US 7,575,185 B2
Beverage and ice dispenser capable of selectively dispensing cubed or crushed ice
Marcus M. Hammonds, New Rochelle, N.Y. (US); William W. Segiet, Bethel, Conn. (US); Fernando A. Ubidia, Ludlow, Mass. (US); and Aaron Stein, Middletown, Conn. (US)
Assigned to PepsiCo, Inc., Purchase, N.Y. (US)
Filed on Dec. 27, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/318,698.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/648893, filed on Feb. 01, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2006/0169721 A1, Aug. 03, 2006
Int. Cl. B02B 1/08 (2006.01); B02B 5/02 (2006.01); B02C 21/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 241—35  [241/DIG. 17] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A beverage and ice dispenser, said dispenser comprising: a plurality of dispensing head assemblies, each said dispensing head assembly dispensing a beverage;
an ice bin;
a duct that extends from said ice bin, said duct having first and second outlets;
a chute extending from the duct first and second outlets, said chute having a discharge opening adjacent said dispensing head assemblies;
an ice crusher between said duct and said chute to crush ice discharged through the duct first outlet; and
a gate moveably attached to said duct that has a first position in which said gate allows ice flow through one of the duct first or second outlets and blocks flow through the other of the duct first or second outlets, and a second position in which said gate blocks flow through said one of the duct first or second outlets, and allows flow through the other of the duct first or second outlets.