WO2018141779A1

WO2018141779A1 - Clear ice making apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2018141779A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/052374
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mert PATKAVAK; Sevda SIMSEK
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2017-02-06
Filing date: 2018-01-31
Publication date: 2018-08-09
Also published as: TR201701712A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ice making apparatus (1) comprising a lower body (2), an upper body (3) placed on top of the lower body (2), a lower insulating part (4) placed in the lower body (2), an upper insulating part (5) placed in the upper body (3), an ice mold (8) placed between the upper insulating part (5) and the lower insulating part (4) so as to form at least one ice cell, having at least one filler opening (6) provided on its upper surface and a discharge opening (7) provided on its lower surface, and a cut-out (9) into which water enters, provided so as to be below the ice mold (8) and in the lower insulating part (4).

Description

CLEAR ICE MAKING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to an ice making apparatus that makes clear ice.

In some coolers molds in which water to be frozen is filled are provided to be placed in the freezer compartment maintained at subzero temperatures. Said molds may be laid freely on the shelves provided inside, or on the doors of the freezer chamber, as well as placed in specific inlets particularly formed inside the freezer compartment. Since the freezer molds placed on shelves and the freezer molds placed in special inlets lack insulation, liquids freeze rapidly and elements in liquids disturbing purity such as minerals, air bubbles, dust particles and chlorine in water, decrease the clarity of ice after freezing. In order to increase the clarity of ice, techniques such as slow freezing of water, freezing of flowing water by means of contact to a cold surface, freezing by means of vibration and freezing by nitrification, are used in the state of the art.

Slow freezing of water, which is a method used for obtaining clear ice, is based on the principle of removing by way of diffusion the foreign particles causing a cloudy view in ice after freezing, along freezing direction by decreasing the freezing speed through utilized insulation materials. The particles disturbing purity in the water freezing slowly thanks to insulation and in top-down direction, are removed by way of diffusion, and this results in pieces of ice with a clear appearance. One problem observed with non-clear ice is that, during melting, non-clear ice releases the air bubbles entrapped within and this leads to a decrease in the appearance and taste quality of the drink, and consequently causes user discontent and a perception of low quality.

Another problem experienced with ice making apparatuses used for obtaining clear ice, is that freezing of water deposited within can not be perceived due to the thick insulation layer of said apparatuses, and the apparatus may therefore be opened before due time.

State of the art US patent document no. US2015027142A1 discloses a device suitable for producing clear ice.

State of the art US patent document no. US9074802 discloses a device suitable for producing clear ice.

The aim of the present invention is to visually and/or audibly communicate the user of clear ice making apparatuses that the ice is prepared.

The ice making apparatus provided to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims, comprises a lower body and an upper body enabling access within the ice making apparatus. Water filled in the ice making apparatus slowly loses heat when placed in subzero chambers of the cooler thanks to the lower insulating piece and upper insulating piece provided in the lower body and the upper body, thereby realizing a slow freezing process. By means of the said lower insulating piece being thicker than the upper insulating piece, the water in the ice making apparatus freezes from the top, where the insulation is less, towards the bottom. An ice mold is placed in the space between the lower insulation and the upper insulation so as to almost entirely fill said space. At least one ice cell is formed within the ice mold, and each of said ice cells are connected to the outer environment via the filler openings provided above the ice cells. During the user filling the ice making apparatus to prepare for usage, water fills into the ice mold through the filler openings. Discharge openings are provided on the lower surface of the ice mold. By means of said openings, the ice mold is in liquid communication with the cut-out provided below the ice mold. During the user filling the ice making apparatus, first the cut-out and then the ice mold is filled. During freezing of the water, since freezing happens slowly, entrapment of the minerals and the dissolved gas molecules within the water which disturb the purity of the same, is evaded and such foreign matters are diffused through the discharge opening provided below the ice mold, towards the cut-out. Temperature values in the cut-out are measured by means of the thermostat provided in the ice making apparatus, and these values are transmitted to the control unit to be compared to the presaved values. Freezing of water occurs at 0 °C, however, the temperature of water may fall below 0 °C after completion of freezing. When the temperature value measured by the thermostat falls below zero, it is understood that the water in the cut-out is beginning to freeze. The temperature measured by the thermostat is compared by means of the control unit to the predetermined temperature values, and if the measured value is below the predetermined value, the control unit activates the signaling means to notify the user about completion of freezing. This avoids opening of the ice making apparatus before due time and obtaining partly frozen ice as a consequence. Another advantage provided by the invention is enabling the user to obtain ice without requiring all of the water filled in the ice making apparatus to be frozen. Volume of water increases during freezing, and this increased volume forms strain and in certain circumstances deformation on the ice making apparatus with an inner volume isolated from the outer environment. By means of the thermostat provided in the cut-out, water in the ice mold is understood to be frozen, and this information is transmitted to the user by means of the signaling means, and thus the ice making apparatus is prevented from being damaged by all of the water being frozen.

In an embodiment of the invention, the signaling means and the control unit are energized by a power supply produced integrally with the ice making apparatus. By means of the power unit supplying electricity required to operate the control unit and the signaling means transmitting visual and/or audible signals to the user upon activation of the control unit, water in the ice making apparatus is not required to be frozen completely. By this, while time is saved, also physical deformation on the ice making apparatus is prevented, caused by the increased volume as a result of the water being frozen completely, improving maintenance costs.

In an embodiment of the invention, the thermostat is energized by the power supply. The electrically operated thermostat has an improved measurement precision compared to the thermostats operating according to the principle of thermal expansion of metals. By this, the thermostat is able to simultaneously communicate the temperature of the water in the cut-out to the control unit, and whether the water in the cut-out is frozen can be understood. Likewise, the user is simultaneously notified about the readiness of ice by means of the signaling means activated by the control unit.

In an embodiment of the invention, a coupling means is provided on the ice making apparatus, enabling charging the power supply. By means of the coupling means, the power supply can be charged by means of mains power an/or electronic devices such as a computer, so that it becomes unnecessary to replace the power supply, thereby improving usage costs.

In an embodiment of the invention, the thermostat is placed in the lower insulating part. The contact of the thermostat with water is minimized by the thermostat being provided in the lower insulating part, thereby preventing oxidation of the thermostat and thus improving spare part costs.

In an embodiment of the invention, the thermostat is provided in the cut-out. The thermostat is directly contacted to water by being provided in the cut-out, enabling precise measurement of the water temperature.

In an embodiment of the invention, the internal volume of the ice mold is segmented into three equal volumes. Thus, the user is enabled to make more than one piece of clear ice simultaneously and the amount of ice produced using a single ice making apparatus, is increased. Therefore it is not necessary for the user to purchase more than one product to meet his/her increased demand of clear ice and user satisfaction is provided by avoiding an increase in cost.

In an embodiment of the invention, the upper surface of the ice making apparatus comprising the filler opening is shaped as a slot. Said slot serves as storage when the user fills the ice making apparatus with more water than the internal volume of the ice making apparatus, and water is prevented from being spilled to the environment and in the cooler and being frozen there, thereby providing ease of use and improving user satisfaction.

The advantage of the invention is visually and audibly informing the user that ice is ready in the ice making apparatus to be used in coolers, into which water to be frozen is filled, making clear ice by slow freezing of water.

An ice making apparatus provided to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the ice making apparatus in one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is the view of A-A section of the invention shown in Figure 1.

The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.

Ice making apparatus
Lower body
Upper body
Lower insulating part
Upper insulating part
Filler opening
Discharge opening
Ice mold
Cut-out
Thermostat
Signaling means
Control unit
Power source
Coupling means
Slot

The ice making apparatus (1) of the invention comprises,

a lower body (2),
an upper body (3) placed on top of the lower body (2),
a lower insulating part (4) placed in the lower body (2),
an upper insulating part (5) placed in the upper body (3),
an ice mold (8) placed between the upper insulating part (5) and the lower insulating part (4) so as to form at least one ice cell, having at least one filler opening (6) provided on its upper surface and at least one discharge opening (7) provided on its lower surface, and
a cut-out (9) into which water enters, provided so as to be under the ice mold (8) and inside the lower insulating part (4).

The ice making apparatus (1) of the invention comprises a thermostat (10) provided within, a signaling means (11) visually and/or audibly alerting the user, and a control unit (12) comparing the temperature value received from the thermostat (10) with a temperature value predetermined by the producer, and activating the signaling means (11) upon the measured temperature value dropping below the temperature value predetermined by the producer.

The external appearance of the ice making apparatus (1) is formed by the lower body (2) and the upper body (3) being placed on top of each other. The lower insulating part (4) placed in the lower body (2), and the upper insulating part (5) placed in the upper body (3), provide insulation between the outer environment and the inner environment of the ice making apparatus (1) when the ice making apparatus (1) is filled with water. By means of the lower insulating part (4) produced thicker than the upper insulating part (5), freezing occurs in top-down direction when the ice making apparatus (1) is filled with water and is placed in the cooler. The volume between the lower insulating part (4) and the upper insulating part (5) enable water to be filled within through a filler opening (6) provided on the upper portion of said volume The volume between the lower insulating part (4) and the upper insulating part (5) forms the ice mold (8). Below the ice mold (8), a cut-out (9) is provided in the lower insulating part (4). The ice mold (8) and the cut-out (9) are connected by means of the discharge opening (7) so as to allow liquid flow between each other. Said cut-out (9) is the volume to which the materials within the water disturbing the purity of the same, are transferred by diffusion during freezing. A thermostat (10) measuring the ambient temperature is provided in said volume. The thermostat (10) continuously measures the temperature of its environment, and transmits the values it obtains to the control unit (12) comparing these values to the temperature values predetermined by the producer. The control unit (12) activates the signaling means (11) upon the temperature value measured by the thermostat (10) is below the predetermined value. The user understands that the ice is ready by means of the signaling means (11) visually and/or audibly alerting the user, and the ice making apparatus (1) is prevented from being opened before due time and spilling of a half frozen mixture which has not yet completed the freezing process, is avoided, improving the user experience. Also by means of the thermostat (10), it is not required for all of the water filled in the ice making apparatus (1) to be frozen, avoiding the volume increase forming by freezing of all of the water, likely to cause strain and deformations on the ice making apparatus (1), thereby preventing the ice making apparatus (1) from being damaged.

In an embodiment of the invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises a power supply (13) energizing the signaling means (11) and the control unit (12). The power supply (13) energizes the signaling means (11) and the control unit (12), and the ice making apparatus (1) simultaneously notifies the user about completion of freezing of the water by means of the ice making apparatus (1) being operated electrically.

In an embodiment of the invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises a thermostat (10) adapted to be energized by the power supply (13). Integrity is provided between the thermostat (10), signaling means (11) and the control unit (12) thanks to the thermostat (10) being energized by the power supply (13). The user is thus simultaneously transmitted information regarding the state of the water in the ice making apparatus (1), and it is not required to freeze all of the water filled in the ice making apparatus (1), thereby avoiding consequent deformations on the ice making apparatus (1).

In an embodiment of the invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises coupling means (14) charging the power supply (13). The power supply (13) can be charged by means of mains voltage an/or other electronic devices with suitable inlets, thanks to the coupling means (14). It is not required for the user to replace the power supply (13) thanks to the power supply (13) being rechargeable. By this, costs likely to arise from replacing the power supply (13) are avoided, improving maintenance costs.

In an embodiment of the invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises a thermostat (10) provided in the lower insulating part (4). By means of the thermostat (10) being placed in the face of the lower insulating part (4) proximate to the cut-out (9), the thermostat (10) does not contact water during freezing thereof, thereby increasing the useful lifetime of the thermostat (10) and improving maintenance costs.

In an embodiment of the invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises a thermostat (10) provided in the cut-out (9). The thermostat (10) is in continuous contact with water thanks to being placed in the cut-out (9), and measures the water temperature precisely and simultaneously as a consequence. By this, freezing of the water in the cut-out (9) and the consequent volume increase is avoided, preventing the ice making apparatus (1) from being damaged due to volume increase.

In an embodiment of the invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises an ice mold (8) whose internal volume is segmented into three equal volumes. By this the ice making apparatus (1) is enabled to operate with a capacity suitable for varying ice amount demands of the users.

In an embodiment of the invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises a slot (15) recessing into the upper body (3). Overflowing of water as a result of the user filling the ice making apparatus (1) with too much water, is avoided by means of said slot (15). Thanks to said slot (15) acting also as a funnel, problems likely to occur during user's filling water into the ice making apparatus (1) such as spilling or overflowing, are prevented, improving user experience.

The aim of the present invention is removing from the ice mold (8) the particles within the water disturbing the purity of the same by diffusion, and notifying the user about readiness of the clear ice thus obtained, without requiring freezing of all of the water in the ice making apparatus.

Claims

An ice making apparatus (1), comprising

- a lower body (2),

- an upper body (3) placed on top of the lower body (2),

- a lower insulating part (4) placed in the lower body (2),

- an upper insulating part (5) placed in the upper body (3),

- an ice mold (8) placed between the upper insulating part (5) and the lower insulating part (4) so as to form at least one ice cell, having at least one filler opening (6) provided on its upper surface and at least one discharge opening (7) provided on its lower surface, and

- a cut-out (9) into which water enters, provided so as to be below the ice mold (8) and in the lower insulating part (4),

- characterized by a thermostat (10) provided within, a signaling means (11) visually and/or audibly alerting the user, and a control unit (12) comparing the temperature value received from the thermostat (10) with a temperature value predetermined by the producer, and activating the signaling means (11) upon the measured temperature value dropping below the temperature value predetermined by the producer.
An ice making apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a power supply (13) energizing the signaling means (11) and the control unit (12).
An ice making apparatus (1) according to claim 2, characterized by the thermostat (10) adapted to be energized by the power supply (13).
An ice making apparatus (1) according to claims 2 to 3, characterized by a coupling means (14) charging the power supply (13).
An ice making apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the thermostat (10) provided in the lower insulating part (4).
An ice making apparatus (1) according to claims 1 to 4, characterized by the thermostat (10) provided in the cut-out (9).
An ice making apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the ice mold (8) whose internal volume is segmented into three equal volumes.
An ice making apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a slot (15) recessing into the upper body (3).
A cooler device comprising an ice making apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.