The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 28, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 14, 2000
J. Eric Berge, Irvine, CA (US);
Mark A. McClure, Chino Hills, CA (US);
David W. Goff, San Antonio, TX (US);
Lancer Icelink, L.L.C., Orange, CA (US);
Abstract
A flow director system for transporting ice to a desired locale includes a conduit system and a gas flow gate assembly coupled with the conduit system for directing ice to the desired locale along a desired path defined by the conduit system. The gas flow gate assembly includes a plurality of flow gates disposed along the conduit system and a flow gate controller linked with the plurality of flow gates, whereby the flow gate controller opens and closes the flow gates to route ice flow along the conduit system. In addition, the flow director system preferably includes an ice maker for delivering ice into an ice container. The ice container, in turn, includes a plurality of interface apertures for channeling ice from the ice maker to the conduit system. Moreover, in operation, a gas flow is established through the ice container between the interface apertures to prevent ice blockage about the ice container.