Abstract: A machine or apparatus for producing ice cubes comprising flexible membranes which are flexed into and out of thermal contact with a refrigerated evaporator core upon which conductive areas define discrete freezing sites which determine the location on the flexible membrane where the ice cubes are formed. The ice cubes are removed by flexing the flexible membrane. The flexing of the flexible membranes into and out of contact with the evaporator core may be accomplished with a fluid source which applies fluid to and removes fluid from collapsible spaces between the evaporator core and the membranes.

Abstract: An ice product bearing a clearly discernable pattern or design caused by the controlled formation of cloudy ice within an otherwise clear ice cube, and a machine or apparatus for producing such cubes comprising a flexible membrane (56) which is urged into and out of thermal contact with a refrigerated surface (51) upon which raised conductive areas (52) define discrete freezing sites which determine where on the flexible membrane the ice cubes are formed and then removing the ice cubes by flexing the flexible membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming ice cubes without a hot gas defrost cycle comprises a flexible sheet (55) which is urged into and out of thermal contact with a refrigerated plate (51) through openings in an insulative spacer (52) defining the freezing sites where the ice cubes are built up to the desired thickness by lamination.