MXPA06005453A - Automated ice bagging apparatus and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic ice vending apparatus (205) including a holding vessel (2) capable of storing a plurality of ice pieces to provide a constant supply of ice over an indeterminate period of time and an ice transferring device (3) designed to transport a portion of the ice pieces in a substantially horizontal direction through and out of the holding vessel (2), and optionally, an upwardly directional ice transport device (12) operably positioned to transport the ice pieces upwards to a weighing device (21), whereby the weighing device (21) meters out a portion of ice pieces and deposits the portion into a readily transportable container (17). Methods of delivering ice to a consumer are also included.

Description

For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guidance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations" appearing at the beginning-ning ofeach regular issue of the PCT Gazette.

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING ICE PACKING FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic ice bagging and vending machine that includes an ice transfer device designed to transport loose pieces of ice out of a holding container containing sufficient amounts of ice. pieces of ice to provide a constant supply of ice for an indeterminate time, and preferably an upwardly directed ice transport device positioned to transport the pieces of ice upwardly on a scale to measure a portion thereof to a container easily transportable PREVIOUS BOX Ice-bagging machines, ice vending machines, and ice-bagging machines and vending machines are known in the industry in general-Many different forms of these machines are in use -commercial or described in the previous branch. The Patent of E.U.A. ?or. 4,368,608 describes an automatic ice packer that freezes a measured amount of cubed water. The cubes are dropped directly into a bag placed under a gutter. The bag is thermally sealed, and then released and dropped into a cold storage bin that stores the filled bags. The Patent of E.U.A. No. 4,689,937 discloses an article packaging unit useful for bagging ice.

A bag, placed to receive ice cubes, is partially opened by an air blower and then fully opened by two pairs of fingers. The bag is filled with ice cubes and thermally sealed. The Patent der. E.U.A. No. 4,878,523 discloses an ice measuring and dispensing machine that includes an ice supply hopper, a housing having three metering and dispensing chambers that continuously rotate about a vertical axis, and a discharge chute.

Additionally, a hammering device makes jolt contact with the wall of the chambers to vibrate the chambers and prevent the collection of ice therein. The Patent of E.Ü.A. No. 5,079,897 describes a device for transferring bags from a volumetric bagging machine to a bag closing machine. A fan automatically opens the bag. The required amount of ice is transferred from a hopper to the bag, and lu-ego is separated to the bag transfer device.

The bag transfer device then carries the bag to a bag closing machine where the bag can be closed by any suitable method, such as sewing or heat sealing. U.S. Patent No. 5,109,651 discloses an ice bagging machine comprising an ice collection area, having a water drainage, and an auger placed below and in communication with the ice collection area and in communication with an ice collection area. Ice delivery area and separate bagging. The ice-bagging apparatus is combined with an ice maker and a bagged ice storage area. The Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,277,016 discloses a method and apparatus for bagging ice cubes produced by a plurality of cubes with only one bagging machine when the cubes are stacked side by side with the produced ice and each cube former falls into one of two hoppers. The ice moves from each hopper in turn to the bagging machine. There, each batch of ice cubes dropped in a bag is sealed and moved to a bag storage bag placed under the bagging machine, US Pat. No. 5,458,851 describes an automatic ice bagging machine with a self-contained disinfection system. The disinfection system is activated periodically to disinfect the ice hopper. A flow of water is directed to the hopper to melt the ice in the hopper and to drain the melt water into a tank.

The Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,581,982 discloses a method for automatically bagging ice using a chronometer and a multi-position electronic scale. The ice is delivered to a bag until a sensor provides a signal indicating that the bag is full. The bag is then sealed, released, and delivered to an ice bag storage bin. The Patent of E.U.A. No. 5r 630, 310 describes an ice packer comprising an ice maker, an ice bagging unit, which includes an automatic disinfection system, and a vendor. The ice maker delivers particulate ice to a hopper housed inside the ice-bagging unit. The ice-bagging unit includes a bag carrier that removes a bag from a bag supply and opens the bag under a delivery chute that communicates with the hopper through a hole. A weight supports the bag during its filling to measure the weight of the ice delivered to the bag from the hopper. A heating element is then activated to seal the closed bag. The Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,708,223 describes a remote sensing ice vendor. The bagged ice is presented to consumers in an insulated cabinet that has a storage chamber accessible through a front door. Photoelectric eyes mounted inside the cabinet detect when the level of bagged ice falls within a certain level and transmits this information to an inventory control station. The Patent of E.U.A. No. 6112,539 describes a device for making, bagging and delivering a thermally closed ice bag to a consumer. The ice is supplied to a hopper and then delivered to a bag, which is then thermally sealed and delivered to the consumer. The Patent of E.U.A. No. 6,266,945 discloses an ice supply system, which includes a spout system, an ice packer system, and an ice transport system to provide an ice supply. The ice transport system is operatively linked to the spout system for transporting ice to the spout system and to the ice packer system to transport ice to the ice packer system. The yarn supply system includes a dispensing system, which preferably includes a dispensing unit to facilitate the assortment of a desired beverage and accompanying ice. The assortment unit includes an ice hopper to receive and store ice received from an ice making system. The ice supply system also includes an automatic ice packer to provide individual ice packs to customers. A vacuum pump is used to induce the movement of ice along the ice supply system. Frequently, pre-bagged ice bags, whether made off-site and attached to a retail site or bagged on site and stored in a bagged form, are hard frozen and are days or weeks in length before a consumer can obtain them. through a dispensing box, this pre-bagged hard ice is old and may undesirably take odors during storage or transport. Also, pre-bagged ice often agglomerates into piles of ice that are too large for consumers to use easily, eg, no longer fit in a cup or jar, forcing the consumer to make additional efforts to reduce the size of agglomerate of ice before use. In this way, it is desired to provide an apparatus and method by which a consumer can receive freshly bagged ice conveniently, at any time of the day or night. It is also desired that an ice source be made on site to avoid the cost, expense and time delay of transporting previously bagged ice to a retail site where consumers can buy it. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a automated ice vendor apparatus including a holding container configured and sized to contain sufficient pieces of ice to provide a constant supply for an undetermined time, and an ice transfer device positioned in the holding container and configured and adapted to transport a portion of the ice pieces in a substantially horizontal direction to remove the portion through an opening in the holding container to a weighing device. , whereby the weighing device measures a portion of pieces of ice and deposits the portion in an easily transportable container. In one embodiment, the holding container is sized and configured to contain approximately 907.2 to 9,072 kilograms (2,000 to 20,000 pounds) of ice pieces and the ice transfer device includes a first transport mechanism operatively associated with a lower surface of the container retainer that moves the ice pieces in a substantially horizontal direction and a second transport mechanism at one end of the retention container that is tilted and that moves the ice pieces at the end in a vertical direction and in the same horizontal direction as the first transport mechanism to facilitate the transfer of a portion of pieces of ice through the opening and out of the container.

In one embodiment, the holding container is cooled to hold the ice pieces at a temperature less than about 34 degrees Celsius. In another embodiment, the apparatus further includes an ice making device that includes a water source that is operatively associated with the holding container so that the ice pieces are automatically produced in this manner and disposed in the holding container. In another embodiment, easily transportable containers are completely formed, hanging plastic bags that include an open end that closes after the measured or heavy portion is deposited therein. In another embodiment, the apparatus further includes a fan that operates to blow open the unsecured end of each bag to facilitate. filling the bag with the measured portion of pieces of ice. In still another embodiment, the apparatus further includes a positioning device configured and adapted to position the bag so that the open end can receive the measured portion of ice pieces, a closure device configured and adapted to releasably hold each open end for seal each bag, or amoebae, In another embodiment, the apparatus also includes an angled surface down to facilitate the delivery of each full container, easily transportable to the consumer. In still another embodiment, the ice transfer device further includes an upward directional ice transport device operably positioned and configured to receive the portion of ice pieces from a location adjacent to the opening and to transport the portion in a direction toward up to a weighing device, Preferably, the upwardly directional ice transfer device may include an auger, an elevated conveyor, or a conveyor having a plurality of cavities therein, or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the ice transfer device includes an ice sweep starting at a starting position, moving in a substantially horizontal direction to facilitate the transfer of the portion of the ice pieces to a position outside the holding container , and then return to the starting position. In another embodiment, the second transport mechanism includes a plurality of projections disposed along the inclined portion thereof to facilitate movement of the ice pieces from the holding container through the opening. In a preferred embodiment, the first transport mechanism includes an ice sweep that moves in a substantially horizontal direction to transfer a portion of the ice pieces from the holding container to a position adjacent to the second transport mechanism. Preferably, the ice transfer device includes a continuously looped mechanism arranged substantially horizontally and an inclined continuous loop device operating together to first move the ice substantially horizontally towards the opening and then at an angle downwardly toward the ice. through the opening in the holding container. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a substantially horizontal conveying device that moves ice pieces transversely from adjacent the opening, a second container that acts as a receiving hopper that retains ice pieces received from the opening, or both, to move upwards to the weighing device by a directional ice transport device upwards. The invention also relates to a method for automatically delivering a plurality of pre-weighed pieces of ice to a consumer, which includes automatically providing a plurality of loose pieces of ice from a water source to a storage area, retaining a sufficient quantity of ice. pieces of ice in the storage area to provide a steady supply of loose pieces of ice for an indeterminate period of time, weigh a preselected portion of the pieces of ice, and deposit the preselected portion of the pieces of ice into an easily transportable container. The method also includes opening one end of each easily transportable container to facilitate depositing the portion of ice pieces therein, such as with a fan. In another embodiment, the method further includes transporting a plurality of pieces of ice out of the storage area, wherein transportation includes moving the pieces of ice in a substantially horizontal direction, raising one end of the storage area above one second. opposite end, pushing or pulling the plurality of pieces of ice, or any combination thereof, so that the pieces of ice are removed from the storage area to be weighed. In still another embodiment, the method includes securing iiberably an open end of the easily transportable container. In a preferred embodiment, the releasable attachment includes stapling or tying the open end of the container. Preferably, the consumer must provide sufficient payment before weighing and depositing the ice pieces in an easily transportable container. Preferably, it takes approximately 4 to 20 seconds to take ice from the storage area and provide it to the easily transportable container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further features and advantages of the invention can be ensured by the following detailed description which is provided in connection with the drawings described below: Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment including a device that substantially transports Horizontal pieces of ice from the holding container to the directional transport device upwards according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a top view of the holding container and the inclined portion of the ice transfer device according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a side view of the transport mechanism of the holding container according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a weighing device for weighing the ice pieces according to the invention; Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the weighing device according to the invention; Figure 6 shows an upward directional ice transport device according to the invention; Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the upward directional ice transport device according to the invention; and Figure 8 shows a bagging and closing mechanism in accordance with the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES A fresh, automated bagged ice vending machine has now been invented, which advantageously provides an apparatus, fresh bagged ice, and methods of operating the apparatus that have long been desired in the ice-selling industry. . The present invention can provide a constant supply of pieces of ice for an indeterminate time to consumers making and popping ice on site and on demand by consumers. This freshly bagged ice tends to minimize or avoid "pre-bagged" hard ice weather problems, and can minimize or avoid undesirable odors by avoiding prolonged storage or time-consuming transportation between ice making and bagging. The potential benefit of the present invention is that the containerized iron can be provided on site, thereby avoiding the expense of transporting previously bagged ice at a second location.The ice provided by the apparatus and process of the invention also minimizes the ice agglomerates that are too large for consumers to use easily, eg, will no longer fit into a cup or jar.The present invention can accomplish this by providing a holding container configured and sized to contain a significant number of pieces of ice, e.g., greater than about 226.8 kg (500 lbs.), Which provides a constant supply of pieces of ice on demand in container form for an indeterminate period of time. Preferably, the holding container is sized and configured to contain at least about 907.2 J (2,000 pounds) of pieces of ice to approximately 9,072 kg (20,000 pounds), preferably about 1,814.40 kg (4,000 pounds) to 5,443.20 kg (12,000 pounds). Since the optional apparatus, but preferably includes an ice maker, preferably an automatic device for making ice fixed to a water source, the pieces of ice can be provided in an amount sufficient to replenish the pieces of ice that they are removed from the holding container during the purchase by consumers. The automated vendor apparatus of the invention can be arranged to provide about 300 to 1000 ice bags in a 24 hour period, preferably around 400 to 600 bags. These bags are typically sized to either 7,257 kg (16 pounds) or 9,072 kg (20 pounds). Other suitable container sizes may also be selected. In addition to the retention vessel and the optional icemaker, the apparatus further includes an ice transfer device operatively associated with the retention vessel that is configured and adapted to transport a portion of the ice pieces in a substantially horizontal direction to remove the portion out of an opening in the holding container. Optionally, but preferably, the apparatus further includes an up directional ice transport device operably positioned and configured to receive the ice pieces from the opening and can carry the ice pieces from a position adjacent the opening to the outside of the device 21 heavy. The apparatus includes the weighing device 21, which measures a preselected portion of the ice pieces and deposits the portion into an easily transportable container for use by the consumer. Preferably, the entire apparatus operates automatically with human intervention, presenting itself only when the consumer provides payment to the selling apparatus to initiate the bagging of the portion of pre-selected pieces of wire in the amount paid, and as needed to fill a supply of empty containers that they are stored as part of the apparatus towards which the pieces of ice are arranged during the operation. To facilitate the automation of the inventive apparatus, a programmable logic control ("PLC") can be used to control a portion or the entire apparatus, including the start, duration of operation, and completion of each operation. For example, the PLC can instruct the motors to supply the power for the moving parts of the apparatus when starting and stopping, and how long to run. The payment system of the apparatus is operatively associated with the PLC, as are several limit switches or other input devices that provide input to the PLC so that it can determine when enough ice has been transported to any particular part of the apparatus. Referring to Figure 1, one can see how a preferred embodiment of the present invention operates. The apparatus 205 can provide a single size container of ice pieces or provide a choice of two or more sizes. A consumer can select the amount of ice, if applicable, such as by pressing an appropriate button and providing the appropriate payment for the desired size, eg, 7,257 kg (16 lb.) container, 9,072 kg (20 lb) container ), or the like, or simply by providing the appropriate payment to the appliance for the desired or pre-selected size. In addition, the consumer has the choice of purchasing bagged ice or bulk ice, which can be placed in any suitable container such as a cooler. The payment may be by any appropriate payment receipt device operatively associated with the apparatus, including a credit card reader, ticket reader, coin validator, or the like, The device usually contains a coin validator to which the consumer can place the correct value of coins. A digital display or digital reading (not shown), which includes directions on how to use the apparatus to provide ice as well as indicating an "out of service" status if applicable, is preferably placed as part of the currency validator. The holding container 2 must be sufficiently insulated to retain a majority of the ice in solid form so as to minimize or prevent substantial melting of the ice. The holding container 2 is preferably isolated from the environment by the isolation chamber 210. While some loss of ice in the form of melting leakage can generally occur, and the apparatus is preferably operatively associated with a drain to channel the exhaust away from the ice, it is more economical to retain as many pieces of ice as possible in a state frozen. In a preferred embodiment, the holding container 2 is a cooled container 2 that includes a refrigeration unit (not shown) to maintain the temperature in the container 2 below about 3 ° C (38 ° F), preferably less than about of 2 ° C (36 ° F), and more preferably less than about 1 ° C (34 ° F). In a more preferred embodiment, the cooled container 2 includes an appropriate freezer device (not shown, to maintain a temperature no greater than about 0 ° C (32 ° F) .Preferably, sufficient pieces of ice are already present in the container 2 When the payment is validated, the ice maker 1 may be operatively linked to an ice demand system (not shown) of any type that properly detects when additional pieces of ice are required in the retention container 2 and fires. to the ice making machine 1 to produce more pieces of ice The ice making machine 1 is preferably placed outside the isolation chamber 210 to minimize the amount of space required to be isolated, and to inhibit freezing of the icing components or the water in them that is being used to make ice, The ice demand system can simply do enough ice to replenish the purchased amount, thereby returning the amount of ice in the holding container 2 to an original level. Alternatively, the ice demand system may be arranged to initiate ice maker 1 at the time of payment to make ice to replenish the amount paid or delivered. Preferably, an ice quantity detector, such as an optical-electronic system, may be disposed above or on top of the holding container 2 or embedded within the sides thereof to detect when the ice level is sufficiently low. , and the ice demand system can then automatically trigger the production of ice by the ice former 1. Another possible alternative is to include a weighing device 21 in conjunction with the retention vessel 2 itself, to determine when more ice making is required. This could, for example, include a simple weighing device or strain gauges in the frame, base, or sides of the holding container 2 connected to an integrated circuit or computing apparatus to automatically calculate the weight based on the stress on the frame. , base, or sides of the holding container 2. A stirring motor (not shown) may be placed on the outside of the holding container 2 and be operatively associated with a stirring device within or adjacent to the holding container to inhibit or prevent the pieces of ice therein from freezing together and The apparatus advantageously includes an ice transfer device 3 which includes a first transport mechanism 22 placed in the holding container and configured and adapted to transport a portion of the ice pieces in a substantially horizontal direction to facilitate removal of the ice. portion out of an opening in the holding container, in a preferred mode, the ice transfer device 3 pushes the ice in a substantially horizontal direction towards the opening, and typically in conjunction with a second associated transport mechanism, facilitates the transport of the ice pieces through the opening in the container 2 of the ice. retention. The first transport mechanism may include, for example, a conveyor belt, a chain, a plurality of side-by-side rollers disposed transverse to a substantially horizontal direction or the like, or any combination thereof. Preferably a chain is included, The first transport mechanism is preferably a continuously operable loop, and preferably is motorized. Optionally, but preferably, the ice transfer device further includes a second transport mechanism which is operatively associated with the first transport mechanism and which operates to move ice pieces from the mass of pieces of ice in the holding container to An angle down towards and through the opening. The mass of ice pieces first is transported substantially horizontally adjacent to the second transport mechanism, which then agitates the pieces of ice sufficiently to move them in the downwardly angled direction. For example, the second transport mechanism may include an ice rake chain 4 and ice stop rod 5 that are inclined from the horizontal to facilitate additional movement of pieces of ice through the holding container 2 and out of the opening thereof. The ice stop rod 5 operates to stop the ice from moving too far towards the second inclined transport mechanism, and when the ice mass is sufficiently adjacent to the second transport mechanism, the ice stop rod 5 may be operatively associated with a hammer to an ice stop limit switch 6, which disconnects the substantially horizontal movement of the ice transfer device 3, that is, the first transport mechanism. The ice rake chain 4 rakes the ice down towards the horizontal bore 9, either at the same time or in sequence with the substantially horizontal movement of the dough, or both, as needed to transport enough ice from the holding container 2 to the second holding vessel 20. The ice rake chain 4 and an optional support member for maintaining it at a previously selected inclined level can be arranged at different angles, but preferably it is fixed at about 40 degrees to about 80 degrees from the horizontal, more preferably around 50 to 70 degrees from the horizontal. A motor 8 is preferably operatively associated with the ice rake chain 4, the substantially horizontal bore 9, or both. The second transport mechanism such as an ice rake chain 4 and the ice stop rod 5 is typically enclosed within the isolation chamber 210 and preferably a portion thereof is present in the holding container 2. Optionally, but preferably a substantially horizontal bore 9 is configured and sized to receive ice pieces from the holding container 2 and facilitates transportation thereof to a second holding container, such as the bore box 20, which may have a cover and optionally a limiting switch operatively associated therewith. The second holding container is generally sized to contain enough pieces of ice to fill a container that is being purchased by the consumer, whose second holding container is easily filled from the holding container 2 as soon as the sufficient quantity of pieces of ice is filled. Remove from it. As the hole box 20, for example, is filled with pieces of ice, the pivotable lid, optionally hinged is pushed up towards the top until it is fully open or until an optional limit switch 11 stops the substantially horizontal bore 9 of additional filling of the ice auger housing 20. From the hole box 20, the ice is generally transported to the weighing device 21, such as by the directional transport device 12 upwards. As can be seen from Figure 1, the ice transfer device 3, the horizontal bore 9, the bore box 20 are preferably enclosed within the isolation chamber 210. By "substantially horizontal" is meant a horizontal distance through a portion of the holding container 2 is traversed by a plurality of pieces of ice before it leaves the holding container 2 through the aperture 11. "Substrially ^ includes completely horizontal and may also mean, for example, that the ice generally moves at an average angle of no more than about 20 degrees, and preferably no more than about 10 degrees, of the horizontal, either above or Preferably, substantially horizontal may mean about 0.1 to 8 degrees, more preferably about 0.2 to 5 degrees from horizontal.In a most preferred embodiment, the angle of the horizontal is about 0.5 to 3 degrees. Preferably, the ice pieces move in a flat or slightly downward direction during the substantially horizontal component of their transport to the An engine 7 is preferably operatively associated with the yarn transfer device 3, as well as various other devices of the invention further described herein, to facilitate the rapid delivery of ice pieces to the consumer. The size and motor power appropriate for any of the machined particularities of the invention herein will be readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art with reference to the description of the invention herein, In one embodiment, the device 3 of Ice transfer inclines a portion of the holding container 2 to facilitate transport of the ice pieces substantially horizontally to the opening 11. In this embodiment, this tilting mechanism can be operatively associated with the lower surface of the holding container for reversibly lifting one end of the lower surface to facilitate transfer of the ice pieces out of the holding container 2, and an upward directional ice transporting device 12 operatively positioned at a second end opposite the reversibly raised end of the lower surface, which carries the hi It is directed upwards to a weighing device 21, whereby the weighing device 21 measures a portion of pieces of ice and deposits the portion towards an easily transportable container. The lower surface of the holding container 2 can be raised to an inclined position, or alternatively a portion of the lower surface, the complete holding container 2, or a second bottom adjacent and above the lower surface, can be lifted to a position inclined Optionally, but preferably, a second transport mechanism, such as an ice rake chain 4 and ice stop rod 5, can be included to facilitate the movement of ice as described above for the preferred embodiment. Other devices suitable for substantially horizontal transportation of the ice pieces to and through the opening 11 can also be used. The opening 11 may be positioned on the side or bottom of the receiving container 2, or both, that is, the opening may extend through a portion of one or more sides, one side and the bottom, or a combination of the same. The opening 11 is typically configured and dimensioned so that blockage of ice flow is minimized or prevented, so that sufficient ice can pass through the opening quickly enough to reduce the waiting time for the consumer, and so that the ice pieces are directed towards or on an upward directional transport device 12, optional , but preferably present. This ice transport device 12 is operably positioned and configured to receive as many pieces of ice as possible from the opening. The pieces of ice can leave the opening and are retained and transported by the directional ice transport device 12 upwards. This device 12 can include any suitable device that can move the pieces of ice in an upward direction in an automated manner, including a borehole, a conveyor belt, a spoon or bowl type device that has sufficiently sized or numbered spoons or vats in a band or chain to raise a sufficient amount of pieces of ice, or the like, or any combination thereof. A motor 10 is preferably associated with the operation of the ice transport device 12 to expedite delivery of ice pieces to the consumer. In the illustration of Figure 1, the upwardly directional ice transport device includes an inclined bore 12 that carries a portion of the ice pieces to a weighing device 21. The inclined hole 12 is preferably a closed tube. The diameter of the inclined bore 12 can be about 2.54 c to 17.78 cm (1"to 1"), preferably about 5.08 cm to 12.7 cm (2"to 5"). The inclined hole 12 preferably not completely enclosed by the isolation chamber 210, but partly arranged on either side thereof. Advantageously, the upward directional transport device 12 functions to separate the molten ice, or running water, from the ice pieces. This runoff is diverted to the side or otherwise separated from the ice pieces, such as by gravity, and preferably directed towards a drain, towards the land, or otherwise away from the apparatus to minimize rust or further degradation or damage to the apparatus of the invention or to ice pieces still frozen in the holding container 2. The ice pieces, which optionally were first directed upwards, are then arranged on or in a weighing device 21. The weighing device 21 can include any mechanism available to those of ordinary experience in the field that is suitable for weighing ice pieces. For example, the weighing device 21 could include a load cell, a pressure plate, strain gauge, displacement device such as one that displaces a previously measured amount of fluid, or the like. After weighing, the apparatus includes a container chute 14 through which the ice pieces are arranged and directed towards the transportable holding containers 17. The containers 17 used to capture the wire pieces of the apparatus are preferably easily transportable so that consumers can easily transport the ice to where it is desired. Thus, even though the term "bagged ice" was used herein, it should be understood that any of a variety of easily transportable containers can be used as long as they can support the weight of the portion of ice that is to be delivered. in the same. The containers 17 easily transportable in this way can include bags, coolers, boxes, drums, garbage cans, buckets, or the like, any of which can be stacked within the apparatus of the invention, filled with the desired amount of pieces of ice by weight, sealed sufficiently to inhibit the escape of pieces of yarn until it is desired to open the container, and delivered to the consumer. Preferably, the container 17 includes one or more handles to facilitate a grip of the consumer thereof, such as extending from, recessed in, or integrally formed with the container 17. A preferred container 17 includes an ice bag 17 which is typically made of one or more fabric materials or thermoplastics. Conventional ice bags can also be used. Preferably, the easily transportable container 17 exists completely formed within the apparatus of the invention and contains only a single opening, which can be easily sealed in a manner sufficient to minimize or prevent the loss of pieces of ice. In a preferred embodiment, the containers 17 include pre-formed pouches 17 and are pre-sealed at one end, typically a lower end that is lower than an open top end. The open end of each container 17 is preferably opened before, or at the same time with the ice pieces b weighed in the weighing device 21 so that each container 17 is ready for the previously measured portion of pieces of ice to be disposed in the same. The ice pieces are typically arranged by gravity from the weighing device 21 to each container 17, such as by tilting the weighing device 21 or by opening an opening in a lower portion of the weighing device 21. The container 17 below the weighing device 21, if it is not already open, is preferably opened by blowing by a fan 18, even though any suitable mechanism for opening the containers or bags may be included. Preferably, a positioning device 15 pulls the filled container towards a closure device 16. The positioning device 15 is positioned and configured to pull, push, or otherwise transfer each container of a container supply (not shown) into position to receive a heavy portion of pieces of ice. An example positioning device is a holding arm. Another suitable positioning device for retaining the sides of each container adjacent to the upper part by optionally pulling a portion of the containers 17 by vacuum to facilitate opening the container 17. When self-supporting containers, rigid as cooled by foam or plastic are the containers, the positioning device 15 may include a conveyor belt or a rotary supply device for positioning the containers in position to receive heavy ice pieces. The closure device 16 seals the bag or other container using any suitable fastener, including staples, ties (wire, plastic, etc.), term sealing, adhesive, or the like. Preferably, the closure device 16 operates without the use of adhesive or heating seal, which can affect the ice pieces such as by contaminating them with chemicals from the adhesive or a molten portion of the container. In a more preferred embodiment, the closure device is a bag tie 16, which ties the open end of each container sufficiently to minimize or prevent the loss of pieces of ice from the container 17. The ties can include any "material of appropriate tie-down, such as wire, plastic, paper, cloth, or the like, or any combination thereof The ice pieces optionally contained, but preferably, fall below a container slide 19 for withdrawal by the consumer. The containers can be provided where consumers can see the ice that is disposed therand see the container 17 b sealed as a novelty and entertain the consumer while it is containerized and delivers the ice, however, typically it is desired to provide only a finished product, ie sealed container 17, to the consumer and to avoid or minimize the exposure of parts of the appliance. Ato outside the vendor device to inhibit or prevent vandalism or other accidental breakage of said parts. The thermal seal is preferably avoided to seal the containers 17, since it imposes the risk of melting a portion of the yarn pieces, it causes the pieces to be added together, or both. The containers 17 are preferably closed by the use of a staple tie or wire that is bent around the open end of the container. Any suitable staples or tie wires can be used that will sufficiently seal the container 17. Preferably, the staple or wire ties are approximately 12.7 mm to 7.62 cm (0.5 to 3 inches) long. A clip of 2.54 sm (1 inch) is an example. The staple or wire rolls may be provided in association with a motorized device to separate the staples or cut the wire to an appropriate length, and then be placed and bent around the open end of a container to seal it sufficiently. A staple machine that can be included in the apparatus is commercially available through Ha er of St. Louis Park, Missouri. Another advantage of providing freshly bagged ice secured by lacing, such as by staples, is that securing the bag in this manner allows the containers to be easily opened by mooring removal, however they remain completely resealed with the same tie or other device. of closure such as a plastic, metal or paper twist tie to which consumers typically have easy access. The top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 2. As can be seen in Figure 2, a plurality of projections 100 that can be independently vertical, horizontal, or angled therebetween, can be included that they extend through a portion of an inclined surface of the holding container to facilitate transport of ice pieces 115 towards the opening. A similar set of projections can be arranged adjacent to the base of the holding container 2 along the first transport mechanism 22 (not shown in Figure 2) disposed along the length thereof which facilitates the substantially horizontal movement of the pieces of ice. Preferably, the projections 100 are not disposed along the direction of travel, but project vertically outwardly and inwardly at an angle to contact the ice pieces and facilitate transfer such as by scraping or striking the pieces of ice. Ice from one edge of the piece of ice mass down to the opening. The second transport mechanism is optional but preferable, and when present in the invention includes projections 100 which are preferably fixed to a machined device that can operate continuously, such as the ice rake chain 105 which circuits around. Preferably, the lower part of the second transport mechanism is closer to the ice so that the upper part is further away and traversing upwards as the continuous circuit returns to the upper part of the holding container. The ice stop rod 110 operates to stop the movement of ice substantially horizontally towards the second inclined transport mechanism to prevent ice buildup in or around the second transport mechanism. The optionally but preferably substantially horizontal bore 120 can then transport the ice pieces to the second holding vessel, such as a bore box 125, where an optional, but preferable, upstream ice transport device 130 can transport the pieces of ice to the weighing device. With reference to Figure 3, it can be seen that the second transport mechanism 153 is arranged differently from Figure 2, with a continuous loop either by rotating the bars 152 or with the bars 152 fixed in the loop and moving down adjacent to the the ice pieces 140 and coming back in the upper part of the circuit portion further away from the ice pieces. The second transport mechanism is typically angled at approximately 39 degrees to 80 degrees from the horizontal to receive ice pieces 140 from the first transport mechanism that has moved the ice pieces in a substantially horizontal direction to facilitate transportation of a portion of the ice. ice pieces 140 out of the holding container 135 towards the horizontal bore 145 or other device that receives the ice pieces 140 from the opening 150. As shown, the opening in Figure 3 is a complete end wall of the retention container 135 that is open, although several smaller or larger openings can be used. Preferably, the opening is smaller and is sized sufficiently to retain the ice while allowing sufficient ice through the opening while the ice transfer mechanism is in operation. Figure 4 shows an example ice weighing device 21 in greater detail. In one embodiment, the load cell box 30 is sized and configured to receive a sufficient amount of pieces of ice to fill a single container, e.g., about 30.48 cm (12 inches) by about 30.48 cm (12 inches). inches) by about 22.86 cm (9 inches). Any suitable dimensions will work, even if preferably the load cell box 30 is of sufficient size to contain the desired amount of pieces of ice to completely fill any desired size of transportable container 17. A load cell 35 is operatively associated with the weighing device 21 for measuring the preselected amount of pieces of ice. Once the load cell 35 measures that sufficient pieces of ice are present in the load cell box 30 to fill a preselected weight, the supply of ice pieces from the holding container or other portions of the device is terminated. Preferably simultaneously, the ice pieces are released from the load cell case 30 for further processing, typically directly into a container that is to close sufficiently and deliver to the consumer. Any suitable mechanism can be used to do this, such as an electric solenoid that releases the pivotable reversible bottom of the load cell case 30 to drop the ice pieces by gravity into a holding container. Figure 5 shows another preferred embodiment of the ice weighing device. This weighing device includes two ballasts 330 and 360 and a pivotable slide 30. This allows the apparatus to more easily deliver two different amounts of pieces of ice. Depending on its consumer chooses the ice in bag or in bulk, for example the slide 300 can be pivoted as hydraulically towards the ballast box 330 or 360 corresponding to the preset size container. For example, if the consumer chooses bagged ice of 7,257 kg (16 pounds) of pitch to turn over or otherwise release the pieces of ice to an open, standby container, as soon as the 7,257 kg (16 pounds) of pieces of ice ice are delivered in it. If the consumer selects ice in bulk, the slide 300 will pivot to the other case 3670 which is counterbalanced with 9,072 kg (20 pounds) of weight to flip or otherwise release the ice into a holding container as soon as 9,072 kg ( 20 pounds) of ice are present in box 360. The ice pieces run down a 390, 420 channel corresponding to the ballast box and type of container they are going to deliver. If the consumer chooses bagged ice, then the slide 300 pivots towards the box 330, "moves down the chute 390, and is transported to the bagging and mooring mechanism." If the consumer chooses bulk ice, then the slide 300 pivots. to the box 30 and the iron moves down from another chute 420 to the standby consumer with a consumer supplied with a container, such as a chill, by hand or resting under the chute Figure 6 illustrates an inclined bore 40 having a plurality of slots, or screw threads 45. Which operate to carry a portion of the ice pieces 50, typically upwardly to a weighing device 80, which may be a single-load cell box, or a pair of weigh boxes. ballast, as described herein, or any other appropriate weighing device Figure 7 illustrates a conveyor belt type device 60 with a plurality of compartments 65 formed of a plurality of dividers 70 carrying a portion of the ice pieces 75 to a weighing device 80. In a modality, each compartment 65 is dimensioned and configured to receive and transport enough pieces of ice to fill a single container 17 (not shredded). The compartments 65 may alternatively be separated as one of ordinary experience in the art determines that it is appropriate to bring the pieces 75 of yarn up to the weighing device 80. Referring to Figure 8, the individual components that pocket pre-measured pieces of ice 200 and subsequently secure the sufficiently filled, easily transportable container 17 are easily seen. These include: a fan 180 for facilitating the opening of the containers 17 so that the ice pieces 200 can be deposited thereon, a container positioning device 185 for moving each container 17 one at a time from its initial position, stored to a receiving portion towards which the ice pieces 200 can be disposed from the weighing device (not shown), and a container fixing device 190 which secures the containers 17 easily transportable enough to minimize or avoid the loss of ice pieces 200 from the insured container. In operation, for example, fan 180 can blow container 17 by opening it at about the same time as positioning device 185 pulls container 17. It can be seen that a portion of the positioning device can include a static rack such as a rack. wire, which supports the containers and directs them adjacent to the ice reception area under the weighing device adjacent to the fan 180. The positioning device 185 and the fan 180 work in conjunction and are operatively associated. The moving part of the positioning device 185 that contacts the container 17 may contain a plurality of holes, wherein a vacuum may be used to bring the container 17 into a position to receive ice. Optionally, the positioning device 185 may have an adhesive pad that pulls the container 17 into a position to receive ice. In any situation, or for all other appropriate types of positioning devices, it is preferred that the positioning device move one side of a container far enough away from the other in the static frame 185 opposite the moving part so that the ice pieces fall. in the same. In one embodiment, the pieces of ice fall rapidly and gravity immediately pulls the container of the positioning device down a chute placed thereunder. This allows the ice to be delivered very quickly to the consumer, who in one embodiment can tie the container with bag ties that are conveniently placed adjacent to the ice delivery location. In this embodiment, the containers are large enough to inhibit or prevent any significant amount of ice pieces from escaping from the container before it is delivered to the customer, such as at the bottom of a container chute. The automated yarn dispensing apparatus of the invention advantageously places in ice containers, such as by "bagging" in rapid succession so that consumers do not need to wait long for the product being purchased. In a preferred embodiment, the entire process of taking ice pieces from the holding container, or storage area, transporting the portion as needed, weighing it, and arranging it into an easily transportable container, and delivering that container to a customer, takes approximately 4 to 20 seconds, preferably about 5 to 15 seconds. The ice dispenser operates 24 hours a day without interruptions. A remote monitoring device can be provided that is operatively associated with the payment device, the water supply, the container supply, or a combination thereof to ensure uniform operation. For example, a central station can be notified electronically or by telephone that part of the device is broken so that replacements can be dispatched or a repair technician can be dispatched. In this way, the supply of containers should never end, and enough change, if needed, can always be present in the apparatus to facilitate 24-hour operation. EXAMPLE The following example is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but merely to illustrate representative possibilities related to the present invention. Example 1: An Automatic Ice Dispensing Apparatus according to the Invention. The accompanying Figure 1 illustrates an automatic ice dispensing apparatus 205, constructed in accordance with the present invention. The entire dispensing apparatus 205 was 7,316 m (24 feet) in length, 2,438 m (8 feet) across, and was 2,591 m (8 feet, 6 inches) high. A holding container 2, or storage hopper, was constructed of stainless steel having a length of 2,743 m (9 feet), a height of 1,524 (5 feet). The storage hopper was mounted on a frame to raise the holding container enough above the substrate or ground so that the at least substantially horizontal bore, bore box, and an inclined bore 12 could be properly positioned below the opening of the housing. holding vessel 2. The frame included a plurality of beams and bars for reinforcement so that the holding container 2 could retain a large supply of pieces of ice, e.g., up to 9,072 kg (20,000 pounds) with a typical load of about 4,082 kg. (9,000 pounds). The other components of the ice making device 1, the inclined auger 12, the ice transfer device 3, the ice weighing device 21, and transport, bagging and closing mechanisms - were individually assembled and combined to form the apparatus 205 expenél de hiél. An appropriate coin validator and selection buttons of 7,257 and 9,072 kg (16 and 20 pounds) are disposed outside the apparatus 205 and operatively associated with the components therein. The term "around", as used herein, should generally be understood to refer to both numbers on the scale of numbers. In addition, all numerical scales herein must be understood to include the entire integer within the scale. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but is capable of numerous modifications by one of ordinary experience in the field. It will be understood that the materials used and the mechanical details may be slightly different or "modified from the descriptions herein without abandoning the methods and devices described and taught by the present invention.

Claims (14)

1. CLAIMS 1. An ice dispensing apparatus, comprising: a retention vessel formed with an opening, the retention vessel being configured and sized to receive and house pieces of ice produced by an operatively associated ice supply; a container filling station; and an ice transfer device at least partially disposed within the holding container, with the ice transfer device facilitating the movement of ice pieces placed therein in a first direction towards and through the opening thereof, and in a second direction different from the container filling station where a selected quantity of pieces of ice is placed towards an easily transportable container.
2. 2. The ice dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container filling station comprises an ice measuring device adapted and configured to measure a selected amount of pieces of ice towards an easily transportable container.
3. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first direction is substantially horizontal.
4. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ice measuring device comprises a weighing device placed above the opening, the second different direction being angled upwards from the opening towards the weighing device.
5. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the easily transportable container is a discrete, fully formed plastic bag that includes an open end in which to arrange the selected thickness of pieces of ice and a second end permanently closed.
6. 6. - The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a bag opening device that operates to open the open end of the bag to facilitate arranging the ice pieces therein, the positioning device configured and adapted to positioning the bag so that the open end can receive pieces of ice, a closure device configured and adapted to releasably tie each open end to seal each bag, or any combination thereof.
7. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a downward angled surface, associated with the ice measuring device to facilitate the delivery of each container thereof to a customer.
8. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ice transfer device comprises a first transport mechanism disposed within the retention vessel that helps move the pieces of ice placed inside the retention vessel toward the container. opening thereof.
9. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first transport mechanism mive ice pieces placed inside the holding container in a substantially horizontal direction, and in a downwardly angled direction relative to the vertical, towards the opening in the holding container.
10. 10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the ice transfer device further comprises a second transport mechanism positioned outside the holding container that moves the ice pieces in a direction from the opening of the filling station. of container or ice measuring device.
11. 11. A method for automatically delivering pieces of ice to a consumer, comprising: providing a plurality of ice pieces in a retention area having an opening; providing a container filling area that receives pieces of ice from the retention area; moving the pieces of ice from the retention area in a first direction to and through the opening thereof; and separately transferring the pieces of ice emitted from the opening in a second direction other than the container filling area to replenish the supply of pieces of ice in the container filling zone,
12. 12. The method according to claim 11. , where ice pieces are provided from an operationally associated ice supply to replenish pieces of ice in the retention zone; the container filling station comprises weighing a preselected portion of pieces of ice; the first direction comprises a substantially horizontal direction; the second direction comprises an upward direction, or any combination thereof.
13. 13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising depositing a portion of the pieces of ice in the container filling area into an easily transportable container for delivery to the consumer.
14. 14. The method according to claim 11, 12, or 13, wherein approximately 4 to 20 seconds elapse from receipt of sufficient payment by the consumer until the portion of ice pieces are deposited in a container easily transported and They are delivered to the consumer.