U.S. patent application number 12/148886 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-30 for ice machine with drain.
This patent application is currently assigned to SCOTSMAN ICE SYSTEMS LLC. Invention is credited to Michael J. Andresen, James C. Hand, Casimer S. Sowa.
Application Number | 20080264090 12/148886 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39875842 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080264090 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sowa; Casimer S. ; et
al. |
October 30, 2008 |
Ice machine with drain
Abstract
There is an ice machine. The machine has i) a cabinet, ii) an
icemaker adapted to making ice, iii) a bin situated in the cabinet
below the icemaker, (iv) a drawer positioned in the bin. The
icemaker is situated in the cabinet. The drawer is substantially
non-refrigerated and is adapted to being pulled at least partially
out of the cabinet. The drawer has an opening at the top thereof
such that ice can be removed directly or indirectly by hand and has
a drain therein to allow melt water to drain out.
Inventors: |
Sowa; Casimer S.; (Racine,
WI) ; Andresen; Michael J.; (Lake Villa, IL) ;
Hand; James C.; (Glen Ellyn, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Paul D. Greeley;Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero & Perle, L.L.P.
One Landmark Square, 10th Floor
Stamford
CT
06901-2682
US
|
Assignee: |
SCOTSMAN ICE SYSTEMS LLC
|
Family ID: |
39875842 |
Appl. No.: |
12/148886 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61062259 |
Jan 24, 2008 |
|
|
|
60925999 |
Apr 24, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/344 ;
312/330.1; 62/498 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 2500/06 20130101;
F25C 5/182 20130101; F25C 2700/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/344 ; 62/498;
312/330.1 |
International
Class: |
F25C 5/18 20060101
F25C005/18; F25B 1/00 20060101 F25B001/00; A47B 88/04 20060101
A47B088/04 |
Claims
1. An ice machine, comprising: i) a cabinet; ii) an icemaker
adapted to making ice, wherein the icemaker is situated in the
cabinet; iii) a bin situated in the cabinet below the icemaker; and
iii) a drawer positioned in the bin, the drawer adapted to receive
and retain the ice from the ice maker, wherein the drawer is
adapted to being pulled at least partially out of the cabinet,
wherein the drawer has an opening at the top thereof such that ice
can be removed directly or indirectly by hand, and wherein the
drawer has a drain therein to allow melt water to drain out.
2. The ice machine of claim 1, wherein the icemaker comprises a
compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator.
3. The ice machine of claim 1, wherein the drawer is substantially
non-refrigerated.
4. The ice machine of claim 1, wherein the drawer is at least
partially insulated.
5. The ice machine of claim 1, wherein the drain takes the form of
one or more orifices in the bin.
6. The ice machine of claim 1, wherein the drain takes the form of
an orifice in the bin, wherein the orifice is in communication with
a drainage hose.
7. The ice machine of claim 1, wherein the bin is at least
partially insulated, wherein the drain takes the form of one or
more orifices in the bin, and wherein the one or more orifices is
in communication with one or more drainage hoses.
8. The ice machine of claim 1, wherein the bin has a removable
liner situated therein, wherein the liner is adapted to receive and
retain the ice, wherein the liner and the drawer are positioned
with respect to each other as to define a cavity therebetween, and
wherein the liner has one or more orifices therein to allow melt
water to drain from the liner into the cavity.
9. The ice machine of claim 8, wherein the drawer is at least
partially insulated, wherein the drain takes the form of one or
more orifices in the drawer, and wherein the one or more orifices
in the bin is in communication with one or more drainage hoses.
10. An ice machine, comprising: i) a cabinet; ii) an icemaker
adapted to making ice, wherein the icemaker is situated in the
cabinet; iii) a bin situated in the cabinet below the icemaker; iv)
a drawer positioned in the bin, the drawer being adapted to being
pulled at least partially out of the bin, the drawer having an
interior therein, the drawer being adapted to receive and retain
the ice from the ice maker, the drawer defining an opening therein
such that ice can be removed directly or indirectly by hand, the
drawer having a drain therefrom to allow water to drain out, the
bin having a drain therefrom to allow water to drain out, the drain
from the bin having a valve therein substantially preventing the
backflow of water into the bin.
11. The ice machine of claim 10, further comprising a liner, the
liner being situated at least partly in the interior of the drawer
and at least generally conforming to the shape thereof, the liner
being removable from the drawer, the liner being adapted to receive
and retain the ice from the ice maker, the liner defining an
opening therein such that ice can be removed directly or indirectly
by hand, the liner having at least one orifice therein providing a
passage for melt water from the liner to a cavity between the liner
and the drawer.
12. The ice machine of claim 10, wherein the drawer is positioned
in the bin such that a cavity is defined therebetween.
13. The ice machine of claim 10, wherein the drawer has a drain
therethrough that takes the form of a valve that opens when the
drawer is in a resting position in the bin and closes to water flow
when the drawer is pulled from the resting position.
14. The ice machine of claim 13, wherein the valve in the liner is
a duckbill valve.
15. The ice machine of claim 13, wherein the valve in the liner is
a dome valve.
16. The ice machine of claim 10, wherein the valve in the drain
from the bin is a check valve.
17. The ice machine of claim 10, wherein the icemaker includes a
compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator.
18. The ice machine of claim 10, wherein the bin is at least
partially insulated.
19. The ice machine of claim 10, wherein the drain from the drawer
and the drain from the bin converge to a common drain having an
electric pump therein.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority based on U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/925,999, filed Apr. 24, 2007, and
61/062,259, filed Jan. 24, 2008, both of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an ice machine in which ice
can be removed without reaching into the ice machine. The present
invention further relates to an ice machine with a drawer for
provision of ice. The present invention still further relates to an
ice machine with a drawer that does not exhibit errant drainage
when electric power is shut off.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Ice machines have been employed in commercial and restaurant
applications to make clear, aesthetically attractive ice cubes that
are substantially pure and free of aftertaste associated with
mineral impurities normally found in water. After ice cubes are
formed in the icemaker, the cubes typically drop into a stationary
storage bin for storage and dispensing. The cubes are usually
removed from the storage bin by hand either directly or indirectly
with a scoop or other implement.
[0006] For convenience sake, it would be desirable to have an ice
machine in which removal of ice would not require reaching into the
machine. However, storage of or otherwise making ice available
outside of the ice machine is problematic because of water drainage
associated with the melting of ice.
[0007] Some ice machines that do not have ready access to an
exterior drain for disposal of melt/waste water require the use of
an electric pump to provide mechanical assistance for more distant
disposal. In electric power outages, melt/waste water can back up
into the ice machine. If the storage bin is stationary, the
melt/waste water backs up and accumulates in the storage bin.
Accumulation of melt/waste water in the storage bin normally does
not result in unusual problems.
[0008] Some ice machines that do not have ready access to an
exterior drain for disposal of melt/waste water require the use of
an electric pump to provide mechanical assistance for more distant
disposal. In electric power outages, melt/waste water can back up
into the ice machine. If the storage bin is stationary, the
melt/waste water backs up and accumulates in the storage bin.
Accumulation of melt/waste water in the storage bin normally does
not result in unusual problems.
[0009] It would be desirable to have an ice machine with an
effective drain system for melt water and waste water. It would
further be desirable to have an ice machine with a drawer with an
effective drain system for melt/waste water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided an ice
machine. The machine has i) a cabinet, ii) an icemaker adapted to
making ice, iii) a bin situated in the cabinet below the icemaker,
(iv) a drawer positioned in the bin. The icemaker is situated in
the cabinet. The drawer is substantially non-refrigerated and is
adapted to being pulled at least partially out of the cabinet. The
drawer has an opening at the top thereof such that ice can be
removed directly or indirectly by hand and has a drain therein to
allow melt water to drain out.
[0011] Further according to the present invention, there is
provided an ice machine. The machine has i) a cabinet, ii) an
icemaker, iii) a storage bin, and iv) a drawer. The icemaker is
adapted to making ice and is situated in the cabinet. The bin is
situated in the cabinet below the icemaker. The drawer is
positioned in the bin. The drawer is adapted to being pulled at
least partially out of the bin. The drawer has an interior therein.
The drawer being adapted to receive and retain the ice from the
icemaker. The drawer defines an opening therein such that ice can
be removed directly or indirectly by hand. The drawer has a drain
therefrom to allow water to drain out. The bin has a drain
therefrom to allow water to drain out. The drain from the bin has a
valve therein substantially preventing the backflow of water into
the bin.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an ice
machine in accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of another embodiment of an ice
machine in accordance with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side, cutaway, cross-sectional view of the ice
machine of FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a front view of another embodiment of an ice
machine in accordance with the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side, cutaway, cross-sectional view of the ice
machine of FIG. 4.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a front view of another embodiment of an ice
machine in accordance with the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another ice machine
according to the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the ice machine of
FIG. 7 with the drawer and door in closed position.
[0020] FIG. 9 shows a perspective, cutaway, cross-sectional view of
the ice machine of FIG. 8 along line 9-9.
[0021] FIG. 10 shows a cutaway, cross-sectional view of a portion
of the ice machine of FIG. 8 along line 9-9 in the vicinity of a
duckbill valve.
[0022] FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of a duckbill valve.
[0023] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the components of a check
valve.
[0024] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a retaining cap of the
check valve of FIG. 12.
[0025] FIG. 14 shows a top view of an elbow of the check valve of
FIG. 12.
[0026] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the check valve of FIG.
12.
[0027] FIG. 16 shows a side view of a rim of the retaining cap of
the check valve of FIG. 13.
[0028] FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional view of a cylinder portion
of the retaining collar of the elbow of the check valve of FIG. 12
taken along line 17-17.
[0029] FIG. 18 is a side view of the elbow of the check valve of
FIG. 12.
[0030] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the elbow of the check
valve of FIG. 14 along line 14-14.
[0031] FIG. 20 is a side, cutaway, cross-sectional view of a
portion of the ice machine of FIG. 8 along line 9-9 in the vicinity
of the duckbill valve and the check valve.
[0032] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing components of the ice
machine of the ice machine of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] The ice machine preferably takes the general shape or form
of an upright cabinet. The cabinet may be configured to stand alone
or be built in to a kitchen or service area. Although the icemaker
may be situated anywhere in the ice machine, it is preferably
situated in the top or upper portion thereof so that ice may fall
into the storage bin via gravity.
[0034] The storage bin is adapted to receive and retain ice
produced in the ice maker. The bin is substantially
non-refrigerated and is in the nature of a drawer and is adapted to
being pulled at least partially out of the cabinet. It is preferred
that the bin be capable of being pulled only partly out of the
cabinet so that ice will not inadvertently be deposited behind the
bin when the bin is pulled out. The bin has an opening at the top
thereof such that ice can be removed directly by hand or indirectly
by a scoop or other implement. Preferably, the bin is entirely open
at the top thereof to ensure easy access.
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the bin is adapted to receive a
removable liner therein. The presence of a liner facilitates easy
removal and transport of the entire contents (ice) of the bin. The
liner and the bin are positioned with respect to each other as to
define a cavity therebetween. Typically and preferably, the cavity
will extend along substantially the entire length of the
undersurface of the liner. If desired, the cavity may also extend
up from the underside to extend along the sides of the liner. The
cavity functions to temporarily collect melt water from ice inside
the liner and to ensure that moisture is not trapped between the
liner and the bin. The cavity may be formed by any conventional
means known in the art, such as the placement of one or more
elevated spacers between the liner and the bin or design of the
contact surfaces of the liner and the bin such that the liner is
suspended inside of and above the bin.
[0036] The storage bin and liner each have drains therein to permit
melt water to drain out. The drains typically take the form of one
or more orifices or holes in the bottom of each. Drainage may be
unassisted, i.e., dependent on gravity, or be assisted by a pump.
Hoses may be connected to the orifices to assist in removal of melt
water. Hoses may be connected so as to be in communication with
orifices to assist in removal of melt water. Preferred ice machines
employ a pump, which typically is activated periodically for a few
seconds.
[0037] The storage bin is situated in the cabinet and has a drawer
positioned therein that is adapted to receive and retain ice
produced in the icemaker. The drawer is preferably substantially
non-refrigerated and can be pulled at least partially out of the
cabinet. It is preferred that the drawer be capable of being pulled
only partly out of the bin so that ice will not inadvertently be
deposited behind the drawer when the drawer is pulled out.
[0038] The drawer is adapted to receive a removable liner therein.
The presence of a liner facilitates easy removal and transport of
the entire contents (ice) of the drawer. The drawer has an interior
therein in which the liner is at least partly situated. The liner
and the drawer are preferably of the same general shape. The liner
has an opening in or is open at the top thereof so that ice can be
removed directly by hand or indirectly by a scoop or other
implement. Preferably, the drawer is entirely open at the top
thereof to ensure easy access.
[0039] The liner and the drawer are preferably positioned or
situated with respect to each other as to define a cavity
therebetween. Preferably, the cavity will extend along
substantially the entire length of the undersurface of the liner
between the liner and the drawer. If desired, the cavity may also
optionally further extend up from the underside of the liner along
the sides of the liner toward the top of the liner and the top of
the drawer.
[0040] The cavity between the liner and the drawer functions to
temporarily collect melt water from ice inside the liner and to
ensure that moisture is not trapped between the liner and the
drawer. The cavity may be formed by any conventional means known in
the art, such as the placement of one or more elevated spacers
between the liner and the drawer or design of the contact surfaces
of the liner and the drawer such that the liner is suspended inside
of and above the drawer. In a preferred design, the liner has two
or more outwardly protruding flanges or overhangs that are adapted
to be draped or hanged over upwardly disposed sides of the bin.
[0041] The cabinet has a door that secures entry therein. The door
may be of the drop-down type or an outwardly opening or
side-by-side type. A drop-down door is pivotally connected to
cabinet at the bottom. A side-by-side door is pivotally connected
to the cabinet vertically along the left or right face thereof. If
the door is of the drop-down type, the bin may optionally be
coupled with, i.e., connected to, the door such that the drawer is
pulled out of the cabinet when the door is opened and pushed into
the cabinet when the door is closed.
[0042] The storage bin and drawer each have drains therein or
therethrough to permit melt water to drain out. The drains
preferably take the form of one or more valves or orifices or holes
in the bottom of each. Drainage may be unassisted, i.e., dependent
on gravity, or be assisted by a pump. Hoses, pipe, or other conduit
may be connected to the valves or orifices to assist in removal of
melt water. Preferred ice machines employ a pump, which typically
is activated periodically for a few seconds.
[0043] The drawer preferably has a drain therethrough that takes
the form of a valve that opens when the bin is in a resting
position in the cabinet (pushed substantially all the way in the
cabinet) and closes to water flow when the bin is pulled from the
resting position. Preferred valves are duckbill valves and dome
valves.
[0044] The bin preferably has at least one drain therethrough that
has a valve therein substantially preventing the backflow of water
into the bin. A preferred valve is a check valve. The valve
substantially prevents water from backing up into the storage bin
and out the front of the ice machine in the event of a power outage
(when electric pump is inoperative).
[0045] The refrigeration means (icemaker) in the ice machine is of
the conventional type employed in commercial and restaurant ice
machines. A conventional icemaker typically has a compressor, a
condenser, an evaporator, and a refrigerant. The conventional
icemaker has two distinct cycles: freeze and harvest. Ice is formed
during the freeze cycle. Ice is released from the icemaker during
the harvest cycle.
[0046] During the freeze cycle, the compressor pumps refrigerant to
the evaporator, wherein expansion of the refrigerant absorbs heat
from the surroundings, creating a refrigerated surface(s). Water is
sprayed onto the refrigerated surface(s) to form ice. The
refrigerated surface(s) optionally takes the form of a plurality of
cube-shaped molds in which ice cubes are formed. The water spraying
process forms ice with substantially reduced mineral/impurity
content as water with reduced mineral/impurity content is
selectively frozen while water carrying minerals/impurities falls
away without freezing. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the
refrigerated surface(s) and is warmed. The compressor pumps the
warmed refrigerant to the condenser where the refrigerant is
cooled. The cooled refrigerant is then recycled to the evaporator
to effect additional cooling. After sufficient ice has formed on
the refrigerated surface(s), the freeze cycle stops and the harvest
cycle begins.
[0047] During the harvest cycle, the refrigerated surface(s) are
warmed via circulation of hot gases or liquids. A thin layer at the
surface of the ice melts and the ice falls from the refrigerated
surface(s) into the storage bin. The bin it usually insulated to
reduce heat infiltration therein but is substantially
non-refrigerated. The bin is substantially non-refrigerated to
prevent pieces, e.g., cubes, of ice from freezing together or
clumping. The temperature in the bin is normally cool but above the
freezing temperature of water. The cool temperature is maintained
by absorption of heat by melting ice.
[0048] A preferred ice machine has sensors that automatically turn
off the icemaker when ice accumulation reaches a predetermined
level in the storage bin. The sensor may be any known in the art,
such as a thermostat or an ultrasonic device. An ultrasonic device
is preferred.
[0049] An embodiment of the ice machine of the present invention is
shown in FIG. 1 and represented by the numeral 10. Ice machine 10
has a cabinet 12, a door 14, a storage bin 16, and an icemaker 18.
Icemaker 18 is adapted to making ice (not shown). Bin 16 adapted to
receive and retain ice from icemaker 18. Icemaker 18 is situated in
cabinet 12 preferably in the upper portion thereof over bin 16. Bin
16 is substantially non-refrigerated and is in the nature or
general configuration of a drawer and is adapted to being pulled at
least partially out of cabinet 12, such as shown in FIG. 2. Bin 16
is open at the top thereof such that ice can be removed directly by
hand or indirectly by scoop or other implement. Bin 16 has an
orifice 24 therein to allow melt water to drain out. Melt water
drains through orifice 24 via gravity.
[0050] Another embodiment of an ice machine of the present
invention is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and is represented by the
numeral 80. Ice machine 80 has a cabinet 82, a door 84, a drawer
86, a storage bin 88, and an icemaker (not shown). The icemaker is
situated in the upper portion of cabinet 82 over drawer 86. Drawer
86 slides in and out of bin 88. FIG. 3 shows ice machine 80 of FIG.
2 with drawer 86 pulled out. Drawer 86 has an orifice 84
therethrough and bin 88 has an orifice 89 therethough. Melt water
drains out of orifice 84 into bin 88 and out of orifice 89.
[0051] Another embodiment of an ice machine of the present
invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and is represented by the
numeral 30. Ice machine 30 has a cabinet 32, a door 34, a drawer
36, a storage bin 38, and an icemaker (not shown). The icemaker is
situated in the upper portion of cabinet 32 over drawer 36. FIG. 4
shows ice machine 30 of FIG. 3 with drawer 36 pulled out. Drawer 36
slides in and out of bin 38. Drawer 36 has an orifice 44 therein to
allow melt water to drain out through a hose 48. Preferably, hose
48 is in communication with a pump (not shown) to facilitate
drainage of water through hose 48.
[0052] Another embodiment of an ice machine of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 6 and is represented by the numeral 60.
Ice machine 60 has a cabinet 62, a door 64, a drawer 66, a storage
bin 67, and an icemaker 68. Bin 67 has a removable liner 70 that is
normally situated therein but is shown pulled up from bin 66 to
show its features. Bin 67 and liner 70 have orifices therethrough
(not shown) to allow melt water to drain. Melt water drains out of
the orifice in drawer 66 into bin 67 and out the orifice
thereof.
[0053] Another embodiment of the ice machine of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 7 and represented by the numeral 90. Ice
machine 90 has a cabinet 92, a door 94, a drawer 96, a storage bin
97, an icemaker 98, and a liner 100. Icemaker 98 is adapted to
making ice (not shown). Liner 100 is adapted to be situated in
drawer 96 and is also adapted to receive and retain ice from
icemaker 98. Icemaker 98 is situated in cabinet 92 in the upper
portion thereof over drawer 96. Drawer 96 is adapted to being
pulled at least partially out of cabinet 92. Liner 100 is open at
the top thereof such that ice can be removed directly by hand or
indirectly by scoop or other implement. Liner 100 can also be
removed at will from drawer 16 to permit removal of the entire
contents (ice) of liner 100, if desired. Liner 100 is positioned
within drawer 96 so that a cavity 92 is defined therebetween
extending along the underside of liner 100. Liner 100 has one or
more orifices therein (not shown) to allow melt water to collect in
cavity 92. FIG. 9 shows a waste water pipe 94, which provides
passage for waste water from icemaker 98 in the upper portion of
cabinet 92 to a drain pipe 96. The functionality and components of
ice machine 90 of FIG. 7 is shown schematically in FIG. 8.
[0054] A duckbill valve 128 is shown in exploded detail in FIG. 11.
Duckbill valve 128 has a first member 30, a duckbill 132, a second
member 134, and a third member 136. Third member 136 has a
protruding conduit 138 therein visible in FIG. 10. Duckbill 132 is
composed of a rubberized, elastomeric, or flexible material and is
adapted to open to receive a protruding conduct 138 and is adapted
to close upon withdrawal of such conduit 138. First member 130,
duckbill 132, second member 134, and third member 136 fit together
to form duckbill valve 128. Duckbill valve 128 is shown in
cross-section in FIG. 10 in open position. Melt water passes
through duckbill valve 132 into pipe 24, which drains into pipe
126. Duckbill valve 128 opens, i.e., protruding conduit 138
protrudes through duckbill 132, when in open position. Melt water
from drawer 116 drains through the passageway formed by the
entirety of duckbill valve 128 when the bin is in a resting
position in cabinet 112 as shown in FIG. 10. When drawer 116 is
pulled out of cabinet 112, such as when the consumer pulls out
drawer 116 from its resting position to obtain ice, drawer 116 is
pulled from contact with protruding conduit 138 causing duckbill
132 to close, which closes or shuts off water drainage from cavity
122 into pipe 126. If desired, a dome valve (not shown) may be
substituted for duckbill valve 128. A preferred dome valve is of
substantially similar structure and functions in a substantially
similar matter as duckbill valve 128 except it has a dome in place
of duckbill 132.
[0055] A check valve 140 is shown in FIGS. 12 to 19 with three
primary components: a cap 142, a float 144, and an elbow 146. When
water backs up into check valve 140 (through the bottom of elbow
46), float 144 is subject to buoyancy forces and rises to block
orifice 148 in cap 42. The blocking of orifice 148 substantially
shuts off or prevents any backflow of water through check valve
140, and, concomitantly, backflow into bin 125. Check valve 140 is
shown positioned within a drain pipe 150 in FIG. 20. Drain pipe 150
collects water and/or condensate that collects in bin 125,
including in a cavity 23 between bin 125 and drawer 116.
[0056] It should be understood that the foregoing description is
only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives
and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art
without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present
invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives,
modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *