Package making – Methods – Filling preformed receptacle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-01
2001-07-31
Kim, Eugene (Department: 3721)
Package making
Methods
Filling preformed receptacle
C406S156000, C222S146600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266945
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to dispensing equipment and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a system for generating, transporting, and dispensing of ice without exposure to external contaminants.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prior to being dispensed to a consumer, ice is often subjected to a variety of potentially unfavorable and even unhealthy conditions. In a store, for example, ice is typically sold in bags or provided as a condiment for consumption with beverages sold at that store.
To accommodate these consumer needs, ice is provided for consumption via an dispenser system, an ice company, and/or an ice bagger unit. In particular, it is common in the beverage industry to incorporate an ice bin with a beverage dispenser system to provide a supply of ice to the consumer. Thus, ice for a beverage can either be accessed directly from the storage bin or from an ice dispenser in engagement with the storage bin.
An ice company provides individual bags of ice at the store to consumers, or alternatively, an ice bagger unit supplies individual bags of ice to consumers. The ice bagger unit includes a hopper for feeding ice into individual bags. The ice bagger unit for storing individual bags of ice until accessed by consumers also includes a holding bin or “merchandiser”.
Unfortunately, ice companies are often expensive and less than reliable in supplying individual bags of ice, and, for dispenser systems and ice bagger units alike, there currently exists no satisfactory means by which to transfer large quantities of ice from an ice making system to the ice bin and the hopper, respectively, without exposure to a variety of potentially unfavorable and even unhealthy conditions. Providing a continuous supply of ice has long been problematic, especially if an dispenser system or an ice bagger unit is exposed to large volumes of consumers as well as impurities and contaminants associated with ice. To satisfy the large demand for ice, these systems currently feature either automatic icemakers of limited capacity or require manual replenishment by an attendant from a large-capacity ice making system.
Often, ice within the ice bin or an attendant placing ice directly therein via a bucket replenishes the hopper. In addition to being tedious and labor intensive, manual ice replenishment, however, is less than sanitary due to ice contact with the atmosphere, the bucket, and even the attendant. Manual ice replenishment is also hazardous in that consumers and beverage dispenser attendants alike trip and fall on ice that lands on the floor during the replenishment process.
Current dispenser system and ice bagger unit design only partially address this issue of sanitary transport of large volumes of ice. As such, some ice beverage dispenser systems and ice bagger units include sanitizing systems for dispensing a sanitizing solution to disinfect the dispenser system and the ice bagger unit. However, there is no sanitary means by which to transfer ice from an ice making system to an dispenser and an ice bagger unit without unwanted environmental or human exposure.
Accordingly, there is a long felt need for a system for generating, transporting, and dispensing large quantities of ice without exposure to external contaminants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, an ice supply system includes a dispenser system, an ice bagger system, and an ice transport system for providing a supply of ice. The ice transport system is operatively linked with the dispenser system for transporting ice to the dispenser system and with the ice bagger system for transporting ice to the ice bagger system.
The ice transport system includes an ice dispenser bin and an icemaker for delivering ice into the ice dispenser bin. The ice dispenser bin further includes an ice conduit system linked and in communication with the ice dispenser bin, the dispenser system, and the ice bagger system for facilitating ice flow from the ice dispenser bin to the dispenser system and the ice bagger system, thereby transporting ice without exposure to external contaminants. The ice conduit system includes a diverter/shifter assembly for selectively facilitating ice flow from the ice dispenser bin to one of the dispenser system and the ice bagger system
The dispenser system dispenses ice received from the ice transport system and may include the capability to dispense beverages as well. The ice bagger system packages ice received from the ice transport system.
The ice supply system further includes an ice delivery controller system linked and in engagement with the ice transport system, the dispenser system, and the ice bagger system for implementing a routine for operating the ice supply system. The ice delivery controller system includes a stand-alone unit for integration and engagement with the ice transport system, the dispenser system, and the ice bagger system.
In accordance with the present invention, a method for supplying ice includes engaging an ice delivery controller system with a dispenser system, an ice bagger system and an ice transport system operatively linked with the dispenser system and the ice bagger system. The method for supplying ice further includes facilitating ice flow from the ice transport system to the dispenser system and the ice bagger system via the ice delivery controller system.
The ice delivery controller system includes a controller unit electrically linked with the ice transport system, the dispenser system, and the ice bagger system for coordinating ice flow from the ice transport system to the dispenser system and the ice bagger system. An ice transport sensory unit disposed on the ice transport system determines ice quantity within the ice transport system and generates an ice transport sensory signal thereof. A dispenser sensory unit disposed on the dispenser system determines ice quantity within the dispenser system and generates a dispenser sensory signal thereof. An ice bagger sensory unit disposed on the ice bagger system determines ice quantity within the ice bagger system and generates an ice bagger sensory signal thereof.
The step of facilitating ice flow from the ice transport system to the dispenser system and the ice bagger system via the ice delivery controller system includes receiving, via the controller unit, the ice transport sensory signal from the ice transport system indicating the ice transport system needs ice replenishment. Upon receipt of the ice transport sensory signal, the controller unit activates an icemaker of the ice transport system to deliver ice into an ice dispenser bin of the ice transport system. The controller unit then deactivates the icemaker of the ice transport system when the ice transport sensory signal indicates the ice transport system no longer needs ice replenishment.
The step of facilitating ice flow from the ice transport system to the dispenser system and the ice bagger system via the ice delivery controller system further includes receiving, via the controller unit, the dispenser sensory signal from the dispenser system indicating the dispenser system needs ice replenishment. Upon receipt of the dispenser sensory signal, the controller unit engages an ice conduit system of the ice transport system to communicate an ice dispenser bin of the ice transport system with the dispenser system. The controller unit then engages the ice transport system to furnish ice to the dispenser system. The controller unit finally disengages the ice transport system when the dispenser sensory signal indicates the dispenser system no longer needs ice replenishment.
The step of facilitating ice flow from the ice transport system to the dispenser system and the ice bagger system via the ice delivery controller system still further includes receiving, via the controller unit, the ice bagger sensory signal from the ice bagger system indicating the ice bagger system needs ice replenishment. Upon receipt of the ice bagger sensory signal, the controller unit engages
Kim Eugene
Lancer Partnership Ltd.
Makay Christopher L.
LandOfFree
Ice supply system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Ice supply system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ice supply system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2561814