초록 ▼

An improved ice cube-forming machine and system comprising a plurality of hollow fluid-conducting conduits in which the outer surface thereof is provided with pocket members extending into the conduit for engagement by any fluid being conducted therethrough to selectively freeze and thaw the content

An improved ice cube-forming machine and system comprising a plurality of hollow fluid-conducting conduits in which the outer surface thereof is provided with pocket members extending into the conduit for engagement by any fluid being conducted therethrough to selectively freeze and thaw the contents of the pocket members. A discrete water source feeds each ice cube-forming pocket for freezing while refrigerant is passed through the hollow conduits. When the water is frozen within the pockets, a control system reacts thereto to stop the flow of refrigerant and initiate the flow of heated fluid through the hollow conduit to thaw at least the surface of the ice cube and release the ice cube therefrom whence, as by gravity, it drops into a collection receptacle. The pocket members can be either a plurality of integral depressions formed therein or independent members secured thereto. In either event, the fluid selectively directed through the conduits will effect the contents of the pocket member through its thermally conductive body portion to either freeze the water therein or dislodge the ice cubes therefrom.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for producing ice cubes comprising: a plurality of generally elongated, substantially hollow fluid conducting conduit means each having a longitudinal axis, at least one longitudinal conduit surface, a first end portion, a second end portion opposite said first end portion, fluid inlet mean

A system for producing ice cubes comprising: a plurality of generally elongated, substantially hollow fluid conducting conduit means each having a longitudinal axis, at least one longitudinal conduit surface, a first end portion, a second end portion opposite said first end portion, fluid inlet means operatively connected to one of said first end portions and one of said conduit means and one of said second end portions on a different one of said conduit means, fluid outlet means operatively connected to the ends of said conduit means opposite to the ends connected to said fluid inlet means, said conduit means being disposed so that the longitudinal axis thereof are disposed in spaced generally parallel relationship to each other; a supply of fluid refrigerant means; means for circulating said fluid refrigerant means simultaneously to said inlet means of each said conduit means, through the hollow interior thereof, and out of said outlet means thereof for return to said fluid refrigerant supply means; a supply of heated fluid heat exchange means; means for circulating said fluid heat exchange means simultaneously to said inlet means of each said conduit means, through the hollow interior thereof and out of said outlet means thereof for return to said fluid heat exchange means supply; a supply of water; water flow-directing means operatively disposed relative to said conduit means for directing a flow of water along said conduit surface; means for feeding water from said water supply to said flow directing means; a plurality of ice-forming pockets operably disposed in the surface of each of said conduit means to receive said water from said water flow directing means therewithin; control means for selectively and simultaneously circulating said fluid refrigerant means through each of said conduit means for freezing the water deposited within said pocket means for producing ice cubes therein and for selectively and simultaneously circulating said heated fluid exchange means through each of said conduit means for partially thawing the outer surface of said ice cubes and dislodging said ice cubes from said pockets for gravitational emptying prior to beginning the next ice forming cycle.