Ice maker
US11674731B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C2500/02
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A commercial ice maker purges water from a sump via a passive drain valve instead of an active drain pump. The ice maker uses a large freeze plate, but still can accommodate the passive drain valve within a standard enclosure footprint. A bottom wall of the ice maker has a drain passaging groove formed in an upper surface. The drain valve is supported above the bottom wall and drain tube is at least partially received in the drain passaging groove. The drain valve can include a valve body that has a valve seat and a movable valve member that opens and closes a valve passage through the valve seat. The valve member radially overlaps the valve seat along a longitudinal axis when the valve member is closed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.