Steven Allen Weeks

US Patent:

20120247066, Oct 4, 2012

Filed:

Apr 1, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/078501

Inventors:

Daniel LaDon Dunn - Moultrie GA, US
Danny Leroy Dunn - Moultrie GA, US
Thomas Benjamin James - Moultrie GA, US
Jerry Paul James - Moultrie GA, US
Steven Alan Weeks - Norman Park GA, US
Kevin Thomas Coppack - Hartsfield GA, US

Assignee:

Ice House America, LLC - Jacksonville FL

International Classification:

B65B 1/04
B65B 43/26
B65B 43/42
B65B 57/00
B65B 57/18

US Classification:

53428, 53111 R, 53505, 53507, 532661, 532847

Abstract:

An ice vending apparatus adapted to remove moisture from ice pieces during dispensing, which apparatus includes a ramp having a lower lip and being adapted to transfer a quantity of ice pieces from a holding vessel to a container; and a channel having an upwardly facing opening that is in operative association with the ramp and arranged so that moisture is adapted to flow around the lower lip of the ramp into the channel while excluding the ice pieces so as to separate at least a portion of the moisture from the ice pieces as the ice pieces are transferred to the container. Methods of providing ice pieces, particularly with reduction of associated moisture to a consumer, are also described.

US Patent:

20190078826, Mar 14, 2019

Filed:

Nov 12, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/188132

Inventors:

- Jacksonville Beach FL, US
Steven A. Weeks - Moultrie GA, US

International Classification:

F25C 5/00
G07F 11/58

Abstract:

An ice vending machine automatically provides ice to a customer based upon a request from the consumer for the ice. In some embodiments, the ice vending machine includes a transfer box to transfer ice from a horizontal auger to an inclined auger. In some embodiments, the inclined auger motor is mounted at the top of the inclined auger. The inclined auger motor may drive the inclined auger by way of a chain and sprockets or directly drive the inclined auger without a chain or sprockets. In some embodiments, a lip shelf is located at an edge of the holding vessel floor. In some embodiments, a rear wall is removable from the holding vessel. In some embodiments, the ice machine includes an awning, a top hat, or an ice maker canopy. In some embodiments, the ice vending machine includes an improved motor and chain layout.

US Patent:

20160069602, Mar 10, 2016

Filed:

Sep 1, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/841895

Inventors:

- Jacksonville Beach FL, US
Steven A. Weeks - Moultrie GA, US

International Classification:

F25C 5/00
F25C 5/18
F25C 5/16

Abstract:

An ice vending machine automatically provides ice to a customer based upon a request from the consumer for the ice. In some embodiments, the ice vending machine includes a transfer box to transfer ice from a horizontal auger to an inclined auger. In some embodiments, the inclined auger motor is mounted at the top of the inclined auger. The inclined auger motor may drive the inclined auger by way of a chain and sprockets or directly drive the inclined auger without a chain or sprockets. In some embodiments, a lip shelf is located at an edge of the holding vessel floor. In some embodiments, a rear wall is removable from the holding vessel. In some embodiments, the ice machine includes an awning, a top hat, or an ice maker canopy. In some embodiments, the ice vending machine includes an improved motor and chain layout.