Stand-Alone Ice Making Appliances

Abstract

A stand-alone ice making appliance includes a container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water, and a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume. The appliance includes a reservoir defining a third storage volume, the third storage volume in fluid communication with the pump for receiving water that is actively flowed from the water tank. The appliance includes an ice maker which is in fluid communication with the third storage volume for receiving water from the reservoir, the ice maker including a sealed refrigeration system in thermal communication with the casing. The appliance includes a chute extending between the ice maker and the container for directing ice produced by the ice maker towards the first storage volume. The appliance includes a heating element, the heating element activatable to heat the casing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stand-alone ice making appliance, comprising:
 a container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice;   a water tank, the water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water;   a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume for actively flowing water from the water tank;   a reservoir defining a third storage volume, the third storage volume in fluid communication with the pump for receiving water that is actively flowed from the water tank;   an ice maker, the ice maker comprising an auger at least partially surrounded by a casing, the casing in fluid communication with the third storage volume for receiving water from the reservoir, the ice maker further comprising a sealed refrigeration system in thermal communication with the casing;   a chute extending between the ice maker and the container for directing ice produced by the ice maker towards the first storage volume; and   a heating element, the heating element activatable to heat the casing.   
     
     
         2 . The stand-alone ice making appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller in operative communication with the pump and the heating element. 
     
     
         3 . The stand-alone ice making appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to activate the heating element based on a user input to the controller. 
     
     
         4 . The stand-alone ice making appliance of  claim 3 , wherein the user input is a storage preparation mode instruction. 
     
     
         5 . The stand-alone ice making appliance of  claim 4 , wherein upon activation in the storage preparation mode, the heating element is activated for a time period of between 45 minutes and 2 hours. 
     
     
         6 . The stand-along ice making appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element is in contact with an outer surface of the casing. 
     
     
         7 . The stand-alone ice making appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the water tank is disposed below the container along a vertical direction. 
     
     
         8 . The stand-alone ice making appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the ice maker further comprises an extruder. 
     
     
         9 . The stand-alone ice making appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the sealed refrigeration system comprises a compressor, a condenser, a throttling device, and an evaporator, and wherein the evaporator at least partially surrounds the casing. 
     
     
         10 . The stand-alone ice making appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the container is removable. 
     
     
         11 . The stand-alone ice making appliance of  claim 1 , wherein ice within the first storage volume is maintained at a temperature greater than thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         12 . The stand-alone ice making appliance of  claim 1 , wherein ice within the first storage volume is maintained at a temperature greater than forty degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         13 . A stand-alone ice making appliance, comprising:
 a removable container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice;   a water tank, the water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water and disposed below the container along a vertical direction;   a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume for actively flowing water from the water tank;   a reservoir defining a third storage volume, the third storage volume in fluid communication with the pump for receiving water that is actively flowed from the water tank;   an ice maker, the ice maker comprising a sealed refrigeration system; and   a chute extending between the ice maker and the container for directing ice produced by the ice maker towards the first storage volume; and   a heating element, the heating element activatable to heat the ice maker,   wherein ice within the first storage volume is maintained at a temperature greater than thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit.   
     
     
         14 . The stand-alone ice making appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the ice maker further comprises an auger at least partially surrounded by a casing, the casing in fluid communication with the third storage volume for receiving water from the reservoir, and wherein the heating element is activatable to heat the casing. 
     
     
         15 . The stand-along ice making appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the heating element is in contact with an outer surface of the casing. 
     
     
         16 . The stand-alone ice making appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the ice maker further comprises an extruder. 
     
     
         17 . The stand-alone ice making appliance of  claim 13 , further comprising a controller in operative communication with the pump and the heating element. 
     
     
         18 . The stand-alone ice making appliance of  claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to activate the heating element based on a user input to the controller. 
     
     
         19 . The stand-alone ice making appliance of  claim 18 , wherein the user input is an storage preparation mode instruction. 
     
     
         20 . The stand-alone ice making appliance of  claim 19 , wherein upon activation in the storage preparation mode, the heating element is activated for a time period of between 45 minutes and 2 hours.