Ice Bagging System and Method

• US 20080022635A1
• Filed: 08/10/2007
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Reddy Ice LLC
• Original Assignee: Reddy Ice Corporation (Stone Canyon Industries Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Metzger, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,849,660 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/469
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 1/36 by volumetric devices or methods checking volume of filled material B65B1/48
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 25/001 of foodstuffs, combined with their conservation B65B25/041, B65B25/062, B65B25/067 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 43/123 Feeding flat bags connected to form a series or chain
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/067 in bags B65B5/061 - B65B5/065 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 51/146 Closing bags
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/06 and operating to control, or to stop, the feed of articles or material to be packaged
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/18 causing operation of audible or visible alarm signals
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 59/00 Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages , to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 61/28 for discharging completed packages from machines
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 5/20 Distributing ice
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 7/325 Non-aqueous compositions

Abstract

An ice bagging system is described.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a hopper defining a first region in which ice is adapted to be disposed;

a first door movable relative to the hopper, the first door comprising;

a closed position in which;

a second region is at least partially defined by the first door, and

the first door substantially prevents the ice from entering the second region from the first region defined by the hopper; and

an open position in which the ice is permitted to enter the second region from the first region;

and

a second door movable relative to each of the hopper and the first door, the second door comprising;

a closed position in which;

the second region is at least partially defined by the second door, and

the second door substantially prevents the ice from exiting the second region after the ice has entered the second region from the first region defined by the hopper; and

an open position in which the ice is permitted to exit the second region after the ice has entered the second region from the first region defined by the hopper.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a compartment, at least a portion of which at least partially defines the second region;

wherein, when the first door is in its closed position and the second door is in its closed, position,

the at least a portion of the compartment is disposed between the first and second doors, and

the second region is at least partially defined by the at least a portion of the compartment, the first door and the second door.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a first actuator operably coupled to the first door and adapted to move the first door relative to each of the hopper and the second door.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising:

a second actuator operably coupled to the second door and adapted to move the second door relative to each of the hopper and the first door.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the second door comprises:

opposing first and second ends; and

at least one through-opening proximate the second end.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising:

a drain pan positioned relative to the second door so that at least a portion of the drain pan is positioned below the at least one through-opening of the second door when the second door is in its closed position.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the second door comprises a generally V-shaped cross section;

wherein the first door extends horizontally; and

wherein the second door extends at angle so that the vertical position of the first end of the second door is higher than the vertical position of the second end of the second door.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a bagging mechanism comprising a bag into which the ice is adapted to enter in response to exiting the second region.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an agitating member extending within the first region defined by the hopper and adapted to agitate the ice.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an ice maker from which the hopper is adapted to receive the ice;

a bagging mechanism comprising a bag into which the ice is adapted to enter in response to exiting the second region;

a freezer adapted to store the bag after the ice has entered the bag; and

a control system operably coupled to one or more of the ice maker, the hopper, the first door, the second door, the bagging mechanism and the freezer, the control system comprising a computer comprising;

a processor; and

a memory accessible to the processor for storing instructions executable by the processor;

a server in two-way communication with the control system via a network; and

at least one remote user interface in two-way communication with the control system via the server and the network.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the control system further comprises one or more sensors operably coupled to the processor and adapted to monitor one or more of the ice maker, the hopper, the first door, the second door, the bagging mechanism, the bag and the freezer;

and

wherein the remote user interface permits one or more of the ice maker, the hopper, the first door, the second door, the bagging mechanism, the bag and the freezer to be remotely monitored and controlled.

12. A method comprising:

providing a hopper defining a first region in which ice is disposed;

measuring a first amount of the ice, comprising;

permitting the first amount of the ice to exit the hopper and fall into a second region defined below at least a portion of the hopper; and

disposing the first measured amount of the ice in a bag, comprising;

permitting the first measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

positioning a first door between the first and second regions so that the second region is generally isolated from the first region;

wherein permitting the first amount of the ice to exit the hopper and fall into the second region comprises;

positioning a second door between the first door and the bag; and

moving the first door relative to the hopper so that the second region is not generally isolated from the first region.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the second door generally prevents the first measured amount of the ice from exiting the second region after the first measured amount of the ice has fallen into the second region and before the first measured amount of the ice has fallen into the bag;

and

wherein permitting the first measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag comprises;

moving the second door relative to each of the hopper and the first door so that the second door does not prevent the first measured amount of the ice from exiting the second region.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein disposing the first measured amount of the ice in the bag further comprises:

before permitting the first measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag, moving the first door relative to the hopper so that the first door is again positioned between the first and second regions and the second region is generally isolated from the first region.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

moving the second door relative to each of the hopper and the first door so that the second door is again positioned between the second region and the bag.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

if the bag is not filled with ice after disposing the first measured amount of the ice in the bag, then

(a) measuring another amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, comprising permitting the another amount of the ice to exit the hopper and fall into the second region;

(b) disposing the another measured amount of the ice in the bag, comprising permitting the another measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag; and

(c) if the bag is not filled with ice after disposing the another measured amount of the ice in the bag, then repeating steps (a) and (b) until the bag is filled with ice.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

determining whether there is a sufficient amount of ice in the first region defined by the hopper before measuring the another amount of the ice, comprising sensing the presence of the another amount of the ice in the first region defined by the hopper.

19. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

making the ice;

filling the bag with ice, comprising disposing the first measured amount of the ice in the bag; and

storing the bag in a freezer after filling the bag with ice.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

remotely monitoring one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising:

remotely controlling one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

operably coupling a control system to at least one of the first and second doors, the control system comprising a computer comprising;

a processor; and

a memory accessible to the processor for storing instructions executable by the processor;

wherein remotely controlling one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer comprises;

downloading instructions from a remote location to the computer for storage in the memory; and

executing the instructions stored in the memory using the processor; and

wherein remotely monitoring one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer comprises;

transmitting to the computer one or more signals corresponding to one or more of making the ice, measuring the amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer; and

transmitting information corresponding to the one or more signals to a remote location.

23. A system comprising:

means for providing a hopper defining a first region in which ice is disposed;

means for measuring a first amount of the ice, comprising;

means for permitting the first amount of the ice to exit the hopper and fall into a second region defined below at least a portion of the hopper; and

means for disposing the first measured amount of the ice in a bag, comprising;

means for permitting the first measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag.

24. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

means for positioning a first door between the first and second regions so that the second region is generally isolated from the first region;

wherein means for permitting the first amount of the ice to exit the hopper and fall into the second region comprises;

means for positioning a second door between the first door and the bag; and

means for moving the first door relative to the hopper so that the second region is not generally isolated from the first region.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the second door generally prevents the first measured amount of the ice from exiting the second region after the first measured amount of the ice has fallen into the second region and before the first measured amount of the ice has fallen into the bag;

and

wherein means for permitting the first measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag comprises;

means for moving the second door relative to each of the hopper and the first door so that the second door does not prevent the first measured amount of the ice from exiting the second region.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein means for disposing the first measured amount of the ice in the bag further comprises:

means for before permitting the first measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag, moving the first door relative to the hopper so that the first door is again positioned between the first and second regions and the second region is generally isolated from the first region.

27. The system of claim 26 further comprising:

means for moving the second door relative to each of the hopper and the first door so that the second door is again positioned between the second region and the bag.

28. The system of claim 26 further comprising:

means for if the bag is not filled with ice after disposing the first measured amount of the ice in the bag, then

(a) measuring another amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, comprising permitting the another amount of the ice to exit the hopper and fall into the second region;

(b) disposing the another measured amount of the ice in the bag, comprising permitting the another measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag; and

(c) if the bag is not filled with ice after disposing the another measured amount of the ice in the bag, then repeating steps (a) and (b) until the bag is filled with ice.

29. The system of claim 28 further comprising:

means for determining whether there is a sufficient amount of ice in the first region defined by the hopper before measuring the another amount of the ice, comprising means for sensing the presence of the another amount of the ice in the first region defined by the hopper.

30. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

means for making the ice;

means for filling the bag with ice, comprising means for disposing the first measured amount of the ice in the bag; and

means for storing the bag in a freezer after filling the bag with ice.

31. The system of claim 30 further comprising:

means for remotely monitoring one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer.

32. The system of claim 31 further comprising:

means for remotely controlling one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer.

33. The system of claim 32 further comprising:

means for operably coupling a control system to at least one of the first and second doors, the control system comprising a computer comprising;

a processor; and

a memory accessible to the processor for storing instructions executable by the processor;

wherein means for remotely controlling one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer comprises;

means for downloading instructions from a remote location to the computer for storage in the memory; and

means for executing the instructions stored in the memory using the processor; and

wherein means for remotely monitoring one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer comprises;

means for transmitting to the computer one or more signals corresponding to one or more of making the ice, measuring the amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer; and

means for transmitting information corresponding to the one or more signals to a remote location.

34. A computer readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions stored therein, the plurality of instructions comprising:

instructions for measuring a first amount of ice disposed in a first region defined by a hopper, comprising;

instructions for permitting the first amount of the ice to exit the hopper and fall into a second region defined below at least a portion of the hopper; and

instructions for disposing the first measured amount of the ice in a bag, comprising;

instructions for permitting the first measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag.

35. The computer readable medium of claim 34 wherein the plurality of instructions further comprises:

instructions for positioning a first door between the first and second regions so that the second region is generally isolated from the first region;

wherein instructions for permitting the first amount of the ice to exit the hopper and fall into the second region comprise;

instructions for positioning a second door between the first door and the bag; and

instructions for moving the first door relative to the hopper so that the second region is not generally isolated from the first region.

36. The computer readable medium of claim 35 wherein the second door generally prevents the first measured amount of the ice from exiting the second region after the first measured amount of the ice has fallen into the second region and before the first measured amount of the ice has fallen into the bag;

and

wherein instructions for permitting the first measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag comprise;

instructions for moving the second door relative to each of the hopper and the first door so that the second door does not prevent the first measured amount of the ice from exiting the second region.

37. The computer readable medium of claim 36 wherein instructions for disposing the first measured amount of the ice in the bag further comprise:

instructions for before permitting the first measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag, moving the first door relative to the hopper so that the first door is again positioned between the first and second regions and the second region is generally isolated from the first region.

38. The computer readable medium of claim 37 wherein the plurality of instructions further comprises:

instructions for moving the second door relative to each of the hopper and the first door so that the second door is again positioned between the second region and the bag.

39. The computer readable medium of claim 37 wherein the plurality of instructions further comprises:

instructions for if the bag is not filled with ice after disposing the first measured amount of the ice in the bag, then

(a) measuring another amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, comprising permitting the another amount of the ice to exit the hopper and fall into the second region;

(b) disposing the another measured amount of the ice in the bag, comprising permitting the another measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag; and

(c) if the bag is not filled with ice after disposing the another measured amount of the ice in the bag, then repeating steps (a) and (b) until the bag is filled with ice.

40. The computer readable medium of claim 39 wherein the plurality of instructions further comprises:

instructions for determining whether there is a sufficient amount of ice in the first region defined by the hopper before measuring the another amount of the ice, comprising instructions for sensing the presence of the another amount of the ice in the first region defined by the hopper.

41. The computer readable medium of claim 34 wherein the plurality of instructions further comprises:

instructions for making the ice;

instructions for filling the bag with ice, comprising instructions for disposing the first measured amount of the ice in the bag; and

instructions for storing the bag in a freezer after filling the bag with ice.

42. The computer readable medium of claim 41 wherein the plurality of instructions further comprises:

instructions for remotely monitoring one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer.

43. The computer readable medium of claim 42 wherein the plurality of instructions further comprises:

instructions for remotely controlling one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer.

44. The computer readable medium of claim 43 wherein the plurality of instructions further comprises:

instructions for operably coupling a control system to at least one of the first and second doors, the control system comprising a computer comprising;

a processor; and

a memory accessible to the processor for storing instructions executable by the processor;

wherein instructions for remotely controlling one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer comprise;

instructions for downloading instructions from a remote location to the computer for storage in the memory; and

instructions for executing the instructions stored in the memory using the processor;

and

wherein instructions for remotely monitoring one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer comprises;

instructions for transmitting to the computer one or more signals corresponding to one or more of making the ice, measuring the amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer; and

instructions for transmitting information corresponding to the one or more signals to a remote location.

45. A system comprising:

a hopper defining a first region in which ice is adapted to be disposed;

a first door movable relative to the hopper, the first door comprising;

a closed position in which;

a second region is at least partially defined by the first door, and

the first door substantially prevents the ice from entering the second region from the first region defined by the hopper;

and

an open position in which the ice is permitted to enter the second region from the first region;

a second door movable relative to each of the hopper and the first door, the second door comprising;

opposing first and second ends, wherein the vertical position of the first end is higher than the vertical position of the second end;

a closed position in which;

the second region is at least partially defined by the second door, and

the second door substantially prevents the ice from exiting the second region after the ice has entered the second region from the first region defined by the hopper;

and

an open position in which the ice is permitted to exit the second region after the ice has entered the second region from the first region defined by the hopper;

a compartment, at least a portion of which at least partially defines the second region;

a first actuator operably coupled to the first door and adapted to move the first door relative to each of the hopper and the second door;

a second actuator operably coupled to the second door and adapted to move the second door relative to each of the hopper and the first door;

a drain pan positioned relative to the second door so that at least a portion of the drain pan is positioned below the at least one through-opening of the second door when the second door is in its closed position;

an ice maker from which the hopper is adapted to receive the ice;

a bagging mechanism comprising a bag into which the ice is adapted to enter in response to exiting the second region;

a freezer adapted to store the bag after the ice has entered the bag; and

a control system operably coupled to one or more of the ice maker, the hopper, the first door, the second door, the bagging mechanism and the freezer, the control system comprising;

a computer comprising;

a processor; and

a memory accessible to the processor for storing instructions executable by the processor;

and

one or more sensors operably coupled to the processor and adapted to monitor one or more of the ice maker, the hopper, the first door, the second door, the bagging mechanism, the bag and the freezer;

a server in two-way communication with the control system via a network; and

at least one remote user interface in two-way communication with the control system via the server and the network, wherein the remote user interface permits one or more of the ice maker, the hopper, the first door, the second door, the bagging mechanism, the bag and the freezer to be remotely monitored and controlled;

wherein, when the first door is in its closed position and the second door is in its closed, position,

the at least a portion of the compartment is disposed between the first and second doors, and

the second region is at least partially defined by the at least a portion of the compartment, the first door and the second door.

46. A method comprising:

providing a hopper defining a first region in which ice is disposed;

positioning a first door between the first region and a second region defined below at least a portion of the hopper so that the second region is generally isolated from the first region;

measuring a first amount of the ice, comprising;

permitting the first amount of the ice to exit the hopper and fall into the second region, comprising;

positioning a second door between the first door and the bag; and

moving the first door relative to the hopper so that the second region is not generally isolated from the first region, wherein the second door generally prevents the first measured amount of the ice from exiting the second region after the first measured amount of the ice has fallen into the second region;

disposing the first measured amount of the ice in a bag, comprising;

permitting the first measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag, comprising;

moving the second door relative to each of the hopper and the first door so that the second door does not prevent the first measured amount of the ice from exiting the second region;

and

before permitting the first measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag, moving the first door relative to the hopper so that the first door is again positioned between the first and second regions and the second region is generally isolated from the first region;

moving the second door relative to each of the hopper and the first door so that the second door is again positioned between the second region and the bag;

if the bag is not filled with ice after disposing the first measured amount of the ice in the bag, then

(a) measuring another amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, comprising permitting the another amount of the ice to exit the hopper and fall into the second region;

(b) determining whether there is a sufficient amount of ice in the first region defined by the hopper before measuring the another amount of the ice, comprising sensing the presence of the another amount of the ice in the first region defined by the hopper;

(c) disposing the another measured amount of the ice in the bag, comprising permitting the another measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag; and

(d) if the bag is not filled with ice after disposing the another measured amount of the ice in the bag, then repeating steps (a) through (c) until the bag is filled with ice;

making the ice;

filling the bag with ice, comprising disposing the first measured amount of the ice in the bag;

storing the bag in a freezer after filling the bag with ice;

operably coupling a control system to at least one of the first and second doors, the control system comprising a computer comprising;

a processor; and

a memory accessible to the processor for storing instructions executable by the processor;

remotely controlling one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer, comprising;

downloading instructions from a remote location to the computer for storage in the memory; and

executing the instructions stored in the memory using the processor;

and

remotely monitoring one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer, comprising;

transmitting to the computer one or more signals corresponding to one or more of making the ice, measuring the amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer; and

transmitting information corresponding to the one or more signals to a remote location.

47. A system comprising:

means for providing a hopper defining a first region in which ice is disposed;

means for positioning a first door between the first region and a second region defined below at least a portion of the hopper so that the second region is generally isolated from the first region;

means for measuring a first amount of the ice, comprising;

means for permitting the first amount of the ice to exit the hopper and fall into the second region, comprising;

means for positioning a second door between the first door and the bag; and

means for moving the first door relative to the hopper so that the second region is not generally isolated from the first region, wherein the second door generally prevents the first measured amount of the ice from exiting the second region after the first measured amount of the ice has fallen into the second region;

means for disposing the first measured amount of the ice in a bag, comprising;

means for permitting the first measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag, comprising;

means for moving the second door relative to each of the hopper and the first door so that the second door does not prevent the first measured amount of the ice from exiting the second region;

and

means for before permitting the first measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag, moving the first door relative to the hopper so that the first door is again positioned between the first and second regions and the second region is generally isolated from the first region;

means for moving the second door relative to each of the hopper and the first door so that the second door is again positioned between the second region and the bag;

means for if the bag is not filled with ice after disposing the first measured amount of the ice in the bag, then

(a) measuring another amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, comprising permitting the another amount of the ice to exit the hopper and fall into the second region;

(b) determining whether there is a sufficient amount of ice in the first region defined by the hopper before measuring the another amount of the ice, comprising sensing the presence of the another amount of the ice in the first region defined by the hopper;

(c) disposing the another measured amount of the ice in the bag, comprising permitting the another measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag; and

(d) if the bag is not filled with ice after disposing the another measured amount of the ice in the bag, then repeating steps (a) through (c) until the bag is filled with ice;

means for making the ice;

means for filling the bag with ice, comprising means for disposing the first measured amount of the ice in the bag;

means for storing the bag in a freezer after filling the bag with ice;

means for operably coupling a control system to at least one of the first and second doors, the control system comprising a computer comprising;

a processor; and

a memory accessible to the processor for storing instructions executable by the processor;

means for remotely controlling one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer, comprising;

means for downloading instructions from a remote location to the computer for storage in the memory; and

means for executing the instructions stored in the memory using the processor; and

means for remotely monitoring one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer, comprising;

means for transmitting to the computer one or more signals corresponding to one or more of making the ice, measuring the amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer; and

means for transmitting information corresponding to the one or more signals to a remote location.

48. A computer readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions stored therein, the plurality of instructions comprising:

instructions for positioning a first door between a first region defined by a hopper in which ice is disposed and a second region defined below at least a portion of the hopper so that the second region is generally isolated from the first region;

instructions for measuring a first amount of the ice, comprising;

instructions for permitting the first amount of the ice to exit the hopper and fall into the second region, comprising;

instructions for positioning a second door between the first door and the bag; and

instructions for moving the first door relative to the hopper so that the second region is not generally isolated from the first region, wherein the second door generally prevents the first measured amount of the ice from exiting the second region after the first measured amount of the ice has fallen into the second region;

instructions for disposing the first measured amount of the ice in a bag, comprising;

instructions for permitting the first measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag, comprising;

instructions for moving the second door relative to each of the hopper and the first door so that the second door does not prevent the first measured amount of the ice from exiting the second region;

and

instructions for before permitting the first measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag, moving the first door relative to the hopper so that the first door is again positioned between the first and second regions and the second region is generally isolated from the first region;

instructions for moving the second door relative to each of the hopper and the first door so that the second door is again positioned between the second region and the bag;

instructions for if the bag is not filled with ice after disposing the first measured amount of the ice in the bag, then

(a) measuring another amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, comprising permitting the another amount of the ice to exit the hopper and fall into the second region;

(b) determining whether there is a sufficient amount of ice in the first region defined by the hopper before measuring the another amount of the ice, comprising sensing the presence of the another amount of the ice in the first region defined by the hopper;

(c) disposing the another measured amount of the ice in the bag, comprising permitting the another measured amount of the ice to exit the second region and fall into the bag; and

(d) if the bag is not filled with ice after disposing the another measured amount of the ice in the bag, then repeating steps (a) through (c) until the bag is filled with ice;

instructions for making the ice;

instructions for filling the bag with ice, comprising instructions for disposing the first measured amount of the ice in the bag;

instructions for storing the bag in a freezer after filling the bag with ice;

instructions for operably coupling a control system to at least one of the first and second doors, the control system comprising a computer comprising;

a processor; and

a memory accessible to the processor for storing instructions executable by the processor;

instructions for remotely controlling one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer, comprising;

instructions for downloading instructions from a remote location to the computer for storage in the memory; and

instructions for executing the instructions stored in the memory using the processor;

and

instructions for remotely monitoring one or more of making the ice, measuring the first amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer, comprising;

instructions for transmitting to the computer one or more signals corresponding to one or more of making the ice, measuring the amount of the ice disposed in the first region defined by the hopper, filling the bag with ice, and storing the bag in the freezer; and

instructions for transmitting information corresponding to the one or more signals to a remote location.