ICE CONTAINER SYSTEMS

Abstract

An ice container may include a housing with an inner volume. The housing may hold ice in the inner volume. An ice container may include a base in the inner volume. The base may support ice in the inner volume. A lift coupled to the base, may move the base between a top of the housing and a bottom of the housing in order to maintain a top level of ice in the inner volume within a predetermined distance from the top of the housing.

Claims

1. An ice container comprising: a housing comprising an inner volume, wherein the housing is configured to hold ice in the inner volume; a base in the inner volume, the base configured to support ice in the inner volume; and a lift coupled to the base, wherein the lift is configured to move the base between a top of the housing and a bottom of the housing in order to maintain a top level of ice in the inner volume within a predetermined distance from the top of the housing.

2. The ice container of claim 1, wherein the lift is configured to move the base towards the top of the housing when a weight of the ice in the inner volume decreases and towards the bottom of the housing when the weight of the ice in the inner volume increases.

3. The ice container of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to detect an object in front of the sensor.

4. The ice container of claim 3, wherein the sensor comprises a mechanical switch or an optical sensor.

5. The ice container of claim 3, wherein when the sensor does not detect an object in front of the sensor, the sensor determines that the base is positioned above the sensor.

6. The ice container of claim 5, wherein the sensor instructs an ice filler to add ice to the inner volume when the sensor determines that the base is positioned above the sensor.

7. The ice container of claim 1, wherein the lift comprises springs.

8. The ice container of claim 7, wherein the lift comprises spring housings configured to prevent or inhibit melted ice from contacting the springs.

9. The ice container of claim 7, wherein the springs comprise constant force springs or internal springs.

10. The ice container of claim 1, wherein the lift comprises a counterweight.

11. An ice container comprising: a housing separated into a plurality of sub housings, wherein the plurality of sub housings are configured to hold ice; and a top surface comprising an opening, wherein the housing is positioned so a first sub housing is positioned under the opening, wherein the housing is configured to rotate so a second sub housing is positioned under the opening.

12. The ice container of claim 11, wherein the housing is configured to automatically rotate when an amount of ice in the first sub housing is below a predetermined threshold.

13. The ice container of claim 11, wherein the top surface comprises an ice filler configured to fill the plurality of sub housings with ice.

14. The ice container of claim 11, wherein the housing comprises a circular profile.

15. An ice container comprising: a housing comprising an inner volume; and a ramp positioned in the inner volume, wherein the ramp is declined towards a front of the housing to direct ice in the inner volume towards the front of the housing.

16. The ice container of claim 15, wherein a first end of the ramp is coupled to a back wall of the housing and a second end of the ramp is coupled to a base of the housing.

17. The ice container of claim 16, wherein the base and a bottom of the housing form a drain channel.

18. The ice container of claim 17, wherein the base comprises one or more openings to allow melted ice to flow through the one or more openings and into the drain channel.

19. The ice container of claim 15 further comprising an ice filler in a back wall of the housing, the ice filler configured to automatically add ice to the ice container.

20. The ice container of claim 19, wherein the ice filler is positioned between the ramp and a top of the housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Various embodiments are depicted in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes, and should in no way be interpreted as limiting the scope of the embodiments. Various features of different disclosed embodiments can be combined to form additional embodiments, which are part of this disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an ice container with a movable base.

[0026] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate cross-sectional views of ice containers with passive lifts.

[0027] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate cross-sectional views of an ice container with counterweight lifts.

[0028] FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of a rotating ice container with sub housings.

[0029] FIG. 4B illustrates a top view of the rotating ice container of FIG. 4A positioned under a surface.

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of another rotating ice container.

[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an ice container with a ramp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Although several embodiments, examples, and illustrations are disclosed below, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the system, methods, and devices described herein extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments, examples, and illustrations and includes other uses of the system, methods, and devices and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Embodiments of the disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner simply because it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the disclosure. In addition, embodiments of the disclosure can include several novel features and no single feature is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or is essential to practicing the system, methods, and devices herein described.

[0033] At high throughput beverage shops, such as cafs or coffee retailers, ice is typically store in ice containers (i.e., bins). The ice container is typically configured to store enough ice for hundreds of drinks without running out. A server (e.g., barista) typically scoops ice from the ice container into a beverage cup for each drink. When serving hundreds of drinks a day, the server may repeatedly reach into the ice container to scoop ice. As the amount of ice in the ice container lowers, the server may be required to repetitively bend over to reach further into the ice container to scoop ice. Furthermore, once the ice container is empty, servers typically must refill the ice container manually. Accordingly, servers must carry large, heavy bags of ice to the ice container.

[0034] In accordance with several embodiments, the ice containers described herein advantageously maintain a top level of the ice in an ice container at or above a predetermined height in order to reduce or minimize a distance from the top of the ice container to the top level of the ice. The ice containers may include a base and a lift configured to move the base up and/or down in the ice container based on an amount of ice in the ice container. In some embodiments, the ice containers may include an ice filler (i.e., ice maker) configured to periodically refill the ice containers and/or automatically refill the ice containers based on a level of the ice in the ice container.

[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates an ice container 100. The container 100 may include a housing 102. The housing 102 may be configured to hold ice 101. The housing 102 may be insulated or cooled in order to prevent or inhibit ice 101 in the housing 102 from melting. The housing 102 may include an inner volume 106 and an opening 103 to the inner volume 106. A user may access the inner volume 106 and/or ice 101 positioned in the inner volume 106 via the opening 103. Accordingly, a user may remove ice 101 from the inner volume 106 through the opening 103 and/or a user may fill the inner volume 106 of the housing 102 with ice 101 by adding ice 101 through the opening 103.

[0036] The housing 102 may include a drain 105. The drain 105 may include an opening in a bottom 108 of the housing 102. The drain 105 may allow melted ice (i.e., water) to exit (i.e., flow out of) the inner volume 106. The drain 105 may be coupled to a water line or water management system.

[0037] The ice 101 container 100 may include a base 104 positioned the inner volume 106 of the housing 102. The base 104 may be configured to support ice 101 in the inner volume 106. The base 104 may be configured to move in between the bottom 108 of the housing 102 and a top 109 of the housing 102 in order to maintain a top 101A of the ice 101 at or within a predetermined distance from the top 109 of the housing 102. Accordingly, the base 104 may reduce or minimize a distance a user is required to reach into the inner volume 106 in order to access the ice 101 and/or remove the ice 101 from the inner volume 106. The housing 102 may include one or more lifts 112. The lifts 112 may be configured to move (e.g., raise and/or lower) the base 104 between the bottom 108 and the top 109 of the housing 102.

[0038] The base 104 may be a grate. The base 104 may include a plurality of openings (i.e., channels) 104A extending through the base 104. The openings 104A may allow melted ice (i.e., water) to flow through the base 104 to a portion of the inner volume 106 below the base 104 so the melted ice can exit the inner volume 106 via the drain 105. The openings 104A may prevent or inhibit melted ice from remaining on the base 104 and/or in the inner volume 106 of the housing 102. Melted ice may flow through a channel 110 between the base 104 and sidewalls 113 of the housing 102 to allow melted ice to flow to the portion of the inner volume 106 below the base 104.

[0039] The container 100 may be configured to determine a distance 107 between the top 101A and the top 109 of the housing 102. In some embodiments, the container 100 may include a sensor 114 positioned in the sidewall 113 of the housing 102. The sensor 114 may be configured to determine (i.e., detect) whether an object is positioned in front of the sensor 114. The sensor 114 may include an optical sensor, an electrical sensor, a magnetic sensor, mechanical switch (e.g., a limit switch), a pneumatic sensor, a capacitive sensor, a diffuse photoelectric sensor, a reflective photoelectric sensor, a through-beam photoelectric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and/or any other type of sensor configured to detect the presence of an object. The sensor 114 may be positioned a distance 116 from the top 109 of the housing 102. The distance 116 may be the predetermined distance (e.g., the distance the base 104 is configured to maintain the top 101A of the ice 101 at or within). When the sensor 114 determines an object (e.g., the ice 101) is positioned in front of the sensor 114 (e.g., the distance 107 is within the predetermined distance) the lifts 112 may not move the base 104. When the sensor 114 determines an object (e.g., the ice 101) is not positioned in front of the sensor 114 (i.e., the distance 107 is greater than the predetermined distance) the lifts 112 may move the base 104 until the sensor 114 determines an object (e.g., the ice 101) is positioned in front of the sensor 114.

[0040] In some embodiments, the container 100 may be configured to determine the distance 107 between the top 101A of the ice 101 and the top 109 of the housing 102 based on a weight of the ice 101 on the base 104. The lifts 112 may include a sensor 112A configured to determine (i.e., measure) the weight of the ice 101 on the base 104. The lifts 112 may be configured to move the base 104 to a predetermined distance from the top 109 of the housing 102 based on the weight of the ice 101. When ice 101 is removed from the housing 102, the weight of the ice 101 on the base 104 may decrease and the lifts 112 may move the base 104 towards the top 109 of the housing 102. When ice 101 is added to the housing 102, the weight of the ice 101 on the base 104 may increase and the lifts 112 may move the base 104 towards the bottom 108 of the housing 102.

[0041] The lifts 112 may be active lifts. Accordingly, the lifts 112 may be configured to actuate in order to move the base 104 between the bottom 108 and the top 109 in order to maintain the distance 107 within the predetermine distance. In some embodiments, the lifts 112 may be passive lifts (e.g., springs, constant springs, weights, counterweights, etc.). Accordingly, the weight of the ice 101 on the base 104 may cause the base 104 to move between the bottom 108 and the top 109 as the weight of the ice 101 on the base 104 increases or decreases in order to maintain the distance 107 within the predetermined distance.

[0042] The container 100 may determine when the amount of ice 101 in the housing 102 is low. In some embodiments, the container 100 may determine the amount of ice 101 based on the weight of the ice 101 on the base 104. The container 100 may determine the amount of ice 101 is low when the weight of the ice 101 on the base 104 detected by the sensor 112A is less than a predetermined weight. In some embodiments, the container 100 may determine the amount of ice 101 in the housing 102 based on a distance 118 between the base 104 and the top 109 of the housing 102. The container 100 may determine the amount of ice 101 in the housing 102 is low when the distance 118 between the base 104 and the top 109 of the housing 102 is less than a predetermined distance. The sensor 114 may determine when the distance 118 between the base 104 and the top 109 of the housing 102 is less than the predetermined distance. As described above, the distance 116 between the sensor 114 and the top 109 of the housing 102 may be the predetermined distance. Accordingly, when the sensor 114 determines an object (i.e., the ice 101 and/or the base 104) is not positioned in front of the sensor 114, the container 100 may determine that base 104 is positioned above the sensor 114, and the distance 118 between the base 104 and the top 109 of the housing 102 is less than the predetermined distance. The container 100 may be configured to alert or indicate to a user that the amount of ice 101 in the housing 102 is low.

[0043] The container 100 may include an ice filler 120. The ice filler 120 may be configured to automatically insert or add ice into the housing 102 when the amount of ice 101 in the housing 102 is low. The ice filler 120 may be configured to determine when the amount of ice 101 in the housing 102 is low. The ice filler 120 may include a sensor configured to determine a force the ice filler 120 applies to ice in order to insert or add ice into the housing 102. When the force the ice filler 120 applies to the ice is above a predetermined threshold, the ice filler 120 may determine that ice 101 in the inner volume 106 of the housing 102 is positioned in front of the ice filler 120 and the amount of ice 101 in the housing 102 is not low. In some embodiments, the sensor 114 may instruct the ice filler 120 to add ice 101 to the housing 102 when the sensor 114 determines the amount of ice 101 in the housing 102 is low. In some embodiments, the ice filler 120 may be configured to periodically add ice to the housing 102.

[0044] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate ice containers 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D with passive lifts 212. The ice containers 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D may include any of the features of the ice container 100, and the ice container 100 may include any of the features of ice containers 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, except for the differences described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2D.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2A, the passive lifts 212 of the ice container 200A may include a constant force spring 211A. A first end 240 of the constant force spring 211A may be coupled to the base 204. A second end 242 of the constant force spring 211A may be coupled to the top 209 of the housing 202 of the container 200A. A weight of ice on the base 204 may apply a force to the constant force spring 211A. When the weight of the ice on the base 204 increases, a distance 241 between the first end 240 and the second end 242 may increase. Accordingly, when ice is inserted into the inner volume 206 of the housing 202, the weight of the ice on the base 204 may increase and the base 204 may move towards the bottom 208 of the housing 202. When the weight of the ice on the base 204 decreases, the distance 241 between the first end 240 and the second end 242 of the constant force spring 211A may decrease. Accordingly, when ice is removed from the inner volume 206 of the housing 202, the weight of the ice on the base 204 may decrease and the base 204 may move towards the top 209 of the housing 202.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2B, the passive lifts 212 of the container 200B may include a spring 211B. The spring 211B may be coupled to the bottom 208 of the housing 202 and the base 204. The weight of the ice on the base 204 may apply a force to the spring 211B. When the weight of the ice on the base 204 increases, the spring 211B may be compressed and the base 204 may move towards the bottom 208 of the housing 202. When the weight of the ice on the base 204 decreases, the spring 211B may extend, and the base 204 may move towards the top 209 of the housing 202. In some embodiments, the spring 211B may include stainless steel, and/or any other suitable material.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2C, passive lifts 212 of the container 200C may include a spring 211C, a lift housing 244C, and a lift base 246C. The lift base 246C may be coupled to the bottom 208 of the housing 202 and the lift housing 244C may be coupled to the base 204. The spring 211C may be positioned in the lift housing 244C between the base 204 and the lift base 246C. When the weight of the ice on the base 204 increases, the spring 211C may be compressed and the base 204 may move towards the bottom 208 of the housing 202. When the weight of the ice on the base 204 decreases, the spring 211C may extend, and the base 204 may move towards the top 209 of the housing 202. In some embodiments, the spring 211C may include stainless steel, and/or any other suitable material.

[0048] The lift housing 244C may be positioned over the lift base 246C so lift housing 244C can slide (i.e., move) over the lift base 246C when the spring 211C compresses and/or extends. The lift housing 244C may prevent or inhibit melted ice from contacting the spring 211C so the melted ice does not cause the spring 211C to rust.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2D, the passive lifts 212 of the container 200D may include an internal spring 211D. The internal spring 211D may be positioned in a lift housing 244D. When the weight of the ice on the base 204 increases, the internal spring 211D may be compressed and the base 204 may move towards the bottom 208 of the housing 202. When the weight of the ice on the base 204 decreases, the internal spring 211D may extend, and the base 204 may move towards the top 209 of the housing 202. The lift housing 244D may include sealing 248D. The sealing 248D may prevent or inhibit melted ice from entering the lift housing 244D so the melted ice does not contact the spring 211D sand cause the internal spring 211D to rust.

[0050] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an ice container 300 with a passive lifts 312. The ice container 300 may include any of the features of the ice containers 100, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D and the ice containers 100, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D may include any of the features of ice container 300, except for the differences described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0051] The ice container 300 The passive lifts 312 may include a weight 314, a cable 316 and/or a pulley 318. The cable 316 may extend between a first end 316A and a second end 316B opposite the first end 316A. The first end 316A of the cable 316 may be coupled to the base 304 in the housing 302. The weight 314 may be coupled to the second end 316B of the cable 316. The cable 316 may extend over the pulley 318 so the first end 316A and the second end 316B of the cable 316 extend in a direction towards the bottom 308 of the housing 302.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3A, in some embodiments, the weight 314 may be positioned in the inner volume 306 of the housing 302 and the pulley 318 may be coupled to the top 309 of the housing 302. As shown in FIG. 3B, in some embodiments, the weight 314 may be positioned outside of the housing 302 and the passive lifts 312 may include a first pulley 318A and a second pulley 318B. The first pulley 318A may be positioned in the inner volume 306 of the housing 302 and the second pulley 318B may be positioned outside of the housing 302. The cable 316 may extend over the first pulley 318A and the second pulley 318B. The cable 316 may extend through the sidewall 313 of the housing 302.

[0053] The weight 314 may apply a force (e.g., a counterforce) to the cable 316 in the direction towards the bottom 308 of the housing 302 and the base 304 may apply a force to the cable 316 in the direction towards the bottom 308 of the housing 302. When the weight of the ice on the base 304 increases, a force applied to the cable 316 by the base 304 may increase. Accordingly, the increase of the force applied to the cable 316 by the base 304 may cause the base 304 to move towards the bottom 308 of the housing 302 and the weight 314 to move towards the top 309 of the housing 302. When the weight of the ice on the base 304 decreases, a force applied to the cable 316 by the base 304 may decrease. Accordingly, the decrease of the force applied to the cable 316 by the base 304 may cause the base 304 to move towards the top 309 of the housing 302 and the weight 314 to move towards the bottom 308 of the housing 302.

[0054] The pulleys 318, 318A, 318B may include cams. The cams may modify or adjust the force (e.g., the counterforce) applied to the cable 316 by the weight 314 as the weight of the ice on the base 304 increases or decreases. Accordingly, the when the weight of the ice on the base 304 increases or decreases, the counterforce may be modified or adjusted so the base 304 moves a predetermined distance towards the top 309 of the housing 302 and/or towards the bottom 308 of the housing.

[0055] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an ice container 400. The ice container 400 may include any of the features of the ice containers 100, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 300 and the ice containers 100, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 300 may include any of the features of ice container 400, except for the differences described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0056] The ice container 400 may be configured to rotate. As shown in FIG. 4A, the ice container 400 may include a main housing 402. The main housing 402 may include a profile shape when viewed from a top view. The profile shape may include a circle (i.e., a circular profile), a square, a triangle, a star, a diamond, a pentagon, an octagon, and/or any other shape.

[0057] The main housing 402 may be separated into a plurality of sub housings 404 by dividers 406. Each sub housing 404 may be configured to hold ice and each sub housing 404 may be insulted or cooled in order to prevent or inhibit ice in the sub housings 404 from melting. In some embodiments, each sub housing 404 may include a same size and/or shape. In some embodiments, one or more sub housings 404 may include a different shape (i.e., the size and/or shape of the sub housings 404 may vary).

[0058] As shown in FIG. 4B, the ice container 400 may be positioned under a surface (e.g., a counter) 420. The surface 420 may include a first opening 422 and/or a second opening 424. In some embodiments, the first opening 422 may include a same size and/or shape as the sub housing 404. Accordingly, when a sub housing 404 is positioned under the first opening 422, a user may access an inner volume of the sub housing 404 to remove ice from the sub housing 404.

[0059] The ice container 400 may be configured to rotate around a center point 400A of the ice container 400. Accordingly, when an amount of ice in a first sub housing 404A is below a predetermined ice threshold and/or when the first sub housing 404A is empty, the ice container 400 may rotate around the center point 400A to position a second sub housing 404B under the first opening 422. The second sub housing 404B may include an amount of ice greater than the predetermined threshold.

[0060] In some embodiments, a user may rotate the ice container 400 around the center point 400A when the user determines the amount of ice in a sub housing 404 is below the predetermined ice threshold and/or when the sub housing 404 is empty. In some embodiments, the ice container 400 may be configured to automatically determine when the amount of ice in the sub housing 404 is below the predetermined ice threshold and/or when the sub housing 404 is empty. As shown in FIG. 4A, the plurality of sub housings 404 may include one or more sensors 414 configured to determine when the amount of ice in each sub housing 404 is below the predetermined ice threshold and/or when each sub housing 404 is empty. In some embodiments, the sensor 414 may include a weight sensor. The sensor 414 may determine the amount of ice in the sub housing 404 is below the predetermined ice threshold and/or the sub housing 404 is empty when the weight of the ice in the sub housing 404 is below the predetermined ice threshold and/or the weight of the ice in the sub housing 404 is zero pounds. The sensor 414 may include any of the features of the sensor 114. The sensor 414 may be configured to determine when a height of the ice in the sub housing 404 is below a predetermined height. In some embodiments, the sensor 414 may be positioned in the divider 406 and/or a sidewall of the main housing 402. In some embodiments, when the sensor 414 determines ice is positioned in front of the sensor 410, the sensor 414 may determine the amount of ice in the sub housing 404 is above the predetermined ice threshold. In some embodiments, when the sensor 414 determines no ice is positioned in front of the sensor 414, the sensor 414 may determine the amount of ice in the sub housing 404 is below the predetermined ice threshold and/or the sub housing 404 is empty.

[0061] When a sub housing 404 is positioned under the second opening 424, the sub housing 404 may be filled with ice via the second opening 424. In some embodiments, a user may fill (i.e., add ice to) the sub housing 404 positioned under the second opening 424. In some embodiments, an ice filler (e.g., ice filler 120) may be coupled to the second opening 424. Accordingly, the ice filler may automatically fill (i.e., add ice to) the sub housing 404 positioned under the second opening 424.

[0062] FIG. 5 illustrates an ice container 500. The ice container 500 may include any of the features of the ice containers 100, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 300, 400 and the ice containers 100, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 300, 400 may include any of the features of ice container 500, except for the differences described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0063] The ice container 500 may include a plurality of housings 502. In some embodiments, the plurality of housings 502 may be coupled to elongated members 506. The plurality of housings 502 may be coupled to a first end 506A of the elongated members 506. In some embodiments, a second end 506B of the elongated members 506 may be coupled together. In some embodiments, the second end 506B of the elongated members 506 may be coupled to an actuator 508. The actuator 508 may be configured to rotate the elongated members 506 around the actuator 508. Accordingly, the plurality of housings 502 may rotate around the actuator 508.

[0064] The actuator 508 may be configured to rotate the plurality of housings 502 to a first position 503A, a second position 503B, a third position 503C, and/or a fourth position 503D. In some embodiments, the ice container 500 may include four housings 502 so the ice container 500 includes a housing 502 at each position 503A, 503B, 503C, 503D.

[0065] The housing 502A in the first position 503A may be positioned so a user may remove ice from the housing 502A. In some embodiments, the housing 502B in the second position 503B may be drained to remove any ice and/or melted ice in the housing 502B in the second position 503B. In some embodiments, the housing 502C in the third position 503C may be positioned under an ice filler 510. The ice filler 510 may be configured to fill the housing 502C in the third position 503C with ice. In some embodiments, the housing 502D in the fourth position 503D may include ice in the housing 502D.

[0066] When an amount of ice in the housing 502A in the first position 503A is below a predetermined threshold and/or the housing 502A is empty, the actuator 508 may rotate the plurality of housings 502 so the housing 502A rotates to the second position 503B. Accordingly, the housing 502B in the second position 503B may rotate to the third position 503C, the housing 502C in the third position 503C may rotate to the fourth position 503D, and/or the housing 502D in the fourth position 503D may rotate to the first position 503A.

[0067] FIG. 6 illustrates an ice container 600 with a ramp 621. The ice container 600 may include any of the features of the ice containers 100, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 300, 400, 500 and the ice containers 100, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 300, 400, 500 may include any of the features of ice container 600, except for the differences described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0068] The ramp 621 may be positioned in an inner volume 606 of a housing 602 of the ice container 600. The ramp 621 may be configured to direct ice in the inner volume 606 towards a front 602A of the housing 602. The ice container 600 may include an opening 601 positioned on a top 609 of the housing 602 at the front 602A of the housing 602.

[0069] The ramp 621 may extend from a back wall 613A of the housing 602 to a base 604 of the housing 602. The ramp 621 may be declined in a direction towards the front 602A of the housing 602 in order to direct ice towards the front 602A of the housing 602 in order to reduce or minimize a distance a user must reach to access ice in the inner volume 606. A first end 621A of the ramp 621 may be coupled to the back wall 613A a distance from the base 604 of the housing 602. A second end 621B of the ramp 621 may be coupled to the base 604 a distance from a front wall 613B of the housing 602.

[0070] The base 604 and a bottom 608 of the housing 602 may form a drain channel 622. In some embodiments, a portion of the base 604 between the front wall 613B and the second end 621B of the ramp 621 may include one or more openings 604B. The one or more openings 604B may allow melted ice (i.e., water) to flow into the drain channel 622. The drain channel 622 may direct the melted ice in the drain channel 622 towards a drain 605. Accordingly, the melted ice may exit the housing 602 through the drain 605.

[0071] The ice container 600 may include an ice filler 620 positioned in the back wall 613A between the first end 621A and the top 609 of the housing 602.

Certain Terminology

[0072] Conditional language, such as can, could, might, or may, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0073] Conjunctive language such as the phrase at least one of X, Y, and Z, unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

[0074] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, articles such as a or an should generally be interpreted to include one or more described items. Accordingly, phrases such as a device configured to are intended to include one or more recited devices. Such one or more recited devices can also be collectively configured to carry out the stated recitations. For example, a processor configured to carry out recitations A, B, and C can include a first processor configured to carry out recitation A working in conjunction with a second processor configured to carry out recitations B and C.

[0075] The terms comprising, including, having, and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Likewise, the terms some, certain, and the like are synonymous and are used in an open-ended fashion. Also, the term or is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term or means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.

[0076] The terms approximately, about, and substantially as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, in some embodiments, as the context may dictate, the terms approximately, about, and substantially may refer to an amount that is within less than or equal to 10% of the stated amount. Numbers preceded by a term such as about or approximately include the recited numbers and should be interpreted based on the circumstances (e.g., as accurate as reasonably possible under the circumstances, for example. For example, about 1 gram includes 1 gram. In the embodiments described in this application, terms such as about or approximately within the specification or claims that precede values or ranges can be omitted such that this application specifically includes embodiments of the recited values or ranges with the terms about or approximately omitted from such values and ranges such that they can also be claimed without the terms about or approximately before the disclosed range. The term generally as used herein represents a value, amount, or characteristic that predominantly includes, or tends toward, a particular value, amount, or characteristic. As an example, in certain embodiments, as the context may dictate, the term generally parallel can refer to something that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 20 degrees and/or the term generally perpendicular can refer to something that departs from exactly perpendicular by less than or equal to 20 degrees.

[0077] Overall, the language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims. The language of the claims is not to be limited to the non-exclusive embodiments and examples that are illustrated and described in this disclosure, or that are discussed during the prosecution of the application.

SUMMARY

[0078] Although certain aspects, advantages, and features are described herein, it is not necessary that any particular embodiment include or achieve any or all of those aspects, advantages, and features. For example, some embodiments may not achieve the advantages described herein, but may achieve other advantages instead. Any structure, feature, or step in any embodiment can be used in place of, or in addition to, any structure, feature, or step in any other embodiment, or omitted. This disclosure contemplates all combinations of features from the various disclosed embodiments. No feature, structure, or step is essential or indispensable. In addition, although this disclosure describes certain embodiments and examples, many aspects of the above-described systems and methods may be combined differently and/or modified to form still further embodiments or acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure.

[0079] Also, although there may be some embodiments within the scope of this disclosure that are not expressly recited above or elsewhere herein, this disclosure contemplates and includes all embodiments within the scope of what this disclosure shows and describes. Further, this disclosure contemplates and includes embodiments comprising any combination of any structure, material, step, or other feature disclosed anywhere herein with any other structure, material, step, or other feature disclosed anywhere herein.

[0080] Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0081] For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0082] Some embodiments have been described in connection with the accompanying drawings. The figures are drawn to scale, but such scale should not be interpreted to be limiting. Distances, angles, etc. are merely illustrative and do not necessarily bear an exact relationship to actual dimensions and layout of the devices illustrated. Components can be added, removed, and/or rearranged. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with various embodiments can be used in all other embodiments set forth herein. Also, any methods described herein may be practiced using any device suitable for performing the recited steps.

[0083] Moreover, while components and operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular arrangement or order, such components and operations need not be arranged and performed in the particular arrangement and order shown, nor in sequential order, nor include all of the components and operations, to achieve desirable results. Other components and operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the embodiments and examples. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

[0084] In summary, various illustrative embodiments and examples of systems and methods have been disclosed. Although the systems and methods have been disclosed in the context of those embodiments and examples, this disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or other uses of the embodiments, as well as to certain modifications and equivalents thereof. This disclosure expressly contemplates that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with, or substituted for, one another. Accordingly, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow as well as their full scope of equivalents.