WO1989007228A1

WO1989007228A1 - Improvements to ice making apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1989007228A1
Application number: PCT/AU1989/000037
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Kennion Elson
Original assignee: Porta-Ice Australia Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1988-02-01
Filing date: 1989-02-01
Publication date: 1989-08-10

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for forming ice blocks or cubes comprising a tray (36) having a series of rows of ice forming compartments or cavities (37), a plurality of ducts (39) arranged between the rows and having a plurality of outlet apertures (43) directed towards opposite walls (44) of the cavities. The ducts (39) communicate with cylinders (21) of compressed refrigerant gases via valves (23) which when actuated communicate the gases with the ducts (39), the rapid expansion of the refrigerant gases and exiting thereof through the apertures (43) causing water in the cavities (37) to freeze and form ice blocks.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO ICE MAKING APPARATUS Technical Field

THIS INVENTION relates to improvements to ice making apparatus and in particular to portable apparatus for manufacturing ice such as ice-cubes, ice blocks or the like. Background Art

In many situations it is desirable to have a source of ice-cubes, ice blocks or the like for cooling of drinks or for other purposes. Such cubes or blocks may of course be formed in a conventional refrigerator freezer or the like and then stored or transported in an insulated container. Whilst this arrangement is suitable for providing a limited number of ice blocks or cubes in situations where the environmental temperature is not high, it is not suitable where a large number of ice cubes are required or in subtropical or tropical climates due to difficulties in storage and melting problems. Portable refrigerators of course are available and in some instances suitable for manufacturing ice cubes, but they are inefficient where a large number of ice cubes or blocks are required and furthermore normally require an external power source for operation. Furthermore, portable refrigerators are relatively bulky and expensive.

The use of highly compressed refrigerants such as liquid carbon dioxide in various ref igeration systems is known such as in U.S. Patent Nos. 1556734 and 1847321. The latter patent discloses a method and means for producing ice cubes by locating a compartmented pan in a cavity about which a pipe is coiled and liquid carbon dioxide is passed through the coil to cool the cavity and form water in the pan into. ice cubes. This system has a relatively low efficiency and is not practical to use in portable situations. U.S. Patent Nos. 1,700,429 and 3,922,898 also discloses refrigeration apparatus which employ liquid carbon dioxide. In the former instance, the carbon dioxide is used to freeze a brine solution to cool the interior of a refrigerator whilst in the latter case, the carbon dioxide is used to form in a hollow block, dry ice for cooling a portable container. Neither of the above arrangements lend themselves to the efficient production of ice cubes. Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention aims to overcome or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages by providing improved ice making apparatus which permits ice cubes, blocks or the like to be produced as required in a reliable and efficient manner and which eliminates the need for carrying and storing a large volume of ice cubes or blocks. The present invention also aims to provide apparatus which is portable and which functions to produce ice cubes or blocks rapidly and economically. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention resides broadly in apparatus for making ice blocks, ice cubes or the like, said apparatus including means defining at least one cavity adapted to contain water to be formed into said ice blocks, ice cubes, or the like, means for storing under pressure a refrigerant, and means selectively operable to communicate refrigerant from said storing means to impinge on the wall or walls of said cavity so as to cause in use water in said cavity to be formed into said ice blocks, ice cubes or the like.

Suitably, duct means are arranged adjacent the cavity, the duct means including an outlet or outlets adjacent the cavity wail and the selectively operable means is arranged to supply refrigerant to the duct means so that it exits through the outlet or outlets.

Preferably, there are provided a plurality of open topped cavities or compartments for ice formation and the duct means includes a plurality of ducts having a plurality of outlet apertures or nozzles through which refrigerant may pass to impinge upon the outer wall or walls of the cavities or compartments. Suitably, the cavities are formed in a tray constructed of metal such as sheet metal or thin plastics material and the cavities are arranged in a series of rows and respective ducts are arranged between the rows and have outlet apertures or nozzles which direct the refrigerant towards the cavities on opposite sides of each duct. The tray is suitably associated with a hollow casing preferably closing the top thereof and vent means are provided to vent refrigerant from the casing after the latter has exited from the duct outlets and cooled the ice cavities.

Preferably the means for storing the refrigerant comprise a cylinder or cylinders of liquefied gas such as liquid carbon dioxide disposed within a substantially closed housing and in use the vent means direct the vented refrigerant into the housing to cool the cylinder or cylinders of refrigerant to thereby increase efficiency of operation. Suitably the selectively operable means comprises a valve or valves provided to communicate the refrigerant with the refrigerant outlet ducts. Timing means may also be associated with the valve or valves to turn the valves off after a period corresponding to the time necessary to form he ice cubes.

Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:-

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate in perspective and front elevational views, the ice making apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a part sectional elevational view showing details of the refrigerant storage container and associated valve assemblies; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the ice tray assembly;

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views along lines A-A and B-B of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 illustrated in underside views details of the ice tray and associated refrigerant supply ducting;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view showing details of an ice compartment of the ice tray and associated ducting; Fig. 9 illustrates the apparatus in an operational attitude; and

Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate a further embodiment of ice making apparatus according to the invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figs. 1 and 2 there is illustrated ice making apparatus 10 according to the present invention which in this embodiment includes a two part body comprising a first hollow body part 11 adapted to carry capsules or cylinders of a refrigerant and associations control valving and a second part 12 which serves as a cap for the first part and defines an ice tray assembly as described below. To facilitate carrying of the apparatus 10 by hand, the body part 11 includes a pivotal handle 13 and suitably the part 12 includes on its outer surface a pair of lugs 14 to facilitate positive latching of the part 12 onto the main body part 11 by means of pivotal latching members 15.

The body part 11 includes as shown a central male outlet coupling 16 through -which the refrigerant is arranged to pass and a pair of aperture defining members 17 which define apertures communicating with the interior of the body part 11. The part 12 includes an outer hollow dish-like casing 18 through which a coupling 19 projects, the coupling 19 comprising a male coupling complimentary to the coupling 16 and adapted to be releasably connected thereto. The casing 18 also includes a pair of outwardly extending vent members or tubes 20 which communicate with the interior of the casing 18 and which are adapted to be received in the respective aperture defining members 17 for a purpose which will be described hereunder.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 3, the hollow body part 11 is adapted to support therein a pair of cannisters or cylinders 21 of standard form containing a pressurized refrigerant such as liquid carbon dioxide and preferably the cannisters 21 are arranged in inverted form with their bases supported by_. an apertured removable wall member 22 or baffle which locates over and neatly engages the open end of the body part 12 and which forms the body part 11 into a substantially closed volume. The cannisters 21, which conventionally are provided with a threaded neck portion are threadedly engaged with respective valves assemblies 23 each of which includes a body portion 24 having a passage 25 there which is intercepted by a transversely extending valve body 26 which includes a cylindrical bore 27 therein. Located sealingly within the bore 27 is a cylindrical valve member 28 which is provided with a through aperture 29 and which is biased by a spring 30 to a normally off-attitude. Each valve member 26 is also coupled to a manually operably push button 31 which projects through an aperture in a side wall 32 of the main body part 11. The main body part 11 also houses a manifold 33 which is provided with a pair of threaded coupling members 34 which communicate via respective internal passageways 35 with the outlet coupling 16. As is shown in Fig. 3, the valve body portions 24 associated with the respective cylinders 21 are adapted to be screw engaged with the respective coupling members 33 and it will be apparent that depression of the respective push buttons 31 will move the apertures 29 into alignment with the passageway 25 to thus open communication between the respective cylinders 21 and outlet coupling 16. As stated above, the apparatus part 12 comprises an ice tray assembly 12 which as is more clearly apparent in Fig. 4 to 8 includes an ice tray 36 suitably formed of a relatively thin material such as plastic or metal either a pressing of sheet metal such as sheet steel or aluminium or a casting and includes a plurality of open topped cavities or compartments 37 in which the ice blocks are to be formed. To facilitate formation of and removal of the ice blocks after formation, each cavity 37 is preferably of inverted truncated pyramid form (see Fig. 8) and the cavities 37 are suitably arranged in respective rows 38 with the rows being separated by a sufficient distance to permit the location of refrigerant exit ducts 39 therebetween. The ducts 39 are closed off at one end 40 and are interconnected at their opposite ends by a further duct 41 extending transversely of the ducts 39. A further shorter distribution duct 42 is centrally connected to the coupling 19 and connected at its opposite ends to the duct 41 at spaced position to distribute the refrigerant equally to the ducts 39. As shown more clearly in Fig. 8, the ducts 39 are apertured at 43 at spaced positions therealong so that the refrigerant is directed towards side walls 44 of the cavities 37 in respective rows. Preferably the apertures 43 are in the form of elongated slots which are arranged at positions on the circumference of the ducts 39 so that refrigerant is directed towards the opposite cavities 37 in respective adjacent rows 38 (except for the opposite end ducts 39' which have outlet apertures which direct the refrigerant only in one direction).

As shown more clearly in Figs. 4 to 6 the ice tray

36 is secured peripherally and sealingly to the side walls 45 of the casing 18 to define therewith a hollow substantially closed space 46 and it will be seen that the vent pipes or tubes 20 communicate with the hollow space 46 through the side walls 45 of the casing 18. The vent pipes 20 are arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of the coupling 19 to ensure even venting so that efficient formation of ice cubes occurs throughout the whole tray 36.

In use and where it is desired to produce ice cubes, the top part 12 is detached from the main body part 11 by releasing the latching members 15, inverted and re-engaged with the body part 11 by engaging the complementary couplings 16 and 19 and locating the tubes 20 within the apertured members 17 in the manner shown in Fig. 9. The ice cavities

37 may then be filled with water and one of the buttons 31 depressed. This will open communication between one cylinder 21 and the passageway 35 so that the refrigerant passes through the engaged couplings 16 and 19 and into the ducts 42, 41 and 39 to exit through the apertures 43 and against the side walls 44 of the respective compartments whereafter the refrigerant passes along the side walls and about the underside of the cavities 37.

The cooling of the rapidly expanding refrigerant will cause the water in the cavities 37 to rapidly cool and freeze thus forming ice-blocks. At the completion of the block forming process as observed, the button 31 is released so that flow of refrigerant from the cylinder 21 ceases. The refrigerant exiting through the apertures 43 has an enhanced cooling effect because it is trapped in the substantially closed space 46 whilst the tubes 20 vent the refrigerant in the space 46 into the interior of the body part 11 through the members 17. This will have the effect of also cooling the cylinders 21 so that efficiency of ice production is increased as the cylinders 21 may be opened for a shorter period of time.

After the ice blocks have been produced, the part 12 may be detached from the main body 11 and inverted so that the ice blocks may be easily removed, this being facilitated by the shape of the cavities 37. Alternatively the ice blocks may be removed from the tray 36 in the position shown in Fig. 4.

Of course if one of the cylinders 21 becomes exhausted, the other button 31 may be depressed to permit refrigerant from the other cylinder 21 to be used. The cylinders 21 when exhausted may be simply detached by removing the supporting baffle 22 and unscrewing from the valve assembly 23. A refilled cylinder 21 may be reengaged in the opposite manner with communication between the cylinders 21 and valve assemblies 23 being established automatically as is conventional when the cylinders 21 are fully screw engaged.

Preferably the refrigerant is any rapidly vaporizing coolant for example liquefied gases such as liquid carbon dioxide and the term refrigerant as used through the specification and claims includes the above.

In an alternative preferred configuration, the valves 23 may be provided with a timing device which automatically returns the valves 23 to an off position after a certain period of time from depression of the button 31, this time corresponding to the time required to form the ice blocks. The couplings 16 and 19 are suitably conventional couplings with the female coupling 19 being of spring loaded form. The couplings 16 and 19 however may take any suitable form. Similarly the valve assemblies 23 may be any suitable form for example spring loaded ball valves which may be selectively lifted off a valve seat. Alternatively, the valve assemblies may comprise pivotal valve members which may be operated to open communication with the cylinders 21.

Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the invention similar in many respects to the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 9. The apparatus 47 of this embodiment again includes a main hollow body portion 48 which supports therein cannisters or cylinders of refrigerant gases and associated valve assemblies as in the previous embodiment. The body portion 48 also includes a removable lid 49 through which access may be had to the refrigerant cylinders for refilling or replacement purposes.

In this embodiment however, the ice tray assembly 50 which is of similar construction to that of Fig. 4 is mounted to the body portion 48 so as to be slidable outwardly from a first inoperative position shown in Fig. 10 to a second operative position shown in Fig. 11. This movement is permitted by means of a flexible refrigerant hose 51 which couples the tray assembly 50 to the valves associated with the refrigerant cylinders. As previously, the tray assembly 50 includes vents 52 for venting refrigerant gas back into the interior of the body portion 48 so as to function to maintain the cylinders cool. This embodiment functions in the same manner as described previously with the tray assembly 50 being moved to the Fig. 11 position before valve actuation. Alternatively, the ice blocks may be formed whilst the tray assembly 50 is in the Fig. 10 position and the tray assembly then slid out to the Fig. 11 position to permit access to the formed ice blocks.

Many variations may be made to the apparatus of the invention without departing from the broad scope and ambit thereof. For example, the ice forming tray may be fixed in the main hollow body portion with access being obtained thereto through the removable top portion. Any number of ice forming trays may be associated with the apparatus and cavities other than inverted pyramid form may be employed in the trays.

It will also be apparent that any timing means may be associated with the valves to shut off supply of refrigerant automatically after a set period of time corresponding to the time required to form the ice blocks. Such timing means may be mechanical or electrical timing means and in the latter arrangment, the electrical timing means may release a latch associated with the movable valve members, the latch being operative to hold the valve member in an "ON" position and being released via solenoid actuation controlled by the timing means so that the valve will return under spring bias to an "OFF" position.

Claims

1. Apparatus for making ice blocks, ice cubes or the like, said apparatus including means defining at least one cavity adapted to contain water to be formed into said ice blocks, ice cubes, or the like, means for storing under pressure a refrigerant, and means selectively operable to communicate refrigerant from said storing means to impinge on the wall or walls of said cavity so as to cause in use water in said cavity to be formed into said ice blocks, ice cubes or the like.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 and including duct means arranged adjacent said cavity, said duct means including an outlet or outlets adjacent said cavity wall or walls and wherein said selectively operable means is operative to supply said refrigerant to said duct means so that it exits through said outlet or outlets.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 and including a plurality of open topped said cavities and wherein said duct means includes a plurality of ducts 'having a plurality of outlet apertures or nozzles through which refrigerant may pass to impinge upon the outer wall or walls of said cavities.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said cavities are formed in a tray and are arranged in a series of rows and wherein respective said ducts are arranged between said rows, said outlet apertures or nozzles directing the refrigerant towards said cavities on opposite sides of each said duct.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said tray is associated with a hollow casing and there being provided vent means for venting refrigerant from said casing after the latter has exited said duct outlets and cooled said ice cavities.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said means for storing said refrigerant comprise a cylinder or cylinders of liquefied gas, said cylinders being disposed within a substantially closed housing and wherein said vent means direct the vented refrigerant into said housing to cool said cylinder or cylinders.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said selectively operable means comprises a valve or valves provided to communicate said refrigerant from said cylinder or cylinders with said refrigerant outlet ducts.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 and including timing means associated with said valve or valves and operative to turn said valve or valves off after a period of time corresponding to the time necessary to form said ice cubes.