Abstract: An evaporator includes a refrigerant conduit; and front and rear plates sandwiching the refrigerant conduit, each of the front and rear plates including: a plurality of ice forming columns; a set of first protrusions and a set of second protrusions defined therein, each first protrusion on the front plate and a corresponding first protrusion on the rear plate defining a respective active cavity and each second protrusion on the front plate and a corresponding second protrusion on the rear plate defining a respective passive cavity, the refrigerant conduit extending through each of the active cavities but not any of the passive cavities; and inner flat portions of the front plate and the rear plate facing each other to define respective spaced portions, wherein the active cavities and passive cavities are interspersed and separated by respective inner flat portions so as to define a plurality of ice forming sites.

Abstract: An evaporator includes a refrigerant conduit; and front and rear plates sandwiching the refrigerant conduit, each of the front and rear plates including: a plurality of ice forming columns; a set of first protrusions and a set of second protrusions defined therein, each first protrusion on the front plate and a corresponding first protrusion on the rear plate defining a respective active cavity and each second protrusion on the front plate and a corresponding second protrusion on the rear plate defining a respective passive cavity, the refrigerant conduit extending through each of the active cavities but not any of the passive cavities; and inner flat portions of the front plate and the rear plate facing each other to define respective spaced portions, wherein the active cavities and passive cavities are interspersed and separated by respective inner flat portions so as to define a plurality of ice forming sites.

Abstract: An evaporator includes a refrigerant conduit sandwiched between front and rear plates. The front plate has inner flat portions, each of which is spaced from a respective inner flat portion of the rear plate to define a respective spaced portion. The front and rear plates further include a set of first protrusions and a set of second protrusions. Each first protrusion on the front plate faces a respective first protrusion on the rear plate to define a respective active cavity. Each second protrusion on the front plate faces a respective second protrusion on the rear plate to define a respective passive cavity. The refrigerant conduit extends through each of the active cavities but does not extend through any of the passive cavities. The location of the active and passive cavities are interspersed and separated by respective inner flat portions so as to define a plurality of ice forming sites.

Abstract: An evaporator includes a refrigerant conduit sandwiched between front a rear plates. The front and rear plates have inner flat portions, each inner flat portion of the front plate faces, but is spaced from, a respective inner flat portion of the rear plate to define a respective spaced portion. The front and rear plates further include a set of first protrusions. Each first protrusion on the front plate faces a respective first protrusion on the rear plate to define a respective active cavity. The refrigerant conduit extends through each of the active cavities. The front and rear plates also include a set of second protrusions. Each second protrusion on the front plate faces a respective second protrusion on the rear plate to define a respective passive cavity. The refrigerant conduit does not extend through any of the passive cavities. The location of the active and passive cavities are interspersed and separated by respective inner flat portions so as to define a plurality of ice forming sites.

Abstract: An ice guide that snap fits into a water tank of an ice making section of an ice manufacturing machine. The ice guide includes a lattice structure having a pair of substantially parallel first sides and substantially parallel second sides that are perpendicular to the first sides. The lattice structure defines an aperture in a center thereof and has a plurality of rows radiating from the center in an arcuate manner. Each row includes a plurality of spaced rails with each rail having a longitudinal axis directed toward the aperture. Also, a band bounds the rows, wherein the band at each of the first and second sides is positioned at a non-planar altitude higher relative to a horizontal plane passing through the center of the aperture to form a slope along which the dropped ice slides as the ice is directed into a storage bin below.

Abstract: A water tank including a frusto-conical support hat portion and a tub portion. The tub portion having a support mound that includes a first section and a second section extending from the first section. The first section has a width larger than a width of the second section such that a ledge is formed between the first and second sections. The second section has a rectangular aperture formed therein that permits the manufactured ice to pass therethrough. The support hat portion has a support mound that has a width no larger than the width of the first section. An integral support system includes the support hat nestingly engaging the tub portion from a bottom portion of the tub portion to provide a central support for an ice guide placed on the water tank.