Ice machine with assisted harvest
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United States of America Patent
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Jan 27, 2004
Grant Date -
Mar 13, 2003
app pub date -
Sep 6, 2002
filing date -
Sep 12, 2001
priority date (Note) -
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Abstract
A method of making and harvesting ice cubes includes freezing water in an ice-forming mold having a back surface, an open front face and dividers mounted on the back surface forming pockets for the formation of individual ice cubes, the water also forming ice bridges between the ice formed in the pockets, thus forming a slab of ice cubes; heating the ice-forming mold to release the ice cubes from their individual pockets; and using pressurized fluid to push the frozen slab of ice cubes out of the ice-forming mold. An ice making machine for practicing the present invention preferably includes an air compressor to supply compressed air as the pressurized fluid. The compressed air is directed preferably through a plurality of holes in the back of the ice-forming mold. Weep holes in the dividers allow this pressurized air to migrate from these holes to the areas behind each of the pockets in the ice-forming mold, thus applying a uniform pressure over a large surface area to assist the slab of ice in releasing from the ice-forming mold. The assisted harvest greatly increases the energy efficiency of the ice machine.
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