Bulk ice bin

An apparatus for storing ice cubes, said apparatus comprising:

• a housing having a lower section and an upper section supported on the lower section, the lower section having a generally planar and vertical front wall provided with an opening that is located midway between its sides and along its bottom, the lower section also having a pair of side walls and a bottom wall all of which slope downwardly toward the opening in the front wall, so that ice which is directed into the lower section will gravitate toward the opening, the upper section having a generally planar and vertical front wall that aligns with and forms an upward continuation of the front wall on the lower section, the front wall of the upper section also having an opening that is located generally above the opening in the front wall of the lower section, the upper section also having side walls that extend upwardly from the side walls of the lower section, and a planar back wall that extends upwardly from the back of the lower section, with the back wall being inclined such that the top of the upper section is considerably smaller than the bottom of the upper section, the inclined back wall having an opening near its upper end, whereby an inclined conveyor may be placed over the inclined back wall to bring its discharge end into close proximity and alignment with the opening in the back wall;
• a lower door supported on the front wall of the lower section and normally closing the opening in that front wall;
• an upper door supported on the front wall of the upper section and normally closing the opening in that wall;
• and means attached to the lower section for supporting it in an upright position.