Abstract: A self-seating cover assembly for a removable food receptacle for a food processing machine, the cover being movably mounted on a support structure attached to the machine and shaped so that, by the act of positioning the food receptacle into the machine, the cover is caused to seat itself in desired position atop and extending partially into the receptacle. The cover is preferably removably mounted on the support structure through an aperture in the cover, and the structure and the cover are constructed to cooperatively maintain the cover in a desired rotational position. The cover may be mounted on a chute through which food is delivered into the receptacle through the mounting aperture in the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing ice from an electric cable is disclosed. This apparatus comprises an impact actuator, an impact member in the from of a rod, and a fastener to hang the apparatus from the electric cable. The apparatus can be remotely activated and can be activated many times before reloading. Triggering of the impact actuator produces an impact between the rod and the electric cable suitable to produce a shock wave that propagates along the electric cable to cause the accumulated ice to break and fall on the ground.

Abstract: An ice dispenser system incorporates a common ice delivery passage for both cubed and crushed ice. A first set of ice crushing blades are mounted upon a shaft that rotates concurrently with an ice delivery element such as an auger. When cubed ice is desired, an unobstructed ice delivery path is provided with the second set of ice crushing blades being pivoted out of the passage and the first set of ice crushing blades simply rotating within the passage to aid in delivering ice to an ice receiving area. Preferably, the second set of ice crushing blades are pivoted through the use of a crank arm that has a first bent end received in a slot formed in the second set of ice crushing blades and a second bent end that is acted upon by an output member of a solenoid attached to a rear portion of an ice collecting bin of the system.

Abstract: A vertically-oriented rotary ice shaving machine in which the drive head assembly (including the ice-engaging mechanism, upper drive linkage, and housing) descend toward the table from the raised position at substantially the same rate. The drive head assembly is supported on telescoping columns, and a telescoping drive shaft connects the motor to the upper drive linkage. Alternately, the motor may be mounted on a carriage which moves reciprocally with the drive head assembly. The drive head assembly may exert downward pressure on the ice block via tension exerted by the telescoping drive shaft and support columns, or due to the weight of the drive head components and motor. Mechanical and electrical interlocks prevent the blade from being raised to an exposed position, and similarly interrupt rotation of the ice block, until the protective doors are closed. The protective doors are secured in the closed position while the blade is extended.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for continuously delivering ice particulates at high velocity onto a substrate for treating the surface of the substrate. The apparatus includes a refrigerated curved surface that is brought into contact with water to form a thin, substantially uniform, ice sheet on the surface. This ice sheet is of such thickness as to contain stresses so that the sheet is predisposed to fracture into particulates. A doctor-knife is mounted to intercept a leading edge of the ice sheet and to fragment the ice sheet to produce ice particulates. These ice particulates enter into at least one ice-receiving tube that extends substantially along the length of the doctor-knife. Once in the tube, the ice particulates are fluidized by a constant flow of air and are carried into a hose for delivery through an ice-blasting nozzle under pressure.

Abstract: A block ice shaving machine having an outer housing with an insulative inner housing fitted therein that a block of ice is positioned on a bottom surface, and included a rotary cutter housing mounted to one end of the inner housing that includes a rotary cutter that is turned by an electric motor and including a push bar maintained in the inner housing to be moved by operation of a chain drive so as to urge the block of ice against blades of the turning rotary cutter, to shave sections or strips of ice off from the block of ice, with the ice shavings directed out of a discharge chute to be captured in a container and receive a sweet syrup thereover for human consumption. The push bar is driven forward or backward by a sprocket system whose rate of turning is manually controlled by a sprocket and clutch assembly.

Abstract: A modular ice crusher assembly for use in conjunction with an ice storage unit can be easily removed for cleaning or maintenance. Two parallel brackets are used to mount and support the ice crusher below the discharge opening for the ice storage unit. A release mechanism allows the ice crusher to slide relative to the brackets between a first position in which the inlet chute of the ice crusher is in vertical alignment with the opening of the ice storage unit for receiving ice to be chipped, and a second position in which the ice crusher can be removed for cleaning or service. For example, the release mechanism can consist of a series of pins extending laterally outward from the ice crusher housing that slideably engage a corresponding series of inverted L-shaped slots in the brackets. During normal operation, the ice crusher is held in position below the ice storage unit because the pins are supported in the horizontal portions of the slots.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing simulated snow effects for theatrical environments. To create simulated snow in the quantities and qualities necessary for theatrical effects, ice is used as the source material. A plurality of storage channels are adapted for holding and channeling blocks of ice to the snow creating member. A rotating disc incorporates a plurality of radially directed, adjustable cutting blades mounted in the surface of the disc. The disc is rotatable beneath each of the ice supply channels. Each of the cutting blades is pivotable along one radial edge thereof, the angular position of the blade relative to the surface of the disc determining the thickness of the layer of ice shaved from the surface of the ice block in contact therewith. Immediately forwardly of each ice cutting blade is an aperture disposed in the disc to provide a downwardly directed fluid force to the shaved ice. When elevated, shavings or flakes of ice having a selectable thickness from 0.005-0.

Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice crush apparatus enables to conveniently prepare food such as shaved ice with sugar syrup includes a motor and a section formed by plural links for transferring the motor in the axial direction. A clutch is installed between the motor and a freezing container which is formed with a clutch disc onto the bottom plane, and a rotating rod and brackets are installed for reversing the freezing container. A cutter is fixed to face the lower portion of the reversed to be rotated freezing container for crushing the ice within the freezing container. That is, the ice is crushed by the cutter while the freezing container is reversely rotated and transferred downward to be the food such as shaved ice with sugar syrup. Thus, the water is frozen to be crushed for preparing the shaved ice with sugar syrup simply and conveniently within the household refrigerator. Also, the shaved ice with sugar syrup can be prepared without taking out or relocating the ice to have an effect for sanitary reason.

Abstract: A thickness adjuster for an ice shaver includes a flat plate to receive an ice block, a movable gear vertically combined with the flat plate to raise it up and lower it down to adjust the height between the bottom of the ice block and a blade so that shaved tiny ice pieces by the blade may be very fine or very rough. The movable gear is combined with a connecting member and then is engaging a transmitting disc gear also engaging a engaing gear portion or a revolvable adjusting disc, the revolvable adjusting disc being rotated to raise up and lower down the falt plate via the transmitting disc gear and the movable gear.

Abstract: The present invention is an ice shaving apparatus comprising an oval shaped base with an oval shaped ice block shaving table mounted directly above the base by way of four tubular legs, an oval shaped upper plate mounted directly above the ice block shaving table by way of four additional tubular legs collinear with the lower four legs, threaded rods extending through the tubular legs, a motor, a gearbox, and a rack and pinion mechanism are mounted on the upper plate coupled to a vertically movable shaft and ice pick disk extending downward towards the ice block shaving table to engage and rotate the block of ice on the shaving table. The motor, electrical circuitry, the gearbox, and the rack and pinion mechanism are all located above the upper plate and are enclosed by a single housing. The ice block shaving table has a radially oriented elongate slot with a stationary angular shaving blade extending out of the slot.

Abstract: An improvement in a bulk stacker/reclaimer of the type comprising a stacker conveyor for stacking bulk material into a pile, a reclaimer conveyor for removing bulk material from the pile and a removing means for transporting reclaimed material away from the stacker/reclaimer to a remote location. The improvement comprises a breaking means, interposed between the reclaimer conveyor and the removing means, to break apart frozen clumps of bulk material. The inflow to the breaking means is in communication with the discharge of the reclaimer conveyor and the outflow of the removing means is in communication with the breaking means.

Abstract: An ice dispenser provides a storage bin in which ice cubes manufactured by an ice maker are stored until used. A powered agitator within the bin operates to move cubes to an exit end where they enter a lifting and metering drum. From the lifting and metering drum the ice cubes, in one embodiment, pass through an adjustable ice crusher which functions to crush the ice into particles the size of which can be changed by adjustment of the crusher. In one position, the crusher can be adjusted so that uncrushed cubes pass through the crusher. In a second embodiment, a deflector is provided to allow the ice cubes to bypass the crusher when uncrushed cubes are required. The deflector is moveable to a position to cause the cubes to pass through the crusher and for delivery of crushed ice. The lifting and metering drum operates at a lower speed than the agitator or crusher and is driven by gearing connecting the lifting and metering drum with the agitator.

Abstract: A portable snow cone maker that includes a housing with a mounting plate arranged to receive studs that extend at right angles outwardly from a drive shaft end of an electric motor, the studs fitted through holes in the mounting plate with nuts turned thereover to mount the motor within the housing, which housing mounting plate is open to accommodate the drive shaft fitted therethrough. An ice cube shaving blade, that is a metal band connected at its ends and is slotted laterally at spaced intervals therearound with an edge of each slot elevated to form an ice shaving scoop that shaves ice off of an ice cube that is urged against the blade top surface, the shavings to pass through the blade slots. The blade is mounted to extend outwardly from a blade mount that includes a collar for mounting to the drive shaft.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for disposal of snow in urban areas. Snow is disposed of using existing manhole or other connections to sewer systems with a portable or mobile disposal unit formed of a snow receiving bin, a grinding device, apparatus for projecting the ground snow in a controlled and linear confined manner and into a trajectory downwardly into the sewer and preferably with sensing apparatus to sense whether there is a blocked sewer conduit as well as to determine the load carrying capacity of the sewer liquid. In this way, the grinding device may be driven by variable speed motors. The system and method permit the use of already existing sewer systems, and is more economical than trucking snow to disposal sites. The system and method also permit the ready disposal of snow in areas where there are no disposal sites or where disposal sites are not allowed.

Abstract: A crusher comprises a housing defining a crushing chamber for restraining an object to be crushed and a plunger for applying force on the object to be crushed when the plunger is actuated by a handle. The handle is mounted on the housing for pivotal movement about a first floating pivot in a first pivotal direction which actuates a first engaging element to move the plunger in a first direction to crush the object in the crushing chamber. The plunger is locked against resilient return in a second direction by a second engaging element. Further pivotal movement of the handle about a second floating pivot in a second pivotal direction actuates the disengagement of the second engaging element, causing the return of the plunger.

Abstract: An ice crushing apparatus for use in combination with an ice making machine which has an ice storage bin. The ice crusher includes a plurality of rotatable blades which are mounted on a motor-driven shaft and which pass, preferably in sequence, through slots in a grate, for crushing the ice in an ice crushing zone. A mechanism is provided for bypassing the ice crusher and dropping ice directly from the ice maker to the ice storage bin. A mechanism is also provided for moving the grate to change the size of crushed ice particles. In one embodiment, a device is provided for breaking apart large sheets or other chunks of ice before they reach the ice crushing zone. An electronic control system provides ice crusher operation only when ice is harvested in the ice making machine.

Abstract: In an auger type ice making machine, an ice breaker mounted on an upper shaft portion of the auger includes a plurality of ice breaker elements adapted to be coaxially coupled as a unit, the breaker elements each having a circular body portion formed with a plurality of circumferentially equally spaced blades which extend radially outwardly at a predetermined angle, and the blades of the respective breaker elements being formed to be aligned at their lower edges in a condition where the breaker elements have been coaxially coupled at their body portions. The body portions of the breaker elements are connected to each other in such a manner that the blades of the breaker elements are circumferentially equally spaced at a selected angle.

Abstract: A flavored shaved cube ice machine that includes a cube ice shaver arranged within a cabinet. A shaving head, of the cube ice shaver is adjacent to receive cubes of ice from a bin and mounts a ring shaped blade wherein lateral slots are formed at intervals therealong that include outwardly projecting cutting edges. A wheel mounting paddle is journalled to be turned by an electric motor within the shaving head and is open to receive and move ice cubes feed from the bin against the ring-shaped blade that peels ice shavings from the individual cubes of ice and forces that shave ice through the slots and out through a discharge chute into a catchment vessel.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for ice shaving apparatus of the type including (a) an ice receiving chamber having a cylindrical, upstanding sidewall and a substantially flat floor, (b) an elongate opening in the floor, (c) an elongate blade having a knife edge projecting through the opening into the chamber, (d) a removable cover for the chamber and (e) means for moving ice placed in the chamber against the knife edge to cut shavings from the ice. The improvements comprise an elongate, blunt, blade guard which is positioned adjacent to the blade and is movably mounted for movement from a recessed position in which a leading edge of the blade guard is recessed beneath the knife edge of the blade to an extending position in which the leading edge projects at least to the knife edge of the blade to provide a guard for the knife edge.

Abstract: An ice shaving machine in which a blade for shaving ice is adjustably supported by a blade mounting and adjustment plate for adjustment of the depth of penetration of the blade into a slot and thus into the ice, and is also adjustable to level the blade across the slot. A unique drain system, is also provided, in which at least one air gap is provided between the ice receptacle and a drain tube to prevent migration of molds, bacteria and the like into the ice receptacle from the drain tube. A drive motor is connected through a drive shaft for direct driving engagement with an impeller, and serially arranged plural moisture seals are associated with the shaft to prevent movement of moisture along the shaft to the motor.

Abstract: An ice barrier for a selective ice cube and crushed ice dispenser having a crusher section including a crusher arm mounted to a horizontal shaft axially rotatable in either direction, and a stationary crusher arm mounted to one side of the shaft. When the shaft is driven in one direction, ice pieces fed to the crusher section are caught and crushed between the rotating and stationary crusher arms. However, when the shaft is driven in the opposite direction, ice pieces escape down the side of the shaft opposite the stationary crusher arm thereby avoiding being crushed. The ice barrier is frictionally coupled for rotation with the shaft between a first position in the whole ice piece path and a second position out of the path. Accordingly, the ice barrier blocks the whole ice piece path when the crusher is operated in the ice crushing mode.

Abstract: A rotary cutter for an auger type ice making machine mounted on a rotatable shaft thereof comprises a plurality of cutter blades for cutting ice rods extruded from ice compressing passages into ice pellets or chips. Some of the cutter blades are integrally provided at an upper edge portion thereof with an ice feeding blade having an inclination relative to the center axis of the cutter which is smaller than that of the associated cutter blade. Owing to the provision of the ice feeding blades, the ice chips resulting from the cutting are prevented from staying at the upper edge portions of the cutter blades. As compression of ice between the cutter blades does not effectually take take between the cutter blades, the ice is not unncessarily hardened, facilitating extrusion of ice from the cutter.

Abstract: An ice shaving machine in which a blade for shaving ice is adjustably supported by a blade mounting and adjustment plate for adjustment of the depth of penetration of the blade into a slot and thus into the ice, and is also adjustable to level the blade across the slot. A unique drain system is also provided, in which at least one air gap is provided between the ice receptacle and a drain tube to prevent migration of molds, bacteria and the like into the ice receptacle from the drain tube. A drive motor is connected through a drive shaft for direct driving engagement with an impeller, and serially arranged plural moisture seals are associated with the shaft to prevent movement of moisture along the shaft to the motor.

Abstract: An ice shaving system for domestic purposes is formed by coupling the shaft on which a rotary blade of a food processor is mounted to the drive shaft of the motor of garbage disposal unit located under a kitchen sink.

Abstract: A comminution and extrusion apparatus and method for comminuting a block of frozen food into a frozen puree and extruding the frozen puree from the apparatus. The food product is prepared from any suitable source of edible food such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and artificially produced food items. The edible food is prepared and then frozen into blocks which are shipped and stored in the hard-frozen state. The blocks are processed by comminution to produce a soft frozen food product suitable for immediate consumption. The apparatus includes an electric motor and a rotor that is mounted to the electric motor. A housing encloses the rotor and has a feed port for introducing a block of frozen food into contact with the rotor and a spout for removing frozen puree extruded by the rotor. The rotor includes rows of teeth angularly offset incrementally from parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor to provide a longitudinal force component to the frozen puree to extrude it from the housing.

Abstract: An ice storage bin and discharge apparatus for discharge of uniform size ice to an outlet station for bagging or other use, including an ice bin in the form of an elongated insulated storage receptacle for containing a mass of ice, and endless floor level conveyor adjacent and overlying the bottom wall spanning the length and width thereof defining an upper flight for advancing the mass of ice toward a discharge end wall of the bin. A first drive is provided for driving the floor level endless conveyor at a predetermined speed, and an ice shearing mechanism is provided at the discharge end wall comprising a plurality of ice shaving blades positioned to lie in a vertical cutting path extending above and aligned with a transverse discharge conveyor with the shear blades collectively transversely spanning substantially the width of the bin at plural levels above the discharge conveyor.

Abstract: A knife roller used in an appliance for the precomminution of frozen blocks of material, such as frozen meat, having a roller member on which is fastened at least one cutting member. The cutting member has a U-shaped bow knife formed by a shearing knife and two precutters for cutting strips of material from the frozen blocks. The shearing knife and precutters define a chip passageway in which at least one transverse knife is secured for further cutting the strips of material into smaller chips of material.

Abstract: An apparatus of making a soft ice-drink comprises a mixing mechanism including a container containing a liquid material such as syrup and into which shaved ice pieces are discharged, rotary blades, rotatably supported within the container, for mixing together the liquid material and shaved ice pieces and smashing the shaved ice pieces into granules of ice, and a drive motor for rotating the rotary blades at high speeds, and an ice shaving mechanism, disposed on an apparatus bed and above the mixing mechanism, including a shaver casing having a slit to which a shaving blade is exposed and a shaved ice dischage chute opened to above the container, and rotatable blades, provided within the shaver casing, for cooperating with the shaving blade to shave ice blocks charged into the shaver casing.

Abstract: A device for comminuting small ice bodies includes a housing without top and bottom walls in which a horizontally extending shaft is rotatably mounted. Disks forming beater knives are mounted on the shaft and counterknives in the form of cross-shaped breaking members are attached to the housing. Groups of adjacent disks define chambers in such a way that each chamber receives exactly one ice body. The chambers are arranged distributed over the circumference of the disks and along the length of the shaft in such a way that only a single ice body is comminuted at a given time. This reduces the power required for driving the shaft to a minimum.

Abstract: An apparatus of making a soft ice-drink comprises an ice mechanism, disposed on an apparatus bed, including a shaver casing having a slit to which a shaving blade is exposed and a shaved ice discharge chute, rotatable blades, provided within the shaver casing, for cooperating with the shaving blade to shave ice blocks charged into the shaver casing, and a first drive motor for rotating the rotatable blades, a mixing mechanism, disposed on the apparatus bed and under the ice shaving mechanism, including rotary blades, rotatably supported within a container disposed beneath the shaved ice discharge chute, for mixing together a liquid material such as a syrup present within the container and shaved ice pieces discharged into the container and smashing the shaved ice pieces into granules of ice, and a second drive motor for rotating the rotary blades at high speeds, and a control circuit for controlling operations of the first and second drive motors.

Abstract: A device for shaving ice for making snow cones which includes an elongated housing, a base for supporting the housing upon a suitable platform, a pair of castings with one casting being stationarily mounted in the housing and the other one rotatably mounted therein, the rotatably mounted casting having a knife blade therewith for producing ice shavings from a block of ice, access structure provided with the housing to facilitate servicing of elements interiorly thereof, a weight for providing gravity bias to the block of ice, guiding and braking members for controlling the flow of the block of ice, and a discharge for receiving and dispensing the shaved ice.

Abstract: The invention relates to ice cutting machines, and specifically to the ice cutting machines for producing ice shavings for flavored confections such as snow cones and snowballs. The ice cutting machine of the present invention comprises an inner box and an outer box disposed in spaced relationship around the inner box. A plurality of continuous, parallel ice slides are provided on the interior of the bottom of the inner box, with each slide having an upwardly pointed tip. The slides are oriented perpendicularly to the cutting side of the inner box to provide a plurality of continuous surfaces upon which a block of ice is moved. A pusher plate within the ice cutting machine allows advancement of the block of ice towards a cutter. The bottom edge of the pusher plate has a plurality of bearings which fit in sliding relationship between adjacent slides to guide the pusher plate toward the cutter.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing ice including a plurality of elongated vertical tubes of uniform internal cross-sectional dimensions, a cylindrical shell for each tube of length less than the tube and surrounding a substantial portion of the length of the tube, the internal nominal diameter of the shell being greater than the maximum external cross-section dimensions of the tube, the shell having a spiral groove formed in the cylindrical wall thereof, the depth of the groove being such that the interior surface of the shell at the groove contacts at least part of the exterior surface of the tube thereby forming a flow path in the annular area between the exterior of the tube and the interior of the shell which is, at least in part, spiraled. Refrigerant gas is expanded in the tube-shell annular areas to chill the tubes. Water is introduced into the upper end of the tubes to flow downwardly through them and form in each tube a rod of ice.

Abstract: An ice chopping apparatus is provided for a food processor having a base containing a motor and a motor-driven rotary tool drive which extends into a working bowl. The apparatus involves mounting a rotary ice chopping tool on the tool drive in the working bowl and establishing an annular channel around the chopping tool, forming an escape gap of predetermined size around the perimeter of the annular channel and feeding ice chunks into the channel. These chunks when reduced to the proper size are discharged through the escape gap and become deposited in the bowl. The gap may be adjusted for varying the size of the discharged ice fragments. The apparatus includes a removable disc-like head having a socket on the underside and preferably two radially spaced blades protruding upwardly from the disc-like member, with their front edges chopping the ice. The socket receives a removable shank of the same geometrical shape coupled on the other end to the rotary drive.

Abstract: A shaving apparatus for shaving food such as ice cubes made by a domestic-use refrigerator including a reservoir or container, a cutter blade, a rotating cylinder, and a mechanism for rotating the cylinder. The rotating cylinder can hold a large number of ice cubes and has at least one projecting portion engaging with the ice cubes. The rotating cylinder is rotatably supported about the axis thereof and is rotated by the mechanism. The ice cubes are rotated by the projecting portion of the cylinder and shaved by the carrier blade into fine slivers of ice.

Abstract: An ice shaving apparatus (10) includes a housing (12) having a surface (20) for supporting an ice billet. A cutting head (59) is rotatably supported in one end of the housing and functions to discharge ice shaved from the billet through an aperture (50). The cutting head is rotatably supported in a drum (70) having a boss (90, 120) projecting rearwardly therefrom. The boss has a bearing receiving aperture (92, 122) formed therethrough. Sealed ball bearings (100, 130) are positioned in the aperture and rotatably support a shaft (48, 48') which in turn supports the cutting head. A slinger (110, 160) is mounted on the shaft between the cutting head and the bearings and serves to prevent water from engaging the bearings.

Abstract: A new and improved auger-type ice-making apparatus preferably includes at least a pair of removable and interchangeable head assemblies adapted for preselectively producing either relatively dry flake or chip ice, cube ice or smaller nugget-sized ice pieces. A new and improved auger assembly preferably formed from a synthetic plastic material and a new and improved evaporator element are also disclosed, either or both of which can be incorporated into an ice-making apparatus, with or without the interchangeable head assemblies. One preferred embodiment is adapted to preselectively alter the size of the cube or nugget ice pieces in order to preselectively produce a number of different sizes of ice pieces.

Abstract: A food-cutting apparatus comprises: a longitudinal supporting frame mounted in upright position on a base; an upper frame and a cutting plate below the upper frame both of which are fixed to a front surface of the supporting frame in lateral position; a longitudinal rotary main shaft provided on the upper frame movably up and down and provided with a holding member for a work at its lower end; a worm wheel meshing with a worm formed on the main shaft; a brake ring and a handle for moving the main shaft up and down, both of which are provided on a rotary shaft of the worm wheel; a brake shoe abutting on the brake ring for controlling a rotation of the worm wheel; a cover for enclosing a cutting operation area above the cutting plate, which cover is openable horizontally; an electric motor rotatably driving the main shaft; and a main switch provided in a control circuit for the motor; which food-cutting apparatus is characterized by further comprising: a stop means having its front end engaging portion engage w

Abstract: In a food slicer, a frame is mounted to posts standing uprightly on a base, a cutting plate is removably secured to an upper portion of the frame, and a transfer rotor is removably secured to an upper portion of a rotary shaft which passes through the frame and the cutting plate to extend upwards. The rotary shaft is rotatably supported by the frame and driven by a drive member disposed beneath the cutting plate. A hood is mounted to the base, for surrounding a region in which the drive member beneath the frame is arranged. The hood is mounted with a discharge chute which passes through an opening formed in the frame to reach an opening in the cutting plate for insertion of a cutting blade. The frame is connected with a drain pipe.

Abstract: An icemaker for automatically and continuously producing clear ice in cubes comprising (a) a triple-walled stationary evaporator drum disposed with a plurality of equally-spaced, radially outwardly projecting ridges, (b) a rotary perforated water distribution tube overlying the evaporator drum for delivering a continuous and predetermined amount of water to the freezing surface thereof, a water pump for supplying water to the distribution tube, and a rotary, sequentially-functioning cutter assembly which coacts with the water distribution tube to break, size and remove cubes from the layer of ice formed on the freezing surface of the evaporator drum.

Abstract: Soft-ice mixture, consisting of water or milk and commercially available powder, is frozen solid in a cylindrical container, then presented to a machine whereby the container is pressurized and which has an agitator that engages the surface of the solid to exert force along a narrow zone, whereby the material is locally melted. The momentarily melted material is immediately whipped by the agitator, before it refreezes. The agitator rotates at high speed (2,000 rpm) but advances into the material very slowly. For such action the agitator shaft is surrounded by an outer driver confined to rotation in one direction, with which the shaft has a splined connection, and the shaft in turn surrounds a threaded inner driver, with which the shaft has a threaded connection. For driving the agitator downward the inner driver is rotated in said direction, but slower than the outer driver; for driving it upward the inner driver is also rotated in said direction, but faster than the outer driver.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing easily solidifying powder and particles has a casing having a capacity for containing a required amount of easily solidifying powder and particles and having in its bottom portion a discharge opening for discharging powder and particles therethrough, a discharge conveyor placed at the bottom of the casing and extending horizontally or substantially horizontally, and a crusher disposed above the discharge conveyor for scraping powder and particles from the bottom of the mass of powder and particles above the discharge conveyor.

Abstract: A machine for breaking frozen lumps of coal into smaller lumps includes a housing, a rotor which revolves within the housing and has teeth for engaging the coal, and a breaker plate which together with the rotor forms a converging space into which the rotor moves the coal to break up any frozen lumps. In addition, the machine has a baffle plate which at its lower end pivots on the housing and is inclined downwardly toward the rotor so as to direct large frozen lumps of coal into the teeth of the rotor, at least when the machine is configured to process frozen coal. With little effort, the machine may be converted to a by-pass configuration which permits unfrozen coal to pass through the housing without coming into contact with the rotor, and this of course reduces wear on the rotor.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing ice including a plurality of elongated vertical tubes of uniform internal cross-sectional dimensions, a cylindrical shell for each tube of length less than the tube and surrounding a substantial portion of the length of the tube, the internal nominal diameter of the shell being greater than the maximum external cross-section dimensions of the tube, the shell having a spiral groove formed in the cylindrical wall thereof, the depth of the groove being such that the interior surface of the shell at the groove contacts at least part of the exterior surface of the tube thereby forming a flow path in the annular area between the exterior of the tube and the interior of the shell which is, at least in part, spiraled. Refrigerant gas is expanded in the tube-shell annular areas to chill the tubes. Water is introduced into the upper end of the tubes to flow downwardly through them and form in each tube a rod of ice.

Abstract: An ice making machine with an improved cube cutter is disclosed. A pair of oscillating pivotal cutter bars are disposed adjacent and beneath vertical ice making columns. The cutter bars are arranged to pivot in opposite directions so that as a rod or tube of ice falls therebetween, it is cut off into a cube, which then falls between the cutters into an appropriate receptacle.

Abstract: An ice breaking head for an ice producing machine is adjustable for producing harvested ice of selected sizes. The ice making machine has a cylinder, the inner surface of which produces commercial sheet ice. The ice is harvested by forcing the ice from out of the cylinder toward an ice breaking head. The position of ice breaking head is adjustable to vary the size of the ice harvested. The head has an ice breaking surface which contains fins for facilitating the breaking of the ice sheet. It is journalled on a mounting post which has keys or ribs of increasing heights which match corresponding keyway slots in the bore of the head so that the spacing of the head, and hence the size of the ice harvested, can be adjusted by changing the rotational position of the head on its mounting post.

Abstract: A cutter for an auger type icemaker including an auger shaft with an auger edge to scrape and guide upward the ice formed on the inner surface of a refrigerated casing, an extrusion head fitted to the upper end portion of the auger shaft and provided with ice compressing passages, and a cutter attached to the upper end of the auger shaft over the extrusion head for breaking the ice from the ice compressing passages. A positioning portion is disposed on the upper end of the auger shaft to position the cutter at a predetermined circumferential location. The cutter is provided with a cutter edge supporting portion with an attaching portion which is attached to the positioning portion and which can change the positioning location of the cutter in cooperation with the positioning portion.

Abstract: The ice harvesting machine described herein comprises one in which ice, formed in vertical cylinders, bars or sheets, is periodically thawed sufficiently to allow the ice to slide downward to a perforated endless belt having upwardly extending ribs or protrusions which strike the lower end of the ice and break it into pieces which are carried away by the endless belt. In a preferred modification, this machine comprises one in which cylinders of ice are formed on the inside and outside of two pipes arranged with an annular space between the two pipes, through which annular space a refrigerant, such as freon, is circulated while water is allowed to run down the outside surface of the outer pipe and also down the inside surface of the inner pipe. These streams of water are chilled by the refrigerant in the annular space until an appropriate thickness of cylinders of ice has been formed on the outside and inside surfaces where the water had been running.

Abstract: Apparatus for shaving ice from block of ice and producing selected quantities of finely divided ice particles for use in drinks, refreshments and the like. A power driven rotary shaving head incorporating ice shaving cutters is rotated against a block of ice to shave particles of ice therefrom. The ice block is moved against the shaving head by a pusher mechanism incorporating a wobble plate which grips a transverse guide and support rod under selective manual control. An externally positioned operator lever is manipulated by the user to induce precisely controlled movement of the ice pusher.