US3593539A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ice-flake-making machine
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-11-14
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1988-11-14
Abstract
Abstract There is provided an improvement in an icemaking machine of the type wherein there is a cylindrical vertical chamber including a chamber sidewall having a discharge opening at its upper end. Means are provided for supplying water to the lower end of the chamber. Refrigeration means are provided for freezing the water on the inside surface of the chamber wall. A screw conveyor is rotatably mounted within the chamber and includes a helical screw in close proximity to the inside surface of the chamber to scrape off ice therefrom as the conveyor rotates and delivers a column of ice toward the opening. A generally annular breaker member is provided around the upper portion of the screw conveyor in the path of the column of ice moving toward the opening. Means are provided for biasing the breaker member downwardly.
Inventors
- 👤 Armin Fiedler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:45
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25C; F25C1/00; F25C1/12; F25C1/14; F25C1/145; F25C1/147
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
In an icemaking machine, means forming a vertical cylindrical freezing chamber having a discharge opening at its upper end defined by the chamber sidewall at the upper end thereof, means forming a water supply inlet to the chamber adjacent the lower end thereof, refrigeration means for freezing the water on the inside surface of said wall, a screw conveyor rotatably mounted within the chamber including aN upper portion and a lower portion having a helical thread in sufficiently close proximity to said inside surface of said chamber to scrape off ice therefrom as the conveyor rotates and delivers a column of ice toward said opening, a generally annular breaker member around said upper portion in the path of the column of ice moving toward said opening for closing the same, and biasing means for biasing said member toward a closed position against said upper end of said chamber sidewall whereby said ice is extruded radially outward under resilient pressure exerted thereon between said breaker member and said upper end of said chamber sidewall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
In an icemaking machine, means forming a vertical cylindrical freezing chamber having a discharge opening at its upper end defined by the chamber sidewall at the upper end thereof, means forming a water supply inlet to the chamber adjacent the lower end thereof, refrigeration means for freezing the water on the inside surface of said wall, a screw conveyor rotatably mounted within the chamber including aN upper portion and a lower portion having a helical thread in sufficiently close proximity to said inside surface of said chamber to scrape off ice therefrom as the conveyor rotates and delivers a column of ice toward said opening, a generally annular breaker member around said upper portion in the path of the column of ice moving toward said opening for closing the same, and biasing means for biasing said member toward a closed position against said upper end of said chamber sidewall whereby said ice is extruded radially outward under resilient pressure exerted thereon between said breaker member and said upper end of said chamber sidewall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An icemaking machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower portions form a shoulder at their juncture defining a seat, and said member rests on said seat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An icemaking machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said breaker member has an upwardly and outwardly directed arcuate lower surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An icemaking machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said breaker member is a resilient disc normally seated against the top of said cylindrical chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An icemaking machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said breaker member is a resilient torus having its outermost edge in close proximity to the inside surface of said cylindrical chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
An icemaking machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said breaker member includes an inverted cup-shaped member having a cone-shaped lower inner surface and a discharge opening in its sidewall remote from said lower inner surface, said lower portion and said helical thread having a complementary taper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An icemaking machine as set forth in claim 1 including means for selectively adjusting the biasing force exerted by said biasing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |