Ice Dispensing and Cleaning Mechanism and Process

Abstract

An ice dispensing system includes an ice hopper structure including a plurality of walls having inner surfaces that define an inner volume storing ice therein. The ice hopper may include a drain. A cleaning structure is coupled to the ice hopper structure. The cleaning structure includes a pump linked to a spray mechanism positioned within the inner volume of the ice hopper structure. The spray mechanism disperses a liquid on an inner surface of the ice hopper structure during a cleaning cycle of the ice dispensing mechanism.

1 . An ice dispensing system comprising:
 an ice hopper structure, the ice hopper structure including a plurality of walls having inner surfaces that define an inner volume storing ice therein, the ice hopper including a drain;   a cleaning structure coupled to the ice hopper structure, the cleaning structure having a user interface, the cleaning structure including a pump linked to a spray mechanism positioned within the inner volume of the ice hopper, the spray mechanism dispersing a liquid on an inner surface of the ice hopper structure during a cleaning cycle of the ice dispensing mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning structure includes an external source of a cleaning liquid connected to the pump, the pump connected to a one way check valve positioned between the pump and the ice hopper. 
     
     
         3 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the ice hopper structure includes a lid positioned over a top opening of the ice hopper, the lid including, a bottom surface, the bottom surface including a profiled lip extending therefrom in a direction corresponding to the inner volume of the ice hopper when installed, the profiled lip positioned to contact the inner surfaces of the plurality of walls of the ice hopper forming a liquid tight seal between the lid and the ice hopper structure. 
     
     
         4 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 3  wherein the spray mechanism is connected to the lid. 
     
     
         5 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the spray mechanism includes a rotating spray nozzle. 
     
     
         6 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the spray mechanism includes at least two spray nozzles attached to the inner surfaces of the ice hopper. 
     
     
         7 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the spray mechanism includes at least one perforated pipe positioned on the inner surface of the ice hopper. 
     
     
         8 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 7  wherein the spray mechanism includes two perforated pipes attached to the inner surfaces of the ice hopper. 
     
     
         9 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 7  wherein the spray mechanism includes a perforated pipe attached about a circumference of the inner surfaces of the ice hopper. 
     
     
         10 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 3  wherein the spray mechanism includes a secondary cover attached to the lid, the secondary cover including perforations formed therein. 
     
     
         11 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the spray mechanism includes opposing pipes positioned adjacent the inner surface of the ice hopper, liquid exiting the opposing pipes spiraling about the inner surfaces of the ice hopper. 
     
     
         12 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the spray mechanism includes a rotating arm structure attached to an inner surface of the ice hopper, the rotating arm having perforations formed therein. 
     
     
         13 . An ice dispensing system comprising:
 a water source connected to an ice maker. structure;   an ice hopper structure connected to the ice maker structure, the ice hopper structure including a plurality of walls having inner surfaces that define an inner volume storing ice therein, the ice hopper including a drain;   an automated cleaning structure coupled to the ice maker and ice hopper structures, the automated cleaning, structure having a computer controller and a user interface, the automated cleaning structure including a pump linked to a spray mechanism positioned within the inner volume of the ice hopper, the spray mechanism dispersing a liquid on an inner surface of the ice hopper structure during a cleaning cycle of the ice dispensing mechanism.   
     
     
         14 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the ice dispensing system includes a one way check valve positioned between the water source and ice maker. 
     
     
         15 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the automated cleaning structure includes an external source of a cleaning liquid connected to the pump, the pump connected to a one way check valve positioned between the pump and the ice hopper and ice maker structures. 
     
     
         16 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the spray mechanism includes a rotating spray nozzle. 
     
     
         17 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the spray mechanism includes at least two spray nozzles attached to the inner surfaces of the ice hopper. 
     
     
         18 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the spray mechanism includes at least one perforated pipe positioned on the inner surface of the ice hopper. 
     
     
         19 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 18  wherein the spray mechanism includes two perforated pipes attached to the inner surfaces of the ice hopper. 
     
     
         20 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 18  wherein the spray mechanism includes a perforated pipe attached about a circumference of the inner surfaces of the ice hopper. 
     
     
         21 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the spray mechanism includes opposing pipes positioned adjacent the inner surface of the ice hopper, liquid exiting the opposing pipes spiraling about the inner surfaces of the ice hopper. 
     
     
         22 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the spray mechanism includes a rotating arm structure attached to an inner surface of the ice hopper, the rotating arm having perforations formed therein. 
     
     
         23 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 13  further including additional beverage dispensing sub-systems coupled to the ice dispensing mechanism and connected to the automated cleaning structure. 
     
     
         24 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 23  wherein the additional beverage sub-system includes a blending station including blender ingredient valves, water valves and ice hopper valves connected to the ice hopper. 
     
     
         25 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the computer controller includes a lock out logic in the computer program wherein a user must run a cleaning cycle at a predetermined interval. 
     
     
         26 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 25  wherein the user interface displays a time to the required cleaning cycle. 
     
     
         27 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the automated cleaning structure is a subcomponent of the ice dispensing mechanism. 
     
     
         28 . The ice dispensing mechanism of  claim 14  wherein the automated cleaning structure is an add on kit attached to the ice dispensing mechanism. 
     
     
         29 - 36 . (canceled)