Abstract: A dual-temperature refrigerating device for partially freezing beverage inside a sealed beverage container. One compartment within the device is held at a temperature below freezing and another compartment is kept at a temperature above freezing. An opening between the two compartments allows a beverage container to be placed so that is simultaneously exposed to below-freezing temperatures above-freezing temperatures. This arrangement causes the beverage in the portion of the container exposed to the below-freezing temperatures to freeze while the beverage in the part of the container exposed to above freezing temperatures does not freeze.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes an ice supply unit for increasing the ice availability of the dispensing system and a moveable ice gate assembly coupled with the ice supply unit for transporting ice from the ice supply unit about the dispensing system. The dispensing system includes a dispensing system ice storage unit coupled with the movable ice gate assembly of the ice supply unit for receiving ice therefrom. The ice supply unit includes an ice supply unit housing, an ice collection bin disposed in the ice supply unit housing for receiving ice, and an automatic ice maker assembly positioned within the collection bin for supplying ice thereto. The movable ice gate assembly is positioned substantially centrally within the ice collection bin and includes a post for channeling ice therethrough and a movable gate unit linked and in movable engagement with the post for discharging ice received from the post out the movable ice gate assembly.

Abstract: A flow director system for transporting ice to a desired locale includes a conduit system and a gas flow gate assembly coupled with the conduit system for directing ice to the desired locale along a desired path defined by the conduit system. The gas flow gate assembly includes a plurality of flow gates disposed along the conduit system and a flow gate controller linked with the plurality of flow gates, whereby the flow gate controller opens and closes the flow gates to route ice flow along the conduit system. In addition, the flow director system preferably includes an ice maker for delivering ice into an ice container. The ice container, in turn, includes a plurality of interface apertures for channeling ice from the ice maker to the conduit system. Moreover, in operation, a gas flow is established through the ice container between the interface apertures to prevent ice blockage about the ice container.

Abstract: A method for controlling the purified water passage of a refrigerator with a water purifying filter is disclosed. The refrigerator has a first valve for controlling water supply to the water purifying filter and a second valve for controlling water supply to a dispenser and an ice-making unit. The method comprises the following steps. A first step is determining whether the dispenser and the ice-making unit are operated. A second step is opening the first and second valves if the dispenser and the ice-making unit are operated. A third step is determining whether a refrigerator compartment door and a freezer compartment door are closed if one of the dispenser and the ice-making unit is operated. A fourth step is closing the first and second valves if at least one of the refrigerator compartment door and the freezer compartment door is opened. A fifth step is closing the first and second valves if the dispenser and the ice-making unit are not operated.

Abstract: An ice maker includes a mold with least one cavity for containing water therein for freezing into ice. A temperature sensor is positioned in association with the mold and provides an output signal. An auger is positioned partly within the at least one mold cavity. A mechanical drive rotatably drives the auger. A controller is coupled with the sensor and the drive, and controls operation of the drive depending upon the output signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A method of constructing a heat exchange system for a medium to be frozen, including the steps of: extruding a composition to form a reconfigurable tube; cooling the tube with the tube in a substantially straight configuration so that the tube is substantially set in the straight configuration; after cooling, reconfiguring the tube from the straight configuration; transporting the tube reconfigured from the straight configuration to a site at which the tube is to be used; and at the site placing the tube in the straight configuration and connecting the tube in a medium to be frozen so that a fluid within the tube is in heat exchange relationship with the medium to be frozen.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a gas-supersaturated fluid comprising a fluid reservoir, a fluid pump, a gas source, a high pressure gas exchanger, and one or more arrays of capillary channels is disclosed. Suitable controls such as differential pressure gauge and valves are provided to maintain a near constant hydrostatic pressure of the fluid within the semi-permeable membrane gas-fluid interface of the gas exchanger at approximately 1% to 20% higher than the gas partial pressure of the fluid within the gas exchanger. Gas-supersaturated fluid output from the gas exchanger via the capillary channels is at a flow velocity of greater than 0.05 m/sec, thereby facilitating delivery of large flow rates of gas-supersaturated fluids without cavitation inception.

Abstract: Ice maker assembly in a refrigerator and method for controlling the same, which can make a stable ice checkup step, the ice maker assembly including a driving means for generating a rotating force, an ice tray connected to the driving means for being rotated by the rotating force from the driving means to transfer ice to an underlying ice container, an ice checkup lever connected to the driving means for conducting an ice checkup step in which an amount of ice in the ice container is detected, and movement transmission means for transmission of a rotating force of the ice tray to the ice checkup lever, wherein, when the ice checkup lever starts the ice checkup step, the ice tray is rotated by a preset angle at first, to transmit a rotating force of the ice tray generated by the rotation to the ice checkup lever, which is a movement transfer means, so that the ice checkup lever makes an initial movement by a preset angle.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and kit are provided for non-invasively freezing a content of a pipe. The method comprises the steps of applying a substantially continuous seal over an outside surface of a pipe at a location where a content of the pipe is to be frozen, covering a surface area of the pipe with a cover sheet in such a way that the substantially continuous seal separates the cover sheet from the surface area to define a cavity between the surface area and the cover sheet, and introducing a cryogenic fluid into the cavity to draw heat away from a content of the pipe, through the surface area. A periphery of the cavity is defined by the substantially continuous seal. The method advantageously provides an apparatus for freezing the content of the pipe. A kit can be used to assemble the apparatus. Advantageously, the method, apparatus 80, and kit provide a non-invasive way of freezing the pipe's content. There is no need to penetrate the wall of the pipe to insert any complex structures or mechanisms.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of resurfacing an ice surface to reduce friction between the ice and an object gliding on the ice surface. The steps comprise mixing an effective amount of lubricant with water, coating the ice surface with the mixture, and allowing the mixture to freeze to form a new ice surface. In particular, the lubricant is derived from siloxane. In the preferred embodiment, the lubricant is a composition derived from polydimethysiloxane and copolyolamine. In the preferred embodiment, the ratio of water mixed with the lubricant is 300:1. This invention also provides for the use of the composition as an agent to reduce friction between an ice surface and an object gliding on the ice surface. In particular, an effective amount of the composition is mixed with water prior to applying the mixture to a surface upon which the ice surface is to form.

Abstract: A water ice product is provided which is stable to processing and storage at -18.degree. C., said product having a channelled porous structure having a gas phase volume of between 0.1 of 0.45 after hardening, wherein the water ice product comprises a stabiliser and not less than 0.1 wt % protein based aerating agent. Also provided is a process for preparation of the above water ice product, comprising the steps; (i) aeration of a water ice composition with an aerating gas which contains at least 50% by volume of a water soluble gas; (ii) freezing in a freezer such that the residence time in the freezer is approximately 2.5 to 10 minutes; and (iii) two-stage hardening.

Abstract: An ice storage and delivery system for radially displacing fragmentary ice stored within an ice storage bin. The ice storage and delivery system has a rotating ice rake of elongated members which radially displaces a portion of the fragmentary ice stored in the storage bin as each elongated member passes through the pile of fragmentary ice. The ice rake pivots in the storage bin between first and second positions such that the rotating elongated members may radially displace the fragmentary ice into a screw conveyor in the floor of the storage bin while in the first position and level-out the fragmentary ice stored in the storage bin while in the second position. In order to displace the fragmentary ice into the screw conveyor and remove the fragmentary ice from the storage bin while in the first position, the displacement assembly translates in the storage bin along the length of the storage bin.

Abstract: A surgical drape for use in a thermal treatment system having an automatic dislodgement mechanism for dislodging congealed liquid is accomplished by a drape having either a coefficient of friction approximately in the range of 0.4-1.0 as measured against steel per ASTM 1983 a metalocine-based olefin film having a flexibility approximately in the range of 10K-12K psi secant modulus measured by ASTM D882, a securing mechanism, or a preformed container portion having ribs or ridges to prevent the drape from being drawn beneath the automatic dislodgement mechanism. The securing mechanisms may be attached to the drape either at the ends of a drape portion hanging down from a top surface of the system, or at a location coincident the top surface of the machine. Further, the securing mechanisms may be separate units disposed on the drape subsequent to disposal of the drape in the basin.

Abstract: A surgical drape for use in a thermal treatment system congealing a sterile medium within a basin and automatically dislodging the congealed sterile medium adhered to the drape adjacent basin walls is accomplished by a drape having a drape portion covering the system housing with part of the drape portion disposed in the basin. The drape may further include a pre-formed container portion fitted to match the contour of, and being disposed within, the basin. The container portion may accommodate various shaped basins and include individual fluted sections, drape deformities, or an inflatable bladder surrounded by the fluted sections for facilitating dislodgement of the congealed medium. Further, the drape or pre-formed container portion may include a substantially annular bladder, or a bladder having a plurality of individually inflatable sections for manipulation of the drape relative to the basin to dislodge the congealed sterile medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to extruded frozen pellets of sauce and a method for freezing pellets of sauce. This method includes dosing a layer of sauce onto a refrigerated surface, partially freezing the sauce on the surface to cause a generation of ice crystals and an increase in the viscosity of the unfrozen sauce, removing the partially frozen sauce from the surface, mixing the frozen and unfrozen sauce to form a shapeable sauce, forming the shapeable sauce into pellets, and freezing the pellets. The invention also relates to a method wherein the sauce is fully frozen in a thin layer and subsequently mixed with unfrozen sauce to form the shapeable sauce.

Abstract: The system for prechilling the ambient water, derived from a pressurized source of ambient water, that is needed by an existing beverage dispenser machine and by an existing ice maker machine, includes a heat exchanger positioned outside of the dispenser machine. This heat exchanger receives the cold waste waters being discharged during use by both machines. A heat exchange tubing is immersed inside the heat exchanger for precooling, in heat exchange relationship, the needed ambient water with the cold waste water inside the heat exchanger. The prechilled ambient water is supplied to the ice machine for producing ice to fill the dispenser's bin, and the ice is supplied to the bin of the dispenser machine for cooling the dispenser's cold plate and for dispensing chilled beverages.

Abstract: A process for supercooling a liquid or solid wherein the solid or liquid is placed in contact with a coolant, the coolant having a temperature of at or just above the metastable limit temperature of the liquid or solid.

Abstract: A method for producing ice having substantially no undesirable taste and odor characteristics is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for freezing large pipe plugs, including in particular subsea applications, wherein the apparatus includes a jacket adapted to encircle a section of large pipe, a recycling refrigeration unit having said jacket connected as an evaporation chamber and, for subsea applications, a submersible housing enclosing a portion of such refrigeration unit; the method including landing a submersible recycling refrigeration unit on or proximate a pipe and cycling, and preferably reverse cycling, a refrigerant therethrough.

Abstract: A surgical drape for use in a thermal treatment system congealing a sterile medium within a basin and automatically dislodging the congealed sterile medium adhered to the drape adjacent basin walls is accomplished by a drape having a drape portion covering the system housing with part of the drape portion disposed in the basin. The drape may further include a pre-formed container portion fitted to match the contour of, and being disposed within, the basin. The container portion may accommodate various shaped basins and include individual fluted sections, drape deformities, or an inflatable bladder surrounded by the fluted sections for facilitating dislodgement of the congealed medium. Further, the drape or preformed container portion may include a substantially annular bladder, or a bladder having a plurality of individually inflatable sections for manipulation of the drape relative to the basin to dislodge the congealed sterile medium.

Abstract: An improved thermal energy storage system and a process for thermal energy storage and transfer are disclosed. The cooling medium, a clathrate forming mixture, comprises water, and a hydrofluorocarbon having at least three carbon atoms and a molecular diameter less than about 7 .ANG.. Preferably the hydrofluorocarbon is selected from hydrofluoropropanes and more preferably is selected from the group consisting of CHF.sub.2 CHFCHF.sub.2, CF.sub.2 HCF.sub.2 CH.sub.2 F, CF.sub.3 CHFCH.sub.2 F, CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CF.sub.2 H, CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CHFCF.sub.2 H, CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CF.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 H, CH.sub.2 FCF.sub.2 CF.sub.3, CHF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 H, and CF.sub.3 CFHCFHCF.sub.3.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating and resurfacing ice for skating purposes. The apparatus comprises a rigid frame, a water dispersion member connected to the frame, a mat connected to the frame, and a water supply conduit connected to the water disperson member. This device is well suited for indoor and outdoor commercial public and private skating rinks, for community parks rinks and, for home or residential skating rinks.

Abstract: The present invention provides ice nucleating-active materials which are free from problems like corrosiveness against a device owing to the materials used and harmfulness of the materials themselves; and have a function of elevating freezing temperature of water which is effective for releasing an over-cooling state of it, and generates a method for an ice bank system exhibiting a large energy-saving effect. This invention relates to ice nucleating-active materials containing trioctahedral smectites capable of being dispersive in water as effective components, and a method for an ice bank system comprising adding the trioctahedral smectites into a liquid in the ice bank system at a concentration of at least 30 ppm and freezing it by using a freezer.

Abstract: A method of injecting gas-supersaturated fluids as a bubble-free effluent from a delivery system into a relatively low pressure, gas-depleted environment without cavitation or bubble formation. The method includes the steps of eliminating cavitation nuclei from within the delivery system, compressing a fluid and a gas at a high partial pressure to form a gas-supersaturated fluid, and ejecting the gas-supersaturated fluid through the delivery system into the environment without associated cavitation formation in the effluent.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically controlling a solid product delivery mechanism for replenishing the level of solid products in a storage bin which receives and stores the solid products. A mechanical vibration in the storage bin is generated and sensed. Based on the sensed mechanical vibration, an electrical signal is generated and processed to obtain a level signal. The level signal is representative of the fill level of the storage bin. Finally, a control signal is generated based on the level signal to control the delivery of the solid products.

Abstract: An ice making tray in a refrigerator is connected by a pump to a water reservoir located in the refrigerator. Once ice has been ejected from the tray and into a bin, the pump is activated for a preset period to re-fill the ice tray with water from the reservoir. Each time that the pump is activated, its time period of operation is automatically counted, and a running total of the counted time periods is automatically kept. That total is compared to a predetermined (reference) value representing a period of pump operation which causes the water in the tank to be reduced to a predetermined low level. When the running total reaches the reference value, an alarm is energized to warn a user that the reservoir should be re-filled.

Abstract: A method of gelation of a photographic emulsion, oil in water emulsion, or a gelatin-containing solution comprising continuously rapidly cooling the photographic emulsion, oil in water emulsion, or the gelatin-containing solution, which has good thermal efficiency and requires no adjustment of the amount of water contained in the rapidly cooled product prior to use, and a unit therefor comprising a static mixer-installed double pipe for rapidly cooling the photographic emulsion, oil in water emulsion, or the gelatin-containing solution by a conduction type heat exchange system, and a double pipe without static mixer for conveying the rapidly cooled product to a storage vessel while avoiding adhesion of the rapidly cooled product transformed into a gel state to the inside surface of the inner pipe of the double pipe by warming the inner pipe with water kept at 30.degree. C., although transformation of the rapidly cooled product to a gel state successively proceeds in an inner portion of the inner pipe.

Abstract: Artificial snow granule in granule form comprising a super absorbent polymer in granule form as a nucleus and an ice layer surrounding the nucleus is provided here. An aggregate form is provided by linkage of adjacent ice layers and/or granules. Further, a snow granule quality improver is provided. A method for making the above-mentioned snow granule in a granule or an aggregate form is also provided here.

Abstract: A freeze device for an elongated element includes a pressure vessel disposed about at least a part of the element and a freeze seal between the part of the elongated element and the pressure vessel. The freeze seal includes a frozen material exerting a force inwardly against the part of the element and outwardly against the pressure vessel by virtue of having been frozen in situ such that the frozen material thereby seals the elongated element to the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of a wastewater feed originating from a styrene/propylene oxide production plant and containing hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, phenols and salts, by freeze-concentration combined with salt crystals removal, thereby separating the wastewater feed into an at least two-fold concentrated waste product, salt crystals, and a substantially pure water product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for exchanging heat between one fluid and another fluid by using a heat exchanger, and circulating at least the one fluid through a fluid flow channel within a body made of a material which is a good heat conductor as well as a good conductor of electric current, so that the fluids become in heat exchange relationship through the walls of the body. The improvement includes insulating the body from electric current flow therethrough, so that, in use, the tendency for progressive precipitation of solid particles from the fluids onto the wetted surfaces of the body is substantially reduced.

Abstract: Sterile surgical fluid is maintained at substantially its freezing temperature to prevent both melting and formation of solid ice pieces in surgical slush and to provide a supply of near freezing fully liquid phase sterile fluid as required. Slush is initially formed in a refrigeration mode wherein a basin containing sterile fluid medium is cooled to well below the freezing temperature of the medium to thereby rapidly lower the medium temperature. Upon formation of the slush the system is placed in a maintain mode wherein the container temperature is kept at or near the freezing temperature of the medium to selectively provide either slush or near freezing liquid. In the preferred embodiment the maintain mode is effected by electrically energizing one or more thermoelectric modules and de-energizing a refrigeration system in which the refrigerant fluid is passed through an evaporator disposed in thermal energy transfer relation to the basin.

Abstract: An evaporator has an outer surface and inner chamber. The outer surface having at least two pipe receiving surfaces and a pair of ends. The evaporator has a bore extending from one of the ends to the inner chamber. A tube extends into the bore sealing the chamber, such that a refrigerant flows into the inner chamber through an inner tube and out of the inner chamber through the tube. Each of the pipe receiving surfaces having a distinct surface adapted for receiving different size pipes.

Abstract: A method for rapidly solidifying water in a container includes the steps of disposing a predetermined amount of sand in a container which contains water and solidifying the water in the container.

Abstract: The features of a surgical slush machine are augmented by supplemental basins for surgical liquid to thereby permit simultaneous availability of warm and/or chilled liquid and/or surgical slush. The basins are disposed in close sequential adjacency, and a common sterile drape is disposed over and contoured to all of the basins to provide separate sterile receptacles in the drape for the various sterile media. Basin centering indicia on the drape facilitate deployment of the drape relative to the basins and selectively removable covers insulate and protect the sterile medium between periods of use. Cooling and heating of the respective basins is effected independently with individual power controls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making ice products having a biting texture from an aqueous solution of non-ionic species in a container having a low thermal conductivity and a surface to volume ratio of at least 3.3.

Abstract: A method of transporting material includes forming a structural encasement from the material and applying a force to the encasement to transport the material to a desired destination. The structural encasement allows for the transmission of applied forces through the encasement. A core material may be encased within the structural encasement so that both materials are transported together. Confinement forces are transmitted throughout the structural encasement to maintain the core material encased within the encasement. A preferred apparatus for practicing the method includes an inner nozzle for projecting core material and an outer nozzle surrounding the inner nozzle for projecting a hollow column of encasement material around the core material so that the core material is encased within the column. The outer nozzle further applies force to the column to direct the column and the encased core material to the desired destination.

Abstract: An ice making refrigerant mainly consists of at least one compound selected from the group of normal perfluoropentane, cycloperfluoropentane, isoperfluoropentane, and fluorohydropentane. The refrigerant may also consists of pentane mixed with a sufficient amount of one or more of the above compounds for making the refrigerant substantially incombustible. The refrigerant is highly resistant to combustion and free from destroying the stratospheric ozone layer. Ice is produced by mixing the refrigerant in liquid phase with water at a pressure higher than the saturation pressure P.sub.0 of the refrigerant for 0.degree. C. and then ejecting the water-refrigerant mixture into a tank at a pressure below the above saturation pressure P.sub.0, so as to evaporate the refrigerant and let the water freeze by the latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant.

Abstract: A liquid cooling system capable of generating very cold liquid flows, comprising sending said liquid (5) to a heat pump circuit; said circuit including a hot-side heat exchanger (HSHE) and a cold-side heat exchanger (CSHE); said CSHE being provided with conduit means (10) through which said liquid (5) flows; said conduit means (10) being in contact with and being cooled externally by cold medium (10). The improvement in the system comprising the installation of proper thermal barriers between said cold medium and said liquid in all areas where the velocity of said liquid is much lower than the average velocity found inside said conduit means (10); said improvement also comprising proper design of the entrance (3a) of said conduit means (10) to prevent flow detachment; said design preventing any freeze-up of said liquid (5) as well as improving efficiency and durability.

Abstract: Sterile surgical slush is maintained at substantially its freezing temperature to prevent both melting and formation of solid ice pieces. The slush is initially formed in a refrigeration mode wherein a basin containing sterile fluid medium is cooled to well below the freezing temperature of the medium to thereby rapidly lower the medium temperature. Upon formation of the slush the system is placed in a maintain mode wherein the container temperature is kept at the freezing temperature of the medium. In the preferred embodiment the maintain mode is effected by electrically energizing one or more thermoelectric modules and deenergizing a refrigeration system in which the refrigerant fluid is passed through an evaporator disposed in thermal energy transfer relation to the basin. In alternative embodiments the refrigeration system itself is controlled to keep the container temperature at the freezing point during the maintain mode.

Abstract: Prechilling the tap water with the cold waste water from an ice machine is achieved by using an insulated, elongated casing, which encloses a reservoir housing a heat exchanger made of a relatively long tubing of copper to provide a relatively long path of travel for the tap water. The heat exchanger is in the form of a coil followed by a substantially straight tube within and surrounded by the coil's turns. A hollow member, closed at one end, is spaced from the straight tube. The coil's turns surround the hollow member and the straight tube. Preferably, the hollow member is mounted over and is spaced from the straight tube to form there between an elongated chamber. In use, the tap water flows downwardly in the coil and upwardly through the straight tube. The cold waste water flows through the elongated chamber into the reservoir, thereby progressively and continuously increasing the temperature of the waste water and correspondingly decreasing the tap water's temperature.

Abstract: A method of heat exchange comprises advancing energy-carrying medium in a channel system comprising channel-part lengths (1) which extend in side-by-side mutually parallel relationship, such as hose parts (1), and substantially sheet-like or slab-like base parts (2) which support the channel parts. The method is mainly characterized by supporting and holding channel parts (1) with the aid of at least one pre-fabricated sheet or slab (2) of heat-insulating material, such as so-called cellular plastic material, and by inserting the channel parts (1) into locking grooves (3, 4) included in the slab or sheet, the width of locking grooves, when appropriate, being preferably slightly smaller than the width of a channel part, in appropriate cases the diameter of the channel part. The invention also relates to an arrangement for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An ice transport and dispensing system includes an ice maker for introducing ice into a remote ice storage bin and a plurality of ice dispensing stations that receive ice from the bin. Each dispensing station has an ice storage hopper, and at least one downwardly sloping ice delivery conduit extends between the bin and the hoppers for a flow of ice through the conduit from the bin to the dispensing stations solely under the influence of gravity. So that a single conduit can deliver ice to at least two dispensing stations, the conduit extends past one of the stations and leads to the other station and an ice diverter assembly is actuable to divert a flow of ice from the conduit to the one station. A control circuit monitors the level of ice in the hoppers of the dispensing stations and operates the system in a manner to maintain a supply of ice in each hopper.

Abstract: A method for easily making an ice slab serving as the foundation of an artificial snow skiing field and artificial snow whose upper layer is powdery by flooding aqueous slurry made by adding water to granular wet water absorbent polymer on a slope of a natural skiing field or a slant or horizontal surface of a natural skiing field or indoor artificial snow skiing field equipped with a cooling system, obtaining the deposit layer of the granular wet water absorbent polymer in which water is separated from the slurry and freezing the deposit layer.

Abstract: This invention provides for improved sterol nucleators of ice crystals. The improvement is the use of water stable crystalline forms of the sterols. These forms advantageously provide predictable nucleation temperatures which are stable for long periods of time, especially where the water is repeatedly frozen and thawed. In commercial ice making systems, the selection of stable forms of sterols having high nucleation temperatures provide great savings in construction and energy costs.

Abstract: The system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,659 (Keyes et al) for producing surgical slush is improved to permit the slush to be collected directly in a drape or sheet, thereby eliminating the separate product basin and liquid thermal transfer medium required in the prior system. The sheet is made to conform to a heat transfer basin atop the system refrigeration unit and is impervious to the surgical liquid from which the slush is formed. In order to prevent damage to the drape by abrupt edges of basin spacers permanently projecting from the heat transfer wall into the basin interior, the spacers are covered or recessed by protective members eliminating all possible contact between the sheet and the spacer edges.

Abstract: An improved process for creating clear ice products and ice products with patterns. Purified water placed in a container having an inlet is deoxygenated by at least 20% by the use of a vacuum through the inlet. The container is then either sealed to prevent the reintroduction of the oxygen into the water or the water is frozen in a ice cube tray on a plate evaporator between -20.degree. and 30.degree. F. The variations in the water temperature at the time the vacuum is applied and when the water is placed in the freezer effect the patterns obtained in the ice products.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for creating and maintaining frosted sculptures are described. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes an armature, or a length of conduit freely formed into a desirable shape, having circulated therethrough, by reverse-sublimation means operatively coupled therewith, a freezing agent. The reverse-sublimation means preferably includes pump means, condensation means and metering means, and is capable of removing the sensible heat and the latent heat of fusion from water vapor surrounding the armature, thereby to promote growth, on the exposed surface of the armature, of a thick layer of rough-textured frost.

Abstract: Method for producing an ice scupture employing the steps of forming rigid metallic mold halves from the objects, said mold halves having recesses which collectively define the object; yieldably joining said rigid mold halves together at discrete locations; filling said mold halves with a freezable liquid; chilling the assembly sufficient to freeze the freezable liquid; allowing the mold halves to become differentially displaced from one another as the freezable liquid expands; disassembling said mold halves from one another to remove the ice sculpture therefrom peeling away said rubber mold from sculpture. In another embodiment, the rubber mold is eliminated and replaced by a sealing gasket. Additives may be employed to add color and/or obtain clarity.

Abstract: The high energy cost accompanying the use of hot water in resurfacing ice rinks is reduced by use of an additive for treating water used to form ice or ice layers which comprises a surfactant, a primary alcohol and a silicone. The surfactant acts to reduce permanently the surface tension of the water while the silicone acts as a defoamer collapsing any bubbles formed on the surface and also as a lubricant when pressure is applied on the ice such as by an ice skate blade. The alcohol is believed to aid in providing a generally homogenous mixture when added to water. The composition allows the use of much cooler water, normally in the range of 45.degree. to 55.degree. F., in forming ice with favorable characteristics. The invention also encompasses novel methods of forming layers of ice using the additive.