WO2004081468A1 - Ice-making apparatus - Google Patents
Ice-making apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2004081468A1 WO2004081468A1 PCT/IB2004/000964 IB2004000964W WO2004081468A1 WO 2004081468 A1 WO2004081468 A1 WO 2004081468A1 IB 2004000964 W IB2004000964 W IB 2004000964W WO 2004081468 A1 WO2004081468 A1 WO 2004081468A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- ice
- storage tank
- making machine
- evaporator
- support element
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
- F25C1/12—Producing ice by freezing water on cooled surfaces, e.g. to form slabs
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C2400/00—Auxiliary features or devices for producing, working or handling ice
- F25C2400/14—Water supply
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to an ice-making machine or ice cube maker and, more particularly, to an ice-making machine with a removable water tank.
- Ice cube makers and more particularly, ice cube makers with vertical evaporators are known. These ice cube makers have an internal storage tank placed underneath the evaporator that can contain water to be transformed into ice. The water can be taken via a transfer pump to a flow control device, which in turn distributes this water over the surface of the evaporator to form the ice cubes.
- the storage tank for the water to be transformed into ice is connected in permanent fashion to the frame as a single, integral piece of the frame, and is difficult to access, even when removing the casing of the ice maker. Furthermore, over the course of time, dirt is formed in the storage tank, there are incrustations from the progressive depositing and buildup of lime contained in the water, and aquatic bacteria and algae grow and proliferate. Accordingly, there is a need to improve the cleanliness and hygiene for the water storage tank.
- the technical problem of the present invention is therefore to produce an ice cube maker with an evaporator which makes it possible to eliminate the technical disadvantages of the prior art.
- the present invention provides an ice cube maker with an evaporator, where the ice cube maker allows a complete and careful cleaning and sanitization of the storage tank for the water used to make the ice.
- the present invention also provides an ice cube maker with an evaporator, where the ice cube maker enables the cleaning and sanitizing of the storage tank for the water used to make the ice in a relatively simple and rapid manner.
- Tlie present invention provides an ice cube maker with an evaporator, where the ice cube maker enables the cleaning and the sanitizing of the storage tank for the water to make the ice without the need to completely dismantle the ice maker.
- the technical problem is solved by creating an ice cube maker, of tlie type containing an evaporator supplied with water by a water flow device to form ice cubes.
- the water is drawn by a recirculation pump from a storage tank supported by a support element underneath the evaporator. There is a removable connection between the storage tank and the support element.
- an ice-making machine comprises an evaporator, a support element, and a storage tank for storing water to be formed into ice.
- the storage tank is removably connected to the support element.
- the storage tank can require movement in at least two different directions to removably connect or disconnect with tlie support element.
- the evaporator may also be connected to the support element, and can be disposed above the storage tank.
- the ice-making machine can further comprise a flow control device and a pump.
- the flow control device can be in fluid communication with the evaporator and the pump, while the pump can be in fluid communication with the flow control device and the storage tank.
- the flow control device distributes the water to the evaporator.
- the evaporator may be a vertical evaporator.
- the flow control device can be a water sprayer.
- the ice-making machine can further comprise first and second connecting structures.
- the first and second connecting structures may provide for removable • connection of the storage tank with the support element.
- the first and second connecting structures can be disposed on opposite surfaces of the storage tank and the support element.
- the opposite surfaces of the storage tank and tl e support element can be planar.
- the at least two different directions can be first and second directions.
- the first direction may be in a plane orthogonal to the opposite surfaces, and the second direction may be in a plane parallel to the opposite surfaces.
- the second direction can also lie along an axis inclined from vertical.
- the second direction may lie along a vertical axis.
- the ice-making machine can also have a housing, and the evaporator, storage tank and support element may be disposed in the housing.
- the housing may be divided into a plurality of compartments.
- the support element can also be used to divide the housing into a plurality of compartments.
- the ice-making machine may also have a wall that substantially isolates the evaporator from the pump. The wall can be pivotable with respect to the evaporator.
- the first connecting structure can be a grappling tooth and the second connecting structure can be a corresponding grappling seat.
- the first connecting structure may also be a coupling screw having a head, and the second connecting structure may be a slot having a groove, so that the head can selectively hook into the groove.
- the ice-making machine can further comprise a housing where the first and second connecting structures are disposed on opposite surfaces of the storage tank and the housing.
- the opposite surfaces of the storage tank and the housing may be a lateral planar face of the storage tank and an opposite planar face of the housing. Either or both of the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure can also be manually controlled.
- the water storage tank can be a sump.
- the water storage tank may also be a tank, which catches waste water from the evaporator and recycles it back to a water flow distribution device.
- the support element can be one or more side walls of the housing and one or more dividing walls of the housing, and the sump may be removably affixed to lie side walls and dividing walls.
- a method for removable connection of a storage tank for water to make ice in an ice cube maker that has an evaporator and a support element comprises requiring movement of the storage tank in a first direction with respect to the support element and then requiring movement in a second direction with respect to the support element thereby connecting or disconnecting the storage tank with the support element.
- the first direction and the second direction can be at an angle with respect to each other of 90 degrees or more.
- the method can further comprise the step of requiring removable connection or disconnection of a lateral planar face of the storage tank with an opposite planar face of a housing of the ice cube maker.
- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a front portion of an ice malcer according to the present invention, whose casing has been partially removed to show internal components;
- Figure 2a shows a perspective view of the storage tank of Fig. 1 with a first preferred embodiment of the connection structure;
- Figure 2b shows an exploded perspective view of the storage tank and the support element of Fig. 1;
- Figure 3 a shows a perspective view of the storage tank with a second preferred embodiment of the connection structure
- Figure 3b shows an exploded perspective view of the storage tank of Fig. 3a • and the support element of Fig. 1.
- an ice cube maker or ice-making machine is shown and indicated generally by reference number 1.
- the ice maker 1 comprises a vertical evaporator (not shown, since it is hidden by the corresponding horizontally pivotable wall or lid 3), which is disposed parallel to the front side of the ice maker 1. While this embodiment shows a vertical evaporator, the present disclosure contemplates the use of other types and arrangements of evaporators.
- the ice maker 1 further comprises a flow control device 5 which in this embodiment is a spray device. The spray device 5 supplies or sprinkles the evaporator with water to form the ice.
- the water is supplied to the spray device 5 by a recirculation pump 7, which is in fluid communication with a storage tank or sump 9 and draws the water therefrom.
- the pump 7 is in fluid communication with the spray device 5 through a pipe 13.
- the storage tank 9 is removably supported beneath the evaporator by a flat support wall, housing or element 11, and catches waste water from the evaporator and recycles it back to the spray device 5 via pump 7.
- the evaporator is also preferably supported by the support element 11, which further compartmentalizes the inside of the ice maker 1, as shown in Figure 1 and acts as a dividing wall.
- the spray device 5 is disposed above the evaporator and has aplurality of holes (not shown) which distribute the water, which penetrates by gravity into a plurality of compartments (not shown) for making the ice. While the present invention uses a spray device 5 to distribute the water to the evaporator, the present disclosure contemplates the use of other types of flow control devices for distribution and supply of the water to the evaporator, such as, for example, water distribution tubes.
- the evaporator is part of a refrigerating assembly (not shown), in which a refrigerant fluid circulates.
- the refrigerating assembly further comprises a compressor that supplies a condenser (preferably provided with a fan for air cooling).
- the condenser is connected to a laminar flow element and is also connected in turn to the evaporator and then again to the compressor.
- Other refrigeration components may also be used with the refrigerating assembly.
- the refrigeration process is reversed and heating of the compartments results in the release of the ice cubes, i.e., the harvest cycle.
- the ice cubes are taken by gravity along surfaces sloping forward and downward against the lid 3 of the evaporator. Under the action of their own weight, the ice cubes succeed in causing the evaporator lid 3 to pivot open, and they are finally collected in a container (not shown) placed at H e bottom of the ice maker 1.
- a container not shown
- the present disclosure contemplates the use of alternative structures and methods of delivering the ice to a container or the like during the harvest cycle.
- wall or lid 3 isolates the pump 7 from the evaporator when tlie lid is in a closed position.
- the ice maker 1 has a removable connection for the storage tank 9 with the corresponding support element 11, which is preferably a releasable connection that does not require tools for removal or engagement.
- the removable connection is provided at least between one face or surface of the storage tank 9, preferably, its rear face, and the opposite face or surface of the corresponding support element 11. More preferably, the rear face is planar and the opposite face of the corresponding support element 11 is also planar.
- the removable connection operates by at least first and second translational movements or directions of movements or force.
- the first translation movement is situated in a plane orthogonal to the opposing planar faces of the storage tank and the corresponding support element while the second translation movement is parallel to the opposing planar faces. More preferably, the second translation movement may lie along a vertical axis or may be inclined from the vertical.
- a removable connection system for the storage tank 9 which requires a second translation movement essentially vertically upward or downward.
- the removable connection comprises at least one grappling tooth 15, and preferably three, disposed on the storage tank 9.
- Each of the grappling teeth extend from the back face of the storage tank 9 and are turned vertically downward.
- the removable connection further comprises at least one grappling seat, and preferably three continuous openings 26 of the support element 11, each being able to mate with a corresponding grappling tooth 15.
- the removable connection can also be provided between at least one of the sides, and preferably planar sides, of the storage tank 9 and tl e opposing planar side of the casing or housing of the ice maker 1. More preferably, this removable connection is manually operated. Most preferably, the removable connection can be formed, for example, by a screw-tight element 40, having a handle at one end by which manual control can be exerted.
- the removable connection comprises at least one coupling screw on the support element 11, and preferably a coupling screw 28 having a head 30 and being partially screwed onto the support element 11.
- the removable connection further comprises at least one slot on the rear face of the storage tank 9, and preferably a slot 17 formed by an elongated portion 32 which can hook the head 30 of the screw 28 and a groove 16, which extends from the elongated portion 32 with a downward inclination.
- the removable connection is provided between the storage tank 9 and the support element 11.
- removable connection structures can be provided between at leas ' one of the flat sides of the storage tank 9 and the opposing flat side of the casing or housing of the ice maker 1.
- These removable connection structures are preferably of manual operation.
- they can be formed by a screw-tight element 40 in an elongated slot 42, having a handle at one end by which manual control is exerted.
- the procedure for removable connection of the storage tank 9 therefore calls for connecting its rear planar face to the opposing planar face of the corresponding support element 11 by a first translation movement of the storage tank in a plane orthogonal to the opposing faces and a second translation movement of the storage tank downward in a parallel plane with said opposing planar faces.
- the procedure involves, as seen above, also a removable fixation of at least one of the lateral planar faces of the storage tank 9 to an opposite planar face of the casing or housing of the ice maker 1.
- the first translation movement introduces each grappling tooth 15 into the corresponding grappling seat 26, while the second translation movement downward produces the hooking of each grappling tooth 15 in the corresponding grappling seat 26.
- the first translation movement introduces the head 30 of the screw 28 in the elongated part 32 of the corresponding coupling slot 17, while the second downward translation movement allows the shank of the screw 28 to slide in the groove 16 of the coupling slot 17 and produces the coupling of the screw 28 in the slot 17.
- the present invention can also have alternative structures that allow for removable connection of the storage tank 9 to either the support element 11, the casing (housing), or both.
- such alternative structures require movement or application of force in at least two different directions to engage and disengage the storage tank.
- the two different directions can be at a right angle to each other or greater than 90 degrees.
Landscapes
- 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)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002518804A CA2518804A1 (en) | 2003-03-12 | 2004-03-02 | Ice-making apparatus |
EP04716293A EP1604157A1 (en) | 2003-03-12 | 2004-03-02 | Ice-making apparatus |
JP2006506416A JP2006519974A (en) | 2003-03-12 | 2004-03-02 | Ice machine |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT000465A ITMI20030465A1 (en) | 2003-03-12 | 2003-03-12 | ICE CUBE MAKER. |
ITMI2003A000465 | 2003-03-12 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2004081468A1 true WO2004081468A1 (en) | 2004-09-23 |
WO2004081468B1 WO2004081468B1 (en) | 2004-12-09 |
Family
ID=32983205
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB2004/000964 WO2004081468A1 (en) | 2003-03-12 | 2004-03-02 | Ice-making apparatus |
Country Status (10)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20040182102A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1604157A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2006519974A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20050111735A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1751214A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2518804A1 (en) |
IT (1) | ITMI20030465A1 (en) |
TW (1) | TW200420860A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004081468A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA200505528B (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8323227B2 (en) | 2004-07-02 | 2012-12-04 | C. R. Bard, Inc. | Tip configurations for a multi-lumen catheter |
JP5097515B2 (en) | 2007-11-22 | 2012-12-12 | ホシザキ電機株式会社 | Ice machine |
US20140209125A1 (en) * | 2013-01-25 | 2014-07-31 | True Manufacturing Company, Inc. | Ice maker with slide out sump |
CN106440313A (en) * | 2016-10-21 | 2017-02-22 | 广东美的暖通设备有限公司 | System for making ice from condensate water of multi-connected air conditioners |
US20230168021A1 (en) * | 2021-11-29 | 2023-06-01 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Cleanout drain line for a stand-alone icemaker appliance |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5090208A (en) * | 1989-10-24 | 1992-02-25 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Refrigerator with an automatic ice maker |
GB2282216A (en) * | 1993-09-07 | 1995-03-29 | Matsushita Refrigeration | Ice making device |
GB2305236A (en) * | 1995-03-31 | 1997-04-02 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Ice making apparatus |
US6484530B1 (en) * | 1999-05-18 | 2002-11-26 | Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Flow-down type ice making machinery |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR970002812B1 (en) * | 1992-02-25 | 1997-03-11 | 산요덴끼 가부시기가이샤 | Flow-type ice manufacturing machine |
US5722244A (en) * | 1995-09-27 | 1998-03-03 | Mile High Equipment Co. | Modular ice cube maker and method of manufacture |
JP3307861B2 (en) * | 1997-10-21 | 2002-07-24 | ホシザキ電機株式会社 | Downstream ice machine |
US6116038A (en) * | 1997-12-25 | 2000-09-12 | Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Ice making apparatus |
-
2003
- 2003-03-12 IT IT000465A patent/ITMI20030465A1/en unknown
-
2004
- 2004-02-12 US US10/777,477 patent/US20040182102A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-02-19 TW TW093104086A patent/TW200420860A/en unknown
- 2004-03-02 EP EP04716293A patent/EP1604157A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-03-02 KR KR1020057013242A patent/KR20050111735A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2004-03-02 WO PCT/IB2004/000964 patent/WO2004081468A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2004-03-02 ZA ZA200505528A patent/ZA200505528B/en unknown
- 2004-03-02 CN CNA2004800041415A patent/CN1751214A/en active Pending
- 2004-03-02 JP JP2006506416A patent/JP2006519974A/en active Pending
- 2004-03-02 CA CA002518804A patent/CA2518804A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5090208A (en) * | 1989-10-24 | 1992-02-25 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Refrigerator with an automatic ice maker |
GB2282216A (en) * | 1993-09-07 | 1995-03-29 | Matsushita Refrigeration | Ice making device |
GB2305236A (en) * | 1995-03-31 | 1997-04-02 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Ice making apparatus |
US6484530B1 (en) * | 1999-05-18 | 2002-11-26 | Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Flow-down type ice making machinery |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1751214A (en) | 2006-03-22 |
KR20050111735A (en) | 2005-11-28 |
JP2006519974A (en) | 2006-08-31 |
CA2518804A1 (en) | 2004-09-23 |
EP1604157A1 (en) | 2005-12-14 |
US20040182102A1 (en) | 2004-09-23 |
ITMI20030465A1 (en) | 2004-09-13 |
WO2004081468B1 (en) | 2004-12-09 |
TW200420860A (en) | 2004-10-16 |
ZA200505528B (en) | 2006-10-25 |
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