HK1127392B - Machine for producing ice - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine for the production of ice, comprises a tubular pipe to form the ice, covered by a refrigerator group evaporator, and having an auger inside to move the ice towards the delivery outlet, associated with a ring nut having a plurality of drawing holes arranged angularly spaced along a circumference, the delivery outlet of the tubular pipe is associated with the terminal inlet part of conveyor means of ice, having a substantially upward axial extension and a terminal outlet part positioned at a level substantially higher than the top of the machine.

Description

Machine for making ice

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a machine for making ice.

Background

Machines for the production of ice have been on the market for some time, of the type comprising a tubular duct for the formation of ice, which is wrapped by the evaporator of a refrigeration unit, the machine being internally provided with a screw conveyor for conveying the ice towards an output port, to which a ring nut pierced with an extraction hole is coupled.

In particular, the machine referred to herein is used for making small ice cubes, so-called "cubed ice" or "flake ice", or ice in granular or cube-like form.

One of the major problems with these machines is the need to position the machine in an easily accessible area for easy access to ice by the user without inconveniencing the machine installation site.

Typically, such machines are equipped with an external ice dispenser on one side, the machine itself being placed directly on the ground.

In this case, the user has to bend down to take the ice accumulated in the container at ground level, where it is easy to accumulate pollution and infectious agents and dust in the air.

For this reason, in order to facilitate the taking of the ice and to achieve better hygienic conditions, the machine is usually raised from the ground to a higher position, an external ice dispenser being positioned on the side or bottom of the machine.

In this case, the advantages of improved hygiene and standing ice are offset by the fact that the installation position of the machine often prevents passage and that a complex system must be provided to support the machine, so that suitable supports and a safe locking system must be foreseen, which are not required when the machine is simply placed on the ground.

When the machine is in a high position, all parts are not easily accessible to the user.

Disclosure of Invention

The technical task of the present invention is to make a machine for the production of ice that can solve the technical problems described in the prior art mentioned above.

Within the scope of the technical task of the present invention, one purpose of the present invention is to make a machine for the production of ice, the mounting and positioning of which allows easy inspection, maintenance, assembly, disassembly and cleaning of all the components of the machine, while allowing easy access to the ice dispenser by the user.

Another object of the present invention is to make a machine for the production of ice which allows to position the ice dispenser at the standing height of a regular person without complicating the structure of the machine and/or without requiring specific support structures for lifting the machine from the ground to a raised position.

Another object of the present invention is to make a machine for the production of ice that makes it possible to dispense the ice in a container whose position is protected from contamination and/or dust around the machine installation site.

Another object of the invention is also to provide a machine for making ice which is simple and economical to produce, although this is by no means the last object.

The technical task, as well as these and other objects of the present invention, are achieved by making a machine for making ice, of the type comprising a tubular duct for forming ice, said tubular duct being wrapped by an evaporator of a refrigeration unit, said machine having a screw conveyor for conveying the ice towards an output port incorporating a ring nut having a plurality of extraction holes angularly spaced along a circumferential direction, characterized in that: said outlet opening of said tubular duct is connected to the end of the inlet of said conveying device of ice, which has an axially elongated portion extending substantially upwards and an end of the outlet, said axially elongated portion and said end of the outlet being positioned substantially above said top of said machine.

Further, other features of the invention are defined in the appended claims.

DrawingsDescription of the invention

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a machine for the production of ice according to the invention, which is purely exemplary and not to be understood as limiting, in which:

figure 1 is a schematic view of a machine according to the present invention, in which a first and a second preferred and alternative embodiment of the means for forming externally delivered ice are shown in solid and broken lines, respectively;

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged axial cross-section of a detail of the machine of FIG. 1, wherein the transport device is connected to the machine;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged axial cross-sectional view of a detail of the delivery device output end; and

fig. 4 shows an enlarged axial cross-section of a detail of the elbow joint between the vertical and horizontal parts of the conveyor according to the second preferred embodiment.

Detailed Description

In the above figures, the machine for making ice is indicated by reference numeral 1.

The machine 1 is particularly intended for making "ice cubes", in other words for making cylindrical small ice cubes having a desired diameter.

The machine 1 comprises a tubular duct 2 for forming ice, said tubular duct 2 being enveloped by an evaporator 3 of a refrigeration unit (not shown), said machine 1 further comprising a screw conveyor 4 for conveying ice towards an output opening 5, the output opening 5 incorporating a ring nut 6, the ring nut 6 being provided with a plurality of extraction holes 7 angularly spaced along a circumferential direction.

The ring nut 6 comprises a central sleeve 19, in which central sleeve 19 the tip axial centre 20 of the screw conveyor 4 shaft is positioned and supported in a fixed position by means of swivel bearings 21 and 22, said swivel bearings 21 and 22 being located between the inner side surface of the central sleeve 19 of the ring nut 6 and the side surface of the tip axial centre 20 of the screw conveyor 4 shaft.

In particular, the bearings 21 and 22 are rollers with parallel axes of rotation and are each perpendicular to the axis of the screw conveyor 4.

A ring 23 is fixed to the top hub 20 of the auger 4 shaft by at least one screw 24 to hold the rotary bearings 21 and 22 in place.

Advantageously, the outlet 5 of the tubular duct 2 is open at the top 8 of the machine 1.

In particular, the tubular pipe 2 and the auger 4 positioned inside said pipe have a vertical axis.

Alternatively, it is also possible to position the auger 4 in a different direction and ensure that the outlet of the ice-forming tubular duct is positioned on the side of the machine.

The end portion of the outlet opening 5 of the tubular duct 2 is connected with the end portion of the inlet 9 of a suitable conveying device for ice, having an axial extension extending in a substantially upward direction.

The end portion of the outlet 10 of the conveying device is positioned substantially above the top 8 of the machine 1.

More precisely, the delivery device comprises a first longitudinal element 11 and a second longitudinal element 12, said first and second longitudinal elements 11 and 12 having at least one end portion coaxial with the tubular duct 2, in particular close to the tubular duct 2.

At least the second longitudinal element 12, preferably and the first longitudinal element 11, has a tubular cross section, preferably but not necessarily circular.

The first tubular longitudinal element 11 is positioned inside the second tubular longitudinal element 12, defining with the second longitudinal element 12 an annular gap 13 opposite the extraction hole 7, the small ice pieces 35 passing in said annular gap 13.

The radial length of the annular gap 13 is not less than the diameter of the outlet section of the extrusion extraction orifice 7.

By way of example, the radial length of the annular gap 13, i.e. the distance between the outer lateral surface of the first tubular element 11 and the inner lateral surface of the second tubular element 12, is preferably substantially equal to or in practice slightly greater than the diameter of the outlet section of the extraction hole 7.

The extraction holes 7 taper from their inlet section towards their outlet section until the desired value is reached.

In particular, the section of the extraction holes 7 remains constant in the outlet zone and tapers conically in the inlet zone superimposed on the annular gap between the tubular pipe 2 and the auger 4.

The machine 1 has a first connection part between the ring nut 6 and the first tubular element 11 and a second connection part between the ring nut 6 and the second tubular element 12.

Said first connection means comprise an annular groove 14 on the outer lateral surface of the first tubular element 11, said annular groove 14 being fitted with an extension 15 of a central sleeve 19 of the ring nut 6.

The outer lateral surface of the elongated portion 15 is substantially located on the extension of the outer lateral surface of the first tubular element 11, so that no discontinuous surface is formed on the sliding path of the ice.

In particular, the elongated portion 15 has a matching internal thread for coupling with the external thread of the first tubular element 11.

The second connection means comprise an annular shoulder 18 of the ring nut 6 for supporting the second tubular element 12.

The inside surface of this shoulder 18 is substantially located on the extension of the inside surface of the second tubular element 12, again ensuring that there is no discontinuous surface in the sliding path of the ice.

The connection area between the ring nut 6 and the conveyor is externally surrounded by a collector element 25 for collecting condensation water or melted ice.

At the bottom of the second outer tube 12 there is at least one hole 26 for draining the water into the collector element 25.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, instead of the usual single screw type, the screw conveyor 4 is of the double screw type to ensure a sufficiently strong mechanical thrust, since the ice produced in the machine must be conveyed along a path which is even quite long according to the requirements.

In the first preferred embodiment, the first and second tubular elements 11 and 12 are straight and vertically oriented.

In a second preferred embodiment, shown in broken lines, the first and second tubular elements 11 and 12 have at least one preferably right-angled elbow joint 27, said elbow joint 27 serving to connect the vertical portion 28, 29 located upstream and the horizontal portion 30, 31 located downstream.

The elbow joint 27 has an outer tubular shell 38 and a core 39, the outer tubular shell 38 and the core 39 forming an annular gap 40, the annular gap 40 being the same as the annular gap between the first and second tubular elements 11 and 12.

The terminal outlet portion of the first tubular element 11 has an ice crusher element 32, said ice crusher element 32 having in particular an inclined surface 41, which inclined surface 41 is inclined with respect to the axis of the first tubular element 11.

On the other hand, the distal outlet portion of the second tubular element 12 supports an ice crusher dispenser 33, which ice crusher dispenser 33 has a bottom 34 that is inclined so as to facilitate the sliding of crushed ice towards the outside when the second tubular element 12 or the distal portion thereof is in the vertical position.

In another version (not shown), the distributor 33 has one or more feed channels angularly spaced around the second tubular element 12.

Furthermore, the second tubular element 12 has an external thermal barrier coating (not shown) to prevent the ice from melting.

Preferably, the second tubular element 12 is made of transparent material, the thermal barrier coating being open with at least one window to allow inspection of the interior of the second tubular element 12.

The invention allows positioning the ice dispenser in a selected position with excellent adaptability, without having to lift the machine off the ground.

In this way, the machine can be positioned in a position in which it does not create an obstacle, so as to be easy to inspect or otherwise operate, the ice dispenser being in a position convenient for operation by the user, and being suitable for ensuring the hygiene of the ice stored.

In addition, the connection of the delivery device to the ring nut 6 is very simple and can be done quickly.

The machine for the production of ice conceived in this way can undergo numerous changes and variants, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; furthermore, all the components may be replaced by technically equivalent components.

In practice, all the materials used, as well as the dimensions of the elements, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Claims (26)

1. A machine for making ice, of the type comprising a tubular duct for forming ice, which is wrapped by an evaporator of a refrigeration unit, the interior of which has a screw conveyor for conveying the ice towards an output opening incorporating a ring nut having a plurality of extraction holes angularly spaced along a circumferential direction, characterized in that: the machine further comprises a conveying device of the ice, the outlet opening of the tubular duct being connected with a terminal inlet portion of the conveying device of the ice, the conveying device having an axially elongated portion extending substantially upwards and a terminal outlet portion, the axially elongated portion and the terminal outlet portion being positioned substantially above the top of the machine, wherein the axially elongated portion of the conveying device comprises a first longitudinal element and a second longitudinal element tubular, the first longitudinal element being located inside the second longitudinal element tubular, defining with the second longitudinal element an annular gap facing the extraction aperture.

2. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 1, characterised in that said output opening of said tubular duct is open at the top of said machine.

3. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 1, characterised in that said first and second longitudinal elements each have at least one end portion coaxial with said tubular duct.

4. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 1, characterised in that said first longitudinal element is tubular.

5. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 1, characterised in that the radial length of said annular gap is not less than the diameter of the outlet section of said extraction holes.

6. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 1, characterised in that the radial length of said annular gap is substantially equal to the diameter of the outlet section of said extraction holes.

7. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 1, characterised in that said extraction holes taper from an inlet section to an outlet section.

8. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 1, characterised in that it has a first and a second connection means, said first connection means being located between said ring nut and said first longitudinal element and said second connection means being located between said ring nut and said second longitudinal element.

9. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 8, characterised in that said first connection means comprise an annular groove of the outer lateral surface of said first longitudinal element, on which an extension of the central sleeve of said ring nut is fitted.

10. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 9, characterised in that the outer side surface of said elongated portion is substantially on the extension of the outer side surface of said first longitudinal element.

11. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 9, characterised in that said elongated portion has a matching internal thread coupled with an external thread of the first tubular element.

12. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 8, characterised in that said second connection means comprise an annular shoulder of said ring nut on which said second tubular longitudinal element is supported.

13. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 12, characterised in that the side surface of said shoulder is substantially in the extension of the inner side surface of said second tubular element.

14. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 1, characterised in that the connection zone between said ring nut and said conveyor means is externally surrounded by a collector for the condensed water or water melted from said ice, said water being drained from at least one drainage hole of said second external longitudinal element.

15. A machine for the production of ice according to claim 1 wherein said auger has a double thread.

16. A machine for the production of ice according to claim 1 wherein said first and second longitudinal elements are straight.

17. A machine for the production of ice according to claim 1, wherein said first and second longitudinal elements are vertical.

18. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 1, characterised in that said first and second longitudinal elements form at least one angle with respect to the vertical.

19. A machine for making ice according to claim 18, wherein said angle is a right angle.

20. The machine of claim 1, wherein the first and second longitudinal members each have a vertical portion and a horizontal portion.

21. A machine for making ice according to claim 1, wherein an ice crushing element for said ice is located at an outlet end of said first longitudinal element.

22. A machine for making ice according to claim 21, wherein said ice-crushing element has an inclined surface inclined with respect to the axis of said first longitudinal element.

23. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 21, characterised in that the outlet end of said second tubular longitudinal element supports a dispenser of said crushed ice, said dispenser having a bottom inclined with respect to the axis of said second longitudinal element for sliding said crushed ice towards the outside.

24. A machine for making ice according to claim 23, wherein said dispenser has one or more feed channels angularly spaced about the outlet end of said second tubular longitudinal member.

25. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 1, characterised in that said second tubular element has an external thermal insulating coating.

26. Machine for the production of ice according to claim 25, characterised in that said second tubular element is made of transparent material and said thermal barrier coating has at least one inspection window for inspecting the inside of said second tubular element.