Ice dispenser for producing chip ice to deliver the same to user

Abstract

An ice dispenser comprises an ice making device including an auger that rotates around a substantially vertical axis; a chip ice stocker having a cylindrical wall formed around an agitator that is attached to an upper end portion of the auger, and an opening formed on the cylindrical wall; and an opening open/closure device including a shutter pivotably joined to a bracket that is attached to the cylindrical wall via a connecting shaft, a plunger that is actuated at right angle to the connecting shaft by the electromagnetic action of a solenoid fixed on the bracket, and a link for joining the shutter and the plunger, a supporting pivot attached to the link parallel to the connecting shaft, a shutter lock arm pivotably supported around the supporting pivot and having a hollow portion shaped so as to engage an outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft, and shutter lock spring means for locking the shutter by applying spring force to the shutter lock arm pivoted around the supporting pivot thereby pressing the hollow portion on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft. The connecting shaft is provided with a sleeve formed from material which is softer than the shutter lock arm, and having an outer periphery surface which engages to the hollow portion.