Ice Dispenser

Abstract

The ice dispenser includes a storage bin configured to store ice, a chute disposed underneath the storage bin, and a blockage breaker disposed on the chute. A lower surface of the storage bin defines an ice outlet, and the ice is configured to exit the storage bin via the ice outlet by way of gravity. The chute rotates about a pivot point between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the chute prevents ice from exiting the storage bin via the ice outlet, and in the open position, the chute allows ice to exit the storage bin via the ice outlet by way of gravity. The blockage breaker extends into the storage bin and when the chute rotates from the open position to the closed position, the blockage breaker is moved further into the storage bin, thereby breaking ice blockages in the storage bin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ice dispenser, comprising:
 a storage bin configured to store ice, wherein a lower surface of the storage bin defines an ice outlet, and the ice is configured to exit the storage bin via the ice outlet by way of gravity;   a chute disposed underneath the storage bin, the chute being configured to rotate about a pivot point between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the chute is configured to prevent ice from exiting the storage bin via the ice outlet, and in the open position, the chute is configured to allow ice to exit the storage bin via the ice outlet by way of gravity; and   a blockage breaker disposed on the chute, wherein the blockage breaker extends into the storage bin through the ice outlet and moves with the chute;   wherein when the chute rotates from the open position to the closed position, the blockage breaker is moved further into the storage bin, thereby breaking ice blockages in the storage bin.   
     
     
         2 . The ice dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an elastic member connected to the chute, wherein the elastic member is configured to urge the chute toward the closed position and apply force to the blockage breaker when the chute rotates from the open position to the closed position to break the ice blockages in the storage bin.   
     
     
         3 . The ice dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a stopper disposed underneath the storage bin adjacent to the ice outlet, wherein in the closed position, the chute rests against the stopper to prevent ice from exiting the storage bin via the ice outlet.   
     
     
         4 . The ice dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein a position of the stopper is adjustable, and the position of the stopper is configured to limit a size of the ice allowed to exit the storage bin via the ice outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The ice dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the chute defines an opening distal from the pivot point, wherein in the open position, the chute is configured to allow ice to travel down the chute in an ice dispensing direction and exit the chute via the opening. 
     
     
         6 . The ice dispenser of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a lever connected to an underside of the chute adjacent to the opening, wherein the lever extends from the chute upstream of the opening in the ice dispensing direction;   wherein the chute is rotatable from the closed position and the open position by force applied to the lever.   
     
     
         7 . The ice dispenser of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a backstop connected to an end of the chute adjacent to the opening, wherein the backstop extends from the chute downstream of the opening in the ice dispensing direction and the backstop comprises a wall and a handle disposed on the wall;   wherein the chute is rotatable from the closed position and the open position by force applied to the handle.   
     
     
         8 . The ice dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the chute defines a drain hole distal from the pivot point, and melted ice is configured to drip from the storage bin through the ice outlet and through the drain hole in the closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The ice dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a tank disposed beneath the storage bin, wherein the chute is positioned within the tank, and in the open position, the chute is configured to allow ice to enter the tank by way of gravity.   
     
     
         10 . The ice dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein a front surface of the tank is open, and in the open position, ice entering the tank is accessible from the open front surface. 
     
     
         11 . The ice dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein a front surface of the tank comprises a lip extending downward from the tank, and the lip is configured to engage with an edge of a mounting surface when the tank is disposed on the mounting surface. 
     
     
         12 . The ice dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein a lower portion of the tank comprises a drain valve, and the drain valve may be configured to selectively allow melted water in the tank to exit the tank. 
     
     
         13 . The ice dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein a wall disposed in the tank is configured to limit a range of rotational movement of the chute between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The ice dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein a lower portion of the wall defines a vent, and the vent is configured to allow melted water in the tank to drain to either side of the wall. 
     
     
         15 . The ice dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the blockage breaker comprises:
 a body, wherein a proximal end of the body is connected to the chute and a distal end of the body extends into the storage bin; and   a primary wedge disposed at the distal end of the body, wherein the primary wedge is configured to break the ice blockages when the chute rotates from the open position to the closed position and the blockage breaker is moved further into the storage bin.   
     
     
         16 . The ice dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein the blockage breaker further comprises:
 a secondary wedge disposed along a length of the body prior to the distal end, and the secondary wedge has a width that is narrower than a width of the primary wedge;   wherein the secondary wedge is configured to break the ice blockages when the chute rotates from the closed position to the open position and the blockage breaker is moved out of the storage bin.   
     
     
         17 . The ice dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the storage bin defines an ice inlet, ice being configured to enter the storage bin via the ice inlet, and the ice dispenser further comprises a lid that is removably disposed on the ice inlet and configured to cover the ice inlet. 
     
     
         18 . The ice dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein a lower surface of the lid comprises an ice breaker that extends into the storage bin through the ice inlet, and the ice breaker is configured to break ice blockages in the storage bin when the lid is disposed on the ice inlet. 
     
     
         19 . The ice dispenser of  claim 17 , further comprising a grate disposed within the storage bin between the ice inlet and the ice outlet and extends laterally within the storage bin, wherein the grate defines an array of openings configured to prevent blocks of ice that are larger than the array of openings from exiting the storage bin via the ice outlet. 
     
     
         20 . A method of dispensing ice comprising:
 filling a storage bin with ice, wherein a lower surface of the storage bin defines an ice outlet and a chute disposed underneath the storage bin is configured to prevent ice from exiting the storage bin via the ice outlet when the chute is in a closed position;   rotating the chute about a pivot point from the closed position to an open position, wherein in the open position, the chute is configured to allow ice to exit the storage bin via the ice outlet by way of gravity; and   rotating the chute from the open position back to the closed position, wherein a blockage breaker disposed on the chute extends into the storage bin through the ice outlet and moves with the chute, such that when the chute rotates from the open position back to the closed position, the blockage breaker is moved further into the storage bin, thereby breaking ice blockages in the storage bin.