Ice distribution system and method

• US 10,502,474 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2018
• Issued: 12/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Reddy Ice LLC
• Original Assignee: Reddy Ice LLC
• Inventors: Metzger, Mark C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zec, Filip
• Application Number:
  US16/054,716
• Publication Number:
  US 20180340722A1
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 1/04 Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 1/30 Devices or methods for controlling or determining the quantity or quality or the material fed or filled
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 39/007 Guides or funnels for introducing articles into containers or wrappers
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 43/52 using roller-ways or endless conveyors
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/32 Applications of transfer devices such devices per se B65G47/74
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 1/00 Producing ice F25C3/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 5/187 with ice level sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 5/24 for storing bins ice bins F25C5/182

Abstract

An ice distribution system and method according to which ice-filled bags are distributed within a unit such as, for example, an ice merchandiser.

Claims

1. An apparatus for ice distribution, comprising:

a temperature-controlled storage unit defining an internal region in which a plurality of ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored;

one or more tracks extending within the internal region;

a component coupled to, and movable along, the one or more tracks; and

a sensor movable with the component;

wherein a portion of the internal region defines an available space in which a first ice-filled bag is adapted to be disposed;

wherein the apparatus is actuable between;

a first configuration in which the first ice-filled bag is supported by the component before the first ice-filled bag is disposed in the available space; and

a second configuration in which the first ice-filled bag is disposed in the available space;

wherein the sensor is configured to identify the available space when the apparatus is in the first configuration.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is coupled to the component.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a drive motor adapted to cause the component to move along the one or more tracks.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, to actuate the apparatus from the first configuration to the second configuration, the component is configured to discharge the first ice-filled bag into the available space identified by the sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an ice maker adapted to make ice that fills an empty bag to produce the first ice-filled bag.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a hopper operably coupled to the ice maker and adapted to receive the ice from the ice maker before the ice fills the empty bag to produce the first ice-filled bag.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an enclosure connected to the temperature-controlled storage unit, wherein at least a portion of the hopper is enclosed by the enclosure.

8. A method for ice distribution, comprising:

providing an apparatus, the apparatus comprising;

a temperature-controlled storage unit defining an internal region in which a plurality of ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored,

one or more tracks extending within the internal region,

a component coupled to, and movable along, the one or more tracks, and

a sensor movable with the component,

wherein a portion of the internal region defines an available space in which a first ice-filled bag is adapted to be disposed;

placing the apparatus in a first configuration, in which the first ice-filled bag is supported by the component before the first ice-filled bag is disposed in the available space;

moving the component along the one or more tracks when the apparatus is in the first configuration;

moving the sensor with the component;

identifying, using the sensor, the available space when the apparatus is in the first configuration; and

actuating the apparatus from the first configuration to a second configuration, in which the first ice-filled bag is disposed in the identified available space.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the sensor is coupled to the component.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising causing, using a drive motor, the component to move along the one or more tracks.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein actuating the apparatus from the first configuration to the second configuration comprises discharging the first ice-filled bag from the component to dispose the first ice-filled bag in the available space.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

making, using an ice maker, ice; and

filling an empty bag with the ice to produce the first ice-filled bag.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving the ice in a hopper operably coupled to the ice maker before filling the empty bag with the ice to produce the first ice-filled bag.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein an enclosure is connected to the temperature-controlled storage unit, and wherein at least a portion of the hopper is enclosed by the enclosure.