The present invention relates generally to a beverage dispenser and more particularly relates to a beverage dispenser with an ice hopper and an ice elevator that can accommodate multiple ice-dispensing orientations.
Countertop beverage dispensers typically use an ice receptacle of some sort for both chilling the beverage fluids flowing therein and providing ice cubes for use in the beverage. For example, an ice hopper containing the ice cubes generally is positioned adjacent to a cold plate or other type of heat transport mechanism so as to chill the concentrate and the diluent flowing therethrough. Because the ice hopper generally is placed beneath the countertop, an elevator mechanism may be used to transport the ice cubes from the ice hopper up to an ice dispenser positioned above the countertop. This elevator mechanism generally uses an ice auger positioned within an elevator sleeve. As the auger rotates within the sleeve, the ice cubes are carried from the bin to the ice dispenser.
The ice hopper generally is pre-configured before installation for use with either a left-sided ice dispenser or a right-side dispenser. By pre-configured, we mean that the ice hopper is intended for use with an ice elevator positioned on one side of the beverage dispenser or the other. As a result, the ice hopper generally is angled toward one side or the other and generally has an agitator therein that tends to force the ice cubes towards that side. As such, a left-handed ice hopper generally cannot be used in right-handed orientation and vice versa. This set up is inconvenient in that the ice hopper manufacture must maintain a supply of left and right handed ice hoppers. Likewise, the installer must order the correct orientation before installation. Further, any change in the design or flow of the ice dispenser or the beverage system as a whole generally cannot be accommodated with the existing ice hopper.
Similarly, existing ice elevators generally are fixed into position at the time of installation. Access to or removal of a single component within the ice elevator may be difficult. As such, cleaning or repair of the ice elevator also may be difficult or time consuming.
What is needed, therefore, is a beverage system with a flexibly oriented ice hopper. The ice hopper should be able to accommodate either left or right handed orientations without undue modifications or down time. Further, the beverage dispenser as a whole, including the ice elevator, should be easy to access, easy to clean, and easy to repair. The beverage dispenser should accomplish these goals in a cost effective and easy to operate manner.
The present invention thus provides a beverage dispenser system having a beverage tower with a first side and a second side. The beverage dispenser system also has an ice elevator and an ice hopper connected to the ice elevator. The ice hopper has a first side exit and a second side exit such that the ice elevator may be positioned on either side of the beverage tower and connected to either side exit of the ice hopper.
Specific embodiments of the present invention include a sub-base such that the ice hopper is position below the sub-base and the beverage tower is positioned above the sub-base. The ice hopper may include an agitator with a number of agitator arms. The ice hopper may have a single bin or a number of bins. Each bin may have an agitator therein. The ice hopper may be made out of a rigid plastic.
The ice elevator may include an ice auger and an ice tower. The ice tower may be made out of a transparent material. The ice tower may include a lower auger housing made out of a PVC. The ice tower also may include an auger sleeve. The auger sleeve may have an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve, and an air space positioned therebetween. The auger sleeve may be made out of a thermoplastic. The ice tower also may include an outer housing surrounding the auger sleeve. A second air space may be positioned between the outer housing and the auger sleeve. The outer sleeve may be made out of a rigid plastic. The outer housing also may have a sliding auger sleeve so as to permit access to the auger sleeve. A conduit may connect the ice hopper and the ice tower.
The ice elevator also may include an ice dispenser position on the ice tower. The ice dispenser may have an ice shoot and an ice dispenser lever so as to activate the ice elevator. The ice dispenser may be made out of a rigid plastic or a transparent material. An ice dispenser sleeve may connect the ice elevator and the ice dispenser. The ice dispenser may have a number of bosses thereon that mesh with a number of slots on the ice dispenser sleeve so as to secure the ice dispenser.
The present invention also provides an ice hopper for use with a beverage dispenser system having a beverage tower and an ice elevator. The ice hopper may have an agitator, a first side exit, and a second side exit, such that the ice elevator may be connected to the ice hopper by either the first side exit or the second side exit.
The present invention also provides an ice elevator for use with a beverage dispenser system. The ice elevator may have an ice auger, an ice tower surrounding the ice auger, and an ice dispenser positioned on top of the ice tower. The ice tower may have an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The ice tower may have an air space positioned between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve. The ice tower also may include an outer housing surrounding the outer sleeve. A second air space may be positioned between the outer sleeve and the outer housing. The outer housing may have a sliding auger sleeve so as to permit access to the outer sleeve. The ice dispenser also may have an ice shoot and an ice dispenser lever so as to activate the ice elevator. The ice tower and the ice dispenser may be made out of a transparent material. An ice dispenser sleeve may connect the ice tower and the ice dispenser. The ice dispenser may have a number of bosses thereon that mesh with a number of slots on the ice dispenser sleeve so as to secure the ice dispenser.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.