Ice making apparatus and baffle assembly

Abstract

An ice bin for an ice cube-making machine is provided that facilitates access to the inner volume and the ice contained therein. The ice bin has a baffle that is easily assembled and removed from the ice bin without the need for fasteners or tools. The baffle is removably and preferably movably connected to the ice bin, and is preferably pivotally disposed thereabout.

1 . An ice bin comprising: 
 at least one wall defining an inner volume and a bin opening; and    a baffle removably disposed about the at least one wall and disposed in proximity to the bin opening, wherein the baffle can be assembled with and removed from the ice bin through manipulation of the baffle only.    
   
   
       2 . The ice bin of  claim 1 , wherein the manipulation of the baffle for assembly is in a first single direction, wherein the manipulation of the baffle for removal is in a second single direction, and wherein the first and second single directions are substantially opposite to each other.  
   
   
       3 . The ice bin of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle is pivotally positioned about the ice bin.  
   
   
       4 . The ice bin of  claim 3 , further comprising a first wall, a second wall, a first pin and a second pin, wherein the first and second pins are disposed along inner faces of each of the first and second walls, and wherein the baffle is pivotally disposed about the first and second pins.  
   
   
       5 . The ice bin of  claim 4 , wherein the baffle has first and second ends, and wherein the first and second ends each have pivot channels that pivotally mate with the first and second pins, respectively.  
   
   
       6 . The ice bin of  claim 1 , further comprising a canopy connected to the at least one wall, wherein the canopy is disposed in proximity to the baffle and assists in positioning the baffle at a desired angle with respect to the bin opening.  
   
   
       7 . The ice bin of  claim 1 , further comprising a canopy connected to the at least one wall, wherein the canopy is disposed in proximity to the baffle and provides resistance to movement of the baffle with respect to the bin opening.  
   
   
       8 . The ice bin of  claim 1 , further comprising a stopper disposed along an inner face of the at least one wall, wherein the stopper restricts movement of the baffle beyond a desired angle of rotation.  
   
   
       9 . An ice-making machine comprising: 
 an evaporator; and    an ice bin in communication with the evaporator for the storage of ice formed by the evaporator, the ice bin having at least one wall and a baffle, the at least one wall defining an inner volume and a bin opening, the baffle being removably disposed about the at least one wall and disposed in proximity to the bin opening, wherein the baffle can be assembled with and removed from the ice bin through manipulation of the baffle only.    
   
   
       10 . The ice-making machine of  claim 9 , wherein the manipulation of the baffle for assembly is in a first single direction, wherein the manipulation of the baffle for removal is in a second single direction, and wherein the first and second single directions are substantially opposite to each other.  
   
   
       11 . The ice-making machine of  claim 9 , wherein the baffle is pivotally positioned about the ice bin.  
   
   
       12 . The ice-making machine of  claim 11 , wherein the ice bin further comprises a first wall, a second wall, a first pin and a second pin, wherein the first and second pins are disposed along inner faces of each of the first and second walls, and wherein the baffle is pivotally disposed about the first and second pins.  
   
   
       13 . The ice-making machine of  claim 12 , wherein the baffle has first and second ends, and wherein the first and second ends each have pivot channels that pivotally mate with the first and second pins, respectively.  
   
   
       14 . The ice-making machine of  claim 9 , further comprising a canopy connected to the at least one wall, wherein the canopy is disposed in proximity to the baffle and assists in positioning the baffle at a desired angle with respect to the bin opening.  
   
   
       15 . The ice-making machine of  claim 9 , further comprising a canopy connected to the at least one wall, wherein the canopy is disposed in proximity to the baffle and provides resistance to movement of the baffle with respect to the bin opening.  
   
   
       16 . The ice-making machine of  claim 9 , further comprising a stopper disposed along an inner face of the at least one wall, wherein the stopper restricts movement of the baffle beyond a desired angle of rotation.  
   
   
       17 . A method of providing selective access to an ice bin through a bin opening comprising: 
 removably disposing a baffle to the ice bin and in proximity to the bin opening, wherein the baffle can be assembled with and removed from the ice bin through manipulation of the baffle only.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the manipulation of the baffle for assembly is in a first single direction, wherein the manipulation of the baffle for removal is in a second single direction, and wherein the first and second single directions are substantially opposite to each other.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing selective resistance to movement of the baffle at a desired angle with respect to the bin opening, wherein the movable connection between the baffle and the ice bin is pivotal.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising restricting movement of the baffle beyond a desired angle of rotation, wherein the movable connection between the baffle and the ice bin is pivotal.