FR2692970A1 - Ice block maker, e.g. for use in refrigerator - has ovoid recesses in mould, with motor-driven rotation of shaft to eject ice blocks controlled by microprocessor - Google Patents

Abstract

The ice block maker consists of a mould (1) with a series of recesses (N) in which the water is frozen and which are lined with a film of a food-grade non-stick material. Each recess is in the shape of half an egg, and the ice blocks are ejected from the recesses by a series of fingers (X) on a shaft (3). The rods can be cam-shaped and set on the shaft in positions which are offset relative to one another by 5 degrees so that they operate in sequence. The rotation of the shaft to eject the ice blocks can be controlled by a microprocessor and a motor (4) for an automatic operation. USE/ADVANTAGE - Automatic production of ice blocks. Blocks are ejected without need to warm mould, reducing energy requirement.

Description

 The present invention relates to an ice making machine.

 In machines for making ice cubes of known type, the molds having cells of various shapes are filled with water and then frozen. The ice cubes thus obtained are necessarily reheated to remove them from their mold and ejected. In these machines, the ice cubes are wet and stick to each other.

The mussels thus reheated, increase the freezing time of the water for the following cycles, releasing water vapor from where frost is created.

 These systems by design consume a lot of energy.

 The present invention overcomes these drawbacks.

 The mold I comprises n cells A, B, C, D, E, F, ... and contains the evaporator where the refrigerant gas circulates. These open cells in the top in which the ice forms, after the introduction of a quantity of water. These cells according to a first characteristic have a shape particularly suitable for easy release, ovoid at both ends, forming an ellipse from below.

These cells are covered with a non-stick film authorized to be in contact with food products (brochure no. 1227 of the Official Journal of the Republic
French).

 Figure I shows the top of these cells.

 Figures 2 and 3, the other two axes of the cells.

 Above the mold, a cam (3) has x ejector fingers of identical profile at the bottom of the cell, each finger disposed at the height of a cell.

 The ejector fingers x n are offset in the circle of 5 in order to decrease the ejection torque of the motor 4 which will cause the rotation of the cam (3).

 The ejector finger xl corresponding to the socket nl will extract the ice cube A before the ice cube B by 5 earlier and so on until the complete rotation of the cam (3), ie one revolution.

 A microprocessor manages the operation of the entire machine using data from its programmed memory.

 If the receptacle bin is empty or of an insufficient level, the microprocessor controls the solenoid valve for a sufficient period of time to fill the cells. The cold generator group is switched on for a time necessary for freezing the water. Thus, the ice cubes are formed in the cells, the motor is rotated, and generates the drive of the cam 3. The finger xl leaves the ice cube A of 5, then the finger x2 the ice cube B and 5 5 fingers xn. The complete rotation of the cam ends with the repositioning of the finger xl.

 The microprocessor is informed by a sensor of the quantity of ice cubes in the receiving bin. If the quantity is insufficient, the cycle continues, if not, the ice making cycle is stopped, and the temperature gauge informs the microprocessor for the good conservation of the ice cubes in the receiving bin.

 The device according to the invention is particularly intended for making ice cubes automatically, and for individual ice cube trays, for placing in refrigerated cabinets.

Claims (5)

1) - Device for making ice cubes, characterized in that the cells (n) have a shape  ovotid allowing an easier release. 2) - Device for the production of ice cubes according to claim 1 characterized in that the  alveoli (n) are covered with a food release film. 3) - Device for manufacturing ice cubes according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that  that the ejector fingers x are offset in the circle of 5 to decrease the torque  to eject the ice cubes. 4) - Device for making ice cubes according to claims 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that  that the egeector fingers-form a cam. 5) - Device for making ice cubes according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4 characterized in  that the rotation of the cam is managed by a microprocessor.