INFUSED ICE MAKING APPLIANCE

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to ice making appliances, and in particular to ice maker appliances configured to produce infused ice from water and an additive such as a flavorant, e.g., ice that is infused with one or more additives.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain refrigerator appliances include an ice maker. An ice maker appliance or ice making appliance may also be a stand-alone appliance designed for use in commercial and/or residential settings. To produce ice, liquid water is directed to the ice maker and frozen. For example, certain ice makers include a mold body for receiving liquid water. In some systems, a working fluid is used to directly cool the mold body, e.g., by conductive heat transfer. In other systems, the air around the mold body may be cooled such that the mold body is indirectly cooled via the air. When the mold body is cooled, directly and/or indirectly, ice may be formed from the liquid water therein. After ice is formed in the mold body, the ice may be harvested from the mold body and stored within an ice bin or bucket within the refrigerator appliance.

Conventional ice maker appliances are configured for producing ice pieces solely from water, e.g., tap water or water from other similar sources. Thus, the resulting ice from such ice maker appliances may be perceived as bland and generally provides little to no flavor or nutrients.

Accordingly, an ice maker with features for producing infused ice from water and an additive, such as a flavorant, electrolytes, vitamins, and/or other similar additives, would be desirable.

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.

According to an exemplary embodiment, an ice making appliance is provided. The ice making appliance includes a cover defining an internal volume. The ice making appliance also includes a mold body comprising a mold cavity. The mold body is positioned within the internal volume of the cover. The ice making appliance further includes a dosing pump positioned partially within the internal volume of the cover and a cartridge socket defined through the cover. The cartridge socket is configured to receive an additive cartridge therein.

According to another exemplary embodiment, an additive cartridge for an ice making appliance is provided. The ice making appliance includes a cover defining an internal volume. The ice making appliance also includes a mold body comprising a mold cavity. The mold body is positioned within the internal volume of the cover. The ice making appliance further includes a dosing pump positioned partially within the internal volume of the cover. The additive cartridge is configured to be received in a cartridge socket defined through the cover of the ice making appliance.

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 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a section view of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of an ice making assembly for an ice making appliance, such as the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 provides a front section view of an upper portion of the exemplary ice making assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 provides a first side view of an exemplary additive cartridge for an ice making appliance, such as the exemplary refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 provides a sectioned perspective view of the exemplary additive cartridge of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 provides a bottom view of the exemplary additive cartridge of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 provides a top view of the exemplary additive cartridge of FIG. 5 with a cover thereof removed to more clearly illustrate internal components of the cartridge.

FIG. 9 provides a top view of the exemplary additive cartridge of FIG. 5 with a cover thereof removed while the cartridge is engaged with an exemplary dosing pump for an ice making appliance or ice making assembly according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 provides a schematic illustration of an exemplary dispensing tube and an exemplary fill tube, along with exemplary liquid streams associated with each tube, as may be incorporated into an ice maker appliance or ice making assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments 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, terms of approximation, such as “generally,” or “about” include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise. As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components.

Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeability of various features from different embodiments. Similarly, the various method steps and features described, as well as other known equivalents for each such methods and feature, can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art to construct additional systems and techniques in accordance with principles of this disclosure. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages described above may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the systems and techniques described herein may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a cabinet or housing 102 that extends between a top 104 and a bottom 106 along a vertical direction V, between a first side 108 and a second side 110 along a lateral direction L, and between a front side 112 and a rear side 114 along a transverse direction T. Each of the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular to one another.

Housing 102 defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, housing 102 defines fresh food chamber 122 positioned at or adjacent a right side (e.g., second side 110) of housing 102 and a freezer chamber 124 arranged at or adjacent a left side (e.g., first side 108) of housing 102. As such, refrigerator appliance 100 is generally referred to as a side-by-side refrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the present disclosure apply to other types and styles of refrigerator appliances such as, e.g., a top mount refrigerator appliance, a bottom mount refrigerator appliance, or a single door refrigerator appliance (such as a refrigerator appliance with a single chilled chamber therein, e.g., a standalone freezer or standalone refrigerator appliance, such as a column unit). Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any aspect to any particular refrigerator chamber configuration.

Refrigerator door 128 is rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 102 for selectively accessing fresh food chamber 122. In addition, a freezer door 130 is arranged opposite refrigerator door 128 for selectively accessing freezer chamber 124. Refrigerator door 128 and freezer door 130 are shown in the closed configuration in FIG. 1. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other chamber and door configurations are possible and within the scope of the present invention.

Referring still to FIG. 1, a dispensing assembly 140 will be described according to exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. Dispensing assembly 140 is generally configured for dispensing liquid water and/or ice. Although an exemplary dispensing assembly 140 is illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to dispensing assembly 140 while remaining within the present subject matter.

Dispensing assembly 140 and its various components may be positioned at least in part within a dispenser recess 142 defined on one of the doors, e.g., freezer door 130. In this regard, dispenser recess 142 is defined on front side 112 of refrigerator appliance 100 such that a user may operate dispensing assembly 140 without opening freezer door 130. In addition, dispenser recess 142 is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice and enabling the user to access ice without the need to bend over. In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser recess 142 is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user.

Dispensing assembly 140 includes an ice dispenser including a discharging outlet for discharging ice from dispensing assembly 140. An actuating mechanism 148, shown as a paddle, is mounted below discharging outlet for operating an ice or water dispenser. In alternative exemplary embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism may be used to operate the dispenser. For example, the dispenser may include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. The discharging outlet and the actuating mechanism 148 are an external part of the ice and/or water dispenser and are mounted in dispenser recess 142.

Returning again to FIG. 1, a control panel 160 is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, control panel 160 may include one or more selector inputs (not shown), such as knobs, buttons, touchscreen interfaces, etc., such as a water dispensing button and an ice-dispensing button, for selecting a desired mode of operation such as crushed or non-crushed ice. In addition, the selector inputs may be used to specify a fill volume or method of operating dispensing assembly 140. In this regard, the selector inputs may be in communication with a processing device or controller 164. Signals generated in controller 164 operate refrigerator appliance 100 and dispensing assembly 140 in response to selector inputs. Additionally, a display, such as an indicator light or a screen, may be provided on control panel 160. The display may be in communication with controller 164, and may display information in response to signals from controller 164.

As used herein, “processing device” or “controller” may refer to one or more microprocessors or semiconductor devices and is not restricted necessarily to a single element. The processing device can be programmed to operate refrigerator appliance 100 and dispensing assembly 140. The processing device may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements (e.g., non-transitory storage media). In some such embodiments, the memory elements include electrically erasable, programmable read only memory (EEPROM). Generally, the memory elements can store information accessible to the processing device, including instructions that can be executed by processing device. Optionally, the instructions can be software or any set of instructions and/or data that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations. For example, the instructions may include a software package configured to operate the system to, e.g., execute the exemplary methods described below. In exemplary embodiments, the various method steps as disclosed herein may be performed, e.g., in whole or part, by controller 164 and/or another, separate, dedicated controller.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a section through the exemplary refrigerator appliance 100 at the freezer chamber 124 is illustrated. As may be seen in FIG. 2, an icebox 150 may be defined on the inner side of the freezer door 130. Thus, as shown, e.g., in FIG. 2, the icebox 150 may be disposed within the freezer chamber 124 when the freezer door 130 is in the closed position. The icebox 150 may house an ice maker, which may be a primary ice maker of the refrigerator appliance and which may be configured to supply ice to dispenser recess 142. In this regard, for example, icebox 150 may define an ice making chamber for housing ice maker (e.g., a first or primary ice maker configured for making water ice or plain ice), a storage mechanism, and a dispensing mechanism.

Refrigerator appliance 100 may further include a second ice maker 200 (sometimes also referred to as an ice making assembly 200), such as may be configured for making infused ice, e.g., flavored ice. For example, when the first or primary ice maker configured for making water ice or plain ice is provided, the second ice maker 200 which makes infused ice may be a specialty or auxiliary ice maker. As may be seen in FIG. 2, ice making assembly 200 may be defined on the inner side of the freezer door 130, such that the ice making assembly 200 may be disposed within the freezer chamber 124 when the freezer door 130 is in the closed position. The ice maker 200 is generally configured for freezing liquid water mixed with an additive to form the infused ice, e.g., infused ice pieces such as ice cubes. For example, the ice maker 200 may include one or more mold cavities 226 (see, e.g., FIGS. 4 and 10) defined therein, such as in a mold body 220 thereof, and the liquid water and additive may be directed into the mold cavity (or cavities) 226 of the ice maker 200. The liquid water and additive may be mixed together while flowing to the mold body 220 and/or may mix in the mold body 220, and the mixed liquid may then be retained in the mold body at a temperature at or below the freezing point of water to form an ice piece or ice pieces. Such ice pieces may be harvested from the mold body 220 and stored in an ice bin 230, e.g., below the mold body 220 such that the ice bin 230 may receive the infused ice pieces from the mold body 220 by gravity.

As mentioned above, the present disclosure may also be applied to other types and styles of refrigerator appliances such as, e.g., a top mount refrigerator appliance, a bottom mount refrigerator appliance, or may be applied to a standalone ice maker appliance. Variations and modifications may be made to ice making assembly while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter. Accordingly, the description herein of the icebox 150 and ice maker 200 on the door 130 of the freezer chamber 124 is by way of example only. In other example embodiments, the ice making assembly or ice maker 200 may be positioned in the fresh food chamber 122, e.g., of the illustrated side by side refrigerator, of a bottom-mount refrigerator, of a top-mount refrigerator, or any other suitable refrigerator appliance. As another example, the ice making assembly 200 may also be provided in a standalone ice maker appliance and/or may be the only ice making assembly in the ice maker appliance. As used herein, the term “standalone ice maker appliance” refers to an appliance of which the sole or primary operation is generating or producing ice, e.g., without any additional or other chilled chambers, whereas the more general term “ice maker appliance” includes such appliances as well as appliances with diverse capabilities in addition to making ice, such as a refrigerator appliance equipped with an ice maker, among other possible examples.

In some embodiments, the ice maker 200 may include a dedicated controller, e.g., similar to the controller 164 of the refrigerator appliance 100 which is described above. In embodiments where the ice maker 200 is incorporated into a refrigerator appliance such as the exemplary refrigerator appliance 100 described hereinabove, the dedicated controller may be in addition to the controller 164 of the refrigerator appliance and may be in communication with the controller 164 of the refrigerator appliance 100, and the controller of the ice maker 200 may be in operative communication with other components of the ice maker 200 and may be configured specifically for controlling or directing operation of such components.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the ice maker 200 is illustrated (e.g., mounted on an interior side of a refrigerator door, such as the freezer door 130 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2). In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 3, the ice maker 200 may include a cover 270, and the cover 270 may define an internal volume 272 (see, e.g., FIG. 4) inside of and enclosed by the cover 270. For example, the cover 270 may include a plurality of walls which surround and enclose the internal volume 272, such as a top wall 274, a front wall 276, a left side wall 278, and a right side wall 280. A rear boundary of the cover 270 may be defined by the internal surface of the door 130. The bin 230 may be removably, e.g., slidably, received through the cover 270 into a lower portion of the internal volume 272, e.g., below the mold body 220.

A dosing pump 206 may be positioned partially within the internal volume 272 of the cover 270. For example, the dosing pump 206 may be a peristaltic pump which includes a motor 234 and a roller assembly, e.g., a plurality of rollers 232. The plurality of rollers 232 may be positioned outside of the internal volume 272 of the cover 270, e.g., may extend upward from the cover 270 and above the cover 270, while the motor 234 may be positioned in the internal volume 272 of the cover 270, e.g., below the top wall 274 of the cover 270.

Also as may be seen, e.g., in FIG. 3, a cartridge socket 282 may be defined through the cover 270, such as through the top wall 274 of the cover 270. The cartridge socket 282 may be configured to receive an additive cartridge 202 therein. In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 3, the cartridge socket 282 may include two or more distinct portions, such as a first portion 284 contiguously joined with a second portion 286. The first portion 284 and the second portion 286 of the cartridge socket 282 may be geometrically distinct, e.g., may differ in size and/or shape. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the first portion 284 and the second portion 286 may be the same shape, such as may both be rectangular, e.g., generally square, and may differ in size. In additional embodiments, the first portion 284 and the second portion 286 may differ in shape as well as or instead of size.

For example, turning now to FIG. 4, when the additive cartridge 202 is received in the cartridge socket 282, a portion of the additive cartridge 202 may extend into the internal volume 272 within the cover 270, and another portion of the additive cartridge 202 may be positioned outside of the cover 270. The additive cartridge 202 may include a dispensing tube 210 through which a liquid additive may be dispensed from the additive cartridge 202, e.g., at an outlet 211 of the dispensing tube 210. The dispensing tube 210 may be located at least partly in the portion of the additive cartridge 202 which extends into the internal volume 272, e.g., at least an outlet portion of the dispensing tube 210 which includes the outlet 211 is located in the portion of the additive cartridge 202 that extends into the internal volume 272. The portion of the additive cartridge 202 which is outside of the cover 270 may partially overlap the dosing pump 206, e.g., such that the rollers 232 of the dosing pump 206 extend into the additive cartridge 202 to engage the dispensing tube 210 (as discussed further below with respect to FIG. 9). Thus, for example, dosing pump 206 may be positioned adjacent to the cartridge socket 282 (as seen, e.g., in FIG. 3), in order for the dosing pump 206 to mate with the additive cartridge 202 when the additive cartridge 202 is received in the socket 282, such as the dosing pump 206 may be mounted to and through the cover 270, e.g., the top wall 274 of the cover 270, adjacent to the cartridge socket 282.

As may be seen, e.g., in FIG. 4, the mold body 220 of the ice maker 200 may include one or more compartments 224 which define mold cavities 226 for receiving liquid therein, and the liquid may be retained within the compartment(s) 224 until ice is formed, e.g., liquid water mixed with additive may be retained in the mold body 220, and the liquid water mixed with additive may be held in the mold cavity 226 and cooled until the mixture freezes, thereby forming one or more enhanced or infused ice pieces, e.g., comprising both water and the additive.

The ice maker 200 may further include a water fill tube 222, e.g., which is coupled to a water supply to provide plain water (e.g., tap water such as from a municipal water system, well, or other similar source of potable water, such that “plain water” is intended to refer to typical drinking water as is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art). The mold body 220 may be downstream of, e.g., below, the additive dispensing tube 210 and the water fill tube 222, such that the mold body 220 receives both water and additive in order to form infused ice from both the liquid water and the additive in the mold body 220.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the additive cartridge 202 may include a sump 204, a cover 205 joined to the sump 204, and the dispensing tube 210 may extend primarily within the additive cartridge 202 between the sump 204 and the cover 205 (e.g., a majority of the length of the dispensing tube 210 may be between the sump 204 and the cover 205, such as other than an outlet 211 and/or an outlet portion of the tube adjoining the outlet 211). The dispensing tube 210 may extend from an additive reservoir 212 in the sump 204 of the additive cartridge 202 to the outlet 211 of the dispensing tube 210 outside of the sump 204 of the additive cartridge 202. The dispensing tube 210 may be provided with a seal (not shown) at the outlet 211, e.g., in an initial condition, and the seal may be removed before installing the additive cartridge 202 into the socket 282 to permit the liquid additive to be dispensed from the additive cartridge 202. For example, the distal end of the dispensing tube 210 may be closed off or crimped in the initial condition, and the end may be snipped off or removed to open the dispensing tube 210, e.g., thereby opening or forming the outlet 211 of the dispensing tube 210.

The dispensing tube 210 may be downstream of the additive reservoir 212, such that a flow of additive from the additive reservoir 212 may be urged by the dosing pump 206 to the mold body 220 via the dispensing tube 210. For example, the dispensing tube 210 may extend from an inlet 209 of the dispensing tube 210 in fluid communication with the additive reservoir 212, e.g., within the additive reservoir 212 (see, e.g., FIG. 6) to the outlet 211 of the dispensing tube 210.

In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the additive cartridge 202 may include a first portion 216, e.g., a main body portion, in which the additive reservoir 212 is provided. The additive cartridge 202 may also include a second portion 218, e.g., an outlet portion, and a downstream end portion of the dispensing tube 210 may extend through the outlet portion 218, and may further extend past the outlet portion 218, whereby the outlet 111 of the dispensing tube 210 extends outside of the sump 204 and the cover 205 of the additive cartridge 202. In such embodiments, the first portion 216 of the additive cartridge 202 may be configured to be received in the first portion 284 of the cartridge socket 282, and the second portion 218 of the additive cartridge 202 may be configured to be received in the second portion 286 of the cartridge socket 282. Thus, the cartridge 202 may be poka-yoke, e.g., may be configured to be received in the cartridge socket 282 in only one orientation, such that the outlet 111 of the dispensing tube 210 is consistently aligned with the fill tube 222 and the mold body 220, e.g., to reliably deliver the additive to the mold body 220 as intended.

The outlet portion 218 of the additive cartridge 202, and the portion of the dispensing tube 210 therein, may be oriented vertically downwards, e.g., vertically downwards and horizontally outwards (away from the main body portion 216) as illustrated. In additional embodiments, the outlet portion 218 or at least a segment thereof, such as a distal segment farthest from the main body portion 216, may be oriented straight down along the vertical direction V.

As illustrated for example, in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the additive reservoir 212 may be defined in a bag 214, e.g., or other similar container including relatively flexible outer walls, such that the bag 214 or other container may collapse as the additive is drawn from the additive reservoir 212 therein, e.g., to avoid or minimize forming a reduced pressure within the additive reservoir 212 as the additive is withdrawn. The inlet 209 of the dispensing tube 210 may be positioned in the bag 214, and an inlet portion of the dispensing tube 210 may be sealed to the bag 214, e.g., whereby the additive is contained and fully sealed within the additive reservoir 212 until urged through the dispensing tube 210 by the dosing pump 206.

The additive reservoir 212 may be sized and configured to hold a volume of liquid additive, such as a volume that is, in proportion to the total volume of the mold cavity (or cavities) 226, sufficient for mixing with a volume of water to form infused ice pieces in the mold cavity 226. Thus, the additive cartridge 202 may be configured to hold an additive, such as a liquid additive, e.g., in the additive reservoir 212 of the additive cartridge 202, for mixing with liquid water as the liquid water flows from a fill tube 222 (see, e.g., FIG. 4) of the ice maker 200.

For example, the additive may be stored in the additive cartridge 202 in a liquid state, and may remain in the liquid state at least until the additive mixes with liquid water. Thus, for example, the additive may be chemically designed to remain liquid in a chilled chamber, e.g., freezer chamber 124, while held in the additive cartridge 202 and while flowing (e.g., as urged by the dosing pump 206) through the dispensing tube 210, such as the additive may have a low freezing point, e.g., a freezing point less than the freezing point of water. Further by way of example, the chilled chamber, e.g., freezer chamber 124, may be operable as low as six degrees below zero Fahrenheit (−6° F.), and the additive may have a freezing point less than zero degrees Fahrenheit (0° F.), such as the additive may have a freezing point of negative six degrees Fahrenheit (−6° F.) or less than negative six degrees Fahrenheit (−6° F.).

FIG. 7 provides a bottom up view of the additive cartridge 202, where an aperture 228 in the additive cartridge 202 may be seen. FIG. 8 illustrates a top down view of the additive cartridge 202 with the cover 205 removed to show internal components of the additive cartridge 202, such as the aperture 228 which may be formed in the sump 204 of the additive cartridge 202. In such embodiments, the aperture 228 may be configured to receive the roller assembly, e.g., the plurality of rollers 232 of the dosing pump 206. As may be seen in FIGS. 7-9, a portion of the dispensing tube 210 may extend around a perimeter of the aperture 228.

Referring now to FIG. 9, which also depicts the additive cartridge 202 in a top down view with the cover 205 removed, in some embodiments, the dosing pump 206 may be a peristaltic pump. For example, a segment of the dispensing tube 210 may extend around the perimeter of the aperture 228 as mentioned, and the plurality of rollers 232 may extend into the additive cartridge 202 through the aperture 228, e.g., when the additive cartridge 202 is received in the socket 282 in the cover 270, as illustrated in FIG. 4. When so arranged, the rollers 232 may progressively compress portions of the dispensing tube 210, e.g., when the roller assembly rotates, such as in the clockwise direction on the page in FIG. 9. The peristaltic pump 206 may further include a motor 234 (FIG. 4), such as a stepper motor, which is operable to rotate the rollers 232, e.g., within the sump 204 of the additive cartridge 202 when the cartridge 202 is received in the socket 282, such that the rollers 232 progressively and sequentially compress portions of the dispensing tube 210, e.g., between the rollers 232 and a perimetrical wall 236 of the additive cartridge 202, thereby urging the additive from the additive reservoir 212 through the dispensing tube 210 and to the mold body 220.

Turning now to FIG. 10, an end portion of the dispensing tube 210 and a stream of additive 240 emanating from an outlet 211 of the dispensing tube 210 are illustrated, as well as an end portion of the water fill tube 222 with a stream of water 250 emanating from an outlet 223 of the water fill tube 222. As may be seen in FIG. 10, the water fill tube 222 is oriented at an oblique angle to the vertical direction V, such that the stream of water 250, which flows to the water fill tube 222 at a generally constant pressure from one or more valves within the refrigerator appliance 100 (or other ice maker appliance) and upstream of the water fill tube 222 defines an arcuate path outward from the end portion of the water fill tube 222 and downward along the vertical direction V under the combined influence of the upstream water pressure as the stream of water 250 exits the water fill tube 222 and the force of gravity on the stream of water 250.

The end portion of the fill tube 210 may be oriented generally along or parallel to the vertical direction V, such that the stream of additive 240 from the dispensing tube 210 flows generally straight down. In some embodiments, the end portion of the dispensing tube 210 may be centered over the center of the mold cavity 226. The end portion of the dispensing tube 210 may be positioned directly in front of the end portion of the fill tube 222, e.g., along the flow direction of the stream of water 250. The outlet 211 of the dispensing tube 210 may be positioned above the outlet 223 of the fill tube 222. The outlet 211 of the dispensing tube 210 may be offset from the outlet 223 of the fill tube 222 generally along a horizontal direction, e.g., a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction V. The end portion of the dispensing tube 210 may be aligned along a tangent to the arcuate stream of water 250 from the fill tube 222. The stream of additive 240 and the stream of water 250 may intersect in the air, e.g., above the mold cavity 226, forming a mixture 260 of water and additive. The mixture 260 may be generated at least in part due to the intermixing of the streams 240 and 250 outside of (e.g., above) the mold cavity 226 and at least in part due to kinetic energy of the falling stream as the liquid lands in the mold cavity 226. Thus, the outlet 211 of the dispensing tube 210 may be aligned with the outlet 223 of the fill tube 222 such that the flow of the liquid additive from the dispensing tube 210 mixes with the flow of liquid water from the fill tube 222 to form a mixed flow of liquid water and liquid additive. For example, as may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cartridge socket 282 may be aligned with the fill tube 222, e.g., in front of the fill tube 222, and the cartridge socket 282 may be configured to receive the additive cartridge 202 in only one orientation, such that the dispensing tube 210 is consistently and accurately located relative to the fill tube 222 as described.

As may be seen in FIG. 10, the size, e.g., inner diameter, of the dispensing tube 210 may be less than, such as about half of or less than half of, the size, e.g., inner diameter, of the fill tube 222. Additionally, the dosing pump may be configured to provide a relatively slow velocity (e.g., low pressure) flow of additive through the dispensing tube 210. Thus, the rate of flow of the stream of additive 240 may be much lower than the rate of flow of the stream of water 250, such as the stream of additive 240 may be much smaller and slower than the stream of water 250. For example, the flows may be synchronized, such that the flow time during a fill is the same for both streams, while the stream of additive 240 may be much smaller and slower such that the additive may account for about two percent of the mixture 260 or less, such as about 1.5% or less, such as about 1% or less, such as about 0.5% or less.

Accordingly, the mold body 220, e.g., the one or more mold cavities 226 therein, may be positioned downstream of the dispensing tube 210 and downstream of the fill tube 222. The mold cavity 226 may be configured for receiving the mixed flow of liquid water and liquid additive such that the mixture 260 of liquid water and liquid additive is formed at least partially in the mold cavity 226, e.g., the mixture 260 may be partially formed outside of the mold cavity 226 as the liquid flows to the mold cavity 226 and further mixing may occur in the mold cavity 226. The mold cavity 226 may be further configured for retaining the mixture 260 of liquid water and liquid additive to form an ice piece from the mixture 260 in the mold cavity.

The mold cavities 226 in the mold body 220 may be relatively fewer in number and may be larger than typical mold cavities of a conventional, e.g., plain water, ice maker. For example, the ice making assembly 200 may include only four or fewer mold cavities, such as only two mold cavities (as illustrated) or only one mold cavity. The relatively large and deep mold cavity 226 (e.g., as compared to mold cavities of typical plain ice makers) may contain the mixture 260 and promote mixing thereof while minimizing splashing or spilling of the mixture 260 from the mold cavity 226.

In some embodiments, in particular embodiments where the mold body 220 is or is a part of a twist tray for automatically harvesting the ice pieces, mixing of the water and additive may also be promoted by rocking the mold body 220 back and forth, e.g., using rotors which are coupled to the mold body 220 for rotating the mold body 220 by about one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) in order to dump ice pieces from the mold body 220 into the ice bin 230, where the rocking motion may include a lesser degree of rotation in a back-and-forth oscillatory manner such that the water and additive are mixed within the mold body 220 without spilling out of the mold body 220. For example, the rotor may be a part of, or may be coupled to, a harvest motor which is actuated to harvest ice pieces from the mold body 220. The harvest motor may be a DC motor which is selectively rotatable in a first direction, e.g., clockwise, or a second direction opposite the first direction, e.g., counterclockwise, depending on the polarity of the DC power supplied to the harvest motor. Thus, for example, the harvest motor may be operable to twist the mold body 220 to release ice pieces from the mold body 220 and then may be operable to rotate the mold body 220, e.g., by about one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) as mentioned, to transfer the released ice pieces from the mold body 220 into a storage bin therebelow. Similarly, the harvest motor may be operable to provide the rocking motion to the mold body 220 in order to promote mixing, such as by switching (e.g., reversing) the polarity of DC power supplied to the harvest motor.

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.