Ice Maker

Abstract

An ice maker adapted to be mounted a refrigeration appliance comprises an ice-making container ( 14 ) and an ice-releasing system ( 18, 18 a ) for separating the formed ice from the ice-making container. The ice-making container is provided with a substantially water-tight cover ( 16 ) for preventing a water spill when ice is not already formed in the ice-making container.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . An ice maker adapted to be mounted a refrigeration appliance, comprising an ice-making container and an ice-releasing system for separating the formed ice from the ice-making container, the ice-making container having a substantially water-tight cover for preventing a water spill when ice is not already formed in the ice-making container. 
   
   
       12 . The ice maker according to  claim 11 , comprising an ice-making container and cover having semicircular cross sections and the cover is adapted to assume by rotation a closed configuration in which the ice-making container and the cover form a cylindrical assembly, and an open configuration in which the cover is substantially under the ice-making container. 
   
   
       13 . The ice maker according to  claim 12 , wherein the cover has an aperture for loading water in the ice-making container while in the close configuration of the ice maker. 
   
   
       14 . The ice maker according to  claim 12 , wherein the ice-releasing system has an ice release lever adapted to rotate together with the cover. 
   
   
       15 . The ice maker according to  claim 13 , further comprising a drive unit for providing power for driving the ice release lever and/or for driving the rotating cover. 
   
   
       16 . The ice maker according to  claim 14 , wherein the ice release lever has a knob-shaped end for manually rotating the lever. 
   
   
       17 . The ice maker according to  claim 11 , wherein the ice releasing system has a movable and deformable ice-making container. 
   
   
       18 . The ice maker according to  claim 17 , further comprising a drive unit for providing power for driving of the ice-making container. 
   
   
       19 . The ice maker according to  claim 17 , further comprising a movable and deformable ice-making container adapted to be rotated manually. 
   
   
       20 . The ice maker according to  claim 17 , wherein the ice-making container can be rotated between a first horizontal position and a second position in which one end of the container abuts a corresponding portion of a supporting frame and the other end is driven by a predetermined torque so that the ice-making container undergoes a predetermined degree of warping. 
   
   
       21 . The ice maker according to  claim 11 , wherein the ice-making container can be rotated between a first horizontal position and a second position in which one end of the container abuts a corresponding portion of a supporting frame and the other end is driven by a predetermined torque so that the ice-making container undergoes a predetermined degree of warping.