Patent · US Expired

Kit to increase refrigerator ice product

US6438988B1 · kind B1 · utility

96Cited by
16References
18Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 30, 2001
Grant dateAug 27, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 30, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF25D2400/40
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A kit which retroactively fits an ice-maker to increase the rate of production of ice. The kit comprises a bracket, a fan and fan motor, and a power source for the fan motor. The fan motor and fan is positioned above the ice maker within the freezer compartment and blows air downward, directly over the ice production tray which contains water. The circulation of a stream of cold air causes the temperature in the vicinity of the water to drop more rapidly than it would without the fan-produced circulation of cold air. Also, cooling is hastened by the induced evaporation of the water by the cold air stream. When the water is frozen, the ice maker ejects the ice into an ice container. The bracket provides support for the fan motor, which is secured to the bracket with four machine screws.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.