U.S. patent application number 15/055695 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-31 for stand-alone ice making appliances.
The applicant listed for this patent is General Electric Company. Invention is credited to William Everette Gardner, Joel Erik Hitzelberger, Brent Alden Junge.
Application Number | 20170248357 15/055695 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59679452 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170248357 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gardner; William Everette ;
et al. |
August 31, 2017 |
Stand-Alone Ice Making Appliances
Abstract
A stand-alone ice making appliance includes a container defining
a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a water tank defining a
second storage volume for receipt of water, and a pump in fluid
communication with the second storage volume. The appliance
includes a reservoir defining a third storage volume, the third
storage volume in fluid communication with the pump for receiving
water that is actively flowed from the water tank. The appliance
includes an ice maker which is in fluid communication with the
third storage volume for receiving water from the reservoir, the
ice maker including a sealed refrigeration system in thermal
communication with the casing. The appliance includes a chute
extending between the ice maker and the container for directing ice
produced by the ice maker towards the first storage volume. The
appliance includes a heating element, the heating element
activatable to heat the casing.
Inventors: |
Gardner; William Everette;
(Louisville, KY) ; Hitzelberger; Joel Erik;
(Louisville, KY) ; Junge; Brent Alden;
(Evansville, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
General Electric Company |
Schenectady |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59679452 |
Appl. No.: |
15/055695 |
Filed: |
February 29, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 5/08 20130101; F25C
2600/04 20130101; F25C 2400/12 20130101; F25C 5/185 20130101; F25C
1/147 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25C 1/14 20060101
F25C001/14; F25C 5/08 20060101 F25C005/08; F25C 5/18 20060101
F25C005/18 |
Claims
1. A stand-alone ice making appliance, comprising: a container
defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice; a water tank,
the water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of
water; a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume
for actively flowing water from the water tank; a reservoir
defining a third storage volume, the third storage volume in fluid
communication with the pump for receiving water that is actively
flowed from the water tank; an ice maker, the ice maker comprising
an auger at least partially surrounded by a casing, the casing in
fluid communication with the third storage volume for receiving
water from the reservoir, the ice maker further comprising a sealed
refrigeration system in thermal communication with the casing; a
chute extending between the ice maker and the container for
directing ice produced by the ice maker towards the first storage
volume; and a heating element, the heating element activatable to
heat the casing.
2. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, further
comprising a controller in operative communication with the pump
and the heating element.
3. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 2, wherein the
controller is configured to activate the heating element based on a
user input to the controller.
4. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 3, wherein the
user input is a storage preparation mode instruction.
5. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 4, wherein upon
activation in the storage preparation mode, the heating element is
activated for a time period of between 45 minutes and 2 hours.
6. The stand-along ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the
heating element is in contact with an outer surface of the
casing.
7. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the
water tank is disposed below the container along a vertical
direction.
8. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the ice
maker further comprises an extruder.
9. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the
sealed refrigeration system comprises a compressor, a condenser, a
throttling device, and an evaporator, and wherein the evaporator at
least partially surrounds the casing.
10. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the
container is removable.
11. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein ice
within the first storage volume is maintained at a temperature
greater than thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit.
12. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein ice
within the first storage volume is maintained at a temperature
greater than forty degrees Fahrenheit.
13. A stand-alone ice making appliance, comprising: a removable
container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice; a
water tank, the water tank defining a second storage volume for
receipt of water and disposed below the container along a vertical
direction; a pump in fluid communication with the second storage
volume for actively flowing water from the water tank; a reservoir
defining a third storage volume, the third storage volume in fluid
communication with the pump for receiving water that is actively
flowed from the water tank; an ice maker, the ice maker comprising
a sealed refrigeration system; and a chute extending between the
ice maker and the container for directing ice produced by the ice
maker towards the first storage volume; and a heating element, the
heating element activatable to heat the ice maker, wherein ice
within the first storage volume is maintained at a temperature
greater than thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit.
14. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 13, wherein the
ice maker further comprises an auger at least partially surrounded
by a casing, the casing in fluid communication with the third
storage volume for receiving water from the reservoir, and wherein
the heating element is activatable to heat the casing.
15. The stand-along ice making appliance of claim 14, wherein the
heating element is in contact with an outer surface of the
casing.
16. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 13, wherein the
ice maker further comprises an extruder.
17. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 13, further
comprising a controller in operative communication with the pump
and the heating element.
18. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 17, wherein the
controller is configured to activate the heating element based on a
user input to the controller.
19. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 18, wherein the
user input is an storage preparation mode instruction.
20. The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 19, wherein upon
activation in the storage preparation mode, the heating element is
activated for a time period of between 45 minutes and 2 hours.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to stand-alone
ice making appliances and in exemplary embodiments to stand-alone
ice making appliances which produce nugget ice.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Ice makers generally produce ice for the use of consumers,
such as in drinks being consumed, for cooling foods or drinks to be
consumed and/or for other various purposes. Certain refrigerator
appliances include ice makers for producing ice. The ice maker can
be positioned within the appliances' freezer chamber and direct ice
into an ice bucket where it can be stored within the freezer
chamber. Such refrigerator appliances can also include a dispensing
system for assisting a user with accessing ice produced by the
refrigerator appliances' ice maker. However, the incorporation of
ice makers into refrigerator appliance can have drawbacks, such as
limits on the amount of ice that can be produced and the reliance
on the refrigeration system of the refrigerator appliance to form
the ice.
[0003] Recently, stand-alone ice makers have been developed. These
ice makers are separate from refrigerator appliances and provide
independent ice supplies. However, many stand-alone ice makers
require a connection to the plumbing of the dwelling where the ice
maker resides, in order to have access to a water supply.
Additionally, many stand-alone ice makers do not allow for removal
of the ice bucket, instead requiring that ice be scooped from the
bucket for use. Further, typical stand-alone ice makers are
expensive, to the point of being cost-prohibitive to the typical
consumer.
[0004] Still further, a concern with many presently known
stand-alone ice makers is the lack of features for cleaning the ice
makers, such as in preparation for storage (i.e. seasonal storage,
long term storage, etc.). This can result in the ice makers being
stored with excess moisture in various of their components, which
can undesirably lead to mold and other contaminates forming during
storage.
[0005] Accordingly, improved stand-alone ice makers are desired in
the art. In particular, cost-effective stand-alone ice makers which
address various of the above issues would be advantageous.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in
part in the following description, or may be apparent from the
description, or may be learned through practice of the
invention.
[0007] In accordance with one embodiment, a stand-alone ice making
appliance is provided. The appliance includes a container defining
a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a water tank, the water
tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water, and a
pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume for
actively flowing water from the water tank. The appliance further
includes a reservoir defining a third storage volume, the third
storage volume in fluid communication with the pump for receiving
water that is actively flowed from the water tank. The appliance
further includes an ice maker, the ice maker including an auger at
least partially surrounded by a casing, the casing in fluid
communication with the third storage volume for receiving water
from the reservoir, the ice maker further including a sealed
refrigeration system in thermal communication with the casing. The
appliance further includes a chute extending between the ice maker
and the container for directing ice produced by the ice maker
towards the first storage volume. The appliance further includes a
heating element, the heating element activatable to heat the
casing.
[0008] In accordance with another embodiment, a stand-alone ice
making appliance is provided. The appliance includes a removable
container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a
water tank, the water tank defining a second storage volume for
receipt of water and disposed below the container along a vertical
direction, and a pump in fluid communication with the second
storage volume for actively flowing water from the water tank. The
appliance further includes a reservoir defining a third storage
volume, the third storage volume in fluid communication with the
pump for receiving water that is actively flowed from the water
tank. The appliance further includes an ice maker, the ice maker
including a sealed refrigeration system. The appliance further
includes a chute extending between the ice maker and the container
for directing ice produced by the ice maker towards the first
storage volume. The appliance further includes a heating element,
the heating element activatable to heat the ice maker. Ice within
the first storage volume is maintained at a temperature greater
than thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit.
[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stand-alone ice making
appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective sectional view of a stand-alone ice
making appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view (with a casing removed) of
a stand-alone ice making appliance in accordance with one
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a rear sectional view of a stand-alone ice making
appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure; and
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a stand-alone ice making
appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a stand-alone ice
making appliance 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is
illustrated. As shown, appliance 10 includes an outer casing 12
which generally at least partially houses various other components
of the appliance therein 10. A container 14 is also illustrated.
Container 14 defines a first storage volume 16 for the receipt and
storage of ice 18 therein. A user of the appliance 10 may access
ice 18 within the container 14 for consumption or other uses.
Container 14 may include one or more sidewalls 20 and a base wall
22 (see FIG. 2), which may together define the first storage volume
16. In exemplary embodiments, at least one sidewall 20 may be
formed from a clear, see-through (i.e. transparent or translucent)
material, such as a clear glass or plastic, such that a user can
see into the first storage volume 16 and thus view ice 18 therein.
Further, in exemplary embodiments, container 14 may be removable,
such as from the outer casing 12, by a user. This facilitates easy
access by the user to ice within the container 14 and further, for
example, may provide access to a water tank 24 (see FIG. 2) of the
appliance 10.
[0018] Appliances 10 in accordance with the present disclosure are
advantageously stand-alone appliances, and thus are not connected
to refrigerators or other appliances. Additionally, in exemplary
embodiments, such appliances are not connected to plumbing or
another water source that is external to the appliance 10, such as
a refrigerator water source. Rather, in exemplary embodiments,
water is initially supplied to the appliance 10 manually by a user,
such as by pouring water into water tank 24.
[0019] Notably, appliances 10 as discussed herein include various
features which allow the appliances 10 to be affordable and
desirable to typical consumers. For example, the stand-alone
feature reduces the cost associated with the appliance 10 and
allows the consumer to position the appliance 10 at any suitable
desired location, with the only requirement in some embodiments
being access to an electrical source. The removable container 14
allows easy access to ice and allows the container 14 to be moved
to a different position from the remainder of the appliance 10 for
ice usage purposes. Additionally, in exemplary embodiments as
discussed herein, appliance 10 is configured to make nugget ice (as
discussed herein) which is becoming increasingly popular with
consumers.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, various other components of
appliances 10 in accordance with the present disclosure are
illustrated. For example, as mentioned, appliance 10 includes a
water tank 24. The water tank 24 defines a second storage volume 26
for the receipt and holding of water. Water tank 24 may include one
or more sidewalls 28 and a base wall 30 which may together define
the second storage volume 26. In exemplary embodiments, the water
tank 24 may be disposed below the container 14 along a vertical
direction V defined for the appliance 10, as shown.
[0021] As discussed, in exemplary embodiments, water is provided to
the water tank 24 for use in forming ice. Accordingly, appliance 10
may further include a pump 32. Pump 32 may be in fluid
communication with the second storage volume 26. For example, water
may be flowable from the second storage volume 26 through an
opening 31 defined in the water tank 24, such as in a sidewall 28
thereof, and may flow through a conduit to and through pump 32.
Pump 32 may, when activated, actively flow water from the second
storage volume 26 therethrough and from the pump 32.
[0022] Water actively flowed from the pump 32 may be flowed (for
example through a suitable conduit) to a reservoir 34. For example,
reservoir 34 may define a third storage volume 36, which may be
defined by one or more sidewalls 38 and a base wall 40. Third
storage volume 36 may, for example, be in fluid communication with
the pump 32 and may thus receive water that is actively flowed from
the water tank 24, such as through the pump 32. For example, water
may be flowed into the third storage volume 36 through an opening
42 defined in the reservoir 34.
[0023] Reservoir 34 and third storage volume 36 thereof may receive
and contain water to be provided to an ice maker 50 for the
production of ice. Accordingly, third storage volume 36 may be in
fluid communication with ice maker 50. For example, water may be
flowed, such as through opening 44 and through suitable conduits,
from third storage volume 36 to ice maker 50.
[0024] Ice maker 50 generally receives water, such as from
reservoir, and freezes the water to form ice 18. While any suitable
style of ice maker is within the scope and spirit of the present
disclosure, in exemplary embodiments, ice maker 50 is a nugget ice
maker, and in particular is an auger-style ice maker. As shown, ice
maker 50 may include a casing 52 into which water from third
storage volume 36 is flowed. Casing 52 is thus in fluid
communication with third storage volume 36. For example, casing 52
may include one or more sidewalls 54 which may define an interior
volume 56, and an opening 58 may be defined in a sidewall 54. Water
may be flowed from third storage volume 36 through the opening 58
(such as via a suitable conduit) into the interior volume 56.
[0025] As illustrated, an auger 60 may be disposed at least
partially within the casing 52. During operation, the auger 60 may
rotate. Water within the casing 52 may at least partially freeze
due to heat exchange, such as with a refrigeration system as
discussed herein. The at least partially frozen water may be lifted
by the auger 60 from casing 52. Further, in exemplary embodiments,
the at least partially frozen water may be directed by auger 60 to
and through an extruder 62. The extruder 62 may extrude the at
least partially frozen water to form ice, such as nuggets of ice
18.
[0026] Formed ice 18 may be provided by the ice maker 50 to
container 14, and may be received in the first storage volume 16
thereof. For example, ice 18 formed by auger 60 and/or extruder 62
may be provide to the container 14. In exemplary embodiments,
appliance 10 may include a chute 70 for directing ice 18 produced
by the ice maker 50 towards the first storage volume 16. For
example, as shown, chute 70 is generally positioned above container
14 along the vertical direction V. Thus, ice can slide off of chute
70 and drop into storage volume 16 of container 14. Chute 70 may,
as shown, extend between ice maker 50 and container 14, and may
include a body 72 which defines a passage 74 therethrough. Ice 18
may be directed from the ice maker 50 (such as from the auger 60
and/or extruder 62) through the passage 74 to the container 14. In
some embodiments, for example, a sweep 64, which may for example be
connected to and rotate with the auger, may contact the ice
emerging through the extruder 62 from the auger 60 and direct the
ice through the passage 74 to the container 14.
[0027] As discussed, water within the casing 52 may at least
partially freeze due to heat exchange, such as with a refrigeration
system. In exemplary embodiments, ice maker 50 may include a sealed
refrigeration system 80. The sealed refrigeration system 80 may be
in thermal communication with the casing 52 to remove heat from the
casing 52 and interior volume 56 thereof, thus facilitating
freezing of water therein to form ice. Sealed refrigeration system
80 may, for example, include a compressor 82, a condenser 84, a
throttling device 86 and an evaporator 88. Evaporator 88 may, for
example, be in thermal communication with the casing 52 in order to
remove heat from the interior volume 56 and water therein during
operation of sealed system 80. For example, evaporator 88 may at
least partially surround the casing 52. In particular, evaporator
88 may be a conduit coiled around and in contact with casing 52,
such as the sidewall(s) 54 thereof. During operation of sealed
system 80, refrigerant exits evaporator 88 as a fluid in the form
of a superheated vapor. Upon exiting evaporator 88, the refrigerant
enters compressor 82 wherein the pressure and temperature of the
refrigerant are increased such that the refrigerant becomes a
higher pressure superheated vapor. The superheated vapor from
compressor 82 enters condenser 84 wherein energy is transferred
therefrom and condenses into a saturated liquid and/or liquid vapor
mixture. This fluid exits condenser 84 and travels through
throttling device 86 that is configured for regulating a flow rate
of refrigerant therethrough. Upon exiting throttling device 86, the
pressure and temperature of the refrigerant drop at which time the
refrigerant enters evaporator 88 and the cycle repeats itself. In
certain exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 5, throttling
device 86 may be a capillary tube. Notably, in some embodiments,
sealed system 80 may additionally include fans (not shown) for
facilitating heat transfer to/from the condenser 84 and evaporator
88.
[0028] As discussed, in exemplary embodiments, ice 18 may be nugget
ice. Nugget ice is ice that that is maintained or stored (i.e. in
first storage volume 16 of container 14) at a temperature greater
than the melting point of water or greater than about thirty-two
degrees Fahrenheit. Accordingly, the ambient temperature of the
environment surrounding the container 14 may be at a temperature
greater than the melting point of water or greater than about
thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit. In some embodiments, such
temperature may be greater than forty degrees Fahrenheit, greater
than fifty degrees Fahrenheit, or greater than 60 degrees
Fahrenheit.
[0029] Ice 18 held within the first storage volume 16 may gradually
melt. The melting speed is increased for nugget ice due to the
increased maintenance/storage temperature. Accordingly, drain
features may advantageously be provided in the container for
draining such melt water. Additionally, and advantageously, the
melt water may in exemplary embodiments be reused by appliance 10
to form ice.
[0030] For example, in some embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 5, a
drain aperture 90 may be defined in the base wall 22. Drain
aperture 90 may allow water to flow from the first storage volume
16 and container 14 generally. Further, in exemplary embodiments,
water flowing from the first storage volume 16 and container 14
may, due to gravity and the vertical alignment of the container 14
of water tank 24, flow into the second storage volume 26.
[0031] In exemplary embodiments, appliance 10 may further include a
controller 110. Controller 110 may, for example, be configured to
operate the appliance 10 based on, for example, user inputs to the
appliance 10 (such as to a user interface 124 (see FIG. 1)
thereof), inputs from various sensors disposed within the appliance
10, and/or other suitable inputs. User interface 124 may, for
example, include one or more switches, buttons, touch screens
and/or other features that allow a user to transmit signals to the
controller 110 to control operation of the appliance 10. Controller
110 may for example include one or more memory devices and one or
more microprocessors, such as general or special purpose
microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or
micro-control code associated with appliance 10 operation. The
memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read
only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor
executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may
be a separate component from the processor or may be included
onboard within the processor.
[0032] In exemplary embodiments, controller 110 may be in operative
communication with the pump 32. Such operative communication may be
via a wired or wireless connection, and may facilitate the
transmittal and/or receipt of signals by the controller 110 and
pump 32. Controller 110 may be configured to activate the pump 32
to actively flow water. For example, controller 110 may activate
the pump 32 to actively flow water therethrough when, for example,
reservoir 34 requires water. A suitable sensor(s), for example, may
be provided in the third storage volume 36. The sensor(s) may be in
operative communication with the controller 110 may transmit
signals to the controller 110 which indicate whether or not
additional water is desired in the reservoir 34. When controller
110 receives a signal that water is desired, controller 110 may
send a signal to pump 32 to activate that pump.
[0033] It should additionally be noted that, in exemplary
embodiments, controller 110 may be in operative communication with
the sealed system 80, such as with the compressor 82 thereof, and
may activate the sealed system 80 as desired or required for ice
making purposes.
[0034] In exemplary embodiments, appliance 10 further includes a
heating element 120. The heating element 120 may, when activated,
emit heat to heat various components of the appliance 10. In
particular, as discussed herein, heating element 120 may be
utilized to evaporate excess water in various components of the
heating element 120, such as in preparation for storage of the
appliance 10. Such evaporation may advantageously reduce or
eliminate the risk of mold and/or other contaminates forming in the
appliance 10, and in particular in the ice maker 50 and casing 52
thereof, during such storage.
[0035] As illustrated, the heating element 120 may be activatable
to heat the ice maker 50, and particularly the casing 52 thereof.
The heating element 120 may be in contact with a component of the
ice maker 50, such as the casing 52, to facilitate such heating
when activated. For example, the heating element 120 may be in
contact with an outer surface 122 of the casing 52. When activated,
heat emitted from the heating element 120 may be transferred to the
outer surface 122 and casing 52 generally, heating the casing 52
and ice maker 50 generally.
[0036] In exemplary embodiments, the heating element 120 may be a
resistive heating element 120, and may be in the form of a wire or
ribbon. The heating element 120 may thus, for example, be wrapped
in a generally helical fashion around the outer surface 122 of the
casing 52. Alternatively, other suitable heating elements which
generate heat when activated may be utilized. Heating elements in
accordance with the present disclosure may be formed from metals,
ceramics, polymers, composites, or other suitable materials as
desired.
[0037] Controller 110 may be in operative communication with the
heating element 120. Such operative communication may be via a
wired or wireless connection, and may facilitate the transmittal
and/or receipt of signals by the controller 110 and heating element
120. Controller 110 may be configured to activate the heating
element 120 to emit heat, and to for example heat the ice maker 50
generally and in exemplary embodiments the casing 52.
[0038] In exemplary embodiments, controller 110 may be configured
to activate the heating element 120 based on one or more user
inputs to the controller 110, such as through user interface 124.
For example, a user may interact with the user interface 124 to
instruct the controller 110 to activate the heating element 120 as
desired. Further, in some embodiments, a user may interact with the
user interface 124 to instruct the controller 110 to deactivate the
heating element 120 as desired. User interaction with the user
interface 124 may involve pressing a particular button/touchscreen
area or combination of buttons/touchscreen areas or another
suitable manual input to the user interface 124.
[0039] Additionally or alternatively, the controller 110 may
automatically deactivate the heating element 120 after prior
activation and after a particular time period, such as
predetermined time period stored in the controller 110, has passed.
Additionally or alternatively, the controller 110 may automatically
activate the heating element 120 if/when particular conditions are
met. For example, a temperature sensor disposed on and/or within
the ice maker 50, such as on and/or within the casing 52, may
measure temperatures within the ice maker 50 and specifically the
casing 52. If, for example, such temperature is below a
predetermined threshold, the controller 110 may activate the
heating element 120 to raise the temperature, such as to above the
predetermined threshold. This may, for example, facilitate
continued production of nugget ice and reduce/prevent the risk of
excess freezing conditions within the casing 52.
[0040] In exemplary embodiments, a user input to the controller 110
which causes activation of the heating element 120 may be a storage
preparation mode instruction. This instruction may be input by the
user via, for example, pressing a particular button/touchscreen
area or combination of buttons/touchscreen areas or another
suitable manual input to the user interface 124. Such user input of
the storage preparation mode instruction may cause the controller
110 to activate the heating element 120 in a particular manner
which prepares the appliance 10 for storage, i.e. a condition in
which the appliance 10 is not utilized for a relatively extended
period of time. Such extended period of time may, for example, be a
time during which moisture in the appliance 10 could potential
cause the growth of mold and/or other contaminates in the appliance
10.
[0041] When activated in the storage preparation mode, the heating
element 120 may be activated for a predetermined period of time. In
general, the predetermined period of time may be a time period
sufficient to cause evaporation of moisture from the ice maker 50,
and in particular from within the casing 52. For example, the
predetermined period of time may be a time period of between 45
minutes and 2 hours, such as between 55 minutes and 1 hour 45
minutes, such as between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes. In exemplary
embodiments, the heating element 120 may be automatically
deactivated by the controller 110 upon expiration of the
predetermined time period.
[0042] In exemplary embodiments, a user may activate the heating
element 120 in the storage preparation mode (such as via a user
input to the user interface 124 as discussed) after manually
draining the excess water from the appliance 10. Activation of the
heating element 120 in the storage preparation mode may
advantageously cause evaporation of remaining water after such
manual drainage is performed.
[0043] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
* * * * *