US2009183523A1PendingUtilityA1

Ice maker contamination control system

46
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Jan 22, 2008Filed: May 30, 2008Published: Jul 23, 2009
Est. expiryJan 22, 2028(~1.5 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Christopher C. Willette
F25C 1/045F25C 2400/12
46
PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

An ice maker contamination control system is disclosed for decontaminating components of an ice maker, and in particular, components of an ice formation housing. The ice maker contamination control system may be configured to kill fungi, bacteria, viruses, yeast and mold. The ice maker contamination control system may include at least one ultraviolet light source adapted to be positioned in an ice formation housing of an ice maker for emitting ultraviolet light in the ice formation housing. A reflective covering adapted to be attached to at least a portion of internal surfaces exposed to the at least one ultraviolet light sources. A combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector may be included for supporting the at least one ultraviolet source in the ice formation housing of the ice maker.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . An ice maker, comprising:
 an ice formation housing that contains ice formation components for forming ice;   an ice maker contamination control system formed from at least one ultraviolet light source positioned in the ice formation housing for emitting ultraviolet light to irradiate internal surfaces of the ice formation housing, the ice formation components, and ambient environment surrounding the ice formation components within the ice formation housing.   
     
     
         2 . The ice maker of  claim 1 , further comprising a reflective covering attached to at least a portion of internal surfaces exposed to the at least one ultraviolet light sources. 
     
     
         3 . The ice maker of  claim 1 , further comprising an absorptive covering attached to at least a portion of internal surfaces exposed to the at least one ultraviolet light sources. 
     
     
         4 . The ice maker of  claim 1 , further comprising a combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector positioned in the ice formation housing and supporting the at least one ultraviolet light source. 
     
     
         5 . The ice maker of  claim 4 , wherein the combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector has a generally u-shaped cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         6 . The ice maker of  claim 5 , wherein the combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector is formed from uniformly curved stainless steel. 
     
     
         7 . The ice maker of  claim 5 , wherein the combined ultraviolet mounting bracket and reflector extends a length of the at least one ultraviolet light source and provides coverage to at least about 180 degrees of the at least one ultraviolet light source. 
     
     
         8 . The ice maker of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ultraviolet light source is positioned within the ice formation housing an L-shaped bracket. 
     
     
         9 . The ice maker of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ultraviolet light source is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene to seal the lamp from moisture, breakage, and contamination. 
     
     
         10 . The ice maker of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light in a spectrum of about 254 nM. 
     
     
         11 . The ice maker of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light in a spectrum of about 185 nM. 
     
     
         12 . The ice maker of  claim 10 , wherein less than ten percent of the at least one ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light at about 185 nM. 
     
     
         13 . The ice maker of  claim 10 , wherein greater than ten percent of the at least one ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light at about 185 nM. 
     
     
         14 . The ice maker of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ultraviolet light source is positioned in the ice formation housing to irradiate water contained within the water sump tray. 
     
     
         15 . An ice maker contamination control system, comprising:
 at least one ultraviolet light source adapted to be positioned in an ice formation housing of an ice maker for emitting ultraviolet light in the ice formation housing to irradiate internal surfaces of the ice formation housing and ambient environment surrounding the ice formation components within the ice formation housing;   a reflective covering adapted to be attached to at least a portion of internal surfaces exposed to the at least one ultraviolet light source; and   a combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector for supporting the at least one ultraviolet source in the ice formation housing of the ice maker.   
     
     
         16 . The ice maker contamination control system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light in a spectrum of about 254 nM and about 185 nM. 
     
     
         17 . The ice maker contamination control system of  claim 16 , wherein less than ten percent of the at least one ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light at about 185 nM. 
     
     
         18 . The ice maker contamination control system of  claim 15 , wherein the combined ultraviolet light mounting bracket and reflector has a generally u-shaped cross-sectional shape and is formed from uniformly curved stainless steel. 
     
     
         19 . The ice maker contamination control system of  claim 15 , wherein the combined ultraviolet mounting bracket and reflector extends a length of the at least one ultraviolet light source and provides coverage to at least about 180 degrees of the at least one ultraviolet light source. 
     
     
         20 . The ice maker contamination control system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one ultraviolet light source is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene to seal the lamp from moisture, breakage and contamination.

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