Ice distribution system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- distributing a first ice-filled bag within an internal region defined by a temperature-controlled storage unit, comprising;
providing a first kicker assembly comprising a first basket, wherein the first kicker assembly is movable within the internal region;
disposing the first ice-filled bag in the first basket of the first kicker assembly, wherein the first ice-filled bag is adapted to be dropped within the internal region as a result of being discharged from the first kicker assembly;
searching for an available space in the internal region in which to dispose the first ice-filled bag, comprising;
coupling a first sensor to the first kicker assembly so that the first sensor is movable with the first kicker assembly;
moving the first kicker assembly, and thus the first ice-filled bag and the first sensor, within the internal region; and
determining, using the first sensor, that there is not a second ice-filled bag immediately below the first kicker assembly and at a location within the internal region towards which the first ice-filled bag would be dropped if the first ice-filled bag were to be discharged from the first kicker assembly, thereby identifying the location as the available space in the internal region;
anddisposing the first ice-filled bag in the available space in the internal region, comprising;
dropping the first ice-filled bag within the internal region by discharging the first ice-filled bag from the first kicker assembly.
21 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
11 Claims
-
1. A method comprising:
distributing a first ice-filled bag within an internal region defined by a temperature-controlled storage unit, comprising; providing a first kicker assembly comprising a first basket, wherein the first kicker assembly is movable within the internal region; disposing the first ice-filled bag in the first basket of the first kicker assembly, wherein the first ice-filled bag is adapted to be dropped within the internal region as a result of being discharged from the first kicker assembly; searching for an available space in the internal region in which to dispose the first ice-filled bag, comprising; coupling a first sensor to the first kicker assembly so that the first sensor is movable with the first kicker assembly; moving the first kicker assembly, and thus the first ice-filled bag and the first sensor, within the internal region; and determining, using the first sensor, that there is not a second ice-filled bag immediately below the first kicker assembly and at a location within the internal region towards which the first ice-filled bag would be dropped if the first ice-filled bag were to be discharged from the first kicker assembly, thereby identifying the location as the available space in the internal region; and disposing the first ice-filled bag in the available space in the internal region, comprising; dropping the first ice-filled bag within the internal region by discharging the first ice-filled bag from the first kicker assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
6. A method comprising:
distributing a first ice-filled bag within an internal region defined by a temperature-controlled storage unit, comprising; providing a first kicker assembly comprising a first basket, wherein the first kicker assembly is movable within the internal region; disposing the first ice-filled bag in the first basket of the first kicker assembly, wherein the first ice-filled bag is adapted to be dropped within the internal region as a result of being discharged from the first kicker assembly; determining, using a first sensor, that there is not a second ice-filled bag immediately below the first kicker assembly and at a location within the internal region towards which the first ice-filled bag would be dropped if the first ice-filled bag were to be discharged from the first kicker assembly, thereby identifying the location as an available space in the internal region; and disposing the first ice-filled bag in the available space in the internal region, comprising; dropping the first ice-filled bag within the internal region by discharging the first ice-filled bag from the first kicker assembly. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
Specification