Ice cutting tray

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11614265-B2
Application number	US-202016928276-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 14, 2020
Priority date	Dec 8, 2016
Publication date	Mar 28, 2023
Grant date	Mar 28, 2023

Abstract

An ice maker includes an ice making unit and an ice storage bin. A frame is positioned between the ice making unit and the storage bin. An ice making tray is coupled with the frame, including a base defining a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures. A plurality of ice forming features is positioned proximate the first plurality of apertures. The ice forming features are coupled to and extend away from the base. A heating element is in thermal communication with the ice forming features. A wastewater disposal assembly is coupled with the ice making tray.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An ice making tray for an ice making assembly, comprising:
a base defining a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures;
walls coupled to the base and extending from the base, wherein the base and the walls define a tray space configured to receive an ice slab;
a plurality of ice forming features coupled to the base proximate the first plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of ice forming features extend within the tray space and away from the base; and
a heating element in thermal communication with the plurality of ice forming features, wherein the plurality of ice forming features are configured to form ice pieces and waste ice from the ice slab when heated by the heating element.

2. The ice making tray of claim 1 , wherein the walls includes a plurality of side walls and a front wall.

3. The ice making tray of claim 2 , wherein the front wall extends a greater distance from the base than the plurality of side walls.

4. The ice making tray of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ice forming features are constructed of a material with a higher thermal conductivity that a material of the base.

5. The ice making tray of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of ice forming features includes a wall defining a channel.

6. The ice making tray of claim 5 , wherein each channel defines a cross-sectional shape of at least one of a circle, a heart, a star, a tree, a pumpkin, and a butterfly.

7. The ice making tray of claim 1 , further comprising:
a wastewater disposal assembly coupled to the base and in fluid communication with the second plurality of apertures.

8. An ice making tray assembly, comprising:
a base defining a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures;
a plurality of ice forming features coupled to the base proximate the first plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of ice forming features extend away from the base;
a heating element in thermal communication with the plurality of ice forming features, and wherein the heating element is in thermal communication with the base; and
a wastewater disposal assembly coupled to the base and in fluid communication with the second plurality of apertures.

9. The ice making tray assembly of claim 8 , wherein each ice forming feature includes a wall defining a channel, and wherein each channel is in fluid communication with one of the first plurality of apertures.

10. The ice making tray assembly of claim 8 , wherein the heating element is interwoven between the plurality of ice forming features.

11. The ice making tray assembly of claim 8 , wherein the wastewater disposal assembly includes a trough coupled to the base and a hose coupled to the trough.

12. The ice making tray assembly of claim 8 , further comprising:
a frame operably coupled to the base and defining a top lip and a bottom lip; and
side walls extending from coupled to the base, wherein the side walls slidably engage the top lip and the bottom lip.

13. The ice making tray assembly of claim 12 , wherein each side wall includes an alignment member configured to engage the frame.

14. An ice making tray, comprising:
a base defining a first aperture and a second aperture;
an ice forming feature coupled to and extending away from the base, wherein the ice forming feature includes a wall extending upwardly in a perpendicular direction relative to the base and defining a channel, and wherein the ice forming feature is aligned with the first aperture; and
a heating element in thermal communication the ice forming feature and configured to heat the ice forming feature to form ice pieces and waste ice from an ice slab.

15. The ice making tray of claim 14 , wherein the first aperture is larger than the second aperture.

16. The ice making tray of claim 14 , further comprising:
a wastewater disposal assembly operably coupled to the base.

17. The ice making tray of claim 16 , wherein the wastewater disposal assembly includes a trough in fluid communication with the second aperture and a hose in fluid communication with the trough.

18. The ice making tray of claim 14 , further comprising:
a plurality of walls coupled to and surrounding the base, the plurality of walls including a front wall and a side wall, wherein the front wall extends a greater distance from the base than the side wall.

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Chen Binglai
• Caine Alexander Edward
• Livingston Abigail Jean
• Spiegel Darby Marie
• Weber Morgan Aileen
• Wulf Abigail Caroline

Classifications

• F25C5/08 Primary

  by heating bodies in contact with the ice · CPC title

• F25C1/16

  by partially evaporating water in a vacuum · CPC title

• F25C1/12

  by freezing water on cooled surfaces, e.g. to form slabs · CPC title

• F25C5/14

  Apparatus for shaping or finishing ice pieces, e.g. ice presses · CPC title