Twist tray ice maker system

Abstract

Techniques for use in ice maker systems are disclosed. In one example, an ice tray apparatus includes an ice mold body formed substantially of a metal material, and a holder for holding the ice mold body, the holder including a rotation-stopping feature formed thereon. The ice tray assembly may be used in an ice maker system mounted in a storage compartment of a refrigerator appliance.

1 . An ice tray apparatus comprising:
 an ice mold body formed substantially of a metal material; and   a holder for holding the ice mold body, the holder comprising a rotation-stopping feature formed thereon.   
     
     
         2 . The ice tray apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the holder is formed substantially of a plastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The ice tray assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the plastic material of the ice mold body comprises polypropylene. 
     
     
         4 . The ice tray apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ice mold body is held in the holder by one or more removable fasteners. 
     
     
         5 . The ice tray apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ice mold body is held in the holder by one or more support features formed on the holder. 
     
     
         6 . The ice tray apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ice mold body comprises a plurality of ice formation cavities. 
     
     
         7 . The ice tray apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of ice formation cavities have a non-stick coating applied thereon. 
     
     
         8 . The ice tray apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotation-stopping feature formed on the holder comprises a tab protruding from the holder. 
     
     
         9 . The ice tray apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the holder further comprises first and second rotation-enabling features respectively formed at distal ends of the holder. 
     
     
         10 . The ice tray apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein one of the first and second rotation-enabling features comprises a shaft feature and another of the first and second rotation-enabling features comprises a slot feature. 
     
     
         11 . The ice tray assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the metal material of the holder comprises one or more of aluminum, steel, copper, nickel, and tin. 
     
     
         12 . An ice making apparatus comprising:
 an ice tray assembly comprising: an ice mold body formed substantially of a metal material; and a holder for holding the ice mold body, the holder comprising a first rotation-stopping feature formed thereon;   a frame for supporting the ice tray assembly, the frame comprising a second rotation-stopping feature formed to engage the first rotation-stopping feature on the holder; and   a rotation assembly for rotating the ice tray assembly within the frame.   
     
     
         13 . The ice making apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein, following an ice formation cycle and at the start of an ice harvesting cycle, the rotation assembly rotates the ice tray assembly within the frame such that, when the first rotation-stopping feature and the second rotation-stopping feature engage one another, the ice mold body of the ice tray assembly is twisted causing the ice mold body to temporarily deform and the ice formed therein to be released. 
     
     
         14 . The ice making apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first rotation-stopping feature formed on the holder comprises a tab protruding from the holder at an end opposite to a location of the rotation assembly and the second rotation-stopping feature formed on the frame comprises a stopper block protruding from the frame at an end opposite to the location of the rotation assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The ice making apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the tab on the holder contacts the stopper block on the frame causing the ice tray assembly to resist rotation so as to temporarily deform the ice mold body. 
     
     
         16 . The ice making apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the rotation assembly applies a rotational force to the ice tray assembly to rotate the ice tray assembly from a start position to a first rotational position at which the first rotation-stopping feature and the second rotation-stopping feature engage one another. 
     
     
         17 . The ice making apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the rotation assembly continues to apply a rotational force to the ice tray assembly to attempt to rotate the ice tray assembly to a second rotational position beyond the first rotational position. 
     
     
         18 . The ice making apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the rotation assembly applies a reverse rotational force to the ice tray assembly to rotate the ice tray assembly back to the start position for a next ice formation cycle to begin. 
     
     
         19 . The ice making apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first rotational position is approximately 160 degrees in advance of the start position, and the second rotational position is approximately 10 degrees in advance of the first rotational position. 
     
     
         20 . A refrigerator appliance comprising:
 a compartment; and   an ice maker assembly mounted in the compartment and comprising:
 an ice tray assembly comprising: an ice mold body formed substantially of a metal material; and a holder for holding the ice mold body, the holder comprising a first rotation-stopping feature formed thereon; 
 a frame for supporting the ice tray assembly, the frame comprising a second rotation-stopping feature for engaging the first rotation-stopping feature on the holder; and 
 a rotation assembly for rotating the ice tray assembly within the frame.