Ice making machine with improved drip shield

摘要

An ice making machine having an improved drip shield which prevents water from dripping into an ice storage bin beneath the machine. The ice machine has an inner freezing surface over which is spread water. Ice formed on the freezing surface is scraped therefrom by a rotating sweep arm having a plurality of sweeps thereon. The drip shield is frusto-conical in shape and is located at the bottom of the ice making machine and extends radially outward beyond the inner freezing surface of the machine. A portion of the drip shield adjacent the sweep arm is removed to allow ice to fall from the freezing surface into an ice storage bin. The drip shield is continuously washed by water from a spray tube located on the top portion of the drip shield and having a series of orifices therein thus preventing ice build-up on the drip shield and clogging of the machine. In the preferred embodiment the spray tube receives water recirculated through the ice machine from a water distribution ring located above the inner freezing surface of the ice machine.