Container Lid

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/648,103, filed May 15, 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for storing and dispensing beverage components such as ice, and in certain embodiments, a container lid for a dispensing system that can store and deliver ice.

Beverages at a coffee store can require ice to be dispensed in a serving area. A relatively larger amount of ice can be stored remotely from the serving area and used to refill ice stored in the serving area. Conventionally ice can be moved between the remote area and the serving area. Customer demand can be increasingly high, and efficiency can become increasingly more important in beverage preparation. The locations of ice and storage equipment need to be efficiently configured. Storing the ice and equipment in a way that is practical and accessible for use and for refilling can also be challenging, especially at large scales.

The systems, methods and devices of this disclosure each have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes disclosed herein.

In certain examples a container lid can comprise a first cover portion that defines an opening disposed through a portion of the first cover portion. The first portion can have an inner edge and an outer edge. The container lid can comprise a second cover portion that defines an opening disposed through a portion of the second cover portion having an inner edge and outer edge opposite the inner edge. The opening can extend from an inner edge of the second cover portion, wherein the second cover portion is movably coupled to the first cover portion to at least partially overlap with the first cover portion. The container lid can comprise a door movably coupled to the second cover portion, wherein the door is movably disposable over the opening of the second cover portion. The container lid is disposable in an open configuration such that the opening of the first cover portion and the opening of the second cover portion at least partially overlap and the door is disposed in a retracted position. The container lid is disposable in a closed configuration wherein the opening of the first cover portion and the opening of the second cover portion do not overlap and the door is disposed in an extended position over the opening of the second cover portion.

In certain examples, the door is slidably coupled to the second cover portion. In certain examples, the door is rotatably coupled to the second cover portion. In certain examples the container lid comprises a duct adapter comprising cylindrical inner surface that defines an opening, wherein the duct adapter is coupled to the first cover portion such that the duct adapter forms an extended channel with the opening of the first cover portion. In certain examples, the duct adapter is positioned to abut at least a portion of the door wherein the door moves into the retracted position as the container lid moves from the closed configuration to the open configuration. In certain examples, the door further comprises a door surface and a protrusion that extends at least partially perpendicular to the door surface wherein the protrusion is substantially rigidly coupled to the door surface such that movement of the protrusion causes movement of the door surface. In certain examples, the protrusion is positioned to interfere with at least one other portion of the container lid such that the door moves into the retracted position when the container lid moves from the closed configuration to the open configuration. In certain examples, the protrusion is positioned to interfere with at least one other portion of the container lid such that the door moves into the extended position when the container lid moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration In certain examples, the opening of the second cover portion is a u-shaped cutout that extends from an inner edge of the second cover portion toward an outer edge of the second cover portion. In certain examples, the first cover portion comprises a protrusion positioned to interfere with at least a portion of the door such that the door moves into the extended position when the container lid moves from the closed configuration to the open configuration. In certain examples, the second cover portion further comprises a cover surface and a handle at least partially rigidly coupled to the cover surface, wherein movement of the handle moves the second cover portion with respect to the first cover portion. In certain examples, the container lid further comprises one or more stoppers disposed on an inner edge of the second cover portion, wherein the stoppers are configured to abut a portion of the first cover portion when the lid is in the open configuration, and wherein the stoppers are positioned to limit movement of the inner edge of the second cover portion toward the first cover portion such that the opening of the second cover portion and the opening of the first cover portion are aligned when the container lid is in the open configuration.

Certain examples of the disclosure can include a dispensing system comprising a duct having an inlet and an outlet, a source container coupled to the inlet of the duct, and a dispensing container comprising an enclosure and an opening adjacent the outlet of the duct, wherein the outlet of the duct is in communication with the opening of the dispensing container. The dispensing system can also include a container lid comprising an opening adjacent the outlet of the duct, wherein outlet of the duct and the opening of the dispensing container are in communication with the opening of the container lid, wherein the container lid is movably coupled to the receiving and disposable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the container lid is not disposed over at least a portion of the opening of the dispensing container and wherein in the closed position the container lid is disposed over the opening of the dispensing container, and wherein the duct is in communication with the dispensing container when the container lid is in the open position and when the container lid is disposed in the closed position.

In certain examples, the door is slidably coupled to the second cover portion. In certain examples, the door is rotatably coupled to the second cover portion. In certain examples, the container lid comprises a first cover portion that defines an opening disposed through a portion of the first cover portion, the first portion having an inner edge and an outer edge. The container lid can comprise a second cover portion that defines opening disposed through a portion of the second cover portion, the second cover portion having an inner edge and outer edge opposite the inner edge, the opening extending from an inner edge of the second cover portion, wherein the second cover portion is movably coupled to the first cover portion to at least partially overlap with the first cover portion The container lid can comprise a door movably coupled to the second cover portion, wherein the door is movably disposable over the opening of the second cover portion, wherein the container lid is disposable in an open configuration such that the opening of the first cover portion and the opening of the second cover portion at least partially overlap and the door is disposed in a retracted position, and wherein the container lid is disposable in a closed configuration wherein the opening of the first cover portion and the opening of the second cover portion do not overlap and the door is disposed in an extended position over the opening of the second cover portion. In certain examples, the lid further comprises a duct adapter comprising cylindrical inner surface that defines an opening, wherein the duct adapter is coupled to the first cover portion such that the duct adapter forms an extended channel with the opening of the first cover portion and the duct. In certain examples, the duct adaptor is positioned to abut at least a portion of the door wherein the door moves into the retracted position as the container lid moves from the closed configuration to the open configuration. In certain examples, the system includes an ice propeller comprising a motor and a rotatable shovel disposed at least partially in the source container, wherein the ice propeller is configured to move ice from the source container into the duct. In certain examples, the dispensing container is an insulated container. In certain examples, the system includes a gate disposed about at least a portion of the opening of the dispensing container, wherein the gate is movably disposable between the opening of the dispensing container and the duct.

Certain examples of the disclosure can include a method of dispensing ice. The method can comprise an outer container lid to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the container lid comprises a first cover portion, a second cover portion, and a door, wherein in the closed configuration an opening of the first cover portion and an opening of the second cover portion are not aligned, and the door is disposed in an extended position over the opening of the second cover portion, and wherein in the open configuration the opening of a second cover portion and the opening of a first cover portion of the lid are at least partially aligned and a door is disposed in a retracted position that does not positioned over the opening of the second cover portion. In certain examples, the method can further comprise causing ice to be expelled from an ice source through a duct and into a dispensing container. In certain examples, causing the container lid to move into the open configuration comprises causing a door to move into a retracted position. In certain examples, causing the container lid to move into the closed configuration comprises causing the door to move into an extended configuration.

In certain implementations, a dispensing system can include a dispensing container including an enclosure and an opening configured to be adjacent the outlet of the duct; and a container lid including an opening adjacent the outlet of the duct. The opening of the dispensing container can be in communication with the opening of the container lid. The container lid can be coupled to the dispensing container and movable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the container lid can be not disposed over at least a portion of the opening of the dispensing container and in the closed position the container lid can be disposed over the opening of the dispensing container. The dispensing container is capable of being in fluid communication with the duct when the container lid is in the open position and when the container lid is disposed in the closed position. In some implementations, the dispensing system may include the duct and/or a source container configured to be coupled to the duct.

In certain implementations, the container lid can include a first cover portion, a second cover portion, and a third cover portion.

In certain implementations, the third cover portion can include the opening of the container lid.

In certain implementations, the first cover portion and the second cover portion can be aligned with or positioned under the third cover portion when the container lid is in the open position.

In certain implementations, the third cover portion can include the opening of the container lid.

In certain implementations, the dispensing system can further include a duct adaptor positioned in the opening of the container lid.

In certain implementations, the first cover portion and the second cover portion can move in order to move the container lid between the open position and the closed position, and the third cover portion can be stationary.

In certain implementations, the container lid can further include a base coupled to the dispensing container, wherein the first cover portion, the second cover portion, and the third cover portion can be coupled to the base.

In certain implementations, the base can include stoppers configured to prevent or inhibit the first cover portion and the second cover portion from moving to a position where the first cover portion and the second cover portion block the opening in the container lid.

In certain implementations, tops of the first cover portion, the second cover portion, and the third cover portion can be sloped or inclined.

In certain implementations, the second cover portion and the third cover portion can include flange.

In certain implementations, the flanges can prevent or inhibit removal of the first cover portion and the second cover portion.

In certain implementations, the first cover portion can include a handle.

In certain implementations, a length of the third cover portion can be larger than a length of the second cover portion and a length of the first cover portion.

In certain implementations, a length of the first cover portion can be larger than a length of the second cover portion.

In certain implementations, a height of the first cover portion can be smaller than a height of the second cover portion, and the height of the second cover portion can be smaller than a height of the third cover portion.

In certain implementations, a method of dispensing ice can include causing a container lid of a dispensing container to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the container lid can include a first cover portion, a second cover portion, and a third cover portion, the third cover portion can include an opening. In the closed configuration the first cover portion, the second cover portion, and the third cover portion can cover an opening in the dispensing container, and in the open configuration the first cover portion and the second cover portion can be at least partially positioned in the third cover portion without blocking the opening in the third cover portion.

In certain implementations, the method can further include causing ice to be dispensed from an ice source through a duct and into a dispensing container through the opening in the third cover portion.

In certain implementations, the method can further include causing the container lid to move into the open configuration includes sliding the first cover portion and the second cover portion into the third cover portion.

In certain implementations, the method can further include causing the container lid to move into the closed configuration includes sliding the first cover portion and the second cover portion out from the third cover portion.

Various embodiments are depicted in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes and should in no way be interpreted as limiting the scope of the embodiments. Furthermore, various features of different disclosed embodiments can be combined to form additional embodiments, which are part of this disclosure.

Various ice storage and dispensing systems and methods are described below to illustrate various examples that may achieve one or more desired improvements. These examples are only illustrative and not intended in any way to restrict the general disclosure presented and the various aspects and features of this disclosure. The general principles described herein may be applied to embodiments and applications other than those discussed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments shown but is instead to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features that are disclosed or suggested herein. For example, while the container lid embodiments are described in the context of an ice container it should be appreciated that certain aspect and features of the disclosed embodiments can be use in contains used to store other types of materials.

Conventionally, ice can be stored in at least two locations in a store, beverage preparation location or restaurant. For example, ice can be stored in a source container in a storage section of the restaurant and also stored in a dispensing container at a location in the store remote from the source container, and where the ice may be served to customers. Conventionally, ice in the dispensing container is refilled by carrying ice from the source container to the dispensing container in a third container. The ice is often carried by a user such as a restaurant operator. The user carries the third container to the source container, opens the source container, scoops ice from the source container with the third container, travels to the dispensing container, opens the dispensing container and pours the ice from the third container into the dispensing container. This process can require significant time and can cause waste due to ice spillage and/or melting of the ice during transit.

To solve such problems, a system can be provided that uses a transfer duct to transfer ice between the source container and the dispensing container. As such, the source container dispenses ice from the source container, through the transfer duct and into the dispensing container. In such instances, the dispensing container can have an opening on a top side of the container, where ice from the transfer duct is disbursed into the dispensing container. However, in such an arrangement, the transfer duct is in consistent communication with the source container and the dispensing container. This is often achieved by using an at least partially open design such that the portion of the dispensing container that receives the ice is not covered. Existing sliding lids designs are not feasible for continuous distribution of ice into the dispensing container, as the sliding lid may cover an opening of the dispensing container when the dispensing container is in the open position, as a portion of the lid that may form a sliding door would cover the opening that would receive the ice.

To address these or other concerns, disclosed herein is a dispensing systemwhich is described initially with respect to. The dispensing system provides a path between a source containerand a dispensing containersuch that items such as ice, can be transferred directly from the source containerto the dispensing containerwithout requiring an additional container or requiring a person to manually pull items such as ice from the source containerto the dispensing container. The system provides a motorized and/or gravity fed system that causes ice to be removed from the source containerand transported to the dispensing containerthrough a duct. The system further provides a container lidthat allows the dispensing containerto continuously receive ice from the source containerwhile a sliding door is used to cover the dispensing containerand provide temporary access to the interior of the dispensing container. The system provides a mechanism to allow the dispensing containerto receive ice from the source containerregardless of whether the lidis in an open configuration or the closed configuration. As such, the dispensing system can accommodate continuous ice filling in the dispensing containerin ergonomically restrictive spaces (e.g., under a counter).

With continued reference to, the ductprovides an enclosed channel between the source containerand the dispensing container. The ductcan connect a plurality of containers such that objects can be moved between containers through the ductwithout the direct intervention of a user. The ductcan provide a low-friction surface such that the ductfacilitates smooth gravitationally fed transfer of objects between containers. The ductincludes an inlet, an outlet, and a duct body that extends between the inlet and the outletof the ductand defining a channel. The channel is configured to receive solid items (such as ice) and allow the solid items to pass therethrough. The ductcan be a flexible duct such that the ductcan be routed through portions of a building such as a restaurant so that the inletand the outletcan be disposed in locations remote from each other. In the example shown in, the ducthas a circular cross section, but in other examples, the ductcan have other cross section shapes suitable to allow solid objects such as cubed ice or crushed ice to pass therethrough (e.g., square cross section or rectangular cross section). The ductcan be positioned such that an inletof the ductcan be disposed at a location further from the ground than the outletof the duct. As such, the ductcan be configured to support gravity fed transportation of objects therethrough. In some examples, the ductis flexible, but in other examples the ductis rigid. In some examples the ductis at least partially transparent, but in other examples, the ductis not transparent. In some examples, the ductcan have a diameter from about 0.5 in. to about 3 in., the ductcan have a length up to about 75 ft. In some examples, the dispensing systemdoes not include a duct, and the source containeris in direct communication with the container lid. In some examples the ducthas a continuous diameter, and in other examples, the diameter of the ductincreases and/or decreases along the length of the duct. The ductcan be formed from a material that allows objects to pass therethrough with relatively low friction. For example, the ductcan be made from any food safe material. For example, in some examples, the ductcan be made from a polymer, stainless steel or aluminum.

With continued reference to, the source containeris provided to hold objects such as ice that can be distributed through the duct. In some examples, the source containeris an insulated container, provided to maintain a temperature of objects such as ice that are stored therein. The source containerincludes a container body having an inner surface defining an inner volume and at least partially encloses objects held in the source container. The source containerincludes an inlet provided to receive objects into the enclosure, the source containeralso includes an outlet provided to allow objects to pass out of the source containerand into the duct. The inlet can be a door, or a continuous opening that allows objects to be put into the inner volume of the source container. The inlet can have an opening with a width about 12-48 in. and a length about 12-36 in. The outlet can be a door or a continuous opening that allows to pass out of the inner volume of the source container. The outlet can have a cross sectional area from about 0.5 sq in., to about 30 sq in. The container body can include single layer of material surrounding the inner volume, or a plurality of layers surrounding the inner volume. The source containercan have an inner volume from about 5 cu ft to about 40 cu ft. In some examples, the container is formed from polyethylene. In some examples, the source containercan include an insulated material such as high-density polyurethane-based foam that surrounds at least a portion of the inner volume. The outlet of the container is adjacent the inletof the ductsuch that items let out of the outlet are ejected into the duct.

The source containercan include an ice propeller thereinthat includes a motorand a rotatable shovel to push items such as ice through the outlet and out of the source container. In some examples, the motoris an electric motor is coupled to a shovel. The shovel is provided to push ice toward the outlet of the source containeras the motorspins. In other examples, the items are drawn out of the outlet by gravity. In such examples, the outlet can be disposed closer to the ground than other portions of the source container forming a ramp that allows the objects to slide through the outlet and out of the container toward the duct. In some examples, the source container, can include a door (e.g., a rotating door or a sliding door) disposed about the outlet of the source container. In some other examples, the source containerdoes not include a door and the outlet of the source containeris in substantially continuous direct communication with the inletof the duct.

As shown in, The dispensing containeris provided to hold objects such as ice that have been distributed through the duct. In some examples, the dispensing containeris an insulated container, provided to maintain a temperature of objects such as ice that are stored therein. The dispensing containerincludes a container body having an inner surface defining an inner volume and at least partially encloses objects held in the dispensing container. The dispensing containerincludes an opening that forms a mouth of the dispensing container. The dispensing container has an openingwhere at least a portion of the lidcan be disposed. The lidcan have a stationary portion or first portion that has an inlet openingthrough which the duct can be positioned. The openingcan be positioned such that the ductextends through the inlet in the lid such that the outletof the ductextends below the lid and into the dispensing container. The opening is provided to receive objects into the enclosure. For example, the opening can be in fluidic communication with the outletof the duct, such that items passing out of the outletof the ductcan pass into the opening of the container. The openingis further provided to allow objects to be removed from the dispensing container. For example, ice can be scooped out of the dispensing containerthrough the opening. The openingcan have a cross sectional area from about 1 cu ft to about 30 cubic feet. In some examples, a gateis disposed about a portion of the opening, such that the gate can movably close and open independent of the lidto allow or restrict communication between the ductand the dispensing container. For example, the gatecan be a slidable door or a rotatable door disposed about the openingof the dispensing container.

The dispensing containercan further include connectors to interface with a sliding container door, such as rails surrounding at least a portion of the outlet of the duct. In some examples, the container lidcan connect to the rails and slide along the rails. In some examples, the container body of the dispensing containercan include single layer of material surrounding the inner volume, or a plurality of layers surrounding the inner volume. The dispensing containercan have an inner volume from about 1 cu ft to about 30 cu ft). In some examples, the dispensing containeris formed from stainless steel. In some examples, the dispensing containercan include an insulated material such as high-density polyurethane-based foam that surrounds at least a portion of the inner volume.

The container lidprovides a cover for openingof the dispensing container. The container lidcan be opened in an ergonomically confined space without blocking the inlet that receives ice from the source container. The container lidis further provided to couple to the dispensing containersuch that an opening in the container lidis adjacent the of the duct. The opening of the container lidis provided to allow the dispensing containerto be in communication with the opening of the container lidand the channel of the duct. As such, the container lidis not disposed over at least a portion of the opening of the dispensing containerduring operation. As such, the ductremains in communication with the dispensing containerwhen the container lidis in the open position and when the container lidis disposed in the closed position.

With reference now to, The container lidincludes a first cover portion, a second cover portioncoupled to the first cover portion, a doorcoupled to the second cover portionand a duct adaptercoupled to the first cover portion.

The first cover portionprovides a fixed cover for a portion of the opening of dispensing container. The first cover portionfurther provides a base for the container lidto move relative to itself. The first cover portionincludes an inner edge, an outer edgeopposite and spaced apart from the inner edge, and a cover bodythat extends between the inner edgeand the outer edge. The cover bodyof the first cover portiondefines the openingthat extends through at least part of the first cover portion. In some examples, such as the example shown in, the first cover portioncan include a protrusionthat extends along the outer edgeof the first cover portionand extends perpendicular to the cover body of the first cover portion. The protrusionis provided to abut a portion of a door(described below) of the second cover portionsuch as a protrusion of the door. In some examples, the first cover portionincludes rails(shown inand described in more detail below) that extend at least partially between the inner edgeand the outer edgeof the first cover portion. The railsare configured to receive at least a portion of the second cover portionand provide a surface to slide against the second cover portion.

In some examples, such as the in the example shown in, the lengths of the edges of the first cover portioncan be the same, or the length of the inner edgecan be greater or smaller than the length of the outer edge. The lengths of the edges of the first cover portioncan be selected to correspond with the size of at least one edge of the opening of the dispensing container. The first cover portioncan have an edge length (first cover portion width) from about 12 in. to about 36 in. The protrusioncan be formed from rigid food safe materials.

As shown in, the second cover portionis provided to be a door that covers a portion of a container such as the dispensing containerand can be moved back and forth with respect to the first cover portionbetween a closed position and an open position to provide access to the interior of the dispensing container. The second cover portionincludes an inner edgeand an outer edgeopposite and spaced apart from the inner edge, and a cover bodythat includes at least one cover surface and that extends between the inner edgeand the outer edge. The cover bodyof the second cover portionincludes cut-out edges that define a cut-out opening. In some examples, such as the example shown in, the cover bodyof the second cover portionhas a u-shaped cut out edge that defines a u-shaped opening which extends from the inner edgeof the second cover portion.

In some examples, such as the example shown in, the second cover portionfurther includes a handle(see e.g.,) at least partially rigidly coupled to the cover surface such that movement of the handleslidably moves the second cover portionwith respect to the first cover portion. The handleshown inis a protrusion that extends from the outer edgeof the second cover portion. But in other examples, the handle can be other suitable handles such as a knob or an arch shaped handle. The handle can be separately formed from the second cover portionor integrally formed with the second cover portion.

In some examples, such as the in the example shown in, the lengths of the edges of the second cover portioncan be the same, or the length of the inner edgecan be different from the length of the outer edge. The lengths of the edges of the second cover portioncan be selected to correspond with the size of at least one edge of the opening of the dispensing container. The second cover portioncan have an edge length (second cover portion width) from about 12 in. to about 36 in. The protrusioncan be formed from rigid food safe materials.

shows a detailed view of an example of the door. The dooris provided to cover the cut-outof the second cover portionwhen the container lidis in the closed configuration. The doorincludes an inner edge, an outer edgeopposite and spaced apart from the inner edge, and a door bodythat extends between the inner edgeand the outer edge. The doorincludes railsthat define channelsthat extend along at least a portion of the doorbetween the inner edgeand the outer edgeof the door. The channelsare couplable to the second cover portionsuch that the channelsof the doorextend over either side of at least a portion of the cut-out edges such that the dooris slidably coupled to the second cover portionand slidably disposable over the cut-outof the second cover portion. The dooris disposable in an extended position where the doorcovers substantially all of the cut-outof the second cover portion. The dooris also slidably disposable in a retracted position where the doordoes not cover at least a portion of the cut-outof the second cover portion.

The doorincludes the protrusionthat extends from the door bodyin a direction perpendicular to the door body. The protrusionprovides a stop that abuts at least a portion of the container lidsuch that the doorslides independently from other portions of the container lid. The protrusioncan be uniformly formed from the same material as the door body, as shown in. But in other examples, the protrusioncan be an attachment formed from the same material as the door bodyor another material. The door bodyand protrusioncan be formed from rigid food safe materials.

In some examples, the protrusionof the first cover portionabuts the doorsuch that the doorcan be slidably moved with respect to the second cover portionas the doormoves between the open configuration and the closed configuration. For example, at least a portion of the doorcan abut the protrusionof the first cover portionwhen the second cover portionis being moved to the closed configuration. Additionally, the dooris moved to an extended position as the second cover portionis being moved to the closed configuration.

In some examples, the container lidis disposable in the open configuration such that the openingof the first cover portionand the cut-outof the second cover portionat least partially overlap. In the open configuration, the dooris disposed in a retracted position. The container lidis further disposable in the closed configuration wherein the openingof the first cover portionand the cut-outof the second cover portiondo not overlap and the dooris disposed in an extended position over the cut-outof the second cover portion.