EP 1102951 A1 20010530 - VACUUM PNEUMATIC SYSTEM FOR CONVEYANCE OF ICE
Title (en)
VACUUM PNEUMATIC SYSTEM FOR CONVEYANCE OF ICE
Title (de)
PNEUMATISCHES VAKUUMSYSTEM ZUR FÖRDERUNG VON EIS
Title (fr)
SYSTEME PNEUMATIQUE SOUS VIDE D'APPORT DE GLA ONS
Publication
Application
Priority
- US 9917492 W 19990802
- US 12805098 A 19980803
- US 20707598 A 19981207
- US 36479499 A 19990730
Abstract (en)
[origin: WO0008396A1] Vacuum pneumatic conveying apparatus (2) and method are described to provide for a simple, economical, convenient (and preferably automatic) system for conveying ice on an as-required basis from a source (1) such as an ice maker to one or more receptors (3) at locations remote from that source. The system can be configured such that dispensing locations can be added or eliminated from the system without the need to change the system configuration. The apparatus in various embodiments includes an ice source (1), a conveying conduit (24) from the source (1) to the receptor (3), a vacuum pump (34) for moving the ice through the conduit by vacuum, and the receptor. The receptor (3) may be an ice/beverage dispenser, an accumulator for retention and discharge to further devices, an intermediate storage dispenser, or an air lock device. Ice and vacuum may simultaneously be routed into different branched routes, utilizing a unique diverter/air shifter (130).
IPC 1-7
IPC 8 full level
F25C 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC (source: EP)
F25C 5/20 (2017.12)
Citation (search report)
See references of WO 0008396A1
Designated contracting state (EPC)
DE ES FR GB IT
DOCDB simple family (publication)
WO 0008396 A1 20000217; AU 5331899 A 20000228; CA 2339219 A1 20000217; EP 1102951 A1 20010530
DOCDB simple family (application)
US 9917492 W 19990802; AU 5331899 A 19990802; CA 2339219 A 19990802; EP 99938942 A 19990802