COMBINATION BAGGER

Abstract

An inline vending machine for ice and water vending installed within a store wall allowing a user to purchase ice and water without entering the store. At the same time, an additional vending of ice can occur within the store for store use and sale within the store as demanded by customers. Vending to the outside of the building and within the building can occur simultaneously.

Claims

1. An inline vending system comprising: a) an inline vending unit received within an opening of an exterior wall of a building, the inline vending unit comprising: an insulated front wall received within the opening of the exterior wall; a vendor panel mounted to the insulated front wall; a bagging mechanism mounted to the vendor panel for vending ice, the bagging mechanism comprising: an ice hopper defined by side panels, a back panel and a fixed bottom panel and a rotating bottom panel; and a water vendor access hole defined by the vendor panel receiving a receptacle to vend water into; b) an ice maker for generating ice; c) an ice storage bin for receiving ice from the ice maker, the ice storage bin comprising: an inner sleeve having an inner sleeve front panel, an inner sleeve back panel, a first inner sleeve side panel, a second inner sleeve side panel and a curved bottom, the inner sleeve defining an inner sleeve interior, wherein the inner sleeve front panel defines an inner sleeve first opening and an inner sleeve second opening and the inner sleeve back panel defines a third inner sleeve opening; an outer sleeve comprising an outer sleeve front panel, an outer sleeve back panel, a first outer sleeve side panel, and a second outer sleeve side panel, and a bottom, the outer sleeve defining an outer sleeve interior, the outer sleeve front panel defining a first outer sleeve opening and a second outer sleeve opening and the outer sleeve back panel defining a third outer sleeve opening; wherein the outer sleeve opening receives the inner sleeve, such that the first inner sleeve opening of the inner sleeve front panel aligns with the first outer sleeve opening of the outer sleeve front panel, the second inner sleeve opening of the inner sleeve front panel aligns with the second outer sleeve opening of the outer sleeve front panel, the third inner sleeve opening of the inner sleeve rear panel aligns with the third outer sleeve opening of the outer sleeve rear panel, and a space is generated between the inner sleeve bottom and the outer sleeve bottom; d) an agitator auger received within the ice storage bin comprising: a shaft having a first end and a second end; a paddle wheel comprising a paddle wheel hub defining a bore for receiving the first end of the shaft, a plurality of paddles extending radially from paddle wheel hub; and an outer body mounted to a paddle wheel hub and perpendicular to the plurality of paddles, such that the plurality of paddles move ice towards the third inner sleeve opening and the third outer sleeve opening; a helical blade mounted to the shaft between the first end and the second end; a first agitator paddle mounted to the second end of the shaft; e) a horizontal auger received within the ice storage bin comprising: a shaft having a first end and a second end; an auger paddle mounted to the second end and aligned with the second inner sleeve opening of the inner sleeve front panel and the second outer sleeve opening of the outer sleeve front panel; f) a transfer box mounted to the second outer sleeve opening of the outer sleeve front panel comprising a body with a first opening and a second opening connected to the second outer sleeve opening; and g) a vertical/incline auger assembly coupled to the first opening of the transfer box and the bag chute; wherein ice from the ice maker passes into the ice storage bin, through the second inner sleeve opening and the second outer sleeve opening via the horizontal auger into the transfer box, through the vertical/incline auger and into a bag in the bag chute of the front panel; h) an inside mechanism coupled to the third inner sleeve opening and the third outer sleeve opening; the inside bagger comprising: an ice chute cabinet comprising: a top, a front side, a first side, a second side, an angled bottom defining an interior, wherein the second side defines an ice chute hole in communication with the ice storage bin via the third inner sleeve opening and the third outer sleeve opening; a rear ice hopper within the interior of the ice chute cabinet surrounding the ice chute hole defining a front spout opening; a moveable spout gate rotatably mounted to the front spout opening; an actuator coupled to the moveable spout gate for moving the moveable spout gate from a first position which covers the front spout opening to a second position in which the front spout opening is uncovered; a bagging structure mounted below the angled bottom of the ice chute cabinet for receiving a bag; wherein ice from the ice storage bin is vended simultaneously or independently to the bagging mechanism vending through the front panel or vending to the inside bagger.

2. The inline vending system of claim 1, wherein the vendor panel further comprises a vendor front panel connected to a vendor bottom panel through a flat panel, wherein the vendor bottom panel comprise the bag chute and the flat panel comprises the water vendor access hole.

3. The inline vending system of claim 2, wherein a top bubble front panel is mounted to the vendor front panel and a bottom bubble front panel is mounted to the vendor back panel.

4. The inline vending system of claim 1, wherein the inside bagger is mounted to a rollable rack.

5. The inline vending system of claim 1, wherein the vending of ice to the inside bagger is manually initiated inside the building.

6. The inline vending system of claim 1, wherein the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve front panel are made of stainless steel and the outer sleeve back panel, a first outer sleeve side panel, and a second outer sleeve side panel, and a bottom are made of aluminum.

7. The inline vending system of claim 1, further comprising insulation in the space between the curved bottom of the inner sleeve and the bottom of the outer sleeve.

8. The inline vending system of claim 1, further comprising a cabinet for receiving the ice storage bin and the ice maker, the rack comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of sides each having a first end connected to the top surface and a second end connected to a bottom surface; and a shelf connected to at least one of the plurality of sides and the bottom surface.

9. The inline vending system of claim 8, further comprising a channel bracket connecting the insulated front wall panel to the rack.

10. The inline vending system of claim 8, wherein the rack further comprises a plurality of casters mounted to the bottom surface of the rack.

11. The inline vending system of claim 8, wherein the rack is at least 32 inches from the insulated front wall panel.

12. An ice storage bin for vending ice received from an ice maker comprising: an inner sleeve having an inner sleeve front panel, an inner sleeve back panel, a first inner sleeve side panel, a second inner sleeve side panel and a curved bottom, the inner sleeve defining an inner sleeve interior, wherein the inner sleeve front panel defines an inner sleeve first opening and an inner sleeve second opening and the inner sleeve back panel defines a third inner sleeve opening; an outer sleeve comprising an outer sleeve front panel, an outer sleeve back panel, a first outer sleeve side panel, and a second outer sleeve side panel, and a bottom, the outer sleeve defining an outer sleeve interior, the outer sleeve front panel defining a first outer sleeve opening and a second outer sleeve opening and the outer sleeve back panel defining a third outer sleeve opening; wherein the outer sleeve opening receives the inner sleeve, such that the first inner sleeve opening of the inner sleeve front panel aligns with the first outer sleeve opening of the outer sleeve front panel, the second inner sleeve opening of the inner sleeve front panel aligns with the second outer sleeve opening of the outer sleeve front panel, the third inner sleeve opening of the inner sleeve rear panel aligns with the third outer sleeve opening of the outer sleeve rear panel, and a space is generated between the inner sleeve bottom and the outer sleeve bottom; an agitator auger received within the ice storage bin comprising: a shaft having a first end and a second end; a paddle wheel comprising a paddle wheel hub defining a bore for receiving the first end of the shaft, a plurality of paddles extending radially from paddle wheel hub; and an outer body mounted to a paddle wheel hub and having an outer body planar surface perpendicular to the plurality of paddles, wherein the outer body planar surface of the outer body and the paddles form a scoop, such that the plurality of paddles move ice towards the third inner sleeve opening and the third outer sleeve opening; a helical blade mounted to the shaft between the first end and the second end; a first agitator paddle mounted to the second end of the shaft; a horizontal auger received within the ice storage bin comprising: a shaft having a first end and a second end; an auger paddle mounted to the second end and aligned with the second inner sleeve opening of the inner sleeve front panel and the second outer sleeve opening of the outer sleeve front panel; wherein ice from the ice storage bin is vended simultaneously or independently to the second outer sleeve opening in the outer sleeve front panel and the second inner sleeve opening of the inner sleeve front panel and the third inner sleeve opening in the inner sleeve back panel and the third outer sleeve opening in the outer sleeve back opening, such that ice is vended from the ice storage bin in first direction and a second direction, with the first direction being opposite the second direction.

13. The ice storage bin of claim 12, wherein the plurality of paddles are each comprised of: a first paddle planar surface connected to an outer circumference of the paddle wheel hub and a second paddle planar surface connected to the first paddle planar surface at an angle and the outer body planar surface of the outer body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a building with a vending interface.

[0007] FIG. 2 shows a top down view of the building with vending machinery for ice and water.

[0008] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the interior of the building with the vending machinery for vending ice and water.

[0009] FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of the customer interface and machinery associated with ice production.

[0010] FIG. 5 shows a back perspective view of the customer interface and machinery associated with ice production for vending to the outside of the building through the customer interface and vending to the inside of the building to a bagger.

[0011] FIG. 6 shows a side view of machinery associated with ice production.

[0012] FIG. 7 shows a back view of machinery associated with ice production.

[0013] FIG. 8 shows an alternate side view of the machinery associated with ice production.

[0014] FIG. 9 a sectional view of FIG. 8.

[0015] FIG. 10 shows a back view of the ice bin and associated bagger.

[0016] FIG. 11 shows a side view of the ice bin and associated bagger.

[0017] FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of the ice bin and associated bagger along line B-B of FIG. 13.

[0018] FIG. 13 shows a top down view of the ice bin and associated bagger.

[0019] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the combo bagger inside the building with the spout gate closed.

[0020] FIG. 15 shows a closeup of the spout gate in a closed position.

[0021] FIG. 16 shows another view of the spout gate in a closed position.

[0022] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the combo bagger inside the building with the spout gate open.

[0023] FIG. 18 shows a close up of the spout gate in an open position.

[0024] FIG. 19 shows the rear ice chute door closed during normal vending operation.

[0025] FIG. 20 shows an agitator paddle wheel connected to a horizontal auger.

[0026] FIG. 21 shows a side view of the agitator paddle wheel connected to a horizontal auger.

[0027] FIG. 22 shows a front view of the agitator paddle wheel.

[0028] FIG. 23 shows a top perspective view of the agitator paddle wheel and horizontal auger within the ice storage bin.

[0029] FIG. 24 shows a back view of the vending interface.

[0030] FIG. 25 shows an outer sleeve of the ice storage bin.

[0031] FIG. 26 shows an inner sleeve of the ice storage bin.

[0032] FIG. 27 shows a prospective view of the ice storage bin.

[0033] FIG. 28 shows a prospective view of a vertical/incline auger assembly.

[0034] FIG. 29 shows a sectional view of the vertical/incline auger assembly.

[0035] FIG. 30 shows an exploded view of the customer interface and trim relative to a wall of the building.

[0036] FIG. 31a shows a perspective view of a bagging mechanism.

[0037] FIG. 31b shows another perspective view of the bagging mechanism including the blower.

[0038] FIG. 32a shows a side view of the drop mechanism of the bagging mechanism.

[0039] FIG. 32b shows a bottom perspective view of the drop mechanism of the bagging mechanism.

[0040] FIG. 33 shows an exploded view of the customer interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] FIGS. 1-3, 6, 30 and 33 shows an outer store front wall 101a with a customer interface 100 outside of a store. In this embodiment, the store includes at least a section in which the outer store front wall 101a is connected to a first outer side wall 101b and a second outer side wall 101b to define an inside area 623 for receiving ice machinery. The inside area 623 is defined by inside side walls 132b, 132b of outer side walls 101b, 101c and the inside store front wall 132a of the outer store front wall 101a. It is noted that the inside area 623 is accessed by entering the store and is preferably cordoned off to be accessed by store staff only, not the general public looking to purchase ice or water.

[0042] The store may be any structure in which other goods, besides water and ice are sold, and/or a user or customer can enter. An example of a store may be, but is not limited to, a convenience store, a general merchandise store, a department store or a gas station. The customer interface 100 is set into or inline with the outer store front wall 101a using inner wall trim 103 which receives an insulated front wall 109. Surrounding the perimeter of the insulated front wall 109 is an outer wall trim 102 and bottom trim 111 attached to the insulated front wall 109 through a plurality of fasteners 104. Attached to the insulated front wall 109, through a plurality of fasteners 110 is a vendor front back panel 107. The outer wall trim 102, the inner wall trim 103 and the bottom trim 111 provide protection against outer environmental elements entering the inside of the store or the space containing the ice vending machinery inside the store.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 4, 30 and 33, the vendor front back panel 107 has a top vendor front back panel 107a and a bottom vendor front back panel 107b with the bag chute 121 and a plurality of LED back lights 106. A top bubble front panel 105a is mounted to the top vendor front back panel 107a and a bottom bubble front panel 105c is mounted to the bottom vendor front back panel 107b. Between the top and bottom bubble front panels 105a and 105c is a flat panel 105b which has an opening 108 for vending water. The central flat panel 105b provides a customer interface for both water and ice outside of the store. The top bubble front panel 105a and the bottom bubble front panel 105c are preferably made of polycarbonate. Stainless steel outer trim and fasteners can be used to secure the top bubble front panel 105a and the bottom bubble front panel 105c to the metal top vendor front back panel 107a and the metal bottom vendor front back panel 107b.

[0044] The customer interface 100 vends water and ice as well as allowing for payment of the water and ice by the customer without the customer having to enter the store. The customer, using their own receptacle, can place the water receptacle in the opening 108 covered by the water vendor user access door 120, select options associated with the water through the selection buttons 117 and make payment in the water vending payment area 119. If the customer pays using cash for the water, and is due change, coins are returned using the coin return chute 118. Adjacent to the water vendor user access door 120 is a vending area for ice. Ice is dispensed into a bag and provided to the customer in the bag chute 121. The customer selects options associated with the ice through the selection buttons 115 and makes payment using the bill validator 113, credit card reader 114, and/or coin insert slot 112. If the customer pays cash for the ice, and is due change, coins are returned to the customer using the coin return chute 111. The coin return chute for water 118, the coin return chute for ice 116 and the bag chute 121 are preferably located in the bottom bubble front panel 105c and the bottom vendor front back panel 107b.

[0045] FIG. 24 shows a back view of the insulated front wall 109. An electrical control box 125 includes an electrical power IN 126 and an electrical power OUT 127 which provides power to the icemaker and all electrical motors installed on the bin and electrical power OUT 127b which provides power to electrical components of the customer interface, such as the LED backlights 106 and vending machinery including, but not limited to, the bagging mechanism 130, ice payment area 122 and water payment box 123 and water vendor 124.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 2-3, 6 and 24 the ice bagging mechanism 130 is coupled to a vertical/incline auger assembly 250 and an ice hopper 550 which supplies ice generated by the ice maker 150 and present in ice bin 302. The ice bagging mechanism 130 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 31a-32b. The ice maker 150 and ice bin 302 are stored on a rolling bin-cabinet 400 shown in FIGS. 6-9. The ice maker 150 is coupled to a refrigeration line 131 and a water in line 128. The vertical/incline auger assembly 250 spaces the rolling bin-cabinet 400 a distance from the back of the insulated front wall 109. The distance is preferably at least 32 inches. The distance allows for routine and critical service and maintenance.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 31a-32b, the bagging mechanism 130 includes an ice hopper 550 which supplies ice to space 558 defined by an ice bagging structure 559 consisting of two side panels 559a, 559b, a back panel 559c, a fixed bottom panel 552 and a rotating bottom panel 553. The bagging mechanism 130 also includes a blower 557 which blows open a bag held by the bag holder 560 which drops into the space 558 where the rotating bottom panel 553 supports the bottom of the bag. Also present within the space 558 is a bag detect flap 561. A sensor (not shown) may be present behind the bag detect flap 561 which detects when the bag is present in the space 558, fully blown open, and ready to be filed with ice. The sensor (not shown) sends a signal via a controller (not shown) to start the auger motors 372, 380. Ice level sensors 554 are additionally present within the space 558 to monitor for the level of ice present within the bag. The ice level sensors 554 includes a transmitter to transmit electrical signals regarding the level of the ice or a simple on or off command with regards to providing ice to the bagging mechanism 130 for the bag to the controller controlling the auger motors 372, 380 and a receiver to receive an electronic signal regarding the ice level in the bag. As soon as the ice within the bag reaches a predetermined amount, the ice level sensors 554 transmit a signal to the auger motors 372, 380 to stop and to initiate the actuator 556 located beneath the fixed bottom panel 552 and the rotating bottom panel 553 to actuate the rotating bottom panel 553 to rotate about hinge 555, such that the filled bag of ice drops into the bag chute 121. The actuator 556 may be electrically operated or may be pneumatic.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 4-9, the rolling bin-cabinet 400 is preferably square or rectangular and has four sides 403a-403d with each side 403a-403d defined by a cabinet roof 406, two side rails 402 each with a first end 402a and a second end 402b, and a bottom rail 408. A center side rail 410 is also present parallel to and between the cabinet roof 406 and the bottom rail 408. Another center side rail 413 may connect to both the cabinet roof 406 and the bottom rail 408. Spanning the four sides 403a-403d of the cabinet roof 406 is a top surface 401. Each of the four sides 403a-403d additionally has casters 414 connected to the bottom rail 408. Spanning the four sides 403a-403d of the bottom rail 408 is a drain pan 411. A shelf 412 can additionally be present, connected to the drain pan 411 and at least one of the side rails 402 adjacent the second end 402b of the side rail 402. Additional support rails can be present on the on the rolling bin-cabinet 400 to aid supporting the ice maker 150 and the ice storage bin 302. A drain line 416 can also be attached to the drain pan 411 of the rolling bin-cabinet 400.

[0049] By using a moveable rolling bin-cabinet 400 to store the ice vending machinery, access for cleaning and maintenance of the ice maker 150 and the ice storage bin 302 and the vertical/incline auger assembly 250 is increased. Furthermore, flexible refrigerant lines and plumbing lines are also used to allow some movement of the moveable rolling bin-cabinet 400 relative to the insulated front wall 109 without having to disconnect the machinery from the insulated front wall 109.

[0050] Channel brackets 201 provide support to electrical connections between the ice vending machinery and the insulated front wall 109 as well as act as guide or connection point between ice storage bin 302 and the insulated front wall 109, to position the ice storage bin 302 in the correct place (e.g. relative to the water line in 128, refrigeration lines 131 and drain 129) and also to provide desired vend performance.

[0051] The ice maker 150 is present on the top surface 401 of the rolling bin-cabinet 400. The ice storage bin 302 is present within the four sides 403a-403d of the rolling bin-cabinet 400. Motors 372, 380 associated with an agitator auger 356 and paddlewheel 355, and a horizontal auger 358 are preferably supported by the shelf 412. The ice maker 150 generates ice which is deposited into the ice storage bin 302.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 4-13, 23 and 25-27, the ice storage bin 302 has an outer sleeve 320 which receives an inner sleeve 301. The inner sleeve 301 has a front plate 306 defining an access opening 314 with an access opening flange 312 and an incline auger opening 318 with an incline auger opening flange 316. The front plate 306 is connected to a left plate 308, a right plate 310 and a rear plate 304. The rear plate 304 has a rear ice storage bin opening 622 which includes a rear ice storage bin guide 621 for guiding ice through the opening 622 to a staff combo bagging structure 600. The outer sleeve 320 has a corresponding hole (not shown) for receiving the rear ice storage bin guide 621 and aligned with opening 622. It is noted that the rear ice storage bin guide 621 passes through both the inner sleeve 301 and the outer sleeve 320 of the ice storage bin.

[0053] The rear plate 304 additionally forms a bottom 305 which is connected to the left plate 308, the right plate 310 and the front plate 306. The bottom 305 is preferably curved. The right plate 310, the left plate 308, the front plate 306 and the rear plate 304 all define an inner sleeve opening 307. The upper edges of the rear plate 304, the front plate 306, the left plate 308 and the right plate 310 all have outer trim 303. The left plate 308 and the right plate 310 each have a first opening 309 and a second opening 311 to receive shaft ends of an agitator shaft 352 and a horizontal auger shaft 362. The inner sleeve 301 preferably made of stainless steel. The access opening flange 312 and the incline auger opening flange 316 are also preferably made of stainless steel.

[0054] The outer sleeve 320 has a front plate 324 defining an access opening 334 which is aligned with the access opening 314 of the inner sleeve 301 and an auger opening 336 which is aligned with the incline auger opening 318 of the inner sleeve 301. The outer sleeve 320 is preferably made of aluminum except for the front plate 324 which is preferably made of stainless steel.

[0055] The front plate 324 is connected to a left plate 326, a right plate 328 a rear plate 322 and a bottom plate 330. The right plate 328, the left plate 326, the front plate 324, the bottom plate 330, and the rear plate 322 all define an outer sleeve opening 321. The upper edges of the rear plate 322, the front plate 324, the left plate 326 and the right plate 328 all have outer trim 332 in which outer trim 303 of the inner sleeve 301 rests. The left plate 326 and the right plate 328 each have a first opening 327 and a second opening 329 to receive shaft ends of an agitator shaft 352 and a horizontal auger shaft 362 and which are aligned with the first opening 309 and the second opening 311 of the left and right plates 308, 310 of the inner sleeve 301. Insulation 313 may be present between the inner and outer sleeve 301, 320 between the rear plate 322 and the bottom plate 330 of the outer sleeve 320 and the rear plate 304 and the curved bottom 305 of the rear plate 304 of the inner sleeve 301. The insulation reduces heat transfer between the inner and outer sleeves 301, 320. Based on the design of the ice storage bin 302, it is recognized that ice only comes into contact with stainless steel.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 12-13, and 20-23, within the inner sleeve opening 307 of ice storage bin 302 is an agitator auger shaft 352 and a horizontal auger shaft 362. The agitator auger shaft 352 has a first end 352a which is received within a bore 361 of a paddle wheel hub 359. Inside the bore 361 is a shaft bushing (not shown). The paddle wheel hub 359 has an outer circumference 359a with a plurality of paddles 353. The paddles 353 each have a first planar surface 353a connected to the outer circumference 359a of the paddle wheel hub 359 and a second planar surface 353b connected to the first planar surface 353a at an angle. The paddle wheel hub 359 is also mounted to a paddle wheel outer body 363 which provides a planar surface 363a perpendicular to the paddles 353. The paddle wheel outer body 363 has a greater diameter than the diameter of the paddle wheel hub 359. The paddles 353 in conjunction with the paddle wheel outer body 363 create a scoop capable of pushing or receiving ice and subsequently transporting ice to a rear ice storage bin opening 622 surrounded by the rear ice storage bin guide 621. Extending axially from the paddle wheel hub 359 are a first and a second dowel 357a, 357b. The first and second dowls 357a, 357b agitate the ice to keep the ice from freezing into blocks. The first end 352a of the agitator auger shaft 352 extends through the paddle wheel hub 359 and the paddle wheel outer body 363 and is secured to the left plates 308, 326 of the inner and outer sleeves 301, 320 by a bearing 342 in the first openings 309, 327 and a second end 352b of the agitator auger shaft 352 secured to right plates 310, 328 of the inner and outer sleeves 301, 320 by an agitator auger driven sprocket 370. The agitator auger shaft 352 between the first end 352a and the second end 352b has at least a first agitator auger paddle 350a. Between the first agitator auger paddles 350a and the paddle wheel hub 359, and mounted to the agitator auger shaft 352 are a spiral or helical agitator blade 354. The spiral or helical agitator blade 354 and the agitator augar shaft 352 are preferably stainless steel. The agitator auger 356 agitates and moves ice created by the ice maker 150 and stored in the ice storage bin 302. The time and frequency of the ice movement by the agitator auger 352 can be determined and set as needed to prevent ice buildup and large ice blocks forming. The agitator auger 352 preferably agitates the ice during ice vending. The agitator auger 352 is driven by an agitator auger motor 372 through an auger drive chain 374 wrapped around the agitator auger driven sprocket 370. The auger drive chain 374 is tensioned by a chain tensioner 376. The agitator auger motor 372 receives feedback from the electrical control box 125. The agitator auger 352, in addition to agitating the ice, moves the ice towards the rear ice storage bin guide 621.

[0057] The horizontal auger shaft 362 has a first end 362a which is secured to the left plates 308, 326 by a bearing 344 in the second openings 311, 329 and a second end 362b secured to right plates 310, 328 of the inner and outer sleeves 301, 320 by a horizontal auger driven sprocket 378. The horizontal auger shaft 362 has a horizontal auger paddle 360 at the first end 362a. Between the first and second ends 362a, 362b of the horizontal auger shaft 362 is a spiral auger blade 364. The horizontal auger 358 moves ice towards the incline auger opening 318, 336 of the inner and outer sleeves 301, 320. The horizontal auger 358 is driven by a horizontal auger motor 380 through a horizontal auger drive chain 382 via the horizontal auger sprocket 378. The horizontal auger drive chain 382 is tensioned by a chain tensioner 384. The horizontal auger motor 380 receives feedback from the electrical control box 125.

[0058] A bin access panel 300 can be removably attached to the access opening 314, 334 of the ice storage bin 302 to allow for maintenance as necessary.

[0059] Ice that flows from the auger opening 318, 336 of the ice storage bin 302 flows into an opening 275 of transfer box 252 with an outer perimeter flange 271. The outer perimeter flange 271 is coupled to the ice storage bin 302 at the auger opening 318, 336.

[0060] FIGS. 28-29 show the vertical/incline auger assembly 250. A hollow pipe 256 has a first end 256a, a second bent end 256b and a hollow interior 256c. The second bent end 256b has a flange bearing 262 which attaches to the bagging mechanism 130. The first end 256a of the pipe 256 is received within the hollow pipe connection 272 of the transfer box 252. Within the hollow interior 256c is a screw conveyor 255 with blades or paddles 257 for moving ice from the transfer box 252 up to the bagging mechanism 130 to bag and dispense the ice. The screw conveyor 255 is rotated by the vertical/incline auger motor 254.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 9-19, a staff combo bagging structure 600 is adjacent to the ice storage bin 302. The staff combo bagging structure 600 can be used by the staff of the store to fill bags of ice which are then used for sale within the store or building, separate from the vending associated with the store front outside of the building. The bagging of ice using the staff combo bagging structure 600 is a manual turn on and off operation via the electrical control box 602 for staff combo bagging structure 600.

[0062] The staff combo bagging structure 600 includes an ice bagging structure 626 mounted to a rolling rack 604 and an ice chute cabinet 610. The rolling rack 604 is preferably square or rectangular and has four sides 604a-604d with each side 604a-604d defined by ice bagging structure 626, two side rails 627 each with a first end 627a and a second end 627b, and a bottom rail 628. Each of the four sides 604a-604d additionally has casters 619 connected to the bottom rail 628.

[0063] Spanning the four sides 604a-604d of the ice bagging structure 626 is a bag base platform 614 of the ice bagging structure 626. The ice bagging structure 626 has a stack of empty bags 616, a bag weight 605 to keep the bags in place, two side panels 629a, 629b connected to and extending axially away from the door frame 616, a bag base platform 614 extending between the two side rails 627 of the rolling rack 604, and a front surface 630. The ice bagging structure 626 defines an interior 615 which receives a bag to be filled with ice. The two side panels 629a, 629b each contain a slot 607 with ice level sensors 608 to monitor for the level of ice present within the bag in the bagging interior 615.

[0064] Mounted to the front surface 630 of the ice bagging structure 626 is an ice chute cabinet 610. The ice chute cabinet 610 has a top 610a, a front side 610b, a spout access door 606, a first side 610c, a second side 610d and a hopper 610e with an angled guide 610f including an opening. The angled guide 610f is aligned with an opening (not shown) in the front surface 630 of the ice bagging structure 626. The ice chute cabinet 610 defines an interior 631. Attached to the rear ice storage bin opening 622 of the ice storage bin 302 is a rear ice hopper or spout 612 present within the interior 631 of the ice chute cabinet 610. The spout 612 has a rear spout opening 612a (see FIG. 12) to the ice storage bin 302 and a front spout opening 612b (see FIG. 12, 17-18) within the interior 631 of the ice chute cabinet 610. The front spout opening 612b of the rear ice hopper is covered by a moveable spout gate 611 with first and second panels 611a, 611b. The first panel 611a is connected to the second panel 611b via a second hinge 625. An actuator 613 mounted within the interior 631 of the ice chute cabinet 610 moves the spout gate 611 between an open position in which ice can exit the rear ice hopper 612 into the hopper 610e of ice chute cabinet 610 to a closed position, preventing ice from exiting the rear ice hopper 612. More specifically, the first panel 611a is rotatably connected to the side 610d of the ice chute cabinet 610 via a first hinge 624 to allow rotation of the first panel 611a and the second panel 611b away from the front spout opening 612b when moved by an arm 617 of the actuator 613 connected to the second panel 611b. The actuator 613 may be electrically operated or may be pneumatic.

[0065] Attached to front side 610b of the ice chute cabinet 610 is a blower 601 for opening the bags which receive ice. The blower 601 is connected to the interior 615 of the staff combo bagging structure 600 via hose 603 passing through the ice chute cabinet 610 and the angled bottom 610e.

[0066] The blower 601 blows open a bag held by a bag holder (not shown) which drops into the interior space 615 of the bagging structure 626. A bag detect sensor (not shown) may be present within slot 607. The auger motors 372, 380 can start based on a timed program controlled by a controller (not shown). The bag detect sensor (not shown) determines whether a full bag of ice is present within the interior 615. It is noted that when the ice machine is auto vending through the staff combo bagger, the bag detect sensor ensures that a current bag does not keep filing until the bag has been replaced with a new bag for filling.

[0067] Ice level sensors 608 monitor the level of ice present within the bag. The ice level sensors 608 includes a transmitter to transmit electrical signals regarding the level of the ice or a simple on or off to the controller controlling the auger motors 372, 380. As soon as the ice within the bag reaches a predetermined amount, the ice level sensors 608 transmit a signal to the auger motors 372, 380 to stop.

[0068] Ice that is moved to the rear ice storage bin guide 621 by the paddles 353 of the paddle wheel 355 exits through the rear ice storage bin opening 622 to a rear ice hopper 612 via a rear ice hopper opening 612a between the ice chute cabinet 610 and the ice storage bin 302. When the actuator 613 opens the spout gate 611 and blower 601 blows open a bag, ice is allowed to move from the rear ice hopper 612 to the hopper 610e of the ice cabinet through the angled guide 610f to the interior 615 of the ice bagging structure 626 including the bag.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0069]

TABLE-US-00001 100 ice water vending interface store front/customer 101a outer store front wall 101b outer side wall 101c outer side wall 102 outer wall trim 103 inner wall trim 104 fasteners 105a top, front bubble backlit panel 105b middle flat panel 105c bottom, front bubble backlit panel 106 LED backlight 107 vendor front back panel 107a vendor front back panel top 107b vendor front back panel bottom 108 opening water vending 109 insulated front wall 110 fasteners 111 bottom trim 112 coin insert (ice) 113 bill validator (ice) 114 credit card reader (ice) 115 vendor select buttons (ice) 116 coin return chute (ice) 117 vendor select buttons (water) 118 coin return chute (water) 119 water vendor payment 120 water vendor access door 121 bag chute 122 ice payment area 123 water payment box 124 water vendor 125 electrical control box 126 electrical power IN 127 electrical power OUT 127b electrical power OUT 128 water in 129 drain 130 bagging mechanism 131 refrigeration line 132a inside front wall 132b inside side wall 132c inside side wall 150 ice maker 201 channel bracket 250 vertical incline auger assembly 252 transfer box 254 incline/vertical auger motor 255 screw conveyor 256 pipe 256a first end 256b second bent end 256c hollow interior 257 blades 262 flange bearing 271 outer perimeter flange 272 hollow pipe connection incline auger 275 opening 300 bin access panel 300a access door 301 inner sleeve ice storage bin 302 complete storage bin 303 top trim inner sleeve 304 rear plate inner sleeve 305 bottom inner sleeve 306 front plate inner sleeve 307 inner sleeve opening 308 left plate inner sleeve 309 first opening inner sleeve 310 right plate inner sleeve 311 second opening inner sleeve 312 access opening flange 313 insulation 314 access opening 316 incline auger opening flange 318 incline auger opening 320 outer sleeve ice storage bin 321 outer sleeve opening 322 rear plate outer sleeve 324 front plate outer sleeve 326 left plate outer sleeve 327 first opening 328 right plate outer sleeve 329 second opening 330 bottom plate outer sleeve 332 top outer trim outer sleeve 334 access opening 336 auger opening 342 agitation auger bearing 344 horizontal auger bearing 352 agitator shaft 352a first end 352b second end 353 paddles 353a first planar surface 353b second planar surface 354 agitator blades 355 paddle wheel 356 agitator auger 357 dowel 358 horizontal auger 359 paddle wheel hub 359a outer circumference of paddle wheel hub 360 horizontal auger paddle 361 bore in paddle wheel hub 362 shaft 362a first end 362b second end 363 paddle wheel outer body 363a planar surface 364 auger blade 370 agitator auger driven sprocket 372 agitator auger motor 374 auger drive chain drive chain 376 chain tensioner auger 378 horizontal auger driven sprocket 380 horizontal auger motor 382 horizontal auger drive chain 384 chain tensioner horizontal auger drive chain 400 rolling bin-cabinet 401 top rack surface 402 side rails 402a first end of side rail 402b second end of side rail 403a-403d sides of rack 406 IVL cabinet roof 408 bottom rail 410 center side rail 411 bottom surface (drain pan) 412 motor shelf 413 center side rail 414 casters 416 drainage pipe 550 ice hopper 552 fixed bottom panel (fixed part of drop floor) 553 rotating bottom panel (drop floor) 554 ice level sensors 555 hinge 556 actuator 557 blower 558 bag space 559 ice bagging structure 559a side panel 559b side panel 559c back panel 560 bag holder 561 bag detect flap 600 staff combo bagging structure 601 blower 602 electrical control box for staff combo bagging structure 603 blower pipe 604 rolling rack for bagger 604a-604d sides of rolling rack for bagger 605 bag weight 606 spout access door 607 slot for bag sensor 608 bag sensor 610 ice chute cabinet 610a top 610b front 610c side 610d side 610e back part of hopper 610f angled bottom 611 spout gate 611a spout panel 611b spout panel 612 rear ice hopper or spout 612a rear spout opening to ice storage bin 612b front spout opening to ice chute cabinet 613 actuator 614 bag base platform 615 bagging interior 616 stack of bags 617 actuator arm 618 fastener plate 619 casters 621 rear ice storage bin guide 622 rear ice storage bin opening 623 inside area of store 624 first hinge (spout gate hinge) 625 second hinge (ice chute cabinet door hinge) 626 ice bagging structure 627 side rails 628 bottom rail 629a-629b side panels structure 630 front of bagging 631 interior of ice chute cabinet

[0070] Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.