WO2025147954A1

WO2025147954A1 - Stand-alone ice making appliance with gravity filter

Info

Publication number: WO2025147954A1
Application number: PCT/CN2024/071793
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bo Yan; Yayu Song; Rachel WINCKLER; Samuel Vincent Duplessis
Original assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2024-01-11
Filing date: 2024-01-11
Publication date: 2025-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-11

Abstract

An ice making appliance (10) includes a casing (12), a water tank (24) disposed within the casing (12), a reservoir (34) disposed within the casing (12), an ice maker (50) disposed within the casing (12), and an auxiliary reservoir (100) disposed outside of the casing (12). The auxiliary reservoir (100) is in fluid communication with the reservoir (34) such that water within the auxiliary reservoir (100) is flowable to the reservoir (34). One or more of the water tank (24), the reservoir (34), and the auxiliary reservoir (100) comprises a gravity filter (130). The filter (130) is positioned upstream of the ice maker (50) in a flow direction of water to the ice maker (50), and the filter(130) includes an activated carbon block and a phosphate material within the carbon block.

Description

STAND-ALONE ICE MAKING APPLIANCE WITH GRAVITY FILTER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to ice making appliances, and more particularly to ice making appliances that produce nugget ice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ice makers generally produce ice for use by consumers, such as in beverages, for cooling food items, etc. Certain refrigerator appliances include ice makers for producing ice. The ice maker can be positioned within the appliance’s freezer chamber and direct ice into an ice bucket where the ice is stored within the freezer chamber. Such refrigerator appliances can also include a dispensing system for assisting a user with accessing ice produced by the refrigerator appliance’s ice maker. However, the incorporation of ice makers into refrigerator appliances can have drawbacks, such as limits on the amount of ice that can be produced and the reliance on the refrigeration system of the refrigerator appliance to form the ice.

Stand-alone ice makers are separate from refrigerator appliances and provide independent ice supplies. Generally, liquid water is added to the stand-alone ice makers, and the ice makers operate to freeze the liquid water and form ice. Users frequently add tap water to the stand-alone ice makers. Tap water may include various impurities that negatively affect the appearance and/or taste of ice cubes formed from the tap water. Further, tap water may, over time, lead to scale buildup within the ice maker.

Accordingly, improved stand-alone ice makers are desired in the art. In particular, stand-alone ice makers that address several of the above issues would be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one example aspect of the present disclosure, a stand-alone ice making appliance includes a casing, a water tank disposed within the casing, a reservoir disposed within the casing, an ice maker disposed within the casing, and a pump disposed within the casing. The pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir and the ice maker, such that the pump is operable to flow water from the reservoir to the ice maker. The stand-alone ice making appliance also includes an auxiliary reservoir disposed outside of the casing. The auxiliary reservoir is in fluid communication with the reservoir such that water within the auxiliary reservoir is flowable to the reservoir. One or more of the water tank, the reservoir, and the auxiliary reservoir comprises a gravity filter. The filter is positioned upstream of the ice maker in a flow direction of water to the ice maker, and the filter includes an activated carbon block and a phosphate material within the carbon block.

In another example aspect of the present disclosure, an ice making appliance includes a casing, a water tank disposed within the casing, a reservoir disposed within the casing, an ice maker disposed within the casing, and an auxiliary reservoir disposed outside of the casing. The auxiliary reservoir is in fluid communication with the reservoir such that water within the auxiliary reservoir is flowable to the reservoir. One or more of the water tank, the reservoir, and the auxiliary reservoir comprises a gravity filter. The filter is positioned upstream of the ice maker in a flow direction of water to the ice maker, and the filter includes an activated carbon block and a phosphate material within the carbon block.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an appliance according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective section view of the example appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the example appliance of FIG. 1 with a casing of the example appliance removed to show interior components of the example appliance.

FIG. 4 is a side section view of an auxiliary reservoir for an appliance, such as the example appliance of FIG. 1, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the example auxiliary reservoir in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective section view of the example appliance of FIG. 1 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising. ” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both” ) . Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, is applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about, ” “approximately, ” and “substantially, ” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a ten percent (10%) margin.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, one embodiment of an appliance 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated. As shown, appliance 10 is provided as a stand-alone ice making appliance embodiment. Appliance 10 includes an outer casing 12 which defines a primary opening 11 (e.g., first primary opening) and an internal cavity or volume 13. Internal volume 13 generally at least partially houses various other components of the appliance therein 10. Primary opening 11 defined in outer casing 12 may extend internal volume 13 to an ambient environment. Through primary opening 11, access (e.g., by a user) to the internal volume 13 may be permitted. Outer casing 12 further defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. The vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system.

A container 14 of appliance 10 is also illustrated. Container 14 defines a first storage volume 16 for the receipt and storage of ice 18 therein. A user of the appliance 10 may access ice 18 within the container 14 for consumption or other uses, as described in detail below. Container 14 may include multiple walls, including one or more sidewalls 20 and a base wall 22, which may together define the first storage volume 16. In example embodiments, at least one sidewall 20 may be formed in part from a clear, see-through (i.e., transparent, or translucent) material, such as a clear glass or plastic, such that a user can see into the first storage volume 16 and thus view ice 18 therein. For instance, at least one sidewall 20 may include a separate external panel and internal panel formed from a clear, see-through (i.e., transparent, or translucent) material, such as a clear glass or plastic. Further, in example embodiments, container 14 may be removable, such as from the outer casing 12, by a user. This facilitates advantageous easy access by the user to ice within the container 14, as discussed below.

Appliances 10 in accordance with the present disclosure are advantageously stand-alone appliances, and thus are not connected to refrigerators or other appliances. Additionally, in example embodiments, such appliances are not connected to plumbing or another water source that is external to the appliance 10, such as a refrigerator water source. Rather, in example embodiments, water is initially supplied to the appliance 10 manually by a user, such as by pouring water into water tank 24 and/or an auxiliary reservoir 100.

Notably, appliances 10 as discussed herein include various features which allow the appliances 10 to be affordable and desirable to typical consumers. For example, the stand-alone feature reduces the cost associated with the appliance 10 and allows the consumer to position the appliance 10 at any suitable desired location, with the only requirement in some embodiments being access to an electrical source. In example embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the removable container 14 allows easy access to ice 18 within first storage volume 16 and allows the container 14 to be moved to a different position from the remainder of the appliance 10 for ice usage purposes.

As discussed herein, appliance 10 is configured to make nugget ice, which is becoming increasingly popular with consumers. Ice 18 may be nugget ice. Generally, nugget ice is ice that that is maintained or stored (i.e., in first storage volume 16 of container 14) at a temperature greater than the melting point of water or greater than about thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit. Accordingly, the ambient temperature of the environment surrounding container 14 may be at a temperature greater than the melting point of water or greater than about thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit. In some embodiments, such temperature may be greater than forty degrees Fahrenheit, greater than fifty degrees Fahrenheit, or greater than sixty degrees Fahrenheit.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, various components of appliance 10 in accordance with the present disclosure are illustrated. For example, as mentioned, appliance 10 includes a water tank 24. The water tank 24 defines a second storage volume 26 for the receipt and holding of water. Water tank 24 may include multiple walls, including one or more sidewalls 28 and a base wall 30, which may together define the second storage volume 26. In example embodiments, the water tank 24 may be disposed below the container 14 along the vertical direction V defined for the appliance 10, as shown.

A filter 130 may be configured such that water within water tank 24 is gravity fed through filter 130 between an inlet (not shown) and an outlet 31 of water tank 24. For example, water tank 24 may define a first reservoir volume 25 and a second reservoir volume 27. The first reservoir volume 25 may be positioned adjacent or contiguous with the inlet of water tank 24, and second reservoir volume 27 may be disposed below first reservoir volume 25. A divider wall 23 may be disposed between first and second reservoir volumes 25, 27. Thus, e.g., first and second reservoir volumes 25, 27 may be separated by divider wall 23. Filter 130 may be mounted to divider wall 23. Moreover, filter 130 may be disposed between first and second reservoir volumes 25, 27 on divider wall 23. Thus, e.g., divider wall 23 may block water from flowing downwardly from first reservoir volume 25 into second reservoir volume 27 except through filter 130. In particular, unfiltered water (relative to filter 130) may fill first reservoir volume 25, and gravity may urge the water within first reservoir volume 25 into filter 130. Divider wall 23 may be removably mounted within the interior of water tank 24. For instance, divider wall 23 may be a divider insert received within water tank 24. Divider wall 23 may have a shape that is complementary to water tank 24, and divider wall 23 may define first reservoir volume 25 therein. Filter 130 may be mounted to divider wall 23 with filter 130 positioned at the only passage through divider wall 23 from first reservoir volume 25 to second reservoir volume 27. From filter 130, filtered water (relative to filter 130) may exit filter 130 and fill second reservoir volume 27.

As may be seen from the above, filter 130 may be disposed between first and second reservoir volumes 25, 27, and filter 130 may filter water flowing from first reservoir volume 25 into second reservoir volume 27 due to gravity urging the water through filter 130. To facilitate the gravity fed flow of water through filter 130, second reservoir volume 27 may be larger than first reservoir volume 25. Such sizing may advantageously reduce the risk of overflowing second reservoir volume 27. Filter 130 may include a suitable filter medium therein, such as an activated carbon block 202, or one or more of a pleated polymer sheet, a spun cord material, or a melt blown material. Filter 130 may further include a phosphate material 204 inside within the activated carbon block 202. Phosphate material 204 will be further described herein. Filter 130 may be replaced or serviced at regular intervals.

As discussed, in example embodiments, water is provided to the water tank 24 for use in forming ice. Accordingly, appliance 10 may further include a pump 32. Pump 32 may be in fluid communication with the second storage volume 26. For example, water may be flowable from the second storage volume 26 through a fluid outlet 31 defined in the water tank 24, such as in a sidewall 28 thereof, and may flow through a conduit to and through pump 32. Pump 32 may, when activated, actively flow water from the second storage volume 26 therethrough and from the pump 32.

Water actively flowing from pump 32 may be flowed (e.g., through a suitable conduit) to a reservoir 34. For example, reservoir 34 may define a third storage volume 36. In some embodiments, the third storage volume 36 is defined by one or more sidewalls 38 and a base wall 40. Third storage volume 36 may, for example, be in fluid communication with the pump 32 and may thus receive water that is actively flowed from the water tank 24, such as through the pump 32. During operation, water may be flowed into the third storage volume 36 through an opening 44 defined in the reservoir 34.

Referring briefly to FIG. 6, an additional, or alternative, filter 130 may be configured such that water within reservoir 34 is gravity fed through filter 130 between opening 44 and an opening 42 of reservoir 34. For example, reservoir 34 may define a first reservoir volume 35 and a second reservoir volume 37. The first reservoir volume 35 may be positioned adjacent or contiguous with the inlet of reservoir 34, and second reservoir volume 37 may be disposed below first reservoir volume 35. A divider wall 33may be disposed between first and second reservoir volumes 35, 37. Thus, e.g., first and second reservoir volumes 35, 37 may be separated by divider wall 23. Filter 130 may be mounted to divider wall 23. Moreover, filter 130 may be disposed between first and second reservoir volumes 35, 37 on divider wall 23. Thus, e.g., divider wall 33 may block water from flowing downwardly from first reservoir volume 35 into second reservoir volume 37 except through filter 130. In particular, unfiltered water (relative to filter 130) may fill first reservoir volume 35, and gravity may urge the water within first reservoir volume 35 into filter 130. Divider wall 33 may be removably mounted within the interior of reservoir 34. For instance, divider wall 33 may be a divider insert received within reservoir 34. Divider wall 33 may have a shape that is complementary to reservoir 34, and divider wall 33 may define first reservoir volume 35 therein. Filter 130 may be mounted to divider wall 33 with filter 130 positioned at the only passage through divider wall 33 from first reservoir volume 35 to second reservoir volume 37. From filter 130, filtered water (relative to filter 130) may exit filter 130 and fill second reservoir volume 37. As may be seen from the above, filter 130 may be disposed between first and second reservoir volumes 35, 37, and filter 130 may filter water flowing from first reservoir volume 35 into second reservoir volume 37 due to gravity urging the water through filter 130.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-3, reservoir 34 and third storage volume 36 thereof may receive and contain water to be provided to an ice maker 50 for the production of ice. Accordingly, the third storage volume 36 may be in fluid communication with ice maker 50. For example, water may flow through opening 42 and through suitable conduits, from third storage volume 36 to ice maker 50.

Ice maker 50 generally receives water, such as from reservoir 34, and freezes the water to form ice 18. In example embodiments, ice maker 50 is a nugget ice maker, and in particular is an auger-style ice maker, although other suitable styles of ice makers and/or appliances are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. As shown, ice maker 50 may include a casing 52 into which water from third storage volume 36 is flowed. Casing 52 is thus in fluid communication with third storage volume 36. For example, casing 52 may include one or more sidewalls 54 which may define an interior volume 56, and an opening may be defined in a sidewall 54. Water may be flowed from the third storage volume 36 through the opening (such as via a suitable conduit) into the interior volume 56.

As illustrated, an auger 60 may be disposed at least partially within casing 52. During operation, the auger 60 may rotate. Water within casing 52 may at least partially freeze due to heat exchange, such as with a refrigeration system as discussed herein. The at least partially frozen water may be lifted by the auger 60 from casing 52. Further, in example embodiments, the at least partially frozen water may be directed by auger 60 to and through an extruder 62. Extruder 62 may extrude the at least partially frozen water to form ice, such as nuggets of ice 18.

Formed ice 18 may be provided by the ice maker 50 to container 14 and may be received in the first storage volume 16 thereof. For example, ice 18 formed by auger 60 and/or extruder 62 may be provide to the container 14. In example embodiments, appliance 10 may include a chute 70 for directing ice 18 produced by the ice maker 50 towards the first storage volume 16. For example, as shown, chute 70 is generally positioned above container 14 along the vertical direction V. Thus, ice can slide off of chute 70 and drop into storage volume 16 of container 14. Chute 70 may, as shown, extend between ice maker 50 and container 14, and may include a body 72, which defines a passage 74 therethrough. Ice 18 may be directed from the ice maker 50 (such as from the auger 60 and/or extruder 62) through passage 74 to the container 14. In some embodiments, for example, a sweep 64, which may be connected to and rotate with the auger, may contact the ice emerging through the extruder 62 from the auger 60 and direct the ice 18 through the passage 74 to the container 14.

As discussed, water within casing 52 may at least partially freeze due to heat exchange, such as with a refrigeration system. In example embodiments, ice maker 50 may include a sealed refrigeration system 80. The sealed refrigeration system 80 may be in thermal communication with the casing 52 to remove heat from the casing 52 and interior volume 56 thereof, thus facilitating freezing of water therein to form ice. Sealed refrigeration system 80 may, for example, include a compressor 82, a condenser 84, a throttling device 86, and an evaporator 88. Evaporator 88 may, for example, be in thermal communication with the casing 52 in order to remove heat from the interior volume 56 and water therein during operation of sealed system 80. For example, evaporator 88 may at least partially surround casing 52. In particular, evaporator 88 may be a conduit coiled around and in contact with casing 52, such as the sidewall (s) 54 thereof.

It should additionally be noted that, in example embodiments, a controller 180 may be in operative communication with the sealed system 80, such as with the compressor 82 thereof, and may activate the sealed system 80 as desired or required for ice making purposes.

In example embodiments, controller 180 is in operative communication with the pump 32. Such operative communication may be via a wired or wireless connection and may facilitate the transmittal and/or receipt of signals by the controller 180 and pump 32. Controller 180 may be configured to activate the pump 32 to actively flow water. For example, controller 180 may activate the pump 32 to actively flow water therethrough when, for example, reservoir 34 requires water. A suitable sensor (s) , for example, may be provided in the third storage volume 36. The sensor (s) may be in operative communication with controller 180 and may be configured to transmit signals to the controller 180, which indicates whether or not additional water is desired in reservoir 34. When controller 180 receives a signal that water is desired, controller 180 may send a signal to pump 32 to activate pump 32.

As shown in FIG. 1, appliance 10 may also include an auxiliary reservoir 100. FIGS. 4 and 5 also illustrate auxiliary reservoir 100 according to another example embodiment. Auxiliary reservoir 100 is described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5. As may be seen in FIG. 1, a height HWR of auxiliary reservoir 100 may be about equal to a height HC of casing 12. Thus, the appearance of auxiliary reservoir 100 may complement casing 12.

Auxiliary reservoir 100 is disposed outside of casing 12. For example, auxiliary reservoir 100 may be mounted at the side of casing 12. Thus, while most components of appliance 10 are housed within casing 12, auxiliary reservoir 100 is positioned outside of casing 12. In certain example embodiments, auxiliary reservoir 100 may include a base 110 and a container 120. Base 110 may be attached to casing 12, e.g., at the side of casing 12 adjacent to the bottom of casing 12. For instance, base 110 may be clipped, fastened, etc. to casing 12. Container 120 is removably mounted to base 110. For example, a bottom portion 122 of container 120 may be received within base 110 to mount container 120 on base 110. A user may lift upwardly on container 120 to remove container 120 from base 110, and the user may insert bottom portion 122 of container 120 into base to mount container 120 on base 110. As an example, the user may remove container 120 from base 110 in order to conveniently fill container 120 with water at a faucet.

Auxiliary reservoir 100 may be in fluid communication with a water tank within casing 12 such that water within auxiliary reservoir 100 is flowable to the water tank. For example, a supply line 102 may extend from auxiliary reservoir 100 to water tank 24, and water from within auxiliary reservoir 100 may flow from auxiliary reservoir 100 into second storage volume 26 via supply line 102. It will be understood that appliance 10 may be plumbed in any other suitable manner to deliver water from auxiliary reservoir 100 into casing 12 for use with ice maker 50 in alternative example embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 4, an auxiliary filter, such as another example filter 130, may be disposed within auxiliary reservoir 100. For instance, auxiliary reservoir 100 may define an inlet 104 and an outlet 106. Water may be added to auxiliary reservoir 100 at inlet 104. For example, a user may position inlet 104 below a faucet and open the faucet to flow water into auxiliary reservoir 100. As another example, the user may use a pitcher or other vessel to pour water into auxiliary reservoir 100 through inlet 104. Water may flow from auxiliary reservoir 100 at outlet 106. For example, outlet 106 may be coupled to supply line 102, and water from within auxiliary reservoir 100 may flow from outlet 106 into second storage volume 26 via supply line 102. Auxiliary filter 130 may be disposed within auxiliary reservoir 100 between inlet 104 and outlet 106 to filter water within auxiliary reservoir 100 between inlet 104 and outlet 106.

Auxiliary filter 130 may be configured such that water within auxiliary reservoir 100 is gravity fed through auxiliary filter 130 between inlet 104 and outlet 106 of auxiliary reservoir 100. For example, container 120 may define a first reservoir volume 124 and a second reservoir volume 126. The first reservoir volume 124 may be positioned adjacent or contiguous with inlet 104 of auxiliary reservoir 100, and second reservoir volume 126 may be disposed below first reservoir volume 124. A divider wall 128 may be disposed between first and second reservoir volumes 124, 126. Thus, e.g., first and second reservoir volumes 124, 126 may be separated by divider wall 128. Auxiliary filter 130 may be mounted to divider wall 128. Moreover, auxiliary filter 130 may be disposed between first and second reservoir volumes 124, 126 on divider wall 128. Thus, e.g., divider wall 128 may block water from flowing downwardly from first reservoir volume 124 into second reservoir volume 126 except through auxiliary filter 130. In particular, unfiltered water (relative to auxiliary filter 130) may fill first reservoir volume 124, and gravity may urge the water within first reservoir volume 124 into auxiliary filter 130. Divider wall 128 may be removably mounted within the interior of container 120. For instance, divider wall 128 may form the bottom of a divider insert 129 received within container 120. Divider insert 129 may have a shape that is complementary to container 120, and divider insert 129 may define first reservoir volume 124 therein. Auxiliary filter 130 may be mounted to divider wall 128 with auxiliary filter 130 positioned at the only passage through divider wall 128 from first reservoir volume 124 to second reservoir volume 126.

From auxiliary filter 130, filtered water (relative to auxiliary filter 130) may exit auxiliary filter 130 and fill second reservoir volume 126. As may be seen from the above, auxiliary filter 130 may be disposed between first and second reservoir volumes 124, 126, and auxiliary filter 130 may filter water flowing from first reservoir volume 124 into second reservoir volume 126 due to gravity urging the water through auxiliary filter 130. Auxiliary filter 130 may be replaced or serviced at regular intervals.

Auxiliary reservoir 100 may include a check valve 140, such as a normally closed check valve. Check valve 140 may be mounted to container 120, e.g., at bottom portion 122 of container 120, at second reservoir volume 126. Check valve 140 may be configured such that check valve 140 is open when container 120 is mounted to base 110. In addition, check valve 140 may be configured such that check valve 140 is closed when container 120 is removed from base 110. When check valve 140 is open, check valve 140 may allow filtered water within second reservoir volume 126, to flow from container 120 into base 110. Within base 110, the filtered water may flow to outlet 106 and thus supply line 102, as described above.

Referring now to FIG. 6, as explained above, reservoir 34 may include another example filter 130. Filter 130 may generally be positioned upstream of the ice maker 50 in the flow direction of water from the reservoir 34 to the ice maker 50. In general, filter 130 in reservoir 34 may include activated carbon block 202 and phosphate material 204 positioned within carbon block 202. In other words, the phosphate material 204 may fill within the carbon block as may be seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6. Or, in another example embodiment, the phosphate material 204 may be positioned or housed within a tube (not shown) within filter 130. As such, filter 130 may be configured such that carbon block 202 of filter 130 may be concentric with the phosphate material 204 positioned within carbon block 202. As such, water may be pumped into reservoir 34, whereby the water is gravity fed through both of the carbon block 202 and the tube 206 of phosphate material 204 of the filter 130 as the water flows from the reservoir 34 to the ice maker 50.

In general, phosphate material 204 may be any suitable polyphosphate, such as a slow-soluble glassy polyphosphate. In particular, slow-soluble glassy polyphosphate may be odorless, glassy beads of sodium calcium polyphosphate. Generally, slow-soluble glassy polyphosphate provides advantages over other forms of polyphosphate. For example, slow-soluble glassy polyphosphate may have a consistent size allowing for easier cartridge design than other granules. Additionally, slow-soluble glassy polyphosphate may contain only trace amounts of silica and thus will not lead to silica flocculation in filter 130 or ice maker 50 of ice making appliance 10. Furthermore, slow-soluble glassy polyphosphate works well in all varieties of flow rates, because slow-soluble glassy polyphosphate advantageously has a continuously stable dissolution rate resulting in a low concentration of phosphate in the solution, e.g., about 6 mg/L or less, such as about 5.5 mg/L or less, such as about 5.1 mg/L, that remains stable over the life cycle of the slow-soluble glassy phosphate, whereas other soluble phosphates may have varying dissolution rates, such as between 12 mg/L (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate) and 36 mg/L (Dipotassium Phosphate) .

As may be seen from the above, a countertop nugget ice maker advantageously includes slow-soluble glassy polyphosphate provided inside one or more of the water tank, reservoir, and auxiliary reservoir. Thus, formation of scale inside the ice maker is reduced as the water flows through the slow-soluble glassy polyphosphate. Additionally, providing slow-soluble glassy polyphosphate inside an activated carbon block reduces the formation of scale inside the ice maker, and advantageously results in better taste of water filtered through the reservoir.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

A stand-alone ice making appliance, comprising:

a casing;

a water tank disposed within the casing;

a reservoir disposed within the casing, ;

an ice maker disposed within the casing;

a pump disposed within the casing, the pump in fluid communication with the reservoir and the ice maker, the pump operable to flow water from the reservoir to the ice maker; and

an auxiliary reservoir disposed outside of the casing, the auxiliary reservoir in fluid communication with the reservoir such that water within the auxiliary reservoir is flowable to the reservoir,

wherein one or more of the water tank, the reservoir, and the auxiliary reservoir comprises a gravity filter, the filter positioned upstream of the ice maker in a flow direction of water to the ice maker, the filter comprising an activated carbon block and a phosphate material within the carbon block.
The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary reservoir comprises a base and a container, the base attached to the casing, the container removably mounted to the base.
The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 2, wherein the auxiliary reservoir comprises a check valve mounted to the container, the check valve configured such that the check valve is open when the container is mounted to the base and that the check valve is closed when the container is removed from the base.
The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the water tank defines a first reservoir volume adjacent an inlet of the water tank and a second reservoir volume disposed below the first reservoir volume, wherein a divider wall is disposed between the first reservoir volume and the second reservoir volume within the water tank, and wherein the filter is mounted to the divider wall, whereby water in the first reservoir volume is gravity fed through the filter from the first reservoir volume to the second reservoir volume.
The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 4, wherein the second reservoir volume is larger than the first reservoir volume.
The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the reservoir defines a first reservoir volume adjacent an inlet of the water tank and a second reservoir volume disposed below the first reservoir volume, wherein a divider wall is disposed between the first reservoir volume and the second reservoir volume within the water tank, and wherein the filter is mounted to the divider wall, whereby water in the first reservoir volume is gravity fed through the filter from the first reservoir volume to the second reservoir volume.
The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 6, wherein the second reservoir volume is larger than the first reservoir volume.
The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary reservoir defines a first reservoir volume adjacent an inlet of the water tank and a second reservoir volume disposed below the first reservoir volume, wherein a divider wall is disposed between the first reservoir volume and the second reservoir volume within the water tank, and wherein the filter is mounted to the divider wall, whereby water in the first reservoir volume is gravity fed through the filter from the first reservoir volume to the second reservoir volume.
The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 8, wherein the second reservoir volume is larger than the first reservoir volume.
The stand-alone ice making appliance of claim 1, wherein the phosphate material is positioned within the carbon block, the filter is configured such that the carbon block of the filter is concentric with the phosphate material, wherein water in the reservoir is gravity fed through the carbon block and the phosphate material of the filter from one or more of the water tank, the reservoir, and the auxiliary reservoir to the ice maker.
An ice making appliance, comprising:

a casing;

a water tank disposed within the casing;

a reservoir disposed within the casing, ;

an ice maker disposed within the casing;

an auxiliary reservoir disposed outside of the casing, the auxiliary reservoir in fluid communication with the reservoir such that water within the auxiliary reservoir is flowable to the reservoir,

wherein one or more of the water tank, the reservoir, and the auxiliary reservoir comprises a gravity filter, the filter positioned upstream of the ice maker in a flow direction of water to the ice maker, the filter comprising an activated carbon block and a phosphate material within the carbon block.
The ice making appliance of claim 11, wherein the auxiliary reservoir comprises a base and a container, the base attached to the casing, the container removably mounted to the base.
The ice making appliance of claim 12, wherein the auxiliary reservoir comprises a check valve mounted to the container, the check valve configured such that the check valve is open when the container is mounted to the base and that the check valve is closed when the container is removed from the base.
The ice making appliance of claim 11, wherein the water tank defines a first reservoir volume adjacent an inlet of the water tank and a second reservoir volume disposed below the first reservoir volume, wherein a divider wall is disposed between the first reservoir volume and the second reservoir volume within the water tank, and wherein the filter is mounted to the divider wall, whereby water in the first reservoir volume is gravity fed through the filter from the first reservoir volume to the second reservoir volume.
The ice making appliance of claim 14, wherein the second reservoir volume is larger than the first reservoir volume.
The ice making appliance of claim 11, wherein the reservoir defines a first reservoir volume adjacent an inlet of the water tank and a second reservoir volume disposed below the first reservoir volume, wherein a divider wall is disposed between the first reservoir volume and the second reservoir volume within the water tank, and wherein the filter is mounted to the divider wall, whereby water in the first reservoir volume is gravity fed through the filter from the first reservoir volume to the second reservoir volume.
The ice making appliance of claim 16, wherein the second reservoir volume is larger than the first reservoir volume.
The ice making appliance of claim 11, wherein the auxiliary reservoir defines a first reservoir volume adjacent an inlet of the water tank and a second reservoir volume disposed below the first reservoir volume, wherein a divider wall is disposed between the first reservoir volume and the second reservoir volume within the water tank, and wherein the filter is mounted to the divider wall, whereby water in the first reservoir volume is gravity fed through the filter from the first reservoir volume to the second reservoir volume.
The ice making appliance of claim 18, wherein the second reservoir volume is larger than the first reservoir volume.
The ice making appliance of claim 11, wherein the phosphate material is positioned within the carbon block, the filter is configured such that the carbon block of the filter is concentric with the phosphate material, wherein water in the reservoir is gravity fed through the carbon block and the phosphate material of the filter from one or more of the water tank, the reservoir, and the auxiliary reservoir to the ice maker.