Underbar Ice Making Device For Dispensing Ice Directly Into A Bartender's Ice Bin

Abstract

The present invention is an underbar ice making device for dispensing ice directly into a bartender's ice bin for immediate use by the bartender to make one or more drinks. The device and associated methods are intended to be an improvement over standard bar devices, equipment, and procedure because the device and methods will dispense ice directly into a bartender's ice bin so that there is not a need for a bar employee to physically transport ice that is made by an ice machine from the ice machine to an ice bin located underneath the bar. Instead, ice that is made in the ice machine drops directly into an ice bin located beneath the bar and is therefore immediately available for the bartender to use to make drinks. The device includes an ice making assembly formed integral to an ice holding bin and the entire device fits beneath a standard bar.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for making and dispensing ice directly into a bartender's ice bin for immediate use in one or more drinks, comprising:
 an ice making assembly for continuously making ice, wherein the ice making assembly has a size allowing the ice making assembly to fit under a standard bar and wherein the ice making assembly forms an ice outlet aperture; and   an ice holding bin for receiving the ice made by the ice making assembly, wherein the ice holding bin includes an insulated exterior for keeping the ice cold that forms a recessed compartment for holding the ice and making the ice available for immediate use;   wherein the ice making assembly is formed integral to the ice holding bin so that the recessed compartment for holding ice is positioned directly in front of, and beneath, the ice making assembly so that ice made in the ice making assembly falls through the ice outlet aperture and directly into the ice holding bin and is thereby immediately available for use by the bartender.   
     
     
         2 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the ice making assembly is not visible to one or more patrons seated at the standard bar. 
     
     
         3 . The device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the ice making assembly has a maximum height of 24 inches so as to fit under the standard bar. 
     
     
         4 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the ice outlet aperture is vertically oriented. 
     
     
         5 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the ice outlet aperture is perpendicular to the recessed compartment for holding ice. 
     
     
         6 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the ice making assembly being formed integral to the ice holding bin so that the ice falls directly into the ice holding bin negates a need for a barback employee to physically transport the ice from the ice making assembly to the bar for use by the bartender. 
     
     
         7 . A method for making ice and dispensing the ice directly into a bartenders ice bin for immediate use in making one or more drinks, comprising the steps of:
 making ice continuously in an ice making assembly having a cold element and a water source;   dropping the ice through an ice outlet aperture of the ice making assembly so that the ice falls directly into a recessed compartment of an insulated ice holding bin that is positioned underneath a standard bar;   storing the ice in the insulated ice holding bin for immediate use by a bartender to make one or more drinks.   
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the ice making assembly is not visible to one or more patrons seated at the standard bar. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the ice making assembly has a maximum height of 24 inches so as to fit under the standard bar. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the ice outlet aperture is vertically oriented. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the ice outlet aperture is perpendicular to the recessed compartment for holding ice. 
     
     
         12 . A method for making ice and dispensing the ice directly into a bartenders ice bin for immediate use in making one or more drinks, comprising the steps of:
 making ice continuously in an ice making assembly having a cold element and a water source;   dropping the ice through an ice outlet aperture of the ice making assembly so that the ice falls directly into a recessed compartment of an insulated ice holding bin that is positioned underneath a standard bar;   storing the ice in the insulated ice holding bin for immediate use by a bartender to make one or more drinks without a need for a barback employee to transport the ice from the ice making assembly to the insulated ice holding bin.