An ice bagger is provided. The ice bagger includes an ice hopper into which ice is disposed from an ice manufacturer. The ice hopper further includes an ice agitator. The ice hopper defines an ice trough positioned beneath the ice hopper. An ice auger is housed inside the ice trough. The ice auger transports ice to an ice delivery chute. A hatch is positioned beneath the ice delivery chute, upon which the bag rests while filling. The ice delivery chute and the hatch define a bag filling area such that, when bags are present in the bag filling area, the bags are positioned to be filled. A scale is positioned on the hatch. The scale weighs the ice being deposited into the bag. When the bag is full, the bag is sealed by a sealer. When the bag is sealed, the hatch opens and the bag of ice is deposited in an bag depository. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

A method for building an ice structure includes making a plurality of ice logs and attaching the ice logs together to form a support structure. The support structure may be two or more stories high and may be constructed by freezing the ice logs together.

A method for building an ice structure includes making a plurality of ice logs and attaching the ice logs together to form a support structure. The support structure may be two or more stories high and may be constructed by freezing the ice logs together.

A variable ice dispenser for a refrigerator utilizes a variable control suitable for varying the rate of ice dispensing by the dispenser. In some instances, the variable control includes a variable control actuator that is movable between a range of positions including a home position, and movement of the variable control actuator in a first direction from the home position causes the variable ice dispenser to dispense cubed ice while movement of the variable control actuator in a second direction from the home position causes the variable ice dispenser to dispense crushed ice. Further, in some instances, the variable control may also selectively activate the ice dispenser such that the variable control actuator controls the ice dispensing rate while the variable ice dispenser is activated. In addition, in some instances, a variable control may also include a secondary control that switches between ice and water dispensing modes.

With the components assembled and the ice block formed, the Ice clamping device will allow the user a safe and effective way use the ice block to clean a food grade grilling surface. Thereby cleaning the grilling surface without direct metal on metal contact with that surface there by eliminating the issues and hazards assorted with those cleaning tools i.e. metal from wire bristles or broken material that can be ingested.

With the components assembled and the ice block formed, the Ice clamping device will allow the user a safe and effective way use the ice block to clean a food grade grilling surface. Thereby cleaning the grilling surface without direct metal on metal contact with that surface there by eliminating the issues and hazards assorted with those cleaning tools i.e. metal from wire bristles or broken material that can be ingested.

An apparatus for preserving bulk ice that includes a compartment for drying and storing ice, and a shaft for attaching an ice drying receptacle to the drying and storage compartment is disclosed. The shaft is actuated by a motor having two directions of rotation. The motor is adapted to cause the shaft and ice drying receptacle to rotate in two directions. The action of the motor, and therefore the rotation of the shaft and the ice drying receptacle, are controlled based in part on information received from one or more sensors. The compartment also has a tray with a drain for collecting and removing waste. The tray includes a resistor for melting the remains of the drying process.

An apparatus for preserving bulk ice that includes a compartment for drying and storing ice, and a shaft for attaching an ice drying receptacle to the drying and storage compartment is disclosed. The shaft is actuated by a motor having two directions of rotation. The motor is adapted to cause the shaft and ice drying receptacle to rotate in two directions. The action of the motor, and therefore the rotation of the shaft and the ice drying receptacle, are controlled based in part on information received from one or more sensors. The compartment also has a tray with a drain for collecting and removing waste. The tray includes a resistor for melting the remains of the drying process.

A method for building an ice structure includes making a plurality of ice logs and attaching the ice logs together to form a support structure. The support structure may be two or more stories high and may be constructed by freezing the ice logs together.

An ice maker for forming ice having a refrigeration system, a water system, and a control system. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. The water system includes a water filter and a sump to hold water to be made into ice. The control system includes a controller adapted to determine a baseline freeze time, a baseline harvest time, and/or a baseline fill time after an initial set of ice making cycles and is further adapted to compare subsequent harvest times, freeze times, and/or fill times to the baseline freeze, harvest, and/or fill times to determine whether the ice maker needs maintenance. If controller determines that ice maker needs maintenance, controller can push a notification to a portable electronic device connected to the ice maker.