US20180164014A1 - Ice-making apparatus with anti-contamination structure - Google Patents

Ice-making apparatus with anti-contamination structure Download PDF

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Publication number
US20180164014A1
US20180164014A1 US15/675,593 US201715675593A US2018164014A1 US 20180164014 A1 US20180164014 A1 US 20180164014A1 US 201715675593 A US201715675593 A US 201715675593A US 2018164014 A1 US2018164014 A1 US 2018164014A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
contaminant
elongate
opposing
ice
side walls
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Abandoned
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US15/675,593
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English (en)
Inventor
Doo Ha KIM
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Daeyeong E&B Co Ltd
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Daeyeong E&B Co Ltd
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Assigned to DAEYEONG E&B CO., LTD. reassignment DAEYEONG E&B CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KIM, DOO HA
Publication of US20180164014A1 publication Critical patent/US20180164014A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • F25C5/20—Distributing ice
    • F25C5/24—Distributing ice for storing bins
    • F25C5/007—
    • 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
    • F25C1/00—Producing 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
    • F25C1/00—Producing ice
    • F25C1/04—Producing ice by using stationary moulds
    • F25C1/045—Producing ice by using stationary moulds with the open end pointing downwards
    • 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
    • F25C5/18—Storing ice
    • F25C5/182—Ice bins therefor
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25C2300/00—Special arrangements or features for producing, working or handling 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
    • F25C2400/00—Auxiliary features or devices for producing, working or handling ice
    • F25C2400/04—Ice guide, e.g. for guiding ice blocks to storage tank
    • 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
    • F25C2400/00—Auxiliary features or devices for producing, working or handling ice
    • F25C2400/12—Means for sanitation

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to an ice-making apparatus with an anti-contamination structure, and, more particularly, to an anti-contamination structure configured to prevent contaminants from entering an ice storage chamber of an ice-making apparatus.
  • the ice-making apparatus cools water to produce ice, and may be classified into residential and commercial types.
  • the ice-making apparatus has an ice-storage chamber defined therein to store produced ices therein. A user easily extract the ices as needed from the chamber.
  • the ices produced in the ice-making apparatus may be used for various purposes. It is an important task to keep sanitary condition of the ice-storage chamber clean or non-contaminated.
  • the present disclosure is to provide an anti-contamination structure configured to prevent contaminants from entering an ice storage chamber of an ice-making apparatus, thereby to keep sanitary condition of the ice-storage chamber clean or non-contaminated.
  • an ice-making apparatus with an anti-contamination structure wherein the apparatus includes: a housing having an ice-storage chamber defined therein, and a front wall having a front opening partially defined therein; a pivotally-movable door having an elongate top end, wherein the pivotally-movable door is constructed to pivotally move around the elongate top end thereof to open or close the front opening, wherein an elongate clearance is defined between the elongate top end and the front wall; an elongate contaminant-guide plate disposed below the elongate clearance, wherein the elongate contaminant-guide plate has opposing first and second side ends, and the housing has opposing first and second side walls, wherein the opposing first and/or second side ends are disposed at or adjacent to the opposing first and/or second side walls respectively; and first and/or second contaminant-discharge holes defined in the opposing first and/or second side walls respectively, wherein the elong
  • the front wall has upper and lower portions, wherein the upper portion is tilted, wherein the upper portion has the front opening at least partially defined therein, wherein the elongate clearance is disposed at a higher level than the ice-storage chamber.
  • the elongate contaminant-guide plate extends in a downward inclined manner toward the first and/or second contaminant-discharge holes.
  • the opposing first and/or second side walls have first and second contaminant-receiving chambers defined therein respectively, wherein the first and/or second contaminant-receiving chambers are constructed to receive the contaminants from the elongate contaminant-guide plate, wherein the first and/or second contaminant-discharge holes communicate with the first and/or second contaminant-receiving chambers respectively, wherein the first and/or second contaminant-discharge holes receive the contaminants from the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers respectively and discharge the contaminants out of the housing.
  • the opposing first and second side walls have first and second pivotal axial protrusions extending inwardly therefrom respectively
  • the pivotally-movable door has first and second pivotal axial grooves defined in first and second opposing side ends of the elongate top end thereof, wherein the first and second pivotal axial protrusions are rotatably inserted into the first and second pivotal axial grooves respectively, wherein the first and/or second contaminant-receiving chambers are partially defined in the first and/or second pivotal axial protrusions respectively; or the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers are defined in the opposing first and/or second side walls respectively while the first and/or second contaminant-receiving chambers level-correspond to the first and/or second pivotal axial protrusions respectively.
  • the opposing first and/or second side ends of the elongate contaminant-guide plate extends into the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers respectively.
  • the opposing first and/or second side walls have first and/or second contaminant downward channels defined in outer face portions thereof respectively, wherein the first and/or second contaminant downward channels communicate with the first and second contaminant-discharge holes respectively, wherein the first and/or second contaminant downward channels are constructed to allow downward movement of the contaminants along the opposing first and/or second side walls respectively.
  • the first and/or second contaminant downward channels extend downwardly from the first and/or second contaminant-discharge holes respectively, wherein first and/or contaminant containers are disposed on outer faces of the first and second side walls respectively, wherein the first and/or contaminant containers communicates the first and/or second contaminant downward channels respectively, wherein the first and/or contaminant containers are constructed to contain therein the contaminants, wherein the first and/or contaminant containers are removable from the outer faces of the first and second side walls respectively.
  • the opposing first and/or second side walls has first and/or second guide channels defined therein, wherein upper ends of the first and/or second guide channels communicate with the first and second contaminant-discharge holes respectively, wherein the apparatus further includes an ice-making water discharge channel used to discharge water used in ice-making, wherein each of lower ends of the first and/or second guide channels communicates with the ice-making water discharge channel, wherein the contaminants are discharged from the first and second contaminant-discharge holes to the first and/or second guide channels and then to the ice-making water discharge channel.
  • the elongate contaminant-guide plate for preventing the falling-down of the contaminants into the ice-storage chamber through the elongate clearance defined between the pivotally-movable door and the housing of the ice-making apparatus, and via the first and second contaminant-discharge holes for discharging the contaminants guided along the elongate contaminant-guide plate out of the housing, contamination of the ice stored in the ice-storage chamber may be effectively suppressed.
  • the present disclosure can effectively manage and remove contaminants discharged through the first and second contaminant-discharge holes.
  • FIG. 1 is a view showing an appearance of a housing of an ice-making apparatus with an anti-contamination structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which a guide channel is provided in the ice-making apparatus with an anti-contamination structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which a guide channel is connected to an ice-making water discharge channel in an ice-making apparatus with an anti-contamination structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a state in which a pivotally-movable door is opened in an ice-making apparatus with an anti-contamination structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 5 is a view showing an elongate contaminant-guide plate extending tiltedly downwardly in the ice-making apparatus with an anti-contamination structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of a portion A in the ice-making apparatus with an anti-contamination structure as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 7 is a view showing a cut portion taken along a line B-B in the ice-making apparatus with an anti-contamination structure as shown in FIG. 6 .
  • FIG. 8 is a view showing a cut portion taken along a line C-C in the ice-making apparatus with an anti-contamination structure as shown in FIG. 6 .
  • spatially relative terms such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of explanation to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element s or feature s as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or in operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” or “under” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example terms “below” and “under” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented for example, rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations, and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.
  • an ice-making apparatus with an anti-contamination structure includes a housing 110 having an ice-storage chamber 119 defined therein and a front wall 112 having a front opening 111 partially defined therein; a pivotally-movable door 120 having an elongate top end portion 122 , wherein the pivotally-movable door 120 is constructed to pivotally move around the elongate top end portion 122 thereof to open or close the front opening 111 , wherein an elongate clearance 128 is defined between the elongate top end portion 122 and the front wall 112 ; an elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 disposed below the elongate clearance 128 , wherein the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 has opposing first and second side ends 142 , and the housing 110 has opposing first and second side walls 115 , wherein the opposing first and/or second side ends 142 are disposed at or adjacent to the opposing first and second side walls 115 respectively
  • the housing 110 may have the ice-storage chamber 119 defined therein and have the front wall 112 having the front opening 111 partially defined therein.
  • the housing 110 defines an appearance of the ice-making apparatus 100 .
  • the front wall 112 defines a front portion of the housing 110 .
  • the housing 110 houses a cooling system, a control system, and a water circulation system. Meanwhile, the shape of the housing 110 may vary. In an embodiment, the housing 110 is formed to have the shape of a column having a rectangular cross section.
  • FIG. 1 shows an exterior view of the housing 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the ice-storage chamber 119 .
  • the front opening 111 is formed in the front wall 112 .
  • the front opening 111 may have various sizes and shapes.
  • the front opening 111 is formed to have a width substantially equal to a width of the housing 110 .
  • the front opening 111 may be partially vertically defined in the front wall 112 .
  • FIG. 1 shows the front opening 111 , which is closed by the pivotally-movable door 120 .
  • FIG. 4 shows that the front opening 111 is in an open state. Through the front opening 111 , the user of the ice-making apparatus 100 can take out the ices from the ice-storage chamber 119 .
  • the pivotally-movable door 120 is located in the front opening 111 and is provided to be pivotable about the elongate top end portion 122 to open and close the front opening 111 .
  • the pivotally-movable door 120 is controlled to open and close the front opening 111 .
  • the elongate top end portion 122 acts a pivotal axis so that the pivotally movable door 120 pivotally moves about the elongate top end portion 122 .
  • the shape of the pivotally-movable door 120 substantially corresponds to the shape of the front opening 111 . Accordingly, the opening and closing of the front opening 111 is controlled based on the pivotal state of the pivotally-movable door 120 .
  • the elongate clearance 128 is defined between the elongate top end portion 122 and the front wall 112 .
  • the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 is disposed below the elongate clearance 128 .
  • the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 has opposing first and second side ends 142 .
  • the housing 110 has opposing first and second side walls 115 .
  • the opposing first and/or second side ends 142 are disposed at or adjacent to the opposing first and second side walls 115 respectively.
  • the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 is constructed to receive contaminants falling down from the elongate clearance 128 and to guide the contaminants towards opposing first and/or second side walls 115 of the housing 110 .
  • the elongate clearance 128 is defined between the elongate top end portion 122 and the front wall 112 .
  • the elongate clearance 128 is inevitable since the pivotally-movable door 120 is pivotally coupled, as a separate component from the housing 110 , to the housing 110 .
  • FIG. 1 shows a location of the elongate clearance 128 .
  • the elongate clearance 128 is formed above the elongate top end portion 122 of the pivotally-movable door 120 .
  • the contaminants outside the housing 110 may be introduced into the housing 110 through the elongate clearance 128 .
  • a water droplet condensed on the pivotally-movable door 120 may move along an outer surface of the pivotally-movable door 120 toward the clearance 128 .
  • An unhygienic contaminant may be present on the outer surface of the pivotally-movable door 120 .
  • the water droplet present on the outer surface of the pivotally-movable door 120 may move toward the elongate clearance 128 while the contaminant is contained in the droplet. Thereafter, when the droplet falls into the ice-storage chamber 119 , the hygiene of the ices therein greatly decreases.
  • the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 is positioned below the elongate clearance 128 .
  • the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 may be coupled to the housing 110 such that the plate 140 is positioned below the elongate clearance 128 . This configuration is shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 may extend in a width direction of the housing 110 .
  • the opposing first and/or second side ends 142 of the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 may be disposed at or adjacent to the opposing first and/or second side walls 115 of the housing 110 respectively.
  • the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 may be formed to have an elongate concave shape.
  • the housing 110 may preferably have the opposing first and second side walls 115 .
  • the opposing first and/or second side ends 142 of the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 may be disposed at or adjacent to the opposing first and/or second side walls 115 of the housing 110 respectively.
  • contaminated water containing various contaminants falling from the elongate clearance 128 is collected by the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 . Then, the contaminated water may flow along the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 to the opposing first and/or second side walls 115 of the housing 110 .
  • the opposing first and second side ends 142 of the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 are disposed to face the opposing first and/or second side walls 115 of the housing 110 respectively.
  • the contaminated water containing various contaminants falling from the elongate clearance 128 is collected by the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 .
  • the contaminated water may flow along the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 to the opposing first and second side walls 115 of the housing 110 .
  • the contaminant introduced into the housing 110 through the elongate clearance 128 cannot reach the ice-storage chamber 119 .
  • the first and/or second contaminant-discharge holes 165 may be defined in the opposing first and/or second side walls 115 respectively. Each of the first and/or second contaminant-discharge holes 165 may be constructed to discharge the contaminants out of the housing 110 . Each of the first and/or second contaminant-discharge holes 165 may be constructed to receive the contaminants from the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 and to discharge the contaminants out of the housing 110 . In embodiments, each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 may serve as a discharge channel for discharging the contaminant to the outside of the housing 110 . The shape of each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 may vary.
  • the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 may preferably be adjacent to the opposing first and second side ends 142 of the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 , respectively. Thus, the contaminants guided along the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 may be discharged completely through the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 out of the housing 110 .
  • first and second side walls 115 having the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 defined therein is shown.
  • the first or second contaminant-discharge holes 165 defined adjacent to the opposing first or second side ends 142 of the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 respectively allows communication between an interior space in the housing 110 and an exterior space to the housing 110 .
  • FIGS. 7 to 8 one of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 and corresponding one of the opposing first and second side ends 142 of the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 are shown. This is merely according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to this. The positions of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 and the opposing first and second side ends 142 may vary.
  • the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 may be used to prevent the contaminant flowing through the elongate clearance 128 from falling into the ice-storage chamber 119 .
  • the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 may be used to guide the contaminant to the opposing first and/or second side walls 115 of the housing 110 , in which the contaminant may be discharged through the first and/or second contaminant-discharge holes 165 through the housing 110 .
  • the contaminant will be prevented from entering the ice-storage chamber 119 through the elongate clearance 128 , which is formed between the pivotally-movable door 120 and the housing 110 , thereby to suppress the contamination of the ices in the ice-storage chamber 119 .
  • the contaminated water present on the outer surface of the pivotally-movable door 120 and containing the contaminants therein may be effectively be prevented from entering the ice-storage chamber 119 .
  • an upper portion of the front wall 112 may be inclined.
  • the front opening 111 may define at least a portion of the inclined upper portion.
  • the elongate clearance 128 is located above the ice-storage chamber 119 .
  • the front wall 112 of the housing 110 may be provided in various shapes.
  • the upper portion of the front wall 112 of the housing 110 is inclined. Referring to FIG. 1 , the upper portion of the front wall 112 of the housing 110 is inclined while a lower portion of the front wall 112 of the housing 110 extends vertically.
  • a portion of the inclined wall corresponds to the front opening 111 .
  • a lower portion of the inclined wall defines the front opening 111 .
  • the present disclosure is not limited to this.
  • the configuration of the front wall 112 may vary.
  • the ice-storage chamber 119 is located below the elongate clearance 128 . Even when the front opening 111 is oriented in a perpendicular manner to the ground, there is a possibility that the contaminant will enter the ice-storage chamber 119 . However, when the elongate clearance 128 is located above the ice-storage chamber 119 , the anti-contaminant structure according to the present disclosure is particularly important.
  • the contaminant introduced through the elongate clearance 128 into the housing 110 will fall down and then directly enter the ice-storage chamber 119 , which can greatly reduce the hygiene of the ice-storage chamber 119 . Therefore, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sanitary level of the ice-making apparatus 100 can be greatly improved by preventing the contaminant falling down through the elongate clearance 128 from entering the ice-storage chamber 119 .
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a structure in which the elongate clearance 128 formed between the pivotally-movable door 120 and the housing 110 is located above the ice-storage chamber 119 .
  • the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 prevents the contaminant falling through the elongate clearance 128 from reaching the ice-storage chamber 119 .
  • the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 may be defined in the first and side walls of the housing 110 respectively, thereby to discharge the contaminant out of the housing 110 .
  • the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 may extend in a downwardly inclined manner toward the first or second contaminant-discharge holes 165 .
  • the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 guides the contaminant dropped from the elongate clearance 128 to the opposing first or second side walls 115 of the housing 110 .
  • the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 may extend in a downwardly inclined manner toward the first or second contaminant-discharge holes 165 .
  • FIG. 5 The embodiment in which the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 extends in a downwardly inclined manner toward the first or second contaminant-discharge holes 165 is shown in FIG. 5 . More specifically, in FIG. 5 , the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 has a highest point in a longitudinal center thereof and a lowest point at each of the opposing first and second side ends 142 .
  • the contaminant collected by the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 may be moved toward the opposing first and/or second side ends 142 due to gravity.
  • the discharge of the contaminant may be facilitated.
  • the housing 110 has first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 .
  • the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 are defined within the opposing first and second side walls 115 respectively.
  • the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 may be configured to receive the contaminants from the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 .
  • the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 may communicate with the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 respectively, Thus, the contaminants that have received in the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 may be discharged through the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 respectively out of the housing 110 .
  • each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 defines a space in which the contaminant transferred by the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 is retained before being discharged through the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 . If an amount of the contaminant from the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 exceeds an allowable amount of contaminant to be discharged through the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 , an excessive contaminant may fall again into the ice-storage chamber 119 .
  • the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 are provided to prevent the excessive contaminants from entering the ice-storage chamber 119 .
  • Each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 need not necessarily define a closed space.
  • each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 has a step, a shoulder, or a blocking structure constructed to prevent movement of the contaminants toward the ice-storage chamber 119 .
  • the contaminants received in each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 may not fall into the ice-storage chamber 119 .
  • first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 are defined within the opposing first and second side walls 115 of the housing 110 respectively.
  • the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 are positioned immediately below the opposing first and second side ends 142 of the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 respectively.
  • the contaminants guided along the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 flows into each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 .
  • the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 allow fluid-communications between the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 and an exterior space to the housing 110 respectively. Accordingly, the contaminants present in each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 may be safely discharged through each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 out of the housing 110 .
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion “A” in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 6 shows a state in which first or second pivotal axial protrusions 117 as will be described below is partially removed from the portion A.
  • a position and shape of the first or second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 and the corresponding first or second contaminant-discharge holes 165 are partially shown.
  • each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 faces each of the opposing first and second side ends 142 of the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 .
  • Each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 receives the contaminant from the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 . Then, each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 delivers the contaminants to each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 .
  • a position and shape of each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 relative to each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 may vary.
  • each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 is disposed immediately below each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 so that all contaminants within each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 are discharged through each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 .
  • FIG. 6 An example of a position and shape of each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 and each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 is shown in FIG. 6 .
  • FIG. 7 shows a cut portion taken along a line B-B of the ice-making apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 6 . Particularly, FIG. 7 shows each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 as viewed from an inside of the housing 110 .
  • the opposing first and second side ends 142 of the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 are each close to opposing first and second side walls 115 of the housing 110 .
  • first and second side ends 142 of the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 extend downwardly into the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 , respectively.
  • each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 is defined.
  • Each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 may be communicated with each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 and may be structurally partially defined across the bottom of each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 .
  • FIG. 8 is a cut portion taken along a line C-C of the ice-making apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 6 . Particularly, each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 is shown as viewed from a front of the ice-making apparatus 100 .
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a shape of each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 .
  • each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 are defined within an outermost edge portion of each of the opposing first and second side walls 115 of the housing 110 .
  • Each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 is not visible in FIG. 1 showing the appearance of the housing 110 .
  • FIG. 8 shapes of and a relative positional relationship between each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 , each of the opposing first and second side ends 142 of the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 , and each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 are shown in accordance with one embodiment.
  • the contaminants guided along the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 may be efficiently prevented from entering the ice-storage chamber 119 .
  • the contaminants may be effectively discharged even in an event of a rapid increase of the contaminants.
  • the first and second pivotal axial protrusions 117 may extend inwardly from inner faces of the opposing first and second side walls 115 respectively.
  • the first and second pivotal axial protrusions 117 may be inserted into first and second pivotal axial grooves respectively defined in both opposing side end portions of the elongate top end portion 122 of the pivotally-movable door 120 .
  • the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 may be adjacent to the first and second pivotal axial protrusions 117 respectively.
  • first and second pivotal axial protrusions 117 may extend inwardly from inner faces of the opposing first and second side walls 115 respectively so as to be rotatably inserted into first and second pivotal axial grooves respectively defined in both opposing side end portions of the elongate top end portion 122 of the pivotally-movable door 120 .
  • first and second pivotal axial protrusions 117 may act as a pivotal axis for the pivotally-movable door 120 .
  • first and second pivotal axial protrusions 117 may extend outwardly from the both opposing side end portions of the elongate top end portion 122 of the pivotally-movable door 120 .
  • the opposing first and second side walls 115 may have first and second pivotal axial grooves respectively defined therein.
  • first and second pivotal axial protrusions 117 may be respectively rotatably inserted into the first and second pivotal axial grooves.
  • each of the first and second pivotal axial protrusions 117 are projected out of the housing 110 such that a pivotal axis of the pivotally-movable door 120 is positioned out of the front opening 111 . This ensures that the pivotal movement of the pivotally-movable door 120 is not interfered by the housing 110 .
  • the first and/or second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 may be defined within the opposing first and/or second side walls 115 of the housing 110 respectively while the first and/or second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 may level-correspond to the first and/or second pivotal axial protrusions 117 respectively.
  • the first and/or second pivotal axial protrusions 117 may have a lower level than the elongate clearance 128 .
  • the elongate clearance 128 may be defined between the elongate top end portion 122 of the pivotally-movable door 120 and the housing 110 . In this connection, the elongate top end portion 122 may be disposed below the elongate clearance 128 .
  • first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 may be at least partially defined in the first and second pivotal axial protrusions 117 respectively.
  • a space size of each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 may further increase.
  • each of the first and second pivotal axial protrusions 117 has a lower level than the elongate clearance 128 , each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 may be easily defined relative to the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 . Referring to FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 , it is shown that the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 may be at least partially defined in the first and second pivotal axial protrusions 117 respectively.
  • the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 may have the opposing first and second side ends 142 which extend downwardly into the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 respectively. This may facilitate the guide of the contaminants into each of the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 .
  • the opposing first and second side ends 142 of the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 are adjacent to the opposing first and second side walls 115 of the housing 110 respectively.
  • the opposing first and second side ends 142 of the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 may be inserted into the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 defined in the opposing first and second side walls 115 of the housing 110 respectively.
  • the contaminant moved along the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 directly moves into the first and/or second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 .
  • the contaminant does not fall down toward the ice-storage chamber 119 . This is due to an absence of a gap between the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 and the first and/or second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 . This leads to an improvement in the hygiene of the ice-storage chamber 119 .
  • FIG. 8 illustrate the configuration that the opposing first and second side ends 142 of the elongate contaminant-guide plate 140 are inserted into the first and second contaminant-receiving chambers 160 defined in the opposing first and second side walls 115 of the housing 110 respectively.
  • the housing 110 includes first and second contaminant downward channels 182 .
  • the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 may be defined on outer face portions of the opposing first and second side walls 115 respectively.
  • the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 extend downwardly from the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 respectively.
  • the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 communicate with the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 respectively. Accordingly, the contaminants discharged from the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 may move downward along the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 respectively.
  • first and second contaminant downward channels 182 are defined in the outer face portions of the opposing first and second side walls 115 of the housing 110 respectively.
  • Each of the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 may be implemented as an elongate groove.
  • Upper ends of the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 may communicate with the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 respectively.
  • the contaminants discharged from the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 may be moved downwards along the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 respectively.
  • the contaminated water residing in the pivotally-movable door 120 and containing the contaminants is discharged through the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 , the contaminated water flows downwardly along the first and second contaminant downward channels 182 .
  • this can facilitate management of the contaminated water discharged outside the housing 110 .
  • FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the housing 110 with the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 defined therein.
  • the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 are not visible in FIG. 1 . It may be appreciated that the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 may be disposed at the upper ends of the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 respectively.
  • each of the first and second contaminant downward channels 182 may be configured to allow the contaminants discharged from the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 to be guided to a lowest level of the housing 110 .
  • the first and second contaminant downward channels 182 may extend from the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 respectively downwardly toward the lowest level of the housing.
  • First and/or second contaminant container 185 may be disposed on outer faces of the opposing first and second side walls 115 respectively.
  • the first and/or second contaminant container 185 may be removable from the opposing first and/or second side walls 115 respectively.
  • the first and/or second contaminant container 185 may be in communication with the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 respectively.
  • the first and/or second contaminant container 185 may be configured to store therein the contaminants guided along the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 respectively.
  • the first and/or second contaminant container 185 may be provided to enhance the management function, including removal of the contaminant.
  • the first and second contaminant downward channels 182 may extend from the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 respectively downwardly toward the lowest level of the housing 110 .
  • each of the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 may extend vertically or in an angled manner relative to a horizontal direction.
  • FIG. 1 shows that the first and second contaminant downward channels 182 extend from the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 respectively in a vertical manner.
  • an oil container may be disposed at each of lower ends of the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 .
  • the oil container may be configured to collect the contaminant from the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 .
  • FIG. 1 shows that the first and second contaminant downward channels 182 extend from the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 respectively in a vertical manner.
  • the oil container may be disposed at each of the lower ends of the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 .
  • the oil container may be configured to collect the contaminant from the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 .
  • the oil container may be inserted into each of the opposing first and second side walls 115 or may be formed to protrude outwardly from each of the opposing first and second side walls 115 .
  • the oil container may be removable from each of the opposing first and second side walls 115 .
  • the contaminants stored in the oil container are eventually removed.
  • the oil container is provided to be detachable or removable from each of the opposing first and second side walls 115 to improve the convenience of removal of the contaminants. Coupling between the oil container and each of the opposing first and second side walls 115 may be accomplished in a variety of ways.
  • the oil container may be hook-coupled to each of the opposing first and second side walls 115 .
  • the oil container may be coupled to each of the opposing first and second side walls 115 via a bracket.
  • a guide channel 192 may be defined, which extends from each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 and communicates with an ice-making water discharge channel 195 .
  • the ice-making water discharge channel 195 may refer to a channel used to discharge water used in ice-making.
  • the guide channel 192 may be provided instead of or in addition to each of the first and/or second contaminant downward channels 182 .
  • the guide channel 192 may be implemented as a guide pipe.
  • One end of the guide channel 192 communicates with each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 .
  • the other end of the guide channel 192 communicates with the ice-making water discharge channel 195 of the ice-making apparatus 100 .
  • the ice-making apparatus 100 may generate ices using water. For ice-making, water used therein may be drained periodically and fresh water may be supplied to produce ices. Further, water used for cleaning the inside of the ice-making apparatus 100 may be discharged through the ice-making water discharge channel 195 .
  • the guide channel 192 communicates with the ice-making water discharge channel 195 , which discharges water to the outside of the housing 110 during operation of the ice-making apparatus 100 .
  • this embodiment is particularly advantageous in terms of the management of the ice-making apparatus 100 .
  • the position of the ice-making water discharge channel 195 may vary depending on the type of the ice-making apparatus 100 .
  • FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the ice-making water discharge channel 195 is provided at a lower position of a rear wall of the housing 110 of the ice-making apparatus 100 .
  • the present disclosure is not limited to this.
  • FIG. 3 show that the guide channel 192 is connected to the ice-making water discharge channel 195 .
  • one end of the guide channel 192 communicates with each of the first and second contaminant-discharge holes 165 as shown in FIG. 2 , while, as shown in FIG. 3 , the other end of the guide channel 192 extends to the ice-making water discharge channel 195 .
  • the contaminants guided along the guide channel 192 is eventually discharged through the ice-making water discharge channel 195 out of the housing 110 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Refrigerator Housings (AREA)
  • Carbon And Carbon Compounds (AREA)
  • Freezers Or Refrigerated Showcases (AREA)
US15/675,593 2016-12-09 2017-08-11 Ice-making apparatus with anti-contamination structure Abandoned US20180164014A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020160167259A KR101869690B1 (ko) 2016-12-09 2016-12-09 제빙기
KR10-2016-0167259 2016-12-09

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US15/675,593 Abandoned US20180164014A1 (en) 2016-12-09 2017-08-11 Ice-making apparatus with anti-contamination structure

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US (1) US20180164014A1 (ko)
KR (1) KR101869690B1 (ko)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11506444B2 (en) 2019-08-29 2022-11-22 Mile High Equipment Llc Door for an ice machine

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4706466A (en) * 1986-09-03 1987-11-17 Mile High Equipment Company Under the counter ice making machine
KR900006232Y1 (ko) * 1988-09-21 1990-07-12 유태우 쑥뜸구
JP3133568B2 (ja) * 1993-07-22 2001-02-13 三洋電機株式会社 低温ショーケース
JPH1076242A (ja) * 1996-09-02 1998-03-24 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 生ゴミ処理機
KR200207035Y1 (ko) * 2000-06-19 2000-12-15 만도공조주식회사 응결수 배수장치를 구비한 김치저장고
KR100548816B1 (ko) * 2003-08-06 2006-02-02 위니아만도 주식회사 김치저장고의 응축수 처리구조
KR20120062498A (ko) 2010-12-06 2012-06-14 웅진코웨이주식회사 제빙기
KR101819927B1 (ko) * 2011-06-30 2018-01-19 주식회사 대유위니아 김치저장고의 응결수 드레인장치
US9863682B2 (en) * 2013-01-30 2018-01-09 True Manufacturing Company, Inc. Water distribution for an ice maker

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11506444B2 (en) 2019-08-29 2022-11-22 Mile High Equipment Llc Door for an ice machine

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KR101869690B1 (ko) 2018-06-21

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