Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing ice figures as well as a device for this purpose. A device in accordance with invention (901) is provided with at least two cooling bodies (905, 906) facing one another, and these are washed by water inside a container (902). The cooling bodies are cooled to below the freezing point of water by means of a refrigeration compressor (904) using coolant so that ice layers (918, 919) form on each cooling body (905, 906), and grow onto one another and then contact one another, so that the two ice layers freeze together, so that a single-piece ice figure is produced, where the completion of the single-piece ice figure is detected for example with a sensor (922). Once the single-piece ice figure is completed it is detached from the cooling bodies (905, 906) and removed.

Abstract: A remote ice-making machine is disclosed having a compressor unit remote from an evaporator unit, a supply line for transferring refrigerant from the compressor unit-to the remote evaporator unit, and a return line for returning refrigerant from the evaporator unit to the compressor unit during an ice-making mode. The preferred evaporator unit has an ice-forming evaporator and a heating unit, as well as a valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator unit. A method for making ice with the remote ice-making unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: An icemaker having a means for bypassing a head pressure control valve thereof depending upon the ambient air temperature surrounding a remotely located condenser of the icemaker. The method and apparatus involve a first bypass conduit which is coupled to an outlet of the condenser upstream of the head pressure control valve and a first bypass valve disposed in the first bypass conduit. A second bypass conduit is in communication with an inlet of the condenser and also with the head pressure control valve. A second bypass valve is disposed in the second bypass conduit. A thermostat controls each of the bypass valves such that the first bypass valve is closed and the second bypass valve opened when the sensed ambient air temperature around the condenser is below a predetermined temperature, to thereby permit normal operation of the head pressure control valve.

Abstract: An ice making machine comprises a refrigerant system having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator and interconnecting refrigerant lines; a water system having a fresh water inlet, a water circulation mechanism, an ice-forming device in thermal contact with the evaporator and interconnecting water lines; and a control system comprising a temperature sensing device in thermal contact with the outlet of the condenser, and a microprocessor programmed to use input from the temperature sensing device either i) at a predetermined time after initiation of a freeze cycle to determine the desired duration of the freeze cycle or ii) at a predetermined time prior to the end of the freeze cycle to determine the desired duration of the harvest cycle, or iii) both i) and ii), to control the refrigeration and water systems to operate in a freeze cycle and/or the harvest cycle until the end of the desired duration(s).

Abstract: A first method of harvesting ice in an ice making apparatus comprises steps of initiating a harvest operation, monitoring a parameter of the harvest operation, and terminating the harvest operation based upon the parameter and a parameter from a previous harvest operation. A second method of harvesting ice comprises steps of determining a parameter of a first harvest operation and performing a second harvest operation for a duration based upon the parameter. The first method and the second method can be performed in combination. Systems which perform the above-described methods are disclosed.

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 dehumidifier (10) for air comprises an absorption refrigerating apparatus, the evaporator (14) of which being arranged in a first duct (22), through which the air by natural convection flows past the evaporator (14) and is refrigerated by it, so that the humidity in the air condenses on the evaporator (14). An absorber (16) and a condenser (20) of the apparatus are arranged in a second duct (26) and there heat extra air taken in from the room to the second duct (26) through an opening (34) and by natural convection flowing upwards through the second duct (26). An opening (32) is arranged between the ducts (22, 26), through which air which has been refrigerated and dehumidified in the first duct (22) flows into the second duct (26) and is there intermixed with the the flow of said extra air.

Abstract: A system and method for freezing large quantities of a liquid or slurry are disclosed. The system includes a product containment apparatus for containing the liquid to be frozen, a freeze station for freezing the liquid, and a lift for raising the product containment apparatus to the freeze station for freezing. Freezing members extending from the freeze station include a pair of plate carriers mounted in a V configuration mounted within a V shaped casing. The shape of the casing and sloping walls of the product containment apparatus facilitate the removal of the ice block from the freeze station and the product containment apparatus from the frozen block, respectively. Preferably, the freezing members are provided with a baffle mounted at the open ends of the plate carriers to facilitate the sweeping of lubricating oil entrained in a refrigerant into a suction path within the freezing member so it may be removed. Alternative embodiments and processes are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an ice making machine by monitoring water level in a sump used for water recirculation over an evaporator plate. Self-diagnostic means are also provided for automatic shutdown upon detection of malfunction during various cycles.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide clathrate having a lump diameter enough to precipitate on a desired abyssal position of the sea without being drifted by a seawater flow of the abyss can be produced by bringing an aqueous solution into contact with carbon dioxide with the interposition of an interface in a reactor and retaining this contact; adjusting the pressure in the reactor to 13 atm or more, the temperature of the aqueous solution to a level of more than 5.degree. C. to 10.degree. C., the temperature of the interface to a level of more than 10.degree. C. to 15.degree. C. and the temperature of a lug inserted into the aqueous solution to a level of more than 0.degree. C. to 5.degree. C.; producing/growing the carbon dioxide clathrate on the lug; and then heating the lug to a temperature of more than 10.degree. C. to 30.degree. C. to separate/drop the carbon dioxide clathrate therefrom.

Abstract: A method of treating a frozen mass of drinkable product the frozen mass being stored in a frozen state in a container, including heating the container on all sides for a predetermined time so as to thaw an outside layer of the frozen mass, removing the frozen mass from the container, mechanically dividing the frozen mass into a plurality of frozen pieces, and supplying heat to the plurality of frozen pieces such that a maximum temperature of an obtained liquid is from 2.degree. C. to 5.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for producing an ice, comprising the steps of allowing a material solution containing a sweetener to flow downward from the upper part of and along the surface of a freezing plate provided substantially upright, to thereby cause the material solution to freeze on and stick to the surface of the freezing plate to form an ice plate; breaking the ice place into ice pieces having a diameter of about 20 mm at maximum; and filling a container with the ice pieces. The material solution is so controlled as to flow down in such a quantity that at least 30% of the solution freezes on and sticks to the freezing plate before the solution reaches the lower end thereof, and has a concentration so adjusted that the ice plate has a fragmentation resistance of 1,000 mm or less as measured by the dropping test method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing ice figures as well as a device for this purpose. A device in accordance with invention (901) is provided with at least two cooling bodies (905, 906) facing one another, and these are washed by water inside a container (902). The cooling bodies are cooled to below the freezing point of water by means of a refrigeration compressor (904) using coolant so that ice layers (918, 919) form on each cooling body (905, 906), and grow onto one another and then contact one another, so that the two ice layers freeze together, so that a single-piece ice figure is produced, where the completion of the single-piece ice figure is detected for example with a sensor (922). Once the single-piece ice figure is completed it is detached from the cooling bodies (905, 906) and removed.

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: 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 present invention concerns improvements in electric defrost heaters used in frozen carbonated beverage machines. The frozen carbonated beverage machine includes freeze cylinders used to produce the frozen beverage. One or more tubes are secured in heat exchange relationship along the exterior of the freeze cylinder. Cartridge type heating elements are releasably insertable into the tubes to provide for defrosting of the beverage in the freeze cylinder.

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 including freeze and harvest controls is disclosed. The evaporator includes a unitary evaporator and ice mold. A compressor and condenser cool the evaporator to freeze ice on the mold in a normal refrigeration cycle and the mold is defrosted by hot gas to harvest ice from the ice mold. The temperature of the ice mold and the liquid line temperature of the condenser are sensed to control the length of time of the ice forming cycle.

Abstract: A half crescent shaped ice piece maker comprising a freezing tray (100) having an inner surface arcuately shaped about a longitudinal radial axis and divided into crescent shaped water fillable cavities (112) in which the ice pieces are formed, and an ejector assembly (102) for rotatively moving the ice pieces out of the cavities (122) comprising a rotatable shaft (106) supported in bearings with its axis coincident with the radial axis, and with ejector assembly (102) further comprising a row of primary flexible, spring-like ejector elements (114) lying in a common plane and each secured at a first end to the shaft (106) and having its second end extend into one of the crescent shaped cavities (122) to divide the cavity (122) into rotatively leading and lagging partial crescent shaped cavities while water is injected and frozen therein and before the ejector assembly (102) is rotated to form leading and lagging rows of partial crescent ice pieces with ice bridges (152) around the edges of the ejector element

Abstract: An ice maker comprising an elongated freezing tray (100) having arcuately shaped cross sectional configuration with equal-spaced separators (120) formed therein each in a plane normal to the axis of the elongated freezing tray (100) and comprising a rotatable assembly comprising a first hollow, cylindrical shaft (100) rotatably secured near both ends of the tray (100) substantially coincident with the axis of the tray (100) and having generally flat paddle-shaped ejector elements (114 and 115) formed thereon a second hollow, cylindrical non-rotatable shaft (160) positioned within the first cylindrical shaft (106) and non-rotatably secured at one end to the tray (100) assembly; a heating element (113) positioned within the second, hollow cylindrical shaft (160) comprising a power source (309) for supplying power thereto to heat the heating element (113) and by conduction to heat the first and second hollow, cylindrical shaft 160 and the ejector elements (114 and 115) to release the full crescent shaped ice pie

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: The invention relates to a device for separating, delivering, and depositing material blanks, for use in the textile industry or the like which improves heat transfer to the gripping surface in a device in which the heating device is arranged in such a way that it is protected from external forces. The device comprises a heatable gripping plate, which has a gripping surface and an expansion chamber adjacent thereto, in which a refrigerant is able to expand and thus cool the gripping plate to below the freezing point so that a material blank will freeze onto said gripping surface.

Abstract: An ice maker including freeze and harvest controls is disclosed. The evaporator includes a unitary evaporator and ice mold. A compressor and condenser cool the evaporator to freeze ice on the mold in a normal refrigeration cycle and the mold is defrosted by hot gas to harvest ice from the ice mold. The temperature of the ice mold and the liquid line temperature of the condenser are sensed to control the length of time of the ice forming cycle.

Abstract: A stationary tray melt-out ice maker for forming individual ice sections in a refrigerator. The tray has a plurality of crescent-shaped ice molding cavities and one arm of a rotatable harvesting comb is immersed in each ice molding cavity for freezing of ice with the arm embedded therein. Upon heating of the tray, the harvest comb is rotated such that the ice embedded arm sweeps the individual crescent-shaped ice from the molding cavities. Continued rotation of the comb causes the ice to contact stationary strippers which cause fracturing and stripping of the crescent-shaped ice from the arm and harvesting of two quarter round sections of ice from each crescent-shaped ice formation.

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: A method and apparatus for making ice wherein an ice cube maker has a generally upright gridded evaporator, a hot gas defrost for harvest of cubes, a storage bin below the evaporator, a hinged cube and water curtain between the evaporator and the bin, a new and improved control for the freeze cycle, and a new and improved control for the harvest cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a monogrammed ice cube. The ice cube is formed by providing a die of conductive material with a shape which corresponds to the shape of a desired imprint to be formed in the cube. The die to conductively connected to a source of a coolant. With the die immersed in water, coolant is supplied to the die to cool it to a temperature below the freezing point of water. The water freezes around the die. The freezing of the water around the die is performed under conditions with the frozen water adjacent the die being clouded and the frozen water spaced from the die being clear. When the completed cube is formed, the clouded portion surrounding the imprint highlights the imprint when the cube is placed in a beverage.

Abstract: A ice making machine having a plurality of novel ice making plates or more preferably cylindrical ice making plates, which is formed to be longitudinal cell type wherein said ice making plates proper can be integrally fabricated by extrusion or drawing of heat conductive material, to have a means of fixing cooling tubing thereto by expanding, to be constructed said ice making plates proper and distance pieces made of heat insulating material being piled up alternately upon each other, to be constructed said cooling tubing being fixed thereto by expanding and thus to be assembled ice making plates having a predetermined size and number of ice cube making chambers therein.

Abstract: A water purifier for producing potable water from contaminated water, the purifier includes a crystallizer chamber with a plurality of projecting freeze elements, and a water spray unit which directs a fine spray of water at the freeze elements to produce ice coating on the freeze elements. The purifier also includes a refrigerant unit to periodically chill and warm the freeze elements to alternately produce and release ice shells that are melted to form purified water.

Abstract: Ice lollies are frozen in two-parted moulds which are inserted in rows of freezing pockets in an ice lolly freezing machine. The moulds are thawed loose from the freezing pockets in which freezing has been carried out, are lifted out of the freezing pockets, separated for releasing the frozen ice lollies, assembled and inserted again into a row of freezing pockets. Before the moulds are lifted, a moderate heating of the freezing pockets is carried out sufficient for thawing loose the moulds with respect to the pockets. Then the moulds are lifted and moved to a position outside the area of such freezing pockets of such freezing machine. At the position the moulds are heated for thawing loose the ice lollies. Then the moulds are separated and the ice lollies removed while the moulds are positioned outside the area of the freezing pockets. Now the moulds are moved back to the area of the freezing pockets and are inserted into an empty row of freezing pockets.

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: In order to freeze articles in containers, the side of the containers against which the material to be frozen would normally contact is provided with a frozen coating consisting of a lining material having a lower melting temperature than the material to be frozen. The article, after being frozen in the container, may be easily removed from the container by heating the container to a temperature between the melting point of the lining material forming the coating and the material of the article such that the article will be loosened with respect to the container without any melting (or distortion) thereof.

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: An ice product is disclosed having improved liquid displacement characteristics and which is of a configuration which provides for splash resistance and resistance to bridging between adjacently stored products. The apparatus and method for producing the improved ice product is disclosed in the form of an ice making machine having one or more combination evaporator and ice form assemblies, each of the assemblies being provided with a plurality of pockets or recesses in which the ice product is formed during a freezing or refrigeration cycle, the ice products being subsequently discharged to an associated storage area during a subsequent harvest cycle.

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: Ice-making apparatus having an evaporator including a helical tubing section, means for supplying water to the exterior surface thereof and means for supplying refrigerant to the evaporator to cause freezing of a helix of ice on the exterior surface thereof. An elongated driver is located axially within the helical tubing, and hot gas from the compressor frees the ice helix from its bond to helical tubing following discontinuation of supply of refrigerant thereto. The driver is rotated to slide the ice helix along the tubing and fracture the leading end of the helix into smaller ice pieces at a discharge point, preferably at the top of the unit.A star-wheel driver may be located coaxially within the helical tubing and have four radially extending fins for engaging grooves in the interior surface of the ice helix. The four fins are warmed so as to obviate formation of a strong bond between them and the ice helix.

Abstract: A method of making ice in a tube shell ice-maker that has a false bottom compartment in which trapped refrigerant gas is present to prevent ice formation around the bottom during ice-making and from which hot gaseous refrigerant flows upwardly into the refrigerant within the tubes during defrosting, the liquid remaining within the tubes, whereby delay in initiating further ice-making is minimized.

Abstract: A tube shell ice-maker has a false bottom compartment in which trapped refrigerant gas is present to prevent ice formation around the bottom during ice-making and from which during defrosting hot gaseous refrigerant flows upwardly into the refrigerant within the tubes, the liquid remaining within the tubes, whereby delay in initiating further ice-making is minimized.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device includes a thermally conductive conduit section having both interior and exterior heat exchange surfaces, with the interior surface being adapted to contact fluid flowing thereover. A controllable heat transfer means coupled to the conduit section has a first operative state for removing heat from the exterior heat exchange surface to reduce the temperature of the conduit section sufficiently to freeze liquid adjacent the interior heat exchange surface and thereby at least partially restrict the flow of fluid thereover. In a second operative state, the heat transfer means supplies heat to the interior heat exchange surface to melt at least a portion of any frozen liquid adjacent the interior heat exchange surface and thereby permit the flow of fluid thereover.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device includes a thermally conductive conduit section having both interior and exterior heat exchange surfaces, with the interior surface being adapted to contact fluid flowing thereover. A controllable heat transfer means coupled to the conduit section has a first operative state for removing heat from the exterior heat exchange surface to reduce the temperature of the conduit section sufficiently to freeze liquid adjacent the interior heat exchange surface and thereby at least partially restrict the flow of fluid thereover. In a second operative state, the heat transfer means supplies heat to the interior heat exchange surface to melt at least a portion of any frozen liquid adjacent the interior heat exchange surface and thereby permit the flow of fluid thereover.

Abstract: A method of freezing a liquid is disclosed comprising the steps of establishing a freezing zone, delivering the liquid to the freezing zone so that the liquid runs across the freezing zone, and collecting the unfrozen liquid running off the freezing zone for return to the freezing zone. The delivery of liquid is stopped when a sheet of frozen liquid of desired thickness is established on the freezing zone, and the freezing step is continued to harden the sheet of frozen liquid. The freezing zone is heated to harvest the sheet of frozen liquid by thawing the bond between the freezing zone and the sheet initially at the periphery of the freezing zone and thereafter throughout the freezing zone. The harvested sheet of frozen liquid is gravity dropped from the freezing zone into a fragmenting zone where the sheet is broken into fragments.

Abstract: A method for the production of ice from water filled stalls and comprised of applying heat absorption thereto until an iced condition is reached, followed by the simultaneous application of heat thereto to thaw the stall-to-ice interfaces and of refill water thereto to eject the ice by means of floatation; to be embodied, for example, in apparatus to perform this method comprised of one or a series of stalls embraced by the evaporator of a refrigeration system having a hot gas bypass that is intermittently discharged through the evaporator simultaneously with refill water applied to the stall or stalls to eject the ice, a temperature sensor and refrigerant control alternately reacting to effect the iced and thaw conditions of the stall, thereby automatically cycling the apparatus for continued operation.

Abstract: A space heating and cooling system utilizing an ice making apparatus having a refrigerant compressor and condenser and a plurality of ice making plates defining passages for the movement of refrigerant therethrough. Valves are utilized for selectively directing the refrigerant to the plates. During a given period of operation, the valves direct unexpanded refrigerant to plates having ice formed thereon whereby the heat of the unexpanded refrigerant serves to release ice from the plates. At the same time, expansion valves are utilized for directing expanded refrigerant to plates having ice forming thereon. By successively operating the valves, the plates are all used in sequence for ice forming and are all sequentially subjected to the ice releasing operation. During the period of time when heat is required, heating fluids are moved adjacent the condenser, and the heat picked up by these fluids is then employed for heating the space.

Abstract: A conveyor carries a plurality of frozen confection molds evenly spaced within rows. The molds incorporate a plurality of uniform spiral grooves to form spiral fins on the frozen confections. Ingredients are inserted into the molds and frozen with sticks embedded therein. An extractor arm is positioned above the row of frozen product and lowered to cause clamps to grip the sticks. When the extractor arm is raised, a cam pivots the clamps about a vertical axis to permit the fins to follow the spiral contour of the mold grooves as the frozen confections are withdrawn from the molds. The frozen confections are subsequently released from the clamp elements by a trip bar which simultaneously opens the jaws of the clamps.

Abstract: A reversible cycle ice making machine provided with a tube-in-tube evaporator having disposed between the tubes thereof an annular chamber through which a refrigerant is adapted to flow and bond a hollow ice column upon the inside surface of the inner tube during the freezing cycle; and during the succeeding defrost cycle, to thaw the bond by a dual acting defrost system.One of the defrost actions of the system is effected by flowing a defrost fluid, such as hot gas, endwise through the annular chamber to cause the refrigerant remaining the chamber from the preceding freezing cycle to be progressively replaced by the defrost fluid while the ice column bond is progressively thawed in the endwise direction. Thus, the length of the chamber containing the defrosting fluid progressively increases as the complementary length containing the remaining refrigerant fluid decreases during the flow of both fluids in tandem and downstream through the chamber.

Abstract: An improved freeze refining method including the steps of collecting a heterogeneons material in crystalline form from a heated melt containing pure and impure materials and removing the collected crystals while maintaining the integrity of the crystals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a soft food mix, such as soft ice cream, milk shakes, yogurt or the like whereby mix from a pressurized container passes through a heat exchanger and particularly passes in a line disposed within a hollow coil immediately adjacent to a second line which carries either a heating or cooling fluid to prevent formation of an ice plug and maintain the proper consistency. Thermisters disposed on the coil sense the temperature of the mix and provide electrical control signals to automatically control supply of the heating and cooling fluids.