IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0564999
(2012-08-02)
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등록번호 |
US-8534034
(2013-09-17)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
8 인용 특허 :
90 |
초록
▼
An apparatus and method for distributing articles is arranged to deliver articles to selected stacking positions in two or more storage units. An article is dispensed to a first article transport and distribution section in a main storage unit, and then either delivered to a stacking position in the
An apparatus and method for distributing articles is arranged to deliver articles to selected stacking positions in two or more storage units. An article is dispensed to a first article transport and distribution section in a main storage unit, and then either delivered to a stacking position in the main unit or transported through a connecting window onto a second transport and distribution section in a satellite storage unit for delivery to a stacking position in that unit. The procedure is repeated to distribute subsequent bags of ice to selected stacking positions in each unit. Additional satellite storage units may be provided and included in the delivery sequence for distributing bags of ice throughout the units. The storage units may be refrigerated, merchandizing units for bagged ice, with the main storage unit associated with an ice bagged ice supply unit which dispenses bags of ice into the unit.
대표청구항
▼
1. A method of distributing bagged ice made by serial production into two or more adjacent storage units, comprising: distributing a bag of ice from bagged ice dispenser onto a first article carrier of a bagged ice transport and distribution assembly positioned in a start position above a first refr
1. A method of distributing bagged ice made by serial production into two or more adjacent storage units, comprising: distributing a bag of ice from bagged ice dispenser onto a first article carrier of a bagged ice transport and distribution assembly positioned in a start position above a first refrigerated storage area within a main storage unit;selecting a storage unit for receiving the bag of ice from the main storage unit and one or more satellite storage units;when the selected storage unit is the main storage unit, discharging the bag of ice from the first article carrier of the transport and distribution assembly into the storage area of the main storage unit;when the selected storage unit is a satellite storage unit, moving the first article carrier from the start position to a connecting window, which extends between the main storage unit and the satellite storage unit, driving the bag of ice from the main storage unit to the satellite storage unit through the connecting window, and onto a second article carrier of the transport and distribution assembly above a second refrigerated storage area of the satellite storage unit and discharging the bag of ice in the second storage area;receiving a subsequent bag of ice from the bagged ice dispenser onto the first article carrier of the transport and distribution assembly in the start position above the first refrigerated storage area; andrepeating the foregoing steps to distribute a plurality of bags of ice one by one into the storage areas of the main and satellite storage units. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein each refrigerated storage area is configured to receive bags of ice in multiple different stacking positions, and the step of selecting a storage unit for receiving a bag of ice further comprises selecting a stacking position in the selected storage unit, the step of discharging the bag into a selected stacking position when the selected storage unit is the main storage unit comprises transporting the bag on the first article carrier to a discharge position corresponding to the selected stacking position in the first storage area and discharging the bag into the selected stacking position, and when the selected stacking position is in a satellite storage unit, driving the bag of ice through a first connecting window between the storage units onto the second article carrier section of the bagged ice transport and distribution assembly above the second storage area and transporting the bag of ice on the second article carrier to a selected discharge location corresponding to the selected slacking position of the second storage area of the satellite storage unit, and discharging the bag of ice from the second article carrier into the selected stacking position. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein satellite storage units comprise at least a first satellite storage unit positioned on one side of the main storage unit and a second satellite storage unit positioned on the opposite side of the main storage unit, the plurality of stacking positions fun her comprise stacking positions in a third refrigerated storage area of the second satellite storage unit, each selected stacking position is selected from stacking positions in the main storage unit and first and second satellite storage units, and the step of transporting a bag of ice when the selected stacking position is in the second satellite storage unit comprises driving the bag of ice through a second connecting window between the main and second satellite storage units onto a third article carrier of the bagged ice transport and distribution assembly above the third storage area in the second satellite storage unit and transporting the bag of ice on the third article carrier to a selected discharge location corresponding to the selected stacking position in the third storage area, and discharging the bag of ice from the third article carrier into the selected stacking position. 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising; monitoring the fill level of stacks of bagged ice at the stacking positions in each storage area;if the stacks in each stacking position are not all at a predetermined stacking level after distributing a bag of ice into a stacking position, distributing another bag of ice to a selected slacking position in the storage area which is not at the predetermined slacking level; andcontinuing to distribute successive bags of ice into selected stacking positions in the storage areas until the stacks in all slacking positions are at the predetermined stacking level. 5. The method of claim 2, further comprising monitoring the till level of bags of ice at each stacking position in the storage areas as the respective article carriers of the transport and distribution assembly move bags of ice back and forth over the slacking positions in respective storage areas and storing the current fill levels, the step of selecting a stacking position for distributing a bag of ice into a selected storage area further Comprising analyzing the current stored till levels for all of the stacking positions in each storage unit and selecting a slacking position which is not filled to a predetermined capacity. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the bagged ice dispenser comprises an ice bagging unit mounted on top of the main storage compartment and configured to pack ice in bags and distribute bags of ice serially onto the first article carrier of the transport and distribution assembly. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein one satellite storage unit comprises a cart storage unit, the method further comprising positioning at least one empty wheeled cart into the can storage unit beneath the associated article carrier, and the step of discharging bags of ice from the article carrier into the storage urea of the cart storage unit comprising discharging bags of ice into a basket of the wheeled cart. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising detecting when the basket of the wheeled cart contains a predetermined fill level of bags of ice, removing the wheeled cart from the cart storage unit when the predetermined fill level is reached, transporting the wheeled cart containing bags of ice to a separate, freezer storage unit in a store for subsequent re-stocking purposes, and positioning another empty wheeled cart into the cart storage unit to replace the removed cart and to receive successive bags of ice in the empty basket. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the positioning step comprises positioning two empty wheeled carts side by side in the cart storage unit beneath the second article carrier of the transport and distribution assembly, and the step of discharging bags of ice from the second article carrier into the storage area of the cart storage unit comprising selectively discharging bags of ice into both cans until the predetermined till level is reached, and replacing each cart with an empty cart when the predetermined fill level for that cart is reached. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage units comprise bagged ice merchandizing units and each storage unit has at least one access door configured for opening by a customer in order to retrieve one or more hags of ice for purchase. 11. An apparatus for distributing serially produced bags of ice into at least two side-by-side refrigerated storage units, comprising: a main storage unit having a first storage area for storing bags of ice;a bagged ice dispenser associated with the main storage unit and configured to dispense hugs of ice one by one into the main storage unit;at least one satellite storage unit positioned side-by-side with the main storage unit, the satellite storage unit having a second storage area for storing bags of ice, the first and second storage areas comprising refrigerated storage areas;a divider between the main and satellite storage units having a connecting window between the storage areas;a bagged ice transport and distribution assembly having a first article carrier in the main storage unit above the first storage area and a second article carrier in the satellite storage unit above the second storage area;the first article carrier of the transport and distribution assembly being, configured to receive bags of ice dispensed from the bagged ice dispenser at a start position, to move from the start position to the connecting window, and to drive the bags of ice through the connecting window;the second article carrier of the transport and distribution assembly being configured to receive bags of ice from the first article carrier and to transport bags of ice away from the connecting window and above the second storage area; andeach article carrier of the article transport and distribution assembly further comprising an article discharge device configured to discharge bags of ice into the respective storage area. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each storage area comprises a plurality of stacking positions, the first article carrier of the article transport and distribution assembly is further configured to transport bags of ice to selected discharge positions associated with stacking positions in the main storage unit and the second article carrier of the transport and distribution assembly is further configured to transport bags of ice between selected discharge positions associated with stacking positions in the satellite storage unit; and each discharge device is further configured to discharge bags of ice from the respective article carrier at a selected discharge position to fall into a selected stacking position in the respective storage area. 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the bagged ice dispenser comprises an ice bagging unit associated with the main storage compartment and configured to pack ice in bags and dispense bags of ice serially onto the first article carrier of the article transport and distribution assembly in the main storage compartment, and an ice making unit associated with ice bagging unit. 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the satellite storage unit comprises a cart storage unit and at least a first wheeled cart removably positioned in the cart storage unit, the first wheeled cart having a basket comprising at least part of the second storage area and configured to receive bags of ice discharged from the second article carrier of the transport and distribution assembly. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a second wheeled cart identical to the first wheeled cart and positioned in the cart storage unit side-by-side with the first wheeled cart, the second article carrier of the transport and distribution assembly being configured to selectively position and discharge bags of ice into the basket of the first and second wheeled carts. 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the basket has a raised floor configured for supporting stacked bays of ice and a melt water collecting tray beneath the raised floor, the raised floor having apertures for draining of melt water from the storage area above the floor into the melt water collecting tray. 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the basket has a movable front wall portion movable between a raised position during transport of the cart and a lowered position when the cart is stored in the cart storage unit to allow customers to retrieve bags of ice for purchase from the basket. 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the main and cart storage unit each have at least one front door movable between a closed position and an open position to allow customers to retrieve bags of ice for purchase from the storage areas. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the cart storage unit has a floor on which the wheeled cart is supported and a ramp at the front of the floor movable between a raised position when the door is closed and a lowered, inclined position when the door is open to allow carts to be wheeled into and out of the can storage unit over the ramp. 20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transport and distribution assembly further comprises a window conveyor in the connecting window configured to convey bags of ice from the first article carrier to the second article carrier of the transport and distribution assembly. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said at least one satellite storage unit comprises at least a first satellite storage unit positioned on one side of the main storage unit and a second satellite storage unit positioned on the opposite side of the main storage unit, the plurality of stacking positions further comprise stacking positions in the third storage area of the second satellite storage unit, each selected stacking position is selected from stacking positions in the main storage unit and first and second satellite storage units, and the step of transporting a bag of ice when the selected stacking position is in the second satellite storage unit comprises driving the bag of ice through a second connecting window between the main and second satellite storage units onto a third article carrier section of the transport and distribution assembly above the third storage area in the second satellite storage unit and transporting the bag of ice on the third article carrier to a selected discharge location corresponding to the selected slacking position in the third storage area, and discharging the bag of ice from the third article carrier section into the selected stacking position.
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