Abstract: An ice crushing apparatus for use in combination with an ice making machine which has an ice storage bin. The ice crusher includes a plurality of rotatable blades which are mounted on a motor-driven shaft and which pass, preferably in sequence, through slots in a grate, for crushing the ice in an ice crushing zone. A mechanism is provided for bypassing the ice crusher and dropping ice directly from the ice maker to the ice storage bin. A mechanism is also provided for moving the grate to change the size of crushed ice particles. In one embodiment, a device is provided for breaking apart large sheets or other chunks of ice before they reach the ice crushing zone. An electronic control system provides ice crusher operation only when ice is harvested in the ice making machine.
Abstract: An ice maker with a flexible wall bag supported on a planar cooling surface and having a plurality of water compartments for molding ice cubes. The planar cooling surface is in direct thermal communication with a thermoelectric refrigeration unit for freezing water contained in the ice mold bag. The cooling surface may be the bottom of a cooling tray cooperating with an insulated housing to define a freezing chamber for receiving the ice mold bag. The refrigeration unit is mounted on the bottom wall of the cooling tray. The insulated housing includes an insulated door for access into the freezing chamber and may comprise integral front, rear and side walls. The insulated housing and cooling tray are detachably supported within a cabinet for housing the refrigeration unit. The flexible walls of the ice mold bag are of a material that is easily ruptured for removal of individual ice cubes and may include additional means to facilitate wall rupture.
Abstract: The ice maker includes an ice mold in direct thermal communication with a thermoelectric refrigeration unit for freezing water contained in the mold. The mold and a harvest means for removing ice from the mold are in an insulated housing defining a cold storage bin for receiving harvested ice. The mold and refrigeration unit are mounted on the housing and a bottom wall of the housing comprises an insulated door with a closed position for supporting harvested ice and an open position for discharging harvested ice to a separable drawer for use. The door is mounted for rotation between open and closed positions and is rotated by a drive motor. The refrigeration unit includes a thermoelectric module in direct thermal communication with an external heat exchanger and the module may be sealed within an insulated wall of the housing. A locking mechanism may be provided to lock the dispensing door closed and a heat seal may be provided around the door.