US3034311A - Ice making apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 15, 1962 M. L. NELSON ICE MAKING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 10, 1961 INVENTOR. Mar/c2451: fife/50m BY gum; #1 M4 FTTQWNZK May 15, 1962 M. NELSON ICE MAKING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 10, 1961 INVENTOR. [Warm Si: N 6160 4 IrraF/vZ/ May 15, 1962 Filed Jan. 10, 1961 ICE MAKING APPARATUS M. L. NELSON 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 -35 uu ulullllllllmg 12 IIIIII mini? JIIII INVENTOR. lfarczzsljlfelwm 11 2M 1. 4%

May 15, 1962 M. NELSON ICE MAKING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 10, 1961 INVENTOR.

BY WM w 4% irwiwi'r/ niteci States This invention relates to ice making apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for producing ice in flake form.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my co- 20, 1957, now forfeited for: Ice Making Apparatus.

It is the general object of the present invention to produce a new and improved ice flaking machine.

It is a more specific object of the invention to produce an ice flaking machine capable of producing a relatively large quantity of ice in flake form with the flakes having a uniformity of size and quality, rendering them suitable for many uses, including the refrigeration of foods and the like.

One object of the invention is an ice making machine wherein the ice is compressed upon discharge from the machine.

Another object is an ice making machine that advances and discharges ice axially of a cylindrical freezing chamber.

While ice flaking machines have been in commercial use for a number of years, most of the machines producing flake ice of suitable quality are capable of only a limited output and thus do not lend themselves to com- -mercial uses wherein relatively large quantities of flake ice are required. According to the present invention, however, there is produced an ice flaking machine not only capable of producing flake ice of suitable quality but also capable of producing greater quantities of ice in a given time than most machines presently available.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description and drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view partially broken away showing the ice flaking machine of the present invention and attendant components used therewith;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the ice flaking apparatus per se;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a modified top closure;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the top closure of FIG. 6.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail an illustrative embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the ap pended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown an ice flaking machine 10 including a generally cylindrical casing 11 provided therein with a cylindrical liner 1-2 spaced from the inner wall of the casing so as to provide therebetween an annular space 13 in which is located the spiral -refrigerant carrying tube 14. The refrigerant tube 14 connects at one end to an exit pipe 15 and a delivery pipe 16, each connected in turn to a compressor 17 and conaten pending application, Serial No. 697,681 filed November ice denser 18 as shown. It Will be understood that refrigerant is supplied in the normal manner by the compressor and condenser to the refrigerant coil 14.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the casing 11 is closed at its bottom by a closure member 20 secured thereto by suitable bolts 21 and provided with a water inlet 22 opening at its inner end to the cylindrical chamber formed by the liner 12. The inlet 22 is connected by means of a conduit 24 to a source of water in the form of a tank 25 having water therein, the level of which is determined by a float valve having a float 26. By reason of the foregoing arrangement, the water level within the cylindrical chamber just referred to is maintained at approximately the same height as the water level in the tank 25, which, in the particular embodiment shown, fixes the Water level at near the top of said cylindrical chamber.

The closure member 20 is provided with a recess 27 therein in which is located a suitable water seal 28 and an anti-friction bearing 29 rotatably supporting a shaft 30 for driving an auger 31. The shaft 30 is driven through a suitable gear reduction 32 by belts 33 driven in turn by an electric motor 34, the foregoing being to impart a slow rotation to the auger.

The auger is in the form of a cylinder provided on its exterior surface with a spiral flight 35 occupying the space 36 between the body portion of the auger and the inner surface of the liner 12.

I The top of the cylindrical chamber is closed by a top closure 37 secured to the casing through the medium of integral lugs 38 extending radially outwardly from the closure and attached by bolts 39 to the casing. The closure 37 is provided with a central recess 40 covered by a cap '41 and housing an anti-friction bearing 42 supporting the shaft 43 forming an extension of the upper end of the auger.

The closure member 37 has a diameter less than the diameter of the cylindrical chamber formed by the liner .12 (except at the location of the hereinbefore described lugs 38 and the portion hereinafter to be described) so -as to form a plurality of slots 44 axially aligned with the space 36. Extending across the slots 44 and thus interrupting their continuity is a plurality of ice masticating members 45 each provided with a lower knife edge 46 extending radially across the slots and overlying the space 36 with the knife edges being positioned just above the upper end 47 of the flight 35.

A cover 48 overlies the closure 37 and is formed to provide a chute 49 out of which the ice flakes are directed into a suitable receptacle (not shown).

In operating the apparatus described above, energy is supplied to the motor 34 to rotate the auger relatively slowly while water supplied to the tank 25, and hence filling the space 36, is frozen in the form of a film against the inner surface of the liner 12 byreason of the refrigerating of such liner through the medium of the refrigerant supplied to the coil 14. Inasmuch as the outer edge of the flight 35 is positioned closely adjacent the inner surface of the liner 12, the ice film is scraped from the liner and moved upwardly as the auger rotates. As the ice reaches the top edge 47 of the auger, it is masticated and scraped therefrom by the knife edges 46 so that the ice is scraped from the auger and directed upwardly throughthe slots 44 and into the space overlying the closure 37 and within the cover 48. As ice accumulates within the cover it eventually reaches the chute 49 and falls therefrom to be directed into a suitable receptacle.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a modified top closure 50 is adapted to be secured to the casing 11 in a manner similar to the top closure 37 described hereinbefore. The closure 50 is provided with a central recess 52 for the acceptance of. an anti-friction bearing, for example, the bearing 42, for the support of the upper end chamber.

3 portion of the anger 31 in a manner discussed hereinbefore. a

The closure member 50 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending generally circular passages 54 to provide forthe passage of ice axially outwardly of the freezing chamber upon rotation of the auger 31. The passages 54 are aligned with the space 36 between the auger 31 and the liner 12 within which the flight 35 is-disposed. Each of the passages 54 has a chamfered portion 56 at the lower end thereof. Thus, the radial cross-sectionaltarea of the passageways 54 is greater at the lower or inner end thereof than at the upper or discharge end thereof to eifect acompression of the ice as it flows axially outwardly of the freezing Also, the chamfered portions 56 of adjacent ones of the passages 54 communicate with each other thereby to define relatively sharp ice masticating edge portions 58 in axial alignment with the flight 35.

Operation of the ice making apparatus including the closure 50 is similar to the mode of operation described he'reinbefore.

It is to be noted that'the top closures 37 and 50 have common attributes, one of which is the provision for' compression of the ice as it flows axially outwardly of the freezing chamber 36. Such compression of the ice is effected by what may be termed an extrusion process, the reduction in radial cross-sectional area of the openings in the top closures 37' and 50 relative to the freezing chamber and axially outwardly or upwardly thereof producing the compression which results in relatively clear ice from which substantially all of the excess moisture has been removed.

a ,In addition, and in accordance with another feature of the instant invention, discharge of the ice through the disclosed top end closures 37 and 50 is a substantially axial discharge, radial movement of the ice being minimized thereby'maximizing the capacity of the ice-making apparatus by minimizing impedance to ice flow. Further, and

in accordance with a more restricted aspect of the invention, the radially extending members between adjacent ones of the axially extending passageways define ice masti- 7 dating edges in axial alignment with the spiral flight of the ice making apparatus.

What is claimed is:

1. An ice making machine comp-rising a casing defining a substantially cylindrical freezing chamber, refrigeratioh means carried bysaid casing in freezing relationship with respect to the chamber defined thereby, means for supplying water to the freezing chamber defined by said casing, an auger'rotatably "mounted in the freezing chamber, said auger having a body portion having a diameter less than-the internal diameter of the casing to provide a space therebetween and said auger'having a spiral flight in said space the edge of which flight is positioned closely adjacent the inside surface of the casing, a closure member" secured to the casing and closing one end of the freezing chamber, said closure member having circumferentially spaced, lugs secured to the casing and circumferential openings betweenthe lugs forming an interrupted circumferential slot axially aligned with said space,

{said closure member being provided with a plurality of 'ice masticating members positioned in saidslot at spaced points completely therearound, each of said members befing provided with a radially extending ,knife' edge portion closely overlying the'end of said flight.

2, An'ice making machine'comprising a casing defining .a substantially cylindrical freezing chamber, refriger- Qation means carried by said casing in freezing relationship iwith respect to the chamber defined thereby, means for supplyingwater to the freezing chamber defined by said casing, an an er rotatably mounted in the freezing chamher, said auger having a bodygportion having a diameter 7 less than the-internal diameter of the casing to provide a space therebetweeri'and'said" auger having a spiral flight in said space the edge of which flight is positioned closely adjacent the inside surface of the casing, a closure thember secured to the casing and closing one end of the freezing chamber, said closure member being provided with a bearing member rotatably supporting one end of said auger and said closure member having circumferen= tially spaced lugs secured to the casing, and circumferential openings between the lugs forming an interrupted cir cumferential slot axially aligned with said space, said closure member being provided with a plurality of ice masticating members positioned in said slot at spaced points completely therearound, each of said members being provided with a radially extending knife edge portion closely overlying the end of said flight.

3. -An ice making machine comprising a casing defin ing a substantially cylindrical freezing chamber, refrigeration means carried by said casing in freezing relationship with respect to the chamber defined thereby, means for supplying water to the freezing chamber defined by said casing, an anger rotatably mounted in the freezing chamber, said auger having a body portion having a diameter less than the internal diameter of the casing to provide a space therebetween and said auger having a spiral flight in said space the'edge of which flight is positioned closely adjacent the inside surface of the casing, a closure member secured to the casing and closing one end of the freezing chamber, said closure member having circumferentially spaced lugs secured to the casing and circumferential openings between the lugs forming an interrupted circumferential s'lotraxially aligned with said space, said closure member being provided with a plurality of ice masticating members positioned in said slot at spaced points completely therearound, each of said members being provided with a radially extending knife edge portion closely overlying the end of said flight, and a cover overlying the closure member, said cover having a hollow por tion terminating in a discharge chute for directing ice moved upwardly through said slots to above the closure to a place of discharge.

4. An ice making machine comprising a casting defining a substantially cylindrical freezing chamber, refriger ation means carried by said casing in freezing relationship with respect to the chamber defined'thereby, means for supplying water to the freezing chamber defined by said casing, an anger rotatably mounted in the freezing chamber, said auger having a body portion having a diameter less than the internal diameter of the casing to provide a space therebetween and said auger having a spiral flight in said space, the edge of which flight is'positioned closely Y forming with said closure member and the adjacent end ofthe chamber a plurality of circumferential openings forming an interrupted circumferential slot axially aligned with said space.

5. 'In an ice-making machine comprising a cylindrical freezing chamber, "means for cooling the freezing chamber, means for supplying water to the-freezing chamber,

and means including a spiral flight for advancing ice axially Of the chamber, the improvement comprising a closure 'member forthe end of the chamber towards which the ice is advanced, said closure member having a plurality of circurnferentially spaced axially extending passages. for the discharge of ice axially outwardly of the freezing chamber, the passages in said closure memberhaving a radial cross-sectional area relatively smaller than the radial cross-sectional area of said-freezing chamber to effect compression of the ice upon'movernent thereof axially thr'ough said closure member. V V t i '6. n an ice-making machine comprising a cylindrical freezing chamber, means for cooling the freezing chamber, means for supplying water to the freezing chamber, and means including a spiral flight for advancing ice axially of the chamber, the improvement comprising a closure member fixedly secured to the end of the chamber towards which the ice is advanced, said closure member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending passages for the discharge of ice axially outwardly of the freezing chamber, the passages in said closure member having a radial cross-sectional area relatively smaller than the radial cross-sectional area of said chamber to effect axial discharge and compression of the ice upon movement thereof axially through said closure member.

7. In an ice making machine comprising a cylindrical freezing chamber, means for cooling the freezing chamber, means for supplying water to the freezing chamber, and means including a spiral flight for advancing ice axially of the chamber, the improvement comprising a closure member for the end of the chamber towards which the ice is advanced, said closure member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending passages for the discharge of ice axially outwardly of the freezing chamber, the passages in said closure member being defined by a plurality of radially extending circumferentially spaced members joined to one another by an annular radially outer peripheral portion and a central portion, said closure member cooperating with said freezing chamber and spiral flight to maintain the central axis of said spiral flight coincident with the central axis of said freezing chamber, the passages in said closure member having a radial cross-sectional area relatively smaller than the radial cross-sectional area of said freezing chamber to effect compression of the ice upon movement thereof axially through said closure member.

8. An ice making machine comprising a cylindrical freezing chamber, means for cooling the freezing chamber, means for supplying Water to the freezing chamber, means including a spiral flight for advancing ice axially of the chamber, and a closure member for the end of the chamber towards which the ice is advanced, said closure member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending passages for the discharge of ice axially outwardly of the freezing chamber, the passages in said closure member having a radial cross-sectional area relatively smaller than the radial cross-sectional area of said freezing chamber to effect compression of the ice upon movement thereof axially through said closure member. 9. In an ice making machine comprising a cylindrical freezing chamber, means for cooling the freezing chamber, means for supplying water to the freezing chamber, means including a spiral flight for advancing ice axially of the chamber, the improvement comprising closure means for the end of the chamber towards which the ice is advanced defining substantially axially extending aperture means for effecting concomitant compression and axial discharge of ice outwardly of the freezing chamber, the aperture means defined by said closure means being generally axially aligned with the freezing chamber and having a radial cross-sectional area relatively smaller than the radial cross-sectional area of the freezing chamber adjacent the terminal end of the flight to eflect compression of the ice upon movement thereof axially of said closure member.

10. An ice making machine comprising a cylindrical freezing chamber, means for cooling the freezing chamber, means for supplying water to the freezing chamber, means including a spiral flight for advancing ice axially of the chamber, and closure means for the end of the chamber towards which the ice is advanced defining substantially axially extending aperture means for effecting concomitant compression and axial discharge of ice out- Wardly of the freezing chamber, the aperture means defined by said closure means being generally axially aligned with the freezing chamber and having a radial cross-sectional area relatively smaller than the radial cross-sectional area of the freezing chamber adjacent the terminal end of the flight to effect compression of the ice upon movement thereof axially of said closure member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,684,203 Royle Sept. 11, 1928 1,904,884 Royle Apr. 18, 1933 1,999,926 Garzia Apr. 30, 1935 2,353,362 Rudd July 11, 1944 2,692,630 Doolin Oct. 26, 1954 2,732,587 Greene Jan. 31, 1956 2,753,694 Trow July 10, 1956 2,825,209 Nelson Apr. 4, 1958 2,962,877 Chaplik Dec. 6, 1960 2,962,878 Keller Dec. 6, 1960 2,970,776 Buckman Feb. 7, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 409,499 Great Britain May 3, 1934

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