Patents by Inventor Mark C. Metzger

Mark C. Metzger has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7810301
    Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an ice-bagging apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus comprises an ice maker for making ice and hopper for receiving the ice from the ice maker. The apparatus further includes a drawer system, operatively associated with the hopper, for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice. The drawer system includes top door and drawer. A bag delivery mechanism for placing the ice in a bag is also included, with the bag delivery mechanism including a bag supply mechanism, a blower engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the product, and a sealer that seals the open mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice. A control device is included that manages and monitors the drawer and bag delivery mechanism and allows transmission of the collected data to the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Reddy Ice Corporation
    Inventor: Mark C. Metzger
  • Publication number: 20090120039
    Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an ice-bagging apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus comprises an ice maker for making ice and hopper for receiving the ice from the ice maker. The apparatus further includes a drawer system, operatively associated with the hopper, for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice. The drawer system includes top door and drawer. A bag delivery mechanism for placing the ice in a bag is also included, with the bag delivery mechanism including a bag supply mechanism, a blower engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the product, and a sealer that seals the open mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice. A control device is included that manages and monitors the drawer and bag delivery mechanism and allows transmission of the collected data to the Internet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Reddy Ice Corporation
    Inventor: Mark C. Metzger
  • Patent number: 7497062
    Abstract: An ice-bagging apparatus comprises an ice maker for making ice, a hopper for receiving the ice from the ice maker, a drawer system comprising a drawer and a top door operatively associated with the hopper for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice, a bag delivery mechanism including a bag supply mechanism for placing the ice in a bag, a blower engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the ice, a sealer for sealing the open mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice, and a control device for managing and monitoring the drawer and bag delivery mechanism and allowing transmission of the collected data to the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Reddy Ice Corporation
    Inventor: Mark C. Metzger
  • Publication number: 20080295462
    Abstract: An ice distribution system and method according to which ice-filled bags are distributed within a unit such as, for example, an ice merchandiser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Reddy Ice Corporation
    Inventor: Mark C. Metzger
  • Patent number: 7426812
    Abstract: A method for bagging ice using an ice-bagging apparatus comprising an ice maker for making ice and hopper for receiving the ice from the ice maker, a door and drawer system operatively associated with the hopper for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice, a bag delivery mechanism for placing the ice in a bag, a bag supply mechanism, a blower for opening the mouth of the bag to receive the ice, a sealer for sealing the mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice, and a control device for managing and monitoring the drawer and bag delivery mechanism and allows transmission of the collected data to the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Reddy Ice Corporation
    Inventor: Mark C. Metzger
  • Publication number: 20080110129
    Abstract: This apparatus relates to ice-bagging apparatuses with an ice maker and a hopper for receiving ice from the ice maker. The apparatus utilizes rotating drums designed for delivering ice into a bag. The apparatus also possess bagging and drop mechanism which fills and mechanically seals each bag of ice and drops it into a freezer for storage. The apparatus has an electronic operating system that has been greatly simplified using infrared technology and/or laser technology. The operating system is connected with the internet and a central processing center to allow for complete managing and monitoring of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel D. LeBlanc, Mark C. Metzger
  • Patent number: 7207156
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for bagging ice. The apparatus comprises an ice maker for making ice and a hopper for receiving for receiving the ice from the ice maker. The apparatus further includes a roller drum, operatively associated with the hopper, for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice. A bag delivery mechanism for placing the ice in a bag is also included, with the bag delivery mechanism including a bag supply mechanism, a blower fan engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the product, and a heat sealer that seals the open mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice. A control device is included that manages and monitors the roller drum and bag delivery mechanism and allows transmission of the collected data to the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: ICEX Holdings, Ltd., Inc.
    Inventor: Mark C. Metzger
  • Patent number: 7062892
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for bagging ice. The apparatus comprises an ice maker for making ice and a hopper for receiving for receiving the ice from the ice maker. The apparatus further includes a roller drum, operatively associated with the hopper, for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice. The roller drum includes an inner rotating drum. A bag delivery mechanism for placing the ice in a bag is also included, with the bag delivery mechanism including a bag supply mechanism, a fan engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the product, and a heat sealer that seals the open mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice. A control device is included that manages and monitors the roller drum and bag delivery mechanism and allows transmission of the collected data to the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Icex Holdings Ltd., Inc.
    Inventor: Mark C. Metzger
  • Patent number: 6474048
    Abstract: A machine that produces, dispenses and automatically bags ice. The machine will have at least one ice producing unit for producing ice. An auger mechanism is coupled to the ice producing unit for collecting and moving the ice that has been produced by the ice producing unit. A volumetric drum is coupled to the auger mechanism. The volumetric drum stores the ice moved by the auger mechanism and measures the amount of ice to be bagged by volume. A heat sealer coupled to the bagging mechanism is provided to seal the bag once the bag has been loaded with ice. The machine further has a freezer compartment which stores the bag when the bag has been loaded with ice and sealed. The machine has a monitoring and communication system which monitors operating conditions of the machine and sends information on the operation of the machine to the manufacturer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: The Arctic Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Metzger, Shawn M. Stannard, James Shaker