. Invention is credited to Worthy L. Chambers, John M. Stipanuk, John Walter.
United States Patent |
3,837,587 |
Walter , et al. |
September 24, 1974 |
COMBINATION ICE CRUSHER AND DRINK MIXER
Abstract
A combination ice crusher-drink mixer appliance which serves
either as an ice crusher or as a drink mixer or as a combination of
the two whereby to provide crushed ice to a drink as it is being
mixed. An electric motor is operably connected to an upwardly
inclined ice-crushing auger which is rotatable in an ice-crushing
barrel whereby ice cubes introduced to the lower end of the
auger-barrel combination through a vertically disposed ice chute
are simultaneously crushed, sized, and transported upwardly to a
crushed ice discharge port at the upper end of the barrel. A
crushed-ice-receiving and drink-mixing container has an agitator
mounted off center in the bottom thereof with the container being
selectively positionable adjacent the crushed ice discharge port in
either of two positions. In one of these positions only, the
agitator is automatically coupled to the electric motor. The path
of ice movement through the appliance from the entrance to the ice
chute to the bottom of the container is in the form of an inverted
N and the ice crushing auger and barrel are formed of high strength
plastic. The drive connection between the electric motor, which has
a built-in impact clutch, and the auger includes a gear reduction
mechanism and a modified universal-joint with the drive ratio
therebetween being in the order of 100:1, the drive ratio between
the electric motor and the agitator being in the order of 1:1. The
ice chute has a cover which, when opened, defines an upward
extension of the ice chute. The auger is readily removable from the
barrel for cleaning and the container has a pouring spout with a
strainer and a hand-grip formation. The components of the
combination ice crusher-drink mixer appliance are nested together
to provide a compact multi-purpose appliance which occupies a
minimum amount of countertop space.
Inventors: |
Walter; John (Evergreen Park,
IL), Chambers; Worthy L. (Lombard, IL), Stipanuk; John
M. (Elmhurst, IL) |
Assignee: |
Sunbeam Corporation (Chicago,
IL)
|
Family
ID: |
26920253 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/405,044 |
Filed: |
October 10, 1973 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
226157 |
Feb 14, 1972 |
3791597 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
241/260.1;
241/DIG.17; 241/82.6; 241/100; 241/101.6; 241/101.8; 366/205;
366/314 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C
5/046 (20130101); B02C 19/22 (20130101); A47J
43/042 (20130101); A47J 43/046 (20130101); Y10S
241/17 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47J
43/042 (20060101); A47J 43/046 (20060101); A47J
43/04 (20060101); F25C 5/04 (20060101); F25C
5/00 (20060101); B02c 019/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;241/82.3,82.6,100,101.6,11B,246,260.1,DIG.17 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lake; Roy
Assistant Examiner: Desmond; E. F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Clark; George R. Rose; Neil M.
Dean; Clifford A.
Parent Case Text
This is a division, of application Ser. No. 226,157, filed Feb. 14,
1972, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,791,597.
Claims
We claim:
1. A motor operated ice-crushing electric appliance comprising, a
vertically disposed housing having an ice-cube receiving opening
and a crushed-ice discharge opening both of which are disposed at
the top of said housing, a generally verticaly disposed ice chute
defined in said housing and extending downwardly from said ice
cube-receiving opening, an upwardly inclined ice-crushing barrel in
said housing with its upper end terminating at said crushed-ice
discharge opening and with its lower end being in communication
with the lower end of said ice chute, a rotatable auger mounted in
said barrel for simultaneously crushing and transporting ice
upwardly through said ice-crushing barrel to said crushed-ice
discharge opening, and an electric motor mounted in said housing
and operably connected to said auger.
2. The appliance of claim 1 wherein said top of said housing is
generally flat and rectangular in configuration and wherein said
ice cube-receiving opening and said crushed-ice discharge opening
are disposed in opposite diagonal corners of said housing top.
3. The appliance of claim 1 wherein said ice-crushing barrel is
provided on its bore with a series of longitudinally extending
serrated flutes defining a series of longitudinal shoulders facing
in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said auger,
and wherein said auger is characterized by a root diameter which
increases progressively from the lower end of said auger to its
upper end, said flute shoulders and said increasing root diameter
of said auger aiding in compression-crushing and sizing of ice
transported upwardly through said barrel by said auger.
4. The appliance of claim 3 wherein said barrel and said auger are
formed of high strength plastic.
5. The appliance of claim 1 wherein said auger is rotatable about
an axis disposed at an angle of approximately 20.degree. to the
vertical and wherein a knob is provided on the upper end of said
auger to facilitate removal of same from said barrel.
6. The appliance of claim 5 wherein said electric motor is mounted
in said housing with its drive shaft disposed vertically, wherein
said motor is provided with a built-in impact clutch, and wherein
said motor is operably connected to said upwardly inclined auger
through a gear reduction means and a modified universal joint
connection.
7. The appliance of claim 6 wherein said modified universal joint
connection comprises a generally square recess formed in the lower
end of said inclined auger and a vertically disposed driving head
having inclined sides drivingly receivable in said auger
recess.
8. For use in an ice crusher appliance, an ice-crushing mechanism,
comprising, a generally cylindrical ice-crushing barrel with one
end adapted to receive ice to be crushed and the other end adapted
to have crushed ice discharged therefrom, an auger rotatable in
said barrel and having a root diameter which increases
progressively in a direction toward said discharge end of said
barrel, the bore of said barrel being provided with a series of
longitudinally extending serrated flutes which are arcuately curved
whereby to define a series of longitudinally extending shoulders
facing in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said
auger, and drive means for rotating said auger to advance ice
through said barrel to said discharge end of same with said flute
shoulders and said increasing root diameter of said auger
cooperating to provide compression-crushing and sizing of the ice
advanced through said barrel.
9. For use in an ice crusher appliance, an ice-crushing mechanism,
comprising, a generally cylindrical ice-crushing barrel with one
end adapted to receive ice to be crushed and the other end adapted
to have crushed ice discharged therefrom, an auger rotatable in
said barrel and having a root diameter which increases
progressively in a direction toward said discharge end of said
barrel, a spike proecting radially from the root diameter of said
auger adjacent the ice-entrance end of said barrel which serves to
initiate movement of ice to be crushed through said barrel, and
drive means for rotating said auger whereby ice is simultaneously
crushed and transported through said barrel to said discharge end
of same.
10. For use in an ice crusher appliance, an ice-crushing mechanism,
comprising, a generally cylindrical ice-crushing barrel with one
end of said barrel being cut away to form an opening through which
ice cubes to be crushed are inserted into said barrel, the other
end of said barrel adapted to have crushed ice discharged
therefrom, an auger rotatable in said barrel and having a root
diameter which increases progressively in a direction toward said
discharge end of said barrel, drive means for rotating said auger
whereby ice is simultaneously crushed and transported through said
barrel to said discharge end of same, and spikes extending parallel
to the axis of said barrel adjacent said opening to break up ice
cubes being transported toward said discharge end by said auger.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
Our present invention pertains to a combination ice crusher-drink
mixing appliance which, because of the efficiency of the design,
takes up a minimum of space and provides either an ice-crushing
operation, a drinkmixing operation, or a simultaneous combination
of the two.
2. Description of the Prior Art
To the best of our knowledge, there have been no combination
appliances developed that combine an ice-crushing feature in
combination with a drink-mixing feature as disclosed in our present
invention. It should be noted that some users of food-blender
applicances may have used same to simultaneously crush ice and mix
drinks. However, most blender manufacturers specifically warn
purchasers of their blenders that they should not be used for
crushing ice. In using a standard food blender as a combination
ice-crusher-drink mixer, it is noted that the same agitator that
accomplishes the drink mixing operation also has to accomplish the
ice crushing operation for which it is not specifically designed.
In our combination appliance, a separate ice crushing mechanism in
the form of an auger rotatable in a barrel is provided in addition
to the drink mixing agitator mounted in the crushed-ice-receiving
container.
Most known ice crushers utilize metal claws, hammers and die
castings which are not only extremely noisy in operation but are
also subject to rust and corrosion. Our unique high strength
plastic ice crushing auger and barrel combination provides
compression crushing of the ice thereby reducing the noise of
operation and eliminating the problem of rust and corrosion.
Ice crushers are generally of a linear design with the ice to be
crushed inserted at the top with the ice traveling downwardly
through a crushing mechanism after which it drops into a container.
In such an arrangement, it is necessary to provide adequate safety
space so that a user's finger will not be caught in the crushing
mechanism. Our zig-zag ice path substantially reduces the required
vertical dimension while our two-part ice chute cover provides a
safety factor.
Although combination ice crusher-can opener appliances and separate
ice crusher attachments for blenders are both known in the art, we
are unaware of any combination ice crusher-drink mixer appliance
other than the one disclosed herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is concerned with a combination ice crushing
and drink mixing appliance which serves either as an ice crusher or
as a drink mixing appliance or as a unique combination of the two
whereby crushed ice may be delivered directly into the drink mixing
container during mixing of a drink therein. The appliance has a
generally L-shaped housing with a drink mixing container being
seatable on the horizontal leg portion of the L-shaped housing and
adapted to receive crushed ice from a discharge port provided at
the upper end of the vertical leg portion of the L-shaped housing.
A generally vertically disposed ice chute and an upwardly inclined
ice crushing barrel are provided in the vertical leg portion of the
L-shaped housing with both the entrance to the ice chute and the
crushed ice discharge port of the barrel being located at the top
of the vertical leg portion of the L-shaped housing. The lower end
of the ice chute is in communication with the lower end of the
barrel. To provide a very compact appliance with maximum counter
space economy, the path of movement of ice from the entrance to the
ice chute to the bottom of the container is in the form of an
inverted N. To simultaneously compression-crush the ice against the
inner bore of the barrel while advancing the ice upwardly to the
discharge port, an auger having a varying root diameter is
rotatable in the barrel. The auger is rotatably driven by an
electric motor mounted in the housing. The auger and the
ice-crushing barrel are preferably both formed of high strength
plastic whereby to eliminate the problem of rust and corrosion of
these parts as well as to substantially reduce the noise level of
the ice crushing operation.
A snap-lock cap is provided for the upper end of the ice-crushing
barrel, which cap in part defines the discharge port, and a knob is
formed on the upper end of the auger to facilitate removal of the
auger from the barrel for cleaning when the cap is removed. A
two-part hinged cover is provided for the entrance to the ice
chute, which cover, when open, defines an upward extension of the
ice chute so as to further decrease the possibility of fingers
coming into engagement with the rotary auger. The two parts of the
ice chute cover are interconnected by pin-and-slot arrangements
whereby when one part of the cover is opened, the other part is
automatically cammed open.
The electric motor, which is provided with a built-in impact
clutch, is mounted with its drive shaft disposed vertically. It is
drivingly connected to the upwardly inclined auger through a 100:1
gear reduction mechanism and a modified universal-joint connection.
Also drivingly connected to the electric motor through a 1:1 pulley
drive arrangement is an agitator-drive coupling which projects
upwardly from the horizontal leg portion of the L-shaped housing.
This coupling is positioned off-center relative to the center of
the horizontal leg portion of the L-shaped housing.
The crushed ice-receiving and drink-mixing container has a shaft
rotatably mounted in its bottom with a drink-mixing agitator or
impeller mounted on its upper end within the container and with a
mating coupling mounted on its lower end and adapted to be
engageable with the agitator drive coupling. The shaft is
positioned off-center relative to the center of the bottom of the
container whereby when the container is positioned one way relative
to the horizontal leg portion of the L-shaped housing, the two
couplings are automatically engaged to provide a drink-mixing
operation. If ice cubes are dropped into the ice chute, crushed ice
will be fed into the drink or ingredients being mixed. However, if
the container is to serve merely as a collector for crushed ice,
the container is lifted, turned 180.degree., and replaced on the
horizontal leg portion of the L-shaped housing whereby the two
couplings are misaligned and not engaged.
The container is rectangular in horizontal section in order to
provide a large capacity, low height container which may be gripped
by one hand to pour from the container. The container has a pouring
spout formed in one corner with the side opposite the pouring spout
being roughened and formed to provide a non-slip hand grip. A cover
for the container has a strainer formation for association with the
pouring spout and an opening adapted to be positioned adjacent the
crushed ice discharge port.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and novel
combination ice crusher-drink mixer appliance which is extremely
compact and requires a minimum of counter space.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a
combination appliance which serves either as an ice crusher, or as
a drink and food mixer, or as a unique combination of the two
whereby crushed ice may be automatically fed into a drink while
same is being mixed.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide
such a combination appliance wherein the ice-crushing parts are
formed of high strength plastic.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a
combination appliance wherein the path of ice movement therethrough
is in the form of an inverted N.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a
combination appliance wherein the ice crushing mechanism comprises
an auger having a varying root diameter which is rotatable in an
upwardly inclined ice-crushing barrel, the bore of which is
provided with a series of longitudinally extending serrated flutes
which define longitudinal shoulders facing in a direction opposite
to the direction of rotation of the auger.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a
combination appliance having a vertically disposed ice chute for
feeding ice cubes to be crushed to the lower end of the ice
crushing barrel and a two-part cover for the ice chute which, when
open, provides an upward extension of the ice chute.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a
combination appliance wherein a snap-lock cap is provided at the
upper end of the ice crushing barrel and wherein a knob is formed
on the upper end of the auger to facilitate removal of same from
the barrel for cleaning when the snap-lock cap is removed.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide such
a combination appliance having a container adapted to receive
crushed ice discharged from the upper end of the ice-crushing
barrel and having an agitator mounted in the container bottom
off-center relative to the center of the container bottom.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide such
a combination appliance wherein the container is positionable in
two positions in only one of which the agitator is coupled to a
drive mechanism for providing drink-mixing operation of the
agitator, the container when in its other position merely serving
as a collector of crushed ice.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a
combination appliance wherein the container is provided with a
pouring spout, a hand grip portion, and a cover having a strainer
adjacent the pouring spout and a crushed-ice-receiving opening.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide such a
combination appliance having an electric motor which is operably
connected to both the ice-crushing auger and the agitator drive
mechanism with the drive ratio to the auger being much lower than
to the agitator drive mechanism.
Another additional object of the present invention is to provide
such a combination appliance wherein the drive connection between
the electric motor and the upwardly inclined auger is a modified
universal-joint connection.
Yet another additional object of the present invention is to
provide such a combination appliance wherein the electric motor is
provided with a unique built-in impact clutch which permits
substantially one full revolution of the motor rotor before
engagement of the motor drive shaft whereas to provide a high
apparent starting torque and starting impact.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of
novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may
be had to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination ice crusher-drink
mixer appliance embodying our invention with the container
positioned for an ice-crushing, non-mixing operation;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view on a smaller scale of the combination
appliance shown in FIG. 1 with the container positioned for a
drink-mixing operation;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mixed drink being poured from the
container;
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the combination appliance
illustrating the ease of removal of the auger from the ice-crushing
barrel;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view taken
through the combination appliance while same is crushing ice and
discharging the crushed ice into the container in which a drink is
being simultaneously mixed;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a partial front elevational view of the lower portion of
the combination appliance as shown in FIG. 5 with the container and
the container supporting portion of the housing being shown in
vertical section and with the container being positioned in its
non-mixing position;
FIG. 8 is a partial vertical sectional view through the vertical
leg portion of the L-shaped housing of the combination appliance as
shown in FIG. 5 with the barrel cap and the auger removed and the
ice chute cover closed;
FIG. 9 is a right hand end view of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the barrel assembly of FIG. 8
with the assembly pivoted about 20.degree. in a clockwise
direction;
FIG. 11 is a top plan view of FIG. 8;
FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view illustrating removal of the
barrel cap;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the barrel cap looking towards the
rear of same;
FIG. 14 is an elevational view of the auger;
FIG. 15 is a detail view, partially in vertical section, of the
electric motor showing the built-in impact clutch thereof; and
FIG. 16 is a partial top plan view of FIG. 15 with the return
spring of the impact clutch removed for clarity.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings in which like parts are designated by
like numerals in the various views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a
combination ice crusher-drink mixer appliance which is designated
generally by reference numeral 20 and which embodies our invention.
The combination appliance 20 includes a generally L-shaped housing
22 having a vertical leg portion 24 and a horizontal leg portion
26. A crushed-ice-receiving and drink-mixing container 28 having a
cover 30 is adapted to be supported on the horizontal leg portion
26 of the L-shaped housing 22 in a manner to be described. With the
container 28 seated on the horizontal leg portion 26 of the
L-shaped housing 22, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, it can
be seen that the combination appliance 20 embodying our present
invention is extremely compact in configuration. In front
elevation, the combination appliance 20 is approximately ten inches
square with a depth of only four inches whereby to provide maximum
counter space economy.
The housing 22, which is supported at its bottom corners by
suitable rubber-like feet or pad members 32, is provided in the
vertical leg portion 24 thereof with an upwardly inclined
ice-crushing mechanism 34 which includes a unique combination of an
ice-crushing barrel assembly 36 and an ice-crushing auger 38
rotatable therein.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, ice cubes 40 to be crushed
are dropped into an ice chute 42 which is generally vertically
disposed and has an opening 44 in the top of the vertical leg
portion 24 of the housing 22 with the ice cubes 40 falling by
gravity to the lower end of the barrel-auger ice-crushing mechanism
34 and with the ice then being transported upwardly through the
barrel 36 by the auger 38, while simultaneously being
compression-crushed and sized in a manner to be described, to a
crushed ice discharge port 46 which is disposed at the upper end of
the vertical leg portion 24 of the housing 22 overlooking and
adjacent the horizontal leg portion 26 thereof. As is best shown in
FIG. 5, the discharge port 46 is positioned slightly above an upper
edge 48 of the container 28 when same is supported on the
horizontal leg portion 26 of the housing 22 whereby the crushed ice
is delivered directly into the container 28. During operation of
the appliance 20 as a combination ice crusher-drink mixer, it is
desirable that the container cover 30 be in place on the container
28 to prevent spillage. Therefore, the container cover 30 is
provided with a crushed-ice-receiving opening 50 which, as shown in
FIG. 5, is disposed immediately adjacent the crushed ice discharge
port 46. It can thus be seen that the path of ice movement through
the appliance 20 is in the shape of an inverted N when viewing the
appliance from the front as in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. This shape or
configuration provides one of the longest and simplest paths
possible in a minimum of space and is primarily responsible for the
compactness of the combination appliance 20 of our present
invention. In recognizing the advantage of using this zig-zag path,
one should keep in mind that most home type ice crushers are almost
the same height as the appliance 20 and discharge the crushed ice
at the bottom into relatively shallow containers. Our arrangement
permits the crushed ice to be discharged into the mouth of the
relatively tall mixing container 28.
The housing 22, which may be molded in one piece of plastic, is
characterized by front and back L-shaped walls 52 and 54, by an
integral end wall 56 for the vertical leg portion 24, by an
integral end wall 58 for the horizontal leg portion 26, and by an
integral vertical wall 60 intermediate the vertical and horizontal
leg portions 24 and 26, respectively. The upper end of the vertical
leg portion 24 is open and the bottom of the housing 22 is
generally open.
A container-receiving cavity or dished-out recessed portion 62 is
defined in the horizontal leg portion 26 of the housing 22 by a
bottom wall 64 which is spaced approximately midway between the
upper and lower edges of the horizontal leg portions of the
L-shaped front and back walls 52 and 54. The integrally formed
bottom wall 64 blends into the lower edge of the intermediate wall
60 and into the inner surfaces of the end wall 58 and the
horizontal leg portions of the L-shaped front and back walls 52 and
54 with a gentle curvature approximately midway between the upper
and lower edges thereof.
For supporting the container 28 in the dished-out recessed portion
62, the front and back wall sections 52 and 54 are each provided on
their inner surfaces with a pair of vertically disposed integral
ribs 66 and the end wall 58 is provided on its inner surface with a
similar vertical rib 68, the upper surfaces of all of said ribs
being spaced above the bottom wall 64 and adapted to support the
bottom edges of the container 28 whereby same is supported above
the bottom wall 64 of the dished-out recessed portion 62 for a
reason which will be made clear hereinafter.
The bottom wall 64 of the container-receiving cavity 62 is provided
along its longitudinal center line with an integral boss 70 which
extends both above and below the bottom wall 64 and which has a
vertical bore 72 formed therein. The boss 70 is off-set relative to
the center of the bottom wall 64 and is disposed closer to the
intermediate wall 60 than to the end wall 58 for a purpose to be
described. The bottom wall 64 is also provided adjacent the
right-hand corners thereof with a pair of integral depending bosses
74 for attachment of a pair of the feet or supporting pads 32
thereto.
The vertical leg portion 24 of the L-shaped housing 22 is also
provided with an internal integral wall structure including, as is
best shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, an internal bottom wall 76 which is
spaced above the lower end of the vertical leg portion 24 of the
housing 22. The internal bottom wall 76 is characterized by a first
portion 78 having a groove or trough 80 formed therein which is
inclined downwardly toward the dished-out portion 62 and which
communicates at its lower end with a drain hole 82 formed in the
intermediate wall 60, by an auger-bearing portion 84 which is
inclined at an angle of approximately 20.degree. to the horizontal,
and by a sharply upwardly inclined ramp portion 86 which is
disposed generally beneath the ice chute opening 44. The
auger-bearing portion 84 is provided with a depending boss 88
having a vertically disposed bore 90 formed therein with
horizontally disposed surfaces being provided at the upper and
lower ends of the bore 90.
Depending from the underside of the internal bottom wall 76 are a
series of bosses 92 against which a motor support bracket 94 is
secured by suitable fasteners. A further boss 96 depends downwardly
adjacent the end wall 56 to a point adjacent the lower edge of the
end wall 56. The open bottom of the housing 22 is closed by a thin
metal plate 98 which is secured against the depending bosses 74 and
96 by suitable fasteners.
The internal integral wall structure of the vertical leg portion 24
of the housing 22 is further characterized by an arcuately curved
wall 100 which blends into the front and back walls 52 and 54 and
curves past the intermediate wall 60 at an inclined angle with its
upper central portion blending into the upper portion of the
intermediate wall 60, as at 102 in FIG. 8, and with its lower end
intersecting the bottom wall 76 between the first and auger-bearing
portions 78 and 84, respectively, thereof. The arcuately curved
wall portion 100 guides ice cubes into the auger 38 and provides
support for the ice crushing barrel assembly 36 shown in FIGS. 8
and 10.
The barrel assembly 36 is generally cylindrical in configuration.
More specifically, the upper portion 104 of the barrel assembly is
cyindrical while the lower portion 106 of the barrel assembly is
semi-cylindrical with the cut-away portion being the half that
would normally be most closely adjacent to the back wall 54. Thus
the lower portion of the barrel assembly 36 is open to the lower
end of the ice chute 42. The barrel assembly 36 is further
characterized by an integral vertical wall portion 108 which is
disposed against the side edge of the ramp portion 86 of the bottom
wall 76 and which has a vertical edge 110 which abuts against the
end wall 56 and is received between a pair of vertical ribs
integrally formed thereon. Preferably, the edge 110 is cemented to
the end wall 56.
The inner bore of the barrel assembly 36 is provided around its
circumference with a series of longitudinally extending serrated
flutes 112, best shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, which define a series of
longitudinally extending edges 114 and longitudinally extending
shoulders 116 which face in a direction opposite to the direction
of rotation of the auger 38 for reasons to be fully discussed
hereineafter. The term "serrated flutes" has been used in view of
the serrated configuration which is apparent when viewing the
barrel assembly 36 from either end and is not used in a sense that
the flutes 112 or the edges 114 are provided with transverse
grooves or serrations.
In assembly of the barrel assembly 36 in the L-shaped housing 22,
the assembly 36 is cemented in position using a suitable cement
such as ethylene chloride solvent thickened with ABS. As shown in
the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the axis of
the barrel assembly 36 is disposed at an angle of approximately
20.degree. to the vertical.
As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, an arcuately curved spike plate
118 having several downwardly depending spikes 120 is mounted in
the barrel assembly 36 adjacent the backside of the upper barrel
portion 104. A resilient stripper spring 122 is also mounted in the
barrel assembly 36 between the spike plate 118 and the curved wall
100.
The auger 38, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 14, has a planar bottom
end 124 which is adapted to be rotatably seated against the
auger-bearing portion 84 of the bottom wall 76 and a knob or hand
grip formation 126 at its upper end. The root diameter of the helix
128 of the auger 38 increases progressively from the lower end of
same toward its upper end. A stainless steel spike 130 projects
radially from the root diameter of the auger 38 near the lower end
thereof and serves to initiate engagement of ice cubes 40 by the
auger 38. The planar bottom end 124 of the auger 38 is provided
with an axially aligned, generally square recess 132 for engagement
with a suitable driving member.
The open upper end of the vertical leg portion 24 of the housing 22
is provided with a cover 134 which is telescopically fitted into
the open upper end of the vertical housing portion 24 and secured
in place by a series of press-fitted plastic pins. One corner of
the cover 134 is provided with the generally rectangular opening 44
of the ice chute 42 and the diagonally opposite corner has a
recessed configuration 136 which is partially circular whereby same
is fitted over the upper end of the barrel 36. The cover
configuration 136 is further characterized by a notch at the upper
edge of the intermediate wall 60 which defines the sides and lower
edge of the crushed ice discharge port 46. A slidably mounted cap
138 for the auger barrel 36 defines the upper edge of the discharge
port 46. As best illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the barrel cap 138
has a pair of side lugs 140 which are slidably received in a pair
of slots 142 provided in the housing cover 134. The inner end of
the cap 138 is provided with a locking lug 144 which, as the cap
138 is slidably assembled to the housing cover 134, snap-locks into
engagement with a slot 146 formed in the cover 134. To disengage
the locking lug 144 from the slot 146, only a slight twisting
movement of the cap 138 is necessary. The cap 138 may be provided
with indicia indicating which direction it should be twisted for
release, as shown, and a roughened portion 148 to facilitate such
twisting movement.
The ice chute opening 44 in the cover 134 is provided with a
two-part cover 150 which includes an upper door 152 and a lower
door 156. The upper door 152 is mounted by suitable hinge pins
along the side of the ice chute opening 44 furthest from the end
wall 56 and is provided with a pair of integral depending
quandrant-shaped side skirts 154. The lower door 156 is connected
by suitable hinge pins to the edge of the ice chute opening 44
immediately adjacent the end wall 56 and is provided with a pair of
depending integral quandrant-shaped skirts 158 which are slidable
along the inner surfaces of the skirts 154 of the upper door 152
during opening and closing of the two-part ice chute cover 150. The
skirts 158 of the lower door 156 are provided with elongated slots
160 in which are received integral pins 162 formed on the inner
surfaces of the skirts 154 of the upper door 152. Thus, when the
upper door 152 is opened and closed, the lower door 156 is opened
and closed simultaneously therewith.
When the two-part cover 150 is closed, the upper surface of the
upper door 152 is flush with the upper surface of the cover 134 as
is clearly indicated in FIG. 8. In its closed position, the closing
edge of the upper door 152 projects just slightly beyond the
vertical wall 56 as is shown in FIGS. 8 and 11. This slight
extension together with a chamfered notch 164 formed in the houisng
cover 134 immediately below the door 152, when closed, facilitates
engagement of the upper door 152 by the fingers when it is
desirable to open the two part cover 150 to deposit ice cubes 40 in
the appliance 20. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the upper surface of
the upper door 152 may have the legend "Ice Chute" molded thereon
adjacent the closing edge thereof.
When the two-part cover 150 is open to receive ice cubes 40, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, it is noted that the two doors 152 and 156
define an upward extension of the ice chute 42 with the opening or
entrance thereto being spaced above the top surface of the housing
cover 134. The cover 150 thus serves as a safety feature by
incrasing the distance between the entrance to the ice chute 42 and
the ice crushing mechanism 34. Although not shown in the drawings,
the underside of the upper door 152 along the closing edge thereof
has a legend molded thereon which is readily readable by one about
to insert ice cubes 40 into the appliance 20 and which reads
"Caution - Keep fingers out."
The doors 152 and 156 may preferably be formed of polypropylene
whereby both doors may be molded flat in a family mold for part and
tool simplicity and for economy. Each door 152 and 156 is folded
into its U-shaped, along "living hinge" fold lines, mated together
and assembled as part of the housing assembly. Their natural
resilience keeps them snug to each other and to the walls of the
ice chute 42.
The auger 38 is adapted to be rotatably driven by an induction type
shaded pole electric motor 166 which is supported in a suitable
manner from the motor support bracket 94 with its drive shaft 168
disposed vertically. The drive shaft 168 is supported in upper and
lower bearings 170 and has a circular fan member 172 mounted on its
lower end with fan blades 174 adapted to circulate cooling air past
the motor windings. Although not shown in the drawings, the bottom
plate 98 is provided with a series of air vent openings immediately
adjacent the fan member 172. For a reason to be described
hereinafter, the outer periphery of the fan member 172 is provided
with a grooved pulley configuration 176.
The auger 38 is driven by the motor 166 through a 100:1 gear
reduction mechanism which includes a drive pinion 178 mounted on
the upper end of the drive shaft 168, a spur gear 180 and a pinion
182 mounted on a stub shaft 181, and a spur gear 184 in driving
engagement with the pinion 182 and mounted on a vertically disposed
shaft 188 having a novel universal driving head 186 incorporated on
the upper end thereof. The shaft 188 of the driving head 186 is
rotatable in a bearing 190 mounted in the bore 90 formed in the
boss 88 of the bottom wall 76.
The driving head 186 has a unique configuration inasmuch as it is
disposed vertically for driving engagement with the auger 38 which
is disposed at an angle of 20.degree. to the vertical and is
designed to provide a modified universal-joint type driving
connection. The driving head 186 which is integrally formed on the
shaft 88 and is received in the generally square recess 132 formed
in the bottom end of the auger 38 may best be described as being in
the form of a pair of upper and lower truncated pyramids wherein
the bases are positioned together with the pyramidal sides of the
driving head 186 being disposed at angles of approximately
22.degree. to the vertical.
With this arrangement, when the barrel cap 138 is removed, the
auger 38 may be readily removed from the barrel 36 as shown in FIG.
4 for cleaning of both the barrel 36 and the auger 38. When the
auger 38 is again inserted into the barrel 36, a slight twisting
movement will insure reengagement of the auger 38 with the driving
head 186.
As it is possible that the appliance 20 may be turned on while one
or more pieces of ice are disposed in the ice crushing mechanism
34, the motor 166 is provided with a built-in impact clutch 192
which provides a high apparent starting torque and some starting
impact for rotation of the auger 38. As is best illustrated in
FIGS. 15 and 16, the impact clutch 192 includes a first pin 194
which projects radially from the motor drive shaft 168 and a second
tubular rotor pin 196 which extends upwardly from the upper end of
the rotor of the motor 166 offset from the center thereof so that
the tubular pin 196 is engageable by the shaft pin 194. A return
spring 198 wrapped around the motor shaft 168 has one end anchored
to the shaft pin 194 and the other end anchored in the tubular pin
196. The return spring 198 is assembled in a manner such that when
the motor 166 is not energized the spring 198 turns the rotor,
which is free to rotate on the shaft 168, in a counter operating
direction to a position wherein the pins 194 and 196 rest against
each other as shown in FIG. 16. When the motor is energized, the
rotor will rotate approximately one full revolution before the pins
194 and 196 are engaged whereby the shaft 168 is turned through
engagement of the rotor pin 196 with the shaft pin 194. The impact
clutch 192 has been found to provide almost twice the normal
starting torque of the motor 166 with the resulting high torque
jolt being sufficient to free any ice jam or other high load
starting condition. The impact clutch 192 permits the use of a
relatively inexpensive shaded pole motor even though such a motor
is characterized as having low starting torque and as not suitable
for applications in which high starting torques are required.
A standard power cord 242 for connecting the electric motor 166 to
a source of electrical energy enters the housing 22 through a
grommet 244 mounted in the bottom plate 98. The ends of the power
cord 242 are connected to the field coil of the electric motor 166
in series through a single throw snap action on-off rocker switch
250 which is snapped in place in an opening formed in the front
wall 52 of the L-shaped housing 22. One lead of the power cord 242
may be connected by a known type wire nut 248 to one of the field
leads 246 of the electric motor 166 with the other lead of the
power cord 242 being connected to one terminal of the switch 250.
The other terminal of the switch 250 is connected to the other
field lead of the electric motor 166.
The crushed-ice-receiving and drink-mixing container 28 is provided
with an integral bottom wall 200 which is spaced above the lower
edges of the side walls of the container 28 and which slants
generally conically downward from the side walls to facilitate the
feeding of mixing ingredients into the agitator described
hereinafter. The bottom edges of said side walls are supported on
the ribs 66 and 68 whereby the container 28 is supported above the
bottom wall 64 of the container-receiving cavity 62. The bottom
wall 200 of the container 28 is formed with an upstanding boss 202
which is centered relative to the front and back walls of the
container but which is off-center relative to the end walls of the
container 28. The boss 202 is provided with a vertical bore 204 in
which is mounted a sleeve bushing 206.
The container 28 is provided with a drink-mixing agitator or
impeller 208 which is riveted to the upper end of a shaft 210 by
means of forming-over the shouldered end of the shaft 210, as at
214, which shaft 210 is rotatable in the sleeve bushing 206 mounted
in the boss 202. An O-ring 212 is provided at the upper end of the
bore 204 in the boss 202 to prevent leakage of liquids from the
container 28. The agitator 208 is characterized by a pair of
diametrical flutes 216 disposed perpendicular to one another and by
a pair of downwardly inclined mixing arms or blades 218 which
insure adequate mixing of a minimum amount of liquid or food, such
as for a single drink or even a single egg.
The lower end of the agitator shaft 210 extends slightly below the
bottom wall 200 of the container 28 and has a coupling member 220
press fitted thereon, which coupling member has a series of
right-triangular clutch teeth 222 depending therefrom. The coupling
member 220 does not depend below the bottom edges of the walls of
the container 28 whereby to insure stability of the container 28
when placed on a table or countertop.
An identical mating coupling member 228 having upwardly projecting
right-triangular clutch teeth 230 is mounted on the upper end of a
shaft 224 which extends through the bore 72 which is formed in the
boss 70 provided off-center in the bottom wall 64 of the
container-receiving cavity 62. The shaft 224 is rotatable in a
sleeve bushing 226 fitted in the bore 72 of the boss 70.
A pulley 232 is press-fitted on the lower end of the shaft 224 and
a drive belt 234 extends around the pulley 232 and the pulley
configuration 176 of the fan 172 associated with the electric motor
166 whereby during energization of the motor 166 the coupling 228
is simultaneously driven. As the diameter of the pulley 232 is the
same as the diameter of the fan 172, the drive ratio between the
motor 166 and the coupling 228 is 1:1. The bottom plate 98 is
provided with an opening 236 which accommodates the hub portion of
the pulley 232 and with an air vent 238. A fibre-board air baffle
240 is provided in the housing 22 adjacent the motor 166 to direct
the ventilating air effieciently over critical motor areas.
With the agitator 208 being positioned off-center in the bottom of
the container 28 and with the agitator drive coupling 228 being
positioned offcenter relative to the bottom of the
container-receiving cavity 62, the combination appliance 20 may be
used as an ice crusher alone, or as a drink or food mixing
appliance alone, or as a unique combination of the two functions
whereby crushed ice may be delivered into the container 28
simultaneously during a drink-mixing operation. With the container
28 positioned in the container-receiving cavity 62 as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 7, the two mating coupling members 220 and 228 are
misaligned and not engaged whereby the appliance serves only as an
ice crusher and the container 28 serves merely as a collector of
crushed ice. However, if the container 28 is turned 180.degree. and
again positioned in the container-receiving cavity 62, as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 5, the coupling members 220 and 228 are automatically
engaged, and when the motor 166 is energized, the auger 38 and the
agitator 208 are simultaneously rotated. With the container 28 thus
positioned, and with ice cubes 40 being fed down the ice chute 42,
crushed ice will be delivered into the container 28 simultaneously
during the mixing of a drink or other liquids therein, as shown in
FIG. 5. If no ice is fed into the ice chute 42, the appliance
serves merely as a drink mixing appliance as shown in FIG. 2.
The container 28 holds up to three pints of liquids and suitable
measuring indicia may be molded thereon as shown in FIG. 1. One
upper corner of the container 28 is formed to provide a pouring
spout 252. The end wall of the container opposite the pouring spout
252 and approximately one-third of each of the side walls adjacent
thereto are grained or roughened and preformed inwardly as at 254,
to form a slip-resistant hand grip configuration whereby to
facilitate gripping of the container 28 during a drink pouring
operation, as shown in FIG. 3.
The container cover 30 is provided with depending side and end
walls 256 with the lower edges thereof being reduced in thickness
whereby to define downwardly facing shoulders 258 which are
engageable with the upper edges of the side and end walls of the
container 28, the upper edges of the container 28 being slightly
offset outwardly to receive the side and end walls 256 of the cover
30. As previously noted herein, one end wall 256 of the container
cover 30 is cut away to define the crushed-ice-receiving opening 50
which is positioned adjacent the crushed ice discharge port 46. The
corner of the container cover 30 adjacent the pouring spout 252 is
cut away and provided with a series of integral depending and
converging ribs which serve to define a strainer formation 260 as
best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
Although the combination appliance 20 may be used most often to
prepare mixed alcoholic drinks, it is noted that it may also be
used for preparation of frozen juices, milkshakes and malts,
instant breakfast, sauces of all types, whipped cream, scrambled
eggs, puddings, etc. Although not forming part of the invention, it
is noted that this combination appliance comes packaged in a
polystyrene ice bucket.
In operation, ice cubes 40 to be crushed are dropped into the ice
chute 42 where they are engaged by the auger 38 and carried
upwardly with preliminary breaking of the ice cubes being provided
by the spike 130 and the spike plate 118, then on through the
barrel assembly 36 with the ice being compression-crushed and sized
prior to discharge of same through the crushed ice discharge port
46. The simultaneous compression-crushing and upward movement of
the ice is due to the increasing root diameter of the auger 38 and
the shoulders 116 defined in the fluted barrel bore. The shoulders
116, which face in a direction opposite to the direction of
rotation of the auger 38, serve to reduce the rotary motion of the
ice so that the auger 38 can effectively drive the ice upwardly to
the discharge port 46. The spike plate 118 and the auger spike 130
in breaking up the cubes 40 prevent jamming which might occur if
unbroken chunks of ice became lodged between the auger 38 and the
wall of barrel assembly 36. The stripper spring 122 also serves to
prevent jamming of the ice.
Any residual water attendant with an operation such as ice crushing
drains from the interior of the housing 22 down the trough 80 to
the drain hole 82 into the container-receiving cavity 62. This
water is readily wiped from this exposed area and counter top
puddles are avoided.
Although a substantial number of the parts of the combination
appliance 20 disclosed herein may be formed of various plastics, it
is to be understood that other suitable materials may also be used.
If plastics are used, however, certain plastics have been found to
be particularly well adapted for certain parts of this appliance
20. For instance, the auger 38 and the two doors 152 and 156 of the
two-part ice chute cover may be formed of high strength
polypropylene, as previously discussed herein. An auger 38 formed
of this particular plastic may sustain shock forces up to ten
ft-lbs. The housing 22, the barrel assembly 36 and the housing
cover 134, together with the pins connecting the cover 134 to the
housing 22, may be formed of high impact ABS. The barrel cap 138,
because of the forces exerted thereon by the crushed ice being
discharged from the barrel assembly 36, may preferably be formed of
a tough polycarbonate. The container 28 and the container cover 30
may be formed of styrene acrylonitrile copolymer. The couplings 220
and 228, the fan member 172 and the pulley 232 may be formed of
nylon. A suitable plastic for the gear 180 has been found to be
molybdenum disulfide-filled nylon.
While there has been shown and described a single embodiment of the
present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that various changes and modifications may be made without
deparating from the invention in its broader aspects and it is,
therefore, contemplated in the appended claims to cover all such
changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope
of the present invention.
* * * * *