JPH0245739Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Industrial application field This invention relates to a scoop storage mechanism for an automatic ice maker, and more specifically, it is a device that continuously produces a large number of ice cubes and releases the ice cubes by dropping them into an ice storage. In the automatic ice maker, the ice cubes stored in the ice storage are stored in a fixed position in the ice storage in a clean state when not in use. This invention relates to a scoop storage mechanism configured to allow storage of a scoop.

Conventional technology Traditionally, in kitchens such as coffee shops and restaurants, ice cubes are continuously produced using an ice making mechanism connected to a refrigeration system, and the resulting ice cubes are deposited and stored in an ice storage box located below the ice making mechanism. A fully automatic ice maker is preferably used. These fully automatic ice makers are broadly classified into fountain ice makers and flowing ice makers, depending on the principle of producing ice cubes. The present invention can be commonly applied to these two types, but the specific configurations are different between the two, so prior to explaining the present invention, the outline of each ice making mechanism will be explained.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic configuration of the fountain-type automatic ice maker 10, in which an ice making chamber 14, which constitutes a part of the ice making mechanism, is arranged horizontally on the upper left side of the casing 12. A large number of ice-making chambers 16 opening downward are defined in a grid pattern. Further, at the bottom of the casing 12, a compressor 29 and a condenser 31, which constitute part of the refrigeration system, are arranged. An evaporator 18, which communicates with the refrigeration system through a pipe, is closely arranged in a meandering manner on the upper surface of the ice-making chamber 14, so that the ice-making compartment 16 is forcibly cooled during the ice-making cycle.

Immediately below the ice making compartment 14, there is an ice making water tank 2.
A water tray 24 having a water tray 2 on the bottom is pivotally supported on a shaft 26,
During the ice-making cycle, the tank 22 and water tray 24 are held horizontally and parallel to the ice-making chamber 14, and during the de-icing cycle, they are biased by an actuator (not shown) clockwise around the shaft 26. The ice-making chamber 16 is opened to the ice-making compartment 16 by tilting. Further, a discharge tray 28 is fixedly disposed below the tank 22 and the water tray 24 for discharging ice-making water released from the tank 22 during the de-aging cycle to the outside of the machine.

A water tray 24 disposed directly below the ice making chamber 16 is provided with a water fountain hole and a return hole (none of which are shown) corresponding to each of the small ice making chambers 16. The ice-making water stored in the tank 22 is pumped to the water tray 24 via a pump 30, and water is supplied from the water fountain holes to the corresponding ice-making compartments 16. Since the ice-making chamber 16 is cooled to below the freezing point by the operation of the refrigeration system, a portion of the ice-making water that is circulated and supplied into the ice-making chamber 16 begins to freeze within the ice-making chamber 16 . Further, unfrozen water is collected into the ice-making water tank 22 through the return hole of the water tray 24. When ice cubes 20 are generated in the ice-making compartment 16, a sensor detects this, stops the refrigeration cycle, supplies hot gas to the evaporator 18, and prevents the ice-making water tank 22 and water tray 24 from tilting. Start.
The generated ice cubes 20 are discharged from the ice-making chamber 16, fall into the water tray 24, and slide diagonally downward. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, a large number of ice cubes 20 are stored from the right side of the ice storage 32 disposed below the ice making mechanism, and are eventually deposited in an inclined state unevenly distributed to one side. Therefore, a space is formed below the drain tray 28 in which the ice cubes 20 are not stored.

Next, FIG. 10 shows a down-flow automatic ice maker 34 in longitudinal section, and the bottom of the casing 12 houses a compressor 29 and a condenser 31, which constitute a part of the refrigeration system. An ice-making plate 36 is arranged at an angle on the upper left side of the casing 12, and an evaporator 18 connected to the refrigeration system is arranged in a meandering manner on the back side of the ice-making plate 36 for cooling. An ice-making water tank 37 is disposed directly below the ice-making plate 36, and the ice-making water is uniformly sprayed onto the ice-making surface via the pump 30 and the sprinkler pipe 19 to form an ice sheet 38 of a predetermined size.

When the completion of ice making is detected by the sensor, hot gas is circulated through the evaporator 18 to break the ice between the ice sheet 38 and the ice making surface, and the ice sheet 38 is caused to slide down by its own weight, and a lattice-like structure arranged on the falling trajectory is caused to fall. It is collected into the heating wire 40. Next, by applying electricity to the heating wire 40, the plate-shaped plate 38 is melted and cut into a large number of ice cubes 20, and the obtained ice cubes 20 are accumulated and stored in the ice storage 32. In this case as well, as shown in FIG. 10, the ice cubes 20 are stored from the right side of the ice storage 32, and are eventually deposited in an inclined state unevenly distributed on one side. Therefore, a space is formed in the lower part of the ice-making water tank 37 in which the ice cubes 20 are not stored.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In both the fountain-type ice maker and the down-flow ice maker having the above-described configuration, the ice cubes 20 accumulated in the ice storage 32 are removed by using the scoop 33 attached to the ice maker. It's like scooping it out. By the way, since there is no fixed place for storing the scoop when not in use, it is often left on the ice cube accumulation layer in the ice storage after use. However, in this case, as the ice cubes that are continuously produced fall onto this scoop one after another, the scoop gets buried under the ice cubes, and the scoop must be scraped through the ice cubes each time it is used to take it out. It was impossible. As a result, dirt from the user's hands adhered to the ice cubes, making it extremely unsanitary.

Additionally, some users may place the scoop outside the ice storage (for example, on top of the ice maker), but in that case, dust and dirt may adhere to the scoop and the ice cubes scooped out using the scoop may become damaged. The dust and dirt transferred to the ice was also unsanitary. Moreover, since there is no fixed place to store the Scotch,
Inconveniences have also been pointed out, such as not being able to find the scoop immediately when using it, and needlessly spending time searching for it.

Purpose of the invention The present invention was proposed in order to suitably solve the above-mentioned drawbacks.The present invention allows the scoop to be hygienically stored in the ice maker when not in use, and also saves the trouble of searching for the scoop when in use. The purpose is to provide an automatic ice maker that can be eliminated.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the scoop storage mechanism of an automatic ice maker according to the present invention includes an ice making mechanism connected to a refrigeration system and an ice storage disposed below the ice making mechanism. , an automatic ice maker in which a large number of ice cubes discharged from the ice making mechanism are accumulated and stored unevenly on one side in an inclined state in the ice storage; In the surplus space created by the construction, and below the ice making mechanism, a storage member that opens in the direction of the ice cube outlet in the ice storage water storage is removably disposed, and a scoop for scooping out ice cubes is attached to and detached from the storage member. It is characterized by being configured so that it can be stored freely.

Embodiments Next, the scoop storage mechanism of the automatic ice maker according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, using preferred embodiments. Furthermore, Figure 9 and Figure 1
The same members that have already appeared in the conventional automatic ice maker described in connection with FIG.

In the present invention, regardless of whether the above-mentioned fountain-type or flowing-down type ice maker is used, it is equipped with an ice-making mechanism connected to the refrigeration system and an ice storage located below the ice-making mechanism. This proposal was made in view of the fact that a large number of ice cubes discharged from an ice making mechanism have a common feature in that they are accumulated and stored in an ice storage warehouse at an angle and unevenly distributed on one side. For example, the first
The figure shows one embodiment of the storage mechanism according to the present invention in relation to the internal structure of a fountain-type automatic ice maker 10 to which it is applied, and the basic configuration is related to FIG. As explained above. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an ice blowing type automatic ice maker 10
The drain tray 28 below the ice making unit is located at a position where the bottom of the drain tray 28 can be seen from the outlet 54 when the door 52 of the ice storage 32 is open. As shown in FIG. 1, the space below this drain tray 28 corresponds to a space where ice cubes 20 are not stored when a large number of ice cubes 20 are unevenly stacked in the ice storage 32 at an angle.

A storage member 42 having the basic configuration shown in FIG. 3 is removably attached to the lower surface of the drain tray 28 via a plurality of inverted L-shaped attachment members 44. That is, the storage member 42 has a frame made up of two horizontal members 46, 46 formed by bending round bars into a square shape, and four vertical members 48 that fix the horizontal members 46, 46 at a predetermined interval. It is structured in the form of a body. Each end of the longitudinal member 48 is connected to each cross member 4, as shown in FIG.
6, respectively. Therefore, at the bottom of the storage member 42, two crosspiece portions 4 are provided.
Like 6c and 46c, a rectangular opening 56 is formed from the two vertical members 48 and 48. This rectangular opening 56 has a scoop 3 as described below.
The main body portion of No. 3 is placed in such a way that it cannot fall off. Note that among the horizontal members 46, 46, the horizontal member 46 disposed on the near side
As shown in FIG. 5, the upright portion 46b of the cross member 46 is dimensionally longer than the upright portion 46b of the cross member 46 disposed on the rear side to facilitate the insertion and removal of the scoop 33, which will be described later.

In the four mounting members 44 fixed to the lower surface of the drain tray 28, the horizontal members 46 of the storage member 42 are attached to the vertical portions 44a hanging down from the drain tray 28.
A through hole 50 having a diameter larger than the diameter of is bored. As shown in FIG. 4, the storage member 42 can be removably attached to the lower surface of the drain tray 28 by inserting the shaft end 46a of the horizontal member 46 into each corresponding through hole 50. It is possible. At this time, the storage member 42 is configured such that the portion facing the outlet 54 is opened and the scoop 33 can be taken in and out from the front side (the side where the door 52 is provided). Moreover, if the storage member 42 is coated with polyethylene, it will be hygienic and will not get dirty easily.

6 shows another modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in which the ice cubes 2 in the ice storage 32 are
The storage member 42 is vertically attached to the internal left wall surface in the vicinity of the drain tray 28 in the surplus space defined by the slanted accumulation surface of 0.0.

Next, FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention applied to a down-flow automatic ice making machine 34, the basic configuration of which is the same as described in connection with FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 7, the ice-making water tank 37 in the automatic down-flow ice maker 34 is arranged at a position where the bottom of the tank 37 can be seen from the outlet when the door of the ice storage 32 is open. As shown in FIG. 7, the space below this ice-making water tank 37 corresponds to a space where no ice cubes 20 are stored when a large number of ice cubes 20 are unevenly stacked in the ice storage 32 at an angle.

A storage member 42 having the basic structure shown in FIG. 3 is removably attached to the lower surface of the ice-making water tank 37 via a plurality of inverted L-shaped attachment members 44. The detailed configuration is the same as described above in relation to the fountain ice maker, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Moreover, in addition to directly attaching it to the lower surface of the ice-making water tank 37, its installation position is similar to the example shown in FIG. Additionally, it may be installed vertically on the internal left wall directly below the tank 37.

"Effect of the embodiment" Next, regarding the scoop storage mechanism according to the present invention,
The actual use of it will be explained. As an example, the first
A case will be described in which the present invention is applied to the fountain-type ice maker shown in the figure, but the same applies to a down-flow ice maker.
The ice storage 32 is opened by pulling the door 52 attached to the ice storage 32 of the illustrated ice maker diagonally downward. The ice cubes 20 accumulated in this ice storage 32 are
Use the illustrated scoop 33 to scoop out the required amount.
The scoop 33 after use is stored in a storage member 42 disposed below the drain tray 28 as shown in FIG. 4. That is, the main body of the scoop tip 33 is dropped into the rectangular opening 56 formed at the bottom of the storage member 42, and the inclined portion 33b formed at the tip of the scoop tip 33 is inserted into the inner part of the storage member 42. The horizontal part 46c of the cross member 46 located at the horizontal part 46c of the cross member 46 is brought into contact with and supported. Further, by hooking and supporting the handle 33a of the scoop 33 on the horizontal portion 46c of the cross member 46 on the front side of the storage member 42, the scoop 33 is easily stored in the storage member 42.

Further, when taking out the scoop 33 from the storage member 42, the handle 33a can be lifted slightly from the horizontal portion 46c of the horizontal member 46 on the near side, and then pulled out with one touch. Note that the storage member 42 can be moved by pressing the upright portions 46b of the cross member 46 in a direction in which they approach each other.
a comes off from the through hole 50 of the attachment member 44, and the storage member 42 can be easily taken out from the ice storage 32 and washed.

Effects of the Invention As explained above, the scoop storage mechanism according to the present invention can be used in an automatic ice making machine in which a large number of ice cubes discharged from the ice making mechanism are unevenly accumulated and stored in the ice storage compartment at an angle to one side. In view of the fact that a surplus space is defined on the sloping accumulation surface of ice cubes in the ice storage, the ice storage is designed so that the scoop can be detachably stored in the surplus space, and the ice cubes do not accumulate in the ice storage. The scope is designed to be stored in a fixed position. Therefore, since the scoop is not buried in the ice cubes, it is possible to avoid an unsanitary situation in which dirt from the worker's hands is transferred to the ice cubes.

Also, since the scoop is always stored in a fixed location, there is no need to search for the scoop when you want to take out an ice cube. Furthermore, since the storage member itself can be easily taken out from inside the ice storage, if the storage member becomes dirty, it can be washed outside the ice storage. Furthermore, since the storage member has a simple structure of a bent round bar, it can be manufactured at low cost.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the scoop storage mechanism according to the present invention applied to a fountain-type automatic ice maker, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the automatic ice maker shown in Fig. 1 with the door open, and Fig. 3 The figure is a perspective view of the storage member used in the mechanism according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the scoop stored in the storage member shown in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is the ice maker shown in Figure 1. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a side view of the ice making machine shown in FIG. 7 with a storage member attached to the bottom of the ice making water tank, and FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the automatic ice making machine shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a conventional automatic flowing-down ice-making machine. 10... Fountain type automatic ice maker, 16... Ice making compartment, 20... Ice cubes, 22... Ice making water tank, 2
8... Drainage tray, 32... Ice storage, 33... Scoop, 34... Drop-down automatic ice maker, 36... Ice making plate, 37... Water tank for ice making, 42... Storage member.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] [1] An ice making mechanism connected to a refrigeration system and an ice storage 32 disposed below the ice making mechanism, wherein a large number of ice cubes 20 discharged from the ice making mechanism are In an automatic ice making machine in which the ice cubes 20 are accumulated and stored unevenly on one side in an inclined state in the ice storage 32, a surplus space defined by the sloped accumulation surface of the ice cubes 20 in the ice storage 32 and in the ice making mechanism. A storage member 42 that opens toward the outlet 54 for the ice cubes 20 in the ice storage 32 is removably disposed below, and a scoop 33 for scooping out ice cubes can be removably stored in the storage member 42. A scoop storage mechanism for an automatic ice maker. [2] A large number of ice-making chambers 16 that open downward;
A water tray 24 that sprays ice-making water from below into the ice-making chamber 16, an ice-making water tank 22 that stores ice-making water, and a water tray 24 that supplies ice-making water from below into the ice-making compartment 16; and an ice-making water tank 22 that stores ice-making water; The ice-making mechanism is composed of a drain tray 28 that receives and discharges residual water to the outside, and upon completion of ice-making, the water tray 24 and ice-making water tank 22 are tilted to open the large number of ice-making compartments 16. In the fountain type automatic ice maker configured to discharge frozen ice cubes into the tilted water tray 24 and let it slide down, the storage member 42 is removably disposed near the bottom of the drain tray 28. A scoop storage mechanism for an automatic ice maker as set forth in claim 1 of the utility model registration claim. [3] An ice-making plate 36 arranged at an angle, an ice-making water tank 37 arranged below the ice-making plate 36,
The ice making mechanism is composed of a water sprinkling pipe 19 that pumps up ice making water from the ice making water tank 37 and sprays it onto the ice making plate 36, and the ice cubes 38 generated on the ice making plate 36 are arranged diagonally downward in a lattice shape. In a falling type automatic ice maker 34 that slides down onto a heating wire 40 and melts and cuts the ice cubes 20 into a large number of ice cubes 20 by the lattice heating wire 40, the storage member 42 is inserted into the ice making water tank 37.
A scoop storage mechanism for an automatic ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that the scoop storage mechanism is configured to be detachably disposed near a lower portion of the ice maker.