METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MASS PRODUCING HIGH QUALITY TRANSPARENT ICE CUBES

Abstract

An ice cube maker having modules to mass produce high quality transparent ice cubes comprising an agitation system and a refrigeration system utilizing at least substantially one directional freezing of the water through a wall of an ice mold to make an ice cube having a center that is void of visible crystallization and void of a visible bubble with no visible cracking therein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/969,980, entitled “ICE CUBE MAKER AND METHOD FOR MAKING HIGH QUALITY TRANSPARENT ICE CUBES,” filed Oct. 20, 2022, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/741,846, entitled “ENERGY EFFICIENT TRANSPARENT ICE CUBE MAKER,” filed May 11, 2022, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/974,284, entitled “Clear ice cube making device,” filed Dec. 16, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 63/102,512, entitled “Popsicle device,” filed Jun. 19, 2020, which are specifically incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an icemaker for mass producing ice cubes that are transparent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There have been several attempts to mass produce transparent ice cubes of high quality by agitating water in an ice cube mold during the freezing process. There are three separate and equally important aspects that determines the quality of a transparent ice cube, non-visible bubbles, non-visible crystallization and cracks in the ice cube. The present invention addresses those three separate issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The terminology “visible” herein means what a human having 20/20 vision in both eyes sees without visual enhancement in the sunlight. The terminology “ice cube” or “cube” herein is not limited to a size or shape and means any shaped or sized ice. The terminologies “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the terminology “comprising.” Similarly, the terminology “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, is applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a terminology, such as “about,” “approximately”, and “substantially”, and “substantial”, are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a ten percent margin. The terminology “motor” herein may refer to any suitable drive motor and/or transmission assembly. The term “ice mold” means any structure that water is frozen in. The terminology “center” in relationship to an “ice cube” means the absolute center point of the “ice cube”. The terminology “substantially level” with respect to an ice cube means the surface has no cracks or holes and a surface is substantially flat on a flat level surface. Work of Applicant's to the extent it is described in this disclosure, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. The present invention incorporates herein all related art submitted in the Information Disclosure Statements in their entireties.

An aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is having the right combination of proper water agitation, a properly configured ice mold and properly configured refrigeration setup to make a transparent ice cube with a center void of visible crystallization, void of a visible bubble and void of a visible crack. The releasing of bubbles is not the science behind making a transparent ice cube but a result of the process. As an example, take a short glass and fill it half full of water that has no visible bubbles. Stick your finger in the water and stir. You will see your finger movement creates visible bubbles such as any agitation means would if the agitation is vigorous enough. All bubbles can never be eliminated no matter how long you agitate the water even if half the water is frozen. Agitation will therefore make bubbles appear in otherwise visually clear water. The key is not releasing, or prevention of bubbles in water while the water freezes, which is impossible, but not trapping visible bubbles in the ice cube. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention the agitation is adjusted that at the point where the water freezes, the pressure is such that visible air bubbles are not frozen in an ice cube. Disclosures that suggest they prevent the formation of air bubbles as the water freezes therefore is scientifically impossible as seen in claims in application No. 2022/0243972 to Harrell, Robert E. “ . . . prevent formation of air bubbles as the water freezes . . . .” As the above example illustrates, bubbles can never be eliminated in water no matter how long you agitate the water even if half the water in the glass is frozen. Agitation will therefore make bubbles appear in otherwise visually clear water and not prevent their formation. Disclosures that say they use water that has extremely low air content, or uses water having a low amount of bubbles, or water having a low amount of air pockets, is not scientifically accurate either. See for example first page of application No. 2019/2024000 to Flores, “ . . . filtered water having extremely low air content (e.g., small air pockets, such as bubbles).” Water used to make transparent ice cubes has about the same concentration of air as any other water used to make ice cubes. It is the complete configuration of a transparent ice maker that determines if the ice cube has visible bubbles trapped in an ice cube and not the amount of air in water.

An aspect of one embodiment of the present invention discloses a proper frequency and amplitude combination to make a transparent ice cube so a person with or without a scientific instrument can do so. Amplitude is the intensity of the water movement while frequency is the rate of the movement. In one embodiments of the present invention, a proper amplitude intensity is achieved when water droplets jump above the water surface and most preferably jumps over one eight of an inch above the water's surface. The amplitude can be too high. As an example and not limitation, when an ice mold is filled with water and a maximum amplitude for a high frequency is applied all the water may either jump out of the mold, or super cold droplets from the bottom of the water may come to the surface and may freeze the surface water if the mold has a lid and that may result in the surface becoming slushy and milky looking. Further the high amplitude may create an uneven freezing of the water to the degree it creates a cloudy cube because it adversely affects the pressure in the water. If either of these events happen the amplitude is adjusted downward. As an example, and not limitation to increase amplitude in one embodiment of the present invention, from a system using an eccentric vibrator, weights are adjusted or added or subtracted to increase or decrease amplitude. In one embodiment, the disclosed amplitude creates a high-pressure region and a low-pressure region in water within the ice mold and at a point where the water turns into ice the pressure is such that air molecules are at that point and frozen while above that point the pressure is such that air is visible to unaided eye as it rises to the surface as a visible bubble. Therefore, an air molecule is in the center of the ice cube of the present invention and a visible bubble is not frozen in the center of the ice cube. The amplitude of the wave depends upon the energy (motor drive output) associated with the system and the energy of the wave is directly proportional to the frequency of the wave. Frequency is inversely related to the amplitude of the wave. In one embodiment of the present invention the oscillating energy is such that no matter how much weight is oscillated a water drop jumps above the top surface of the water. As an example, if you oscillate a 100 pounds total and five pounds is water and you use a small driving force motor, a water droplet may never jump above the top surface of the water no matter what the frequency and amplitude. By increasing the driving motor output a drop of water will jump above the top surface of the water. The present invention contemplates all ways to achieve the goal of a water droplet jumping above the top surface of the water with all agitation devices during a segment of time water freezes and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a proper frequency is achieved when the frequency is adjusted for the total mass moved until the amplitude is such that water droplets jump above the top surface of the water in multiple ice molds.

The creation of high- and low-pressure regions within water in an ice mold is shown in the detailed drawings herein and described herein is by way of example and not limitations as the present invention contemplates all ways to create the proper pressure regions for all agitation devices disclosed herein to make an ice cube having a center void of a visible bubble and void of visible crystallization and void of a visible crack and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. The amplitude described and shown herein is by way of example and not limitation as the present invention contemplates all ways to create the proper pressure differences in water so at the point the water turns to ice visible bubbles are not frozen in the center of an ice cube. The adjustment of amplitude is described by way of example and not limitation as the present inventions contemplates all ways to provide a proper amplitude and/or pressure regions in all devices disclosed herein to make an ice cube having a center void of a visible bubble and void of visible crystallization and void of visible cracking therein and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. An ice cube can be crystal clear and still have numerous bubbles and/or a visible crack.

Another aspect of the one embodiment of the present invention is preventing visible crystallization in the center of a transparent ice cube. Atmospheric gases such as nitrogen and oxygen can dissolve in water. The amount of gas dissolved depends on the temperature of the water and the atmospheric pressure at the air/water interface. Colder water and higher pressure allow more gas to dissolve; conversely, warmer water and lower pressure allow less gas to dissolve. Air has atoms in the form of molecules or noble gases. When water freezes it usually passes from the liquid to the solid state. As a liquid, water molecules are in constant motion, bumping and jostling each other and never staying in one place for long. When water freezes, the molecules slow and settle into place, lining up in regular formations you see as crystals. One embodiment of the present invention provides a proper water movement pressure inside a properly configured ice mold, so the molecules do not line up to the degree they cause visible crystallization in the center of an ice cube. Crystallization can form in ice without visible bubbles in water. Take a metal cup and fill with water. Be sure there is no visible bubbles in the water. Freeze the water and it will crystallize.

Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a proper refrigerant and superheat for a piped system and an ice mold combination to make a high-quality transparent ice cube having a center void of visible crystallization and void of a visible bubble by using one directional freezing or substantially one directional freezing through a wall of an ice mold. One embodiment of the present invention uses a high superheat. Superheat is a calculated value by taking the difference between two temperatures. First you find the actual temperature of the refrigerant vapor and then you need the saturation or boiling point of that same refrigerant. The temperature that you measure on the refrigerant should be higher than what your boiling point/saturation point is on the refrigerant. If it is not, then you have no superheat. Superheat can be determined by subtracting the boiling point/saturation point of the refrigerant from the actual temperature of the refrigerant vapor. As an example, and not limitation, if you have a forty-five degrees boiling point and your actual refrigerant temperature is at fifty degrees then you have a superheat of ten degrees. To saturation or boiling point temperature you will need to use the low side on refrigeration gauges set to measure the pressure of the evaporator. Once you have this pressure you can then convert it to a temperature either using a gauge or a PT conversion table. One embodiment of the present invention uses a superheat of between about ten degrees Fahrenheit and about fifty degrees Fahrenheit and more preferably about thirty degrees Fahrenheit.

Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is configuring the system to purposely move the refrigeration piping. It is known by one of ordinary skill in the art that purposely oscillating, vibrating or in general moving the refrigeration piping is not recommended as it may decrease the life of the refrigeration components including possible leakage of the refrigeration pipe at the pipe joints. For this reason, ice cube machines are generally not engineered to purposely vibrate the refrigeration pipe. The present invention provides features to mitigate this issue such as but not limited to a vibration isolator and brazing the joints as the present invention contemplates all ways to mitigate the damage to a refrigeration pipe by movement of the pipe and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. There are many ways to join piping. Soldering, compression fittings, brazing, electric resistance joining, etc. One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a nitrogen system flush and brazing utilizing an alloy containing a chemical composition range of 3-15% silver.

Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is transforming a larger transparent ice cube into smaller ice cubes and at very high feed rate without cracking or chipping the smaller ice cubes. In one embodiment the saw has a speed of about 16 to about 133 surface feet per minute and two to ten teeth per inch and more ideally about three teeth per inch to turn larger ice cubes. External interference is one cause of saw blade vibration. The vibration may shorten the useful life of the saw blades, may increase saw path loss, may decrease sawing accuracy and increase noise level especially at the high feed rate for mass producing smaller ice cubes. Blade vibration also may be caused by an imbalance in the saw's weight distribution. One embodiment of the present invention has a circular blade that is weight balanced and has two to ten teeth per inch and spins at over fifty feet per second. The saw blade width is also important to reduce vibration and increase cutting accuracy when cutting small ice cubes. Therefore, all saws have a width of at least one half an inch and more preferably over one inch. All saw blades herein further have a thickness of about one quarter of an inch or less. In one embodiment of the present invention a high pressure stream of air cuts the ice cube. There is no prior art for a high pressure system to cut ice cubes with air. In one embodiment of the present invention the air has an edible grit that aids in making cuts in ice.

Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an evaporator (freezing surface) that helps distribute a proper amplitude to water in each ice mold and that is configured for the wet environment of making ice cubes. Essentially, metal is elastic and transmits vibrations easily while plastic is viscoelastic and does not transmit vibrations nearly as well. The present invention contemplates all metals having a well-organized crystalline lattice structure and all material having a well-organized crystalline lattice structure fall into the scope of the present invention. The method for obtaining the frequencies and orthogonality relation for combined dynamical systems in which the Green Functions of the vibrating subsystems are used is applied to a thick plate carrying concentrated masses. The effects of transverse shear and rotary inertia of each mass is accounted for. It is demonstrated that as the plate thickness goes to zero the results of thin plate analysis are obtained. The Green Functions for both thin and thick vibrating plates are derived by modal analysis in the form of infinite series. Physically, the Green's Functions of the steady-state vibration equations are the deflection of its steady-state response due to a unit concentrated harmonic stimulus acting at an arbitrary position. With respect to one embodiment of the present invention when using Greens Functions the optimal metal thickness range to help distribute the amplitude to each ice mold is between one sixtieth of an inch and three eights of an inch thick. Further the footprint size of the freezing surface under the ice mold extends to the size or larger than the size of the footprint of the ice mold. As an example, and not limitation when the ice mold is ten inches by ten inches the freezing surface will be at least ten inches by ten inches.

Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is meeting various USA and Canadian standards. One embodiment of the present invention meets the standards set forth in NSF/ANSI 2 Food Equipment, NSF/ANSI 7, Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers, NSF/ANSI 8, Commercial Powered Food Preparation Equipment and NSF/ANSI 12, Automatic Ice Making Equipment, all circa 2022. Further one embodiment meets Canadian CSA C742-15, circa 2022.

Another aspect of one embodiment the present invention is to allow a user to change the ice molds so the system can make a variety of different shaped and sized transparent ice without needing a tool to remove the ice tray from a freezer compartment of a refrigerator and without removing the oscillation system from a freezer compartment. Most automatic ice makers are presently configured so only the manufacturer can change the ice cube mold. The removal of the ice cube tray the ice is made in is not part of the normal operation of these automatic ice makers. One embodiment of the present invention is configured so only the ice mold is removable from the transparent ice machine without having to remove a segment of the water movement system from a freezer compartment of a refrigerator. This method helps reduce the chance of the ice cubes rejoining together as may be the case in other packaging methods. The ice mold packaging is shown by way of example and not limitation as the present invention envisions all ways to reduce the chance or more preferably prevent the ice cubes from rejoin together after packaging.

Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a corrosive resistant evaporator or freezing surface having a corrosive penetration rate less than five mils per year where the freezing surface also has a heat conductivity higher than fifteen watts per meter-Kelvin and the freezing surface provides a proper attenuation to help distribute a specified frequency and amplitude combination to multiple ice molds. As an example, and not limitation, one embodiment of the present invention accomplishes this goal by using ceramic. To calculate the corrosion rate is assuming uniform corrosion over the entire surface of the coupon. mpy=(weight loss in grams)*(22,300)/(Adt) mpy=corrosion rate (mils per year penetration) A=area of coupon (sq. in.) d=metal density of coupon (g/cm 3) t=time of exposure in corrosive environment (days).

Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an ice tray the ice cubes are made in used as end user packaging eliminating the cost of repackaging associated with bulk ice cube sales and the rejoining of the ice cubes. There is no related art for transparent ice cubes sold in the ice tray the ice cubes were made in except for one embodiment of the present invention. Also after the ice cubes are cut into smaller ice cubes the smaller ice cubes in one embodiment of the present invention are placed in a package with cavities to prevent the ice cubes from rejoining together. The tray is shown by way of example and not limitation as the present invention contemplates all ways to reduce the chance of ice cubes from rejoining together and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention.

Another aspect of one embodiment of the refrigeration system is having the proper sized refrigeration system (piping and compressor). It is the velocity of the refrigerant that carries oil throughout the piping in one embodiment of the current invention. As oil clings to the sidewalls of the piping, refrigerant gas velocity sweeps small oil particles away in suspension. As an example and not limitation in one embodiment this is accomplished having a one half inch diameter pipe that carried a refrigerant and is about seventy feet long having a one half horsepower compressor. The present invention contemplates all configurations and all configuration fall into the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment this setup provides freezing an ice cube weighing over about five pounds within a twenty four hour period. Freezing an ice cube too fast may result in an inferior transparent ice cube. This configuration further allows one embodiment of the present invention to produce a transparent ice cube having a center portion void of visible crystallization and void of a visible bubble weighing over five pounds in twenty four hour period.

Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an ice mold lid that compensates for the opposing BTUs freezing the water. In one embodiment of the present invention, a lid covering the ice molds is calibrated to the BTU output of the refrigeration system piping under the molds to allow warm room temperature air above the lid to go through the lid to counter the BTUs in a refrigeration pipe under the mold to prevent the top surface of the water from freezing before the water under the surface yet allows all of the water to eventually freeze in the molds. As an example and not limitation one embodiment of the present invention accomplish this goal is by using a refrigeration system rated to deliver twenty-four hundred BTUs and rated with a room air temperature of seventy degrees Fahrenheit subjected to the top of the lid and the lid having a thickness of less than 0.016 inches. The present invention contemplates all ways to provide a lid that compensates for the BTU output and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention.

One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a water movement system comprising either an eccentric weight vibrator or a voice coil, or a stepper motor, or a servo motor or an impact vibrator, electric motor, or a magnetic force. In one embodiment of the present invention, the water weight, refrigeration piping weight if it is to be moved, the bin weight if it is to be moved, etc., are added up and then the water movement system is configured and calibrated to provide over one-half pound of force for each pound of the total weight and more preferably over one and a half pounds of force for each pound.

This Summary of the Invention is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Statements in this disclosure are pertinent to the present disclosure and statements made in applicants prior applications are pertinent to only those disclosures unless otherwise noted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the freezing plate with a refrigerant piping system.

FIG. 3 is a view of a transparent ice cube mold showing a transparent ice cube and a standard cloudy ice cube.

FIG. 4 is a view of a vibration system that uniformly delivers vibration to multiple mold cavities.

FIG. 5 is a view of a mechanism that goes into an ice maker to make it automatic.

FIG. 6 is a view of a combination transparent ice maker and refrigerator.

FIG. 7 is a view of an ice tray and vibrator.

FIG. 8 is a view of configurations of a piping system.

FIG. 9 shows an electric motor cam configuration of a water movement system.

FIG. 10 shows different thermoelectric configurations.

FIG. 11 shows magnets creating a vortex in water.

FIG. 12 is an ice mold having different shaped cavities.

FIG. 13 is a section of an ice tray showing an undercut.

FIG. 14 shows a stepped embodiment of an ice mold having a lid.

FIG. 15 shows different piping configurations.

FIG. 16 shows different refrigeration configurations and transparent ice cube configurations.

FIG. 17 shows different ways to transform a transparent ice cube into smaller pieces.

FIG. 18 shows different tooth saw configurations.

FIG. 19 shows different saw tooth forms.

FIG. 20 shows how to make a round transparent ice cube with a hole in the center through the spinning of the water.

FIG. 21 shows different pressure regions created in water.

FIG. 22 shows molecule alignment in an ice cube.

FIG. 23 shows different configurations of cutting apparatuses.

FIG. 24 is a method for producing transparent ice cubes.

FIG. 25 is a method for producing transparent ice cubes.

FIG. 26 is a method for producing transparent ice cubes.

DETAILED BRIEF OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows transparent ice cube maker 101 having, refrigeration pipe 102 and compressor/assembly 100 and expansion valve 103 and high pressure/low pressure cut in-cut out control 106 and air moisture reducer 104 also known as a moisture filter or moisture drier, that reduces or more preferably eliminates moisture in refrigeration pipe 102. In one embodiment of the present invention expansion valve 103 is either a thermal expansion valve, manual valve, an automatic expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve, a low-pressure float valve, or a high-pressure float valve. A preferred expansion valve in one embodiment of the present invention is either an expansion valve with a capillary tube as shown or an automatic expansion valve. In one embodiment of the present invention, freezing surface plate 109 is an evaporator segment of transparent ice maker 101. In one embodiment, the thermal conductivity of plate 109 is over 15 watts per meter-Kelvin and more preferably over forty watts per meter-Kelvin. In one embodiment, compressor 100 is a reciprocating compressor or a V belt compressor. One embodiment of the present invention allows a small amount of oil to circulate in the refrigeration pipe 102. In one embodiment of the present invention compressor assembly 100 has either a one half horsepower or three quarters horsepower motor with less than one inch outside diameter piping and the piping 102 has a length of between sixty and ninety feet to provide the proper movement of oil within the refrigeration piping. In one embodiment of the present invention refrigeration pipe 102 has a segment located between bin 108 and compressor assembly 100 is insulated with a water resistant insulation having a thickness over about one quarter inch thick. From this description one of ordinary skill in the art would know how to insulate this segment of pipe 102. Expansion valve 103 is either an automatic expansion valve, a thermostatic expansion valve, a float valve, low side float valve, high side float valve, a capillary tube or an electronic expansion valve. In one embodiment of the present invention there are at least two or more expansion valve 103. In one embodiment of the present invention there are at least two or more expansion valve 103 where one is located above the other. From reading this disclosure one of ordinary skill in the art would know how to accomplish this goal. In one embodiment of the present invention there are at least one expansion valve 103 for each bin 108 where the bin 108 measures more than twenty four inches by more than twenty four inches. One embodiment of the present invention has multiple bins with an expansion valve 103 for each bin 108. In one embodiment of the present invention there are two bin 108 side by side. One of ordinary skill in the art would know how to accomplish is goal from this disclosure. In one embodiment of the present invention water is frozen in bin 108 from the bottom of the bin to the top of the bin. This embodiment eliminates an ice mold. In this embodiment it is preferably that the material of the bin 108 is made from a material having a chromium content of at least sixteen percent and a thermal conductivity of between about ten watts per meter-Kelvin and about twenty five watts per meter-Kelvin. In one embodiment of the present invention bin 108 is configured to hold water without leaking. In one embodiment this eliminates the need for a removable ice mold 111. Further this configuration provides for an ice cube (not shown) to have a substantially smooth and level sidewall before cutting the ice cube as the sidewall of bin 108 in one embodiment of the present invention is substantially smooth and level. One way this can be accomplished is forming bin 108 in one piece or sealing all seams and openings in bin 108. The configuration of bin 108 to hold water is by way of example and not limitation as the present invention envisions all ways for bin 108 to hold water and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. This embodiment eliminates the need for a separate ice mold 111. In one embodiment having multiple bin 108's, each bin 108 has an expansion valve 103. In one embodiment bin 108 is configured to be watertight having a bottom wall 109 in FIG. 3 made out of at least sixteen percent chromium and configured to hold at least one gallon of water and more preferably over ten gallons of water.

In one embodiment of the present invention the entire bid 108 has a metal surface and the metal has a corrosive penetration rate of less than five mils per year. One embodiment of the present invention has a segment of refrigeration pipe 102 having a diameter of a between one half and inch and one inch and another segment of refrigeration pipe 102 has a diameter of about one quarter of an inch.

Cart 105 has vibration adjusters 107 (also known as vibration isolators or vibration dampeners), is shown in one embodiment of the present invention between cart 105 and bin 108. Vibration adjusters 107 are attached to any segment of transparent ice cube maker 101 including various places on mold 111 and number between one, two, three, four or more. Vibration isolators are important as they reduce the chance the joints of the copper pipe leak from continual vibration. Vibration adjustors 107 are shown by way of example and not limitation. The present invention contemplates all configurations of vibration adjustors 107 and all configurations and materials fall into the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, expansion valve 103 is configured with compressor 100 to provide a superheat of between ten and fifty-degrees Fahrenheit and most preferably about thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit. In one embodiment of the present invention, the height of ice mold 111 is such that when an amplitude is subjected to water therein (not shown), water does not splash outside mold 111. In one embodiment of the present invention, vibrator 115 is attached to insulating cover 114 and insulating cover 114 goes over bin 108 and in one embodiment is configured to vibrate mold 111. In one embodiment the cover 114 has a thermal resistance (R-Valve) of about five and more preferably over ten. In one embodiment cover 114 has a surface made out of metal and insulation. In one embodiment there are two or more bin 108 and one bin is positioned over the other bin.

In one embodiment of the present invention, cover 114 is heated to heat the top surface of water (not shown) in mold 111. In one embodiment, mold 111 is made from a plastic that is free from bisphenol A. In one embodiment of the present invention, vibrator 115 is located under freezing surface 109 and freezing surface 109 is made from corrosive resistant material. In one embodiment of the present invention, cavities 112 are made from either a thermoplastic polymer or an inorganic polymer or a fibrous material. One embodiment of the present invention provides that cavities 112 are flexible. In one embodiment flexing is important for ease of releasing the ice (not shown) from the cavities 112. Cavities 112 can be one large cavity as a standalone mold or multiple cavities as shown. In one embodiment of the present invention, mold receiver 110 sits atop freezing surface 109. Mold receiver 110 provides insulation to the cavities 112 as cavities 112 insert into mold receiver 110 so that when water (not shown) is put in the cavities 112 the cavities 112 touch a segment of the mold receiver 110 sidewalls 113. The mold receiver thus provides one directional freezing of water. The mold receiver 110 is shown by way of example and not limitation as the present invention contemplates all ways to provide one directional freezing of water and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment a segment refrigeration pipe 102 is insulated. In one embodiment of the present invention insulated cover 114 has a segment that is made in part of out of foam insulation board or a material having a thermal conductivity less than ten watts per meter-Kelvin. In one embodiment of the present invention the insulation board measures over one and one half inch thick. In one embodiment of the present invention mold 111 is untreated without a wax or other coating. In one embodiment of the present invention cover 114 is made out of plexiglass, see through plastic, plastic, metal or another material. In one embodiment a sidewall of cavities 112 will flex or bow out when filled with water while it is outside bin 108.

In one embodiment of the present invention, vibrator 115 is attached first to rigid metal plate 115B and then the rigid plate 115B is attached in various ways to the transparent ice maker 101. Nob 115A allows a user to increase or decrease the frequency and amplitude.

FIG. 2 shows freezing surface 109 having refrigeration pipe 119. In one embodiment of the present invention, vibrator 115 is located under member plate 119A. Member plate 119A is made of plastic, rigid foam, metal, wood, or another material and is in a variety of shapes and sizes. In one embodiment of the present invention, member plate 119A is an insulator having a thermal conductivity of less than 0.55 watts per meter-Kelvin. Pipe 119 is a freezing surface. In one embodiment of the present invention, member plate 119A is a means to hold refrigeration pipe in thermal communication with surface 109 as one of the agitation devices shown herein is operated. In one embodiment of the present invention, vibrator 115 oscillates refrigeration pipe 119. In one embodiment of the present invention plate 119A has a thermal heat conductivity over forty watts per meter-Kelvin. In one embodiment of the present invention freezing surface 109 also known as a “upper plate” has a corrosive penetration rate of less than five mils per year. Member plate 119A keeps refrigeration pipe 119 in continual thermal communication with freezing surface 109 which in one embodiment is a bottom wall portion of bin 108 in FIG. 1.

Member plate 119A is located under refrigeration pipe 119 and therefore refrigeration pipe 119 in one embodiment of the present invention is located between member 119A and freezing surface 109. Vibrator 115 is shown under member 119A which in one embodiment of the present invention vibrates refrigeration pipe 119, a refrigerant (not shown) inside refrigeration pipe 119 and surface 109 simultaneously. In one embodiment of the present invention, water 200 is flavored. In one embodiment of the present invention refrigeration pipe 119 is configured to contact plate 119A. Member plate 119A is either made of metal having a corrosive penetration rate of less than five mils per year or made from foam insulation board measuring about one inch thick to about two inches thick. Member plate 119A is shown by way of example and not limitation as member plate 119A has numerous shapes and sizes and all shapes and sizes fall into the scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, refrigeration pipe 119 has a heater 120A to heat a refrigerant (not shown) in refrigeration pipe 119. In one embodiment of the present invention, liquid refrigeration line 119D has a warm liquid or warm gas inside (not shown) so when refrigeration line 119D is placed in close proximity to refrigeration pipe 119 it heats a cold refrigerant (not shown) inside refrigeration pipe 119 to the degree it does not flow back to and freeze compressor 100 in FIG. 1 and damage the compressor. In one embodiment of the present invention, a segment of refrigeration pipe 119 is heated with electric heater 119E. In one embodiment of the present invention, heater 119E is a heat warp and pulls less than six ampere. In one embodiment of the present invention heater 120A heats plate surface 109 to release an ice cube (not shown) in bin 108 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows transparent ice cube mold 130 made from an inorganic polymer or a thermoplastic polymer having sidewalls 131 and bottom wall 132 having a thickness of less than 0.090 inches or more preferable less than 0.070 inches and most preferably less than 0.040 inches when made out of a polymer. In one embodiment of the present invention bottom wall 132 is substantially smooth without creases. In one embodiment of the present invention, the polymer is configured to be flexible so sidewalls 131 flex when filled with water 133 when ice cube mold 130 is outside of bin 108 in FIG. 1 Bottom wall 132. Heat is extracted through bottom wall 132 and freezes water 133 from the bottom position A to top position B of mold 130. Lid 130A covers transparent ice cube mold 130 to form a seal. In one embodiment of the present invention, the depth of mold 130 is sufficient so when the stated amplitude is achieved water 133 will not jump outside mold 130 when mold 130 is oscillated and mold 130 is not covered by lid 130A. In one embodiment of the present invention, water droplet 135A jumps at least one eighth an inch in the air above a top water surface 135 when a proper amplitude is applied to water 133. Transparent ice cube 133A has air bubble molecule 133B which is actually microscopic so it cannot be seen but blown up to see for this disclosure, and center 134C. Text W 134 D is behind transparent ice cube 133A and is clearly visibly void of visible crystallization in the center 134C and center 134C is void of a visible bubble. Handle 135C goes into water 133 as water 133 phase-transforms or is attached to water 133 after it phase-transforms into ice 133A. 135D is a flavor added to water 133. Standard ice cube 140B has crystallization 140C in its center portion. This represents the crystallization found in an ice cube made without one directional freezing. In one embodiment, lid 130A is calibrated to compensate for opposing BTUs and the thickness of the lid is less than 0.040 inches and more preferably less than 0.020 inches where the lid is made from a thermoplastic polymer having a thermal conductivity less than 0.055 watts per meter-Kelvin. This allows heat to go through the lid keeping the top surface of the water from freezing before water under the top surface freezes. As shown in one embodiment of the present invention sidewalls 131 is “formed” in the molding process to be about ninety degrees in relationship to bottom wall 132. Another way to explain it is the sidewalls 131 and bottom wall 132 make about an L shape. Sidewalls 131 are smooth and therefore the ice cube (not shown) will have substantially smooth and level sidewalls without cutting as seen with systems that use “liners” for a mold. This mold configuration saves a considerable amount of time in producing a transparent ice cube. In one embodiment of the present invention bottom wall 132 is made out a polymer having a thermal conductivity of more than one hundred watts per meter-Kelvin and a thickness of less than about two inches and stretchable and therefore reusable as it can be pealed from the ice cube (not shown) therein. In one embodiment of the present invention mold 130 is configured without sidewalls 131. In one embodiment of the present invention Lid 130A is hinged to mold 130. In one embodiment mold 130 and lid 130A are used as packaging for smaller ice cubes disclosed herein. Mold 130 keeps smaller ice cubes when warmed and refrozen from sticking together. In one embodiment mold 130 is made out of a fibrous substance. In one embodiment of the present invention sidewalls 131 are packaging dividers to keep ice cubes herein from joining together when warmed and then refrozen. The word “formed” herein means made through a vacuum forming or press process.

FIG. 4 shows impact vibrator 126 having pistons 127. In one embodiment of the present invention, the number of pistons 127 equal, the number of cavities 128 having water therein (not shown) in ice mold 129. In other words, if there are 100 cavities 128, there are 100 pistons, 127. In one embodiment of the present invention, freezing surface 109 is located between transparent ice mold 129 and pistons 127. Pistons 127 are configured to hit freezing surface 109 at the exact spot cavities 128 are located above at the exact same time or at different times or to directly impact the bottom of a mold disclosed herein. This provides that the amplitude is delivered to each of the multiple cavities 128 about uniformly. Opening 129A receives freezing pipe 119 in FIG. 2 or a refrigerant (not shown). In one embodiment, vibrator 115 is shown attached to freezing surface 109. In one embodiment, pistons 127 are controlled by a microprocess (not shown) so all the pistons 127 fire at different times. The present invention contemplates all ways to fire pistons 127 at different times or at different forces and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention pistons 127 are configured to provide an amplitude to water (not shown) so a droplet of water jumps above the top surface of the water.

FIG. 5 shows mold 120 has cavities 121. Fill source 121 may be configured to add water (not shown) to cavities 121 in a metered dose. In one embodiment of the present invention, the water is metered a little at a time into cavities 121 as the water oscillates or vibrates. Refrigeration pipe 122 is oscillated with cam mechanism 123 and water movement device 124 that simultaneously moves refrigeration pipe 122 and cavities 121. In one embodiment of the present invention, refrigeration pipe 122 is shown under each cavity 121. If the refrigeration pipe 121 were only directly under some of cavities 121 the water (not shown) in each of the cavities 121 would phase-transform at a different rate.

FIG. 6 shows combination ice cube maker and refrigerator 136 having freezing surface 137 that in one embodiment of the present invention, mold 111 sits atop or in close proximity of two inches or closer. Mold 111 is vented to room temperature where the room temperature is above freezing or vented inside an area of refrigerator 136 that is above freezing. In one embodiment of the present invention, freezer compartment 138 is shown vented to room temperature which allows above freezing air from outside of refrigerator 136 to keep the temperature above mold 111 warm enough so the water does not phase-transform from the top of mold 111 by cold air above mold 111. Vibration Isolator 137A aids in the distribution of vibrations or oscillations to mold 111.

FIG. 7 shows ice tray 200 having lid 201 that snaps into inserts 203 to provide a seal to reduce the chance of water 204 splashing outside cavities 205 when the water 204 is vibrated or oscillated. In one embodiment of the present invention ice tray 200 and lid 201 is packaging for smaller ice cubes 1627 in FIG. 16. The packaging keeps smaller ice cubes when warmed from joining together when they refreeze. The lid is configured to stay covered over the smaller ice cubes until a user (not shown) manually removes the lid. This configuration eliminates the need for a food wax coating. The way the lid stays in place until a user manually removes the lid is shown by way of example and not limitation. The present invention contemplates all ways to keep a lid attached to an ice mold until a user manually removes it and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention the lid has a thickness greater than the ice tray.

In one embodiment of the present invention, ice tray 200 is made of plastic and has a bottom wall 207 having a thickness of 0.070 inches or less 0.040 inches. In one embodiment of the present invention, bottom wall 207 is made of metal having a chromium content of sixteen percent or more or copper or another metal and sidewalls 206 are made of a polymer. In one embodiment of the present invention, from position top AB to position bottom BB there is at least a one-degree tapper and most preferably two degrees tapper but less than four degrees tapper. In one embodiment of the present invention, the distance between AB to BB is calibrated to an amplitude so water droplets do not jump outside ice tray 200 when vibrated or oscillated. As an example, and not limitation, if a water droplet jumps four inches the depth from position AB to position BB is over four inches deep. When describing the height of the ice cubes in certain embodiments of the present invention the height of the cubes is measured from freezing an ice cube from a bottom position BB to a top position AB within an ice mold such as but not limited to ice mold tray 200.

In one embodiment of the present invention, ice tray 200 is configured to mold receiver 110 in FIG. 1 so the cavities 205 fit snuggly into mold receiver 110.

In one embodiment of the present invention, vibrator 115 is attached to ice tray 200. Label 208 has the name (not shown) of the entity that makes the transparent ice cubes (not shown). In a novel approach the ice cubes (not shown) made in tray 200 are sold in the same ice tray 200 to the end user. Most commercial producers of ice cubes remove the ice cubes from an ice maker and repackage them. In one embodiment of the present invention, a non-acholic flavor 209 is provided to water 204.

In one embodiment of the present invention, handle 211 is attached to transparent ice treat 212. The Handel 211 is made of a variety of material in a variety of configurations and most preferably made from a transparent material. In one embodiment of the present invention, handle 211 is placed in opening 210 so when water 204 phase-transforms, handle 211 attaches to the ice treat 212. The attachment of the handle is an illustration and not limitation and there are various ways to attach. One of ordinary skill in the art knows how to attach a handle 211 to ice treat 212. In one embodiment of the present invention, sidewalls 206 are configured to have a thickness of plastic to provide heat conductivity of less than 0.55 watts per meter-Kelvin (W/m-K). In one embodiment of the present invention, opening 210 allows heat to go through lid 201. Opening 210 is small enough to reduce the chance of a droplet from jumping outside cavities 205.

In one embodiment of the present invention, metal plate 301 goes between bottom wall 207 and fan 300 and bottom wall 207 contacts metal plate 301. Fan 300 wicks away air under cavities 205 that has been warmed by water 204 in cavities 205. Fan 300 has batteries or operated on a direct current or alternating current. In one embodiment of the present invention, fan 300 is configured to provide different fan speeds. In one embodiment of the present invention, ice tray 200 is configured to be crushable or compressible or flexible using one quarter pound per square inch of pressure or placing a one-pound weight on the bottom wall of tray 200. In one embodiment of the present invention, sidewalls 206 are thicker than bottom wall 207. In one embodiment, sidewalls 206 flex when water is added. The present invention contemplates all configurations and materials of ice tray 200 and all configurations and materials of ice tray 200 fall into the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows Ice molds 700 having water 701 inside. In one embodiment, the ice molds 700 sit atop freezing surface 702 and in one embodiment, ice molds 700 are within one half of one inch from freezing surface 702. Refrigeration pipe 703 has an angle over two degrees to elbow 704 which allows refrigeration pipe 705 to angle over two degrees and more preferably about forty-five degrees up or down to elbow 706. Applicant calls this a W refrigeration pipe pattern. This embodiment of a refrigeration piping arrangement allows more equivalent length of piping to be placed between a freezing surface 702 and bottom structure 707. In one embodiment, refrigeration pipe 704 is located directly under water 701 in ice mold 700. In one embodiment of the present invention refrigeration pipe 704 is jointed together with elbow 706 using three to fifteen percent silver.

FIG. 9 shows electric motor 800 having arm 801 attached to cam 803 which when arm 801 spins cam 803 moves arm 804 which moves freezing surface 805 up and down agitating water 806 in ice mold 807. Chop 806A is shown on surface of water 806. When the amplitude is increasing a water droplet (not shown) jumps above the top surface 805. In one embodiment, there are two segments of refrigeration pipe 808 under the water 806 in ice mold 807 and this provides more BTUs or a more uniform freezing of water 806 in mold 807. 809 is an oval shape refrigeration pipe 808. In one embodiment of the present invention, freezing surface 810 has opening 811 where a refrigerant (not shown) flows inside freezing surface 810. In one embodiment, the distance between mm and dd is less than five eights of an inch and over one quarter of an inch. Openings 811 are considered a refrigeration pipe bored into freezing surface 810.

FIG. 10 shows thermoelectric pad 1000. In one embodiment of the present invention, thermoelectric pad 1000 is placed on top of thermoelectric pad 1001. In one embodiment of the present invention, a thermo-conductive paste 1003 is applied to the top surface of pad 1000 or the underside FF of freezing surface 1002. Transparent ice cube 1004 has a weight of less than six ounces. Cube 1007 has a draft from less than ten percent and more preferably less than five percent and more preferably a draft of less than three percent from top position GG to bottom position XX. In one embodiment of the present invention, the top portion 1008 has a draft of less than five percent and more preferably less than three percent from top position FO to top position FT. Ice cube 1009A represents a standard nontransparent ice cube made without one directional freezing with crystallization 1009. An ice cube produced by the present invention is void of visible crystallization 1009 at the center as shown by center portion 1011 of ice cube 1007 and void of a visible bubble In one embodiment thermo-conductive paste 1003 is placed between plate 109 and refrigeration pipe 119 in FIG. 2. This is not for thermo-conductivity but because in one embodiment pipe 119 is copper and plate 109 is made of a different material when two dissimilar metal material meet they can corrode. The paste makes a thin barrier to deduce the charge of the two materials from corroding or reduces corroding.

FIG. 11 shows in one embodiment, mold 1100 having magnet 1102 on either side of mold 1100 which creates a vortex in water 1103 inside mold 1100 when a metal object (not shown) is placed in water. In one embodiment, ultraviolet light 1104 is positioned to provide ultraviolet light to water 1103 or water in any molds disclosed herein. In one embodiment, light source 1105 heats the top surface of water 1103. In one embodiment of the present invention, light source 1105 provides an infrared light. In one embodiment, light source 1105 provides a concentrated light beam to cut an ice cube shown herein.

FIG. 12 shows ice tray 1200 having square shaped cavity 1201 and round shaped cavity 1202 and triangle shaped cavity 1203. Ice tray 1200 is shown by way of example and not limitation as ice tray 1200 contemplates all combinations of shapes and sized cavities in one ice tray. Transparent ice cube 1204 has a draft of less than five percent and more preferably less than three percent and most preferably less than two percent, from top position AZ to bottom position AX and transparent ice cube 1204 measures over one and one quarter inch tall. Transparent ice cube 1205 is in the shape of an initial N. The present invention makes all shaped and sized initials and nonagon, octagon, heptagon, triangle, scalene triangle, right triangle, parallelogram, rhombus, square, pentagon, circle, oval, heart, cross, arrow, cube, cylinder, star, crescent and various animal and other shapes. In one embodiment, water submersible pump 1206 moves water in bin 1208 with inlet pipe 1207 and outlet pipe 1209 to form ice cube 1008. A hinge 1211A opens bin 1208. In one embodiment, bid 1208 is configured to tilt so ice slides out. Hinge 1211A is shown by way of example and not limitation as the present invention contemplates all ways to open bin 1208 and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment bin 1208 is configured to replace bin 108 in FIG. 1 and has an insulating cover 114 in FIG. 1. In one embodiment of the present invention bin 1208 has sidewalls made out of a material having a thermal conductivity of less than fifteen watts per meter-Kelvin and more preferably less than two watts per meter-Kelvin.

The present inventions ice cube heights or how tall they are is the height an ice cube produced in an ice mold 1210 from one directional freezing and is measured from the one direction. As an example, it is from position LL to position MM of ice mold 1210 when a freezing source 1213 is under bin 1210. Ice cube 1112 made in a bin 1211 that has been frozen using one directional freezing by the freezing surface 1213 under bin 1211. As an example the height is only one half of an inch from position CC to position PP that phase-transforms water from this position yet has a length of four inches from position KK to position OO and then the short ice cube is turned on its side to claim it is four inches tall.

FIG. 13 shows a lip segment 1300 of an ice mold. The lid 1301 is secured to mold body with undercut 1303.

FIG. 14 shows mold 1403 having a first step 1405 and a second step 1402 and a lid 1403 that has a first step 1404 and a second step 1405 so when lid 1403 covers mold 1403 to help reduce the chance of water 1406 splashing outside mold 1403 when water 1406 is vibrated, or agitated or oscillated, or moved and more preferably prevents water 1406 from splashing outside mold 1403. In one embodiment, spinning mechanism 1408 spins mold 1403. Spinning mechanism 1408 is shown by way of example and not limitation. The present invention contemplates all ways to spin a mold as the water therein freezes and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows refrigeration pipe 1500 wrapped or coiled around sidewall 1503 which is also a freezing surface. In one embodiment, thermoelectric cooler 1504 is attached to a sidewall 1503 of freezing surface 1502. In one embodiment, an ice mold 1505 is inside freezing surface 1502 and in this embodiment water (not shown) is only in ice mold 1505. The embodiment is shown having three coils around freezing surface 1502 and other embodiments have more than three coils. The coil location is shown by way of example and not limitation. The coils or wrapping of the refrigeration pipe 1500 is in other locations on ice maker 101 in FIG. 1. Sidewall 1508 shows the underside of freezing surface 1506. In one embodiment, there is insulation 1509 between refrigeration pipe 1507 and sidewall 1508. See through ice mold 1510 has refrigeration pipe 1511 under bottom surface 1512 and phase-transforms water 1513. In one embodiment the insulation is configured around refrigeration pipe 1511 and is about one quarter of an inch or thicker.

FIG. 16. Liquid refrigeration pipe 1601 has liquid drier (aka moisture filter) 1611 and moisture liquid indicator 1612. Suction pipe 1613 has threaded end 1613A and has suction moisture drier 1616 and oil pressure control heat exchange suction accumulator 1615. In one embodiment, water 1622 flows over or on freezing surface 1623. In one embodiment freezing surface 1623 is combined with bin 108 in FIG. 1. One embodiment has high low cut in cut off device 1632. After transparent ice cube 1624 is produced having a center 1625 void of visible crystallization and void of visible bubbles and void of a visible crack. In one embodiment of the present invention ice cube 1624 is placed on jarring machine 1626 that moves up and down or sideways breaking apart ice cube 1624 into smaller ice pieces 1627. The present invention does not crush the ice cubes for crushing leaves visible fractures in the ice. In one embodiment, ice pieces 1627 are sorted through ice sifter 1628 so only a selected number of pieces 1627 are packaged in package 1630. Pieces 1627 are not all the same shape and have a center void of a visible bubble and void of visible crystallization. In one embodiment, vibrator 115 in FIG. 1 or an oscillator shown in FIG. 9 moves a segment of jarring machine 1626 to break apart ice cube 1624. In one embodiment, in one embodiment pump 1621 is configured as a glycol pump. In one embodiment pump 1621 pumps water. In one embodiment pump 1621 is configured to provide water movement by churning water in bin 108 in FIG. 1. One of ordinary skill in the art would know how to accomplish this goal from this disclosure. Breaking ice cube 1624 is jarring machine 1626 which reduces the chance of ice cube fracture that striking said ice cube causes. Jarring machine 1626 is shown by way of example and not limitation as the present invention contemplates all ways to break apart and ice cube without crushing it and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. Jarring machine 1626 may operate with hydraulics, vibrator 115 (not shown), oscillation in FIG. 9, or other means and the present invention contemplates all embodiments of jarring machine 1626 and all embodiments fall into the scope of the present invention. Sifter 1628 is shown by way of example and not limitation. The present invention contemplates all ways to take a percentage of said smaller ice cubes and package them and take a percentage of said smaller ice cubes and discard them and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. One embodiment of the present invention uses a 1631 laser for precision sawing of the smaller ice cubes in FIG. 23. A high pressure cutter 1631 shown with one or more cutting nozzles to cut and ice cube disclosed here. On embodiment uses a grit (not shown) and another embodiment uses a grit that is non-harmful when ingested. One type of grit used in the current invention is granulated salt. Another embodiment of the present invention uses a sand grit. The salt is by way of example and not limitation. The present invention contemplates all non-harmful grit and all non-harmful grit falls into the scope of the present invention. There is no known art for a high pressure cutter that is configured to effective cut ice cubes except for one embodiment of the present invention. Plasma style pressure cutters would melt the ice cube.

FIG. 17 shows transparent ice cube 1700 going through rotating mechanisms 1701 that breaks ice cube 1700 into smaller ice pieces 1704 having center 1705 that is void of visible crystallization and void of a visible bubble. In one embodiment heated surface 1706 comes down over transparent ice cube 1707 without a sawing motion into smaller pieces. In one embodiment, mechanism 1701 is heated. One embodiment of the present invention saw 1709 is positioned substantially horizontal to cut ice cube 1707 and saw 1709 is positioned substantially vertical to cut ice cube 1707. The transparent ice cube pieces 1710 have a center portion 1711 that is void of visible crystallization and void of visible bubbles. Robot 1712 automatically moves ice cube 1713 to saws 1709 and 1708 and also performs various other automated functions to make ice cube 1713. In one embodiment, robot 1712 automatically places ice cube 1713 in package 1714. Robot 1712 is shown by way of example and not limitation. The present invention contemplates all ways to automate making transparent ice cubes including artificial intelligence and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. The saw is made out of about 0.05 up to 2.1 percent carbon, or comprised of either molybdenum, or nickel, or the most preferred material has sixteen percent or chromium or more. In one embodiment, surface 1706 is heated and made having over fourteen percent chromium. In one embodiment, surface 1706 has a chromium content of sixteen percent and a maximum of 0.16 percent carbon. Saw 1709 is shown by way of example and not limitation. Grid 1706 is shown by way of example and not limitation. The present invention contemplates all ways to transform ice cube 1713 into smaller ice cubes from heat and other means and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, grid 1706 is configured to provide a high concentration of water (water jet) or air stream to transform ice cube 1713 into smaller ice cubes 1710. In one embodiment, the smaller ice cubes 1710 are less than six ounces each. Ice cube 1713 has eight sides and all eight sides are substantially level. grid 1706 is shown by way of example and not limitation as the present invention contemplates all ways to cut an ice cube with a concentrated steam of air and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention robot 1712 is configured to feed ice cube 1707 into a saw blade disclosed herein. In one embodiment robot feeding an ice cube into blades is by way of example and not limitation as the present invention contemplates all ways to feed or automatically feed an ice cube into one or more saw blades disclosed herein and all ways are contemplated by the present invention and fall within the scope of the present invention. Ice cube 1713 is shown with at least one surface that is substantially level and is shown void of a visible crack therein. In one embodiment of the present invention robot 1712 is configured to operate using electricity. In one embodiment of the present invention robot 1712 is an electrical device that operates on four or five or more axis. In one embodiment robot 1712 is configured or programed to feed ice cube 1713 into blades 2301 in FIG. 23 at over about five to fifty feet per minute and more preferably over ten feet per minute. The feed rate (speed) is important so as not to chip or crack the smaller ice cubes 1710. Robot 1712 is shown by way of example and not limitation as the present invention contemplates all ways to feed ice cube 1713 into blades 2301 and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment robot 1712 is configured to cut the ice cube 1710.

FIG. 18 shows tooth set raker 1800 with 3 tooth sequence with a uniform set angle (Left, Right, Straight). Modified raker 1802 has 5 or 7 tooth sequence with a uniform set angle (Left, Right, Left, Right, Straight). Variable Raker 1803 has a tooth sequence independent of the tooth pitch and product family. Alternate 1804 shows every tooth is set in an alternating sequence. Wavy 1805 has groups of teeth set to each side within the overall set pattern. The teeth have varying amounts of set in a controlled pattern. Variable set 1806 shows the tooth height/set pattern varies with product family and pitch. Single Level Set 1807 has a blade geometry with a single tooth height dimension. Setting this geometry requires bending each tooth at the same position with the same amount of bend on each tooth. Dual Level Set 1808 blade geometry has variable tooth height dimensions. Setting this product requires bending each tooth to variable heights and set magnitudes in order to achieve multiple cutting planes.

FIG. 19 shows variable positive teeth 1900, variable teeth 1901, standard teeth 1902, skip teeth 1903 and hook teeth 1904. A preferred embodiment uses skip teeth 1902 and more preferable standard teeth 1902 and more preferable veritable teeth 1901 and most preferably positive teeth 1900.

FIG. 20 shows ice maker 2000 having a cylinder-shaped freezing surface 2002 and a removable wall 2010 prevents water 2003 from splashing outside cavity 2007 when device 2004 spins water 2003 against freezing surface 2002. In one embodiment, device 2004 is heated. It is preferable that the diameter of device 2004 is between one sixtieth of an inch and one half of an inch and the diameter can be any size. Refrigeration pipe 2001 is secured to the backside of freezing surface 2002. In one embodiment, heater 2014 heats the underside of bottom wall 2011. In one embodiment, heater 2014 heats lid 2010 or the backside of freezing surface 2002 or the bottom of bin 108 in FIG. 1. To help release an ice cube (not shown) therein. In one embodiment, heater 2005 heats the backside of freezing surface 2002 to release an ice cube 2008. The heater to release and ice cube is shown by way of example and not limitation. The present invention contemplates all ways to release an ice cube from a mold and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. Ice maker 2000 provides substantially one directional freezing and more preferably one directional freezing of water 2003 from freezing surface 2002 towards device 2004. In one embodiment, robot 1712 in FIG. 17 is configured to mechanically insert device 2004 into water 2003 and mechanically remove device 2004 from water 2003 in steps upwards as the water freezes. The present invention contemplates all ways to insert device 2004 into water and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. Device 2004 has one or more openings 2015 to either circulate water in an ice mold disclosed within this disclosure or inject air into an ice mold within this disclosure. In one embodiment, cavity 2007 is pressurized so water 2003 is pressurized when vibrated, oscillated, or spun. In one embodiment, two devices 2004 are inserted into ice mold 2016 and water 2017 is circulated in ice mold 2016. As the water 2003 freezes, robot 1712 in FIG. 17 moves device 2004 in and out of ice mold 2016. In one embodiment, openings 2015 provide a concentrated water steam or concentrated air steam to transform ice cube 2008 into smaller ice cubes (not shown). In one embodiment, an ice cube 2008 is placed in ice maker 2000 to tumble said ice cube to make into smaller ice cubes. In one embodiment air that goes through device 2004 is at a temperature less than sixty degrees Fahrenheit and more preferably less than about fifty degrees Fahrenheit. In one embodiment device 2004 is configured to inject water into ice mold 2016 causing an agitation of the water as it forms layers.

FIG. 21 shows ice mold 2100 having water 2101 and ice formation 2102 as refrigeration pipe 2103 freezes water 2101. In one embodiment, water 2103 is vibrated or oscillated so water droplets 2104 jump above surface 2105. In one embodiment, water 2203 is vibrated or oscillated to create pressure region 2106 and pressure region 2107. The pressure at pressure region 2107 is such that it will not freeze a visible air bubble 2108 at pressure region 2107. In one embodiment of the present invention, a layer of ice is formed in the tray prior to vibration, oscillation, or air injection. An initial layer of ice to form prior to initiating vibration or oscillation prevents flash freezing of the ice or formation of a slurry.

FIG. 22 shows Ice cube 2200 having air molecules 2201 in alignment which causes crystallization 2204 in center 2203. The present invention is configured to disrupt the alignment as shown in ice cube 2202 to prevent crystallization 2204 in center 2206 of ice cube 2205 so only air molecules 2201 are in center 2207 of ice cube 2203 which is void of visible crystallization 2204 and void of visible air bubble 2208. Sidewall 2209 is substantially straight from top to bottom as is the top of the ice cube. Ice cube 2200 is frozen to height without having to vacuum water from the top of an uneven ice block. See citation CB300X2 Manual “excess water and impurities are removed from the top of the block . . . ” and US Patent Publication No. 2022/0243971 to Harrell, “suitable devices to remove the excess water from the mold.”

FIG. 23 shows gang saw 2300 having blades 2301 that have sixteen percent chromium or more or a high carbon content or made of a polymer. Blade 2304 is substantially horizontal and blade 2305 is substantially vertical to cut ice cube 2306 into pieces 2307 having a center that is void of visible crystallization and void of a visible bubble 2108. Ice cube 2106 is also shown having a substaically level surface and no visible cracking inside the ice cube. Rod 2302 has circular saws 2303 that operate at over feet per second. In one embodiment saws 2303 have a diameter over five inches. All saws are shown by way of example and not limitation as the present invention contemplates ways to cut small ice cubes smoothly and all such saws fall into the scope of the present invention. Blade 2308 is configured substantially vertically. In one embodiment blade 2308 has a width over one quarter of an inch and more preferable a width of one half of an inch or more. In one embodiment the thickness of blade 2308 is less than one quarter of an inch. In one embodiment of the present invention blade 2308 is configured to have a speed over fifty linear feet per second. In one embodiment of the present invention blades 2003 are configured to spin at over twenty five and more preferably over fifty feet per second. In one embodiment of the present invention either blade 2308 or blade 2303 have two to ten teeth angled per inch. In one embodiment of the present invention a microprocessor (not shown) inside gang saw 2300 operates saws 2303 and/or blade 2308. In one embodiment of the present invention two vertically posited blades 2308 are spaced less than two and one half inches apart and in one embodiment of the present invention two vertically positioned blades 2303 blades are positioned less than two three inches apart, and in one embedment of the present invention blades 2301 are positioned less than three inches apart. In one embodiment of the present invention gang saw 2300 has a sensor that stops blades 2301 from moving in case blade malfunction or if anything other than ice or a plastic mold herein is next to blades 2301. In one embodiment of the present invention gang saw 2300 is configured into a band saw or a reciprocating saw. In one embodiment of the present invention two blades 2308 are configured as a band saw and are spaced less than two and three quarters of an inch apart. In one embodiment of the present invention the spacing of the blades are adjustable. Blades 2301 are configured to slip off the end of rod 2302 to replace blades 2301. The replacement of blades 2301 is shown by illustration and not limitation as the present invention contemplates all ways to replace blades 2301 and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. This includes but not limited to rod 2302 having various threaded sections that when unthreaded releases the blades 2301, snap on, screw on and two piece blades. In one embodiment blades 2301 has a width of one half an inch or more and a thickness of about one quarter of an inch or less. Ring 2303A hold blades 2301 on rod 2302. Ring 2303A are shown by way of example and not limitation as the present invention contemplates all ways to keep the blades attached and removable from rod 2302 and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. One embodiment of the ring is threaded and one embodiment of rod 2302 is threaded so ring 2303A screws onto rod 2302 to hold the in place. The ring also keeps blades 2301 from wobbling when they are spinning at over fifty feet per minute. In one embodiment a segment of rod 2302 and blades 2303 are configured to be replaceable Smaller ice cubes 2307 have a center portion void of a visible crack, void of visible crystallization and void of a visible bubble. In one embodiment of the present invention the spacing between blades 2301 is adjustable and rod 2302 is adjustable up and down. In one embodiment there are between five and fifteen blades 2303. In one embodiment rod 2302 is configured with between a two horsepower motor and a forty horsepower motor and more preferably a ten horsepower motor. In one embodiment of the present invention gang saw 2300 operates with between a two horsepower motor and a forty horsepower motor and more preferably a ten horsepower motor but any size horsepower may be used. Vibration is most commonly measured using a ceramic piezometric sensor or accelerometer. Most accelerometers rely on the use of piezoelectric effect, which occurs when a voltage is generated across certain types of crystals as they are stressed. Vibration magnitude is given in units of m/s to the second power. It is preferably that the vibration of blades 2301 to cut ice cubes is less than about 5.3 m/s to the second power more preferably less than 2.1 m/s to the second power. One way to reduce blade vibration is through having a ring 2303A about half the sized of the diameter of the blades 2303. The reduction of vibration is shown by way of example and not limitation as the present invention contemplates all ways including but not limited to materials used and thickness of the blades and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment cut ice cube 2306 weighs over ten pounds. Ring 2303A is shown by way of example and not limitation as the present invention contemplates all shapes, sizes and configuration to keep the blades 2301 on rod 2302 and also to reduce vibration and all fall into the scope of the present invention. Therefore in one embodiment of the present invention the blades configuration provides that an ice cube is fed into the blades at over five feet per minute and more preferably over ten feet per minute and not develop a crack in the ice cube when cut.

FIG. 24 shows in one embodiment steps to produce a transparent ice cube.

FIG. 25 shows in one embodiment steps to produce a transparent ice cube.

FIGS. 26 shows in one embodiment steps to produce a transparent ice cube.

All embodiment components in a figure herein are exchangeable with other embodiment components herein to form a separate embodiment. The present invention contemplates all ways to automate making transparent ice cubes, including but limited to conveyors, microprocessors, artificial intelligence, and all fall into the scope of the present invention.

The sequence in the method claims do not necessarily need to be in any exact order unless otherwise specified.

This Detailed Brief of the Preferred Embodiments is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims or any part of the present inventions multiple embodiments disclosed or not disclosed.

Claims

1. A transparent ice cube making apparatus, comprising:

a first module having a compressor assembly component configured to use a refrigerant with a boiling point lower than minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit;

an expansion valve component;

a bin component;

an inline moisture reducer component;

a cover component that covers the bin component;

an ice mold component made out of a polymer having water therein;

an agitation device component;

a copper refrigeration pipe component located between a bottom plate portion of the bin component and a lower plate component, the lower plate component keeping the refrigeration pipe in continual thermal communication with the bottom plate as the agitation device component agitates the water, the bottom plate having a thermal conductivity of over 40 watts per meter-Kelvin and a corrosive penetration rate of less than five mils per year, wherein

the apparatus is configured to freeze water substantially in one direction through a bottom wall of the ice mold to a top position of the ice mold and

produce an ice cube weighing over five pounds within a 24-hour period with a center portion that is void of visible crystallization and void of a visible bubble; and

a second module with three or more vertically positioned replaceable blades, the blades having at least 16 percent chromium content and two to ten angled teeth per inch, the blades spaced less than about three inches apart, the blades configured to operate at over 30 feet per second, and the blades having a thickness of about one quarter of an inch or less, wherein

the second module is configured to cut the ice cube into smaller ice cubes having a center portion void of a visible crack.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ice cube is fed into the blades at over five feet per minute.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blades have a speed of over about 50 feet per second and the blades are configured to have a vibration of less than 5.3 m/s to the second power.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blades are configured to a rod, the blades are removable from the rod, and the rod is further configured to spin.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a ring on a rod keeps the blades on the rod until the blades are removed from the rod.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a segment of the second module or a segment of a third module has a horizontally positioned blade and the blade has at least 16 percent chromium content and two to ten angled teeth per inch and has a width of about one half an inch or more and a thickness of about one quarter of an inch or less.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a mechanical device feeds the ice cube into the blades at a speed of over about five feet per minute.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blades are circular in shape and attached to a removable rod.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ice mold is formed having four defined sidewalls that are about 90 degrees in relationship to the bottom wall of the ice mold, the bottom wall has a thermal conductivity of less than 1.6 watts per meter-Kelvin and a thickness of less than about 0.070 inches, and the sidewalls are further configured to flex prior to insertion into the bin component when the ice mold is filled with water.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rod is configured to move up and down vertically.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a packaging module, wherein the smaller ice cubes do not join together when packaged, subjected to a warm temperature, and refrozen, and the package module further comprising a lid configured to cover the smaller ice cubes until the lid is manually removed.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bin component is configured to hold water.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blades are adjustable to increase or decrease a distance between the blades.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a sidewall of the bin component is configured to open and close to release the ice cube from the bin component.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bin component has a sidewall made of a material with a thermal conductivity of less than about two watts per meter-Kelvin.

16. A transparent ice cube making apparatus, comprising:

a first module with a compressor assembly component configured to use a refrigerant having a boiling point lower than minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit;

an expansion valve component;

an inline moisture reducer component;

a cover that covers a bin component;

an ice mold component made out of a polymer having water therein;

an agitation device component;

the transparent ice cube making apparatus is further configured to freeze the water substantially in one direction through a bottom wall of the ice mold to a top position of the ice mold,

a copper refrigeration pipe component located between a bottom plate portion of the bin component;

a lower member component configured to keeps the copper refrigeration pipe component in thermal communication with the bottom plate as the water agitates, the bottom plate having a thermal conductivity of over 40 watts per meter-Kelvin and a corrosive penetration rate of less than five mils per year, wherein each component is configured together to produce an ice cube weighing over five pounds having a center portion that is void of visible crystallization and a visible bubble; and

a second module with three or more vertically positioned replaceable blades including at least 16 percent chromium content and two to ten angled teeth per inch where the blades are spaced less than about three inches apart and the blades have a thickness of about one quarter of an inch or less, wherein the second module is configured to feed the ice cube through the blades at over five feet per minute and the second module is configured to cut the ice cube into smaller ice cubes having a center portion that is void of a visible crack.

17. A transparent ice cube making apparatus, comprising:

a first module with a compressor assembly component;

an expansion valve component;

an inline moisture reducer component;

an agitation device component;

a watertight bin component to hold over about one gallon of water;

a copper refrigeration pipe component held in continual thermal communication with the bottom wall of the bin component as the agitation device operates, wherein the bottom wall is made out of a material having at least a 16 percent chromium content and a sidewall of the bin is made out of a material having a thermal conductivity of less than about two watts per meter-Kelvin, wherein the transparent ice cube making apparatus is configured to freeze the water substantially in one direction through a bottom wall of the bin component to a top position of the bin component and produce an ice cube weighing over five pounds having a center portion that is void of visible crystallization and void of a visible bubble; and

a second module with a vertically positioned replaceable blade having at least 16 percent chromium content and two to ten angled teeth per inch where the blade has a thickness of about one quarter of an inch or less, the second module configured to cut the ice cube into smaller ice cubes having a center portion that is void of a visible crack.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a sidewall of the bin component is configured to open and close to release the ice cube from the bin component and to form a watertight seal in a closed position.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a device heats the bottom wall of the bin component.

20. A transparent ice cube making apparatus, comprising:

a first module with a compressor assembly component configured to use a refrigerant having a boiling point lower than minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit;

an expansion valve component;

a bin component;

an inline moisture reducer component;

an ice mold component formed out of a polymer with a sidewall and a bottom wall, the bottom wall having a thickness of less than about 0.070 inches and the sidewall configured to flex when the ice mold is filled with water before the ice mold is placed inside the bin component a copper refrigeration pipe component located between a bottom plate portion of the bin component and a lower member component, wherein the lower member keeping the refrigeration pipe in continual thermal communication with the bottom plate as the agitation device agitates the water, and the bottom plate has a thermal conductivity of over 40 watts per meter-Kelvin and a corrosive penetration rate of less than five mils per year, wherein

the transparent ice cube making apparatus is configured to freeze the water substantially in one direction through the bottom wall of the ice mold to a top position of the ice mold and produce an ice cube weighing over five pounds and the ice cube has a center portion that is void of visible crystallization and void of a visible bubble; and

a second module with a vertically positioned replaceable blade having at least 16 percent chromium content and two to ten angled teeth per inch where the blade is further configured to operate at over 30 feet per minute and the blade has a thickness of about one quarter of an inch or less, the second module is configured to cut the ice cube into smaller ice cubes having a center portion that is void of a visible crack.