Patent Publication Number: US-2023139820-A1

Title: Portable And Environmentally Friendly Ice Maker Configured To Deliver Ice On-Demand

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/273,998, filed Oct. 31, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to ice makers and, more particularly, to a portable and environmentally friendly ice maker configured to deliver ice on-demand. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Numerous problems exist with refrigerators having built-in ice makers for producing ice. For example, a user may request ice (e.g., by pressing a button on the inside or outside of the refrigerator) and the refrigerator may only dispense 1 or 2 ice cubes to the user&#39;s drinking receptacle. The user may then request additional ice cubes (e.g., by again pressing the button), and this time the refrigerator may deliver 15-20 ice cubes, some of which end up in the user&#39;s drinking receptacle and the rest of which end up on the floor. Additionally, these built-in ice makers typically need 45-60 minutes to make a bank of 5-6 ice cubes, which are then stored in, and ultimately delivered from, ice bucket in the refrigerator. However, because many of these known refrigerators periodically run a heater in the freezer compartment to melt any frost build up, the ice cubes stored in the ice bucket will (slightly) melt and then refreeze, causing some or all of the ice cubes in the ice bucket to conjoin with one another, thereby forming large blocks of ice in the ice bucket. These large blocks of ice tend to clog up the ice maker (preventing additional ice cubes from being formed) and often cannot be delivered to the user&#39;s receptacle. 
     Problems also exist with other known ice makers, e.g., counter-top ice makers designed to be located on a user&#39;s kitchen counter. First, known counter-top ice makers typically need to be connected to a water line and a source of electricity, severely limiting portability. Second, counter-top ice makers typically need approximately 7-10 minutes to make several, very small ice cubes. Those ice cubes are then stored in an ice bucket, wherein the ice cubes can easily conjoin with another, thereby problematically forming large blocks of ice just as described above. Moreover, it is necessary to retrieve ice from the ice bucket, using, for example, a scoop, a spoon, a small shovel, or the user&#39;s hand. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with a first exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a portable ice maker configured to deliver ice on demand is provided. The ice maker includes a housing, a reservoir disposed in the housing and adapted to receive water, a freezing chamber disposed in the housing and adapted to be filled with liquid coolant, a reconditioning unit configured to maintain the coolant in liquid form, one or more receptacles disposed in the freezing chamber such that at least a portion of each of the receptacles is surrounded by and in thermal contact with the liquid coolant, a pump disposed in the housing and configured to drive the water from the reservoir to the receptacles, and a control panel disposed on the housing and including a button. The liquid coolant is configured to convert the water in the receptacles into ice, and responsive to actuation of the button, the ice is delivered to an ice dispensing area in the housing. 
     In accordance with a second exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a portable ice maker configured to deliver ice on demand is provided. The ice maker includes a housing, an ice dispensing area formed in the housing, a reservoir disposed in the housing and adapted to receive water, a freezing chamber disposed in the housing and adapted to be filled with coolant in liquid form, a reconditioning unit coupled to the freezing chamber and configured to maintain the coolant in liquid form, a plurality of cylinders disposed in the freezing chamber such that at least a portion of each of the cylinders is surrounded by and in thermal contact with the coolant in liquid form, and a pump disposed in the housing and configured to drive a pre-determined amount of the water from the reservoir to the plurality of cylinders in the freezing chamber, and a control panel disposed on the housing, the control panel including a button configured to activate the ice maker. Each of the plurality of cylinders has a bottom portion disposed in the freezing chamber and an upper portion disposed outside of the freezing chamber. The coolant in liquid form is configured to convert the water in the plurality of cylinders into ice, and responsive to actuation of the button, the ice is delivered to the ice dispensing area. 
     In accordance with a third exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a portable ice maker configured to deliver ice on demand is provided. The ice maker includes a housing, an ice dispensing area formed in the housing, a reservoir disposed in the housing and adapted to receive water, a freezing chamber disposed in the housing and adapted to be filled with coolant in liquid form, a reconditioning unit coupled to the freezing chamber and configured to maintain the coolant in liquid form, a plurality of receptacles disposed in the freezing chamber such that at least a portion of each of the receptacles is surrounded by and in thermal contact with the coolant in liquid form, a pump disposed in the housing and configured to drive a pre-determined amount of the water from the reservoir to the plurality of receptacles in the freezing chamber, a delivery chute arranged between and connecting a bottom portion of the freezing chamber and the ice dispensing area, and a control panel disposed on the housing, the control panel including a button configured to activate the ice maker. The coolant in liquid form is configured to convert the water in the plurality of receptacles into ice, and responsive to actuation of the button, the ice is delivered to the ice dispensing area via the delivery chute. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features of this disclosure which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present disclosure may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the several figures, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of one example of a portable ice maker constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of the portable ice maker of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a rear view of the portable ice maker of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a top view of the portable ice maker of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a left side view of the portable ice maker of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a right side view of the portable ice maker of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  7    is similar to  FIG.  6   , but with a right side of a housing of the portable ice maker of  FIG.  1    removed; 
         FIG.  8    is similar to  FIG.  5   , but with a left side of the housing of the portable ice maker of  FIG.  1    removed; 
         FIG.  9    is similar to  FIG.  2   , but with a front of the housing of the portable ice maker of  FIG.  1    removed; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a freezing chamber of the portable ice maker of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  11 A  is an exploded view of the freezing chamber of  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  11 B  is a cross-sectional view of one of the receptacles utilized in the freezing chamber of  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates the components of a reconditioning unit of the portable ice maker of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  13    illustrates the inputs to the freezing chamber of  FIGS.  10  and  11 A ; and 
         FIG.  14    illustrates an underside of the freezing chamber of  FIGS.  10  and  11 A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is generally directed to an ice maker that does not suffer from the problems discussed above in connection with known ice makers and reduces water and energy usage (and user frustration). The disclosed ice maker includes a water reservoir, such that the ice maker does not need to be connected to an external source of water (e.g., a water line), and includes a rechargeable battery, such that the ice maker does not need to be connected to an external power source. In turn, the disclosed ice maker is completely portable and, at the very least, is significantly more portable than known portable ice makers. The disclosed ice maker can, for example, be used outside of the kitchen (e.g., while camping, in the backyard, in the car). The disclosed ice maker preferably utilizes a coolant such as liquid nitrogen (which has a very low temperature) that quickly and efficiently converts water from the water reservoir into ice. Thus, the disclosed ice maker is configured to deliver a batch of ice (albeit smaller ice) from the ice maker to a user&#39;s drinking receptacle essentially on-demand (e.g., in less than 1 minute, and, more preferably, in less than 30 or 45 seconds, particularly when liquid nitrogen is utilized), unlike known ice makers (which can, for example, take up to an hour). Importantly, the ice maker disclosed is configured to deliver the batch of ice directly to the user&#39;s drinking receptacle at the push of a button, such that the ice is delivered in a controlled manner. In other words, the ice maker does not utilize an ice bucket, thereby preventing ice from conjoining and avoiding the clogging problem experienced with known ice makers, as discussed above. The ice maker also obviates the need for a scoop or other means for retrieving ice from the ice maker and delivering the ice to the user&#39;s drinking receptacle. 
       FIGS.  1 - 14    illustrate one example of a portable ice maker  100  that is constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the portable ice maker  100  generally includes a housing  104 , an ice dispensing area  108 , a reservoir  112 , a freezing chamber  116 , a reconditioning unit  120 , a control panel  124 , and a rechargeable battery  126  (e.g., a 12V rechargeable battery). In other examples, however, the portable ice maker  100  can include additional, fewer, and/or different components. 
     Because the ice maker  100  is designed to be completely portable, the housing  104  generally has a small and efficient profile. In this example, the housing  104  has a height H H  equal to 14.5 inches (37 cm), a depth D H  equal to 14.5 inches, and a width W H  equal to 6⅔ inches. In other examples, however, the height H H , the depth D H , or the width W H  of the housing  104  can vary as needed. As illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 6   , the housing  104  is defined by a front panel  128 , a rear panel  132  opposite the front panel  128 , a top panel  136 , a bottom panel (not visible, but opposite the top panel  136 ), a left side panel  140 , and a right side panel  144  opposite the left side panel  140 . In this example, the front panel  128  includes the control panel  124 , though in other examples, the control panel  124  can be positioned elsewhere (e.g., on the top panel  136 ). As best illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the control panel  124  includes an ice button  148  configured to activate the ice maker  100  (to produce ice on-demand) as well as plurality of indicators  152  (e.g., LED lights) configured to allow a user of the ice maker  100  to easily identify the status of the ice maker  100 . For example, the plurality of indicators can indicate to the user that the portable ice maker  100  is on or off, is connected to an external power source, or needs additional water. As best illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the portable ice maker  100  also includes a dispensing area  156  formed in the front panel  128  of the housing  104 . The dispensing area  156  is generally sized to receive a drinking receptacle (e.g., a glass or a cup) such that the portable ice maker  100  can deliver ice directly to the drinking receptacle, obviating the need for an ice bucket or a scoop for the ice bucket. In this example, the dispensing area  156  is a cutout in the housing  104  and has a height H D  of 14 cm, a weight W D  of 12 cm, and a depth D D  of 12 cm. Optionally, the control panel  124  may also include a liquid button configured to cause the ice maker  100  to dispense a liquid (e.g., juice, water, etc.) directly into the drinking receptacle. Moreover, the portable ice maker  100  also includes a handle  159  that is configured to allow the user to carry the ice maker  100  and to move the ice maker  100  between different locations. Further, while not illustrated herein, the portable ice maker  100  may optionally include a plurality of feet (e.g., 4 feet) disposed on the bottom panel in order to help support the portable ice maker  100 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the rear panel  132  includes an on/off switch  160  configured to turn the ice maker  100  on or off, as well as a plurality of different water and electrical ports. The rear panel  132  includes a first water port  164  that is configured to be connected to an external source of water (e.g., a water line) when the ice maker  100  is temporarily or permanently positioned near that external source of water. In this example, the first water port  164  has a radius of 1 cm. When the rear panel  132  includes the first water port  164  and the first water port  164  is fluidly connected to the external source of water, water from the external source is directed into the reservoir  112 . The rear panel  132  also optionally includes a USB port  168 . The USB port  168  allows the user to recharge the rechargeable battery  126  as needed. The USB port  168  also allows a user of the ice maker  100  to, for example, utilize the ice maker  100  to power a consumer electronic device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet) connected thereto via the USB port  168 . The rear panel  132  also includes an electrical port  172  that is configured to connect to an external power source (e.g., a 110V or 220 V power source) for use in recharging the rechargeable battery  126  or powering the ice maker  100  when the ice maker  100  temporarily or permanently positioned near that external power source. The rear panel  132  further includes an electrical switch  176  that allows the user to toggle between 110V and 220V, depending upon the external power source. 
     As best illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the top panel  136  includes a second water port  180 . The second water port  180  is generally configured to receive water manually provided to the ice maker  100  by the user (e.g., using a drinking receptacle or a faucet). Thus, the second water port  180  is larger (and generally easier to access) than the first water port  164 . In this example, the second water port  180  has a diameter of 6 cm. While not illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that the portable ice maker  100  also includes means for removably covering the second water port  180 . The means can, for example, take the form of a stopper (e.g., a rubber stopper), a cover, a cap, or the like. The means can be fixedly attached to the top panel  136  or can be independent of the top panel  136 . In either case, the means can cover the second water port  180  in order to prevent ingress or egress via the second water port  180 , or can be removed from the second water port  180 , thereby exposing the second water port  180  and allowing the user to provide water via the second water port  180 . As best illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the left side panel  140  includes an air intake port  184  that allows air to flow into the portable ice maker  100 . The left side panel  140  also optionally includes a first product logo  188 . 
     Meanwhile, as best illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the right side panel  144  includes a cooling fan  192  that helps to cool the inside of the housing  104 . The right side panel  144  also optionally includes a second product logo  196 . In this example, the second product logo  196  is identical to the first product logo  188 , though that need not be the case. Moreover, it will also be appreciated that at least in this example, the right side panel  144  is removable, thereby permitting access to the interior of the housing  104  and facilitating maintenance or replacement of the components of the portable ice maker  100  as needed. In other examples, however, the left side panel  140  can alternatively or additionally be removable. 
     When the right side panel  144  is removed, the internal components of the portable ice maker  100  are generally arranged in the manner illustrated in  FIG.  7   . As illustrated in  FIG.  7    and in  FIG.  8   , which depicts the internal components when the portable ice maker  100  is viewed from the left side, the ice dispensing area  156  is formed in the lower, front portion of the housing  104 , the reservoir  112  is disposed in the upper, front portion of the housing  104  (at a position above the dispensing area  156  and immediately adjacent the second water port  180 ), the freezing chamber  116  is disposed in the upper, middle and rear portions of the housing  104  (at a position immediately adjacent the reservoir  112 ), and both the reconditioning unit  120  and the rechargeable battery  126  are disposed in the lower, rear portion of the housing  104  beneath the freezing chamber  116 . While only partially depicted in  FIG.  7    (and the remaining FIGS.), it will also be appreciated that the freezing chamber  116  is fluidly coupled to the reservoir  112  via tubing (e.g., copper tubing), the reconditioning unit  120  is also fluidly coupled to the freezing chamber  116  via tubing  198  (e.g., copper tubing), and the freezing chamber  116  is coupled to the dispensing area  156  via a delivery chute  200  that extends between a bottom portion of the freezing chamber  116  and a top portion of the dispensing area  156 . As such, the delivery chute  200  extends downward, at an angle, from the bottom portion of the freezing chamber  116  to the top portion of the dispensing area  156 . In this example, the delivery chute  200  has a length L C  equal to 21 cm and has a bottom end  202  that is disposed within the dispensing area  156 . 
     In this example, the reservoir  112  is a rectangular tank configured to receive and hold water provided via the first water port  164  and/or the second water port  180 . The rectangular tank is preferably sized to hold enough water to make approximately three-hundred ice cubes. It will be appreciated that any type of water can be used, though for best results, filtered and distilled water are preferred (as filtered and distilled water will freeze faster). In other examples, however, the tank can have a different shape and/or size. For example, the tank can be smaller or larger in order to make more or fewer ice cubes without having to refill the reservoir  112 . In some examples, e.g., when the ice maker  100  includes the liquid button discussed above, the reservoir  112  can be segmented or divided into two sub-reservoirs, one for holding water (to make ice) and one for holding the liquid to be dispensed when the liquid button is actuated. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS.  10  and  11 A , the freezing chamber  116  is a sealed chamber defined within a box  204  that includes a top portion  204 A and a bottom portion  204 B coupled (e.g., welded) to the top portion  204 A. In this example, the box  204  has a depth D B  of 19 cm, a width W B  of 10 cm, and a height H B  of 5 cm. The box  204  is preferably manufactured using steel and is filled with a non-polluting coolant that is in liquid form. The non-polluting coolant preferably takes the form of nitrogen, as liquid nitrogen has a very cold temperature and is environmentally friendly (unlike coolants like Freon, nitrogen does not harm the Earth&#39;s atmosphere). However, the non-polluting coolant may instead take the form of another refrigerant such as R600a or a Freon derivative. In any event, should the non-polluting coolant somehow escape the portable ice maker  100  and into the environment, the coolant will not contribute to global warming or ozone depletion. 
     The ice maker  100  also generally includes one or more receptacles for receiving water to be frozen from the reservoir  112 . The one or more receptacles are generally disposed in the freezing chamber  116  such that at least a portion of each of the receptacles is surrounded by and in thermal contact with the liquid coolant. As also best illustrated in  FIGS.  10  and  11 A , the ice maker  100  in this example includes eight receptacles, each taking the form of a cylinder  208  and divided into two rows of four, eight first apertures  212  formed in the top portion  204 A, and eight second apertures  216  formed in the bottom portion  204 B. In this example, each cylinder  208  has a height H R  equal to 5.6 cm. Each cylinder  208  has a top portion  208 A that extends through a respective first aperture  212  formed in the top portion  204 A such that the top portion  208 A of each cylinder  208  is disposed outside of the box  204  (and, thus, the freezing chamber  116 ). On the other hand, each cylinder  208  has a bottom portion  208 B that is disposed in the box  204  and has an open, bottom end  208 C seated in a respective second aperture  216  formed in the bottom portion  204 B of the box  204 . In turn, and as discussed in greater detail below, when the portable ice maker  100  is in operation, the liquid coolant can quickly freeze any water disposed in the bottom portion  204 B of each of the cylinders  208 . As best illustrated in  FIG.  11 B , each cylinder  208  is tapered or flared such that the bottom portion  208 B has a larger diameter than the top portion  208 A. In one example, the bottom portion  208 B has an inner diameter ID B  of 2 cm and the top portion  208 A has an inner diameter ID T  of 1.5 cm. In any event, it will be appreciated that the tapered shape of each cylinder  208  helps to facilitate ejection of ice from the cylinders  208 . 
     The reconditioning unit  120  is coupled to the freezing chamber  116  and is generally configured to maintain the coolant in the freezing chamber  116  in liquid form so that the coolant can freeze water in the receptacles, even when the ice maker  100  is not in use. As illustrated in  FIG.  12   , the reconditioning unit  120  includes a compressor  220 , a condenser  224 , and, optionally, a dryer  228 . The compressor  220  is coupled to the freezing chamber  116  via an output port  232  formed in the bottom portion  204 B of the box  204 , such that the compressor  220  is configured to pressurize the coolant leaving the freezing chamber  116  (which will have increased in temperature due to indirect contact with the water from the reservoir  112 ). The condenser  224  is coupled to and downstream of the compressor  220  such that the condenser  224  cools the coolant after it is pressurized by the compressor  220 . The condenser  224  will preferably cool the coolant (nitrogen in this case) to a temperature of −196 degrees Centigrade (or −321 degrees Fahrenheit). When the reconditioning unit  120  includes the dryer  228 , as is the case here, the liquid coolant will then pass from the condenser  224  to the (optional) dryer  228 . The dryer  228  in turn removes unwanted material such as dirt from the coolant. The dryer  228  is coupled to the freezing chamber  116  via an input port  236  formed in the bottom portion  204 B of the box  204 , such that the liquid nitrogen passes from the dryer  228  back to the freezing chamber  116 . When, however, the reconditioning unit  120  does not include the dryer  228 , the liquid coolant will pass from the condenser  224  to the freezing chamber  204  via a similar input port. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  13   , the portable ice maker  100  also includes a pressure relief valve  240 , one or more flapper valves  244 , and one or more motors  248  (e.g., stepper motor) for controlling the one or more flapper valves  244  via one or more bars  252 . The pressure relief valve  240  is formed in the bottom portion  204 B of the box  204 . Should the compressor  220  fail, in which case the nitrogen in the freezer chamber  116  would become too warm (and change from a liquid to a gas), the compressor  220  is configured to vent nitrogen gas out of the freezer chamber  116  in order to prevent damage to the freezer chamber  116  (and the portable ice maker  100  more generally). The one or more flapper valves  244  are generally configured to selectively seal the one or more receptacles of the ice maker  100 . In other words, the number of flapper valves  244  utilized in the ice maker  100  generally corresponds to the number of receptacles utilized in the ice maker. Thus, in this example, the portable ice maker  100  includes eight flapper valves  244  arranged in two rows of four, even though only one aperture  216  and one flapper valve  244  is illustrated in  FIG.  13   , two motors  248  for controlling the eight flapper valves  244 , one motor  248  for each of the rows of four, and two bars  252  connecting one of the motors  248  with one of the rows of flapper valves  244 . Each of the flapper valves  244  is movable between a closed position and an open position responsive to movement of a respective bar  252  rotated by one of the motors  248 . In the closed position, each flapper valve  244  engages an underside  252  of the freezing chamber  116  and covers a respective second aperture  216  formed in the bottom portion  204 B of the box  204 , thereby sealing the receptacles. Conversely, in the open position, each flapper valve  244  is spaced from the underside  252  of the freezing chamber  116 , thereby exposing the respective second aperture and coupling the receptacles with the delivery chute  200 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  14   , the portable ice maker  100  also includes a water pump  260 . The water pump  260  is disposed in the housing  104  and configured to drive a pre-determined amount of water from the reservoir  112  to the one or more receptacles in the freezing chamber  116  via one or more water lines  261 . Preferably, the pre-determined amount of water corresponds to a water level equivalent to approximately 40-50% of a length of each of the cylinders  208 , though the exact water level can vary. In this example, the water pump  260  is disposed in the reservoir  112  and drives the pre-determined amount of water from the reservoir  112  to the eight cylinders  208  in the freezing chamber  116  via four water lines  261 . In other examples, however, the water pump  260  can be disposed outside of the reservoir  112  and/or the water pump  260  can be fluidly coupled to the freezing chamber  116  via a different number of water lines. Optionally, the portable ice maker  100  can also include an air pump  264  fluidly connected to the cylinders  208  via one or more air lines  263 . In this example, the air pump  264  is fluidly connected to the top portions  208 A of the cylinders  208  via four air lines  263 . In other examples, however, the air pump  264  can be connected to the cylinders  208  in a different manner. In any event, when the portable ice maker  100  includes the air pump  264 , the air pump  264  is configured to supply compressed air via the one or more air lines  263 , which in turn helps to empty out the cylinders  208  by pushing ice from the cylinders  208  down the delivery chute  200 . 
     Additionally, while not illustrated herein, the portable ice maker  100  also includes a controller and one or more sensors communicatively connected to the controller  300  to provide feedback to the controller. The controller takes the form of a programmable logic controller that is communicatively connected (via a wired or wireless connection) to the reconditioning unit  120 , the control panel  124 , the motors, the water pump  260 , and the air pump  264  (if included) to control operation of the portable ice maker  100 . Meanwhile, the one or more sensors may include one or more pressure sensors, one or more temperature sensors, one or more water level sensors, and/or other sensors positioned inside and/or outside of the housing  104 . For example, each of the cylinders  208  may be equipped with a water level sensor configured to inform the controller when that cylinder  208  has been filled with the pre-determined amount of water. As another example, the portable ice maker  100  may be equipped with a sensor for detecting the charge level of the rechargeable battery  126 . 
     When the portable ice maker  100  is on and the user requests ice from the portable ice maker  100  by actuating the ice button  148  on the control panel  124 , the portable ice maker  100  delivers a batch of ice directly to the dispensing area  156  in a matter of 30-60 seconds. First, the controller causes the water pump  260  to drive the pre-determined amount of water from the reservoir  112  to the eight cylinders  208  in the freezing chamber  116 , thereby at least partially filling each of the cylinders  208 . The liquid coolant in the freezer chamber  116  rapidly freezes the pre-determined amount of water in the eight cylinders  208  without actually directly contacting the water in the eight cylinders  208  (as the water is fluidly isolated from the liquid coolant via the cylinders  208 ). Once the liquid coolant in the freezing chamber  116  completely converts the water in the eight cylinders  208  into ice (in this case, a batch of eight ice cubes), the controller rotates the bars  252  via the motors  248  such that the flapper valves  244  move from the closed position to the open position. With the flapper valves  244  in the open position, the ice in the eight cylinders  208  falls or drops out of the cylinders  208  (helped by the tapered shape of the cylinders  208 ) and the freezer chamber  116  and into the delivery chute  200  positioned immediately adjacent the underside  240  of the freezer chamber  116 . The delivery chute  200  subsequently directs the batch of ice into the dispensing area  156  for direct delivery to the user&#39;s drinking receptacle positioned therein. 
     It will be appreciated that the portable ice maker  100  can be used to produce additional batches of ice using the same steps discussed in the preceding paragraph, so long as the reservoir  112  includes sufficient water. For example, the portable ice maker  100  can, upon request, be used to produce three total batches of ice (24 ice cubes), all within a matter of minutes. It will also be appreciated that the portable ice maker  100  uses very little power in operation, such that the ice maker  100  can be unplugged and carried to and utilized in one or more other locations using power from the rechargeable battery  126 . 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.