Automated ice delivery apparatus and methods
An ice vending apparatus that includes a holding vessel, an ice metering device, an ice transferring device, and a device for facilitating the movement of ice through the aperture, such as an ice circulation device or moisture inhibiting device, are provided. The ice circulation device inhibits or prevents the freezing together and buildup of ice pieces within the apparatus, while the moisture inhibiting device inhibits or prevents the undesirable transfer of moisture to different parts of the apparatus. Methods of delivering ice to a consumer are also included.
1. An ice vending apparatus comprising:
a holding vessel having an aperture, a length, a width, and being configured and dimensioned to receive and house ice pieces produced by an operatively associated ice supply;
an ice metering device;
an ice transferring device at least partially disposed within the holding vessel that facilitates movement of ice pieces located therein toward the aperture thereof and to the ice metering device, which is adapted and configured to meter a quantity of ice pieces into a readily transportable container; and
an ice circulation device positioned in an upper portion of the holding vessel and substantially disposed above the ice transferring device in the holding vessel, and adapted and configured to selectively inhibit or prevent the permanent freezing together of the ice pieces, the buildup of ice adjacent an inner surface of the holding vessel, the accumulation of ice pieces that are partially melted, or a combination thereof by facilitating the movement of the ice pieces adjacent the ice supply away therefrom.
2. The ice vending apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the ice circulation device comprises an ice leveler configured and adapted to distribute ice pieces in a direction toward the ice transferring device and the aperture.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the ice leveler comprises a linearly reciprocating rod oriented substantially transversely to the length of the holding vessel and that is positioned about 0.5 to 12 inches below a top of the holding vessel.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the ice leveler further comprises a chain operatively associated with the linearly reciprocating rod that advances the rod substantially along the length of the holding vessel from a first position to a second position that is closer to the aperture so as to move the ice pieces toward the aperture, and that returns the rod from the second position to the first position.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the holding vessel is operatively associated with a catch vessel positioned to receive ice pieces emitted from the aperture, and wherein the ice circulation device is disposed at least partially in the catch vessel and is configured and adapted to facilitate the movement of ice pieces across the width of the catch vessel toward the portion of the ice transferring device that transfers ice pieces to the ice metering device.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the ice circulation device comprises a substantially horizontally disposed auger.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the ice circulation device is operatively associated with the ice transferring device to facilitate transfer of the ice pieces through the catch vessel.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the ice circulation device comprises an ice stop device that includes a reversibly slidable rod that closes a circuit in a first position when more ice pieces need to be moved towards the ice transfer device in the holding vessel and that opens the circuit in a second position to stop movement of ice pieces towards the ice transfer device.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the ice stop device further comprises one or more aims that move ice pieces towards the ice transfer device in the holding vessel when the circuit is closed.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the ice circulation device comprises an electric heating element operatively associated with the ice supply to melt any ice or frost buildup that is inhibiting formation of ice pieces or constricting movement of freshly formed ice pieces into the holding vessel.
11. An ice vending apparatus comprising:
a holding vessel having an aperture and being configured and dimensioned to receive and house ice pieces produced by an operatively associated ice supply;
an ice metering device;
an ice transferring device at least partially disposed within the holding vessel that facilitates movement of ice pieces located therein toward the aperture thereof and to the ice metering device, which is adapted and configured to meter a quantity of ice pieces into a readily transportable container; and
a moisture inhibiting device that inhibits or prevents the undesirable migration of moisture from partially melted ice pieces to another part of the apparatus, wherein the moisture inhibiting device comprises a heat source operatively associated with a currency receiving apparatus used to retain currency in a dry state.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the heat source comprises at least one incandescent light bulb.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the moisture inhibiting device comprises a shield positioned to create a barrier between the ice pieces and a plurality of readily transportable containers that minimizes or prevents migration of moisture from the ice pieces onto the containers.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the shield is positioned beneath the ice metering device further to inhibit or prevent moisture migration onto or into the readily transportable containers.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the shield is substantially transparent, plastic, or both.