Ice distribution system and method
View Patent ↗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. An apparatus, comprising:
a temperature-controlled storage unit defining an internal region in which a plurality of ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored, a portion of the internal region being an available space in which a first ice-filled bag is adapted to be disposed;
one or more tracks extending within the internal region; and
a component adapted to support the first ice-filled bag before the first ice-filled bag is disposed in the available space;
wherein the component is coupled to the one or more tracks;
wherein the component is movable along the one or more tracks;
wherein the component supports the first ice-filled bag during movement of the component along the one or more tracks;
wherein the apparatus further comprises a first sensor adapted to identify the available space; and
wherein the apparatus further comprises a second sensor adapted to determine whether the component will be blocked during the movement of the component along the one or more tracks.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 ,
wherein the first sensor is movable with the component.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is coupled to the component.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a drive motor adapted to cause the component to move along the one or more tracks.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first ice-filled bag is discharged from the component to dispose the first ice-filled bag in the available space.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an ice maker adapted to make ice that fills an empty bag to produce the first ice-filled bag.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a hopper operably coupled to the ice maker and adapted to receive the ice from the ice maker before the ice fills the empty bag to produce the first ice-filled bag.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising an enclosure connected to the temperature-controlled storage unit, wherein at least a portion of the hopper is enclosed by the enclosure.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is movable with the component.
10. A method, comprising:
providing a temperature-controlled storage unit that defines an internal region in which a plurality of ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored,
wherein a portion of the internal region is an available space in which a first ice-filled bag is adapted to be disposed,
wherein one or more tracks extend within the internal region, and
wherein a component is coupled to the one or more tracks;
supporting, using the component, the first ice-filled bag before the first ice-filled bag is disposed in the available space; and
moving the component along the one or more tracks;
wherein the component supports the first ice-filled bag during movement of the component along the one or more tracks;
wherein the method further comprises identifying, using a first sensor, the available space; and
wherein the method further comprises determining, using a second sensor, whether the component will be blocked during the movement of the component along the one or more tracks.
11. The method of claim 10 ,
wherein the first sensor is movable with the component.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first sensor is coupled to the component.
13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising causing, using a drive motor, the component to move along the one or more tracks.
14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising discharging the first ice-filled bag from the component to dispose the first ice-filled bag in the available space.
15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
making, using an ice maker, ice; and
filling an empty bag with the ice to produce the first ice-filled bag.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising receiving the ice in a hopper operably coupled to the ice maker before filling the empty bag with the ice to produce the first ice-filled bag.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein an enclosure is connected to the temperature-controlled storage unit, and wherein at least a portion of the hopper is enclosed by the enclosure.
18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first sensor is movable with the component.
19. An apparatus, comprising:
a temperature-controlled storage unit defining an internal region in which a plurality of ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored, a portion of the internal region being an available space in which a first ice-filled bag is adapted to be disposed;
one or more tracks extending within the internal region; and
a component adapted to support the first ice-filled bag before the first ice-filled bag is disposed in the available space;
wherein the component is coupled to the one or more tracks;
wherein the component is movable along the one or more tracks;
wherein the component supports the first ice-filled bag during movement of the component along the one or more tracks; and
wherein the apparatus further comprises a sensor adapted to determine whether the component will be blocked during the movement of the component along the one or more tracks.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising a drive motor adapted to cause the component to move along the one or more tracks.
21. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the first ice-filled bag is discharged from the component to dispose the first ice-filled bag in the available space.
22. The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising an ice maker adapted to make ice that fills an empty bag to produce the first ice-filled bag.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 , further comprising a hopper operably coupled to the ice maker and adapted to receive the ice from the ice maker before the ice fills the empty bag to produce the first ice-filled bag.
24. The apparatus of claim 23 , further comprising an enclosure connected to the temperature-controlled storage unit, wherein at least a portion of the hopper is enclosed by the enclosure.
25. A method, comprising:
providing a temperature-controlled storage unit that defines an internal region in which a plurality of ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored,
wherein a portion of the internal region is an available space in which a first ice-filled bag is adapted to be disposed,
wherein one or more tracks extend within the internal region, and
wherein a component is coupled to the one or more tracks;
supporting, using the component, the first ice-filled bag before the first ice-filled bag is disposed in the available space; and
moving the component along the one or more tracks;
wherein the component supports the first ice-filled bag during the movement of the component along the one or more tracks; and
wherein the method further comprises determining, using a sensor, whether the component will be blocked during the movement of the component along the one or more tracks.
26. The method of claim 25 , further comprising causing, using a drive motor, the component to move along the one or more tracks.
27. The method of claim 25 , further comprising discharging the first ice-filled bag from the component to dispose the first ice-filled bag in the available space.
28. The method of claim 25 , further comprising:
making, using an ice maker, ice; and
filling an empty bag with the ice to produce the first ice-filled bag.
29. The method of claim 28 , further comprising receiving the ice in a hopper operably coupled to the ice maker before filling the empty bag with the ice to produce the first ice-filled bag.
30. The method of claim 29 , wherein an enclosure is connected to the temperature-controlled storage unit, and wherein at least a portion of the hopper is enclosed by the enclosure.