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:
Jan. 14, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 12, 2000
J. Eric Berge, Irvine, CA (US);
Mark Allen McClure, Chino Hills, CA (US);
Lancer Ice Link, LLC, San Antonio, TX (US);
Abstract
Apparatus and method are disclosed for production of ice and maintenance of an ice conveyance free of microbial contamination. Ozone is incorporated into water from which the ice is made, so that significant ozone content is present in the ice. This ice may be recovered for human consumption. The ice manufactured in the ice maker is conveyed through a conveyance system to one or more locations remote from the ice maker, where the ice is to be used. Ozone gas is evolved as the ice melts, sublimes or is abraded. The evolved ozone evolved penetrates into all areas of the system and kills substantially all microbial materials which are within the system. Cleanliness is thereafter maintained since passage of more ice and water though the system causes the evolution of additional ozone, which in turn kills any microbial contamination which may subsequently get into the system.