HK1124383B - Ice/beverage dispenser with in-line ice crusher and method of dispensing - Google Patents

Description

Ice/beverage dispenser with in-line ice crusher and method of dispensing

Reference to earlier filed application

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/713,983, filed on 9/2/2005, article 35 (e) of the united states codex, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The technical field of the invention is that of ice dispensers, and ice and beverage dispensers.

Background

Commercial ice dispensers, such as those used in fast food restaurants, are built into a compact design, thereby increasing the ice storage area within a given space. Many customers and consumers of fast food restaurants are generally accustomed to placing ice cubes in their beverages. Of course, this means that there must be an ice dispenser nearby, or the beverage dispenser may include an ice bin and an ice dispenser. In some applications, such as that described in U.S. patent No. 6,761,036, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the beverage dispenser may even include an ice maker, thereby eliminating the need for a user to move ice, such as cubed ice, back and forth into the ice bin for the next dispensing by the customer and store clerk. In addition to standard block or shaped ice cubes, customers prefer to put frustrated or crushed ice in their beverages. Smaller flakes or shavings with larger surface areas can cool beverages faster than standard cubed ice. People also want to enjoy the feeling of putting crushed ice into their mouths and people can chew on crushed ice more easily.

One problem when dispensing ice is: in very crowded service and dining areas, ice makers, freezers and ice dispensers require space. Space is sufficiently limited to result in the integration of ice dispensers into beverage dispensers for space savings, while the ice makers described above have been integrated into beverage dispensers to avoid placing excess machinery in dining or serving areas. Of course, if crushed or sliced ice is now desired, this means that another machine such as an ice crusher may be required, or that an existing ice maker or beverage dispenser may be modified to add an ice crusher. The same problem of space shortage is an obstacle to additional ice makers or ice crushers. As in U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,476, it is difficult to dispense previously crushed ice because the ice tends to form chunks within the ice bin and may not be easily transported away from the bin.

Furthermore, beverage dispenser designs typically do not have room to easily place an ice crusher into an existing dispenser. In particular, if the ice crusher is to be attached to a beverage dispenser having an ice bin, especially if the ice maker is also contained on the ice bin, there must be sufficient space (height) between the ice bin and the beverage dispenser for fitting into the ice crusher. A low ceiling or other height obstruction may make this additional height unacceptable. Therefore, there is a need for an ice crusher that will dispense ice from an ice bin and that will crush the ice from the ice bin without increasing the height of the existing machine.

Disclosure of Invention

An ice dispenser with an integrated ice crusher has been devised that is now capable of providing crushed ice to a customer's cup at the point of ice delivery. The small size and configuration of the ice crusher allows the ice crusher to be integrated into the dispenser without significantly increasing the height or footprint of the dispenser. The integrated ice crusher may also be used in a combined ice and beverage dispenser. The preferred ice and beverage dispenser allows crushed or cubed ice to be delivered at the customer's option.

In a first aspect, the present invention is a combination ice dispenser and ice crusher. The assembly comprises: a non-refrigerated ice bin; an ice crusher housing having an inlet connected to an ice bin; an ice crusher located within the ice crusher housing; and an outlet for crushed ice from the ice crusher housing. In one embodiment, an ice crusher comprises: at least one rotating crusher blade and a non-rotating crusher blade located within the ice crusher housing.

In a second aspect, the invention is a combination beverage dispenser and ice crusher. The assembly comprises: a beverage dispenser having an ice bin with a cold plate, wherein a syrup (syrup) for at least one beverage is conveyed through a conduit within the cold plate. The assembly also includes: an ice crusher housing having an inlet connected to an ice bin; an ice crusher located within the ice crusher housing; and a crushed ice outlet from the crusher housing, and wherein the crusher and the housing are configured and connected to the dispenser such that when the ice is crushed, the ice passes upwardly.

Another aspect of the invention is a method for crushing and dispensing ice from an ice dispenser. The method comprises the following steps: delivering ice from the non-refrigerated ice bin into an ice crusher housing containing an ice crusher; crushing ice in an ice crusher; and delivering the crushed ice through an outlet of the ice crusher housing.

In another aspect, the invention is a method of operating a beverage dispenser having an integrated ice dispenser with at least one mixing and dispensing valve for mixing syrup and water and for dispensing a beverage. The method comprises the following steps: a) selecting whether crushed or cubed ice is to be dispensed and activating the ice dispenser; b) in response to the selection of crushed ice in step a), i) conveying ice into the ice crusher housing, ii) crushing the ice within the ice crusher housing, the ice crusher and housing being configured and connected to the dispenser such that when the ice is crushed, the ice passes upwardly, and iii) conveying the resulting crushed ice into the ice dispensing chute; and c) delivering the cubed ice to the ice dispensing chute in response to the selection of cubed ice in step a).

In yet another aspect, the present invention is a method of operating a combined ice and beverage dispenser, wherein the beverage dispenser includes at least one mixing and dispensing valve for mixing syrup and water and for dispensing a beverage, wherein the ice dispenser is equipped with an ice crusher in an ice crusher housing. The method comprises the following steps: a) selecting whether crushed ice or cubed ice is to be dispensed and, when crushed ice is selected, b) passing cubed ice into an ice crusher housing, and c) activating the ice crusher to crush the ice, the ice crusher and housing being configured and connected to the dispenser such that when the ice is crushed, the ice is transferred upwardly.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a combined ice and beverage dispenser. The beverage dispenser has: at least one mixing and dispensing valve for mixing the syrup and water and for dispensing the beverage; an ice chest; a first opening and a second opening located on an exterior of the ice bin; an ice crusher in the ice crusher housing; and a selector for enabling the dispenser to select whether to deliver cubed ice or crushed ice, wherein the ice crusher and the housing are configured and connected to the dispenser such that when the ice is crushed, the ice passes upwardly.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a combined ice and beverage dispenser. The beverage dispenser has: at least one mixing and dispensing valve for mixing the syrup and water and for dispensing the beverage; an ice chest; a first opening and a second opening located on an exterior of the ice bin; an ice crusher; and two dispensing chutes (channel), one for cubed ice and the other for crushed ice.

Another aspect of the invention is an improved kit for attaching an ice crusher to an existing ice dispenser. The improved kit includes an ice crusher within an ice crusher housing attachable to an existing ice dispenser and an ice dispensing chute attachable to the ice crusher housing, wherein the ice crusher and housing are configured and connected to the dispenser such that when ice is crushed, the ice passes upwardly.

The invention is capable of many other aspects and embodiments, only some of which are described in detail in the accompanying drawings and in the following description of the presently preferred embodiments. According to a preferred embodiment, a restaurant owner is able to provide crushed ice without substantially increasing the footprint of the equipment. Users can enjoy crushed ice with the same degree of timeliness and convenience as they are accustomed to enjoying cubed ice.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of an ice dispenser with an integrated ice crusher.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front view, partially in section, of an ice bin with an integrated ice crusher.

Fig. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of a beverage dispenser with an integrated ice crusher in another embodiment.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of an ice crusher having driven and non-driven blades.

Fig. 5a is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an ice crusher.

Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of an ice crusher integrally mounted on a beverage dispenser with a second cubed ice dispenser.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the internal components for the ice crusher of fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the internal components for the ice crusher of fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a side view of a rotating blade with an interface for a drive shaft used in the ice crusher of fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a bushing for a rotating blade having an interface for a drive shaft used in the ice crusher of fig. 5.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a non-rotating blade having a scraping element for use in the ice crusher of fig. 5.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a bushing for a non-rotating blade used in the ice crusher of fig. 5.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of a drive shaft and interface used in the ice crusher of fig. 5.

Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of an electrical system for an ice crusher and the combined ice and beverage dispenser of fig. 4.

Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of an electrical system for an embodiment of an ice crusher having an ice dispenser as used in the ice crusher of fig. 1.

Fig. 16 is a flow chart illustrating steps in a method of operating an ice crusher having an ice dispenser or a combined ice and beverage dispenser.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a hydration system of a beverage dispenser with a cold plate heat exchanger.

FIG. 18 is a partially exploded view of another embodiment of a combined ice and beverage dispenser having separate dispensing chutes for both cubed and crushed ice.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the combined ice and beverage dispenser of fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a vertical sectional view through the cubed ice outlet on the combined ice and beverage dispenser of fig. 18.

Fig. 21 is a vertical sectional view through the ice crusher and crushed ice outlet on the combined ice and beverage dispenser of fig. 18.

Fig. 22 is a schematic view of an electrical system for the combined ice and beverage dispenser of fig. 18.

Fig. 23 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a combined ice and beverage dispenser having separate dispensing chutes for cubed and crushed ice, respectively.

Fig. 24 is an enlarged perspective view of the left side portion of the combined ice and beverage dispenser of fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is a schematic view of an electrical system for the combined ice and beverage dispenser of fig. 23.

Fig. 26 is an exploded view of a motor and rotary solenoid for the ice crusher on the combined ice and beverage dispenser of fig. 23.

Fig. 27 is an exploded view of the internal elements of an ice crusher used on the combined ice and beverage dispenser of fig. 18 and 23.

Fig. 28 is an exploded view of a housing for the ice crusher on the combined ice and beverage dispenser of fig. 18 and 23.

Fig. 29 is an enlarged perspective view of the crushing blades used in the ice crusher of fig. 27 and 28.

Fig. 30-34 are perspective views of components used in the ice crusher of fig. 27 and 28.

Detailed Description

As used herein and in the claims, the terms "cubed ice" and "crushed ice" refer to ice pieces frozen into fragments, regardless of their shape. The shape of the ice cubes can be rectangular, circular, or other shapes.

The invention has many embodiments. The preferred embodiment includes an ice dispenser having an ice crusher that dispenses and crushes ice (fig. 1); and a combined ice and beverage dispenser having an ice crusher. In the latter category, there are three types of equipment: those dispensing crushed ice and cubed ice through the same ice dispensing chute (one embodiment of this type is illustrated in fig. 4 and another embodiment of this type is illustrated in fig. 18-22), those dispensing crushed ice and cubed ice through different dispensing chutes (one embodiment of this type is illustrated in fig. 6 and another embodiment of this type is illustrated in fig. 23-26), and those dispensing only crushed ice (not illustrated in any particular figure).

While other types of ice crushing mechanisms may be used, generally speaking, the above embodiments contemplate ice crushers having one or more crushing blades that rotate in a vertical plane. The ice crusher may be designed and mounted so that the vertical plane is perpendicular or parallel to the front of the dispenser. Ice can thus travel straight down from the ice bin to the ice crusher, into the dispensing chute, and into the user's cup. In other embodiments, ice may be turned at a 90 degree angle from the ice bin into the ice crusher, or may be turned at a 90 degree angle from the ice crusher or crushed ice holding area into the dispensing chute. Further, other embodiments include: the ice crusher is designed and mounted so that the crushing blades rotate in a horizontal plane and the ice enters from one side and exits from the opposite side and then turns downward into a dispensing chute.

In a preferred embodiment, the ice crushing device is placed between the ice outlet of the bin and the top of the ice dispensing chute. To this end, the ice crusher may lift the ice and perform a crushing action. The figures generally illustrate an ice crusher having a set of rotating breaker bars (rotating blades or knives) that lift and push ice against another set of stationary breaker bars (non-rotating blades or knives) held in place by grooves in the crusher housing. As the ice passes over the stationary wand, the wipers on the stationary wand obstruct the ice path and direct the crushed ice onto an outlet of the ice crusher housing, which may include a holding area from which the crushed ice is dispensed as described below. In those embodiments, the crushed ice is seated in a downwardly angled chamber that is closed by a door that opens to allow dispensing of the ice. Below the door is a collection device that collects the melted ice particles and water droplets and moves them toward the drain so that no unsightly drips can occur in the ice dispensing chute.

Embodiments of the present ice crusher may be used in ice dispensing, and may also be used in beverage dispensers, particularly beverage dispensers including ice bins or ice bins with integrated ice makers. Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of an ice dispenser 10 having an ice crusher 18. The ice dispenser 10 includes a housing 14, a housing cover 11, and a front panel 13. The ice dispenser includes an ice bin 12 and a downwardly sloping ice opening chute 17, the ice opening chute 17 being connected to an ice crusher 18. The ice crusher crushes the ice and may retain the ice within the small retention chamber until the user requests the ice by actuating an actuator, such as actuating lever 15. A controller (not shown) for the ice dispenser then opens the outlet door of the holding chamber and the crushed ice is poured from the holding chamber into a cup or container held by the user via the ice chute 16. A drip pan or collection device 19 below the ice crusher or below the trough can collect the melted ice and water droplets and spills over from overfilled cups and move them toward a drain. For clarity, the typical ice delivery paddlewheel and motor for driving the paddlewheel located within the ice bin are not shown.

One unique aspect of the ice crusher helps to meet the area and height constraints discussed above. This would be very beneficial due to these limitations: the height of the beverage dispenser need not be increased if the ice crusher can be inserted between the ice bin and the ice chute without having to increase the height of the ice dispenser, or when the ice dispenser is contained within the beverage dispenser. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional front view of the interface between ice bin 12 and ice opening chute 17 in an ice dispenser or in a combined ice and beverage dispenser. Fig. 3 is a partial sectional elevation view showing the elevational relationship between ice bin 12, ice opening chute 17 and ice crusher 18. The internal workings of the ice crusher are shown in fig. 5.

In FIG. 2, the ice opening chute 17 is mounted to the ice bin 12 at a downward angle A. Angle A may be any suitable angle, but is preferably from about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees. It has been found that: this angle allows ice to flow quickly from the ice bin into the ice crusher. Fig. 3 illustrates the height relationship of the components of ice crusher 18 to ice opening chute 17 and ice bin 12. Ice cubes are placed in ice bin 12, preferably on top of a cold plate (not shown) that is used to cool the water and syrup dispensed by the combined ice and beverage dispenser embodiment and used for the beverage. Ice is delivered from the bin 12 into the ice opening chute 17 by means of a paddlewheel 12a driven by a motor 12 b. Ice enters the ice opening chute 17 and falls into the ice crusher 18 and the working chamber 18 a. The ice pieces are crushed and preferably, but not necessarily, pass upwardly into the holding chamber 18 b. The holding chamber 18b is separated from the working chamber 18a by a wall 18c, which wall 18c in the preferred embodiment requires the ice crusher to lift ice to at least the same elevation as the ice enters the ice crusher, and preferably requires the ice crusher to lift ice higher than the ice enters the ice crusher. Since the ice crusher lifts and crushes the ice, there is no need to raise the ice to a higher level or, alternatively, to lower the ice outlet of the ice dispenser (see fig. 1). The bottom of chamber 18b is preferably higher than the lowest point of ice opening chute 17, or the bottom of chamber 18b may be slightly higher than some point of ice opening chute 17. The holding chamber need not be large. In one embodiment, the chamber holds about 3 ounces of crushed ice. This amount is sufficient to allow the ice to begin flowing almost immediately when the user activates the ice actuator. In other embodiments, the ice is crushed and delivered so quickly that a holding chamber is not required.

As described above, the ice crusher may be used in a beverage dispenser as well as in an ice dispenser. Figure 4 illustrates an example of a beverage dispenser. The beverage dispenser 20 includes a housing 20a and a cap 20 b. The front panel has been removed for easier viewing of the associated interior of the beverage dispenser. The ice is held in ice bin 21, and ice bin 21 is connected to ice crusher 22 by a downwardly sloping ice opening chute (not shown in fig. 4). Ice crusher 22 is driven by motor 23 to crush ice and deliver the ice to a user through dispensing chute 24 when the user actuates the ice dispenser. In this embodiment, the user has two options, crushed or cubed ice from ice crusher 22. The user may select cubed ice by pressing switch 25a or crushed ice by pressing switch 25b and then begin dispensing the selected ice by pressing dispensing chute 24. If cubed ice is selected, the door 29 can be opened and ice dispensed through the door 29 and dispensing chute 24 upon actuation of the usual paddlewheel in the ice bin 21.

The beverage dispenser preferably includes at least one valve 26 (as is well known in the art, the valve 26 will generally be a mixing and dispensing valve for mixing the syrup with water and for dispensing the beverage), a beverage dispensing actuator or stem 27 and a dispensing nozzle 28. The beverage dispenser typically includes a cooling system, a source of water and carbonated water, and one or more beverages or beverage syrups. The user obtains the beverage by actuating the actuator 27 for dispensing the beverage and via the valve 26 and the nozzle 28.

The ice crusher used in either the ice crusher and dispenser 10 or the combined ice and beverage dispenser 20 is shown in greater detail in an exploded perspective view in fig. 5. The ice crusher has a relatively simple construction and is preferably made of a nylon housing, stainless steel blades and scrapers, acetal bearings and bushings. The ice crusher 50 includes a housing 51, an opening 53 for mounting the driven shaft 52, a working chamber 58 for receiving the internal components and for the crushing action to occur therein, and a removable door 57 for cleaning the internal of the housing 51 and the working components. The outlet opening and outlet door or opening for the ice cubes are not shown in this figure. The static blades 54 and the rotating crusher blades 55 are located in the crushing chamber of the ice crusher and only one of the static blades 54 and one of the rotating crusher blades 55 are shown in the figure. The static blades are preferably arranged alternately with the rotating blades. The rotating blades are driven by a motor and a drive shaft (not shown) that drives the driven shaft 52. One or more bearings or bushings 56 are provided for supporting the blades on the driven shaft 52 within the ice crusher.

A beverage dispenser with an ice crusher is shown in fig. 6. Beverage dispenser 30 includes an ice crusher 31 for crushing ice and further includes separate outlets 32a, 32b for dispensing ice from the ice dispenser: crushed ice is dispensed from outlet 32a and cubed ice is dispensed from outlet 32 b. A dispenser that dispenses only crushed ice and not beverages may also include outlets separate from each other for cubed ice and crushed ice. Beverage dispenser 30 also includes an additional ice opening chute 17 for dispensing cubed or other ice held within ice bin 12. Cubed ice is dispensed in cubed ice outlet 32 b.

Ice bin 12 holds ice that has been delivered from an ice maker positioned above the ice bin, or delivered from another source, such as ice poured in from a bucket. Ice crusher 31, which is the same as ice crusher 50 shown in fig. 5, is driven by motor 31a, motor 31a driving spindle 36, spindle 36 having a rotating blade mounted thereon. In this embodiment, ice crusher 31 has a left side 33, and left side 33 and internal components may be removed for cleaning purposes. The outlet door, which would normally close off ice outlet 34, has been removed in this figure, which reveals a portion of the interior of the ice crusher. The inner wall 35 separates the working chamber 30a (facing rearward in this figure) from the ice storage chamber 30b at the front. As mentioned above, the ice cubes can be lifted from the working chamber in order to clean the inner walls and reach the storage chamber. The typical beverage dispenser also comprises at least one valve 37, at least one nozzle 38 and at least one actuator 39 for dispensing the beverage.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 6, ice travels from ice bin 12 down into ice crusher 31 and then out into chamber 30 b. Then, when the outlet door (not shown) of the ice crushing chamber is opened, the ice makes a 90 degree horizontal turn to exit and fall into the user's drinking cup. In embodiments where a storage chamber is not required, a 90 degree horizontal turn may not be required. In such an embodiment, as shown in fig. 5a, ice crusher 81 may simply have a shutter or door, such as a shutter (not shown) from ice crushing chamber 82 to outlet region 87. When the user activates the switch for crushing ice, the ice flows out of cabinet 12 in the rear region 86 of ice crusher 81. At the same time, when the door is opened and ice is dispensed quickly, the crusher is activated and crushes the ice almost simultaneously.

The internal operating components of the ice crusher are critical because they need to be cleaned and kept sanitary while being effective in crushing and transferring ice. The internal elements of ice crusher 40 mounted to removable left door 41 are shown in fig. 7. In this embodiment, the ice crusher is connected to a motor through a driven shaft 42, the motor being located within the beverage dispenser or within the ice dispenser. Ice crusher 40 includes three inner rotating blades 43 alternating with four inner non-rotating (or static) blades 44. Each blade preferably has at least one bushing 45, 48 for reducing wear during rotation. The static blades are mounted on the driven shaft 42 and, as mentioned above, are not connected for driving by the drive shaft and are not rotatable by the design of the ice crusher housing. In embodiments having multiple rotating/non-rotating blades, the blades are preferably assembled in an alternating fashion, as shown in figure 7,

the scraping portions on the non-driven blades will tend to scrape the crushed ice off the rotating blades and cause the crushed ice to be transported through the outlet. The wipers are bent at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the static blade plane so that the wipers will fill most of the gap between adjacent rotating blades. It is recommended that the gap be set to about 0.040-0.050 inches (about 1 mm). If the ice crusher has a storage chamber and a door, the ice will be stored before it is dispensed. If the ice crusher does not have an integrated storage chamber and remotely actuatable door, ice will flow from the outlet of the crushing chamber into a dispensing device or storage bin provided.

Fig. 8-13 provide additional views of the internal components of the ice crusher embodiment of fig. 5. These and similar components may also be used in many other embodiments. Fig. 8 shows a side view. As will be seen from fig. 9 and 10, the rotary blade 43 is fixedly mounted to the drive shaft by means of a gear design on the inner periphery of the rotary blade and a bushing 45 matching the design on the outer periphery of the spindle. When the spindle rotates, the rotating blade 43 and the bush 45 rotate in cooperation with the spindle. The liner also serves as a means of damping vibration and sound.

In this embodiment, the drive shaft is connected to the motor by means of dog teeth on one end of the main shaft. The rotating blades 43 are flat and have a central hub and cutting or crushing structures, such as teeth 43a on four surfaces of each rotating blade. In this embodiment, the non-rotating blades 44 preferably also have cutting or crushing features, such as teeth 44a on at least one surface of the blade, although such features are not necessary for their scraping function and their function of removing ice from the crushed portion. The non-rotating blades also have a central hub and two locations, one location on one side of the central hub with a cutting or crushing structure 44a and the other location 44b at an angle of about 120 degrees. The portion 44b includes a scraper 44e, which scraper 44e is bent at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the plane in which the blade 44 is not rotated. In the orientation shown in fig. 8, the rotary blade is rotated clockwise, so that the ice cubes are crushed by the force generated between the tooth structure 43a on the rotary blade 43 and the tooth structure 44a on the non-rotary blade 44, and the ice cubes are scraped off from the rotary blade and fall downward away from the scraper 44 e.

The interface between rotating blade 43 and bushing 45 is shown in fig. 9 and 10. The bushing 45, preferably made of plastic, comprises an outer periphery 45a and a notch 45b, so that the blade 43 can rest flat in the bushing. Although plastic is preferred, any other food grade material that is resistant to wear and corrosion in sliding contact is sufficient. These other materials include at least PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and nylon. The bushing also includes a projection 46 that fits into an aperture 43b in the rotating blade 43. These projections force the bushing 45 to rotate together with the rotating blade 43. The bushing 45 also has a drive design on its inner periphery 47 that includes a gap 47a and a protrusion 47b for making contact with the drive shaft. Rotating blade 43 has a similar inner periphery of slightly larger diameter so that bushing 45 can be assembled with rotating blade 43 and bushing 45 rotate together.

Fig. 11-12 illustrate the non-rotating (or static) blade 44 and its bushing 48. The non-rotating blades 44 are preferably made of stainless steel. And the non-rotating blade 44 has a first portion having a tooth portion 44a for crushing or breaking ice cubes; and a holding portion 44d for contacting the crusher housing. The notch 44c allows the holding portion 44d to fit into a groove in the housing. The non-rotating blade 44 has a second portion 44b, and the second portion 44b is bent at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the plane of the blade, so that the scraping portion 44e can scrape off the ice cubes between the rotating blades 43, and thus crushed ice can be easily supplied while allowing the blades to continue to rotate. The central region 44g has a plurality of apertures 44f for receiving the projections 48a from the bushing 48. The projections 48a preferably have a different pattern than the pattern of the rotating bushing 45 and the inner periphery 48b preferably has a different and larger diameter than the inner periphery of the bushing 45 so that the bushings 45, 48 cannot fit together with an incorrect blade. Bushing 48 acts as a bearing for non-rotating blade 44 on the exterior of the spindle (fig. 13), while bushing 45 is assembled with rotating blade 43, thereby connecting the combination of blade 43 and bushing 45 to the spindle.

Fig. 13 illustrates one embodiment of a spindle used in this embodiment. The main shaft is a driven shaft that is connected with the drive shaft 49 and dog teeth 49a by dog teeth 42 a. As shown, dog teeth 49a may be retained by pins 49 b.

Fig. 14 illustrates an electrical system for one embodiment of an ice crusher and a combined ice and beverage dispenser. The electrical system includes components for a combined ice and beverage dispenser having a carbonation system and an ice crusher. The electrical system 60 for the dispenser includes a power source 61, which may be single phase 120VAC, or may be another power source. In other embodiments, a three-phase power source may be used for the beverage dispenser or for the ice crusher, or both.

The electrical system includes a first circuit board 62 and a carbonator circuit board 64. Mounted on circuit board 62 is mounting hardware or plug 65 and microprocessor controller 66, microprocessor controller 66 for controlling the beverage dispenser with the integrated ice crusher. The electrical system controls the power to the soda valve and the coils of ice crusher motor 63. The microprocessor control 66 is connected to a safety switch and interlock mechanism (not shown) on the dispenser. The interlock mechanism may prevent removal of the safety panel of the ice and beverage dispenser housing by interrupting power to the ice and beverage dispenser if the panel is removed. The interlocking mechanism may be placed on other components of the dispenser, including ice crusher motor 63. In the event of an overload, circuit transformer 69 may ensure that ice crusher motor 63 is not overloaded by reducing the power to ice crusher motor 63.

Ice dispensing switch 70, activated by an actuator for ice crusher motor 63, may be in contact with microprocessor control 66 to activate ice crusher motor 63 and then deactivate the ice crusher motor when a user desires to dispense ice. Transformers 71, 73 may also be mounted on the circuit board 62 for providing a voltage that is gradually reduced to a useful voltage, such as transformer 71 for providing a voltage of 5V for control purposes and transformer 73 for providing a voltage of 12V or 24VAC for beverage valves. Harness 77 may provide a 24V power supply to switching circuitry 78 for activating solenoid 79, solenoid 79 for a solenoid valve or a solenoid door for an ice crusher. A shield 80 may be provided for the power line between the transformers 71, 73. Such as a shield for the power wiring harness 77 and a shield for the control circuitry, such as for the circuit board 62, may be separate.

The circuit board 64 may contain controls for operating the carbonator for the ice and beverage dispenser. A relay 85 may be included for providing power to the carbonator motor pump. There may also be a controller 83, such as a microprocessor, for receiving signals from the carbonator water level sensor. The controller 83 may respond to a high signal and a low signal from a level sensor of the carbonator to supply water to the carbonator or to stop supplying water to the carbonator. There may also be circuitry (not shown) for providing power and control to the typical paddlewheel type ice agitator and its motor in the ice bin. The unit may also have a safety switch. The safety switch, also called an emergency switch, is used to prevent operation after the cover is removed.

A simplified control system 90 for one embodiment of an ice dispenser with an ice crusher is shown in fig. 15. The control system 90 includes a power supply 91a, transformers 92, 93 and a microprocessor controller 94. The transformer may include a first transformer 92 for stepping down the input power to a voltage suitable for the ice crusher motor 96. The transformer 93 is adapted to step down the input power to a control voltage, 5VDC, for operating the microprocessor controller 94, relays and solenoids.

The control system 90 may also include a controller for a switch or actuator 91b, which switch or actuator 91b is used to open the ice crusher. Relays 95 and 98 may be activated when actuator 91b is actuated when the ice crusher is activated, or may be activated within a specified period of time, such as 3-20 seconds. Other time periods may be programmed into the microprocessor controller. During operation, the circuit transformer 97 can be used to monitor the circuit absorbed by the ice crusher motor. If the current is above a certain limit, the controller 94 may be programmed to open the relay 95, thereby cutting off power to the motor. If this occurs, the controller can also be programmed to open relay 98, thereby closing a solenoid door from the ice crusher to an ice chute located downstream of the ice crusher, or closing a chamber connected to the ice chute.

Fig. 16 is a flow chart of a method 101 of operating an ice crusher for use in an ice dispenser or a combined ice and beverage dispenser. In this method, a user presses actuator 110 to activate an ice dispenser or a combined ice and beverage dispenser for dispensing ice. Actuation also causes activation of an agitator motor within the ice bin, such as a motor for a paddlewheel, to bring ice into a chute within the ice bin, including a crushed ice chute. After actuation, the ice solenoid door opens 120 if there is a holding chamber for holding a smaller quantity of previously crushed ice, thereby dispensing the remaining ice. Alternatively, the door may be located on the outlet of the ice crusher as shown in the dispenser in fig. 18-22 and the dispenser in fig. 23-26. The crusher may also be activated 130, thereby activating the crusher motor. The rotating blades of the ice crusher rotate 140 crushing the ice against the non-rotating blades. The non-rotating blades scrape 150 the ice from the rotating blades. By this action of the rotating and non-rotating blades, the ice pieces are transferred into the chamber 160 downstream of the crushing chamber. Alternatively, ice is delivered from the ice crusher and to the ice chute 170. The ice crusher is then stopped 180 and the ice crusher is deactivated (deactivated) by the user stopping pressing the actuator button or pad or pushing the actuator lever. Alternatively or additionally, the ice crusher may also be programmed to stop at certain times. The exit door, preferably a solenoid operated door, is then closed and the ice crusher/dispenser is ready for the next user.

The ice bin and beverage dispenser embodiments preferably do not rely on mechanical refrigeration, except for the embodiment described above that includes an integrated ice maker. The term "mechanical refrigeration" includes mechanical, such as electrically or gas driven, refrigeration systems, but does not include a large quantity of ice without such a machine. Thus, the term "non-refrigerated ice bin" refers to an ice bin that is not within a refrigerated space, such as the ice bins described herein, where the ice melts over time and has to be replenished. In contrast, the ice bin within the freezer compartment of a domestic refrigerator/freezer appliance is a refrigerated ice bin.

Fig. 17 illustrates a portion of a beverage system within a combined ice and beverage dispenser. The beverage system may be the same as beverage systems currently used in beverage dispensers and will therefore not be discussed in detail. In the depicted embodiment, there are ten mixing and dispensing valves 190. The number of valves may vary from one equipment model to another. In an ice and beverage dispenser with twenty mixing and dispensing valves, two separate systems similar to the system shown in fig. 17 would be used in one machine. A water manifold 192 is used to supply either carbonated or non-carbonated water to the valve 190. The non-carbonated water is used to provide a non-carbonated "plain" beverage through one or more valves 190. One such manifold is described in U.S. patent No. 6,698,621, which is incorporated herein by reference. In this embodiment, water is supplied to the cooling plate 196, and the water is cooled by the cooling plate 196. The cold plate typically sits at the bottom of the ice bin and is cooled by the same ice that is dispensed from the ice bin or fed to the ice crusher. Fresh water is fed from the cold plate to both carbonator 194 and manifold 192. A carbonator (not shown) provides carbon dioxide to carbonator 194. The carbonated water is then fed to manifold 192. The cold plate heat 196 exchanger is preferably made of cast aluminum surrounding one or more coils for cooling the water or slurry. Other details of typical beverage systems, such as carbonator pumps, water lines, syrup lines, etc., are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,761,036, also incorporated herein by reference.

Fig. 18-22 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a combined ice and beverage dispenser 210. Dispenser 210 is very similar to dispenser 20 in fig. 4, but includes a number of significant modifications. First, in this embodiment, the opening out of the ice bin to the ice crusher 250 is always open. However, the ice bin will not pass through the ice crusher unless the door outside the ice crusher is opened and the ice crusher is activated. Secondly, there is no holding chamber for the crushed ice.

As shown in fig. 18, the front panel 213 generally covers the ice crusher and the motor. The beverage mixing and dispensing valve 226 has been removed from fig. 18 for clarity, but is shown in fig. 19, while the panel 213 is not shown in fig. 19 for clarity. There are two openings outside the ice bin, opening 212 for cubed ice and opening 217 that feeds into the ice crusher housing. Recess 215 can also be seen in fig. 18, recess 215 allowing the ice crusher and motor components to set backwards, reducing the extent to which they protrude from the front of the machine. The opening 212 is normally closed by a door 214, the door 214 being operated by a lever arm 218 connected to a rotary solenoid 216. The door 214 slides up and down in a track disposed in the opening 212, the track having a slight angle to the vertical. As the door 214 opens and the paddlewheel inside the ice bin rotates, ice passes through the opening 212 and into the collector 222, the collector 222 being formed at the top of the dispensing chute 224. The ice crusher housing has an outlet normally covered by a door 234, the door 234 being operated by a lever 232 connected to a rotary solenoid 230. A safety protector 235 (best shown in fig. 19) is mounted on the rod within the collector 222. The guard is pivotally mounted so that its bottom can swing away from the ice crusher, allowing crushed ice to pass into the dispensing chute 224. However, the guard may simply swing back to the vertical position where it stops, preventing others from inserting a finger into the slot and contacting the finger with the internal ice crusher element.

Fig. 20 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a cubed ice outlet for dispenser 210. In this figure, the slot 211 in which the door 214 slides can be easily seen (for clarity the door 214 is not shown in this figure), as described earlier, with a slight angle to the vertical.

Fig. 21 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the crushed ice outlet and ice crusher for dispenser 210. This figure also shows paddlewheels 260 for lifting ice from an ice bin 262 of dispenser 210. The cross-section is slightly to the right through the center of the paddle wheel.

Cubed ice is delivered into the ice crusher 250 via a downwardly sloping chute. The rotating blade 255 rotates counterclockwise in fig. 21, crushing ice against the stationary blade 254 at about the 5 o' clock position. The crushed ice is then carried within the crusher housing until it overflows through the crusher housing outlet when the door 234 is lifted by the rotating solenoid 230. Any crushed ice that has settled on rotating blades 255 is scraped off by the wipers on static blades 254. Fig. 21 also shows the position of the commercial lamp 264.

A keypad selector 240 (fig. 19) is used to select whether cubed ice or crushed ice is to be dispensed. If button 241 is pushed, crushed ice will be dispensed when dispensing chute 224 is pushed rearward. If button 246 is pressed, cubed ice will be dispensed when dispensing chute 224 is pushed.

Control of rotary solenoids 216 and 230, ice crusher motor 223 and other electrical components is performed by means of an electrical system, a schematic of which is shown in fig. 22. Circuit board 244 includes terminals for a plurality of circuits and a microprocessor controller. For example, P1 and P2 are connected to a line voltage source. The wires leading to the rectifier and supplying power to the rotary solenoid 216 are connected to the circuit board 244 at P9 and P10, the rotary solenoid 216 serving to control the dispensing of cubed ice. Similarly, the wires leading to the rectifier and supplying power to the rotary solenoid 230 are connected at P5 and P6, the rotary solenoid 230 being used to open the door 234 outside the ice crusher 250. The ice crusher motor and its associated capacitor are connected by P3 and P4. The keyboard 240, which contains selector buttons 241 and 246 for selecting crushed or cubed ice, is connected to the circuit board 244 by a ribbon cable 243, the ribbon cable 243 having a polarized plug at J1. The control circuitry for operating the mixing and dispensing valve 226 (which control circuitry is standard and therefore not shown) and the reduced voltage is provided by transformer 280, transformer 280 also supplying a low voltage to the circuit board 244 at J4. The schematic also shows the power supplied to the fluorescent lamp 264 and its associated ballast and starter. The dispenser 210 is equipped with an emergency switch which stops the power supply to the machine when the front cover is removed. When the dispensing chute 224 is pushed, the dispensing switch 274, which is connected to the circuit board 244 at J3, is activated. A motor 276, connected to the circuit board through P7 and P8, operates the paddle wheel. The control system is set up so that when the dispensing switch 274 is actuated, the motor 276 turns and the microprocessor appears to be observing which of the buttons 241 and 246 was last pressed. If button 241 is pressed last, then ice crusher motor 223 and ice crusher solenoid 230 are activated simultaneously, causing the ice crusher to operate and open the door near the crushed ice outlet. If button 246 is last actuated, the cubed ice solenoid 216 is actuated, thereby opening 212.

Ice and beverage dispenser 310 of fig. 23-26 has separate cubed and crushed ice dispensing chutes similar to dispenser 30 of fig. 6, but includes a number of significant modifications, many of which are similar to the structure of dispenser 210 of fig. 18-22. With respect to fig. 19, the front panel of the dispenser 310 is not shown. The dispenser 310 is shown with two paddle wheel regions 362 and 363. Each of these paddlewheel regions contains a paddlewheel, one of which is used to supply ice cubes to the ice crusher and the other of which is used to supply ice cubes to the cubed ice dispensing chute.

Cubed ice dispensing chute 361 is located on the right side of dispenser 310. The flow of cubed ice from the ice bin through the outlet is controlled by pushing cubed ice dispensing chute 361. The connection between dispensing chute 361 and dispenser 310 and the control of ice passing through the chute may be the same as the cubed ice dispensing mechanism on a conventional ice and beverage dispenser, which dispenses cubed ice only, or it may include a rotary solenoid and door similar to solenoid 216 and door 214 of dispenser 210.

The design of the ice crusher 350, motor 323, rotary solenoid 330, door 334 and arm 332 on dispenser 310 are the same as the design of the corresponding components on dispenser 210. Similarly, the control of these components is substantially the same. Fig. 25 shows a circuit diagram for the distributor 310. Many of the components are the same as the circuit diagram for dispenser 210 in fig. 22. Since the dispenser 310 has two paddle wheels in the regions 362 and 363, there are two motors, a left motor 376 and a right motor 377, for activating the paddle wheels. There are also two transformers 380, each supplying low voltage power to a separate set of mixing and dispensing valves 326. When the cubed ice dispenser is pushed, the switch 375 is activated, and the switch 375 then activates the right motor 377. There are optionally also two commercial lamps 364, the commercial lamps 364 having associated ballasts 383 and starters 385. A capacitor 386 and relay 387 for the ice crusher motor are shown in fig. 25. These products and a few separate and unnumbered products such as nuts, screws, washers, mounting brackets, timers, electrical boxes and other small products are shown in exploded views in fig. 23 and 26. FIG. 25 also shows switch 371, which switch 371 is actuated to pivot on rod 373 when either dispensing chute 324 or optional lever 372 is pushed; an emergency switch 374 (also shown in fig. 26); and optionally a blender timer 388, the timer 388 may be included to rotate the paddlewheel when no ice is dispensed for a predetermined period of time to prevent ice from sticking to each other within the bin.

A detailed view and an exploded view of the ice crusher 250 and its components are shown in fig. 27-34. The ice crusher 350 for use on the combined ice and beverage dispenser 310 is exactly the same as the ice crusher 250. Many of the parts of ice crusher 250 are very similar to those used in ice crusher 50, such as static bushing (spacer) 248 and rotating bushing (spacer) 245, and therefore will not be explained in detail. However, some of the more significant differences are as follows. As mentioned earlier, the housing 251 for the ice crusher 250 does not contain a holding chamber. The shape of the scraping section on the non-rotating blades 254 is slightly different. The removable door 257 has a different shape and includes a flap 290 that can be grasped to separate the door 257 from the remainder of the housing 251 by rotating the door 5 degrees counterclockwise. The living hinge allows the pawl to snap into place when the door is installed. A gasket 292 is provided to help seal the door 257. The housing 251 includes a guide 294, and the door 234 slides up and down in the guide 294. Instead, the drive shaft 249 and driven shaft 242 are connected by a protruding pin 247 in the drive shaft rather than by dog teeth. An elastic wave washer 291 is provided between the last static bushing and the door 257. Bushing 296 and seal 297 are disposed on the exterior of door 257 (fig. 27) and inside housing 251 against the exterior wall (fig. 28). A retaining ring 295 is used to hold the assembly together. When the door 257 is removed, the blades 254 and 255 thus come out of the housing 251 with the door.

The present invention may be applied to existing ice dispensers or existing combined ice and beverage dispensers. In particular, the preferred embodiment of the ice crusher design, which does not require additional height on the basic machine to accommodate the ice crusher, facilitates retrofitting existing dispensers. A retrofit kit for this purpose would include an ice crusher and a dispensing chute. The ice crusher will be attachable to existing dispensers in the area where cubed ice is currently being dispensed. A new ice dispensing chute will be attachable to the ice crusher. The ice crusher and chute designs described above can thus be combined to provide an improved kit. The ice crusher may be connected in parallel with a line for activating the paddlewheel motor when the ice dispensing chute is pushed.

The present invention has many embodiments, and only a few of the many embodiments that are presently preferred have been described. For example, rather than using a non-rotating blade as a rotating blade to interact with and crush ice, the ice crusher may be manufactured with blades or elements that are molded or assembled into the housing at fixed locations within the housing. For the purposes of the present invention, such a fixed element is equivalent to a "non-rotating blade". Instead of providing the scraping members on the non-rotating blades, the scraping members may be part of the rotating blades. Instead of mounting the ice crusher as in fig. 1 and 4, the crusher may be mounted at an angle of 90 degrees and the crushing blades move in a horizontal plane or side rather than in a vertical plane. Instead of using a rotary solenoid to open the door, a mechanical link may be used. As mentioned earlier, other crushing mechanisms, such as sonic crushers, may be used. The foregoing detailed description is to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and the understanding that: it is the following claims including all equivalents which define the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (38)

1. A combination of a beverage dispenser and an ice crusher, the combination comprising:

a) a beverage dispenser having an ice bin and a cold plate, wherein a syrup for at least one beverage is conveyed through a conduit within the cold plate;

b) an ice crusher housing having an inlet connected to the ice bin;

c an ice crusher aligned within the ice crusher housing; and

d) a crushed ice outlet from the ice crusher housing;

and wherein the ice crusher and housing are configured and connected to the dispenser such that when the ice is crushed, the ice passes upwardly; the ice crusher housing has at least one rotating crusher blade and at least one non-rotating crusher blade therein, the ice crusher and housing configured such that ice is lifted by the rotating crusher blade, the ice crusher further comprising a scraper capable of removing crushed ice from the rotating crusher blade, the ice crusher and housing configured such that ice is lifted by the rotating crusher blade before contacting the scraper.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the ice bin is not refrigerated and ice from the ice bin is fed to the ice crusher by way of a downwardly sloping chute.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said ice bin further comprises a cubed ice outlet, wherein a user can dispense crushed ice from said crushed ice outlet or cubed ice from said cubed ice outlet.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the crushed ice outlet and the cubed ice outlet are both connected to the same dispensing chute.

5. The combination of claim 3, wherein the crushed ice outlet and the cubed ice outlet are each connected to a different dispensing chute.

6. The combination of claim 1 further comprising a motor and a drive shaft connected to said motor, wherein said drive shaft has an interface for driving each of said at least one rotating crusher blades.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the crusher housing outlet is connected to a dispensing chute.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein the ice crusher housing further comprises a door proximate the crushed ice outlet.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein the ice crusher housing comprises at least one removable side.

10. The combination of claim 1 further comprising an ice maker having an outlet positioned to deliver ice to the ice bin.

11. The combination of claim 1, wherein the scraper is provided by a portion formed on the at least one non-rotating ice crusher blade.

12. A combination according to claim 3, including a switch for selecting whether cubed ice or crushed ice is to be dispensed; and a second switch for initiating dispensing of said ice cubes.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein the ice crusher housing further comprises a door proximate the crushed ice outlet.

14. The combination of claim 1 wherein a paddlewheel is located within said ice bin and is used to transfer ice to said ice crusher housing.

15. The combination of claim 3 further comprising at least one mixing and dispensing valve for mixing said juice and water and dispensing a beverage, and wherein cubed ice can enter said ice crusher from said ice bin when a user selects to dispense crushed ice, and wherein cubed ice can pass from said ice bin through a cubed ice outlet when a user selects to dispense cubed ice.

16. The combination of claim 15, wherein a first solenoid activated door and a second solenoid activated door are used to control whether the dispenser is to deliver cubed or crushed ice.

17. The combination of claim 16 further comprising a selector for selecting whether the dispenser will deliver cubed or crushed ice, and when cubed ice is selected on the selector and ice dispensing is initiated, the first solenoid-activated door opens the cubed ice outlet and cubed ice is dispensed, and when crushed ice is selected on the selector and ice dispensing is initiated, the ice crusher is activated and the second solenoid-activated door opens, allowing crushed ice from the ice crusher to be dispensed.

18. The combination of claim 1 wherein the ice crusher further comprises a pivotally mounted safety guard such that the bottom of the safety guard can swing away from the ice crusher allowing crushed ice to pass into the dispensing chute but the safety guard can only swing back to a stop position to prevent someone from reaching fingers into the chute and touching the fingers with the ice crusher.

19. An ice dispenser and ice crusher combination, the combination comprising:

a) a non-refrigerated ice bin;

b) an ice crusher housing having an inlet connected to the ice bin;

c) an ice crusher located within the ice crusher housing; and

d) an outlet for crushed ice from the ice crusher housing;

wherein the ice crusher and housing are configured and connected to the dispenser such that when the ice is crushed, the ice passes upwardly; the ice crusher housing has at least one rotating crusher blade and at least one non-rotating crusher blade therein, the ice crusher and housing configured such that ice is lifted by the rotating crusher blade, the ice crusher further comprising a scraper capable of removing crushed ice from the rotating crusher blade, the ice crusher and housing configured such that ice is lifted by the rotating crusher blade before contacting the scraper.

20. The combination of claim 19 further comprising a cubed ice outlet from the ice dispenser whereby the ice dispenser is also capable of dispensing uncrushed cubed ice.

21. The combination of claim 20 wherein a single dispensing chute is connected to both the ice crusher housing outlet and the cubed ice outlet.

22. The combination of claim 20 including two separate dispensing chutes, one connected to said ice crusher housing outlet and one connected to said cubed ice outlet.

23. The combination of claim 19 wherein there is at least one rotating crusher blade and at least one non-rotating crusher blade within the ice crusher housing.

24. The combination of claim 23 further comprising a motor and a drive shaft connected to said motor, wherein said drive shaft has an interface for driving each of said at least one rotating crusher blades.

25. A method for crushing and dispensing ice from an ice dispenser, the method comprising:

a) transferring ice from the non-refrigerated ice bin into an ice crusher housing containing an ice crusher;

b) crushing ice pieces with the ice crusher; and

c) passing crushed ice through an outlet from a housing of the ice crusher;

wherein the ice crusher and housing are configured and connected to the dispenser such that when the ice is crushed, the ice passes upwardly; the ice crusher housing has at least one rotating crusher blade and at least one non-rotating crusher blade therein, the ice crusher and housing configured such that ice is lifted by the rotating crusher blade, the ice crusher further comprising a scraper capable of removing crushed ice from the rotating crusher blade, the ice crusher and housing configured such that ice is lifted by the rotating crusher blade before contacting the scraper.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising dispensing non-crushed ice from the ice dispenser.

27. The method of claim 25 further comprising operating an ice maker and automatically transferring ice from the ice maker to the ice bin.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising selecting whether crushed ice or cubed ice is to be dispensed from the ice dispenser.

29. A method of operating a beverage dispenser with an integrated ice dispenser, the beverage dispenser having at least one mixing and dispensing valve for mixing syrup and water and for dispensing a beverage, the method comprising:

a) selecting whether crushed or cubed ice is to be dispensed and initiating ice dispensing;

b) in response to the selection of crushed ice in step a),

i) the ice cubes are delivered into the ice crusher housing,

ii) crushing the ice within the ice crusher housing, the ice crusher and housing being configured and connected to the dispenser such that when the ice is crushed, the ice passes upwardly, an

iii) transporting the generated crushed ice to an ice dispensing chute; and

c) delivering cubed ice into the ice dispensing chute in response to the selection of cubed ice in step a);

wherein the ice crusher housing has at least one rotating crusher blade and at least one non-rotating crusher blade therein, the ice crusher and housing configured such that ice is lifted by the rotating crusher blade, the ice crusher further comprising a wiper capable of removing crushed ice from the rotating crusher blade, the ice crusher and housing configured such that ice is lifted by the rotating crusher blade before contacting the wiper.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein selecting whether crushed ice or cubed ice is to be dispensed comprises pushing a button.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein initiating ice dispensing comprises pushing an ice dispensing chute.

32. A method of operating a combined ice and beverage dispenser, wherein the beverage dispenser includes at least one mixing and dispensing valve for mixing a syrup and water and for dispensing a beverage, and wherein the ice dispenser is equipped with an ice crusher in an ice crusher housing, the method comprising:

a) whether crushed ice or cubed ice is to be dispensed, and when crushed ice is selected,

b) passing cubed ice into the ice crusher housing, and

c) activating the ice crusher to crush the ice, the ice crusher and housing configured and connected to the dispenser such that when the ice is crushed, the ice passes upwardly;

wherein the ice crusher housing has at least one rotating crusher blade and at least one non-rotating crusher blade therein, the ice crusher and housing configured such that ice is lifted by the rotating crusher blade, the ice crusher further comprising a wiper capable of removing crushed ice from the rotating crusher blade, the ice crusher and housing configured such that ice is lifted by the rotating crusher blade before contacting the wiper.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein selecting whether crushed or cubed ice is to be dispensed and activating the ice crusher comprises two different actions.

34. The method of claim 32 wherein the combined ice and beverage dispenser further comprises an ice bin, an outlet from the ice bin to the ice crusher is always open, but an outlet from the ice crusher is controlled, and the step of activating the ice crusher also opens the outlet from the ice crusher.

35. A combination ice and beverage dispenser, comprising: at least one mixing and dispensing valve for mixing the syrup and water and for dispensing the beverage; an ice chest; a first opening and a second opening located on an exterior of the ice bin; an ice crusher in the ice crusher housing; and a selector for selecting whether the dispenser is to deliver cubed ice or crushed ice, wherein the ice crusher and housing are configured and connected to the dispenser such that when ice is crushed, the ice passes upwardly; wherein the ice crusher housing has at least one rotating crusher blade and at least one non-rotating crusher blade therein, the ice crusher and housing configured such that ice is lifted by the rotating crusher blade, the ice crusher further comprising a wiper capable of removing crushed ice from the rotating crusher blade, the ice crusher and housing configured such that ice is lifted by the rotating crusher blade before contacting the wiper.

36. The combined ice and beverage dispenser of claim 35 wherein both crushed and cubed ice are dispensed through the same dispensing chute.

37. A combination ice and beverage dispenser, comprising: at least one mixing and dispensing valve for mixing the syrup and water and for dispensing the beverage; an ice chest; a first opening and a second opening located on an exterior of the ice bin; an ice crusher; and two distribution troughs, one for cubed ice and one for crushed ice; and wherein the ice crusher and housing are configured and connected to the dispenser such that when the ice is crushed, the ice passes upwardly; the ice crusher housing has at least one rotating crusher blade and at least one non-rotating crusher blade therein, the ice crusher and housing configured such that ice is lifted by the rotating crusher blade, the ice crusher further comprising a scraper capable of removing crushed ice from the rotating crusher blade, the ice crusher and housing configured such that ice is lifted by the rotating crusher blade before contacting the scraper.

38. An improved kit for adding an ice crusher to an existing ice dispenser, the improved kit comprising: an ice crusher within an ice crusher housing attachable to an existing ice dispenser and an ice dispensing chute attachable to the ice crusher housing, wherein the ice crusher and housing are configured and connected to the dispenser such that when ice is crushed, the ice passes upward; wherein the ice crusher housing has at least one rotating crusher blade and at least one non-rotating crusher blade therein, the ice crusher and housing configured such that ice is lifted by the rotating crusher blade, the ice crusher further comprising a wiper capable of removing crushed ice from the rotating crusher blade, the ice crusher and housing configured such that ice is lifted by the rotating crusher blade before contacting the wiper.