US3648964A - Ice tray with integral twist restoring element - Google Patents

Ice tray with integral twist restoring element Download PDF

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Publication number
US3648964A
US3648964A US10779A US3648964DA US3648964A US 3648964 A US3648964 A US 3648964A US 10779 A US10779 A US 10779A US 3648964D A US3648964D A US 3648964DA US 3648964 A US3648964 A US 3648964A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
tray
ice
projection
twist
finger
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US10779A
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English (en)
Inventor
William L Fox
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eaton Corp
Original Assignee
Eaton Yale and Towne Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • 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
    • F25C2305/00—Special arrangements or features for working or handling ice
    • F25C2305/022—Harvesting ice including rotating or tilting or pivoting of a mould or tray
    • F25C2305/0221—Harvesting ice including rotating or tilting or pivoting of a mould or tray rotating ice mould

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A twist action ice tray for an automatic ice maker having a deformable plastic bin or ice cube holder which may be twisted and deformed to harvest ice cubes therefrom.
  • the tray has relatively rigid inboard and outboard end portions which are twisted with respect to each other during ice harvest.
  • the tray driving or twisting action occurs at the outboard end portion of the tray, while the inboard portion is restrained.
  • a biasing means is actuated during the harvest cycle which places a restoring torque on the tray. When ice harvest is completed, the restoring torque returns the tray to a proper position.
  • the biasing or restoring torque is provided by a coil spring which is positioned centrally within a tray driving gear in the automatic ice maker.
  • the coil spring has a pair of ends which are positioned at opposite sides of a spacer bar at the hub of the tray driving gear.
  • the ice tray has a finger like projection which extends from the inboard end portion of the tray further inwardly to be positioned between the opposite ends of the coil spring.
  • the tray driving gear As the tray driving gear is rotated during ice harvest, it carries the coil spring with it.
  • One of the legs or ends of the coil spring engages the finger like projection of the tray and is restrained from rotating with the tray driving gear. In this way the ends of the spring are spread apart as tray rotation increases and a restoring torque is exerted on the projection like finger and hence on the tray itself.
  • FIG. 1 is a top elevational view of an ice tray and ice maker mechanism of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of the ice maker shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is an end view of the ice maker showing the tray in an undeformed and a deformed or twisted position.
  • FIG. 4 is an inboard end view of the ice tray of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a top view of the inboard end portion of the ice tray.
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the outboard end portion of the ice tray.
  • FIG. 7 is a front view of the tray driving gear and mechanism of the automatic ice maker of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the lines VIII-VIII in FIG. 7, and
  • FIG. 9 is a rear view of the tray driving gear shown in FIG. 7.
  • the present invention relates to an ice cube tray for an automatic ice making machine and in particular to an ice cube tray which is twisted and deformed to accomplish ice harvest.
  • the ice cube tray of the present invention has a body or bin portion which is formed of a relatively deformable thermoplastic material and which has a plurality of molded ice cube cavities.
  • the tray has relatively rigid inboard and outboard end portions or flanges in order to support the twisting motion which occurs during ice harvest.
  • the inboard end of the ice tray has a twist restoring element projecting further inwardly therefrom and designed to be extended into the ice maker mechanism.
  • the ice maker mechanism has a tray driving gear and a coil spring positioned within the tray driving gear which acts to create a restoring force on this restoring element tending to bias the ice tray into a normal position during the twisting operation.
  • the twisting action is accomplished by a rod which is rotated by the tray driving gear and which extends through both the inboard end portion and the outboard end portion of the tray.
  • the rod is journalled in the inboard end portion and is keyed to the outboard end portion. Accordingly the twisting action occurs at the outboard end portion, while the inboard end portion is held in position by a stop means utilized for this purpose.
  • an ice cube maker 10 is shown generally in FIG. 1 as including an ice cube mechanism 11 and an ice cube tray 12.
  • the ice cube mechanism 11 contains the motor, gearing and other devices necessary to time the various cycles of the ice maker and to control the movement of the ice tray.
  • the details of the operation of the ice cube mechanism 11 are disclosed in detail in my copending application, Ser. No. 762,891.
  • the ice maker 10 also includes a water spout 13 which is used to fill the ice tray 12 with water when it is in its normal horizontal position as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the ice tray 12 consists of a bin or body portion 14 which is made of a relatively deformable material to allow the tray to be twisted.
  • the inboard end portion 15 and the outboard end portion 16, however, are formed with suitable ribs and otherwise reinforced to be substantially rigid in order to support the force required to flex the body portion 14.
  • the tray 12 is affixed to the ice cube mechanism 11 generally at a point 17, and a rod 18 extends from the ice cube mechanism 11 beneath the tray as shown in FIG. 2 to support the tray and to act as a drive to twist the outboard end 16 of the tray.
  • the ice tray has a plurality of individual ice cube openings 19 which are communicable with one another through a series of notches 20 and 21 which connect adjacent ones of the openings 19.
  • Water from the spout 13 flows into one of the openings 22 and by means of the notches 20 and 21, water is distributed uniformly in all of the individual ice cube openings. The weight of this water is then supported by the rod 18 which extends beneath the ice tray. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the rod is secured to the end of the tray by a screw 23.
  • the rod 18 is journalled in the inboard end 24 of the tray, but is keyed to the outboard end 16.
  • the outboard end 16 is shown more clearly in FIG. 3 and includes a portion 24a which is relatively rigid to forces parallel thereto. In other words, the portion 24a is relatively resistant to flexing during a twisting operation.
  • a reinforcing member 25 is rigidly affixed to the end portion 24 and is made of a more rigid material than the material comprising the portion 240 and the body or bin portion 14.
  • the reinforcement member 25 is formed of a relatively rigid thermoplastic substance and is molded into the end portion 24 during the forming of the ice tray.
  • the rod 18 has a pair of flat surfaces 26 and 27 which are received within an opening 28 formed within the reinforcement member 25. In this way the rod 18 is keyed to the reinforcing member 25, and rotation of the rod 18 causes rotation of the outboard end 16 of the tray 12.
  • the ice maker has a stop means 29 which may be slidably moved within an opening 30 in the housing of the ice maker mechanism 11 to either obstruct or release the rotation of the tray.
  • the stop 29 When the stop 29 is moved into the dotted position 30 shown in FIG. 3, the rotation of the tray is halted at the inboard end. However the rotation continues at the outboard end and the result is a twisting of the ice tray.
  • the tray in the twisted position is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3.
  • the tray shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3 is in the inverted position.
  • the outboard end of the tray is indicated at reference numeral 31, while the inboard end of the tray is indicated by the reference numeral 32.
  • the inboard end is rotated approximately 140 from the position shown in solid lines
  • the outboard end 31 is rotated approximately 180 from the position shown in solid lines.
  • the difference in the rotation of the inboard and outboard ends results in the twist indicated generally by the reference numeral 33. This twisting action distorts the individual ice cube cavities l9 sufficiently to release the ice from the cavities to an ice storage bin which is located below the ice tray.
  • the inboard end of the tray is shown more clearly in FIG. 4 and includes a portion 34 which is reinforced by a series of ribs 35 and 36. Also, the inboard end portion has a reinforced section 36 which may include a metal insert molded into the plastic which forms the ice tray. A surface 37 of this reinforced section supports the inboard end of the tray against the stop means 29 during the twisting operation. The section 36 therefore must sustain the entire force of the twist, the twist occurring between the section 36 and the reinforced portion 25 at the outboard end of the tray.
  • the inboard end of the ice tray also includes a triangular reinforcing member 38 which is formed integrally with a twist restoring element or finger like projection 39.
  • the reinforcing member 38 is also molded integrally with the inboard end of the tray, and the element 39 projects further inwardly from the inboard end as shown in FIG. 5.
  • the projection 39 has a wider base at 40 adjacent to the point of attachment to the supporting flange 38 than at the end or tip thereof at 41. This provides added rigidity to the tip since this point must sustain the entire force applied to twist the ice tray.
  • the projection 39 cooperates with the ice mechanism to generate a restoring torque on the ice tray.
  • This restoring torque can best be understood by reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
  • the cut-away portion shows a tray driving gear 42.
  • the tray driving gear 42 has a number of missing teeth as at 42a, and after being nudged into engagement with a further gear 44, rotates to provide the driving action for the tray.
  • the detailed operation of the ice mechanism which includes the tray driving gear and the associated gears are described in my copending application, Ser. No. 762,891.
  • the tray driving gear 42 has an inner hub 43 and an outer hub 44 (FIG. 8).
  • the outer hub 44 is joumalled within a sleeve 45 which is formed at the housing of the ice mechanism 11.
  • the outer hub 44 has a spacer bar 46 formed integrally therewith.
  • the spacer bar extends axially of the outer hub 44 as shown by the dotted line 47 in FIG. 8.
  • a torque restoring spring 48 is positioned about the inner hub 43, and has a pair of ends 49 and 50 which are positioned at opposite sides of the spacer 46. Accordingly, the torsion spring 48, in the absence of a restraining element, would rotate freely with the tray driving gear 42 and be carried by the spacer bar 46.
  • the inner hub 43 has an aperture 51 which has the same general configuration as the aperture 28 (FIG. 3).
  • the rod 18 is received within the aperture 51, and accordingly rotation of the tray driving gear 42, rotates the rod 18 and likewise the outboard end 16 of the ice tray.
  • the twist restoring element 39 is positioned against the spacer bar 46 and between the opposite ends 49 and 50 of the torque restoring spring 48.
  • the projection 39 contacts the spring end 49, holding it stationary.
  • the spring end 50 continues to be rotated by the spacer bar 46 and hence the ends of the spring are spread apart thereby creating a restoring force on the tray projection or finger 39.
  • the finger like projection 39 integrally with the ice tray, the number of parts which are coupled together to produce the restoring torque on the tray is reduce, and a more effective connection of the tray directly to the torque restoring spring 48 is accomplished.
  • a twist operated ice tray comprising:
  • bin portion being formed of a relatively deformable material and having relatively rigid inboard and outboard end portions
  • said outboard end portion having means for being coupled to said tray drive mechanism for twisting the tray into a harvest cycle
  • said inboard end portion having a twist restoring fingerlike projection extending inwardly of said inboard end portion
  • said twist restoring fingerlike projection being located off center from the axis of rotation of said tray and being readily receivable between the depending edges of said twist restoring spring for restoring the tray to an undeformed configuration after an ice harvest.
  • a twist operated ice tray in accordance with claim I wherein said fingerlike projection is tapered from a relatively wide base at the point of connection with the inboard end to a relatively narrower tip at the outermost end thereof.
  • a twist operated ice tray in accordance with claim I wherein said relatively rigid inboard end portion has an aperture formed therein for receiving a tray drive member therethrough and wherein said fingerlike projection is affixed to said inboard end portion adjacent to said aperture.
  • a twist operated ice tray in accordance with claim 4 wherein said supporting flange is formed of a relatively rigid thermoplastic substance which is different from the material forming the remaining portion of said inboard end.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Production, Working, Storing, Or Distribution Of Ice (AREA)
US10779A 1970-02-12 1970-02-12 Ice tray with integral twist restoring element Expired - Lifetime US3648964A (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US1077970A 1970-02-12 1970-02-12

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US3648964A true US3648964A (en) 1972-03-14

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US (1) US3648964A (enExample)
CA (1) CA924914A (enExample)
FR (1) FR2078162A5 (enExample)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4611978A (en) * 1982-02-26 1986-09-16 Cesare Sangiorgi Production line for bitumen cakes
US20100163707A1 (en) * 2007-05-23 2010-07-01 Lg Electronics Inc. Ice making assembly for a refrigerator
US20170191724A1 (en) * 2012-12-13 2017-07-06 Whirlpool Corporation Layering of low thermal conductive material on metal tray
US10030902B2 (en) 2012-05-03 2018-07-24 Whirlpool Corporation Twistable tray for heater-less ice maker
US10066861B2 (en) 2012-11-16 2018-09-04 Whirlpool Corporation Ice cube release and rapid freeze using fluid exchange apparatus
EP3209953A4 (en) * 2014-10-23 2018-12-05 Whirlpool Corporation Method and apparatus for increasing rate of ice production in an automatic ice maker
US10161663B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2018-12-25 Whirlpool Corporation Ice maker with rocking cold plate
US10174982B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2019-01-08 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice maker
US10378806B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2019-08-13 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice maker
US10605512B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2020-03-31 Whirlpool Corporation Method of warming a mold apparatus
US10739053B2 (en) 2017-11-13 2020-08-11 Whirlpool Corporation Ice-making appliance
US10788251B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2020-09-29 Whirlpool Corporation Twist harvest ice geometry
US10816253B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2020-10-27 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice maker with warm air flow
US10907874B2 (en) 2018-10-22 2021-02-02 Whirlpool Corporation Ice maker downspout
US11378320B2 (en) * 2018-10-02 2022-07-05 Nidec Sankyo Corporation Ice maker
US11624541B2 (en) 2014-10-23 2023-04-11 Whirlpool Corporation In door ice bin for an automatic ice maker

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3071933A (en) * 1959-07-13 1963-01-08 Philco Corp Freezing equipment and method of operating it
US3217508A (en) * 1962-10-23 1965-11-16 Gen Motors Corp Automatic ice maker of the flexible tray type
US3217510A (en) * 1963-05-27 1965-11-16 Gen Motors Corp Apparatus for making and ejecting ice blocks
US3269139A (en) * 1964-06-01 1966-08-30 Gen Motors Corp Twistable tray type automatic ice maker with detachable tray

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3071933A (en) * 1959-07-13 1963-01-08 Philco Corp Freezing equipment and method of operating it
US3217508A (en) * 1962-10-23 1965-11-16 Gen Motors Corp Automatic ice maker of the flexible tray type
US3217510A (en) * 1963-05-27 1965-11-16 Gen Motors Corp Apparatus for making and ejecting ice blocks
US3269139A (en) * 1964-06-01 1966-08-30 Gen Motors Corp Twistable tray type automatic ice maker with detachable tray

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4611978A (en) * 1982-02-26 1986-09-16 Cesare Sangiorgi Production line for bitumen cakes
US20100163707A1 (en) * 2007-05-23 2010-07-01 Lg Electronics Inc. Ice making assembly for a refrigerator
US10030902B2 (en) 2012-05-03 2018-07-24 Whirlpool Corporation Twistable tray for heater-less ice maker
US10030901B2 (en) 2012-05-03 2018-07-24 Whirlpool Corporation Heater-less ice maker assembly with a twistable tray
US10066861B2 (en) 2012-11-16 2018-09-04 Whirlpool Corporation Ice cube release and rapid freeze using fluid exchange apparatus
US10174982B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2019-01-08 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice maker
US20170191724A1 (en) * 2012-12-13 2017-07-06 Whirlpool Corporation Layering of low thermal conductive material on metal tray
US10161663B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2018-12-25 Whirlpool Corporation Ice maker with rocking cold plate
US11131493B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2021-09-28 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice maker with warm air flow
US10215467B2 (en) * 2012-12-13 2019-02-26 Whirlpool Corporation Layering of low thermal conductive material on metal tray
US10378806B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2019-08-13 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice maker
US10605512B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2020-03-31 Whirlpool Corporation Method of warming a mold apparatus
US11725862B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2023-08-15 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice maker with warm air flow
US11598567B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2023-03-07 Whirlpool Corporation Twist harvest ice geometry
US10788251B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2020-09-29 Whirlpool Corporation Twist harvest ice geometry
US10816253B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2020-10-27 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice maker with warm air flow
US10845111B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2020-11-24 Whirlpool Corporation Layering of low thermal conductive material on metal tray
US11486622B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2022-11-01 Whirlpool Corporation Layering of low thermal conductive material on metal tray
EP3209953A4 (en) * 2014-10-23 2018-12-05 Whirlpool Corporation Method and apparatus for increasing rate of ice production in an automatic ice maker
US11441829B2 (en) 2014-10-23 2022-09-13 Whirlpool Corporation Method and apparatus for increasing rate of ice production in an automatic ice maker
US11624541B2 (en) 2014-10-23 2023-04-11 Whirlpool Corporation In door ice bin for an automatic ice maker
US10690388B2 (en) 2014-10-23 2020-06-23 Whirlpool Corporation Method and apparatus for increasing rate of ice production in an automatic ice maker
US11808507B2 (en) 2014-10-23 2023-11-07 Whirlpool Corporation Method and apparatus for increasing rate of ice production in an automatic ice maker
US10739053B2 (en) 2017-11-13 2020-08-11 Whirlpool Corporation Ice-making appliance
US11378320B2 (en) * 2018-10-02 2022-07-05 Nidec Sankyo Corporation Ice maker
US10907874B2 (en) 2018-10-22 2021-02-02 Whirlpool Corporation Ice maker downspout

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2078162A5 (enExample) 1971-11-05
CA924914A (en) 1973-04-24

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