Patent ID: 8739557
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: B65B,F25C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a temperature-controlled storage unit, the temperature-controlled storage unit defining a region in which a plurality of ice-filled bags are adapted to be stored, each of the ice-filled bags having a length, a width, a top portion via which the ice-filled bag is filled with ice, and a bottom portion opposing the top portion along the length; a basket in which each of the ice-filled bags is adapted to be disposed before being stored in the region; a first motor coupled to the basket and configured to rotate the basket about the first axis; a second motor coupled to the basket and configured to rotate the basket about the third axis; a ring bearing, the ring bearing comprising a first ring and a second ring coupled thereto and circumferentially extending thereabout, a first sensor coupled to the one of the first and second rings so that the first sensor is positioned at a first location; a second sensor coupled to the one of the first and second rings so that the second sensor is positioned at a second location that is generally diametrically opposite the first location; a carriage to which the other of the first and second rings is coupled; and an opening formed through the carriage and through which ice passes to fill each of the ice-filled bags; wherein the basket, the first and second motors, the first and second sensors, and the one of the first and second rings are rotatable, about the first axis and relative to the carriage, the opening, and the other of the first and second rings; wherein the carriage is movably coupled to the storage unit to thereby movably couple the basket to the storage unit; wherein, when a first ice-filled bag in the plurality of bags is initially disposed in the basket, the width of the first ice-filled bag is generally perpendicular to the door when the door is in the closed position, and the length of the first ice-filled bag is generally parallel to the door when the door is in the closed position; wherein the first ice-filled bag in the plurality of ice-filled bags is stackable in the region in response to the rotation of the basket about the third axis in the first rotational direction when the basket is in the second rotational position at a first position along the second axis, the first ice-filled bag being stackable so that the length of the first ice-filled bag is generally perpendicular to the door when the door is in the closed position; wherein, when a second ice-filled bag in the plurality of bags is initially disposed in the basket, the width of the second ice-filled bag is generally perpendicular to the door when the door is in the closed position, and the length of the second ice-filled bag is generally parallel to the door when the door is in the closed position; wherein the second ice-filled bag in the plurality of ice-filled bags is stackable in the region in response to the rotation of the basket about the third axis in the second rotational direction when the basket is in the second rotational position at the first position along the second axis, the second ice-filled bag being stackable so that the length of the ice-filled bag is generally perpendicular to the door when the door is in the closed position; and wherein, when the first and the second ice-filled bags are stacked in the region: