Abstract: A clear ice maker assembly for an appliance includes an ice tray rotatably coupled with a housing and horizontally suspended within an interior volume of the housing. The ice tray includes a metallic ice forming plate with a bottom surface, a substantially planar top surface and an edge portion. A containment wall extends upward from the top surface along the edge portion. A grid having at least one dividing wall extends across the top surface between the containment walls. A fluid line extends into the housing and supplies water to the top surface of the ice tray to be retained by the containment wall and the grid. A cooling source is thermally coupled to the bottom surface of the ice forming plate. The containment wall and the grid have a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the ice forming plate.

Abstract: An ice making device may include an ice tray; a drive part which is provided with an output shaft to which the ice tray is attached and in which the ice tray is turned by turning of the output shaft; and a frame body to which the drive part is attached. A twisting operation is applied to the ice tray during a turning operation for separating ice pieces from the ice tray. The drive part may include a drive side attaching part. The frame body may include a frame body side attaching part. The frame body side attaching part and the drive side attaching part are fitted to each other along a direction that is perpendicular to the output shaft, thereby attaching the drive part to the frame body.

Abstract: An ice making device may include an ice tray, a water-supply part for supplying water to the ice tray, an electrostatic capacity sensor having two or more electrodes attached to the ice tray, a water quantity detecting section for detecting a water quantity in the ice tray on a basis of variation of an electrostatic capacity between the electrodes of the electrostatic capacity sensor, and an ice frozen detecting section for detecting water supplied to the ice tray having been frozen on the basis of the variation of the electrostatic capacity between the electrodes of the electrostatic capacity sensor. A control unit for the ice making device controls the water-supply part, an ice tray drive part and an ice detecting part on the basis of variation of the electrostatic capacity between the electrodes of the electrostatic capacity sensor.

Abstract: Ice maker comprising a mould (10, 110) forming at a number of mould cavities (11, 111a, 11b) for receiving water and forming a respective piece of ice (41, 42,141), which number of mould cavities are arranged in at least one column defining a longitudinal direction; a first (2, 102) and a second shaft (3, 103); an endless conveyor (100), which is arranged to convey the mould in the longitudinal direction around at least the first shaft; and drive means (8) connected to at least one of the first and second shafts for driving the conveyor. The mould (10, 110) is formed of an elastic material and arranged to be elastically deformed as the mould passes over the first shaft (2, 102). Longitudinal communication channels (13a, 113a) are arranged between consecutive mould cavities (11, 111a) arranged in one column, for allowing water to flow between mould cavities in one column. A method of fabricating pieces of ice is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ice making assembly includes an ice maker including a mold body defining a one or more compartments for forming ice cubes therein, a harvesting assembly removes an ice cube from the compartment, and one or more bimetallic elements. Each bimetallic element is configured with a respective one of the compartments so that when energized the bimetallic element deforms with a portion moving in a direction so as to assist in removing an ice cube from the compartment. Related refrigeration appliances are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ice maker comprises: an ice-making vessel having a cylindrical shape, cooling means, a block ice making mold which is placed inside; and a screw type agitator. The block ice making mold includes: a main mold body comprising a plurality of connected L-shaped plates projected radially outward from the central axis; a base plate which is joined to each L-shaped plate, and the main mold body includes a screw insertion part which is formed by cutting off another end side of the central axis by a predetermined length along a side of the central axis from the another end side toward the one end side of the central axis.

Abstract: An ice maker for a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The ice maker includes a mold body that is rotatable relative to an ejector. The ejector is configured for selective receipt within the mold body to assist with removal of ice from the mold body. The ice maker also includes at least two sensors for monitoring rotational motion of the mold body. Utilizing the at least two sensors, the ice maker can monitor ice removal from the mold body.

Abstract: An ice tray may include a substantially planar body portion with a plurality of cavities that are not interconnected by weirs. The ice tray may include a body having raised portions between adjacent cavities to alleviate stress that may otherwise form in these areas. A water distribution system may be utilized to provide specified volumes of water in the cavities to prevent overflowing of the cavities.

Abstract: An ice maker assembly includes an ice making apparatus for an appliance with an ice making tray having a water basin formed by a metallic ice forming plate and at least one perimeter sidewall extending upwardly from a top surface of the ice forming plate. The ice making tray also has a grid with at least one dividing wall. The at least one perimeter sidewall and the at least one dividing wall and the top surface of the ice forming plate form at least one ice compartment having an upper surface and a lower surface. An ice body is formed in the at least one ice compartment. Moreover, the at least one perimeter sidewall and the at least one dividing wall form a draft angle with the top surface of the ice forming plate, of about 17° to about 25° degrees.

Abstract: An ice making method and device may include an ice making member inserting step in which an ice making member is inserted into water that is stored in an ice tray, an ice pieces making step in which the ice making member is cooled so that the water is frozen to form an ice pieces, an ice making member heating step in which the ice making member is heated so that a portion of the ice pieces sticking to the ice making member is melted, an ice making member drawing-out step in which the ice making member is drawn out from the ice pieces, and an ice pieces separating step in which the ice tray is deformed to separate the ice pieces from the ice tray. The ice pieces separating step and the ice pieces storing step are performed at positions under the ice making member.

Abstract: An icemaker for a refrigerator having a cabinet with a refrigerated compartment and an unrefrigerated machine compartment includes a body portion formed with an inlet, an outlet and an opening. A flexible mold is positioned in the opening. A water supply is positioned to provide water to the flexible mold. A fluid supply circuit, including a pump mounted in the machine compartment, a first fluid conduit connected between the pump and the inlet, and a second fluid conduit connected to the outlet, provides warm fluid to the body portion. The icemaker forms ice during an ice production cycle and the fluid warmed in the machine compartment is used to partially melt and aid in releasing the ice which is then deposited in a ice storage bin during a harvest cycle.

Abstract: An ice making method and device may include an ice making member inserting step in which an ice making member is inserted into water that is stored in an ice tray, an ice pieces making step in which the ice making member is cooled so that the water is frozen to form an ice pieces, an ice making member heating step in which the ice making member is heated so that a portion of the ice pieces sticking to the ice making member is melted, an ice making member drawing-out step in which the ice making member is drawn out from the ice pieces, and an ice pieces separating step in which the ice tray is deformed to separate the ice pieces from the ice tray. The ice pieces separating step and the ice pieces storing step are performed at positions under the ice making member.

Abstract: A drape including a sensing device according to the present invention is disposed over a top surface of a thermal treatment system having a basin recessed therein. A portion of the drape is pushed down into the basin to form a drape container for collecting a sterile medium. The thermal treatment system may be of the type that either heats or congeals the sterile medium. The sensing device includes electrodes that are typically disposed through the drape and sealed. The electrodes provide signals indicating the presence of liquid and/or leaks or other conditions within the drape container to the system to facilitate control of system operation. In addition, the sensing device includes a fuse to limit the drape to a single use. The system disables the fuse to indicate prior use and detects tampering to bypass the fuse, thereby preventing use of the drape for subsequent medical procedures.

Abstract: An ice tray is provided that prevents the overflow or splashing of water or thin ice out of the ice tray as water is supplied to the ice tray, or when the ice tray is shaken by an external force. The ice tray may include a plurality of receiving portions that receive water for freezing into ice pieces. An overflow preventing portion may extend upward from upper edges of the receiving portions to form a barrier to water flowing out of the ice tray. Alternatively, the receiving parts may be positioned within a corresponding plurality of location parts having water proofing walls extending upward therefrom to inhibit the unintentional flow of water or thin ice out of the receiving portions of the ice tray.

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: An ice-making system is adapted to operate within a section of a refrigeration appliance where the ice-making system and the ice made in the ice-making system are exposed to a temperature greater than zero degrees Centigrade. When installed in the fresh food compartment of a refrigerator that also has a freezer section compartment, the refrigeration system furnishes a cooling effect to the freezer compartment sufficient to maintain the freezer compartment at a temperature of zero degrees or less and separately furnish to the ice-making unit a cooling effect sufficient to freeze water for making ice in the ice-making unit of the ice-making system. The ice-making system can include a reservoir that is operatively associated with the ice-making unit of the ice-making system for delivering water to the ice-making unit and for receiving water returned from the ice-making unit.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for making snow or a snow-like substance includes a container (12) having a cooling space (13) adapted to contain pressurized air or gas of above atmospheric pressure. At least one flexible walled vessel (14) extends through the cooling space (13) and is connectable to a water source. The apparatus (10) is operable to maintain the cooling space at a sufficiently low temperature to at least partially freeze the water within the flexible walled vessel (14). As a preferred feature of the snow making apparatus, the apparatus may be adapted to maintain a static pressure within the cooling space of the container (12) and to periodically and temporarily increase the pressure within the cooling space to compress the flexible walled vessel (14). Invention also resides in an apparatus (10) for making snow or a snow-like substance, the apparatus including at least one flexible walled vessel (14) connectable to a water source.

Abstract: An ice-cube making device for use in a refrigerated cabinet is provided. The ice-cube making device is attachable to a freezer liner and thus makes efficient use of the space in the freezer cavity. The ice-cube making device includes a mechanism for extracting ice by applying a twisting torque to one or more ice-cube trays therein. The ice-cube making device may also include mechanisms for refilling the ice trays with water and for providing a user-friendly installation. Aspects of the present invention may be performed either manually or may be automated.

Abstract: An ice-cube making device for use in a refrigerated cabinet is provided. The ice-cube making device is attachable to a freezer liner and thus makes efficient use of the space in the freezer cavity. The ice-cube making device includes a mechanism for extracting ice by applying a twisting torque to one or more ice-cube trays therein. The ice-cube making device may also include mechanisms for refilling the ice trays with water and for providing a user-friendly installation. Aspects of the present invention may be performed either manually or may be automated.

Abstract: A water distributing pipe for ice making devices of refrigerators which includes an ice cube tray provided such that a top portion thereof is open receiving water into the tray and opposite ends are rotatably supported to an inside of a freezer compartment and a water supply pipe supplying the water to the ice cube tray. The water distributing pipe is connected to an end of the water supply pipe distributing water to the ice cube tray. The water distributing pipe comprises a connecting part connected to the water supply pipe, a water discharging part extending from the connecting part and discharging the water to the ice cube tray, and a projecting part provided in the water discharging part distributing the supplied water.

Abstract: A water distributing pipe for ice making devices of refrigerators which includes an ice cube tray provided such that a top portion thereof is open receiving water into the tray and opposite ends are rotatably supported to an inside of a freezer compartment and a water supply pipe supplying the water to the ice cube tray. The water distributing pipe is connected to an end of the water supply pipe distributing water to the ice cube tray. The water distributing pipe comprises a connecting part connected to the water supply pipe, a water discharging part extending from the connecting part and discharging the water to the ice cube tray, and a projecting part provided in the water discharging part distributing the supplied water.

Abstract: An ice tray is filled with water and exposed to freezing temperature in a freezer. The freezing temperature is measured and integrated over time to obtain a monitoring parameter. The parameter is compared with a predetermined freezing standard for detecting transformation of the water into ice.

Abstract: Iced confectionery articles are prepared with two-part mold members transported within a heat-insulated compartment and in which a cryogenic gas is applied to the mold members for freezing product metered into the mold members.

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: An automatic ice making machine 1 includes an ice tray 2 for making ice cubes, ice separating means 5 for separating ice cubes from the ice tray 2 by turning the ice tray 2, and an ice storage container for storing separated ice cubes. A stepping motor 13 is used for a drive source for the driver unit 5. The automatic ice making machine further includes detecting means for detecting a predetermined position of the ice tray 2; and control means for controlling a drive of the stepping motor 13. When the ice tray 2 is returned to the water supply position, the control means determines a predetermined position of the ice tray 2 by use of a signal from the detecting means, and determines other positions of the ice tray 2 by the utilization of the number of steps of the motor counted from the predetermined position.

Abstract: An ice removing mechanism includes an ice tray having a fixing projection at one end thereof and a sliding projection at the other end thereof, a rotating guide plate having a fixing groove at one side thereof to guide the fixing projection of the ice tray inserted thereinto and a connecting shaft rotatably connected to an output shaft of a motor at the other side thereof, a fixing guide plate having a guide groove concentrically disposed to a center thereof, a twisting member disposed between the guide plates, and a movable stopper for preventing the ice tray from rocking from side to side. When the rotating guide plate is rotated, the sliding projection of the ice tray is rotated to slide along the sliding groove of the fixing guide plate, thereby pressing a bottom surface of the rotated ice tray. As a result, the ice cubes are effectively removed from the ice tray.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for freezing of material into fully or partially frozen blocks. The apparatus includes a refrigeration panel and a sheet or belt which is passed along the refrigeration panel. The apparatus includes at least one flexible, material receiving mold having at least one open compartment, where the sheet or belt provides a base for the compartment. The compartment is conveyed along the refrigerating panel to freeze the material, and then is subject to bending and/or twisting forces release the block(s) from the compartment.

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: 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: An ice making mechanism includes a tray for receiving water to be frozen into ice bodies, a sensor for determining whether the water is frozen, to initiate an ice-ejecting mode, a motor for rotating the tray to perform the ice-ejecting mode, a switching mechanism for indicating a state of the ice-ejecting mode, and a switch actuating structure driven by the motor for changing a state of the switches during the ice-ejecting mode. A state of the switching mechanism is detected in response to the supplying of electrical power to the ice making mechanism, to determine whether the tray is in an initial upright position. If it is determined that the tray is not in the initial upright position, an ice-ejecting mode is initiated. A time period is counted beginning from the initiation of the ice-ejecting mode, and the state of the switching mechanism is monitored to determine whether and when that state changes.

Abstract: An ice tray in an automatic ice making machine of a refrigerator is emptied by being rotated, whereupon the tray becomes deformed to eject the ice. The tray is rotated (and deformed) alternately in opposite directions in order to extend the life of the tray.

Abstract: Ice pieces are discharged from an ice-making container into a tray disposed therebeneath by the procedure of inverting the container and twisting it in an initial direction of rotation to discharge most of the ice pieces into a first region of the tray, and then twisting the tray in a direction opposite the first direction to discharge residual ice pieces into the tray. The initial direction of twisting occurring during each such procedure is opposite the initial direction of twisting performed during a prior procedure, so that the majority of ice pieces discharged during each procedure falls into a different region of the tray than during a prior procedure. This results in a more uniform distribution of ice pieces in the tray. Instead of twisting the container in two directions during each procedure, it could be twisted in only one direction.

Abstract: A machine or apparatus for producing ice cubes comprising flexible membranes which are flexed into and out of thermal contact with a refrigerated evaporator core upon which conductive areas define discrete freezing sites which determine the location on the flexible membrane where the ice cubes are formed. The ice cubes are removed by flexing the flexible membrane. The flexing of the flexible membranes into and out of contact with the evaporator core may be accomplished with a fluid source which applies fluid to and removes fluid from collapsible spaces between the evaporator core and the membranes.

Abstract: An apparatus for making artificial snow includes a flexible pipe which encloses a plurality of longitudinal conduits receiving and holding water therein. The pipe is cooled by a coolant liquid so that ice crystals form in the water on the surfaces of the conduits. A frame member is provided, oriented transversely to the axis of the pipe, which is movable axially along the pipe. Rollers provided on the frame member dislodge the ice crystals from the surfaces of the conduits. A seeve member is provided to strain the dislodged ice crystals from the water. The ice crystals are then conveyed to a desired area.

Abstract: An ice product bearing a clearly discernable pattern or design caused by the controlled formation of cloudy ice within an otherwise clear ice cube, and a machine or apparatus for producing such cubes comprising a flexible membrane (56) which is urged into and out of thermal contact with a refrigerated surface (51) upon which raised conductive areas (52) define discrete freezing sites which determine where on the flexible membrane the ice cubes are formed and then removing the ice cubes by flexing the flexible membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming ice cubes without a hot gas defrost cycle comprises a flexible sheet (55) which is urged into and out of thermal contact with a refrigerated plate (51) through openings in an insulative spacer (52) defining the freezing sites where the ice cubes are built up to the desired thickness by lamination.

Abstract: The method of repetitively making discrete blocks of ice which is performed with apparatus having a plurality of adjacently disposed ice freezing pockets formed with a refrigeration evaporator as the base of each pocket of the pockets, horizontally extending and vertically spaced apart evaporator fins as the sides of the pockets, and horizontally pivotal vertical plates as the ends of the pockets. A refrigeration apparatus is provided to alternately freeze the refrigeration evaporator of the ice freezing pockets and very quickly and very briefly heat the refrigeration evaporator directly to loosen the ice blocks from the freezing pockets. Apparatus is provided to apply a force to the vertical plates until the immediate surfaces of the ice blocks are melted and loosened from the freezing pockets. The vertical plates thereon move the ice blocks within the freezing pockets, then are rapidly returned to an initial position which ejects the ice blocks completely from the freezing pockets.

Abstract: An ice maker in which water runs over a vertical evaporator to form ice cubes formed between vertical and horizontally mounted plates. The cubes are released from the evaporator by simultaneously applying a horizontal force to the plates while heating the evaporator.

Abstract: An ice maker for use in a freezer compartment of a refrigerator including a flexible tray having cavities for forming ice pieces. The front of the ice tray has a handle and the rear has a first and second spaced guide element projecting therefrom. There is provided a support structure having a front wall with a triangular-shaped opening with all three sides of the opening being outwardly curved and dimensioned to receive therein the ice tray handle in guiding rotation thereof. There is also provided a rear wall having a track with a vertical inwardly curved portion with a terminal end at the top thereof and a horizontal downwardly curved portion joining the bottom of the vertical curved portion, said track being dimensioned to receive in guiding movement said first and second spaced guide elements on the ice tray.

Abstract: An ice maker in a freezer compartment and the method of controlling the ejection of ice pieces made by the ice maker, including a mold containing a plurality of spaced cavities for forming ice pieces, a water conduit for introducing water into the mold, a water valve, and an arrangement for signaling when the water in the mold is frozen, including a temperature sensor. A thermal mass is located in the freezer compartment spaced from the mold and in heat transfer relationship with the incoming water flowing through the conduit from the water valve to the mold. The temperature sensor is located in temperature sensing relationship with the thermal mass and is calibrated to actuate the signal arrangement when the water in the mold reaches a preselected temperature below 32.degree. F.

Abstract: Process is provided for the creation of crystal aggregates in one part of a tank by heat transfer from a fluid disposed in another part of the tank and maintained by heating or by cooling at a different temperature than the part containing the crystal aggregates. Both of these parts are separated from each other by a flexible membrane which is pulsated by dynamic local pressure differentials caused by foaming or by fluidizing the heat transfer fluid.

Abstract: A system for utilizing latent heat stored in a crystallizable liquid heat storage medium subject to super-cooling, wherein the storage medium is continuously circulated past a heat exchanger positioned in the upper portion of an enclosed space containing a body of such storage medium to effect super-cooling thereof, then past a bed of seed crystals in the lower portion of such space to effect partial crystallization thereof, and then back past the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Automatic machine for manufacturing ice creams consisting of a creamy mass or ice block joined to a stick or a cone of edible biscuit material, comprises elastomer moulds deformable under cold conditions to assume two symmetrical concave and convex configurations, and the means for accomplishing said deformation.

Abstract: An ice maker in which water runs over a vertical evaporator to form ice cubes formed between vertical and horizontally mounted plates. The cubes are released from the evaporator by simultaneously applying a horizontal force to the plates while heating the evaporator.