Ice vending machine with 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 herein 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 quickly produce bags of ice, 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 at a separate location were transported and delivered to the cooler. In addition to transportation costs, such systems often resulted in bags breaking during delivery, the ice melting during the delivery process, and other undesirable consequences.

[0004] More recently, ice vending machines have incorporated various components that allow ice to be produced and bagged within the machine before being accumulated in a storage compartment. These types of ice vending machines required a significant footprint to accommodate the bags of ice as well as the components necessary to produce the ice, bag the ice, seal the ice in the bags, and deliver the sealed bags to a large ice storage compartment. Additionally, 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 being bagged. Additional components were often incorporated into the hopper to maintain the ice, crush the ice, prevent it from melting and refreezing, etc. Furthermore, the large ice storage compartment for bagged ice was filled with the significant amount of ice that needed to be produced and stored for long periods of time to meet demand. For example, these units were typically larger than 6 feet (1.83 m) in length and 4 feet (1.22 m) in depth. These large ice storage rooms were necessary to meet demand because the system could only bag ice at a relatively slow rate, typically over four minutes per bag.

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

[0006] These and other deficiencies were 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 produce and bag ice to meet demand. Also, flexibility in throughput is desirable. Furthermore, ease of maintenance of the ice vending machine and ease of changing the roll 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 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, including 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 may be a dry hopper having a sloped bottom for draining water from the second hopper. The auger then moves the ice from the first hopper through an opening into the second hopper. The bagging assembly receives the ice from the second hopper, and the bags of ice are then accumulated in the unloading section. The unloading section may 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. Yet further, the first hopper is configured to receive and hold 300 to 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 ice bag. Moreover, the pusher portion includes a chute extending from and pivotable around the second hopper, and a motor coupled to the chute. The motor is configured to drive the chute toward the sealing system to facilitate sealing the ice bag using the heating element.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present 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 a bagging system. The ice vending machine further includes a sensor that scans each bag from the roll of bags. If the sensor identifies a bag of an unverified 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 from the second hopper is deposited into the bags contained within the cradle, and the cradle is then rotated to deposit multiple bags of ice in the freezer storage section.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for 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 station. The rotating step may include operating a motor having a rotational speed of approximately 1500 rpm to rotate the auger. As the auger rotates within the first hopper, the ice may be moved upward toward the opening of the first hopper between the first and second side walls, 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] According to 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 activating 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 a roller, 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 roller 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 removal section, filling the bag with ice from a first hopper through a second hopper, sealing the bag of ice, rotating the cradle around the removal 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 should be understood, however, that the detailed description and accompanying drawings, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not 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] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of the ice vending machine of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a first isometric perspective view of the ice storage and bagging section of the ice vending machine of the present invention of FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 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 section of FIGS. 2 and 3. [Figure 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. 1 is a cutaway isometric perspective view of the ice storage and bagging unit 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] 9 is a detailed cutaway side elevation view of a roll of bags being fed through an ice vending machine taken about line 9-9 of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a detailed cutaway side view of FIG. 9 showing the 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. 1 is a first cutaway side elevation view showing ice moving through a first hopper to a second hopper of the ice vending machine. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 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. 10 is another cutaway side elevation view showing ice being fed into the bag. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a detailed cutaway side elevation view showing the bag being sealed by the sealing system. [Figure 15]FIG. 10 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 holding the sealed bag of ice of FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an isometric perspective view showing the cradle of FIG. 16 rotating to drop the sealed bag of ice into the storage section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The figures show illustrative embodiments of an ice vending machine according to the present invention. Although many of the components associated with ice vending machines 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 , the ice vending machine 50 includes a sturdy cabinet 52 and a frame 54 contained within the cabinet 52. The cabinet 52 has four sides 56, with at least one side having a maintenance door or panel 58 that can be opened by an operator. The maintenance door 58 may occupy the entire side or may be limited to only a portion of the side. The ice vending machine 50 may also have multiple maintenance doors (not shown) for accessing various portions of the interior of the ice vending machine 50. In addition, the cabinet 52 preferably has at least one ice removal door 60 through which a customer can remove a bag 62 of ice 51 when it is ready or available. The ice removal door 60 may be locked until the bag 62 is ready or payment has been received. Preferably, the ice vending machine 50 is sealed so that the interior of the ice vending machine 50, aside from the ice removal door 60, cannot be accessed unless the maintenance door or panel 58 is opened. The access door 60 may be made of the same material as the cabinet, or as shown, may be a glass door that allows the user 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 toward the top of the frame 54, but it could be mounted elsewhere. Various separate ice makers 64 could be installed depending on the amount of ice 51 typically required. By way of example and not limitation, possible ice makers include the Hoshizaki Ice Maker KM-1301 SAJ, which produces up to 1,300 pounds of ice per 24 hours, the Hoshizaki Model KM-1601 SAJ, which produces up to 1,600 pounds of ice per 24 hours, the Hoshizaki Model KM-1900 SAJ, which produces up to 1,900 pounds of ice per 24 hours, the Hoshizaki Model KM-2200 SRJ3, which produces up to 2,200 pounds of ice per 24 hours, or the 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 ice maker 64, and therefore one that operates at a faster speed, is preferred for ice vending machines 50 installed in high-demand locations. This ensures that ice makers 64 can produce ice 51 to quickly fill bags 62. Additionally or alternatively, for high demand locations, multiple ice makers 64 may be mounted on 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 makers 64 with slower throughput may be used. Additionally, the ice makers 64 do not need to be permanently attached to the frame 54, allowing flexibility in replacing ice makers 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 analytics or other criteria used to determine the demand at a given location.

[0026] Continuing to refer to FIG. 1 , in one embodiment of the present 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 the sides removed and separated to expose the internal components. Ice storage and bagging section 65 includes a frame 67 to which various other components described herein are mounted. To prevent unauthorized access to the interior of frame 67, the previously described maintenance door 58 is removably secured to frame 67. In the embodiment shown, ice maker 64 is mounted atop frame 67.

[0027] The ice 51 produced by the ice maker 64 is dropped into a first hopper 66 in the ice storage and bagging section 65 located below the ice maker 64. As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the first hopper 66 has a substantially triangular top 68 with three sloping sides 72a, 72b, and 72c that extend to a bottom 74, forming a funnel shape. The sloping sides 72a, 72b, and 72c allow the ice 51 to be discharged and move downward. Additionally, the first hopper has an opening 78 formed between the first side 72a and the second side 72b toward the top 68. The first hopper 66 is oriented to allow water to drain from the ice 51 as it accumulates in the bags 62, preventing water from being transferred to the bags. More specifically, the sides 72a, 72b, and 72c slope 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 located in the lower portion 74 of the first hopper 66 and is connected to a floor drain or a drain 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 an ice capacity of 35 to 95 pounds, more preferably 50 to 80 pounds, and most preferably approximately 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, so 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 speeds.

[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 over-production of ice. 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 into 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 72 a and the second sidewall 72 b, 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 upward 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 to the first hopper 66 next to the third wall 72 c. 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 FIGS. 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, and 96d, and includes a funnel 88 at the bottom that slopes toward an opening 90, through which ice is pumped through a chute 89 into the bags 62 using a bagging system 98, which will be described further below. Thus, the second hopper 94 serves as a chute that directs ice through the opening 90 and into the bags 62. Additionally, the second hopper 94 may also include a blower opening 92 formed in the funnel 88 directly adjacent to the opening 90. The blower opening 92 is configured to blow air through the opening 90 to open the bags 62 to prepare them for delivery of ice 51, as seen in FIG. 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 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 from the bagging roll 102 to ensure rapid filling of the ice bags 62. The sensor 103 is preferably configured to read a message, logo, barcode, 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 to verify that the bag 62 is from an authorized provider. In a preferred embodiment, the bagging roll 102 rotates a specified amount depending on whether the sensor is blocked or not. For example, bag feed motor 100 may be a stepper-type motor, and bag roll 102 is rotated a certain number of "clicks" depending on whether a sensor is blocked to a position to fill a new bag. If sensor 103 and encoder cannot verify that bag 64 is from an authorized provider because the message, logo, barcode, etc. is not accurate, ice vending machine 50 may be powered off and an error message may be displayed until the user readjusts bag roll 102 and sensor 103 confirms that bag 64 is from an authorized provider.

[0033] As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the bag roll 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 attached to the frame 67 inside the cabinet 52. The arms 104 and 106 have grooves 108 and 110 formed therein, respectively. The grooves 108 and 110 are located at the top of the arms 104 and 106 and face the exterior of the cabinet 52 so that a new bag roll 102 can be quickly and easily installed once the front maintenance panel 58 is removed. To install a new bag roll 102, both ends 114 of a rod 112 extending through the bag roll 102 engage the grooves 108 and 110. The bag roll 102 is then routed by a plurality of guide rolls 116, as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 . For example, as shown, the roll of bags 102 is routed under first guide roll 116a and second guide roll 116b, then over third guide roll 116c, before being secured between bag rollers 101a and 101b. Of course, additional or fewer guide rolls may be included to ensure smooth and efficient delivery of bags from the roll of bags 102 to the bagging system 98. In addition, the illustrated embodiment includes a tension arm 118 configured to lift when a new roll of bags 102 is installed and to urge downwardly one or more immediately adjacent guide rolls 116 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 No. 16 / 432,531, although some components are different and / or improved, as described below. In the illustrated embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 14 , the sealing system 120 includes a heating section 122 and a chute pusher section 124. 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 illustrated pusher plate 128 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. This movement of the pusher plate 128 results in the heating element 126 moving through the opening 132 and becoming exposed. As this occurs, the bag 62 comes into contact with the heating element 126 and is sealed thereby. For example, the bag 62 may be in contact with the heating element 126 for approximately 1-6 seconds, more preferably approximately 3 seconds, to ensure proper formation of the bag 62. Once the bag 62 is sealed, the pusher plate 128 may 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 may be spring-loaded to properly bias it between the positions described above, although other biasing mechanisms may be used to achieve the same results.

[0035] To ensure proper sealing of the bags, in addition to the heating portion 122, the chute pusher portion 124 is also configured to help properly bias the bags 62. 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 positioned directly adjacent to the chute 89. When the bags 62 are being sealed, a motor 138 connected to the vertical portion 136 by an arm 139 is activated, allowing the vertical portion 136 to move. The vertical portion 136 pushes the chute 89 and the bags 62 that hang on the chute 89 toward the heating portion 122. This further ensures the proper amount of contact between the bags 62 and the heating element 126 when the bags 62 are 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 assists in separating the bags 62 after they are sealed. Additionally, to further assist in separating the bags 62 after they are sealed, the bag rollers 101 may be rotated in the opposite 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 below the second hopper 94 for stacking and storing bags. More specifically, the frame 67 can be attached to the storage section 144. Because 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 solid form. As such, bags of ice 62 can 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 continues 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 located in the upper 25% of the storage section 144. When the fill sensor 146 is blocked, ice production and the filling of bags 62 can 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, ice vending machine 50 includes a cradle 148 that supports bag 62 as it is being filled with ice and then stores the filled bag in storage section 144. Preferably, cradle 148 has a bottom 150 and front and back surfaces 152, 154, as shown in FIGS. 13-17, to hold bag 62 in place. In a preferred embodiment, cradle fill sensor 156 is located adjacent cradle 148 to monitor whether cradle 148 is in a position to receive bag 62 and fill it with ice. An empty bag 62 extends into cradle 148. Bag 62 is then opened, preferably using air delivered by hose 93 to blower opening 92 using blower motor 91, allowing ice to enter the opening of bag 62. See FIG. 13. While the bags 62 remain 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 bags 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, but not completely, filled when it trips. When the sensor trips, the control panel continues rotating the auger 80 a specified number of times to ensure the bag 62 is filled to the appropriate level. As an example, if a 10-pound bag of ice is desired, the bag 62 can 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 produce the desired 10-pound bag of ice. Such a configuration 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 storage section 144. As shown, cradle 148 is connected to motor 159 by drive chain 160. More specifically, drive chain 160 rotates cradle 148 in a first direction until a bag 62 slides from cradle 148 into storage section 144, as shown in FIG. 17 . Once a bag 62 has accumulated in storage section 144, the motor drives drive chain 160 in the opposite direction to return cradle 148 to its home position so that additional bags 62 can be produced. As described above, bags 62 are continuously produced until 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 require a large footprint. More specifically, the exterior dimensions of the ice vending machine 50 are approximately 48 inches wide, 32 inches deep, and 110 inches high, while the interior dimensions are 44 inches wide and 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 standard shelf space at a grocery store or convenience store. The ice vending machine 50 is approximately 48 inches wide, making it about as wide as a standard grocery store shelf. The smaller footprint means less space is required to store ice in the hopper 66. However, the speed at which the ice maker 64 makes ice, combined with the power of the motors associated with the auger 80 and other components, allows the ice vending machine 50 to quickly fill, seal, and deliver bags of ice as described above, while still being minimal, provided the ice is stored in the hopper 66.

[0041] The ice vending machine 50 is optimized for rapid bagging of ice in a relatively small footprint. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the ice vending machine is configured to produce a 10 pound bag of ice in approximately 15 seconds. In another embodiment, a 10 pound bag of ice is produced in less than 15 seconds. In yet another embodiment, a 10 pound bag of ice is produced in less than 30 seconds.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, 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 bags over a phone or tablet application, ordering bags online, or in other manners known to those skilled 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 later assembled. For example, the storage section 144, ice storage / bagging section 65, and associated components, including hoppers 66, 94 and bagging system 98, and ice maker 64, may be assembled on-site. Additionally, as previously mentioned, ice makers 64 may be replaced, or the number of ice vending machines may be increased or decreased depending on the needs of a given location. Furthermore, 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 location to another. Live, online data may be used to monitor such activity and ensure an adequate supply for all ice vending machines 50. Furthermore, to optimize the operation of the ice vending machines 50 generally and at specific locations, the live online data can also be used for other purposes, including scheduling preventative maintenance, tracking the operation and failure of various components, identifying ice vending machines that need to be replaced or replaced with larger or smaller ice makers, etc.

[0045] The foregoing description, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the present invention, should be understood to be given by way of illustration and not 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 fall 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. The frame and a cabinet surrounding the frame; at least one ice making machine coupled to the frame; a first ice hopper located below the ice making machine and configured to receive ice from the ice making machine; an auger extending along a portion of the first ice hopper for moving ice to an opening; a second hopper configured to receive ice moved by the auger from the first ice hopper through the opening; a bagging system configured to receive ice from the second hopper; a cradle configured to support and restrain the bags from the bagging system while the bags receive ice from the second hopper; a dispenser configured to receive the bag after it has been filled with ice; 1. A sealing system comprising: A heating element; a pusher plate having an opening formed therein; a biasing assembly coupled to the pusher plate; a sealing system, wherein the pusher plate is moved by the biasing assembly to expose the heating element for sealing the ice bag; a chute extending from the second hopper and pivotable about the second hopper; a pusher configured to urge the ice bag toward the sealing system to seal the ice bag using the heating element; and Equipped with The pushing portion is configured to push against the chute and pivot the chute around the second hopper.

2. 10. The ice making device of claim 1, wherein the cabinet is 34 inches or less in depth.

3. An auger motor configured to have a rotational speed of 1500 rpm; a gear head that reduces said rotational speed to 115 rpm; The ice making device of claim 1 further comprising:

4. 4. The ice making device of claim 3, wherein the first ice hopper is configured to receive and hold between 50 and 80 pounds of ice.

5. 4. The ice making device of claim 3, wherein the first ice hopper is configured to receive and hold between 300 and 400 pounds of ice.

6. a roll of bags removably mounted to the frame; a motor configured to advance a portion of the roll of bags to a bagging system; a sensor configured to scan each bag from the roll of bags; Furthermore, and when the sensor detects an unverified bag design, the motor stops advancing the roll of bags through the bagging system. The ice making device of claim 1 .

7. The ice making device of claim 1 further comprising a frozen storage section disposed below the bagging system.

8. ice is accumulated from the second hopper into a bag contained within the cradle; the cradle is rotated to accumulate a plurality of ice bags in the freezer storage section; The ice making device according to claim 7.

9. 2. The ice making apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first ice hopper is a dry hopper having a sloped bottom for draining water from the second hopper.

10. 1. A method of using an ice making device, comprising: dropping a plurality of ice pieces from an ice making machine into a first hopper; opening a bag using a bagging system and supporting and restraining said bag on a cradle; rotating an auger contained within the first hopper to move ice toward an opening in the first hopper; dropping ice through the opening into a second hopper; dropping the ice through the second hopper into the bag; deactivating the auger; sealing the bag, the step further comprising the steps of heating a heating element, moving a pusher plate to expose the heating element, constraining the bag with the heating element to seal the bag, and moving the pusher plate to separate the heating element from the bag; moving a pusher from an original position to urge the supported bag toward the heating element, the pusher pushing against a chute extending from the second hopper and pivotally connected to the second hopper, and pivoting the chute; Moving the pushing unit to an original position; releasing the bag from a roll of bags; moving the bag to a removal section; A method comprising:

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

12. rotating the auger contained within the first hopper to move ice upwardly toward an opening of the first hopper between a first sidewall and a second sidewall; Dropping the ice through the opening into a second hopper having a funnel; directing the ice toward a bag using a chute; The method of claim 10 further comprising:

13. advancing said bags 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; deactivating rotation of the roller if the portion of the bag does not match the database of acceptable bag images. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

14. rotating the cradle around the ejection portion; dropping the bag of ice into a freezer storage space; The method of claim 10 further comprising:

15. The frame and a cabinet surrounding the frame; at least one ice making machine coupled to the frame; an ice storage and bagging unit mounted on the frame, a first ice hopper located below the ice making machine and configured to receive ice from the ice making machine; an auger extending along a portion of the first ice hopper to an opening; a second hopper configured to receive ice conveyed by the auger from the first ice hopper, the second hopper having a funnel and at least one sloping side extending upwardly from the funnel; 1. A sealing system comprising: A heating element; a pusher plate having an opening formed therein; a biasing assembly coupled to the pusher plate; a sealing system, wherein the pusher plate is moved by the biasing assembly to expose the heating element for sealing the ice bag; a chute extending from said second hopper and pivotable about said second hopper; a pusher configured to urge the ice bag toward the sealing system to seal the ice bag using the heating element; an ice storage and bagging section; a storage section disposed below the bagging section; An ice making device comprising:

16. further comprising a reservoir fill sensor; The ice bag is filled and dropped into the reservoir until the reservoir fill sensor is blocked. The ice making device of claim 15.

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