초록 ▼

An ice bin insert ( 10 ) separates a single store of ice pieces into separate stashes, namely, into potable and non-potable portions. The insert ( 10 ) includes a divider (C, D) dimension to be received within an ice holding cavity of an ice bin ( 30 ). Support members (B, E) attached to the divider

An ice bin insert ( 10 ) separates a single store of ice pieces into separate stashes, namely, into potable and non-potable portions. The insert ( 10 ) includes a divider (C, D) dimension to be received within an ice holding cavity of an ice bin ( 30 ). Support members (B, E) attached to the divider (C, D) hold the divider (C, D) at a desired position within the ice holding cavity of the ice bin ( 30 ). A plurality of perforations ( 12 ) are arranged within the divider (C, D) so as to permits ice pieces to flow from a first side thereof to a second side thereof while inhibiting retrieval of ice pieces on the second side from the first side. Preferably, the insert ( 10 ) is constructed from a unitary sheet of stainless steel which is bent to define the respective portions or sections thereof.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An ice bin insert for an ice bin having an ice holding cavity, said ice bin insert separating a single store of ice pieces into separate stashes and comprising:a divider dimension to be received within the ice holding cavity of the ice bin;support members attached to the divider, said support mem

1. An ice bin insert for an ice bin having an ice holding cavity, said ice bin insert separating a single store of ice pieces into separate stashes and comprising:a divider dimension to be received within the ice holding cavity of the ice bin;support members attached to the divider, said support members holding the divider at a desired position within the ice holding cavity of the ice bin, wherein said divider and said support members are formed from a substantially rigid material, said support members including at least one wall having a shape which substantially conforms to a contour of an ice bin wall that defines the ice holding cavity of the ice bin; and,a plurality of perforations within the divider, said perforations being arranged such that the divider permits ice pieces to flow from a first side thereof to a second side thereof while inhibiting retrieval of ice pieces on the second side from the first side. 2. The ice bin insert of claim 1, wherein said divider and said support members are formed from a substantially planar unitary sheet of material having a plurality of bends therein which define the divider and support members. 3. An ice bin insert for an ice bin having an ice holding cavity, said ice bin insert separating a single store of ice pieces into separate stashes and comprising:a divider dimension to be received within the ice holding cavity of the ice bin;support members attached to the divider, wherein said support members are arranged to hold the divide at a height above a floor of the ice holding cavity of the ice bin, said height being sufficient to permit an auxiliary cooling device and a layer of ice pieces at least partially surrounding the same to be arranged between the divider and the floor of the ice holding cavity of the ice bin; and,a plurality of perforations within the divider, said perforations being arranged such that the divider permits ice pieces to flow from a first side thereof to a second side thereof while inhibiting retrieval of ice pieces on the second side from the first side. 4. The ice bin insert of claim 3, wherein said divider includes a substantially planar first section and said support members are arranged to hold the first section substantially parallel to the floor of the ice holding cavity of the ice bin. 5. The ice bin insert of claim 4, wherein said divider includes a substantially planar second section arranged between the first section and at least one of the support members, said second section being sloped relative to the first section. 6. An ice bin insert for an ice bin having an ice holding cavity, said ice bin insert separating a single store of ice pieces into separate stashes and comprising:a divider dimension be received within the ice holding cavity of the ice bin;support members that hold the divider at a desired position within the ice holding cavity of the ice bin, said support members including a wall connected to the divider;a plurality of perforations within the divider, said perforations being arranged such that the divider permit ice pieces to flow from a first side thereof to a second side thereof while inhibiting retrieval of ice pieces on the second side from the first side; and,a channel formed at an end of the wall opposite the divider, said channel being arranged to receive therein a lip of the ice bin, said lip defining at least a portion of an opening for the ice holding cavity of the ice bin. 7. The ice bin insert of claim 6, wherein said divider and said all are substantially planar. 8. The ice bin insert of claim 7, wherein said wall is substantially normal to the divider. 9. The ice bin insert of claim 6, wherein said wall does not permit ice pieces to flow therethrough. 10. An ice bin insert for an ice bin having an ice holding cavity, said ice bin insert separating a single store of ice pieces into separate stashes and comprising:a divider dimension to be received within the ice holding cavity of the ice bin;support members that hold the divider at a desired position within the ice holding cavity of the ice bin, said support members including a wall connected to the divider;a plurality of perforations within the divider, said perforations being arranged such that the divider permits ice pieces to flow from a first side thereof to a second side thereof while inhibiting retrieval of ice pieces on the second side from the first side; and,a connecting plate formed at an end of the wall opposite the divider, said connecting plate being arranged for engagement with at least a portion of the ice bin so that the insert is supported therefrom. 11. The ice bin insert of claim 10, wherein said connecting plate is substantially normal to the wall and arranged so as to rest upon a portion of the ice bin. 12. The ice bin insert of claim 11, wherein said connecting plate includes at least one opening therein for passing through connections to an auxiliary cooling device situated under the insert in the ice holding cavity of the ice bin. 13. The ice bin insert of claim 11, wherein said connecting plate includes holes therein through which fasteners pass to fasten the insert to the ice bin. 14. The ice bin insert of claim 10, wherein said divider and said wall are substantially planar. 15. The ice bin insert of claim 14, wherein said wall is substantially normal to the divider. 16. The ice bin insert of claim 10, wherein said wall does not permit ice pieces to flow therethrough. 17. An insert for an ice bin, said insert comprising:a vertically extending first wall said first wall being solid and having opposing first and second ends;a vertically extending second wall said second wall being solid and having opposing first and second ends;a horizontally extending perforated first plate connected to the first end of the first walls; and,a perforated second plate connected between the first plate and the first end of the second wall, said second plate being sloped with respect to the first platewherein said insert is arranged so a to permit ice pieces to migrate through the first and second plates and restrict access to ice pieces once the have migrated through the first and second plates. 18. The insert of claim 17, further comprising:a channel formed at the second end of the first wall, said channel arranged to receive at least a portion of a lip of an ice bin such that the insert is supported thereon. 19. The insert of claim 17, further comprising:a connection plate formed at the second end of the second wall, said connection plate arranged to engage with, at least a portion of an ice bin such that the insert is supported thereby. 20. The insert of claim 17, wherein the first and second walls and the first and second plates are formed from a unitary sheet of stainless steel. 21. The insert of claim 17, wherein a portion of the insert rests upon a portion of the ice bin without being attached thereto such that the insert is supported by the ice bin and selectively removable from and installable in the ice bin, said first plate being positioned inside an ice holding cavity of the ice bin above a floor of the ice holding cavity when the insert is installed in the ice bin.