Abstract: A refrigerator including a fresh food compartment; a freezer compartment; an ice compartment disposed in the fresh food compartment; an ice maker disposed in the ice compartment, the ice maker including an ice maker tray, a separate fin evaporator, and a cooling tube which is assembled between the ice maker tray and the fin evaporator, such that the cooling tube is in direct contact with the ice maker tray and the fin evaporator; and an ice bucket for storing ice, the ice bucket being disposed in the ice compartment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ice making evaporator that combines the cubic shape of pan and partition evaporators with the central ice making of a pin evaporator to achieve an ice shape that is mostly cubic. Separation of the cooling ability of these two evaporator portions allows cube shaping during ice making cycle based on time, temperature, pressure, or other variables.

Abstract: An ice maker, according to the present invention, comprises: a first tray forming a part of an ice-making cell; a second tray forming another part the ice-making cell; and a heater which is disposed so as to be adjacent to the first or the second tray, wherein the heater turns on during a period when cold air is being supplied to the ice-making cell, and the output of the on heater can vary.

Abstract: An instant freezer apparatus able to freeze consumable fluids and food having a freezing point lower than water is disclosed. The apparatus and method of the present invention is directed to a freezer typically able to instantly freeze consumable fluids and food without altering their chemical compositions. The instant freezer apparatus generally comprises a main frame and a removable freezing module. The apparatus may further comprise a freezing fluid injection system such as a liquid carbon dioxide tank or a liquid nitrogen tank fluidly connected to the main frame. At least two freezing cells comprising the fluid to be frozen may be included, the freezing cells being independently removable from the freezing module and other freezing cells. A semi-flexible mat for receiving and supporting varying shapes of freezing cells may be included.

Abstract: A method for refrigerant charge determination in a cooling circuit including a low-pressure section and a high-pressure section. At least one compressor unit generates a compression flow of refrigerant from said low-pressure section to said high-pressure section. At least one expansion device generates an expansion flow of refrigerant from said high-pressure section to said low-pressure section. A heat-releasing heat exchanger in said high-pressure section cools and condenses compressed refrigerant. A heat-absorbing heat exchanger in said low-pressure section vaporizes said expanded refrigerant. The method includes loading refrigerant from said low-pressure section into said high-pressure section. An unloading step admits the expansion flow of refrigerant loaded in said high-pressure section into said low pressure section and determines the amount of refrigerant flowing in said unloading step.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator including a cabinet having a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment defined therein, and an ice maker disposed in the freezing compartment, wherein the ice maker includes an upper tray made of an elastic material, and having a plurality of hemispherical upper chambers defined therein, a lower tray made of an elastic material, wherein the lower tray comes into contact with the upper tray by pivoting to define a plurality of spherical ice chambers therebetween, a driver for pivoting the lower tray to open and close the upper tray and the lower tray, and each rib formed along a circumference of each upper chamber or each lower chamber in contact with each other.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an ice tray comprising: a tray body configured to provide ice-making spaces configured to retain water; a plurality of partition walls extending upward from a bottom surface of the tray body to define the ice-making spaces; and a vibration-generating unit configured to vibrate the tray body. The vibration-generating unit can include a vibration-generating member configured to generate vibration and a mounting member configured to mount the vibration-generating member to a lower surface of the tray body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an aqueous liquid aromatised with aroma compounds from coffee, wherein a gas comprising aroma from roast and ground coffee and water is condensed to provide a liquid aqueous phase and a gas phase; and the gas phase is subjected to pressurisation in the presence of an aqueous liquid. The liquid is useful e.g. in the production of soluble coffee products.

Abstract: A machine for the homogenization and thermal treatment of liquid and semi-liquid food products, for example ice creams, whipped cream, creams, chocolate, yogurt and the like, comprises a containment tank for the mixture and a centrifugal pump put in fluid communication with the bottom of the containment tank for drawing mixture from the tank and putting it back into the tank, heating and cooling means acting at the pump for heating and cooling the mixture in transit in the pump. The heating and cooling means comprise a thermal machine with reversible thermodynamic cycle and using carbon dioxide as refrigerant.

Abstract: A clear ice making system and method utilizes an ice forming tray pivotally connected to opposing side walls of an icemaker housing. Ice forming fingers of a dedicated evaporator extend into fluid within the ice forming tray, and are cooled by communication with the refrigerant circulating system of the refrigerator. A motor oscillates the ice forming tray about a longitudinal axis at a frequency of about 0.4-0.6 hertz as fluid channels freezes on the ice forming fingers over time, forming clear ice pieces. During an ice dispensing event, the motor pivots the ice making tray about the longitudinal axis such that fluid remaining within the ice making tray drains into a fluid reservoir below. The ice forming fingers are then heated to release the clear ice pieces for transfer from the fresh food compartment to the freezer compartment of the refrigerator.

Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus including a control unit which starts the operation of the refrigerant compressor in response to an operation signal and which regulates the pressure reducing device so that the temperature of a refrigerant in the water heat exchanger becomes +80 ° C. or more and the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator becomes 0 ° C. or less. The control unit detects a state where a cold storage amount in the cold storage unit reaches a predetermined amount or more and another state where the control unit judges whether the hot water storage tank is full of the hot water, after the elapse of a predetermined time from the start of the operation of the refrigerant compressor, and it stops the operation of the refrigerant compressor when one of the states is satisfied.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a fast ice making device for quickly producing ice cubes. The fast ice making device includes a mold body having a plurality of ice forming cavities adapted to hold fluid. In an ice making cycle, a vacuum system evacuates air from the cavities, thereby depressurizing the cavities. Then, a liquid delivery system delivers liquid to the depressurized cavities, whereby an initial portion of the liquid bubbles up within the respective cavities. Overall, a cooler fluid is established at the beginning of an ice making cycle, thus accelerating the rate at which ice cubes are formed within the fast ice making device. Once ice cubes have been formed within the cavities, a heat transfer system is utilized to heat the cavities, thereby slightly melting the ice cubes and aiding in the expulsion of ice cubes from the cavities.

Abstract: A system and method for making ice is provided. The system may include a tray for containing a water to be used for making ice, and a refrigerant pipe positioned so that at least a portion thereof is submerged in the water contained in the tray. A refrigerant of relatively low temperature flows through the refrigerant pipe to cause ice to be formed on surfaces thereof. A heater may be provided on the refrigerant pipe and operated during an ice-releasing process. This system and method may eliminate the need for an additional duct to supply cold air to the ice maker, thus simplifying a manufacturing process and reducing manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A frozen comestible maker suitable for home use includes single or multiple molding cavities for forming frozen comestibles, a heat exchanger for maximizing the heat transfer away from the fluid that is being frozen in the molding cavities, a refrigerant solution with a depressed freezing point in contact with the heat exchangers, a base container to seal the refrigerant solution from the fluid that is being frozen, and a bezel piece to retain spills and aid with handling. The refrigerant solution is captured between the molding cavities and the base container. One or more sticks, a drip cup, and an extraction tool may be provided with the frozen comestible maker for preparing and extracting shaped frozen comestibles, such as ice pops and popsicles, therefrom.

Abstract: A direct-cooled ice making assembly for a refrigeration appliance is disclosed. A refrigeration system includes a refrigerant circuit having an ice maker cooling portion for cooling an ice maker mold body. A cooling plate houses the ice maker cooling portion which creates ice within compartments of the mold body by cooling the mold body via the cooling plate. The ice maker is configured to be removably attached to the cooling plate so as to be replaceable without removing the ice maker cooling portion of the refrigerant circuit within the cooling plate or the cooling plate. Related refrigeration appliances are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ice maker for a domestic appliance comprises an ice tray, a water feed line which can be used to fill the ice tray with water, a water filter which is arranged in the water feed line such that it can be replaced, and a monitoring unit for calculating a value which is representative of the degree of wear of the filter. The monitoring unit has means for changing the representative value by a first fixed step width each time the ice tray is filled.

Abstract: Ice maker including an ice making container (100) having a plurality of cavities (120) for forming ice, a heater body (210) on one side of the ice making container for selective generation of heat, and heating bars (220) each extended from the heater body to the cavity by a predetermined length with a profile in conformity with a bottom surface profile of the cavity (120) with a gap to the bottom surface such that the heating bar (220) is submerged under water in the cavity for causing a temperature gradient during ice making.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing frozen comestibles including a container having an interior portion holding a refrigerant solution, and a mold insert attached to the container. The mold insert includes a base, molding cavities extending therefrom, and a heat exchanger in communication with the molding cavities. The mold insert is received within the container such that the molding cavities are housed within the interior portion of the container and the heat exchangers are submerged within the refrigerant solution. The molding cavities include exposed openings that receive fluids to be frozen. When the refrigerant solution is at a sufficiently cool temperature, the fluids freeze into a shaped frozen comestible.

Abstract: A clogging detecting apparatus for a dryer is provided that checks and displays a clogging degree of an air passage. The clogging detecting apparatus includes a judgment device for judging the clogging degree of the air passage, a storing device for storing the clogging degree of the air passage, and a display for displaying the clogging degree to the user. The clogging detecting apparatus provides information on the clogging degree, so that the user precisely checks the state of the air passage.

Abstract: An ice barrier and an ice making machine having an ice barrier is provided in some embodiments, wherein the ice barrier is movable between a first orientation in which liquid water from an ice-forming surface is directed into the liquid receptacle, and a second orientation in which the ice barrier blocks access of ice from the ice-forming surface to locations in which ice is trapped between the ice barrier and an adjacent surface. Also, a method of producing ice in an ice making machine is provided in some embodiments, wherein a barrier diverts a flow of liquid water received from the ice-forming surface away from an ice collection bin, and wherein the barrier is moved to an orientation in which the barrier diverts ice toward the ice collection bin and also blocks access of ice to positions trapped between the barrier and an adjacent surface.

Abstract: A portable instrument for providing an on-site ice cream, comprise of all natural ingredients, in front of a customer is provided. The instrument according to the current application is comprised of; 1) a compressor equipped with a condenser having heat removal capacity of 12,000 BTU/hr, 2) an exit tube, 3) a condenser tube, 4) an expansion valve, 5) an outlet copper tube, 6) a coiled coolant pipe, 7) a stainless steel shallow bowl shape plate welded on the coolant pipes, 8) an inlet copper tube, 9) a separator, 10) a by pass line that connects the exit tube and the outlet copper tube, 11) a solenoid valve, and 12) a foot stepper to control on/off of the solenoid valve. Slurry of a mixture of fruits, milk, cream powder and honey syrup, formed from an electric mixer is dumped on the stainless steel plate, which is maintained at the very low temperature between ?31 C to ?35 C.

Abstract: An ice-making system is adapted to operate within a section of a refrigeration appliance where the ice-making system and the ice made in the ice-making system are exposed to a temperature greater than zero degrees Centigrade. When installed in the fresh food compartment of a refrigerator that also has a freezer section compartment, the refrigeration system furnishes a cooling effect to the freezer compartment sufficient to maintain the freezer compartment at a temperature of zero degrees or less and separately furnish to the ice-making unit a cooling effect sufficient to freeze water for making ice in the ice-making unit of the ice-making system. The ice-making system can include a reservoir that is operatively associated with the ice-making unit of the ice-making system for delivering water to the ice-making unit and for receiving water returned from the ice-making unit.

Abstract: An ice-making machine includes a control faceplate and formed with a water tank and an accommodating hollow. The water tank has a water intake connected with the feed water pipe of the accommodating hollow. The accommodating hollow is bored with a draining channel communicating with the water tank and has an insert hole in a side and a trigger switch on an outer side. A water trough pivotally assembled in the accommodating hollow has a push plate at the front side and a pivot at the opposite sides to be fitted with the trigger switch. A freezing system installed in the machine body is composed of a compressor, a condenser, an electric magnetic valve, a dryer with a capillary tube, a vaporizer with plural ice-making rods and a liquid reservoir. The water tank has an ice-collecting box.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for making ice, and more particularly, to an ice maker provided in a refrigerator and an ice making method using the same. A system for making ice according to the present invention comprises a tray for containing a water to be used for making ice; and an ice-making pipe disposed so that at least a portion thereof is submerged in the water contained in the tray, wherein a refrigerant of relatively low temperature flows to the ice-making pipe during an ice-making process, while a refrigerant of relatively high temperature flows to the ice-making pipe during an ice-releasing process.

Abstract: In external unit 19, three-way valve 25 provided downstream of CPR 23 enables a switching connection between CPR 23 and branch line 21A of first bypass line 21 with respect to liquid line 18 A. In internal unit 20, second bypass line 27 connects inlet side of receiver 13 and inlet side of evaporator 16, and open/close valve 28 is provided along second bypass line 27. At de-icing, three-way valve 25 switches to first bypass line 21 side and open/close valve 28 opens. There upon, hot gas from compressor 11 circulates from first bypass line 21 to liquid line 18A to enter evaporator 16 through second bypass line 27 while squeezing out liquid refrigerant. Evaporator 16 is heated by manifest heat of introduced hot gas, and when the internal pressure of vaporator 16 rises to a condensation temperature over 0° C., de-icing is performed efficiently by manifest heat plus latent heat.

Abstract: A compact refrigerator has a split cabinet defining insulated refrigerator and clear ice maker sections. Its refrigeration system includes one external compressor and condenser and two evaporators, one for each section. The condenser is coupled to the inlet of the ice maker evaporator by a capillary tube and the evaporators are connected in series via a line having a refrigerator valve. The compressor receives return refrigerant from the outlet side of either the refrigerator evaporator or the ice maker evaporator depending on the state of a bypass valve, which is closed when the refrigerator valve is open, and vice versa. Refrigerant is thus routed to the ice maker evaporator to make ice and to both the ice maker and refrigerator evaporators when the refrigerator needs cooling. A hot gas bypass valve allows pre-condensed refrigerant exiting the compressor to bypass the condenser and be routed to the ice maker evaporator for harvesting the clear ice cubes.

Abstract: An ice cube-making machine that is characterized by noiseless operation at the location where ice cubes are dispensed and be lightweight packages for ease of installation. The ice cube-making machine has an evaporator package, a separate compressor package and a separate condenser package. Each of these packages has a weight that can generally by handled by one or two installers for ease of installation. The noisy compressor and condenser packages can be located remotely of the evaporator package. The maximum height distance between the evaporator package and the condenser package is greatly enhanced by the three package system. A pressure regulator operates during a harvest cycle to limit flow of refrigerant leaving the evaporator, thereby increasing pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator and assisting in defrost thereof. The evaporator can be integrated with a beverage dispenser and an ice dispenser.

Abstract: An ice making machine having a main body and an auxiliary table which is separable from the main body, wherein the main body of the ice making machine comprises a freezing unit for making ice pieces by freezing water separated into discrete cells; a cooling system connected to the freezing unit; an ice bin for storing ice pieces made by the freezing unit; a first water supply pipe for supplying water to the freezing unit; and a first drain pipe for discharging water remaining unfrozen in the freezing unit. The auxiliary table comprises a feed water receptacle and a drain receptacle, both having a space for containing a predetermined level of water; a second water supply pipe selectively connected to the first water supply pipe to supply water contained in the feed water receptacle to the freezing unit; and a second drain pipe selectively connected to the first drain pipe to direct water discharged from the freezing unit to flow to the drain receptacle.

Abstract: A high throughput, short batch cycle commercial ice making machine produces commercial ice which resists melting in convenient sizes for mobile food carts, market produce, or fish displays. The machine introduces super-cooled water, that is in a liquid state while exposed to a temperature below freezing, into a batch of pre-formed hollow molds of one or more horizontally oriented ice forming freezing trays oriented horizontally. Using vapor compression refrigeration, the machine produces a plurality of supercooled ice segments in pockets within the freezing tray. The supercooled ice segments are rapidly subjected to a short, temporary contact with a high heat source from a sleeve integral with the freezing tray compartments, along a peripheral bottom surface of the ice segment accommodating freezing tray molds. This temporarily melts a bottom surface of each ice segment, lubricating it and loosening it.

Abstract: A high throughput, short batch cycle commercial ice making machine produces salt containing, milk containing or beverage containing commercial ice, which resists melting in convenient sizes for mobile food carts, market produce, or fish displays. The machine introduces super-cooled liquid, that is in a liquid state while exposed to a temperature below freezing, into a batch of pre-formed hollow molds of one or more horizontally oriented ice forming freezing trays oriented horizontally. Using vapor compression refrigeration, the machine produces a plurality of supercooled ice segments in pockets within the freezing tray. The supercooled ice segments are rapidly subjected to a short, temporary contact with a high heat source from a sleeve integral with the freezing tray compartments, along a peripheral bottom surface of the ice segment accommodating freezing tray molds. This temporarily melts a bottom surface of each ice segment, lubricating it and loosening it.

Abstract: A method of regulating the refrigerant temperature for a beverage machine, including a refrigeration system for producing a frozen beverage, operating at least one compressor at a speed to flow the refrigerant through the refrigeration system of the beverage machine and cooling the refrigerant with at least one condenser. The method may also include controllably varying the flow of air across the at least one condenser or the speed of the at least one compressor.

Abstract: An ice-making machine comprises a housing, an evaporator connected to a freezing system, a base frame having a plurality of freezing cells for receiving water to be frozen, a freezing base plate on which the evaporator is disposed, the freezing base plate having a lower surface and freezing fingers formed thereon to be dipped into the water received by the freezing cells, and an air-removing means rocking the base frame to remove air bubbles from the water to be frozen. The air-removing means comprises a supporting frame for movably supporting the base frame and enabling it to rock upward and downward, a spring interposed between the base frame and the supporting frame, and a pressing means for repeatedly pressing the base frame, and the base frame being capable of rocking upward and downward due to the elastic recovering force of the spring and the pressure of the pressing means so that the water in the freezing cells are applied to the freezing fingers repeatedly.

Abstract: Method for controlling and optimising the cycle for production of ice cream depending on the mixtures used in the ice-cream making machine, comprising a freezing cylinder exchanging heat with the evaporator of a refrigerating circuit, and a stirrer/scraper element rotating inside said freezing cylinder and actuated by a suitable electric motor, and further comprising a processing element, sensors for detecting continuously the temperature values of the refrigerating gas at the inlet and at the outlet of the evaporator and means for detecting continuously the value of the electric power used by the motor, said temperature values and said values for the electric power used by the motor being continuously input into said processing element; a software program in said processor for processing said values being able to provide an output signal which drives an impulse solenoid valve which introduces continuously the hot gases removed from the exhaust of the compressor into the main stream of refrigerating fluid.

Abstract: An ice-making machine comprises a housing, an evaporator connected to a freezing system, a base frame having a plurality of freezing cells for receiving water to be frozen, a freezing base plate on which the evaporator is disposed, the freezing base plate having a lower surface and freezing fingers formed thereon to be dipped into the water received by the freezing cells, and an air-removing means rocking the base frame to remove air bubbles from the water to be frozen. The air-removing means comprises a supporting frame for movably supporting the base frame and enabling it to rock upward and downward, a spring interposed between the base frame and the supporting frame, and a pressing means for repeatedly pressing the base frame, and the base frame being capable of rocking upward and downward due to the elastic recovering force of the spring and the pressure of the pressing means so that the water in the freezing cells are applied to the freezing fingers repeatedly.

Abstract: An ice making machine has a water system, including a pump, an ice-forming mold and interconnecting lines therefore; a refrigeration system, including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator in thermal contact with the ice-forming mold, and a receiver. The receiver has an inlet connected to the condenser, a liquid outlet connected to the expansion device and a vapor outlet connected by a valved passageway to the evaporator. In a preferred embodiment, two interconnected receivers are used. A cabinet housing the evaporator is preferably less than 18 inches deep. The pump is preferably mounted so that the pump motor is located outside of the water compartment, but can still be removed from the front of the machine.

Abstract: An ice cube-making machine that is characterized by noiseless operation at the location where ice cubes are dispensed and be lightweight packages for ease of installation. The ice cube-making machine has an evaporator package, a separate compressor package and a separate condenser package. Each of these packages has a weight that can generally by handled by one or two installers for ease of installation. The noisy compressor and condenser packages can be located remotely of the evaporator package. The maximum height distance between the evaporator package and the condenser package is greatly enhanced by the three package system. A pressure regulator operates during a harvest cycle to limit flow of refrigerant leaving the evaporator, thereby increasing pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator and assisting in defrost thereof.

Abstract: An ice making machine comprises a housing, an evaporator connected to a freezing system, a base frame having a plurality of freezing cells for being filled with water to be frozen, a freezing base plate provided with the evaporator and freezing fingers formed on the lower surface of the freezing base plate to be dipped into the water supplied to the freezing cells, and an air removing means for pumping the water into the freezing cells to remove air bubbles inside the water, thereby forming clear pieces of ice. The air removing means comprises a water path disposed at the base frame to be connected to the freezing cells, a water pocket connected to the water path and being replenished with water form an external water supply, and a pressing means for repeatedly pressing the water pocket to pump the water of the water pocket into each freezing cell.

Abstract: A method of making and harvesting ice cubes includes freezing water in an ice-forming mold having a back surface, an open front face and dividers mounted on the back surface forming pockets for the formation of individual ice cubes, the water also forming ice bridges between the ice formed in the pockets, thus forming a slab of ice cubes; heating the ice-forming mold to release the ice cubes from their individual pockets; and using pressurized fluid to push the frozen slab of ice cubes out of the ice-forming mold. An ice making machine for practicing the present invention preferably includes an air compressor to supply compressed air as the pressurized fluid. The compressed air is directed preferably through a plurality of holes in the back of the ice-forming mold.

Abstract: A high throughput, short batch cycle commercial ice making machine produces commercial ice which resists melting in convenient sizes for mobile food carts, market produce, or fish displays. The machine introduces super-cooled water, that is in a liquid state while exposed to a temperature below freezing, into a batch of pre-formed hollow molds of one or more horizontally oriented ice forming freezing trays oriented horizontally. Using vapor compression refrigeration, the machine produces a plurality of supercooled ice segments in pockets within the freezing tray. The supercooled ice segments are rapidly subjected to a short, temporary contact with a high heat source from a sleeve integral with the freezing tray compartments, along a peripheral bottom surface of the ice segment accommodating freezing tray molds. This temporarily melts a bottom surface of each ice segment, lubricating it and loosening it.

Abstract: An ice cube-making machine that is characterized by noiseless operation at the location where ice cubes are dispensed and be lightweight packages for ease of installation. The ice cube-making machine has an evaporator package, a separate compressor package and a separate condenser package. Each of these packages has a weight that can generally by handled by one or two installers for ease of installation. The noisy compressor and condenser packages can be located remotely of the evaporator package. The maximum height distance between the evaporator package and the condenser package is greatly enhanced by the three package system. A pressure regulator operates during a harvest cycle to limit flow of refrigerant leaving the evaporator, thereby increasing pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator and assisting in defrost thereof.

Abstract: An ice making machine comprising a housing, an evaporator connected to a freezing system, a base frame having a lower surface and a multiplicity of freezing cells for retaining water to be frozen, a freezing base plate provided adjacent to the evaporator and the freezing base plate having freezing fingers formed on the lower surface of the freezing base plate to be dipped into the water retained by the freezing cells, and an ultrasonic transducer for removing air bubbles inside the water by vibrating the water contained in the freezing cells with ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transducer preferably is disposed on the lower surface of the base frame.

Abstract: An ice cube-making machine that is characterized by noiseless operation at the location where ice cubes are dispensed and be lightweight packages for ease of installation. The ice cube-making machine has an evaporator package, a separate compressor package and a separate condenser package. Each of these packages has a weight that can generally by handled by one or two installers for ease of installation. The noisy compressor and condenser packages can be located remotely of the evaporator package. The maximum height distance between the evaporator package and the condenser package is greatly enhanced by the three package system. A pressure regulator operates during a harvest cycle to limit flow of refrigerant leaving the evaporator, thereby increasing pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator and assisting in defrost thereof.

Abstract: A high throughput, short batch cycle commercial ice making machine produces commercial ice which resists melting in convenient sizes for mobile food carts, market produce, or fish displays. The machine introduces super-cooled water, that is in a liquid state while exposed to a temperature below freezing, into a batch of pre-formed hollow molds of one or more horizontally oriented ice forming freezing trays oriented horizontally. Using vapor compression refrigeration, the machine produces a plurality of supercooled ice segments in pockets within the freezing tray. The supercooled ice segments are rapidly subjected to a short, temporary contact with a high heat source from a sleeve integral with the freezing tray compartments, along a peripheral bottom surface of the ice segment accommodating freezing tray molds. This temporarily melts a bottom surface of each ice segment, lubricating it and loosening it.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a large block of frozen liquid having vertically-disposed heat transfer tubes positioned within an open-bottom, walled mold, and elevator means to raise and lower a platform or a tray to seal with the mold as a bottom to receive and retain the liquid. Once frozen, the block is removed by lowering the platform or tray in a controlled manner.

Abstract: Method for rapidly defrosting a container and a frozen liquid therein, including the steps of providing a block of material of high heat transfer capability and defining a bore extending downwardly into the block from an upper surface thereof, the bore having an inside configuration and dimensions substantially equal to an outside configuration and dimensions of the container, such that when the container is disposed in the bore, substantially an entirety of an exterior of the container is in close adjacency with an interior of the bore, the block being devoid of contact with any heat source other than ambient heat, placing water in the bore, and placing the container in the bore, thereby squeezing the water into a thin film between the container and the interior of the bore.

Abstract: An ice-making machine and method that uses an accumulator to accumulate liquefied refrigerant when warm gasified refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator after a freeze cycle. During a harvest cycle, a set of valves operates to bypass the condenser and direct the discharged gasified refrigerant from the compressor through the accumulator and then to the evaporator. The warm gasified refrigerant converts the liquefied refrigerant to gaseous refrigerant. This enhances the suction pressure to the compressor during the next ensuing freeze cycle, thereby increasing the efficiency of the accumulator.

Abstract: An ice making machine has a water system, including a pump, an ice-forming mold and interconnecting lines therefore; a refrigeration system, including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator in thermal contact with the ice-forming mold, and a receiver. The receiver has an inlet connected to the condenser, a liquid outlet connected to the expansion device and a vapor outlet connected by a valved passageway to the evaporator. In a preferred embodiment, two interconnected receivers are used. A cabinet housing the evaporator is preferably less than 18 inches deep. The pump is preferably mounted so that the pump motor is located outside of the water compartment, but can still be removed from the front of the machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biopharmaceutical preservation system for cooling, thawing and freezing a medium. The biopharmaceutical preservation system includes a vessel and a structure removably mounted within the vessel. The structure includes an elongated pipe centrally positioned within the vessel and having one or more heat transfer members.

Abstract: A method of operating a frozen beverage machine is disclosed that utilizes a short “burst” heating of the beverage machine's freezing chamber. The method includes monitoring a beverage mixture within the freezing chamber of the frozen beverage machine, and heating the freezing chamber for a predetermined time period in response to the beverage mixture reaching a first predetermined state. The freezing chamber is then refrigerated until the beverage mixture reaches a second predetermined state.

Abstract: An ice cube making evaporator design comprising an aluminum roll-bond evaporator plate (50) which is encased in a plastic grid (59) of vertical and horizontal ridges, thereby forming an array of freezing sites (28) on both sides of the plate. Plastic grids (59) are attached to each other using thermal staking, adhesives or welding so that the plate (50) is securely sandwiched between the two plastic grids (59).