US1760972A - Apparatus for manufacturing ice - Google Patents

Description

June 3, 193, p. K. W NER APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE Filed April 20, 1928 '7 Sheets-Sheet IVENTOR.

TTON

June 3, 193%. D. K. WARNER APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April -20, .1928

A TTORNE Y.

jut 1e 3, 1930.

- D. K. WARNER APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE Filed April 20, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

June 3, 1939.

D. K, WARNER APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE Filed April 20, 1928 7 Sheets-Shef 4 I N VEN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

J1me A D. K. WARNER l,760,9'?2' APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING- ICE June 3,1930. -D. KLWARNER APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE Filed April 20, 1928 ,7 SheetsSheet 6 Saw INVENTOR. ozglasifi'. Warnez;

ATTORNEY.

June 3 7 Sheets-Sheet D. K. WARNER APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE Flled Aprll 20, 1928 v INVENTOR. flmgmlif Warnez;

A TTORNE Y.

Patented June 3," EQBQ re STAT was? DOUGLAS K. WARNER, OF BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT APPAitATUS FOR jmnnuracrunme ICE Application filed April 20,

This invention relates to improvements in ice making apparatus and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner asherem'after set forth, a means for producing ice of mainmum density, entirely free from the core A-further object of theinvention is to provide an apparatus for the purpose as'a'fore said, wherein the cooling medium may be circulated between the cans continuously during the freezing operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for'the purpose as aforesaid, including means for circulating a r moderate thawing medium between'the cans J after the freezing operation is complete to loosen the ice cakes from their respective cans, thereby facilitating the removal of the ice cakes and without damage thereto, such as shattered or cracked ice causedby too warm a thawing medium.

A further object of the invention is to providea means for lifting the cakes of ice from the cans with a yielding upward pull.

- A further object of the invention is to provide a means for automatically removing the cakes of ice from the cans when the cakes have been sufficiently loosened from the inner surfaces of the cans to permit the removal of :3 the cakes without damage to the cans.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a

means for expeditiously removing the cakes of ice from the cans and transferring the cakes to a storage room, platform, or truck,

without. cracking corners and scarring with tongs. I

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for the purpose set forth including means for pre-cooling the water 1928. Serial No. 271,633.

beforeit is introduced into the circulating system.

' A further object of the invention is to pro-. 'vide an apparatus of the class abovementioned, which may be assembled i as ATEN o 'FIcE n a minimum of space and with which a maximum output of ice may be-handled by one man.

A further object of the invention is to protioned wherein all manual handli 'vi'dean apparatus of the classabove menng of the ice, ice cans, can covers, air agitating equipment andthe like is eliminated.

Other'objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the description.

' In the use of'ice making apparatus following COH- structed in accordance with my invention, all core sucking and air. agitation is eliminated. Also a great deal of the manual labor connected with the operation of an ice plant; is eliminated, such as lifting can covers, adjusting air connections,core sucking. filling and handling cans and transferring the ice to thehauling trucks. Where open top-trucks are used, the ice cakes mav. be lifted from their cans. with the crane which operates over the freezing tank and loaded directly onto the trucks, thereby reducing the loading time,

ingplatform. As the operator and the space ordinarily'required for a loadpulls the cakes with'the aid of the crane. hecan load or store the same unassisted." Where a siding extends to the apparatus, a car may be loaded by the operator of the. apparatus with thirty tons of ice in fortyminutes.

smaller storage room is required, due to the fact that the ice is kept tiered therein as the cakes are pulled from the freezing tank, con-' sequently a small building may be u The ice cakes are more uniform and clearness, and are not subject to occa-' sed. in weight sional white, cakes. the usual white tops and cores, and broken off corners.

Due to the special shape and thickness of the ice, a

heavier cut thereof may be placed ice box than is possible with ice tured inthe ordinary dimensions.

In the accompanyingdrawings, in which like numerals are employed to desi parts throughout the same,

in a small manufacgnate like Zia " ing to my invention.

a Figure 1 is a fragmentary view inside elevationof an ice making apparatus'iaccord- Figured is a fragmentary view in ectional elevation of the apparatus and illliS- f trating a take of ice removed from .oneof the cans',':,

.Figure2 1s a v vertical, transverse seetio n 1' taken at apoint indicated by the line 2-52 of Figure-1 v t i I Figure 3 is a fragmentaryviewipartlynin "section and in top plan of the freezing tank,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section of the water tank including jone of the brine coolers located in the water tanklf and' showing two of the water circulating pro.- -1.

lire-2, Figure G-isaview similar to Figure taken at right angles thereto,

Figure 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, lonfgitudinal, Vertical section through the freez- 25 'ingamodified-form'of In invention, =1

, Figurej9-:isa sect1on ta en on line of Elgure 8,

. Figure 10.-is a fragmentary taken ,on line 1010 of Figure 8.,

Figure 11 is a'sectio'n taken on line 11 -11 of; Figure 12, showing one of the insulatingplates in elevation,

through the freezing tank, adjacent the water openings of a pair of cans,

Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective.

view of an ice cake removed from its can,-

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 13,

of an ice cake produced by the modification shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10,

' Figure 15 shows in front and edge ,eleva:

' tion an ice cake lifting hook,

Figure 16 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in sectional plan of the covering means for the spaces between the cans, 1 c

Figure 17 is a section taken on line 1717 of Figure 16.

I accomplish the foregoing objects and results among others, by the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the numeral' 26 designates generally. an engine room which is of usual construction and is fitted with standard equipment.

The freezing tanks, indicated generally at 26 are arranged in a battery of any number desired, each freezing tank 26 being disposed over a water tank, indicated generally at 27, and each freezing tank preferably being of a size to accommodate multiples of twelve ice cans, each can- 'of which is designated generally by the numeral 28.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary vertical section,

having downwardly tapering ends 29 and lside's; 29" and 3O respectively,'the cans being hfdisposed in spaced relatiytn within the freezing tank 26 and with t e? bottom 31 of the {freezing tank being common'to all the cans. The sides 3016f adjacent cans 28 are secured together at their, upper edges by means of a ch'annel bar 32:,which' extends between the ends and 34.0f the freezing tank 26, beingsecured tosaid ends and terminating beneath the horizontalflanges '35 formed on the upper edg'e'of the; freezing tank. The outermost cans-are also secured to the sides of the tank iinthe'same manner. ,The opposing sides,30

of adjacentcans 28 are disposed with their 1 upper portions respectively resting against the-outer sides of the channel bar 32 and are securely anchored thereto by means of suitable holding devices'such as shown at 36. The cans 28 are secured'to their common bottom 31 by means fof a channel bar 38 extending between opposing sides of adjacent cans forthe? entire length of the' cans, being seated i j I Jon a layer of packing 37 interposed therebea view similar to Figure 2 sho'w tween and the bottom 31 and further being firiveted to opposing sides 30 of adjacent cans.

28, an angle iron." 39 which extends for the length of the cans beneath the bottom 31, and

rest on the'bottom 43 of the water tank 27 the legs 42 being secured in place on the bottom 43 by means of suitable brackets 44.

With the cans disposed as above described within the freezing tank 26, in spaced relation to the ends 33 and 34 and sides 45 of v the tank, and in spaced relation to each other, a space is provided around the entire side and end surface of the cans for the circulation of-brine. The sides 30 of the cans 28 are pressed inwardly at regularly spaced intervals, thereby providing vertically extending angular rib-s 46 within the cans and corresponding grooves or depressions 47 between the can's. A closure 48 is provided for the top of each groove 47 which consists of a triangular frame member soldered on the upper edges of the walls of the groove.

Formed in the bottom 31, adjacent one endof each can 28, is an opening 52, which has depending therefrom into the water tank 27, a spout 53, said opening 52 and spout 53 forming a water inlet to the can. Formed in the bottom 31 adjacent the oposite end of each can is a similar opening 54 and spout 55 which forms an outlet to the can.

Extending across the water tank 27 from side to side thereof is a rearwardly inclining baffle plate which divides the lower portion of the watertank into two compartments. The forward portion ofthe tank 27 is further divided into two compartments for its'entire depth by means of a wall 57. An ope'ning58 is formed in the wall 57, Within which is positioned one or more propellers 59, secured to a shaft having intermediate connecting means with the i-"en'gine room 25. for the rotation of the propellenlj The water in the tank 27 isdrawn byfthe propeller ,-59:

through the opening 58 iinktliew all 57 and forced'th'rou gh the inlets 52' int the cans 28, across the cans and through thei ij'autlets' 54 back to the rearward portion of thefltank.

The water in gr near the bp'ttom of the ra, wa-rd portionf'of the tank 27' i s' relatively quiet, duetof'the baffle plate '56, permitting the impurities ii'nflthe 'waterto sink belo'w'the upper edge offth e bafile' plateiwhichobstructs the passage ofs'uch impurities to'the propelvler 59.- The impurities a'reQficolle'cted immediately inrear of the baffle, plate as indicated at 61 and drained through. t -pipe 62 to a filter 62', and thence pumped back to the tank through pipe A-pipe indicated at 64 which may be connected with a city water supplyorrthe lil e,: leads to another filter-63, and the filtered water passesgthrough a pipe 65 to .a float chamber 66 located at one side of the freezing tank-26. The float chamber 66'is provided with an opening 67 into the tank 27 v by means of which the float chamber 66 and tank ".27 are in constant communication. Since the tank 27 and cans 28 are alsoin constant communication, the level of the water in the cans maybe maintained by the float 67 in the float chamber 66, thereby constantly.

maintaining the water 'in the cans 28 at the proper level and at exactly the same level in all of the cans.

A set of expansion .co'rls 68 is disposed within the space on each side of the cans 28,

- preferably three of such coilsbeingcontrolled with one expansion valve as 69. The coils consist in all of ten lengths each, which extend for the full length of'the cans 28, beingv looped and returned at each end of the freezing tank 26 as clearlyfshown in Figure2. As ammonia flows through the expansion coils 68 the liquid evaporates increasing the amount and velocity of the gas and to pre-' vent pressure drop and loss I employ oneinch piping for the first four lengths, one and one-quarter inch for the next three lengths,

' and one and one-half inch for the last three lengths of each coil. Each pipe therefore almost completely fills the space between the can Walls which musttaper to facilitate ice removal. The ammonia passes'from the last length of each coil to a common pipe 70 which leads through an opening 71- into a shell 72 which is disposed in the water tank 27 and extends from end to end thereof through the baflle plate 56. A suction pipe 73 is provided with two branches 74 entering the side of theshell172, through which pipes 74 and 73 the ammonia is returned to the engine room v25 tobecondensed and returned as liquid to the expansion valves 69.

To support .the coils 68, I provide in certain of the grooves 47, preferably alternate ones, vertically ex- .tending bars 50, provided with lateral openings'49, for. the passage 'therethrough of the bolts 53., one of the, tie bolts being disposed beneatlif each length of the coil 68.

n thd'iextreni lower and rearward portion the tubes75 'ope'n' into an outlet chamber 77 formed exteriorly of the forward Wall of the tank 27.3 Disposed within the outlet cham- ':ber is apropeller 78 which is mounted on a shaft 7 9-having a suitable connection with the engine room 25 for the rotation of the propeller. The brine is drawn by the propel-f 1 ler [8 through the tube 7 5 into a relatively large pipe 80, through which it may be con-'.

ducted to ,an opposite tank where it will be subdivided to passbet-ween the walls of"12" cans of the opposite tank whence it will fiow through a. passage similar to 84, 83 and 85 back through a brine cooler similar to 72 and drawn by another propeller similarjto 7 8 and back to pipe 81 where it is subdivided to pass through ;12-ca11s of the first tank. Thus if anypropeller should stopthe opposing p'ropeller keeps the brine in circulation.

' Dispo {d within the shell 72 are a plurality "f brinetubes 75 which open at their rear-s ward ends into' an inlet chamber 76 disposed.

of thewateietank 27. The opposite ends of I if any brine cooler or pipe coil fails refrig-- eration ismai'ntained at almost full capacity.

eliminate air therefrom and passes into a header 83 common to all the cans 28 and located exteriorly of the rear wall 33of the freezing tank 26. The header 83 has a valve controlled inlet 84 for each set of three cans and has one outlet 85 leading to the inlet chamber 7 6 to the brine tubes 75, from where the brine is a ain subjected to the action of the propeller 78.

The brine is slightly colder where-it enters the spaces between the cans 28 at the .forward ends thereof causing premature freezing at the forward ends of the cans,

thereby freezing the inlet water opening first which prevents flooding over of the low end of ice as would occur if exit opening froze first. As clearly illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, an insulating plate86 is disposed be 1 tubes 93 which extend through the'water; in y Y the float chamberto'a point adjacent the -fortween the coils 68 and the lowerpart of the cans at both openings 52 and 54:;sothatlthe passages will remain open and'perm it water circulation until the core at the to short es 88 aredisposed at ogieiside nd over-the short pipes 81 and are controlled by a valve 89. Disposed horizontallyfiof. the rear wall 33' of the tank 26 is' alwarmbrine return pipe 90 which is connected-with a short pipe 91 for each setoi-gthree cans, each. of

which short pipes maybeicont-rolledhy avalve 92 ifdesireda The pipe-90;extends slightly beyond one side Aa5'ofthe freezing tank '26, and through the rearward gend .wall of the float. chamber 66. Wit-hin'th'e floatchamber 66, .the pipe 90 isrlividedinto a plurality of ward walls of the; latter where the tubes 9,3 are reassembled into the single pipeyor header-187 which'passes through the forward-wall of the float chamber 66 .for extension aliing-the for war'clwwall of the freezing tanki 2.6i'as above described. Suitable-means is provided to the circulation'of the warm brine such as centrifugal pumpfor'the like. i '5 -I provide a cover for each' of'thecan'sj which consists of'a top port-ion '94,'preterabl otwood, which. rest on the upperv edges vo the end walls 29'and side walls 30 of the can, and a lower insulation portion '95,"preiierably-i of balsa wood, which issecured to the under! to overflow the top oftheiormed ice and come between the end and side walls of the can. A

surface of the topportion and fits snugly plurality of suitably-spaced longitudinal slots 96 are formed through the cover=portions 94 and'95 and at the slottedpoints, the portions 94 and 95 are divided into sections 97'havin ofiset abutting faces 98. Before the free-zin operation the splitstraight shank 99 of a lift- 1 ing hook is inserted through each ofthe slots into the water inthe can. The protruding, portion ofthe hook is in the form of an eye, 100, having an insulated portion 101, thereby adapting the shank 99 as an electric conductor between opposing sideportions of the eye 100 when said portions are connected with any suitable electrical source.

' Disposed inparallel relation to the transverse horizontal plane of the freezing tank 26 at a suitable distance above the top of said plane and spaced outwardly from the'ends 33 i and 34 of the tank, is a pair of tracks 102, each carrying a pair of rollers 103. The rollersr 103 are provided with spindles 104,.which are journaled into the respective ends of a beam 105, adjacent the sides of thebeam. The beam i 105 ;is supported in parallel relation to the longitudinal, horizontal plane of the tank 26' and may be moved between the vertical planes ert:

6 for enga of sides Carried by the beam '105is a'plurality'of spacedipulleys 106,;ea'ch 1' being' adapted; to, have passed thereover a cable 107' A' plurality of; pinions and l ythe'heamIlO Qthe' tlf eon' ofithe 'cablesl07. Seeu'redx d jo the'cableslO7'are-hooks'lll" mentiiwiththe respective eyes 100 i of the lifting hooks havingt-heir shanks-f109r frozen in the ice. T1,.The hooks 1; 11 are formed. 1 with helical springs 112, in. orderthata yield- I pull-may be exerted on the: ice cakes.

Eachbt the pinions 108 is actuated byacon-g. f

ventional motor, not shown. the motor-being] equipped with a] cut-off switch of; any well. knownconstruction, whereby the motor' may be adapted'to carry-a predetermined loadand automatically stop when the load is increased. V

In the operation ofmy apparatus, water is admitted through the float;'ch'amber166 to" the tank 27; When the, waterfris'es; over the bafileplate 56, it is drawn bythejpropeller 59 me the inlets 152w the-cans 28;.and 'flowsthrough I" the outlets 54 back into U thev tank 27. The fleet 67" in the floatfchamber 66-- is Set to maintainfthe water in "the-float '7' chamber fata predetermined level and when? -thewaterin the Jeans 28 reaches the same vel "as that in the float chamber, the supply thereby constantly maintaining the water n all-the cans'at; exactly the same level, prefrably': two inches below the brine level on the outsideof the cans,"whereas in all other ice making operations-the water level rises during freezing and-causes unagitated water suddenly inflcontactwith thecold can wall making white tops; In this system the level never rises; due'to continuous pulling of ice evelin all cansbythe inlet fioatvalve.

ion, cold brine is-admittedfrom. the header 81- into the freezing tank 26, where it cirthe; float chamberis cut oil by the that nd'continuous. readjustment ofthe water .Atjthe beginning'ofuthe freezing operaculates around the sides and endsof the, cans 28 to the header 83' in the rear of-the tank,

. tubes '75;

' At thesame time that the cold brine is admitted to the tank 26, ammonia is.ad

mitted through the expansion valves 69 into .the expansion coils 68. The coils 68 passbetween-the sides 30 of the cans 28 through thebrine in the tank 26 and empty into the shell 7 2 disposed in the water tank 27. After cooling the brine tubes 7 5 in the shell 72, .the ammonia is sucked through the pipes 74 and 73 to the engine room 25 to be condensed thence to theinlet chamber forthe." brine '7 entire height thereof.

The formation of the ice within the cans by preventing corroding of the metal within the tank and keeping the cans cold for the starts at the sides of the latter and is facilitated by the grooves 47 formed in the L in advance of the outlet 54, preventing outersurfaces of the cans, which permit a greater surface of the can sides 30 to be attacked by the cold brine andbring the surface nearer the center of theice, thus decreasing the ice thickness, carrying the heat away, and so greatly accelerating the freezing. Due to rapid circulation of brine and direct expansion coils the freezing time for the entire length of the cans is practically the same, however, the inlet 52 closes sli htly flooding of the lower end of the can as would happen if outlet closed first. The cans slope approximately an inch and a half to correspond with the waterhead necessary to produce a rapid flow of 'water, across the can. The circulation also removes the air bubbles which cling to the ice surface.

When the ice is completely formed, it is preferablypulled from the cans in sets of.

three. Before pulling the ice, the ammonia Valve 69 for the set to be pulled is closed and the ammonia in the coils 68 allowed to drain off to the shell 72. The valve tothe header 82 for the set to be pulled is closed and the cold brine shut off. Then the warm brine valve for the header 82 is opened and warm brine is circulated around all surfaces of thegcans and out at the rearward end to the pipe 90. 'The'warm brine is cooled by the cold interior of the tank 26 so it is'piped through the tubes 93 located in the float chamber 66, where the brineis warmed before being returned to the header 87 and at the same time the water in the float chamber is cooled before being passed to the tank 27.

The operation of valves for pulling one set of 12 cans is shown in Figure 1. The ice in the three cans fed by valves 151 and 152 have just been pulled, the warm brine valve 151 is closed and cold brine valve opened to start freezing of the fresh water which entered the cans as the ice was pulled. joining tanks governed by the valves 153 and 154, the warm brine running through, valve 151.- The first of the three cakes has been pulled before admitting the cold brine to the adjoining chamber since one wall of this cake is part of the adjoining cans brine passage. The handle of tli'e valve'153 is shown down indicating the cold brine shut ofl. The handle of valve 154 is indicating warm brine en--,

In the adtering. At the opposite ends of the cans no valves are essential since if brine flows n from one supply it must flow out to the same supply or the brine levels in the two supplies would vary forcing this to happen. Valves 155 and 156 like wise show the warm brine.

to be flowing and the cold brine 156 shut off.

The operator has just started to thaw these cans. The numeral 157 shows the cold brine still flowing in the next set but the expansion valve 69 has been closed giving a chance for the liquid ammonia in the pipes to drain or .be evaporated before entering the warm brine around them. The thawing operation takes Y about 2 hours and is so gradual as to never injure the ice. In a plant of 120'cans one set of cans is pulled every 50 minutes so that there are no long waiting periodsand corresponding peak loads on the motors large quantities of warm water are admitted at once.

After the circulation of the warmbrine through the tank 26 has loosened the ice cakes from the inner surfaces of the cans 28 sufstarted and if the cake is not sufficiently loosened from the canto permit its removal without damage to the can the motor is stopped by a switch opened by excess stretch of spring 112. Whenthe ice cake is loosened 'a suflicient degree the ice floats up and the springs collapse, the motor automatically starts and the cake is removed from its can with the cover sections 97 resting on the cake. The springs 112 formed in the hooks 111 break the electric contact for the hoist motor when the stretch caused by the ice clinging to the side wall-s is too great. -As soon as the.

cake clears the can, the cover sections 97 may be removed from the cake and replaced on the can. I

The engine room 25 may be equippedwith suitable means for moving the beam 105 with its depending ice cake-to a truck, car, platform, or storage room, as desired. After the cake has been. deposited where desired, suitable electric terminals may be connected to the side portions of the eyes 100 to loosen the shanks-99 to permit their ready removal from the ice, or if desired, the shanks may be loosened by applying hot wvat er thereto. VV-hen the cakes are to be shipped by truck to distant distributing stations, a number-of them may be handled as one by passing a bar orth'e like through the eyes .100 protruding from the respective cakes. In this manner the cakes may be kept together and the loss due to breakage greatly reduced.

In the modification illustrated in Figures 8,9, and 10, the cans 113 are formed with The tiableactuating motoris then rounded corners 114: to. form an ice cake as illustrated in Figure 14:.

In one form of my invention, a header 115 is provided in the forward end of the freezing tank 116, by means of which cold brine may be supplied to the spaces surrounding a set of cans, preferably three in number. The

.header 115 is provided at its bottom with an inlet 117, which is controlled .by a valve 118, having a valve rod 119 extending upwardly through the tank. A similar header 120 is provided at the rearward end of the tank 116 having a similar valve 121 and valve rods 122 for controlling the outlet 123 to the brine chambers located under headers 115 and 120. I

A warm brine header 12 i extends along the entire width of the tank 116 at the forward end thereof which has valve controlled out lets 125 leading into tank ends 115 and a pipe opening at end of pipes 126. Opening the outlet 125 also uncovers the end of pipe 126 so that brine will circulate through pipe 126 only when Warm brine outlet 125 is open and the pipes leading from 126 will therefore do no freezing but will loosen the ice from the bottom of the can when the thawing is turned on to loosen ice from side walls. The pipe lation and in their disposition along the bot-.

tom 128, one of the branch pipes 127 is-adj acent each side of one of the cans 113. Each of the branch pipes 127 is tapped by a connection pipe 129 and each of the pipes 129 is divided into two branch pipes 130 which lead to the header 120 in the same manner as the pipes 127, being disposed under cans adjacent to the can over the pipes 127. .A valve controlled outlet 131 leads from the header 120 to a warm brine return pipe 132.

The operation of the modified form of my invention is the same as that above described in connection with the first form described except with regard-to the circulation of the cold and warm brine. During the freezing operationin the modified form the valves 118 and 121 are left open and-'the'eold brine circulates continuously between and-around the tanks 113, entering through the inlet 11:7,and leaving through the outlet 123.

When it is desired to loosen the ice cakes from the cans prior to pulling the cakes, the valves 118 and 121 are closed. Warm brine is then let into the header 115 where it flows between cans to header 120 an-d'also into the pipe 126, whence it flows through the pipes 127, 129, and 130 to the header 120 at the rearward end of the tank and thence to return pipe 132. Thus it will be seen that, due to being conducted through the pipes contacting with the under surface of the bottom of the cans, the warm brine attacks the bottom of the ice cakes to release the bottom as well as sides.

Due to the great ease of pulling and han dling this ice it may be made in thinner blocks than standard without excess labor for additional pieces. This in turn greatly increases the output of a given size plant and moreover makes possible symmetrical dimensions for the small size pieces. Thus a piece measuring 9 x 10% x 10% is substituted for the present piece, measuring 11 x 11 x 6 which weighs 20% less but will not go into'the small ice boxes without lots of time lost in chipping and which melts quickly when put in due to the thin section. As the bulk of the trade requests the smallest piece available and as the xpense of the ice consists mostly of putting the ice in the box, a more expensive piece which requires less work and time to install is highly desirable to the manufacturer as well as giving more service to the consumer by lasting over to the next filling time. In. the shape used in this system the thinnest section of the final ice cut constitutes the thickness of the Whole block so that time, space, cans and power are not wasted in freezing ice to a great thickness and then cutting it off in thin slices.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in thesize, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

lVhat is claimed is: a

1. An ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tank having a plurality of cans disposed-in spaced relation therein, each of said can's having its bottom formed with an opening adjacent each end thereof, means for continuously circulating water to enter each can through the opening at one end thereof and to leave the can through the opening at the other end thereof, and means for continuously circulating a cooling medium within the tank to surround the cans.

2. An ice making apparatus comprising a freezing tank having a plurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein, a water tank located under the freezing tank, each of said cans having its'bottorn provided with an outlet opening and an inlet opening respectively disposed adjacent opposite ends of the canstoestablish communication between the water tank and cans, mechanical propelling means for circulating water through the water tank into the inlet openings, through the cans, and out of the outlet openings, and means in the water tank and between the out- Y let and inlet openings for the cans for o'b-" 3. An ice making apparatus comprising a freezing tank having a plurality of cans dis-v I water tank, and abaflle plate disposed trans versely of the water tank between said openstructing the passageof impurities through the Water tank.

posed in spaced relation therein, a Water tank located under the freezing-tank and provided with-openings into the bottom of the cans adjacent each end of the latter, and a propeller in the. Water tank to continuouslycirculate water into the openings at one end of the cans andout ofthe said cans. p l v 7 4.;"An ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tank having a plurality of cans dis- I posed in spaced relation therein, a water tank I located under the freezing tank and provided E with openings into the cans'adjacentthe ends of the water tank and cans, mechanical pro- 1 pelling means for circulating water-from one end of the water tank into one endf'of; the cansif ,fother end thereof,"means,acting on the'brine' 7 Within the freezing tank to freeze. the water and from the other end of the cans i ilto'th'e ings. v .1

'5. An ice making apparatus com r1s1ng,-a

I freezing tank having a plurality 0 cans disposed in spaced relation therein, a water tank having its interior in communication with the. interior of the cans,-mechan1cal propelllng means for circulating water continuouslythrough the cans and water tank, a

cooling medium receptacle located in the water tank and having its interior in communication with the interior of the freezing tank,

and means for continuously circulating a cooling medium through .the receptacle and freezing tank to freeze the water in the cans and chillthe water in the water tank.

6. An ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tank having a plurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein, a Water tank having its interior in communication with the interior of the cans,'mechanical propelling means for circulating water continuously through the cans and water tank, a shell located-in the Water tank, and a'series of ammonia expansion coils disposed between the -cans and emptying into the shell.

7. An'ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tank having a plurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein, a Water tank having its interior in communication with the interior of the cans,mechanical propelling means for circulating Water continliously through the cans and water tank, a shell located in the Water tank, a series of amino,- nia expansion pipes disposed between the cans and emptying into the shell, a brine receptacle disposed Within the shell and having its lnterior in communication Withthe inteopenings at the .other end of water tank and cans, a cooling medium receptacle located in the water tank and having its ends respectively in communication with opposite ends of the freezing tank, and a propeller in one end .of the receptacle to continuously circulate a cooling medium through the receptacle and freezing tank.

9. An ,ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tank having a plurality of; cans disposed in spaced relation therein, mechani--- cal propelling means for continuously" circulating water to enter'the cans adjacent-one end thereof and leave the cans 'adja-centthe 'other'end thereof, means for continuously circulatingbrine to enter-the freezing tank,

atone end thereof'and leave the tank at the;

within the cans, and means actingon the, brine outside ofthe freezing tank to cool said brine and chill the water outside of the-cans.

afreezing tank having a plurality of cans:

'disposed in spaced-relation therein, a water tank 1ocated }under the vfr. =,ezing tank and" provided with openings into the bottoms Tofthe cans adjacent the ends of the latter, I,

' -10.' An ice makingapparatus. comprising,

theo'pening at one end of the cans. and out of the opening at the opposite end of the cans to wash any impuritiesprecipitated bythe freezing water into the, water tank, means for confi'ningthe impurities in the-water tank to a portion of the water therein, means for withdrawing said portion of the Water from the water tank tov be filtered, and means for returning the filtered. water to the water tank.

11. An ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tank having a plurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein and adapted to hold a cooling medium forced therein under a head, a water tank located under the freezing tank and provided near its ends with openings into the bottoms of the cans at opposite endsof the cans, mechanical propelling means for continuously circulating Waterthrough the water tank and cans and through said openings, and means connecting the water tankwith an external Water supply to maintain'a constant uniform Water level in all of said cans below the cooling medium level in the freezing tank.

' 12, an; ice making apparatus cnn prising, lifree'iing disposed 1n spaced relation therein, a water tank disposed beneath the freezing tank, each of said cansh aving itsbottom provided ad tank having a plurality-bf cans ing tank, the top of the water tank and hottoin of the freezing tank and cans all being common, a channel bar seated on the bottom and having its sides secured to opposing sides of adjacent cans, an angle iron disposed beneath the freezing tank bottom, and extending beyond the opposed sides of adjacent cans, means for forcing the channel bar and angle iron toward each other, and legs supporting the angle irons on the bottom of the water tank.

14. An ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tankhaving a plurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein, and an insulated cover for each of the cans, said covers bein'g' formed of separable sections and being provided with longitudinal slots at the joinders of said sections.

l5. Anice making apparatus comprising, a freezing .tank having a plurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein, the bottom of the cans being formed with openings adjacent the ends thereof, means for continuously circulating water through the cans into and out of the openings, means for continuously circulating a cooling medium between adjacent cans from one end to the other of the spaces between the cans,means for re-cooling thecooling medium between successive entrances between the cans, and insulating plates within said spaces to hold the cooling med um out of contact with the cans adjacent the openings in the bottom thereof.

16. An ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tank having a plurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein, means for circulating water through the cans, means for circulating a cooling medium between the cans to freeze the water withi; the'cans into cakes of ice, means for circulating a thawing medium between and under the cans to loosen the cakes of ice from the inner surfaces of the cans, and means for exerting a constant pressure on said cakes of icejduring the thawing operation to automatically remove the cakes when they are loosened from the inner surfaces of the cans.

17 An ice making apparatus comprising a freezing tank having a plurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein, a water tank located under. the freezing tank and provided with openings into the bottom of the cans adjacent each end of the latter, a propeller in the water tank to continuously circulate water through the water tank and cans into the openings at one end of the cans and out of the openings at the otherend of said cans, means forcirculating cold'brine between the walls ofthe' cans to freezethe water, and

means forcir'culating warm" brine therebetween to thaw the ice.

18. An ice making apparatus comprising a freezing tank having a plurality ofcans disposed in spaced relation therein, a water tank located under the freezing tank and provided with openings into the bottom of the cans adjacent each end of the latter, and a propeller in the water tank to continuously circulate water into the openings at one end of the cans and out of the openings at the other end of said cans, means for circulating cold brine between the walls of the cans to freeze the water, and means for circulating warm brine therebetween and under the cans to re- 19. An ice making apparatus comprising a freezing tank and a plurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein, said cans having downwardly tapering sides provided with inwardly pressed in portions to form said supports in pairs and supporting said coils.

20. An ice making apparatus comprising, a freezing tank having a plurality of cans disposed in spaced relation therein, the bottoms of the cans being formed with openings adjacent the ends thereof, means for continuously circulating water through the cans into and out of the openings, means for contin uously circulating a cooling medium between adjacent cans from one end to the other of the spaces between the cans, means for recooling the cooling medium between successive entrances between the cans, a coil within each space between the cans for cooling the cooling medium within the'space, and an insulating plate disposed between each coil and a side of each adjacent can adjacent each opening in the bottom of the latter.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

DOUGLAS K. WARNER.

spectively thaw the sides and bottom of the

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