Ice distribution system and method
An ice distribution system and method according to which ice-filled bags are distributed within a unit such as, for example, an ice merchandiser.
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.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
determining whether the temperature-controlled storage unit is full of bags filled with ice after distributing the first ice-filled bag within the internal region defined by the temperature-controlled storage unit; and
if the temperature-controlled storage unit is not full of bags filled with ice after distributing the first ice-filled bag within the internal region defined by the temperature-controlled storage unit, then:
(a) filling another bag with ice to thereby produce another ice-filled bag;
(b) distributing the another ice-filled bag within the internal region defined by the temperature-controlled storage unit; and
(c) if the temperature-controlled storage unit is not full of bags filled with ice after distributing the another ice-filled bag within the internal region defined by the temperature-controlled storage unit, then repeating steps (a) and (b) until the temperature-controlled storage unit is full of bags filled with ice.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein moving the first kicker assembly, and thus the first ice-filled bag and the first sensor, within the internal region comprises:
extending one or more tracks within the internal region;
coupling the first kicker assembly to the one or more tracks;
operably coupling a drive motor to the one or more tracks; and
driving the one or more tracks using the drive motor to thereby move the first kicker assembly and thus the first ice-filled bag and the first sensor.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein dropping the first ice-filled bag within the internal region by discharging the first ice-filled bag from the first kicker assembly comprises:
rotating the first basket to thereby cause the first ice-filled bag to fall out of the first basket.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first kicker assembly further comprises a rotator motor operably coupled to the first basket; and
wherein dropping the first ice-filled bag within the internal region by discharging the first ice-filled bag from the first kicker assembly comprises:
activating the rotator motor to rotate the first basket and thereby cause the first ice-filled bag to fall out of the first basket.
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.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
coupling the first sensor to the first kicker assembly so that the first sensor is movable with the first kicker assembly; and
moving the first kicker assembly, and thus the first ice-filled bag and the first sensor, within the internal region.
8. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
determining whether the temperature-controlled storage unit is full of bags filled with ice after distributing the first ice-filled bag within the internal region defined by the temperature-controlled storage unit; and
if the temperature-controlled storage unit is not full of bags filled with ice after distributing the first ice-filled bag within the internal region defined by the temperature-controlled storage unit, then:
(a) filling another bag with ice to thereby produce another ice-filled bag;
(b) distributing the another ice-filled bag within the internal region defined by the temperature-controlled storage unit; and
(c) if the temperature-controlled storage unit is not full of bags filled with ice after distributing the another ice-filled bag within the internal region defined by the temperature-controlled storage unit, then repeating steps (a) and (b) until the temperature-controlled storage unit is full of bags filled with ice.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein moving the first kicker assembly and thus the first ice-filled bag within the internal region comprises:
extending one or more tracks within the internal region;
coupling the first kicker assembly to the one or more tracks;
operably coupling a drive motor to the one or more tracks; and
driving the one or more tracks using the drive motor to thereby move the first kicker assembly and thus the first ice-filled bag.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein dropping the first ice-filled bag within the internal region by discharging the first ice-filled bag from thefirst kicker assembly comprises:
rotating the first basket to thereby cause the first ice-filled bag to fall out of the first basket.
11. The method of claim 6 wherein the first kicker assembly further comprises a rotator motor operably coupled to the first basket; and
wherein dropping the first ice-filled bag within the internal region by discharging the first ice-filled bag from the first kicker assembly comprises:
activating the rotator motor to rotate the first basket and thereby cause the first ice-filled bag to fall out of the first basket.