WO2010048241A2

WO2010048241A2 - An ice making and dispensing system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2010048241A2
Application number: PCT/US2009/061404
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Almblad; Susan Clickner
Original assignee: Robert Almblad; Susan Clickner
Priority date: 2008-10-24
Filing date: 2009-10-21
Publication date: 2010-04-29
Also published as: WO2010048241A3

Abstract

An aseptic ice making and dispensing system produces and dispense ice cubes without exposing the water or ice to the environs. An ice producing section is coupled to an external water supply to receive water therefrom and is coupled to a refrigeration section to selectively circulate refrigerant to the ice producing section so as to freeze water from the water supply into an ice stick. The ice stick is fed to an ice harvesting section to produce ice cubes therefrom. An ice transport and delivery section transports the ice cubes from the ice harvesting section to an ice delivery station.

Description

AN ICE MAKING AND DISPENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD

PRIORITY INFORMATION

[0001] This application claims priority from US Provisional Patent Application, Serial

Number 61/197,240, filed on October 24, 2008. The entire content of US Provisional Patent Application, Serial Number 61/197,240 is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention is directed to an ice making and dispensing system that produces and dispense ice cubes to a remote location. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an aseptic ice making and dispensing system that produces and dispense ice cubes to a remote location without exposing the water or ice to the environs.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Conventional ice making systems and methods can expose the structural components and water/ice to the environment which may contain many contaminants. [0004] An example of a conventional an ice making system and method is disclosed in US

Patent Number 2,149,000. US Patent Number 2,149,000 shows a method of making chip ice by forming an ice stick in an open ended mold immersed in a body of water to be frozen, then warming the mold to free the ice stick therefrom and permitting ice stick to rise by flotation and then successively cutting off chips of ice from the ice stick as the ice stick rises. The entire content of US Patent Number 2,149,000 is hereby incorporated by reference. [0005] US Patent Number 2,145,773 describes a water container having a pair of separate wall areas with a refrigerant evaporator associated with each of the areas connected in parallel in a refrigerant circuit. Thermally controlled valve means alternately close one and then the other evaporator to control the flow of refrigerant therethrough. The entire content of US Patent Number 2,145,773 is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0006] US Patent Number 2,821 ,070 relates to a liquid freezing machine comprising a freezing tube means for refrigerating a tube to freeze liquid therein into a frozen core and means for supplying liquid to be frozen to the tube and for discharging the core from the tube and for discharging the core from the tube including a connection to the tube for supplying liquid to be frozen under pressure to move the core along and out of the tube and at the same time to substantially fill the tube with liquid to be frozen. Liquid flows into the tube at a rate at least as great as that at which the core is ejected from the tube so that the liquid pushes the core from the tube. A control means operates to open a valve means when the core is to be ejected by the liquid and then to close the valve means to substantially stop the flow of the liquid into the tube upon ejection of the core and upon substantially filling the tube with the liquid to be frozen. A core breaking means is disposed to engage by the core is ejected from the tube and operable to crack the core into pieces. The entire content of US Patent Number 2,821 ,070 is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0007] US Patent Number 3,068,660 shows an ice making machine comprising a water tube in which ice is formed, a pump means for circulating water through the tube with a rate of flow sufficient to maintain substantially the entire volume of liquid water in the tube in circulation during the ice freezing operation, a means for refrigerating the water in the tube to form a deposit of ice in the tube, a means for sensing when a predetermined deposit of ice has formed in the tube, means actuated by the sensing means for initiating a thawing operation to loosen the deposited ice in the tube sufficiently to permit movement of the ice through the tube and a means responsive to initiation of the thawing operation for increasing the water flow rate to the tube to cause ejection of the ice from the tube. The entire content of US Patent Number 3,068,660 is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0008] US Patent Number 3,164,968 describes a liquid freezing machine comprising a freezing tube having an outlet and inlet formed at opposite ends thereof, and a means for supplying the tube between the inlet and the end adjacent thereto with liquid to be frozen through the portion of the freezing tube between the inlet and the outlet. A refrigerating means associated with the freezing tube is disposed to freeze the liquid in the tube into a solid plug. A heating means associated with the freezing tube selectively melts the frozen liquid adjacent the inside of the tube so that the pressure of circulating liquid forces the solid plug of frozen liquid out of the freezing tube. The entire content of US Patent Number 3,164,968 is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0009] US Patent Number 3,247,677 shows an ice machine having a tubular member with means for pumping water through the tubular member, a means for circulating a refrigerant in contact with an ice making zone of the tubular member, a cooling means for reducing the temperature of the refrigerant below the freezing point of water whereby circulation of the cooled refrigerant in contact with the tubular member will form ice within the ice making zone of the tubular member and a means to bypass the cooling means to subject the tubular member to refrigerant at a temperature in excess of the freezing point of water to free the ice formed within the ice making zone of the tubular member. The entire content of US Patent Number 3,247,677 is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0010] US Patent Number 3,392,540 relates to a machine for making ice pellets by circulating water to a refrigerant-jacketed inner tube of an evaporator. A pressure sensitive switch stops the flow of refrigerant to the jacket and substitutes hot gas for thawing when the ice formed in the tube is to be harvested. The entire content of US Patent Number 3,392,540 is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0011] US Patent Number 3,877,242 describes a harvest control unit for an ice-making machine comprising an activatable switch to provide an output signal for electrically initiating a harvest of ice from the machine. The entire content of US Patent Number 3,877,242 is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0012] US Patent Number 4,104,889 shows an apparatus for transferring ice cubes from a first location to a remote second location including a conduit system between the two locations and a source of air for causing ice to be moved through the conduit system between the two locations. The apparatus further includes diverter means whereby ice cubes being transmitted from the first location to the second location may be diverted to a third location. The entire content of US Patent Number 4,104,889 is hereby incorporated by reference. [0013] US Patent Number 6,540,067 relates to an ice transport assembly to transport ice including a sleeve and a tapered auger. Ice at the inlet is transported through a frusto-conically shaped channel and out of an outlet by rotating the tapered auger. The entire content of US Patent Number 6,540,067 is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0014] US Patent Number 4,378,680 teaches a shell and tube ice-maker with a hot gas defrost having a bottom compartment in which trapped refrigerant gas is present to prevent entry of liquid refrigerant into the compartment during ice-making and from which, during defrosting, hot gaseous refrigerant flows upwardly into the liquid refrigerant which remains in flooded condition around the tubes, whereby delay in initiating further ice-making is minimized. The entire content of US Patent Number 4,378,680 is hereby incorporated by reference. [0015] US Patent Number 7,032,406 relates to an ice machine comprising a condensate collection unit disposed beneath an evaporator to collect condensate therefrom and a sump to remove condensate from the ice machine without making contact with recirculated water. The entire content of US Patent Number 7,032,406 is hereby incorporated by reference. [0016] US Patent Number 2,387,899 shows an ice-making machine to freeze flowing water within an elongated ice-forming tube into an elongated ice stick or rod and then defrosting the elongated ice-forming tube to release the elongated ice stick or rod therefrom. Once released, the ice stick or rod is broken up into small pieces or fragments for use in icing water coolers or other such structures. The entire content of US Patent Number 2,387,899 is hereby incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0017] The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating various embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting, wherein:

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of an ice making and dispensing system;

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic view of ice cubes being fed to the ice bin or receptacle of the first intermediate ice cube dispensing station of an ice making and dispensing system; [0020] Figure 3 is a schematic view of ice cubes by-passing the first intermediate ice cube dispensing station of an ice making and dispensing system; [0021] Figure 4 is a schematic view of ice cubes being fed to the ice bin or receptacle of the second intermediate ice cube dispensing station of an ice making and dispensing system;

[0022] Figure 5 is a schematic view of ice cubes being fed to the ice bin or receptacle of the ice cube dispensing station of an ice making and dispensing system;

[0023] Figure 6 depicts a chart of sequential operation of the aseptic ice making and dispensing system of an ice making and dispensing system.

[0024] Figure 7 is a schematic view of another embodiment of an aseptic ice making and dispensing system;

[0025] Figure 8 illustrates a plug used in transporting the ice in the ice making and dispensing system of Figure 7;

[0026] Figure 9 illustrates the tube in tube concept of Figure 7 in making ice in an ice making and dispensing system;

[0027] Figure 10 illustrates utilization of a relief valve to remove bubbles from the water stream during the making of ice in an ice making and dispensing system;

[0028] Figure 11 illustrates utilization of a relief valve and pump to remove bubbles from the water stream during the making of ice in an ice making and dispensing system;

[0029] Figure 12 is a schematic view of another embodiment of an ice making and dispensing system having multiple parallel ice making coils;

[0030] Figures 13 and 14 illustrate multiple parallel ice making coils;

[0031] Figure 15 is a schematic view of ice cubes being fed to the ice bin or receptacle associated with a first intermediate ice cube dispensing station of an ice making and dispensing system having multiple parallel ice making coils; and

[0032] Figure 16 is a schematic view of ice cubes by-passing the first intermediate ice cube dispensing station of an ice making and dispensing system having multiple parallel ice making coils;

[0033] Figures 17 and 18 illustrate examples of exit valves located at an ice repository site;

[0034] Figure 19 illustrates an example of an exit valve located at an ice repository site; and

[0035] Figure 20 illustrates a spoke and hub configuration for an ice diverting system.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0036] For a general understanding, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like references have been used throughout to designate identical or equivalent elements. It is also noted that the drawings may not have been drawn to scale and that certain regions may have been purposely drawn disproportionately so that the features and concepts could be properly illustrated. [0037] An aseptic ice making and dispensing system produces and dispenses ice cubes in a closed loop process, thereby isolating the water supply and ice from the environs during the ice making and dispensing process and virtually eliminating exposure to contaminants normally experienced in an ice making environment.

[0038] As described below, the aseptic ice making and dispensing system includes an ice producing section to produce elongated ice sticks, a refrigerant section to provide heating and cooling fluid to the ice producing section to selectively heat and cool the ice producing section, an ice harvesting section to receive the elongated ice sticks from the ice producing section and to reduce the elongated ice sticks to ice cubes, an ice transport and delivery section to move the ice cubes to at least an ice bin or receptacle and a system control section to control the operation of the aseptic ice making and dispensing system.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1 , the ice producing section generally indicated as 10 is coupled to the refrigeration section generally indicated as 12 by a first and second fluid refrigerant conduit indicated as 14 and 16 respectively and to the ice harvesting section generally indicated as 18 by a plurality of upper inner ice tube extensions each indicated as 20, in turn, coupled to the ice transport and delivery section generally indicated as 22 by an ice transfer conduit 24. The ice transport and delivery section 22 comprises an ice cube delivery station, a first intermediate ice cube delivery station and a second intermediate ice cube delivery station generally indicated as 26, 26A and 26B, respectively, coupled to a water circulating section generally indicated as 28 by a recirculated water conduit 30. An external water supply (not shown) is coupled to the water circulating section 28 by a water supply conduit 32. [0040] The ice producing section 10 includes a plurality of ice producing stations or evaporators each generally indicated as 34 including an inner ice making tube 36 coupled to the water supply conduit 32 through the water circulating section 28 by a water feed conduit 38 coupled to the lower end portion 40 of each inner ice making tube 36 of each ice producing station or evaporator 34.

[0041] An outer heat transfer jacket 42 is coupled to the refrigeration section 12 by the first fluid refrigerant conduit 14 and the second fluid refrigeration conduit 16 disposed in spaced and heat transfer relationship relative to the corresponding inner ice making tube 32 to cooperatively form a heat exchange chamber 44 therebetween. The heat exchange chamber 44 circulates fluid refrigerant therethrough to selectively remove or add heat to the inner ice making tube 36 of the corresponding ice producing station or evaporator 34, thereby selectively freezing water therein into an ice stick or melting the surface ice at the interface between the ice stick and inner surface of inner ice making tube 36 of the corresponding ice producing station or evaporator 34. The melting of the surface ice permits the ice stick to be ejected or forced from each inner ice making tube 36 under water pressure from the water circulating section 28. [0042] Although the ice producing stations or evaporators 34 are depicted as substantially straight tubes within straight tubes, the ice producing stations or evaporators 34 may comprise circular or helical configurations, as illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. [0043] The refrigeration section 12 comprises a compressor, a condenser and an expansion valve configured in a standard refrigeration system except as described hereinafter. The refrigeration section 12 is coupled to an upper portion 46 and a lower portion 48 of each outer heat transfer jacket 42 to selectively supply fluid refrigerant to the corresponding heat exchange chamber 44 formed between each inner ice making tube 36 and corresponding outer heat exchange jacket 42 by the first fluid refrigerant conduit 14 and second fluid refrigerant conduit 16 respectively.

[0044] The refrigeration section 12 is operable in a freeze cycle to circulate cooling refrigerant to the heat exchange chamber 44 of each ice producing station or evaporator 34 from the lower portion 48 to the upper portion 46 of each corresponding heat exchange chamber 44, as shown in Figure 1. The water within each corresponding inner ice making tube 36 freezes from the bottom to the top of each inner ice making tube 36 of each corresponding ice producing station or evaporator 34 into an elongated ice stick.

[0045] The refrigeration system 12 is also operable in a defrost cycle to circulate heating refrigerant to the heat exchange chamber 44 of each ice producing station or evaporator 34 from the upper portion 46 to the lower portion 48 of each corresponding heat exchange chamber 44 for a predetermined period of time such that the surface of each ice stick at the interface with each inner ice making tube 36 is melted or defrosted from the top to the bottom of each inner ice making tube 36 to permit ejection from the individual inner ice making tube 36 of each corresponding ice producing station or evaporator 34.

[0046] The ice harvesting section 18 includes an ice cube producing device including a plurality of ice stick breaking conduit segments each generally indicated as 50 corresponding to each inner ice making tube extension 20 of the corresponding inner ice making tube 36 of the plurality of ice producing evaporators 34 to break the elongated ice sticks into ice cubes as the elongated ice sticks are forced or ejected from the inner ice making tube 36 of the corresponding ice producing evaporator 34 and through the curved portion 52 of the corresponding ice stick breaking conduit segment 50 to the ice transfer conduit 24. [0047] Each ice cube delivery station 26, 26A and 26B includes a normally closed ice cube dispensing valve or gate 70 moveable between a closed and open position coupled to the ice transfer conduit 24 by a corresponding ice dispensing conduit 72 to selectively dispense ice cubes therefrom into a corresponding ice bin or receptacle 73 when in the open position. A water drain 74 is coupled to the recirculated water conduit 30 by a water return conduit 76 to recirculate water from the ice transfer conduit 24 to the water circulating section 28. Intermediate ice cube delivery stations 26A and 26B further include an ice cube diverter generally indicated as 77A and 77B, respectively, to direct and feed ice cubes to the selected ice cube delivery stations 26, 26A or 26B as will be described below. [0048] A secondary water/ice transfer conduit 24A is disposed between the first intermediate ice cube delivery station 26A and the second intermediate ice cube delivery station 26B and a secondary water/ice transfer conduit 24B is disposed between the second intermediate ice cube delivery station 26B and the ice cube delivery station 26. [0049] The inside diameter of each ice dispensing conduit 72 and the outside diameter of each ice cube are substantially equal such that there is a minimal clearance therebetween that there is only a negligible volume of water and air transferred through the open ice cube dispensing valve or gate 70 during the ice cube dispensing mode.

[0050] An ice cube sensor 78, such as an optical sensor, coupled to the system control section 200 by a conductor to transmit signals therebetween, is disposed adjacent each ice cube dispensing valve or gate 70. The system control section 200 operates a valve or gate actuator 79 such as a solenoid or other similar mechanical or electro-mechanical device to open the corresponding ice cube dispensing valve or gate 70 when ice cubes are sensed in the corresponding ice dispensing conduit 72 adjacent thereto. The system control section 200 operates valve or gate actuator 79 to close the corresponding ice cube dispensing valve or gate 70 when ice cubes from the inner ice making tube 36 of the ice producing station or evaporator 34 from which the ice cubes have been ejected have been fed through the open ice cube dispensing valve or gate 70 and ice cubes are no longer sensed in the corresponding ice dispensing conduit 72 adjacent thereto.

[0051] An ice demand or request control sensor 80 such as a weight scale or optical sensor is disposed adjacent each ice bin or receptacle 73 to generate a demand or request control signal transmitted to the system control section 200. The system control section 200 includes circuitry or logic to generate an ice dispensing signal to initiate an ice dispensing cycle to supply ice to the requesting ice cube dispensing station 26, 26A, or 26B. [0052] It is noted that the control system 200 may communicate with the various sensors and control devices via wired and/or wireless communication methods. For example, the control system 200 may be wired to each sensors and control device, via an electrical conduit or an optical fiber. Moreover, the control system 200 may communicate with each sensors and control device via radio waves or infrared light.

[0053] The water circulating section 28 includes a transport recirculation pump 84, such as a positive displacement pump capable of creating or generating 250 pounds per square inch of water pressure, connected to the system control section 200 by a conductor. The water circulating section 28 includes a water inlet 86. Water inlet 86 is coupled to the recirculated water conduit 30 through an inlet water conduit 88, to the water supply conduit 32 through a water supply control valve 92 (controlled by system control section 200), to an expansion reservoir 96 through a water control valve 98 (controlled by system control section 200), and through a water outlet 104 and the water feed conduit 38 to the inner ice making tube 36 of each of the plurality of ice producing evaporators 34 of the ice producing section 10. [0054] The expansion reservoir 96 is coupled to the transport recirculation pump 84 and the recirculated water conduit 30 of the ice transport and delivery section 22 to selectively store water from the ice producing section 10 and the ice transport and delivery section 22 during the freezing process as the ice expands approximately six (6%) percent in volume and to selectively release the water therefrom during the ice transport and delivery mode during the ice transport and delivery mode.

[0055] An automatic air eliminator or air purge valve or nozzle 106 is disposed in gas or fluid relationship relative to the aseptic ice making and dispensing system such as through the ice transfer conduit 24 to allow air to vent through the air purge valve or nozzle 106 during the initial charging of the aseptic ice making and dispensing system with water from the external water supply (not shown). The automatic air elimination 106 may be operatively located in gas or fluid relationship at various points throughout the aseptic ice making and dispensing system. [0056] As shown in Figures 2 through 5, the ice cube diverter 77 of either the first intermediate ice cube delivery station 26A and the second intermediate ice cube deliver station 26B includes a substantially stationery first conduit support member or block 120 having a lower feed passage or channel 122 and an upper by-pass passage or channel 124 formed therethrough. The lower feed passage or channel 122 and an upper by-pass passage or channel 124 receive at least a portion of the corresponding ice dispensing conduit 72 and at least a portion of the corresponding ice transfer conduit 24A or ice transfer conduit 24B, respectively.

[0057] A second conduit support member 126 is movable between a lower or first position

(See Figures 2 and 4) and an upper or second position (See Figures 3 and 5) by a diverter positioning device 128 such as a mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic device or other such device controlled by system control section 200. The second conduit support member 126 has a feed passage or channel 130 formed therethrough to receive at least a portion of the ice transfer conduit 24 or corresponding ice transfer conduit 24A or ice transfer conduit 24B. [0058] A recess 132 and a seal 134, such as an O-ring, may be formed around the lower feed passage or channel 122 and the upper by-pass passage or channel 124 to seal the interface between adjacent surfaces of the substantially stationery first conduit support member or block 120 and the corresponding second conduit support member 126. [0059] As illustrated in Figure 1 , the system control system 200 includes a microprocessor

202 coupled to a power supply (not shown) by a conductor 204. The microprocessor 202 includes circuitry and logic to receive and generate signals to operate and control the various components and sections of the aseptic ice making and dispensing system as described herein. [0060] In addition to controlling the ice cube dispensing valve or gate 70 and valve or gate actuator 79 combination, controlling ice cube diverter 77 and corresponding diverter positioning device 128 combinations, receiving signals from ice demand or request control sensor 80, controlling water supply control valve 92 and expansion reservoir water control valve 98 connected to an expansion tank 96, the system control system 200 further controls a water inlet valve 206. [0061] It is noted that expansion reservoir water control valve 98 and expansion tank 96 can be replaced with a one way pressure relief valve instead of an expansion tank. In this embodiment, the excess water caused by expanding ice would just flow out to a drain instead of being collected in expansion tank 96.

[0062] The water inlet valve 206 is located between the water feed conduit 38 and each of the inner ice making tubes 36 of each of the corresponding ice producing evaporators 34 to control the flow of water from the transport recirculation pump 84 to the corresponding inner ice making tube 36 of each of the corresponding ice producing evaporators 34. [0063] A pressure sensor 208 is disposed in pressure sensing relationship relative to the water feed conduit 38 provides signals to the system control system 200 indicating the sensed (measured) the water pressure within the aseptic ice making and dispensing system. [0064] An ice sensor 210, such as an optical sensor or water pressure sensor, is disposed adjacent or above the upper end of each inner ice making tube 36 of each corresponding ice producing evaporator 34 to sense the presence of ice extending out of or above each inner ice making tube or the increase in water pressure 36 of each corresponding ice producing evaporator 34. The ice sensor 210 communicates with the system control system 200 so as to enable the system control system 200 to control the flow of water from the water feed conduit 38 to each inner ice making tube 36 of each corresponding ice producing evaporator 34 during the ice harvesting mode and the ice transport and delivery mode.

[0065] Moreover, as illustrated in Figure 1 , a clear ice recirculation system is operational during a freeze cycle. The clear ice recirculation system is used to keep the water flowing in a short closed loop during the freeze cycle to allow the micro-bubbles to constantly pass by the one way escape valve and exit the system before the micro-bubbles are frozen into the ice, causing the ice to become white due to the captured bubbles. The clear ice recirculation system includes a clear ice recirculating pump 150 that pumps the water so that the water flows in an opposite direction of the refrigerant's flow in the evaporator. The clear ice recirculating pump 150 may include a water pressure sensor to determine an increase water pressure. It is noted that the water pressure increases as the ice builds in the evaporator, indicating that the tube(s) are nearly 100% frozen.

[0066] The clear ice recirculation system also includes a water control valve 198 that controls the flow of water through the clear ice recirculation system. The clear ice recirculation system is connected to the tubes in the evaporator at connections 151 and 152. It is noted that each tube may have an associated clear ice recirculation system, thereby requiring multiple clear ice recirculating pump and water control valves or the tubes may be connected to a master clear ice recirculation system, with the appropriate valve system to regulate the proper flow of water through the tubes in the evaporator. [0067] Once the ice is generated, the clear ice recirculating pump 150 is turned OFF, and the system goes into a harvest cycle. In the harvest cycle, one by one, the transport recirculation pump 84 pushes the ice through each tube, whether straight or helical, to the dispense point. Once the ice arrives at the remote dispense point, the transport recirculation pump 84 is turned OFF, and water supply is turned ON in order to push the ice out of the exit valve 70.

[0068] Figure 6 illustrates an example of the operation of the aseptic ice making and dispensing system described above.

[0069] Initially, a demand or request for ice to be delivered to a designated ice bin or receptacle 73 can be initiated by an operator through inputting an instruction in the system control system 200 or by a demand from one of the ice cube delivery stations 26, 26A or 26B due to a low ice cube supply signal from the corresponding ice demand or request control sensor 80. The low ice cube supply signal is generated when the level or quantity of ice cubes therein is at or below a predetermined amount or level.

[0070] The microprocessor 202 of the system control system 200 processes the request or demand and generates a plurality of control signals to condition the aseptic ice making and dispensing system to produce and dispense ice cubes to the ice bin or receptacle 73 of the requesting ice cube dispensing station 26, 26A or 26B.

[0071] Specifically, as illustrated in Figure 6, the water inlet valves 206 are opened

(designated by the "o" in the first row, first column of the table in Figure 6), the ice cube dispensing valves or gates 70 are closed (designated by the "c" in the first row, second column of the table in Figure 6), the expansion reservoir control valve or the one way expansion valve 98 is closed (designated by the "c" in the first row, third column of the table in Figure 6), the ice cube diverters 77 of intermediate stations 26A and 26B are each positioned in the second or upper portion (designated by the "2^nd/2^nd" in the first row, sixth column of the table in Figure 6), and the water supply control valve 92 is opened (designated by the "o" in the first row, second column of the table in Figure 6) to fully charge the aseptic ice making and dispensing system as water is fed from the external water supply (not shown) through the water supply control valve 92, the transport recirculation pump 84, the ice producing section 10, the ice harvesting section 18, and the ice transport and delivery section 22 and the recirculated water conduit 30. [0072] As the aseptic ice making and dispensing system is charged with water, air within the aseptic ice making and dispensing system is purged through the automatic air eliminator 106 (designated by the "o" in the first row, fifth column of the table in Figure 6). Once the aseptic ice making and dispensing system is fully charged, the pressure sensor 208 senses that the water pressure within the aseptic ice making and dispensing system has reached a predetermined level such as the pressure of the external water supply (not shown) and generates a system charged signal transmitted to the microprocessor 202 of the system control system 200. Upon receiving the system charged signal, the microprocessor 202 of the system control system 200 generates and transmits control signals to close the water supply control valve 92 (designated by the "c" in the second row, third column of the table in Figure 6) and open the expansion reservoir control valve 98 (designated by the "o" in the second row, third column of the table in Figure 6).

[0073] A control signal is then sent to the refrigeration section 12 to enter a freeze cycle to circulate coolant in the freeze cycle. In operation, the refrigeration section 12 circulates cooling refrigerant to the heat exchange chambers 44 of each ice producing stations or evaporators 34 from the lower portion 48 to the upper portion 46 of each corresponding heat exchange chamber 44, as shown in Figure 1 such that the water with each corresponding inner ice making tube 36 freezes from the bottom to the top of each inner ice making tube 36 into an elongated ice stick.

[0074] Since the water inlet valves 206 remain open (designated by the "o" in the second row, first column of the table in Figure 6) during the freeze cycle of the ice producing mode, ice expands from both ends of each inner ice making tube 36 of each corresponding ice producing evaporator 34 (designated by the "o" in the second row, third column of the table in Figure 6). As the ice expands, water is forced or pushed through the expansion reservoir control valve 98 and into the expansion reservoir 96 compressing the air therein.

[0075] It is noted that an air relief valve or check valve 212 may allow air to purge from the expansion reservoir 96 when the interior pressure therein reaches a predetermined amount. [0076] Once the water within each inner ice making tube 36 of each corresponding ice producing evaporator 34 is completely frozen, ice extends from the top or upper portion thereof and sensed by the corresponding ice or water pressure sensor 210. Each ice sensor 210 generates and transmits a frozen signal to the microprocessor 202 of the system control section 200. Once the water in each inner ice making tube 36 of each ice producing evaporator 34 is frozen and the microprocessor 210 may allow the circulation of refrigerant to continue for a predetermined period of time to assure the ice sticks are frozen.

[0077] Before the ice harvesting and transport mode can be initiated, the ice sticks must be loosened during the defrost cycle. Specifically, the refrigeration system 12 circulates heated refrigerant to the heat exchange chambers 44 of each ice producing stations or evaporators 34 from the upper portion 46 to the lower portion 48 of each corresponding heat exchange chamber 44 for a predetermined period of time such that the surface of each ice stick at the interface of each corresponding inner ice making tube 36 is melted or defrosted from the bottom of each inner ice making tube 36 to permit selective ejection therefrom. It should be noted that the direction of refrigerant flow is opposite or the reverse of the freezing cycle as shown by the arrows in Figure 1.

[0078] Once the ice sticks are loosened or dislodged within each inner ice making tube 36 of each corresponding ice producing evaporator 34, the water inlet valves 206 of the first, second, third, and fourth inner ice making tubes 36 are opened and closed in sequence. The expansion reservoir control valve 98 is closed (designated by the "c" in the third row, third column of the table in Figure 6). [0079] Initially, the water inlet valves 206 of the second, third, and fourth inner ice making tubes 36 are closed and the water inlet valve 206 of the first inner ice making tube 36 is opened (designated by the "o/c/c/c" in the third row, first column of the table in Figure 6). [0080] Next, the water inlet valves 206 of the first, third, and fourth inner ice making tubes

36 are closed and the water inlet valve 206 of the second inner ice making tube 36 is opened (designated by the "c/o/c/c" in the third row, first column of the table in Figure 6). [0081] Thirdly, the water inlet valves 206 of the first, second, and fourth inner ice making tubes 36 are closed and the water inlet valve 206 of the third inner ice making tube 36 is opened (designated by the "c/c/o/c" in the third row, first column of the table in Figure 6). [0082] Lastly, the water inlet valves 206 of the first, second, and third inner ice making tubes 36 are closed and the water inlet valve 206 of the fourth inner ice making tube 36 is opened (designated by the "c/c/c/o" in the third row, first column of the table in Figure 6). During the above ice ejection cycles, the clear ice recirculating pump 150 is turned OFF. [0083] All the valves are controlled by the microprocessor 202 of system control system

200. At the same time, the ice cube diverters 77A and 77B are positioned to feed ice cubes to the ice bin or receptacle 73 of the requesting ice delivery stations 26, 26A, or 26B (designated in the third row, sixth column of the table in Figure 6).

[0084] As shown in Figure 6 (designated by the "2^nd/2^nd" in the third row, sixth column of the table in Figure 6), to supply ice cubes to the principal or primary ice delivery station 26, the ice diverter 77A of the first intermediate ice cube delivery station 26A and the ice diverter 77B of the second intermediate ice cube delivery station 26B must be in the upper or second position, as shown in Figures 3 and 5.

[0085] In order to supply ice to the second intermediate ice delivery station 26B, the ice diverter 77A of the first intermediate ice delivery station 26A must be in the second or upper position, while the ice diverter 77B of the second intermediate ice delivery station 26B must be in the first or lower position (designated by the "2^nd/1^std" in the third row, sixth column of the table in Figure 6), as shown in Figures 2 and 4.

[0086] To deliver ice cubes to the first intermediate ice delivery station 26A, the ice diverter 77A of the first intermediate ice delivery station 26A must be in the first or lower position

(designated by the "1^st/ " in the third row, sixth column of the table in Figure 6), as shown in

Figure 2.

[0087] Once configured to dispense ice cubes to the appropriate ice dispensing stations

26, 26A, or 26B, the transport recirculation pump 84 is turned ON circulating water (designated by the "ON" in the third row, seventh column of the table in Figure 6). In one embodiment, the transport recirculation pump 84 circulates the water at 250 pounds per square inch (psi). [0088] The water is circulated through the water inlet valve 206 of the first inner ice making tube 36 forcing or ejecting the ice stick through the top thereof. As the ice stick is pushed through the curved portion 52 of the corresponding ice stick breaking conduit segment 50, the ice stick is broken into ice cubes and transported or pushed through the ice harvesting section 18 by the water pressure. At the same time, the water in front of or in advance of the ice cubes is pushed through the closed loop system and returned through the ice transport and delivery section 22 to the water circulating section 28.

[0089] When the ice cubes arrive at the selected ice cube delivery stations 26, 26A, or

26B, the presence of the ice cubes is sensed by the corresponding ice cube sensor 78. The ice cube sensor 78 generates and transmits an ice sensed signal to the microprocessor 202 of the system control system 200. The microprocessor 202 of the system control system 200 generates and transmits a circulating pump signal to turn the transport recirculation pump 84 OFF (designated by the "OFF" in the fourth row, seventh column of the table in Figure 6). The microprocessor 202 of the system control system 200 generates and transmits a water supply control signal to the water supply control valve 92 to open the water flow control valve 92 (designated by the "o" in the fourth row, third column of the table in Figure 6) such that water is fed from the external water supply (not shown) through the transport recirculation pump 84. [0090] In transporting and delivering ice from the first inner ice making tube 36 of the first ice producing evaporator 34, the water inlet valve 206 of the first inner ice making tube 36 of the first ice producing evaporator 34 is opened (designated by the "o/c/c/c" in the fourth row, first column of the table in Figure 6). The expansion reservoir control valve 98 is opened (designated by the "o/c" in the fourth row, fourth column of the table in Figure 6) allowing at least a portion of the water accumulated in the expansion reservoir 96 due to expansion as the water is frozen during the freezing cycle to be evacuated. The corresponding ice cube dispensing valve or gate 70 of the selected ice cube delivery station 26, 26A, or 26B is opened (designated by the "o/c/c" in the fourth row, second column of the table in Figure 6) such that the ice cubes are fed through the ice cube dispensing valve or gate 70 of the selected the ice cube delivery station 26, 26A, or 26B.

[0091] When the ice cubes from the first inner ice making tube 36 of the first ice producing evaporators 34 have been delivered to the ice bin or receptacle 73 through the ice cube dispensing valve or gate 70, the corresponding ice cube sensor 78 senses the absence of ice and generates and transmits an absence of ice signal to the microprocessor 202 of the system control system 200 controls the ice cube dispensing valve or gate 70 to close, the expansion reservoir control valve 98 to close, the water flow control valve 92 to close, and the first water inlet valve 206 of the first inner ice making tube 36 of the first ice producing evaporator 34 to close such that the ice cube dispensing valve or gate 70, the expansion reservoir control valve 98, the water flow control valve 92, and the first water inlet valve 206 are opened for approximately the same period of time.

[0092] Alternatively, the expansion reservoir control valve 98 may be opened momentarily or for only a portion of time that the ice cube dispensing valve or gate 70, the expansion reservoir control valve 98, the water flow control valve 92, and the first water inlet valve 206 are opened.

[0093] The microprocessor 202 of the system control system 200 then generates and transmits a water inlet valve open signal to open the second water inlet valve 206 of the second inner ice making tube 36 of the second ice producing evaporator 34 (designated by the "c/o/c/c" in the fourth row, first column of the table in Figure 6).

[0094] The sequential operation of the aseptic ice producing and delivery system is then repeated until all of the ice sticks from each of the plurality of inner ice making tube 36 of the corresponding ice producing evaporator 34 have been delivered to the requesting ice delivery stations 26, 26A, or 26B in the form of ice cubes.

[0095] It is noted that since water from the water supply (not shown) is used to deliver the ice cubes, the water used in the production of the dispersed ice is replenished. Moreover, the aseptic ice making and dispensing system remains in a quiescent state when there is no ice demand or request.

[0096] The above described aseptic method of making and transporting ice in a hermetically sealed system does not expose the water during or after the freezing and transport process to air.

[0097] Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment of an aseptic ice making and dispensing system which does not expose the water during or after the freezing and transport process to air. As illustrated in Figure 7, water 700, from a water supply, enters the aseptic ice making and dispensing system through an inlet valve 705.

[0098] The water flows through a tube 712 and enters a helical, spiral or straight evaporator 724. The helical, spiral or straight evaporator 724 is of a tube-in-tube construction wherein the inner tube transports the water and the outer tube transports a refrigerant. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the tube-in-tube construction is helical 720.

[0099] The outer tube 722 of the tube-in-tube construction is connected to a standard recirculating refrigeration system 725. At the same time, the water in the inner tube 712 of the tube-in-tube construction is recirculated through conduits 716 and 718 by utilizing clear ice closed loop pump 715, forming a closed system. The recirculating water system also includes a one-way relief valve 730 to release the pressure caused by freezing water. It is noted that freezing water expands about 6% of its volume and will cause the tube to be damaged unless the displaced water or ice has a place to escape.

[0100] The refrigerant recirculating in the outer tube 722 of the tube-in-tube construction removes the heat from the recirculating water in the inner tube 712 of the tube-in-tube construction to cause the ice to gradually freeze layer by layer towards the center of the inner tube 712.

[0100] Figure 9 illustrates an example of the tube-in-tube construction and the creation of ice therein. As illustrated in Figure 9, the inner tube 712 contains water 900 while the outer tube 724 includes refrigerant 910. Water 900 freezes to become ice 915 on the walls of the inner tube 712. The water 900 continues to freeze to become ice 915 and the diameter of the ice made water passage grows smaller.

[0101] It is noted that dissolved gases begin to de-gas during the freezing process, which causes micro-bubbles because only the water freezes (not the gases). Thus, as the water freezes, the gases escape in the form of micro-bubbles. If these gases are not allowed to escape, the micro-bubbles will become trapped in the ice, causing "white ice" or "cloudy ice."

White ice can be unappetizing because "chalk white" ice may not look good in dark drinks like a cola drink.

[0102] To address this issue, the water 700, as illustrated in Figure 10, is constantly recirculated past the relief valve 730 to allow the micro-bubbles 1000 to escape, which allows the ice to freeze clear and absent of most white ice.

[0103] However, if the freeze time is not long enough to allow the micro-bubbles to escape, an optional vacuum pump 732, as illustrated in Figure 1 1 , can be employed in conjunction with the relief valve 730 to assist in the removal of micro-bubbles 1000 so the ice becomes clear again.

[0104] As illustrated in Figure 11 , as the ice gradually freezes, the water passageway becomes smaller and smaller, which results in increased water pressure.

[0105] In one embodiment, the freeze cycle is about 10 minutes. The water pressure starts at about 5 psi and gradually increases to 50 psi at which time the "harvest cycle" begins.

[0106] At the end of the freezing cycle, measured by a pre-determined water pressure being realized, the refrigeration system 725 will reverse and go into a "reverse hot gas cycle," well known in the ice making industry, which will defrost the ice inside the walls of the inner tube

712, so the ice can be dislodged and "harvested."

[0107] In one embodiment, when the recirculated water pressure increases to about 50 psi, the harvest cycle begins by the refrigeration system 725 going into a "reverse hot gas cycle" and simultaneously turning OFF the clear ice recirculating water pump 715 and turning ON recirculating transport pump 735. After a predetermined period of time, the reverse hot gas cycle has defrosted (melted the interfacial layer between the ice and the inner tube 712) so that the ice is no longer stuck to the inside wall of the inner tube 712. At this point, the recirculating transport pump 735 begins to pump water 700, pushing plug 710 through the helical evaporator

724 towards exit valve 750.

[0108] As illustrated in Figure 8, the plug is a piston shaped plug 800 that may include a flexible rubber seal 815 around its center that allows the piston to be sealed inside the inner tube 712 and remain sealed at the plug 800 is pushed into the transport tube 714 towards the exit valve 750. In other words, the plug 800 is a variable diameter device that capable of having its diameter expand or contract to fit the dimensions of the tube in which the plug 800 is travelling. [0109] It is noted that the transport tube 714 has a larger diameter than the inner tube 712 because, in one embodiment, the inner tube 712 is curved resulting in cycle shaped ice cubes

702 that need to transported in a larger diameter tube (transport tube 714) or otherwise the cycle shaped ice cubes 702 would get stuck in the transport tube 714. The ice transport tubes

714 transport the ice 702 from the helical evaporator 724 to a remote ice repository.

[0110] The transport tube 714 may be co-located with a returning water line 740 wherein the returning water line 740 may include warm or hot water caused by elevated ambient temperatures in a restaurant. In one embodiment, the transport tubes may be located in the ceiling or along the ceiling of a restaurant, thus, subjecting the water in the returning water line

740 to elevated temperatures. This warm or hot water can cause the ice to melt.

[0111] To counter this effect, the plug 710 is used to push the ice, providing a thermal barrier between the warm or hot water being pumped by the recirculating transport pump 735.

Moreover, cold water, in the transport tube 714, precedes the ice as the ice travels along the transport tube 714. The cold water reduces ice melt by lowering the temperature of the inner surface of the transport tube for just a short period of time, which allows the ice being transported to make contact with the inner surface and not melt too much.

[0112] It is noted that in the absence of a plug, the largest cause of ice melt would be from the return recirculating water in water line 740 and pump 735 and line 724. If this water was allowed to push out the defrosted ice, the water would "blow past" the ice because water flows faster than ice, thereby melting up to 100% of the ice before it was transported to the ice repository.

[0113] As illustrated in Figure 7, the ice 702 and cold water are pushed by the plug 712 towards exit valve 750. The ice is separated by some amounts of water, thus water can be pushed out the exit valve 750 when the ice 702 is pushed out. To minimize the push out of water, a screen 745 allows water, but not ice cubes 702, to return to the transport recirculation pump 735.

[0114] The plug 712 pushes the ice cubes 702 together, as the water escapes through screen 745, in transport tube 714. Once an "ice jam" occurs, the water pressure goes up, and the control system initiates an "ice delivery" cycle.

[0115] At the initiation of the ice delivery cycle, the transport recirculation pump 735 is turned OFF, and the inlet water valve 705 is turned ON. The exit valve 750 is opened. The exit valve 750 may include an electromagnet which is turned ON. It is noted that the electromagnet may be separate from the exit valve 750.

[0116] This series of action causes the water to push the plug 712 which pushes out the ice and water jam mixture without letting any air into the system. Further, the ice and water shooting out is not powered by the transport recirculating pump 735, but by the power of water pressure from the water supply. This also has the function of automatically refilling the helical evaporator 724 with fresh city water. [0117] The exit point may be pointed straight up into the air so when the water is turned

OFF, there is always some water sitting on top of the exit point, thereby preventing air from coming into contact with the face of the plug 712. It is noted that other type of trap-like devices can be used to prevent air from coming into contact with the face of the plug 712.

[0118] As illustrated in Figures 17 and 18, an exit valve can be constructed with an internal rubber like tube known in the valving industry as a pinch valve, such as made by Red Valve™.

Figure 19 illustrates another example of a pinch valve.

[0119] A pinch valve may incorporate an integral O-ring seal molded onto the sleeve ends.

The integral O-ring seal molded onto the sleeve ends can eliminate crevices and dead spots, in order to reduce the possibility of bacteria. The valve may be constructed of a flexible food grade rubber sleeve.

[0120] Actuation of the valve, the pinching action, is accomplished by air or hydraulic pressure placed upon the sleeve. The valve body acts as a built-in actuator, eliminating costly pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric actuators. Adding pressure within the annular space between the housing and sleeve can throttle or close the valve.

[0121] Figure 17 illustrates an embodiment of an exit valve wherein the illustration on the left is the valve in the open state and the illustration on the right is the valve in the closed state.

Figure 17 further illustrates the transport tube, the return water line 1740, the screen 1745, ice

1701 , and plug 1710.

[0122] In Figure 17, an exit gate 1750 includes a valve control mechanism 1751 and rubber or flexible sleeve 1753, the rubber or flexible sleeve 1753 being located within the transport tube. The device valve control mechanism 1751 includes a valve driving mechanism 1752. The valve driving mechanism 1752 may be pneumatic driven, hydraulic driven, or solenoid driven, or mechanical driven.

[0123] When the exit gate 1750 is to be closed, the valve control mechanism 1751 activates the valve driving mechanism 1752. The valve control mechanism 1751 causes the valve driving mechanism 1752 push the rubber or flexible sleeve 1753, which closes off the water and ice mixture.

[0124] It is noted that, depending upon the position of the exit gate 1750, water can be maintained in the transport tube so that any part of the flexible valve surface is not exposed to air during the opening or closing of the valve. In other words, if the exit valve 1750 is pointed upwards, due to gravity, the exit valve 1750 always has water in it, thereby sealing the inner surfaces from exposure to air.

[0125] Figure 18 illustrates an embodiment of an exit valve wherein the illustration on the left is the valve in the open state and the illustration on the right is the valve in the closed state.

Figure 18 further illustrates the transport tube, the return water line 1840, the screen 1845, ice

1801 , and plug 1810. [0126] In Figure 18, an exit gate 1850 includes a valve control mechanism 1851 and an inflatable rubber or flexible sleeve 1853, the inflatable rubber or flexible sleeve 1853 being located within the transport tube.

[0127] When the exit gate 1850 is to be closed, the valve control mechanism 1851 inflates the inflatable rubber or flexible sleeve 1853 with air or a liquid, the inflation closing off the water and ice mixture.

[0128] It is noted that, depending upon the position of the exit gate 1850, water can be maintained in the transport tube so that any part of the flexible valve surface is not exposed to air during the opening or closing of the valve. In other words, if the exit valve 1850 is pointed upwards, due to gravity, the exit valve 1850 always has water in it, thereby sealing the inner surfaces from exposure to air.

[0129] As illustrated in Figure 8, ferrous metal 810 is imbedded in the plug 712. The plug 712 may be constructed of food safe plastic. By utilizing the ferrous metal 810, when the plug 712 encounters the electromagnet, the plug 712 stops due to the magnetic power exerted thereon, thus the plug 712 is not ejected with the ice. Also, when the plug 712 encounters the electromagnet (this is sensed through an electrical field sensor (not shown) but known in the field of sensors), the exit valve 750 is closed, and the electromagnet is turned OFF. In addition, the transport pump 735 is reversed until the plug 712 is returned to a start position. It is noted that a sensor (not shown) may sense when the plug 712 returns to the start position. When the plug 712 returns to the start position, the control system ends the ice making and transport cycle and can start a new cycle.

[0130] Figure 12 illustrates another embodiment of an aseptic ice making and dispensing system which utilizes multiple parallel evaporators, which does not expose the water during or after the freezing and transport process to air. As illustrated in Figure 12, water 700, from a water supply, enters the aseptic ice making and dispensing system through an inlet valve 705. [0131] The water 700 flows to a manifold or distributing device 1210 to multiple inner tubes 1212 and 1211 and enters a helical, spiral or straight evaporator 1224. The actual flow to the inner tubes 1212 and 1211 is controlled by corresponding valves 1217 and 1218. [0132] The helical, spiral or straight evaporator 1224 is of a tube-in-tube construction wherein the inner tubes 1212 and 1211 transports the water and the outer tube 1222 transports a refrigerant. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 12, the tube-in-tube construction is helical 1220.

[0133] Figure 13 shows an expanded view of multiple parallel helical evaporators of Figure 12. Figure 14 illustrates another view of the multiple parallel helical evaporators of Figure 12. [0134] The outer tube 1222 of the tube-in-tube construction is connected to a standard recirculating refrigeration system 725. At the same time, the water in the inner tubes 1212 and 1211 of the tube-in-tube construction is recirculated through conduits 716 and 718 by utilizing pump 715, forming a closed system. [0135] It is noted that if a single recirculating water pump 715 is utilized, the recirculating water system may include manifolds or distributing devices 1280 and 1260 to divert and collect water from the multiple parallel evaporators via conduits 1282, 1284, 1262, and 1264. [0136] The recirculating water system also includes a one-way relief valve 730 to release the pressure cause by freezing water. It is noted that freezing water expands about 6% of its volume and will cause the tube to be damaged.

[0137] The refrigerant recirculating in the outer tube 1222 of the tube-in-tube construction removes the heat from the recirculating water in the inner tubes 1212 and 1211 of the tube-in- tube construction to cause the ice to gradually freeze layer by layer towards the center of the inner tubes 1212 and 1211.

[0138] At the end of the freezing cycle, measured by a pre-determined water pressure being realized, the refrigeration system 725 will reverse and go into a "reverse hot gas cycle" which will defrost the ice inside the walls of the inner tubes 1212 and 1211 , so the ice can be dislodged and "harvested."

[0139] The harvest cycle begins by the refrigeration system 725 going into a "reverse hot gas cycle" and simultaneously turning OFF the recirculating water pump 715 and turning ON recirculating transport pump 735. After a predetermined period of time, the reverse hot gas cycle has defrosted (melted the interfacial layer between the ice and the inner tubes 1212 and 1211 ) so that the ice is no longer stuck to the inside wall of the inner tubes 1212 and 1211. At this point, the recirculating transport pump 735 begins to pump water 700, pushing plug 1213 through the helical evaporator 1224 and through the transport tube 1214 towards exit valve 1250.

[0140] After the first helical evaporator is cleared of ice, a second helical evaporator is cleared of ice by the recirculating transport pump 735 pumping water 700 to push plug 1215 through the helical evaporator 1224 and through the transport tube 1216 towards exit valve 1252. This serial clearing of the multiple parallel evaporators is controlled by valves 1217 and 1218. The process is repeated for all of the parallel evaporators.

[0141] It is noted that the transport tubes 1214 and 1216 have a larger diameter than the inner tubes 1212 and 1211 because, in one embodiment, the inner tubes 1212 and 1211 are curved resulting in cycle shaped ice cubes 702 that need to transported in a larger diameter tube (transport tubes 1214 and 1216) or otherwise the cycle shaped ice cubes 702 would get stuck in the transport tubes 1214 and 1216. The ice transport tubes 1214 and 1216 transport the ice 702 from the helical evaporator 1224 to a remote ice repository.

[0142] The transport tubes 1214 and 1216 may be co-located with returning water lines 1242 and 1244 wherein the returning water lines 1242 and 1244 may include warm or hot water. This warm or hot water can cause the ice to melt. [0143] To counter this effect, the plugs 1231 and 1215 are used to push the ice, providing a thermal barrier between the warm or hot water being pumped by the recirculating transport pump 735. Moreover, cold water, in the transport tubes 1214 and 1216, precedes the ice as the ice travels along the transport tubes 1214 and 1216. The cold water reduces ice melt. [0144] As illustrated in Figure 12, the ice 702 and cold water are pushed by the plugs 1231 and 1215 towards exit valves 1250 and 1252. The ice is separated by some amounts of water, thus water can be pushed out the exit valves 1250 and 1252 when the ice 702 is pushed out. To minimize the push out of water, screens 1245 and 1246 allow water, but not ice cubes 702, to return to the transport recirculation pump 735.

[0145] The plugs 1231 and 1215 push the ice cubes 702 together, as the water escapes through screens 1245 and 1246, in transport tubes 1214 and 1216. Once an "ice jam" occurs, the water pressure goes up, and the control system initiates an "ice delivery" cycle. [0146] At the initiation of the ice delivery cycle, the transport recirculation pump 735 is turned OFF, and the inlet water valve 705 is turned ON. The exit valves 1250 or 1252 are opened. Each one is operated sequentially because water travels down the easiest path, so no two transport systems can be open at the same time because the empty one would draw off all the power of the full one. The exit valves 1250 and 1252 may include an electromagnet which is turned ON. It is noted that the electromagnet may be separate from the exit valves 1250 and 1252.

[0147] This series of action causes the water to push out the ice and water jam mixture without letting any air into the system. Further, the ice and water shooting out is not powered by the transport recirculating pump 735, but by the power of water pressure from the water supply. This also has the function of automatically refilling the helical evaporator 1224 with fresh city water.

[0148] The exit point may be pointed straight up into the air so when the water is turned OFF, there is always some water sitting on top of the exit point, thereby preventing air from coming into contact with the face of the plugs 1231 and 1215. It is noted that other type of trap- like devices can be used to prevent air from coming into contact with the face of the plugs 1231 and 1215 or the parts of the valve surfaces, as illustrated in Figures 17-19. [0149] When the plugs 1231 and 1215 encounter the electromagnet, the plugs 1231 and 1215 stop due to the magnetic power exerted thereon, thus the plugs 1231 and 1215 are not ejected with the ice. Also, when the plugs 1231 and 1215 encounter the electromagnet, the exit valves 1250 and 1252 are closed, and the electromagnet is turned OFF. In addition, the transport pump 735 is reversed until the plugs 1231 and 1215 are returned to a start position. It is noted that a sensor (not shown) may sense when the plugs 1231 and 1215 return to the start position. When the plugs 1231 and 1215 return to the start position, the control system ends the ice making and transport cycle and can start a new cycle.

[0150] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, an ice cube diverter includes a substantially stationery first conduit support member or block 1525 having lower feed passages or channels formed therethrough and connected to transport tubes 1522 and 1524 and upper by-pass passages or channels formed therethrough and connected to transport tubes 1562 and 1564. [0151] A second conduit support member 1520 is movable between a lower or first position (See Figure 15) and an upper or second position (See Figure 16) by a diverter positioning device 1530 such as a mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic device or other such device controlled by system control section 200. The second conduit support member 1520 has feed passages or channels formed therethrough and connected to transport tubes 1512 and 1514. [0152] Recess and seals 1535, such as an O-ring, may be formed around the lower feed passages or channels and the upper by-pass passages or channels to seal the interface between adjacent surfaces of the substantially stationery first conduit support member or block 1525 and the corresponding second conduit support member 1520.

[0153] As illustrated in Figure 15, when the second conduit support member 1520 is in a lower or first position, ice 1501 travels from transport tubes 1512 and 1514 to transport tubes 1522 and 1524, respectively. Moreover, as illustrated in Figure 15, the transport tube 1524 transports the ice 1501 pass a screen 1545 that allows the water to recirculate through conduit 1540 and through open exit valve 1550 to an ice repository station 1575. In addition, the transport tube 1522 transports the ice 1501 , in parallel to the ice being transported in transport tube 1524, to another ice repository station.

[0154] As illustrated in Figure 16, when the second conduit support member 1520 is in a upper or second position, ice 1501 travels from transport tubes 1512 and 1514 to transport tubes 1562 and 1564, respectively. Moreover, as illustrated in Figure 16, the transport tube 1562 transports the ice 1501 to another ice repository station. In addition, the transport tube 1564 transports the ice 1501 , in sequence to the ice being transported in transport tube 1562, to another ice repository station.

[0155] It is noted that number of incoming transport tubes associated with an ice diverting system is not limited to one or two transport tubes, but may be any number of incoming transport tubes.

[0156] Moreover, it is noted that the number of outgoing transport tubes associated with an ice diverting system is not limited to a even multiple of the number of incoming transport tubes, but may be any number of outgoing transport tubes as long as the number is greater than the number of incoming tubes.

[0157] In addition, the ice diverter may move in any increment of tubes. For example, in the embodiment illustrated by Figures 15 and 16, the second conduit support member 1520 may have moved a single tube increment instead of the illustrated two tube increment. [0158] It is noted that since only one tube is activated at a time, all the water pressure is focused upon a single transport tube, and only after the ice is dispensed, the water pumped by the transport recirculation pump is diverted to the next delivery tube. [0159] It is further noted that the plugs can be returned to the plug's respective start positions after all the ice is delivered. There is one plug for each evaporator.

[0160] For example, if there are two evaporators and four transport lines, the first plug in the first evaporator might be delivered to a first remote bin and the first plug left there after the ice is deposited in the first remote bin. Then a second plug in a second evaporator number could be activated to transport the ice in that evaporator to a second remote bin. This would be done to speed up the delivery of the ice from the second evaporator because the time waiting for the first plug to return to the start position would cause the ice in the second evaporator to wait more time than is needed and therefore would begin to melt more than necessary.

[0161] Figure 20 illustrates a spoke and hub configuration for an ice diverting system. As illustrated in Figure 20, the ice making system 2015 includes an evaporator 2010, which operates in the same manner as the evaporators discussed above with respect to Figure 1 , 7, and 12.

[0162] An output transport tube 2050 transports the ice 2001 away from the evaporator

2010. The output transport tube 2050 is connected to an ice cube diverter that includes a substantially stationery first conduit support member or block 2025 having feed passages or channels formed therethrough and connected to transport tubes 2052, 2054, 2056, and 2058.

[0163] A second conduit support member 2020 is movable between various positions by a diverter positioning device 2030 such as a mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic device or other such device controlled by system control section 200. The second conduit support member

2020 has a feed passage or channel formed therethrough and connected to output transport tube 2050.

[0164] Recess and seals 2035, such as an O-ring, may be formed around the feed passages or channels to seal the interface between adjacent surfaces of the substantially stationery first conduit support member or block 2025 and the corresponding second conduit support member 2020.

[0165] As illustrated in Figure 20, when the second conduit support member 2020 is in a first position, ice 2001 travels from output transport tube 2050 to transport tube 2058.

[0166] It is noted that second conduit support member 2020 can move so as to provide ice exchange from output transport tube 2050 to transport tube 2056, from output transport tube

2050 to transport tube 2054, or from output transport tube 2050 to transport tube 2052. It is further noted that the number of transport tube is not limited to a particular number.

[0167] If multiple evaporators are utilized, the ice may be converged to a single output transport tube 2050, as illustrated in Figure 1 , below the ice encounters the ice cube diverter system. As illustrated in Figure 20, the hub and spoke system centralizes the ice diversion system to a single location for easier maintenance. It is further noted that each transport tube, in the example of Figure 20, has an associated water return line. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0168] In summary, an ice making and dispensing system includes an ice making system to receive water from a water supply. The ice making system includes an input conduit for receiving the water, a refrigerant system for cooling the water to create ice, and a clear ice recirculating water system to circulate water in the ice making system to facilitate the cooling of the water, and an output conduit to output ice. A transport conduit, connected to the output conduit, transports ice from the ice making system to a remote ice repository. A recirculating transport water system, connected to the transport conduit and the input conduit, circulates water from the transport conduit to the input conduit and circulates water from the input conduit to the transport conduit. A variable diameter plug pushes the ice from the ice making system to the remote ice repository when the recirculating transport water system circulates water through the ice making evaporator and down the transport conduit to the exit gate where the ice is compressed to minimize the water content.

[0169] The variable diameter plug may include ferrous material. An electromagnet may be located at an end of the transport conduit near the remote ice repository to prevent the variable diameter plug from exiting the transport conduit at the remote ice repository. The ice making and dispensing system may include a relief valve and a vacuum pump to remove micro-bubbles from the water.

[0170] The transport conduit may include a screen, located at an end of the transport conduit near the remote ice repository, to allow water to flow to and from the recirculating transport water system. The variable diameter plug may include an o-ring to create the variable diameter.

[0171] The transport conduit further may include an ice diverting system for diverting the transporting of ice from one remote ice repository to another remote ice repository. The ice diverting system may include a first conduit support member having a feed passage formed therethrough and a by-pass passage formed; and a second conduit support member having a passage formed therethrough, the first conduit support member and the second conduit support member having relative movement therebetween. Also, the ice diverting system may include a diverter positioning device to provide the relative movement between the first conduit support member and the second conduit support member. The first conduit support member and the second conduit support member may have o-rings and recesses associated with each passage therethrough, each o-ring and recess forming a seal between the first conduit support member and the second conduit support member.

[0172] In addition, an ice making and dispensing system includes an ice making system to receive water from a water supply, the ice making system including an input conduit for receiving the water and an output conduit to output ice; a transport conduit, connected to the output conduit, to transport ice from the ice making system to a remote ice repository; a recirculating transport water system, connected to the transport conduit and the input conduit, to circulate water from the transport conduit to the input conduit and to circulate water from the input conduit to the transport conduit; and a variable diameter plug. The variable plug pushes the ice from the ice making system to the remote ice repository when the recirculating transport water system circulates water from the transport conduit to the input conduit. [0173] The variable diameter plug may include ferrous material. An electromagnet may be located at an end of the transport conduit near the remote ice repository to prevent the variable diameter plug from exiting the transport conduit at the remote ice repository. The ice making and dispensing system may include a relief valve and a vacuum pump to remove micro-bubbles from the water.

[0174] The transport conduit may include a screen, located at an end of the transport conduit near the remote ice repository, to allow water to flow to and from the recirculating transport water system. The variable diameter plug may include an o-ring to create the variable diameter.

[0175] The transport conduit further may include an ice diverting system for diverting the transporting of ice from one remote ice repository to another remote ice repository. The ice diverting system may include a first conduit support member having a feed passage formed therethrough and a by-pass passage formed; and a second conduit support member having a passage formed therethrough, the first conduit support member and the second conduit support member having relative movement therebetween. Also, the ice diverting system may include a diverter positioning device to provide the relative movement between the first conduit support member and the second conduit support member. The first conduit support member and the second conduit support member may have o-rings and recesses associated with each passage therethrough, each o-ring and recess forming a seal between the first conduit support member and the second conduit support member.

[0176] Furthermore, an aseptic method for making ice and dispensing the ice to a remote ice repository makes ice, using an ice making system, from a supply of water; provides a transport conduit to transport ice from the ice making system to the remote ice repository; circulates water from an output of the transport conduit to an input of the ice making system; and pushes the ice from the ice making system to the remote ice repository, using a variable diameter plug when the water circulates from the output of the transport conduit to the input of the ice making system.

[0177] The aseptic method for making ice and dispensing the ice to a remote ice repository may circulate water from the input of the ice making system to the output of the transport conduit and transport the variable diameter plug to a starting position when the water circulates from the input of the ice making system to the output of the transport conduit. The variable diameter plug may include ferrous material. [0178] The aseptic method for making ice and dispensing the ice to a remote ice repository may provide an electromagnet located at an end of the transport conduit near the remote ice repository to prevent the variable diameter plug from exiting the transport conduit at the remote ice repository; remove micro-bubbles from the water during the ice making process; provide a screen, located at an end of the transport conduit near the remote ice repository, to allow water to flow to and from the input of the ice making system; and/or provide a ice diverting system having a first conduit support member having a feed passage formed therethrough and a bypass passage formed and a second conduit support member having passages formed therethrough, the first conduit support member and second conduit support member having relative movement therebetween.

[0179] Moreover, an ice transport diverting system for diverting the transporting of ice from one transport tube to another transport tube includes a first conduit support member having a feed passage formed therethrough, connected to a feed transport tube, and a by-pass passage formed therethrough, connected to a by-pass transport tube; and a second conduit support member having a passage formed therethrough, connected to a supply transport tube, the first conduit support member and the second conduit support member having relative movement therebetween.

[0180] When the first conduit support member is in a first position relative to the second conduit support member, the supply transport tube is operatively connected to the feed transport tube. Also, when the first conduit support member is in a second position relative to the second conduit support member, the supply transport tube is operatively connected to the by-pass transport tube.

[0181] The first conduit support member may have a plurality of feed passages formed therethrough, each being connected to a feed transport tube, and a plurality of a by-pass passages formed therethrough, each being connected to a by-pass transport tube; and the second conduit support member may have a plurality of passages formed therethrough, each being connected to a supply transport tube, the number of passages in the second conduit support member being less than the number of passages in the first conduit support member. [0182] The ice transport diverting system may have a diverter positioning device to provide the relative movement between the first conduit support member and the second conduit support member. The first conduit support member and the second conduit support member may have o-rings and recesses associated with each passage therethrough, each o-ring and recess forming a seal between the first conduit support member and the second conduit support member.

[0183] It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed embodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also, various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the description above and the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An ice making and dispensing system, comprising: an ice making system to receive water from a water supply; said ice making system including, an input conduit for receiving the water, a refrigerant system for cooling the water to create ice, a recirculating water system to circulate water in the ice making system to facilitate the cooling of the water, and an output conduit to output ice; a transport conduit, connected to said output conduit, to transport ice from said ice making system to a remote ice repository; a recirculating transport water system, connected to said transport conduit and said input conduit, to circulate water from said transport conduit to said input conduit and to circulate water from said input conduit to said transport conduit; and a variable diameter plug; said variable plug pushing the ice from said ice making system to the remote ice repository when said recirculating transport water system circulates water from said transport conduit to said input conduit.

2. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said variable diameter plug includes ferrous material.

3. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an electromagnet located at an end of said transport conduit near the remote ice repository, said electromagnet preventing said variable diameter plug from exiting said transport conduit at the remote ice repository.

4. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a relief valve.

5. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum pump to remove micro-bubbles from the water.

6. The ice making and dispensing system, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said transport conduit includes a screen, located at an end of said transport conduit near the remote ice repository, to allow water to flow to and from said recirculating transport water system.

7. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said variable diameter plug includes an o-ring to create the variable diameter.

8. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said transport conduit further comprises an ice diverting system for diverting the transporting of ice from one remote ice repository to another remote ice repository.

9. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said ice diverting system comprises: a first conduit support member having a feed passage formed therethrough and a bypass passage formed; and a second conduit support member having a passage formed therethrough; said first conduit support member and said second conduit support member having relative movement therebetween.

10. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said ice diverting system comprises a diverter positioning device to provide the relative movement between said first conduit support member and said second conduit support member.

11. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first conduit support member and said second conduit support member have o-rings and recesses associated with each passage therethrough, each o-ring and recess forming a seal between said first conduit support member and said second conduit support member.

12. An ice making and dispensing system, comprising: an ice making system to receive water from a water supply; said ice making system including an input conduit for receiving the water and an output conduit to output ice; a transport conduit, connected to said output conduit, to transport ice from said ice making system to a remote ice repository; a recirculating transport water system, connected to said transport conduit and said input conduit, to circulate water from said transport conduit to said input conduit and to circulate water from said input conduit to said transport conduit; and a variable diameter plug; said variable plug pushing the ice from said ice making system to the remote ice repository when said recirculating transport water system circulates water from said transport conduit to said input conduit.

13. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said variable diameter plug includes ferrous material.

14. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 13, further comprising an electromagnet located at an end of said transport conduit near the remote ice repository, said electromagnet preventing said variable diameter plug from exiting said transport conduit at the remote ice repository.

15. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a relief valve.

16. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a vacuum pump to remove micro-bubbles from the water.

17. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said transport conduit includes a screen, located at an end of said transport conduit near the remote ice repository, to allow water to flow to and from said recirculating transport water system.

18. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said variable diameter plug includes an o-ring to create the variable diameter.

19. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said transport conduit further comprises an ice diverting system for diverting the transporting of ice from one remote ice repository to another remote ice repository.

20. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said ice diverting system comprises: a first conduit support member having a feed passage formed therethrough and a bypass passage formed; and a second conduit support member having a passage formed therethrough; said first conduit support member and said second conduit support member having relative movement therebetween.

21. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said ice diverting system comprises a diverter positioning device to provide the relative movement between said first conduit support member and said second conduit support member.

22. The ice making and dispensing system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said first conduit support member and said second conduit support member have o-rings and recesses associated with each passage therethrough, each o-ring and recess forming a seal between said first conduit support member and said second conduit support member.

23. An aseptic method for making ice and dispensing the ice to a remote ice repository comprising: making ice, using an ice making system, from a supply of water; providing a transport conduit to transport ice from the ice making system to the remote ice repository; circulating water from an output of the transport conduit to an input of the ice making system; and pushing the ice from the ice making system to the remote ice repository, using a variable diameter plug when the water circulates from the output of the transport conduit to the input of the ice making system.

24. The aseptic method for making ice and dispensing the ice to a remote ice repository as claimed in claim 23, further comprising: circulating water from the input of the ice making system to the output of the transport conduit; and transporting the variable diameter plug to a starting position when the water circulates from the input of the ice making system to the output of the transport conduit.

25. The aseptic method for making ice and dispensing the ice to a remote ice repository as claimed in claim 23, wherein the variable diameter plug includes ferrous material.

26. The aseptic method for making ice and dispensing the ice to a remote ice repository as claimed in claim 23, further comprising: providing an electromagnet located at an end of the transport conduit near the remote ice repository to prevent the variable diameter plug from exiting the transport conduit at the remote ice repository.

27. The aseptic method for making ice and dispensing the ice to a remote ice repository as claimed in claim 23, further comprising: removing micro-bubbles from the water during the ice making process.

28. The aseptic method for making ice and dispensing the ice to a remote ice repository as claimed in claim 23, further comprising: providing a screen, located at an end of the transport conduit near the remote ice repository, to allow water to flow to and from the input of the ice making system.

29. The aseptic method for making ice and dispensing the ice to a remote ice repository as claimed in claim 23, further comprising: providing a ice diverting system having a first conduit support member having a feed passage formed therethrough and a by-pass passage formed and a second conduit support member having passages formed therethrough, the first conduit support member and second conduit support member having relative movement therebetween.

30. An ice transport diverting system for diverting the transporting of ice from one transport tube to another transport tube, comprising: a first conduit support member having a feed passage formed therethrough, connected to a feed transport tube, and a by-pass passage formed therethrough, connected to a by-pass transport tube; and a second conduit support member having a passage formed therethrough, connected to a supply transport tube; said first conduit support member and said second conduit support member having relative movement therebetween.

31. The ice transport diverting system as claimed in claim 30, wherein when said first conduit support member is in a first position relative to said second conduit support member, said supply transport tube is operatively connected to said feed transport tube.

32. The ice transport diverting system as claimed in claim 30, wherein when said first conduit support member is in a second position relative to said second conduit support member, said supply transport tube is operatively connected to said by-pass transport tube.

33. The ice transport diverting system as claimed in claim 30, wherein said first conduit support member has a plurality of feed passages formed therethrough, each being connected to a feed transport tube, and a plurality of a by-pass passages formed therethrough, each being connected to a by-pass transport tube; and said second conduit support member has a plurality of passages formed therethrough, each being connected to a supply transport tube, the number of passages in said second conduit support member being less than the number of passages in said first conduit support member.

34. The ice transport diverting system as claimed in claim 30, further comprising: a diverter positioning device to provide the relative movement between said first conduit support member and said second conduit support member.

35. The ice transport diverting system as claimed in claim 30, wherein said first conduit support member and said second conduit support member have o-rings and recesses associated with each passage therethrough, each o-ring and recess forming a seal between said first conduit support member and said second conduit support member.