Ice dispensers

Abstract

An ice dispenser for storing and dispensing ice. The ice dispenser includes a holding bin that extends longitudinally between a first side and a second side, transversely between a third side and a fourth side, and vertically between a top to a bottom. A chute is configured to guide the ice from outside the holding bin into the holding bin. The chute has an upper end and an opposite lower end. The upper end of the chute extends longitudinally farther than the first side of the holding bin from the second side of the holding bin. A spout is operatively coupled to the holding bin for dispensing ice from the holding bin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ice dispenser for storing and dispensing ice, the ice dispenser comprising:
 a holding bin extending longitudinally between a first side and a second side, transversely between a third side and a fourth side, and vertically between a top to a bottom;   a chute configured to guide the ice from outside the holding bin into the holding bin, wherein the chute has an upper end and an opposite lower end, and wherein the upper end of the chute extends longitudinally farther than the first side of the holding bin from the second side of the holding bin; and   a spout operatively coupled to the holding bin for dispensing ice from the holding bin.   
     
     
         2 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cold plate positioned below the holding bin, the cold plate including one or more lines configured to be cooled via the ice from the holding bin. 
     
     
         3 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower end of the chute is positioned so as to be approximately vertically even with the top of the holding bin. 
     
     
         4 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the chute extends between the upper end and the lower end at an angle between 20 and 60 degrees relative to the bottom of the holding bin. 
     
     
         5 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cover that encloses the top of the holding bin, the cover having a lid for selectively opening a portion of the cover to access the holding bin. 
     
     
         6 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 5 , wherein the lid is movable between a closed position in which access to the holding bin is blocked and an open position in which the holding bin is accessible, and wherein the lid is rotated between 45 and 90 degrees from the closed position to the open position. 
     
     
         7 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 5 , wherein the lid is pivotally coupled via a pair of hinge arms that remain parallel to each other as the lid is moved between a closed position in which access to the holding bin is blocked and an open position in which the holding bin is accessible. 
     
     
         8 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 5 , wherein the lid extends between a first end and a second end, wherein the lid is pivotally coupled via a pair of hinge arms that each extend between a first end and a second end, and wherein the first ends of the hinge arms are pivotally coupled proximate the upper end of the chute and the second ends of the hinge arms are pivotally coupled to the lid proximate a midpoint of the lid between the first end and the second end thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 5 , further comprising a sensor configured to determine a level of the ice within the holding bin, wherein the sensor is hidden under the cover and accessible by removal thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to determine a level of the ice within the holding bin. 
     
     
         11 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 10 , wherein the sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor and/or a radar sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 10 , further comprising a controller and a light, the controller being operatively connected to both the sensor and the light, wherein the controller is configured to compare the level of the ice within the holding bin to a threshold level and to control the light based on the comparison of the level to the threshold level so as to indicate when additional ice is needed in the holding bin. 
     
     
         13 . An ice dispenser for storing and dispensing ice, the ice dispenser comprising:
 a holding bin configured for storing ice;   a spout operatively coupled to the holding bin for dispensing ice from the holding bin;   a sensor configured to determine a level of the ice within the holding bin; and   a controller and an indicator configured to generate an indicator for a user, the controller being operatively coupled to the sensor and the indicator, wherein the controller is configured to compare the level of the ice within the holding bin to a threshold level and to control the indicator based on the comparison of the level to the threshold level so as to indicate when additional ice is needed in the holding bin.   
     
     
         14 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 13 , further comprising a cold plate positioned below the holding bin, the cold plate including one or more beverage lines configured to be cooled via the ice from the holding bin. 
     
     
         15 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 14 , wherein the sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 13 , wherein the indicator comprises a light emitting diode, and wherein the controller is configured to turn on the light when the level of the ice within the holding bin is below the threshold level. 
     
     
         17 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 13 , further comprising a cover that encloses a top of the holding bin, the cover having a lid for selectively opening a portion of the cover to access the holding bin. 
     
     
         18 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 17 , wherein the sensor is hidden under the cover and accessible by removal thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The ice dispenser according to  claim 13 , further comprising a wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the wireless transmitter to send a signal receivable by an external device when additional ice is needed in the holding bin. 
     
     
         20 . An ice dispenser for storing and dispensing ice, the ice dispenser comprising:
 a holding bin extending longitudinally between a first side and a second side, transversely between a third side and a fourth side, and vertically between a top to a bottom;   a chute configured to guide the ice from outside the holding bin into the holding bin, wherein the chute has an upper end and an opposite lower end, and wherein the upper end of the chute extends longitudinally farther than the first side of the holding bin from the second side of the holding bin;   a cold plate positioned below the holding bin, the cold plate including a beverage line configured to be cooled via the ice from the holding bin;   a spout operatively coupled to the holding bin for dispensing ice from the holding bin;   a cover that encloses the top of the holding bin, the cover having a lid for selectively opening a portion of the cover to access the holding bin, wherein the lid is pivotally coupled via a pair of hinge arms that remain parallel to each other as the lid is moved between a closed position in which access to the holding bin is blocked and an open position in which the holding bin is accessible;   a sensor configured to determine a level of the ice within the holding bin, wherein the sensor is hidden under the cover and accessible by removal thereof; and   a controller and a light, the controller being operatively connected to both the sensor and the light, wherein the controller is configured to compare the level of the ice within the holding bin to a threshold level and to control the light based on the comparison of the level to the threshold level so as to indicate when additional ice is needed in the holding bin.