초록 ▼

An icemaker and ice dispenser combination is characterized by an air sparge system for percolating air through water in the icemaker as the water is being frozen to ice in order to produce clear ice. The air is obtained from an ice storage hopper of the ice dispenser, and after percolation through t

An icemaker and ice dispenser combination is characterized by an air sparge system for percolating air through water in the icemaker as the water is being frozen to ice in order to produce clear ice. The air is obtained from an ice storage hopper of the ice dispenser, and after percolation through the water in the icemaker, the air is returned to the hopper for recirculation between the hopper and icemaker. By virtue of the arrangement, the air is free of outside contaminants and may be used over and over again to maintain clear ice, and since the air is chilled by ice in the hopper, increases are obtained in the cooling cycle efficiency of the icemaker. The icemaker includes an improved air diffuser that uniformly percolates air through the water.

대표청구항 ▼

Ice making and dispensing apparatus, comprising an ice dispenser having a hopper for reception of a mass of particles of potable ice; an icemaker having an ice evaporator water space for containing and freezing water to ice; air sparge means, coupled with said ice dispenser and said icemaker, for in

Ice making and dispensing apparatus, comprising an ice dispenser having a hopper for reception of a mass of particles of potable ice; an icemaker having an ice evaporator water space for containing and freezing water to ice; air sparge means, coupled with said ice dispenser and said icemaker, for introducing air from within said hopper into said ice evaporator water space for percolation through water in said space while the water is being frozen to ice; and means connecting said ice evaporator water space with the interior of said hopper for returning air that has percolated through the water in said space to said hopper, said hopper, ice evaporator water space, air sparge means and connecting means being substantially closed to ambient air, whereby air is recirculated in a substantially closed loop from said hopper, through said ice evaporator water space and back to said hopper, and is maintained in a sanitary and potable condition and substantially free from contaminants in the ambient air.