EP2936009A1 - A cooling device comprising an ice cube tray - Google Patents
A cooling device comprising an ice cube trayInfo
- Publication number
- EP2936009A1 EP2936009A1 EP13815466.1A EP13815466A EP2936009A1 EP 2936009 A1 EP2936009 A1 EP 2936009A1 EP 13815466 A EP13815466 A EP 13815466A EP 2936009 A1 EP2936009 A1 EP 2936009A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cube tray
- ice cube
- ice
- casing
- cooling device
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
- F25C5/02—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice
- F25C5/04—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws
- F25C5/06—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws by deforming bodies with which the ice is in contact, e.g. using inflatable members
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
- F25C5/02—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice
- F25C5/04—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws
- F25C5/08—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws by heating bodies in contact with the ice
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
- F25C5/20—Distributing ice
- F25C5/22—Distributing ice particularly adapted for household refrigerators
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a cooling device comprising an ice cube tray.
- ice cube trays that provide water to be frozen and to be used as ice cubes when desired.
- heaters are disposed in the vicinity of the ice cube tray so that the ice cubes formed in the ice cube trays can be easily separated from the ice cube tray.
- the heaters are operated for a short period when the ice cubes are to be emptied from the ice cube tray into a receptacle.
- some of the ice cubes in the vicinity of the heater melt and change phase and water droplets together with the ice cubes fall into the receptacle.
- the water droplets in the receptacle cause the ice cubes to become moistened and melt.
- the aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device comprising an ice cube tray that prevents the water droplets formed by melting of the ice cubes from being poured together with the ice cubes.
- the cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof comprises an open-top ice cube tray wherein water is filled, a casing wherein the ice cube tray is disposed, a receptacle where the ice cubes falling from the ice cube tray are collected and a heater disposed under the ice cube tray.
- the cooling device of the present invention comprises an ice cube tray that has holes on its base. By means of the perforated configuration of the ice cube tray, the water droplets formed by means of the heater are prevented from being poured into the receptacle.
- the base of the ice cube tray and the inner surface of the casing are in contact with one another.
- water does not pass into the casing and remains inside the ice cube tray.
- the hole is arranged at the deepest part of the ice cube tray. Water droplets are easily transferred into the casing by means of the hole that extends along the ice cube tray base.
- the side walls of the ice cube tray are inclined.
- a number of holes are arranged on the side walls of the ice cube tray. Consequently, the water droplets formed on the side wall of the ice cube tray are discharged from the ice cube tray without requiring the water droplets to reach the base of the ice cube tray.
- the hole is positioned to be over the heater. The moment the heaters inside the casing start heating the ice cube tray, first the ice cubes at the point closest to the heater start changing phase. The water droplets reach the casing by passing through the hole quickly during the twisting of the ice cube tray.
- the cooling device comprises a compressor that compresses and circulates the refrigerant fluid in the refrigeration cycle, an evaporator through which the refrigerant fluid passes and a valve disposed at the exit of the compressor.
- a portion of the evaporator passes through the casing.
- the high temperature refrigerant fluid at the exit of the compressor is directed into that portion of the evaporator situated inside the casing by means of the valve. Production costs decrease and the ice cube tray is provided to be heated with an inexpensive method by means of the evaporator that is used as the heater.
- the heater operates with electrical energy.
- the heater is wire-shaped.
- the ice cubes separated from the ice cube tray are preserved inside the receptacle for a long period of time without melting.
- Figure 1 – is the schematic view of a cooling device in an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 2 – is the perspective view of an ice cube tray and holes.
- Figure 3 – is the perspective view of an ice cube tray, a casing and heaters.
- Figure 4 – is the perspective view of an ice cube tray, a casing and a receptacle.
- the cooling device (1) comprises an ice cube tray (3) wherein water is filled, having more than one cell (2) for forming ice cubes, a casing (4) wherein the ice cube tray (3) is placed, a receptacle (5) disposed under the casing (4), wherein the ice cubes fall when the ice cube tray (3) is twisted from one side around an axis in the horizontal plane and a heater (6) disposed inside and/or over the casing (4), that provides the ice cubes to separate from the ice cube tray (3) by heating the ice cubes before the ice cube tray (3) is twisted ( Figure 1).
- the cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises at least one hole (7) arranged on the base of the ice cube tray (3) and enabling the water droplets formed with the melting of the ice cubes when the heater (6) is operated to pass into the casing (4) ( Figure 2, Figure 3).
- the formation of ice cubes is realized by filling water into the ice cube tray (3) disposed inside the cooling device (1).
- the heater (6) is operated for a short time when the ice cubes inside the ice cube tray (3) are desired to be taken out of the ice cube tray (3).
- the portion of the ice cubes melting and changing into water droplets passes through the holes (7) with the gravity effect and do not pour into the receptacle (5) ( Figure 4).
- the cooling device (1) comprises the ice cube tray (3) disposed into the casing (4) such that its base contacts the inner surface of the casing (4).
- the ice cube tray (3) is disposed into the casing (4) such that no gap remains between the base of the ice cube tray (3) and the casing (4).
- the water filled into the ice cube tray (3) does not pass into the casing (4) through the holes (7) while the ice cube tray (3) is inside the casing (4) and is transformed into ice cubes by freezing inside the ice cube tray (3).
- the cooling device (1) comprises the hole (7) arranged at the deepest point of the ice cube tray (3).
- the water droplets formed inside the ice cube tray (3) by the heating process accumulate at the deepest point of the ice cube tray (3) with the effect of gravity, thus the water droplets can easily pass into the casing (4).
- the cooling device (1) comprises the half-cylindrical ice cube tray (3).
- the holes (7) are arranged along the base of the ice cube tray (3).
- the water droplets can pass through the holes (7) into the casing (4) the moment the ice cube tray (3) no longer contacts the casing (4) during twisting.
- the cooling device (1) comprises the hole (7) arranged at the level of the heater (6). Melting starts from the point closest to the heater (6) during heating of the ice cube tray (3). By means of the hole (7) being in the vicinity of the the heater (6), the water droplets pass into the casing (4) without contacting the ice cubes, thus humidification of the ice cubes is prevented.
- the cooling device (1) comprises a compressor (8) providing the refrigeration cycle to be performed, an evaporator (9) at least a portion of which is in heat transmission with the casing (4) and a valve (10) that provides the refrigerant gas leaving the compressor (8) to be delivered directly to the evaporator (9) before entering the refrigeration cycle, thereby enabling the evaporator (9) to be used as the heater (6).
- the high temperature refrigerant fluid leaving the compressor (8) is directed to the evaporator (9) by means of the valve (10) without circulating in the refrigeration cycle. Consequently, the evaporator (9) through which high temperature refrigerant fluid passes is used as the heater (6).
- the ice cube tray (3) is provided to be heated without requiring a component in addition to the present components ( Figure 1).
- the cooling device (1) comprises the heater (6) that operates with electric energy. Consequently, an additional component is not required to be added to the refrigeration cycle.
- the cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises the holes (7) arranged on the base of the ice cube tray (3).
- the water droplets formed by melting of the ice cubes when the heater (6) is operated are prevented from being poured into the receptacle (5) when the ice cube tray (3) is twisted.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Production, Working, Storing, Or Distribution Of Ice (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising an ice cube tray (3) wherein water is filled, having more than one cell (2) for forming ice cubes, a casing (4) wherein the ice cube tray (3) is placed, a receptacle (5) disposed under the casing (4), wherein the ice cubes fall when the ice cube tray (3) is twisted from one side around an axis in the horizontal plane and a heater (6) disposed inside the casing (4) and enabling the ice cubes to be separated from the ice cube tray (3) by heating the ice cubes before the ice cube tray (3) is twisted.
Description
- The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising an ice cube tray.
- In cooling devices, there are ice cube trays that provide water to be frozen and to be used as ice cubes when desired. In the state of the art, heaters are disposed in the vicinity of the ice cube tray so that the ice cubes formed in the ice cube trays can be easily separated from the ice cube tray. The heaters are operated for a short period when the ice cubes are to be emptied from the ice cube tray into a receptacle. However, as the heaters disposed just under the ice cube tray are operated, some of the ice cubes in the vicinity of the heater melt and change phase and water droplets together with the ice cubes fall into the receptacle. The water droplets in the receptacle cause the ice cubes to become moistened and melt.
- In the state of the art Korean Patent Document No. KR100662445, a housing disposed on the ice tray is explained, that prevents the water droplets formed with the melting of the ice cubes from falling into the chamber wherein the ice cubes are collected when the ice tray is twisted.
- The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device comprising an ice cube tray that prevents the water droplets formed by melting of the ice cubes from being poured together with the ice cubes.
- The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof comprises an open-top ice cube tray wherein water is filled, a casing wherein the ice cube tray is disposed, a receptacle where the ice cubes falling from the ice cube tray are collected and a heater disposed under the ice cube tray. The cooling device of the present invention comprises an ice cube tray that has holes on its base. By means of the perforated configuration of the ice cube tray, the water droplets formed by means of the heater are prevented from being poured into the receptacle.
- In an embodiment of the present invention, when the ice cube tray is placed into the casing, the base of the ice cube tray and the inner surface of the casing are in contact with one another. Thus, water does not pass into the casing and remains inside the ice cube tray.
- In an embodiment of the present invention, the hole is arranged at the deepest part of the ice cube tray. Water droplets are easily transferred into the casing by means of the hole that extends along the ice cube tray base.
- In an embodiment of the present invention, the side walls of the ice cube tray are inclined. In this embodiment, a number of holes are arranged on the side walls of the ice cube tray. Consequently, the water droplets formed on the side wall of the ice cube tray are discharged from the ice cube tray without requiring the water droplets to reach the base of the ice cube tray.
- In an embodiment of the present invention, the hole is positioned to be over the heater. The moment the heaters inside the casing start heating the ice cube tray, first the ice cubes at the point closest to the heater start changing phase. The water droplets reach the casing by passing through the hole quickly during the twisting of the ice cube tray.
- In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises a compressor that compresses and circulates the refrigerant fluid in the refrigeration cycle, an evaporator through which the refrigerant fluid passes and a valve disposed at the exit of the compressor. In this embodiment, a portion of the evaporator passes through the casing. Just before the ice cubes are separated from the ice cube tray, the high temperature refrigerant fluid at the exit of the compressor is directed into that portion of the evaporator situated inside the casing by means of the valve. Production costs decrease and the ice cube tray is provided to be heated with an inexpensive method by means of the evaporator that is used as the heater.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, the heater operates with electrical energy. In this embodiment, the heater is wire-shaped.
- By means of the present invention, the ice cubes separated from the ice cube tray are preserved inside the receptacle for a long period of time without melting.
- The model embodiments relating to a cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, where:
- Figure 1 – is the schematic view of a cooling device in an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 2 – is the perspective view of an ice cube tray and holes.
- Figure 3 – is the perspective view of an ice cube tray, a casing and heaters.
- Figure 4 – is the perspective view of an ice cube tray, a casing and a receptacle.
- The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:
- Cooling device
- Cell
- Ice cube tray
- Casing
- Receptacle
- Heater
- Hole
- Compressor
- Evaporator
- Valve
- The cooling device (1) comprises an ice cube tray (3) wherein water is filled, having more than one cell (2) for forming ice cubes, a casing (4) wherein the ice cube tray (3) is placed, a receptacle (5) disposed under the casing (4), wherein the ice cubes fall when the ice cube tray (3) is twisted from one side around an axis in the horizontal plane and a heater (6) disposed inside and/or over the casing (4), that provides the ice cubes to separate from the ice cube tray (3) by heating the ice cubes before the ice cube tray (3) is twisted (Figure 1).
- The cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises at least one hole (7) arranged on the base of the ice cube tray (3) and enabling the water droplets formed with the melting of the ice cubes when the heater (6) is operated to pass into the casing (4) (Figure 2, Figure 3).
- The formation of ice cubes is realized by filling water into the ice cube tray (3) disposed inside the cooling device (1). The heater (6) is operated for a short time when the ice cubes inside the ice cube tray (3) are desired to be taken out of the ice cube tray (3). During the twisting of the ice cube tray (3) towards into the receptacle (5) for transferring the ice cubes into the receptacle (5), the portion of the ice cubes melting and changing into water droplets passes through the holes (7) with the gravity effect and do not pour into the receptacle (5) (Figure 4).
- In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises the ice cube tray (3) disposed into the casing (4) such that its base contacts the inner surface of the casing (4). The ice cube tray (3) is disposed into the casing (4) such that no gap remains between the base of the ice cube tray (3) and the casing (4). The water filled into the ice cube tray (3) does not pass into the casing (4) through the holes (7) while the ice cube tray (3) is inside the casing (4) and is transformed into ice cubes by freezing inside the ice cube tray (3).
- In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises the hole (7) arranged at the deepest point of the ice cube tray (3). The water droplets formed inside the ice cube tray (3) by the heating process accumulate at the deepest point of the ice cube tray (3) with the effect of gravity, thus the water droplets can easily pass into the casing (4).
- In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises the half-cylindrical ice cube tray (3). In this embodiment, the holes (7) are arranged along the base of the ice cube tray (3). Thus, the water droplets can pass through the holes (7) into the casing (4) the moment the ice cube tray (3) no longer contacts the casing (4) during twisting.
- In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises the hole (7) arranged at the level of the heater (6). Melting starts from the point closest to the heater (6) during heating of the ice cube tray (3). By means of the hole (7) being in the vicinity of the the heater (6), the water droplets pass into the casing (4) without contacting the ice cubes, thus humidification of the ice cubes is prevented.
- In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a compressor (8) providing the refrigeration cycle to be performed, an evaporator (9) at least a portion of which is in heat transmission with the casing (4) and a valve (10) that provides the refrigerant gas leaving the compressor (8) to be delivered directly to the evaporator (9) before entering the refrigeration cycle, thereby enabling the evaporator (9) to be used as the heater (6). When the ice cubes are to be separated from the ice cube tray (3), the high temperature refrigerant fluid leaving the compressor (8) is directed to the evaporator (9) by means of the valve (10) without circulating in the refrigeration cycle. Consequently, the evaporator (9) through which high temperature refrigerant fluid passes is used as the heater (6). The ice cube tray (3) is provided to be heated without requiring a component in addition to the present components (Figure 1).
- In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises the heater (6) that operates with electric energy. Consequently, an additional component is not required to be added to the refrigeration cycle.
- The cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises the holes (7) arranged on the base of the ice cube tray (3). Thus, the water droplets formed by melting of the ice cubes when the heater (6) is operated are prevented from being poured into the receptacle (5) when the ice cube tray (3) is twisted.
Claims (7)
- A cooling device (1) comprising- an ice cube tray (3) wherein water is filled, having more than one cell (2) for forming ice cubes,- a casing (4) wherein the ice cube tray (3) is placed,- a receptacle (5) disposed under the casing (4) wherein the ice cubes fall when the ice cube tray (3) is twisted from one side around an axis in the horizontal plane and- a heater (6) disposed inside and/or over the casing (4) and enabling the ice cubes to be separated from the ice cube tray (3) by heating the ice cubes before the ice cube tray (3) is twisted,characterized by- at least one hole (7) arranged on the base of the ice cube tray (3) and providing the water droplets formed by melting of the ice cubes when the heater (6) is operated to pass into the casing (4).
- A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the ice cube tray (3) disposed into the casing (4) such that its base contacts the inner surface of the casing (4).
- A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the hole (7) arranged at the deepest point of the ice cube tray (3).
- A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the half cylindrical ice cube tray (3).
- A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the hole (7) arranged at the level of the heater (6).
- A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a compressor (8) providing the refrigeration cycle to be performed, an evaporator (9) at least a portion of which is in heat transmission with the casing (4) and a valve (10) that provides the refrigerant gas leaving the compressor (8) to be delivered directly to the evaporator (9) without entering the refrigeration cycle, thereby enabling the evaporator (9) to be used as the heater (6).
- A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 5, characterized by the heater (6) that is operated with electric energy.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
TR201215101 | 2012-12-21 | ||
PCT/EP2013/077097 WO2014096006A1 (en) | 2012-12-21 | 2013-12-18 | A cooling device comprising an ice cube tray |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2936009A1 true EP2936009A1 (en) | 2015-10-28 |
Family
ID=49911505
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP13815466.1A Withdrawn EP2936009A1 (en) | 2012-12-21 | 2013-12-18 | A cooling device comprising an ice cube tray |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2936009A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014096006A1 (en) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3952539A (en) * | 1974-11-18 | 1976-04-27 | General Motors Corporation | Water tray for clear ice maker |
US20020189270A1 (en) * | 2000-09-15 | 2002-12-19 | Mile High Equipment Co. And Scotsman Ice Systems | Quiet ice making apparatus |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2667229B2 (en) * | 1988-11-07 | 1997-10-27 | 松下冷機株式会社 | Automatic refrigerator for ice making |
JP2003279209A (en) * | 2002-03-25 | 2003-10-02 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Ice making apparatus and refrigerator with this ice making apparatus |
KR20110135124A (en) * | 2010-06-10 | 2011-12-16 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Ice maker and refrigerator having this |
-
2013
- 2013-12-18 WO PCT/EP2013/077097 patent/WO2014096006A1/en active Application Filing
- 2013-12-18 EP EP13815466.1A patent/EP2936009A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3952539A (en) * | 1974-11-18 | 1976-04-27 | General Motors Corporation | Water tray for clear ice maker |
US20020189270A1 (en) * | 2000-09-15 | 2002-12-19 | Mile High Equipment Co. And Scotsman Ice Systems | Quiet ice making apparatus |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of WO2014096006A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2014096006A1 (en) | 2014-06-26 |
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