Automatic ice bagger with self-contained sanitizing system

IS 2 170 790 T3

DESCRIPTION

Apparatus and method for sanitizing ice storage media.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically bagging discrete units of ice produced by an associated apparatus.

Many people require particulate ice on a daily basis for cooling food and beverages. These people often satisfy their ice needs by buying bagged ice at grocery stores, neighborhood stores, gas stations, etc. Currently, ice companies produce and bag particulate ice in a separate location and then distribute the bagged ice to stores. When stores sell the particulate ice produced by ice companies, their profit margins are nominal and, in some cases, only cover the cost of storing and refrigerating the ice. Typically, particulate ice produced by ice companies costs stores only slightly less than the actual resale price of that ice to the public. Therefore, for the moment, the stores sell ice maís as a public service rather than a profit-oriented operation. Consequently, any store-mounted apparatus to make, bag, and distribute particulate ice to the public is highly desirable.

US Patent No. 4,368,608, issued to Ray, makes one such apparatus and describes an ice bagging machine in which an ice machine freezes and cubes a measured quantity of water and then drops the cubes directly into a bag located under a chute connected to the ice machine. Although Ray's apparatus automatically bags particulate ice, its freezing of the measured amount of water followed by the ice cubes falling directly into the bag causes operational problems. Specifically, freezing the measured amount of water often results in less than complete ice collection, which results in the undesirable consequence of selling ice bags with less ice than the amount printed on the bag. . Also, by dropping the ice directly from the ice machine into the bag, thawed water enters the bag when the ice cubes are frozen together to form a solid block of ice instead of the desired particulate ice.

US Patent No.^° 5,109,651, issued May 5, 1992 to Stuart, describes an ice bagging machine that improves upon Ray's apparatus. The ice bagging machine described in Stuart's first distributes ice made by an ice machine to a hopper prior to bagging. The hopper includes a drain so that any excess water drains off the ice before it is bagged. Stuart's apparatus includes an auger that transports the ice from the hopper to a chute that supplies the ice to a bag located below the chute. A bag conveyor sequentially grabs each individual bag from a bag supply and transports each bag to a position below the chute, so that it rests on an elliptical scale. The auger supplies the ice from the hopper and into the bag through the chute until the strain gauge registers the preselected weight of the ice within the bag. A sealing arm is then pivoted to seal the bag which is then dropped to a vending apparatus.

Although Stuart's ice bagging machine improves upon Ray's ice bagging machine, it also suffers from operational disadvantages. First, the elliptical scale often provides an inaccurate reading of the actual weight of the ice inside the bag. As the ice falls into the bag, it bounces off the scale housing which vibrates the spring, resulting in an inaccurate measurement of the weight of the ice inside the bag. Also, both the cold and the aging of the spring change its elasticity, which makes it register different weights depending on its temperature and age. Additionally, the spring has a tendency to stick, which results in the scale sensor disconnecting after the bag has already overflowed. When this occurs, the sealing arm clogs the ice bagging machine causing it to stop producing bagged ice. In addition, the ice inside the machine melts to produce dirt that must be cleaned by store personnel.

Second, the scale housing includes doors that open to deposit the ice packs within the vendor, in exactly the same location on the vendor apparatus during each dispensing. If the ice packs were allowed to accumulate in the same location within the vending apparatus, they would eventually pile up to jam the doors, resulting in a system failure. Consequently, the Stuart ice bagging machine requires store personnel to redistribute the bags within the vending apparatus on a regular basis.

Finally, and importantly to me, Stuart's ice bagging machine fails to include an automated sanitation system for its hopper. Government regulations require periodic sanitation of all hoppers used in stores to house unbagged ice. In addition, these provisions require that ice bagging machines that sell ice directly to the public include automated sanitation systems for their hoppers. Consequently, the Stuart ice bagging machine is unsuitable for use in stores that sell ice directly to the public because it does not contain any automated sanitation systems.

US Patent No.^° 4,058,383 describes a method and apparatus for cleaning the ice machine of a beverage dispensing machine that includes a carbonator in which sparkling water can be introduced into the ice machine for cleaning purposes. The present invention is not restricted to the use of sparkling water for cleaning purposes, as it can be adapted for use with any suitable sanitation agent or solution.

An object of the present invention is to provide

ES 2 cing an ice bagging machine with an automatic sanitation system.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus according to claim 1.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method is provided according to claim 12.

Preferably, the sanitation system comprises a line connecting to a water source to supply water to the hopper. A solenoid valve is mounted to the line between the water source and the hopper to control the flow of water to the hopper. During periods when the ice bagging unit does not bag ice because the vending apparatus is full, any ice left inside the hopper has to be removed, to prevent it from freezing together to form pieces of ice unsuitable for bagging. When that happens, the solenoid is activated to allow the line to spray water into the hopper, to melt the ice and pull it down the hopper discharge. The hopper includes an outlet for spray water and for melted ice and, importantly, for melt ice produced during bagging operations, to prevent the water from being pocketed with the ice.

Preferably also, the sanitation system further includes a tub that communicates with the outlet of the hopper to receive the melted ice and any water used to flush the ice from the hopper. The vat initially stores the melted ice and water and then supplies them to a drain, under the control of a flow controller. Additionally, the sanitation system may comprise a first pump that communicates with a source of sanitation agent to supply the sanitation agent to the tub, where it mixes with the water stored within the tub to form a sanitation solution. A second pump can also communicate with the tank to supply the sanitation solution from the tank to the hopper, thereby cleaning it.

Therefore, preferably, to sanitize the hopper the solenoid valve, for the line connected to the water source, is opened to allow the supply of water to the hopper. The water enters the hopper and melts the ice and forces the melted ice through the hopper outlet and into the tub. When all the ice melts, the solenoid valve closes. During hopper sanitation, the flow controller connected between the bowl and the drain prevents water from draining from the bowl. After the water enters the tank, the first pump supplies the sanitizing agent to the tank to form the sanitation solution. The second pump then pumps the sanitation solution into the hopper, where the solution still cleans the hopper and then returns to the tank for recirculation.

Once the hopper has been sanitized, preferably, the flow controller allows the sanitation solution to drain from the vat. However, after the sanitation solution drains from the tub, the solenoid located on the line connected to the water source opens, and the flow controller prevents the water entering the tub from reaching the drain.

790 T3 4

After the vat is filled with water, the solenoid valve closes and the second pump is then reactivated to circulate water from the vat through the hopper to rinse any residual sanitation solution from the hopper.

Preferably, at the conclusion of the hopper rinse, the second pump is deactivated and the ice machine begins to make and supply ice to the hopper. In addition, the flow controller allows any water that enters the tub to reach the drain. After the hopper is filled with a first ice collection, the solenoid valve, for the line connected to the water source, opens again to allow the supply of water to the hopper. The water enters the hopper and melts the ice and forces the melted ice through the hopper outlet and into the tub. The sanitation system performs this second ice flush to ensure that no sanitation solution is pocketed with the ice. When all the ice has melted, the solenoid valve closes and the bagging unit returns to normal operation.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the casing of an ice bagging machine of the present invention;

theFig. 2 is a front elevation view in partial cross section depicting hoppers and augers of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a cutaway perspective view showing a first embodiment of the sanitation system of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram further illustrating the first embodiment of the sanitation system of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the sanitation system of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the sanitation system of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a control system for the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 1, ice bagging machine 10 includes ice making machines 11 and 12 that receive water from a water source, such as a public water line, and produce particulate ice (e.g. , cube or crescent shaped pieces) with average dimensions from 12.7 to 63.5 mm. Illustratively, ice machines 11 and 12 can be operated using a HOSHIZAKI KM 1,200 (R) manufactured by Hoshizaki America, Inc. and described in US Patent No. 4,368,608. Alternatively, ice making machines still producing chunk or crushed ice can be used to operate ice making machines 11 and 12. The ice bagging machine 10 also includes an ice bagging unit 13 that receives ice from the manufacturing machines 11 and 12.

ES 2 170 790 T3 car ice, transfers the ice to individual bags, seals those bags, and then supplies the ice bags to the vending apparatus 14, where consumers can remove them.

As shown in Fig. 2, the ice bagging unit 13 includes a hopper 15 that communicates with the outlet for ice from the ice machine 11 to provide a storage cube for ice dispensed from the machine 11. ice. Similarly, hopper 16 communicates with the ice outlet from ice machine 12 to provide a storage bucket for ice dispensed from ice machine 12. In the preferred embodiment, hoppers 15 and 16 are constructed of a plasticized material to prevent ice from freezing on their interior walls. The hoppers 15 and 16 are mounted on the frame 17 of the ice bagging unit 13 using any suitable means, such as screws. Auger 18 remains within auger housing 20 and functions to supply ice from hopper 16 to chute 19. Auger 18 connects at one end to motor 23 (see Fig. 3) and at its opposite end to frame 17 using a universal joint 22. Auger housing 20 provides a closed path for ice supplied from hopper 16 to chute 19 via auger 18. Auger housing 20 connects to hopper 16 on outlet 21 of hopper 16 and is mounted to frame 17 using any suitable means, such as welding.

To facilitate the supply of ice from hopper 16 to chute 19, motor 23 drives auger 18 so that it pulls ice from hopper 16. As auger 18 continues to rotate, it forces ice through casing 20 from the auger and out of the outlet 24 of the auger housing 20 to the chute 19. Chute 19 receives the ice and guides it to an open bag located below it. When the bag is full, the motor 23 stops and then reverses the auger 18 slightly, to again pull the ice into the auger housing 20 from the outlet 24 of the auger casing. Motor 23 reverses auger 18 to prevent ice from exiting auger housing 20 when no bag remains below chute 19. Without the reversal of the auger 18, ice will fall from the auger housing 20 into the vendor apparatus 14, resulting in fouling that must be cleaned up by store personnel.

Even though the auger mechanism connected with the hopper 15 has not been described, it comprises the same components and works identically as the auger mechanism connected with the hopper 16. However, the auger of the hopper 15 is activated separately from the hopper. auger 18, to supply ice to chute 19 and fill a bag located below it. That is, only one of the hoppers 15 and 16 is used to supply ice to a bag located below the chute 19. Illustratively, the auger motor 23 is repeatedly activated to fill bags with ice until the ice is inside. the hopper is exhausted. The hopper auger motor 15 is then repeatedly activated to fill bags with ice until hopper 15 supplies ice to bags sequentially below chute 19, ice machine 12 fills hopper 16 with ice. Similarly, ice maker 11 fills hopper 16 with ice, while auger 18 again supplies ice to bags sequentially below chute 19. Although a preferred embodiment describes two ice machines and two hoppers, only one ice machine and one hopper are actually required. However, any number of ice makers and hoppers can be used to operate the ice bagging machine 10.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a first embodiment of the sanitation system 120 for an ice bagging machine includes line 121. Line 121 connects at its inlet to a water source, such as a public water line. , and at its outlet with the hopper 16. The outlet from line 121 communicates with the interior of hopper 16 through an opening in hopper 16, is secured to hopper 16 through an opening in hopper 16, and is secured to hopper 16 using any suitable means. , just like a maensula. In addition, nozzle 122 connects to the outlet from line 121 to provide a spray of water into hopper 16, while solenoid valve 123 remains within line 121 to control the flow of water from the water source to hopper 16.

The sanitation system 120 also includes the tank 124 that receives water from the hopper 16 through the outlet 125 and the overflow 126, which both communicate with the interior of the hopper 16. The tank 124 includes the partition 127 that divides the tank 124 in reservoir 128 and in drainage channel 129. Reservoir 128 receives water from hopper 16, via outlet 125 and overflow 126, and collects that water for use in sanitation hopper 16. The septum 127 includes the orifice 130 that facilitates the flow of water from the reservoir 128 to the drain channel 129. The drain channel 129 includes the outlet 131 that connects to a drain (not shown) through the line 132, to providing an outlet for the water entering the drain channel 129 from the tank 128, to prevent the tank 128 from overflowing. Additionally, the top of the partition 127 ends near the top of the basin 124 to form the spillway 143. The spillway 143 ensures that the basin 124 does not overflow by providing a runoff that allows excess water into the reservoir. 128 quickly reach the drain through the drain channel 129.

Pump 135 delivers a sanitizing agent, such as bleach, from source 133 of sanitizing agent to the water contained within reservoir 128, through lines 134 and 136, to form the sanitation solution used to clean the hopper. 16. Once the sanitation solution has formed, the pump

138 pumps the solution to hopper 16 through lines 137 and 139. Outlets from line

139 communicate with the interior of the hopper 16,

ES 2 170 790 T3 through openings in hopper 16, and hopper 16 is secured using any suitable means, such as a bracket. In addition, nozzles 140-142 connect to the outlets from line 139 to spray the inside of the hopper with sanitation solution, thereby sanitizing the inside surface of the hopper.

The sanitation system 120 removes ice stored in the hopper 16 during periods in which the ice bagging machine 10 remains inactive for longer than a set period of time (30 minutes in this first embodiment) to prevent old ice from being dispensed to. the clients. Additionally, if ice settles inside the hopper for an extended period of time, it will freeze together to form large chunks unsuitable for bagging. Consequently, after the expiration of the set period of time, the solenoid valve 123 opens for a predetermined period of time (15 minutes in this first embodiment) to allow the supply of water to the hopper 16 through line 121. The water entering the hopper 16 melts the ice inside and forces the melted ice to the deposit 128 through the outlet 125 and the overflow 126 of the hopper 16.

In addition, the sanitation system 120 periodically sprays sanitation solution into the hopper 16 to kill any residual bacteria. Illustratively, at the expiration of a set second period of time (30 days in this first embodiment), the solenoid valve 123 is activated for a predetermined period of time (15 minutes in this first embodiment) to allow the supply of water. to hopper 16. The water entering the hopper 16 melts the ice and forces the resulting water into deposit 128, as previously described. Solenoid valve 123 is then deactivated and pump 135 is activated for a predetermined period of time (10 seconds in this first embodiment) to pump sanitation agent from source 133 of sanitation agent to reservoir 128 to form a sanitation solution. .

After the pump 135 is deactivated, the pump 138 is activated for a first predetermined period of time (30 minutes in this first embodiment) to supply the sanitation solution to the hopper 16, where it cleans the hopper 16 and returns to the tank. 128 for recirculation. Additionally, during the 30 minute sanitation cycle, pump 135 is periodically reactivated a predetermined number of times (3 in this first embodiment) to refresh the sanitation solution by pumping additional sanitation agent to reservoir 128. At the expiration of the 30 minute sanitation cycle, the pump 138 is deactivated so that the sanitation solution returns to the reservoir 128, where it enters the drainage channel 129 through a hole 130 and a spillway 143 for disposal. supply to drain.

Once the sanitation solution drains from reservoir 128, solenoid valve 123 is actuated again to fill reservoir 128 with water. After the tank 128 is filled with water, the pump 138 is operated again for a second predetermined period of time (15 minutes in this first embodiment) to supply the water to the hopper 16, in which the hopper 16 is rinsed and it returns to tank 128 for recirculation. Pump 138 circulates the water contained in reservoir 128 for its second predetermined period of time (15 minutes in this first embodiment) to allow flushing of any residual sanitation solution from hopper 16.

At the completion of the rinse cycle, ice maker 12 is activated to make and supply a first collection of ice to hopper 16. During filling of hopper 16 with ice, the water within reservoir 128 drains through a drainage channel 129. When the hopper 16 fills with ice, the solenoid valve 123 opens for a predetermined period of time (15 minutes in this first embodiment) to again allow the supply of water to the hopper 16 via line 121. The Water entering hopper 16 melts the first ice collection and forces the melted ice into reservoir 128 through outlet 125 and overflow 126 of hopper 16. The sanitation system 120 removes the first collection of ice into hopper 16, at the completion of a sanitation cycle, to ensure that no residual sanitation solution is pocketed with the ice. After the solenoid valve 123 closes, at the end of the predetermined period of time, the ice bagging unit 13 resumes normal ice bagging operations.

Referring to FIG. 5, a second embodiment of sanitation system 120 for an ice bagging machine will be described. In the second embodiment of the sanitation system 120, line 121 connects in a T connection with line 139 to feed water to hopper 16 through nozzles 140-142 of line 139. To ensure that water supplied from the water source does not flow to pump 138, line 139 includes a check valve 145 that prevents water from flowing to pump 138 from the water source. Furthermore, the septum 127 has been removed, so that the vessel 124 forms a unique deposit. With the removal of septum 127, outlet 131 and line 132 have been removed and line 137 connected to both pump 138 and drain through valve 144, which comprises a solenoid actuated three-way valve.

During normal operation of the ice bagging unit 13 and the dumping of old ice from the hopper 16, as previously described, the valve 144 remains open to connect the tub to the drain, thereby preventing it from overflowing. However, to sanitize hopper 16, solenoid valve 123 is opened for a predetermined period of time (15 minutes in this second embodiment) to allow supply of water to hopper 16 through line 139 and nozzles 140. -142. This water melts the ice inside the hopper 16 and drags the resulting ice water into the tank124 through discharge 125 and the overflow 126. Near the end of the cycle of dragging by dis5

In charging, valve 144 is closed, as shown in Fig. 14, to prevent water from flowing from tub 124.

Once the solenoid valve 123 is released, the pump 135 is activated for a predetermined period of time (10 seconds in this second embodiment) to pump sanitation agent from the sanitation agent source 133 to the water contained in it. tub 124. When pump 135 is turned off, valve 144 opens to allow sanitation solution to flow from tub 124 to pump 138. Thereafter, pump 138 is activated for a first predetermined period (30 minutes in this second embodiment) to pump the sanitation solution into hopper 16 through line 139 and nozzles 140-142. At the expiration of the 30 minute sanitation cycle, the pump 138 is deactivated, once the valve 144 moves to its initial position, which connects the tank 124 to the drain, so that the sanitation solution drains from the tank 124 .

After the sanitation solution drains from tub 124, valve 144 is moved back into position, connecting tub 124 with pump 138, and solenoid valve 123 is reopened to fill tub 124. Once vat 124 fills, solenoid valve 123 is de-actuated and pump 138 is activated for a predetermined second period of time (15 minutes in this second embodiment) to provide a water rinse that removes the water solution. residual sanitation of the interior of the hopper 16. At the expiration of the rinse period, the pump 138 is deactivated and the valve 144 moves back to its initial position, which connects the tub 124 with the drain.

Additionally, ice maker 12 is activated to make and supply a first collection of ice to hopper 16. When hopper 16 fills with ice, solenoid valve 123 opens for a predetermined period of time (15 minutes in this second embodiment) to again allow the supply of water to the hopper 16 through the line 121. The water entering the hopper 16 melts the first ice collection and forces the melted ice into the bowl 124 through the outlet 125 and overflow 126 of the hopper 16. The sanitation system 120 removes the first ice collection into of hopper 16 at the end of a sanitation cycle to ensure that no residual sanitation solution is bagged with ice. After the solenoid valve 123 closes at the end of the predetermined period of time, the ice bagging unit 13 resumes normal ice bagging operations.

Referring to FIG. 6, a third embodiment of sanitation system 120 for an ice bagging machine will be described. In the third embodiment of the sanitation system 120, line 121 connects in a tee connection with line 139 to feed water to hopper 16 through nozzles 140-142 of line 139. To ensure that water supplied from the water source does not flow to pump 138, line 139 includes check valve 145 that prevents water from flowing to pump 138 from the water source. Furthermore, the septum 127 has been removed, so that the vat 124 forms a uanic deposit. With the removal of septum 127, line 132 includes valve 147 to control the flow of water and sanitation solution from outlet 131 of tub 124. Additionally, line 137 includes valve 148 for controlling the flow of sanitation solution from tub 124 to pump 138. Both valves 147 and 148 comprise a solenoid actuated two-valve valve.

During normal operation of the ice bagging unit 13 and dumping old ice from the hopper 16, as previously described, the valve 148 closes to lock the pump 138 from the tub 124, while the Valve 147 opens to connect tub 124 to the drain, thereby preventing it from overflowing. However, to sanitize the hopper 16, the solenoid valve 123 is opened for a predetermined period of time (15 minutes in this third embodiment), to allow the supply of water to the hopper 16 through line 139 and the pipes. nozzles 140-142. That water melts the ice within hopper 16 and flushes the resulting ice water into tub 124 through outlet 125 and overflow 126. Near the end of the flush cycle, valve 147 closes, as shown in FIG. 15, to prevent water from flowing from tub 124.

When the solenoid valve 123 is no longer actuated, the pump 135 is activated for a predetermined period of time (10 seconds in this third embodiment), to pump sanitation agent from the source 133 of sanitation agent to the water contained in the tank. 124. Once pump 135 is deactivated, valve 148 opens to allow sanitation solution to flow from vat 124 to pump 138. Thereafter, pump 138 is activated for a first predetermined period of time (30 minutes in this third embodiment), to pump the sanitation solution into hopper 16 through line 139 and nozzles 140-142. At the expiration of the 30 minute sanitation cycle, pump 138 is deactivated, once valve 148 closes and valve 147 opens to connect tank 124 to the drain, which removes the sanitation solution from tank 124 .

After the sanitation solution drains from tub 124, valve 147 closes while valve 148 opens. Solenoid valve 123 is then opened to fill vat 124 with water. Once vat 124 fills, solenoid valve 123 is released and pump 138 is activated for a second predetermined period of time (15 minutes in this third embodiment), to provide a water rinse that removes solution from residual sanitation of the interior of the hopper 16. At the expiration of the rinse period, the pump 138 is deactivated while the valve 148 is closed, and the valve 147 is opened to connect the bowl 124 to the drain.

In addition, the ice machine 12 is activated to make and supply a first re6.

ES 2 170 790 T3 ice collection to hopper 16. When hopper 16 fills with ice, solenoid valve 123 opens for a predetermined period of time (15 minutes in this third embodiment), to allow supply again. of water to hopper 16 through line 121. Water entering hopper 16 melts the first ice collection and forces melted ice into bowl 124 through outlet 125 and overflow 126 of hopper 16 . The sanitation system 120 removes the first collection of ice within hopper 16 at the completion of a sanitation cycle, to ensure that no residual sanitation solution is pocketed with the ice. After the solenoid valve 123 closes at the end of the predetermined period of time, the ice bagging unit 13 resumes normal ice bagging operations.

Although the sanitation of the hopper 15 has not been described, the components and operation of its sanitation system are identical to the sanitation system 120 in each of the three embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 7, a control system 200 incorporating a plurality of sensors 210 and actuators 212 to automatically control the sequential actuation of components of the inventive ice-bagging, ice-bagging, or ice-making apparatus of the invention. heavy, storage, supply and sanitation. Control system 200 includes processor unit 201, operator control 202, patch board 204, power supply 205, and drive board 208. In a preferred arrangement, an 8031 ​​processor and associated RAMs and ROMs. they operate a processor unit 201. Power supply 205 provides the 5V DC shunt necessary to drive processor unit 201 and operator control 202. Additionally, interconnect board 204 provides connection points that allow electrical coupling of processor unit 201, operator control 202, power supply 205, drive board 208, and various sensors 210 required to drive the device. control system 200, as depicted in FIG. 7. The sensors 210 used in the ice bagging machine 10 comprise photo-optic sensors that develop a digital signal readable by the processor 8031 ​​of the processor unit 201, when disconnected.

The drive board 208 comprises a plurality of relays, the number of which corresponds to the number of actuators 212 represented in Fig. 7. Each relay connects with one of the actuators 212 and with a 120 V alternating current input, such as a line. standard public energy. The relays also connect to patch board 204 to receive control signals from processing unit 201. The control signals received regulate the activation of the relays to control the supply of the 120 V alternating current input to each actuator. Additionally, a circuit breaker 206 trips in response to rapid power variations or power surges, to prevent damage to the actuators of the ice bagging machine 10.

Sensors 210 perceive the various steps involved in producing ice, the precise filling of a predetermined quantity of such ice in bags, the heat sealing of said bags, the supply of such filled bags to a vending apparatus, and the sanitation of the apparatus.

Actuators 212, under the control of sensors 210, actuate the various mechanical components necessary to achieve the sequential steps referred to in the preceding paragraph. These stages can be performed in manual, standby or automated modes.

It should be noted that several of the sensors and actuators shown in Fig. 7 refer to stages or components of the process that have not been specifically referred to in the present application, as they do not concern the process and sanitation apparatus to which they are refers to the present application. Process steps and components not referred to in the present application are, however, mentioned in copending European Patent Application No. 00105810.6 as well, which is a divisional application of the present application.

Operator control 202 comprises a keyboard that allows manipulation of ice bagging machine 10 and a numeric keypad that allows an operator to enter system control values ​​(see FIG. 1). Operator control 202 further comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD), which displays the values ​​entered by the operator during entry and the number of bags filled with ice during bagging operations. The keypad allows a system operator to select one of the manual, standby or automatic modes of operation for the ice bagging machine 10.

In standby mode, the ice bagging machine 10 stops, however, in manual mode a system operator can manually control bagging, bag sealing, bag weighing and the supply of ice to a clamped bag. and open under the chute 19. The numeric keypad allows the system operator to enter the actuation times in automatic mode for the heat sealing and for the motors 23 and 230 of the worm screw. Accordingly, when the system operator selects the automated mode, the processor unit 201 controls the operation of the ice bagging machine 10 to sequentially fill bags with ice and supply them to the vending apparatus 14.

Hopper 15 includes sensor 217 mounted on its upper portion and sensor 219 mounted on its lower portion. Similarly, hopper 16 includes sensor 218 mounted on its upper portion and sensor 220 mounted on its lower portion. Sensors 219 and 220 remain in the lower portions of their respective hoppers 15 and 16 to inform processor unit 201 if there is enough ice remaining within the hoppers to proceed with bagging operations. That is, sensors 219 and 220 disconnect in response to any of the 7

ES 2 170 790 T3 ice efficiency, to provide signals indicating that deficiency to the processor unit 201.

The processor unit 201 receives those signals and generates control signals received by the drive board 208. The relays that control the operation of the ice machines 11 and 12 receive the control signals and are actuated to supply the current input. toggles 120 V to Ice Makers 11 and 12. Ice machines 11 and 12 are activated to make ice supplying hoppers 15 and 16, respectively. Ice machines 11 and 12 supply ice to their respective hoppers 15 and 16 until sensors 217 and 218 turn off to inform processor unit 201 that hoppers 15 and 16 are full. In response, the processor unit 201 deactivates the relays on the drive board 208, which connect the ice machines 11 and 12 to the 120 V AC input.

Processor unit 201 includes a first timer that starts running the moment ice bagging operations cease. If the ice bagging operations have not resumed before the first timer has timed out (30 minutes in the preferred embodiment), the processor unit 201 suspends the ice bagging operations and generates a control signal. which activates the solenoid valves included in the actuator bank 212 for a predetermined period of time (15 minutes in the preferred embodiment). With the solenoid valves open, the water enters the hoppers 16 and 15, respectively, to melt the ice and flush the melted ice from the hoppers, thus preventing the old ice from being bagged and sold to the public. At the expiration of the predetermined period of time, the processor unit 201 deactivates the solenoid valves to stop the flow of water to hoppers 15 and 16.

Processor unit 201 further includes a second timer that determines how often hoppers 15 and 16 are sanitized (every 30 days in the preferred embodiment). When the second timer expires, the processor unit 201 activates the solenoid valves for a predetermined period of time (15 minutes in the preferred embodiment), to discharge any ice within the hoppers to the bins of the containers. respective sanitation systems. Once the predetermined period for dragging has expired, the processor unit 201 closes the solenoid valves and activates the first pumps included in the actuator bank 212 for a predetermined period of time (10 seconds in the preferred embodiment), to supply the sanitation agents to the tanks of the sanitation systems, thus forming the sanitation solution.

The processor unit 201 then deactivates the first pumps and activates additional pumps included in the actuators 212 for a first predetermined period (30 minutes in the preferred embodiment). These additional pumps supply the sanitation solution to hoppers 15 and 16, respectively, to remove any bacteria from hoppers 15 and 16. Additionally, the processor unit 201 periodically activates the first pumps (3 times in the preferred embodiment) during the sanitation solution circulation cycle to refresh the sanitation solution with the sanitation agent. At the expiration of the sanitation solution circulation cycle, the processor unit 201 deactivates the additional pumps and reactivates the solenoid valves to fill the reservoirs of the vats with water. After the vats are filled, the processor unit 201 reactivates the pumps further for a predetermined second period of time (15 minutes in the preferred embodiment) to provide a water rinse for the hoppers 15 and 16, which removes any solution. of residual sanitation from hoppers 15 and 16. When hoppers 15 and 16 have been rinsed, processor unit 201 deactivates the additional pumps. Furthermore, the processor unit 201 activates the ice making machines 11 and 12, which manufacture and supply a first collection of ice to their respective hoppers 15 and 16. During the filling of hoppers 15 and 16 with ice, the rinse water contained within each bowl drains. When the hoppers 15 and 16 are filled with ice, the processor unit 201 deactivates the ice machines 11 and 12 and operates the solenoid valves for a predetermined period of time (15 minutes in the preferred embodiment) to again allow the water supply to hoppers 15 and 16. Water entering hoppers 15 and 16 melts the first ice collection and forces molten ice into the vats through the outlets and overflows of hoppers 15 and 16. Sanitation systems remove the first collection of ice into hoppers 15 and 16 at the end of a sanitation cycle, to ensure that no residual sanitation solution is bagged with the ice. After the expiration of the predetermined period of time, the processor unit 201 closes the solenoid valves and resumes normal ice bagging operations.

To operate the second and third embodiments of the sanitation system 200, the processor unit 201 would generate control signals that would open and close the three-way water valve or the two two-way water valves, respectively, at the appropriate times. , as previously described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Furthermore, the processor unit 201 will not periodically activate the first pumps to refresh the sanitation solution.