Abstract: An apparatus for cooling at least one fluid includes separable cold plate and dispenser units. The cold plate unit includes a coolant system, a fluid system and a metallic unit. The coolant system defines a cold plate portion and a tower portion. The cold plate portion of the coolant system has a primary inlet manifold and a primary outlet manifold, and the tower portion has a secondary inlet manifold and a secondary outlet manifold. The coolant system further includes a first plurality of coolant line segments connecting the primary and secondary inlet manifolds and a second plurality of coolant line segments connecting the secondary and primary outlet manifolds. The fluid system also defines a cold plate portion and a tower portion, the portions being in heat exchange relationship with the coolant system. The metallic unit includes unitary cold plate and tower portions which respectively incorporate the cold plate and tower portions of the coolant system and fluid system.

Abstract: A walk-in refrigerator/freezer having a plurality of walls and a ceiling is provided. The refrigerator/freezer also includes a door and a floor. The floor includes a top wear surface, and a metal support grid beneath the top wear surface. The metal support grid has a plurality of apertures. An insulation material is located beneath the metal support grid. The insulation material passes through the apertures of the metal support grid and bonds to the wear surface.

Abstract: A refrigeration wall system including interlocking panels having fastening mechanisms coated with a backing material, and a method for making the fastening mechanisms. The fastening mechanisms are embedded within insulating material inside of the interlocking panels. The backing material improves the adherence of the fastening mechanisms to the insulating material and thereby increases the overall strength of the refrigerator wall system.

Abstract: An ice making machine has a water system, including a pump, an ice-forming mold and interconnecting lines therefore; a refrigeration system, including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator in thermal contact with the ice-forming mold, and a receiver. The receiver has an inlet connected to the condenser, a liquid outlet connected to the expansion device and a vapor outlet connected by a valved passageway to the evaporator.

Abstract: An ice maker in which a non-metallic shroud surrounds the metal evaporator plate and has a continuous bulbous edge that engulfs the edges of the plate. The shroud further includes a roof disposed above the plate and slopes toward the front of the plate. The water distributor of the ice maker is mounted on the roof of the shroud.

Abstract: The present invention uses a single molded piece of plastic as an evaporator frame. A low durometer gasket material is molded in place on the single molded piece of plastic. The gasket aids in sealing the evaporator frame and the evaporator pan.

Abstract: A remote ice-making machine is disclosed having a compressor unit remote from an evaporator unit, a supply line for transferring refrigerant from the compressor unit to the remote evaporator unit, and a return line for returning refrigerant from the evaporator unit to the compressor unit during an ice-making mode. The preferred evaporator unit has an ice-forming evaporator and a heating unit, as well as a valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator unit. A method for making ice with the remote ice-making unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A food preparation table comprises a storage compartment; a food preparation surface above the storage compartment; a cold wall tank adjacent the food preparation surface and above the storage compartment, the tank having a liner forming the inside walls and floor of the tank, refrigerant cooling passageways in heat transfer relationship on the outside of the liner; and support rails; a plurality of food storage pans each having flanges for supporting the pans on the support rails and side and bottom walls forming the food storage portion of the pan and extending from the flanges downwardly into the tank; a refrigeration system comprising a source of compressed refrigerant, an evaporator and interconnecting refrigerant lines that supply refrigerant to the evaporator and the tank refrigerant cooling passageways; and an air distribution system which circulates air past the evaporator to cool the storage compartment and inside the tank where it impinges on the inside walls of the liner and from there onto the wa

Abstract: An ice maker in which a non-metallic shroud surronds the metal evaporator plate and has a continuous bulbous edge that engulfs the edges of the plate. The shroud further includes a roof disposed above the plate and slopes toward the front of the plate. The water distributor of the ice maker is mounted on the roof of the shroud.

Abstract: A remote ice-making machine is disclosed having a compressor unit remote from an evaporator unit, a supply line for transferring refrigerant from the compressor unit-to the remote evaporator unit, and a return line for returning refrigerant from the evaporator unit to the compressor unit during an ice-making mode. The preferred evaporator unit has an ice-forming evaporator and a heating unit, as well as a valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator unit. A method for making ice with the remote ice-making unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ice making machine comprises a refrigerant system having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator and interconnecting refrigerant lines; a water system having a fresh water inlet, a water circulation mechanism, an ice-forming device in thermal contact with the evaporator and interconnecting water lines; and a control system comprising a temperature sensing device in thermal contact with the outlet of the condenser, and a microprocessor programmed to use input from the temperature sensing device either i) at a predetermined time after initiation of a freeze cycle to determine the desired duration of the freeze cycle or ii) at a predetermined time prior to the end of the freeze cycle to determine the desired duration of the harvest cycle, or iii) both i) and ii), to control the refrigeration and water systems to operate in a freeze cycle and/or the harvest cycle until the end of the desired duration(s).

Abstract: A remote ice-making machine is disclosed having a compressor unit remote from an evaporator unit, a supply line for transferring refrigerant from the compressor unit to the remote evaporator unit, and a return line for returning refrigerant from the evaporator unit to the compressor unit during an ice-making mode. The preferred evaporator unit has an ice-forming evaporator and a heating unit, as well as a valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator unit. A method for making ice with the remote ice-making unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automatic ice making machine is disclosed having a coolant/refrigerant system, a water/ice system, a cleaning/sterilizing system and a microprocessor operated control system interconnecting the above systems. Methods for automatically cleaning the ice maker's water/ice systems and establishing safeguards and monitoring of system readiness and operation are also provided.