Abstract: Coir plugs have spherical plugs of coir pith having a diameter in the range of 1 to 3 inches having a seam between two halves of the plug, and indentations in a surface of the plugs, configured to receive a seed. A method of producing coir plugs includes at least one compressing of coir material using opposed half ball cup cylinders to produce spherical plugs having a diameter in the range of 1 to 3 inches and a seam between the two halves, and forming an indentation in a surface of the spherical plugs.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing clear ice products is provided. The system includes a freezing module, a demolding module, and a converting station. The freezing module includes a frame comprising a plurality of levels, a plate freezer provided at each level, and at least one mold provided for placement on each plate freezer and suitable for receiving water. A control frame is provided associated with each plate freezer and is movable from an elevated position to fill position. In the fill position, the control frame is at least partially disposed within the mold. One or more circulation pumps are associated with each control frame for circulating water in the mold to release air bubbles as the water freezes. The demolding module removes the mold from the freezing module and removes formed ice from the mold. The converting station converts the formed ice into a clear ice product.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator door and an ice maker. The ice maker includes an ice storage container disposed on the refrigerator door, a stirrer provided in the ice storage container and an ice knife assembly provided in the ice storage container. The stirrer includes a rotary shaft and the rotary shaft of the stirrer is in a first fixed position relative to the ice storage container. The ice knife assembly includes a rotary shaft and the rotary shaft of the ice knife assembly is in a second fixed position relative to the ice storage container. The rotary shaft of the stirrer is located above the rotary shaft of the ice knife assembly, and an orthographic projection of the rotary shaft of the stirrer in a horizontal plane is perpendicular to that of the rotary shaft of the ice knife assembly in the same horizontal plane.

Abstract: An ice maker includes an ice making unit and an ice storage bin. A frame is positioned between the ice making unit and the storage bin. An ice making tray is coupled with the frame, including a base defining a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures. A plurality of ice forming features is positioned proximate the first plurality of apertures. The ice forming features are coupled to and extend away from the base. A heating element is in thermal communication with the ice forming features. A wastewater disposal assembly is coupled with the ice making tray.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to create falling snow for use at ski resorts, theme parks and test and training facilities for use with drones, motor vehicles, autonomous vehicles and aircraft components.

Abstract: A device for selectively providing crushed or uncrushed ice includes a storage receptacle for storing uncrushed ice pieces, and a grinder, which is fed with ice pieces from the storage receptacle, for crushing the ice pieces. The grinder is concealed behind an end wall which is arranged on a side of the grinder that is opposite the storage receptacle. A mechanical switching element is associated with the grinder and can be switched between two working positions. In its first working position, ice pieces received from the storage receptacle are necessarily introduced into the operating range of the grinder and in its second working position a bypass passage is freed for ice pieces received from the storage receptacle past the grinder. The device also includes a movable adjusting element in mechanical adjusting connection with the switching element.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes an ice compartment region disposed in at least one of a fresh food compartment or a freezer compartment; an ice maker disposed in the ice compartment region and configured to make ice pieces; and an ice bucket assembly configured to store the ice pieces made by the ice maker. The ice bucket assembly includes a mechanism for producing nugget ice from the ice pieces made by the ice maker and stored in the ice bucket assembly, the nugget ice being smaller in size as compared to the ice pieces made by the ice maker and stored in the ice bucket assembly.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and ice dispenser is provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, an ice maker attached to the cabinet, a dispenser recess defined on the refrigerator appliance, and a dispenser conduit disposed within the dispenser recess. The dispenser conduit may include a chute wall. The chute wall may define an ice passage, one or more fluid inlets, a manifold channel, and one or more fluid outlets. A fluid inlet may be positioned radially outward from the ice passage in fluid communication with a fluid source selectively supplying a fluid flow thereto. The manifold channel may extend within the chute wall about at least a portion of the ice passage. The manifold channel may be in downstream fluid communication with the fluid inlet. A fluid outlet may be defined through the chute wall in downstream fluid communication with the manifold channel.

Abstract: In a light microscope (1) for cryomicroscopy, encompassing at least an objective (2) and a sample stage (3) having a cutout (7) for a coolable holder (8) for a sample carrier mount, the cutout (7) being covered by a cover (6), the sample stage (3) is displaceable in two horizontal directions (4). The cover (6) rests floatingly on the sample stage (3), and the objective (2) passes through a cutout (12), corresponding to the objective (2), in the cover (6). The method for cooling a holder (8) for a sample carrier mount in a light microscope (1) for cryomicroscopes, by means of a flow of liquid nitrogen through a cooling conduit (15), open at at least one end, in the holder (8), is notable for the fact that the quantity of liquid nitrogen is dimensioned so that all of the nitrogen is present in gaseous form at at least one open end (16) of the cooling conduit (15).

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope combined with a device for acting on a probe and a specimen relates to measurement technology, more specifically to devices for measuring objects by probe methods after nano-sectioning. Same can be used for studying the structures of biological and polymeric specimens under low-temperature conditions. The aim of the invention is to raise the operating efficiency of elements of the measurement unit of a scanning probe microscope which is combined with a device for acting on a probe and a specimen. The technical result of the invention consists in raising the resolution of the device and the quality of the image, as well as expanding the functional capabilities of the device by examining a broader range of specimens.

Abstract: An appliance for producing frozen food products, such as ice cream or slush drinks, includes a cooling cylinder connected in a refrigeration circuit, the cooling cylinder including a thermally-conductive cylinder wall and end cap closing the distal end of the cylinder wall, the cylinder wall and end cap separating refrigerant on one side from product to be frozen on the other side. A divider member disposed adjacent the cylinder wall forms contiguous evaporator compartments spaced apart axially. Restrictor passages in the divider member permit communication between contiguous compartments and refrigerant first enters the first-cooled evaporator compartment at one of the axial ends and flows in series between the evaporator compartments. For fast, efficient freezing of small batches, the product to be frozen is either driven by the auger, or drains, toward the first-cooled evaporator compartment.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided including an ice making assembly. The ice making assembly includes a storage container that has a discharge zone including a crushing assembly for selectively crushing formed ice before dispensing the ice through the dispenser of the refrigerator. The crushing assembly includes both rotating and fixed crushing blades, and including crushing teeth for crushing the formed ice cubes therebetween. A diverter wedge may be positioned at or formed integrally with the fixed crushing blades such that the diverter wedge closes any gap between the rotating blades and the wall of the discharge zone. The diverter wedge can include a sloped portion to move any smaller or differently-shaped cubes from the outer edge of the discharge zone to between the crushing blades such that it is ensured that the cubes are crushed before being dispensed.

Abstract: A container for the transport and/or the storage of objects is described. A container of this type features a detection device for determining information on the occupancy status and/or the filling status of the container. The detection device is capable of detecting different light intensities in the region of the inner container wall and of generating corresponding sensor signals. Furthermore, an interface is provided for producing a connection with a signal processing unit, in which image information on the filling status and/or occupancy status of the container can be generated based on the sensor signals.

Abstract: Disclosed are an ice maker, a refrigerator having the ice maker, and a method for supplying ice of the refrigerator. An ice making container long in a vertical direction is installed on a side wall surface of a refrigerator door, makes ice, and pushes up the ice by screws to release the ice, whereby the size of the ice maker can be reduced, the area occupied by the ice maker can be reduced, and a refrigerator having the ice maker can become slimmer. Also, because an installation height of the ice maker is lowered to shorten a cold air supply path and prevent a loss in the process of supplying cold air to the ice making chamber. Also, because a cutting operation is performed simultaneously when the ice is lifted, a fabrication cost can be reduced and a defective state due to malfunction can be prevented.

Abstract: A refrigeration device includes an actuating element, and an ice crusher which is activated by the actuating element and configured to crush ice for a period of time during which the actuating element is actuated. The ice crusher is configured to release the crushed ice after actuation of the actuating element has concluded or after a preselectable period of time has elapsed.

Abstract: A dedicated, hermetically sealed ice maker is provided. The ice maker includes a compartment including an ice tray and an ice bin disposed at least partially in the compartment. A dedicated ice maker circuit is disposed at least partially within the compartment and includes a microcompressor, condenser, expansion device, and evaporated. The dedicated circuit is used to cool air inside the ice maker compartment for forming ice in the ice tray in the compartment and for preventing melting of formed ice cubes in the ice bin. The ice maker may be used within or outside of a refrigerator. When used within the refrigerator, the ice maker will have its own dedicated hermetically sealed unit, including the plurality of thermally insulated walls. The ice maker may also be connected to a dispenser of a refrigerator for dispensing the formed ice.

Abstract: An ice crushing system includes multiple sets of interleaved blades with some of the blades being provided with a series of raised protrusions on one or more faces. With this arrangement, the spacing between the interleaved blades is reduced and a finer crushed ice consistency is established. In accordance with aspects of the invention, the raised protrusions are staggered along each side of a set of fixed blades, with the raised protrusions on one side of a fixed blade overlapping the raised protrusions on the opposing side.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for automatically turning off an electrically powered actuator in a refrigeration mechanism upon detection of an unwanted condition. In one aspect of the invention, the electrically powered actuator can be the motor of an ice maker/dispenser. The detection can be accomplished by sensing the presence of an object along or near an ice dispensing pathway from the ice maker/dispenser. The unwanted condition could be the presence of the object for more than a preset time period. This would allow to distinguish between an unwanted object such as silverware or clogged ice versus a wanted object such as flowing ice cubes, crushed ice, or shaved ice.

Abstract: A refrigerator is described that includes a slim refrigerator door. The refrigerator includes a storage compartment, a refrigerator door to open and close the storage compartment, and an ice maker to generate ice cubes. The refrigerator further includes an ice bin—at the refrigerator door to receive the ice cubes generated in the ice maker and having a discharge opening—for discharging the ice cubes. The refrigerator further includes a motor—at the refrigerator—and at least one blade—within the ice bin and connected to the—motor. The at least one ice cube directly drops onto the at least one blade. The at least one blade moves the at least one ice cube to the discharge and discharges the at least one ice cube from the ice bin by an operation of the motor.

Abstract: An ice making system for a refrigerator includes a base member; an icemaker mounted to the base member for making ice pieces; a driving unit mounted to a rear surface of the base member such that a motor shaft thereof is in a horizontal state; an ice bank horizontally inserted into the base member in a detachable manner, for storing the ice pieces made by the icemaker; a detachable mounting unit for detachably mounting the ice bank to the base member; and an ice crusher assembly provided at the ice bank so as to be connected to or separated from the driving unit, for crushing the ice pieces. Since the ice bank has only to be horizontally pushed into the base member for coupling, or horizontally pulled out of the base member for separation, processes for coupling or separating the ice bank to/from the base member are facilitated.

Abstract: An ice bin and a method of transferring ice using the same include a case having an upper portion configured to store ice produced by an ice maker, and a dispensing port at one side of a lower end of the case configured to dispense ice to the outside; a transferring unit that transfers ice from a lower portion of the case to the upper portion of the case; and a crushing unit configured to crush ice transferred by the transferring unit, and discharge the crushed ice to the dispensing port.

Abstract: An ice bin and a method of crushing ice using the same, in which the ice bin includes a case having an upper portion configured to store ice produced by an ice maker, and a dispensing port at one side of a lower end or surface of the case configured to dispense the ice; a transferring unit that transfers the ice from a lower portion of the case to the upper portion of the case; and a crushing unit configured to crush the ice transferred by the transferring unit and discharge the ice to the dispensing port, wherein the crushing unit selectively discharges the ice as ice cubes or as crushed ice.

Abstract: A portable cooler includes an insulated body that defines a main interior storage space, and a lid structured to at least partially cover the main interior storage space. The lid includes an integrated blender or an integrated blender drive. Components of the blender may include a source of electrical power, an electric motor, and a blender spindle mounted through a surface of the lid and coupled to the electric motor. The integrated blender may also include a blender jar structured to hold food items for blending and one or more blending blades. The lid may further include a blender recess shaped in a negative mold of a collar of the blender jar to prevent the blender jar from rotating during operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for breaking ice clumps in a refrigerator. The apparatus includes an ice storage bin, an axle rotatably supported by an ice storage bin, an actuator operatively coupled to the axle and an ice breaker operatively coupled to the actuator. The ice breaker moves in a reciprocal manner upon the driving of the axle and the actuator. Such reciprocal movement of the ice breaker breaks ice clumps in the storage bin.

Abstract: A mobile cooler having an ice maker includes: a main body having first and second spaces which are thermally blocked; a cooling device positioned at a lower portion of the main body and providing cooling air to the first and second spaces; a plurality of shelves installed in the first space; an ice tray installed in the second space; an ice bank positioned on a lower surface of the ice tray and detachably mounted in the main body; and a cover that covers an opening in which the ice bank is inserted.

Abstract: The heat exchanger is adapted for cooling a coolant (e.g., water), used to cool a device or an area (e.g., building interior), such as during periods of peak energy cost and usage, to save energy and energy costs. The heat exchanger includes a coolant storage tank with one or more refrigerant circulators in contact with the floor of the tank. The circulators use a refrigerant having a freezing temperature colder than the coolant, with coolant on the floor of the tank forming a layer of ice thereon. A rotary scraper extends up through the tank floor from each circulator, with the scrapers operating to remove the thin layer of ice from the floor as the ice forms. The resulting ice chips are relatively small and thin, thus having a relatively large surface area for their volume in order to maximize melting and rapid cooling of the coolant.

Abstract: An ice dispensing assembly that can provide whole, crushed, or shaved ice is described. Rotating blades are carried by a cylinder while locking blades are positioned on a shaft within the cylinder. The cylinder can rotate in different directions to provide whole ice or crushed ice. A control plate can be used to position a shaving blade so as to provide for shaved ice as well.

Abstract: An ice bank of a refrigerator is provided. The ice bank includes an ice accommodation chamber storing ice pieces made by an ice maker, and an ice pressing unit circulating the ice pieces by pressing the ice pieces for preventing sticking of the ice pieces in the ice accommodation chamber.

Abstract: An ice bank for a refrigerator, comprises: an ice bank body having an ice-crushing unit and a discharging passage; and a mode conversion apparatus disposed in the ice bank body for guiding ice cubes to the ice-crushing unit, or guiding the ice cubes to the discharging passage for discharge in a non-crushed state, wherein the mode conversion apparatus comprises: a guide member rotatably disposed in the ice bank body for guiding ice cubes to the ice-crushing unit, or to the discharging passage for discharge in a non-crushed state; an elastic member for elastically supporting the guide member; and a driving unit for generating a driving force so as to rotate the guide member. Accordingly, ice cubes can be dispensed in a non-crushed state or in a crushed state, and limitations in installation places of the ice bank can be reduced.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a body, a storage compartment provided in the body, a door to open and close the storage compartment, an icemaker provided to one side of the storage compartment, an ice bucket provided under the icemaker, and a crusher provided to the rear surface of the door and having an inlet disposed under the outlet of the ice bucket when the door is closed. The crusher may be provided separately from the ice bucket and may independently mounted and detached to and from the rear surface of the door. The ice bucket may have a slimmer design. The space utilization and usability of the storage compartments and the rear surface of the doors may be enhanced.

Abstract: A method for operating a refrigerator having a driving assembly and an ice storage bin. The driving assembly is releasably engageable with the ice storage bin. The driving assembly has a motor fork. The ice storage bin supports an axle, to which a coupler is secured. The method includes engaging the motor fork with the coupler secured, rotating the motor fork in a first direction based on a user's input, and rotating the motor fork in a second direction opposite to the first direction for a predetermined time or by a predetermined angle at the end of the user's input.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for forming frozen foam products, including edible products, using air or gases or gas mixtures having an average molecular weight larger than that of air, wherein the products contain bubbles having a reduced average size preferably in a narrow size range.

Abstract: A drilling system including a motor that produces a sonic, linear oscillatory motion is provided for removing a frozen biological sample from a stored frozen specimen and methods of use thereof without thawing the remainder of the specimen. The stator and slider assembly is operated by a servo controller which can communicate and be programmed through a port of a PC equipped with software.

Abstract: An ice dispenser for a refrigeration appliance is provided that can deliver both crushed ice and whole or non-crushed ice. A rotating drum or cylinder carries one or more blades that can crush ice against non-rotating blades carried on an axis or rod that extends into the drum. The direction of rotation of the drum can be selected so as to determine whether crushed or non-crushed ice is dispensed. The dispensing system can be located on the door of the refrigerator. An ice maker can also be positioned with the ice dispenser on the door of the appliance or, optionally, can be located in a compartment of the refrigerator.

Abstract: An ice crushing system includes multiple sets of interleaved blades with some of the blades being provided with a series of raised protrusions on one or more faces. With this arrangement, the spacing between the interleaved blades is reduced and a finer crushed ice consistency is established. In accordance with aspects of the invention, the raised protrusions are staggered along each side of a set of fixed blades, with the raised protrusions on one side of a fixed blade overlapping the raised protrusions on the opposing side.

Abstract: An ice dispenser for a refrigeration appliance is provided that can deliver both crushed ice and whole or non-crushed ice. A rotating drum or cylinder carries one or more blades that can crush ice against non-rotating blades carried on an axis or rod that extends into the drum. The direction of rotation of the drum can be selected so as to determine whether crushed or non-crushed ice is dispensed. The dispensing system can be located on the door of the refrigerator. An ice maker can also be positioned with the ice dispenser on the door of the appliance or, optionally, can be located in a compartment of the refrigerator.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided including an ice making assembly. The ice making assembly includes a storage container that has a discharge zone including a crushing assembly for selectively crushing formed ice before dispensing the ice through the dispenser of the refrigerator. The crushing assembly includes both rotating and fixed crushing blades, and including crushing teeth for crushing the formed ice cubes therebetween. A diverter wedge may be positioned at or formed integrally with the fixed crushing blades such that the diverter wedge closes any gap between the rotating blades and the wall of the discharge zone. The diverter wedge can include a sloped portion to move any smaller or differently-shaped cubes from the outer edge of the discharge zone to between the crushing blades such that it is ensured that the cubes are crushed before being dispensed.

Abstract: A stand alone ice making appliance or an ice maker within an appliance is provided including a fluid supply inlet, a fluid reservoir that is configured to receive a fluid from the fluid supply inlet, a cooling plate that is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, a refrigeration device in thermal contact with the cooling plate that is configured to freeze a predetermined amount of fluid to form a section of ice, a cutter grid configured adjacent the cooling plate to divide the section of ice, wherein at least a portion of the ice produces an excess fluid, an ice storage area in communication with the cutter grid where the storage area has at least one vertical wall, and a fluid diverter configured adjacent the cutter grid that is configured to direct the excess fluid toward the at least one vertical wall.

Abstract: A refrigerator and a device for ice discharging are disclosed. The device for ice discharging includes a case having an ice introduction opening and an ice discharge opening (312); a rotation member (320) rotatable in the case to transfer ice that is held in a predetermined amount to be discharged; and a discharge adjustment part (340) spaced apart a predetermined space from the rotation member (320) to adjust the number of the ices transferred by the rotation member, such that a fixed amount of the ice is substantially discharged. The refrigerator includes the device for ice discharging therein.

Abstract: An ice-containing member having a plurality of interior chambers separated by substantially radially-extending chamber walls. A base is disposed below the ice-containing member and includes an ice-dispensing aperture. A lid is adjacent to the ice-containing member and operable between a first position. The lid is in abutting contact with the ice-containing member and a second position. The lid is spaced a predetermined distance from the housing.

Abstract: A drilling system including a motor that produces a sonic, linear oscillatory motion is provided for removing a frozen biological sample from a stored frozen specimen and methods of use thereof without thawing the remainder of the specimen. The stator and slider assembly is operated by a servo controller which can communicate and be programmed through a port of a PC equipped with software.

Abstract: An ice storage device and a refrigerator and purifier including the ice storage device are disclosed. The ice storage device includes an ice storage box, a plurality of ice outlets provided in the ice storage box and an ice transfer member provided in the ice storage box, to transfer ice to the plurality of the ice outlets selectively. An object of the present invention is to provide an ice storage device capable of discharging ice along various directions, and a refrigerator and purifier including the ice storage device.

Abstract: An ice dispensing assembly that can provide whole, crushed, or shaved ice is described. Rotating blades are carried by a cylinder while locking blades are positioned on a shaft within the cylinder. The cylinder can rotate in different directions to provide whole ice or crushed ice. A control plate can be used to position a shaving blade so as to provide for shaved ice as well.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing beverages. The apparatus comprises a dispensing system, a mixing unit, and a control unit comprising a user interface, which interact to prepare a particular beverage when requested by a user. When the control unit receives user input requesting the particular beverage via the user interface, it causes the dispensing system to dispense various ingredients (e.g., fragmented ice, water, flavoring ingredients, milk product) that are mixed by the mixing unit in order to prepare the particular beverage, which is served in a cup. In various embodiments, the apparatus may produce frozen beverages that include fragmented ice (e.g., shaved or crushed ice) as one of their ingredients, such as slush beverages and smoothie beverages, and/or hot beverages that include heated water as one of their ingredients, such as coffee and flavored coffee beverages (e.g., French Vanilla, Mocha, etc.).

Abstract: An ice making assembly includes a mold configured for forming an ice cube. The mold has a base, a side wall, and an opening in the side wall spaced from the base. An auger has a shaft with a proximal end above and outside of the mold, a distal end within the mold, and a central section between the distal end and the proximal end and extending through the opening. The auger further has a threaded portion configured for moving the ice cube out of the mold through the opening via rotation of the auger. A motor may be located above the mold and attached to the proximal end of the shaft for rotating the auger to lift the ice cube from the mold. The ice cubes may be formed with a gap and a splitter may split the ice cubes at the gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing flake ice from a liquid, comprising a tub receiving the liquid, a rotatably supported roller which partly dips into the liquid received in the tub, a refrigerating device for cooling the surface of the roller and a scraper for removing ice formed at the surface of the roller from the liquid.

Abstract: A product dispenser reconfigurable in the field includes a housing, at least one tower unit, and a removable ambient box. The at least one tower unit includes at least one dispense point, whereby a product or diluent is delivered from a diluent or product source to the dispense point. The ambient box is an insulated product path that is adaptable to at least one external source and the tower units or the dispense points. The external source may be conditioned externally or may deliver an ambient temperature product, wherein the product circuits passing through the ambient box may deliver product to any tower unit, thereby providing increased product variability within a same product dispenser. The product dispenser still further includes a tower structure that is removable without disabling the product circuits, and a method of merchandising on the tower structure.

Abstract: A structure of an ice making compartment of a refrigerator capable of enlarging the volume of a storage compartment by reducing a width of an ice making compartment, and capable of easily discharging the whole ice separately from pieces of ice, the refrigerator including an opening/closing member configured to open and close a portion of a discharge hole and having a cover portion to prevent the whole ice from being discharged in a state that the portion of the discharge hole is closed, the refrigerator including an opening/closing member integrally formed with a fixed blade configured to crush ice in cooperation with a rotary blade.

Abstract: A structure of an auger motor assembly capable of easily installing an auger motor to drive an auger at an inside an ice making compartment, a solenoid valve to select whether to crush ice, an ice making compartment fan to flow the air at an inside the ice making compartment, and a drain hose to discharge the defrost water of the ice making tray to an outside the ice making compartment, so that the auger motor assembly is installed easily at an inside the ice making compartment by being inserted into the inside the ice making compartment through an open front surface of the ice making compartment in a sliding manner.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator including a mixing box detachably provided on a refrigerator door. Due to the mixing box, a user can conveniently utilize a beverage having a slushy shape.