Method and apparatus for portioning and delivering ice

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the amount of ice that may be delivered from an ice storage reservoir to a point of use, such as from an ice reservoir of a combination beverage dispenser and ice reservoir to a container, with a high degree of accuracy, consistency and repeatability. The method and apparatus may be controlled by means of a program and/or logic sequence stored in a memory to allow a wide range of ice volumes to be measured, metered and dispensed. The apparatus may include an ice reservoir, a mechanism for dispensing ice to a point of use disposed in communication with the ice reservoir, and an ice metering device disposed in communication with both the ice reservoir and the mechanism for dispensing ice.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for metering the amount of ice to be dispensed to a point of use, the method comprising:
 providing an ice receiving and dispensing mechanism having an adjustable volume;   disposing the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism in communication with a source of ice and an ice outlet;   adjusting the volume of the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism;   delivering an amount of ice from the source of ice to the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism to fill the adjusted volume; and   stopping delivery of ice from the ice source to the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism to obtain a metered amount of ice.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 delivering the metered amount of ice to the ice outlet; and   dispensing the metered amount of ice to the point of use.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable volume is from about 0 cubic inches to about 40 cubic inches. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable volume is from about 10 cubic inches to about 40 cubic inches. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable volume is from about 10 cubic inches to about 30 cubic inches. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism is disposed between the source of ice and the ice outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism is disposed in the source of ice and is in communication with the ice outlet via an ice chute. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism is in communication with the source of ice and the ice outlet via ice chutes. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the volume of the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism is adjusted by varying a moveable barrier disposed inside the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein delivering the amount of ice from the source of ice comprises transporting the ice using an auger or paddlewheel. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 preventing additional ice from the ice source entering the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism after the metered amount of ice has been delivered to the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 preventing additional ice from the ice source entering the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism during the delivering and dispensing of the metered amount of ice.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for metering the amount of ice to be dispensed to a point of use, the apparatus comprising:
 an ice receiving and dispensing mechanism having an adjustable volume;   a source of ice;   an ice outlet;   a mechanism for delivering ice from the ice source to the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism; and   a mechanism for delivering ice from the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism to the ice outlet, wherein the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism is disposed in communication with the source of ice and the ice outlet.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism comprises a moveable barrier disposed in the adjustable volume. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism is disposed in the source of ice. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism is disposed outside of and adjacent to the source of ice. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism is in communication with the source of ice and the ice outlet using ice chutes. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the mechanism for delivering ice from the ice source to the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism comprises an auger or paddlewheel. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , further comprising a mechanism for stopping the delivery of ice from the ice source to the ice receiving and dispensing mechanism.