This invention relates to an ice bagging apparatus. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to an ice bagging apparatus, method of using the apparatus, and the process of remotely monitoring the apparatus from a remote location.
The production of ice for consumer consumption is a major industry. Consumers require ice for drinks, ice chest, refrigeration, etc. Typical ice production requires the use of an ice maker that deposes of the ice into bags. The bags of ice are then stacked into a freezer. The bags can then be retrieved from the freezer by users.
In the retail business, many times the bags of ice are delivered to the store site. A freezer, located at the retail business, will store the bags of ice. Hence, theses prior art devices require that the ice maker and the dispenser (freezer) be separate. The separation of the ice maker and freezer leads to many problems, including but not limited to transportation, inadequate inventory, time delivery problems, etc.
Some prior art devices have attempted to locate the ice maker and the dispenser in one unit and wherein the dispenser is located at the retail site. However, these prior art devices have had many problems. For instance, if the device is in a retail establishment and the device develops a problem, the employees of the retail establishment have no expertise in repairing the device. Additionally, these prior art devices have been unreliable in their attempt to automate the process due to the numerous cooperating components. For instance, during the bagging process, the ice can bridge thereby effectively halting the placement of ice into the bags. Therefore, there is a need for a device that can produce and dispense of the ice in a single unit. There is also a need for an apparatus that can operate autonomously. Additionally, there is a need for a device that will collect information regarding the production of ice, and reliably store and report that information to a remote location. These needs, as well as many others, will be met by the herein described invention.
Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing an ice-bagging apparatus and method that provides an establishment with the ability to automatically and expeditiously produce, bag and store bags of ice, thus maintaining a desired supply of bagged ice by eliminating conventional methods of manual ice bagging and reducing the likelihood of unwanted bridging of the ice particles/cubes.
According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention in its preferred form is an ice-bagging apparatus having an ice maker and a hopper for receiving ice from the ice maker. A roller drum measuring and delivery system, a bagging mechanism for bagging the ice, a freezer for storing the bagged ice and a control panel for managing and monitoring the system is included.
More specifically, the present invention is an ice bagging apparatus having an ice maker, a hopper for receiving ice from the ice maker, a roller drum that measures the amount of ice to be bagged and delivers the ice to the opened bag wherein the bag is fed through the apparatus via a bag supply mechanism. Once the drum is filled with the desired amount of ice, the roller drum rotates through a computer programmed/electronically controlled to position itself over the bag. A blower fan is engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the product. The ice is then dumped into the waiting bag. The filled bag is then heat sealed using a heat seal strip. The sealed bag is then rotated out of the heat seal operation and dumped into a freezer/storage unit. The entire process is fully automated and/or computer controlled.
The invention possesses laser switches positioned at specific areas on the machine for reading the process at various stages to properly time the sequence of operation. Additional sensors are used to read a signal code on the furnished bags ensuring only a select type of bag/brand can be used.
If the equipment encounters a problem, the electronics provided with the equipment will attempt to correct the problem. If the electronics provided cannot correct the problem, a signal is sent via a telecommunication means to a web site for assistance in repairing the malfunction. This web site also gathers information such as number of bags utilized, number of cycles or volume of ice produced.
In one preferred embodiment, a process of bagging ice with an ice bagging apparatus is disclosed. The process comprises making ice and channeling the ice to a hopper then to a roller drum. Next, the amount of ice is measured in the roller drum and a bag is supplied via a bag supply mechanism. The process includes rotating the roller drum to a position over the bag once the roller drum is filled with the desired amount of ice. An open mouth of the bag is engaged with a blower fan and the bag is blown open with the blower fan. The ice is dumped into the waiting bag and the bag is heat sealed with a heat seal strip. The sealed bag is rotated into a freezer/storage unit.
The process may further include placing a plurality of laser switches at specific areas on the apparatus for reading the process at various stages to properly time the sequence of operation, and placing sensor means to read a signal code on the furnished bags from a bag supply mechanism in the ice bagging apparatus. The process may further include reading the sensor means with a control unit means, the control unit means being operatively associated with the ice bagging apparatus, and storing the information obtained from the laser switches and sensor means within the control means. Next, the information is transmitted to a web page accessible on the internet and remote users may monitor the information found on the web page for ensuring production of ice bags, for reporting, and for regular maintenance.
An advantage of the invention is its ability to continuously and automatically produce bags of ice, thus maintaining a desired supply of bagged ice. Another advantage is that the apparatus has the ability to send and receive computer signals for regular maintenance and reporting. Yet another advantage is that the equipment drains water as it is produced from ice maker to eliminate the potential problem of bridged ice in the bagging process. Another advantage is that the equipment functions without the use of augers as utilized in prior art machines. The apparatus eliminates the possibility of bridged ice and increases production rates.
Yet another advantage is that the apparatus and process will reduce a vendor's overall cost of bagged ice. Still yet another advantage is the apparatuses electronic ability to attempt to correct problems associated with its components and/or machine parts. If the problems cannot be corrected internally, a signal is sent for further assistance in remedying the problem through its global networking system.
A feature of the invention is that the apparatus has the ability to police the selection and brand of bag being used. If the particular bag being used is not approved, the machine will not function. Another feature is that the apparatus is designed to utilize less space than prior art machines giving customers more costly floor space in their stores for displaying other merchandise. Another feature is that the apparatus has the ability to open mechanically a bag during the process of filling with ice. Still yet another feature is the ability to agitate ice held in hopper prior to bag filling to eliminate the possibility of bridging.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the above description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to
The apparatus 2 also includes a bagging means, operatively receiving the ice from the roller drum means, for placing the ice in a bag. The bagging means includes a bag supply mechanism that includes a cylinder 10 containing rolled up plastic bags, a roller bar system, seen generally at 12, that are used for advancing the bags from the cylinder 10, a blower fan 13 engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the product, and a heat sealer means 14 for heat sealing the open mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice.
The apparatus 2 further contains a freezer 16 for storing the bagged ice, so that after the ice is dumped into the opened ice bag, and then heat sealed, the bag is then cut and placed into the freezer 16.
In one preferred embodiment, the control means 18 includes laser switches, seen generally at 20, 22, 24 for reading the process at various stages to properly time the sequence of operation of the ice bagging. The information collected via the laser switches is sent to the control means for storage and processing. Also, the bags may include a signal code containing identifying information and wherein the control means further includes means for reading the signal code on the bag ensuring only a select type of bag can be used.
In the preferred embodiment, the control means 18 further comprises means for storing the information obtained from the laser switches and sensor means is provided, and wherein the storing means is operatively associated with the control means, and means for transmitting the information to a web page accessible on the internet 26. Hence, remote users can then log onto the internet, and monitor the entire ice making, bagging and distribution. The remote users can also attempt to trouble shoot problems based on the diagnostic data that has been collected via the control means 18.
Referring now to
The foregoing has been illustrative of the features and principles of the present invention. Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scope of the invention which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20060005564 A1 | Jan 2006 | US |