William A Balsamico

US Patent:

48785237, Nov 7, 1989

Filed:

Apr 4, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/177149

Inventors:

William A. Balsamico - North Huntingdon PA
Walter J. Minnick - North Huntingdon PA

International Classification:

B65B 316

US Classification:

141114

Abstract:

An improved ice measuring and dispensing machine is of the type which includes an ice supply hopper, a housing having three measuring and dispensing chambers which continuously rotate about a vertical axis, and a discharge chute. Each of the chambers rotates beneath the supply hopper to receive ice by gravity flow therefrom. Each of the chambers filled with ice from the ice supply hopper rotates over the discharge chute to discharge the ice therein by gravity flow down the discharge chute into an ice bag. The improvement includes the rotating housing having a cylindrical wall which partially defines each of the chambers. A hammer device is reciprocated toward and away from the cylindrical wall to cause the head thereof to make repeated, jarring contact with the cylindrical wall to vibrate the chambers and thus prevent the collection or bridging of ice therein.