MACHINE FOR PRODUCING ICE CUBES

Abstract

Disclosed is a machine for producing ice cubes, which comprises a tray specially designed for producing ice cubes, wherein an antifreeze liquid is used as a cold transmission medium, the forming tray comprising, on one side, a forming casing, and on the other side, a tray for spraying and collecting non-frozen sprayed water, the forming casing comprising a series of forming cavities aligned in rows that are each staggered with respect to the next. The machine further comprises a pair of tubes arranged at the side of the forming casing and connected to the free inside space between the forming cavities, which tubes are for pumping and returning the antifreeze liquid.

Claims

1. A machine for producing ice cubes, comprising at least one column wherein a series of forming trays is arranged vertically aligned with a slight inclination, wherein the ice cubes produced are collected by means of spiral collection and are placed on a collecting belt, wherein the machine has at least two tanks of antifreeze liquid (one cold and one hot) to which the forming trays are connected, each ice cube-forming tray comprises a forming casing under which a water spraying and collection tray are arranged for the excess water sprayed, as well as the cubes produced, wherein the forming casing comprises: a series of forming cavities arranged in rows that are each staggered with respect to the next, a first pumping tube for the antifreeze fluid arranged attached to one side of the forming casing and in connection with the inside space defined between the forming cavities and through which the antifreeze fluid flows in direct contact with the forming cavities, and a second antifreeze fluid return tube arranged attached to the opposite side of the forming casing to which the first pumping tube is attached, and said second return tube being connected to the inside space defined between the forming cavities.

2. The machine for producing ice cubes according to claim 1, wherein the spraying and collection tray comprises: a bottom or base provided with a series of spraying holes for spraying water at a very low temperature, side walls surrounding the perimeter of the bottom or base except for one side, collection grates for collecting the sprayed and non-frozen excess water which are arranged on the free side of the side wall, and a collection tank for the sprayed and non-frozen water which has tubes for the evacuation thereof.

3. The machine for producing ice cubes according to claim, wherein the forming casing comprises a series of holes, which are holes in connection with the forming cavities.

4. The machine for producing ice cubes according to claim 3, wherein the air inlet holes are positioned in the upper portion of each forming cavity.

5. The machine for producing ice cubes according to claim 1 wherein the connection of the pumping and return tubes to the inside space defined between the forming cavities is done through holes and, through which the antifreeze liquid is pumped and through which the antifreeze liquid returns, respectively, after inundating the inside space defined between the forming cavities.

6. The machine for producing ice cubes according to claim 1, wherein, in relation to the forming cavities, there are three spraying holes per forming cavity.

7. The machine for producing ice cubes according to claim 6, wherein the three spraying holes form an equilateral triangle centrally positioned with respect to the forming cavity.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0024] As a complement to the description provided herein, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, in accordance with a preferred practical exemplary embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied by a set of drawings which, by way of illustration and not limitation, represent the following.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a front view of the machine for producing ice cubes with the trays object of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the aforementioned machine.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows an isometric bottom view of the forming casing which forms part of the tray.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the cube-forming casing.

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the cube-forming casing.

[0030] FIG. 6 shows a detail of the tubes for pumping and returning antifreeze liquid.

[0031] FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a water spraying and collection tray of the forming tray.

[0032] FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of the water spraying and collection tray of the forming tray.

[0033] FIG. 9 shows a detail of the pumping or collection tubes.

[0034] FIG. 10 shows a side view of the tray and collection.

[0035] FIG. 11 shows a top view of the ice cube-forming tray.

[0036] FIG. 12 shows a representation of two trays and the assembly thereof in a machine like the ones in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0037] FIG. 13 shows a detail of the water-spraying holes.

[0038] FIG. 14 shows a schematic detail of the tray assembly.

[0039] FIG. 15 shows a top view attempting to highlight the paths of the antifreeze fluid.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0040] In light of the figures, a preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is described below.

[0041] FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the machine object of the invention in which the ice cube-forming tray (2) is used comprises at least one column (1), wherein a series of forming trays (2) is arranged in a vertically aligned manner with a slight inclination, wherein the ice cubes produced are collected by spiral collection means (3) and then placed on a collecting belt (5). The machine has at least two tanks of antifreeze fluid (cold and hot) (4) to which the forming trays (2) are connected.

[0042] Each ice cube-forming tray (2) comprises a forming casing (6) under which a water spraying and collection tray (11) for the excess sprayed water, as well as the cubes produced, is arranged.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows the forming casing (6) of the ice cube-forming tray (2).

[0044] The forming casing (6) comprises: [0045] a series of forming cavities (7) arranged in rows that are each staggered with respect to the next. [0046] a first pumping tube (8) for the antifreeze fluid arranged attached to one side of the forming casing (6) and in connection with the inside space (17) defined between the forming cavities (7) and through which the antifreeze fluid flows in direct contact with the forming cavities. [0047] a second return tube (9) for the antifreeze fluid arranged attached to one side of the forming casing (6) and in connection with the inside space (17) defined between the forming cavities (7).

[0048] FIG. 4 shows how the pumping (8) and return tubes (9) are attached to the sides of the forming casing (6) and in connection with the free space defined between the forming cavities (7).

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the forming casing (6) wherein a series of holes (10) can be seen, which are holes in connection with the forming cavities (7), with one hole per forming cavity (7), to allow for the inlet of air and for the ice cube to, once formed, be able to become detached.

[0050] FIG. 6 shows how the connection of the pumping (8) and return tubes (9) is carried out, each of them having holes (8.1) and (9.1), through which the antifreeze liquid is pumped and through which the antifreeze liquid returns, respectively, after inundating the inside space (17) defined between the forming cavities.

[0051] FIGS. 7 to 10 show the constructive features of the spraying and collection tray (11) which, as can be seen, comprises: [0052] a bottom or base provided with a series of spraying holes (12) for spraying water at a very low temperature, [0053] side walls (16) surrounding the perimeter of the bottom or base except for one side. [0054] collection grates (13) for collecting the sprayed and non-frozen excess water which are arranged on the free side of the side wall (16). [0055] a collection tank (14) for the sprayed and non-frozen water which has tubes (16) for the evacuation thereof.

[0056] FIG. 9 shows a possible embodiment in the geometric arrangement of the spraying holes (12) in relation to the forming cavities (7), in which, in the embodiment shown, three holes (12) are arranged per forming cavity (7), preferably in an arrangement forming an equilateral triangle.

[0057] FIGS. 11 to 13 show the relationship of the position of the air inlet holes (10) and the spraying holes (12), showing that while the spraying holes (12) are centered with respect to the forming cavities, the air inlet hole (10) is arranged in the upper portion of the forming cavity (7), since the inclination of the tray in this manner ensures the inlet of air at the highest portion of the forming cavity (7), preventing a possible vacuum which would prevent the ice cube from falling once it is formed.

[0058] Lastly, FIG. 12 schematically shows the relative positioning of the elements described above.

[0059] FIG. 13 shows that, due to the staggered arrangement of the forming cavities (7), the antifreeze fluid is forced to run in an undulating manner between the cavities, achieving maximum contact with the forming cavities, which results in greater efficiency in the transmission of both cold and heat and, consequently, a greater reduction in energy consumption, as well as in the of antifreeze fluid load and production time.

[0060] Having thus adequately described the nature of the present invention, as well as how to put it into practice, it must be noted that, within its essential nature, the invention may be carried out according to other embodiments differing in detail from that set out by way of example, which the protection sought would equally cover, provided that the fundamental principle thereof is not altered, changed or modified.