Stand-Alone Ice Making Appliances

Abstract

A stand-alone ice making appliance includes a container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water, and a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume. The appliance includes a reservoir defining a third storage volume, the third storage volume in fluid communication with the pump for receiving water that is actively flowed from the water tank. The appliance includes an ice maker which is in fluid communication with the third storage volume for receiving water from the reservoir, the ice maker including a sealed refrigeration system in thermal communication with the casing. The appliance includes a chute extending between the ice maker and the container for directing ice produced by the ice maker towards the first storage volume. The appliance includes a heating element, the heating element activatable to heat the casing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to stand-alone ice making appliances and in exemplary embodiments to stand-alone ice making appliances which produce nugget ice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ice makers generally produce ice for the use of consumers, such as in drinks being consumed, for cooling foods or drinks to be consumed and/or for other various purposes. Certain refrigerator appliances include ice makers for producing ice. The ice maker can be positioned within the appliances' freezer chamber and direct ice into an ice bucket where it can be stored within the freezer chamber. Such refrigerator appliances can also include a dispensing system for assisting a user with accessing ice produced by the refrigerator appliances' ice maker. However, the incorporation of ice makers into refrigerator appliance can have drawbacks, such as limits on the amount of ice that can be produced and the reliance on the refrigeration system of the refrigerator appliance to form the ice.

Recently, stand-alone ice makers have been developed. These ice makers are separate from refrigerator appliances and provide independent ice supplies. However, many stand-alone ice makers require a connection to the plumbing of the dwelling where the ice maker resides, in order to have access to a water supply. Additionally, many stand-alone ice makers do not allow for removal of the ice bucket, instead requiring that ice be scooped from the bucket for use. Further, typical stand-alone ice makers are expensive, to the point of being cost-prohibitive to the typical consumer.

Still further, a concern with many presently known stand-alone ice makers is the lack of features for cleaning the ice makers, such as in preparation for storage (i.e. seasonal storage, long term storage, etc.). This can result in the ice makers being stored with excess moisture in various of their components, which can undesirably lead to mold and other contaminates forming during storage.

Accordingly, improved stand-alone ice makers are desired in the art. In particular, cost-effective stand-alone ice makers which address various of the above issues would be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In accordance with one embodiment, a stand-alone ice making appliance is provided. The appliance includes a container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a water tank, the water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water, and a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume for actively flowing water from the water tank. The appliance further includes a reservoir defining a third storage volume, the third storage volume in fluid communication with the pump for receiving water that is actively flowed from the water tank. The appliance further includes an ice maker, the ice maker including an auger at least partially surrounded by a casing, the casing in fluid communication with the third storage volume for receiving water from the reservoir, the ice maker further including a sealed refrigeration system in thermal communication with the casing. The appliance further includes a chute extending between the ice maker and the container for directing ice produced by the ice maker towards the first storage volume. The appliance further includes a heating element, the heating element activatable to heat the casing.

In accordance with another embodiment, a stand-alone ice making appliance is provided. The appliance includes a removable container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a water tank, the water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water and disposed below the container along a vertical direction, and a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume for actively flowing water from the water tank. The appliance further includes a reservoir defining a third storage volume, the third storage volume in fluid communication with the pump for receiving water that is actively flowed from the water tank. The appliance further includes an ice maker, the ice maker including a sealed refrigeration system. The appliance further includes a chute extending between the ice maker and the container for directing ice produced by the ice maker towards the first storage volume. The appliance further includes a heating element, the heating element activatable to heat the ice maker. Ice within the first storage volume is maintained at a temperature greater than thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stand-alone ice making appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective sectional view of a stand-alone ice making appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view (with a casing removed) of a stand-alone ice making appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a rear sectional view of a stand-alone ice making appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a stand-alone ice making appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a stand-alone ice making appliance 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated. As shown, appliance 10 includes an outer casing 12 which generally at least partially houses various other components of the appliance therein 10. A container 14 is also illustrated. Container 14 defines a first storage volume 16 for the receipt and storage of ice 18 therein. A user of the appliance 10 may access ice 18 within the container 14 for consumption or other uses. Container 14 may include one or more sidewalls 20 and a base wall 22 (see FIG. 2), which may together define the first storage volume 16. In exemplary embodiments, at least one sidewall 20 may be formed from a clear, see-through (i.e. transparent or translucent) material, such as a clear glass or plastic, such that a user can see into the first storage volume 16 and thus view ice 18 therein. Further, in exemplary embodiments, container 14 may be removable, such as from the outer casing 12, by a user. This facilitates easy access by the user to ice within the container 14 and further, for example, may provide access to a water tank 24 (see FIG. 2) of the appliance 10.

Appliances 10 in accordance with the present disclosure are advantageously stand-alone appliances, and thus are not connected to refrigerators or other appliances. Additionally, in exemplary embodiments, such appliances are not connected to plumbing or another water source that is external to the appliance 10, such as a refrigerator water source. Rather, in exemplary embodiments, water is initially supplied to the appliance 10 manually by a user, such as by pouring water into water tank 24.

Notably, appliances 10 as discussed herein include various features which allow the appliances 10 to be affordable and desirable to typical consumers. For example, the stand-alone feature reduces the cost associated with the appliance 10 and allows the consumer to position the appliance 10 at any suitable desired location, with the only requirement in some embodiments being access to an electrical source. The removable container 14 allows easy access to ice and allows the container 14 to be moved to a different position from the remainder of the appliance 10 for ice usage purposes. Additionally, in exemplary embodiments as discussed herein, appliance 10 is configured to make nugget ice (as discussed herein) which is becoming increasingly popular with consumers.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, various other components of appliances 10 in accordance with the present disclosure are illustrated. For example, as mentioned, appliance 10 includes a water tank 24. The water tank 24 defines a second storage volume 26 for the receipt and holding of water. Water tank 24 may include one or more sidewalls 28 and a base wall 30 which may together define the second storage volume 26. In exemplary embodiments, the water tank 24 may be disposed below the container 14 along a vertical direction V defined for the appliance 10, as shown.

As discussed, in exemplary embodiments, water is provided to the water tank 24 for use in forming ice. Accordingly, appliance 10 may further include a pump 32. Pump 32 may be in fluid communication with the second storage volume 26. For example, water may be flowable from the second storage volume 26 through an opening 31 defined in the water tank 24, such as in a sidewall 28 thereof, and may flow through a conduit to and through pump 32. Pump 32 may, when activated, actively flow water from the second storage volume 26 therethrough and from the pump 32.

Water actively flowed from the pump 32 may be flowed (for example through a suitable conduit) to a reservoir 34. For example, reservoir 34 may define a third storage volume 36, which may be defined by one or more sidewalls 38 and a base wall 40. Third storage volume 36 may, for example, be in fluid communication with the pump 32 and may thus receive water that is actively flowed from the water tank 24, such as through the pump 32. For example, water may be flowed into the third storage volume 36 through an opening 42 defined in the reservoir 34.

Reservoir 34 and third storage volume 36 thereof may receive and contain water to be provided to an ice maker 50 for the production of ice. Accordingly, third storage volume 36 may be in fluid communication with ice maker 50. For example, water may be flowed, such as through opening 44 and through suitable conduits, from third storage volume 36 to ice maker 50.

Ice maker 50 generally receives water, such as from reservoir, and freezes the water to form ice 18. While any suitable style of ice maker is within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, in exemplary embodiments, ice maker 50 is a nugget ice maker, and in particular is an auger-style ice maker. As shown, ice maker 50 may include a casing 52 into which water from third storage volume 36 is flowed. Casing 52 is thus in fluid communication with third storage volume 36. For example, casing 52 may include one or more sidewalls 54 which may define an interior volume 56, and an opening 58 may be defined in a sidewall 54. Water may be flowed from third storage volume 36 through the opening 58 (such as via a suitable conduit) into the interior volume 56.

As illustrated, an auger 60 may be disposed at least partially within the casing 52. During operation, the auger 60 may rotate. Water within the casing 52 may at least partially freeze due to heat exchange, such as with a refrigeration system as discussed herein. The at least partially frozen water may be lifted by the auger 60 from casing 52. Further, in exemplary embodiments, the at least partially frozen water may be directed by auger 60 to and through an extruder 62. The extruder 62 may extrude the at least partially frozen water to form ice, such as nuggets of ice 18.

Formed ice 18 may be provided by the ice maker 50 to container 14, and may be received in the first storage volume 16 thereof. For example, ice 18 formed by auger 60 and/or extruder 62 may be provide to the container 14. In exemplary embodiments, appliance 10 may include a chute 70 for directing ice 18 produced by the ice maker 50 towards the first storage volume 16. For example, as shown, chute 70 is generally positioned above container 14 along the vertical direction V. Thus, ice can slide off of chute 70 and drop into storage volume 16 of container 14. Chute 70 may, as shown, extend between ice maker 50 and container 14, and may include a body 72 which defines a passage 74 therethrough. Ice 18 may be directed from the ice maker 50 (such as from the auger 60 and/or extruder 62) through the passage 74 to the container 14. In some embodiments, for example, a sweep 64, which may for example be connected to and rotate with the auger, may contact the ice emerging through the extruder 62 from the auger 60 and direct the ice through the passage 74 to the container 14.

As discussed, water within the casing 52 may at least partially freeze due to heat exchange, such as with a refrigeration system. In exemplary embodiments, ice maker 50 may include a sealed refrigeration system 80. The sealed refrigeration system 80 may be in thermal communication with the casing 52 to remove heat from the casing 52 and interior volume 56 thereof, thus facilitating freezing of water therein to form ice. Sealed refrigeration system 80 may, for example, include a compressor 82, a condenser 84, a throttling device 86 and an evaporator 88. Evaporator 88 may, for example, be in thermal communication with the casing 52 in order to remove heat from the interior volume 56 and water therein during operation of sealed system 80. For example, evaporator 88 may at least partially surround the casing 52. In particular, evaporator 88 may be a conduit coiled around and in contact with casing 52, such as the sidewall(s) 54 thereof. During operation of sealed system 80, refrigerant exits evaporator 88 as a fluid in the form of a superheated vapor. Upon exiting evaporator 88, the refrigerant enters compressor 82 wherein the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant are increased such that the refrigerant becomes a higher pressure superheated vapor. The superheated vapor from compressor 82 enters condenser 84 wherein energy is transferred therefrom and condenses into a saturated liquid and/or liquid vapor mixture. This fluid exits condenser 84 and travels through throttling device 86 that is configured for regulating a flow rate of refrigerant therethrough. Upon exiting throttling device 86, the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant drop at which time the refrigerant enters evaporator 88 and the cycle repeats itself. In certain exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 5, throttling device 86 may be a capillary tube. Notably, in some embodiments, sealed system 80 may additionally include fans (not shown) for facilitating heat transfer to/from the condenser 84 and evaporator 88.

As discussed, in exemplary embodiments, ice 18 may be nugget ice. Nugget ice is ice that that is maintained or stored (i.e. in first storage volume 16 of container 14) at a temperature greater than the melting point of water or greater than about thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit. Accordingly, the ambient temperature of the environment surrounding the container 14 may be at a temperature greater than the melting point of water or greater than about thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit. In some embodiments, such temperature may be greater than forty degrees Fahrenheit, greater than fifty degrees Fahrenheit, or greater than 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ice 18 held within the first storage volume 16 may gradually melt. The melting speed is increased for nugget ice due to the increased maintenance/storage temperature. Accordingly, drain features may advantageously be provided in the container for draining such melt water. Additionally, and advantageously, the melt water may in exemplary embodiments be reused by appliance 10 to form ice.

For example, in some embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 5, a drain aperture 90 may be defined in the base wall 22. Drain aperture 90 may allow water to flow from the first storage volume 16 and container 14 generally. Further, in exemplary embodiments, water flowing from the first storage volume 16 and container 14 may, due to gravity and the vertical alignment of the container 14 of water tank 24, flow into the second storage volume 26.

In exemplary embodiments, appliance 10 may further include a controller 110. Controller 110 may, for example, be configured to operate the appliance 10 based on, for example, user inputs to the appliance 10 (such as to a user interface 124 (see FIG. 1) thereof), inputs from various sensors disposed within the appliance 10, and/or other suitable inputs. User interface 124 may, for example, include one or more switches, buttons, touch screens and/or other features that allow a user to transmit signals to the controller 110 to control operation of the appliance 10. Controller 110 may for example include one or more memory devices and one or more microprocessors, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with appliance 10 operation. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor.

In exemplary embodiments, controller 110 may be in operative communication with the pump 32. Such operative communication may be via a wired or wireless connection, and may facilitate the transmittal and/or receipt of signals by the controller 110 and pump 32. Controller 110 may be configured to activate the pump 32 to actively flow water. For example, controller 110 may activate the pump 32 to actively flow water therethrough when, for example, reservoir 34 requires water. A suitable sensor(s), for example, may be provided in the third storage volume 36. The sensor(s) may be in operative communication with the controller 110 may transmit signals to the controller 110 which indicate whether or not additional water is desired in the reservoir 34. When controller 110 receives a signal that water is desired, controller 110 may send a signal to pump 32 to activate that pump.

It should additionally be noted that, in exemplary embodiments, controller 110 may be in operative communication with the sealed system 80, such as with the compressor 82 thereof, and may activate the sealed system 80 as desired or required for ice making purposes.

In exemplary embodiments, appliance 10 further includes a heating element 120. The heating element 120 may, when activated, emit heat to heat various components of the appliance 10. In particular, as discussed herein, heating element 120 may be utilized to evaporate excess water in various components of the heating element 120, such as in preparation for storage of the appliance 10. Such evaporation may advantageously reduce or eliminate the risk of mold and/or other contaminates forming in the appliance 10, and in particular in the ice maker 50 and casing 52 thereof, during such storage.

As illustrated, the heating element 120 may be activatable to heat the ice maker 50, and particularly the casing 52 thereof. The heating element 120 may be in contact with a component of the ice maker 50, such as the casing 52, to facilitate such heating when activated. For example, the heating element 120 may be in contact with an outer surface 122 of the casing 52. When activated, heat emitted from the heating element 120 may be transferred to the outer surface 122 and casing 52 generally, heating the casing 52 and ice maker 50 generally.

In exemplary embodiments, the heating element 120 may be a resistive heating element 120, and may be in the form of a wire or ribbon. The heating element 120 may thus, for example, be wrapped in a generally helical fashion around the outer surface 122 of the casing 52. Alternatively, other suitable heating elements which generate heat when activated may be utilized. Heating elements in accordance with the present disclosure may be formed from metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, or other suitable materials as desired.

Controller 110 may be in operative communication with the heating element 120. Such operative communication may be via a wired or wireless connection, and may facilitate the transmittal and/or receipt of signals by the controller 110 and heating element 120. Controller 110 may be configured to activate the heating element 120 to emit heat, and to for example heat the ice maker 50 generally and in exemplary embodiments the casing 52.

In exemplary embodiments, controller 110 may be configured to activate the heating element 120 based on one or more user inputs to the controller 110, such as through user interface 124. For example, a user may interact with the user interface 124 to instruct the controller 110 to activate the heating element 120 as desired. Further, in some embodiments, a user may interact with the user interface 124 to instruct the controller 110 to deactivate the heating element 120 as desired. User interaction with the user interface 124 may involve pressing a particular button/touchscreen area or combination of buttons/touchscreen areas or another suitable manual input to the user interface 124.

Additionally or alternatively, the controller 110 may automatically deactivate the heating element 120 after prior activation and after a particular time period, such as predetermined time period stored in the controller 110, has passed. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 110 may automatically activate the heating element 120 if/when particular conditions are met. For example, a temperature sensor disposed on and/or within the ice maker 50, such as on and/or within the casing 52, may measure temperatures within the ice maker 50 and specifically the casing 52. If, for example, such temperature is below a predetermined threshold, the controller 110 may activate the heating element 120 to raise the temperature, such as to above the predetermined threshold. This may, for example, facilitate continued production of nugget ice and reduce/prevent the risk of excess freezing conditions within the casing 52.

In exemplary embodiments, a user input to the controller 110 which causes activation of the heating element 120 may be a storage preparation mode instruction. This instruction may be input by the user via, for example, pressing a particular button/touchscreen area or combination of buttons/touchscreen areas or another suitable manual input to the user interface 124. Such user input of the storage preparation mode instruction may cause the controller 110 to activate the heating element 120 in a particular manner which prepares the appliance 10 for storage, i.e. a condition in which the appliance 10 is not utilized for a relatively extended period of time. Such extended period of time may, for example, be a time during which moisture in the appliance 10 could potential cause the growth of mold and/or other contaminates in the appliance 10.

When activated in the storage preparation mode, the heating element 120 may be activated for a predetermined period of time. In general, the predetermined period of time may be a time period sufficient to cause evaporation of moisture from the ice maker 50, and in particular from within the casing 52. For example, the predetermined period of time may be a time period of between 45 minutes and 2 hours, such as between 55 minutes and 1 hour 45 minutes, such as between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes. In exemplary embodiments, the heating element 120 may be automatically deactivated by the controller 110 upon expiration of the predetermined time period.

In exemplary embodiments, a user may activate the heating element 120 in the storage preparation mode (such as via a user input to the user interface 124 as discussed) after manually draining the excess water from the appliance 10. Activation of the heating element 120 in the storage preparation mode may advantageously cause evaporation of remaining water after such manual drainage is performed.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A stand-alone ice making appliance, comprising:

a container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice;

a water tank, the water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water;

a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume for actively flowing water from the water tank;

a reservoir defining a third storage volume, the third storage volume in fluid communication with the pump for receiving water that is actively flowed from the water tank;

an ice maker, the ice maker comprising an auger at least partially surrounded by a casing, the casing in fluid communication with the third storage volume for receiving water from the reservoir, the ice maker further comprising a sealed refrigeration system in thermal communication with the casing;

a chute extending between the ice maker and the container for directing ice produced by the ice maker towards the first storage volume; and

a heating element, the heating element activatable to heat the casing.

2. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, further comprising a controller in operative communication with the pump and the heating element.

3. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to activate the heating element based on a user input to the controller.

4. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 3, wherein the user input is a storage preparation mode instruction.

5. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 4, wherein upon activation in the storage preparation mode, the heating element is activated for a time period of between 45 minutes and 2 hours.

6. The stand-along ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the heating element is in contact with an outer surface of the casing.

7. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the water tank is disposed below the container along a vertical direction.

8. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the ice maker further comprises an extruder.

9. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the sealed refrigeration system comprises a compressor, a condenser, a throttling device, and an evaporator, and wherein the evaporator at least partially surrounds the casing.

10. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the container is removable.

11. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein ice within the first storage volume is maintained at a temperature greater than thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit.

12. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein ice within the first storage volume is maintained at a temperature greater than forty degrees Fahrenheit.

13. A stand-alone ice making appliance, comprising:

a removable container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice;

a water tank, the water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water and disposed below the container along a vertical direction;

a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume for actively flowing water from the water tank;

a reservoir defining a third storage volume, the third storage volume in fluid communication with the pump for receiving water that is actively flowed from the water tank;

an ice maker, the ice maker comprising a sealed refrigeration system; and

a chute extending between the ice maker and the container for directing ice produced by the ice maker towards the first storage volume; and

a heating element, the heating element activatable to heat the ice maker,

wherein ice within the first storage volume is maintained at a temperature greater than thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit.

14. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 13, wherein the ice maker further comprises an auger at least partially surrounded by a casing, the casing in fluid communication with the third storage volume for receiving water from the reservoir, and wherein the heating element is activatable to heat the casing.

15. The stand-along ice making appliance of claim 14, wherein the heating element is in contact with an outer surface of the casing.

16. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 13, wherein the ice maker further comprises an extruder.

17. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 13, further comprising a controller in operative communication with the pump and the heating element.

18. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to activate the heating element based on a user input to the controller.

19. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 18, wherein the user input is an storage preparation mode instruction.

20. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 19, wherein upon activation in the storage preparation mode, the heating element is activated for a time period of between 45 minutes and 2 hours.