Abstract: A compact portable, self-contained and self-cleaning, domestic frozen food and beverage system capable of rapidly and automatically preparing and dispensing soft ice cream products, slush drinks, and frozen beverages in an efficient manner. Ingredients are preferably transferred spill-free into the freezing chamber via a paired bottle cap and receptacle that block ingredient transfer unless the bottle cap is securely seated within the receptacle. To begin the freezing process, a user would simply select and depress the start button corresponding to the type of product desired. An inlet port or ports allowing for pressurized fluid flow evenly about the freezing chamber and a rotating auger member disposed within the freezing chamber help the present invention to achieve a rapidly frozen product. Once operation begins, a microprocessor controls the temperature and speed of ingredient mixing with automatic shut-down occurring when auger torque indicates that the product has reached the desired consistency.

Abstract: A cooling unit adapted for use in an auger type ice making machine, a freezing mechanism of an ice cream making machine or the like, composed of a metallic cylindrical evaporator housing and a metallic freezing pipe helically wound around the evaporator housing through a metallic filler for thermal contact with the evaporator housing, the metallic filler being embedded in a space between the evaporator housing and the freezing pipe, wherein the entirety of the freezing pipe is covered with a metallic surface layer membrane formed thereon.

Abstract: A detection device for detecting rotational abnormalities of an auger is formed within an ice making cylinder. The rotational abnormality detection device has a detecting portion made from a substrate mounted with two hall ICs, and a detection object portion made from a magnet. The detection object portion is embedded in a main body portion of the auger. Further, the detecting portion is formed so as to protrude from an inner surface of the ice making cylinder, and is placed such that the magnetic force from the detection object portion can be detected.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube in a heat exchanger for an ice making machine includes a bimetallic heat exchanger tube to improve capacity and wear characteristics of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger tube has an outer portion with a first material composition and an inner portion with a second material composition where the first material composition is different from the second material composition. The first material composition is compatible with the refrigerants used in the heat exchanger unit of the ice making machine. The second material composition is compatible with the feed solution being chilled in the heat exchanger tube.

Abstract: An ice producing machine that has a cylindrical evaporator, a compressor that circulates refrigerant supplied to the evaporator, an auger that removes ice from the evaporator and an ice bin for holding the ice. Potential damage to the machine that might result from abnormal loading of the motor that drive the auger is prevented by monitoring the motor current and turning off the motor and compressor before abnormal loading can cause damage. False ice bin not full interpretations are avoided by setting the threshold of a light detector that senses whether the ice bin is full or not full to slightly less than the voltage developed by the light detector when subjected to ambient light only.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an ice-making machine having an eccentric driving means and features of reduced wear and tear due to the movement of rotating rods, the machine being composed so that a plurality of heat transfer pipes 3 and rotating rods 4 which rotate inside the heat transfer pipes 3 are disposed in a shell 2, liquid to be cooled is supplied to the inside and refrigerant to the outside of the heat transfer pipes 3 respectively, the liquid to be cooled is cooled so as to form ice crystal on the inside surfaces of the heat transfer pipes 3, the ice is scraped by the rotating rods 4 and taken out as ice grains together with the liquid to be cooled, the rotating rods 4 being passed through the holes 5a provided on a driving plate 5 which is connected with a driving shaft 13 by the medium of a eccentric drive means 13a or 17 to be revolved to the effect that the rods 4 are revolved by the revolving of the driving plate 5 while rotating in the holes 5a.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an ice-making machine having an eccentric driving means and features of reduced wear and tear due to the movement of rotating rods, the machine being composed so that a plurality of heat transfer pipes 3 and rotating rods 4 which rotate inside the heat transfer pipes 3 are disposed in a shell 2, liquid to be cooled is supplied to the inside and refrigerant to the outside of the heat transfer pipes 3 respectively, the liquid to be cooled is cooled so as to form ice crystal on the inside surfaces of the heat transfer pipes 3, the ice is scraped by the rotating rods 4 and taken out as ice grains together with the liquid to be cooled, the rotating rods 4 being passed through the holes 5a provided on a driving plate 5 which is connected with a driving shaft 13 by the medium of a eccentric drive means 13a or 17 to be revolved to the effect that the rods 4 are revolved by the revolving of the driving plate 5 while rotating in the holes 5a.

Abstract: A method of freezing and dispensing a beer product comprises providing beer in a sealed, refrigerated storage container under pressure; feeding beer from the storage container to a sealed freezing chamber through a sealed delivery system; freezing the beer in the chamber; and dispensing frozen beer from the chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ice dispenser in which an agitating device (11) is operated only when necessary to thereby prevent ice cubes in an ice storage vessel (18) from sticking together, allowing ice to be smoothly discharged from the ice storage vessel (18). The ice dispenser includes an ice-making device (1), the ice storage vessel (18), an ice discharge port (41), an agitating device (11) for agitating the ice in the ice storage vessel (18), and an operation control device (30) which operates the agitating device (11) at the time of ice discharge or ice-making operation and which causes, when no ice-making operation is being performed, the agitating device (11) to operate after an interval of a predetermined first set time for a predetermined second set time by timer means (TM 1, TM 2), wherein when the agitating device (11) is stopped by stopping the ice discharge or ice-making operation, the operation control device (30) resets the timer means (TM 1) to start the first set time.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube in a heat exchanger for an ice making machine includes a bimetallic heat exchanger tube to improve capacity and wear characteristics of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger tube has an outer portion with a first material composition and an inner portion with a second material composition where the first material composition is different from the second material composition. The first material composition is compatible with the refrigerants used in the heat exchanger unit of the ice making machine. The second material composition is compatible with the feed solution being chilled in the heat exchanger tube.

Abstract: An auger type ice making machine including an upright cylindrical evaporator housing, an auger mounted for rotary movement within the evaporator housing to scrape off ice crystals formed on an internal freezing surface of the evaporator housing and having a lower end portion drivingly connected to an upper end portion of an output shaft of a drive mechanism, wherein the lower end portion of the auger is in the form of either a columnar portion or a cylindrical portion, while the upper portion of the output shaft is in the form of either a cylindrical portion or a columnar portion, and wherein the columnar portion of the auger or output shaft is coupled within the cylindrical portion of the output shaft or auger for drive connection between the output shaft and the auger.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube in a heat exchanger for an ice making machine includes a bimetallic heat exchanger tube to improve capacity and wear characteristics of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger tube has an outer portion with a first material composition and an inner portion with a second material composition where the first material composition is different from the second material composition. The first material composition is compatible with the refrigerants used in the heat exchanger unit of the ice making machine. The second material composition is compatible with the feed solution being chilled in the heat exchanger tube.

Abstract: An installation is described for continuous crystallization of liquids by freezing. The installation performs liquid preliminary cooling under predetermined temperature; adding gas into cooled liquid and their intermixing; delivering mixed liquid and gas through the refrigerated evaporator; winding round mixed liquid and gas into the refrigerated evaporator; a pumpless refrigeration circuit, including compressor, water condenser, cooling tower, indirect refrigerated evaporator, expansion valve, low pressure receiver and required refrigeration accessories, for the realization of cooling volumetric crystallization of liquid flowing through the refrigerated evaporator. These processes cause the formation of a bubble slurry with crystal nuclei, gas bubbles and concentrated, unfrozen liquid; preparation means are described for transportation and further storage or use of bubble slurry; immovable means are designed for feasible separation of pure fine crystals and mother concentrated liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for continuously delivering ice particulates at high velocity onto a substrate for treating the surface of the substrate. The apparatus includes a refrigerated curved surface that is brought into contact with water to form a thin, substantially uniform, ice sheet on the surface. This ice sheet is of such thickness as to contain stresses so that the sheet is predisposed to fracture into particulates. A doctor-knife is mounted to intercept a leading edge of the ice sheet and to fragment the ice sheet to produce ice particulates. These ice particulates enter into at least one ice-receiving tube that extends substantially along the length of the doctor-knife. Once in the tube, the ice particulates are fluidized by a constant flow of air and are carried into a hose for delivery through an ice-blasting nozzle under pressure.

Abstract: An ice dispenser operates an agitator only when necessary so as to prevent ice in an ice storage compartment from fusing and sticking to each other, thereby ensuring smooth release of ice from the ice storage compartment. The ice dispenser is formed of an ice maker, an ice storage compartment, an ice releasing port, an agitator for agitating ice in the ice storage compartment, and an operation controller. The controller operates the agitator when releasing ice and making ice, and causes the agitator to operate for a predetermined second set time after allowing an interval of a predetermined first set time to pass by using a timer means when no ice is being made. The operation controller resets the timer means to start counting the first set time when an ice release or an ice making operation is stopped and the agitator is stopped.

Abstract: An auger-type ice maker comprises a generally cylindrical-walled freezing chamber, a rotatable ice auger within the chamber, and a compacting head whereby ice formed in the freezing chamber is transferred by rotation of the auger into the compacting head and discharged therefrom via a nozzle. The nozzle is provided with an annular water-receiving canal for receiving water squeezed from ice as it compressed while passing through a converging nozzle. The configuration of the converging nozzle is arcuate, and is defined by a surface of revolution that is a frustum of a radius-defined convex conical passageway.

Abstract: An ice dispenser comprises an ice making device including an auger that rotates around a substantially vertical axis; a chip ice stocker having a cylindrical wall formed around an agitator that is attached to an upper end portion of the auger, and an opening formed on the cylindrical wall; and an opening open/closure device including a shutter pivotably joined to a bracket that is attached to the cylindrical wall via a connecting shaft, a plunger that is actuated at right angle to the connecting shaft by the electromagnetic action of a solenoid fixed on the bracket, and a link for joining the shutter and the plunger, a supporting pivot attached to the link parallel to the connecting shaft, a shutter lock arm pivotably supported around the supporting pivot and having a hollow portion shaped so as to engage an outer peripheral surface of the connecting shaft, and shutter lock spring means for locking the shutter by applying spring force to the shutter lock arm pivoted around the supporting pivot thereby pressin

Abstract: An auger type ice making machine having an auger composed of an auger body integrally formed thereon with a helical blade and a support shaft united with a lower end of the auger body, the auger being mounted for rotary movement with an evaporator housing and connected at its support shaft to an output shaft of a drive mechanism for rotation therewith, wherein the support shaft of said auger is composed of a cylindrical joint member formed in a predetermined axial length and having a joint portion formed to be coupled with the output shaft for rotation therewith and a columnar support member coupled with an internal bore of the joint member, and wherein the columnar support member is formed with a conical recess tapered upward from its lower end and positioned concentrically with the internal bore of the joint member.

Abstract: A tube-type heat exchanger has a low wear support and drive for a whip rod that orbits over the inner surface of the heat transfer tube to spread a process liquid into a thin falling film. The support and drive includes a conical thrust bearing near the upper end of the rod. An edge of the thrust bearing engages and rolls over a circular rim bearing surface. A stem pin axially aligned with the rod extends upwardly over the rod and through a circular hole in an orbiting drive plate. In one form, the rim bearing surface is formed on the upper edge of the tube, or on the upper edge of a generally cylindrical bearing secured on or over the tube. The thrust bearing is secured between the rod and the stem. A stop disc carried on the stem pin limits the fall of the rod in the tube when the orbiting stops.

Abstract: An apparatus, thermal storage system and method for heat exchange using a tube-type heat exchanger. A rod or rods are propelled to moves over the inner surface of the tube. The moving rod is in contact with a first process liquid which is adjacent the inner surface as a falling film or by flooding the interior of the tube. The flooded mode is particularly useful where the tube is non-vertical or the heat exchanger is used to make an ice slurry for HVAC systems serving high-rise buildings. Multiple such rod and tube assemblies are operated simultaneously using a drive plate powered to execute an orbital motion in a plane generally orthogonal to the rods. In one form the plate is coupled via a crank to equiangularly space spaced rods in each tube. This form of orbital drive allows the use of a device to develop an auxiliary radial force, such as spring mounts extending between a central, rotating shaft mounted in each tube and the rod or rods for that tube.

Abstract: A flake ice machine (10) for producing flakes of frozen material. The machine includes a rotatable cooling disk (12) defining an external cooling surface (24) and an internal refrigerant flow passage (20). Refrigerant is supplied to the internal refrigerant flow passage to cool the disk. A motor drives rotation of the cooling disk, while a liquid material, such as fresh water, is supplied to the external cooling surface of the disk. An ice removal blade (30) is positioned adjacent the external cooling surface of the disk to remove flakes of frozen material. A low-wetting coating (90) is applied to the external cooling surface of the disk to enhance removal of large flakes of frozen material. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the low-wetting coating comprises a fluoropolymer.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for continuously delivering ice particulates at high velocity onto a substrate for treating the surface of the substrate. The apparatus includes a refrigerated curved surface that is brought into contact with water to form a thin, substantially uniform, ice sheet on the surface. This ice sheet is of such thickness as to contain stresses so that the sheet is predisposed to fracture into particulates. A doctor-knife is mounted to intercept a leading edge of the ice sheet and to fragment the ice sheet to produce ice particulates. These ice particulates enter into at least one ice-receiving tube that extends substantially along the length of the doctor-knife. Once in the tube, the ice particulates are fluidized by a constant flow of air and are carried into a hose for delivery through an ice-blasting nozzle under pressure.

Abstract: An auger-type ice maker comprises partitions 16 projectingly provided on the outer periphery of a pressing head 9 which has been inserted and fixed to the upper portion of an ice-making cylinder 1, wherein fixed blades 25 are formed at the lower portion of the partitions 16 so as to be offset in the radial direction, and wherein the tip of the inner circumference side portion 20a thereof is situated above the greater diameter portion of the auger 6 provided with a spiral blade 5. In the above construction, the offset corner portion 20c is provided with a curvature. Accordingly, ice can be prevented from being compressed to and adhering to the corner portion 20c. Thus, the transporting resistance of ice at the lower portion of the partitions projectingly provided to the outer periphery of the pressing head can be reduced, thereby preventing decreasing in ice-making capabilities and abnormal sounds or vibrations being emitted owing to ice jamming occurring.

Abstract: An ice-making machine includes a housing having a brine solution inlet to receive brine solution from which ice is to be made and having an ice-brine slurry outlet to permit the egress of an ice-brine slurry from the housing. A heat exchanger within the housing has a heat exchange surface. The heat exchanger further includes a refrigerant inlet, a refrigerant outlet and at least one refrigerant circuit interconnecting the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet to permit a flow of refrigerant through the heat exchanger to extract heat from the brine solution contacting the heat exchange surface. The at least one refrigerant circuit is constituted by refrigerant passages integrally formed in a body portion of the housing. A blade assembly within the housing carries a plurality of blades each of which is in contact with the heat exchange surface.

Abstract: Flake freezing machine includes an evaporator for producing frozen flakes using a freezable liquid from a liquid source. The evaporator includes a cast aluminum cylindrical structure having an inner surface defining an interior chamber and an outer surface. A stainless steel helical tubing assembly having an inlet and an outlet is embedded inside the cylindrical structure between the inner surface and the outer surface. Refrigerating fluid is circulated through the tubing assembly to cool the inner surface to a temperature sufficient to freeze the liquid. Positioned inside the interior chamber is a rotatable shaft, which supports a liquid distribution pan having radially extending nozzles for distributing the liquid onto the inner surface of the cylindrical structure so as to freeze as a frozen sheet and a blade member for removing the frozen sheet from the inner surface of the cylindrical structure in the form of frozen flakes.

Abstract: An air/liquid mix regulator is disclosed for use in a frozen confectionary dessert dispensing machine. The mix regulator regulates the amount of liquid and air entering the freezing chamber of the frozen dessert machine. The regulator has a single aerator tube having both an air inlet passage and a liquid inlet passage which are least partially divided. The aerator tube has different liquid inlet openings at each end so that it is invertible and usable with differing liquid viscosities. The aerator tube is engageable with a base section of the regulator and has a check valve therein to prevent the backflow of aerated mix into the storage chamber to prevent frothing and foaming in the storage hopper. The single check valve is located in an area of the base section that takes advantage of the relatively warmer liquid in the storage hopper to prevent freezing and sticking of the check valve.

Abstract: An auger is accommodated in a vertically disposed cylindrical refrigerated casing for scratching an ice layer made around the inner periphery of the refrigerated casing and feeding the scratched ice upward. The auger includes a columnar main body and a spiral blade disposed around the outer periphery of the main body. The cross section of the spiral blade in the axial direction of the main body is formed of an upper end surface extending outward in a radial direction from the main body, a lower end surface spaced axially from the upper end surface and extending outward in the radial direction from the main body, and a tapered surface linearly connecting both the extreme ends of the upper end surface and the lower end surface. The tapered surface extends upwardly and radially inwardly from a radially outermost portion of the extreme end of the lower end surface.

Abstract: An auger-type ice making machine includes an ice making barrel, an auger provided in the ice making barrel, an upper bearing and a lower bearing which are provided inside the ice making barrel for supporting the auger rotatably, and a drive unit for rotating the auger. At the bottom end of the ice making barrel, a connecting flange extending outwardly in the radial direction is formed integrally with the ice making barrel by friction welding. The connecting flange is tightened to the top surface of a casing of the drive unit with bolts. A bearing housing of the lower bearing is fixed in the ice making barrel apart from the casing with a bolt which is screwed in the ice making barrel. The bearing housing of the lower bearing may alternatively be fixed by forming an outward flange and a plurality of projections extending outwardly at the bottom end of the bearing housing and by fitting the plurality of projections in a fitting groove of the casing of the drive unit.

Abstract: A cooling disk member (12) for an evaporative refrigerant cooled flake ice machine (10) includes an axial aperture (44), a circumferential outer perimeter (25), and first and second side cooling surfaces (24). The disk member (12) includes two internal refrigerant now passages (20), each of which extends from an inlet port (40) which opens onto the axial aperture, then into the interior of the disk member to cool 180.degree. sector of the disk member, and then returns to the axial aperture through an outlet port (42). Each refrigerant flow passage (20) winds radially through a series of radial outflow passage segments (50) and radial return segments (54). A plurality of reinforcing spoke walls (58, 60) are defined between the radial passage segments to reinforce the disk in the radial direction, preventing bending and warpage of the disk cooling member.

Abstract: A bearing structure for an auger-type ice making machine 10 includes an auger 17 having a helical blade 17a which rotates within a cylindrical refrigeration casing 11 so as to scrape off ice generated on the inner surface of the refrigeration casing 11 and push it up and out of the casing. A slide bearing 27 for supports an upper shaft section 17b of the auger 17 and a press head 25 is provided inside the upper end portion of the refrigeration casing 11 and which supports the slide bearing 27. Even if the upper shaft section 17b of the auger 17 and the press head 25 axially relatively move as a result of the scraping oil and feeding-out of the ice, substantially closed first and second foreign matter trapp spaces A and B are formed in close proximity to the lower and upper ends of the slide bearing. Further, a high-hardness metal layer 17f having a thickness, for example, of approximately 0.5 mm is formed on the surface of the upper shaft section 17b of the auger 17.

Abstract: An orbital rod drive arrangement for an orbital tube whip rod heat exchanger includes a single drive plate driving a plurality of countercranks, each countercrank supporting a whip rod from its upper end within a tube and from a radially extending slot therein as it is driven in an orbital manner. The countercrank provides for balancing the whip rods within the tubes by mounting them in an offset manner. Furthermore, the whip rod is suspended as well as driven at its upper end to thereby leave the lower ends of the tubes unobstructed for the free flow of process fluid out the bottom of the tube. The countercrank includes an upper peripheral lip for supporting a single drive plate and the countercrank may be supported by the tube sheet which mounts the uniformly spaced tubes in the heat exchanger vessel. The radially extending slot accommodates migration of the whip rod in a radial direction in response to any buildup of material along the sidewall of its associated tube.

Abstract: An auger type ice making machine according to the present invention comprises a refrigeration casing 11 around which a refrigerant evaporation pipe 13 is wound, an auger 17 rotatably disposed in said refrigeration casing and having a blade 17b formed thereto, and a press head 27 fixed to the inside of the refrigeration casing at the upper end thereof and having an ice compression passage formed in an axial direction. A high-hardness metal layer 35 composed of a self-melting metal is formed to the upper rotary shaft 17c of the auger 17 passing through the center hole 27c of the press head, a resin slide bearing 29 in contact with the metal layer 35 is fixed to the center hole of the press head in such a manner that the slide bearing 29 projects from the boundaries of the high-hardness metal layer at the both ends thereof and covers the entire surface of the metal layer 35, and the upper rotary shaft 17c of the auger 17 is supported by the press head 27 through the slide bearing 29.

Abstract: A bearing structure for an auger-type ice making machine 10 includes: an auger 17 having a helical blade 17a which rotates within a cylindrical refrigeration casing 11 so as to scrape off ice generated on the inner surface of the refrigeration casing 11 and push it up and out of the casing; a slide bearing 27 for supporting an upper shaft section 17b of the auger17; and, a press head 25 which is provided inside the upper end portion of the refrigeration casing 11 and which supports the slide bearing 27, wherein even if the upper shaft section 17b of the auger 17 and the press head 25 make an axial relative movement as a result of the scraping off and feeding-out of the ice, substantially closed first and second foreign matter trapp spaces A and B are formed in close proximity to the lower and upper ends of the slide bearing. Further, a high-hardness metal layer 17f having a thickness, for example, of approximately 0.5 mm is formed on the surface of the upper shaft section 17b of the auger 17.

Abstract: Rotatable refrigeration disc is of laminated construction comprising at least two layers bonded together, and has a plurality of relatively narrow internal channels therein arranged in a winding, labyrinth-like, sinuous, zigzag pattern. The channels are sized to accommodate the passage of an evaporative refrigerant, and extend substantially throughout all of the operative portion of the disc so that the liquid freezing surfaces are close to and are chilled by the refrigerant passing through the channels. Each channel has an inlet and outlet located at a central portion of the disc. The channels extend from the center towards the perimeter of the disc and then zigzag back towards the central portion. The layers of one form are complimentary mirror images and in another form are two planar outer layers encasing a layer with channels formed on each side. The channels are formed by etching, or computer controlled machining.

Abstract: An orbital rod drive arrangement for an orbital tube whip rod heat exchanger includes a single drive plate driving a plurality of countercranks, each countercrank supporting a whip rod from its upper end within a tube as it is driven in an orbital manner. The countercrank provides for balancing the whip rods within the tubes by mounting them in an offset manner. Furthermore, the whip rod is suspended as well as driven at its upper end to thereby leave the lower ends of the tubes unobstructed for the free flow of process fluid out the bottom of the tube. The countercrank includes an upper peripheral lip for supporting a single drive plate and the countercrank may be supported by the tube sheet which mounts the uniformly spaced tubes in the heat exchanger vessel. Variations are disclosed for the countercrank including providing different numbers of holes in the countercrank for balancing the whip rod mass about the circumference of the countercrank.

Abstract: An ice feeder stores ice in an ice container, and supplies ice from an ice gate provided in the ice container through a supply passage extending therefrom. A sensor arranged on the supply passage detects passage of ice delivered to generate a detection signal. An amount of delivered ice is measured based on the detection signal from the sensor. When a time required for the amount of delivered ice to reach a predetermined value exceeds a predetermined time period, a signal indicative of no ice stock is generated. Alternatively, when the amount of ice delivered within a predetermined time period does not reach a predetermined amount, the signal indicative of no ice stock is generated.

Abstract: An auger type ice making machine having an upright evaporator housing the interior of which is formed with a cylindrical freezing surface, an auger mounted for rotary movement within the evaporator housing and drivingly connected at its lower end with an electric motor to scrape ice crystals off the freezing surface and to advance the scraped ice crystals toward an upper end of the evaporator housing, an extrusion head fixed in place within the upper end portion of the evaporator housing to compress the scraped ice crystals advanced thereto by rotation of the auger and extrude the compressed ice crystals upwardly, a drain pipe provided with an electrically operated drain valve and connected to a lower end portion of the evaporator housing to discharge supplied water from the evaporator housing when the drain valve is opened by its energization and an electric heater mounted on an outer periphery of the evaporator housing at a place corresponding with the extrusion head, wherein the electric heater is energize

Abstract: A blade system for a scraped surface heat exchanger includes a number of blade rows which each consists of a number of successively arranged blade scrapers (1) mounted in cut-outs (15) in the surface of a rotor (4) which is mounted in a heating/refrigerating chamber (20) in the heat exchanger. The individual blades, at the edge closest to the inner wall (21) of the chamber (20) are provided with a knife edge (2) and at the edge facing the rotor (4) with a basis (3). The blades are being provided with flaps (8) which are bent in the direction towards the rotational axis of the rotor (4), while elements (9) on the rotor (4) form abutments for the flaps (8) and engagement members (10) for receiving the basis (3) of the blades so as to permit removal of the blades from the heat exchanger without simultaneously dismounting the rotor (4).

Abstract: An ice making machine comprises a vertically aligned, cylindrical cooling cylinder of hollow annular section, a motor driven auger disposed within the inner periphery of the cooling cylinder, and an external cooling system including a compressor and heat exchanger as in the conventional fashion. Water is pumped into a freezing cavity containing the auger that is defined between the inner periphery of the cooling cylinder and a concentric inner cylinder. The auger scrapes ice from the inner periphery of the cooling cylinder and forces the flakes upwards toward an ejector above the cooling cylinder. The improvement thereof comprises the inclusion of a second cooling cylinder wherein the first auger scrapes ice from the corresponding peripheries of both cylinders and the second auger scrapes in from the additional ice forming surface defined by the inner periphery of the second cylinder.

Abstract: A disk flake ice machine (10) includes a cooling member (12) mounted for rotation about an axis(52) and defining a first and second annular cooling surfaces (24) and a peripheral edge (25) in which is formed an annular groove (32). A motor (16) drives rotation of the cooling member. A refrigerant supply (18) supplies refrigerant to cool the cooling member. Liquid material to be frozen is introduced to the cooling surfaces of the cooling member by spray tubes (28). Ice removal blades (30) are disposed adjacent the cooling surfaces of the cooling member to remove flakes of frozen material. A guide member (34) engages the groove in the peripheral edge of the cooling member to limit wobble of the cooling member relative to the ice removal tools during rotation.

Abstract: An auger-type ice making machine includes a refrigerating cylinder 5, an auger 6 disposed rotatably within the refrigerating cylinder 5 and provided with a spiral blade 6a, a driving motor 8 for driving rotatively the auger 6 and an electric heater mounted around an outlet end portion of the refrigerating cylinder into and through which ice is transported under the effect of rotation of the auger. A coolant vaporizing tube is wound around outer periphery of the refrigerating cylinder, and raw water is fed into the refrigerating cylinder via a feed water pipe. When jamming of ice takes place within the refrigerating cylinder 5, an overcurrent flows through the driving motor 8. The overcurrent is detected by a protector 23 incorporated in a control circuit 30, whereupon the electric heater 22 is electrically energized.

Abstract: A flake ice-making apparatus includes a cylindrical refrigerant evaporator having a cylindrical evaporator chamber surrounding a cylindrical ice-forming bore surface. A water-flow distributor for introducing water to be frozen against the ice-forming bore surface is located at the top end of the cylindrical refrigerant evaporator so that the water flows downwardly in a thin sheet over the ice-forming bore surface and is frozen on the ice-forming bore surface. An elongated ice-scraping blade is located at the ice-forming bore surface. An ice-scraping blade moving device moves the ice-scraping blade in a rotary motion over the ice-forming bore surface to remove the ice from the ice-forming bore surface and to form ice flakes.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine for supplying a drink in a cup. A predetermined amount of ice is supplied from an ice making machine with rapidity and stability. The vending machine has: an ice making machine; an ice chute for feeding the ice discharged from the ice making machine into a cup; a sensor for detecting the ice passing through the ice chute and outputting an ice passage signal; and a controller for detecting the amount of ice discharged from the ice making machine and controlling the ice discharging operation of the ice making machine on the basis of the ice passage signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for an auger-type ice maker comprising a generally cylindrically-shaped freezing chamber, a rotatable ice auger within the freezing chamber, and an annular compacting head at an end of the freezing cheer whereby ice formed in the freezing chamber is transferred by means of rotation of the ice auger into a region above the auger where it is compacted. The inner surface of the cylindrical freezing chamber is provided with a plurality of axial grooves to guide the column of ice created by the auger and to oppose rotation of the column of ice induced by the rotation of the ice auger, and the top surface of the auger, adjacent to the compacting head, has a knurled surface to aid in the discharge of ice. The combination of the axial grooves and the knurled auger surface creates a denser, higher quality product of ice than prior inventions.

Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus for processing a liquid continuously has a positive mechanical drive for a set of vertical whip rods each disposed in a vertical heat transfer tube. Each whip rod is free-standing on its lower end and is sufficiently flexible to conform closely to the inner surface of the tube as it orbits. The orbital drive propels the whip rod directly through a pair of horizontal, vertically spaced plates that engage the rods in loose openings that serve as fluid inlets from the drive plate. A motor rotates a drive shaft coupled to at least one of the drive plates through at least one eccentric crank. Each plate can be an opposed pair of plates with a separate eccentric drives 180.degree. out of phase with one another for a self balancing. Another form of drive plate uses a rigid circular ring that mounts rod-engaging sleeves via a network of wires supported by the ring.

Abstract: A machine for freezing or chilling a liquid continuously to produce a slurry of the liquid and frozen crystals feeds the liquid into a vertically oriented heat transfer tube at its upper end. A refrigerant flow at the outer tube surface evaporates in a vapor/foam stream causing the liquid to freeze at the inner tube surface. A whip rod, preferably one that is free-standing, revolves over the inner surface to dislodge the frozen crystals mechanically and to distribute the liquid. An additive to the liquid such as ethylene glycol (in water) aids the dislodging. In one form, a mechanical flow guide surrounding the outer surface produces a thin, high velocity upward flow of the boiling refrigerant to increase the heat transfer. An orbital drive propels the whip rod. In one form the orbital drive includes a pair of horizontal plates coupled between the whip rod and at least one eccentric crank.

Abstract: Apparatus for continous production of flake ice comprises one or more refrigerated discs mounted on a hollow shaft. Each disc rotates in the vertical plane and includes a plurality of narrow internal channels which extend substantially over all of the operative portion of the disc and are of substantially equal length. The discs form the evaporator of a refrigeration circuit, and an evaporative refrigerant is circulated to the channels in each disc via the hollow shaft. During each cycle, water is applied to both external flat surfaces of each disc at a first angular location and the film of water which adheres thereto freezes as the disc rotates. The ice sheet so formed is removed from both sides of the disc at a second angular location by scraper blades.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved pelletizer and delivery system for hygroscopic and deliquescent materials, pellets being formed by a rotary extrusion mechanism that receives the material in the form of snow from a snow chamber, the system having a pair of scraper members for preventing undesired snow build-up on inside walls of the snow chamber, the scraper members operating in a scissors manner for preventing snow build-up on the scraper members. Carbon dioxide gas from the snow chamber can be used for pressurizing a pellet collector that is located under the extrusion mechanism for smoothly and gently feeding the pellets at least 15 feet horizontally to a receiving hopper, the gas pressure within the collector also enabling delivery of the pellets several feet above the bottom of the collector. The pellets can be delivered in excess of 150 feet horizontally from the collector.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for efficient transfer of sensible heat between a highly viscous fluid and a secondary fluid. This exchanger has an annular passage formed between an inner cylinder and outer cylinder. The highly viscous fluid passes through the annular passage while the secondary fluid passes both inside the inner cylinder and outside of the outer cylinder making both cylinders heat transfer surfaces. A scraper mechanism rotates within the annular passage which scrapes both heat transfer surfaces. The scraper mechanism driven by the pressure exerted by the fluid to be cooled. This scraping action serves to both continually clean the surfaces and to enhance the heat transfer efficiency.

Abstract: An auger type icemaker including an evaporator housing having a cylindrical inner freezing surface on which ice crystals may form, an auger mounted for rotary movement within the housing to be driven to scrape ice crystals off the freezing surface and to advance the scraped ice crystals toward an upper end portion of the housing, an extrusion head formed with a plurality of ice extruding passages and axially slidably coupled within an annular space between the upper end portion of the housing and an upper shaft portion of the auger, wherein a screw is threaded into the upper end portion of the housing and engaged with an axial key-groove of the extrusion head to restrict rotary movement of the extrusion head, and a cam mechanism mounted on the upper shaft portion of the auger to effect axial movement of the extrusion head in accordance with rotary movement of the auger and to restrict upward movement of the extrusion head at an upper dead point thereof.