Ice Extractor

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to equipment for restaurants. More specifically, the device is an ice extractor to assist with getting ice out of an ice machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many establishments serve beverages with ice to keep them cold. Beverage stations usually have a fountain beverage machine or bar top with an ice bin located in the immediate vicinity. As the ice gets used up as drinks are made, the ice will need to be restocked. This involves going to the establishments ice machine and lifting the lid and using a scoop to transfer the ice into large buckets. However, this process often needs to be repeated multiple times a day. Additionally, one has to constantly bend over into the ice machine to scoop the ice, causing pain to ones back.

An object of the present invention is to provide the use with a device that will aid in filling large ice buckets. The ice extractor is a hollow cylinder with an auger centrally positioned inside. The invention has a small window to allow ice to be fed into the ice extractor. Using a drill attached to the extractor, the auger will rotate carrying ice up out of the extractor and into a bucket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is isometric view of a ice extractor showing my new design;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a left elevational view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a right elevational view thereof;

FIG. 8 is front perspective view of the auger; and

FIG. 9 is a front left perspective view with the auger removed

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is an ice extractor to aid in removing ice from a large ice machine and transferring into ice buckets. Industrial ice machines often have a lid that is located only on the upper half or upper one third of the front panel of the ice machine. Most industrial ice machines are continuously making ice that drops in the bin below once it is fully ready. As ice drops in the bin below, the ice level begins to rise. The design of the ice machine bin, to have the lid on the upper half, is necessary due to the fact that if the lid were positioned in the lower quadrant, when one lifted the lid, the ice would come spilling out on the floor.

Given that the lid is on the upper half, it often requires the person scooping ice to have to fully bend over placing their torso inside the machine to be able to reach the ice within the bottom. As one may need to scoop ice out multiple times, it can often lead to back discomfort.

The present invention is a device designed to aid in removing ice from the bottom of an ice machine basin. The present invention is an ice extractor 10, which is comprised of a central channel 11, a discharge canal 12, an auger 13, and a cordless drive motor. The central channel 11 is the main component to the ice extractor. The central channel 11 is a hollow tube that can be made in any length depending on the depth of one's ice machine. Further, the diameter of central channel 11 can be made in various diameters to meet the needs of the user. The central channel 11 further comprises an entrance window 25. The entrance window 25 is a small rectangular cutout within the central channel 11 as shown in FIG. 1. The entrance window 25 is located at bottom end 22 of the central channel 11. When the ice extractor is in use, the auger 13 rotates, causing ice to be pulled into the ice extractor through the entrance window 25. The central channel 11 has a top end 21 and a bottom end 22.

Positioned perpendicular to the central channel 11 is the discharge canal 12. In the preferred embodiment, the discharge canal 12 is the same diameter as that of the central channel 11. This is so the ice is in a continuous flow and does not get stuck anywhere inside the invention. The discharge canal 12 is a hollow cylindrical shape. The discharge canal 12 is located at end of the central channel 11 opposite the entrance window 25. The discharge canal 12 is sufficiently shorter in length than that of the central channel 11. When in use, the discharge canal 12 is positioned over an ice bucket on the floor. As the ice exits the discharge canal 12, it will drop into the ice bucket to allow for it to be transferred. The discharge canal 12 comprises a proximal end 32 and a distal end 31. The proximal end 32 is attached to the top end 21 of the central channel 11

Centrally positioned within the central channel 11 is the auger 13. The auger 13 is spiral shaped in nature. The auger 13 comprises a shaft 41 and a helical. The shaft 41 traverses the length of the central channel 11. The helical blade 42 is rotably connected around the shaft 41. The shaft 41 traverses the entirety of the central channel 11. The shaft 41 has an exposed end, which traverses through a central aperture 27 of an end plate 26 on the central channel 11.

At the base of the central channel 11 are food grade bearings positioned inside the central channel 11. The shaft 41 is centrally connected to the food grade bearings, allowing the shaft 41 to rotate when in use. At the top of the central channel 11 is an end plate 26. The top end 21 is perimetrically positioned around the end plate 26.

The bottom end 22 of the central channel 11 comprises a base plate 23. The bottom end 22 of the central channel 11 is perimetrically positioned around the base plate 23. The base plate 23 comprises a base plate aperture 24 and the base plate 23 aperture is centrally positioned on the base plate 23. The end plate 26 comprises a central seal 28 and a central aperture 27. The central seal 28 is used to ensure the shaft 41 of the auger 13 is jostling about as it traverses through the central aperture 27. The central aperture 27 is centrally positioned on the end plate 26. The central seal 28 being positioned on the external surface of the end plate 26. The central seal 28 is centrally positioned on the end plate 26.

Positioned externally at the top of the central channel 11 is a cordless drive motor 14. The cordless drive motor 14 is connected to the shaft 41. In the preferred embodiment, the cordless drive motor 14 is turned on, causing the shaft 41 to rotate in turn causing the helical blade 42 to rotate. When the helical blade 42 rotates, ice enters through the entrance window 25 and travels up the central channel 11 and is dropped out through the discharge canal 12. The cordless drive motor 14 is removeable and a cordless drill can be attached to the auger 13 to cause it to rotate to bring up ice out of the ice machine basin.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.