	US 11,808,511 B2
	Method and apparatus for storing and dispensing bagged ice
Henrik Pape, Horsens (DK)
Assigned to REDDY ICE LLC, Dallas, TX (US)
Filed by Reddy Ice LLC, Dallas, TX (US)
Filed on Mar. 2, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/177,555.
Application 16/136,826 is a division of application No. 14/760,180, granted, now 10,093,482, issued on Oct. 9, 2018, previously published as PCT/DK2014/050002, filed on Jan. 6, 2014.
Application 18/177,555 is a continuation of application No. 18/048,605, filed on Oct. 21, 2022, granted, now 11,598,569.
Application 18/048,605 is a continuation of application No. 17/729,547, filed on Apr. 26, 2022, granted, now 11,585,585, issued on Feb. 21, 2023.
Application 17/729,547 is a continuation of application No. 17/212,861, filed on Mar. 25, 2021, granted, now 11,359,851, issued on Jun. 14, 2022.
Application 17/212,861 is a continuation of application No. 16/890,164, filed on Jun. 2, 2020, granted, now 10,962,269, issued on Mar. 30, 2021.
Application 16/890,164 is a continuation of application No. 16/136,826, filed on Sep. 20, 2018, granted, now 10,894,662, issued on Jan. 19, 2021.
Application 14/760,180 is a continuation of application No. 13/739,391, filed on Jan. 11, 2013, granted, now 9,562,711, issued on Feb. 7, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0204273 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F25C 5/20 (2018.01); B65G 57/03 (2006.01); B65G 1/04 (2006.01); F25D 25/00 (2006.01)

CPC F25C 5/20 (2018.01) [B65G 1/04 (2013.01); B65G 57/03 (2013.01); F25C 5/24 (2018.01); F25D 25/00 (2013.01)]

11 Claims

1. An apparatus adapted to dispense bagged ice, the apparatus comprising:

an ice making unit;

a first compartment positioned below the ice making unit, the first compartment defining a first interior and comprising:

a frame disposed within the first interior; and

a plurality of bags disposed within the first interior and supported by the frame;

wherein the first interior extends widthwise, along the width of the first compartment, in a first direction;

a first door covering at least a portion of the first interior when the first door is in a closed position;

wherein the first door is pivotably attached to the first compartment via a first hinge;

wherein the first hinge is located along an axis associated with an edge of the first door;

wherein the first door is adapted to pivot about the axis between the closed position and an open position; and

wherein the first door permits access to the first interior and the plurality of bags when the first door is in the open position;

a second compartment defining a second interior;

a second door covering at least a portion of the second interior when the second door is in a closed position;

wherein the second door is pivotably attached to the second compartment via a second hinge;

wherein the second hinge is located along an axis associated with an edge of the second door;

wherein the second door is adapted to pivot about the axis between the closed position and an open position;

wherein the second door permits access to the second interior of the second compartment when the second door is in the open position; and

wherein the second door is vertically spaced from a bottom edge of the apparatus;

a guide plate positioned below the ice making unit, the guide plate pivotably attached to a third hinge and a biasing spring;

a retention device operably engageable with the guide plate;

wherein, in a first configuration, the retention device is engaged and causes the guide plate to be held in a fixed position;

wherein, in a second configuration, the retention device is disengaged and the guide plate is able to pivot about the third hinge;

wherein, in either configuration, the biasing spring biases the guide plate toward the fixed position;

wherein a bag of ice is adapted to contact the guide plate in the first and second configurations;

wherein, in the first configuration, the guide plate is held in the fixed position when the bag of ice is in contact with the guide plate;

wherein, in the second configuration, the guide plate pivots about the third hinge when the bag of ice is in contact with the guide plate;

wherein when the guide plate pivots about the third hinge in the second configuration, the guide plate is in an inclined position such that a first edge of the guide plate is positioned below a second edge of the guide plate; and

wherein when the guide plate is in the inclined position in the second configuration, the guide plate is at least partially positioned in the second interior of the second compartment;

a horizontally-extending surface positioned, relative to the guide plate, so that the bag of ice is adapted to rest on the horizontally-extending surface after the bag of ice has been in contact with the guide plate;

a plurality of detectors, the plurality of detectors comprising:

a door opening detector adapted to detect the open position of the second door;

a bag presence detector adapted to detect the presence of the bag of ice; and

a capacity detector adapted to detect a fill level of the second compartment;

and

a controller in communication with the plurality of detectors, the controller being adapted to control operations of the apparatus.