EP3577398A1

EP3577398A1 - A cooler comprising an apparatus for making clear ice

Info

Publication number: EP3577398A1
Application number: EP18702196.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mert PATKAVAK; Levent Akdag; Tolga Nurettin AYNUR; Mert Can TASKIN; Sevda SIMSEK
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2017-02-03
Filing date: 2018-01-25
Publication date: 2019-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2038-01-25
Also published as: TR201701658A2; WO2018141617A1; EP3577398B1; PL3577398T3

Abstract

Ice making apparatus (1) comprising a lower body (2), an upper body (3) placed on top of the lower body (2), a lower insulating part (4) placed in the lower body (2), an upper insulating part (5) placed in the upper body (3), an ice mold (8) placed between the upper insulating part (5) and the lower insulating part (4) so as to form at least one ice cell, having at least one filler opening (6) provided on its upper surface and a discharge opening (7) provided on its lower surface, and a cut-out (9) into which water enters, provided so as to be under the ice mold (8) and inside the lower insulating part (4).

Description

A COOLER COMPRISING AN APPARATUS FOR MAKING CLEAR ICE

The present invention relates to an ice making apparatus that makes clear ice.
Some coolers are provided with molds to be placed in the freezer compartment maintained at subzero temperatures, in which water to be frozen is filled. Said molds can be laid freely on the shelves provided inside the freezer chamber or on the doors, as well as placed in specific inlets particularly formed inside the freezer compartment. Since the freezer molds placed on shelves and the freezer molds placed in special inlets lack insulation, liquids freeze rapidly and elements in liquids disturbing purity such as minerals, air bubble, dust particle and chlorine in water, decrease the clarity of ice after freezing. In the state of the art, certain methods are used to increase the clarity of ice. These are, slow freezing of water, freezing of flowing water by means of contact to a cold surface, freezing by means of vibration and freezing by nitrification.
Slow freezing of water, being a method used in obtaining clear ice, is based on removal of foreign particles causing a cloudy view in ice after freezing by way of diffusion, during freezing direction by decreasing the freezing speed through utilized insulation materials. During melting, non-clear ice releases the air bubbles entrapped within and thus leads to a decrease in view and taste quality of the drink, and consequently causes user discontent and a perception of low quality.
Another problem experienced with ice making apparatuses used in obtaining clear ice, is that freezing of water deposited within can not be perceived due to the thick insulation layer of said apparatuses, and the apparatus being opened before due time.
State of the art US patent document no. US2015027142A1 discloses a device suitable for producing clear ice.
State of the art US patent document no. US9074802 discloses a device suitable for producing clear ice.
The aim of the present invention is to communicate the user that the ice is ready in clear ice making apparatuses.
The ice making apparatus provided to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in claim 1 and the dependent claims thereof, comprises a lower body and an upper body enabling access within the ice making apparatus. Water filled in the ice making apparatus slowly loses heat when placed in subzero chambers of the cooler thanks to the lower insulating piece and upper insulating piece provided in the lower body and the upper body, thus performing a slow freezing process so as to obtain clear ice. An ice mold is placed in the space between the lower insulation and the upper insulation so as to almost entirely fill said space. The ice mold forms within at least one ice cell, and each of said ice cells are connected to the outer environment via the filler openings provided above the ice cells. The ice mold being filled by means of the filler openings, is also in liquid communication with the cut-out provided inside the lower insulation below the ice mold, by means of the discharge openings provided on the lower surface of the ice mold. During freezing process, entrapment of the minerals and dissolved gas molecules within the water disturbing the purity of the same, is evaded and such foreign matters are removed towards the cut-out, through the discharge opening provided under the ice cell. By means of a channel, said cut-out is in liquid communication with the outer environment when the ice making apparatus is being used, and in air communication when it is empty. The channel opens to the cut-out via a first opening and to the outer environment via a second opening, and is being filled with water when the ice making apparatus is filled. During freezing, the volume of water increases, and the increasing volume generates an internal strain on the ice making apparatus because freezing process advances from top to bottom of the ice cell and makes it difficult to open the ice making apparatus. The strain generated on the ice making apparatus due to the increase in volume is reduced thanks to the channel.
In an embodiment of the invention, the channel is “L” shaped. The portion connecting to the cut-out via the first opening is the lower extension of the “L”, and the channel extends upwards along its vertical portion and opens to the outer environment via the second opening. The “L” shape of the channel facilitates production.
In an embodiment of the invention, a float is provided in the channel. Said float moves inside the channel by buoyancy of water, is conveyed to the upper portion of the channel by the volume increase resulting from freezing of water, and exits from the second opening so as to inform the user that the ice is ready. By this, the user is prevented from opening the ice making apparatus before due time.
In an embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the second opening is narrower than the horizontal cross-section of the float so as to prevent the float from being removed from the second opening by completely passing through. By this, the float is prevented from getting lost by being removed from the second opening upon freezing of water.
In an embodiment of the invention, the elevation of the second opening with respect to the horizontal plane is higher than the filler opening. The elevation in the channel of water being filled in the ice making apparatus up to a predetermined level, is below the second opening. During freezing, the density of ice decreases and its volume increases. As a result of freezing in top-down direction, the increased volume leads to the channel and conveys the float towards the second opening. Thanks to such difference in elevation, the amount of water overflowing through the second opening is minimized and ice being formed by water pouring on the cooler ground, is avoided.
In an embodiment of the invention, a cavity is provided on the upper body, enabling the user to see inside the channel. The float may be unable to reach the second opening to alert the user as a result of the user filling the ice making apparatus with water below a predetermined level. By means of said cavity, the user is able to see the position of the float inside the channel and is able to perceive whether water is already frozen.
In an embodiment of the invention, the channel has a tubular structure made of transparent material. When visual access into the channel is required, the user is able to monitor the float through the cavity and is able to perceive whether water is frozen thanks to the transparent material. The channel made of material of transparent structure also protects water against freezing in regions with reduced insulation, thanks to the cavity.
In another embodiment of the invention, the channel made of transparent material extends out of the second opening and covers the second opening with a dome-shape. By this, the water in the channel is prevented from being frozen.
In an embodiment of the invention the float has a geometrical structure shaped as an inverse “T”. The volume increased by freezing, conveys the float within the channel towards the second opening. The float easily moving in the channel with a wider diameter than the second opening, settles in the second opening thanks to its shape and the user thus conveniently sees whether the ice is ready.
In an embodiment of the invention, the float has a conical structure. The volume increased by freezing, conveys the float within the channel towards the second opening. The conical float easily moving in the channel with a wider diameter than the second opening, settles in the second opening upon freezing of water and the user thus conveniently sees whether the ice is ready.
In an embodiment of the invention, a spring is placed in the channel so as to stay between the second opening and the float. An end of the float gets out of the second opening upon freezing of water, informing the user that freezing is completed. The spring is used to prevent the float from being frozen and adhering to the second opening during the user taking ice from the ice making apparatus and placing the apparatus into the cooler upon refilling. Said spring separates the float from the second opening and pushes it into the channel, thereby making it ready for the next use.
The advantage of the invention lies in that the user is informed by the ice making apparatus about completion of freezing and consequently avoiding the ice making apparatus from being opened before due time by the user.
An ice making apparatus provided to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the ice making apparatus in one embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is the view of the invention along A-A section shown in Figure 1.
The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.

Ice making apparatus
Lower body
Upper body
Lower insulating part
Upper insulating part
Filler opening
Discharge opening
Ice mold
Cut-out
First opening
Second opening
Channel
Float
Cavity
Spring

The ice making apparatus (1) of the invention comprises,

a lower body (2),
an upper body (3) placed on top of the lower body (2),
a lower insulating part (4) placed in the lower body (2),
an upper insulating part (5) placed in the upper body (3),
an ice mold (8) placed between the upper insulating part (5) and the lower insulating part (4) so as to form at least one ice cell, and having at least one filler opening (6) provided on its upper surface and a discharge opening (7) provided on its lower surface, and
a cut-out (9) into which water enters, provided so as to be under the ice mold (8) and inside the lower insulating part (4).

The ice making apparatus (1) comprises a channel (12) enabling liquid to pass through, with one end opening to the cut-out (9) via a first opening (10), and the other end opening to the upper surface of the upper body (2) via a second opening (11).
The outer appearance of the ice making apparatus (1) is formed by placing the lower body (2) and the upper body (3) on top of each other. The lower insulating part (4) placed in the lower body (2), and the upper insulating part (5) placed in the upper body (3), provide insulation between the outer environment and the inner environment of the ice making apparatus (1) when the ice making apparatus (1) is filled with water. The volume between the lower insulating part (4) and the upper insulating part (5) enable water to be filled into the ice making apparatus through a filler opening (6) provided on the upper portion of said volume, and thus form the ice mold (8) enabling ice to form between said two parts. A cut-out (9) is provided under the ice mold (8), connected to the ice mold (8) by means of the discharge opening (7) so as to enable liquid to flow. Said cut-out (9) is the volume to which the materials within the water disturbing the purity of the same, are transferred by diffusion during freezing. A channel (12) is provided, with one end opening to the cut-out (9) via a first opening (10), and the other end opening to the outer environment via a second opening (11), connecting the cut-out (9) to the outer environment in water communication when the ice making apparatus (1) is full, and in air communication when it is empty. During freezing, the density of water filled in the ice making apparatus (1) decreases and thereby increasing its volume. Such increase in volume leads to a strain formed in inside-out direction on the ice making apparatus (1), with a likely result of causing physical damage on the ice making apparatus. The impacts of the volume increase due to freezing, is minimized thanks to the channel (12), thereby preventing damage of the ice making apparatus (1) and improving spare part expenses. (Figures 1 and 2)
In an embodiment of the invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises an “L” shaped channel (12). The lower end of the “L” shaped channel (12) opens to the cut-out (9) via the first opening (10), and the channel (12) opens to the outer environment via the second opening (11) which is its upper end. The channel (12) is in equal distance inside the lower body (2) and the upper body (3), and to the outer environment of the ice making apparatus (1) thanks to the channel (12) extending vertically, enabling the water within not to freeze. By this, the volume increase caused by freezing can be transferred out of the ice making apparatus (1) via the channel (12), preventing the ice making apparatus (1) from being damaged during freezing of water. In addition, production is facilitated thanks to the “L” shaped channel (12), improving production costs.
In an embodiment of the invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises a float (13) movable within the channel (12). The float (13) is made of a material with a specific weight lower than water. By this, when the ice making apparatus (1) is filled with water up to a predetermined level, the float (13) floats on water inside the channel (12). The volume increase formed by freezing of water, pushes the float (13) out of the second opening (11). The user thus perceives the completion of freezing and takes the ice making apparatus (1) out of the cooler, thereby providing ease of use. In addition, since the float (13) minimizes the contact of water filling into the channel (12) with the outer environment, water is prevented essentially from freezing inside the channel (12) beginning at the second opening (11).
In an embodiment of the invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises a second opening (11) whose horizontal cross-section is smaller than the horizontal cross-section of the float (13). Upon completion of freezing, the float (13) gets out of the second opening (11), informing the user that the ice is ready. Thanks to the float (13) having a horizontal cross-section smaller than that of the second opening (11), the float (13) is prevented from completely exiting the second opening (11) and from getting lost, thereby improving spare part expenses.
In an embodiment of the invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises the channel (12) whose second opening (11) is on a higher elevation than the filler opening (6) on the horizontal plane. By this, water does not overflow from the second opening (11) when the ice making apparatus (1) is filled with water, and grounds of the freezing compartments of coolers are prevented from creating difficulty of use due to overflowing and subsequently freezing water. Also, the float (13) is avoided from exerting pressure on the second opening (11) during freezing, and thereby from damaging the second opening (11) or from being damaged by the second opening (11).
In an embodiment of the invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises a cut-out shaped cavity (14) provided on the upper body (3), enabling visual access into the channel (12). By means of said cavity (14), the user is enabled to check the position of the float (13) even if he/she fills the ice making apparatus (1) below the predetermined level, and to perceive whether water is already frozen. (Figure 4)
In an embodiment of the invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises a channel (12) made of transparent material. The user is enabled to see through the cavity (14) the float (13) moving in the channel (12), thanks to the channel (12) being made of transparent material.
In an embodiment of the invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises a float (13) having a geometrical structure shaped as an inverse “T”. By this; upon freezing, the lower extension of the “T” shape gets out of the second opening (11), informing the user that the ice is ready, thereby providing ease of use.
In an embodiment of the invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises a float (13) with a conical structure. By this; upon freezing, the end of the cone gets out of the second opening (11), informing the user that the ice is ready, thereby providing ease of use.
In an embodiment of the invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises a spring (15) placed in the second opening (11) so as to extend into the channel (12), into which the float (13) is introduced. By means of said spring (15), the float (13) is pushed back into the channel (12) after the user takes the ice from the ice making apparatus (1), thereby preventing the user from opening the ice making apparatus (1) before due time and providing ease of use.
The aim of the present invention is to provide an ice making apparatus (1) to be used in coolers, into which water to be frozen is filled, making clear ice by slow freezing of water, and informing the user that water is frozen.

Claims

- An ice making apparatus (1), comprising

- a lower body (2),

- an upper body (3) placed on top of the lower body (2),

- a lower insulating part (4) placed in the lower body (2),

- an upper insulating part (5) placed in the upper body (3),

- an ice mold (8) placed between the upper insulating part (5) and the lower insulating part (4) so as to form at least one ice cell, and having at least one filler opening (6) provided on its upper surface and a discharge opening (7) provided on its lower surface, and

- a cut-out (9) into which water enters, provided so as to be under the ice mold (8) and inside the lower insulating part (4), characterized by a channel (12) enabling liquid to pass through, with one end opening to the cut-out (9) via a first opening (10), and the other end opening to the upper surface of the upper body (11) via a second opening (11).
The ice making apparatus (1) according to claim 1,characterized by the “L” shaped channel (12).
The ice making apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a float (13) movable within the channel (12).
The ice making apparatus (1) according claim 3, characterized by the second opening (11) whose horizontal cross-section is smaller than the horizontal cross-section of the float (13).
The ice making apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the channel (12) whose second opening (11) is on a higher elevation than the filler opening (6) on the horizontal plane.
The ice making apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a cut-out shaped cavity (14) provided on the upper body (3), enabling visual access into the channel (12).
The ice making apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the channel (12) made of transparent material.
The ice making apparatus (1) according to any of the claims 3 to 7, characterized by the float (13) having a geometrical structure shaped as an inverse “T”.
The ice making apparatus (1) according to any of the claims 3 to 7, characterized by the float (13) having a conical structure.
The ice making apparatus (1) according to any of the claims 3 to 9, characterized by a spring (15) placed in the second opening (11) so as to extend into the channel (12), and into which the float (13) is introduced.