The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 10, 1996
Filed:
Aug. 30, 1995
William J Black, Gurnee, IL (US);
Mark A McKinney, Lindenhurst, IL (US);
Matt W Allison, Gurnee, IL (US);
Scotsman Group, Inc., Vernon Hills, IL (US);
Abstract
A method for preventing the formation of icy slush within the sump of an ice maker. The method includes the steps of monitoring the temperature of the water being circulated through the ice maker and detecting when the temperature reaches about 32.degree. F. When the water reaches about 32.degree. F., the water pump is turned-off to allow residual water on evaporator plates of the ice maker to freeze and form ice crystals thereon. The water pump is turned-off for a predetermined period of time sufficient to allow the residual water remaining on the evaporator plates to freeze, which is preferably about 40 seconds, before it is turned back on. Thereafter, circulating water gradually freezes to the ice crystals formed on the evaporator plates. This prevents the water in the sump from cooling below about 32.degree. F. which would cause an icy slush to form in the sump. The above cycle is repeated after ice is harvested from the evaporator plates.