Abstract: A controlled-type recalcitrant high-concentration freeze-separation apparatus, includes: a condenser having therein a condenser stainless antifreeze tube formed in a cell and tube form, and a condenser copper refrigerant tube formed in a cell and tube form inside the stainless antifreeze tube to block direct contact between circulating water flowing into the condenser and the condenser copper refrigerant tube; and an evaporator having therein an evaporator stainless antifreeze tube formed in a form of a cell and tube inside, and an evaporator copper refrigerant tube formed in a cell and tube form inside the evaporator stainless antifreeze tube to block direct contact between circulating water flowing into the evaporator and the evaporator copper refrigerant tube.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet with one or more food compartments and one or more doors closing the food compartments and an ice maker located in the cabinet to produce ice. The ice maker includes a mold body for forming ice, the mold body having multiple cups, where each cup has an opening for receiving water to be frozen within the cup. The mold body is divided into at least a first zone and a second zone and the ice maker including at least a first heater and a second heater configured to provide heat to the first and second zones of the mold body, respectively, and a controller configured to harvest ice from the first zone independently of the second zone by actuating the first heater to provide heat to the first zone of the mold body to facilitate a release of ice from the first zone.

Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus including a control unit which starts the operation of the refrigerant compressor in response to an operation signal and which regulates the pressure reducing device so that the temperature of a refrigerant in the water heat exchanger becomes +80 ° C. or more and the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator becomes 0 ° C. or less. The control unit detects a state where a cold storage amount in the cold storage unit reaches a predetermined amount or more and another state where the control unit judges whether the hot water storage tank is full of the hot water, after the elapse of a predetermined time from the start of the operation of the refrigerant compressor, and it stops the operation of the refrigerant compressor when one of the states is satisfied.

Abstract: A hybrid storage absorption refrigeration system and method. The system includes a thermal collector, a condenser, an evaporator, a cold storage tank, an absorber, a weak solution tank, a strong solution tank, a refrigerant storage tank, a refrigerant heat exchanger, and a solution heat exchanger. The method includes providing heat from a thermal collector to produce a refrigerant vapor from strong solution, condensing the refrigerant vapor, producing a refrigeration effect in an evaporator, chilling a cold storage medium in a cold storage tank, combining refrigerant vapor with weak solution in an absorber to produce strong solution, storing weak solution, storing strong solution, storing refrigerant, exchanging heat between hot and cold refrigerants in a refrigerant heat exchanger, and exchanging heat between weak solution and strong solution in a solution heat exchanger.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a body provided with a freezing compartment, a refrigerating compartment and an ice making compartment provided in the refrigerating compartment; an ice making unit including an ice making tray to produce ice in the ice making compartment; an ice storage container to store the ice made by the ice making unit; and a refrigerant pipe protruding from an interior wall of the body to supply cooling energy to the ice making compartment. A drainage duct is disposed between the ice making unit and the ice storage container adapted to prevent water drops from the ice making unit falling into the ice storage container. The drainage duct include at least one fixer configured to push the refrigerant pipe to a lower surface of the ice making tray to contact the refrigerant pipe with the lower surface of the ice making tray.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet having a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment. There is a fresh food compartment door for providing access to the fresh food compartment and an ice compartment mounted at the fresh food compartment door. A cold plate is mounted within the fresh food compartment and adapted for cooling the ice compartment when the fresh food compartment door is in a closed position.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a freezer segment for a freezer of the type used for casting confectionery in molds which are cooled for freezing and subsequently supplied with heat for a short period, whereafter stripping occurs. Cooling of the molds is effected by using direct evaporation of CO2. The advantage of such a freezer segment is that there is no use for both a primary and a secondary cooling circuit. Another advantage in using a system according to the invention is that working with temperatures down to about minus 50° C. is enabled, compared to about minus 40° C. with brine systems. The low freezing temperature entails that the capacity of a given system is increased by about 40%.

Abstract: Provided are an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same. The ice maker for making ice is provided on a rear side of a refrigerator door. A tray cover, a water flood prevention rib, and a rotation guide are provided to prevent flooding of water stored in an ice tray forming the ice maker while the refrigerator door is opened/closed. According to the ice maker and the refrigerator, reduction in a storage capacity of the refrigerator is prevented, flooding of water for making ice is prevented, and the ice maker can be more easily used.

Abstract: An ice making unit and a refrigerator having the same are discussed. The refrigerator includes an ice making unit arranged in the ice making compartment, to produce ice, and a refrigeration cycle comprising a refrigerant pipe to supply cooling energy to the ice making compartment. Air present in the ice making compartment is cooled while undergoing direct heat exchange with at least one of the ice making unit and the refrigerant pipe.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ice maker systems are disclosed. One exemplary method comprises the steps of: heating an ice mold body to separate ice formed in the ice mold body from the ice mold body; releasing the separated ice from the ice mold body; and contacting at least a portion of the ice mold body with a heat transfer fluid to cool the ice mold body.

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: An ice maker and a refrigerator having the same include an ice making container which is maintained at a temperature higher than a freezing point of water. Ace core rods having the temperature lower than the freezing point are inserted into the ice making container to cause water in the container to freeze. Accordingly, water at the periphery of the ice making container remains liquid which the water surrounding the ice core rods freezes. As a result, air bubbles generated when the ice is made can be discharged from the liquid portions of the water at the outer edges of the container. This results in ice without trapped air bubbles, which allows excellent transparent ice pieces to be formed. In some embodiments, the exterior surfaces of the ice making container are maintained at a temperature lower than the freezing point of water, and thawing rods maintained at the temperature higher than the freezing point of water are inserted into the center portions of the ice making container.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus which includes an ice making tray to produce ice and an ejector rotatably disposed at the ice making tray, including a plurality of ice making cells formed in the ice making tray, wherein each of the ice making cells includes a freezing portion in which ice is produced and a buffering portion which is formed as a specified space at one side of the freezing portion to prevent water of the freezing portion from flowing out of the ice making tray. Accordingly, even in a refrigerator having the ice making apparatus installed on a rear surface of the door, the ice making apparatus can permanently provide an effect of preventing water inside the ice making cells from flowing out of the ice making tray due to an opening/closing operation of the door.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a cold air flow passage structure for allowing ice, which is received in an ice-storing device provided in a refrigerating chamber door, to be in a frozen state without being melted. The refrigerator of the present invention comprises a main body including at least a refrigerating chamber and a cold air flow passage for supplying cold air to the refrigerating chamber, a refrigerating chamber door for opening or closing the refrigerating chamber, and an ice bank provided in the refrigerating chamber door and having a container for storing ice therein, wherein at least a portion of the cold air discharged from the cold air flow passage is discharged directly to the ice bank. According to the refrigerator of the present invention, even though an ice bank for storing ice is provided in a refrigerating chamber door, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon by which ice is partially melted and stuck again together.

Abstract: A frozen comestible maker suitable for home use includes single or multiple molding cavities for forming frozen comestibles, a heat exchanger for maximizing the heat transfer away from the fluid that is being frozen in the molding cavities, a refrigerant solution with a depressed freezing point in contact with the heat exchangers, a base container to seal the refrigerant solution from the fluid that is being frozen, and a bezel piece to retain spills and aid with handling. The refrigerant solution is captured between the molding cavities and the base container. One or more sticks, a drip cup, and an extraction tool may be provided with the frozen comestible maker for preparing and extracting shaped frozen comestibles, such as ice pops and popsicles, therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator and an ice maker thereof, and more particularly, to an ice maker provided in a refrigerating chamber of a refrigerator. An ice maker according to the present invention comprises a tray for storing a drinkable water to be used for making ice, an ejector for separating ice formed in the tray, an ice-making pipe provided in the tray, and a heating member provided in the tray. According to a refrigerator and an ice maker thereof according to the present invention, there is no need for forming an additional duct to supply cold air to the ice maker in order to make ice, whereby it is possible to simplify a manufacturing process of a refrigerator and to reduce manufacturing costs of a refrigerator.

Abstract: A transportable disaster-relief generating system is a power generated, multi-functional, and compact relief unit with means for providing area lighting via a power generator, purifying and storing potable water from a non-potable water source, and creating ice utilizing purified water. The disaster-relief unit of the present invention may further provide a portable ice storage bin in a knockdown configuration to hold a large quantity of ice. A bladder may be used to hold potable water produced. The equipment is physically protected by the structural framework and base. The device may comprise access doors and suitable paneling on the walls and roof of the device.

Abstract: An ice maker for a domestic appliance comprises an ice tray, a water feed line which can be used to fill the ice tray with water, a water filter which is arranged in the water feed line such that it can be replaced, and a monitoring unit for calculating a value which is representative of the degree of wear of the filter. The monitoring unit has means for changing the representative value by a first fixed step width each time the ice tray is filled.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing frozen comestibles including a container having an interior portion holding a refrigerant solution, and a mold insert attached to the container. The mold insert includes a base, molding cavities extending therefrom, and a heat exchanger in communication with the molding cavities. The mold insert is received within the container such that the molding cavities are housed within the interior portion of the container and the heat exchangers are submerged within the refrigerant solution. The molding cavities include exposed openings that receive fluids to be frozen. When the refrigerant solution is at a sufficiently cool temperature, the fluids freeze into a shaped frozen comestible.

Abstract: The present invention provides an easy and convenient way of cooling or chilling beverage containers. An ice mold is filled with water. The water is froze in the ice mold to form a block of ice having at least one beverage recess formed therein. The block of ice is removed from the ice mold and placed in the basin of the sink such that the block of ice is closely supported by the basin of the sink and beverage containers can be received in the beverage recesses in the block of ice.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a mould box for creating form-moulded items of edible ice from an ice mass. The method includes filling at least one mould created between a number of mould boxes with ice mass, and the introduction of cooling or heating medium into the mould boxes, where the flow of the cooling or heating medium is controlled by one or more control units in the mould boxes.

Abstract: An ice producing apparatus for a refrigerator includes a storage tank configured to store a cooling medium. A first heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the storage tank and is configured to have the cooling medium flow therethrough to be cooled. An ice mold includes at least one cavity that is configured to retain water therein. A second heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger and is configured to have the cooling medium flow therethrough to freeze the water in the ice mold to produce ice.

Abstract: An ice making assembly for a refrigerator and a method for controlling the ice making assembly. The ice making assembly and the method of controlling the ice making assembly producing transparent ice and capable of preventing water overflow, the freezing of water that has overflowed, and the spilling out of water that has overflowed.

Abstract: An icemaker having a mold comprising at least one cavity and a cooling system. The cooling system has a first heat exchanger configured to have a medium flow there through. The first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the mold to reduce the temperature of the mold below a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for converting liquid (60) in a container (50) to a semi-frozen slurry (61) or frozen ice particles, where a refrigerant (41) is contained within a refrigerant cavity (40) defined by two walls (20, 30), the flexing/deformation of at least one of the walls (20, 30) agitating the liquid (60) to assist the conversion thereof into the semi-frozen slurry (61) or ice particles.

Abstract: A compact ice-making device is provided for making ice chips of varied shapes for use in glasses of whiskey and water, and the like purposes. Ice is made using an ice-making vessel (13) for making a plank-like block of ice with a shaft (18) inserted in advance in the vessel, the shaft (18) having ribs (18A) extending substantially radially from a rotating axis. Upon completion of the ice making, a gear unit (20) connected to the shaft (18) is driven by a motor to rotate the shaft (18), which cracks and divides the plank-like ice block into ice chips of varied shapes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus 10 for producing ice containing ozone by injecting ozonated water in which ozone is dissolved or suspended into a cylindrical-shaped container 14 provided with an airtight lid 12 at one side of the container 14, and by cooling down the ozonated water injected into the cylindrical-shaped container 14 in a pressurized state to generate finer bubbles containing the ozone by freezing the ozonated water. The method and apparatus make it possible to produce ice containing ozone in which the ozone is sealed in a higher percentage and the ozone bubbles are uniformly dispersed.

Abstract: A high throughput, short batch cycle commercial ice making machine produces salt containing, milk containing or beverage containing commercial ice, which resists melting in convenient sizes for mobile food carts, market produce, or fish displays. The machine introduces super-cooled liquid, that is in a liquid state while exposed to a temperature below freezing, into a batch of pre-formed hollow molds of one or more horizontally oriented ice forming freezing trays oriented horizontally. Using vapor compression refrigeration, the machine produces a plurality of supercooled ice segments in pockets within the freezing tray. The supercooled ice segments are rapidly subjected to a short, temporary contact with a high heat source from a sleeve integral with the freezing tray compartments, along a peripheral bottom surface of the ice segment accommodating freezing tray molds. This temporarily melts a bottom surface of each ice segment, lubricating it and loosening it.

Abstract: A system for controlled freezing, storing and thawing of a biopharmaceutical material includes a cavity for receiving a container for holding the biopharmaceutical material. Further included are at least a pair of opposed surfaces facing the biopharmaceutical material holding container. At least one of the opposed surfaces includes a moveable contacting surface configured to contact the container to inhibit a clearance between the container and the movable contacting surface. Also included is at least one heat transfer surface which is thermally coupled to the biopharmaceutical material holding container when the moveable contacting surface contacts the container. Also, the cavity may be configured to receive a frame for supporting the container holding the biopharmaceutical material. Further, the system may include a driver to move the frame holding the container inside the cavity.

Abstract: A bacteria resistant butcher table is having a flat level top including a shallow tub within which is placed a butcher block or work surface. Water fills the tub over the top of the work surface insert and is frozen therein. As food preparation proceeds, layers of ice which now constitute the work surface are worn away and replaced by newly frozen water provided from around the sides of the work surface block. A refrigeration system is provided beneath the flat top and has its cooling coils arranged immediately beneath the tub. Water is provided through perforated water piping about the sides of the tub work surface insert. Four support legs include leveling pads or feet to keep the top perfectly level.

Abstract: A system for controlled freezing, storing and thawing a biopharmaceutical material includes a flexible container and a supporting structure. The flexible container is adapted to receive the biopharmaceutical material therein for freezing, storing and thawing. The container further includes a flange and the supporting structure is engageable with the flange to receive the container. The supporting structure may position the container for freezing and may protect it during transport and storage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for freezing, thawing, and storing biopharmaceutical materials which includes a flexible container, a conduit, and a temperature control unit. The flexible container is adapted to receive a biopharmaceutical material therein for freezing, thawing, and storing. The container is formed of a first substantially flat sheet of flexible material joined together by a seam with a second substantially flat sheet of flexible material so as to lie substantially flat when empty. The container fully encloses an interior portion for receiving the biopharmaceutical material. Also, the container is configured to form a three dimensional shape when filled with the biopharmaceutical material, wherein the three dimensional shape has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The conduit is connected to the flexible container with the outside of the container being in fluid communication with the interior portion via the conduit.

Abstract: A system for controlled freezing, storing and thawing a biopharmaceutical material includes a flexible container and a supporting structure. The flexible container is adapted to receive the biopharmaceutical material therein for freezing, storing and thawing. The container further includes a flange and the supporting structure is engageable with the flange to receive the container. The supporting structure may position the container for freezing and may protect it during transport and storage.

Abstract: A system for forming flavored ice from a refrigerator/freezer having an ice maker fluidly connected to a water source. A fluid dispersing module is formed along a water conduit to define a water source inlet port and an ice maker outlet port disposed on opposing ends thereof which are placed into fluid communication with the water source and the ice maker respectively. A fluid cartridge is pre-filled with a metered quantity of a flavored fluid mixable with water and has a cartridge inlet and outlet ports formed on opposing ends thereof which are sized and configured to engage the water source inlet port and the ice maker outlet port respectively. The fluid cartridge is connectable to the module and placeable into fluid communication with the water source and the ice maker to mix the flavored fluid and the water together and form a flavored mixture transferrable to the ice maker.

Abstract: A biopharmaceutical cryopreservation system includes a container having an outer surface area with the container being adapted to contain a biopharmaceutical material for freezing and thawing therein. The container may be received in a cryocooling enclosure having an interior cavity configured to receive it. The cryocooling enclosure includes at least one heat transfer surface configured to contact the outer surface area of the container when the cryocooling enclosure interior cavity receives the container. Also, a cryocooler is thermally coupled to the cryocooling enclosure and is configured to flow a fluid to the at least one heat transfer surface to control the temperature of the heat transfer surface and the biopharmaceutical material within the container. The fluid is isolated from contacting the container. Further, a temperature sensor is thermally coupled to the cryocooling enclosure, the at least one heat transfer surface, the fluid and/or the cryocooler.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a large block of frozen liquid having vertically-disposed heat transfer tubes positioned within an open-bottom, walled mold, and elevator means to raise and lower a platform or a tray to seal with the mold as a bottom to receive and retain the liquid. Once frozen, the block is removed by lowering the platform or tray in a controlled manner.

Abstract: Method for rapidly defrosting a container and a frozen liquid therein, including the steps of providing a block of material of high heat transfer capability and defining a bore extending downwardly into the block from an upper surface thereof, the bore having an inside configuration and dimensions substantially equal to an outside configuration and dimensions of the container, such that when the container is disposed in the bore, substantially an entirety of an exterior of the container is in close adjacency with an interior of the bore, the block being devoid of contact with any heat source other than ambient heat, placing water in the bore, and placing the container in the bore, thereby squeezing the water into a thin film between the container and the interior of the bore.

Abstract: An ice maker includes a mold having at least one cavity configured for containing water therein for freezing into ice. An auger extends substantially vertically through the at least one mold cavity. The auger is configured for rotating to thereby push the ice out of the at least one mold cavity. A temperature sensor is positioned in association with the mold for sensing a temperature of the mold. A heat transfer member is metallurgically coupled with the auger and extends downwardly from the mold.

Abstract: An ice sculpture mold, forming assembly and process is described in which a mold body is releasably received within an immersion tank having an open top end defined by a peripheral rim, and a closed bottom. The mold includes an internal cavity shaped as a negative of a selected ice sculpture form, and includes a top section positionable adjacent the open top end of the immersion tank and a bottom section positionable adjacent the closed bottom of the immersion tank. The mold body also includes at least one water intake and discharge openings formed in the upper section mold body, openly communicating with the internal cavity. A water circulating pump and water delivery tube are connected to each intake opening. The water discharge and intake openings are positioned on the mold to enable circulation of water within the assembled mold cavity to facilitate freezing of water in the assembled mold cavity to form an ice sculpture that is visually clear and devoid of clouding and air bubbles.

Abstract: A system for the freeze processing of materials includes two spaced units, each including a plurality of channels. A refrigeration system intercouples the two units so that heat extracted from material as it is being frozen in one unit is employed to thaw frozen material in the other unit. Separately movable harvest assemblies including squeegee-like members are provided to advance treated material out of the channels. The harvest assemblies may include spray nozzles for cleaning the channels.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for the preparation of individual quick frozen bars, to be united to form a frozen precursor (the product of the invention) for the preparation of a frozen dessert and more particularly a masticated banana frozen dessert. Uniform flavor is achieved by control of the size and number of the respective individual bars to be laminated together. Uniform portion control in the machine that prepares the frozen dessert is achieved by the use of similar sized segments of the precursor sandwich formed by the lamination of individual frozen bars. The apparatus includes molds that may be individual or they may be formed together into an integrated multi-mold tray for use in the apparatus.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus includes a mold having a cavity with a bottom surface. The mold cavity is configured for containing water therein for freezing into ice. An auger extends substantially vertically through the mold cavity. The auger is configured for rotating to thereby push the ice out of the mold cavity. The auger includes a rotatable surface at least partially defining the bottom surface of the mold cavity. The rotatable surface includes at least one ramp configured for lifting the ice off of the bottom surface of the mold cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing ice cubes. It has a freezer unit (6) with a plurality of freezing regions (7) accessible from the outside of said unit (6) for one ice cube (1) each, a device (9) for supplying the freezing regions (7) with an excess of water to produce clear ice and a dispensing region (1)) for ice cubes (1) released from the freezer unit (6). Between the freezer unit (6) and the dispensing region (19) there is a device (18) for putting two ice cubes (1) together to form a composite cube (1(A+B)). Said device (18) has adjacent storage devices for the ice cubes (1) to be put together which can be moved together in order to place the ice cubes (1) with plane damp surfaces together, where the path between the combining device (18) and the dispensing region (19), and the dispensing region (19) itself, are cooled to a temperature below 0.degree. C.

Abstract: A system for the processing of materials includes a freezing section and a thawing section, with elongated channels extending through both sections, and gates between the sections and at the output of the thawing section. Large blocks of frozen material are slid from the freezing section to the thawing section; and a new batch of material is frozen with the heat from the freezing section used to thaw the blocks of frozen material. A harvest bar with dogs extending into the frozen material traverses at least a freezing section, and spray nozzles associated with the harvest bar may be used for cleaning the system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing ice figures as well as a device for this purpose. A device in accordance with invention (901) is provided with at least two cooling bodies (905, 906) facing one another, and these are washed by water inside a container (902). The cooling bodies are cooled to below the freezing point of water by means of a refrigeration compressor (904) using coolant so that ice layers (918, 919) form on each cooling body (905, 906), and grow onto one another and then contact one another, so that the two ice layers freeze together, so that a single-piece ice figure is produced, where the completion of the single-piece ice figure is detected for example with a sensor (922). Once the single-piece ice figure is completed it is detached from the cooling bodies (905, 906) and removed.

Abstract: A freezer for a liquid in a receptacle (14) comprises a housing (1), containing a cooling battery (5) for cooling a gas, a means (7) for generating a flow of the cooled gas and a jet device. The latter comprises a plurality of shells (6), each completely surrounding a receptacle (14) inserted into the respective shells with the exception of a first opening (15) for inserting the receptacle and a second opening (16) for discharging a flow of gas resulting from jets directed towards the outside of the receptacle. Each shell (6) has holes (18) in all its side walls in areas directly opposite a receptacle inserted into the shell for directing jets towards the outside of the receptacle. In addition, the freezer has indicators (11) for indicating which shells (6) do not contain a receptacle (14) and for indicating when the liquid in a receptacle inserted into a shell is frozen.

Abstract: A thermoelectric water chiller system for cooling fluids, and including a cold sink which defines quiescent areas where convection currents are minimized to facilitate ice formation around the cold sink is provided. The cold sink cooperates with water held in a sealed tank. A cover member which covers the cold sink can be employed which would cooperate with the tank to form a fluid-tight seal therewith. Components needing periodic cleaning are preferably removable from the system, but the tank could be permanently installed. A fan-cooled thermoelectric module assembly is used to form the ice block adjacent the bottom of the tank which chills the water. A variable-speed fan and current to the thermoelectric module are controlled by a control circuit with inputs from various temperature sensors positioned on and within various portions of the chiller system, including sensors to monitor ambient air temperature about the chiller system.

Abstract: A support arrangement for supporting a flexible, water-containing mold of intricate configuration in a tank having supporting sides and containing a chilled liquid, such that an item of crystal clear ice can be created in the flexible mold. The flexible mold has an upper, support portion and a lower, principal portion, and also has interior surfaces possessing a distinctive degree of roughness. The support arrangement involves elongate support means for operatively engaging the upper portion of the mold, with the elongate support means being of a length sufficient to span between the supporting sides of the tank such that the mold can be supported with a selected extent of the principal portion of the mold immersed below the surface of the chilled liquid. Circulation of the water in the mold is brought about so that the interior sides of the mold will be swept, thus preventing the formation of cloudy ice.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing colored ice comprises dissolving coloring agent in source liquid to form colored source liquid, placing the colored source liquid in a pressure resistant housing, said housing comprising a pressure regulating means and then while freezing the colored source liquid, using the pressure regulating means to vary levels of direct high and low pressure to the colored source liquid such that at high pressure level intervals, there is contact between the pressure regulating means and the surface of the colored source liquid.

Abstract: A system and method for freezing large quantities of a liquid or slurry are disclosed. The system includes a product containment apparatus for containing the liquid to be frozen, a freeze station for freezing the liquid, and a lift for raising the product containment apparatus to the freeze station for freezing. Freezing members extending from the freeze station include a pair of plate carriers mounted in a V configuration mounted within a V shaped casing. The shape of the casing and sloping walls of the product containment apparatus facilitate the removal of the ice block from the freeze station and the product containment apparatus from the frozen block, respectively. Preferably, the freezing members are provided with a baffle mounted at the open ends of the plate carriers to facilitate the sweeping of lubricating oil entrained in a refrigerant into a suction path within the freezing member so it may be removed. Alternative embodiments and processes are disclosed.