Ice Machine With Reduced Footprint

The present application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/854,330, filed on Jun. 30, 2022, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/217,002, filed on Jun. 30, 2021, the entirety of both are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates in general to the field of ice machines. More particularly, the present invention relates to an ice machine that has a compact footprint. Additionally, the present invention relates to an ice machine that can quickly create bags of ice, allowing for less ice to be stored prior to bagging.

A variety of bulky ice machines are known in the art. Historically, ice machines consisted of large coolers where bags of ice that were manufactured at a different location are transported and delivered into the cooler. In addition to transportation costs, such a system oftentimes led to breaking of bags during delivery, melting of ice during the delivery process, and other undesired results.

More recently, ice machines had various components that allow ice to be manufactured and bagged within the machine, before being deposited into a storage section. These types of ice machines required a very large footprint to accommodate the bags of ice, as well as the components required to manufacture the ice, bag the ice, seal the ice in a bag, and deliver the sealed bag to a large storage compartment. Additionally, these machines typically had a large reservoir of ice held in a hopper after manufacture by an ice maker, but prior to bagging. In order to maintain that ice, additional components were oftentimes incorporated into the hopper to break up the ice, prevent it from thawing and refreezing, etc. Also, large storage compartments for bagged ice were filled with substantial quantities of ice that had to be manufactured and stored for extended periods of time to accommodate demand. For instance, these units were routinely larger than six feet in length and four feet in depth. These large storage compartments were necessary to meet demand because systems could only bag ice at relatively slow rates, such as four minutes per bag of ice or longer.

Apart from the large space required for installation and operation of these machines, which was problematic for many convenience and other stores that had limited amounts of space for such devices, the storage of large quantities of ice frequently resulted in stale bags of ice. Additionally, machines with large storage sections filled with bags of ice are often susceptible to theft.

A number of these deficiencies were addressed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/432,531 titled “Ice Vending Machine and Related Methods”, which was filed on Jun. 5, 2019, which claimed priority to U.S. Application No. 62/681,328 titled “Ice Vending Machines and Related Methods”, which was filed on Jun. 6, 2018, the disclosure of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. While these applications disclosed ice machines that were superior to the prior art described above, further improvements are desired.

For instance, there is a need for an ice machine having a significantly reduced footprint. Similarly, there is need for an ice machine that is capable of rapidly manufacturing ice and bagging the ice to meet demand. Flexibility in throughput is also desirable. Still further, ease in servicing an ice machine and ease in changing rolls of bags are sought after features. Overall, there is a need for an ice machine that is an improvement over the prior art.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an ice machine includes a frame, a cabinet extending around the frame, at least one ice maker coupled to the frame, a first ice hopper located beneath the ice maker and configured to receive ice from the ice maker, an auger extending along a portion of the first ice hopper to move ice to an opening, and a second hopper configured to receive ice from the first ice hopper moved through the opening by the auger. The ice machine further includes a bagging system configured to receive ice from the second hopper, a cradle having a bottom and a plurality of sides configured to support and constrain a bag from the bagging system while the bag receives ice from the second hopper, and a retrieval section configured to receive the bag after the bag is filled with ice.

According to another aspect of the invention, the ice machine may further include a sealing system and a chute extending from and pivotable about the second hopper. The ice machine includes a pusher section configured to bias the bag of ice towards the sealing system to seal the bag of ice using the heating element. Further, the pusher section is configured to push against and pivot the chute about the second hopper. The sealing system may include a heating element, a pusher plate having an opening formed therein, and a biasing assembly coupled to the pusher plate. The pusher plate may be moved by the biasing assembly to expose the heating element for sealing a bag of ice.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the ice machine may further include a roll of bags removably mounted to the frame, a motor configured to advance a portion of the roll of bags to the bagging system, and a sensor configured to scan each bag from the roll of bags. In turn, advancement of the roll of bags to the bagging system by the motor is terminated when the sensor detects an unverified bag design.

According to another aspect of the invention, the ice machine may also include a refrigerated storage section located beneath the bagging system. When ice is deposited from the second hopper into the bag contained within the cradle, the cradle may be rotated to deposit bags of ice into the refrigerated storage section. The ice machine may also include a cradle fill sensor located adjacent the cradle to monitor when the cradle is in a position to receive the bag.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the ice machine may also include a bag fill sensor to monitor when the bag is either full or partially full. In the instance when the bag fill sensor is blocked to determine that the bag is partially full, the auger is rotated a predetermined number of times to complete fill the bag. Further yet, the first hopper may be a drying hopper having a sloped bottom surface to drain water away from the second hopper.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, an ice machine may include at least one ice maker, a first ice hopper located beneath the ice maker and configured to receive ice from the ice maker, and an auger extending along a portion of the first ice hopper to move ice to an opening. The auger is configured to jog back and forth after a predetermined period of time. The ice machine further includes a second hopper configured to receive ice from the first ice hopper moved through the opening by the auger, a bagging system configured to receive ice from the second hopper, and a retrieval section configured to receive the bag after the bag is filled with ice.

According to another aspect of the invention, the auger moves forward a first number of rotations to move ice to the opening. After the first predetermined number of rotations, the auger moves backward a second predetermined number of rotations.

According to another aspect of the invention, the ice machine includes a hopper sensor configured to determine whether the hopper is below or above a predetermined fill level. When the hopper sensor determines that the hopper is above a predetermined fill level, the predetermined period of time is less than 40 minutes. When the hopper sensor determines that the hopper is below a predetermined fill level, the auger rotates forward to move ice to the opening after a second predetermined period of time. In such an instance, the second predetermined period of time is less than 20 minutes.

According to another aspect of the invention, the ice machine may also include a coated heating wired disposed within a drain line of the ice maker.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, an ice machine includes at least one ice maker, a bagging system configured to receive and bag ice from the at least one ice maker, and a storage section configured to receive the bag after the bag is filled with ice. The storage section includes a fill sensor to monitor the storage section. The ice machine further includes a controller. Upon determination by the fill sensor that the storage section being at or above a predetermined fill level for a predetermined period of time, the controller activates an alarm to notify a user.

According to another aspect of the invention, upon determination by the fill sensor that the storage section has been emptied to a predetermined empty level, the controller turns off the alarm.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, upon determination by the fill sensor that bags of ice in a first side of the storage section and a second side of the storage section exceed a predetermined fill ratio for a predetermined period of time, the controller activates an alarm to notify a user. In turn, upon determination that bags of ice in the first side of the storage section and the second side of the storage section no longer exceed the predetermined fill ratio, the controller turns off the alarm.

These and other aspects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and accompanying drawings, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. It is hereby disclosed that the invention include all such modifications.

Illustrative embodiments of an ice machine in accordance with the present invention are shown in the figures. While many of the components associated with the ice machine and shown in the figures will be described herein, additional components, including those present in the prior art, could similarly be incorporated into the ice machine of the present invention.

Turning initially to, the ice machineincludes a durable cabinetand framecontained within the cabinet. The cabinethas four sides, including at least one side having a maintenance door or panelthat can be opened by an attendant. The maintenance doormay take up a full side, although it could also be limited to only a portion of the side. The ice machinecould have multiple maintenance doors (not shown) for access to different portions of the interior of the ice machine. Additionally, the cabinetpreferably has at least one ice retrieval doorthat allows a customer to retrieve a bagof iceonce it is ready or otherwise available. The ice retrieval doormay be locked until a bagof ice is ready or payment is received. Preferably, apart from the ice retrieval door, the ice machineis sealed such that the interior of the machinecannot be accessed unless the maintenance door or panelis opened. The retrieval doormay be made of the same material as the cabinet or as shown in the figures it may be a glass door allowing customers to see inside the machineto ascertain the availability of bags of ice or to see when a bag of ice has completed filling.

Additionally, the ice machinehas at least one ice makermounted to the frame. As shown, the ice makeris mounted towards the top of the frame, although it could be mounted elsewhere. A variety of different ice makersmay be installed depending on the quantity of icethat is needed on a routine basis. By way of example and not limitation, potential ice makers include a KM-1301 SAJ Hoshizaki ice maker, which makes up to 1,300 pounds of ice per 24 hours, Hoshizaki model KM-1601 SAJ, which makes up to 1,600 pounds of ice per 24 hours; Hoshizaki model KM-1900 SAJ, which makes up to 1,900 pounds of ice per 24 hours; Hoshizaki model KM-2200 SRJ3, which makes up to 2,200 pound of ice per 24 hours; or Hoshizaki model KM-2600 SRJ3, which makes up to 2,600 pounds of ice per 24 hours. In terms of selection of the appropriate ice maker, for ice machineslocated at high-demand locations, a higher quality, and thus faster operating ice makeris preferable. This ensures that the ice makeris capable of manufacturing icequickly enough to fill the bags. Additionally, or alternatively, multiple ice makersmay be mounted to the framefor high-demand locations. For instance, two KM-2600 ice makers on one system can produce up to 5200 pounds of ice per day, enough to bag 520 ten-pound bags a day despite the relatively small footprint of the ice machines described herein.

For locations having less demand, slower throughput ice makersmay be used. Additionally, the ice makersneed not be permanently mounted to the frameto permit flexibility in replacing the ice maker(s)in the field to meet the demand of a given location. This customizability allows the characteristics of the ice machineto be changed based on analytics or other criteria used to determine the demand at a given location.

Still looking to, in one embodiment of the present invention, an ice storage and bagging sectionis located directly beneath the ice maker. The ice storage and bagging sectionis shown in isolation with the sides removed to expose the interior components in. The ice storage and bagging sectionincludes a framehaving various other components described herein mounted thereto. The maintenance doordescribed above is removably secured to the frameto prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the frame. In the illustrated embodiment, the ice makeris mounted to the top of the frame.

Once the iceis made by the ice maker, it is dropped into a first hopperof the ice storage and bagging sectionthat is located beneath the ice maker. As shown in, the first hopperhas an upper sectionthat is substantially triangular in shape and having three sloped sidesdown to a lower sectionto form a funnel shape. The sloped sidesfunnel and move the icedownwardly. Additionally, the first hopper has an openingformed therein, with the opening being located towards the upper sectionbetween the first sideand second sideThe first hopperis oriented to allow water to drain away from the ice, such that water is not transferred into a bag when the iceis deposited into the bag. More specifically, the sidesare sloped downwardly away from the opening. In this way, the first (drying) hoppercan be used to funnel water out of the system. To facilitate this functionality, there is a drainformed in the lower sectionthat allows the water to be drained out of the first hopper. The drainis located in the lower sectionof the first hopperand is routed to a floor drain or sump pump. In this configuration, water is harvested and drained off the ice cubesbefore they are moved to a second hopper described below.

The first hopperhas a capacity of between 35-95 pounds of ice, more preferably between 50-80 pounds of ice, and most preferable approximately 65 pounds of ice. In contrast to ice machines of the prior art, the first hopperhas a reduced footprint, and is oriented in a particular manner relative to the cabinetso that the cabinetonly needs to be 34 inches in depth. This allows the ice machineto fit in a standard grocery store aisle, while still having sufficient capacity to manufacture and bag ice at a high speed.

Preferably sensors (not shown) are located within the first hopper. In one preferred embodiment, a first sensor is located near the top of the first hopper. When the first sensor is covered by ice, the ice maker is deactivated to avoid excessive manufacture of ice. Once the first sensor is uncovered, the ice maker is reactivated to ensure that sufficient amount of ice is present in the first hopperfor ice to be bagged and dispensed and/or stored.

The first hopperincludes an augerthat moves icefrom the lower sectionto the openingand into a second hopperas best seen in. The augeris positioned to extend along the first and second sidewallsfrom the lower sectionup to the openingas seen in. The lower sectionis inclined away the openingsuch that water is drained away from the openingas described above. The augerincludes a shaftand a corkscrewconfigured to move iceupwardly along the first hopperand out of the openingwhen the auger is rotated. The augercan be powered by a motorthat is mounted to the framedirectly adjacent to the first hoppernext to the third wallIn one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the motoris the ¼ horsepower motor, model number B162FT-G2 described above.

As shown in, the ice machinealso has a second hopperinto which ice is deposited from the first hopper. The second hopperhas four sideswith a funnelat the bottom which is sloped towards an openingthrough which the ice is funneled to a chuteinto a bagusing a bagging systemthat will be further described below. As such, the second hopperserves as a chute that guides ice through the openinginto a bag. Additionally, the second hoppermay also include a blower openingformed in the funneldirectly adjacent to the opening. The blower openingis configured to blow air through the openingin order to open a bagin order to prepare the bagfor delivery of iceas seen in. In such an embodiment a blower motoris connected to the blower openingby a hose.

While many of the components associated with the bagging systemare showed in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/432,531, which is incorporated herein by reference, some components are different and/or improved as will further be described below. The bagging systemincludes a bagging motorthat rotates first and second bag rollersto move a baginto position prior to the filling of the bagwith ice, as well as a sensor. The bagging motoris configured to move a bag or bagsquickly off of a rollof bags to ensure high-speed filling of the bagsof ice. The sensoris preferably configured to read a printed message, logo, bar code, etc. that is printed on the bagwhile the bagis moved into position about a viewing areaof the sensor. An encoder is preferably connected to the sensorthat ensures that the bagsare from an authorized provider. In a preferred embodiment, the roll of bagsis rotated a specified amount depending on whether the sensor is blocked or unblocked. For instance, the bag feed motormay be a stepper type motor, where the rollof bags is rotated a certain number of “clicks” depending on when the sensor is blocked or unblocked to position a new bag for filling. In the event that the sensorand encoder are unable to verify that the bagsare from an authorized provider because the message, logo, bar code, etc. are not correct, the machinecan be powered down and an error message can be displayed until a user is able to realign the roll of bagssuch that the sensorconfirms they are from an authorized provider.

As best shown in, the roll of bagsare held in place by first and second arms,. The first and second arms,are mounted within the cabinetto the frame. Each of the arms,have a slot,formed therein. The slots,are located at the top of the arms,and face an exterior of the cabinetso as to enable quick and easy installation of a fresh roll of bagsonce the front maintenance panelis removed. To install a fresh roll of bags, opposite endsof a rodextending through the roll of bagsare engaged into the slots,. The roll of bagsis then routed around through multiple guider rollsas can be seen in. For instance, as shown the roll of bagsare routed under first and second guider rollsand then over a third guider rollbefore being secured between the bag rollersOf course, additional or fewer guider rolls could be included to ensure smooth and efficient deliver of the bags from the roll of bagsto the bagging system. Additionally, the illustrated embodiment includes a tension armconfigured to be lifted when a fresh roll of bagsare installed, and the biased downwardly directly adjacent one or more of the guider rollsonce the roll of bagshave successfully been installed and engaged with the bag rollers, such that the bagsare secured between the guider rollsand the tension arm. As shown, the second rolleris affixed to the tension arm. The bag of rollsare advanced through the system using the bag rollersas shown in.

Once the bag has been filled by the bagging system, the bagis sealed using a sealing system. The sealing systemmay be similar to that shown and described in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/432,531, although some components are different and/or improved as described below. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing systemincludes a heating sectionand a chute pusher section, as can best be seen in. The heating sectionincludes a heating elementthat is heated to a desired temperature in order to seal the bag. The heating elementis surrounded and protected by a pusher plate. The illustrated pusher plateincludes a vertical portion, an openingin the vertical portion, and an angled portion. When the bagis ready to be sealed, the pusher plateis moved away from the chute pusher sectionso that vertical portion is moved away from the chute pusher sectionwhile the heating elementremains in the same location, best seen in. As a result of this movement of the pusher plate, the heating elementmoves through the openingsuch that it is exposed. When this occurs, the bagcontacts the heating elementand is sealed by the heating element. For instance, the bagmay contact the heater elementfor approximately 1-6 seconds, and more preferably approximately 3 seconds to ensure proper formation of the bag. Once the bagis sealed, the pusher platemay be returned to its initial position, such that again the vertical portionsurrounds and protects the heating element, as best seen in. The pusher platemay be spring loaded in order for it to appropriately bias between the positions described above, although any other biasing mechanism could be used to achieve the same result.

In addition to the heating section, the chute pusher sectionis also configured to help bias the bagappropriately to ensure proper sealing of the bag. More specifically, the chute pusher sectionincludes components that enable movement of the chuterelative to the heating section. More specifically, the chute pusher sectionincludes a vertical portionthat is located directly adjacent to the chute. When the bagis being sealed, a motorconnected to the vertical portionby an armis activated to enable movement of the vertical portion. The vertical portionpresses against the chuteto move the chute, and the bagresting upon the chute, towards the heating section. This further ensures the appropriate amount of contact between the bagand the heating elementwhen the bagis being sealed. The chute pusher sectionmay also include a horizontal element. The horizontal elementmay include a perforated edgethat further assists in the separation of the bagonce the bagis sealed. Additionally, to further assist with the separation of the bagonce the bagis sealed, the bag rollersmay be rotated in the reverse direction once the bagis sealed to break the seal between the formed bagand the remaining roll of bags. Once the baghas been sealed, the motoris reactivated in the opposite direction to return the chute pusher sectionto its original position as shown in.

Next, the retrieval storage sectionwill be further described. More specifically, beneath the second hopper, the ice machinehas a storage sectionfor stacking and storing bags. More specifically, the framemay be mounted to the storage section. Since the bagsmay be stored for extended periods of time, the storage sectionis insulated and cooled to an appropriate temperature to maintain the ice in solid form. As such, bagsof ice may be manufactured until the storage sectionis partially or substantially filled depending on the settings of the machine. Preferably, the interior of the storage sectionhas a fill sensor. The ice machinecontinues creating bagsof ice until the fill sensoris triggered. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fill sensoris in the upper 25% of the storage section. Once the fill sensorhas been blocked, the manufacture of ice and filling of bagscan be stopped. Once enough bagsof ice have been removed from the storage section, the fill sensorwill no longer be triggered, in which case the production of bagsof ice will resume until the fill sensoris again triggered, at which point manufacture is again suspended.

Additionally, the ice machinehas a cradlewhich supports the bagsas they are filled with ice, and then deposits the filled bag into the storage section. Preferably, as shown in, the cradlehas a bottom, and front and back sides,to hold the bagin place. In a preferred embodiment, a cradle fill sensoris located adjacent to the cradleto monitor when the cradleis in a position to receive a bagand fill it with ice. An unfilled bagextends into the cradle. The bagis then opened preferably using a blower motorwith air that is transported by the hoseto the blower openingto allow ice to enter into the mouth of the bag. See. While the bagremains in the cradle, ice is moved from the first hopperusing the augerto the second hopper, after which the ice will fall downwardly into the bagas seen in.

Preferably a bag full sensoris present that monitors the fill level of a bagthat is contained within the cradle. In one preferred embodiment, the sensorsenses when the bagis partially, but not completely full once the sensoris blocked. When the sensor is blocked, the augercontinues to rotate by a control panel a specific number of times to ensure the bagis filled to the appropriate level. By way of example, when a 10-pound bag of ice is desired, the bagcan be filled until the sensordetects that 8 pounds of ice are in the bag. Thereafter, the augeris rotated a predetermined number of additional rotations to deposit two additional pounds of ice to result in the desired 10-pound bag of ice. Such a configuration results in more accurate bag weight regardless of how much ice is contained in the first hopper.

Regardless of when the bagis determined to be full, it is sealed as described above and then prepared for deposit into the storage section. As shown, the cradleis connected to a motorwith a drive chain. More specifically, the drive chainrotates the cradlein a first direction until the bagslides out of the cradleand into the storage sectionas shown in. Once the baghas been deposited into the storage section, the motor drives the drive chainin the opposite direction to return the cradleto the original position so that additional bagscan be produced. As described above, bagsare continually made until the fill sensorhas been blocked.

As shown in the figures and described above, the ice machinehas a compact size compared to traditional ice machines that required a large footprint. More specifically, the ice machinehas exterior dimensions of approximately 48 inches wide by 32 inches deep by 110 inches in height, with the interior dimensions being 44 inches wide by 28 inches deep. Having such a small footprint is beneficial in that the ice machine of the present invention can rest on a standard shelf or fit in the space of a standard shelf of a grocery or convenience store. Because the ice machineis approximately 48 inches wide, it is as wide as a standard grocery store shelf. The reduced footprint means that there is less space to store ice in a hopper. However, the combination of the speed with which the ice makermakes ice and the power of the motors associated with the augerand other components, the ice machineis still capable of quickly filling, sealing, and delivering bags of ice as described above and minimal if any ice is stored in hopper.

The ice machinehas been optimized for quickly bagging the ice, while having a relatively small footprint. For instance, in a preferred embodiment, the ice machine is equipped to make a 10-pound bag of ice in approximately 15 seconds. In other embodiments, a 10-pound bag of ice is made in less than 15 seconds. In still other embodiments, a 10-pound bag of ice is made in less than 30 seconds.

In the illustrated embodiments, the machineis operated using a user interfacemounted to the cabinet, such as a touch panel. In alternative embodiments, the machine is configured to communicate electronically with external communication devices such that bagsof ice can be ordered remotely, for instance by paying a cashier, ordering a bag on a phone or tablet application, ordering a bag online, or any other way known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

While the storage sectionis shown to be insulated and refrigerated, other components of the machine could also be insulated and refrigerated if desired.

Additionally, in certain preferred embodiments, the ice machine is delivered in multiple sections and later assembled. For instance, the storage section, the ice storage/bagging sectionand associated components including the hoppers,and bagging system, and the ice makerscould be assembled on site. Additionally, as mentioned above, the ice makersmay be changed or the number of ice machines increased or decreased depending on the needs of a given location. Further still, various machinesand associated components may be in communication with one another. For instance, when one machineis low on ice or out of ice, a notification may be transmitted so that individuals may physically move filled bagsof ice from a location having a surplus to the location that has an insufficient number of filled bagsof ice. The machinesand associated systems may be configured to allow for and track this borrowing of bags from one to another. Live, online data may be used to monitor such activities and ensure sufficient supply to all machines. Further still, live, online data may be used for other purposes, including to plan for preventative maintenance, track operation and breakdown of different components, identify machines that need to be replaced or exchanged with larger or smaller ice makers, and the like in order to optimize operation of machinesin general and at specific locations.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the previously discussed sensors within the first hoppermay include a level sensorto determine the level of ice within the first hopper. Preferably, the level sensordetermines whether the level of ice within the first hopperis above or below a predetermined fill level of the first hopper.

As shown in the system block diagram of, the level sensormay be in communication with a controllerof the machine. Further, the controlleris in communication with the augerand is configured to operate the augerin a number of scenarios, some of which will be described below in further detail. As also shown inand will be discussed later in further detail, the controllermay also be in communication with the fill sensordisposed within the storage sectionand an alarmof the machine.

To prevent bridging of the ice within the hopper, the augerin the first hopperauto-jogs a number of rotations back and forth when the level sensorsenses that the level of ice within the first hopperis at or above the predetermined fill level. That is, the motordriving the augermay be a bi-directional motor that can cause the augerto rotate both forward and backward.

As shown in the methodof, at blockthe controllercommunicates with the level sensorto determine if the ice within the first hopper has been at or above the predetermined fill level for more than a predetermined period of time. If yes, the controllerproceeds to blockand operates the augerto auto-jog back and forth two rotations to move the ice within the first hopperand prevent it from bridging. In varying embodiments of the invention, the augermay be auto-jogged more or less than two rotations back and forth in such a scenario.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first hopperis sized to hold enough ice to fill three bags of ice. In such an embodiment, it is preferred that the preferred predetermined fill level of the first hopperis above 33% to signify whether there is enough ice to fill one bag or more than one bag. Even more preferably, the predetermined level of the hopper is at or around 50% of the hopper. Further yet, the preferred predetermined amount of time is preferably 40 minutes or less to prevent the ice within the hopper from bridging. More preferably, the predetermined amount of time is 30 minutes or less.

Referring again to the methodof, if the answer to blockis no, the controllerproceeds to block. At block, the controllercommunicates with the level sensorto determine if the level of ice within the hopper is below the previously discussed predetermined level for more than another predetermined amount of time. Preferably, this predetermined amount of time is 20 minutes or less. More preferably, this predetermined amount of time is 10 minutes of less.

If yes, the controllerproceeds to blockand the augeris rotated forward to fill a subsequent bag of ice and empty the first hopper. If no, the methodresets and the controllerreturns to block. In varying embodiments of the invention, the controllermay start with block, as described above, block, or proceed with blocksand blocksimultaneously.