Ice cube preparer and method for operating the ice cube preparer

Abstract

A method for operating an ice cube maker having an ice dish, at least one ice cube compartment that is filled with water and in which ice is produced by cooling, and two poles between which a field is generated and which are disposed such that at least part of the water is in the field. The method includes pouring the water into the ice dish; cooling the water; removing frozen ice from the ice dish; and applying a field to at least part of the water.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . An ice cube maker, comprising:
 an ice dish;   at least one ice cube compartment that is filled with water and in which ice is produced by cooling; and   two poles between which a field is generated and which are disposed such that at least part of the water is in the field.   
   
   
       20 . The ice cube maker of  claim 19 , wherein the two poles are connected to a voltage source. 
   
   
       21 . The ice cube maker of  claim 19 , wherein the ice dish forms one of the two poles. 
   
   
       22 . The ice cube maker of  claim 19 , further comprising a pin that forms one of the at least two poles, wherein the pin is electrically isolated from the ice dish, and wherein the pin has a tip that is surrounded by the water when the ice dish is filled with the water. 
   
   
       23 . The ice cube maker of  claim 22 , wherein the ice dish has a plurality of ice cube compartments, and wherein the pin is disposed on a base of one of the plurality of ice cube compartments. 
   
   
       24 . The ice cube maker of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of ice cube compartments are interconnected such that an exchange of the water takes place between the plurality of ice cube compartments. 
   
   
       25 . The ice cube maker of  claim 22 , wherein the pin is heated. 
   
   
       26 . The ice cube maker of  claim 22 , wherein the pin has a conical shape. 
   
   
       27 . The ice cube maker of  claim 22 , wherein the pin is disposed approximately in an axis of rotation of an ice cube to be produced. 
   
   
       28 . The ice cube maker of  claim 22 , wherein the ice cube dish is made of electrically conducting material, and wherein the pin is electrically isolated from the ice cube dish. 
   
   
       29 . The ice cube maker of  claim 19 , wherein each of the two poles is a respective capacitor plate. 
   
   
       30 . The ice cube maker of  claim 29 , wherein the ice dish has side walls, wherein the respective capacitor plate is disposed in a respective one of the side walls, and wherein the respective capacitor plate is isolated from the water. 
   
   
       31 . The ice cube maker of  claim 30 , wherein the ice dish has a coating that isolates the respective capacitor plate from the water. 
   
   
       32 . The ice cube maker of  claim 31 , wherein the coating is insulating paint. 
   
   
       33 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 an insulated internal compartment; and   an ice cube maker arranged in the insulating internal compartment, the ice cube maker having:
 an ice dish; 
 at least one ice cube compartment that is filled with water and in which ice is produced by cooling; and 
 two poles between which a field is generated and which are disposed such that at least part of the water is in the field. 
   
   
   
       34 . A method for operating an ice cube maker having an ice dish, at least one ice cube compartment that is filled with water and in which ice is produced by cooling, and two poles between which a field is generated and which is disposed such that at least part of the water is in the field, the method comprising:
 pouring the water into the ice dish;   cooling the water;   removing frozen ice from the ice dish; and   applying a field to at least part of the water.   
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising generating an electric field. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the electric field is not produced until a crystallization temperature of the water has been reached. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the electric field is only applied for a predetermined period of time.