Patent ID: 7930893
Filing Date: 2011-04-26
Classification: F25C

Abstract:
1. An automated ice transport device, comprising: a movable container for containing ice and adapted to be mechanically transported; a mechanical transport for mechanically transporting the container to and from a source of ice and an ice storage device at a location remote from the ice source, the mechanical transport including a pathway structure defining a pathway along which the container is mechanically transportable, the pathway extending from an ice loading location proximate the source of ice to a remote ice discharge location proximate to the ice storage device, the container attached to the pathway for transport of the container along the pathway so that the container is transportable between the ice loading location proximate the source of ice for loading ice into the container to the ice discharge location proximate the ice storage device for the discharging of ice from the container into the ice storage device; a mounting mechanism for attaching the container to the pathway structure wherein the mechanical transporting of the mounting mechanism by the mechanical transport back and forth between the ice loading location and the ice discharge location mechanically transports the attached container along the pathway to and from the ice loading location and the ice discharge location; means for dispensing ice from the ice source into the container attached to the pathway structure; and means for automatically discharging ice from the transported container and into the ice storage device when the container is attached to the pathway structure wherein the means for automatically discharging ice from the container comprises a container lid mounted to the container for pivotable movement between open and closed positions wherein the lid is automatically movable from the closed to open position to allow ice to be discharged from the container into the ice storage device, and at least a first trip mechanism for opening the container lid to permit discharge of the ice contained in the transportable container into the ice storage device, the first trip mechanism positioned proximate the pathway at the ice discharge location and the first trip mechanism being configured to be engaged by the container when the container is transported along the pathway by the mechanical transport to the ice discharge location to move the container lid from the closed position to the open position at the ice discharge location.