초록 ▼

The ice maker includes an ice mold in direct thermal communication with a thermoelectric refrigeration unit for freezing water contained in the mold. The mold and a harvest means for removing ice from the mold are in an insulated housing defining a cold storage bin for receiving harvested ice. The m

The ice maker includes an ice mold in direct thermal communication with a thermoelectric refrigeration unit for freezing water contained in the mold. The mold and a harvest means for removing ice from the mold are in an insulated housing defining a cold storage bin for receiving harvested ice. The mold and refrigeration unit are mounted on the housing and a bottom wall of the housing comprises an insulated door with a closed position for supporting harvested ice and an open position for discharging harvested ice to a separable drawer for use. The door is mounted for rotation between open and closed positions and is rotated by a drive motor. The refrigeration unit includes a thermoelectric module in direct thermal communication with an external heat exchanger and the module may be sealed within an insulated wall of the housing. A locking mechanism may be provided to lock the dispensing door closed and a heat seal may be provided around the door.

대표청구항 ▼

An ice making apparatus comprising: mold means for holding a body of liquid water; thermoelectric means for freezing at least a portion of said body of liquid water so as to form ice in said mold means; harvest means for removing said ice from said mold means; an insulated housing containing said mo

An ice making apparatus comprising: mold means for holding a body of liquid water; thermoelectric means for freezing at least a portion of said body of liquid water so as to form ice in said mold means; harvest means for removing said ice from said mold means; an insulated housing containing said mold means and said harvest means and defining a cold storage bin for receiving said ice upon its removal from said mold means by said harvest means; said insulated housing including an insulated door having a closed position for supporting said removed ice as it accumulates in said cold storage bin and an open position for discharging said accumulated ice from said cold storage bin; control means for preventing removal of said ice from said mold means by said harvest means when said cold storage bin is full of said accumulated ice; and, drive means for causing said insulated door to move between said closed position and said open position so as to discharge said accumulated ice from said cold storage bin.