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 first direction toward 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, wherein the ice metering device comprises a weighing device located vertically above the aperture, the second direction being upwardly angled between the aperture and the weighing device.
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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.
156 Citations
25 Claims
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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 first direction toward 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, wherein the ice metering device comprises a weighing device located vertically above the aperture, the second direction being upwardly angled between the aperture and the weighing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- 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;
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3. 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 first direction toward 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, wherein the first direction is no more than about 20 degrees from the horizontal.
- 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;
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11. 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;
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 readily transportable container is a discrete container comprising one or more bags, coolers, boxes, drums, trash cans, kegs, or a combination thereof,wherein the ice transferring device comprises a first transport mechanism disposed within the holding vessel that assists in moving ice pieces located within the holding vessel toward the aperture thereof, and wherein the first transport mechanism moves ice pieces located within the holding vessel in a substantially horizontal direction, and in a downwardly angled direction relative to the vertical, toward the aperture in the holding vessel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
- 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;
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16. An automated ice vending machine, comprising:
- a holding vessel having an aperture sized and dimensioned to permit ice pieces therethrough, the holding vessel being capable of housing a quantity of ice pieces having a weight of at least 2,000 pounds which are produced by an operatively associated ice supply that operates to replenish a portion of removed ice pieces or to otherwise provide ice pieces;
a container filling station; and
an ice transferring device having a first portion located within the holding vessel that facilitates moving ice pieces in a substantially horizontal direction toward the aperture thereof, a second portion located at least partially within the holding vessel and oriented at an angle relative to the vertical that assists in moving ice pieces from the interior of the holding vessel downward and through the aperture thereof, and, a third portion located outside of the vessel which moves ice pieces emitted from the aperture upwardly to the container filling station, the ice transferring device facilitating replenishment of the container filling station with ice pieces from the holding vessel.
- a holding vessel having an aperture sized and dimensioned to permit ice pieces therethrough, the holding vessel being capable of housing a quantity of ice pieces having a weight of at least 2,000 pounds which are produced by an operatively associated ice supply that operates to replenish a portion of removed ice pieces or to otherwise provide ice pieces;
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17. An automated method of delivering ice pieces to a consumer which comprises:
- providing a holding vessel capable of housing a quantity of ice pieces weighing at least 2,000 pounds;
providing a container filling station which receives a pre-selected supply of ice pieces from the holding vessel;
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 (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
- providing a holding vessel capable of housing a quantity of ice pieces weighing at least 2,000 pounds;
Specification