Ice making method and apparatus
AssigneeBroad Research
InventorJohn A. Broadbent
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A machine or apparatus for producing ice cubes comprising flexible membranes which are flexed into and out of thermal contact with a refrigerated evaporator core upon which conductive areas define discrete freezing sites which determine the location on the flexible membrane where the ice cubes are formed. The ice cubes are removed by flexing the flexible membrane. The flexing of the flexible membranes into and out of contact with the evaporator core may be accomplished with a fluid source which applies fluid to and removes fluid from collapsible spaces between the evaporator core and the membranes.
Claims36
An apparatus for making ice from water comprising:
- a refrigerated element having at least two sides;
- at least one flexible ice forming membrane on each said side of the refrigerated element;
- and means for flexing said membranes into and out of contact with said sides of the refrigerated element whereby said ice forms on said membranes when said membranes are flexed into contact with said refrigerated element, and said ice is detached from said membranes when said membranes are flexed out of contact with said refrigerated element.
An apparatus for simultaneously making a plurality of pieces of ice from water, comprising:
- a refrigerated element having a side, the refrigerated element having a plurality of areas of high thermal conductivity separated from one another by insulation;
- a flexible ice forming membrane on said refrigerated element side;
- and means for flexing said membrane into and out of contact with said refrigerated element whereby ice forms on said membrane when said membrane is flexed into contact with said refrigerated element, and said ice is detached from said membrane when said membrane is flexed out of contact with said refrigerated element.
An apparatus for making ice comprising:
- refrigerated evaporator core;
- a frame surrounding said evaporator core;
- a first flexible sheet attached to said frame such that said evaporator core is sealed inside said frame and said sheet;
- a water circulating means for flowing water over said flexible sheet;
- and means for flexing said flexible sheet into and out of contact with said evaporator core whereby said ice forms on said flexible sheet when said flexible sheet is flexed into contact with said evaporator core, and said ice is detached from said flexible sheet when said flexible sheet is flexed out of contact with said evaporator core.
A cyclical method for making ice from water, comprising:
- flexing a first flexible sheet into contact with a first side of an evaporator core and flexing a second flexible sheet into contact with a second side of the evaporator core;
- flowing water over the flexible sheets to solidify the water into ice on the sheets;
- flexing the flexible sheet out of contact with the evaporator core to detach the ice from the sheet;
- and repeating said series of steps.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.