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;
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, wherein the ice transferring device further comprises a second holding vessel having at least one end positioned to receive ice pieces emitted from the aperture;
a first transport device located within the second holding vessel to move ice pieces toward the end thereof; and
a second transport device positioned between the end of the second holding vessel and the container filling station to move ice pieces from the second holding vessel to the container filling station.
10 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.
124 Citations
16 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; 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, wherein the ice transferring device further comprises a second holding vessel having at least one end positioned to receive ice pieces emitted from the aperture;
a first transport device located within the second holding vessel to move ice pieces toward the end thereof; and
a second transport device positioned between the end of the second holding vessel and the container filling station to move ice pieces from the second holding vessel to the container filling station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification