Refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the making and crushing of ice cubes in a refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit having a manufacturing unit for the making of ice cubes as well as having a crusher for the crushing of the ice cubes made in the manufacturing unit, with the manufacturing unit and the crusher being arranged in a common assembly.

1 . An apparatus for the making and crushing of ice cubes in a refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit having a manufacturing unit ( 10 ) for the making of ice cubes as well as having a crusher ( 20 ) for the crushing of the ice cubes made in the manufacturing unit ( 10 ), with the manufacturing unit ( 10 ) and the crusher ( 20 ) being arranged in a common assembly ( 100 ). 
   
   
       2 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein conveying means are furthermore received in the assembly ( 100 ) and are made and arranged such that the ice cubes are conveyed from the manufacturing unit ( 10 ) to the crusher ( 20 ). 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the assembly ( 100 ) furthermore has a container ( 30 ), in particular a trough, for the reception of the ice cubes made in the manufacturing unit ( 10 ). 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the assembly ( 100 ) has a safety switch ( 40 ) which is made such that it interrupts the power supply to the crusher ( 20 ) in at least one switch position. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the conveying means include a conveyor screw or conveyor spiral ( 60 ) driven by means of a motor ( 50 ). 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the conveyor screw or conveyor spiral ( 60 ) has a helix; and the spacing of the first spiral from the crusher ( 30 ) is in the range from 10 to 40 mm, preferably in the range from 20 mm to 30 mm. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus in accordance with either of  claim 5 , wherein the conveyor screw or conveyor spiral ( 60 ) has a helix whose pitch is in the range between 10 to 40 mm, preferably in the range from 20 mm to 30 mm. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the conveyor means are arranged such that they convey the ice cubes from the container ( 30 ) to the crusher ( 20 ). 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the crusher ( 20 ) has a plurality of blades ( 22 ) which are arranged at a spacing of 3 to 5 mm, preferably at a spacing of 4 mm. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the crusher ( 20 ) has a plurality of blades ( 22 ), preferably 4 blades. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the manufacturing unit ( 10 ) is arrange directly above or offset and above the crusher ( 20 ). 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the manufacturing unit ( 10 ) is arranged above the container ( 30 ) and/or above the conveyor unit. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a support ( 110 ) for the installation of the assembly ( 100 ) is connected to the assembly ( 100 ) in a refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the support ( 110 ) is releasably connected to the assembly ( 100 ). 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the assembly ( 100 ) has holding means for the fixing of a storage tray ( 120 ) arranged in the region beside the assembly ( 100 ). 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the assembly ( 100 ) has holding means for the fixing of a storage tray arranged on the assembly; or the upper side of the assembly is made as a storage area. 
   
   
       17 . A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having at least one apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 . 
   
   
       18 . A refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus is received in the inner space of the unit such that it contacts the side wall ( 202 ) and/or the rear wall ( 204 ) of the inner container ( 200 ) and is secured there. 
   
   
       19 . A refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit having at least one apparatus in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the support ( 110 ) lies on projections ( 206 ) or in cut-outs of the inner space ( 200 ) of the unit. 
   
   
       20 . A refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the support ( 110 ) is arranged in the region directed toward the front side of the apparatus. 
   
   
       21 . A refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus is narrower than the width of the inner space ( 200 ) of the unit; and at least one storage tray ( 120 ) extends in the region beside the apparatus. 
   
   
       22 . A refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein a drawer ( 300 ) is located directly above the apparatus. 
   
   
       23 . A refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit in accordance  claim 17 , wherein a dispensing unit is located in the door of the unit which is in communication with the apparatus when the door is closed such that the ice cubes made in the apparatus and/or the crushed ice cubes can be dispensed to the user.