Water distribution system for ice-making machine

Abstract

The assembly of the present disclosure includes a one-piece, molded or formed water distribution tube and an evaporator component or top. The tube connects to the evaporator component without the use of any additional fasteners such as metal screws. A protrusion or tab formed in the tube effects the connection to the evaporator component. Water is introduced to the tuba via an inlet, where the water flow is evened out partially with a divider within the tube. The water exits through drainage holes in the tube, and passes over an evaporator to be frozen into ice.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A water distribution tube for an ice-making machine, comprising:
 an inlet;   a channel defined by a bottom surface and a plurality of surrounding raised outer walls; and   a plurality of drainage holes within said channel,   wherein water is introduced to said tube through said inlet, enters said channel, and drains through said plurality of holes, and   wherein the tube is a one-piece, integrally formed and molded tube.   
     
     
         2 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein said inlet is integrally formed within a first of said surrounding walls. 
     
     
         3 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein said channel has a divider therein, wherein said divider projects up from said bottom surface, so that said channel is divided into a first sub channel and a second sub-channel. 
     
     
         4 . The tube of  claim 3 , wherein said divider is between a first and a second of said outer walls, so that said first sub channel is between first outer wall and said divider, and second sub channel is between said divider and second outer wall. 
     
     
         5 . The tube of  claim 4 , wherein said inlet is integrally formed into said first outer wall and is in direct fluid communication with said second sub channel, so that water passes through said inlet spout, accumulates in said second sub channel, and passes over said divider into said first sub channel. 
     
     
         6 . The tube of  claim 5 , wherein said drainage holes are in said first sub channel, so that water passes through said inlet, accumulates in said second sub channel, and passes over said divider into said first sub channel, and out through said drainage holes. 
     
     
         7 . The tube of  claim 6 , wherein said drainage holes are in said bottom surface, said first outer wall, or a combination of the two. 
     
     
         8 . The tube of  claim 3 , wherein said divider has a vertical notch therein. 
     
     
         9 . An assembly for an ice-making machine, comprising:
 a one-piece, integrally formed and molded water distribution tube, said tube comprising:
 an inlet, wherein water is introduced to the tube through said inlet; 
 a channel defined by a bottom surface and a plurality of surrounding raised outer walls; and 
 a plurality of drainage holes within said channel; and 
 an evaporator, 
   wherein water is introduced to said tube through said inlet, enters said channel, and drains through said plurality of holes on to said evaporator, and,   wherein said water distribution tube connects directly to said evaporator without the use of any fasteners.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said tube connects to said evaporator with a protrusion integrally formed within said tube. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said tube connects to said evaporator with a snap-, pressure-, or friction-fit. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said evaporator has a rounded edge over which the water passes. 
     
     
         13 . The tube of  claim 9 , wherein said channel has a divider therein, wherein said divider projects up from said bottom surface, so that said channel is divided into a first sub channel and a second sub-channel. 
     
     
         14 . The tube of  claim 13 , wherein said divider is between a first and a second of said outer walls, so that said first sub channel is between first outer wall and said divider, and second sub channel is between said divider and second outer wall. 
     
     
         15 . The tube of  claim 14 , wherein said inlet is integrally formed into said first outer wall and is in direct fluid communication with said second sub channel, so that water passes through said inlet, accumulates in said second sub channel, and passes over said divider into said first sub channel. 
     
     
         16 . A method of distributing and freezing water, comprising the steps of:
 introducing water to a distribution tube; and   passing water over an evaporator,   wherein said tube is a one-piece, integrally formed and molded water distribution tube, said tube comprising:
 an inlet, wherein said water is introduced to the tube through said inlet; 
 a channel defined by a bottom surface and a plurality of surrounding raised outer walls; and 
 a plurality of drainage holes within said channel, so that during said passing step, said water falls through said drainage holes on to said evaporator. 
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said channel has a divider therein, wherein said divider projects up from said bottom surface, so that said channel is divided into a first sub channel and a second sub-channel. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said divider is between a first and a second of said outer walls, so that said first sub channel is between first outer wall and said divider, and second sub channel is between said divider and second outer wall. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said inlet is integrally formed into said first outer wall and is in direct fluid communication with said second sub channel, the method further comprising the step of, between said introducing and said passing steps:
 passing said water through said inlet spout, so that it accumulates in said second sub channel, and passes over said divider into said first sub channel.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said water distribution tube is connects directly to said evaporator without the use of any fasteners.