Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal transfer method for heating or cooling a biopharmaceutical medium. A structure is positioned in the container. A heat exchange member is coupled to an interior surface of the container wherein a distal end of the heat exchange member is placed in close proximity to the structure to allow formation of a thermal transfer bridge that conducts heat into or out of the medium.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making and harvesting ice. Gaseous refrigerant is directed from a suction accumulator to a compressor, then to a condenser wherein the gaseous refrigerant is condensed into a liquid and through an expansion valve which reduces the pressure of the liquid refrigerant, which is then directed into the ice making plates to evaporate the refrigerant to cool the plates while water from a water supply circuit is flowed over a cold outer surface of the ice making plates allowing ice to form. During a harvest cycle, gaseous refrigerant from the compressor is directed into the ice making plates to be condensed into a liquid in the ice making plates, warming the plates to release the ice. Liquid refrigerant from the plates is directed to harvest gas generation plate and water is flowed over an outer surface of the gas generation plate, warming the refrigerant to a gaseous state, while cooling the water in preparation for the next ice making cycle.

Abstract: A system for the processing of materials includes a freezing section and a thawing section, with elongated channels extending through both sections, and gates between the sections and at the output of the thawing section. Large blocks of frozen material are slid from the freezing section to the thawing section; and a new batch of material is frozen with the heat from the freezing section used to thaw the blocks of frozen material. A harvest bar with dogs extending into the frozen material traverses at least a freezing section, and spray nozzles associated with the harvest bar may be used for cleaning the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for restoring the efficiency of ice cube making machines with a vertically oriented evaporator plate is disclosed. These evaporator plates have a series of ice cube molds arranged in a lattice pattern on one side of the evaporator plate and a refrigerant coil attached to the other. The ice cube molds are of a generally square or rectangular cross section with the lower face being either horizontal or tapered downwardly to facilitate ice harvesting. The apparatus is a piece of low friction plastic material shaped to fit the lower face of the ice cube mold. This forms a low friction surface or skate which allows the ice harvesting to be restored to its original efficiency.

Abstract: An icemaker incorporating a hot gas bypass system for introducing a supplemental quantity of refrigerant from a condenser into a compressor of the icemaker during a harvest cycle. The system includes a harvest bypass valve disposed in a bypass conduit coupled between an input port of the compressor and the inlet of a remotely disposed condenser. The harvest bypass valve is opened by a system controller of the icemaker during a harvest cycle which allows refrigerant in the condenser to migrate back into the input port of the compressor during the harvest cycle. In this manner, it can be insured that a sufficient quantity of refrigerant is available to carry out the harvest cycle. The adding of a supplemental quantity of refrigerant is further accomplished through a single valve and does not add appreciably to the overall cost or complexity of the icemaker.

Abstract: A new method and apparatus for thawing frozen food product utilizing desuperheated gas thawing medium near its saturation point. The transfer of the latent heat of condensation from the thawing medium to the frozen food product immediately condenses the thawing medium into a condensate liquid, after which it is recycled back through the refrigeration system. Since the thawing medium quickly condenses upon giving up energy to the frozen food product, it falls away from the upper surface of the thawing deck tube interiors, being replaced by additional gaseous thawing medium near its saturation point, which in turn condenses upon giving up heat, and the process continues until the food product is completely thawed. Since the state of the thawing medium is consistent throughout the thawing deck tubes, the temperature along the length of each of the tubes is uniform.

Abstract: An ice cuber and method for manufacturing the same that is constructed of plastic panels, in which instructions, blind fastener holes, a fan shroud, and a water trough are all molded into the panels. Some of the panels are permanently attached to each other by unicore welding. The cuber contains an isolated but accessible dry compartment so that components located therein will not suffer from the splashing water generated by ice cubers.

Abstract: An ice maker which produces clean, crescent-shaped ice pieces. A threaded cylindrical evaporator surrounded by copper tubing and having a centrally mounted driver with fins freezes water into crescent-shaped ice pieces and dispenses them from a chute at the top of the evaporator. Two embodiments of the present invention are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerant circuit for ice making machines and the like, the circuit comprising a freezing circuit in which a high-pressure and high-temperature vaporized refrigerant is fed from a compressor through a solenoid valve to a condenser, the refrigerant liquefied in the condenser is then fed to an expansion means, the refrigerant vaporized through the expansion means is further fed to an evaporator, and the vaporized refrigerant heated through heat exchange is fed back to the compressor; and a hot gas circuit which bypasses the high-pressure and high-temperature vaporized refrigerant fed from the compressor to the evaporator through a hot gas valve so as to achieve ice releasing and the like at the evaporator; the solenoid valve and the hot gas valve being designed to be let open and closed, respectively, during the freezing operation, and to be closed and let open, respectively, when the operation mode is switched to the ice releasing operation; wherein a pressure detecting means is interposed bet

Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerant circuit for an ice making machine and the like, in which not only drop in the performance or damage of a compressor due to the abnormally elevated higher level pressure thereof but also double-freezing can effectively be prevented.

Abstract: A freeze-thawing tank assembly includes an upright vessel having a hollow defined therein for accommodating therein a quantity of fluid medium to be treated. The vessel is closed at an upper end by a lid and at a lower end by a normally closed discharge valve. A plurality of double-walled structures are accommodated within the hollow of the vessel in equally spaced and parallel relation with each other. Each of the double-walled structures has a fluid passage defined therein for the flow of a heat-exchanging fluid medium and also has a fluid inlet and outlet communicated with the fluid passage. The fluid medium to be treated may be alternately frozen and thawed by passing the heat-exchanging medium through the fluid passages in the double-walled structures.

Abstract: A new method and apparatus for freezing food products utilizing a conventional refrigeration cycle. Refrigerant is fed into an array of heat transfer tubes mounted for immersion in a container of perishable food product whereby heat is transferred from the food product to the refrigerant causing the food product to freeze within a predetermined radius of each heat transfer tube. Each heat transfer tube is comprised of an outer fluid conveying member and an inner fluid conveying member that is generally coaxial or concentric with the outer fluid conveying member. After the food product is frozen, the food product container is lowered, leaving the frozen food product suspended by the heat transfer tubes. A support is placed under the frozen product. The frozen product is removed from the apparatus by heating the tubes so as to thaw a quantity of frozen material in the immediate vicinity of the tubes, which causes the weight of the product to shift from the tubes to the support.

Abstract: An ice piece manufacturing apparatus is disclosed in which a guide plate is directly installed to retaining plates through both hook members formed at lower ends of the retaining plates which retain manufacturing plates and long holes opened in brim plates formed at both side edges of the guide plate. A suitable distance necessary for smoothly dropping ice pieces thereby secured between the lower ends of the manufacturing plats and flat plate of the guide plate. As a result, the ice pieces released from the manufacturing plates are continuously and smoothly guided from the guide plate into a storing room.

Abstract: An ice making machine in which ice making water in a static or flowing condition is gradually frozen on the surface of an ice making plate cooled at an ice making cycle of the machine, wherein the surface of said ice making plate is made of synthetic resin or glass.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling medium circuit for ice making machines and the like, comprising a freezing circuit in which a high-pressure and high-temperature vaporized cooling medium compressed in a compressor is fed to a condenser, the cooling medium liquefied through condensation in the condenser is fed to an expansion means through a first solenoid valve, the cooling medium expanded and vaporized through the expansion means is fed to an evaporator to perform heat exchange and the thus heated vaporized cooling medium is fed back to the compressor; and a hot gas circuit in which the high-pressure and high-temperature vaporized cooling medium fed from the compressor is partly by-passed to the evaporator through a second solenoid valve and a choking means to achieve ice releasing and the like in the evaporator, wherein the state of the first solenoid valve and that of the second solenoid valve can be changed over synchronously each time the ice making machine is switched to freezing operation or to ice releasing ope

Abstract: Coffee aroma gases are conveyed to a cryogenic collector in which liquid nitrogen is sprayed directly into the aroma gas stream to rapidly condense the aroma gas and form finely divided particles of coffee aroma frost suspended in a stream of nitrogen gas, while minimizing contact of the cooled gas with the walls of the collector. The suspension of aroma frost particles in gaseous nitrogen is passed through a tubular porous filter to remove the aroma frost particles which collect on the outer surface of the tubular filter, with the nitrogen gas passing through the porous filter and being exhausted from the collector. The porous filter is periodically back pulsed to dislodge aroma frost particles collected on the outer surface of the tubular filter, with the particles being recovered for incorporation in soluble coffee products. Condensation of aroma components present in the aroma gas may be carried out in several stages to effect fractionation of the aroma gas.

Abstract: A split system ice-maker having a main unit, which houses the ice-making evaporators, and a remote unit, which houses an accumulator, a compressor and a condenser. At least two refrigeration lines are provided which connect the main unit to the remote unit. A four-way valve is located in the remote unit which directs the flow of refrigerant from the compressor to the condenser and then to the evaporator, during an ice-making mode, and additionally directs the flow of refrigerant directly to the evaporators during a harvest mode. The reversed flow in harvest mode briefly defrosts the evaporators, containing the ice-making grid, facilitating harvesting of the ice.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for preparing ice, comprising guiding a liquid (22) over an evaporator (11, 12) of a refrigerating circuit (1), heating the evaporator (11, 12) at a determined moment, and collecting ice removed from the evaporator (11, 12). These methods are characterized in that the heating time and the freezing time are governed by the presence and thickness of ice on the evaporator (11, 12), respectively. Also a device for performing these methods is described, comprising a refrigerant condition sensor (28) arranged in the refrigerating circuit (1).

Abstract: Coffee aroma gases are conveyed to a cryogenic collector in which liquid nitrogen is sprayed directly into the aroma gas stream to rapidly condense the aroma gas and form finely divided particles of coffee aroma frost suspended in a stream of nitrogen gas, while minimizing contact of the cooled gas with the walls of the collector. The suspension of aroma frost particles in gaseous nitrogen is passed through a tubular porous filter to remove the aroma frost particles which collect on the outer surface of the tubular filter, with the nitrogen gas passing through the porous filter and being exhausted from the collector. The porous filter is periodically back pulsed to dislodge aroma frost particles collected on the outer surface of the tubular filter, with the particles being recovered for incorporation in soluble coffee products.

Abstract: A machine for making and harvesting blocks of ice which is totally automatic. The machine has an ice block forming ice chamber with a counter balanced hinged lid as the bottom wall of the chamber. A small amount of water is introduced into the lid which is frozen to form an ice seal between the bottom lid and the bottom flanged edge of the side walls of the chamber. The balance of the water according to the size of block ice is then introduced and frozen. The block is harvested by defrosting using a hot gas cycle to break the ice seal and defrost the side walls of the ice chamber. The ice block falls by gravity from the chamber onto a slide system. The hinged lid returns to the closed position and the machine restarts automatically to produce the next block of ice.

Abstract: An economizer arrangement for ice making reverse cycle refrigeration system of the type employing hot-gas defrosting, including a condenser, a receiver to receive liquid refrigerant, a plural tube evaporator having an internal refrigerant chamber in each tube and an expansion valve through which the refrigerant flows into the evaporator tubes during a freezing cycle of the system to cause ice formation on ice-making surfaces of the evaporator means in heat exchange relation with the refrigerant chamber. A rotary screw type compressor supplying to the condenser and has an economizer port at a location along the screw where the pressure builds up to a selected level, a refrigerant valve passes the condenser and routes hot-gas refrigerant during a harvest defrost cycle to the evaporator tubes, and a relief conduit tube communicates the refrigerant chambers of the evaporator tubes with the economizer port.

Abstract: An ice cube making machine having an inclined ice forming mold over which water is circulated from an underlying sump. The ice forming mold includes an endless, inclined conveyor for delivering the formed ice upwardly to an adjacent, laterally spaced ice storage bin.

Abstract: In a refrigeration system in the form of a refrigerant circulation circuit, a first valve is disposed within a bypass circuit of the circulation circuit for being opened to supply therethrough the hot gas outflowing from a compressor directly into an evaporator. A second valve is interposed between a condenser and the evaporator for being closed to prohibit flow of refrigerant from the condenser into the evaporator therethrough. A first relay is energized to open the second valve when a first detecting element detects finish in cooling of medium caused by thermal exchange with the evaporator. A second relay is energized to close the first valve when a second detecting element detects finish in vaporization of liquefied refrigerant accumulated within the evaporator during cooling of the medium.

Abstract: A refrigeration evaporator comprising an enclosure having a closed top and bottom, enclosing a separator plate, lower baffle, and an upper baffle in the enclosure and spaced from one another to define a hot gas chamber, a refrigerant inlet area, a freezing chamber and a refrigerant outlet area. The evaporator is adapted to be connected to a refrigeration circuit having a freezing cycle and a harvest cycle wherein cold liquid refrigerant is directed into the freezing chamber during the freezing cycle, but prevented from entering the hot gas chamber; and hot gas is directed into the hot gas chamber and then into the freezing chamber during the harvest cycle. Water pipes extend vertically through the evaporator and through holes in the upper and lower baffles.

Abstract: The invention is a method of harvesting ice formed on the freezing tube evaporator of a shell ice maker by trapping the gas phase refrigerant in the evaporator using a steam trap of the type that allows liquids to pass but not gases. The gas phase refrigerant can thus be maintained in the evaporator without circulating the gas phase refrigerant entirely through the refrigeration system. As a result, a greater fraction of the gas phase refrigerant in the evaporator condenses than would otherwise condense there if the gas phase refrigerant continued to flow without being trapped in the evaporator. The result is an increase in the heat transferred from the refrigerant to the evaporator and to the ice formed thereon and thus reduces the time and energy required to harvest the ice and correspondingly raises the efficiency of the entire ice making cycle.

Abstract: An ice cube making machine having a vertically oriented ice forming mold over which water is circulated from an underlying sump. The ice forming mold includes an endless conveyor for delivering the formed ice upwardly to a chute which communicates with an adjacent, laterally spaced ice storage bin.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing small clear ice bodies includes an evaporator (110) having freezer cells (12) open at the bottom and cooled by a refrigerant pipe (11). Interspaces between the freezer cells (12) are covered by strips (114) of insulating material. On the outside of the insulating material (114) defrosting components are arranged, formed of metal strips (17). Water is sprayed upwardly out of a trough (30) into the freezer cells by means of a spraying device (20) in the form of a bucket wheel rotatable about a horizontal shaft (29). The bucket wheel has two spaced parallel circular discs (28) with concave splash blades (27) arranged between them. The water sprayed upwardly keeps the metal strips (17) at above-freezing temperatures, so that ice layers cannot form and interconnect the small ice bodies. Splash-guard walls (33), as well as a movable splash-guard flap (32), prevent the escape of water from the apparatus. When defrosted, small ice bodies (1) fall onto an inclined grid (36).

Abstract: A refrigerant piping system for a refrigeration machine includes an injection pipe connected at one end thereof with the suction port of a compressor and at the other end with the outlet port of a condenser. The injection pipe is provided with a solenoid valve for suppressing a coolant from flowing into the compressor during a heating operation of the machine. By closing the solenoid valve during the heating operation, the liquid coolant is prevented from flowing into the compressor through the injection pipe.

Abstract: An improved ice cube-forming machine and system comprising a plurality of hollow fluid-conducting conduits in which the outer surface thereof is provided with pocket members extending into the conduit for engagement by any fluid being conducted therethrough to selectively freeze and thaw the contents of the pocket members. A discrete water source feeds each ice cube-forming pocket for freezing while refrigerant is passed through the hollow conduits. When the water is frozen within the pockets, a control system reacts thereto to stop the flow of refrigerant and initiate the flow of heated fluid through the hollow conduit to thaw at least the surface of the ice cube and release the ice cube therefrom whence, as by gravity, it drops into a collection receptacle. The pocket members can be either a plurality of integral depressions formed therein or independent members secured thereto.

Abstract: Dislosed is an automatic ice making machine having a constitution in which a water to be frozen stored within a water tank is fed under pressure to a distributor pipe via a pump and injected through injection holes formed along said distributor pipe into a freezing chamber cooled by an evaporator connected to a freezing system, to form ice cakes within said freezing chamber, while part of the freezing water which is not frozen within said freezing chamber is fed back to said water tank for recirculation, characterized in that said ice making chamber consists of a first freezing chamber having formed thereon a multiplicity of downwardly opening first freezing cells of a predetermined recessed shape, with said evaporator disposed on its rear surface; and a second freezing chamber having formed thereon a multiplicity of second freezing cells of a predetermined recessed shape, which is disposed relative to said first freezing chamber such that the former may be moved closer to or spaced from the latter, wherein s

Abstract: An ice making system having a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator, and having freeze and harvest cycles. During the harvest cycle, vaporous refrigerant is circulated from the compressor to the evaporator through a discharge line, and is thereafter returned to the compressor through a supply line. A predetermined amount of refrigerant is condensed in a reservoir during the freeze cycle and expelled therefrom during the harvest cycle to augment the amount of refrigerant circulating in the system.

Abstract: An ice making and dispensing machine comprising a chamber for holding a layer of ice particles floating in water held at approximately freezing temperature, a remote dispensing head, an external freezing coil evaporator for freezing water into particulate ice forms, a pump disposed at the surface of the ice-water mixture for moving the mixture to the remote dispensing head, a system of conduits through which the mixture is circulated to the remote dispensing head, a return water pump with appropriate control mechanism and control mechanism with combination manual and electric control variable low-rate dispensing valves and operators, suitable for use with computer circuitry for delivering the ice, soda and syrups through the dispensing head directly into the beverage glass, pitcher or other container.

Abstract: A refrigerating system for an ice making machine includes an external equalizer expansion valve having a pressure equalizing tube connected to an exit of an evaporator tube. A pressure adjusting pipe which becomes conductive only in deicing cycle is branched from the pressure equalizing tube and connected to the discharge side of a compressor. An on-off valve is installed in the pressure adjusting pipe and controllably communicated with a hot gas valve in a hot gas pipe so that both the valves are opened and closed simultaneously. Namely, when the hot gas valve is opened for carrying out the deicing cycle operation, the on-off valve of the pressure adjusting pipe is opened, while the expansion valve remains closed. In an ice making operation cycle during which the hot gas valve is closed, the on-off valve of the pressure adjusting pipe is also closed. Thus, the expansion valve is optimally opened and closed for adjusting the amount of the coolant supply.

Abstract: An ice making system having a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator, and having freeze and harvest cycles. During the harvest cycle, vaporous refrigerant is circulated from the compressor to the evaporator through a discharge line, and is thereafter returned to the compressor through a supply line. A predetermined amount of refrigerant is condensed in a reservoir during the freeze cycle and expelled therefrom during the harvest cycle to augment the amount of refrigerant circulating in the system.

Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus comprises a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and a evaporator which are interconnected serially through a pipeline to form a closed circulation circuit. A check valve allowing a coolant flow only toward the condenser is provided between the discharge port of the compressor and the condenser. A hot gas bypass circuit is connected at one end to a junction between the compressor and the check valve and at the other end to a junction between the expansion valve and the evaporator. The check valve serves to prevent backflow of coolant to the hot gas bypass circuit during the hot gas operation mode without hindering the flow of the coolant gas through the closed circulation circuit during the normal refrigerating operation.

Abstract: A repetitive ice block or cube maker in which chilled water flows over a vertical evaporator to form ice blocks within ice freezing pockets of designated shape. The ice blocks are positively released by concurrently heating the evaporator while inducing a designated vibration in the evaporator. The vibration may be of sonic or ultrasonic frequency. A breather vacuum breaker vent may be provided in the bottom of each ice pocket. Each ice block is released with a minimum of heat being developed while heating the evaporator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ice making machine including an ice making water tank adapted to supply ice making water in circulation to an ice making section during the ice making cycle, a harvesting water tank adapted to supply harvesting water to the ice making section during the harvesting cycle, a compressor adapted to supply refrigerant gas to an evaporator tube of the ice making section, a float switch provided to the harvesting water tank and adapted to sense the upper water limit of the harvesting water, a water feed valve adapted to supply water to the harvesting water tank, and a control circuit having a relay for sensing that the machine is in the ice making cycle, the circuit being connected to the float switch and to the water feed valve for controlling the operation thereof. The water feed valve is open only when an AND output signal of the relay and the float switch is issued.

Abstract: An ice making system having a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator, and having freeze and harvest cycles. During the harvest cycle, hot vaporous refrigerant is circulated from the compressor to the evaporator through a discharge line. The refrigerant is thereafter returned to the compressor through a supply line. To ensure that a predetermined amount of refrigerant is circulated between the compressor and the evaporator during the harvest cycle, a harvest pressure regulating valve automatically adds vaporous refrigerant to the supply line from the condenser when the pressure therein falls below a predetermined level.

Abstract: A self-contained ice making machine includes a programmable controller connected to control operation of the machine which includes monitoring the operation of the machine for producing diagnostic type error signals for display, and issuing operating instructions to the refrigeration unit. The refrigerator unit has a condenser with cooling fans, evaporator, a water supply means, and an ice harvest probe assembly. The evaporator includes a coil, and an array of ice cube molds. The water supply means includes a water tank for flowing water over the evaporator, a pump for pumping water to the evaporator and from the tank and a solenoid controlled valve for controlling the flow of water to and from the tank. The ice harvest probe assembly includes a probe driven by a slip clutch motor for pushing against an ice cube bearing slab formed on the evaporator during ice cube harvest.

Abstract: A reverse cycle defrost refrigeration system including a compressor, an air cooled condenser, an evaporator having surfaces for forming ice thereon during a freezing cycle and arranged to discharge the ice therefrom during a defrost cycle, and a defrost cycle arrangement to supply hot gaseous refrigerant to the evaporator during the defrost cycle including a defrost conduit connected to the condenser for releasing flash gas to the evaporator at the time the defrost cycle begins. A liquid separator surge tank is provided to condition warm defrost gaseous refrigerant which passes back through the defrost conduit to the evaporator at the beginning of the defrost cycle from carrying slugs of liquid refrigerant that may be in the condenser into the evaporator, having an inlet conduit connected to the top of the tank and an outlet conduit exiting from the tank neat the bottom thereof to separate and accumulate any slugs of liquid refrigerant or oil that may be entrained with the flash gas.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing ice including a plurality of elongated vertical tubes of uniform internal cross-sectional dimensions, a cylindrical shell for each tube of length less than the tube and surrounding a substantial portion of the length of the tube, the internal nominal diameter of the shell being greater than the maximum external cross-section dimensions of the tube, the shell having a spiral groove formed in the cylindrical wall thereof, the depth of the groove being such that the interior surface of the shell at the groove contacts at least part of the exterior surface of the tube thereby forming a flow path in the annular area between the exterior of the tube and the interior of the shell which is, at least in part, spiraled. Refrigerant gas is expanded in the tube-shell annular areas to chill the tubes. Water is introduced into the upper end of the tubes to flow downwardly through them and form in each tube a rod of ice.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process to perform the alimentary mixtures pasteurization in apparatuses of the type comprising a refrigerating circuit provided with compressor, condenser, expansion valve and evaporator and at least one vessel to contain the alimentary mixture under conditions of thermal exchange with at least one coil. The process according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises the steps of:(a) heating the mixture contained in at least one vessel connecting the components of the refrigerating circuit and the coil to each other in the following order: compressor, coil, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, compressor(b) cooling the mixture contained in the vessel connecting the components of the refrigerating circuit and the coil to each other in the following order: compressor, condenser, expansion valve, coil evaporator, compressor.

Abstract: An icemaker having a thermally conductive tube with a coolant inlet and outlet and at least one substantially flat ice-forming elongated surface. An elongated thermally non-conducting strip of material on each long side edge of the tube with an outer surface continuous with the ice-forming surface and a plurality of spacers, each extending across the elongated surface at spaced apart intervals with a means for releasably holding the spacers against the elongated surface, also including a means for passing a curtain of water over said elongated surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for making ice product has a vertically arranged refrigerating plate having a freezing surface and a refrigerant pipe on the side of the plate opposite to said freezing surface, and a flushing water spray pipe arranged on the upper portion of the aforementioned side of the refrigerating plate, with the ice-making water flowing down along the freezing surface for formation of ice products. The freezing plate is a strip of sheet metal of lower heat conductivity and comprised of alternate elongated recesses and projections extending in the flowing down direction of the ice making water, with the recesses essentially forming the freezing surface. The freezing surface has a plurality of horizontal formations on the forward sides of the recesses and vertically intermediate the adjoining straight portions of the refrigerant pipe, with the formations extending normal to the flowing down direction of the ice-making water.

Abstract: An ice making machine selectively produces both white and clear ice. Water is frozen in a tube 14 which has disposed thereabout in heat exchange relation a refrigerant evaporator tube 92. During a freezing cycle a reversing valve 84 directs cold refrigerant through the evaporator tube 92 in a first direction FC. During a harvest cycle the reversing valve 84 directs hot refrigerant through the evaporator in a reverse direction HC. After thawing ice is discharged from the tube 14 by pressurized gas.

Abstract: A crushed ice making method and apparatus in which water is introduced into the upper end of a tubular column open at the top and having a constricted air inlet at the lower end into which air is introduced in counterflow to the water. The column is positioned in heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant flow path, and the temperature of the refrigerant in this flow path is selectively controlled to either freeze the water in the column or thaw any ice formed therein to free the ice from the column side walls to effect ice harvesting. When ice of desired thickness has formed in the column, the air inlet is closed off by the ice, causing a pressure build-up in the air supply line. This pressure is sensed and employed to actuate control means causing hot refrigerant to flow in the refrigerant flow path in heat exchange relationship with the column to free the ice in the column from the side walls thereof, at which time the air pressure acts to force the ice upwardly out of the column.

Abstract: The circuit of a gas-compression refrigerating unit in ice-cream making machines and/or ice-cream mixture pasteurizing machines has inserted therein a by-pass circuit controlled by one or more switching valves. During the cycle of pasteurization and/or sterilization of the ice-cream mixture and of the elements of the machine contacting said mixture (either liquid or frozen), the hot refrigerant gas coming from the compressor is diverted through the evaporator (by-passing both the condenser and expansion valve) so as to heat to a sterilization temperature all the elements of the apparatus which usually are cooled by said evaporator. On completion of this pasteurization and/or sterilization cycle, said by-pass circuit in shut off and the refrigeration cycle is resumed by switching said valves, whereby the fluid refrigerant is circulated from the compressor to the condenser and expansion valves into the evaporator so as to refrigerate the elements that are in heat exchange relationship with said evaporator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing frozen product characterized by flowing liquid substantially uniformly over a substantially vertically oriented freezing mold; supplying liquid refrigerant to a conductive surface in the freezing mold for freezing the liquid into predetermined shapes; collecting the excess liquid into a reservoir and circulating the excess liquid back over the top of the freezing mold, the liquid being at its freezing point; stopping the circulation of the liquid over the freezing mold and initiating a dump mode in which the freezing mold is heated and tilted to dump the frozen product into a receiving bin; detecting when the receiving bin has sufficient frozen product therein and stopping the production of more frozen product until some has been used; repeating the cycle orienting the freezing mold substantially vertically and starting the refrigeration equipment to freeze the product and repeat the cycle.

Abstract: An ice cube maker in which a generally vertically disposed array of fins including first fins extending laterally outwardly from one side of a central vertical plane and second fins extending outwardly from the other side of the plane is disposed over an open top tank to which a predetermined volume of water supplied at the beginning of an ice-making operation in the course of which water from the tank is fed to a distributor over the tank so as to fall downwardly into the fins which are cooled to form ice. When water in the tank reaches a predetermined low level the ice is harvested by heating the fins to permit the ice to falls into a bin below the array. In response to movement of ice into the bin a new cycle is initiated.