US4344298A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ice cube forming tray for ice making machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-09-24
•
Granted: 1982-08-17
•
Expires: 2000-09-24
Abstract
Abstract An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine consisting of a plurality of side-by-side corrugated plates having alternating ridges and grooves, straight plates separating the corrugated plates and also providing outer borders to the corrugated plates, and triangular evaporator coils located in complementary mating engagement in the apices of the ridges and passing through complementary mating openings in the plates. The plates which are not corrugated, instead of being straight, may be of hollow diamond-shape to also carry refrigerant.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Biemiller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:03
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25C; F25C1/00; F25C1/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine comprising a plurality of members each formed to provide a plurality of aligned openings with alternating openings facing in opposite directions, first plate means located between adjacent members to provide first side walls, second plate means located at opposite outer sides of said plurality of members to provide second side walls, and a plurality of refrigerant-receiving evaporator tubes passing through said first and second plate means and being located in and forming the bottoms of said openings to provide direct engagement with water in said openings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine comprising a plurality of members each formed to provide a plurality of aligned openings with alternating openings facing in opposite directions, first plate means located between adjacent members to provide first side walls, second plate means located at opposite outer sides of said plurality of members to provide second side walls, and a plurality of refrigerant-receiving evaporator tubes passing through said first and second plate means and being located in and forming the bottoms of said openings to provide direct engagement with water in said openings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second plate means are hollow for receiving refrigerant and functioning as evaporator tubes to provide direct engagement with water in said openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first and second plate means provide a draft to the sides of said openings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein said openings are bounded by walls which produce a V-shaped form and wherein said evaporator tubes have diverging side walls for complementary mating engagement with the apices of said V-shaped forms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein said evaporator tubes are triangular in cross section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said plurality of members are corrugated plates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first plate means are of diamond shape in cross-section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said openings are bounded by walls which produce a V-shaped form and wherein said evaporator tubes have diverging side walls for complementary mating engagement with the apices of said V-shaped forms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said evaporator tubes are triangular in cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of members are corrugated plates for providing alternating ridges and grooves.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said refrigerant-receiving evaporator tubes are located at the bottoms of said grooves.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine comprising a member formed to provide a plurality of aligned openings with alternating openings facing in opposite directions, plate means located on opposite sides of said member to provide side walls, and a plurality of refrigerant-receiving evaporator tubes passing through said plate means and being located in and forming the bottoms of said openings to provide direct engagement with water in said openings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine comprising a member formed to provide a plurality of aligned openings with alternating openings facing in opposite directions, plate means located on opposite sides of said member to provide side walls, and a plurality of refrigerant-receiving evaporator tubes passing through said plate means and being located in and forming the bottoms of said openings to provide direct engagement with water in said openings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein said plate means are hollow for receiving refrigerant and functioning as evaporator tubes to provide direct engagement with water in said openings.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 13 wherein said plate means provide a draft to the sides of said openings.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 14 wherein said openings are bounded by walls which produce a V-shaped form and wherein said evaporator tubes have diverging side walls for complementary mating engagement with the apices of said V-shaped forms.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 13 wherein said members are corrugated plates.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 13 wherein said first plate means are of diamond shape in cross-section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein said openings are bounded by walls which produce a V-shaped form and wherein said evaporator tubes have diverging side walls for complementary mating engagement with the apices of said V-shaped forms.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein said member is a corrugated plate for providing alternating ridges and grooves.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ice cube forming tray for an ice making machine as set forth in claim 19 wherein said refrigerant-receiving evaporator tubes are located at the bottoms of said grooves.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-08-16 | 1986-02-15 | 1986-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-16 | 1990-02-15 | 1990-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-16 | 1994-02-15 | 1994-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |