Abstract: A process for the manufacture of the ice cups in which a condensation plate able to receive water spray for the formation of the ice elements is cooled for a predetermined period of time such as to cause freezing of the water and the subsequent formation of ice elements. When cooling is interrupted the plate is heated for a predetermined interval of time to permit detachment of the ice elements. Between the interruption of cooling and the start of heating the plate is subjected to a plurality of heating stages of increasing duration alternating with a plurality of cooling stage of decreasing duration.

Abstract: A support for an ice-beaker comprising a cup-shaped body with a side wall and a base for collecting the water resulting from the progressive melting of an ice beaker housed in the cup-shaped body. The side wall comprises regions, arranged spaced apart on the side wall, for support and restraining the outer wall of an ice beaker. The ice beaker can be produced by an ice-making machine comprising a condensation plate with housings for receiving atomized to form frozen elements. Each housing of the condensation plate comprises a conical side wall and a base wall, the taper of the side being sufficiently wide to bring about the formation of a frozen element which has a central cavity so as to be generally beaker-shaped. In the production method, an intermediate waiting step of predetermined duration is interposed between the interruption of the cooling and the start of the heating of the condensation plate.