Ice storage bin with improved door and improved door incorporating hooks

Abstract

An ice storage bin assembly including an ice storage bin having a cavity for the storage of ice and an opening which provides access to the cavity for retrieval of ice stored therein. The ice storage bin assembly further includes a door rotatably connected to the ice storage bin by one or more hinges which permit the door to swing down from a closed position to an open position. When the door is in the closed position, the door closes the opening and when the door is in the open position, the cavity of the ice storage bin is accessible. Optionally, one or more hooks may be disposed on the back side of the door, such that the one or more hooks are adapted to temporarily retain a bucket when the door is in the open position.

1 . An ice storage bin assembly comprising:
 an ice storage bin having a cavity for the storage of ice and an opening for access to the cavity; and   a door rotatably connected to the ice storage bin by one or more hinges which permit the door to swing down from a closed position to an open position;   wherein when the door is in the closed position, the door closes the opening and when the door is in the open position, the door is located below the opening and the cavity of the ice storage bin is accessible.   
     
     
         2 . The ice storage bin assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the door further comprises one or more hooks disposed on the back side of the door, the one or more hooks adapted to temporarily retain a bucket when the door is in the open position. 
     
     
         3 . The ice storage bin assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more hooks are adapted to accept one or more of a handle, a reinforcing band, and a lip of a bucket in order to temporarily retain the bucket when the door is in the open position. 
     
     
         4 . The ice storage bin assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more hooks are integrally formed in the back side of the door. 
     
     
         5 . The ice storage bin assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more hooks are visually distinguishable from the back side of the door. 
     
     
         6 . The ice storage bin assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more hooks have a color that is different than a color of the back side of the door. 
     
     
         7 . The ice storage bin assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more hooks are reflective. 
     
     
         8 . The ice storage bin assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more hooks further comprise a means for emitting light. 
     
     
         9 . The ice storage bin assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the door further comprises one or more handles for assisting in opening and closing the door. 
     
     
         10 . An ice storage bin assembly comprising:
 an ice storage bin having a cavity for the storage of ice and an opening for access to the cavity; and   a door rotatably connected to the ice storage bin by one or more hinges which permit the door to swing down from a closed position to an open position;   wherein when the door is in the closed position, the door closes the opening and when the door is in the open position, the door is located below the opening and the cavity of the ice storage bin is accessible; and wherein the door further comprises one or more hooks disposed on the back side of the door, the one or more hooks adapted to temporarily retain a bucket when the door is in the open position.   
     
     
         11 . The ice storage bin assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more hooks are adapted to accept one or more of a handle, a reinforcing band, and a lip of a bucket in order to temporarily retain the bucket when the door is in the open position. 
     
     
         12 . The ice storage bin assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more hooks are integrally formed in the back side of the door. 
     
     
         13 . The ice storage bin assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more hooks are visually distinguishable from the back side of the door. 
     
     
         14 . The ice storage bin assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more hooks have a color that is different than a color of the back side of the door. 
     
     
         15 . The ice storage bin assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more hooks are reflective. 
     
     
         16 . The ice storage bin assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more hooks further comprise a means for emitting light. 
     
     
         17 . The ice storage bin assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the door further comprises one or more handles for assisting in opening and closing the door. 
     
     
         18 . An ice storage bin assembly comprising:
 an ice storage bin having a front wall, a top edge of the front wall, and a cavity for the storage of ice and an opening for access to the cavity;   a door rotatably connected to the ice storage bin by one or more hinges which permit the door to swing up from a closed position to an open position; and   one or more tabs disposed along the top edge of the front wall of the ice storage bin wherein the one or more tabs are adapted to temporarily retain a bucket when the door is in the open position.