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US 2014/0208777 A1Published application
System and method for distributing and stacking bags of ice
AssigneeReddy Ice Corporation
InventorMark C. Metzger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method according to which ice is automatically disposed in respective bags and the bags of ice are distributed and stacked within a temperature-controlled storage unit, such as an ice merchandiser.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a temperature-controlled storage unit, the temperature-controlled storage unit defining a region in which a plurality of ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored;
- a basket in which each of the ice-filled bags is adapted to be disposed before being stored in the region;
- wherein the basket is rotatable, about a first axis, between a first rotational position and a second rotational position;
- wherein the basket is movably coupled to the storage unit so that at least a portion of the basket is permitted to move within the region along a second axis, the second axis being generally perpendicular to the first axis;
- wherein the basket is rotatable about a third axis;
- wherein the third axis is generally perpendicular to the second axis when the basket is in the first rotational position;
- wherein the third axis is coaxial with, or generally parallel to, the second axis when the basket is in the second rotational position;
- and
- wherein the third axis is generally perpendicular to the first axis when the basket is in the first rotational position and the second rotational position;
- a ring bearing, the ring bearing comprising a first ring and a second ring coupled thereto and circumferentially extending thereabout, wherein the ring bearing is configured to permit relative rotation between the first and second rings and about the first axis;
- a carriage to which one of the first and second rings is coupled;
- and
- an opening formed through the carriage and through which ice passes to fill each of the ice-filled bags;
- wherein the basket and the other of the first and second rings are rotatable, about the first axis and relative to the carriage, the opening, and the one of the first and second rings;
- and
- wherein the carriage is movably coupled to the storage unit to thereby movably couple the basket to the storage unit.
13 more elements
A method comprising:
- providing a temperature-controlled storage unit, the temperature-controlled storage unit defining a region, the region comprising a plurality of disposal zones, each disposal zone defining a stacking level;
- selecting, using at least a computer, a disposal zone from the plurality of disposal zones, wherein the stacking level of the selected disposal zone is equal to or lower than the respective stacking levels of the other disposal zones in the plurality of disposal zones;
- and
- disposing, using at least the computer, an ice-filled bag in the selected disposal zone.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.