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 comprising an ice measuring container, wherein the ice measuring container is located in a direction above the aperture; 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.
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Citations
24 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 comprising an ice measuring container, wherein the ice measuring container is located in a direction above the aperture; 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, 23)
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11. An automated ice vending apparatus, comprising:
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a holding vessel formed with an aperture at an end thereof, 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 to a second holding vessel, and in a second different direction from the second holding vessel to the measuring station. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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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, in a lateral direction from the aperture to a second holding vessel, and a second ice transferring device to move ice pieces in a second different direction from the second holding vessel to the container filling station, wherein the container filling station comprises a metering device that is operatively associated with the ice transferring device and the second 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 to a second holding vessel; and separately transferring ice pieces emitted from the second holding vessel in a predominantly vertical direction 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. 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 formed with an aperture and capable of housing a quantity of ice pieces weighing at least about 2,000 pounds; providing a container filling station comprising an ice measuring container which is outside the holding vessel and receives and meters a selected quantity of ice pieces from the holding vessel, wherein the ice measuring container is located in a direction above 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 (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification