US20220341642A1

US20220341642A1 - Energy efficient transparent ice cube maker

Info

Publication number: US20220341642A1
Application number: US17/741,846
Authority: US
Inventors: Roy Wesley Mattson, JR.
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-06-19
Filing date: 2022-05-11
Publication date: 2022-10-27
Also published as: US20230057956A1

Abstract

An energy efficient ice cube maker configured to make transparent ice cubes over one inch tall, comprising a refrigeration system, an agitation system and multiple ice molds having a thickness to freeze water through a wall of the ice tray utilizing one directional freezing of the water. Taught is how to configure a frequency/amplitude combination to a refrigeration system to make tall transparent ice cubes and how to distribute the frequency rate and amplitude intensity combination to water in ice trays for a plurality of weights. Additionally taught is how to make a flavored transparent ice treat.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefits of non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/974,284 to Mattson, for Clear Ice Cube Making Device, filed Dec. 16, 2020, which claims the benefits of provisional application Ser. No. 63/102,512 to Mattson for Popsicle Device, filed Jun. 19, 2020, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an icemaker for making ice cubes with a transparent center. More specifically, the present invention generally relates to an ice maker and methods which are capable of making transparent ice cubes through the proper combination of amplitude intensity and water movement frequency.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During the ice making process when water is frozen to form ice cubes, excessive trapped air, minerals or debris or a combination thereof, in the exact position in an ice mold where the water turns to ice tends to make the resulting ice cubes cloudy in appearance as numerous bubbles, minerals or debris clump together and crystallize in the center of the ice pieces. The trapped substances results in an ice cube which, when used in drinks, can provide an undesirable appearance which distracts from the enjoyment of a beverage. There have been several attempts to manufacture clear ice cubes. While some disclosures state they make short clear ice cubes of less than two ounces in weight each, the present invention discloses how to make large transparent ice cubes that are over one inch tall to over two full inches tall and over two ounces in weight.

PRIOR ART DISCUSSION

A Clinebell CB 300 system produces about two 300-pound solid ten inch thick blocks of clear ice about every three or four days and discloses using thirty six kilowatts of energy per day. The low temperature system is primarily used to make large clear ice sculptures for banquets. A bin having a liner is filled with water. A water pump is placed in the water and is adjusted upwards as the water freezes. Clinebell non-electrically warms a segment of a refrigeration pipe extending from the compressor with a warm liquid and further uses a pressure switch.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,950,197 to Bortoletto, et al. Feb. 10, 2015, discloses a “swing tray that oscillates the ice forming tray about a longitudinal axis at a frequency of about “0.4-0.6 hertz” or less than thirty eight movements per minute.
US Patent application 20210381746 to Boarman et al, for a Clear Ice Maker With Warm Air Flow, filed Aug. 23, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/079,660 entitled “Clear Ice Maker With Warm Air Flow,” filed Oct. 26, 2020, discloses making substantially clear ice using ambient air to warm the top surface of the water and in an ice mold in a refrigerator and operates by forming, “an arc of from about 20.degree. to about 40.degree . . . . The microprocessor 204 is programmed to control the . . . oscillating motor 112 . . . such that the arc of rotation of the ice tray 70 and the frequency of rotation is controlled to assure that water is transferred from one individual compartment 96 to an adjacent compartment 96 throughout the freezing process at a speed which is harmonically related to the motion of the water in the freezer compartments 96 . . . a thermoelectric device 102 is physically affixed and thermally connected to bottom surface 80 of the ice forming plate 76 . . . ”
The microprocessor controls the disclosed narrow frequency band that appears to so be about thirty movements per minute “0.4 to 0.5 cycles per second” or less than thirty eight movements per minute.
US Patent application number 20160370066 to Yang, filed Aug. 31, 2015, discloses a vibrator attached to an ice tray that works to “vibrate the ice tray to remove bubbles contained in the water before the water is completely phase-transformed.” The ice trays are made out of copper, copper alloy, stainless steel or brass.
US patent application 20130276468 to Buehrle; Sascha et al, Oct. 14, 2013, discloses an ice maker in a refrigerator. Buehrle discloses “Ultrasonic waves” to make clear ice. Two oscillators are shown attached to the ice tray and a microprocessor “controls the oscillator to control the frequency of the ultrasonic waves”.
US patent application 20040025527 to Takahashi et al. filed May 29, 2003, discloses a clear ice making apparatus that makes clear ice at a very slow rate by metering small amounts of water at a time into an ice tray while vibrating the ice tray to make very small ice cubes, 10 ml. in about two hours.
US Patent application 20210278117 to Froelicher; Stephen Bernard; et al, filed Mar. 4, 2020, discloses an ice machine where the target revolutions per minute is “between about 600 and 2000 revolution per minute” to “create clear billets of ice”. A “controller . . . is operably coupled to the drive mechanism and is configured for accelerating the central hub until the rotation speed reaches a target speed and periodically reducing the rotation speed of the central hub to a reduced speed before accelerating back to the target speed . . . . A user interface panel 120 may be provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, user interface panel 120 may include a plurality of user inputs 122, such as a touchscreen or button interface, for selecting a desired mode of operation. According to an exemplary embodiment, a display 124 indicates selected features, a countdown timer, and/or other items of interest to appliance users. User interface panel 120, input selectors 122, and display 124 collectively form a user interface input or control panel for operator selection of appliance cycles and features, as well as to receive useful information regarding appliance operation”.
The disclosed controller does not appear to allow a user to adjust the preprogramed revolution per minute for different weights nor provides an amplitude calibrated to a weight so a droplet of water jumps above a top surface of the water. Further, as with most clear ice disclosures Froelicher does not claim the clear ice billets are void of visual crystallization as embodiments of the present do claim.
US patent application 20220003478 to Jensen; Kim, filed May 21, 2021, references DK application No. PA201800900 filed Nov. 22, 2018, discloses an ice tray having a lid that seals the ice tray. The lid requires a “mechanism (6, 8, 10)” to remove the lid from the ice tray and put the lid on the ice try. Kim appears to rely on the lid moving to compensate for ice expansion in the ice tray and not air gaps between the mold and the lid. “When the ice expands, the entire lid will move away from the tray in a uniform manner as the sealing interface deforms instead of the lid or the tray . . . . The tray is typically stiff and the connection channel is typically thicker than the material of the lid.”
Stern Clear Ice Maker, Circa 2019, makes clear ice cubes measuring up to one inch tall. Viewing through the window of the device the ice tray is vertically positioned.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,097 to Ashley for, Flavored ice cartridge dispenser for ice maker, filed Feb. 28, 2003, discloses, automatically adding a flavor to an inlet port of an ice maker in a refrigerator. Ashely does not disclose a motivation to make flavored transparent ice cubes over one inch tall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Without a properly configured refrigeration system and without properly configured ice molds and not knowing what constitutes the proper water movement frequency/amplitude combination and then applying the proper combination to the water in each ice mold, making tall ice cubes at least one inch tall void of visual crystallization in their centers is by chance.
A first aspect of the present invention is to disclose the proper frequency and amplitude combination. A proper amplitude intensity is achieved when a water droplet jumps above the water surface and most preferably jumps at least one half no of an inch above the water's surface when a lid is not covering the ice tray. If a water droplet jumps too high (amplitude too violent) and the surface of the water in the molds starts freezing before some water under the surface of the water freezes the amplitude is adjusted downward.
A proper frequency is achieved when the frequency is adjusted for the total mass moved until the targeted amplitude is achieved in each of the molds. The frequency will increase or decrease depending upon the weight of mass moved. Too much frequency and not enough amplitude may trap large numbers of large gas bubbles, minerals or debris that crystallize. Therefore, the present invention teaches how to calibrate a proper frequency/amplitude combination for different weights moved.
If the frequency is too high air bubbles may sink in water crystallizing causing cloudy ice cubes. See prior art citation Sinking Bubble in Vibrating Tanks by Christian Gentry, James Greenberg, Xi Ran Wang and Nick Kearns, University of Arizona, circa unknown. Therefore bubbles may sink to the bottom of the ice cube mold if the frequency is too high.
Ultrasonic vibrators have ultra-high frequencies of at least twenty thousand vibrations per minute. It is possible to have very high frequencies of twenty thousand or more vibrations per minute and low amplitude so a droplet of water never jumps above the surface of the water. High frequencies without enough amplitude creates short vibration rings in water.
Amplitude is the intensity of the water movement while frequency is the rate of the movement. As an example and not limitation, to increase amplitude in one embodiment of the present invention, weights in an eccentric vibrator are adjusted or added or subtracted to increase or decrease amplitude.
In one embodiment of the present invention having an electric motor and cams the electric motor is adjusted to increase or decrease the torque considering the cam distance to provide about one foot pound of force for each pound moved.
In one embodiment of the present invention having a magnetic force the magnetic force strength is adjusted through using more powerful magnets or shielding magnets to vary the power until the desired amplitude is achieved.
In one embodiment of the present invention using injected air into an ice mold to provide water movement the air volume is adjusted until the desired amplitude is achieved.
One embodiment of the present invention uses an agitation means inserts into an ice mold to agitate water therein and in one embodiment of the present invention the agitation means contracts upwards as the water freezes.
The present invention contemplates all ways to calibrate a water movement system to provide the targeted amplitude and frequency to multiple molds and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention.
Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention calibrates a refrigeration system together with an ice cube mold to make transparent ice cubes measuring over one inch tall to over two inches tall and each weighing over two ounces or more where the ice cubes have a transparent center.
Making transparent ice cubes over one inch tall is significant because it takes the proper configuration of an ice mold and refrigeration system combination to make transparent ice cubes of this height from one directional freezing from a bottom position of the mold to a top position of the mold through a bottom wall of the mold from a freezing surface under the mold. A great deal of energy is needed to draw heat from the water on top of the ice in the mold that has yet to freeze using one directional freezing from bottom to top through a wall of the ice mold.
As an example and not limitation, one embodiment of the present invention accomplishes this goal by having the diameter of the refrigeration piping (one half of an inch) configured to the total equivalent length of the refrigeration piping (sixty feet) to provide proper pressure in the refrigeration piping system coupled with a condenser/compressor unit rated at twenty four hundred BTUs at minus ten degrees F. using an ambient temperature of ninety degrees Fahrenheit and for this piping pressure to use a refrigerant having a boiling point of minus forty four degrees Fahrenheit (F).
Home refrigerators are generally configured to use a refrigerant having a boiling point temperature of only about minus fifteen point four degrees F. R-134a is currently the prime example. Most home refrigerators utilize piping having a three eights of an inch in diameter and generally do not have piping having a diameter of one half of an inch or larger.
Therefore, disclosures that proport to produce clear ice cubes using one directional freezing from a bottom position of a mold to a top position of a mold in conjunction with a home refrigerator/freezer combination generally do not disclose or infer the height of the cubes produced. As mentioned above, when they do state a size they generally are small. See US patent application 20040025527 to Takahashi et al. Feb. 12, 2004, discloses a clear ice making apparatus that makes very small ice cubes, “10 ml . . . in about two hours”.
Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is configuring the system to purposely move the refrigeration piping. It is known by one of ordinary skill in the art that purposely oscillating, vibrating or in general moving the refrigeration piping is not recommended as it may decrease the life of the refrigeration components including possible leakage of the refrigeration pipe at the pipe joints. Therefore, another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide means functioning to help mitigate leakage of the piping due to repeated movement of the piping.
There are numerous ways to join piping including but not limited to, using soft solder, tin solder, zinc solder zinc-cadmium and lead solders, threaded piping with pipe tape, chemical bonding.
To help reduce the chance of leakage from movement of the pipe, one embodiment of the present invention utilizes brazing and a nitrogen purge of the pipe to join the piping and reduce the chance of leakage. One embodiment of the present invention uses a vibration isolator to reduce joint stress and reduce the chance of the piping leaking. One embodiment of the present invention utilizes solder and flux where the solder has a silver content of three percent to over thirty five percent or more to reduce the chance of pipe leakage. One embodiment of the present invention utilizes compression fittings for copper or aluminum piping that is rated at over two hundred pounds pressure, psig.
The present invention contemplates all ways to reduce the chance of pipe leakage due to repeated moving of the pipe and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a freezing surface that helps distribute the proper amplitude to water in each ice mold. Essentially, metal is elastic and transmits vibrations easily while plastic is viscoelastic and does not transmit vibrations nearly as well. Metals and plastic react differently because of their molecular structure. As an example and not limitation the best metals for distrusting a frequency and amplitude is from a metal having a well-organized crystalline lattice structure such as but not limited to aluminum. The present invention contemplates all metals having a well-organized crystalline lattice structure and all metals having a well-organized crystalline lattice structure fall into the scope of the present invention. The method for obtaining the frequencies and orthogonality relation for combined dynamical systems in which the Green Functions of the vibrating subsystems are used is applied to a thick plate carrying concentrated masses. The effects of transverse shear and rotary inertia of each mass is accounted for. It is demonstrated that as the plate thickness goes to zero the results of thin plate analysis are obtained. The Green Functions for both thin and thick vibrating plates are derived by modal analysis in the form of infinite series. Physically, the Green's Functions of the steady-state vibration equations are the deflection of its steady-state response due to a unit concentrated harmonic stimulus acting at an arbitrary position.
With respect to one embodiment of the present invention when using Greens Functions the optimal metal thickness range to help distribute the amplitude to each ice mold is between one sixtieth of an inch and three eights of an inch thick. Further the footprint size of the freezing surface under the ice mold extends to the size or larger than the size of the footprint of the ice mold. As an example and not limitation when the ice mold is ten inches by ten inches the freezing surface will be at least ten inches by ten inches.
The present invention contemplates all ways to distribute the proper amplitude and frequency to water in multiple ice molds and all corrosive resistant material and all ways and material fall into the scope of the present invention.
Another aspect of the present invention is providing a proper ice mold to make transparent ice cubes over an inch tall. Plastic ice trays generally are not known to freeze water through their bottom walls as they usually are at least 0.125 inches thick. One component of making over inch tall or taller transparent ice cubes is utilizing a plastic ice cube mold wherein the ice mold has a bottom wall thickness of less than 0.070 inches and more preferably less than 0.040 inches and ideally less than 0.020 inches thick coupled with a proper refrigeration system configuration.
If the plastic bottom walls are too thick that may freeze an ice cube a certain amount of the way up in an ice mold but will not freeze large cubes measuring over one inch tall because the water not frozen above the frozen water in the ice mold needs a great deal of energy to freeze. Thick plastic bottoms will not allow the freezing of one inch tall cubes. One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a bottom wall made from a corrosive resistant metal material where the material has a corrosive penetration rate of less than five mils per year. In this embodiment the sidewalls of the mold are configured to not permit freezing of the water through the sidewalls.
In one embodiment of the present invention the thickness of the sidewalls of the ice molds vary from the bottom of the ice mold to the top of the ice mold and all thicknesses fall into the scope of the present invention.
Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an ice mold lid that compensates for the opposing BTUs freezing the water. In one embodiment of the present invention a lid covering the ice molds is calibrated to the BTU output of the refrigeration system piping under the molds to allow warm room temperature air above the lid to go through the lid to counter the BTUs in a refrigeration pipe under the mold to prevent the top surface of the water from freezing before the water under the surface yet allows all of the water to eventually freeze in the molds.
One embodiment of the present invention accomplish this goal is by using a refrigeration system rated to deliver twenty four hundred BTUs and rated at over two hundred cubic feet of movement with a room air temperature of seventy degrees Fahrenheit subjected to the top of the lid and the lid having a thickness of less than 0.016 inches.
Another embodiment of the present invention accomplishes this goal by providing an opening in the lid to allow warm air to go through the opening and warm the top surface of the water. The opening is sized to help reduce the chance of water from splashing outside the mold. In one embodiment of the present invention the opening is sized to allow a handle to go through the opening into water so when the water freezes the handle is frozen in the water.
One embodiment of the present invention keeps the top surface of the water from freezing before the water under the top surface by providing a thermostatically controlled temperature that keeps the top surface of the water from freezing before the water under the top surface freezes through a thermostat control in a room or on the system.
The present invention contemplates all ways to calibrate a lid to BTU output to allow enough heat to go through the lid to compensate for the opposing BTUs freezing the bottom of the water in a mold to prevent the top surface of the water from freezing before the water under the top surface and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide different air gaps between the water's surface in a mold and the mold lid. These air gaps are sized to allow a water droplet to keep jumping above the surface of the water as the water freezes or compensate for the expanding ice in the mold. One embodiment of the present invention uses air gaps that are sized to allow enough retention of warm air to be trapped between the water and the lid where the volume and temperature of the air prevents the top surface of the water from freezing before the water under the surface freezes as the water freezes from one directional freezing. One of ordinary skill in the art would know how to configure these air gaps from this written disclosure.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide one directional freezing of the water. As an example and not limitation, in one embodiment of the present invention an ice mold is inserted into a mold receiver. In one embodiment of the present invention the mold receiver is made from a material having a pounds per square inch (psi) rating over fifteen psi and most preferable at least sixty psi and a heat conductivity of less than 1.8 watts per meter-Kelvin and most desirably less than 0.040 watts per meter-Kelvin.
The mold receiver insulates the molds so water freezes substantially through one wall of the ice mold. The present invention contemplates all ways to provide one directional freezing of the water and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention.
Another aspect of one embodiment the present invention is to allow a user to change the ice molds so the system can make a variety of different shaped and sized transparent ice without needing a tool to remove the ice tray from a freezer compartment of a refrigerator and without removing the oscillation system from a freezer compartment.
Most automatic ice makers are presently configured so only the manufacturer can change the ice cube mold. The removal of the ice cube tray the ice is made in is not part of the normal operation of these automatic ice makers. One embodiment of the present invention is configured so only the ice mold is removable from the transparent ice machine without having to remove a segment of the water movement system from a freezer compartment of a refrigerator.
Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an energy efficient transparent ice cube maker. The United States Department of Energy states that ice cube makers that make over fifty pounds of ice cubes per day weighing two ounces or less each must produce one hundred pounds of these sized ice cubes utilizing less than twenty kilowatts hours of energy. See, www.ecfr.gov/current/title-10/chapter-II/subchapter-D/part-431/subpart-H/section-431.132. Last visited Apr. 30, 2022.
There is no known prior art disclosing an energy efficient transparent ice cube maker that uses water movement by oscillation or vibration, that makes over fifty pounds of transparent ice cubes per day and makes one hundred pounds of transparent ice over one inch tall cubes without cutting the cubes that discloses using less than eighteen kilowatt hours of energy except for one embodiment of the present invention.
One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a water movement system that consumes less than two amperes while providing over one half pound of force for each pound of mass being moved. One embodiment of the present invention has a thirty six volt power supply with a condenser/compressor refrigeration unit that pulls less than nine amperes allows the complete system is plugged into a fifteen ampere circuit.
In one embodiment of the present invention the surface of the water or surface of the various ice molds are vented to above freezing air temperature outside a freezer compartment. This provides that the water in the molds do not freeze from the top of the molds to the bottom of the molds. Heating elements that heat the top surface of the water requires energy making these systems that use heating elements less energy efficient.
In one embodiment of the present invention a refrigeration liquid line is sized using one quarter inch piping. Three eights inch piping is commonly used in commercial freezer applications. Applicant cannot find a refrigeration piping chart that calls for using one quarter inch pipe for a commercial ice maker. If they do exist using one quarter inch piping is uncommon. In one embodiment of the present invention the one quarter of an inch piping is coupled with a compressor having a rated air flow of at least two hundred cubic feet per minute. In one embodiment of the present invention the temperature in liquid line helps to heat refrigerant inside a pipe so the temperature is above thirty five degrees F. and will not freeze the compressor.
The present invention contemplates all ways to produce one hundred pounds of transparent ice cubes using less than twenty kilowatt hours of energy, or more preferably less than fifteen kilowatt hours of energy and most preferably less than eight kilowatts hours of energy and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a rechargeable battery water movement system. In one embodiment of present invention the water movement system works on rechargeable or replaceable batteries, alkaline, nickel metal hydride (NIMH), lithium ion, etcetera. Rechargeable batteries allow certain embodiment of the present invention to be placed in a freezer compartment of a refrigerator without having to use the freezers power source to move the water. Therefore, this embodiment can be placed in existing freezer compartments without modifying the existing freezer compartment to provide a plug.
Another aspect of the one embodiment of the present invention is to configure the ice maker to allow a user to adjust the frequency for different circumstances. Archimedes' Principle states that the buoyant force on an object submerged in water is given by: |F˜|=ρV g (6) which states that the upward force on a submerged object is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. This arises from a difference in pressure between the upper and lower ends of a body in fluids. The lower end will have a higher pressure and will accelerate the body upwards. After combining the various forces associated with this motion and inserting the model parameters into Newton's Second Law, the governing equation of the bubble system is given by: (m+matt)″x+‘mattx’=−F(′x)+(m−ρV (t))(Aω2 sin(ωt)+g) (19) matt is the attached mass of the bubble, ‘mattx’ is the term associated with the variation of the attached mass, −F(′x) represents the drag force, and the last term is associated with the buoyancy force and the pressure fluctuations in the vibrating liquid.
It may take different frequencies to reach the targeted amplitude in each of multiple molds depending the total weight moved, if the molds have lids, if the molds are insulated, the thickness of the sidewalls of the mold, if it is soft water or hard water, has minerals, the altitude, etcetera. Therefore one embodiment of the present invention water movement system is adjustable so a user can vary the frequency for the given conditions. This provides for a transparent ice cube maker that produces a variety of shaped and sized transparent ice cubes. In one embodiment of the present invention the frequencies are between thirty and seventy five hundred movements or oscillations per minute or vibrations per minute, etcetera.
One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a water movement system comprising either an eccentric weight vibrator or a voice coil, or a stepper motor, or a servo motor or an impact vibrator or a magnetic force. In one embodiment of the present invention the water weight, refrigeration piping weight if it is to be moved, the bin weight if it is to be moved, etc., are added up and then the water movement system is configured and calibrated to provide over one half pound of force for each pound of the total weight.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a corrosive resistant freezing surface having a corrosive penetration rate less than five mils per year where the freezing surface also has a heat conductivity higher than forty watts per meter-Kelvin and the freezing surface provides a proper attenuation to help distribute a specified frequency and amplitude combination to multiple ice molds. As an example and not limitation one embodiment of the present invention accomplishes this goal by using ceramic or aluminum.
One way to calculate the corrosion rate is assuming uniform corrosion over the entire surface of the coupon. mpy=(weight loss in grains)*(22,300)/(Adt) mpy=corrosion rate (mils per year penetration) A=area of coupon (sq. in.) d=metal density of coupon (g/cm 3) t=time of exposure in corrosive environment (days).
Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an ice tray the ice cubes are made in used as end user packaging eliminating the cost of repackaging associated with bulk ice cube sales. There is no known prior art for transparent ice cubes sold in the ice tray the ice cubes were made in except for one embodiment of the present invention.
Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is using a paste between the metal freezing surface and the piping. Using a thermal paste is known in the art to maximize heat transfer and dissipation and is used in some applications. The present inventions uses paste in a novel way. When two dissimilar materials such as cooper pipe and an aluminum freezing surface touch they form corrosion at the point they touch assuming that the two metals are in contact with a common electrolyte such as water or humidity found in an ice machine. The paste provides a barrier between the two dissimilar materials reducing the chance of corrosion.
The paste further helps reduce wear of the two different metals that rub against each other during oscillation. Further the paste reduces noise by filling gaps between the two different materials. One of ordinary skill in the art would know how to apply a paste to accomplish this goal from this written description.
Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a manifold system having a manifold distributor. This allows for a greater amount of refrigeration piping under the freezing surface. A manifold distributor is configured to over fifteen pipes where each of the pipes have a diameter or one quarter inch to three eights of an inch or larger.
Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is to add a flavor to the water and a handle creating an ice treat that is substantially void of visible crystallization. Freezing of water requires at least a certain concentration of flavor so the flavor can be tasted after the ice is frozen. In other words, water having one concertation of a flavor may taste less flavorful after freezing. In one embodiment of the present invention the flavor added to water is about 0.2 percent by volume or more. This flavor concertation is known in the art for non-transparent popsicles. The term flavor or flavored herein means a flavor that is water soluble and a shade that is substantially transparent after the water freezes.
There is no known prior art for a flavored ice treat having a soluble liquid or powder flavor measuring over an inch tall that is substantially void of visible crystallization made with one directional freezing except for one embodiment of the present invention.
Prior art disclosures do not appear to (1) articulate a reason why a person of ordinary skill in the art would combine a flavor with a transparent ice cube or would combine the prior art references to do so; (2) they do not provide adequate evidentiary basis to combine prior art; and (3) they do not provide a satisfactory explanation for the motivation that includes an express and rational connection to combine. “It is never appropriate to rely solely on “common knowledge” in the art without evidentiary support in the record, as the principal evidence upon which a rejection was based. Zurko, 258 F.3d at 1385, 59 USPQ2d at 1697 (“[T]he Board cannot simply reach conclusions based on its own understanding or experience—or on its assessment of what would be basic knowledge or common sense”.
In one embodiment of the present invention after the ice is formed the ice is pressed into different shapes or two pieces of ice are pressed together to form one piece. The present invention contemplates all shapes, sizes and designs for a handle including but not limited to a ring finger handle and all fall into the scope of the present invention. The present invention contemplates all ways to automate the production of clear ice treats or make clear ice and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention, including but not limited to cannabis, cannabis extract, conveyors, robots, actuators, microprocessor configurations, rollers, pressure switches, alert mechanisms, lights, infrared waves or infrared light, timers, optics, remote controls, waterjet cutting, lasers, compressors, packaging, artificial intelligent, lathes, CNC machines, hot wire to cut ice, ionization, light refraction, algorithms, enzymes, ions and other items, methods and systems. The present invention contemplates all ways to suspend an object in water where the water turns into ice and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. The present invention contemplates all ways to make an ice cube that is substantially void of visible crystallization made from a variety of ingredients, including but not limited to, water infused with a gas, natural flavors, flavors, non-oil based flavors, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, alcohol, medicine, sweeteners or fruit. The present invention contemplates all ways to secure a handle to the ice cube treat and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention the infrared ranges from seven hundred nanometers to one thousand nanometers in an electromagnetic spectrum.
All embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of example and not limitation. The present invention is not limited to what is disclosed herein.
This Summary of the Invention is being submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit the scope of the present invention or limit the scope and the meaning of claims herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the freezing plate with a refrigerant piping system.

FIG. 3 is a perspective views of a transparent ice cube mold and showing a transparent ice cube and a standard cloudy ice cube.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a vibration system that uniformly delivers vibration to multiple mold cavities.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mechanism that goes into an ice maker to make it automatic.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a combination transparent ice maker and refrigerator.

FIG. 7 is a perspective views of an ice tray and vibrator.

DETAILED BRIEF OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows transparent ice cube maker 101 having cooling device 100, refrigeration pipe 102 and electric motor 103. that moves freezing plate ater pump 104 moves water (not shown) and high pressure cut in-cut out in control 106. In one embodiment of the present invention freezing plate 119 is horizontally positioned meaning the freezing plate 119 is more horizontally positioned in relationship cart 105 than vertically positioned to cart 105. In one embodiment of the present invention cooling device 100 is configured to operate on direct current or alternating current.
Cart 105 has vibration adjusters 107 (also known as vibration isolators or vibration dampeners), is shown in one embodiment of the present invention between cart 105 and bin 108. Vibration adjusters 107 is attached to any segment of transparent ice cube maker 101 including various places on mold 111 and number between one, two, three, four or more. In one embodiment of the present invention freezing plate 119 is thermoelectrically cooled. Thermoelectrically cooling surfaces are known in the art. As an example see previously sited US Patent application 20210381746 to Boarman et al. which is incorporated by reference herein.
In one embodiment of the present invention vibrator 115 is attached to insulating cover 114 and insulating cover 114 goes over mold 111 to vibrate mold 111. In one embodiment of the present invention cover 114 is heated. Insulating cover 114 is one means functioning to provide an air pocket (not shown) above water in cavities 112 or mold 111. In one embodiment of the present invention cover 114 is magnetized or has magnets (not shown)
In one embodiment of the present invention vibrator 115 is located under freezing surface 109 and freezing surface 109 is made from corrosive resistant material. In one embodiment of the present invention vibrator (oscillator) 115 is either 110 volts, 115 volts, 120 volts 220 volts or 240 volts and preferably pulls less than three amperes and is capable of pulling more amperes. In one embodiment of the present invention vibrator 115 has a built in direct current 12 volt or 24 volt or 36 volt power supply.
In one preferred embodiment the vibration isolator 107 is located under freezing surface 109 or bin 108.
In one embodiment of the present invention vibrator 115. 118A is a microprocessor that senses when to turn off the compressor 100 when the ice cubes (not shown) are frozen and 118B is a voice coil. Microprocessor 118A is shown by way of example and not limitation. The present invention contemplates all ways to turn off compressor 100 when the ice cubes are ready and all ways fall into the scope of the present inv invention.
In one embodiment of the present invention the vibrator 115 oscillates refrigeration pipe 102 and is calibrated to provide at least one half pound of force for each pound of to be vibrated. The location of vibration adjustor 107, also known as vibration isolators, is shown by way of example and not limitation.
In one embodiment of the present invention vibration adjustor 107 (also known as a vibration isolator) is placed under freezing surface 109 but also is located under mold 111 and in other locations. Vibration adjusters 107 allows bin 108 to vibrate while cart 105 does not vibrate allowing about a uniformed distribution of vibration frequency and amplitude to water in cavities 112 or mold 111 to raise a droplet of water at least one half of an inch above the surface of water (not shown) in cavities 112 or mold 111.
In one embodiment of the present invention vibration adjusters 107 is a spring having high coils or rubber pads and can be a variety of mechanisms. In one embodiment of the present invention the vibration adjustors are configured to the total mass being vibrated so one coil does not touch another coil. The present invention contemplates all configurations of vibration adjusters 107 and all vibration adjusters fall into the scope of the present invention.
In one embodiment of the present invention mold 111 is located within one half of inch of freezing surface 109. In one embodiment of the present invention freezing surface 109 is magnetized or provides a magnet (not shown) to agitate or move water in mold 111.
In one embodiment of the present invention cavities 112 are made from a polymer. In one embodiment of the present invention a segment of cavities 112 are magnetized. One embodiment of the present invention provides that the cavities themselves are flexible. In one embodiment of the present invention cavities 112 and mold 111 are made from High Density Polyethylene, or Polyethylene Terephthalate or Polypropylene or Polycarbonate or metal. The material is important because in one embodiment of the present invention the mold 111 the ice (not shown) is made in is the packaging to the end user. In one embodiment of the present invention a label having the weight of the ice printed on the label is placed on ice mold 111. One of ordinary skill in the art would know how to accomplish that goal. There is no known art for mass produced transparent ice that is made in an ice mold having multiple cavities that acts as packaging for the end user with a label (not shown) having the ice weight on the label except for the present invention. This is very sanitary as there is no need to repackage the ice cubes (not shown), it ships in the mold 111 it is made in.
Mold receiver 110 sits atop freezing surface 109. Mold receiver 110 provides insulation to the of cavities 112 as cavities 112 insert into mold receiver 110 so that when water (not shown) is put in the cavities 112 the cavities 112 touch a segment of the mold receiver 110 sidewalls 113. The mold receiver thus provides one directional freezing of water. In one embodiment of the present invention a sidewall 113 is magnetized or has a magnet (not shown) attached to it.
Freezing surface 109 having mold 111 having cavities 112 fits into openings 113. The mold receiver 110 is eliminated in one embodiment of the present invention by using injected molded 111 parts. A segment of mold receiver 110 can become a part of mold 111 through various methods known in the art including glue (not shown) to insulate mold 111 where mold 111 and mold receiver 110 becomes a single part (not shown). In one embodiment of the present invention cavities 111 are magnetized or has a magnet (not shown) attached to it.
Mold 111 can be tightly fitted together in bin thus leaving no air between numerous molds 111. In this embodiment the water in mold 111 primarily freezes from only direction, the bottom up as there is no space between the numerous molds 111.
In one embodiment of the present invention lid (cover) 130A in FIG. 3 covers mold 111. In one embodiment of the present invention the sidewall of mold 111 has a draft of three percent or less from top to bottom. Generally, ice cube trays are much more tapered. In one embodiment of the present invention mold 111 is made using a vacuum form or injected molding process. The thickness of the material is under 0.125 inches. Thicker material may make it impossible to freeze through the material and freeze an ice cube measuring over one inch tall from only refrigeration pipe 119 in FIG. 2. providing one directional freezing. 0.080 inches or 0.125 inches thick is very thin for a standard ice tray. Thickness less than 0.080 inches allows only one half pound per square inch pressure applied to mold 111 to crack or flex mold 111. Ice trays or molds this thin generally are not used to make ice cubes. In one embodiment of the present invention lid 130A is magnetized or has a magnet (not shown) attached to it.
One embodiment of the present invention vibrator 115 operates on a direct current and is brushless.
In one embodiment of the present invention vibrator 115 is attached first to rigid metal plate 115B and then the rigid plate 115B is attached in various ways to the transparent ice maker 101. In another embodiment vibrator 115 is attached to any metal surface of transparent ice cube maker 101. It is most preferable that vibrator 115 is attached to a metal segment of transparent ice maker 101.
One embodiment of the present invention uses a servo motor 116 or stepper motor 117 is configured to move freezing surface 109 in an arch with an angle between twenty degrees and sixty degrees. In one embodiment of the present invention power supply 118 is either 12 volts or 24 volts or 36 volts. Mold 111 is configured in many shapes or sizes and made from numerous materials. In one embodiment of the present invention refrigeration pipe 119 in FIG. 2 is attached to freezing surface 109. In one embodiment of the present invention freezing surface 109 has refrigeration openings (not shown) to allow refrigeration to flow through it. In these embodiments the refrigeration pipe vibrates when freezing surface 109 is vibrated. In one embodiment of the present invention vibrator 115 provides one pound of force for each pound of water (not shown) in a number of molds 111.
FIG. 2 shows freezing surface 109 having refrigeration pipe 119. In one embodiment of the present invention freezing surface 109 provides a metal bottom for bin 108 in FIG. 1. Refrigeration pipe 119 freezes a segment of freezing surface 109 as refrigeration pipe 119 has a refrigerant inside (not shown). In one embodiment of the present invention vibrator 115 in FIG. 1 is located under member plate 119A. Member plate 119A is made of plastic, rigid foam, metal or another material and is in a variety of shapes and sizes. In one embodiment of the present invention member 119A is an insulator. In one embodiment of the present invention member plate 119A is a means to hold refrigeration pipe against freezing surface 109 or a certain distance from freezing surface 109. In one embodiment of the present invention freezing surface 109 is made from metal. The metal allows proper vibration attenuation to water (not shown) in the various ice molds and ice trays disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the present invention refrigeration pipe 119 is located under freezing surface 109 and refrigeration pipe 119 vibrates when the freezing surface vibrates. A vibrating refrigeration pipe located under freezing surface 109 is not known in the art for making transparent ice cubes. Member plate 119A is located under refrigeration pipe 119 and therefore refrigeration pipe 119 which is located between member 119A and freezing surface 109. Vibrator 115 is shown under member 119A which vibrates refrigeration pipe 119 and surface 109 simultaneously and water (not shown) in the mold 131 in FIG. 3. In one embodiment of the present invention refrigeration pipe 119 has an outside diameter of one half inch or larger. Refrigeration pipe 119 is round, square, oblong, or has any variety of shapes. In one embodiment of the present invention refrigeration pipe 119 is located directly under mold 111. If refrigeration pipe was not directly under mold 111 it may take considerable longer for water 200 to freeze. Pipe fitting elbow 119B is known in the art to be used in ice makers. In one embodiment of the present invention water 200 is flavored. From reading this disclosure one of ordinary skill in the art would know how add a flavor to and what type of flavor to add.
In one embodiment of the present invention refrigeration 119 has a heater 120A to heat a refrigerant (not shown) in refrigeration pipe 119. In one embodiment of the present invention liquid refrigeration line 119D has a hot liquid or hot gas inside (not shown) so when refrigeration line 119D is placed in close proximity to refrigeration pipe 119 to heat a cold refrigerant (not shown) inside refrigeration pipe 119 to the degree it does not flow back to and freeze compressor 100 in FIG. 1 In one embodiment of the present invention a segment of refrigeration pipe 119 is heated with electric heater 119E. In one embodiment of the present invention heater 119E is a heat warp and pulls less than six ampere. In one embodiment of the present invention electric heater 119E has an insulated hot wire therein preventing water 200 from touching the hot wire and it is thermostatically controlled to heat a top surface of water 200. The thermostat provides an energy efficient way to heat the top surface of water 200 as the electric heating element is not continually running. While it seems to make sense to keep the temperature above water 200 just above freezing, the temperature above water 200 in one embodiment of the present invention needs to be at least forty eight degrees F. The present invention envisions all ways to heat piping and the top surface of water in a mold and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention.
In one embodiment of the present invention the liquid refrigeration pipe 119D has a nominal diameter of one quarter of an inch and a length of over three feet that when coupled with a compressor 100 that in one embodiment of the present invention is rated to provide an air flow of at least two hundred cubic feet per minute to create enough pressure to heat the liquid refrigeration pipe 119D enough to properly heat a segment of refrigeration pipe 119.
In one embodiment of the present invention liquid refrigeration pipe 119D is coiled around refrigeration pipe 119 to increase the heat transfer from liquid refrigeration pipe 119D to refrigeration pipe 119. Wrapping a hot liquid pipe around a segment of a refrigeration pipe for a transparent ice cube maker is not known in the art or fairly suggested.
In one embodiment of the present invention a segment of refrigeration pipe 119 and refrigeration pipe 119D are wrapped together with insulation 120A so heat from liquid refrigerant (not shown) in refrigeration pipe 119D transfers heat to refrigeration pipe 119 having a cold refrigerant inside (not shown) is warmed.
FIG. 3 shows transparent ice cube mold 130 having sidewalls 131 and bottom wall 132. In one embodiment of the present invention transparent ice cube mold 130 is made from a polymer and has numerous shapes and sizes. In one embodiment of the resent invention the polymer is configured to be flexible so sidewalls 131 flex when filled with water 133. In one embodiment of the present invention bottom wall 130A sits atop freezing surface 109 in FIG. 1. Bottom wall 132, also known as freezing side, is configured so cold goes through it and freezes the water 133 from the bottom position A to top position B of mold 130. One way to accomplish this goal and shown by way of example and not limitation when freezing cubes over 1 inch tall the wall thickness of bottom wall 132 should be less than 0.070 of an inch when made from a polymer as bottom wall 132 is made of metal in one embodiment of the present invention. Lid 130A covers transparent ice cube mold 130 so when it is vibrated water 133 splashing outside mold 130 is reduced. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention lid 130A is configured to prevent water from splashing outside mold 130. Bottom wall 132 is made from a polymer or an alloy. In one embodiment of the present invention the depth of mold 130 is sufficient so when the stated amplitude is achieved water 133 will not jump outside mold 130 when mold 130 is oscillated and mold 130 is not covered by lid 130A. Lid 130A further covers cavities 112 in FIG. 1. In one embodiment of the present invention a segment of the ice cube mold 130 is made from an alloy. To prevent mold 130 from freezing water from sidewalls 131 sidewalls 131 are insulated with a mold receiver 110 shown in FIG. 1. By placing numerous molds 130 tightly together with no space in between them (not shown) and filled with water 133, water 133 provides insulation so the water does not freeze through the sidewalls 133. In one embodiment of the present invention water droplet 135A jumps at least one half of a half an inch in the air above a top water surface 135 when the proper amplitude is applied to water 133. Transparent ice cube 133A has air bubble 133B and center 134C. Text W 134 D is behind transparent ice cube 133A and is clearly visibly void of visual crystallization in the center 134C. There is no crystallization shown in the center of transparent ice cube 133A. Handle 135C goes into water 133 as water 133 freezes or is attached to water 133 after it freezes into ice. 135D is a flavor added to water 133. Standard ice cube 140B has crystallization 140C in its center portion. In one embodiment of the present invention sidewalls 131 is thick enough that water 133 does not freeze through sidewalls 131 and bottom wall 132 is thin enough that water 133 freezes through bottom wall 132. Mold 130 is made from a polymer or rubber or another material. In one embodiment of the present invention bottom wall 132 is made from a metal. In one embodiment of the present invention lid members 130L fit tightly against sidewalls 131 to form a watertight seal. The present invention contemplates all ways to provide a watertight seal and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. Mold 130 is any size or configuration.
FIG. 4 shows adjustable vibration device 126 having pistons 127. Pistons 127 are also known as an impact vibrator (s). In one embodiment of the present invention the number of pistons 127 equal the number of cavities 128 having water (not shown) in transparent ice mold 129. In other words if there are 100 cavities 128, there are 100 pistons, 127. In one embodiment of the present invention freezing surface 109 is located between transparent ice mold 129 and pistons 127. Pistons 127 are configured in to hit freezing surface 109 at the exact spot cavities 128 are located above at the exact same time. This provides that the vibration frequency is delivered to each of the multiple cavities 128 uniformly. This is one way to provide a reciprocating or periodic movement of water (not shown) in cavities 128. In one employment of the present invention freezing pipe 119 in FIG. 2 is located under freezing surface 109 or through the center of freezing surface 109. Opening 129A receives freezing pipe 119 or a refrigerant (not shown). Vibrator 115 is shown attached to freezing surface 109. In one embodiment of the present invention pistons 127 are configured to inject air into water which provides water movement. The present invention contemplates all ways to move to create the targeted amplitude including inducing air into the water and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention bottom wall 132 is configured to spin.
FIG. 5 shows mold 120 having cavities 121. Water is automatically filled from metered water source 121. In one embodiment of the present invention the water is metered a little at a time into cavities 121 as the water oscillates (moves). Refrigeration pipe 122 is oscillated with cam mechanism 123 and water movement device 124 that simultaneously moves refrigeration pipe 122 and cavities 121. In one embodiment of the present invention the cam is adjust Refrigeration pipe 122 is shown under each cavity 121. If the refrigeration pipe 121 were only directly under some of cavities 121 the water (not shown) in each of the cavities 121 would freeze at a different rate. In one embodiment of the present invention lid 130A in FIG. 3 is configured to cavities 121 to reduce the chance of water (not shown) in cavities 121 from splashing outside cavities 121 when cavities 121 are oscillated. In one embodiment of the present invention cam mechanism 123 size is configured to stepper motor 117 in FIG. 1 to provide enough torque to provide the stated amplitude herein.
FIG. 6 shows combination ice cube maker and refrigerator 136 having freezing surface 137 that in one embodiment of the present invention mold 111 sits atop or in close proximity of two inches or closer. In one embodiment of the present invention mold 111 has a lid 130A shown in FIG. 3 and lid 130A is vented to room temperature where the room temperature is above freezing or vented inside an area of refrigerator 136 that is above freezing. In one embodiment of the present invention freezer compartment 138 is shown vented to room temperature which allows above freezing air from outside of refrigerator 136 to keep the temperature above mold 111 warm enough so the water does not freeze from the top of mold 111 by cold air above mold 111. Vibration Isolator 137A aids in the distribution of vibrations to mold 111. Therefore, vibration isolator 137A simultaneously provides vibration dampening and vibration distribution to a number of molds 111. In one embodiment of the present invention fan 300 in FIG. 7 blows cold air on the cavities 121.
FIG. 7 shows ice tray 200 having lid 201 that snaps into inserts 203 to provide a seal to reduce the chance of water 204 splashing outside cavities 205 when the water 204 is vibrated or configured to prevent water 204 in cavities 205 from splashing outside cavities 205 when the water 204 is vibrated onto a freezing surface 109 in FIG. 1. In one embodiment of the present invention ice tray 200 is configured so sidewalls 206 touches a sidewall (not shown) in mold receiver 110 in FIG. 1. Mold receiver 110 provides insulation to the sidewalls 206. Therefore in one embodiment of the present invention the tolerance of the holes in the mold receiver should be between 140 thousandths and 220 thousandths of an inch and the holes are cut precisely with a water jet cutter known in the art. In one embodiment of the present invention mold receiver is made using a mold (not shown) and polyurethane is spayed or poured onto the mold so cavities 205 insert into mold receiver 110.
In one embodiment if the present invention sidewalls 206 are configured to flex when water 204 is added to cavities 205.
In one embodiment of the present invention ice tray 200 is made of plastic and has a bottom wall 207 having a thickness of 0.0130 inches or less. In one embodiment of the present invention bottom wall 207 is made of metal and sidewalls 206 are made of plastic.
In one embodiment of the present invention from position top AB to position bottom BB there is at least a one degree tapper and most preferably two degrees tapper but less than four degrees tapper. In one embodiment of the present invention sidewalls 206 are made from plastic and bottom wall 207 is made from metal. In this embodiment the plastic sidewalls provide enough insulation that water 204 will not freeze through sidewalls 206 and only freeze through bottom wall 207. In making transparent ice cubes (not shown) it is advantages that in one embodiment of the present invention the plastic is clear so one can see through the plastic to judge the transparency of the ice cube as the ice is being made and before the ice cube is completely frozen. Therefore, with respect to making transparent ice a see through transparent ice cube tray should be considered novel.
In one embodiment of the present invention ice tray 200 is configured to mold receiver 110 in FIG. 1 so the cavities 205 fit snuggly into mold receiver 110. In one embodiment of the present invention ice tray 200 is made from a see through or transparent plastic. This helps to quality to quality control each ice cube (not shown) throughout the freezing stage if the ice cubes being produced are transparent without waiting until they are completely frozen and removed from ice tray 200. Ice tray 200 is either injected molded or vacuum formed or assembled.
In one embodiment of the present invention vibrator 115 is attached to ice tray 200. Vibrator 115 is attached to various parts of transparent ice cube maker 101 in FIG. 1. Label 208 has the name (not shown) of the entity that makes the transparent ice cubes (not shown). In a novel approach the ice cubes (not shown) made in tray 200 are sold in the same ice tray 200 to the end user. Most commercial producers of ice cubes remove the ice cubes from an ice maker and repackage them. In one embodiment of the present invention flavor 209 is provided to water 204. The term “cube” or “cubes” herein means any shaped ice of any size unless otherwise claimed.
In one embodiment of the present invention handle 211 is attached to transparent ice treat 212. Handel 211 is made of a variety of material in a variety of configurations and most preferable made from a transparent material. In one embodiment one the present invention handle 211 is placed in opening 210 so when water 204 freezes handle 211 attaches to the ice treat 212. The attachment of the handle is an illustration and not limitation and there are various ways to attach one of ordinary skill in the art knows how to attach a handle 211 to ice treat 212.
In one embodiment of the present invention sidewalls 206 are configured to have a thickness of plastic to provide heat conductivity of less than 1.9 watts per meter-Kelvin (W/m−K).
In one embodiment one the present invention opening 210 allows heat to go through lid 201. Opening 210 is small enough to reduce the chance of a droplet from jumping outside cavities 205.
In one embodiment of the present invention vibration adjusters 107 in FIG. 1 are attached to ice tray 200. In one embodiment of the present invention fan 300 eliminates refrigeration pipe 119 in FIG. 2 as a freezing mean when tray 200 is used in combination ice cube maker and refrigerator 136. In one embodiment of the present invention fan 300 circulates freezing air under bottom wall 207 that freezes water 204. In one embodiment of the present invention metal plate 301 goes between bottom wall 207 and fan 300 and bottom wall 207 contacts metal plate 301. Fan 300 wicks away air under cavities 205 that has been warmed by water 204 in cavities 205. If the warm air where not wicked away it would be difficult to freeze water 204 to a height of at least one inch tall through bottom wall 207. Fan 300 is either batteries or batteries rechargeable batteries or operated on a direct current or alternating current. In one embodiment of the present invention fan 300 is configured to provide different fan speeds.
In one embodiment of the present invention ice tray 200 is configured to be crushable or compressible or flexible using one quarter pound per sqaure inch of pressure or placing a one pound weight on the bottom wall of tray 200. In one embodiment of the present invention ice tray 200 is configured to be crushable and disposable after four uses and most preferably disposable after a single use. A single use ice tray for making transparent ice cubes is thought to be novel.
In one embodiment of the present invention a segment of mold receiver 110 is attached or adhered to a segment of ice tray 200.
In one embodiment of the present invention sidewalls 206 are thicker than bottom wall 207.
This Detailed Brief of the Preferred Embodiments is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims or any part of the present inventions multiple embodiments disclosed or not disclosed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A transparent ice cube making machine comprising:

features to simultaneously move water in multiple ice molds and move a refrigeration pipe and move a freezing surface; wherein the features to move the water are configured to provide a frequency of over thirty-eight movements per minute to the water; and an amplitude intensity to the water so a droplet of water jumps above a top surface of said water.

2. A transparent ice cube making machine comprising:

a refrigeration system;

a freezing surface;

multiple ice molds; and

a water movement system; wherein said refrigeration system, said water movement system, and said multiple ice molds are calibrated to a total weight to be moved to provide a frequency of over thirty eight movements per minute to said water and an amplitude intensity to said water so water droplets jump at least one eighth of an inch above a top surface of said water; wherein said amplitude intensity is low enough such that said top surface of said water does not freeze before water below said top surface freezes; and wherein an ice cube made by said machine has a center portion that is void of visual crystallization.

3. The machine of claim 2, further comprising a refrigeration pipe that is configured under a top surface of the freezing surface to freeze said water which is in said multiple ice molds through a bottom wall of said multiple ice molds when said water movement system is activated.

4. The machine of claim 2, wherein said refrigeration system further comprises a thermoelectric cooling to freeze said water which is in said multiple ice molds through a bottom wall of said multiple ice molds when said water movement system is activated.

5. The machine of claim 2, Wherein said freezing surface is made out of ceramic.

6. The machine of claim 2, further comprising a vibration isolator that is configured to the transparent ice cube making machine to help distribute the amplitude to the water in each of the multiple ice molds.

7. The machine of claim 2, wherein the water movement system comprises an eccentric vibrator that is attached to a metal segment that is one sixtieth inch thick or thicker of the transparent ice making machine to help distribute the amplitude and frequency combination to each of said multiple ice molds.

8. The machine of claim 2, wherein the frequency is adjustable by a user for varying weights to be moved to provide the amplitude to each of said multiple ice molds so a droplet of water within said multiple ice molds jumps above a top surface of said water.

9. The machine of claim 2, further comprising a removable lid that is configured to said multiple ice molds in a manner to prevent water splashing outside said multiple ice molds from the amplitude and said lid is removable from said multiple ice molds by hand.

10. The machine of claim 2, wherein said water movement system is further comprised of cams and an electric motor and said cams and electric motor are calibrated to the total weight to be moved to provide an amplitude intensity so droplets of said water which is in said multiple ice molds keeps jumping above the top surface of said water until said water is frozen.

11. The machine of claim 2, wherein said multiple ice molds are made of a polymer and a bottom wall of said ice molds has a thickness of less than 0.070 inches.

12. A transparent ice cube making machine comprising:

features to move flavored water in an ice mold made out of a polymer; wherein the flavor in said water is water-soluble and transparent after said water freezes; said transparent ice cube making machine is further configured to freeze said flavored water in said ice mold from a bottom position of said ice mold to a top position of said ice mold through a bottom wall of said ice mold; and

a refrigeration system; wherein said refrigeration system is configured to use a refrigerant having a boiling point of less than minus twenty degrees Fahrenheit; and wherein said refrigeration system is calibrated to said ice mold to make an ice cube that is over two inches tall, wherein said ice cube made by said machine has a center portion that is void of visual crystallization; and wherein said ice mold is configured to be removable from said machine by a user of said machine.

13. The machine of claim 12, wherein said refrigeration system is comprised of piping having a diameter of one half of an inch or larger.

14. (canceled)

15-20. (canceled)

21. A transparent ice cube making machine comprising:

a freezing surface;

a refrigeration system;

multiple ice molds;

a water movement system; and

wherein said multiple ice molds sit on top of said freezing surface; and wherein said water movement system is calibrated to a total weight to be moved to provide a frequency to water and an amplitude intensity to said water to make an ice cube that has a center portion that is void of visual crystallization; and wherein said machine is further configured so said multiple ice molds are removable from said freezing surface by a user of said machine after said water freezes.

21. The machine of claim 21, wherein said amplitude intensity is high enough so a droplet of water jumps above a top surface of said water and said amplitude intensity is low enough so said water droplet does not freeze said top surface of said water before said water under said top surface freezes.

22. The machine of claim 21, wherein said machine further comprises a vibration isolator.

23. The machine of claim 21, wherein said machine is further configured so a user of said machine can exchange said multiple ice molds with a different shaped ice molds.

24. The machine of claim 21, wherein said multiple ice molds have a bottom wall made of metal and a sidewall made out of a polymer.

25. The machine of claim 21, wherein said multiple ice molds have a sidewall and said sidewall contacts a sidewall of a mold receiver when said multiple ice molds are inserted into said mold receiver.

26. The machine of claim 21, wherein a refrigeration pipe is located directly under said freezing surface.

27. The machine of claim 21, wherein a lid is calibrated to output BTUs of said refrigeration system to allow warm air above said lid to warm said lid enough to prevent a top surface of said water from freezing before water under said top surface freezes.

28. The machine of claim 21, wherein said multiple ice molds have a wall thickness of less than 0.080 inches and said multiple ice molds flex when one half pound per square inch pressure is applied to said multiple ice molds.

29. The machine of claim 21, wherein said machine is configured to provide one directional freezing of said water in said multiple ice molds.

30. The machine of claim 21, wherein said refrigeration system is configured to utilize a refrigerant having a boiling point of lower than minus twenty degrees Fahrenheit.

31. The machine of claim 21, wherein said machine is further configured to make one hundred pounds of ice cubes that measure over one inch tall utilizing less than eighteen kilowatt hours of energy.

32. The machine of claim 21, wherein said water movement system comprises an eccentric vibrator.

33. The machine of claim 21, wherein said water movement system provides at least one half pound of force for each pound to be moved.

34. The machine of claim 21, wherein a refrigeration pipe is located under said freezing surface and a thermal paste is placed between said refrigeration pipe and said freezing surface.