| 摘要 |
Apparatus to form and maintain a vent between the top and bottom surfaces of an ice core formed by ice extruders is disclosed. The vent is initially formed in one embodiment by a hollow member suspended within the freezing cell of the apparatus with one end of the hollow member forming a seal with a projection on the plunger that lifts the ice core upward during the extrusion of ice. After the vent is initially formed, the hollow member is removed and the plunger and projection begin a reciprocating motion causing the plunger to scrape ice from the walls below the ice core. The continuing motion of the plunger presses the ice chips against the bottom of the ice core and simultaneously causes the projection to seal the bottom opening of the vent, thus preventing the ice chips from closing the vent. The vent allows air released from ice that is scrapped and pressed against the ice core to exhaust instead of forming air pockets within the ice core, which would weaken its material structure, and eventually lead to the ice core breaking into a plurality of irregular prisms. A carrier for the ice core created using the method and apparatus of the invention is also provided. The carrier is inserted into the vent and uses one-way cammed barbs to engage the ice core. A rod is provided in the carrier that when pressed disengages the cammed barbs from the ice core.
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