Ice container systems

Abstract

An ice container may include a housing with an inner volume. The housing may hold ice in the inner volume. An ice container may include a base in the inner volume. The base may support ice in the inner volume. A lift coupled to the base, may move the base between a top of the housing and a bottom of the housing in order to maintain a top level of ice in the inner volume within a predetermined distance from the top of the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ice container comprising:
 a housing comprising an inner volume, wherein the housing is configured to hold ice in the inner volume;   a base in the inner volume, the base configured to support ice in the inner volume; and   a lift coupled to the base, wherein the lift is configured to move the base between a top of the housing and a bottom of the housing in order to maintain a top level of ice in the inner volume within a predetermined distance from the top of the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The ice container of  claim 1 , wherein the lift is configured to move the base towards the top of the housing when a weight of the ice in the inner volume decreases and towards the bottom of the housing when the weight of the ice in the inner volume increases. 
     
     
         3 . The ice container of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect an object in front of the sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The ice container of  claim 3 , wherein the sensor comprises a mechanical switch or an optical sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The ice container of  claim 3 , wherein when the sensor does not detect an object in front of the sensor, the sensor determines that the base is positioned above the sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The ice container of  claim 5 , wherein the sensor instructs an ice filler to add ice to the inner volume when the sensor determines that the base is positioned above the sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The ice container of  claim 1 , wherein the lift comprises springs. 
     
     
         8 . The ice container of  claim 7 , wherein the lift comprises spring housings configured to prevent or inhibit melted ice from contacting the springs. 
     
     
         9 . The ice container of  claim 7 , wherein the springs comprise constant force springs or internal springs. 
     
     
         10 . The ice container of  claim 1 , wherein the lift comprises a counterweight. 
     
     
         11 . An ice container comprising:
 a housing separated into a plurality of sub housings, wherein the plurality of sub housings are configured to hold ice; and   a top surface comprising an opening,   wherein the housing is positioned so a first sub housing is positioned under the opening,   wherein the housing is configured to rotate so a second sub housing is positioned under the opening.   
     
     
         12 . The ice container of  claim 11 , wherein the housing is configured to automatically rotate when an amount of ice in the first sub housing is below a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         13 . The ice container of  claim 11 , wherein the top surface comprises an ice filler configured to fill the plurality of sub housings with ice. 
     
     
         14 . The ice container of  claim 11 , wherein the housing comprises a circular profile. 
     
     
         15 . An ice container comprising:
 a housing comprising an inner volume; and   a ramp positioned in the inner volume, wherein the ramp is declined towards a front of the housing to direct ice in the inner volume towards the front of the housing.   
     
     
         16 . The ice container of  claim 15 , wherein a first end of the ramp is coupled to a back wall of the housing and a second end of the ramp is coupled to a base of the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The ice container of  claim 16 , wherein the base and a bottom of the housing form a drain channel. 
     
     
         18 . The ice container of  claim 17 , wherein the base comprises one or more openings to allow melted ice to flow through the one or more openings and into the drain channel. 
     
     
         19 . The ice container of  claim 15  further comprising an ice filler in a back wall of the housing, the ice filler configured to automatically add ice to the ice container. 
     
     
         20 . The ice container of  claim 19 , wherein the ice filler is positioned between the ramp and a top of the housing.