ICE MAKER CONTAMINATION CONTROL SYSTEM

Abstract

An ice maker contamination control system is disclosed for decontaminating components of an ice maker, and in particular, components of an ice formation housing. The ice maker contamination control system may be configured to kill fungi, bacteria, viruses, yeast and mold. The ice maker contamination control system may include at least one ultraviolet light source adapted to be positioned in an ice formation housing of an ice maker for emitting ultraviolet light in the ice formation housing. A reflective covering adapted to be attached to at least a portion of internal surfaces exposed to the at least one ultraviolet light sources. A combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector may be included for supporting the at least one ultraviolet source in the ice formation housing of the ice maker.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/022,666, filed Jan. 22, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure is directed generally to ice makers, and more particularly, to contamination control systems for ice makers.

BACKGROUND

Organic contamination, such as algal, fungal, bacterial, and viral contamination, of the re-circulating water system and ice production components is a widespread problem in ice making machines and is a potential source of contamination of the ice produced. Organic growth has been found growing in water sumps, ice production trays, and ice bins as well as the internal surfaces of the system. This contamination if un-checked can contribute to illnesses and diseases from the ingestion of the contaminated ice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An ice maker contamination control system is disclosed for application in ice makers. The ice maker contamination control system controls organic contamination that can occur within the confines of the ice maker and internal cavity. The ice maker contamination control system uses ultraviolet light to maintain components that are susceptible to organic growth and fouling through the use of the germicidal ultraviolet light. In at least one embodiment, the ice maker contamination control system may include at least one ultraviolet light source adapted to be positioned in the ice formation housing of an ice maker for emitting ultraviolet light in the ice formation housing to irradiate internal surfaces of the ice formation housing, ice formation components, and ambient environment surrounding the ice formation components within the ice formation housing.

The ice maker contamination control system may be included within an ice maker during manufacturing of the ice maker or as a retrofit of an existing ice maker. The ice maker may include an ice formation housing that contains ice formation components for forming ice and include an ice maker contamination control system with one or more ultraviolet light sources positioned in the ice formation housing for emitting ultraviolet light in the ice formation housing. The ultraviolet light source may be an ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet light in a spectrum of about 254 nM or about 185 nM, or both. The ultraviolet light emitted at 185 nM kills odors that may exist in the ice formation housing. In at least one embodiment, less than ten percent of the at least one ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light at about 185 nM. In other embodiments, other combinations of the ultraviolet light in spectrums of about 254 nM and about 185 nM may be used. For instance, more than ten percent of the at least one ultraviolet light source may emit ultraviolet light at about 185 nM. The ultraviolet light source may also be coated with polytetrafluoroethylene to seal the lamp from moisture, breakage, and contamination.

The ice maker contamination control system may also include a combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector positioned in the ice formation housing and supporting the ultraviolet light source. The combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector may have a generally u-shaped cross-sectional shape. The combined ultraviolet mounting bracket and reflector may extend a length of the ultraviolet light source and provide coverage to at least about 180 degrees of the ultraviolet light source. The combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector may be formed from uniformly curved stainless steel. In another embodiment, the combined ultraviolet mounting bracket and reflector may be an L-shaped bracket.

The ice maker contamination control system may also include a reflective covering attached to at least a portion of internal surfaces exposed to the ultraviolet light source. The reflective covering may be a reflective tape attached to internal surfaces exposed to the at least one ultraviolet light sources. The ice maker contamination control system may also include an absorbing covering attached to at least a portion of internal surfaces exposed to the ultraviolet light source.

The ice maker contamination control system may also include an extended operating range power supply, weather resistant lamp cable and related mounting hardware. The ice maker contamination control system may include a clear mounting tube with end caps to contain the ultraviolet light apparatus and an insert to secure the apparatus during transport and display for sale. The power source may power the ultraviolet light source and may have an extended operating range power supply that may receive power from the main line voltage source found within the ice maker. The weather resistant lamp cable may be attached to the power supply. The weather resistant lamp cable may supply power to the ultraviolet light source and may be weather resistant to handle the inherent moist nature found within the ice maker.

The ice maker contamination control system include a method of reducing ambient contamination through the combination of ultraviolet light spectrums emitted by the ultraviolet light source. The combination of ultraviolet spectrums produces an ultraviolet oxidative effect that increases the ultraviolet radiation's reactivity with ambient contaminants upon which the ultraviolet light may not shine on directly.

An advantage of this invention is that the ice maker contamination control system controls organic contamination that can occur within the confines of the ice maker and internal cavity. In particular, the ice maker contamination control system kills fungi, bacteria, yeast and mold and other contaminants on components of an ice maker within an ice formation housing.

These and other components are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the presently disclosed invention and, together with the description, disclose the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an ice maker contamination control system in an ice maker.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ultraviolet light source of the ice maker contamination control system.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ultraviolet light source of the ice maker contamination control system in a tubular case.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a power supply of the ice maker contamination control system.

FIG. 5 is diagram of the ultraviolet light source of the ice maker contamination control system with an ultraviolet/oxidation tip for reducing odors.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of mounting hardware and wire attachments for connecting the power supplies to the main power.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the ice maker contamination control system in an ice maker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-9, an ice maker contamination control system 10 is disclosed for decontaminating components of an ice maker 12, and in particular, components of an ice formation housing 14. The ice maker contamination control system 10 may be configured to kill fungi, bacteria, viruses, yeast and mold within the ice formation housing 14 to prevent illness and disease from ingesting contaminated ice. In at least one embodiment, the ice maker contamination control system 10 may include at least one ultraviolet light source 16 adapted to be positioned in the ice formation housing 14 of an ice maker 12 for emitting ultraviolet light in the ice formation housing 14 for emitting ultraviolet light to irradiate internal surfaces 18 of the ice formation housing 14, ice formation components 13, and ambient environment 19 surrounding the ice formation components 13 within the ice formation housing 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ice maker contamination control system 10 may be adapted to fit within any ice maker 12 capable of creating ice such as, but not limited to, commercial series ice makers and other such devices. The ice maker contamination control system 10 may have any particular configuration. In addition, the ice formation housing 14 may have any appropriate configuration while maintaining a closed environment for ice production by ice formation components 13. In at least one embodiment, the ice formation housing 14 may be formed from a generally cubical structure formed from insulated walls.

The ice maker contamination control system 10 may include one or more ultraviolet light sources 16, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, positioned to expose internal surfaces 18 of the ice formation housing 14 to ultraviolet light to kill contaminants therein. In at least one embodiment, the ultraviolet light source 16 may be, but is not limited to, a mercury vapor style of light source, light emitting diodes (LED), xenon bulbs. The ultraviolet light source 16 may produce light in the UV-C germicidal spectrums such as 254 nM. This spectrum is effective in sterilizing microbial contaminates. Other frequencies, such as 185 nM, may also be emitted from the ultraviolet light source 16 to produce additional benefits such as ozone for odor control, as shown in FIG. 5. The ultraviolet light source 16 may be positioned in an ice maker 12 to provide the interior space of the ice maker 12 with a way of controlling surface microbial contamination within the interior components of the unit. In addition, the ultraviolet light source 16 may assist in the sterilization of the water source of the ice maker 12, such is water contained within the water sump tray 15. In particular, the ultraviolet light source 16 may be positioned in the ice formation housing 14 to irradiate water contained within the water sump tray 15. Also, the ultraviolet light source 16 may assist in the sterilization of the internal ambient environment of the ice maker 12.

The ultraviolet light source 16 may include a coating 30 to prevent damage to the ultraviolet light source 16 from exposure to moisture, breakage and mercury contamination. In at least one embodiment, the coating 30 may be formed from a polytetrafluoroethylene, such as, but not limited to, TEFLON. The coating 30 provides an intrinsic seal to the ultraviolet light source 16 such that it is able to withstand the wet conditions as well as provide a safety coating to the ultraviolet light source 16 to protect it from environmental contamination due to mercury contained with the lamp and caused by breakage.

The ultraviolet light source 16 may also include a cable “pigtail” 32, as shown in FIG. 2, for connecting the ultraviolet light source 16 remotely from the power supply 24. This cable is designed to be weather resistant because the operating conditions in which the UV apparatus is applied is often times in highly wet or damp conditions that could damage the cables operation otherwise. The cable may be any appropriate length, such as, but not limited to about 12 inches. The cable is configured such that the ultraviolet light source 16 can be connected and disconnected in the immediate location as where the ultraviolet light source 16 is placed. Connectors designed for application in wet environments may be used to attach the ultraviolet light source 16 to a power source.

As shown schematically in FIG. 5, the ultraviolet light source 16 may include a UV/Oxidation tip for reduction of odors and ambient contaminants. The ultraviolet light source 16 may produce light in the UV-C spectrum for the purpose of sterilization of microbial contamination. In addition, the UV-C light can be combined with a small segment of the lamp body to contain a “splice” of the lamp to produce light in a different spectrum such as that at 185 nM in the UV-O spectrum range. This “splice” provides additional benefits to the design of the ultraviolet light source 16 such as for odor control or the reduction of ambient contaminants such as airborne bacteria or mold spores, which can potentially cause internal contamination within the ice maker and potentially pose health risks. The light produced in the UV-O range, and particularly at 185 nM, reacts with oxygen and humidity in the air to produce ozone and hydroxyl radicals (OH ions), which is an oxidizing agent that can destroy odor molecules and organic contaminates. In one particular embodiment, the ultraviolet light source 16 may include a small portion of this light spectrum. Thus, the ultraviolet light source 16 may be constructed such that no more than ten percent of the length of the ultraviolet light source 16 is of this spectrum. In other embodiments, the ultraviolet light source 16 may be constructed such that other percentages of the length of the ultraviolet light source 16 is of this spectrum.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the ice maker contamination control system 10 may also include a combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector 20 positioned in the ice formation housing 14 and supporting the ultraviolet light source 16. Because ice makers 12 come in many different varieties and the range of configurations of the internal components is numerous, it is important to properly attach the UV apparatus into the machines 12 for the purpose of preventing microbial contamination growth on internal components 13, in the water sump tray 15 and in the ambient environment 19. The ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector 20 may be formed from any appropriate material, such as, but not limited to metals, such as stainless steel, and plastics. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector 20 may have a generally u-shaped cross-sectional shape that partly wraps around the ultraviolet light source 16. In such an embodiment, the ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector 20 may be formed from uniformly curved stainless steel. The ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector 20 may extend a length of the ultraviolet light source 16 and may provide coverage to at least about 180 degrees of the ultraviolet light source 16.

The curved ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector 20 acts as a mounting and supporting mechanism for the ultraviolet light source 16. The ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector 20 may include holes for mounting and cut-outs for supporting the ultraviolet light source 16 with special rubber o-rings. The mounting holes of the U-shaped ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector 20 provide a varying degree of angles for optimum exposure of the UV light to the surfaces intended for exposure. The U-shaped ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector 20 may also acts as a UV light reflector to direct the UV light onto the surfaces needed to be treated and away from surfaces sensitive to the UV light. The U-shaped mounting bracket is a universal mounting apparatus intended to give the maximum amount of mounting opportunities to the installer to achieve the optimum exposure potential of the UV light source. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the ice maker contamination control system 10 may include an L-shaped support 30 for positioning the ultraviolet light source 16 within the ice maker 12. The L-shaped support 30 may position both the ultraviolet light source 16 and the U-shaped ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector 20 within the ice maker 12.

The ice maker contamination control system 10 may include a reflective covering 22 attached to at least a portion of internal surfaces 18 exposed to the ultraviolet light source 16. The reflective covering 22 may be any appropriate material, and in at least one embodiment, may be a reflective tape attached to the internal surfaces 18 exposed to the at least one ultraviolet light source 16. In other embodiments, as shown in Figure the ice maker contamination control system 10 may include an absorbing covering 28 attached to at least a portion of internal surfaces 18 exposed to the ultraviolet light source 16. The absorbing covering 28 may be any appropriate material.

The ice maker contamination control system 10 may be sold as a kit to retrofit currently existing ice makers. As shown in FIG. 3, the ice maker contamination control system 10 may be placed inside of a clear tubular package for the intention of display and marketing. The clear tubular package enables quick and easy display of the ice maker contamination control system 10 for marketing and sale. In addition, the ice maker contamination control system 10 may be enable safe transportation of the ice maker contamination control system 10 before installation. The tube may include two end caps to contain the ice maker contamination control system 10 within the tubes interior, a paper insert that contains marketing and technical information on the ice maker contamination control system 10 may and two round foam inserts that contain the other components of the ice maker contamination control system 10 on either end.

The ice maker contamination control system 10 may also include an operating voltage power supply 24 and appropriate wire harnesses, as shown in FIG. 4. The power supply 24 may include an electronic circuit designed to operate the UV light source. The circuit may be designed to except an extended input operating range of supply voltages that range from 120 volts of alternating current (VAC) up to 277 volts (VAC). The power supply receives power from the main power source found within the ice maker 12. The power supply may also be used in damp environments that can damage the circuit if not protected. Thus, the circuit may be encased in a “potted” enclosure in which the circuit board is placed inside of a case, coated, and secured within the inside of the case with a weather resistant “potting” material.

The power supply 24 may contain three incoming power leads, including: one white, one black and one green for connection to the low voltage supply source. In addition, the power supply 24 may also contain a weather resistant lamp supply cable for connection to the ultraviolet light source 16. The supply cable may be weather resistant because the operating conditions in which the ice maker contamination control system 10 is applied is often times in highly wet or damp conditions found within the interior of ice makers 12 that could damage the cables operation otherwise. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the ice maker contamination control system 10 may include mounting hardware 26 and wire attachments for connecting the power supplies to the main power inside of the ice maker 12.

During use, the ultraviolet light source 16 may irradiate ultraviolet light continuously or at intervals. The ultraviolet light may prevent growth and kill existing microbial contamination. In particular, the ultraviolet light may prevent growth and kill existing microbial contamination on the internal surfaces 18, the ice formation components 13, including the water sump tray 15, and the ambient environment 19. The reflective covering 22 and the absorbing covering 28 may prevent damage from occurring to portions of the ice formation housing 14.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention.

Claims

1. An ice maker, comprising:

an ice formation housing that contains ice formation components for forming ice;

an ice maker contamination control system formed from at least one ultraviolet light source positioned in the ice formation housing for emitting ultraviolet light to irradiate internal surfaces of the ice formation housing, the ice formation components, and ambient environment surrounding the ice formation components within the ice formation housing.

2. The ice maker of claim 1, further comprising a reflective covering attached to at least a portion of internal surfaces exposed to the at least one ultraviolet light sources.

3. The ice maker of claim 1, further comprising an absorptive covering attached to at least a portion of internal surfaces exposed to the at least one ultraviolet light sources.

4. The ice maker of claim 1, further comprising a combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector positioned in the ice formation housing and supporting the at least one ultraviolet light source.

5. The ice maker of claim 4, wherein the combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector has a generally u-shaped cross-sectional shape.

6. The ice maker of claim 5, wherein the combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector is formed from uniformly curved stainless steel.

7. The ice maker of claim 5, wherein the combined ultraviolet mounting bracket and reflector extends a length of the at least one ultraviolet light source and provides coverage to at least about 180 degrees of the at least one ultraviolet light source.

8. The ice maker of claim 1, wherein the at least one ultraviolet light source is positioned within the ice formation housing an L-shaped bracket.

9. The ice maker of claim 1, wherein the at least one ultraviolet light source is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene to seal the lamp from moisture, breakage, and contamination.

10. The ice maker of claim 1, wherein the at least one ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light in a spectrum of about 254 nM.

11. The ice maker of claim 11, wherein the at least one ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light in a spectrum of about 185 nM.

12. The ice maker of claim 10, wherein less than ten percent of the at least one ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light at about 185 nM.

13. The ice maker of claim 10, wherein greater than ten percent of the at least one ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light at about 185 nM.

14. The ice maker of claim 1, wherein the at least one ultraviolet light source is positioned in the ice formation housing to irradiate water contained within the water sump tray.

15. An ice maker contamination control system, comprising:

at least one ultraviolet light source adapted to be positioned in an ice formation housing of an ice maker for emitting ultraviolet light in the ice formation housing to irradiate internal surfaces of the ice formation housing and ambient environment surrounding the ice formation components within the ice formation housing;

a reflective covering adapted to be attached to at least a portion of internal surfaces exposed to the at least one ultraviolet light source; and

a combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector for supporting the at least one ultraviolet source in the ice formation housing of the ice maker.

16. The ice maker contamination control system of claim 15, wherein the at least one ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light in a spectrum of about 254 nM and about 185 nM.

17. The ice maker contamination control system of claim 16, wherein less than ten percent of the at least one ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light at about 185 nM.

18. The ice maker contamination control system of claim 15, wherein the combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector has a generally u-shaped cross-sectional shape and is formed from uniformly curved stainless steel.

19. The ice maker contamination control system of claim 15, wherein the combined ultraviolet mounting bracket and reflector extends a length of the at least one ultraviolet light source and provides coverage to at least about 180 degrees of the at least one ultraviolet light source.

20. The ice maker contamination control system of claim 15, wherein the at least one ultraviolet light source is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene to seal the lamp from moisture, breakage and contamination.