FIELD
The present subject matter relates generally to icemaker appliances, and more particularly to ice processing devices.
BACKGROUND
Ice crusher devices, such as food processors, ice choppers, blenders, or other food processing appliances, may include rotating blades used to process ice into soft ice or slush. However, chunks of ice, or processed ice, may become stuck or lodged in cavities or between blades at the ice crusher device. When stuck in such devices, some ice may prevent other ice from being processed. Such devices may result in some ice being processed and other ice remaining as relatively larger chunks.
Slush making devices may require a cooling system, such as a freezer appliance or heat exchanger, to make slush. However, freezer appliances and heat exchangers may be complex and inhibit users from acquiring slush making devices.
Accordingly, devices and methods for ice processing are desired and would be advantageous. Furthermore, devices and methods for processing ice into slush are desired and would be advantageous.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an ice processing device. The ice processing device includes a housing and an auger. The housing includes a side wall and a bottom wall. The housing includes an inlet opening configured to receive ice into an ice processing chamber within the housing. The housing includes a first inner wall and a second inner wall. The first inner wall includes a raised surface and the second inner wall includes a smooth surface. The housing includes an outlet opening positioned proximate to the second inner wall. The outlet opening is configured to egress ice from the ice processing chamber. The auger includes an auger wall. The auger is positioned within the housing to form the ice processing chamber between the housing and the auger wall. The auger is configured to direct ice to the first inner wall and the second inner wall at the housing. A plurality of members extends from the housing toward the auger wall.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an ice processing apparatus. The ice processing apparatus includes an ice processing device including a housing and an auger. The housing includes a side wall and a bottom wall. The housing includes an inlet opening configured to receive ice into an ice processing chamber within the housing. The housing includes a first inner wall and a second inner wall. The first inner wall includes a raised surface and the second inner wall includes a smooth surface. The housing includes an outlet opening positioned proximate to the second inner wall. The outlet opening is configured to egress ice from the ice processing chamber. The auger includes an auger wall. The auger is positioned within the housing to form the ice processing chamber between the housing and the auger wall. The auger is configured to direct ice to the first inner wall and the second inner wall at the housing. A plurality of members extends from the housing toward the auger wall. An auger drive shaft is coupled to the auger and is configured to transmit torque to rotate the auger.
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 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an appliance and ice processing apparatus in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 depicts a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an appliance and ice processing device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 depicts a side cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an ice processing apparatus in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 depicts a side cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an ice processing device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5A depicts a perspective view of an auger of the ice processing device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5B depicts a perspective view of a housing of the ice processing device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6 depicts a top-down of an exemplary embodiment of the ice processing device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 7 depicts a portion of an exemplary embodiment of the ice processing device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 8 depicts a portion of an exemplary embodiment of the ice processing device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
FIG. 9 depicts a side cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an ice processing apparatus in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 10 depicts a side cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an ice processing apparatus in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
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, 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. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,” “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin (i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value). In this regard, for example, 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 (e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, such as, clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V).
Embodiments of an ice processing device 100, an ice processing apparatus 50, and an appliance 10 are provided. Embodiments provided herein provide structures and devices configured to execute ice processing methods for processing ice into slush. Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-10 depict exemplary embodiments of the ice processing device 100, the ice processing apparatus, and the appliance 10. Referring to the perspective view provided in FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the appliance 10 may include a power unit or motor 12 configured to output a motive force to the ice processing device 100. A power drive shaft 24 may operably connect the motor 12 to the ice processing apparatus 50 to provide the motive force to operate the ice processing device 100. The ice processing apparatus 50 may include a container 20, such as a bowl, ramp, tray, pan, an open-ended container, or a selectively closable container, configured to receive ice and egress the ice to the ice processing device 100. The ice processing apparatus 50 may include a transmission or drive unit 200 configured to deliver power from the appliance 10 to the ice processing device 100, such as further described herein. Referring to FIG. 1, the appliance 10 may be configured as a stand mixer appliance at which the power drive shaft 24 is connectable to the motor 12 to transmit power to the ice processing device 100.
Referring to FIG. 2, a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an appliance 10 and ice processing device 100 are provided. Referring to FIG. 2, the appliance 10 may be configured to generate ice 16. The appliance 10 may be configured as an icemaking appliance, such as a nugget icemaker, a pellet icemaker, or a soft icemaker. However, it should be appreciated that other embodiments of icemaking appliance may be utilized, including, but not limited to, free-standing icemaking appliances, freezer appliances, or refrigerator appliances including icemaker appliances.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a side cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the ice processing apparatus 50 is provided. The ice processing apparatus 50 may include the container 20, the drive unit 200, and the ice processing device 100. The container 20 is configured to receive ice and egress the ice through an opening 206 into a channel 204. The channel 204 may be formed between an outer wall 210 and an inner wall 220. The inner wall 220 may form a cavity 208. The inner wall 220 may be configured to fluidly separate the cavity 208 from the channel 204. The power drive shaft 24 may extend into through the outer wall 210 into the cavity 208. In various embodiments, a transmission interface 214 is positioned within the cavity 208. In some embodiments, the transmission interface 214 includes a gear assembly. For instance, transmission interface 214 may include a first gear 212 coupled to the power drive shaft 24. The transmission interface 214 may include a second gear 216 coupled to an auger drive shaft 104 at the ice processing device 100. In certain embodiments, the transmission interface 214 forms a bevel gear interface at which the first gear 212 and the second gear 216 mesh to one another. The transmission interface 214 forming a gear assembly may include the first gear 212 and the second gear 216 forming bevel gears, straight bevel gears, spiral bevel gears, miter gears, or other appropriate type of gear or gear assembly, such as to translate input power from a horizontal axis (e.g., from the stand mixer) to a vertical axis (e.g., to the ice processing device).
Referring briefly to FIG. 9, in some embodiments, the auger drive shaft 104 may extend upward from the ice processing device 100 to position the transmission interface 214 outside of the drive unit 200. For instance, the transmission interface 214 may be positioned above the container 20, such as to allow for a hand mixer appliance or other motive device to output power to the auger drive shaft 104 to rotate an auger 120 at the ice processing device 100.
Referring briefly to FIG. 10, in some embodiments, the auger drive shaft 104 may extend downward from the ice processing device 100 to position the transmission interface 214 outside of the drive unit 200. For instance, the transmission interface 214 may be positioned below the ice processing device 100, such as to allow a mixer, blender, food processor, or other appropriate appliance to output power to the auger drive shaft 104 to rotate the auger 120 at the ice processing device 100.
Referring back to FIG. 3, the ice processing device 100 may include a housing 110 including a side wall 118 and a bottom wall 117. The housing 110 forms an inlet opening 106 through which ice is allowed to ingress into the housing 110. In certain embodiments, the housing 110 is configured to interface with the drive unit 200, such as to allow the drive unit 200 to position atop the housing 110. The channel 204 at the drive unit 200 is positioned to allow ice to egress from the container 20 through the channel 204 and the inlet opening 106 into the housing 110. In various embodiments, the ice processing apparatus 50 includes the container 20, the drive unit 200, and the ice processing device 100 configured to stack in vertical arrangement, such as to allow gravity to flow the ice from the container 20 through the drive unit 200 and into the ice processing device 100.
Referring now to FIGS. 3-8, views of an embodiment of the ice processing device 100 are depicted. Referring to FIGS. 3-4, the ice processing device 100 includes the auger 120 positioned in the housing 110. A ice processing chamber 108 is formed between the auger 120 and the housing 110. The auger drive shaft 104 is extendable through a center plenum formed through the auger 120. The auger drive shaft 104 is attached to the auger 120 to allow the auger drive shaft 104 to transfer torque and power to rotate the auger 120.
Referring to FIGS. 3-4 and FIG. 5A, the auger 120 may include a conical or frustoconical body having an auger wall 122. The auger 120 may include a top portion 126 (e.g., proximate to the container 20) at which the auger wall 122 extends from a smaller radius to a larger radius at a bottom portion 128 (e.g., distal to the container 20). The auger 120 includes an auger blade 124 extending around the auger wall 122. The auger blade 124 may extend in spiral or helical configuration from the top portion 126 to the bottom portion 128. The auger blade 124 may be configured to direct ice from the inlet opening 106 toward a decreasing cross sectional area at the ice processing chamber 108 between the auger 120 and the housing 110. For instance, the auger blade 124 may direct the ice toward an inner wall 112, 114, such as to process the ice between the inner wall 112, 114 and the auger 120, such as further described herein.
Referring to FIGS. 3-4 and FIG. 5B, the housing 110 may include a first inner wall 112 forming a first processing zone 101. FIGS. 6-7 depicts a top-down view of a portion of the first processing zone 101 at the ice processing device 100. The first inner wall 112 may include wedges, ridges, protrusions, teeth, castellations, or other raised surfaces. The first inner wall 112 may configure the first processing zone 101 as a crushing zone. The first processing zone 101 forming the crushing zone may include the auger 120 extending radially toward the first inner wall 112, such as to direct ice onto the raised surfaces to crush the ice. The first processing zone 101 may extend from the top portion 126 toward the bottom portion 128. For instance, the first inner wall 112 and first processing zone 101 may extend for approximately 90% of the height (i.e., vertical extension between the top portion 126 and the bottom portion 128) of the auger 120, or approximately 80% of the height of the auger 120, or approximately 70% of the height of the auger 120, or approximately 60% of the height of the auger 120, or other appropriate percentage or portion relative to the height of the auger 120.
Referring still to FIGS. 3-4 and FIG. 5B, the housing 110 may further include a second inner wall 114 forming a second processing zone 102. FIG. 8 depicts a top-down view of a portion of the second processing zone 102 at the ice processing device 100. The second inner wall 114 may form a smooth surface, such as a smooth surface relative to the raised surface at the first inner wall 112. The second inner wall 114 may configure the second processing zone 102 as a mashing zone or slush zone. The second inner wall 114 and the second processing zone 102 may be positioned below the first inner wall 112 and the first processing zone 101 relative to the height of the housing 110 and auger 120. For instance, an outermost radius of the auger 120 may be formed at the second processing zone 102. As such, a second cross sectional area of the ice processing chamber 108 at the second processing zone 102 may be smaller than a cross sectional area of the ice processing chamber 108 at the first processing zone 101.
Referring to FIGS. 3-4, FIG. 5B, and FIGS. 6-7, in various embodiments, the housing 110 includes a plurality of members 130 extending radially inward from the inner wall 112, 114 toward the auger wall 122. The plurality of members 130 may form a brush. The plurality of members 130 may include a silicone material or other appropriate material such as may be configured with sufficient rigidity to brush or scrape ice, ice-mash, or slush from the auger wall 122. The plurality of members 130, the auger blade 124, or both, may transfer or direct ice from the top portion 126 to the bottom portion 128. The plurality of members 130 may prevent ice or slush from sticking to the auger 120 or piling at the bottom portion 128 of the ice processing device 100.
Referring to FIGS. 3-4 and FIG. 5B, the housing 110 may form an outlet opening 116 at the bottom portion 128. The outlet opening 116 is configured to allow processed ice (e.g., slush) to egress from the ice processing chamber 108. In some embodiments, the outlet opening 116 extends through the bottom wall 117 of the housing 110. In still some embodiments, such as depicted in FIG. 10, the outlet opening 116 extends through the side wall 118 at the second processing zone 102.
In an exemplary embodiment of a method for operation, a user or the appliance 10 provides ice to the container 20. In some embodiments, the ice is soft ice, such as, but not limited to, nugget ice, pellet ice, or chewable ice. Ice egresses the container 20 into the ice processing device 100. For instance, ice may egress from the container 20 through the channel 204 at the drive unit 200 through the inlet opening 106 into the ice processing chamber 108 at the ice processing device 100. In still some embodiments, ice may egress directly from the container 20 through the inlet opening 106 into the ice processing chamber 108. The auger drive shaft 104 receives a motive force or torque (e.g., from the appliance 10) to rotate the auger 120. The auger blade 124 moves the ice from the top portion 126 toward the bottom portion 128, such as in a helical or spiral configuration. The conical or frustoconical extension of the auger wall 122 pushes the ice toward an ice crushing surface (e.g., raised surfaces) at the first inner wall 112 at the first processing zone 101. The auger wall 122 further pushes, mashes, or squeezes the crushed ice toward the second inner wall 114 at the second processing zone 102. The slush or mashed ice egresses from the second processing zone 102 through the outlet opening 116.
Some embodiments of the appliance 100 and ice described herein may form or generate soft ice. For instance, nugget, pellet, chewable, or other soft icemaking appliances may contrast with other icemaking devices (e.g., refrigerator appliances), such as by an absence of trays of water configured to retain water until ice is frozen. One skilled in the art will appreciate that such differences in structure of ice may patentably separate soft ice, soft icemaking appliances, and ice processing devices from other icemaking and ice processing devices.
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.
Patent Application
20240151452
