A retrofit ice making and bagging apparatus and retrofit installation method provide automatic supply of bags of ice into a freezer compartment. The apparatus has an outer housing with a lower end configured for securing on top of an aisle freezer so that openings in the lower end of the housing and
A retrofit ice making and bagging apparatus and retrofit installation method provide automatic supply of bags of ice into a freezer compartment. The apparatus has an outer housing with a lower end configured for securing on top of an aisle freezer so that openings in the lower end of the housing and upper end of the freezer are aligned to provide a passageway into the freezer compartment. An ice making unit and bag making and filling station are mounted in the housing. Ice is transported from the ice making station into partially formed bags at the bag making and filling station, and a bag is sealed and separated when a sufficient amount of ice is supplied to the bag. The bag making and filling station communicates with the passageway into a storage compartment in the freezer, whereby separated bags of ice fall into the storage compartment on completion.
대표청구항▼
1. A retrofit ice making and bagging apparatus for installation on an existing aisle freezer, comprising: an outer housing having a lower end of predetermined shape and dimensions configured for securing on top of the existing aisle freezer, the outer housing having a lower end which is at least par
1. A retrofit ice making and bagging apparatus for installation on an existing aisle freezer, comprising: an outer housing having a lower end of predetermined shape and dimensions configured for securing on top of the existing aisle freezer, the outer housing having a lower end which is at least partially open to provide a passageway into a freezer compartment through an opening in an upper end of the existing aisle freezer;an ice making unit mounted in the outer housing and having an ice outlet through which pieces of ice are dispensed; anda bag making and filling station located above the lower end of the outer housing and including a bag forming device which is configured to receive film material from a film supply and form film material into bags, the bag forming device having an inlet which directs ice from the ice making unit into a partially formed bag, and a bag sealing and separating device adapted to seal a bag containing ice and separate the bag from the supply of film material supplied to the bag forming device, the bag sealing and separating device communicating with the passageway whereby bags of ice fall into the freezer compartment when separated from the bag sealing and separating device. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an ice collecting station positioned in the outer housing to collect ice from the ice outlet and an ice transport device mounted in the outer housing, the ice transport device adapted to transport ice from the ice collecting station into a partially formed bag at the bag making and filling station. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an ice transport control module which controls transport of ice from the ice collecting station to the bag making and filling station when a bag is partially formed and ready to receive ice. 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the ice collecting station comprises a hopper having an open upper end which receives ice and a lower end, and a transport chute extends from the lower end of the hopper and has an exit end located in the bag making and filling station which comprises the inlet of the bag forming device, and the ice transport device extends through the lower end of the hopper and along at least part of the transport chute. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the ice transport device comprises a drive spring and a drive motor which rotates the spring. 6. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a drain channel extending under the transport chute and having a plurality of drain openings for melt water. 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the hopper has opposite side walls which are inclined outwardly from the lower end of the hopper, and opposite end walls, one of the end walls having an outlet opening and the transport chute extending from the outlet opening. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the opposite side walls of the hopper are inclined at different angles. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a film supply feeder in the outer housing which is adapted to feed two superimposed layers of film from the film supply to the bag making and filling station. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a film feed sensor which detects when a predetermined length of film has been fed to the bag making and filling station, and a controller associated with the film feed device comprises a film feed control module which receives input from the film feed sensor and is adapted to control the film supply feeder to stop the film supply after each successive bag length of material is fed to the bag making and filling station and to re-start the film supply feeder after each completed bag is separated from the film supply. 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the film supply comprises a roll of film material folded in half along a first longitudinal edge to form the two superimposed layers of film having aligned second longitudinal edges which are separate, and the bag sealing and separating device comprises opposing transverse sealing jaws extending in a direction transverse to the film feed direction and movable between an open position and a closed position to form a transverse seal across the two superimposed layers of film, and opposing longitudinal sealing jaws extending in the film feed direction and movable between an open position and a closed position to form a longitudinal seal along the superimposed second longitudinal edges of the film layers. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a separating device is associated with the transverse sealing jaws. 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the bag sealing and separating device comprises a pair transverse sealing jaws which form transverse seals at predetermined spaced locations across the two superimposed layers of film and at least one pair of longitudinal sealing jaws which form longitudinal seals along at least one side edge of the two superimposed layers of film, the sealing jaws being movable between an open position spaced from the film material and a closed position engaging opposite faces of the film material, and a bag sealing and separating control module is adapted to control movement of the sealing jaws between open and closed positions and actuation of the sealing jaws to form seals. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the bag sealing and separating control module is adapted to close and actuate the sealing jaws to create a partially formed bag having a first transverse seal at its lower end, to open the sealing jaws while a bag length of material is fed through the transverse sealing jaws so that the partially formed bag is suspended in a bag fill zone below the sealing jaws, to re-close the sealing jaws to form a transverse seal across the film layers when a predetermined amount of ice has been supplied to the partially formed bag, and to actuate a bag separating device to separate the sealed bag from the subsequent partially formed bag along a separation line which intersects the transverse seal so as to form a second transverse seal at an upper end of the bag and a first transverse seal across a lower end of a subsequent partially formed bag, and to re-open the sealing jaws when the sealed bag is separated from the remainder of the film to allow the next bag length of material to be fed through the sealing jaws. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bag sealing and separating device comprises a bag sealing device adapted to form longitudinal and transverse seal lines in the superimposed layers of film at the bag making and filling station and a bag separating device which is adapted to separate a completed bag from the remainder of the film supplied to the bag making and filling station. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a controller having a bag sealing and separating control module which controls the bag sealing device to partially form a bag prior to supplying ice to the bag and which controls the bag sealing and separating devices to complete and seal a partially formed bag containing ice and to separate the sealed bag for dispensing into the freezer compartment. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the controller further comprises a bag transport and distribution control module which is adapted to control release of filled bags of ice into the freezer compartment. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of fill level sensors adapted for mounting in different fill zones in the freezer compartment of the existing aisle freezer, the fill level sensors having outputs communicatively coupled with the bag transport and distribution control module, and a bag transport and distribution station configured for mounting in the freezer compartment between the passageway in the lower end of the outer housing and fill zones in the freezer compartment, the bag transport and distribution station comprising a bag conveyor, a conveyor drive for moving the bag conveyor between a pick up position where bags of ice are received from the bag making station and a series of bag discharge positions where bags of ice are distributed into the respective fill zones of the storage and freezer compartment, and a bag discharge device which is adapted to discharge bags from the conveyor into an aligned bag fill zone, the bag transport and distribution control module being adapted to control the conveyor drive and bag discharge device according to a selected bag distribution sequence based on output signals received from the fill level sensors. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the bag transport and distribution station further comprises a plurality of conveyor position sensors adapted to detect positioning of the bag conveyor, the conveyor position sensors being communicatively coupled with the bag transport and distribution control module. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the selected bag distribution sequence comprises discharge of successive bags into a series of successive fill zones of the freezer compartment excluding any fill zones which are filled to a predetermined fill level based on output signals from the associated fill level sensors. 21. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller which controls operation of the ice making unit and the bag making and filling station, the bag making and filling station having a bag fill measurement device associated with the controller which measures the amount of ice supplied into a bag as it is being formed at the bag making and filling station, and the controller is configured to control the bag sealing and separating device to complete and seal a bag and to separate the sealed bag for dispensing into a freezer compartment when a predetermined amount of ice is detected by the bag fill measurement device. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the outer housing includes a frame having a bag holder adapted to suspend a partially formed bag during supply of ice to the partially formed bag, the bag fill measurement device comprising at least one weight sensor on the bag holder which measures the weight of the bag and ice. 23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the bag fill measurement device comprises a weight measurement device which measures the weight of a partially formed bag at the bag making and filling station while ice is supplied to the bag. 24. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bag transport and distributing station suspended below the lower wall of the outer housing and adapted for location in the freezer compartment when the ice making unit is retrofitted on top of the existing freezer. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the bag transport and distributing station has a conveyor device which is adapted to receive sealed bags from the bag making and filling station in a pick up area and to convey bags to selected storage areas in a bag storage portion of the freezer compartment. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a plurality of fill level sensors associated with the controller and adapted for securing on one or more walls of the freezer compartment, and the controller further comprising a bag discharge control module which controls the conveyor device to convey bags to selected storage areas of the freezer compartment based on the fill levels detected by the fill level sensors, whereby bags are discharged to less full areas of the freezer compartment. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the bag discharge control module is adapted to suspend discharge of bags into the freezer compartment when all storage areas are full, and to re-start discharge of bags into the storage areas when the fill level falls below a predetermined level. 28. A method of retrofitting an existing aisle freezer with an ice making and bagging apparatus and supplying ice in bags to the existing aisle freezer, comprising: removing at least part of an upper wall of a freezer compartment of the existing aisle freezer to provide an opening communicating with the freezer compartment;securing an ice making and bagging apparatus on top of the upper wall of the freezer compartment so that an ice bagging and filling station in the ice making and bagging apparatus is located above the freezer compartment;mounting at least one fill level sensor at a predetermined height in the freezer compartment, the fill level sensor having an output which communicates with a controller in the ice making and bagging apparatus; andsupplying ice in bags from the ice making and bagging apparatus into the freezer compartment. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of supplying ice in bags into the freezer compartment comprises supplying ice from an ice making station in the ice making and bagging apparatus into a partially formed bag at a bag forming station in the ice making and bagging apparatus, sealing the bag, discharging the sealed bag through the opening into the freezer compartment, and repeating the preceding bagged ice supplying steps until the freezer compartment is filled to a predetermined level with bags of ice. 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising detecting the fill level of ice bags in the freezer compartment with the fill level sensor, providing the fill level output to a controller in the ice making and bagging apparatus, suspending supply of ice in bags when the compartment is sufficiently full, and re-starting the steps of making bags filling them with ice, and supplying ice in bags to the freezer compartment when ice bag level in the freezer compartment falls below a selected level. 31. The method of claim 30, further comprising securing at least two level sensors in the freezer compartment to detect fill level in at least two different areas of the freezer compartment, the step of detecting the fill level comprising monitoring fill level in the at least two different areas of the freezer compartment and communicating the fill levels to the controller, and the step of discharging sealed bags into the freezer compartment comprises discharging bags into the at least two different areas in a predetermined sequence based on the detected fill level in the respective areas. 32. The method of claim 29, wherein the step of supplying ice from an ice making station in the ice making and bagging apparatus into a partially formed bag at a bag forming station in the ice making and bagging apparatus comprises collecting ice formed at the ice making station in an ice collector and transporting ice from the ice collector to the bag forming station. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of supplying ice to an ice collector further comprises supplying ice sequentially to first and second ice collectors, transporting ice from the first ice collector into a partially formed bag, and transporting ice from the second ice collector to the first ice collector for transport into a partially formed bag. 34. The method of claim 32, further comprising draining melt water from the ice as it is transported from the ice collector to a partially formed bag at the bag forming station. 35. The method of claim 29, further comprising suspending the partially formed bag at least partially into the freezer compartment as ice is supplied to the bag. 36. The method of claim 29, further comprising stopping supply of ice to the partially formed bag after a predetermined amount of ice is supplied to the bag. 37. The method of claim 36, further comprising supplying bag forming film material from a film supply to the bag forming station, supporting the partially formed bag on a support device after ice transport to the bag is stopped until the bag is sealed and separated from the remainder of film supply. 38. The method of claim 37, further comprising releasing the separated bag from the support device into the freezer compartment after sealing and separation is complete. 39. The method of claim 37, further comprising driving the support device to a selected position above a selected area in the freezer compartment after a bag is sealed and separated, before releasing the bag from the support device. 40. The method of claim 39, further comprising driving the support device back to a bag pick up position after the bag is discharged from the device, picking up a second bag on the support device, driving the support device to a selected different position above a different area of the freezer compartment, and discharging the second bag from the support device so that it falls into the different area of the freezer compartment. 41. The method of claim 28, further comprising partially forming a bag at a bag forming station before supplying ice to the partially formed bag, the step of partially forming a bag comprising forming longitudinal seal along at least one open side edge of two superimposed layers of bag-making film and forming a transverse lower end seal across a lower end of superimposed layers to produce a partially formed bag. 42. The method of claim 41, further comprising supplying a first bag length of bag-making film in two superimposed layers to the bag forming station before forming the longitudinal seal and lower end seal, and subsequently supplying a second bag length of bag-making film to the bag forming station while simultaneously feeding the first, partially formed bag into a bag fill zone. 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the step of sealing the bag comprises forming a transverse seal which simultaneously seals an upper end of a first bag and a lower end of a second bag. 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the longitudinal seal and the transverse lower end seal are formed in separate sealing steps. 45. The method of claim 43, wherein the longitudinal seal of the second bag is formed before ice is supplied to the first bag. 46. The method of claim 43, further comprising separating the first bag from the second bag length along a line of separation through the transverse seal before discharging the first bag into the freezer compartment. 47. The method of claim 28, further comprising positioning a bag transport and discharge device in the freezer compartment above a bag storage and dispensing area in the freezer compartment, whereby a bag receiving area of the bag transport and discharge device is located below the opening. 48. The method of claim 47, wherein the step of supplying a bag of ice into the freezer compartment comprises receiving a sealed bag onto a conveyer of the bag transport and discharge device, selecting a fill zone in the freezer compartment from at least two fill zones, displacing the conveyor and sealed bag to a selected position based on the selected fill zone, and discharging the bag from the conveyor into the selected fill zone. 49. The method of claim 48, further comprising mounting a plurality of fill level sensors in multiple different fill zones of the freezer compartment to detect fill levels in the respective fill zones, the controller monitoring the outputs of the fill level sensors to determine fill level in the multiple different fill zones of the freezer compartment, comparing the degree of filling in the different fill zones at the controller, and selecting a fill zone for discharge of bags on the basis of said comparison.
Anderson Harry E. (307 Foxcroft Rd. Pittsburgh PA 15220) Heasley Raymond E. (38 Silver Ln. McKees Rocks PA 15136), Apparatus for placing point supports on a metal cutting table.
Finan ; Sr. Anthony T. (9640 Wissinoning St. Philadelphia PA 19114) Lowery ; Sr. Richard K. (1304 Sturbridge Dr. Warminster PA 18974) Leible Walter T. (915 Roberts Rd. Warminster PA 18974), Article bagging unit.
Mikkelsen Henrik (Naerum DKX), Bag for use in the shaping of liquid food products of stimulants, and a method and an apparatus for use in the productio.
Koeneman Robert M. (Oak Brook IL) Miller Benjamin D. (Chicago IL) Jablonski Thaddeus M. (Palatine IL), Control system for icemaker and ice dispenser and method.
Alneng Carl-Gran (Robertsviksvgen 16 S-182 35 Danderyd SEX), Elongate drawer with compartments for sliding mounting in cupboards, chests of drawers, racks or the like.
Allard, Paul B.; Bradley, Robert Ryan; Kendall, James W.; Kuehl, Steven J.; LeClear, Douglas D.; Lucas, Alan S.; Tenbarge, Andrew M.; Vonderhaar, John J.; Wu, Guolian, Feature module connection system.
Williams Howard M. (Houston TX) Ioannidis Kostas P. (Houston TX) Kisling ; III James W. (Kingwood TX) Lynch Bryan E. (The Woodlands TX), Ice cube making, bagging, and storing apparatus.
Linstromberg William J. (Lincoln Township ; Berrien County MI) Janke Donald E. (Benton Township ; Berrien County MI) Scriber Chris A. (St. Joseph MI), Ice dispensing apparatus.
Balsamico William A. (1722 Marion Dr. North Huntingdon PA 15642) Minnick ; Jr. Walter J. (1732 Marion Dr. North Huntingdon PA 15642), Ice measuring and dispensing machine.
Pongrass Robert G. (122 Ocean Street Woolhara 2025 New South Wales CA AUX) Rutter Christopher C. (21063 Cabot Blvd. Hayward CA 94545), Method and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing flexible plastic bags.
Tobias Lamar K. (615 N. Lakeview Apt 101 Sturgis MI 49091) Motyka Jerry J. (Detroit MI), Method and mechanism for conversion of free access ice chests to provide controlled dispensing of ice.
Bullock Kyle B. ; All Robert D. ; Connor Howard D. ; Grams David W. ; Harris Shawn D. ; McDonald Gregory E. ; Oakhill F. Ted ; Pruitt Julian L. ; Snow William Z. ; VanPutte Andrew W. ; Walker Jeffrey, Method of cutting and sealing film.
Euverard Maynard R. (Williamsburg VA) Diver James J. (South Holland IL) Schneider Thomas C. (Oak Forest IL), Pattern forming apparatus and product orienter therefor.
Allard, Paul B.; Kendall, James W.; Kuehl, Steven J.; Lucas, Alan S.; Tenbarge, Andrew M.; Vonderhaar, John J.; Wu, Guolian, Plenum on front of refrigerator/freezer door.
Leclear, Douglas David; Wilcox, Michele E.; Vonderhaar, John J.; Allard, Paul B.; Hanson, Kelly M.; Tenbarge, Andrew Michael; Querfurth, Karen J., Refrigerator door vacuum preservation system.
Leclear, Douglas David; Wilcox, Michele E.; Vonderhaar, John J.; Allard, Paul B.; Hanson, Kelly M.; Tenbarge, Andrew Michael; Querfurth, Karen J., Refrigerator door vacuum preservation system.
Barto Robert W. (2019 Duval Lane Hayward CA 94545) Brown Leonard A. (13229 Casa Vista Poway CA 92064), Refrigerator water reservoir assembly for the automatic ice maker and the ice water dispenser.
Huffar, William M.; Dieter, Stephen J.; Matt, Terry D.; Miller, John A.; Truesdale, Nicholas A., Ice merchandiser with on-product financial payment system.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.