Ice vending machine having a reduced footprint

Abstract

An ice vending machine is provided that can quickly and efficiently fill bags of ice while having a minimal footprint. The ice vending machine has a cabinet, an interior frame of the cabinet, and an ice maker mounted to the cabinet and / or frame. Ice produced by the ice maker is stored in a hopper. The ice vending machine may have multiple hoppers through which the ice is directed to a bagging system. Once the ice is inserted into the bag by the bagging system, the filled bag is sealed. The sealed bag may be delivered to a customer or may otherwise be stored in a cooler section. The ice vending machine has multiple high powered motors that allow for high speed movement of ice to produce bags of ice in a minimal amount of time.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 217,002, entitled Ice Vending Machine with Reduced Footprint, filed June 30, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of ice vending machines. More particularly, the present invention relates to ice vending machines that have a compact footprint. Additionally, the present invention relates to ice vending machines that can produce bags of ice quickly, allowing less ice to be stored before bagging. [Background technology]

[0003] A variety of bulky ice vending machines are known in the art. Traditionally, ice vending machines consisted of a large cooler, and bags of ice manufactured elsewhere were transported and delivered to the cooler. In addition to transportation costs, such systems often resulted in bags breaking during delivery, ice melting during the delivery process, and other undesirable results.

[0004] More recently, ice vending machines have come to include various components that allow ice to be made and bagged inside the ice vending machine and then accumulated in a storage section. These types of ice vending machines required a very large footprint to accommodate the bags of ice as well as the components necessary to make the ice, bag the ice, seal the ice in the bags, and deliver the sealed bags to a large ice storage room. In addition, these ice vending machines typically had a large reservoir of ice that was held in a hopper after production by the ice maker and before it was bagged. Additional components were often built into the hopper to maintain the ice, crush the ice, prevent the ice from melting and refreezing, etc. Also, the large ice storage room for the bagged ice was filled with the significant amount of ice that needed to be made and stored for long periods of time to meet demand. For example, these units were customarily larger than 6 feet in length and 4 feet in depth. These large ice houses were necessary to meet demand because the system could only pack ice at a relatively slow rate, typically just over four minutes per bag of ice.

[0005] Aside from the large space required to install and operate these ice vending machines being a problem for many convenience stores and other establishments that have limited space for such equipment, storing large amounts of ice often meant that the bags of ice went stale. Additionally, ice vending machines with large storage compartments filled with bags of ice are often vulnerable to theft.

[0006] These and other deficiencies have been addressed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 432,531, entitled "Ice Vending Machine and Related Methods," filed June 5, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62 / 681,328, entitled "Ice Vending Machine and Related Methods," filed June 6, 2018, the disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. While these applications disclose ice vending machines that are superior to the prior art discussed above, further improvements are desirable.

[0007] For example, there is a need for an ice vending machine that has a significantly reduced footprint. Similarly, there is a need for an ice vending machine that can quickly make and bag ice to meet demand. Also, flexibility in throughput is desirable. Additionally, ease of maintenance of the ice vending machine and ease of changing out rolls of bags are sought-after features. Overall, there is a need for an ice vending machine that improves upon the prior art. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 432,531 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 681,328 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, an ice vending machine is provided that includes a frame, a cabinet surrounding the frame, at least one ice making machine coupled to the frame, a first ice hopper, an auger, a second hopper, a bagging assembly, and an unloading section. The first ice hopper is located below the ice making machine and is configured to receive ice from the ice making machine. The first ice hopper can be a dry hopper having a sloped bottom surface for draining water from the second hopper. The auger then moves the ice from the first hopper through the opening into the second hopper. The bagging assembly receives the ice from the second hopper, and then the bags of ice are accumulated in the unloading section. The unloading section can include a frozen storage section below the bagging assembly.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the cabinet has a depth of 34 inches or less.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, the auger is rotated by an auger motor having a rotational speed of about 1500 rpm and a gear head that reduces the rotational speed to about 115 rpm. Still further, the first hopper is configured to receive and hold 300-400 pounds of ice.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a sealing system is provided that includes a heating element, a pusher plate, and a biasing assembly coupled to the pusher plate. An opening is formed in the pusher plate, and the heating element can be exposed through the opening when the biasing assembly moves the pusher plate to seal the bag of ice. Additionally, the pusher portion includes a chute extending from and pivotable about the second hopper, as well as a motor coupled to the chute. The motor is configured to drive the chute toward the sealing system to facilitate sealing the bag of ice using the heating element.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, an ice vending machine includes a roll of bags removably mounted to a frame, and a motor configured to advance a portion of the roll of bags toward the bagging system. Further, the ice vending machine includes a sensor that scans each bag from the roll of bags. If the sensor identifies a bag of an unvalidated design, the motor can cease advancing the roll of bags toward the bagging system.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, a cradle is provided for receiving bags from the bagging assembly, the bags can be opened by a blower, after which ice is accumulated from the second hopper into the bags contained within the cradle, and the cradle is then rotated to accumulate a plurality of bags of ice in the freezer storage section.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of using an ice vending machine is provided. The method includes the steps of dropping a plurality of ice cubes from an ice making machine into a first hopper, opening the bag using a bag assembly, rotating an auger contained within the first hopper to move the ice toward an opening of the first hopper, dropping the ice through the opening into a second hopper, dropping the ice through the second hopper into the bag, deactivating the auger, sealing the bag, and moving the bag toward an unloading section. The step of rotating may include operating a motor having a rotational speed of about 1500 rpm to rotate the auger. With the auger rotating within the first hopper, the ice may be moved upward toward an opening of the first hopper between a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and then dropped through the opening into a second hopper having a funnel. The ice is then directed toward the bag using a chute.

[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method also includes the steps of heating the heating element, moving the pusher plate to expose the heating element, contacting and sealing the bag with the heating element, and moving the pusher plate to separate the heating element from the bag. The method may also include the steps of operating a motor associated with a chute extending from the second hopper, pivoting the chute and supported bag toward the heating element, pivoting the chute and supported bag away from the heating element, and severing the bag from the roll of bags.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, the method includes the steps of advancing a bag from a roll of bags using rollers, scanning a portion of the bag using a sensor, comparing the portion of the bag to a database of acceptable bag images, and deactivating rotation of the rollers if the portion of the bag does not match the database of acceptable bag images.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, the method includes the steps of opening a bag in a cradle mounted inside the unloading section, filling the bag with ice from a first hopper through a second hopper, sealing the bag of ice, rotating the cradle around the unloading section, and dropping the bag of ice into a freezer storage space.

[0019] These and other aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. The invention is herein disclosed to include all such modifications.

[0020] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of the ice vending machine of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a first isometric perspective view of the ice storage and bagging portion of the inventive ice vending machine of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a second isometric view of the ice storage and bagging section of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a third isometric view of the ice storage and bagging unit of FIGS. 2 and 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a fourth isometric view of the ice storage and bagging station of FIGS. 2-4. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a cutaway isometric perspective view of the ice storage and bagging section, where the roll of bags is changed. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cutaway isometric perspective view of the ice storage and bagging section with a roll of bags installed. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cutaway side elevation view taken about line 8-8 of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a detailed cutaway side elevational view taken about line 9-9 of FIG. 8 of a roll of bags being fed through an ice vending machine. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a detailed cutaway side view of FIG. 9 showing a tension arm pivoted to secure the roll of bags in place and a pair of bag rollers advancing the roll of bags around the ice vending machine. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a first cutaway side elevational view showing ice moving through a first hopper to a second hopper of the ice vending machine. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a second cutaway side elevation view showing ice moving through the first hopper to the second hopper and the bag being opened by the blower. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is another cutaway side elevation view showing ice being fed into the bag. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a detailed cutaway side elevation view showing the bag being sealed by the sealing system. [Figure 15]FIG. 13 is a detailed cutaway side elevation view showing the sealed bags being separated from the roll. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an isometric perspective view of a cradle that holds the sealed bag of ice of FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an isometric perspective view of the cradle of FIG. 16 rotating to drop a sealed bag of ice into a storage unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] An illustrative embodiment of an ice vending machine according to the present invention is shown in the figures. Although many of the components associated with an ice vending machine are shown and described herein, additional components, including those present in the prior art, may be incorporated into the ice vending machine of the present invention as well.

[0023] Referring initially to FIG. 1, ice vending machine 50 includes a sturdy cabinet 52 and a frame 54 contained within cabinet 52. Cabinet 52 has four sides 56, at least one of which has a maintenance door or panel 58 that can be opened by an operator. Maintenance door 58 may occupy the entire side or may be limited to only a portion of the side. Ice vending machine 50 may also have multiple maintenance doors (not shown) for accessing various portions of the interior of ice vending machine 50. In addition, cabinet 52 preferably has at least one ice removal door 60 to allow a customer to remove a bag 62 of ice 51 when it is ready or available. Ice removal door 60 may be locked until bag 62 of ice is ready or payment has been received. Preferably, ice vending machine 50 is sealed such that the interior of ice vending machine 50 cannot be accessed unless maintenance door or panel 58 is opened, apart from ice removal door 60. The access door 60 may be made of the same material as the cabinet or, as shown, may be a glass door that allows a customer to see inside the ice vending machine 50 to check the availability of ice bags and when the ice bags are filled.

[0024] Additionally, at least one ice maker 64 is mounted to the frame 54 of the ice vending machine 50. As shown, the ice maker 64 is mounted facing the top of the frame 54, but could be mounted elsewhere. Various separate ice makers 64 can be installed depending on the amount of ice 51 typically required. By way of example and not limitation, possible ice makers include Hoshizaki Ice Machines' KM-1301 SAJ, which produces up to 1,300 pounds of ice per 24 hours, Hoshizaki Model KM-1601 SAJ, which produces up to 1,600 pounds of ice per 24 hours, Hoshizaki Model KM-1900 SAJ, which produces up to 1,900 pounds of ice per 24 hours, Hoshizaki Model KM-2200 SRJ3, which produces up to 2,200 pounds of ice per 24 hours, or Hoshizaki Model KM-2600 SRJ3, which produces up to 2,600 pounds of ice per 24 hours. With regard to the selection of an appropriate ice maker, a higher quality, and therefore faster operating, ice maker 64 is preferred for ice vending machines 50 installed in high demand locations. This ensures that the ice makers 64 can produce ice 51 to fill the bags 62 quickly. Additionally or alternatively, for high demand locations, multiple ice makers 64 may be mounted on the frame 54. For example, two KM-2600 ice makers in one system can produce up to 5,200 pounds of ice per day, enough to bag 520 10 pound bags per day, despite the relatively small footprint of the ice vending machine described herein.

[0025] For locations with low demand, ice machines 64 with slower throughput may be used. Additionally, the ice machines 64 do not need to be permanently mounted to the frame 54, allowing flexibility in replacing the ice machine(s) 64 in the field to meet the demand of a given location. This customizability allows the characteristics of the ice vending machine 50 to be changed based on the analysis or other criteria used to determine the demand at a given location.

[0026] Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the invention, ice storage and bagging section 65 is located directly below ice maker 64. Ice storage and bagging section 65 is shown in FIGS. 2-15 with a side removed and separated to expose the internal components. Ice storage and bagging section 65 includes a frame 67 to which are mounted various other components described herein. Maintenance door 58, previously described, is removably secured to frame 67 to prevent unauthorized access to the interior of frame 67. In the embodiment shown, ice maker 64 is mounted to the top of frame 67.

[0027] The ice 51 produced by the ice making machine 64 is dropped into a first hopper 66 of the ice storage and bagging section 65 below the ice making machine 64. As shown in Figs. 2-5, the first hopper 66 has a substantially triangular top 68 with three sloping sides 72a, 72b, 72c continuing to a bottom 74 to form a funnel shape. The sloping sides 72a, 72b, 72c feed and move the ice 51 downward. In addition, the first hopper is formed with an opening 78 between the first side 72a and the second side 72b toward the top 68. The first hopper 66 is oriented to allow water to flow out of the ice 51 as it accumulates in the bag 62, so that water is not transferred to the bag. More specifically, the sides 72a, 72b, 72c are sloping downward from the opening 78. In this manner, the first (dry) hopper 66 can be used to pump water out of the system. To facilitate this function, a drain 76 is formed in the lower portion 74 to allow water to be drained from the first hopper 66. The drain 76 is in the lower portion 74 of the first hopper 66 and is connected to a floor drain or a sump pump. In this configuration, the water is extracted and drained before the ice cubes 51 are moved to the second hopper, described below.

[0028] The first hopper 66 has a capacity to contain between 35 and 95 pounds of ice, more preferably between 50 and 80 pounds, and most preferably about 65 pounds. In contrast to prior art ice vending machines, the first hopper 66 has a reduced footprint and is oriented in a particular manner relative to the cabinet 52 such that the cabinet 52 need only be 34 inches deep. This allows the ice vending machine 50 to fit into a standard grocery store aisle while still having sufficient capacity to produce and bag ice at high speed.

[0029] A sensor (not shown) is preferably located inside the first hopper 66. In one preferred embodiment, the first sensor is located near the top of the first hopper. When the first sensor becomes covered with ice, the ice maker is shut down to prevent too much ice production. When the first sensor is exposed, the ice maker is restarted to ensure there is enough ice in the first hopper 66 to be bagged and distributed and / or stored.

[0030] The first hopper 66 includes an auger 80 that moves ice 51 from the lower portion 74 to the opening 78 and the second hopper 94, as best seen in FIG. 11. The auger 80 is positioned to extend from the lower portion 74 to the opening 78 along the first sidewall 72a and the second sidewall 72b, as seen in FIGS. 3, 8, and 11-13. The lower portion 74 is angled away from the opening 78 so that water drains out of the opening 78, as described above. The auger 80 includes a shaft 82 and a corkscrew 84 configured to move the ice 51 up along the first hopper 66 and out of the opening 78 as the auger rotates. The auger 80 may be powered by a motor 86 mounted to a frame 67 directly adjacent the first hopper 66 next to the third wall 72c. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, motor 86 is a 1 / 4 horsepower motor, model number B162FT-G2, described above.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2-5 and 11-13, the ice vending machine 50 also includes a second hopper 94 in which ice from the first hopper 66 accumulates. The second hopper 94 has four sides 96a, 96b, 96c, 96d, and at the bottom is a funnel 88 that slopes toward an opening 90 through which ice is pumped into the bags 62 through a chute 89 using a bagging system 98, which will be described further below. As such, the second hopper 94 acts as a chute that directs ice through the opening 90 and into the bags 62. In addition, the second hopper 94 may also include a blower opening 92 formed in the funnel 88 directly adjacent the opening 90. The blower opening 92 is configured to blow air through the opening 90 to open the bags 62 to prepare the bags 62 for delivery of ice 51, as seen in Figure 12. In such an embodiment, a blower motor 91 is connected to the blower opening 92 by a hose 93.

[0032] Many of the components associated with the bagging system 98 are shown in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 432,531, which is incorporated herein by reference, although some components are different and / or improved, as described further below. The bagging system 98 includes a bagging motor 100 that rotates a first bagging roller 101a and a second bagging roller 102b to move the bags 62 to a position prior to filling the bags 62 with ice, and a sensor 103. The bagging motor 100 is configured to quickly separate one or more bags 62 of the bag roll 102 to ensure rapid filling of the bags 62 with ice. The sensor 103 is preferably configured to read a message, logo, bar code, etc. printed on the bag 62 while the bag 62 is moving to a position about an observation area 105 of the sensor 103. An encoder is preferably connected to the sensor 103 that verifies that the bag 64 is from an authorized provider. In a preferred embodiment, the bag roll 102 rotates a specified amount depending on whether the sensor is blocked or not. For example, the bag feed motor 100 may be a stepper type motor and the roll of bags 102 is rotated a certain number of "clicks" depending on whether a sensor is blocked or not, to a position to fill a new bag. If the sensor 103 and encoder are unable to verify that the bag 64 is from an authorized provider because the message, logo, bar code, etc. is not accurate, the ice vending machine 50 may be turned off and an error message may be displayed until the user realigns the roll of bags 102 and the sensor 103 confirms that the bag 64 is from an authorized provider.

[0033] As best seen in Figures 6 and 7, the roll of bags 102 is held in place by a first arm 104 and a second arm 106. The first arm 104 and the second arm 106 are mounted to a frame 67 inside the cabinet 52. The arms 104, 106 have grooves 108, 110 formed therein, respectively. The grooves 108, 110 are located at the tops of the arms 104, 106 and face the exterior of the cabinet 52 so that a new roll of bags 102 can be quickly and easily installed once the front maintenance panel 58 is removed. To install a new roll of bags 102, both ends 114 of a rod 112 extending through the roll of bags 102 engage the grooves 108, 110. The roll of bags 102 is then routed by a number of guide rolls 116, as seen in Figures 9 and 10. For example, as shown, the roll of bags 102 is routed under a first guide roll 116a and a second guide roll 116b, then over a third guide roll 116c, before being secured between the bag rollers 101a and 101b. Of course, additional or fewer guide rolls may be included to ensure smooth and efficient delivery of the bags from the roll of bags 102 to the bagging system 98. In addition, the illustrated embodiment includes a tension arm 118 configured to be raised when a new roll of bags 102 is installed, and to urge the immediately adjacent one or more guide rolls 116 downwardly so as to secure the bags 102 between the guide rolls 116 and the tension arm 118 when the roll of bags 102 is successfully installed and engaged with the bag rollers 101. As shown, the tension arm 118 is attached to a second roller 116b. As shown in FIG. 10, the roll of bags 102 is advanced through the system using the bag rollers 101.

[0034] Once the bags are filled by the bagging system 98, the bags 62 are sealed using a sealing system 120. The sealing system 120 may be similar to that shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 432,531, although some components are different and / or improved, as described below. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing system 120 includes a heating section 122 and a chute pusher section 124, as best seen in FIG. 14. The heating section 122 includes a heating element 126 that is heated to a desired temperature to seal the bags 62. The heating element 126 is surrounded and protected by a pusher plate 128. The pusher plate 128 shown includes a vertical section 130, an opening 132 in the vertical section 130, and an angled section 134. When the bag 62 is ready to be sealed, the pusher plate 128 is moved away from the chute pusher portion 124, as best seen in FIG. 14, so that the vertical portion clears the chute pusher portion 124 and the heating element 126 remains in the same position. As a result of this movement of the pusher plate 128, the heating element 126 moves through the opening 132 and is exposed. As this occurs, the bag 62 comes into contact with the heating element 126 and is sealed by the heating element 126. For example, the bag 62 can be in contact with the heating element 126 for about 1-6 seconds, more preferably about 3 seconds, to ensure proper formation of the bag 62. Once the bag 62 is sealed, the pusher plate 128 can be returned to its initial position, with the vertical portion 130 again surrounding and protecting the heating element 126, as best seen in FIG. 15. The pusher plate 128 can be spring loaded to properly bias between the positions described above, although other biasing mechanisms can be used to achieve the same results.

[0035] In addition to the heating portion 122, the chute pusher portion 124 is also configured to help properly bias the bag 62 to ensure proper sealing of the bag. More specifically, the chute pusher portion 124 includes components that allow movement of the chute 89 relative to the heating portion. More specifically, the chute pusher portion 124 includes a vertical portion 136 disposed directly adjacent to the chute 89. When the bag 62 is being sealed, a motor 138 connected to the vertical portion 136 by an arm 139 is activated to allow movement of the vertical portion 136. The vertical portion 136 pushes and moves the chute 89 and the bag 62 that hangs on the chute 89 toward the heating portion 122. This further ensures a proper amount of contact between the bag 62 and the heating element 126 when the bag 62 is sealed. The chute pusher portion 124 may also include a horizontal element 140. The horizontal element 140 may include a perforated edge 142 that further aids in separation of the bag 62 after the bag 62 is sealed. Additionally, to further assist in separating the bags 62 after they are sealed, the bag rollers 101 may be rotated in the reverse direction after the bags 62 are sealed to break the seal between the formed bags 62 and the remaining bag roll 102. After the bags 62 are sealed, the motor 138 is re-activated in the opposite direction to return the chute pusher portion 124 to its original position as shown in FIG.

[0036] Next, the take-out storage section 144 will be further described. More specifically, the ice vending machine 50 has a storage section 144 for stacking and storing bags below the second hopper 94. More specifically, the frame 67 may be attached to the storage section 144. Since the bags 62 may be stored for long periods of time, the storage section 144 is insulated and cooled to an appropriate temperature to maintain the ice in a solid form. Thus, bags of ice 62 may be produced until the storage section 144 is partially or substantially full depending on the settings of the ice vending machine 50. Preferably, there is a fill sensor 146 inside the storage section 144. The ice vending machine 50 will continue to produce bags of ice 62 until the fill sensor 146 is activated. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fill sensor 146 is in the top 25% of the storage section 144. When the fill sensor 146 is blocked, the production of ice and the filling of the bags 62 may be stopped. Once a sufficient number of ice bags 62 have been removed from storage 144, fill sensor 146 will no longer be activated, in which case production of ice bags 62 will resume until fill sensor 146 is reactivated, at which point production will again be halted.

[0037] Additionally, the ice vending machine 50 includes a cradle 148 that supports the bag 62 as it is being filled with ice and then accumulates the filled bag in the storage section 144. Preferably, the cradle 148 has a bottom 150 and a front 152 and a back 154, as shown in Figs. 13-17, to hold the bag 62 in place. In a preferred embodiment, a cradle fill sensor 156 is located adjacent the cradle 148 to monitor whether the cradle 148 is in position to receive the bag 62 and fill it with ice. The empty bag 62 extends into the cradle 148. The bag 62 is then opened, preferably with air delivered by a hose 93 using a blower motor 91 to a blower opening 92, allowing ice to enter the opening of the bag 62. See Fig. 13. While the bag 62 remains on the cradle 148, the ice is moved from the first hopper 66 to the second hopper 94 using the auger 80, after which the ice falls into the bag 62, as seen in FIG. 13.

[0038] Preferably, there is a bag fill sensor 158 that monitors the fill level of the bag 62 contained within the cradle 148. In one preferred embodiment, the sensor 158 senses when the bag 62 is partially filled, but not completely, when it is blocked. When the sensor is blocked, the control panel continues rotating the auger 80 a specified number of times to ensure that the bag 62 is filled to the proper level. As an example, when a 10 pound bag of ice is desired, the bag 62 may be filled until the sensor 158 detects that there are 8 pounds of ice in the bag 62. The auger 80 then rotates a predetermined number of additional revolutions, accumulating an additional 2 pounds of ice to result in the desired 10 pound bag of ice. Such an arrangement provides a more accurate bag weight regardless of the amount of ice contained in the first hopper 66.

[0039] Whenever a bag 62 is determined to be full, it is sealed as described above and then prepared for deposition in the storage section 144. As shown, the cradle 148 is connected to the motor 159 with a drive chain 160. More specifically, the drive chain 160 rotates the cradle 148 in a first direction until a bag 62 slides from the cradle 148 into the storage section 144, as shown in FIG. 17. Once a bag 62 has accumulated in the storage section 144, the motor drives the drive chain 160 in the opposite direction to return the cradle 148 to its home position so that additional bags 62 can be produced. As described above, bags 62 are continuously produced until the fill sensor 146 is interrupted.

[0040] As shown in the figures and described above, the ice vending machine 50 has a compact size compared to conventional ice vending machines that required a large footprint. More specifically, the exterior dimensions of the ice vending machine 50 are approximately 48 inches wide by 32 inches deep by 110 inches high, and the interior dimensions are 44 inches wide by 28 inches deep. Such a small footprint is advantageous in that the ice vending machine of the present invention can be placed on a standard shelf or fit into the space of a standard shelf in a grocery or convenience store. The ice vending machine 50 is approximately 48 inches wide, so it is as wide as a standard grocery store shelf. The reduced footprint means that less space is required to store ice in the hopper 66. However, by combining the speed at which the ice maker 64 makes ice and the power of the motors associated with the auger 80 and other components, the ice vending machine 50 is still able to quickly fill, seal and deliver bags of ice, as described above, while still being minimal, if ice is stored in the hopper 66.

[0041] The ice vending machine 50 is optimized to quickly bag ice in a relatively small footprint. For example, the ice vending machine is arranged to make a 10 pound bag of ice in approximately 15 seconds in a preferred embodiment. In another embodiment, a 10 pound bag of ice is made in less than 15 seconds. In yet another embodiment, a 10 pound bag of ice is made in less than 30 seconds.

[0042] In the embodiment shown, the ice vending machine 50 is operated using a user interface 162, such as a touch panel mounted on the cabinet 52. In alternative embodiments, the ice vending machine is configured to communicate electronically with an external communication device to allow for remote ordering of bags of ice 62, for example, by paying at a cash register, ordering a bag over a phone or tablet application, ordering a bag online, or in any other manner known to one of skill in the art.

[0043] Although storage section 144 is shown as being insulated and refrigerated, other components of the ice vending machine may also be insulated and refrigerated, if desired.

[0044] Additionally, in certain preferred embodiments, the ice vending machine is delivered in multiple pieces and assembled at a later time. For example, the storage section 144, ice storage / bagging section 65, associated components including hoppers 66, 94 and bagging system 98, and ice machine 64 may be assembled on-site. Additionally, as previously discussed, the ice machine 64 may be replaced or the number of ice vending machines may be increased or decreased depending on the needs of a given location. Still further, the various ice vending machines 50 and associated components may communicate with each other. For example, if one ice vending machine 50 is low or out of ice, a notification may be sent and individuals may physically move filled bags of ice 62 from a location with a surplus to a location with a shortage of filled bags of ice 62. The ice vending machines 50 and associated systems may be configured to enable and track this borrowing of bags from one to the other. Live online data may be used to monitor such activity to ensure an adequate supply for all ice vending machines 50. Furthermore, in order to optimize the operation of the ice vending machines 50 generally and in specific locations, the live online data can also be used for other purposes, including scheduling preventive maintenance, tracking the operation and failures of various components, identifying ice vending machines that need to be replaced or replaced with larger or smaller ice machines, etc.

[0045] The above description indicates exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but it should be understood that this is done by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

[0046] Various additions, modifications, and rearrangements are contemplated to be within the scope of the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter as invention and are intended to cover all such additions, modifications, and rearrangements.

Claims

1. A frame, a cabinet surrounding the frame, at least one ice maker coupled to the frame, a first ice hopper positioned below the ice maker and configured to receive ice from the ice maker, an auger extending along a portion of the first ice hopper for moving ice to the opening, a second hopper configured to receive ice moved from the first ice hopper through the opening by the auger, a bagging system configured to receive ice from the second hopper, a cradle configured to support and restrain the bag from the bagging system while the bag receives ice from the second hopper, a take-out section configured to receive the bag after the bag is filled with ice, A sealing system, a heating element, a push-in plate having an opening formed therein, and a biasing assembly coupled to the push-in plate, the push-in plate being moved by the biasing assembly to expose the heating element for sealing a bag of ice, the sealing system, a chute extending from the second hopper and pivotable around the second hopper, a push-in section configured to bias the bag of ice towards the sealing system for sealing the bag of ice using the heating element comprising, the push-in section being configured to push against the chute and pivot the chute around the second hopper, an ice making apparatus.

2. The ice making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet has a depth of 86.36 cm (34 inches) or less.

3. An auger motor configured to have a rotational speed of about 1500 rpm, and a gear head for reducing the rotational speed to about 115 rpm further comprising the ice making apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The ice making apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first hopper is configured to receive and hold 22.7 to 36.32 kg (50 to 80 pounds) of ice.

5. The ice making apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first hopper is configured to receive and hold 136.2 to 181.6 kg (300 to 400 pounds) of ice.

6. A plurality of rolls of bags removably attached to the frame, a motor configured to advance a portion of the plurality of rolls of bags to the bagging system, and a sensor configured to scan each bag from the plurality of rolls of bags further comprising, When the sensor detects an unvalidated bag design, the motor is stopped from advancing the plurality of rolls of bags to the bagging system. The ice-making device according to claim 1.

7. The ice-making device according to claim 1, further comprising a refrigerated storage unit disposed below the bagging system.

8. Ice accumulates from the second hopper into the bags contained inside the cradle. The cradle is rotated to accumulate a plurality of ice bags in the refrigerated storage unit. The ice-making device according to claim 7.

9. The ice-making device according to claim 1, wherein the first hopper is a drying hopper having an inclined bottom surface for discharging water from the second hopper.

10. A method of using an ice-making device, comprising: dropping a plurality of ice pieces from an ice maker into a first hopper; using a bagging system to open a bag, support and restrain the bag on a cradle; rotating an auger contained inside the first hopper to move ice towards an opening of the first hopper; dropping ice through the opening into a second hopper; dropping the ice through the second hopper into the bag; stopping the operation of the auger; sealing the bag, further comprising heating a heating element, moving a push-in plate to expose the heating element, restraining the bag together with the heating element to seal the bag, and moving the push-in plate to separate the heating element from the bag; moving a push-in portion from an original position to bias the supported bag towards the heating element, the push-in portion extending from the second hopper and pushing against a chute pivotally connected to the second hopper to pivot the chute; moving the push-in portion back to the original position; releasing the bag from a roll of a plurality of bags; moving the bag to a take-out portion and including the method.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising operating a motor having a rotational speed of about 1500 rpm to rotate the auger.

12. Rotating the auger contained inside the first hopper to move ice upward toward the opening of the first hopper between the first side wall and the second side wall; Dropping the ice through the opening into a second hopper having a funnel; Guiding the ice toward the bag using a chute The method according to claim 10, further comprising.

13. Advancing the bag from a roll of bags using rollers; Scanning a portion of the bag using a sensor; Comparing the portion of the bag with a database of acceptable bag images; If the portion of the bag does not match the database of acceptable bag images, stopping the rotation of the rollers The method according to claim 10, further comprising.

14. Rotating the cradle around the take-out portion; Dropping the bag of ice into the refrigerated storage space The method according to claim 10, further comprising.

15. A frame; A cabinet surrounding the frame; At least one ice maker coupled to the frame; An ice storage and bagging section mounted on the frame, A first ice hopper located below the ice maker and configured to receive ice from the ice maker; An auger extending along a portion of the first ice hopper to an opening; A second hopper configured to receive ice conveyed from the first ice hopper by the auger, the second hopper having a funnel and at least one inclined side extending upward from the funnel; A sealing system, A heating element; A push-in plate having an opening formed therein; And a biasing assembly coupled to the push-in plate, The push-in plate is moved by the biasing assembly to expose the heating element for sealing a bag of ice. A sealing system; A chute extending from the second hopper and pivotable around the second hopper; A push-in portion configured to bias the bag of ice toward the sealing system for sealing the bag of ice using the heating element; An ice storage and bagging section comprising; A storage section disposed under the bagging section An ice making apparatus comprising.

16. Further comprising a storage section filling sensor; The bag of ice is filled and dropped into the storage section until the storage section filling sensor is blocked. The ice making apparatus according to claim 15.

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