AUTOMATED ICE BAGGING APPARATUS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. An automated ice vending apparatus, comprising:
- a holding vessel formed with an aperture, the holding vessel being configured and dimensioned to receive and house ice pieces produced by an operatively associated ice supply;
an ice metering device; and
an ice transferring device at least partially disposed within the holding vessel that facilitates movement of ice pieces located therein in a substantially horizontal direction toward and through the aperture thereof, and facilitates movement of ice pieces in a second different direction from the aperture to the ice metering device, which is adapted and configured to meter a quantity of ice pieces into a readily transportable container.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic ice vending apparatus including a holding vessel formed with an aperture, the holding vessel being configured and dimensioned to receive and house ice pieces produced by an operatively associated ice supply, an ice metering device, and an ice transferring device at least partially disposed within the holding vessel that facilitates movement of ice pieces located therein in a first direction toward the aperture thereof, and movement of ice pieces in a second different direction from the aperture to the ice metering device, which is adapted and configured to meter a quantity of ice pieces into a readily transportable container. Methods and automated methods of delivering ice to consumer(s) are also included.
99 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An automated ice vending apparatus, comprising:
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a holding vessel formed with an aperture, the holding vessel being configured and dimensioned to receive and house ice pieces produced by an operatively associated ice supply; an ice metering device; and an ice transferring device at least partially disposed within the holding vessel that facilitates movement of ice pieces located therein in a substantially horizontal direction toward and through the aperture thereof, and facilitates movement of ice pieces in a second different direction from the aperture to the ice metering device, which is adapted and configured to meter a quantity of ice pieces into a readily transportable container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An automated ice vending apparatus, comprising:
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a holding vessel formed with an aperture, the holding vessel being configured and dimensioned to receive and house ice pieces produced by an operatively associated ice supply; a measuring station adapted and configured to measure a selected quantity of ice pieces and to separately deliver the selected quantity of ice pieces into a readily transportable container; and an ice transferring device at least partially disposed within the holding vessel, with the ice transferring device facilitating movement of ice pieces located therein in a first direction toward and through the aperture thereof, and in a second different direction to the measuring station.
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12. An automated ice vending apparatus, comprising:
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a holding vessel formed with an aperture, the holding vessel being configured and dimensioned to receive and house ice pieces produced by an operatively associated ice supply; a container filling station; and an ice transferring device at least partially disposed within the holding vessel, with the ice transferring device facilitating movement of ice pieces located therein in a first direction toward and through the aperture thereof, and in a second different direction to the container filling station where a selected quantity of ice pieces is placed into a readily transportable container, wherein the container filling station comprises a metering device that is operatively associated with the ice transferring device and that meters a selected quantity of ice pieces into each readily transportable container. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. An automated method of delivering ice pieces to a consumer which comprises:
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providing a holding vessel capable of housing a quantity of ice pieces weighing at least 2,000 pounds; providing a container filling station that meters a pre-selected supply of ice pieces outside the holding vessel and which receives ice pieces therefrom; moving ice pieces housed within the holding vessel toward and through an aperture thereof; and separately transferring ice pieces emitted from the aperture to the container filling station to replenish the pre-selected supply of ice pieces at the container filling station, which further comprises activating the container filling station in response to receipt of a payment by the consumer to dispense a selected amount of ice pieces into a readily transportable container. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. An automated method of delivering freshly packaged ice pieces to a consumer which comprises:
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providing a holding vessel capable of housing a quantity of ice pieces weighing at least 2,000 pounds that are produced by an operatively associated ice supply; providing a container filling station outside the holding vessel that receives ice pieces from the holding vessel; activating the container filling station to dispense a selected amount of ice pieces into a readily transportable container; and delivering to the consumer an ice-filled container within a time period in the range of about 4 seconds to 20 seconds from receipt of payment from the consumer. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. An automated method of delivering freshly bagged ice pieces to a consumer, comprising:
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receiving payment from the consumer in an amount corresponding to a pre-selected amount of ice pieces; and delivering the amount of ice pieces automatically to the consumer in less than about a minute from the time of receipt of payment, wherein the ice pieces are supplied from an operatively associated holding vessel that is replenished with ice pieces from an operatively associated ice supply to ensure sufficient availability of ice pieces for purchase and the amount of ice pieces is selected in a metering device outside the holding vessel.
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21. A method of automatically delivering ice pieces to a plurality of successive consumers upon receipt of a payment by each, which comprises:
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providing a holding vessel capable of housing a quantity of ice pieces weighing at least about 2,000 pounds; providing a container filling station which is outside the holding vessel and receives and meters a selected quantity of ice pieces from the holding vessel; and activating the container filling station in response to receipt of the payment by each successive consumer so as to dispense the selected amount of ice pieces to each consumer in rapid succession so that at least about 100 16-pound or 20-pound containers of ice pieces are delivered in no more than about 30 minutes before the holding vessel requires replenishment from an operatively associated ice supply. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification