US20250327609A1

US20250327609A1 - Layered ice maker appliance

Info

Publication number: US20250327609A1
Application number: US18/639,453
Authority: US
Inventors: Vineeth Vijayan; Alan Joseph Mitchell
Original assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2024-04-18
Filing date: 2024-04-18
Publication date: 2025-10-23

Abstract

An ice maker appliance includes a fill tube and a mold body. The fill tube is in fluid communication with a water supply. The mold body includes two or more mold cavities. The mold body is positioned downstream of the fill tube. The ice maker appliance may be operable for, or a method of operating the ice maker appliance may include, flowing a first volume of liquid into at least one of the mold cavities. The first volume of liquid may be retained in the mold body, such that a first layer of an ice piece forms. A second volume of liquid may be flowed into the at least one mold cavity after the first layer of ice forms and may be retained to form a second layer of the ice piece. The second layer of the ice piece is distinct from the first layer of the ice piece.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to ice maker appliances, and in particular to ice maker appliances configured to produce layered ice, e.g., ice pieces comprising two or more distinct layers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain refrigerator appliances include an ice maker. An ice maker appliance may also be a stand-alone appliance designed for use in commercial and/or residential settings. To produce ice, liquid water is directed to the ice maker and frozen. For example, certain ice makers include a mold body for receiving liquid water. In some systems, a working fluid is used to directly cool the mold body, e.g., by conductive heat transfer. In other systems, the air around the mold body may be cooled such that the mold body is indirectly cooled via the air. When the mold body is cooled, directly and/or indirectly, ice may be formed from the liquid water therein. After ice is formed in the mold body, it may be harvested from the mold body and stored within an ice bin or bucket within the refrigerator appliance.
Conventional ice maker appliances are configured for producing monolithic, homogenous ice pieces solely from water, e.g., tap water or water from other similar sources. Thus, the resulting ice from such ice maker appliances may be perceived as bland and lacking in visual aesthetic appeal. Thus, there is a desire for ice maker appliances which can produce enhanced ice.
Accordingly, an ice maker with features for producing layered ice pieces would be desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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.
According to an exemplary embodiment, an ice maker appliance is provided. The ice maker appliance includes a fill tube in fluid communication with a water supply and a mold body comprising two or more mold cavities. The mold body is positioned downstream of the fill tube. The ice maker appliance further includes a controller. The controller is configured for flowing a first volume of liquid into at least one of the mold cavities. The controller is also configured for retaining the first volume of liquid in the at least one of the mold cavities for a first predetermined time after flowing the first volume of liquid into the at least one of the mold cavities. As a result, a first layer of an ice piece forms from the first volume of liquid in the mold cavity. The controller is further configured for flowing a second volume of liquid into the at least one of the mold cavities after the first layer of the ice piece forms. The controller is also configured for retaining the second volume of liquid in the at least one of the mold cavities for a second predetermined time to form a second layer of the ice piece. As a result, the second layer of the ice piece is distinct from the first layer of the ice piece.
According to another exemplary embodiment, a method of operating an ice maker appliance is provided. The ice maker appliance includes a fill tube in fluid communication with a water supply and a mold body comprising two or more mold cavities. The mold body is positioned downstream of the fill tube. The method includes flowing a first volume of liquid into at least one of the mold cavities. The method also includes retaining the first volume of liquid in the at least one of the mold cavities for a first predetermined time after flowing the first volume of liquid into the at least one of the mold cavities. As a result, a first layer of an ice piece forms from the first volume of liquid in the mold cavity. The method further includes flowing a second volume of liquid into the at least one of the mold cavities after the first layer of the ice piece forms. The method also includes retaining the second volume of liquid in the at least one of the mold cavities for a second predetermined time to form a second layer of the ice piece. As a result, the second layer of the ice piece is distinct from the first layer of the ice piece.
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

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.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of an internal side of an exemplary door for a refrigerator appliance such as the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 provides a section view of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 provide an schematic view of an ice making assembly for an ice maker appliance, such as the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 , in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 provides another schematic view of the ice making assembly of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 provides a schematic illustration of an ice making assembly for an ice maker appliance, such as the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 , in accordance with one or more additional exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 provides another schematic view of the ice making assembly of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 provides a schematic illustration of an ice making assembly for an ice maker appliance, such as the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 , in accordance with one or more additional exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 provides another schematic view of the ice making assembly of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 provides another schematic view of the ice making assembly of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 11A illustrates an exemplary ice piece which may be formed by exemplary ice making appliances and/or exemplary methods of operating ice maker appliances according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11B illustrates another exemplary ice piece which may be formed by exemplary ice making appliances and/or exemplary methods of operating ice maker appliances according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11C illustrates another exemplary ice piece which may be formed by exemplary ice making appliances and/or exemplary methods of operating ice maker appliances according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11D illustrates another exemplary ice piece which may be formed by exemplary ice making appliances and/or exemplary methods of operating ice maker appliances according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 provides a front elevation view of an exemplary dosing pump for an ice making assembly such as the exemplary ice making assembly of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 13 provides a rear perspective view of the exemplary dosing pump of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 14 provides a flow chart diagram of an exemplary method of operating an ice maker appliance according to one or more further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.
As used herein, terms of approximation, such as “generally,” or “about” include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise. As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components.
Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeability of various features from different embodiments. Similarly, the various method steps and features described, as well as other known equivalents for each such methods and feature, can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art to construct additional systems and techniques in accordance with principles of this disclosure. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages described above may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the systems and techniques described herein may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a cabinet or housing 102 that extends between a top 104 and a bottom 106 along a vertical direction V, between a first side 108 and a second side 110 along a lateral direction L, and between a front side 112 and a rear side 114 along a transverse direction T. Each of the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular to one another.
Housing 102 defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, housing 102 defines fresh food chamber 122 positioned at or adjacent a right side (e.g., second side 110) of housing 102 and a freezer chamber 124 arranged at or adjacent a left side (e.g., first side 108) of housing 102. As such, refrigerator appliance 100 is generally referred to as a side-by-side refrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the present disclosure apply to other types and styles of refrigerator appliances such as, e.g., a top mount refrigerator appliance, a bottom mount refrigerator appliance, or a single door refrigerator appliance (such as a refrigerator appliance with a single chilled chamber therein, e.g., a standalone freezer or standalone refrigerator appliance, such as a columns unit). Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any aspect to any particular refrigerator chamber configuration.
Refrigerator door 128 is rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 102 for selectively accessing fresh food chamber 122. In addition, a freezer door 130 is arranged opposite refrigerator door 128 for selectively accessing freezer chamber 124. Refrigerator door 128 and freezer door 130 are shown in the closed configuration in FIG. 1 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that other chamber and door configurations are possible and within the scope of the present invention.
Referring still to FIG. 1 , a dispensing assembly 140 will be described according to exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. Dispensing assembly 140 is generally configured for dispensing liquid water and/or ice. Although an exemplary dispensing assembly 140 is illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to dispensing assembly 140 while remaining within the present subject matter.
Dispensing assembly 140 and its various components may be positioned at least in part within a dispenser recess 142 defined on one of the doors, e.g., freezer door 130. In this regard, dispenser recess 142 is defined on front side 112 of refrigerator appliance 100 such that a user may operate dispensing assembly 140 without opening freezer door 130. In addition, dispenser recess 142 is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice and enabling the user to access ice without the need to bend over. In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser recess 142 is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user.
Dispensing assembly 140 includes an ice dispenser including a discharging outlet for discharging ice from dispensing assembly 140. An actuating mechanism 148, shown as a paddle, is mounted below discharging outlet for operating an ice or water dispenser. In alternative exemplary embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism may be used to operate the dispenser. For example, the dispenser may include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. The discharging outlet and the actuating mechanism 148 are an external part of the ice and/or water dispenser and are mounted in dispenser recess 142.
Returning again to FIG. 1 , a control panel 160 is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, control panel 160 may include one or more selector inputs (not shown), such as knobs, buttons, touchscreen interfaces, etc., such as a water dispensing button and an ice-dispensing button, for selecting a desired mode of operation such as crushed or non-crushed ice. In addition, the selector inputs may be used to specify a fill volume or method of operating dispensing assembly 140. In this regard, the selector inputs may be in communication with a processing device or controller 164. Signals generated in controller 164 operate refrigerator appliance 100 and dispensing assembly 140 in response to selector inputs. Additionally, a display, such as an indicator light or a screen, may be provided on control panel 160. The display may be in communication with controller 164, and may display information in response to signals from controller 164.
As used herein, “processing device” or “controller” may refer to one or more microprocessors or semiconductor devices and is not restricted necessarily to a single element. The processing device can be programmed to operate refrigerator appliance 100 and dispensing assembly 140. The processing device may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements (e.g., non-transitory storage media). In some such embodiments, the memory elements include electrically erasable, programmable read only memory (EEPROM). Generally, the memory elements can store information accessible to the processing device, including instructions that can be executed by processing device. Optionally, the instructions can be software or any set of instructions and/or data that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations. For example, the instructions may include a software package configured to operate the system to, e.g., execute the exemplary methods described below. In exemplary embodiments, the various method steps as disclosed herein may be performed, e.g., in whole or part, by controller 164 and/or another, separate, dedicated controller.
Turning now to FIG. 2 , an inner side of freezer door 130 is illustrated. FIG. 3 illustrates a section through the exemplary refrigerator appliance 100 at the freezer chamber 124. As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 , an icebox 150 may be defined on the inner side of the freezer door 130. Thus, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 3 , the icebox 150 may be disposed within the freezer chamber 124 when the freezer door 130 is in the closed position. The icebox 150 may house an ice maker, which may be a primary ice maker of the refrigerator appliance and which may be configured to supply ice to dispenser recess 142. In this regard, for example, icebox 150 may define an ice making chamber for housing ice maker (e.g., a first or primary ice maker configured for making water ice or plain ice), a storage mechanism, and a dispensing mechanism.
Refrigerator appliance 100 may further include a second ice maker 200 (sometimes also referred to as an ice making assembly 200), such as may be configured for making infused ice, e.g., flavored ice. For example, when the first or primary ice maker configured for making water ice or plain ice is provided, the second ice maker 200 which makes infused ice may be a specialty or auxiliary ice maker. As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 , ice making assembly 200 may be defined on the inner side of the freezer door 130, such that the ice making assembly 200 may be disposed within the freezer chamber 124 when the freezer door 130 is in the closed position. The ice maker 200 is generally configured for freezing liquid water mixed with an additive to form the infused ice, e.g., infused ice pieces such as ice cubes. For example, the ice maker 200 may include one or more mold cavities 226 (see, e.g., FIGS. 4 through 6 ) defined therein, such as in a mold body 220 thereof, and the liquid water and additive may be directed into the mold cavity (or cavities) 226 of the ice maker 200. The liquid water and additive may be mixed together while flowing to the mold body 220 and/or may mix in the mold body 220, and the mixed liquid may then be retained in the mold body at a temperature at or below the freezing point of water to form an ice piece or ice pieces. Such ice pieces may be harvested from the mold body 220 and stored in an ice bin 230, e.g., below the mold body 220 such that the ice bin 230 may receive the infused ice pieces from the mold body 220 by gravity.
As mentioned above, the present disclosure may also be applied to other types and styles of refrigerator appliances such as, e.g., a top mount refrigerator appliance, a bottom mount refrigerator appliance, or may be applied to a standalone ice maker appliance. Variations and modifications may be made to ice making assembly while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter. Accordingly, the description herein of the icebox 150 and ice maker 200 on the door 130 of the freezer chamber 124 is by way of example only. In other example embodiments, the ice making assembly or ice maker 200 may be positioned in the fresh food chamber 122, e.g., of the illustrated side by side refrigerator, of a bottom-mount refrigerator, of a top-mount refrigerator, or any other suitable refrigerator appliance. As another example, the ice making assembly 200 may also be provided in a standalone ice maker appliance and/or may be the only ice making assembly in the ice maker appliance. As used herein, the term “standalone ice maker appliance” refers to an appliance of which the sole or primary operation is generating or producing ice, e.g., without any additional or other chilled chambers, whereas the more general term “ice maker appliance” includes such appliances as well as appliances with diverse capabilities in addition to making ice, such as a refrigerator appliance equipped with an ice maker, among other possible examples.
In some embodiments, the ice maker 200 may include a dedicated controller, e.g., similar to the controller 164 of the refrigerator appliance 100 which is described above. In embodiments where the ice maker 200 is incorporated into a refrigerator appliance such as the exemplary refrigerator appliance 100 described hereinabove, the dedicated controller may be in addition to the controller 164 of the refrigerator appliance and may be in communication with the controller 164 of the refrigerator appliance 100, and the controller of the ice maker 200 may be in operative communication with other components of the ice maker 200 and may be configured specifically for controlling or directing operation of such components.
Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5 , an exemplary embodiment of the ice maker 200 is illustrated. In some embodiments, the ice maker 200 may include an additive receiver 202, which may be a cup, reservoir, or chamber in which an additive may be received, such as directly received, or a pod or other container holding the additive may be received in the additive receiver 202. A lid or door 218 (FIG. 2 ) may be provided in order to permit access to the additive receiver 202, e.g., for adding, replacing, or removing additive from the additive receiver 202. As may be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 , a dispensing tube 210 may extend from the additive receiver 202 to provide a flow of additive 240 (FIG. 5 ) from the additive receiver 202 to the mold body 220, as will be discussed further below. The ice maker 200 may further include a water fill tube 222, e.g., which is coupled to a water supply to provide plain water 250 (e.g., tap water such as from a municipal water system, well, or other similar source of potable water, such that “plain water” is intended to refer to typical drinking water as is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art). The mold body 220 may be downstream of, e.g., below, the additive dispensing tube 210 and the water fill tube 222, such that the mold body 220 receives both water and additive in order to form infused ice from both the liquid water and the additive in the mold body 220.
As may be seen, e.g., in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the mold body 220 of the ice maker 200 may include one or more compartments 224 which define mold cavities 226 for receiving liquid therein, such as alternating volumes of distinct liquids to form distinct layers in the resultant ice piece. Each successive volume of liquid, e.g., liquid water alone or liquid water mixed with additive, may be retained within the compartment(s) 224 until ice is formed, e.g., the liquid may be held in the mold cavity 226 and cooled until the liquid freezes before flowing a subsequent volume of liquid into the mold body 220, thereby forming one or more layered ice pieces, e.g., comprising at least one enhanced or infused layer from water and additive (or the enhanced layer may include only additive) and at least one layer comprising water only.
A dosing pump 206 may be connected to the additive receiver 202, such as the dosing pump 206 may be connected to the additive receiver 202 via the dispensing tube 210, such as the dosing pump 206 may be coupled in line with the dispensing tube 210 or the dosing pump 206 may be a peristaltic pump engaged with an outer surface of the dispensing tube 210 (as will be described further below with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 ).
The dispensing tube 210 may be downstream of the additive receiver 202, such that a flow of additive from the additive receiver 202 may be urged by the dosing pump 206 to the mold body 220 via the dispensing tube 210. For example, the dispensing tube 210 may extend from an inlet of the dispensing tube 210 coupled to the additive receiver 202 to an outlet 211 of the dispensing tube 210.
The additive receiver 202 may define an internal volume 212 which is sized and configured to hold a volume of liquid additive, such as a volume that is, in proportion to the total volume of the mold cavity (or cavities) 226, sufficient for mixing with a volume of water to form infused ice pieces in the mold cavity 226. In some embodiments, the liquid additive may be poured directly into the additive receiver 202. In additional embodiments, the additive receiver 202 may also be sized and configured to hold a vessel, e.g., pod, containing the volume of liquid additive therein as well as or instead of liquid added directly into the additive receiver 202 (e.g., the internal volume 212 may be sized and configured to alternately receive liquid directly therein for one batch of enhanced ice and to receive a vessel therein for another batch of enhanced ice). Thus, the additive receiver 202 may be configured to hold an additive, such as a liquid additive, for mixing with liquid water as the liquid water flows from a fill tube 222 of the ice maker 200. The additive may be provided to and stored in the additive receiver 202 in a liquid state, and may remain in the liquid state at least until the additive mixes with liquid water.
Also illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a stream of water 250 emanating from the water fill tube 222, and, in FIG. 5 a stream of additive 240 emanating from an outlet 211 of the dispensing tube 210 is also illustrated. In some embodiments, a trough or cup, e.g., a fill cup 274, may be positioned between the fill tube 222 and the mold body 220. In such embodiments, the fill cup 274 may include two or more outlets 276, and each outlet 276 of the two or more outlets 276 may be positioned and configured to direct a flow of liquid to only one of the two or more mold cavities 226, and each mold cavity 226 of the two or more mold cavities 226 may be positioned and configured to receive the flow of liquid from only one of the two or more outlets 276. Thus, the outlets 276 and the mold cavities 226 may be paired in a one-to-one correspondence, e.g., one outlet 276 for each mold cavity 226, and one mold cavity 226 for each outlet 276. For example, in the illustrated embodiments, two mold cavities 226 are provided and the fill cup 274 includes two outlets 276. Also as may be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 , each outlet 276 may be in direct fluid communication with the respective mold cavity 226, such that the liquid (e.g., water and/or additive) flows to each mold cavity 226 from each outlet 276 without flowing through any intervening structures.
Accordingly, the mold body 220, e.g., the one or more mold cavities 226 therein, may be positioned downstream of the dispensing tube 210 and downstream of the fill tube 222, such as downstream of the fill cup 274 which receives the flow of additive 240 from the dispensing tube 210 and the flow of liquid water 250 from the fill tube 222.
Referring now to FIG. 4 in particular, in some embodiments, the ice maker 200 may be operable for flowing a first volume of liquid into at least one of the mold cavities, e.g., into both of the two mold cavities 226 illustrated in FIG. 4 at the same time. In such embodiments, the ice maker 200 may be further configured for retaining the first volume of liquid in the at least one of the mold cavities (e.g., both or all of the mold cavities in embodiments which include the fill cup 274 as illustrated in FIG. 4 and described above) for a first predetermined time after flowing the first volume of liquid into the at least one of the mold cavities. As a result of retaining the first volume of liquid in the mold cavity or cavities for the first predetermined time, a first layer of an ice piece 1000 (see, e.g., FIGS. 11A-11D) forms from the first volume of liquid in the mold cavity or cavities. As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the first volume of liquid may be water only, such that the first layer of the ice piece 1000 is a water layer 1002 (see, e.g., FIG. 5 ).
Referring now to FIG. 5 in particular, in such embodiments the ice maker 200 may also be configured for flowing a second volume of liquid into the at least one of the mold cavities after the first layer of the ice piece forms, and retaining the second volume of liquid in the at least one of the mold cavities for a second predetermined time to form a second layer of the ice piece. In some embodiments, the second volume of liquid may be a different liquid than the first volume of liquid, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 , one of the first volume and the second volume may be water only and the other of the first volume and the second volume may be a mixture of additive and water.
In exemplary embodiments where the first volume and/or second volume of liquid is or includes the mixture of additive and water, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 5 , the stream of additive 240 and the stream of water 250 may mix at least partially in the fill cup 274, forming a mixture 260 of water and additive. The mixing may be complete in the fill cup 274 alone, or the additive and the water may be only partially mixed in the fill cup 274, e.g., the mixing of the water 250 and additive 240 may continue as the liquid flows into the mold cavity 226, and the mixture 260 may only completely form (e.g., mixing of the water 250 and additive 240 may be completed) in the mold cavity 226.
Thus, in such embodiments, the mold cavity 226 may be configured for receiving the mixture 260 of liquid water and liquid additive, e.g., from the fill cup 274. The mold cavity 226 may be further configured for retaining the mixture 260 of liquid water and liquid additive to form a second layer of the ice piece from the mixture 260 in the mold cavity. For example, in embodiments such as the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 , the second layer may be a mixed layer 1004 (see, e.g., FIGS. 11A-11D) which is formed from the mixture 260 of additive 240 and water 250.
In some embodiments, the first volume may be the same volume as the second volume, or the second volume and the first volume may differ. In embodiments where the first volume is a different volume than the second volume, the resultant first and second layers of the ice piece 1000 will have different thicknesses or heights. In some embodiments, the first predetermined time may be the same amount of time as the second predetermined time, or the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time may be different lengths of time. For example, varying the length of time for each volume of liquid may also create distinct layers, such as one layer may be clear while another layer may be cloudy. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the first and second volumes may be different liquids, different volumes, or both. Moreover, any of the foregoing variations may be combined with the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time being approximately the same or being different amounts of time.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 , in some embodiments, the ice maker 200 may still include the fill cup 274, but the additive, e.g., the dispensing tube 210 which conveys the additive to the mold body 220, may bypass the fill cup 274. Such embodiments may provide easier cleaning, in that the fill cup 274 may not need to be cleaned (or at least not cleaned as frequently) when the additive is not flowed through the fill cup 274. In such embodiments, the dispensing tube 210 may include a first outlet 211 to provide additive 240 (FIG. 7 ) to a first one of the mold cavities 226 and a second outlet 213 to provide additive 240 (FIG. 7 ) to a second one of the mold cavities 226. The first and second outlets 211 and 213 of the dispensing tube 210 may be in direct fluid communication with each respective mold cavity 226, such that the liquid additive flows to each mold cavity 226 from each outlet 211, 213 without flowing through any intervening structures. Embodiments such as the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 may be similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 described above, e.g., may be configured for flowing the various volumes of liquid simultaneously into each (e.g., both) of the mold cavities 226.
In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 , the ice maker 200 may also include an actuator 280 coupled to the dispensing tube 210 and the fill tube 222. The actuator 280 may be operable to selectively move the dispensing tube and the fill tube between a first position and a second position. The dispensing tube 210 and the fill tube 222 may be positioned for directing a flow of at least one liquid from the dispensing tube 210 and the fill tube 222 (e.g., at least water 250 from the fill tube 222 or additive 240 from the dispensing tube 210, or both additive 240 from the dispensing tube 210 and water 250 from the fill tube 222) to a first mold cavity 226 of the two or more mold cavities 226 in the first position. The dispensing tube 210 and the fill tube 222 may be positioned for directing a flow of at least one liquid from the dispensing tube 210 and the fill tube 222 to a second mold cavity 226 of the two or more mold cavities 226 in the second position. For example, the actuator 280 may be or may include a motor, such as a wax motor. The wax motor, as is generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, may include a spring embedded in wax and a heater, where the heater causes the wax to melt when the heater is activated, such that the spring is then freed to move to a second position toward which the spring is biased. The components of the wax motor, being understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, are not specifically illustrated or described in further detail herein for the sake of brevity and clarity.
In embodiments where the actuator 280 is provided, the first volume of liquid may be provided in a first proportion (e.g., half in embodiments which include two mold cavities 226, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 ) to a first one of the mold cavities 226, as shown in FIG. 8 . Turning now to FIG. 9 , the actuator 280 may then move the dispensing tube 210 and the fill tube 222 (e.g., such motion indicated by arrow M in FIG. 9 ) to a second position, from which a second proportion of the first volume of liquid may be provided to a second mold cavity 226. As illustrated in FIG. 10 , the dispensing tube 210 and the fill tube 222 may be returned to the first position, e.g., when the wax of the wax motor resolidifies after the heater is deactivated in embodiments where the actuator 280 is provided as a wax motor. After returning to the first position (and after retaining at least the first proportion of the first volume of liquid long enough to freeze), a first proportion of the second volume of liquid may be provided to the first mold cavity 226, e.g., where the second volume of liquid is the mixture 260 as illustrated in FIG. 10 . Thus, it will be understood that the actuator may again move the dispensing tube 210 and the fill tube 222 to the second position in order to provide a second proportion of the second volume of liquid to the second mold cavity 226 (e.g., after the second proportion of the first volume of liquid has been retained in the mold body 220 long enough to freeze and thereby complete formation of the first layer of each ice piece in the exemplary two mold cavities 226). Also, in embodiments where more than two mold cavities are provided, the actuator 280 may be operable to move the dispensing tube 210 and the fill tube 222 to a third position, to provide one or more liquids to a third mold cavity 226, etc.
Various exemplary ice pieces 1000 having two or more distinct layers which may be formed using ice makers 200 and/or methods of operating an ice maker according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D. As noted above, such layers may be distinct as a result of differences in the liquid provided in the first volume of liquid and the second volume of liquid, differences in the volume of the first volume of liquid and the second volume of liquid, and/or differences in the length of time that each volume of liquid is retained in the mold body. For example, any two of the foregoing may be varied, or all three may be varied, or only one may be varied, in order to form the distinct layers from the two or more volumes of liquid.
The number and size of layers may vary. For example, as may be seen from FIGS. 11A-11D generally, the two or more distinct layers may include three layers (see, e.g., FIG. 11B), four layers (see, e.g., FIGS. 11C and 11D), or more than four layers, such as six layers as illustrated in FIG. 11A. Also as may be seen throughout FIGS. 11A-11D, the size, e.g., thickness or height, of the layers may be equal or may differ, or, in embodiments with at least three layers, some layers may be the same size while other layers have a different size.
As illustrated in FIG. 11A, the ice piece 1000 may include a water layer 1002 (which may also be referred to as a plain layer, and which may be a clear layer or a cloudy later, e.g., based on the predetermined amount of time for which the water was retained in the mold cavity to form the layer), e.g., the first layer may be a water layer 1002. The second layer of the ice piece 1000 may be a mixed layer 1004, e.g., may be formed from a volume liquid that included both additive and water mixed together. Also as shown in FIG. 11A, the ice piece 1000 may include a second water layer 1006. For example, the first water layer 1002 may be a clear layer, and the second water layer 1006 may be a cloudy layer (e.g., due to variations in the freezing time, as noted above). In some embodiments, the pattern of layers may be repeated, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 11A. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, the layers may begin with a pattern of clear water layer 1002, mixed water and additive layer 1004, and cloudy water ice layer 1006, with three additional layers in the same order. In additional embodiments, the pattern of layers may vary or be asymmetrical. For example, the first (bottommost) layer may be cloudy water ice layer 1006, followed by an enhanced (i.e., mixed) ice layer 1004, then the clear ice layer 1002, a second mixed layer 1004, a second cloudy layer 1006, and finally a second clear ice layer 1002, among numerous other possible asymmetrical patterns of different layers.
Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13 , in some embodiments, the dosing pump 206 may be a peristaltic pump. For example, a segment of the dispensing tube 210 may extend through a housing 236 of the peristaltic pump 206, and the peristaltic pump 206 may include a plurality of rollers 232, each of which compresses a portion of the dispensing tube 210 between the roller 232 and the housing 236. The peristaltic pump 206 may further include a motor 234 (FIG. 13 ), such as a stepper motor, which is operable to rotate the rollers 232 within the housing 236 such that the rollers 232 progressively and sequentially compress portions of the dispensing tube 210, thereby urging the additive from the additive receiver 202 through the dispensing tube 210 and to the mold body 220.
Turning now to FIG. 14 , embodiments of the present disclosure may also include methods of operating an ice maker appliance, such as the exemplary method 600 illustrated in FIG. 14 . Such methods may be used with any suitable ice maker appliance, for example but not limited to the exemplary refrigerator appliance 100 and/or ice maker 200 described above. Thus, for example, the ice maker appliance may include a fill tube in fluid communication with a water supply and a mold body comprising two or more mold cavities. The mold body may be positioned downstream of the fill tube.
As illustrated in FIG. 14 , in some embodiments, methods according to the present disclosure such as method 600 may include (610) flowing a first volume of liquid into at least one of the mold cavities, and (620) retaining the first volume of liquid in the at least one of the mold cavities for a first predetermined time after flowing the first volume of liquid into the at least one of the mold cavities. As a result of retaining the first volume of liquid, a first layer of an ice piece forms from the first volume of liquid in the mold cavity.
Method 600 may also include (630) flowing a second volume of liquid into the at least one of the mold cavities after the first layer of the ice piece forms. Method 600 may further include (640) retaining the second volume of liquid in the at least one of the mold cavities for a second predetermined time to form a second layer of the ice piece. As a result, the second layer of the ice piece is distinct from the first layer of the ice piece. For example, the second layer of the ice piece may be visually distinct from the first layer of the ice piece, such as the layers may vary in color (e.g., one of the layers may include an additive which provides a distinct color) and/or clarity (e.g., one of the layers may be frozen more slowly to form clearer ice, whereas another layer may be frozen rapidly to form cloudy ice). The second layer may also be distinct from the first layer in taste, e.g., one of the layers may include an additive and the additive may be or may include a flavorant.
For example, in some embodiments, the first volume of liquid may include water only and the second volume of liquid may also include water only. In such embodiments, the second predetermined time may differ from the first predetermined time, and, as a result of such time difference, one of the first layer or the second layer may be a layer of clear ice and the other of the first layer or the second layer may be non-clear ice (e.g., a cloudy layer), thus causing the second layer of the ice piece to be visually distinct from the first layer of the ice piece, e.g., due to the variation in clarity.
In some embodiments, one of the first volume of liquid or the second volume of liquid may include a liquid additive. In some embodiments, the one of the first volume of liquid or the second volume of liquid may include only the liquid additive, e.g., may be a volume of pure additive which, when frozen, forms a layer of the ice piece that is a pure additive layer. In additional embodiments, the volume of liquid that includes the additive may be a mixed liquid, e.g., the one of the first volume of liquid or the second volume of liquid may include liquid water and the liquid additive. Thus, the resultant ice piece may include at least one enhanced layer containing the additive (either additive alone or a mixture of additive and water), and the resultant ice piece may also include at least one plain layer or water ice layer, e.g., the other of the first volume of liquid or the second volume of liquid may include only liquid water.
In some embodiments, (610) flowing the first volume of liquid into at least one of the mold cavities may include flowing the first volume of liquid simultaneously into each mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities, such as from multiple outlets of a fill cup 274 (see, e.g., FIGS. 4-7 ). In such embodiments, (630) flowing the second volume of liquid into the at least one of the mold cavities after the first layer of ice forms may also include flowing the second volume of liquid simultaneously into each mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities. For example, the ice maker appliance may further include a fill cup between the fill tube and the mold body. The fill cup may include two or more outlets, such that flowing the first volume of liquid simultaneously into each mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities may include flowing at least a portion of the first volume of liquid simultaneously through the two or more outlets of the fill cup into each mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities, and flowing the second volume of liquid simultaneously into each mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities may include flowing at least a portion of the second volume of liquid simultaneously through the two or more outlets of the fill cup into each mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities.
In some embodiments, (610) flowing the first volume of liquid into at least one of the mold cavities may include flowing a first proportion of the first volume of liquid only into one first mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities. Such embodiments may also include flowing a second proportion of the first volume of liquid only into one second mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities while retaining the first proportion of the first volume of liquid in the one first mold cavity. In such embodiments, flowing the second volume of liquid into the at least one of the mold cavities after the first layer of ice forms may include flowing a first proportion of the second volume of liquid only into the one first mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities.
In such embodiments, the ice maker appliance may include an additive cup configured to receive a volume of liquid additive, a dispensing tube extending between the additive cup and the mold body, and an actuator coupled to the dispensing tube and the fill tube. Exemplary methods according to such embodiments may further include moving, by the actuator, the dispensing tube and the fill tube from a first position to a second position after flowing the first proportion of the first volume of liquid only into the one first mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities and before flowing the second proportion of the first volume of liquid only into the one second mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities while retaining the first volume of liquid in the one first mold cavity.
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.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An ice maker appliance, comprising:

a fill tube in fluid communication with a water supply;

a mold body comprising two or more mold cavities, the mold body positioned downstream of the fill tube; and

a controller, the controller configured for:

flowing a first volume of liquid into at least one of the mold cavities;

retaining the first volume of liquid in the at least one of the mold cavities for a first predetermined time after flowing the first volume of liquid into the at least one of the mold cavities, whereby a first layer of an ice piece forms from the first volume of liquid in the mold cavity;

flowing a second volume of liquid into the at least one of the mold cavities after the first layer of the ice piece forms; and

retaining the second volume of liquid in the at least one of the mold cavities for a second predetermined time to form a second layer of the ice piece, whereby the second layer of the ice piece is distinct from the first layer of the ice piece.

2. The ice maker appliance of claim 1, further comprising an additive cup configured to receive a volume of liquid additive and a dispensing tube extending between the additive cup and the mold body, wherein one of the first volume of liquid or the second volume of liquid comprises liquid additive from the additive cup via the dispensing tube.

3. The ice maker appliance of claim 2, further comprising a fill cup between the fill tube and the mold body, the fill cup comprising two or more outlets, each outlet of the two or more outlets positioned and configured to direct a flow of liquid to only one of the two or more mold cavities, and each mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities positioned and configured to receive the flow of liquid from only one of the two or more outlets.

4. The ice maker appliance of claim 3, wherein the dispensing tube extends to two or more outlets, each outlet of the two or more outlets in direct fluid communication with one corresponding mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities.

5. The ice maker appliance of claim 3, wherein the dispensing tube extends to an outlet upstream of the fill cup, whereby the fill cup is positioned and configured to receive a flow of liquid additive from the additive cup via the dispensing tube and to receive a flow of liquid water from the fill tube.

6. The ice maker appliance of claim 2, further comprising an actuator coupled to the dispensing tube and the fill tube, the actuator operable to selectively move the dispensing tube and the fill tube between a first position and a second position, wherein the dispensing tube and the fill tube are positioned for directing a flow of at least one liquid from the dispensing tube and the fill tube to a first mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities in the first position and wherein the dispensing tube and the fill tube are positioned for directing a flow of at least one liquid from the dispensing tube and the fill tube to a second mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities in the second position.

7. A method of operating an ice maker appliance, the ice maker appliance comprising a fill tube in fluid communication with a water supply and a mold body comprising two or more mold cavities, the mold body positioned downstream of the fill tube, the method comprising:

flowing a first volume of liquid into at least one of the mold cavities;

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first volume of liquid consists of water only, the second volume of liquid consists of water only, and wherein the second predetermined time differs from the first predetermined time whereby one of the first layer or the second layer is a layer of clear ice and the other of the first layer or the second layer is non-clear ice, whereby the second layer of the ice piece is visually distinct from the first layer of the ice piece.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein one of the first volume of liquid or the second volume of liquid comprises a liquid additive.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one of the first volume of liquid or the second volume of liquid consists of only the liquid additive.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the one of the first volume of liquid or the second volume of liquid comprises liquid water and the liquid additive.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the other of the first volume of liquid or the second volume of liquid consists of only liquid water.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein flowing the first volume of liquid into at least one of the mold cavities comprises flowing the first volume of liquid simultaneously into each mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities, and wherein flowing the second volume of liquid into the at least one of the mold cavities after the first layer of ice forms comprises flowing the second volume of liquid simultaneously into each mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the ice maker appliance further comprises a fill cup between the fill tube and the mold body, the fill cup comprising two or more outlets, wherein flowing the first volume of liquid simultaneously into each mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities comprises flowing at least a portion of the first volume of liquid simultaneously through the two or more outlets of the fill cup into each mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities, and wherein flowing the second volume of liquid simultaneously into each mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities comprises flowing at least a portion of the second volume of liquid simultaneously through the two or more outlets of the fill cup into each mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities.

15. The method of claim 7, wherein flowing the first volume of liquid into at least one of the mold cavities comprises flowing a first proportion of the first volume of liquid only into one first mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities, further comprising flowing a second proportion of the first volume of liquid only into one second mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities while retaining the first proportion of the first volume of liquid in the one first mold cavity, and wherein flowing the second volume of liquid into the at least one of the mold cavities after the first layer of ice forms comprises flowing a first proportion of the second volume of liquid only into the one first mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities, further comprising flowing a second proportion of the second volume of liquid only into the one second mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities while retaining the first proportion of the second volume of liquid in the one first mold cavity.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first volume is of a first liquid, and wherein the second volume is of a second liquid different from the first liquid.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the ice maker appliance further comprises an additive cup configured to receive a volume of liquid additive, a dispensing tube extending between the additive cup and the mold body, and an actuator coupled to the dispensing tube and the fill tube, further comprising moving, by the actuator, the dispensing tube and the fill tube from a first position to a second position after flowing the first proportion of the first volume of liquid only into the one first mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities and before flowing the second proportion of the first volume of liquid only into the one second mold cavity of the two or more mold cavities while retaining the first proportion of the first volume of liquid in the one first mold cavity.

18. The method of claim 7, wherein the first volume of liquid is a different volume than the second volume of liquid.

19. The method of claim 7, wherein the first volume of liquid is a generally equal volume to the second volume of liquid.

20. The method of claim 7, further comprising flowing a third volume of liquid into the at least one of the mold cavities after the second layer of the ice piece forms, and retaining the third volume of liquid in the at least one of the mold cavities for a third predetermined time to form a third layer of the ice piece, whereby the third layer of the ice piece is distinct from at least one of the first layer and the second layer of the ice piece.