Control system for ice dispenser and method

A method of operating an ice dispenser of the type having a hopper for storage of a mass of small particles of ice, comprising the steps of manufacturing and introducing ice into an upper end of the hopper;

• sensing when the level of ice in the hopper in an area in proximity with its point of entry into the hopper reaches a selected level;
• commencing timing of a predetermined time interval, which comprises first, second and third discrete periods of time, immediately upon the sensed level of ice reaching the selected level;
• agitating the mass of ice in the hopper for the first period of time while continuing said manufacturing and introducing step for the second period of time immediately following said first period;
• continuing or interrupting said manufacturing and introducing step at the end of the second period in accordance with the sensed level of ice being below or at least equal to, respectively, said selected level;
• upon the occurrence of interruption of said manufacturing and introducing steps at the end of the second period, again commencing said manufacturing and introducing steps after the third period of time immediately following a subsequent sensed level of ice below said selected level;
• and repeating the above steps, whereby said manufacturing and introducing step is performed continuously whenever the overall level of the mass of ice is less than said selected level.

A control system for an ice dispenser of a type having a hopper for storage of a mass of small particles of ice, an agitator for the mass of ice, an icemaker for manufacturing and introducing ice into an upper end of the hopper, and a sensor for sensing the level of ice in the hopper in an area in proximity with its point of entry into the hopper, comprising means for operating the icemaker when the sensed level of the ice is below a selected level;

• timer means for measuring first, second and third discrete periods of time;
• means responsive to said timer means and the sensor for operating the agitator for the first period of time upon sensing ice at the selected level while continuing to operate the icemaker;
• means responsive to said timer means for continuing to operate the icemaker for the second period of time upon termination of agitation at the end of the first period;
• means responsive to said timing means and sensor for continuing or interrupting operation of the icemaker at the end of the second period of time in response to the sensed level of ice being below or at least equal to, respectively, said selected level;
• and means, responsive to said timer means and sensor upon interruption of the icemaker at the end of the second period of time, for again operating the icemaker at the end of the third period of time following a subsequent sensed level of ice below said selected level, whereby said icemaker is operated continuously whenever the overall level of the mass of ice is below said selected level.