An ice maker includes a plurality of thermal insulation covers that contain a top mold and a bottom mold in a stacked arrangement for making ice. A fluid path is formed from a top thermal insulation cover through the top mold and into the bottom mold. The top mold includes a water inlet that extends through a top thermal insulation cover. The top mold also includes openings formed at its top and bottom that allow remaining liquid to flow into the bottom mold. During use, the ice maker forms decorative ice shapes in the top mold, where the ice is substantially transparent. Ice cubes can be formed in the bottom mold.

An ice maker includes a plurality of thermal insulation covers that contain a top mold and a bottom mold in a stacked arrangement for making ice. A fluid path is formed from a top thermal insulation cover through the top mold and into the bottom mold. The top mold includes a water inlet that extends through a top thermal insulation cover. The top mold also includes openings formed at its top and bottom that allow remaining liquid to flow into the bottom mold. During use, the ice maker forms decorative ice shapes in the top mold, where the ice is substantially transparent. Ice cubes can be formed in the bottom mold.

An ice maker and a refrigerator are provided. The ice maker comprises an ice making tray having a plurality of ice making spaces, a motor assembly for driving the ice making tray, and a bracket, the motor assembly is connected to the bracket, and the ice making tray has one end rotationally supported at the bracket; the ice maker further comprises a fan mounted at the bracket, the bracket comprises a top plate located at an upper portion of an opening of the ice making space and a side plate located at one side of the top plate, one end of the ice making tray is supported at the side plate, a supporting plate extends from a side edge of the side plate relative to the ice making tray, and the fan is connected to the supporting plate and has an air guide direction towards the ice making tray.

An ice cube tray includes a base and a lid for covering an open top of the base. The open top provides access to compartments for making individual ice cubes. The lid includes ridges on its bottom surface that define holding areas. When the lid covers the open top, such that the holding areas are facing the compartments, and the tray is turned upside down, ice cubes are released from the compartments and fall into the holding areas on the lid. When the base is moved away from the lid, the ice cubes are each held in a respective holding area for grasping by a user. Any ice cubes remaining on the lid remain held in the holding areas. The base can then be placed back over the lid and the tray can be turned right-side up, which returns the remaining ice cubes to their original compartments.

An ice cube tray includes a base and a lid for covering an open top of the base. The open top provides access to compartments for making individual ice cubes. The lid includes ridges on its bottom surface that define holding areas. When the lid covers the open top, such that the holding areas are facing the compartments, and the tray is turned upside down, ice cubes are released from the compartments and fall into the holding areas on the lid. When the base is moved away from the lid, the ice cubes are each held in a respective holding area for grasping by a user. Any ice cubes remaining on the lid remain held in the holding areas. The base can then be placed back over the lid and the tray can be turned right-side up, which returns the remaining ice cubes to their original compartments.

An ice maker includes an evaporator configured to freeze water into ice as it flows vertically down a freeze plate. A distributor distributes the water along the top of the freeze plate to form ice across the width of the freeze plate as the water flows downward along the freeze plate. The distributor can be integrated into the evaporator. For example, the distributor and evaporator can have a part in common. The distributor can be formed from two pieces that come together to form the freeze plate. The distributor can have various features that aid in providing a desirable distribution of water along the width of the freeze plate. The freeze plate can be mounted in an ice maker enclosure in thermal communication with the evaporator and to slant forward.

An ice maker includes an evaporator configured to freeze water into ice as it flows vertically down a freeze plate. A distributor distributes the water along the top of the freeze plate to form ice across the width of the freeze plate as the water flows downward along the freeze plate. The distributor can be integrated into the evaporator. For example, the distributor and evaporator can have a part in common. The distributor can be formed from two pieces that come together to form the freeze plate. The distributor can have various features that aid in providing a desirable distribution of water along the width of the freeze plate. The freeze plate can be mounted in an ice maker enclosure in thermal communication with the evaporator and to slant forward.

Disclosed is an evaporator assembly for a horizontal type ice making machine. The evaporator assembly includes a plurality of tubes for circulating a refrigerant; a plurality of conductive protrusions, which are thermally coupled to and extending from each of the plurality of tubes; and a non-conductive plate, which is arranged adjacent to the plurality of tubes. The non-conductive plate is defined with a plurality of moulds, wherein each of the plurality of moulds is defined with a provision to receive one of the plurality of conductive protrusions. Each of the plurality of tubes includes a hemispherical structure, configured to enclose a top portion of the mould. The configuration of the evaporator assembly facilitates fast and efficient formation of ice, and there improves the efficiency of the ice making machine.

Disclosed is an evaporator assembly for a horizontal type ice making machine. The evaporator assembly includes a plurality of tubes for circulating a refrigerant; a plurality of conductive protrusions, which are thermally coupled to and extending from each of the plurality of tubes; and a non-conductive plate, which is arranged adjacent to the plurality of tubes. The non-conductive plate is defined with a plurality of moulds, wherein each of the plurality of moulds is defined with a provision to receive one of the plurality of conductive protrusions. Each of the plurality of tubes includes a hemispherical structure, configured to enclose a top portion of the mould. The configuration of the evaporator assembly facilitates fast and efficient formation of ice, and there improves the efficiency of the ice making machine.

A packaging assembly for transporting and storing ice includes a tray having a base portion and a plurality of compartments formed on the base portion configured to receive at least one piece of ice, optionally manufactured by a multi-day freeze process followed by shaping and three-dimensional machine cutting. Each compartment includes an opening formed on the base portion of the packaging assembly, a bottom portion substantially parallel to the base portion, at least one sidewall having a first end and a second end, the at least one sidewall connecting the base portion to the bottom portion, and at least one volume strip formed in a respective at least one sidewall. The plurality of compartments are formed as at least one of a circular frustum, a square frustum, and a rectangle frustum.