Means Producing Shaped Or Modified Congealed Product Patents (Class 62/340)
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Patent number: 10330366Abstract: A water distributor for an ice maker having a first reservoir comprising a bottom and an inlet passageway, a central wall comprising a first central wall portion and a second central wall portion, and a second reservoir separated from the first reservoir by the central wall, the second reservoir comprising a bottom. A population of teeth separated by a population of gaps are disposed along the central wall. Water flows from the first reservoir to the second reservoir through the population of gaps. A population of outlet passageways are disposed in the second central wall portion proximate the bottom of the second reservoir. Water exits the second reservoir substantially horizontally through the population of outlet passageways.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: True Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: John Allen Broadbent, Kevin Knatt
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Patent number: 10274237Abstract: An ice maker includes a plurality of fingers extending into a tub. A manifold has a plurality of outlets. The plurality of outlets is positioned below the plurality of fingers within the tub. A multi-speed pump is operable to flow liquid water from a reservoir to the manifold such that the liquid water exits the manifold at each outlet of the plurality of outlets and flows upwardly towards the plurality of fingers. A controller is configured for changing a speed of the multi-speed pump during an ice making cycle of the ice maker.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Brent Alden Junge, Charles Benjamin Miller
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Patent number: 10174982Abstract: An ice making tray has a water basin with a thermally conductive floor and a flexible grid positioned therein to define a plurality of ice making compartments. A motor is coupled to the basin to rotate the basin and grid to an inverted position, and a link is coupled between the motor and drive such that the grid is rotatable out of the basin and is flexed to release ice cubes formed therein.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Boarman, Mark E. Thomas
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Patent number: 10161663Abstract: An ice maker assembly includes an ice forming plate and a cooling source thermally engaged to a bottom surface of the ice forming plate. The cooling source is configured to freeze water coming into contact with a top surface of the ice forming plate. A containment wall surrounds the top surface of the ice forming plate to define an ice tray that is configured to retain water. An electrical drive body is rotatably coupled to the ice tray and is configured to oscillate the ice-forming plate in a rocking cycle about a transverse axis of the ice tray. A median wall divides the ice tray along the transverse axis into a first reservoir and a second reservoir. The rocking cycle causes water to repeatedly move over the median wall to form layers of an ice piece within each reservoir of the ice tray.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Boarman, Brian K. Culley, Andrew D. Litch, Mark E. Thomas
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Patent number: 10107540Abstract: A refrigerant system includes a compressor connected to a first valve forming a harvest line, a condenser connected to the compressor by a first segment of conduit and an expansion device by a second segment of conduit with the condenser and the second segment of conduit forming a liquid line. A third segment of conduit is connected to the liquid line and the harvest line with the third segment of conduit having a second valve. The second valve allows flow of refrigerant from the liquid line to the harvest line through the third segment of conduit in an open position and the second valve blocking flow of the refrigerant from the liquid line to the harvest line through the third segment of conduit in a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: MANITOWOC FOODSERVICE COMPANIES, LLCInventors: William E. Olson, Jr., Cary J. Pierskalla, Thomas H. Antoine, Dean M. Petersen
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Patent number: 10072885Abstract: An ice-making tray according to the concept of the present invention is capable of making ice at high speed and improving the transparency of ice by providing a second tray having ice cells for storing ice-making water to be coupled, in an overlapping manner, to the upper surface of a first tray which is in contact with a refrigerant pipe. The first tray may be formed of an aluminum material, the second tray may be formed of a plastic material, and the first tray formed of an aluminum material can efficiently function as a heat exchanger of an ice-making space due to having high thermal-conductivity. In the second tray, a fixing part for fixing the ice-making tray inside the ice-making space, a shaft accommodating part for accommodating the rotation shaft of an ejector, a temperature sensor accommodating part for accommodating a temperature sensor, and an air insulating part for insulating the ice-making tray and an ice separating motor may be formed integrally.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2014Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jin Jeong, Bong su Son, Do Yun Jang, Jae Min Lee
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Patent number: 10047995Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice making device, comprises: a case having an opening at one side thereof; a tray accommodation portion having opened upper and lower surfaces, and configured to be inserted into or withdrawn from the case through the opening; an ice tray accommodated in the tray accommodation portion, and containing water to be frozen to ice cubes; and an accommodation portion coupling unit for coupling the tray accommodation portion to the case. Water is poured onto the ice tray in a state that the ice tray has been accommodated in the tray accommodation portion, and then the ice tray is carried to be mounted to the case. This may solve the conventional problem that each ice tray has to be carried. Furthermore, since an external force such as hand trembling is transmitted to the ice tray via the tray accommodation portion, overflow of water is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Gwi-Nan Hwang, Ju-Hyun Kim
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Patent number: 10041715Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice making device, comprises: a case having an opening at one side thereof; a tray accommodation portion having opened upper and lower surfaces, and configured to be inserted into or withdrawn from the case through the opening; an ice tray accommodated in the tray accommodation portion, and containing water to be frozen to ice cubes; and an accommodation portion coupling unit for coupling the tray accommodation portion to the case. Water is poured onto the ice tray in a state that the ice tray has been accommodated in the tray accommodation portion, and then the ice tray is carried to be mounted to the case. This may solve the conventional problem that each ice tray has to be carried. Furthermore, since an external force such as hand trembling is transmitted to the ice tray via the tray accommodation portion, overflow of water is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2016Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Gwi-Nan Hwang, Ju-Hyun Kim
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Patent number: 9915470Abstract: A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a basket assembly slidably coupled to a first door in a front-to-rear direction of the first door, wherein the basket assembly comprises: a basket configured to accommodate food; a first base provided to be slidable in the front direction of the first door by passing through the opening of the first door, the basket being placed on an upper surface of the first base; a second base provided to be slidable in the rear direction of the first door, the first base being slidably coupled to an upper surface of the second base; and a third base of which a front end is fixed to a rear surface of the first door, wherein the second base is slidably coupled to an upper surface of the third base.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Hyungki Kim, Junyi Heo, Jihyun Lee
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Patent number: 9909796Abstract: A snow making system, suitable for making man-made snow for ski-runs or ski-slopes, uses a snow making machine, where ice is converted into snow-like particles and directed in an upwardly-directed stream, into which a spray or mist of water droplets is introduced. The snow-like particles operate as nucleating agents for the water droplets to convert the droplets into flakes of snow. The flakes of snow may be introduced into the snow making machine, converted into snow-like particles and be incorporated into the stream to produce further flakes of snow. The flakes of snow can be “recycled” to the snow making machine until the desired quantity of snow has been produced. The system enables snow to be made at ambient air temperatures just above, or below, the freezing point of water.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Inventor: Alfio Bucceri
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Patent number: 9857121Abstract: An ice maker includes a cooling unit for generating cold air; a case defining a cooling space for receiving the cold air; an ice making assembly for making ice; and a bucket for receiving the ice. The ice making assembly includes an ice tray; and a cold air guiding unit for guiding the cold air to the lower side of the ice tray. A guide member of the guiding unit defines a flow channel, along which the cold air flows, between the guide member and the bottom surface of the tray. The guide member includes a first inclined section extending in a longitudinal direction of the ice tray for guiding the cold air to the bottom surface of the tray. An imaginary extension line of the first inclined section reaches between two of the ice making recesses adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the ice tray.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics CorporationInventor: Sung Jin Yang
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Patent number: 9810470Abstract: A manual ice maker and a refrigerator comprising the same are provided. The manual ice maker comprises: an ice making body being a frame formed with an opening, and provided with a first positioning hole in a front wall thereof, a second positioning hole in a rear wall thereof and a first limiting protrusion on an inner surface of the rear wall thereof; an ice making tray provided with a first shaft at a front end thereof and a second shaft at a rear end thereof, the first shaft rotatably supported in and extended out of the first positioning hole, the second shaft rotatably supported in the second positioning hole; and an ice removing assembly. The ice removing assembly comprises: a twisting member provided with a gear; and a press member movable between a first position and a second position in a vertical direction to drive the gear to rotate.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignees: Hefei Midea Refrigerator Co., Ltd., Hefei Hualing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Lingyun Li, Jun Yao, Dongxian Liu
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Patent number: 9625200Abstract: A refrigerator including: a freezer compartment; a drawer door to open/close the freezer compartment and has a storage box; and an ice maker installed at an upper side of the freezer compartment, the ice maker includes: an ice maker supporter combined with an upper wall of the freezer compartment; an electronic device case supported by the ice maker supporter and in which a driving motor is embedded; an ice-making tray supported by the electronic device case and; a temperature sensor installed adjacent to the ice-making tray to detect temperature; and a protection cover combined with the ice maker supporter to cover at least portions of a lower part of the ice-making tray and prevents an article stacked in the lower part of the ice-making tray from interfering with at least one of the ice-making tray, the temperature sensor, and the electronic device case when the drawer door slides.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Yang Yeol Gu, Sung Cheol Kang, Jae Koog An
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Patent number: 9618250Abstract: A refrigerator includes a water storage vessel configured to be mounted to the door of the refrigerator, a supply passage configured to connect the storage space of the water storage vessel to an ice making apparatus and dispenser to supply the water in the water storage vessel to the ice making apparatus and the dispenser, a valve installed at an intersection of the supply passage and configured to perform a passage conversion, and a pump configured to pump the water in the water storage vessel so that the water flows to the supply passage, wherein the water storage vessel is provided with a water storage vessel lever capable of changing the position of at least one portion of the supply passage so that the at least one portion of the supply passage is connected to/disconnected from a remaining portion of the supply passage.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventor: Sang Min Park
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Patent number: 9604324Abstract: A method of manufacturing a refrigerator comprises preparing an inner case including an ice making chamber and an opening; preparing an outer case to be coupled to an outside of the inner case; preparing a refrigerant pipe assembly including a refrigerant pipe having at least a portion to be disposed in the ice making chamber to supply cooling energy, and a refrigerant pipe insulator to insulate the refrigerant pipe; inserting the refrigerant pipe assembly into the opening of the inner case in an inward direction from the outside of the inner case such that a portion of the refrigerant pipe insulator is disposed in the ice making chamber, and a remaining portion of the refrigerant pipe insulator is disposed between the inner case and the outer case; and foaming a body insulator between the inner case and the outer case, thereby supporting the refrigerant pipe insulator by the body insulator.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jae Koog An, Jeong Hun Shin, Byung Su Kim
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Patent number: 9557087Abstract: An ice making tray has an array of individual ice cube compartments. A mechanical oscillating mechanism is coupled to the tray and rotates the tray from a horizontal plane in opposite directions along an axis through an angle ? of about 20° to 40°, such that water in the tray moves between ice cube compartments. The frequency of oscillation (?) is harmonically related to the frequency of movement of water in the tray and is about equal to or about twice the frequency of movement of water in the tray. In a preferred embodiment, the floor of the tray is a thermally conductive material in contact with a thermoelectric plate used to freeze the water as well as being subsequently heated to release the formed ice cubes.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Boarman, Mark E. Thomas
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Patent number: 9488401Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, a freezing compartment door opening or closing the freezing compartment, and an ice making device disposed on a rear surface of the freezing compartment door. The ice making device includes a case disposed on the freezing compartment door, an ice tray rotatably disposed inside the case, the ice tray making an ice therein, a knob exposed to the outside of the case, the knob being connected to a rotation shaft of the ice tray and rotated by being manipulated from the outside, and an elastic member disposed on the rotation shaft of the ice tray, the elastic member providing an elastic force into the ice tray so that the ice tray is rotated to an original position. Thus, a structure for rotating the ice tray may be simplified.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Gyuyeon Jeong
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Patent number: 9476629Abstract: A clear ice maker having an ice tray with a thermally conductive cold plate, where the cold plate has a top surface and a bottom surface, with a thermoelectric cooling device thermally coupled to the bottom surface. Water is dispensed onto the top surface, and the bottom surface is cooled such that a portion of the water adjacent the top surface is frozen, to form a layer of ice. Then the ice tray is oscillated about a transverse axis of the ice tray, such that the water freezes in successive layers from the top surface of the cold plate upwards.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Patrick J. Boarman
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Patent number: 9423171Abstract: A modular refrigeration and/or freezer appliance comprising a base module, a cabinet module comprising U-shaped front and rear plates defining a structure with an open top, bottom, and front, with the front and rear plates spaced from each other to define therebetween a U-shaped insulation compartment with upper and lower edges, an insulation module received within the U-shaped insulation compartment, a bottom closure wall module, a top closure wall module, and a door hingedly coupled to the base module and the cabinet module to selectively close the open front of the cabinet module to form a thermally insulated compartment.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2010Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Federico Betto, Johan Bengt Dahm, Paolo Molteni, Anna Pucciarini, Monica Restelli, Luca Ruggeri, Alberto Stroppiana, Pierluigi Petrali, Andrea Picozzi, Ruggero Pallaoro, Stefano Casapiccola, Giovanni Giannico, Marco Bertuzzi, Amneris Aramini, Daniele Sacchi
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Patent number: 9383128Abstract: A refrigerator that has a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, and a door that provides access to the fresh food compartment is disclosed. An icemaker is mounted remotely from the freezer compartment. The icemaker includes an ice mold. A thermoelectric device is provided and includes a warm side and an opposite cold side. A flow pathway is connected in communication between the cold side of the thermoelectric device and the icemaker. A fan is operatively positioned to move air from the fresh food compartment across the warm side of the thermoelectric device. A pump moves fluid from the cold side of the thermoelectric device to the icemaker. Cold air, such as from the refrigerator compartment, is used to dissipate heat from the warm side of the thermoelectric device for providing cold fluid to and for cooling the ice mold of the icemaker.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2012Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Boarman, Gregory Gene Hortin
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Patent number: 9303910Abstract: An apparatus for forming a frozen liquid product into a predetermined shape, such as a spherical or ball-shape, includes a body (or “housing”) comprising first and second sections relatively disposable into an open or closed orientation, through connection by an attachment assembly. A securing structure is associated with the attachment assembly and operative to maintain the first and second sections in the closed orientation concurrently to the securing structure being disposed in fluid sealing disposition to a hollow interior of the body. A single use connector removably connects the securing structure into the fluid sealing relation as it maintains the first and second sections in the closed orientation.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Inventors: Nestor Villalobos, Paul E. Skelton, Justin D. Eakes, Bruce A. Wardlow, James Costa, Louis Imbrogno
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Patent number: 9212841Abstract: A structure of an ice making compartment of a refrigerator capable of enlarging the volume of a storage compartment by reducing a width of an ice making compartment, and capable of easily discharging the whole ice separately from pieces of ice, the refrigerator including an opening/closing member configured to open and close a portion of a discharge hole and having a cover portion to prevent the whole ice from being discharged in a state that the portion of the discharge hole is closed, the refrigerator including an opening/closing member integrally formed with a fixed blade configured to crush ice in cooperation with a rotary blade.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Do Hyung Kim, Sang Hyun Park, Sang Hoon Lee, Jin Jeong, Seung Ah Joo, Qasim Khan
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Patent number: 9068770Abstract: A method for controlling a refrigerator includes starting water supply to an ice making device in a refrigerator. The ice making device includes a flow sensor configured to detect water supply flow to the ice making device by using a pulse value according to rotation of an impeller. The method also includes operating the flow sensor to detect a pulse value, determining whether the pulse value has reached a target pulse value within a preset time, and, based on a determination that the detected pulse value has not reached the target pulse value within the preset time, determining that water supply to the ice making device is in a low water-pressure state and performing a water supply control process according to the low water-pressure state.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Donghoon Lee, Wookyong Lee, Juhyun Son, Donghoon Lee, Dongjeong Kim
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Publication number: 20150143838Abstract: An ice maker is provided that varies an amount of heat transferred between an ice making member connected to a cooling unit and water being in direct or indirect contact with the ice making member according to portions of the ice making member, and producing ice in various forms including rounded ice without edges, especially spherical ice, on the ice making member, the ice maker including a cooling unit performing cooling; at least one ice making member connected to the cooling unit and being in direct or indirect contact with water to allow ice to be produced thereon; with an amount of heat transferred between the ice making member and the water being in direct or indirect contact with the ice making member varies according to portions of the ice making member, such that ice is produced in various forms on the ice making member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Yong-Bum Kim, Jin-Pyo Hong, Hyun-Woo Lee
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Publication number: 20150135757Abstract: An ice making assembly for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The ice making assembly includes a mold body and an ejector. The ejector has a shaft with a central axis that is offset from an axis of rotation of the ejector. The ejector also has a plurality of tines for sweeping through mold volumes of the mold body. Each tine has an arcuate bottom surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Publication number: 20150135759Abstract: A refrigerator includes an ice maker in a freezer and a water supply apparatus in a refrigerator chamber. The water supply apparatus is at a higher position than that of the ice maker and supplies water to the ice maker. The water supply apparatus includes a water tank configured to store water for making ice, a motor at one side of the water tank, a gear or other mechanism engaged with a driving shaft of the motor, and a second shaft connected to the gear, configured to open and close a water supply passage or hole in the water tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics CorporationInventor: Won Gu PARK
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Publication number: 20150135758Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and an ice making assembly for the same are provided. The ice making assembly includes an ice formation panel, a chilled air duct and a water distribution manifold. The ice formation panel may be cooled by chilled air passing through the chilled air duct, and the water distribution panel may direct liquid water over the ice formation panel. Ice cubes can be formed on the ice formation panel from the liquid water.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Charles Benjamin Miller
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Publication number: 20150128445Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method of freezing a liquid substance contained in at least one receptacle, comprising the steps of: providing the liquid substance in at least one receptacle, providing a cooling chamber and a cooling device having a cooling surface; setting the temperature of the cooling surface, starting a freezing procedure by placing the receptacle with the liquid substance therein on the cooling surface to form a seed or initial zone of nucleation; and continuing the freezing procedure to completely freeze the substance.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2015Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Juergen Dittrich, Guenther Ziegler
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Publication number: 20150128620Abstract: The invention relates to an energy system, and more particularly to an air conditioning system for air conditioning rooms, comprising an energy source for heat pump systems, in which energy and/or heat is stored in a latent energy or heat storage system, comprising an ice slurry production device (100) for producing ice slurry from a liquid ice slurry brine (10), which operate according to a method for air conditioning rooms, in which energy or heat is stored or buffered in a latent energy or heat storage system and/or removed or extracted therefrom, wherein ice slurry is provided as the latent energy or heat storage system, or according to a method for producing ice slurry from an ice slurry brine (10), comprising the following steps: filling a housing (110) with the liquid ice slurry brine; cooling the liquid ice slurry brine by bringing it in contact with a heat exchanger device (220) disposed in the housing (110) while stirring the ice slurry brine (10) so as to generate the ice slurry, wherein, when an iType: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: Hubert Langheinz KALTETECHNIKInventor: Hubert Langheinz
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Patent number: 9021827Abstract: An ice maker including a heating type ice-making tray capable of securing ice ejecting and a refrigerator including the ice maker are disclosed. According to a refrigerator including the ice maker, the ice may be securely ejected from the ice-making tray. As a result, reliability of ice ejecting may be improved. The water generated when the ice is ejected in the ice maker may be prevented from falling to an ice container efficiently.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Nam Gi Lee
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Publication number: 20150114025Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for overcoming known plating deficiencies in evaporator assemblies in ice making machine. One embodiment joins the vertical and horizontal partitions together at their intersections so that all surfaces are susceptible for increased soldering/brazing by eliminating the “voids” by changing the location and design of the “weep holes” in the vertical and/or horizontal partitions. This provides more complete capillary path at the joint between the vertical and horizontal partitions and the evaporator pan allowing improved flow via capillary action of solder/brazing alloy during the joining of the assembled vertical and horizontal partition grid to the evaporator pan.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: William Eugene Olson, JR., Gerald William Wendt, Raymond Randy Haack, John-Paul James Ishioye
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Publication number: 20150114012Abstract: An ice making and harvesting apparatus comprises a mold, and bottom and top plates. The mold comprises a plurality of cells. Each cell comprises side walls and defines bottom and top openings. The bottom plate is configured to move relative to a bottom surface of the mold. An upper surface of the bottom plate comprises a first sealing component. A bottom side of the mold comprises a second sealing component. The second sealing component is configured to form a seal with the first sealing component of the bottom plate. The bottom plate comprises an inlet and a plurality of channels. Each channel is configured to supply water from the bottom plate to a corresponding cell of the mold. The top plate comprises a plurality of pushing rods, each rod configured to move relative to the top opening of a corresponding cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Emad Jafa, Vasilii Abashkin, Andrey Balanev, Georgy Martsinovskiy, Vladimir Vasiliev, Mikhail Verbitsky
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Patent number: 9016073Abstract: An ice making module includes a conductive ice tray having a bottom surface and a barrier coating on at least a portion of the conductive ice tray. An electrical circuit in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray includes a power source and a capacitor. A switch is configured to move between a charging position, wherein the capacitor stores an electrical charge, and a pulse position, wherein the capacitor releases the electrical charge. A conductive material disposed proximate the conductive ice tray is in selective electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electrical charge released by the capacitor generates an induced electrical current through the conductive material and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the conductive material. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the conductive ice tray. A cooling apparatus decrease the temperature of the water in the conductive ice tray.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Yen-Hsi Lin, Xi Shan
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Publication number: 20150107291Abstract: A refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a fresh food chamber. A door is rotatably mounted to the cabinet. The door defines a freezer chamber. The position of the fresh food chamber and the freezer chamber can facilitate access to food items stored within the freezer chamber and/or the fresh food chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Publication number: 20150107275Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for producing substantially clear ice in a variety of desired shapes. An insulated ice mold form containing one or more mold cells is suspended over a liquid water reservoir contained in an insulated container. Each ice mold cell is exposed to freezing air resulting in the formation of ice in each mold cell with ice formation progressing from the top to the bottom of each ice mold cell. A liquid water reservoir below each ice mold cell serves as an impurity sink into which impurities and gases are driven as ice crystals form in each ice mold cell and as a heat sink to substantially arrest ice shape growth beyond the bottom of each ice mold cell at or near the ice-reservoir water interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventor: Rocco Papalia
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Patent number: 9010144Abstract: A refrigerator having a water storage vessel detachably mounted thereto, in which a supply passage configured to connect the water storage vessel, the ice making apparatus and the dispenser to supply the water in the water storage vessel to the ice making apparatus and the dispenser sage, a first check valve and a second check valve installed at a front position and a rear position of the one point of a first sub passage, to prevent water flowing backward to the water storage vessel, a third check valve and a fourth check valve installed at a front position and a rear position of the one point of a second sub passage, to prevent water flowing backward to the water storage vessel, and a pump installed at the third sub passage and configured to rotate the clockwise direction and the counter clockwise direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sang Min Park, Dong Jo Shin, Jae Koog An, Hae Ryong Jeon
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Patent number: 9003824Abstract: An aseptic ice making system includes an ice making system to receive water from a water supply. The ice making system includes an ice producing subsystem to produce ice and a positive air pressure subsystem to maintain a positive air pressure environment within the ice making system.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Inventors: Robert Almblad, Susan Clickner
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Patent number: 9004325Abstract: An ice dispenser for a domestic refrigerator includes a lever having a housing with a passageway defined therein and a flapper door configured to pivot between a closed position in which ice is prevented from advancing into the passageway and an open position in which ice is permitted to advance into the passageway. A linkage is coupled to the lever and the flapper door such that movement of the lever causes the flapper door to move from the closed position to the open position.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin E. Licht, Garett L. Strandemo
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Publication number: 20150089962Abstract: A liquid desalination device includes an ice maker, a rotary tank, an impurities collection tank and a desalination collection tank. The ice maker has a freezer module, a liquid inlet and an ice outlet. The liquid inlet and the liquid outlet correspond to the freezer module in position. The rotary tank has a tank body with a plurality of through holes, an ice inlet and an egress. The ice inlet and the egress are located at two end of the tank body. The ice inlet corresponds to the ice outlet in position. The impurities collection tank is disposed around the tank body, and corresponding to the through holes in position. The desalination collection tank corresponds to the ice outlet in position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Chin-Wen Wang, Tzu Wang
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Publication number: 20150086423Abstract: A sterilization treatment method includes producing a plasma-treated solution in which biocidal activity is held by diffusing, in a liquid, superoxide anion radicals (O2?.) or a precursor of the superoxide anion radicals (O2?.) by plasma generated in a vicinity of or in a manner to make contact with the liquid; freezing the plasma-treated solution to produce solid ice and store the solid ice in a frozen state; thawing the solid ice to the plasma-treated solution in which biocidal activity by the superoxide anion radicals (O2?.) or the precursor of the superoxide anion radicals (O2?.) is held; and applying a sterilization treatment by any one of the following: allowing the plasma-treated solution to have a pH value of 4.8 or lower to apply the resultant plasma-treated solution to an object, and applying the plasma-treated solution to an object of which a pH value is 4.8 or lower.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: OSAKA UNIVERSITYInventors: Katsuhisa KITANO, Satoshi Ikawa
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Publication number: 20150075191Abstract: An ice piece release system that includes a chilled compartment set at a temperature below 0° C., a warm section at a temperature above 0° C., and a tray in thermal communication with the chilled compartment. The tray includes a plurality of ice piece-forming receptacles and a cavity in thermal communication with the receptacles. The ice piece release system also includes a primary reservoir assembly in thermal communication with the warm section and fluid communication with the cavity of the tray. The ice piece release system further includes a heat-exchanging fluid having a freezing point below that of water, and the fluid resides in the primary reservoir assembly and the cavity of the tray. The primary reservoir assembly is further adapted to move at least a portion of the heat-exchanging fluid in the reservoir assembly into the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: COREY M. GOODEN, STEVEN JOHN KUEHL
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Publication number: 20150068224Abstract: A control system for an automatic icemaker including an icemaker module and a control module. The icemaker module includes a DC motor to drive rotation of a twist-type ice cube tray. The control module incorporates an integrated circuit with a programmable digital microprocessor for controlling the functions of the icemaker module. The control module accesses AC power and converts the AC power to DC power for powering a DC motor, an integrated circuit, and a microprocessor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventor: Ryan M. Subera
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Patent number: 8973392Abstract: A locking apparatus of an ice bucket of a refrigerator capable of simplifying the structure of the ice bucket while preventing the cool air of the ice making compartment from leaking and the ice bucket from being shaken, the refrigerator including a locking apparatus accommodating portion formed at a lower portion of the ice making compartment, a lever hingedly coupled to the locking apparatus accommodating portion, and an elastic member configured to elastically bias the lever, wherein the lever is configured to interfere with a locking projection of the ice bucket, and a button portion configured to adjust the position of the locking protrusion by rotating the lever, wherein a gasket mounting portion formed around an opening portion of the ice making compartment is formed to be extended to the inner side of the ice making compartment to make contact with the gasket mounting portion in a two-area contact manner.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jin Jeong, Sung Cheol Kang, Do Hyung Kim, Sang Hyun Park, Kook Jeong Seo, Jae Koog An, Yong Sung Yoon, Jae Jin Lee, Seung Ah Joo
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Patent number: 8973389Abstract: A mobile cooler having an ice maker includes: a main body having first and second spaces which are thermally blocked; a cooling device positioned at a lower portion of the main body and providing cooling air to the first and second spaces; a plurality of shelves installed in the first space; an ice tray installed in the second space; an ice bank positioned on a lower surface of the ice tray and detachably mounted in the main body; and a cover that covers an opening in which the ice bank is inserted.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2010Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Namgi Lee, Sungil Park, Sangoh Kim
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Patent number: 8973391Abstract: A structure of an auger motor assembly capable of easily installing an auger motor to drive an auger at an inside an ice making compartment, a solenoid valve to select whether to crush ice, an ice making compartment fan to flow the air at an inside the ice making compartment, and a drain hose to discharge the defrost water of the ice making tray to an outside the ice making compartment, so that the auger motor assembly is installed easily at an inside the ice making compartment by being inserted into the inside the ice making compartment through an open front surface of the ice making compartment in a sliding manner.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jae Jin Lee
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Publication number: 20150059394Abstract: An ice maker includes, among other things, an ice cube mold, an ice cube remover and a force sensor comprising a piezo dielectric elastomer (PDE). The ice cube mold has at least one cavity for receiving liquid. The ice cube remover is configured to apply a removal force to either the mold or an ice cube. The force sensor is provided on either the mold or the remover and provides an output indicative of the removal force. Upon the removal of an ice cube from the cavity, the ice cube remover applies a removal force to the mold or the ice cube to effect the removal of the ice cube from the cavity and the force sensor outputs a signal indicative of the removal force.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: ALBERTO R. GOMES, YEN-HSI LIN, ANDREW M. TENBARGE
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Patent number: 8959943Abstract: An ice agitation system includes an adaptor and an ice agitator. The adaptor includes a disk portion and an auger mounting channel. The auger mounting channel is configured to mount to a shaft of an auger such that the adaptor rotates with the shaft of the auger. The auger mounting channel extends in a direction parallel to and offset from a center axis of a disk formed by the disk portion. The ice agitator includes a hook and an arm that extends from the hook away from the center axis of the disk. The hook is mounted to the disk.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Sub-Zero, Inc.Inventors: Murray Schukar, Robin Nelson, Jeff Siedschlag
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Publication number: 20150040587Abstract: A portable apparatus for rapidly freezing a freezable liquid to form at least one frozen object includes a fluid intake in which the freezable liquid is introduced and a freeze chamber that receives the freezable liquid from the fluid intake. The freeze chamber includes a freeze block that includes at least one cell in which the at least one frozen object is formed. A cooling system circulates refrigerant to the freeze block to facilitate cooling of the freeze block. The freeze block is formed of a heat transfer material such that heat from the freezable liquid added to the at least one cell is transferred to the freeze block whereupon said heat is transferred to the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator coil of the freeze block, thereby resulting in cooling of the freeze block. The freeze block is configured and the refrigerant is selected such that the freeze chamber is maintained at a temperature of below 0° F. and preferably below at least about ?10.0° F. or ?20° F.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: Sweet Ice, Inc.Inventors: Evan Zisholtz, Steven Hamblin, Tod Riggan
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Publication number: 20150027142Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a device and method for making clear ice spheres employing a large half mold (11) releasably connected to a small half mold (30), and an insulated vessel (70). When the device is filled with liquid and submitted to freezing temperatures the liquid freezes from the top down leaving a clear ice sphere in the mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Patrick William Little, Christopher William Little
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Patent number: 8938980Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, an ice maker disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a pump fluidly connected to the ice maker and configured for pumping cooling media to the ice maker, and a motor operatively connected to the ice maker and configured to provide oscillating movement to the ice maker. The pump is operatively connected to the motor such that driving of the motor results in the pumping of the cooling media with the pump.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Boarman, Brian K. Culley, Gregory Gene Hortin