Ice distribution system and method

1. An apparatus for ice distribution, comprising:

a temperature-controlled storage unit defining an internal region in which a plurality of ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored;

one or more tracks extending within the internal region;

a component coupled to, and movable along, the one or more tracks; and

a sensor movable with the component;

wherein a portion of the internal region defines an available space in which a first ice-filled bag is adapted to be disposed;

wherein the apparatus is actuable between:

a first configuration in which the first ice-filled bag is supported by the component before the first ice-filled bag is disposed in the available space; and

a second configuration in which the first ice-filled bag is disposed in the available space;

wherein the sensor is configured to identify the available space when the apparatus is in the first configuration.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is coupled to the component.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a drive motor adapted to cause the component to move along the one or more tracks.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein, to actuate the apparatus from the first configuration to the second configuration, the component is configured to discharge the first ice-filled bag into the available space identified by the sensor.

5. 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.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , 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.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising an enclosure connected to the temperature-controlled storage unit, wherein at least a portion of the hopper is enclosed by the enclosure.

8. A method for ice distribution, comprising:

providing an apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a temperature-controlled storage unit defining an internal region in which a plurality of ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored,

one or more tracks extending within the internal region,

a component coupled to, and movable along, the one or more tracks, and

a sensor movable with the component,

wherein a portion of the internal region defines an available space in which a first ice-filled bag is adapted to be disposed;

placing the apparatus in a first configuration, in which the first ice-filled bag is supported by the component before the first ice-filled bag is disposed in the available space;

moving the component along the one or more tracks when the apparatus is in the first configuration;

moving the sensor with the component;

identifying, using the sensor, the available space when the apparatus is in the first configuration; and

actuating the apparatus from the first configuration to a second configuration, in which the first ice-filled bag is disposed in the identified available space.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the sensor is coupled to the component.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising causing, using a drive motor, the component to move along the one or more tracks.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein actuating the apparatus from the first configuration to the second configuration comprises discharging the first ice-filled bag from the component to dispose the first ice-filled bag in the available space.

12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

making, using an ice maker, ice; and

filling an empty bag with the ice to produce the first ice-filled bag.

13. The method of claim 12 , 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.

14. The method of claim 13 , 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.