Twist ice tray assembly for a refrigerator appliance

Abstract

A twist ice tray assembly for a refrigerator appliance may include a first ice tray in downstream fluid communication with a fill tube of the refrigerator appliance. The first ice tray may include a first tray surface, a first mold body, and an overflow spout. The first mold body may extend downward from the first tray surface to define a first plurality of compartments for receiving liquid water from the fill tube. The overflow spout may extend outward from the first tray surface. The overflow spout may define an overflow channel in downstream fluid communication with the first plurality of compartments. The twist ice tray assembly may include a second ice tray. The second ice tray may include a second tray surface and a second mold body. The second mold body may extend downward from the second tray surface. The second mold body may define a second plurality of compartments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A twist ice tray assembly for a refrigerator appliance, the twist ice tray assembly comprising:
 a first ice tray in downstream fluid communication with a fill tube of the refrigerator appliance, the first ice tray comprising a first tray surface, a first mold body, and an overflow spout, the first mold body extending downward from the first tray surface to define a first plurality of compartments for receiving liquid water from the fill tube, the overflow spout extending outward from the first tray surface, the overflow spout defining an overflow channel in downstream fluid communication with the first plurality of compartments; and   a second ice tray comprising a second tray surface and a second mold body, the second mold body extending downward from the second tray surface, the second mold body defining a second plurality of compartments,   wherein the first ice tray and the second ice tray are positioned in a side-by-side arrangement, and   wherein the overflow spout is configured to selectively interface with the second tray surface.   
     
     
         2 . The twist ice tray assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first tray surface defines a first plurality of channels, wherein each channel of the first plurality of channels is positioned between adjacent compartments of the first plurality of compartments to fluidly couple adjacent compartments. 
     
     
         3 . The twist ice tray assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first plurality of compartments includes a first starter compartment and an overflow compartment, wherein the first starter compartment is in direct fluid communication with the fill tube, wherein the overflow compartment is in fluid communication with the first starter compartment via the first plurality of channels, and wherein the overflow compartment is in fluid communication with the overflow channel. 
     
     
         4 . The twist ice tray assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the second tray surface defines a second plurality of channels, and wherein each channel of the second plurality of channel is positioned between adjacent compartments of the second plurality of compartments to fluidly couple adjacent compartments. 
     
     
         5 . The twist ice tray assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the second plurality of compartments includes a second starter compartment, wherein the second starter compartment is in direct fluid communication with the overflow channel. 
     
     
         6 . The twist ice tray assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first ice tray further comprises a first drive shaft, wherein the first drive shaft extends through the first tray surface, wherein the first drive shaft includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first drive shaft is positioned at a first end of the first tray surface, wherein the second end of the first drive shaft is positioned at a second end of the first tray surface, wherein the second ice tray further comprises a second drive shaft, wherein the second drive shaft extends through the second tray surface, wherein the second drive shaft includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second drive shaft is positioned at a first end of the second tray surface, and wherein the second end of the second drive shaft is positioned at a second end of the second tray surface. 
     
     
         7 . The twist ice tray assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a gear assembly coupled to the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft to transmit rotation between the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft; and   a motor coupled to the gear assembly to selectively drive rotation of the first ice tray and the second ice tray.   
     
     
         8 . The twist ice tray assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the gear assembly comprises a first gear, a second gear, and a third gear, wherein the first gear is coupled directly to the first drive shaft, wherein the second gear is coupled directly to the second drive shaft, and wherein the third gear is disposed between the first gear and the second gear to transmit rotation between the first gear and the second gear. 
     
     
         9 . The twist ice tray assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the motor is coupled directly to the first end of the first drive shaft, wherein the first gear is coupled directly to the second end of the first drive shaft, wherein the second gear is coupled directly to the second end of the second drive shaft, and wherein the third gear is disposed between the first gear and the second gear to transmit rotation from the first gear to the second gear. 
     
     
         10 . The twist ice tray assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the motor is coupled directly to the first end of the first drive shaft, wherein the first gear is coupled directly to the first end of the first drive shaft, wherein the first gear is positioned between the first end of the first tray surface and the motor, wherein the second gear is coupled directly to the first end of the second drive shaft, and wherein the third gear is disposed between the first gear and the second gear to transmit rotation from the first gear to the second gear. 
     
     
         11 . The twist ice tray assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the motor is coupled directly to the third gear, wherein the first gear is coupled directly to the first end of the first drive shaft, wherein the second gear is coupled directly to the first end of the second drive shaft, and wherein the third gear is disposed between the first gear and the second gear to transmit rotation to the first gear and the second gear. 
     
     
         12 . The twist ice tray assembly of  claim 1 , twist ice tray assembly further comprises one or more stop tabs, wherein the one or more stop tabs extend from the first tray surface or the second tray surface, and wherein the one or more stop tabs are configured to interface with one or more stop blocks positioned within a door of the refrigerator appliance to inhibit rotation of the first ice tray or the second ice tray beyond a predetermined amount. 
     
     
         13 . A refrigerator appliance comprising:
 a cabinet defining a chilled chamber;   a door rotatably hinged to an edge of the cabinet for selectively accessing the chilled chamber, the door defining an icebox, the door comprising a fill tube for delivering a fill of liquid water;   an ice storage bin for holding ice pieces, the ice storage bin disposed within the icebox; and   a twist ice tray assembly positioned within the icebox above the ice storage bin, the twist ice tray assembly comprising:
 a first ice tray in downstream fluid communication with the fill tube, the first ice tray comprising a first tray surface, a first mold body, and an overflow spout, the first mold body extending downward from the first tray surface, the first mold body defining a first plurality of compartments for receiving liquid water delivered from the fill tube, the overflow spout extending outward from the first tray surface, the overflow spout defining an overflow channel in downstream fluid communication with the first plurality of compartments; and 
 a second ice tray comprising a second tray surface and a second mold body, the second mold body extending downward from the second tray surface, the second mold body defining a second plurality of compartments, 
 wherein the first ice tray and the second ice tray are positioned in a side-by-side arrangement, and 
 wherein the overflow spout is configured to interface with the second tray surface. 
   
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the first tray surface defines a first plurality of channels, wherein each channel of the first plurality of channels is positioned between adjacent compartments of the first plurality of compartments to fluidly couple adjacent compartments. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the first plurality of compartments includes a first starter compartment and an overflow compartment, wherein the first starter compartment is in direct fluid communication with the fill tube, wherein the overflow compartment is in fluid communication with the first starter compartment via the first plurality of channels, and wherein the overflow compartment is in fluid communication with the overflow channel. 
     
     
         16 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the second tray surface defines a second plurality of channels, and wherein each channel of the second plurality of channel is positioned between adjacent compartments of the second plurality of compartments to fluidly couple adjacent compartments. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 16 , wherein the second plurality of compartments includes a second starter compartment, wherein the second starter compartment is in direct fluid communication with the overflow channel. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the first ice tray further comprises a first drive shaft, wherein the first drive shaft extends through the first tray surface, wherein the first drive shaft includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first drive shaft is positioned at a first end of the first tray surface, wherein the second end of the first drive shaft is positioned at a second end of the first tray surface, wherein the second ice tray further comprises a second drive shaft, wherein the second drive shaft extends through the second tray surface, wherein the second drive shaft includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second drive shaft is positioned at a first end of the second tray surface, and wherein the second end of the second drive shaft is positioned at a second end of the second tray surface. 
     
     
         19 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a gear assembly coupled to the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft to transmit rotation between the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft; and   a motor coupled to the gear assembly to selectively drive rotation of the first ice tray and the second ice tray.   
     
     
         20 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 19 , wherein the gear assembly comprises a first gear, a second gear, and a third gear, wherein the motor is coupled directly to the first end of the first drive shaft, wherein the first gear is coupled directly to the second end of the first drive shaft, wherein the second gear is coupled directly to the second end of the second drive shaft, and wherein the third gear is disposed between the first gear and the second gear to transmit rotation from the first gear to the second gear.