JP2006519974A - Ice machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An ice making machine (1) is provided having an evaporator connected in fluid communication with a flow control device (5) to supply water for forming an ice cube. Water is supplied by a pump (7) from a storage tank (9) supported by a support element (11) below the evaporator. The storage tank is removably coupled to the ice machine support element and / or casing.

Description

  This application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. MI2003A000465 filed on March 12, 2003.

  The present invention relates to an ice making machine or an ice cube manufacturing apparatus, and more particularly to an ice making machine equipped with a removable water tank.

  An ice cube manufacturing apparatus, particularly an ice cube manufacturing apparatus equipped with a vertical evaporator is known. These ice cube making devices have an internal storage tank located below the evaporator, which can contain water that is converted to ice. Water can be sent to the flow control device via a transport pump, which itself distributes this water over the surface of the evaporator, thereby forming an ice cube.

  In such an ice machine, a storage tank for water that is converted to ice is permanently connected to the frame as one integral member of the frame and is accessible even when the casing of the ice machine is removed. Is difficult. Furthermore, over time, dirt is formed in the storage tank, and the progressive accumulation and lamination of lime contained in the water results in a scab, and aquatic bacteria and algae grow and multiply. Therefore, there is a need for improved cleaning and sanitation for water tanks.

  These modern storage tanks are cleaned by the use of a purifier that is circulated through the storage tank by the operation of a transport pump. The storage tank cleansing and cleaning achieved in this way is inadequate. This is because it does not provide an absolute guarantee of the results obtained because it is impossible or extremely difficult to perform inspection and visual recognition.

  The technical problem of the present invention is therefore to provide an ice cube production device with an evaporator, which makes it possible to eliminate the technical drawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With regard to this technical problem, the present invention provides an ice cube manufacturing device with an evaporator, where the ice cube manufacturing device is a storage tank for water used to form ice. Provides complete careful cleaning and purification.

  The invention also provides an ice cube making device with an evaporator, in which case the ice cube making device is a storage tank for water used to produce ice in a relatively simple and rapid manner. Enables cleaning and purification of

  The present invention provides ice with an evaporator that allows an ice cube maker to clean and purify a storage tank for water for making ice without having to completely disassemble the ice maker. A cube manufacturing apparatus is provided. The technical problem was solved by forming an ice cube production device of the type that includes an evaporator supplied with water by a water flow device to form an ice cube, the water below the evaporator It is withdrawn by a circulation pump from a storage tank supported by a support element.

  In one embodiment, an ice maker is provided. The ice making machine has an evaporator, a support element, and a storage tank for storing water to be formed into ice. The storage tank is removably coupled to the support element. The storage tank may require movement in at least two different directions to removably couple or disengage from the support element. An evaporator may also be coupled to the support element and can be arranged above the storage tank. Further, the ice making machine can have a flow control device and a pump. The flow control device can be fluidly connected to the evaporator and the pump, and the pump can be fluidly connected to the flow control device and the storage tank. A flow controller distributes water to the evaporator. The evaporator is a vertical evaporator. The flow control device can be a water spray device.

  The ice making machine can further include first and second coupling structures. The first and second coupling structures provide a removable coupling of the storage tank with the support element. The first and second coupling structures can be disposed on opposite surfaces of the storage tank and the support element. The facing surfaces of the storage tank and the support element can be flat. The at least two different directions can be a first and a second direction. The first direction is a plane direction orthogonal to the facing surface, and the second direction is a plane direction parallel to the facing surface. The second direction can also be located along an axis that is inclined from vertical. The second direction may be located along the vertical axis. The ice making machine can also have a housing, an evaporator, and a storage tank, the support element being arranged in the housing. The housing is divided into a plurality of compartments. The support element can also be used to divide the housing into a plurality of compartments. The ice maker also has a wall that substantially isolates the evaporator from the pump. The wall is pivotable with respect to the evaporator.

  The first coupling structure can be a gripping tooth and the second coupling structure can be a corresponding gripping seat. The first coupling structure may be a coupling screw having a head, and the second structure may be a slot having a groove, whereby the head is selectively latched in the groove. can do. In addition, the ice making machine can have a housing in which the first and second coupling structures are arranged on opposite surfaces of the storage tank and the housing. The facing surfaces of the storage tank and the housing may be the lateral plane of the storage tank and the facing plane of the housing. One or both of the first coupling structure and the second coupling structure can also be controlled manually. The storage tank can be a basin. The water storage tank may be a tank that captures waste water from the evaporator and recycles the waste water to the water flow distributor. The support element can be one or more sidewalls of the housing and one or more partition walls of the housing, and the sump can be removably secured to the sidewalls and partition walls. .

  In another embodiment, a method is provided for removable coupling of a storage tank for water to produce ice in an ice cube making device having an evaporator and a support element. The steps of this method require movement of the storage tank in a first direction relative to the support element, and then require movement in a second direction relative to the support element, thereby coupling or disengaging the storage tank to the support element. Including doing. The first direction and the second direction can form an angle of 90 ° or more relative to each other. In addition, the method includes steps that require removably coupling or disengaging the lateral plane of the storage tank to the opposite plane of the housing of the ice cube making apparatus.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of the preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of the ice making machine according to the present invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings for purposes of understanding and non-limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the front portion of an ice making machine according to the present invention, the casing of which is partially omitted to show the internal components.

  FIG. 2a shows a perspective view of the storage tank of FIG. 1 with a first preferred embodiment of the coupling structure.

  FIG. 2b shows an exploded perspective view of the storage tank and support element of FIG.

  Fig. 3a shows a perspective view of a storage tank with a second preferred embodiment of the coupling structure.

  3b shows an exploded perspective view of the storage tank of FIG. 3a and the support element of FIG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, an ice cube making apparatus or ice maker is shown and is generally indicated by reference numeral 1. The ice making machine 1 has a vertical evaporator (not shown because it is hidden by a corresponding horizontally pivotable wall or lid 3) arranged parallel to the front side of the ice making machine 1. . Although this embodiment shows a vertical evaporator, this disclosure contemplates the use of other types and arrangements of evaporators. Further, the ice making machine 1 has a flow control device 5 which is a spray device in this embodiment. The spray device 5 supplies or spreads water to the evaporator to produce ice. Water is supplied to the spraying device 5 by a recirculation pump 7, and the recirculation pump is connected to a storage tank or a sump so that fluid can flow, and draws water from the storage tank. The pump 7 is connected to the spraying device 5 through the pipe 13 so that fluid can flow. The storage tank 9 is removably supported below the evaporator by a flat support wall, housing or element 11. The storage tank 9 captures waste water from the evaporator and recycles the waste water to the spray device 5 via the pump 7. . The evaporator is preferably also supported by a support element 1, which divides the interior of the ice making machine 1 into compartments as shown in FIG. 1 and acts as a dividing wall.

  The spraying device 5 is disposed above the evaporator and has a plurality of holes (not shown) for distributing water, and the water is divided into a plurality of compartments (FIG. (Not shown). Although the present invention uses a spray device 5 to distribute water to the evaporator, this disclosure describes other types of flow control devices for distributing and supplying water to the evaporator, such as water distribution. Considering the use of tubes.

  The evaporator is part of a refrigeration assembly (not shown) through which refrigerant fluid circulates. In addition, the refrigeration assembly has a compressor that supplies a condenser (preferably provided with a fan for air cooling). The condenser is connected to the laminar flow element and to the evaporator itself and then again to the compressor. Other refrigeration members may be used with the refrigeration assembly. Preferably, at the end of the ice making process in the compartment, ie the refrigeration cycle, the refrigeration process is reversed to release the ice cubes by heating the compartment, ie the harvest cycle.

  In this embodiment, the ice cubes are removed by gravity along a plane inclined forward and downward relative to the evaporator lid 3 along the plane. Under the action of the weight of the ice itself, the ice cubes pivot open the evaporator lid 3 and the ice cubes are finally collected in a container (not shown) located at the bottom of the ice making machine 1. . However, this disclosure contemplates the use of alternative structures and methods for supplying ice to containers or the like during the harvest cycle. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1, the wall or lid 3 isolates the pump 7 from the evaporator when the lid is in the closed position.

  The ice making machine 1 has a removable connection for the storage tank 9 with a corresponding support element 11, which is preferably releasable without the need for tools for removal or engagement. It is a simple bond. A removable connection is provided between at least one side of the storage tank 9, preferably the rear side, and the opposite side of the corresponding support element 11. More preferably, the rear surface is a flat surface, and the facing surface of the corresponding support element 11 is also a flat surface. The removable connection is activated by at least a first and second translational movement or direction of movement or force. Preferably, in order to engage the storage tank 9 with the support element 11, the first translational movement takes place in a plane perpendicular to the facing plane of the storage tank and the corresponding support element, whereas The second translational movement is parallel to the facing plane. More preferably, the second translational movement may be along a vertical axis or inclined from vertical.

  Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, a removable coupling system for the storage tank 9 is shown that requires a second translational movement up and down substantially vertically. In this embodiment, the removable coupling has at least one, preferably three gripping teeth 15 arranged in the storage tank 9. Each of the gripping teeth extends from the rear surface of the storage tank 9 and is bent downward in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the removable coupling has at least one gripping seat and preferably three continuous openings 26 in the support element 11, each opening engaging a corresponding gripping tooth 15. can do.

  A removable connection may also be provided between at least one of the sides of the storage tank 9, preferably the flat side, and the opposite flat side of the casing or housing of the ice machine 1. it can. More preferably, this removable connection is operated manually. Most preferably, the removable connection can be formed, for example, by a screw clamping element 40 having a handle at one end, which can be provided with manual control.

  Referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b, a removable coupling system for the storage tank 9 is shown, which requires a second translational movement downward but is tilted vertically. Yes. In this embodiment, the removable connection comprises at least one connection screw in the support element 11, preferably a connection screw 28 having a head 30 and partially screwed into the support element 11. Furthermore, the removable coupling comprises at least one slot in the rear surface of the storage tank 9, preferably an elongated portion 32 that can be hooked on the head of the screw 28, and a groove 16 that extends from the elongated portion 32 with a downward slope. Including a slot 17 formed by

  In the above embodiment, a detachable connection is provided between the storage tank 9 and the support element 11. However, another removable coupling structure can be provided between at least one of the flat sides of the storage tank 9 and the opposed flat sides of the casing or housing of the ice machine 1. . These removable coupling structures are preferably manually operated. In particular, the coupling structure can be formed by a screw tightening element 40 in an elongated slot 42 having a handle at one end, which provides manual control. Thus, the operation for the detachable coupling of the storage tank 9 consists in the first translation of the storage tank in a plane perpendicular to the facing plane with the rear plane being the facing plane of the corresponding support element 11. Requires coupling by movement and a second translational movement of the storage tank downwards in a plane parallel to the facing plane. Preferably, this operation also involves at least one removable fixation of at least one of the lateral planes of the storage tank 9 to the opposite plane of the casing or housing of the ice making machine 1 as described above.

  Referring to the removable coupling embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, the first translational movement introduces each gripping tooth 15 into the corresponding gripping seat 26, while moving downwards. The second translational movement results in the latching of each gripping tooth 15 in the corresponding gripping seat 26.

  Referring to the removable coupling embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the first translational movement introduces the head 30 of the screw 28 into the elongated portion 32 of the corresponding connecting slot 17, whereas Due to the second downward translational movement, the shank of the screw 28 slides into the groove 16 of the connection slot 17 and causes the connection of the screw 28 in the slot 17.

  The present invention may also have an alternative structure that provides a removable connection of the storage tank 9 to the support element 11, the casing (housing) or both. Preferably, such an alternative structure requires movement or provision of force in at least two different directions to engage and disengage the storage tank. The two different directions may be perpendicular to each other or greater than 90 °.

  While this disclosure has been described with respect to one or more exemplary embodiments, various modifications can be made and equivalents can be substituted for elements of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. This will be understood by those skilled in the art. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, but the invention is not limited to all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Is included.

1 shows a perspective view of the front part of an ice making machine according to the present invention, the casing of which is partially omitted to show the internal members. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the storage tank of FIG. 1 with a first preferred embodiment of the coupling structure. FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the storage tank and support element of FIG. 1. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a storage tank with a second preferred embodiment of the coupling structure. Fig. 3b shows an exploded perspective view of the storage tank of Fig. 3a and the support element of Fig. 1;

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ice machine, 3 Wall or lid, 5 Spraying device, 7 Recirculation pump, 9 Storage tank, 11 Housing, 13 Pump, 15 Gripping tooth, 16 Groove, 17 Slot, 26 Opening, 28 Connecting screw, 30 Head, 32 elongate part, 40 screw tightening element, 42 elongate slot

Claims (25)

In ice machine,
An evaporator, a support element, a connector, and a storage tank for storing water to be converted to ice are provided, the storage tank being removably coupled to the support element by the connector. An ice making machine characterized in that the connector couples the storage tank with or disengages from the support element by movement of the storage tank only in at least two different directions.   The connector includes first and second coupling structures, and the first and second coupling structures can be removably engaged with each other, the first and second coupling structures. The ice maker according to claim 1, wherein the storage tank and the support element are arranged on opposite surfaces for releasable coupling of the storage tank to the support element, respectively.   The ice making machine of claim 2, wherein the first coupling structure is a gripping tooth, and the second coupling structure is a corresponding gripping seat.   The evaporator is coupled to the support element, and the evaporator is disposed above the storage tank so that the storage tank can catch drainage from the evaporator. The ice making machine according to 1.   The storage tank is a sump that is fluidly connected to the evaporator, the sump being suspended from the support element when removably coupled. 4. The ice making machine according to 4.   The ice making machine according to claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein the evaporator, the storage tank, and the support element are disposed in the housing, and the housing is divided into a plurality of compartments. .   The ice making machine of claim 6, wherein the support element divides the housing into the plurality of compartments.   The ice making machine according to claim 7, wherein the support element is a side wall and a dividing wall of the housing, and the storage tank is detachably coupled to the side wall and the dividing wall.   The ice making machine of claim 1, wherein the at least two different directions are at an angle of 90 ° or more with respect to each other.   The at least two different directions are first and second directions, the first direction is in a plane orthogonal to the facing surface, and the second direction is parallel to the facing surface. The ice maker according to claim 1, which is in a flat plane.   The ice making machine according to claim 1, wherein the at least two different directions are a first direction and a second direction, and the second direction is located along an axis inclined from vertical.   The first coupling structure is a connecting screw having a head, the second coupling structure is a slot having a groove, and the head can be caught in the groove. Ice machine.   The ice making machine of claim 2, wherein the facing surfaces of the storage tank and the support element are substantially planar.   The ice maker according to claim 2, wherein a housing is provided, and the first and second coupling structures are disposed on opposite surfaces of the storage tank and the housing. In ice machine,
An evaporator, a support element, a connector, and a storage tank for storing water that is converted to ice, the storage tank being detachably coupled to the support element by the connector; The evaporator is located above the storage tank, so that the storage tank can catch drainage from the evaporator and the connector has a manually controlled handle An ice making machine, characterized in that it does not require the use of tools to connect or disengage the storage tank to or from the support element.   A flow rate controller connected to the evaporator and the storage tank for fluid flow is provided for distributing the water from the storage tank to the evaporator, wherein the storage tank is connected to the evaporator from the evaporator. The ice making machine according to claim 1 which catches drainage and recycles the drainage to said flow control device.   The ice making machine according to claim 16, wherein the evaporator is a vertical evaporator, and the flow control device is a water spray device.   The ice maker of claim 10, wherein the second direction is located along a vertical axis.   The ice making machine of claim 14, wherein the facing surfaces of the storage tank and the housing are a lateral plane of the storage tank and an opposing plane of the housing.   The ice maker according to claim 16, wherein a pump connected to the flow control device and the storage tank so as to allow fluid flow is provided, and the pump supplies the waste water from the storage tank to the flow control device. .   21. The ice maker of claim 20, wherein a wall is provided that substantially isolates the evaporator from the pump.   The ice maker of claim 21, wherein the wall is pivotable relative to the evaporator. In a method for removable coupling of a storage tank with water used to produce ice in an ice maker having an evaporator, a support element and a connector,
The storage tank requires movement in a first direction with respect to the support element and then movement in a second direction with respect to the support element, wherein the first and second directions are different, whereby A method for removable coupling of a storage tank, characterized in that a connector couples the storage tank to or from the support element.   24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first direction and the second direction are at an angle of 90 [deg.] Or greater with respect to each other.   24. The method of claim 23, comprising requiring releasable coupling or disengagement of the lateral plane of the storage tank with the opposed plane of the ice machine housing.

Images