Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
062071000 | Removing product from congealing surface | 85 |
20080276629 | Method and apparatus for producing salt water-mixed sherbet ice - Salt water fed to an ice-maker | 11-13-2008 |
20090211270 | Ice making assembly for refrigerator and method for controlling the same - An ice making assembly for a refrigerator and a method for controlling the ice making assembly. The ice making assembly and the method of controlling the ice making assembly producing transparent ice and capable of preventing water overflow, the freezing of water that has overflowed, and the spilling out of water that has overflowed. | 08-27-2009 |
20090217678 | Ice-making device for refrigerator and method for controlling the same - An ice-making device for a refrigerator, which is designed to separate ice through a simple process is provided. The ice-making device for a refrigerator includes an ice tray defining an ice-making space, an ice core member that is partly received in the ice-making space to make ice at an end thereof, a driving unit moving and rotating at least one of the ice tray and the ice core member, and a power transmission unit for transferring power from the driving unit to the ice core member. The ice on the ice core member starts being separated in a state where the ice is spaced apart from an outer surface of the ice tray. | 09-03-2009 |
20090235674 | DEMAND DRIVEN ICE MODE SOFTWARE - This disclosure is related to software that responds to consumer usage patterns in order to create more ice. The developed software monitors ice dispenses rather they are crushed or cubed. When a threshold of the number of dispenses within the preset time period has been met, the freezer enters a high demand mode. During high demand mode, the freezer is commanded to run at a colder temperature for a preset period of time. The method described in this disclosure includes setting a threshold for the number of dispenses within a time interval and detecting the number of dispenses that are related to a trigger's activation. The method continues with sending a signal when the number of dispenses surpasses the threshold within the time interval and taking a corrective action that increases the production of ice when the signal is received. | 09-24-2009 |
20090249804 | ICE HARVESTING MECHANISM - An ice harvester has an ice cube tray having at least two compartments for holding ice cubes; a rotating member used to remove ice cubes from the ice cube tray; at least two arms extending from the rotary member for removing ice cubes from the ice cube tray; a motor coupled to the rotary member for powering rotation of the member; and a divider wall formed in the ice cube tray extending vertically between the arms having an edge, wherein the arms are rotated toward the edge to remove ice cubes from said tray, and wherein the edge breaks a web formed between adjacent ice cubes in the tray during rotation of the arms. The arms can be offset from each other along a circumference of the sweeping member. The edge of the divider wall can have ramped portions to facilitate the breaking apart of the cubes to reduce required motor torque. | 10-08-2009 |
20090249805 | Ice Cube Tray and Method for Releasing a Single Cube from Tray - An ice tray in accordance with the present disclosure has an ice cavity formed on a first side for receiving water and creating an ice cube and a water cavity formed on a second side, the water cavity adjacent the ice cavity such that when warm water is poured in the water cavity, heat transfers to the ice cavity and melts the ice cube. | 10-08-2009 |
20100037632 | WATER SPILLAGE MANAGEMENT FOR IN THE DOOR ICE MAKER - A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed. | 02-18-2010 |
20100037633 | WATER SPILLAGE MANAGEMENT FOR IN THE DOOR ICE MAKER - A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed. | 02-18-2010 |
20100037634 | WATER SPILLAGE MANAGEMENT FOR IN THE DOOR ICE MAKER - A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed. | 02-18-2010 |
20100043456 | WATER SPILLAGE MANAGEMENT FOR IN THE DOOR ICE MAKER - A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed. | 02-25-2010 |
20100043457 | WATER SPILLAGE MANAGEMENT FOR IN THE DOOR ICE MAKER - A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed. | 02-25-2010 |
20100122543 | REFRIGERATOR - A refrigerator includes an ice maker positioned in the refrigerator and configured to make ice. The refrigerator also includes a plate positioned at an open side of the ice making tray and configured to reduce water overflow. The refrigerator further includes a cool air inlet passage configured to allow cool air to be introduced to an area inside of the plate. In addition, the refrigerator includes a cool air outlet passage that is separate from the cool air inlet passage, and configured to allow release of cool air from the area inside of the plate to an exterior of the plate. | 05-20-2010 |
20100257874 | METHOD OF MAKING PIECES OF ICE AND AN ICE DISPENSING DEVICE - A method and a device for making pieces of ice, wherein water in a container ( | 10-14-2010 |
20100287959 | ICE MAKER, REFRIGERATOR HAVING THE SAME, AND ICE MAKING METHOD THEREOF - An ice maker, a refrigerator including the ice maker, and an ice making method are provided. The ice maker includes a tray having a predetermined depth into which water is supplied to make ice. The ice maker includes an elevating unit to elevate a portion of the ice, and a cutting unit to cut off the elevated portion of the ice to be dispensed as ice pieces to a user. The ice maker has a slim configuration, and a compact size. The ice maker may be provided in the door of the refrigerator at a height approximately the same as the height of the dispenser located at the front side of the door. This arrangement permits a path for supplying cool air from a freezing compartment to the ice maker to be decreased. | 11-18-2010 |
20100319366 | ICE MAKER, REFRIGERATOR HAVING THE SAME, AND ICE MAKING METHOD THEREOF - An ice maker, a refrigerator including the ice maker, and an ice making method are provided. The ice maker includes a tray having a predetermined length into which water is supplied to make ice. The ice maker is configured to mechanically separate the ice from the tray by using pistons which are driven by a motor. This permits the ice maker to have a reduced size, and occupy a small area, thereby implementing a slim configuration of a refrigerator. Furthermore, since an installation height of the ice maker is lowered, a path for supplying cool air may be shortened. This arrangement prevent loss of cool air being supplied to the ice making chamber. | 12-23-2010 |
20100319367 | ICE MAKER, REFRIGERATOR HAVING THE SAME, AND ICE MAKING METHOD THEREOF - An ice maker, a refrigerator including the ice maker, and an ice making method are provided. The ice maker includes a tray having a predetermined length and to which water is supplied to make ice. The ice maker is configured to mechanically separate the ice from the tray by using pistons which are driven by being pressed by structures. This allows the ice maker to have a reduced size, and a small occupation area, thereby implementing a slim configuration of a refrigerator. Furthermore, since an installation height of the ice maker is lowered, a path for supplying cool air may be shortened. This may prevent loss of cool air being supplied to the ice making chamber. Since the ice maker has a simplified configuration and precise operation controls, the fabrication costs may be reduced, and inferiority of the ice maker due to malfunctions may be prevented. | 12-23-2010 |
20110120152 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CRUSHING ICE WITHIN A REFRIGERATOR - An apparatus and method for crushing ice within a refrigerator are disclosed. The apparatus includes an ice making, storage and dispensing compartment; an ice storage bin, an agitator, an axle, and a crusher. The crusher includes a plurality of fixed blades, a plurality of rotatable crusher arms affixed to the axle, a front wall having an opening vertically above the fixed blades, sidewalls sealing a portion of the front wall to a portion of the back wall, leaving a predetermined void and a motor for rotating the axle to drive the agitator and crusher. The method includes the steps of rotating an axle, in first direction and second directions to dispense whole ice cubes or crushed ice cubes, respectively, from the ice dispenser. | 05-26-2011 |
20110138821 | ROTATING RAMP AND METHOD FOR FILLING AN ICE BIN - An appliance includes a cabinet and a cabinet door and an ice maker. A primary ice bin is disposed in the cabinet door of the appliance. A secondary ice bin is disposed in the cabinet of the appliance. A routing device is disposed inside the cabinet. The routing device includes a stationary base that supports an adjustable ramp. The ramp is operable between a first position that directs ice to the primary ice bin and a second position that directs ice to the secondary ice bin. | 06-16-2011 |
20120174601 | ARTICULATED CURTAINS FOR ICE MAKING MACHINES - Articulated water curtains for ice making machines are comprised of two portions, an upper portion hingedly connected to the upper portion of the machine, and a lower portion that includes a bottom edge of the two-piece water curtain and that is pivotally-mounted to a lower portion of the machine or to the lower portion of the water curtain. Ice making machines utilizing two-piece or portion articulated water curtains are disclosed. | 07-12-2012 |
20120180504 | ICEMAKER AND REFRIGERATOR HAVING THE SAME - A refrigerator has an icemaker that includes a partition arm extending from the outside of the ice making tray into the ice making tray, the partition arm constituting a part of an ice compartment structure to define ice making cells. When the ice making tray is rotated in a given direction, the ice making tray allows ice to be separated from the ice making cells by being twisted by the partition arm. When the ice making tray is rotated in an opposite direction, the ice making tray allows the ice still present in the ice making cells to fall from the ice making cells by interference with a rotation stopper formed at the partition arm. | 07-19-2012 |
20120198861 | CLEANING DEVICE OF ICE MAKER AND CLEANING METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed are a cleaning device of an ice maker and a method thereof. In the cleaning device of an ice maker and a method thereof according to embodiments of the present invention, since the cleaning block is detachably coupled to the ejector to clean the ice making container, a cleaning operation can be easily performed on the ice making container, which is difficult for an operator to directly clean, thereby enhancing quality of ice made by the ice maker. | 08-09-2012 |
20120227422 | DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR MAKING ICE CUBES AND A METERING DEVICE FOR ICE CUBES - Device and method for making ice cubes, comprising a supplying device for supplying a liquid substance to at least one elongated mould ( | 09-13-2012 |
20120247130 | ICE MAKING DEVICE AND ITS CONTROL METHOD - An ice making device may include an ice tray, a water-supply part for supplying water to the ice tray, an electrostatic capacity sensor having two or more electrodes attached to the ice tray, a water quantity detecting section for detecting a water quantity in the ice tray on a basis of variation of an electrostatic capacity between the electrodes of the electrostatic capacity sensor, and an ice frozen detecting section for detecting water supplied to the ice tray having been frozen on the basis of the variation of the electrostatic capacity between the electrodes of the electrostatic capacity sensor. A control unit for the ice making device controls the water-supply part, an ice tray drive part and an ice detecting part on the basis of variation of the electrostatic capacity between the electrodes of the electrostatic capacity sensor. | 10-04-2012 |
20120318003 | ICE MAKER, REFRIGERATOR HAVING THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING ICE THEREOF - Disclosed are an ice maker, a refrigerator having the ice maker, and a method for supplying ice of the refrigerator. When the ice making container is rotated, ice of the ice making container freefalls to be released, thus reducing the size of the ice maker and making a refrigerator slimmer. Also, since a partition wall is not provided on an inner circumferential surface of the ice making container, the roughness of the inner circumferential surface of the ice making container can be enhanced, and accordingly, heat can be evenly transferred from an ice releasing heater to reduce a generation amount of residual water. In addition, since ice can be released without using the ice releasing heater, power consumption can be reduced and residual water which can be generated in case of using the heater can be further reduced. | 12-20-2012 |
20120324917 | VERTICAL ICE MAKER WITH MICROCHANNEL EVAPORATOR - A clear ice making assembly and method utilizes a housing having an upper fluid chamber, a plurality of distinct, substantially vertical fluid channels, and at least one fluid outlet aperture in fluid communication with a bottom fluid chamber. During an ice making event, portions of an ice forming evaporator extending through the housing are exposed to water flowing into the fluid channels from the upper fluid chamber. The ice forming evaporator is formed with microchannels through which refrigerant flows such that water flowing across the fluid channels freezes on the exposed portions of the ice forming evaporator over time, forming clear ice pieces. In a harvesting operation, the ice pieces are released from the ice forming evaporator and transferred for storage and/or dispensing. | 12-27-2012 |
20130199215 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF FROZEN FOOD PRODUCTS - Methods of manufacturing a frozen food product in a chamber having a tubular refrigerated wall and a partition which is movable along the chamber between upper and lower positions include multiple steps. First, after positioning the partition at its upper position, a liquid food product mix is introduced into the chamber above the partition so that the mix forms a pool of a selected depth atop the partition. The partition is then moved downward towards its lower position at a selected rate which causes the mix in the pool to flow outward under gravity into contact with the wall where it at least partially freezes to form an adherent uniform frozen mix layer on progressively lower segments of that wall. Then, the frozen mix layer is scraped from the wall to form a multiplicity of frozen scrapings, which are collected in a receptacle and dispensed as a frozen food product. | 08-08-2013 |
20130199216 | Industrial Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger - The invention discloses an industrial shell and tube heat exchanger for providing freezing or chilling of brine to produce slurry ice, which includes a shell and tube heat exchanger located in a horizontal position and which includes at least one tube within the shell and tube heat exchanger; and at least one rotatable spiral driven in at least the one tube, and which is adapted to move or pump the brine and slurry ice through the respective tube to ensure individual supply of brine for the production of slurry ice. | 08-08-2013 |
20130227972 | PATTERNED SUPERHYDROPHOBIC SURFACES TO REDUCE ICE FORMATION, ADHESION, AND ACCRETION - A method for reducing ice formation. The method involves using a substrate that has a patterned hydrophobic surface including raised structures. Also disclosed is a substrate having a hydrophobic surface including raised structures that form compartments or grooves having a surface free of angles that are less than or equal to 90°. | 09-05-2013 |
20130327069 | ICEMAKER SHUT OFF METHOD FOR PREMATURE HARVEST REDUCTION - A system and method for controlling an icemaker assembly to prevent premature ice harvests is provided. In particular implementations, normal icemaker operations, including ice cube harvesting, can be suspended when an ice cube level in an ice cube storage bin is detected to exceed a predetermined threshold or when a command is received to prevent harvesting. When a command to prevent harvesting is received, communication from an ice cube storage bin sensor can be disconnected, for instance, after a current harvesting cycle is complete. The communication from the ice cube storage bin sensor can be reconnected following a time interval or after receiving a command to re-start the normal operations. | 12-12-2013 |
20140096544 | REFRIGERATOR WITH WET ICE STORAGE - A refrigerator may include a refrigerator cabinet and at least one compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, an ice maker for making wet ice disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a bucket for storing the ice, the bucket positioned to receive the wet ice from the ice maker, and a drain in the bucket for draining water from the bucket. A method of making ice in a refrigerator includes making ice using an ice maker of the refrigerator, conveying the ice from the ice maker to a bucket having a drain, maintaining the ice in the bucket at a temperature above freezing to allow the ice to melt to water, and draining the water from the bucket. | 04-10-2014 |
20140123687 | REFRIGERATOR HAVING ICE MAKER WITH FLEXIBLE ICE MOLD AND METHOD FOR HARVESTING ICE - A household refrigerator includes an ice maker. The ice maker has an ice mold. The ice mold is made from a thin flexible material, such as stamped aluminum. The ice mold includes ice forming compartments and a rotatable member with fingers for removing ice pieces from the ice compartments as the rotatable member is rotated. The rotatable member also includes a cam projection that contacts and flexes the ice mold as the rotatable member is rotated to at least partially break a bond between the ice pieces and the ice forming compartments. | 05-08-2014 |
20140137576 | ICE STORAGE TO HOLD ICE AND MINIMIZE MELTING OF ICE SPHERES - An ice support and storage tray includes one or more cavities having upwardly facing spherical surface portions that support spherical pieces of ice. The tray is preferably made of a material having a low thermal conductivity to reduce melting of the spherical pieces of ice. The spherical support surfaces minimize melting points that could otherwise cause the spherical pieces of ice to melt and develop irregular surface shapes. The ice tray may be used in a freezer having an ice maker that transports spheres of ice to the ice support cavities. The ice storage tray may be configured to permit removal of spheres of ice without tipping the tray upside down and/or twisting/deforming the tray. | 05-22-2014 |
20140165618 | CLEAR ICE HYBRID MOLD - A method of making clear ice spheres includes a providing a mold apparatus having a first mold portion and a second mold portion having mold cavity segments which define one or more mold cavities when the mold apparatus is assembled in an ice forming position. The mold apparatus includes a water jacketing system which is adapted to keep water in continuous circulation within the mold cavities to ensure clear ice is formed. Water is injected into the mold cavities and where a portion of the water is frozen to form a clear ice structure and a portion of the water enters the water jacketing system. Water may remain circulating in the water jacketing system, or may be expelled from the mold apparatus. The circulating water of the water jacketing system facilitates directional solidification of clear ice structure across a thermal gradient of the mold apparatus. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165619 | CLEAR ICE SPHERES - A method of making clear ice spheres includes a providing a mold apparatus having a first mold portion and a second mold portion having mold cavity segments which define one or more mold cavities when the mold apparatus is assembled. A clear ice sheet is deposited in the mold apparatus in a channel defined by the spaced apart mold portions when the mold apparatus is in an open position. The mold apparatus is assembled about the sheet of clear ice such that the clear ice sheet is shaped to form one or more clear ice structures in the mold cavities. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165620 | MOLDED CLEAR ICE SPHERES - A method of making clear ice spheres includes a providing a mold apparatus having a first mold portion and a second mold portion having mold cavity segments which define one or more mold cavities when the mold apparatus is assembled in an ice forming position. The mold apparatus is then cooled using a cooling source in thermal communication with the first mold portion. Water is then injected into the mold cavities, such that a portion of the water injected into the mold cavities is solidified in a directional manner from the first mold portion to the second mold portion to create a clear ice structure. Water is continuously circulated within the mold cavities to ensure clear ice is formed by injecting and simultaneously ejecting water from the mold cavities during ice formation. The ice clear structures are then released from the mold apparatus by disassembling the mold apparatus. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165621 | ROTATIONAL ICE MAKER - An ice maker has an ice mold that includes a metallic piece and an insulated piece. A cooling source is thermally coupled to the metallic piece. A cavity is within the ice mold and has a first reservoir in the metallic piece and a second reservoir in the insulated piece. The first and second reservoirs align to substantially enclose the cavity. An intake aperture in the insulated piece extends to the cavity for receiving water. A drive body rotatably coupled to the ice mold that operates in an ice-making cycle, wherein the drive body repeatedly rotates the mold from an injection position to a tilted position. The cavity receives an incremental amount of water in the injection position and moves to the tilted position to freeze at least a portion of the incremental amount of water over a side surface of the cavity to make an ice piece. | 06-19-2014 |
20140182314 | ICE MAKER - Disclosed are various embodiments for systems, apparatus, and methods for making ice. According to some embodiments, a refrigerant tube is disposed within an ice formation cell. The ice formation cell receives a water stream, and the portion of the water stream makes direct contact with the refrigerant tube is frozen by the refrigerant tube. Thus, an ice piece is generated. | 07-03-2014 |
20140196478 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE ICE MAKER - A refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The refrigerator appliance includes an ice maker for producing ice. The ice maker is deactivated for a predetermined period of time after the ice maker has been filled with liquid water. After the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the ice maker can harvest ice if a demand side management (DSM) status is off-peak, or the ice maker can remain deactivated if the DSM status is on-peak. By operating in such a manner, operating costs of the refrigerator appliance can be reduced. | 07-17-2014 |
20140260347 | ICE MAKER WITH HEATLESS ICE REMOVAL AND METHOD FOR HEATLESS REMOVAL OF ICE - An ice making module includes a conductive ice tray having a bottom surface and a barrier coating on at least a portion of the conductive ice tray. An electrical circuit in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray includes a power source and a capacitor. A switch is configured to move between a charging position, wherein the capacitor stores an electrical charge, and a pulse position, wherein the capacitor releases the electrical charge. A conductive material disposed proximate the conductive ice tray is in selective electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electrical charge released by the capacitor generates an induced electrical current through the conductive material and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the conductive material. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the conductive ice tray. A cooling apparatus decrease the temperature of the water in the conductive ice tray. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260348 | METHOD TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF A TWIST ICE MAKER - An ice making apparatus for an appliance comprising an ice making tray having at least one specialty feature chosen from the group consisting of: a convex bottom surface, a ledge disposed about a perimeter of the at least one ice compartment and proximate a bottom portion of the at least one ice compartment, at least one thread extending from one corner of the at least one ice compartment to another corner of the at least one ice compartment, or any combination thereof. | 09-18-2014 |
20150007590 | ICEMAKER, PROCESS FOR CONTROLLING SAME AND MAKING ICE - A system to make ice includes a refrigeration unit and an icemaker disposed in the refrigeration unit. The refrigeration unit is configured to be subjected to a refrigeration cycle; the icemaker is configured to be subjected to a freeze cycle; and the system is configured such that the freeze cycle is synchronized with the refrigeration cycle, asynchronized with the refrigeration cycle, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. A process for controlling an icemaker includes providing a freeze cycle to an icemaker; providing a refrigeration cycle to a refrigeration unit; and constraining the freeze cycle and the refrigeration cycle to control the icemaker. | 01-08-2015 |
20150308719 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HEATING A VEHICLE - Methods and systems for providing controlling environmental conditions in a passenger compartment of a vehicle are presented. In one example, various low cost expansion valves are included in a system that has a receiver positioned downstream of an exterior heat exchanger to provide a climate control system with heating, cooling, dehumidification, and de-icing modes. | 10-29-2015 |
20160033186 | SELF-DEMOLDING ICE MOLD AND METHODS OF USE AND AUTOMATION - Systems and methods for making ice utilize self-demolding ice molds. Responsive to freezing of water in the mold into ice, an ejection apparatus is compressed. Via a force arising from the compression, the ejection apparatus ejects the ice from the mold. Ice machines may utilize multiple molds, and water filling a first mold may be utilized to at least partially melt ice in a second mold to facilitate ejection of the ice from the second mold. | 02-04-2016 |
20160123647 | ICE MAKING DEVICE - An ice making device and a method of making ice. A plurality of passages for refrigerant, preferably, multi-component refrigerant, is in thermal communication with a freezing surface, for example in an outer shell surrounding a body. The passages each include an inlet and an outlet. The inlet for a passage may be disposed approximately 180° from the outlet for that passage. The outlet for the passages may form the inlet for the subsequent passage. The size of the outlets may be smaller than a cross-sectional size of the passage. As the refrigerant moves through the passages, water on the freezing surfaces will freeze and form ice. A blade will scrape the ice off. | 05-05-2016 |
20160146524 | VERTICAL ICE MAKER PRODUCING CLEAR ICE PIECES - An ice making assembly and method utilizes a housing having an upper fluid chamber, a plurality of distinct, substantially vertical fluid channels, and at least one drain aperture in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir. Ice forming members extend from an ice forming evaporator into respective fluid channels. During an ice making event, fluid continuously supplied to the upper fluid chamber flows into each of the fluid channels and out through at least one drain aperture into a fluid reservoir below. The ice forming members are cooled such that fluid flowing across the fluid channels freezes on the ice forming members over time, forming clear ice pieces. The ice pieces are subsequently released from the ice forming members and transferred for storage and/or dispensing. | 05-26-2016 |
20160201966 | CLEAR ICE MAKING MACHINE | 07-14-2016 |
062072000 | Flexing supporting surface | 6 |
20110192175 | ICE MAKING METHOD AND ICE MAKING DEVICE - An ice making method and device may include an ice making member inserting step in which an ice making member is inserted into water that is stored in an ice tray, an ice pieces making step in which the ice making member is cooled so that the water is frozen to form an ice pieces, an ice making member heating step in which the ice making member is heated so that a portion of the ice pieces sticking to the ice making member is melted, an ice making member drawing-out step in which the ice making member is drawn out from the ice pieces, and an ice pieces separating step in which the ice tray is deformed to separate the ice pieces from the ice tray. The ice pieces separating step and the ice pieces storing step are performed at positions under the ice making member. | 08-11-2011 |
20140165622 | TWIST HARVEST ICE GEOMETRY - An ice maker assembly includes an ice making apparatus for an appliance with an ice making tray having a water basin formed by a metallic ice forming plate and at least one perimeter sidewall extending upwardly from a top surface of the ice forming plate. The ice making tray also has a grid with at least one dividing wall. The at least one perimeter sidewall and the at least one dividing wall and the top surface of the ice forming plate form at least one ice compartment having an upper surface and a lower surface. An ice body is formed in the at least one ice compartment. Moreover, the at least one perimeter sidewall and the at least one dividing wall form a draft angle with the top surface of the ice forming plate, of about 17° to about 25° degrees. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165623 | WEIRLESS ICE TRAY - An ice tray may include a substantially planar body portion with a plurality of cavities that are not interconnected by weirs. The ice tray may include a body having raised portions between adjacent cavities to alleviate stress that may otherwise form in these areas. A water distribution system may be utilized to provide specified volumes of water in the cavities to prevent overflowing of the cavities. | 06-19-2014 |
20140196479 | ICE MAKER FOR A REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME - An ice maker for a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The ice maker includes a mold body that is rotatable relative to an ejector. The ejector is configured for selective receipt within the mold body to assist with removal of ice from the mold body. The ice maker also includes at least two sensors for monitoring rotational motion of the mold body. Utilizing the at least two sensors, the ice maker can monitor ice removal from the mold body. | 07-17-2014 |
20140216072 | ICE MAKER - An ice maker comprises:
| 08-07-2014 |
20150345851 | Miniaturized Motor Assembly - A compact, miniaturized motor assembly for use in an ice making and harvesting device in an appliance is provided. The miniaturized motor assembly includes a gear train assembly having an output shaft engaged with an ice receiving and storage component. A DC motor powers the gear train assembly, which rotates the output shaft in a plurality of directions to effectively loosen and release ice from an ice making device while offering less stress on the ice making device. A method for releasing ice from an ice making device and completing an ice harvesting cycle using the miniaturized motor assembly is also provided. | 12-03-2015 |
062073000 | By heating | 33 |
20090000315 | Defrost control for multiple barrel frozen product dispensers - To defrost one barrel of a two barrel FCB dispenser, a refrigeration system defrosts the one barrel, while neither defrosting nor chilling the other barrel, for either a selected time or until a frozen beverage is drawn from the other barrel, whichever occurs first. Once the selected time or beverage draw occurs, the refrigeration system chills the other barrel until beverage within it is properly frozen, while neither defrosting nor chilling the one barrel. Once beverage in the other barrel is properly frozen, the refrigeration system resumes defrosting the one barrel, whereupon the foregoing cycle is repeated until defrost of the one barrel is complete, at which point the refrigeration system chills the one barrel to refreeze product in it. The arrangement keeps beverage in the other barrel properly frozen during defrosting of the one barrel. | 01-01-2009 |
20090019866 | CONTROLLING METHOD OF ICE MAKER - A method of controlling an ice maker is provided that minimizes generation of excess water and reduces energy consumption. The method allows for uniform heat to be generated and distributed throughout the ice tray during an ice separation process. Consequently, the ice separating process may be consistently performed irrespective of the shape of the ice tray and its surroundings, thereby minimizing generation of excess water, and reducing energy consumption. | 01-22-2009 |
20090025401 | Ice Preparation Unit, Tray and Operational Method Therefor - An ice-maker tray ( | 01-29-2009 |
20090211271 | Ice making assembly for refrigerator and method for controling the same - Ice making assembly for a refrigerator and a method for controlling the ice making assembly. The ice making assembly and method capable of more effectively providing transparent ice. The ice making assembly and method also capable of preventing water overflow. | 08-27-2009 |
20090293509 | ICE AMOUNT DETECTING METHOD OF ICE DETECTING APPARATUS OF ICE MAKER FOR REFRIGERATOR - A method of detecting an amount of ice stored in a storage bin made by an ice maker of a refrigerator, the method comprises applying heat to the ice detecting sensor of the ice maker, detecting an amount stored in the storage bin, and controlling heat application according to the detected amount. The ice maker has an ice detecting sensor attached thereto. A sensor heater provides the heat. | 12-03-2009 |
20090293510 | ICE DETECTING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A REFRIGERATOR - A method of determining a amount of ice collected in a storage container of a refrigerator, the ice being discharged into the storage container by an ice maker having an ice detecting sensor with a heater, the method comprises determining whether or not the ice storage container is full or nearly full of ice by turning on the detecting sensor for a prescribed period of time. In one embodiment, the heater is turned on while the determining step is preformed. In an alternative embodiment, the heater is continuously maintained in an “ON” state. | 12-03-2009 |
20090308085 | ROTATING ICEMAKER ASSEMBLY - An icemaker assembly disposed within a refrigerator is configured for continuous freezing of water and continuous harvesting of ice. The icemaker assembly includes a rotating ice mold having a plurality of ice forming compartments. A water distributor is operably disposed above the ice mold for supplying water individually to each of the plurality of ice forming compartments. The water distributor supplies the water at a flow rate which is dependent on a rotational speed of the ice mold. The rotating ice mold is rotatable such that each ice forming compartment is movable to a first position for receiving water from the water distributor and movable to a second position for harvesting ice. At the first position, each ice forming compartment is at a first temperature for rapidly freezing the water received from the water distributor. At the second position, each ice forming compartment is at a second, higher temperature for releasing the ice therein. | 12-17-2009 |
20100011786 | ICE MAKING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ICE MAKING OF REFRIGERATOR - The present invention is characterized in that a refrigerant pipe through which low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flows is directly provided in a tray, that fast icing is possible even an ice maker is installed at a refrigerating chamber, and that transparent ice can be formed. | 01-21-2010 |
20100018226 | APPARATUS FOR ICE-MAKING AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME - Ice maker including an ice making container ( | 01-28-2010 |
20100031675 | ICE MAKING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ICE MAKING OF REFRIGERATOR - The present disclosure provides a refrigerant pipe, through which low temperature and low pressure refrigerant flows, directly on a tray, allowing for quick ice formation even when an ice maker is installed in a refrigeration compartment, and allowing for transparent chunks of ice to be made. | 02-11-2010 |
20100043458 | WATER SPILLAGE MANAGEMENT FOR IN THE DOOR ICE MAKER - A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed. | 02-25-2010 |
20100043459 | WATER SPILLAGE MANAGEMENT FOR IN THE DOOR ICE MAKER - A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed. | 02-25-2010 |
20100218519 | FRESH FOOD ICE MAKER CONTROL - A refrigeration system is provided with an ice maker chamber within a fresh food compartment. The refrigeration system includes a refrigeration path and an ice maker path. The ice maker path includes an electronic expansion valve for controlling the refrigerant entering an ice maker evaporator and an evaporator pressure regulator. Controlling the refrigeration system includes the steps of sensing a first refrigerant temperature at an exit of the ice maker evaporator and controlling a first control of the electronic expansion valve until the temperature reaches a temperature target. The method of controlling can further include comparing a slope of the temperature to at least one of a minimum, a target, or a maximum setting to adjust the control. Subsequently, a second control for the electronic expansion valve can be repeatedly adjusted by evaluating the first refrigerant temperature and the slope. | 09-02-2010 |
20100218520 | ICE MAKER FOR FRESH FOOD COMPARTMENT OF REFRIGERATOR - Provided is an ice maker including a mold with two or more cavities for receiving water to be frozen into ice pieces. A bracket defines a track establishing a range of travel of the mold during an ice making cycle and a removable pin projects outwardly from the mold, extending into the track defined by the bracket to support the mold within the ice maker. The mold can be provided with a partition separating the cavities, the partition including an aperture for establishing a substantially-even water level in the cavities below the partitions. | 09-02-2010 |
20100229574 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ICE MAKING OF REFRIGERATOR - The present invention relates to a system and a method for ice making of a refrigerator and, more particularly, to an ice maker of a refrigerator, which reduces unnecessary power consumption by controlling the operation of a heater according to the presence of a liquid for freezing. | 09-16-2010 |
20100251733 | ICE MAKING TECHNOLOGY - An ice making device, a refrigerator having the ice making device, and a method for making ice are disclosed. Water is supplied to an ice making structure of an ice making device and frozen into ice. The ice is at least partially released from the ice making structure by supplying liquid water to the ice making structure to apply force to the ice in the ice making structure. | 10-07-2010 |
20110011103 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ICE PIECES - A method for manufacturing ice pieces, the method including filling a mold with water; chilling the water with a refrigeration unit that is operated by a compressor having an initial compressor power; and reducing a compressor power at a predetermined time after the water starts to freeze. | 01-20-2011 |
20110219789 | FAST ICE MAKING DEVICE - A refrigerator includes a fast ice making device for quickly producing ice cubes. The fast ice making device includes a mold body having a plurality of ice forming cavities adapted to hold fluid. In an ice making cycle, a vacuum system evacuates air from the cavities, thereby depressurizing the cavities. Then, a liquid delivery system delivers liquid to the depressurized cavities, whereby an initial portion of the liquid bubbles up within the respective cavities. Overall, a cooler fluid is established at the beginning of an ice making cycle, thus accelerating the rate at which ice cubes are formed within the fast ice making device. Once ice cubes have been formed within the cavities, a heat transfer system is utilized to heat the cavities, thereby slightly melting the ice cubes and aiding in the expulsion of ice cubes from the cavities. | 09-15-2011 |
20110265498 | MECHANISM FOR ICE CREATION - A refrigerator is provided that includes an apparatus for producing ice comprising a reservoir that contains water, at least one freezing member, a power source, and at least one fin located on the reservoir. The at least one freezing member is located at least partially in the reservoir. The at least one freezing member is configured for forming ice by freezing the water along the periphery of the at least one freezing member. The power source is configured to move the reservoir to create a movement of the water about the at least one freezing member. The at least one fin located on the reservoir is configured for enhancing the movement of the water about the at least one freezing member and for restricting a splashing of water from the reservoir. | 11-03-2011 |
20110314842 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING ICE IN AN ICE MAKER SYSTEM - Method and apparatus for ice maker systems are disclosed. One exemplary method comprises the steps of: heating an ice mold body to separate ice formed in the ice mold body from the ice mold body; releasing the separated ice from the ice mold body; and contacting at least a portion of the ice mold body with a heat transfer fluid to cool the ice mold body. | 12-29-2011 |
20120031115 | LOW PRESSURE CONTROL FOR SIGNALING A TIME DELAY FOR ICE MAKING CYCLE START UP - A method of making ice in an ice making machine comprising: (a) compressing vaporized refrigerant, cooling the compressed refrigerant to condense it into a liquid, feeding the condensed refrigerant through an expansion device and vaporizing the refrigerant in an evaporator to create freezing temperatures in an ice-forming mold to freeze water into ice in the shape of mold cavities during an ice making mode; (b) heating the ice making mold to release the ice therefrom in a harvest mode by separating vaporous and liquid refrigerant within a receiver interconnected between the condenser and the expansion device and feeding vapor from the receiver to the evaporator, wherein the ice-forming mold, evaporator and receiver are disposed in an ice machine unit, and the compressor and condenser are disposed in a condensing unit; (c) determining if the ice making machine is on and if an ice bin switch is closed: if the ice machine is on and the bin switch is closed, then check a low pressure switch: if the low pressure switch is not closed, then return to step (i) above; or if the low pressure switch is closed, then set a time delay for a predetermined time delay; and (d) determining if the predetermined time delay has elapsed: if the predetermined time delay has elapsed, then return to step (d); or if the predetermined time delay has elapsed, then initiate another the ice making mode. | 02-09-2012 |
20120036872 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF AN ICE MAKER SYSTEM - Method and apparatus for ice maker systems are disclosed. One exemplary method comprises the step of, in a harvesting cycle of an ice maker system wherein a heating element is turned on at a first time instance to generate heat to separate ice from an ice mold body formed in the ice mold body during a preceding ice formation cycle, and turned off at a second time instance to allow the ice mold body to cool so that a next ice formation cycle can begin, controlling an amount of heat generated by the heating element between the first time instance and the second time instance. | 02-16-2012 |
20120318004 | ICE MAKER, REFRIGERATOR HAVING THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING ICE THEREOF - Disclosed are an ice maker, a refrigerator having the ice maker, and a method for supplying ice of the refrigerator. An ice making container long in a vertical direction is installed on a side wall surface of a refrigerator door, makes ice, and pushes up the ice by screws to release the ice, whereby the size of the ice maker can be reduced, the area occupied by the ice maker can be reduced, and a refrigerator having the ice maker can become slimmer. Also, because an installation height of the ice maker is lowered to shorten a cold air supply path and prevent a loss in the process of supplying cold air to the ice making chamber. Also, because a cutting operation is performed simultaneously when the ice is lifted, a fabrication cost can be reduced and a defective state due to malfunction can be prevented. | 12-20-2012 |
20120324918 | MULTI-EVAPORATOR REFRIGERATOR - A refrigeration system for a refrigerator having a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment, an icemaker in the fresh food compartment includes distinct freezer, fresh food and icemaker evaporators and associated valving operating in conjunction with a common compressor and condenser in order to effectively regulate temperatures in specified zones of the refrigerator throughout various operational modes including at least a freezer cooling mode, a fresh food cooling mode and an ice harvesting mode. The icemaker can be serially linked with the fresh food evaporator during cooling of the fresh food compartment, while being also being selectively isolated for the ice harvesting mode. | 12-27-2012 |
20120324919 | ICEMAKER WITH SWING TRAY - A clear ice making system and method utilizes an ice forming tray pivotally connected to opposing side walls of an icemaker housing. Ice forming fingers of a dedicated evaporator extend into fluid within the ice forming tray, and are cooled by communication with the refrigerant circulating system of the refrigerator. A motor oscillates the ice forming tray about a longitudinal axis at a frequency of about 0.4-0.6 hertz as fluid channels freezes on the ice forming fingers over time, forming clear ice pieces. During an ice dispensing event, the motor pivots the ice making tray about the longitudinal axis such that fluid remaining within the ice making tray drains into a fluid reservoir below. The ice forming fingers are then heated to release the clear ice pieces for transfer from the fresh food compartment to the freezer compartment of the refrigerator. | 12-27-2012 |
20130081412 | ICE MAKER AND ICE MAKING METHOD USING THE SAME - Provided is an ice maker, which includes an upper tray, a lower tray, and a rotation shaft. Upper cells of hemispherical shapes are arrayed in the upper tray. Lower cells of hemispherical shapes are arrayed in the lower tray that is rotatably connected to the upper tray. The rotation shaft is connected to a rear end of the lower tray and a rear end of the upper tray to rotate the lower tray relative to the upper tray. A rotation guide part rounded with a predetermined curvature is disposed in a region where the lower tray contacts the upper tray while the lower tray is rotated. | 04-04-2013 |
20130174587 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ICEMAKER FOR REFRIGERATOR - The present invention relates to a method of controlling an icemaker for a refrigerator, and more particularly to a method of controlling an icemaker for a refrigerator which can automatically determine a water shortage situation during water supplying, ice making, and ice separating processes of the icemaker, can prevent production of imperfect ice pieces, and can solve an ice separating defect, thereby smoothly performing an operation of the icemaker. | 07-11-2013 |
20130239594 | ICE MAKER WITH SELF-REGULATING ICE MOLD & METHOD OF OPERATING SAME - An ice maker of a domestic refrigerator that includes an ice mold having an electrically-conductive polymeric body and a plurality of cavities defined in the polymeric body. Each cavity is sized to receive a quantity of fluid corresponding to a single ice cube. A pair of electrodes is engaged with a bottom surface of the polymeric body. The polymeric body has a first electrical conductivity at a first operating temperature and a second electrical conductivity that is less than the first electrical conductivity at a second operating temperature. The second operating temperature is greater than the first operating temperature. | 09-19-2013 |
20140137577 | ICE CUBE RELEASE AND RAPID FREEZE USING FLUID EXCHANGE APPARATUS AND METHODS - An ice piece release and formation system (and associated methods) including a chilled compartment, a warm section, a tray in thermal communication with the chilled compartment, and a reservoir assembly in thermal communication with the warm section. The tray includes ice piece-forming receptacles and a cavity in thermal communication with the receptacles. The reservoir assembly includes chambers in fluid communication with the cavity and a driving body for moving the chambers. The system further includes a heat-exchanging fluid that resides in the chambers and the cavity of the tray. The driving body and the reservoir assembly are further adapted to move each of the chambers to a position above the cavity, and the other of the chambers to a position below the cavity, such that the fluid within the chamber positioned above the cavity flows into the cavity. | 05-22-2014 |
20140182315 | ICEMAKER AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - An icemaker includes an ice tray configured to receive water, an ejector configured to rotate to eject ice made in the ice tray, and a heater arranged to contact the ice tray and configured to facilitate separation of ice from the ice tray by selectively heating the ice tray. The icemaker also includes a case mounted to a side of the ice tray and a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor mounted in the case and configured to selectively rotate the ejector in forward and reverse directions. | 07-03-2014 |
20140202181 | ICE MAKER - A stand alone ice making appliance or an ice maker within an appliance is provided including a fluid supply inlet, a fluid reservoir that is configured to receive a fluid from the fluid supply inlet, a cooling plate that is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, a refrigeration device in thermal contact with the cooling plate that is configured to freeze a predetermined amount of fluid to form a section of ice, a cutter grid configured adjacent the cooling plate to divide the section of ice, wherein at least a portion of the ice produces an excess fluid, an ice storage area in communication with the cutter grid where the storage area has at least one vertical wall, and a fluid diverter configured adjacent the cutter grid that is configured to direct the excess fluid toward the at least one vertical wall. | 07-24-2014 |
20150075191 | ICE CUBE RELEASE AND RAPID FREEZE USING FLUID EXCHANGE APPARATUS AND METHODS - An ice piece release system that includes a chilled compartment set at a temperature below 0° C., a warm section at a temperature above 0° C., and a tray in thermal communication with the chilled compartment. The tray includes a plurality of ice piece-forming receptacles and a cavity in thermal communication with the receptacles. The ice piece release system also includes a primary reservoir assembly in thermal communication with the warm section and fluid communication with the cavity of the tray. The ice piece release system further includes a heat-exchanging fluid having a freezing point below that of water, and the fluid resides in the primary reservoir assembly and the cavity of the tray. The primary reservoir assembly is further adapted to move at least a portion of the heat-exchanging fluid in the reservoir assembly into the cavity. | 03-19-2015 |
20160116200 | EVAPORATOR ASSEMBLY FOR ICE-MAKING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An evaporator assembly for an ice-making apparatus having a vertical, substantially flat freeze surface, a refrigerant circuit, and a freeze template. The freeze template is thermally coupled between the freeze surface and the refrigerant circuit, and is formed of a plurality of regions arranged in a plane and interconnected by strips having a smaller dimension in the plane than the regions. Interface locations between the freeze template and the freeze surface define where on the freeze surface ice is to be formed. During a freeze cycle, expanded refrigerant is passed through the refrigerant circuit, and water is run over the freeze surface. During a harvest cycle, compressed refrigerant is passed through the refrigerant circuit, wherein heat transfers from the refrigerant circuit to the freeze surface until the freeze surface is warmed to a temperature sufficient to allow ice formed on the freeze surface to fall from the freeze surface by a force of gravity. | 04-28-2016 |