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:
Jul. 24, 2012
Filed:
Apr. 20, 2011
David K. Njaastad, Palatine, IL (US);
Dusan N. Ivancevic, Carol Stream, IL (US);
Daniel C. Leaver, Westmont, IL (US);
Thaddeus M. Jablonski, Palatine, IL (US);
Bassey E. Duke, Birmingham, GB;
David K. Njaastad, Palatine, IL (US);
Dusan N. Ivancevic, Carol Stream, IL (US);
Daniel C. Leaver, Westmont, IL (US);
Thaddeus M. Jablonski, Palatine, IL (US);
Bassey E. Duke, Birmingham, GB;
IMI Cornelius, Inc, Glendale Heights, IL (US);
Abstract
An ice dispense system for an ice dispenser is characterized by a chute having an ice receiving upper end in communication with an ice bin outlet passage and an ice dispensing lower end. Beginning with the chute filled with ice and its lower end closed, to dispense a selected quantity of ice, the chute lower end is opened for one of a plurality of different time periods, where each individual time period of the plurality is of a duration to dispense from the chute an associated predetermined quantity of ice. In response to dispensing ice from the chute, an agitator in the bin is operated for one of a plurality of different time periods, where each individual time period of the plurality is of a duration to move through the bin outlet passage and into the upper end of the chute an amount of ice substantially equal to that dispensed. The ice dispensing system is provided with an improved user interface and user programmable features.