Dispensing unit for ice or snow-like particles

Abstract

A dispensing unit 601 dispenses ice, snow or snow-like particles to a customer on demand, generally without storage of ice within the unit. The unit 601 includes an actuation device 640 which is operable by the customer. Further, the unit includes apparatus 639 for making the ice or snow-like particles. The apparatus 639 is responsive to actuation of the actuation device 640 to produce the ice or snow-like particles on demand. The ice or snow-like particles are produced from ingredients including liquid water and preferably cryogenic material. The unit is operable to deliver the ice or snow-like particles to a containment vessel 612 B, 632 , which is accessible by the customer.

1 . A device for dispensing ice, snow or snow-like particles comprising: 
 an actuation device;    an apparatus for making ice, snow or snow-like particles, wherein the apparatus is responsive to actuation of the actuation device to produce ice, snow or snow-like particles on demand from ingredients comprising liquid water;    wherein the device delivers the ice, snow or snow-like particles on demand from ingredients comprising liquid water;    wherein the device delivers the ice, snow, or snow-like particles to a containment vessel.    
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said actuation device is actuated upon detecting an indication of a payment by a customer.  
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the device is a vending machine in which its actuation results from the introduction of a suitable currency or tokens into the vending machine.  
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the actuation device is actuated by detecting indicia provided on the containment vessel.  
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ingredients further include a cryogenic material.  
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the cryogenic material comprises dry ice.  
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the cryogenic material comprises dry ice.  
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 5 , further comprising a mixing vessel for mechanically agitating and/or mixing the ingredients at a speed sufficient to convert the water into ice, snow or snow-like particles.  
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the mixing vessel tilts to cause the ingredients and/or ice, snow or snow-like particles to be discharged from the mixing vessel.  
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the mixing vessel has a closure which opens to empty the mixing vessel's contents.  
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 1 , located in a housing wherein the containment vessel is accessible to a customer.  
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 5 , further including a controller which controls the proportion of the ingredients base on the temperature of the water.  
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein a customer selects the temperature of the ice, snow or snow-like particles by activation of the controller.