Patent Publication Number: US-10330366-B2

Title: Water distribution for an ice maker

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to ice makers generally and in particular to an ice maker comprising an improved water distributor. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Ice making machines, or ice makers, that employ freeze plates which comprise lattice-type cube molds and have gravity water flow and ice harvest are well known and in extensive use. Such machines have received wide acceptance and are particularly desirable for commercial installations such as restaurants, bars, motels and various beverage retailers having a high and continuous demand for fresh ice. 
     In these ice makers, water is supplied to the top of a freeze plate by a water distributor and the freeze plate directs the water in a tortuous path toward a water pump. A portion of the supplied water collects on the freeze plate, freezes into ice and is identified as sufficiently frozen by suitable means whereupon the freeze plate is defrosted such that the ice is slightly melted and discharged therefrom into a bin. Typically, these ice machines can be classified according to the type of ice they make. One such type is a grid style ice maker which makes generally square ice cubes that form within individual grids of the freeze plate which then form into a continuous sheet of ice cubes as the thickness of the ice increases beyond that of the freeze plate. After harvesting, the sheet of ice cubes will break into individual cubes as they fall into the bin. Another type of ice maker is an individual ice cube maker which makes generally square ice cubes that form within individual grids of the freeze plate which do not form into a continuous sheet of ice cubes. Therefore, upon harvest individual ice cubes fall from the freeze plate and into the bin. Various embodiments of the invention can be adapted to either type of ice maker, and to others not identified, without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the freeze plate as described herein encompasses any number of types of molds for creating a continuous sheet of ice cubes, individual ice cubes, and/or cubes of different shapes. Control means are provided to control the operation of the ice maker to ensure a constant supply of ice. 
     Typically disposed along the top of the freeze plate is some type of water distributor that attempts to distribute water as evenly as possible along the pocketed or gridded surface of the freeze plate. It is important to distribute water evenly so that ice forms consistently across the freeze plate surface. In addition to being capable of distributing water evenly, the water distributor needs to be simple to install and remove for cleaning, should require a minimal amount of water pressure to function properly, and should be inexpensive to make. 
       FIG. 1A , identifies a prior art water distributor design  210  which is characterized as a tube-within-a-tube design. Interior tubes  228  are two separately molded parts positioned coaxially within outer tube  230 . Water is pumped into interior tubes  228 , which have a population of passageways  232  disposed in an upper portion of interior tubes  228 . From passageways  232  of interior tube  228 , water flows into the annular space between interior tube  228  and outer tube  230 . Outer tube  230  also includes a population of passageways  234  in a lower portion of outer tube  230  through which the water flows onto a freeze plate (not shown). This prior art water distributor  210  is expensive to make, is made from many pieces, requires disassembly and considerable time to clean, is difficult to reassemble, requires two water-tight interconnections and, because of the torturous water path created, requires significant water pressure to function properly. 
     Designs for non-tubular water distributors have also been used. U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,621 entitled “Domestic Clear Ice Maker” granted to Byczynski et al. discloses a water distributor that introduces water onto a floor containing a series of barriers. The design of Byczynski is inadequate to operate at low pressure, is oversized, is likely expensive to make, and requires a fastener to mount the water distributor to the ice maker. Tools, therefore, are required to remove and reinstall the water distributor. 
     Another prior art water distributor is shown in  FIG. 1B . The water distributor  310  includes two laterally extending parallel reservoirs  312  and  314 . Wall  316  dividing reservoirs  312  and  134  includes non-uniformly spaced and non-uniformly wide passages  317  for water to travel from reservoir  312  to the reservoir  314 . Reservoir  314  includes a series of passageways  318  in a bottom horizontal surface of reservoir  314  that allows water to exit onto a freeze plate (not shown). Obstructions  320  in reservoirs  312  and  314  attempt to divert and control the flow of water. In this water distributor  310 , water exits directly downward instead of being directed at the face of the freeze plate. Therefore, yet another element is required to redirect the water toward the freeze plate. Tabs  322  at either end of water distributor  310  are used to locate water distributor  310 . Additionally, tabs  322  must be aligned with mounting points on the ice maker (not shown) at either end to properly mount water distributor  310 . Additionally, water enters water distributor  310  horizontally through inlet passageway  324  rather than substantially vertically upward from below, where the sump (not shown) is located. The velocity of the entering water creates the need of obstructions  320  to slow the momentum of the water to prevent uneven distribution across the freeze plate. The non-uniformly spaced and non-uniformly wide passages  317  additionally are likely required to prevent uneven distribution across the freeze plate due to the high velocity and horizontal entry of the water. This water distributor  310  also requires significant water pressure to function properly due to the torturous path the water must take to pass through and exit water distributor  310 . Furthermore, an additional part, lid  330  is required to cover reservoirs  312 ,  314  to prevent the supplied water from spraying, squirting, spewing, gushing or otherwise leaking from reservoirs  312 ,  314 . Because inlet passageway  324  is horizontal while the rest of the geometry in water distributor  310  is vertical, the mold which forms water distributor  310  must pull apart primarily in a vertical direction and additionally must have a horizontal or “side pull” in order to form inlet passageway  324 . Having the additional horizontal pull adds complexity and cost to the mold needed to form water distributor  310 . 
     Therefore, a need exists in the art for a water distributor for an ice maker that is simply mounted and removed for cleaning without tools or fasteners, is inexpensive to manufacturer, consists of only one part, minimizes the cost of the mold needed to form the part, provides for water to exit the water distributor with some horizontal velocity so that water will contact the face of the freeze plate without further diversion, provides for water to enter the water distributor upwardly from below for simplified connection to the water source, and a simple water flow path which minimizes the water pressure, and thus the energy, required to make the water distributor function properly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, therefore, one embodiment of the invention is directed to a water distributor for use in an ice maker. The water distributor comprises a first reservoir comprising a bottom and an inlet passageway, the inlet passageway adapted to permit water to enter the first reservoir, a central wall comprising a first central wall portion and a second central wall portion, and a second reservoir separated from the first reservoir by the central wall, and wherein the second reservoir includes a bottom. A population of teeth may be disposed along the central wall, wherein the population of teeth are separated by a population of gaps, and wherein water may flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir through one or more of the population of gaps. The water distributor further includes a population of outlet passageways disposed in the second central wall portion proximate the bottom of the second reservoir. Water may exit the second reservoir through one or more of the population of outlet passageways with a horizontal velocity component. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an ice maker for forming ice, the ice maker including a refrigeration system and a water system. The refrigeration system comprises a compressor, a condenser, a thermal expansion device, an evaporator assembly, a freeze plate thermally coupled to the evaporator assembly, and a hot gas valve. The water system comprises a water pump, a water distributor, a water line in fluid communication with the water pump and the water distributor, and a sump located below the freeze plate adapted to hold water. The water distributor comprises a first reservoir comprising a bottom and an inlet passageway, the inlet passageway adapted to permit water to enter the first reservoir, a central wall comprising a first central wall portion and a second central wall portion, and a second reservoir separated from the first reservoir by the central wall, and wherein the second reservoir includes a bottom. A population of teeth may be disposed along the central wall, wherein the population of teeth are separated by a population of gaps, and wherein water may flow from the first reservoir to the second reservoir through one or more of the population of gaps. The water distributor further includes a population of outlet passageways disposed in the second central wall portion proximate the bottom of the second reservoir. Water may exit the second reservoir through one or more of the population of outlet passageways with a horizontal velocity component. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       These and other features, aspects and advantages of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, wherein the drawings illustrate features in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a right perspective view of a water distributor according to the prior art; 
         FIG. 1B  is a top perspective view of a water distributor according to the prior art; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing of an ice maker having various components according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a right perspective view of an ice maker assembly with an ice maker disposed within a cabinet wherein the cabinet is disposed on an ice storage bin assembly according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a right perspective view of an ice maker assembly with an ice maker disposed within a cabinet wherein the cabinet is disposed on an ice storage bin assembly according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a right perspective view of a water distributor according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a water distributor according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is a left section view of a water distributor according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6B  is a left section view of a water distributor according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6C  is a left section view of a water distributor according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6D  is a left section view of a water distributor according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a water distributor according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a front section view of a water distributor according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear view of a water distributor according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8A  is a left view of a water distributor according to one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a left section view of a water distributor according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
     Embodiments of the ice maker described herein comprise a water distributor that cascades water down a freeze plate. Embodiments of water distributor include a nipple for attachment of a water line that supplies water to water distributor vertically from a sump located below the water distributor. The water distributor may be configured to be mounted and removed without the use of fasteners and tools. 
     The water distributor may be configured to allow water to exit from a population of outlet passageways disposed along a substantially vertical wall of the water distributor rather than through a population of outlet passageways disposed in a horizontal surface of the water distributor. This allows the water exiting the water distributor to have a horizontal velocity component upon exiting the water distributor. Accordingly, this horizontal velocity component directs the exiting water at the freeze plate and permits the water to fan out into a sheet of water without requiring an additional part to redirect the water toward the freeze plate after leaving the water distributor. 
     As described in further elsewhere herein, although embodiments of the water distributor has outlet passageways in a substantially vertical wall of the water distributor, the water distributor may be a single part that can be molded inexpensively using a “straight pull” injection mold. Certain embodiments of the water distributor do not require multiple parts, and do not require “side pulls” built into the injection mold that are required by some prior art water distributor designs (e.g., the prior art designs shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates certain principal components of one embodiment of ice maker  10  having a refrigeration system and ice making or water system. The refrigeration system of ice maker  10  may include compressor  12 , condenser  14  for condensing compressed refrigerant vapor discharged from the compressor  12 , thermal expansion device  18  for lowering the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant, evaporator assembly  20 , freeze plate  60  thermally coupled to evaporator assembly  20 , and hot gas valve  24 . In certain embodiments, freeze plate  60  may contain a large number of pockets (usually in the form of a grid of cells) on its surface where water flowing over the surface can collect (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     Thermal expansion device  18  may include, but is not limited to, a capillary tube, a thermostatic expansion valve or an electronic expansion valve. In certain embodiments, where thermal expansion device  18  is a thermostatic expansion valve or an electronic expansion valve, ice maker  10  may also include a temperature sensing bulb  26  placed at the outlet of the evaporator assembly  20  to control thermal expansion device  18 . In other embodiments, where thermal expansion device  18  is an electronic expansion valve, ice maker  10  may also include a pressure sensor (not shown) placed at the outlet of the evaporator assembly  20  to control thermal expansion device  18  as is known in the art. In certain embodiments that utilize a gaseous cooling medium (e.g., air) to provide condenser cooling, a condenser fan  15  may be positioned to blow the gaseous cooling medium across condenser  14 . As described more fully elsewhere herein, a form of refrigerant cycles through these components via a lines  23 ,  25 ,  27 ,  28 . 
     The water system of ice maker  10  may include water pump  62 , water line  63 , water distributor  100 , and sump  70  located below freeze plate  60  adapted to hold water. During operation of ice maker  10 , as water is pumped from sump  70  by water pump  62  through water line  63  into and then out water distributor  100 , the water impinges on freeze plate  60 , flows over the pockets of freeze plate  60  and freezes into ice. Sump  70  may be positioned below freeze plate  60  to catch the water coming off of freeze plate  60  such that the water may be recirculated by water pump  62  (see  FIG. 4 ). In addition, hot gas valve  24  may be used to direct warm refrigerant from compressor  12  directly to evaporator assembly  20  to remove or harvest ice cubes from freeze plate  60  when the ice has reached the desired thickness. Ice maker  10  may have other conventional components not described herein, including, but not limited to, a water supply, a purge valve, a water drain, a controller, and a source of electrical energy. 
     In many embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , ice maker  10  may be disposed inside of a cabinet  16  which may be mounted on top of an ice storage bin assembly  30  forming an ice maker assembly  200 . Cabinet  16  may be closed by suitable fixed and removable panels to provide temperature integrity and compartmental access, as will be understood by those in the art. Ice storage bin assembly  30  includes an ice storage bin  31  having a hole  37  (see  FIG. 4 ) through which ice produced by ice maker  10  falls. The ice is then stored in cavity  36  until retrieved. Ice storage bin  31  further includes an opening  38  which provides access to the cavity  36  and the ice stored therein. Cavity  36 , hole  37  and opening  38  may be formed by a left wall  33   a , a right wall  33   b , a front wall  34 , a back wall  35  and a bottom wall (not shown). The walls of ice storage bin  31  may be thermally insulated with various insulating materials including, but not limited to, fiberglass insulation or open- or closed-cell foam comprised, for example, of polystyrene or polyurethane, etc. in order to retard the melting of the ice stored in ice storage bin  31 . A door  40  can be opened to provide access to cavity  36 . 
     Structure of Water Distributor 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-9 , embodiments of water distributor  100  are described. Water distributor  100  includes first reservoir  102  having bottom  110  and second reservoir  104  having bottom  112 . Additionally, water distributor  100  may have an open top  109 . In various embodiments, second reservoir  104  may be lower in elevation than first reservoir  102  (see  FIG. 6A ). Accordingly, bottom  112  of second reservoir  104  may be disposed vertically below bottom  110  of first reservoir  102 . Additionally, at least a portion of or, in certain embodiments, all of bottom  112  of second reservoir  104  may be horizontally offset from bottom  110  of first reservoir  102 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6A , bottom  112  of second reservoir  104  is completely horizontally offset from bottom  110  of first reservoir  102  such that there is no vertical overlap between bottom  110  of first reservoir  102  and bottom  112  of second reservoir  104  (i.e., no vertical line can be drawn to intersect bottom  110  of first reservoir  102  and bottom  112  of second reservoir  104 ). Additionally, central wall  114  may be disposed between first reservoir  102  and second reservoir  104 . Central wall  114  may separate first reservoir  102  and second reservoir  104 . Central wall  114  may be formed of first central wall portion  116   a  and second central wall portion  116   b . In certain embodiments, channel  118  may be disposed between first central wall portion  116   a  and second central wall portion  116   b . Channel  118  may be adapted to accept flange  61  of freeze plate  60  (see  FIG. 9 ). In another embodiment, for example, no channel separates first central wall portion  116   a  and second central wall portion  116   b  of central wall  114  (see  FIG. 6D ). Water distributor  100  further includes back wall  106 , front wall  108 , left wall  120 , and right wall  122  which connect to bottoms  110 ,  112  and central wall  114  so that first and second reservoirs  102 ,  104  can hold water. 
     As described with respect to  FIG. 6A , second reservoir  104  may be lower in elevation than first reservoir  102 , however in other embodiments, second reservoir  104  may be at substantially the same elevation as first reservoir  102  or, in yet other embodiments, second reservoir  104  may be higher in elevation than first reservoir  102 . Accordingly, in certain embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 6B , bottom  112  of second reservoir  104  may be disposed at substantially the same elevation as bottom  110  of first reservoir  102 . In other embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 6C , bottom  112  of second reservoir  104  may be disposed vertically above bottom  110  of first reservoir  102 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 7A , water distributor  100  further includes a population of teeth  124  disposed along central wall  114 . The population of teeth  124  may be separated by a population of gaps  126  disposed between each one of the population of teeth  124 . The population of gaps  126  provide fluid communication between first reservoir  102  and second reservoir  104 . In various embodiments, the population of teeth  124  may extend substantially vertically away from bottoms  110 ,  112  of first and second reservoirs  102 ,  104 , respectively. Each individual tooth  124  of the population of teeth  124  may be substantially equally spaced along central wall  114  (i.e., the distance between a first tooth  124  and a second tooth  124  may be equal to the distance between the second tooth  124  and a third tooth  124 , etc.). Thus, the population of teeth  124  may be uniformly distributed along central wall  114 . Accordingly, gaps  126  of the population of gaps  126  may be substantially equally spaced between individual teeth  124  along central wall  114  (i.e., the distance between a first gap  126  and a second gap  126  may be equal to the distance between the second gap  126  and a third gap  126 , etc.). Thus, the population of gaps  126  may be uniformly distributed along central wall  114 . In addition to being uniformly distributed along central wall  114 , gaps  126  may also have a uniform width along the central wall  114  (i.e., the width of a first gap  126  may be equal to the width of a second gap  126 , wherein the widths of both the first gap  126  and the second gap  126  are equal to the width of a third gap  126 , etc.) The uniform distribution and width of the population of gaps  126  is a departure from certain water distributors in the prior art. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 8A, and 9 , water distributor  100  may further include a water inlet area  140  which may be in fluid communication with first reservoir  102 . Water inlet area  140  may be substantially semi-circular in shape; however it will be understood that water inlet area  140  may be any shape without departing from the scope of the invention. The diameter of the water inlet area  140  may be substantially in line with rear wall  106 . Water inlet area  140  may be centrally located along the width of water distributor  100 . However, in various embodiments, water inlet area  140  may be disposed proximate left wall  120  or proximate right wall  122 . Water inlet area  140  may include a water inlet wall  142  which may be formed as a part of back wall  106 . Additionally, water inlet area  140  may include a water inlet bottom  144 . In various embodiments, water inlet bottom  144  may be coplanar with first bottom  110  of first reservoir  102 . Disposed in water inlet bottom  144  may be an inlet passageway  146 . Water may be supplied to water distributor through inlet passageway  146  by water pump  62  through water line  63  which may be in fluid communication with water pump  62  and water distributor  100 . 
     Accordingly, water inlet area  140  may accommodate water supplied to water distributor  100  from sump  70  by water pump  62 . Water inlet area  140  may further include nipple  148  to which a proximal end of water line  63  may be connected. A distal end of water line  63  may be connected to water pump  62 . Nipple  148  may extend substantially vertically downward such that water may be pumped substantially vertically upward into water distributor  100 . In certain embodiments, nipple  148  may include any type and/or construction of hose connecting element known in the art including, but not limited to, a population of barbs, a population of rings, threads, etc. In many typical water distributors, water is pumped substantially horizontally into the water distributor. A cap  150  may be disposed above inlet passageway  146  and may be affixed to water distributor  100  by a population of stanchions  152  (e.g., 1 or more stanchions, 2 or more stanchions, 3 or more stanchions, etc.). Cap  150  may assist in preventing the supplied water from squirting, spewing, or gushing upward from inlet passageway  146  and potentially out open top  109  of water distributor  100 . Accordingly, cap  150  may assist in preventing water from leaking out open top  109  of water distributor  100 . 
     Among the benefits of water distributor  100  is that the design and orientation of structures permit lower inlet water pressures when compared to prior art designs. This permits the use of smaller water pumps  62  and may result in reduced energy consumption when compared to prior art designs. One way that reduced inlet pressures may be achieved is through the elimination of a convoluted water flow path that needs high water pressure to overcome. In various embodiments of water distributor  100 , water flows through the structure of water distributor  100  primarily by gravity, not by a higher water pressure from water pump  62 . 
     To further assist in preventing water from squirting, spewing, or gushing from water distributor  100  as the water passes through inlet passageway  146 , the diameter of inlet passageway  146  may be larger than in prior art water distributors. By increasing the cross sectional area of inlet passageway  146  by increasing its diameter, there is more area for the water to flow through. This allows the water to flow through inlet passageway  146  with a slower velocity which prevents squirting, spewing, or gushing of the water out inlet passageway  146 . In certain embodiments, for example, the diameter of inlet passageway  146  may be about 1.27 centimeters (about 0.5 inches) to about 5.08 centimeters (about 2.0 inches) (e.g., about 1.27 centimeters (about 0.5 inches), about 1.905 centimeters (about 0.75 inches), about 2.54 centimeters (about 1.0 inch), about 3.175 centimeters (about 1.25 inches), about 3.81 centimeters (about 1.5 inches), about 4.445 centimeters (about 1.75 inches), about 5.08 centimeters (about 2.0 inches)). The lower water pressures permitted by water distributor  100  eliminates the need for a lid to cover the entirety of water distributor  100 . 
     While inlet passageway  146 , nipple  148 , cap  150  and stanchions  152  have been described as being disposed in water inlet area  140 , it will be understood that in certain embodiments of water distributor  100 , inlet passageway  146 , nipple  148 , cap  150  and stanchions  152  may be disposed in first reservoir  102  without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, water inlet area  140  may not be required. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 7A, 8, and 9 , a population of outlet passageways  132  may be disposed along the length of second central wall portion  116   b  proximate bottom  112  of second reservoir  104 . In various embodiments, outlet passageways  132  of the population of outlet passageways  132  may be substantially equally spaced along the length of second central wall portion  116   b  (i.e., the distance between a first outlet passageway  132  and a second outlet passageway  132  may be equal to the distance between the second outlet passageway  132  and a third outlet passageway  132 , etc.). Each outlet passageway  132  may be formed by the overlap of an outer recess  128  disposed on outer surface  119   a  of second central wall portion  116   b  and an inner recess  130  disposed on inner surface  119   b  of second central wall portion  116   b  (see  FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D ). Accordingly, a population of outer recesses  128  and inner recesses  130  may overlap to form the population of outlet passageways  132 . 
     In various embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 8 , outer recesses  128  may have a shape substantially that of an arch wherein the base of the arch is disposed proximate bottom  112  of second reservoir  104 . Outer recesses  128  may also extend a depth from outer surface  119   a  into second central wall portion  116   b  of about half of the thickness of second central wall portion  116   b . In various embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 7A , inner recesses  130  may have a shape substantially that of a partial obround. Inner recesses  130  may be partially obround in that inner recesses  130  only have one semi-circular portion instead of two semi-circular portions, wherein the single semi-circular portion is disposed proximate bottom  112  of second reservoir  104 . Inner recesses  130  may also extend a depth from inner surface  119   b  into second central wall portion  116   b  about half the thickness of second central wall portion  116   b . Each of the population of inner recesses  130  may be disposed directly opposite to a corresponding one of each of the outer recesses  128 . Accordingly, the overlapping portions of inner recesses  130  and outer recesses  132  form outlet passageways  132  wherein outlet passageways  132  may have a shape substantially that of an obround. 
     In certain embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5, 7A, 8 and 8A , first and second tabs  154 ,  156  may extend downward from left and right walls  120 ,  122 . First and second tabs  154 ,  156  may be co-planar with left and right walls  120 ,  122 . In certain embodiments, for example, second tabs  156  may be longer than first tabs  154 . In other embodiments, for example, first tabs  154  may be longer than second tabs  156 . In other embodiments, for example, first tabs  154  and second tabs  156  may be substantially equal in length. First and second tabs  154 ,  155  may assist in supporting water distributor  100  and may provide greater stability when water distributor  100  is mounted to flange  61  of freeze plate  60  (see  FIG. 9 ). First and second tabs  154 ,  155  may additionally help direct the water across freeze plate  60  and help keep the water flow from wandering away from freeze plate  60 . The population of gaps  126  and the population of outlet passageways  132  may be staggered as illustrated; however in other embodiments the population of gaps  126  and the population of outlet passageways  132  may be aligned without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Production of Water Distributor 
     The design and orientation of structures of water distributor  100  as described herein permit a simplified production process of water distributor  100  as compared to prior art designs. Various embodiments of water distributor  100 , as described herein, are designed as a “straight pull” part which allows water distributor  100  to be molded through high speed injection molding using a straight pull mold. A straight pull mold may only require the use of two mold halves which form a cavity into which resin may be injected to form the part. Straight pull molds generally do not include “side actions” or “side pulls”. Normally, side pulls or side actions must be added to the mold to form undercuts or holes in injection molded parts. Side pulls introduce an additional step in the injection molding process and thus increase the cycle time per part. This can prevent the use of high speed injection molding and, as a result, may greatly increase the cost of the mold and the cost to produce a part. Accordingly, by designing water distributor  100  to be produced in a straight pull mold, cost and complexity can be reduced and production rates can be increased. 
     Various features and structures of water distributor  100  may be designed to permit the use of straight pull injection molding. For example, inlet passageway  146  and cap  150  may be the same diameter and therefore may be formed by portions of the two cooperating mold halves used to form water distributor  100 . One mold half may have a cylindrical-shaped core or male portion which is adapted to fit inside a cylindrical-shaped cavity or female portion of the second mold half. The outer diameter of the core may be substantially equal to the inner diameter of the cavity such that the sides of the core and cavity slide past each other and create a seal or “shut-off” when the two cooperating mold halves close. Shut-offs permit the molding of holes without the use of side pulls. The shut-off between the core and the cavity create inlet passageway  146 . Furthermore, the core may not insert completely into the cavity, thereby leaving a gap between the end of the core and the end of the cavity. Accordingly, when resin is injected into the two cooperating mold halves, cap  150  may be molded in the gap between the core and the cavity. The cavity may further include a groove, or channel in which the population of stanchions  152  may be formed. Accordingly, the core, cavity, gap and shut-off created there between permit the formation of inlet passageway  146  and cap  150  without the use of a side pull. 
     The population of outlet passageways  132  can be formed in a similar manner using another shut-off. One mold half may have a population of first faces for forming the population of outer recesses  128  and a second mold half may have a population of second faces for forming the population of inner recesses  130 . When the two cooperating mold halves close, the population of first faces and the population of second faces slide past each other to create a population of shut-offs. This population of shut-offs between the populations of first and second faces create the population of outlet passageways  132 . Accordingly, this shut-off permits the molding of outlet passageways  132  without the use of side pulls. The population of teeth  124  and the population of gaps  126  may also be formed using other shut-offs in the two cooperating mold halves. By forming inlet passageway  146 , the population of outlet passageways  132  and/or the population of teeth  124  and gaps  126 , water distributor  100  can be molded as a “straight pull” part while still forming inlet passageway  146 , the population of outlet passageways  132  and/or the population of teeth  124  and gaps  126  that mimic undercuts. 
     Operation of Ice Maker and Water Distributor 
     Having described each of the individual components of one embodiment of ice maker  10 , the manner in which the components interact and operate various embodiments may now be described. During operation of ice maker  10  in a cooling cycle, compressor  12  receives low-pressure, substantially gaseous refrigerant from evaporator assembly  20  through suction line  28 , pressurizes the refrigerant, and discharges high-pressure, substantially gaseous refrigerant through discharge line  25  to condenser  14 . In condenser  14 , heat is removed from the refrigerant, causing the substantially gaseous refrigerant to condense into a substantially liquid refrigerant. 
     After exiting condenser  14 , the high-pressure, substantially liquid refrigerant is routed through liquid line  27  to thermal expansion device  18 , which reduces the pressure of the substantially liquid refrigerant for introduction into evaporator assembly  20 . As the low-pressure expanded refrigerant is passed through tubing of evaporator assembly  20 , the refrigerant absorbs heat from the tubes contained within evaporator assembly  20  and vaporizes as the refrigerant passes through the tubes. Low-pressure, substantially gaseous refrigerant is discharged from the outlet of evaporator assembly  20  through suction line  28 , and is reintroduced into the inlet of compressor  12 . 
     In certain embodiments of the invention, at the start of the cooling cycle, a water fill valve (not shown) is turned on to supply a mass of water to sump  70 , wherein ice maker  10  will freeze some or all of the mass of water into ice. After the desired mass of water is supplied to sump  70 , the water fill valve may be closed. Water pump  62  circulates the water from sump  70  to freeze plate  60  via water line  63  and water distributor  100 . Compressor  12  causes refrigerant to flow through the refrigeration system. The water that is supplied by water pump  62  then begins to cool as it contacts freeze plate  60 , returns to water sump  70  below freeze plate  60  and is recirculated by water pump  62  to freeze plate  60 . Once the water is sufficiently cold, water flowing across freeze plate  60  starts forming ice cubes. After the ice cubes are formed, water pump  62  is turned off and hot gas valve  24  is opened allowing warm, high-pressure gas from compressor  12  to flow through hot gas bypass line  23  to enter evaporator assembly  20 , thereby harvesting the ice by warming freeze plate  60  to melt the formed ice to a degree such that the ice may be released from freeze plate  60  and falls through hole  37  (see  FIG. 4 ) into ice storage bin  31  where the ice can be temporarily stored and later retrieved. Hot gas valve  24  is then closed and the cooling cycle can repeat. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , water distributor  100  is affixed to ice maker  10 . Water distributor  100  may be mounted on flange  61  that projects upwardly from freeze plate  60 . In certain embodiments, for example, flange  61  is formed as a part of or attached to freeze plate  60 . In various embodiments, water distributor  100  may be affixed in an operating position in ice maker  10  by placing channel  118  over flange  61  so that flange  61  inserts into channel  118 . Flange  100  may assist in supporting water distributor  100  in ice maker  10 . In certain embodiments, a portion of evaporator frame  68  (see  FIG. 4 ) may additionally or alternatively insert into channel  118 . 
     Specifically water distributor  100  distributes water over freeze plate  60  as follows. Water pump  62  supplies water to water distributor  100  via water line  63  attached to nipple  148 . The supplied water enters water distributor  10  through inlet passageway  146 . Because nipple  148  and inlet passageway  146  are disposed in bottom  144  of water inlet area  140 , the momentum of the entering water is substantially upward instead of horizontal. The benefit of this substantially upward, rather than horizontal, momentum is that the supplied water is not directed toward the population of teeth  124  or toward or over central wall  114  where it could send excess water into second reservoir  104  and create uneven water flow from water distributor  10 . Moreover, cap  150  may assist in preventing the supplied water from squirting, spewing, or gushing upward from inlet passageway  146  and potentially out open top  109  of water distributor  100 . Accordingly, cap  150  may assist in preventing water from leaking out open top  109  of water distributor  100 . 
     The supplied water then flows from water inlet area  140  into first reservoir  102 , thereby filling first reservoir  102  until the water level rises to the level of the population of gaps  126  between the population of teeth  124  along central wall  114 . The water then flows through the population of gaps  126  and into second reservoir  104 . Second reservoir  104  then starts to fill with the supplied water. As second reservoir  104  fills, the supplied water reaches the population of outlet passageways  132  and flows through the population of outlet passageways  132  with a first horizontal velocity component A′ (see  FIG. 6A ). Because the population of outlet passageways  132  are formed in second central wall portion  116   b , the supplied water exits the population of outlet passageways  132  with a second horizontal velocity component (see Arrow A of  FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 9 ). Due to the horizontal velocity component of the supplied water, the supplied water exiting the population of outlet passageways  132  will impinge on flange  61  of freeze plate  60 . When the supplied water impinges flange  61  of freeze plate  60 , the supplied water may form into a sheet of water and may evenly flow into freeze plate  60 . The arch shape of the population of outer recesses  128  may promote the formation of a sheet of water as the supplied water exits the populations of outlet passageways  132 . Further due to the horizontal velocity component of the supplied water, no further redirection by another part of the ice maker  10  is required to direct the flow of the water toward freeze plate  60 . As stated previously, first and second tabs  154 ,  156  may help direct the supplied water across freeze plate  60  and help keep the supplied water from flowing away from freeze plate  60 . 
     Typical freeze plates  60  are formed of materials (e.g., copper, aluminum) which have high thermal conductivities, however in order to reduce the possibility of the supplied water freezing to flange  61  prior to the supplied water entering the grids of freeze plate  60  flange  61  may be formed of a material with a thermal conductivity less than the materials comprising freeze plate  60 . Thus, in certain embodiments, flange  61  may be formed of stainless steel, plastic, or any material having a thermal conductivity less than that of copper or aluminum. 
     When water distributor  100  must be removed for cleaning, water distributor  100  can be removed from ice maker  10  by lifting water distributor  100  from flange  61 . Water line  63  may remain attached to nipple  148  or water line  63  may be removed from nipple  148 . No tools or loosening or removal of fasteners are required to remove water distributor  100  from atop freeze plate  60 . As a result, the effort and time required to clean water distributor  100  is greatly reduced when compared to prior art water distributors. To return water distributor  100  to operation, channel  118  is placed over flange  61  and, if previously detached, water line  63  may be reattached. 
     Thus, there has been shown and described novel methods and apparatuses of an ice maker having an improved water distributor, which overcome many of the problems of the prior art set forth above. It will be apparent, however, to those familiar in the art, that many changes, variations, modifications, and other uses and applications for the subject devices and methods are possible. All such changes, variations, modifications, and other uses and applications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.