AUTOMATED ICE BAGGING APPARATUS AND METHODS

摘要

A method for automatically delivering a plurality of pre-weighed ice pieces to a consumer which comprises: automatically providing a plurality of loose ice pieces from a water source to a storage zone; holding a sufficient amount of ice pieces in the storage zone to provide a constant supply of loose ice pieces over an indeterminate period of time; transporting a plurality of ice pieces out of the storage zone, wherein the transporting comprises moving the ice pieces in a substantially horizontal direction, raising an end of the storage zone above a second opposite end, pushing or pulling the plurality of ice pieces, or any combination thereof, so the ice pieces are removed from the storage zone to be weighed; weighing a pre-selected portion of the ice pieces; and depositing the pre-selected portion of the ice pieces into a readily transportable container