# US 11,113,921 B2 · Ice vending machine and related methods

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- Number: US 11,113,921 B2
- Document ID: US11113921B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/432,531
- Filed: 2019-06-05
- Published: 2021-07-15
- Granted: 2021-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2018-06-06
- Assignees: Quick & Pure Holding, LLC
- Applicants: Mark Metzger
- Inventors: Mark Metzger
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11113921B2

## CPC

- G07F 17/0071: {Food articles which need to be processed for dispensing in a cold condition, e.g. ice and ice cream}
- F25C 5/20: Distributing ice
- F25C 2600/04: Control means
- G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00})
- F25C: PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE

## Abstract

Implementations of ice vending machines may include a cabinet having a frame, an ice maker coupled to the frame, and an ice storage section coupled to the frame and below the ice maker. The ice storage section may include one or more agitators. Implementations may also include an ice feed coupled below the ice storage section, a bagging system coupled to the frame and below the ice feed, a retrieval section coupled to the frame and below the bagging system, and an interactive panel coupled to an outer surface of the cabinet. The interactive panel may be configured to receive a purchase request from a customer for a bag of ice. The ice vending machine, in response to the purchase request, may be configured to fill and dispense the bag of ice on demand.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An ice vending machine comprising:
a cabinet comprising a frame, the frame slidably coupled within the cabinet;
an ice maker coupled to the frame;
an ice storage section coupled to the frame and below the ice maker, the ice storage section comprising one or more agitators;
an ice feed coupled below the ice storage section;
an ice auger extending through a longest length of the ice feed;
a bagging system coupled to the frame and below the ice feed;
a retrieval section coupled to the frame and below the bagging system; and
an interactive panel coupled to an outer surface of the cabinet;
wherein an entrance to the ice feed from the ice storage section is configured to remain open;
wherein a portion of the ice feed extending away from the entrance to the ice feed is angled towards the ice maker;
wherein the interactive panel is configured to receive a purchase request from a customer for a bag of ice; and
wherein the ice vending machine, in response to the purchase request, is configured to fill and dispense the bag of ice on demand.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ice vending machine of claim 1, wherein the cabinet is insulated.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The ice vending machine of claim 1, wherein the ice storage section and the bagging system are in a refrigerated area of the cabinet.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The ice vending machine of claim 1, further comprising a second and a third agitator.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The ice vending machine of claim 1, wherein the ice storage section is configured to hold up to 1000 pounds of ice.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The ice vending machine of claim 1, further comprising a controller slidably coupled to the frame.

### Claim 7

An ice vending machine comprising:
a cabinet comprising a frame, the frame slidably coupled within the cabinet;
an ice maker coupled to the frame;
an ice storage section coupled to the frame and below the ice maker, the ice storage section comprising one or more agitators;
an ice feed auger coupled below the ice storage section;
a bagging system coupled to the frame, the bagging system comprising a blower and a heat sealer;
a retrieval section coupled to the frame and below the bagging system;
an interactive panel coupled to an outer surface of the cabinet; and
a controller coupled to the frame;
wherein the interactive panel is configured to receive a purchase request from a customer for a bag of ice and in response to the purchase request, transmit a purchase signal to the controller;
wherein the controller, in response to the purchase signal, is configured to activate the blower to open a bag, activate the ice feed auger to fill the bag with ice, and activate the heat sealer to seal the bag; and
wherein the bag of ice is filled and dispensed on demand.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The ice vending machine of claim 7, wherein the ice storage section is insulated.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The ice vending machine of claim 8, wherein the ice storage section and the bagging system are in a refrigerated area of the cabinet.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The ice vending machine of claim 7, wherein the ice vending machine is configured to fill a ten pound bag of ice and a less than ten pound bag of ice.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The ice vending machine of claim 7, wherein the heat sealer comprises a rotating arm configured to open and close the heat sealer.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The ice vending machine of claim 7, wherein the heat sealer comprises an identification code in a heat sealing element.