An ice distribution system and method according to which ice-filled bags are distributed within a unit such as, for example, an ice merchandiser.
대표청구항▼
1. An apparatus, comprising: a temperature-controlled storage unit defining an internal region in which a plurality of ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored, a portion of the internal region being an available space in which a first ice-filled bag is adapted to be disposed;one or more tracks exte
1. An apparatus, comprising: a temperature-controlled storage unit defining an internal region in which a plurality of ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored, a portion of the internal region being an available space in which a first ice-filled bag is adapted to be disposed;one or more tracks extending within the internal region; anda component adapted to support the first ice-filled bag before the first ice-filled bag is disposed in the available space;wherein the component is coupled to the one or more tracks;wherein the component is movable along the one or more tracks;wherein the component supports the first ice-filled bag during movement of the component along the one or more tracks;wherein the apparatus further comprises a first sensor adapted to identify the available space; andwherein the apparatus further comprises a second sensor adapted to determine whether the component will be blocked during the movement of the component along the one or more tracks. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is movable with the component. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is coupled to the component. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a drive motor adapted to cause the component to move along the one or more tracks. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first ice-filled bag is discharged from the component to dispose the first ice-filled bag in the available space. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an ice maker adapted to make ice that fills an empty bag to produce the first ice-filled bag. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a hopper operably coupled to the ice maker and adapted to receive the ice from the ice maker before the ice fills the empty bag to produce the first ice-filled bag. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an enclosure connected to the temperature-controlled storage unit, wherein at least a portion of the hopper is enclosed by the enclosure. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is movable with the component. 10. A method, comprising: providing a temperature-controlled storage unit that defines an internal region in which a plurality of ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored, wherein a portion of the internal region is an available space in which a first ice-filled bag is adapted to be disposed,wherein one or more tracks extend within the internal region, andwherein a component is coupled to the one or more tracks;supporting, using the component, the first ice-filled bag before the first ice-filled bag is disposed in the available space; andmoving the component along the one or more tracks;wherein the component supports the first ice-filled bag during movement of the component along the one or more tracks;wherein the method further comprises identifying, using a first sensor, the available space; andwherein the method further comprises determining, using a second sensor, whether the component will be blocked during the movement of the component along the one or more tracks. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first sensor is movable with the component. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first sensor is coupled to the component. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising causing, using a drive motor, the component to move along the one or more tracks. 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising discharging the first ice-filled bag from the component to dispose the first ice-filled bag in the available space. 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising: making, using an ice maker, ice; andfilling an empty bag with the ice to produce the first ice-filled bag. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving the ice in a hopper operably coupled to the ice maker before filling the empty bag with the ice to produce the first ice-filled bag. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein an enclosure is connected to the temperature-controlled storage unit, and wherein at least a portion of the hopper is enclosed by the enclosure. 18. The method of claim 10, wherein the first sensor is movable with the component. 19. An apparatus, comprising: a temperature-controlled storage unit defining an internal region in which a plurality of ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored, a portion of the internal region being an available space in which a first ice-filled bag is adapted to be disposed;one or more tracks extending within the internal region; anda component adapted to support the first ice-filled bag before the first ice-filled bag is disposed in the available space;wherein the component is coupled to the one or more tracks;wherein the component is movable along the one or more tracks;wherein the component supports the first ice-filled bag during movement of the component along the one or more tracks; andwherein the apparatus further comprises a sensor adapted to determine whether the component will be blocked during the movement of the component along the one or more tracks. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a drive motor adapted to cause the component to move along the one or more tracks. 21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first ice-filled bag is discharged from the component to dispose the first ice-filled bag in the available space. 22. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising an ice maker adapted to make ice that fills an empty bag to produce the first ice-filled bag. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a hopper operably coupled to the ice maker and adapted to receive the ice from the ice maker before the ice fills the empty bag to produce the first ice-filled bag. 24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising an enclosure connected to the temperature-controlled storage unit, wherein at least a portion of the hopper is enclosed by the enclosure. 25. A method, comprising: providing a temperature-controlled storage unit that defines an internal region in which a plurality of ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored, wherein a portion of the internal region is an available space in which a first ice-filled bag is adapted to be disposed,wherein one or more tracks extend within the internal region, andwherein a component is coupled to the one or more tracks;supporting, using the component, the first ice-filled bag before the first ice-filled bag is disposed in the available space; andmoving the component along the one or more tracks;wherein the component supports the first ice-filled bag during the movement of the component along the one or more tracks; andwherein the method further comprises determining, using a sensor, whether the component will be blocked during the movement of the component along the one or more tracks. 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising causing, using a drive motor, the component to move along the one or more tracks. 27. The method of claim 25, further comprising discharging the first ice-filled bag from the component to dispose the first ice-filled bag in the available space. 28. The method of claim 25, further comprising: making, using an ice maker, ice; andfilling an empty bag with the ice to produce the first ice-filled bag. 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising receiving the ice in a hopper operably coupled to the ice maker before filling the empty bag with the ice to produce the first ice-filled bag. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein an enclosure is connected to the temperature-controlled storage unit, and wherein at least a portion of the hopper is enclosed by the enclosure.
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