Method and apparatus for making ice on a dynamic schedule

Abstract

An ice making device including a control system to regulate the dispensing of manufactured ice to a hopper for subsequent dispensing into a container such as a cup. The control system senses a low level of ice in the hopper and initiates a signal that is sent to a controller. The controller initiates a time delay that prevents discharge of ice from the ice making device to the hopper until a monitored variable about the ice meets a predetermined value. When the value is reached, additional ice is dispensed to the hopper. Such an ice making device has use in combination with a beverage dispensing device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An ice making device comprising; 
 an ice dispenser, said ice dispenser having an ice former, said ice former having an outlet and being adapted for discharging ice from the outlet on command, said ice dispenser further having a hopper positioned for receiving ice discharged from the outlet;    a low ice level sensor operatively associated with the hopper and operable to monitor a first parameter of the ice dispenser, said first parameter being indicative of a low ice level in the hopper; and    a controller operably connected to the ice former and the low ice level sensor and operable to monitor a second parameter of the ice dispenser, said second parameter being indicative of an operating condition of the ice dispenser, said controller being operable to reenable the ice forma for full discharge of ice by the ice former to the hopper in response to the first and second parameters being met.    
     
     
         2 . An ice making device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the second parameter is met when a predetermined time delay period expires.  
     
     
         3 . An ice making device as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the ice making device has an operating cycle spanning a cycle time period including within the cycle time period the predetermined time delay period and said second parameter is met when the predetermined time delay period expires.  
     
     
         4 . An ice making device as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said time delay period commences upon generation of the low level signal.  
     
     
         5 . An ice making device as set forth in  claim 3  including a high ice level sensor operatively associated with the hopper and operable to monitor a third parameter of the ice dispenser, said third parameter being indicative of a high ice level in the hopper and wherein said time delay period commences upon generation of a high ice level signal generated by the high ice level sensor.  
     
     
         6 . An ice making device as set forth in  claim 3  wherein ice is dispensed from the hopper a number of times during an operating cycle of the ice making device and said second parameter is met when a predetermined number of dispenses is met.  
     
     
         7 . An ice making device as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the number of dispenses is counted commences with a signal generated by the low ice level sensor indicating a low ice level.  
     
     
         8 . An ice making device as set forth in  claim 6  including a high ice level sensor operatively associated with the hopper and operable to monitor a third parameter of the ice dispenser, said third parameter being indicative of a high ice level in the hopper and wherein ice is dispensed from the hopper a number of times and the number of dispenses being counted commences with a signal generated by the high ice level sensor indicating a high ice level.  
     
     
         9 . An ice making device as set forth in  claim 3  wherein ice is dispensed multiple times from the hopper for a total period of time during an operating cycle of the ice making device and said second parameter is met when a predetermined period of total time of multiple ice dispenses is met.  
     
     
         10 . An ice making device as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the predetermined period of total time of multiple ice dispenses commences with a signal generated by the low ice level sensors indicating a low ice level.  
     
     
         11 . An ice making device as set forth in  claim 9  including a high ice level sensor operatively associated with the hopper and operable to monitor a third parameter of the ice dispenser, said third parameter being indicative of a high ice level in the hopper and wherein ice is dispensed multiple times from the hopper for the predetermined period of total time of ice dispenses commences with a signal generated by the high ice level sensor indicating a high ice level.  
     
     
         12 . An ice making device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said controller is operable to disable full discharge of ice for at least one predetermined time period of stand-by irrespective of the first and second parameters, said time periods of stand-by including at least one of holidays, day of week, date and time of day.  
     
     
         13 . A method of making ice in an ice making device having a hopper and dispensing ice from the hopper, said method comprising: 
 making ice;    discharging said ice at a full discharge rate to a hopper;    monitoring at least two ice making parameters one of which being ice level in the hopper;    terminating fill discharge of ice to the hopper when the ice level reaches a predetermined high ice level; and    reenabling full discharge of ice to the hopper when at least two ice making parameters each meet a respective predetermined value.    
     
     
         14 . A method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said full discharge of ice to the hopper is substantially continuous during ice making.  
     
     
         15 . A method as set forth in  claim 14  wherein one of the at least two ice making parameters includes a low ice level in the hopper.  
     
     
         16 . A method as set forth in  claim 15  wherein one of the at least two ice making parameters includes an elapsed time period since a predetermined operating point of the ice making device.  
     
     
         17 . A method as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the predetermined operating point is a high ice level signal or a low ice level signal.  
     
     
         18 . A method as set forth in  claim 17  wherein the elapsed time period is a time period commences upon generation of the low ice level signal.  
     
     
         19 . A method as set forth in  claim 18  wherein another of the two ice making parameters including a predetermined number of ice dispenses from the hopper.  
     
     
         20 . A method as set forth in  claim 19  wherein the predetermined number of ice dispenses is measured from a last generated high ice level signal or a low ice level signal.  
     
     
         21 . A method as set forth in  claim 20  wherein the predetermined operating point is a low ice level signal and the number of ice dispenses is measured from a last generated low ice level signal.  
     
     
         22 . A method as set forth in  claim 18  wherein another of the two ice making parameters including a predetermined period of time of ice dispensing from the hopper.  
     
     
         23 . A method as set forth in  claim 22  wherein the predetermined period of time of ice dispensing is measured from a last generated high ice level signal or a low ice level signal.  
     
     
         24 . A method as set forth in  claim 23  wherein the predetermined operating point is a low ice level signal and the predetermined period of time of ice dispensing is measured from a last generated low ice level signal.  
     
     
         25 . A method as set forth in  claim 24  wherein full discharge of ice is terminated for at least one predetermined time period of stand-by irrespective of said operating parameters.  
     
     
         26 . A method as set forth in  claim 25  wherein said time period of rest includes at least one of holidays, day of week, date and time of day.