Abstract:
An ice supply system includes an ice transport system, a volumetric feeder coupled with the ice transport system and adapted to deliver a preset volume of ice to an ice output system, and an ice delivery controller coupled with the ice transport system, the volumetric feeder, and the ice output system. The ice delivery controller receives ice requests from the ice output system, controls the delivery of ice from the ice transport system to the volumetric feeder in response to ice requests, controls the volumetric feeder to receive the preset volume of ice therein, and controls the delivery of the preset volume of ice from the volumetric feeder to the ice output system.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to dispensing equipment and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a system for generating, transporting, and dispensing ice without exposure to external contaminants. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Most convenience and grocery stores sell ice, typically sold in bags. The stores contract with an ice company that delivers individual bags of ice to the stores for its customers. Unfortunately, ice companies are often expensive and less than reliable in supplying bags of ice to any individual store. 
         [0005]    In an attempt to reduce dependence upon outside ice companies, automatic ice bagging units have been developed. An ice maker of an automatic ice bagging unit delivers ice into a holding bin. An ice mover within the holding bin moves the ice from the holding bin to a bagging mechanism where the value/weight of the ice is monitored to get the appropriate size/weight of ice in the bag. Once filled the bag is sealed and dropped into a merchandiser. A disadvantage of automatic ice bagging units however is that providing a continuous supply of ice has long been problematic, especially when an automatic ice bagging unit is exposed to large volumes of consumers. The ice maker of any automatic ice bagging unit is of limited size based upon the size constraints of the automatic bagging unit as a whole. As such, the ice maker of any automatic ice bagging unit often cannot produce enough ice to satisfy customer demand. In those situations, stores resort to the manual replenishment of the merchandiser by an attendant from a large-capacity ice making system in another part of the store. This unfortunately exposes the ice to a variety of potentially unfavorable and even unhealthy conditions. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,945, which issued Jul. 31, 2001, to Schroeder, addresses the foregoing problem through the connection of an ice supply system with a larger capacity ice maker directly to the holding bin of an automatic ice bagging unit. Unfortunately, automatic ice bagging units are large, complex, and expensive pieces of equipment. In particular, the ice bagging and weighing mechanisms of automatic ice bagging units operate less than satisfactorily in delivering the correct size/weight of ice into a bag. While U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,945 offers a solution to ice supply problems, it does not address how an ice supply system could improve the operation of an automatic ice bagging unit. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, a method and apparatus that volumetrically supplies ice to an ice storage system such as an automatic ice bagging unit would improve over prior ice supply systems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with the present invention, an ice supply system includes an ice transport system, a volumetric feeder coupled with the ice transport system and adapted to deliver a preset volume of ice to an ice output system, and an ice delivery controller coupled with the ice transport system, the volumetric feeder, and the ice output system. The volumetric feeder is adjustable to change the preset volume of ice delivered to the ice output system. The ice delivery controller receives ice requests from the ice output system. In a preferred embodiment, the ice delivery controller determines from an ice request a delivery number which is the number of times the volumetric feeder must deliver the preset volume of ice to the ice output system in order to fill the ice request. 
         [0009]    The ice delivery controller activates the ice transport system to deliver ice to the volumetric feeder upon the receipt of an ice request. Likewise, the ice delivery controller deactivates the ice transport system once the ice request has been filled. Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment, the ice delivery controller deactivates the ice transport system once a delivery number has been reached. 
         [0010]    The ice delivery controller controls the volumetric feeder to receive the preset volume of ice therein by opening an inlet into the volumetric feeder while closing an outlet from the volumetric feeder. Once the ice delivery controller determines the volumetric feeder has received the preset volume of ice from the ice transport system, the ice delivery controller controls the delivery of the preset volume of ice from the volumetric feeder to the ice output system by closing the inlet into the volumetric feeder while opening the outlet from the volumetric feeder. When fulfilling an ice request requires multiple deliveries of the preset volume of ice from the volumetric feeder, the ice delivery controller sequentially opens and closes the inlet into the volumetric feeder and the outlet from the volumetric feeder to receive and deliver the preset volume of ice to the ice output system until a delivery number has been reached. 
         [0011]    The volumetric feeder includes an inlet ice transport conduit having an inlet coupled with the ice transport system and an outlet as well as an inlet gate valve disposed in the inlet ice transport conduit. The volumetric feeder further includes a volumetric chamber having an inlet coupled with the outlet of the inlet ice transport conduit and an outlet. A stop disposed in the inlet ice transport conduit prevents the over insertion of the volumetric chamber into the inlet ice transport conduit. The volumetric feeder still further includes an outlet ice transport conduit having an inlet coupled with the outlet of the volumetric chamber and an outlet coupled with the ice output system as well as an outlet gate valve disposed in the outlet ice transport conduit. A sensor disposed in the inlet ice transport conduit and coupled with the ice delivery controller measures the volume of ice in the volumetric feeder and outputs a signal indicating when the volumetric feeder has received the preset volume of ice therein. The position of the outlet ice transport conduit is adjustable relative to the volumetric chamber such that the preset volume of ice delivered to the ice output system is adjustable. 
         [0012]    The ice delivery controller controls the volumetric feeder to receive the preset volume of ice therein by opening the inlet gate valve while closing the outlet gate valve. Once the sensor indicates to the ice delivery controller that the volumetric feeder has received the preset volume of ice from the ice transport system, the ice delivery controller controls the delivery of the preset volume of ice from the volumetric feeder to the ice output system by closing the inlet gate valve while opening the outlet gate valve. When fulfilling an ice request requires multiple deliveries of the preset volume of ice from the volumetric feeder, the ice delivery controller sequentially opens and closes the inlet gate valve and the outlet gate valve until a delivery number has been reached. 
         [0013]    A method of supplying ice to an ice output system includes providing an ice transport system and a volumetric feeder coupled with the ice transport system and adapted to deliver a preset volume of ice to an ice output system. Upon receipt of an ice request from the ice output system, the ice transport system delivers ice to the volumetric feeder. After receiving the preset volume of ice in the volumetric feeder, the volumetric feeder delivers the preset volume of ice to the ice output system followed by the cessation of the delivery of ice from the ice transport. 
         [0014]    A method of supplying ice to an ice output system includes providing an ice transport system and a volumetric feeder coupled with the ice transport system and adapted to deliver a preset volume of ice to an ice output system. Upon receipt of an ice request from the ice output system, a delivery number is determined followed by the delivery of ice from the ice transport system to the volumetric feeder. The preset volume of ice is sequentially received in the volumetric feeder and sequentially delivered from the volumetric feeder to the ice output system until the delivery number has been reached. The delivery of ice from the ice transport system to the volumetric feeder is ceased once the delivery number has been reached. 
         [0015]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a volumetrically correct ice supply for transporting and dispensing ice to an ice output system without exposure to external contaminants. 
         [0016]    Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those skilled in the art in light of the following. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic view illustrating an ice supply system according to a preferred embodiment for generating, transporting, and volumetrically metering ice into an ice output system without exposure to external contaminants. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1B  is a schematic view illustrating a volumetric feeder according to a preferred embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating a main routine for operating the ice supply system. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  a flow diagram illustrating an ice transport system replenishment routine for providing a supply of ice to an ice dispenser bin of the ice supply system. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating an automatic bagging unit replenishment routine for providing a supply of ice to an automatic bagging unit. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a bulk ice dispenser system routine for providing a supply of ice to a consumer bin delivery system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms, the figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components or steps. 
         [0024]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an ice supply system  1  includes volumetric feeders  60  and  60 A and an ice transport system  20  for providing a supply of ice therefrom to the volumetric feeders  60  and  60 A. Although those skilled in the art will recognize many suitable means for transporting a supply of ice, the preferred ice transport system  20  comprises an ice transport system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,827,529 entitled “Vacuum Pneumatic System for Conveyance of Ice” which is assigned to Ice Link, LLC of Orange, Calif. and incorporated herein by reference. As those skilled in the art are aware, other ice transport systems have been patented or are in use in the public domain. Such ice transport systems typically use air or gas that is under pressure to convey ice. Nevertheless, the ice transport system according to the preferred embodiment is the vacuum conveyance type described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,827,529. 
         [0025]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the ice transport system  20  includes a dispenser ice bin  27  having an unbridger for delivering ice supplied thereto into the ice conduit systems  30  and  30 A, which, in turn, deliver ice to a respective volumetric feeder  60  and  60 A. The ice transport system  20  preferably includes an icemaker  26  for generating and supplying ice to the dispenser ice bin  27 . The ice transport system  20  further includes a vacuum pump  38  linked with the ice conduit systems  30  and  30 A via a respective vacuum line  32  and  32 A. Activation of the vacuum pump  38  creates a negative pressure within one of or both of the ice conduit system  30  and  30 A resulting in ice traveling from dispenser ice bin  27  to one of or both of the volumetric feeders  60  and  60 A. While the ice supply system  1  has been shown as including an ice transport system  20  with the ice conduit systems  30  and  30 A feeding the volumetric feeders  60  and  60 A, those skilled in the art will recognize that the ice transport system  20  could include only a single an ice conduit system feeding a single volumetric feeder or multiple an ice conduit systems feeding multiple volumetric feeders depending upon the application for the ice supply system  1 . 
         [0026]    The volumetric feeders  60  and  60 A each connect with an ice output system, such as an automatic ice bagging unit; a consumer bin delivery system; a stand alone ice bin; an ice bin of a beverage dispenser; an outlet pipe capable of placement over or in a consumer bin, an ice chest, an ice storage container, or the like, with the outlet pipe including a tube coming down or even through wall; or any suitable means for receiving, storing, and/or outputting ice. The delivery of ice from the volumetric feeders  60  and  60 A may be activated manually or by money, token, or credit card, or remotely activated such as an air pump at a gas station. 
         [0027]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1B , the volumetric feeders  60  and  60 A each include an inlet ice transport conduit  103 , a volumetric chamber  105 , and an outlet ice transport conduit  107 . The inlet ice transport conduit  103  connects at an inlet end with one of the outlets from the ice conduit systems  30  and  30 A and at an outlet end with an inlet of the volumetric chamber  105 . In the preferred embodiment, a set screw secures the volumetric chamber  105  with the inlet ice transport conduit  103 . The inlet ice transport conduit  103  includes a gate valve  61  which may be pneumatically, electronically, or manually activated. The gate valve  61  controls the delivery of ice into the volumetric feeders  60 A and  60 A. The inlet ice transport conduit  103  further includes a sensor  16 , preferably an optic sensor, such as photo-emitter and detector pair, which determines the level of ice within the volumetric feeders  60  and  60 A. The inlet ice transport conduit  103  still further includes a stop  116  that prevent the over insertion of the volumetric chamber  105  into the inlet ice transport conduit  103 . 
         [0028]    The outlet ice transport conduit  107  connects at an inlet end with an outlet of the volumetric chamber  105  and at an outlet end with an ice output system. The outlet ice transport conduit  103  includes a gate valve  62  which may be pneumatically, electronically, or manually activated. The gate valve  62  controls the delivery of ice from the volumetric feeders  60  and  60 A. In the preferred embodiment, a set screw secures the volumetric chamber  105  with the outlet ice transport conduit  103 . Moreover, the set screw allows the location of the gate valve  62  to be adjusted relative to the outlet of the volumetric chamber  105  such that the volume of ice held within the volumetric chamber  105  is adjustable over a preset volume range. In the preferred embodiment, the preset volume range of ice is from 1 to 6 pounds. While the preferred embodiment discloses a preset volume range of ice from 1 to 6 pounds, those skilled in the art will recognize that the lengths of the volumetric chamber  105  and the outlet ice transport conduit  103  may be changed to produce any desired preset volume range. Moreover, those skilled in the art will recognize that multiple optic sensors may be placed in the volumetric chamber  105  in order to electronically provide preset volume ranges. 
         [0029]    The volumetric feeders  60  and  60 A are volume adjustable to permit the connection of the ice supply system  1  with a range of ice output systems. Illustratively, an ice output system may require the delivery of either 8 pounds or 20 pounds of ice. As such, the volumetric chamber  105  would be set to hold 4 pounds whereupon an 8 pound delivery would be accomplished by filling and dumping the volumetric feeder  60  or  60 A twice and a 20 pound delivery would be accomplished by filling and dumping the volumetric feeder  60  or  60 A five times. Likewise, 6, 9, and 12 pound deliveries would be accomplished by setting the volumetric chamber  105  to hold 3 pounds whereupon the volumetric feeder  60  or  60 A would be filled and dumped two, three, or four times depending upon the desired delivery. 
         [0030]    Referring again to  FIG. 1A , the preferred embodiment discloses the volumetric feeder  60  connects with an automatic ice bagging unit  50 , while the volumetric feeder  60 A connects with a consumer bin delivery system  9 . While the ice supply system  1  will be described herein with reference to the automatic ice bagging unit  50  and the consumer bin delivery system  9 , those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ice supply system  1  is capable of delivering ice into any suitable ice output system and further that the present invention is not to be limited in any respect by the following description. 
         [0031]    The volumetric feeder  60  of the ice supply system  1  connects with an automatic ice bagging unit  50  for the purpose of providing individual bags of ice to consumers. Although those skilled in the art will recognize other suitable means for packaging ice for consumption, the automatic ice bagger unit  50  contemplated for use with the ice supply system  1  is any automatic ice bagger unit capable of receiving a supply of ice, automatically placing the ice in a bag, and then sealing the bag for delivery into a merchandiser  51 . 
         [0032]    An example of an automatic ice bagging unit suitable for use with the ice supply system  1  is an automatic ice bagging unit manufactured by Aqua Polar Corporation, whose business address is 954 North Batavia Street, Orange, Calif. 92867. The Aqua Polar Corporation automatic ice bagging unit opens a bag and suspends the bag in an open position over a merchandiser where ice may be fed into the bag from an ice supply. Once the bag is filled, the bag is sealed and then delivered into the merchandiser. In this preferred embodiment, the outlet ice transport conduit  103  of the volumetric feeder  60  extends into the automatic ice bagging unit directly over the location where an opened bag resides. The ice supply system  1  accordingly delivers ice into the opened bag which is then sealed and delivered into the merchandiser as will be more fully described herein. 
         [0033]    Another example of an automatic ice bagging unit that could be rendered suitable to receive a supply of ice, automatically place the ice in a bag, and then seal the bag for delivery into a merchandiser is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,458,851 and 5,630,310, entitled “Automatic Ice Bagger with Self-Contained Sanitizing System” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,982, entitled “Method for Automatically Bagging Ice Using a Timer and Multipositional Electronic Scale, all of which are assigned to Packaged Ice, Inc. of Houston, Tex., incorporated herein by reference. The automatic ice bagging unit disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,458,851; 5,630,310; and 5,581,982 includes a hopper that holds ice prior to bagging wherein the hopper delivers the ice into an opened bag with an electronic scale utilized to determine the amount of ice delivered into the opened bag. Once the electronic scale determines the appropriate amount of ice has been delivered into the opened bag, the bag is sealed and delivered into a merchandiser. In this preferred embodiment, the hopper and electronic scale are removed and the outlet ice transport conduit  103  of the volumetric feeder  60  extends into the automatic ice bagging unit directly over the location where an opened bag resides. The ice supply system  1  accordingly delivers ice into the opened bag which is then sealed and delivered into the merchandiser as will be more fully described herein. 
         [0034]    A consumer bin delivery system  9  suitable for connection with the volumetric feeder  60 A of the ice supply system  1  delivers ice directly into a hand carried ice chest  8  such as those manufactured by Igloo and Coleman Corporations. The consumer bin delivery system  9  includes a cabinet with an opening into which a hand carried ice chest  8  is inserted. In this preferred embodiment, the outlet ice transport conduit  103  of the volumetric feeder  60 A extends into the cabinet directly over the location where an inserted hand carried ice chest  8  resides. Responsive to a customer request for ice delivery into the hand carried ice chest  8 , the ice supply system  1  delivers ice into the inserted hand carried ice chest  8  as will be more fully described herein. While hand carried ice chests are most common for storing and transporting ice, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many other styles of containers or bags may be used to receive ice from the consumer bin delivery system  9 . 
         [0035]    In order to interface with an ice output system and deliver ice thereto, the ice supply system  1  according to this preferred embodiment includes an ice delivery controller  11  that implements an operational routine for operating the ice supply system  1 . Although those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize many suitable means for executing an operational routine for the ice supply system  1 , the ice delivery controller  11  according to this preferred embodiment comprises a standard microcontroller widely known in the industry. 
         [0036]    The ice delivery controller  11  in the example of this preferred embodiment is electrically connected with the ice supply system  1  and the components thereof, and, in particular, with an ice maker sensory unit  12 . In this preferred embodiment, the ice maker sensory unit  12  comprises an optic sensor, such as photo-emitter and detector pair, which determines the level of ice within the dispenser ice bin  27  and outputs a signal to the ice delivery controller  11 . Responsive to a signal from the ice maker sensory unit  12  indicating the ice dispenser bin  27  requires ice, the ice delivery controller  11  activates the icemaker  26 . Likewise, responsive to a signal from the ice maker sensory unit  12  indicating the ice dispenser bin  27  holds a desired amount of ice, the ice delivery controller  11  deactivates the icemaker  26 . 
         [0037]    Continuing the example of this preferred embodiment, the ice delivery controller  11  is electrically connected with the sensors  16  of the volumetric feeders  60  and  60 A, an ice request unit  17  of the automatic ice bagging unit  50 , and an ice request unit  17 A of the consumer bin delivery system  9 . In this preferred embodiment, the ice request units  17  and  17 A comprise any suitable means capable of signaling the ice delivery controller  11  to deliver ice respectively to either the automatic ice bagging unit  50  or the consumer bin delivery system  9 . An example of the ice request unit  17  includes but is not limited to the following. The ice request unit  17  may include an optic sensor, such as photo-emitter and detector pair, disposed in the merchandiser  51  that determines when the number of ice bags within the merchandiser  51  is below a desired number and must be replenished. Responsive to a signal from the ice request unit  17  indicating the merchandiser  51  requires more ice bags, the ice delivery controller  11  activates the automatic ice bagging unit  50  and the ice supply system  1  to deliver ice thereto until the ice request unit  17  outputs a signal indicating the merchandiser  51  includes a desired number of ice bags. The ice request unit  17  also may include a user input such as a keypad that allows a customer to request a specific size ice bag. Responsive to a signal from the ice request unit  17  indicating a specific size ice bag has been requested, the ice delivery controller  11  activates the automatic ice bagging unit  50  and the ice supply system  1  to deliver ice thereto until the ice bag has been filled and delivered for the customer into the merchandiser  51 . 
         [0038]    An example of the ice request sensor unit  17 A includes but is not limited to the following. The ice request unit  17 A may include a user input having a payment mechanism, such as a bill and change reader or credit card scanner, and an optic sensor, such as photo-emitter and detector pair, disposed in the cabinet and positioned to determine when an inserted hand carried ice chest  8  is full. A customer inserts a hand carried ice chest  8  followed by the depositing of payment. Responsive to a signal from the ice request unit  17 A indicating payment has been made, the ice delivery controller  11  activates the ice supply system  1  which delivers ice into the inserted hand carried ice chest  8  until the ice request unit  17  outputs a signal indicating the inserted hand carried ice chest  8  holds a desired amount of ice. The user input also may allow the consumer to request a specific amount of ice. Responsive to a signal from the ice request unit  17 A indicating payment has been made along with a request for a specific amount of ice, the ice delivery controller  11  activates the ice supply system  1  which delivers ice into the inserted hand carried ice chest  8  until the requested amount of ice has been delivered to the inserted hand carried ice chest  8 . 
         [0039]    It should be understood that the ice delivery controller  11  may comprise a stand-alone unit for integration and engagement with the ice supply system  1 . The ice delivery controller  11  may comprise a master controller that operates the components of the ice supply system  1  as well as any connected ice output system in place of control systems for the connected ice output systems. Alternatively, the ice delivery controller  11  may be a separate “add-on” unit linked and in engagement with each component of the ice supply system  1 , such as controllers for the volumetric feeders  60  and  60 A, a controller for the ice transport system  20 , as well as the controllers for the automatic ice bagging unit  50  and the consumer bin delivery system  9 , which operate independently in response to signals from the ice delivery controller  11 . 
         [0040]    In order to set forth the present invention and provide an understanding thereof,  FIGS. 2-5  illustrate an example routine for operating the ice supply system  1  of  FIG. 1 . Inasmuch, although those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the application of the ice supply system  1  in a variety of commercial and private settings,  FIG. 1  illustratively depicts the ice supply system  1  in operative engagement with a convenience store  5 . In  FIG. 1  the ice delivery controller  11  and the ice transport system  20  are located in a back room of the convenience store  5  away from the customer. The volumetric feeder  60  and the automatic ice bagger system  50  is located inside the convenience store  5  while the volumetric feeder  60  and the consumer bin delivery system  9  is located outside the convenience store  5  for hand held bags or ice chests. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram that schematically illustrates a main routine  100  for operating the ice supply system  1 . Step  110  starts the main routine  100 . In step  120 , the ice delivery controller  11  awaits a signal from the ice maker sensory unit  12  indicating the ice dispenser bin  27  requires ice. If the ice dispenser bin  27  requires ice and no signal is output from the ice maker sensory unit  12 , the ice delivery controller  11  progresses to step  130 . However, upon receipt of a signal from the ice maker sensory unit  12 , the ice delivery controller  11  begins an ice transport system replenishment routine  200  and then advances to step  130 . 
         [0042]    In a similar manner, the ice delivery controller  11  in step  130  awaits a signal from the ice request unit  17  indicating the merchandiser  51  of the automatic bagging unit  50  requires an ice bag or bags. If the merchandiser  51  does not require an ice bag or bags, the ice delivery controller  11  progresses to step  140 . However, upon receipt of a signal from the request unit  17 , the ice delivery controller  11  begins an ice bagging unit replenishment routine  300  and then advances to step  140 . 
         [0043]    Likewise, the ice delivery controller  11  in step  140  awaits a signal from the ice request unit  17 A indicating a request for ice has been made along with payment. If no request from the ice request unit  17 A has been made, the ice delivery controller  11  progresses to step  150 . However, upon receipt of a signal from the request unit  17 A, the ice delivery controller  11  begins a bulk ice dispenser system routine  400  and then advances to step  150 . In step  150  the ice delivery controller  11  returns to step  110  and restarts the main routine  100 . It should be understood that the ice delivery controller  11  continuously monitors the ice dispenser bin  27 , the automatic bagging unit  50 , and the consumer bin delivery system  9  such that the ice transport system replenishment routine  200 , the ice bagging unit replenishment routine  300 , and the bulk ice dispenser system routine  400  may be executed separately by the ice delivery controller  11 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram that schematically illustrates the ice transport system replenishment routine  200  for providing a supply of ice to the ice dispenser bin  27  of the ice supply system  1 . Step  210  starts the ice transport system replenishment routine  200 . The ice delivery controller  11  in step  220  outputs a signal to activate the icemaker  26  before proceeding to step  240 . In step  240 , the ice delivery controller  11  awaits a signal from the ice maker sensory unit  12  indicating that the dispenser ice bin  27  contains a desired amount of ice. As long as the ice maker sensory unit  12  outputs a signal indicating the ice dispenser bin  27  requires ice, the ice delivery controller  11  maintains the icemaker  26  activated. If, however, the ice maker sensory unit  12  outputs a signal indicating the ice dispenser bin  27  contains a desired amount of ice, the ice delivery controller  11  progresses to step  250  and deactivates the ice maker  26 . The ice delivery controller  11  then exits the ice transport system replenishment routine  200  at step  260 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram that schematically illustrates the automatic bagging unit replenishment routine  300  for providing a supply of ice to the automatic bagging unit  50 . Before the ice supply system  1  and the automatic bagging unit  50  may be employed to deliver ice bags, the ice supply system  1  and the automatic bagging unit  50  must be installed and initialized for operation. This involves correlating the ice supply system  1  with the automatic bagging unit  50 . For the sake of example and to more fully explain the present invention, the automatic bagging unit  50  in the example illustrated with respect to  FIG. 4  is a unit capable of supplying either 8 pound ice bags or 20 pound ice bags. When filling the merchandiser  51  with ice bags, the automatic ice bagging unit  50  will alternately produce 8 pound ice bags and 20 pound ice bags; although the frequency and number of ice bags may be set at any number depending upon customer demand. The automatic bagging unit  50  is also capable of producing single 8 pound ice bags or 20 pound ice bags responsive to a customer request in the event a desired bag size is not available in the merchandiser  51 . While the example set forth in  FIG. 4  provides for two different ice bag sizes, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one bag size or multiple bag sizes are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0046]    Correlating the ice supply system  1  with the automatic bagging unit  50  involves adjusting the positional relationship between the gate valve  62  and the outlet of the volumetric chamber  105  such that the volume of ice held within the volumetric chamber  105  is set to a desired volume corresponding to a desired amount of ice. The desired volume in the example of  FIG. 4  is 4 pounds. The set screw securing the volumetric chamber  105  with the outlet ice transport conduit  103  is released and the outlet ice transport conduit  103  is moved until the gate valve  62  resides at a location that produces 4 pounds of ice within the volumetric chamber  105 . The set screw is then tightened to maintain the connection between the volumetric chamber  105  and the outlet ice transport conduit  103 . The volumetric chamber  105  may be preset during the production of the volumetric feeder  60  with marks thereon that indicate differing amounts of ice. Alternatively, the output from the volumetric chamber  105  may be set on site using adjustments effected by weighing ice dumps until the desired amount is determined. 
         [0047]    Correlating the ice supply system  1  with the automatic bagging unit  50  further involves supplying the ice delivery controller  11  with an automatic bagging unit replenishment routine  300  that controls the volumetric feeder  60  to deliver a desired amount of ice into an ice bag. In the example of  FIG. 4 , the ice delivery controller  11  fills and dumps the volumetric feeder  60  twice to produce an 8 pound ice bag, whereas the ice delivery controller fills and dumps the volumetric feeder  60  five to produce a 20 pound ice bag. The ice delivery controller  11  may be programmed with the correct automatic bagging unit replenishment routine  300  during the production the ice delivery controller  11 . Alternatively, the correct automatic bagging unit replenishment routine  300  may be downloaded into the ice delivery controller  11  on site or over communication lines through a suitable input device included in the ice delivery controller  11 . 
         [0048]    Step  310  starts the automatic bagging replenishment routine  300  for the ice supply system  1 . In step  307 , the ice delivery controller  11  determines from the signal output by the ice request unit  17  whether an 8 pound ice bag or a 20 pound ice bag is required. In the example of  FIG. 4 , an initial output from the ice request unit  17  that the merchandiser  51  requires an ice bag or bags indicates that an 8 pound ice bag will be produced first followed by a 20 pound ice bag if necessary. It should be understood that the order and frequency of ice bag production may be varied as desired based upon customer demand. Alternatively, the signal output from the ice request unit  17  may entail a customer request for a specific size ice bag. From that request, the ice delivery controller  11  recognizes whether an 8 pound ice bag or a 20 pound ice bag should be produced. 
         [0049]    After determining the ice bag for production, the ice delivery controller  11  proceeds to step  315  and sets an ice delivery counter to 0. The ice delivery counter is utilized by the ice delivery controller in controlling the volumetric feeder  60  to deliver the correct number of ice batches to the automatic ice bagging unit  50 . In the example of  FIG. 4 , the ice delivery counter is 2 for an 8 pound ice bag and 5 for a 20 pound ice bag. The ice delivery controller  11  next proceeds to step  317  and directs the automatic ice bagging unit  50  to open a bag. Responsive thereto, the automatic ice bagging unit  50  opens a bag from a correct bag holder, either an 8 pound bag or a 20 pound bag depending upon the desired bag size. Alternatively, the automatic ice bagger unit  50  may include a roll of plastic suitable for formation into bags and the ability to form a desired bag size. In the embodiment where the ice delivery controller  11  is an “add on”, a controller of the automatic ice bagging unit  50  performs the task of opening a bag. 
         [0050]    Once the bag is opened, the ice delivery controller  11  in step  320  activates a delivery device in the ice dispenser bin  27  thereby beginning the delivery of ice to the ice conduit system  30 . The ice delivery controller  11  activates the vacuum pump  38  in step  325  to create via the vacuum line  32  a negative pressure within the ice conduit system  30  resulting in ice traveling from dispenser ice bin  27  to the volumetric feeder  60 . In this preferred embodiment, the gate valve  61  is set in an open position while the gate valve  62  is set in a closed position such that ice enters the volumetric feeder  60  and accumulates in the volumetric chamber  105 . In step  335 , the ice delivery controller  11  monitors the sensor  16  of the volumetric feeder  60 , awaiting a signal from the sensor  16  indicating the volumetric feeder  60  is full. As long as the sensor  16  indicates the volumetric feeder  60  is not full, the gate valve  61  remains open and ice accumulates within the volumetric chamber  105 . As soon as the sensor  16  registers the volumetric feeder  60  is full and outputs a signal indicative thereof, the ice delivery controller  11  proceeds to step  340  and closes the gate valve  61  while opening the gate valve  62 . In this preferred embodiment, the ice delivery controller  11  pauses 3 seconds in step  345  before proceeding to step  350 . The ice delivery controller  11  in step  350  closes the gate valve  62  while opening the gate valve  61  prior to proceeding to step  355  where the ice delivery controller  11  updates the ice delivery counter by 1. 
         [0051]    Upon exiting step  355 , the ice delivery controller  11  proceeds to step  360  and determines the value of the ice delivery counter. If the ice delivery counter does not equal the full count value for the ice bag being filled, the ice delivery controller  11  returns to step  335  for a repeat of steps  335 ,  340 ,  345 ,  350 , and  355  wherein a load of ice from the volumetric feeder  60  is delivered into the open bag. If the ice delivery counter equals the full count value for the ice bag being filled, the ice delivery controller  11  proceeds to step  365 . In the example of  FIG. 4 , a full count value for an 8 pound ice of ice is 2 and a full count value for a 20 pound ice bag is 5. Consequently, the ice delivery controller  11  will perform steps  335 ,  340 ,  345 ,  350 , and  355  either twice or five times. 
         [0052]    The ice delivery controller  11  in step  365  stops the delivery of ice to the volumetric feeder  60  by deactivating the delivery device in the ice dispenser bin  27  and the vacuum pump  38 . The ice delivery controller  11  then proceeds to step  370  and directs the automatic ice bagging unit  50  to seal the filled ice bag. The ice delivery controller  11  further proceeds to step  375  and directs the automatic ice bagging unit  50  to drop the filled ice bag into the merchandiser  51 . In the embodiment where the ice delivery controller  11  is an “add on”, a controller of the automatic ice bagging unit  50  performs the tasks of sealing and dropping the filled ice bag. 
         [0053]    After the filled ice bag has been dropped into the merchandiser  51 , the ice delivery controller  11  proceeds to step  380  and determines if more ice bags are to be produced. In the scenario where the merchandiser  51  is being replenished with ice bags, the ice request unit  17  outputs a signal indicating replenishment is needed until the merchandiser  51  is full. As such, the ice delivery controller  11  returns to step  307  and determines from the signal output by the ice request unit  17  whether an 8 pound ice bag or a 20 pound ice bag is required prior to delivering such and ice bag into the merchandiser. Once the ice request unit  17  outputs a signal indicating the merchandiser  51  is full, the ice delivery controller  11  exits the automatic bagging replenishment routine  300  at step  385 . In the scenario where a customer request for a specific size ice bag was being satisfied, the ice delivery controller  11  recognizes completion of the request and exits the automatic bagging replenishment routine  300  at step  385 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram that schematically illustrates the bulk ice dispenser system routine  400  for providing a supply of ice to the consumer bin delivery system  9 . Before the ice supply system  1  and the consumer bin delivery system  9  may be employed to deliver ice to a hand carried ice chest  8  inserted into the consumer bin delivery system  9 , the ice supply system  1  and the consumer bin delivery system  9  must be installed and initialized for operation. This involves correlating the ice supply system  1  with the consumer bin delivery system  9 . For the sake of example and to more fully explain the present invention, the ice supply system  1  and the consumer bin delivery system  9  in the example illustrated with respect to  FIG. 5  will supply ice to a hand carried ice chest  8  in 3 pound increments up to a total of 15 pounds. 
         [0055]    Correlating the ice supply system  1  with the consumer bin delivery system  9  involves adjusting the positional relationship between the gate valve  62  and the outlet of the volumetric chamber  105  such that the volume of ice held within the volumetric chamber  105  of the volumetric feeder  60 A is 3 pounds. The set screw securing the volumetric chamber  105  with the outlet ice transport conduit  103  is released and the outlet ice transport conduit  103  is moved until the gate valve  62  resides at a location that produces 3 pounds of ice within the volumetric chamber  105 . The set screw is then tightened to maintain the connection between the volumetric chamber  105  and the outlet ice transport conduit  103 . The volumetric chamber  105  may be preset during the production of the volumetric feeder  60 A with marks thereon that indicate differing amounts of ice. Alternatively, the output from the volumetric chamber  105  may be set on site using adjustments effected by weighing ice dumps until the desired amount is determined. 
         [0056]    Correlating the ice supply system  1  with the consumer bin delivery system  9  further involves supplying the ice delivery controller  11  with a bulk ice dispenser system routine  400  that controls the volumetric feeder  60 A to deliver a desired amount of ice into a hand carried ice chest  8 . In the example of  FIG. 5 , the ice delivery controller  11  fills and dumps the volumetric feeder  60 A 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 times depending upon the selected amount of ice. The ice delivery controller  11  may be programmed with the correct bulk ice dispenser system routine  400  during the production the ice delivery controller  11 . Alternatively, the correct bulk ice dispenser system routine  400  may be downloaded into the ice delivery controller  11  on site or over communication lines through a suitable input device included in the ice delivery controller  11 . 
         [0057]    Operation of the consumer bin delivery system  9  begins with a customer inserting a hand carried ice chest  8  into the consumer bin delivery system  9 . The customer further employs the ice request unit  17 A to deposit payment and select an amount of ice for delivery into the inserted hand carried ice chest  8 . The ice request unit  17 A outputs a start signal to the ice delivery controller  11  as well as a signal indicating the selected amount of ice for delivery into the inserted hand carried ice chest  8 . Responsive to the signals from the ice request unit  17 A, the ice delivery controller  11  in step  410  starts the bulk ice dispenser system routine  400  for the ice supply system  1 . The ice delivery controller  11  proceeds to step  415  and sets an ice delivery counter to 0. The ice delivery counter is utilized by the ice delivery controller in controlling the volumetric feeder  60 A to deliver the correct number of ice batches to the automatic ice bagging unit  50 . In the example of  FIG. 5 , the ice delivery counter is 1, 2, 3, 5, or 5 depending upon the amount of ice selected by the customer. 
         [0058]    Once the ice delivery counter is reset to 0, the ice delivery controller  11  in step  420  activates a delivery device in the ice dispenser bin  27  thereby beginning the delivery of ice to the ice conduit system  30 A. The ice delivery controller  11  activates the vacuum pump  38  in step  425  to create via the vacuum line  32 A a negative pressure within the ice conduit system  30 A resulting in ice traveling from dispenser ice bin  27  to the volumetric feeder  60 A. In this preferred embodiment, the gate valve  61  is set in an open position while the gate valve  62  is set in a closed position such that ice enters the volumetric feeder  60 A and accumulates in the volumetric chamber  105 . In step  435 , the ice delivery controller  11  monitors the sensor  16  of the volumetric feeder  60 A, awaiting a signal from the sensor  16  indicating the volumetric feeder  60 A is full. As long as the sensor  16  indicates the volumetric feeder  60 A is not full, the gate valve  61  remains open and ice accumulates within the volumetric chamber  105 . As soon as the sensor  16  registers the volumetric feeder  60  is full and outputs a signal indicative thereof, the ice delivery controller  11  proceeds to step  440  and closes the gate valve  61  while opening the gate valve  62 . In this preferred embodiment, the ice delivery controller  11  pauses 3 seconds in step  445  before proceeding to step  455 . The ice delivery controller  11  in step  455  closes the gate valve  62  while opening the gate valve  61  prior to proceeding to step  460  where the ice delivery controller  11  updates the ice delivery counter by 1. 
         [0059]    Upon exiting step  460 , the ice delivery controller  11  proceeds to step  465  and determines the value of the ice delivery counter. If the ice delivery counter does not equal the full count value for the amount of ice being delivered into the inserted hand carried ice chest  8 , the ice delivery controller  11  returns to step  435  for a repeat of steps  435 ,  440 ,  445 ,  455 , and  460  wherein a load of ice from the volumetric feeder  60 A is delivered into the inserted hand carried ice chest  8 . If the ice delivery counter equals the full count value for the amount of ice being delivered into the inserted hand carried ice chest  8 , the ice delivery controller  11  proceeds to step  476 . In the example of  FIG. 5 , a full count value will be 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 depending upon the amount of ice selected for delivery. 
         [0060]    The ice delivery controller  11  in step  476  stops the delivery of ice to the volumetric feeder  60 A by deactivating the delivery device in the ice dispenser bin  27  and the vacuum pump  38 . The ice delivery controller  11  then exits the bulk ice dispenser system routine  400  at step  480 . 
         [0061]    In the scenario where the ice request unit  17 A measures the amount of ice within an inserted hand carried ice chest  8 , steps  415  and  460  are unnecessary and step  465  is changed to a decision step based on an output signal received from the ice request unit  17 A. In particular, the ice delivery controller  11  in a revised step  465  awaits a signal from the ice request unit  17 A indicating the amount of ice with an inserted hand carried ice chest  8 . If the signal output from the ice request unit  17 A to the ice delivery controller  11  indicates the inserted hand carried ice chest  8  is not full, the ice delivery controller  11  returns to step  435  for a repeat of steps  435 ,  440 ,  445 , and  455 , wherein a load of ice from the volumetric feeder  60 A is delivered into the inserted hand carried ice chest  8 . Alternatively, if the signal output from the ice request unit  17 A to the ice delivery controller  11  indicates the inserted hand carried ice chest  8  is full, the ice delivery controller  11  would proceed to step  476  and then to step  480 . 
         [0062]    Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing embodiment, such description has been for exemplary purposes only and, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, many alternatives, equivalents, and variations of varying degrees will fall within the scope of the present invention. That scope, accordingly, is not to be limited in any respect by the foregoing description; rather, it is defined only by the claims that follow.