System and method for distributing and stacking bags of ice
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a temperature-controlled storage unit, the temperature-controlled storage unit defining a region in which ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored;
a carriage movably coupled to the temperature-controlled storage unit;
a ring bearing, the ring bearing comprising a first ring and a second ring coupled thereto and circumferentially extending thereabout,wherein one of the first and second rings is coupled to the carriage such that the other of the first and second rings is rotatable about a first axis relative to the carriage and the one of the first and second rings;
a basket in which each of the ice-filled bags is adapted to be disposed before being stored in the region;
wherein the basket is coupled to the other of the first and second rings such that the basket is rotatable, about the first axis and relative to the carriage and the one of the first and second rings, between a first rotational position and a second rotational position;
wherein movement of the carriage along a second axis relative to the temperature-controlled storage unit causes the basket to move within the region along the second axis, the second axis being generally perpendicular to the first axis;
wherein the basket is rotatable about a third axis between a third rotational position and a fourth rotational position;
wherein the third axis is generally perpendicular to the second axis when the basket is in the first rotational position;
wherein the third axis is coaxial with, or generally parallel to, the second axis when the basket is in the second rotational position; and
wherein the third axis is generally perpendicular to the first axis when the basket is in the first rotational position and the second rotational position;
wherein the basket has a top opening;
andan opening formed through the carriage and positioned over the top opening of the basket when the basket is in the third rotational position such that ice passes through the opening of the carriage to fill a bag at least partially disposed in the basket for producing one of the ice-filled bags.
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Abstract
A system and method according to which ice is automatically disposed in respective bags and the bags of ice are distributed and stacked within a temperature-controlled storage unit, such as an ice merchandiser.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a temperature-controlled storage unit, the temperature-controlled storage unit defining a region in which ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored; a carriage movably coupled to the temperature-controlled storage unit; a ring bearing, the ring bearing comprising a first ring and a second ring coupled thereto and circumferentially extending thereabout, wherein one of the first and second rings is coupled to the carriage such that the other of the first and second rings is rotatable about a first axis relative to the carriage and the one of the first and second rings; a basket in which each of the ice-filled bags is adapted to be disposed before being stored in the region; wherein the basket is coupled to the other of the first and second rings such that the basket is rotatable, about the first axis and relative to the carriage and the one of the first and second rings, between a first rotational position and a second rotational position; wherein movement of the carriage along a second axis relative to the temperature-controlled storage unit causes the basket to move within the region along the second axis, the second axis being generally perpendicular to the first axis; wherein the basket is rotatable about a third axis between a third rotational position and a fourth rotational position; wherein the third axis is generally perpendicular to the second axis when the basket is in the first rotational position; wherein the third axis is coaxial with, or generally parallel to, the second axis when the basket is in the second rotational position; and wherein the third axis is generally perpendicular to the first axis when the basket is in the first rotational position and the second rotational position; wherein the basket has a top opening; and an opening formed through the carriage and positioned over the top opening of the basket when the basket is in the third rotational position such that ice passes through the opening of the carriage to fill a bag at least partially disposed in the basket for producing one of the ice-filled bags. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus comprising:
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a storage unit that is temperature-controlled, the storage unit defining a region in which ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored; and a basket in which each of the ice-filled bags is adapted to be disposed before being stored in the region; wherein the basket has a top opening; wherein the basket is rotatable, about a first axis, between a first rotational position and a second rotational position; wherein the basket is movably coupled to the storage unit so that at least a portion of the basket is permitted to move within the region along a second axis, the second axis being generally perpendicular to the first axis; wherein the basket is rotatable about a third axis between a third rotational position and a fourth rotational position, the third axis being; generally perpendicular to the second axis when the basket is in the first rotational position; and coaxial with, or generally parallel to, the second axis when the basket is in the second rotational position; a carriage movably coupled to the storage unit to movably couple the basket to the storage unit; and an opening formed through the carriage and positioned over the top opening of the basket when the basket is in the third rotational position such that ice passes through the opening of the carriage to fill a bag at least partially disposed in the basket for producing one of the ice-filled bags. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus comprising:
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a storage unit that is temperature-controlled, the storage unit defining a region for storing ice-filled bags; a carriage movably coupled to the storage unit; a ring bearing, the ring bearing comprising; a first ring coupled to the carriage; and a second ring movably coupled to the first ring such that the second ring is rotatable about a first axis relative to the carriage and the first ring; a basket in which a bag is adapted to be disposed for producing one of the ice-filled bags; wherein the basket is rotatable, about the first axis, between a first rotational position and a second rotational position; wherein the basket is coupled to the second ring such that the basket is rotatable with the second ring relative to the carriage; wherein movement of the carriage along a second axis relative to the storage unit causes the basket to move along the second axis, the second axis being generally perpendicular to the first axis; wherein the basket is rotatable about a third axis between a third rotational position in which the bag is adapted to receive ice to produce an ice-filled bag and a fourth rotational position in which the ice-filled bag is discharged into the region; wherein the third axis is generally perpendicular to the second axis when the basket is in the first rotational position; wherein the third axis is coaxial with, or generally parallel to, the second axis when the basket is in the second rotational position; and wherein the third axis is generally perpendicular to the first axis when the basket is in the first rotational position and the second rotational position; wherein the basket has a top opening; and an opening formed the carriage and positioned over the top opening of the basket when the basket is in the third rotational position to allow ice to pass through the opening of the carriage to fill the bag. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification