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US 7,958,918 B2Granted
Automated ice vending apparatus and method
OwnerJon Ladsoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automated ice vending apparatus and method including an ice generating machine capable of producing enough ice to sufficiently keep full a receptacle positioned beneath the ice generating machine, a first ice moving device with cutting members positioned within the receptacle to move ice from the receptacle to a second ice moving device, wherein the ice is subsequently transferred to a removable container.
Claims19
An automated ice vending apparatus comprising:
- an ice supply;
- a removable container;
- a receptacle positioned to receive ice from said ice supply, wherein said receptacle is disposed external to and proximate to said ice supply;
- and
- a first ice moving mechanism within said receptacle positioned to move ice to said removable container, wherein said first ice moving mechanism comprises cutting members positioned on a portion of said first ice moving mechanism, and wherein said first ice moving mechanism is disposed within elongated apertures within a floor portion of said receptacle.
2 more elements
An ice vendor automated apparatus, comprising:
- an ice supply;
- a first receptacle positioned to receive ice from said ice supply, wherein said first receptacle is external to and proximate to said ice supply;
- a first ice moving mechanism disposed within elongated apertures in a floor portion of said first receptacle, wherein said first ice moving mechanism is positioned to move ice through an aperture of said first receptacle;
- cutting members positioned on said first ice moving mechanism;
- a second receptacle positioned to receive ice from said first receptacle;
- a second ice moving mechanism positioned to move ice through said second receptacle;
- a third ice moving mechanism positioned to receive ice from said second ice moving mechanism;
- and
- a removable container positioned to receive ice from said third ice moving mechanism.
6 more elements
A method for supplying contained ice which comprises:
- providing ice to a first receptacle;
- moving ice from said first receptacle to a removable container, wherein said moving step further comprises moving ice by a first ice moving mechanism comprising cutting members, wherein said first ice moving mechanism is disposed within elongated apertures in a floor portion of said first receptacle, and wherein said cutting members extend above said floor portion;
- and
- receiving ice in a removable container.
1 more element
A system for vending comprising:
- an ice supply;
- a first receptacle positioned to receive ice from said ice supply, said first receptacle having elongated apertures disposed along a lower portion thereof;
- a pull chain ice moving device positioned within said elongated apertures of said lower portion of said first receptacle;
- cutting devices positioned on said pull chain ice moving device, wherein said cutting devices protrude above said elongated apertures of said lower portion of said first receptacle;
- a second receptacle positioned to receive ice from an aperture in said first receptacle, wherein ice is moved to said second receptacle by said pull chain ice moving device;
- a substantially horizontal auger positioned within said second receptacle, wherein said substantially horizontal auger moves ice;
- an inclined auger positioned to receive ice from said substantially horizontal auger;
- a bag positioned to receive ice from said inclined auger;
- a blower positioned to discharge air urging said bag into an open position;
- a bag flap movably positioned to hold open said bag;
- a trap door movably positioned beneath said bag, wherein upon activation of said trap door, said bag falls therethrough;
- a programmable logic controller programmed to move ice to said bag for a designated period of time and to activate said trap door;
- and
- a vending apparatus for receiving a payment, wherein said designated period of time is determined by quantity of said payment.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.