Patent Publication Number: US-10309707-B2

Title: Hybrid twist tray ice maker

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,494 filed Mar. 6, 2015, entitled HYBRID TWIST TRAY ICE MAKER, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,746,229 issued on Aug. 29, 2017, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to an ice tray for an ice maker, and more particularly to an ice maker having a twistable ice tray that includes a number of heat sinks attached to a lower portion thereof for efficiently cooling a bottom surface of each ice forming cavity on the ice tray, thereby promoting quick and efficient ice formation. The present disclosure also relates to the corresponding methods of operating the ice maker and forming such an ice tray. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is generally understood that ice trays may be constructed with ice cavities for making ice pieces in shapes and sizes convenient for a user&#39;s intended application, such as beverage cooling. Commonly, ice trays are formed entirely of polymeric materials to allow for twisting the ice tray to release ice pieces. However, the polymeric materials used for these ice trays typically have low thermal conductivity, which can result in slow freezing times for water introduced to the ice tray. In some instances, ice trays have been formed entirely of rigid metal materials, which provide little flexibility and make ice harvesting relatively difficult. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an ice tray includes a flexible structure having discrete ice forming cavities. A plurality of heat sinks is coupled to the flexible structure. Each heat sink has an upper portion that defines a bottom surface of at least one of the ice forming cavities and a lower portion with at least one member protruding from the upper portion for distributing heat away from the bottom surface. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an ice maker includes a harvest motor and an ice tray operably coupled to the harvest motor. The ice tray has a plurality of heat sinks coupled to a bottom section of ice forming cavities on the ice tray. The harvest motor is operable to twist the ice tray for causing the plurality of heat sinks to move relative to each other for releasing ice pieces from the ice forming cavities. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of forming an ice tray includes providing a plurality of heat sinks, each having an upper portion that defines a bottom surface of an ice forming cavity and a lower portion with at least one member protruding from the upper portion for distributing heat away from the bottom surface. The method also includes molding a flexible structure over a peripheral edge the upper portion of each of the plurality of heat sinks to define sidewalls of the ice forming cavities. A seal is formed between the peripheral edge and the sidewalls to contain water in the ice forming cavities. 
     These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a refrigerator that has a refrigeration compartment enclosable with doors, one door having an ice dispenser, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the refrigerator shown in  FIG. 1 , having the doors open to expose an ice storage compartment and an ice maker, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of an ice maker having an ice tray, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the ice maker shown in  FIG. 3 , having portions of the ice maker housing shown in phantom lines to illustrate the ice tray operably engaged with a harvest motor; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of an ice tray, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a partially schematic bottom perspective view of the ice tray shown in  FIG. 5 , taken from an opposite end from that shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a partially schematic bottom perspective view of an ice tray according to another aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the ice tray shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the ice tray shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded top perspective view of the ice tray shown in  FIG. 5 , illustrating a flexible portion of the ice tray separated from a plurality of heat sinks; 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of an individual heat sink with an attachment feature, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 10A  is a top perspective view of an individual heat sink having an additional embodiment of an attachment feature; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the ice tray, taken at line XI-XI of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 11A  is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross section shown in  FIG. 11 , taken at section XIA, illustrating a heat sink of the ice tray; 
         FIG. 11B  is an enlarged view of a heat sink according to another aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11C  is an enlarged view of a heat sink according to another aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the ice tray, taken at line XII-XII of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 12A  is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross section shown in  FIG. 12 , taken at section XIIA, illustrating a heat sink of the ice tray; 
         FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of an additional embodiment of an ice tray, having heat sinks that span laterally between separate ice forming cavities; 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom perspective view of the additional embodiment of the ice tray shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an end view of the ice tray in the home position relative to the ice maker housing; 
         FIG. 15A  is a top perspective view of the ice tray shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an end view of the ice tray in the rocked position relative to the ice maker housing; 
         FIG. 16A  is a top perspective view of the ice tray shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 17  is an end view of the ice tray shown in a twisted position relative to the ice maker housing; and 
         FIG. 17A  is a top perspective view of the ice tray shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the ice maker as oriented in  FIG. 3 . However, it is to be understood that the ice maker may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-2 , a refrigerator  10  is depicted having a refrigeration compartment  12  situated above a freezer compartment  14 . The illustrated embodiment of the refrigerator  10  is shown with a pair of doors  16  that are movable to enclose the refrigeration compartment  12 , whereby one of the doors  16  includes an ice storage container  18  that delivers ice to an associated ice dispenser  20 . The ice dispenser  20  may be used for dispensing or otherwise removing ice from the refrigerator  10 , and is typically accessible from the front side of the door  16  for use when the door  16  is in a closed position. The ice storage container  18  receives ice pieces from an ice maker  22  located above the ice storage container  18  on the door  16 . It is, however, contemplated that the ice maker  22  in other embodiments may alternatively be located within the refrigeration compartment  12 , the freezer compartment  14 , within any door of the appliance, or external to the appliance, such as on a top surface of a refrigerator  10 . Moreover, it is contemplated that the refrigerator  10  can be differently configured in alternative embodiments, such as with a single door enclosing the refrigeration compartment  12 , an ice storage container without an ice dispenser, and the freezer compartment situated within, above, or on the side of the refrigeration compartment. Further, it is conceivable that the appliance associated with the ice maker  22  of the present disclosure may alternatively include a freezer appliance, a counter-top appliance, or other form of consumer appliance. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-17A , reference numeral  22  generally designates an ice maker that includes a harvest motor  24  and an ice tray  26  operably coupled to the harvest motor  24 . The ice tray  26  has a flexible structure  28  and a plurality of heat sinks  30  coupled to a bottom section of discrete ice forming cavities  32  on the ice tray  26 . Each heat sink  30  has an upper portion  34  that defines a bottom surface  36  of at least one of the ice forming cavities  32  and a lower portion  38  with at least one heat dissipation member  40  protruding down from the upper portion  34 . The heat dissipation member  40  of the heat sink  30  is configured to distribute heat away from the bottom surface  36  of the corresponding ice forming cavity  32 , thereby promoting quick and efficient ice formation, as well as the potential for unidirectional solidification of water for clear ice formation. After ice pieces have formed in the ice forming cavities  32 , the harvest motor  24  is operable to twist the ice tray  26  for causing the flexible structure  28  to elastically distort for releasing ice pieces, such that the plurality of heat sinks  30  move relative to each other when the ice tray  26  is twisted. It is also contemplated that in another embodiment, the ice tray  26  disclosed herein may be manually twisted by hand, without the use of a harvest motor to release the ice pieces, while similarly realizing the benefits of quick and efficient ice formation. 
     With respect to the various methods of clear ice formation, it is generally appreciated that unidirectional solidification of water to form clear ice may be accomplished in various ways, including single techniques and the combination of techniques. These techniques and methods are described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/713,244 entitled “CLEAR ICE MAKER,” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,518,773 issued Dec. 13, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Accordingly, it is contemplated that additional embodiments of the illustrated ice maker  22  may include other features to promote clear ice formation, such as agitation of the ice tray  26 , warm air circulation across the top surface of water in the ice forming cavities  32 , among other techniques to promote unidirectional solidification of water in the ice forming cavities  32 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4 , the ice maker  22  includes the ice tray  26  suspended across an interior volume of a housing  42  that substantially encloses the harvest motor  24  and the ice tray  26 . The harvest motor  24  is rigidly secured proximate a first end wall  44  of the housing  42  by a pair of tabs  45  that extend from an upper region of the motor housing to engage horizontal slots in upper structural members  54  of the housing  42 . A first end  46  of the ice tray  26  is operably coupled with the harvest motor  24  and an opposing second end  48  of the ice tray  26  is rotatably coupled with a bearing aperture  50  in a second end wall  52  of the housing  42 , opposite the first end wall. As such, a rotational axis  53  of the ice tray  26  is defined between the points of attachment of the first and second ends  46 ,  48  of the ice tray  26 . The first and second end walls  44 ,  52  of the housing  42  are interconnected by structural members  54 , some of which have various attachment features for clips or other securing elements of the corresponding appliance or subcomponents thereof to engage the ice maker and support the ice maker in the door  16  of the refrigerator  10 . The housing  42  provides a top opening  56  above the ice tray  26  to allow water to be injected into at least one of the ice forming cavities  32  on the ice tray  26 . Similarly, the housing  42  includes a bottom opening  58  below the ice tray  26  to allow ice pieces to dispense from the ice maker  22  into the ice storage container  18 . It is understood that in additional embodiments, the housing  42  and arrangement of the ice tray  26  and harvest motor  24  with respect to the housing  42  may be alternatively configured from the illustrated embodiment. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the illustrated embodiment of the ice tray  26  includes two rows of discrete ice forming cavities  32  extending in-line and on opposing sides of the rotational axis  53  of the ice tray  26 . The depicted rows of ice forming cavities  32  each include five individual cavities, although it is contemplated that each row may include more or fewer ice forming cavities  32  in additional embodiments of the ice tray  26 . Further, it is conceivable that additional embodiments of ice forming tray  26  may include more rows, a single row, or another uniform or otherwise non-uniform distribution of ice forming cavities  32  on the ice tray  26 . Each ice forming cavity  32  in the illustrated embodiment is defined by the bottom surface  36  and sidewall surfaces  60  that extend upward from the bottom surface  36  to contain water accumulated on the bottom surface  36 . The bottom surface  36  in the depicted embodiment is substantially planar, although it is conceivable that additional embodiments of the bottom surface  36  may be concave, convex, and may include other surface shapes or irregularities. The depicted ice forming cavities  32  are substantially cubed shaped, generally having four sidewall surfaces  60  that extend upward from the bottom surface  36  at locations that are substantially orthogonal relative to each adjacent sidewall surface  60 . The sidewall surfaces  60  are interconnected by transition surfaces  62  that form curved corner edges of the ice forming cavity  32 . The outermost sidewall surfaces  60  of the ice tray  26  extend upward beyond the ice forming cavities  32  to form an upper ring  64  that surrounds all of the ice forming cavities  32  and thereby defines an upper containment surface  66 . Although substantially cubed shaped, each sidewall surface  60  angles outward from the respective bottom surface  36  to allow ice pieces to more easily release from the ice tray  26  during the harvesting cycle, as discussed in more detail herein. The angled sidewall surfaces  60  may also provide advantages in some embodiments of the ice maker  22 , whereby the ice tray  26  is rocked in oscillation about the rotational axis  53  to promote clear ice formation, as also described in greater detail herein. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the illustrated embodiment of the ice tray  26  is provided with the flexible structure  28  that bounds the lateral sides of each of the ice forming cavities  32 , thereby including the sidewall surfaces  60 , the transition surfaces  62 , and the upper containment surface  66 . More specifically, the flexible structure  28  defines a network of walls that interconnect with each other to substantially form the series of ice forming cavities  32 . The walls in the illustrated embodiment are defined as exterior sidewalls  68  that surround a periphery of the ice tray  26  and interior sidewalls  70  that interconnect inside of the exterior sidewalls  68  to form the ice forming cavities  32 . Several of the interior sidewalls  70  that interconnect linearly to extend along the rotational axis  53  of the ice tray  26  are together referred to as a median wall  72 . The median wall  72  divides the two rows of ice forming cavities  32  in the illustrated embodiment, such that in some embodiments, rocking the ice tray  26  about the rotational axis  53  may cause the water in the ice forming cavities  32  to cascade over the median wall  72  for promoting clear ice formation, as described in more detail herein. It is contemplated that the flexible structure  28  in alternative embodiments may include multiple interconnected flexible pieces and may be alternately shaped to define ice forming cavities  32  with different geometric configurations, such as semi-circular shapes, pyramid shapes, and other polygonal shapes. With respect to material properties, the flexible structure  28  may comprise a polymer configured to have a low conductivity relative to the plurality of heat sinks  30 . More specifically, the material forming the sidewall surfaces  60  of the ice forming cavities  32  may include an insulated material, including, without limitation, plastic materials, such as polypropylene. In addition to being insulative, the material of the flexible structure  28  may include an elastomeric polymer configured to resiliently twist during the harvest cycle. Furthermore, portions of the sidewall surfaces  60  and/or the interior surface of the ice forming cavities  32  may include a coating, such as a hydrophobic or ice-phobic coating as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,746, filed Mar. 1, 2013, entitled “HEATER-LESS ICE MAKER ASSEMBLY WITH A TWISTABLE TRAY,” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,513,045 issued Dec. 6, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the ice forming cavities  32  are partially interconnected by channels  74  formed through the interior sidewalls  70 . The channels  74 , although capable of being formed as apertures or other types and shapes of conduits, in the illustrated embodiment are provided as narrow slots that allow water in the ice forming cavities  32  to flow into or out of an adjacent ice forming cavity  32  once water in the ice forming cavity  32  receiving water has reached the level of the channel  74  on the respective interior sidewall  70 . Therefore, filling each of the ice forming cavities  32  with water may be accomplished by adding or otherwise dispensing water into one of the ice forming cavities  32  and allowing the water to flow to the adjacent cavities  32  until each of the ice forming cavities  32  is filled to the desired level. It is also contemplated that additional embodiments of the ice maker  22  may dispense water to more than one of the ice forming cavities  32 , whereby the channels  74  may not be provided between the separate ice forming cavities  32  having dedicated water dispensers. The channels  74  may also increase the flexibility of the flexible structure  28  by decreasing the structural rigidity that would resist twisting about the rotational axis  53 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first and second ends  46 ,  48  of the ice tray  26  are provided with attachment points to permit rotation about the rotational axis  53 . The second end  48  of the ice tray  26 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , includes an axle member  76  that protrudes integrally away from the ice forming cavities  32  concentrically with the rotational axis  53 . The axle member  76  is located centrally between the exterior sidewalls  68  and in substantial alignment with the median wall  72 . The axle member  76  is configured to rotatably engage the bearing aperture  50  in the second end wall  52  of the housing  42  of the ice maker  22  ( FIG. 4 ). It is contemplated that additional embodiments of the axle member may be a separate piece from the ice tray  26  and may be fixedly coupled therewith, and it is conceivable that additional embodiments of the ice maker housing  42  may be provided with an axle member extending into the interior volume from the second end wall  52  of the ice maker and, thereby, the second end  48  of the ice tray  26  may be provided with a corresponding bearing aperture for rotatably engaging such an axle member. 
     The opposing first end  46  of the ice tray  26 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , is similarly provided with an attachment point to permit rotation of the ice tray  26  about the rotational axis  53 . More specifically, the first end  46  of the ice tray  26  includes a non-circular aperture  78  configured to fixedly and matingly engage a corresponding non-circular end of a rotor shaft of the harvest motor  24 . The depicted embodiment includes a substantially rectangular shaped aperture positioned on the first end  46  to align the drive axis of the rotor shaft with the rotational axis  53  of the ice tray  26 , including alignment with the axle member  76  on the second end  48  of the ice tray  26 . It is also conceivable that the first end  46  of the ice tray  26  in additional embodiments may include an axle member or a circular aperture that would allow for an alternative operable connection with the rotor shaft of the harvest motor  24  to permit rotation of the ice tray  26  in a similar manner. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the illustrated embodiment of the ice tray  26  includes each of the plurality of heat sinks  30  coupled to a single cavity of the discrete ice forming cavities  32 , so that each ice forming cavity  32  has a dedicated heat sink  30  forming the bottom surface  36  of the ice forming cavity  32 . The dedicated heat sinks  30  increase the rate of freezing of liquids in the ice cavities and are separately provided on each ice forming cavity  32  to not restrict and not substantially restrict twisting and flexing of the flexible structure  28  of the ice tray  26  to release ice pieces therein. One of the heat sinks  30  is thereby separate from at least one other heat sink  30  on the ice tray  26 , and more preferably each heat sink  30  is dedicated to an individual ice forming cavity  32  to allow the greatest amount of flexing naturally permitted by the material and construction of the flexible structure  28  of the ice tray  26  upon twisting. The lower portion  38  of each of the heat sinks  30  include at least one heat dissipation member  40  protruding away from the upper portion  34 , which defines the bottom surface  36  of at least one of the ice forming cavities  32 . The heat dissipation member  40  shown in the illustrated embodiment includes a series of fins  80  that protrude downward from the upper portion  34  for conductively transferring heat away from the bottom surface  36  of the respective ice forming cavity  32  to air surrounding the series of fins  80 . In the depicted embodiment, the series of fins  80  are substantially planar, aligned in parallel relationship to each other, and protruding orthogonally from the substantially horizontal upper portion  34  of the respective heat sink  30 . Further, the illustrated heat sinks  30  are positioned relative to each other on the ice forming cavities  32  to align the fins  80  of each heat sink  30  in perpendicular orientation relative to the rotational axis  53  of the ice tray  26 . By aligning the fins  80  of the heat sinks  30 , air flow in a single direction may more easily pass through and between the fins  80 , thereby more efficiently dissipating heat away from the bottom surface  36 . It is contemplated that the heat dissipation member  40  may include more or fewer fins  80 , alternatively shaped fins or other members, and fins or other members protruding in different orientations from the upper portion  34  of the respective heat sink  30 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , an electrically powered fan  41 A may be utilized to direct airflow in the direction of arrow A 1 . Fins  80  of ice tray  26  are generally transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to rotational axis  53 . Air flow parallel to the fins  80  (in the direction of arrow A 1 ) carries heat away from the fins  80  to thereby promote rapid freezing of water disposed in cavities  32 . The fluid flow may comprise fluid flow in the direction of arrow A 1 . The fan  41 A may be mounted to housing  42  or other structure of ice maker  22 . 
     The fins  80   a  may also be parallel to axis  53 . Specifically, ice tray  26  may include fins  80   a  that are generally parallel to rotational axis  53  as shown in  FIG. 6A . An electrically powered fan  41 B directs fluid (air) flow in the direction of arrow B 1 . Specifically, ice tray  26  may include fluid flow parallel to fins  80   a  to carry heat away from fins  80   a . Fan  41 B may comprise a component of ice maker  22 , and may be mounted to housing  42  or other structure. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the plurality of heat sinks  30  are exploded away from the flexible structure  28  of the ice tray  26 , exposing an upward protruding flange  82  that surrounds the upper portion  34  of each heat sink  30 . The upward protruding flange  82  is configured to engage the flexible structure  28  around the respective ice forming cavity  32 . The upward protruding flange  82  extends from an edge of a substantially planar and horizontal surface of the heat sink  30  that defines the bottom surface  36  of the ice forming cavity. Accordingly, the upward protruding flange  82  extends from the bottom surface  36  in substantial alignment with the sidewall surfaces  60  of the respective ice forming cavity  32 , but substantially outside the sidewall surfaces  60  to allow material to encase the upward protruding flange  82  when it is embedded in the sidewalls  68 ,  70 . The upward protruding flange  82 , in the illustrated embodiment, also includes at least one engagement feature  84  to assist in retaining the respective heat sink  30  to the flexible structure  28 . The engagement feature  84  may include various forms of protrusions, apertures, adhesives, and/or fasteners configured to engage the heat sink  30  to the flexible structure  28 . 
     Two different embodiments of a heat sink  30  are illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 10A , depicting different forms of engagement features  84  integrally formed on the heat sink  30 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , one embodiment of the engagement feature includes an aperture  86  formed through the upward protruding flange  82  in four locations spaced equally around the edge of the bottom surface  36 . The apertures  86  have a substantially circular shape and extend between an inner surface  88  of the upward protruding flange  82  and an outer surface  90  of the upward protruding flange  82  to allow injection molded material of the flexible structure  28  to flow into the aperture  86  and, prior to solidification, interconnect material abutting the inner surface  88  and material abutting the outer surface  90  of the upward protruding flange  82 . It is also contemplated that the additional embodiments of flexible structure of the ice tray  26  may be formed to have a protrusion that is aligned for snap-fitting into engagement with such an aperture  86  upon inserting the upward protruding flange  82  into or onto a corresponding mating feature on the bottom portion of such a flexible structure, thereby similarly securing the heat sinks  30  around each of the ice forming cavities  32 . It will be understood that the engagement features such as apertures  56  are optional, and flange  82  may comprise a substantially continuous structure that is free of apertures or other openings. 
     Another embodiment of the engagement feature  84  is shown in  FIG. 10A , similar to the aperture  86  shown in  FIG. 10 , but a narrow passage  92  is formed in the upward protruding flange  82  that extends down from a top edge  94  of the upward protruding flange  82  to merge with an aperture  96  in forming a tear-shaped notch  98 . Similar to the aperture  86 , the notch  98  allows material to interconnect between the inner and outer surfaces  88 ,  90  of the upward protruding flange  82  or otherwise to frictionally engage a preexisting protrusion on the flexible structure  28 . The embodiment of the engagement feature  84  depicted in  FIG. 10A  provides the narrow passage  92  with a smaller width proximate the top edge  94  of the upward protruding flange  82  than the interconnecting aperture  96  having a larger width to define the tear-shaped notch  98 . The larger width of the aperture assists in retaining the material of the flexible structure  28  in securing the heat sink  30  to the ice tray  26 . It is contemplated that additional, fewer and differently shaped notches and/or apertures may be provided on the upward protruding flange  82  in other embodiments of the heat sink  30 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 10A , the outer surface  90  of the upward protruding flange  82  includes another embodiment of an engagement feature  84 , which is depicted as three retention ribs  100  that surround the outer surface  90  of the upward protruding flange  82 . The retention ribs  100  are included to provide an additional feature for the injection molded material of the flexible structure  28  to engage for enhancing the connection between the heat sinks  30  and the flexible structure  28 . In other embodiments the retention ribs  100  may be segmented or otherwise provided with different shapes and configurations to protrude from the inner and/or outer surfaces  88 ,  90  of the upward protruding flange  82  for forming a sufficient connection. 
     The illustrated embodiment of the ice tray  26  shown in  FIGS. 11-12A  depicts the flexible structure  28  injection molded over a peripheral edge  102  of the upper portion  34  of each of the plurality of heat sinks  30  to define a seal between the bottom surfaces  36  of the ice forming cavities  32  and the sidewalls  68 ,  70  of the ice forming cavities  32 . The formation of the seal between the sidewalls  68 ,  70  and the heat sink  30  is configured to retain water that comes into contact and accumulates on the upper portion  34  of the heat sink  30 . The flange  82  that surrounds the peripheral edge  102  of each of the plurality of heat sinks  30  may be segmented in additional embodiments or otherwise consistent as shown in  FIG. 10 . To provide an adequate seal between the flexible structure  28  and the heat sinks  30 , additional material of the flexible structure  28  may be provided around the upward protruding flange  82  on the heat sinks  30  increasing the thickness of the sidewalls  68 ,  70  around the upward protruding flange  82  relative to the material provided along the interior walls  70  that define the upper sections of the ice forming cavities  32 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11B , a heat sink  30   a  according to another aspect of the present disclosure, does not include fins, but rather has a bottom surface  31  that is substantially smooth and planar. Bottom surface  31  may, alternatively, be concave, convex, and may include other surface shapes or irregularities. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11C , a heat sink  30   b  according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of longer fins  80   b  that are substantially similar to fins  80 . Heat sink  30   b  also includes a plurality of shorter fins  80   c . Longer fins  80   b  and shorter fins  80   c  may be arranged in an alternating manner as shown in  FIG. 11C . However, virtually any suitable configuration may be utilized as shown in  FIG. 11C , longer fins  80   b  may have a length L and shorter fins  80   c  may have a length L 1 . Fins  80   b  and  80   c  may be arranged in various orientations, lengths (L, L 1 , etc.), and sizes to provide heat transfer from water in ice forming cavity  32 . Length L may be about twice the length L 1 . For example, length L may be about 1-2 cm, and length L 1  may be about 0.5-1 cm. It will be understood that the notches  98  of  FIGS. 11B and 11C  are optional. 
     An additional embodiment of an ice tray  26  is shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , having heat sinks  104  that span between more than one ice forming cavity  32 . As shown, the heat sinks  104  span laterally across the rotational axis  53  thereby defining the bottom surface  36  of two laterally adjacent ice forming cavities  32 . These heat sinks  104  are also capable of moving relative to each other upon twisting of the flexible structure  28  to release ice pieces from the ice tray  26 . As exemplified with this embodiment, the heat sinks in additional embodiments of the ice tray  26  may span beyond a single ice forming cavity  32  to couple with other ice forming cavities  32  or portions thereof. However, it is preferable for an embodiment of the ice tray  26  configured to twist for ice harvesting to include at least two separate heat sinks to permit twisting of the ice tray  26 , although the separate heat sinks may be pivotally or otherwise moveably coupled to each other. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-17A , operation of the ice maker  22  is shown according to one embodiment. It is contemplated that the ice maker  22  is operated by an electrical control unit or controller, either dedicated to the ice maker  22  or otherwise integrated with another controller, such as the general control circuitry of the corresponding appliance. In  FIGS. 15-15A  the ice tray  26  is positioned horizontally in a home position  106  to allow water to be dispensed into the ice forming cavities  32 . As water is dispensed into one of the ice forming cavities  32 , the water accumulates in that filling cavity  32  until the top surface exceeds the height of the channels  74  that interconnect the filling cavity  32  into other ice forming cavities  32  on the ice tray  26 . Water then is permitted to communicate from the filling ice forming cavity  32  to the adjacent ice forming cavities  32 , and then water is accumulated in those adjacent ice forming cavities until either the water is further distributed to the next sequential ice forming cavity  32  or until all the ice forming cavities  32  are filled to the desired level, such as a fill level below the top surfaces of the interior walls  70 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 16-16A  the ice tray  26  is rotated to an angle that will allow the water to move in the ice forming cavities  32 , if not already frozen. From such a tilted angle, the ice tray  26  may then be rotated in the opposite direction to an opposing tilted angle, which may then be repeated to oscillate the ice tray  26  in a rocking motion. Rocking the ice tray  26  is an optional processing technique that may be done with the ice maker  22  while water is freezing in the ice forming cavities to prevent the upper surface of the water from freezing before the remaining water, thereby promoting clear ice formation with the ice maker  22 . 
     Once the water has substantially frozen to form ice pieces in the ice forming cavities  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 17-17A , the ice maker  22  may operate a harvest cycle. The harvest cycle commands the harvest motor  24  to rotate the ice tray  26  about the rotational axis  53  to an inverted position  108 , whereby some of the ice pieces may fall out of the ice forming cavities  32  due to gravity. For the ice pieces that remain lodged in the ice forming cavities  32 , the harvest motor  24  may continue to apply torque to the first end  46  of the ice tray  26  while the second end  48  abuts a catch  110  on the second end wall  52  of the ice maker housing  42 , causing the flexible structure  28  of the ice tray  26  to twist. More specifically, the catch  110  abuts a protrusion on the second end  48  of the flexible structure  28  of the ice tray  26  adjacent to the axle member  76 . The twisting of the ice tray  26  occurs in the flexible structure  28  generally about the rotational axis  53 , which slightly distorts the sidewalls  68 ,  70  and causes the ice pieces to dislodge and release from the ice forming cavities  32 . The twisting of the flexible structure  28  is easily permitted due to the separation of the plurality of heat sinks  30 , which move relative to each other during the twisting motion. It is contemplated that the twisting motion may also be accomplished in additional embodiments of the ice maker  22  by rotating the ice tray  26  in an opposite direction from that illustrated, additionally or alternatively rotating the ice tray from the opposite end, and/or twisting the ice tray in an oscillating or repeated cycle. 
     The heat sinks  30 ,  30   a , and  30   b  may be aluminum or other suitable material. In general, aluminum heat sinks  30 ,  30   a , and/or  30   b  and the flexible structure  28  are coupled together to form ice tray  26 . The aluminum heat sinks  30 ,  30   a , and/or  30   b  and the flexible structure  28  are coupled in a manner that forms a seal that remains intact when the ice tray  26  is twisted. The aluminum heat sinks  30 ,  30   a , and/or  30   b  conduct heat away from the water within the ice forming cavities  32  of the ice tray  26  by drawing heat away from the water at the bottom surface  36  of the ice forming cavities  32 . The flexible structure  28  may be formed of a flexible material (for example, a polymer) that may have relatively low thermal conductivity that limits heat transfer from the water to the flexible structure  28 . The use of relatively rigid aluminum heat sinks  30 ,  30   a , and/or  30   b  coupled to a flexible polymer structure  28  provides both increased heat transfer for rapid ice formation and ice tray flexibility that allows ice cubes to be readily removed. 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described ice maker and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
     It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.