Abstract: An icemaker assembly is disposed within a refrigerator having a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment and respective freezer and fresh food door assemblies. The icemaker assembly comprises a conveyor assembly positioned within the freezer compartment having a flexible conveyor belt with a multiplicity of individual ice cube molds for creation of individual ice cubes. An ice cube storage bin is positioned below the conveyor assembly for storing the ice cubes and a fullness sensor is positioned for determining the fill level of ice cubes within the ice cube storage bin.

Abstract: A kit which retroactively fits an ice-maker to increase the rate of production of ice. The kit comprises a bracket, a fan and fan motor, and a power source for the fan motor. The fan motor and fan is positioned above the ice maker within the freezer compartment and blows air downward, directly over the ice production tray which contains water. The circulation of a stream of cold air causes the temperature in the vicinity of the water to drop more rapidly than it would without the fan-produced circulation of cold air. Also, cooling is hastened by the induced evaporation of the water by the cold air stream. When the water is frozen, the ice maker ejects the ice into an ice container. The bracket provides support for the fan motor, which is secured to the bracket with four machine screws.

Abstract: An ice maker includes a mold having at least one cavity configured for containing water therein for freezing into ice. An auger extends substantially vertically through the at least one mold cavity. The auger is configured for rotating to thereby push the ice out of the at least one mold cavity. A temperature sensor is positioned in association with the mold for sensing a temperature of the mold. A heat transfer member is metallurgically coupled with the auger and extends downwardly from the mold.

Abstract: An ice maker includes a mold having at least one cavity configured for containing water therein for freezing into ice. An auger extends substantially vertically through the at least one mold cavity. The auger is configured for rotating to thereby push the ice out of the at least one mold cavity. A temperature sensor is positioned in association with the mold for sensing a temperature of the mold. A heat transfer member is metallurgically coupled with the auger and extends downwardly from the mold.

Abstract: An ice maker for use in a refrigeration apparatus as well as a method of optimizing ice production in an ice maker. The ice maker has a mold and a fan selectively operable to direct moving cold air past the mold during the ice formation process. In the preferred embodiment, the fan does not operate during the harvest portion of the cycle. A fan assembly consisting of a fan or blower, a motor, a switch in series with the motor and leads for electrically interconnecting the motor and in switch with the icemaker power supply is preferably assembled as a module removably interconnectable with the icemaker as an optional feature. The icemaker has an increased the rate of ice production due to the increased rate of convective heat transfer.

Abstract: A motor having gears which transmit rotations of a rotor to an output shaft through a gear mechanism made of gear trains, comprises a gear mechanism provided with an intermittent rotation mechanism including a primary gear which rotates upon receiving rotations of the rotor and a secondary gear which meshes with the primary gear and rotates intermittently. The primary gear has a tooth unit for driving the secondary gear, a tooth-shaped hole, which is provided adjacent to one side of the tooth unit and with which a meshing tooth of the secondary gear meshes, and a control unit which is provided adjacent to the other side of the tooth unit so as to stop the secondary gear for a given period such that the primary gear is asymmetric around the tooth unit. When the primary gear rotates in a predetermined direction, the meshing tooth meshes with the tooth-shaped hole to intermittently rotate the secondary gear.

Abstract: An ice maker includes a mold and an auger. The mold has at least one cavity with a bottom surface, and is configured for containing water therein for freezing into ice. The auger has a shaft with at least one flight attached thereto, the shaft including a top end and a base end with the base end being rotatably mounted in the bottom surface of the at least one mold cavity. The shaft extends substantially vertically through the mold cavity and is configured to rotate and thereby push the ice out of the mold cavity. The shaft and/or at least one flight has an inward taper in a direction heading from the base end to the top end of the shaft.

Abstract: An ice maker includes a mold and an auger. The mold has at least one cavity with a bottom surface, and is configured for containing water therein for freezing into ice. The auger has a shaft with at least one flight attached thereto, the shaft including a top end and a base end with the base end being rotatably mounted in the bottom surface of the at least one mold cavity. The shaft extends substantially vertically through the mold cavity and is configured to rotate and thereby push the ice out of the mold cavity. The shaft and/or at least one flight has an inward taper in a direction heading from the base end to the top end of the shaft.

Abstract: An icemaking assembly (“icemaker”) is provided which includes an improved construction including an ice mold separate but attached to a structural base. The structural base includes integral elements such as a water fill cup, stripper, and mounting configuration. The integral nature of the stripper, combined with its “living hinge” feature, allows for an improved method and apparatus for fixing the ice tray in place. The combination provides an icemaker having improved thermal properties, as well as improved manufacturing efficiencies. Other improvements include an improved control system, as well as other cost-saving features.

Abstract: An ice making assembly for use in a refrigerator has an ice forming chamber positioned in the freezer. The chamber has a water reservoir for receiving water, at least one air inlet passage and an outlet opening for permitting cool air flow to pass through the ice forming chamber and over the water reservoir to chill the water into ice pieces. The chamber has an ice displacing device for displacing the ice pieces from the water reservoir and moving the ice pieces out of the ice forming chamber through the outlet opening into an ice storage bin. The bin has a discharge opening for discharging ice pieces from the ice making assembly. The ice making assembly has a downwardly extending baffle positioned across outlet opening of the ice forming chamber.

Abstract: Ice maker assembly in a refrigerator and method for controlling the same, which can make a stable ice checkup step, the ice maker assembly including a driving means for generating a rotating force, an ice tray connected to the driving means for being rotated by the rotating force from the driving means to transfer ice to an underlying ice container, an ice checkup lever connected to the driving means for conducting an ice checkup step in which an amount of ice in the ice container is detected, and movement transmission means for transmission of a rotating force of the ice tray to the ice checkup lever, wherein, when the ice checkup lever starts the ice checkup step, the ice tray is rotated by a preset angle at first, to transmit a rotating force of the ice tray generated by the rotation to the ice checkup lever, which is a movement transfer means, so that the ice checkup lever makes an initial movement by a preset angle.

Abstract: An automatic ice making machine 1 includes an ice tray 2 for making ice cubes, ice separating means 5 for separating ice cubes from the ice tray 2 by turning the ice tray 2, and an ice storage container for storing separated ice cubes. A stepping motor 13 is used for a drive source for the driver unit 5. The automatic ice making machine further includes detecting means for detecting a predetermined position of the ice tray 2; and control means for controlling a drive of the stepping motor 13. When the ice tray 2 is returned to the water supply position, the control means determines a predetermined position of the ice tray 2 by use of a signal from the detecting means, and determines other positions of the ice tray 2 by the utilization of the number of steps of the motor counted from the predetermined position.

Abstract: An ice maker has an ice tray having at least one fluid receptor cavity for forming an ice mass therein. An ejector assembly conveniently has one or more ejector members corresponding in number and in register respectively with the cavities. The ejector assembly is fixed with respect to the tray and the tray is movable relative to said assembly to cause entry of the or each member into its associated cavity and consequent ejection of the formed ice mass therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus to form and maintain a vent between the top and bottom surfaces of an ice core formed by ice extruders is disclosed. The vent is initially formed in one embodiment by a hollow member suspended within the freezing cell of the apparatus with one end of the hollow member forming a seal with a projection on the plunger that lifts the ice core upward during the extrusion of ice. After the vent is initially formed, the hollow member is removed and the plunger and projection begin a reciprocating motion causing the plunger to scrape ice from the walls below the ice core. The continuing motion of the plunger presses the ice chips against the bottom of the ice core and simultaneously causes the projection to seal the bottom opening of the vent, thus preventing the ice chips from closing the vent.

Abstract: A reverse condition sensing mechanism incorporating in an ice making apparatus for use in a refrigerator includes a movable lever mounted on an output shaft to be rotated therewith and a fixing plate vertically mounted on a periphery surface of the output shaft. The movable lever has a shaft fixing portion fixed into the output shaft for rotating an ice tray, a rotating portion extending from the shaft fixing portion and vertically projected therefrom, and a contacting conductor mounted on a surface of the rotating portion. The fixing plate has a horizontal contact for sensing a horizontal condition of the ice tray and a reverse contact for sensing a reverse condition of the ice tray, the contacts being at intervals of a predetermined distance. The horizontal and the reverse conditions are sensed depending on the contacts being electrically contacted with the contacting conductor of the movable lever.

Abstract: An ice removing mechanism includes an ice tray having a fixing projection at one end thereof and a sliding projection at the other end thereof, a rotating guide plate having a fixing groove at one side thereof to guide the fixing projection of the ice tray inserted thereinto and a connecting shaft rotatably connected to an output shaft of a motor at the other side thereof, a fixing guide plate having a guide groove concentrically disposed to a center thereof, a twisting member disposed between the guide plates, and a movable stopper for preventing the ice tray from rocking from side to side. When the rotating guide plate is rotated, the sliding projection of the ice tray is rotated to slide along the sliding groove of the fixing guide plate, thereby pressing a bottom surface of the rotated ice tray. As a result, the ice cubes are effectively removed from the ice tray.

Abstract: An automatic ice maker of a refrigerator has a housing, an ice-making container for making an ice by freezing the water making contact with the housing, a motor for generating the driving force to drive the ice-making container, the motor being accommodated in the housing and having a rotating shaft, a power transmitting apparatus for transmitting the driving force generated by the motor to the ice-making container so that the ice-making container is overturned or is returned to an initial position, a first micro switch for sending a first signal to a control unit for reversing a driving direction of the motor by making contact with the power transmitting apparatus, a second micro switch for sending a second signal to the control unit for closing an electric power applied to the motor by making contact with the power transmitting apparatus, and a third micro switch for sensing whether or not an ice cube storage bin which is disposed below the ice-making container is fully filled up with ice, and for sending a

Abstract: A surgical drape for use in a thermal treatment system congealing a sterile medium within a basin and automatically dislodging the congealed sterile medium adhered to the drape adjacent basin walls is accomplished by a drape having a drape portion covering the system housing with part of the drape portion disposed in the basin. The drape may further include a pre-formed container portion fitted to match the contour of, and being disposed within, the basin. The container portion may accommodate various shaped basins and include individual fluted sections, drape deformities, or an inflatable bladder surrounded by the fluted sections for facilitating dislodgement of the congealed medium. Further, the drape or preformed container portion may include a substantially annular bladder, or a bladder having a plurality of individually inflatable sections for manipulation of the drape relative to the basin to dislodge the congealed sterile medium.

Abstract: An automatic icemaker for a refrigerator. The icemaker has an ice tray, an ice receiving container for receiving ice pieces formed in the ice tray, a water reservoir for storing a water to be supplied to the ice tray, a pump installed at one side of the water reservoir, a supply hose for guiding a water pumped by the pump to the ice tray, an overflow hose for recirculating a water overflowing from the ice tray to the water reservoir, and a sensor for detecting the overflowing water by making contact with the overflowing water and sending an electric signal to an ECU so as to stop a water supply. The pump continuously supplys a water to the first vessel, and when the sensor makes contact with the water, the sensor sends an electric signal to the ECU and the ECU stops an operation of the pump.

Abstract: An automatic ice maker adapted for use in a refrigerator includes an ice-making tray rotatable between an upright ice-making position and an inverted ice-discharging position by a motor. A container is disposed beneath the tray for receiving ice when the tray is in the inverted position. First and second switches are each moved between first and second states in response to rotation of the tray. The second switch can be moved to its second state in response to the container being full of ice. Whenever the refrigerator is started-up, e.g., after a power outage, a controller determines whether both of the switches are in their first states. If so, an ice making operation is performed. If not, the motor is actuated in a manner tending to rotate the tray to its upright position. When the tray reaches its upright position, a stop is contacted, whereupon a load is generated at the motor, causing the controller to stop the motor.

Abstract: There is described a device that proceeds to operate the stirrer and the cup for containing the water in a machine for the production of ice cubes. The device comprises a single motor that gives motion to a first rotating shaft operated in a continuous manner and to a second rotating shaft operated in a discontinuous manner. The first rotating shaft is connected to the stirrer by first motion transmission means suitable for converting the rotation of said first shaft into an alternating oscillatory movement of the stirrer. The second rotating shaft is in turn connected to the bowl of water by second motion transmission means suitable for converting the rotation of said second shaft into a corresponding motion of tipping the bowl over.

Abstract: An automatic ice production apparatus and a method thereof, comprising an ice removing motor rotation control function, an ice removing motor protection function, a water supply alarm/indication function, a water supply state control function and a water supply motor control function. To perform the above functions, the automatic ice production apparatus comprises an ice removing motor rotation controller for controlling a rotating operation of an ice removing motor, a water supply motor rotation controller for controlling operation of a water supply motor, a water supply state controller for controlling the supply of the water pumped by the water supply motor to the automatic ice production apparatus and a dispenser, a water level detector for detecting the level of water in a water supply tank, an alarm generator for generating an alarm in response to the water level detected by the water level detector, and a microcomputer for controlling the entire operation of the automatic ice production apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic ice maker for effectively separating ice through transmitting the compressive force and the rotational force to the ice tray during the rotation of ice tray. A first rotating shaft is provided at a first end of the ice tray and a second rotating shaft is provided at a second end which is opposite to the first end. A power transmitting member transmits the rotational force to the ice tray through the first rotating shaft and the compressive force along the direction of the first rotating shaft to separate the ice. A supporting member limits the rotation of the ice tray and supports the second rotating shaft. The ice tray is turned over using the rotational force of a step motor. The power transmitting member generates the compressive force to the turned-over ice tray and the compressive force is transmitted to the ice tray to twist the ice tray. Through the twist, the ice is separated from the ice tray.

Abstract: A shelf structure for use in a freezer compartment of a refrigerator includes a horizontal shelf and a base formed integrally of one piece with the shelf. The base extends downwardly from the shelf and includes upper and lower pairs of guide rails. A case is slidably supported on the upper guide rails and carries ice cube trays which are rotatable relative to the case for ejecting ice cubes. An ice cube storage bin is slidably mounted on the lower guide rails beneath the trays for receiving the ejected ice cubes.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically producing ice vessels. A male die 21 is provided opposite to a female die 11. A bottom surface of the female die 11 is formed with a through-hole 15, in which is provided a reciprocating body 17. The body 17 is capable of being raised or lowered by cylinder 18. Above one side of the female die 11 is provided a chute box 31 having an outlet port 31A facing the female die 11. Adjacent the female die 11 is provided carrier arms 41 movable toward or away from each other. An ice pieces equalizer 28 is provided above the female die 11. Ice pieces I are accomodated into the female die 11 with the body 17 protruding from the bottom surface thereof. A surplus amount of the accomodated ice pieces I are removed by the approach and return trip of the equalizer 28. Then, the body 17 is lowered to form a sinking. After that, an ice vessel is molded by depressing the male die 21.

Abstract: An automatic ice maker adapted for use in a refrigerator includes an ice-making container rotatable between an upright ice-making position and an inverted ice-discharging position by a motor. A reservoir is disposed beneath the container to receive the discharged ice. The position of the container is determined by switches which are actuated by cams that rotate with the container. Signals from the switches are fed to a controller which stops and starts the motor and determines the direction of motor rotation. In order to prevent excessive overtravel of the container, e.g., in the case of switch malfunction, stops are provided which stop the rotation of the container independently of the controller.

Abstract: An automatic ice maker includes an ice-making tray rotatable between an upright ice-making position, and an inverted ice-discharging position. A container disposed beneath the tray receives the discharged ice. A cam wheel rotates with the tray and includes first and second cams that actuate first and second switches, respectively. A controller connected to the switches determines the position of the tray on the basis of the states of the switches. A lever detects whether the container is full of ice. When the container is full, the lever actuates the second switch in order to prevent further ice-making operations, regardless of the orientation of the first and second cams.

Abstract: An ice removal motor control circuit and method for an automatic ice maker is provided, which ice maker includes a load voltage detector for detecting a load voltage applied across an ice removal motor, a comparator for comparing the load voltage with a predetermined reference voltage, and a controller for outputting a control signal to an ice removal motor controller to stop operation of the ice removal motor when the load voltage is larger than the reference voltage. Thus, an excessive load is prevented from being applied to the ice removal motor, thereby protecting the ice removal motor and relevant elements from being damaged and further improving reliability of the automatic ice maker.

Abstract: An ice tray in an automatic ice making machine of a refrigerator is emptied by being rotated, whereupon the tray becomes deformed to eject the ice. The tray is rotated (and deformed) alternately in opposite directions in order to extend the life of the tray.

Abstract: An ice removal device for use in an ice maker comprises a driving motor; a cam gear; a cam provided with a smaller and a larger circular portions with concentrical circumferential surfaces, respectively; a plurality of gears; and a rotation reversing sensor having a knob switch. The rotation reversing sensor is disposed adjacent to the cam in such a way that the knob switch is pressed by either one of edges of the circumferential surface of the larger circular portion of the cam at a time.

Abstract: An apparatus for freezing particulate bodies, comprising a rotary member having a generally horizontal freezing surface, means for dispensing said bodies onto said surface, means for cooling the surface to a freezing temperature and means for collecting said bodies in at least peripherally frozen state from said surface. The particulate bodies may comprise food stuffs, such as prawns or cream, a pharmaceutical, a microbiological culture, or a puree. Liquified carbon dioxide and nitrogen are preferred for cooling.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanism for detecting completion of ice formation and for preventing such opacification of ice pieces in an ice making machine, in which a multiplicity of freezing fingers formed on the lower surface of a freezing base plate are dipped in the water supplied to a freezing chamber defined in a water tray to carry out a freezing operation and form inverted dome-shaped ice pieces gradually around the freezing fingers; characterized in that the mechanism consists of a rocking plate which is rocked with respect to the freezing fingers by a rocking means; and a position detector which is actuated when a predetermined size of ice pieces are formed around the freezing fingers, and the rocking plate is brought into contact with these ice pieces.

Abstract: A subassembly for an ice maker includes a double-sided ice cube tray having a housing located within the refrigerator freezer. The housing has a first side with spaced-apart first ice cube cavities facing upward and has a second side with spaced-apart second ice cube cavities facing downward. With frozen ice cubes attached to the second ice cube cavities, household water is delivered to the empty first ice cube cavities. The heat of the water causes the frozen ice cubes to become detached from the second ice cube cavities whereupon gravity causes them to fall into a storage bin below. After the water freezes in the first ice cube cavities, a mechanism rotates the housing one-half turn and the cycle is repeated.

Abstract: Ice pieces are discharged from an ice-making container into a tray disposed therebeneath by the procedure of inverting the container and twisting it in an initial direction of rotation to discharge most of the ice pieces into a first region of the tray, and then twisting the tray in a direction opposite the first direction to discharge residual ice pieces into the tray. The initial direction of twisting occurring during each such procedure is opposite the initial direction of twisting performed during a prior procedure, so that the majority of ice pieces discharged during each procedure falls into a different region of the tray than during a prior procedure. This results in a more uniform distribution of ice pieces in the tray. Instead of twisting the container in two directions during each procedure, it could be twisted in only one direction.

Abstract: A vibrating device for an electric refrigerator contains an ice making tray for making an ice from a water which is supplied to the ice making tray; a fulcrum member mounted on the ice making tray rotatable about the fulcrum member; an ice storing chamber for storing the ice which has been made in the ice making tray by rotating the ice making tray about the fulcrum member; rotation device for rotating the fulcrum member to perform an ice removing operation applied to the ice making tray; reciprocation device for supporting the fulcrum member in a horizontal direction which is orthogonal to an axis direction of the fulcrum member and for reciprocating the fulcrum member in the horizontal direction which is orthogonal to the axis direction of the fulcrum member.

Abstract: A machine or apparatus for producing ice cubes comprising flexible membranes which are flexed into and out of thermal contact with a refrigerated evaporator core upon which conductive areas define discrete freezing sites which determine the location on the flexible membrane where the ice cubes are formed. The ice cubes are removed by flexing the flexible membrane. The flexing of the flexible membranes into and out of contact with the evaporator core may be accomplished with a fluid source which applies fluid to and removes fluid from collapsible spaces between the evaporator core and the membranes.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus includes a mold in which water is frozen to form an ice body. Also included are an electric motor and an ejector blade for ejecting the ice body from the mold. An electric heater in heat transfer association with the mold is operable to free the ice bodies from the mold prior to the ejector blade ejecting the ice bodies. A control circuit includes a thermostat responsive to temperature of water in the mold. A thermostat switch is controlled by the thermostat to initiate operation of the motor for ejecting the ice body upon complete freezing thereof and concurrently energizing the heater. Art electric circuit includes the thermostat switch, the motor and a second switch controlled by the operation of the motor for maintaining energization of the motor independently of the first switch and causing the thermostat switch to control further energization of the heater whereby the thermostat switch de-energizes the heater within a single revolution of the ejector blade.

Abstract: A flake ice machine (10) including a rotatable cooling member (12) defining cooling surfaces (20) and a plurality of internal refrigerant flow passages (76). The machine includes a spray tube (18) for introducing liquid material onto a portion of the cooling surfaces of the cooling member. A refrigerant supply system (30) supplies an excess of evaporative liquid refrigerant to the inlets (78) of the refrigerant flow passages, so that a portion of the liquid refrigerant evaporates within each passage to freeze the liquid material introduced onto the cooling surface, and a remaining portion of the refrigerant flows from the outlet (80) of each passage in the liquid state. Resilient removal blades (38) mounted adjacent each cooling surface remove frozen material from the cooling surface to form solid flakes of material.

Abstract: An electric control apparatus for an ice making machine mounted on an ice storage bin to store therein ice cubes formed at its ice making cycle of operation and released at its defrost cycle of operation, the ice storage bin having an ice detection switch of the normaly open type arranged to issue an electric signal therefrom when closed by engagement with the ice cubes fully stored in the ice storage bin. The electric control apparatus is designed to maintain the ice making machine inoperative when applied with the electric signal from the ice detection switch immediately after connected to an electric power source and to activate the ice making machine after lapse of a predetermined time when the ice detection switch is opened in a condition where the ice making machine is maintained inoperative.

Abstract: An ice maker for use in a domestic refrigerator makes clear ice bodies. The ice maker comprises a support arranged to have an ice body formed thereon. The support is refrigerated to a below-freezing temperature and a container adapted to hold a body of water is moved to move liquid water contained therein uniformly about the support suitable to cause a clear substantially symmetrical ice body to build up outwardly on the refrigerated support.

Abstract: Continuous freeze drying apparatus composed of a vessel whose internal chamber houses a cooled revolving cylinder on which a nebulizer sprays the material to be freeze dried.A scraping blade, grazing the freezed material, removes it making it fall onto revolving holed planes heated by heating elements interposed between these revolving planes, in order to obtain a quick sublimation of the substance to be freeze dried.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus includes a mold in which water is frozen to form an ice body. Also included are an electric motor and an ejector blade for ejecting the ice body from the mold. An ice body collecting bin located subjacent the ice making apparatus collects ice ejected from the mold. A sensing or bail arm extends downwardly into the collecting bin to sense the level of the ice bodies in the bin. The sensing arm is pivotally mounted to the ice maker, and includes a free end which is supported by a spacer mounted to the ice maker. The spacer positions the free end away from the path between the mold and the bin, thereby preventing blockage of ice bodies by the free end. The ice maker includes structure for suspending operation of the ice maker in the event that the sensing arm is obstructed.

Abstract: An automatic ice maker includes an ice tray supplied with water, which water is made into ice. After the water in the ice tray is made into ice, the ice tray is inverted so that ice cubes are removed from the ice tray. During the ice making stage, a vibrator vibrates the ice tray so that the ice making at the water surface side in the ice tray is retarded, which causes air bubbles contained in the water in the ice tray to escape therefrom, thereby providing transparent ice cubes.

Abstract: An ice piece maker has a long tray (100) with an arcuately shaped inner surface divided into full crescent shaped cavities (122) arranged sideby-side along the tray length. A bidirectional rotatable shaft (106) is positioned with its axis coincident with the axis of the inner surface of the tray. Leading and lagging rows of ejector elements (114), (116) are in separate planes with said leading ejector elements (114) extending downwardly into the center of the cavities, herein defined as the 0.degree. position of rotation, and with first ends of the leading ejector elements (114) attached to the shaft and being of a length to leave a space between its second ends and the tray bottom so that an ice bridge (152) can form between the leading and lagging ice pieces. A control controls the shaft rotation to a clockwise direction for X.degree.

Abstract: The device contains a frame, a refrigeration mechanism with an evaporator, a mechanism to slightly defrost the ice formed around the protruding parts and to cause it to fall off, a water tank that is movably mounted on the frame, a water supply pipe which is located above the tank, a mechanism for moving the tank from an uppermost position around the above-mentioned protruding parts to a lowest position and vice versa, a mechanism for controlling the refrigeration mechanism and control the mechanism for moving the tank, and an upper grid that is hingedly mounted on the frame, is pushed up by the movement of the tank from its lowest to its uppermost position and protrudes before the uppermost position of the tank on the top in such a manner between the downward directed protruding parts of the evaporator that, when ice cubes are formed around these protruding parts already situated above all these ice cubes and cannot go down as long as all ice cubes have not fallen off, while the mechanism which controls the

Abstract: An ice maker for use in a domestic refrigerator/freezer makes clear ice bodies. The ice maker comprises a support arranged to have an ice body formed thereon. The support is refrigerated to a below-freezing temperature and a container adapted to hold a body of water is moved to move liquid water contained therein uniformly about the support suitable to cause a clear substantially symmetrical ice body to build up outwardly on the refrigerated support.

Abstract: An automatic ice maker includes an ice tray supplied with water, which water is made into ice. The ice tray is inverted after the ice making so that ice cubes are removed from the ice tray. An outlet is directed to the underside of the ice tray so that the chilled air from the outlet flows along the underside of the ice tray. As a result, the water at the bottom side of the ice tray is first made into ice, thereby providing opaque ice cubes. A thermistor for determining completion of the ice making senses the temperature of the upper portion of the ice tray where the water is last made into ice.

Abstract: In an automatic ice maker of a refrigerator, water is supplied into an ice tray disposed in an ice making compartment of the refrigerator. The water in the ice tray is frozen and then, the ice tray is turned with a twisting motion by a drive mechanism including a motor so that ice cubes are removed from the ice tray. Vibration is applied to the ice tray by an electromagnet excited by a pulse current during a water freezing step so that escape of air bubbles out of the water is promoted. A cover covers an upper open end of the ice tray during the water freezing step so that freezing is retarded at the water surface side as compared with the ice tray bottom side. Alternatively, a heater is employed for the cover.

Abstract: An automatic ice maker includes an ice tray supplied with water, which water is made into ice. After the water in the ice tray is made into ice, the ice tray is inverted so that ice cubes are removed from the ice tray. During the ice making stage, a vibrator vibrates the ice tray so that the ice making at the water surface side in the ice tray is retarded, which causes air bubbles contained in the water in the ice tray to escape therefrom, thereby providing transparent ice cubes.

Abstract: An ice maker in which water runs over a vertical evaporator to form ice cubes formed between vertical and horizontally mounted plates. The cubes are released from the evaporator by simultaneously applying a horizontal force to the plates while heating the evaporator.