US20170146275A1 - Ice storage tray for ice spheres - Google Patents
Ice storage tray for ice spheres Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170146275A1 US20170146275A1 US15/427,438 US201715427438A US2017146275A1 US 20170146275 A1 US20170146275 A1 US 20170146275A1 US 201715427438 A US201715427438 A US 201715427438A US 2017146275 A1 US2017146275 A1 US 2017146275A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- ice
- tray
- storage tray
- spherical
- receiving cavities
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
- F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
- F25D25/024—Slidable shelves
- F25D25/025—Drawers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
- F25C5/18—Storing ice
- F25C5/182—Ice bins therefor
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
- F25C5/18—Storing ice
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
- F25C1/04—Producing ice by using stationary moulds
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
- F25C1/22—Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds
- F25C1/25—Filling devices for moulds
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
- F25C5/20—Distributing ice
- F25C5/22—Distributing ice particularly adapted for household refrigerators
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C2305/00—Special arrangements or features for working or handling ice
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C2500/00—Problems to be solved
- F25C2500/02—Geometry problems
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Production, Working, Storing, Or Distribution Of Ice (AREA)
Abstract
An ice support and storage tray includes one or more cavities having upwardly facing spherical surface portions that support spherical pieces of ice. The tray is preferably made of a material having a low thermal conductivity to reduce melting of the spherical pieces of ice. The spherical support surfaces minimize melting points that could otherwise cause the spherical pieces of ice to melt and develop irregular surface shapes. The ice tray may be used in a freezer having an ice maker that transports spheres of ice to the ice support cavities. The ice storage tray may be configured to permit removal of spheres of ice without tipping the tray upside down and/or twisting/deforming the tray.
Description
- This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/059,446, entitled “APPARATUS FOR MAKING, STORING AND MINIMIZING MELTING OF SPHERICAL PIECES OF ICE,” filed on Mar. 3, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 9,310,116, entitled “ICE STORAGE TO HOLD ICE AND MINIMIZE MELTING OF ICE SPHERES,” issued on Apr. 12, 2016. The entire disclosures of the application and patent listed above are hereby incorporated by reference.
- Various types of ice makers have been developed. Known ice makers may make ice “cubes” in the form of cubes or other shapes. However, if the ice cubes are stored together in a box-like tray or the like, the shape of the “cubes” may change due to melting of portions of the ice cubes.
- One aspect of the present invention is a method of storing spherical pieces of ice. The method includes providing a freezer having a refrigerated space that can be maintained at a temperature below the freezing point of water. The method also includes providing an ice maker configured to produce a plurality of spherical pieces of ice, each spherical piece of ice having a substantially spherical outer surface defining a first radius. The method includes providing a tray having a plurality of upwardly opening ice supporting cavities, wherein each ice support cavity has a concave surface defining a portion of a sphere having a second radius that is substantially equal to the first radius whereby spherical pieces of ice formed by the ice maker fit closely in the ice support cavities. The method further includes positioning the tray in the refrigerated space at a predefined location relative to the ice maker. Pieces of ice are transported from the ice maker to the ice support cavities, and the pieces of ice are positioned in the ice support cavities.
- These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an ice maker including an ice tray according to one aspect of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the ice maker ofFIG. 1 taken along the line II-II; -
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an ice tray according to one aspect of the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the ice tray ofFIG. 3 taken along the line IV-IV; -
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the ice tray ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 6 is a partially fragmentary cross sectional view of an ice tray according to another aspect of the present disclosure. - For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. - With reference to
FIG. 1 , anice maker 1 according to one aspect of the present invention includes ahousing 2 and adrawer 4 that may be moved between a closed position “A” and an open position “B.” Thedrawer 4 may include a handle 6 that can be grasped by a user to thereby shift thedrawer 4 from the closed position A to the open position B as shown by the arrow “X.” In the illustrated example, theice maker 1 is a relatively compact unit that can be positioned on a counter top or the like. The ice maker one may include an upper surface 8 that is configured to supportglasses 10,bottles 12, and other such items. - With further reference to
FIG. 2 ,housing 2 defines aninternal cavity 14. Anice maker 16 includes first andsecond mold parts 18 and 19 that together define aspherical cavity 22 when themold parts Ice maker 1 may include an insulated refrigerator compartment 24 that is cooled by arefrigeration unit 26 disposed withinhousing 2.Refrigeration unit 26 may comprise a conventional refrigeration unit having a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser, or it may comprise other suitable refrigeration systems. Alternatively a thermoelectric or other cooling source may be used. In other cases, it may be desirable to keep the temperature near but above freezing to avoid frost buildup inhousing 2 or on the ice made. This may be done by driving a cooling source, such as therefrigeration unit 26, a thermoelectric or other cool sourcing, the ice mold itself, the created ice pieces or a combination thereof. For example it may be preferable to keep the temperature during storage of ice spheres between 32 degrees and 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or even more preferable to maintain it between 34 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit or at some other similar range. -
Refrigeration unit 26 includes awater supply unit 28 that may supply water to thecavity 22 through aconduit 30. Therefrigeration unit 26 may be connected to a power supply utilizing a conventional power cord andplug 32. Therefrigeration unit 26 may also be connected to a water source utilizing afluid conduit 36. - In use, water is supplied to the
spherical cavity 22 with themold parts ice 40, one of themold parts 18 shifts to an open position, thereby permitting a spherical piece ofice 40 to drop into anice support cavity 44 of anice tray 42. Theice maker 16 may include a singlespherical cavity 22 that produces one spherical piece ofice 40 at a time. Alternately, theice maker 16 may include a plurality ofspherical cavities 22 that simultaneously produce a plurality ofspherical ice pieces 40. For example, with reference toFIGS. 1 and 3 ,ice maker 16 may include threespherical cavities ice 40 that drop into acorresponding row ice support cavities 44 of anice tray 42. It will be understood that theice maker 16 may comprise a variety of devices capable of making spherical pieces of ice, and theice maker 16 therefore does not necessarily comprisemold parts FIG. 2 . - In the illustrated example, the spherical pieces of
ice 40 are positioned directly aboveice support cavities 44 at the time they are released from themold parts ice support cavities 44. This dropping transports the spherical pieces ofice 40 from theice maker 16 to thecavities 44 oftray 42. Themold parts FIG. 2 ) to align themold parts 18 and 19 above aspecific row tray 42 prior to opening ofmold part 18.Refrigeration unit 26 may include a controller that is operably connected to a powered actuator (not shown) to thereby selectively shift themold parts ice 40 can thereby be dropped into thecavities 44 of a selectedrow ice 40 may be transported by rails (not shown) or other suitable devices or structures to transport the spherical pieces ofice 40 from themold parts ice support cavities 44. - With reference to
FIG. 3 ,ice support tray 42 may include a plurality ofrows cavities 44. However,tray 42 could comprise a single row ofcavities 44 if required for a particular application. Furthermore, the cavities could be arranged in such a way that rows are not formed. Thecavities 44 are defined byconcave surfaces 48. Theconcave surfaces 48 are generally spherical with a radius “R1” (FIG. 4 ) that is substantially identical to a radius “R2” of spherical pieces ofice 40. Eachcavity 44 defines fouredges 50 that are formed by upwardly facingconcave edge surfaces 52. - Each spherical piece of ice 40 (
FIG. 4 ) defines a radius R1 that is substantially identical to a radius R2 ofconcave surface 48 ofice support cavities 44. In a preferred embodiment, R1 and R2 are about 25 mm, such thatice spheres 40 have a diameter of about 50 mm. However, it will be understood that the ice spheres 40 (and cavities 44) may be significantly larger or smaller. In general, the ice spheres are preferably about 20 mm to about 80 mm in diameter, but sizes outside this range are also possible. - Referring again to
FIG. 4 ,ice support cavities 44 and spherical pieces ofice 40 define coincident center points “C.” The center points C define a horizontal plane “P.” The lowermost portions of the concave edge surfaces 52 are spaced downwardly a distance “V” from the plane P. The distance V is preferably at least about one third or one half of the radius R1 (or R2). Theside portions 54 of spherical pieces ofice 40 project sidewardly somewhat, thereby exposing asurface portion 56 of each spherical piece ofice 40 that is below the center planeP. Surface portions 56 face outwardly and downwardly. Thesurface 56 can therefore be grasped by a user to enable the user to pull the individual spherical pieces ofice 40 upwardly out ofcavities 44. - Also, with further reference to
FIG. 5 , adjacent spherical pieces ofice 40 are spaced apart a diagonal distance “H,” where the distance H is measured directly above surfaces 58.Surfaces 58 of tray 24 are generally planar, upwardly-facing surfaces that are disposed at the centers of fouradjacent cavities 44. The distance H is preferably large enough to permit a user's thumb 60 and fingers to be inserted for grasping spherical pieces ofice 40. The distance H is preferably about 20 mm or greater, and more preferably 25 mm or more to provide clearance for a user's fingers.Tongs 64 or other suitable implement may be utilized to contactsurface 56 to permit removal of spherical pieces ofice 40. This permits thetray 42 to remain indrawer 4 during removal of spherical pieces ofice 40. Thus, in contrast to known trays that are used to form ice cubes, thestorage tray 42 does not necessarily need to be tipped over to remove spheres ofice 40. - With further reference to
FIG. 6 , atray 42A according to another aspect of the present disclosure is similar to thetray 42 ofFIGS. 3-5 . However,tray 42A includes anopening 66 having a radius R3. Radius R3 is somewhat smaller than the radii R1 and R2. For example, if R1 and R2 are 25 mm, R3 may be 20 mm. - As
ice sphere 40 melts, liquid water flows out of opening 66 and drips or flows into a water recovery area such as bin 68 (FIG. 2 ) positioned belowtray 42. Removal of melted water from cavity 44A reduces heat transfer fromice spheres 40 into the liquid water and thereby slows down the melting ofice spheres 40. Adrain line 70 may be connected tobin 68 to provide for drainage of water frombin 68. Referring again toFIG. 6 , asice sphere 40 melts, the size of theice sphere 40 is gradually reduced. Theice sphere 40 eventually falls throughopening 66 and into bin 68 (FIG. 2 ). This automatically clears the cavities 44A.Ice maker 16 may be operably connected to a switch or other sensor (not shown) whereby the ice maker is actuated and makesnew ice spheres 40 once the meltedspheres 40 have dropped intobin 68. - The
ice storage tray 42 is preferably made of a material having relatively low thermal conduction to thereby prevent or reduce transfer of heat from the spherical pieces ofice 40 in a manner that could otherwise cause portions of thespherical surface 38 pieces ofice 40 to melt. In a preferred embodiment,storage tray 42 is made of a polymer material having a thermal conductivity of about 2 W/° Cm. Thetray 42 may also comprise a material having an even lower thermal conductivity of about 0.1 W/° Cm or less. Because theice support cavities 44 have a concavespherical surface 48 that contacts theouter surface 38 of spherical pieces ofice 40, the spherical pieces ofice 40 do not develop irregularities in areas of contact that could otherwise occur if thesupport cavities 44 had a non spherical surface shape. - It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Claims (9)
1. An ice storage tray comprising:
a tray body having an upper side and a lower side, the upper side including a plurality of ice-receiving cavities, each cavity having an upwardly-facing spherical concave surface portion defining a cavity radius, the tray body including at least one drain opening at a bottom of each ice-receiving cavity to drain liquid water from melting ice spheres positioned in the ice-receiving cavities.
2. The ice storage tray of claim 1 , wherein:
each ice-receiving cavity includes an upper edge surface having a horizontal dimension that is less than the cavity radius such that side portions of spherical pieces of ice having radiuses that are equal to the cavity radius project sidewardly from the upper edge surface to enable a user to pull individual spherical pieces of ice out of the ice-receiving cavities.
3. The ice storage tray of claim 2 , wherein:
the upper edge surface includes a plurality of concave portions.
4. The ice storage tray of claim 1 , wherein:
the ice-receiving cavities form at least one row.
5. The ice storage tray of claim 4 , wherein:
the tray body includes a plurality of rows of ice-receiving cavities.
6. The ice storage tray of claim 3 , wherein:
the ice-receiving cavities are substantially identical in size to one another.
7. The ice storage tray of claim 1 , wherein:
the ice-receiving cavities of the tray define a plurality of concave upper edge surfaces between adjacent ice-receiving cavities, each concave upper edge surface defining a lowermost portion, the ice-receiving cavities having coplanar center points that are vertically spaced above the lowermost portions of the concave upper edge surfaces by a vertical distance.
8. The ice storage tray of claim 7 , wherein:
the vertical distance is at least one third the cavity radius.
9. The ice storage tray of claim 1 , wherein:
the tray body comprises a polymer material having a thermal conductivity of about 2 W/° cm.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/427,438 US20170146275A1 (en) | 2012-11-16 | 2017-02-08 | Ice storage tray for ice spheres |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/679,199 US9310116B2 (en) | 2012-11-16 | 2012-11-16 | Ice storage to hold ice and minimize melting of ice spheres |
US15/059,446 US9677808B2 (en) | 2012-11-16 | 2016-03-03 | Apparatus for making, storing and minimizing melting of spherical pieces of ice |
US15/427,438 US20170146275A1 (en) | 2012-11-16 | 2017-02-08 | Ice storage tray for ice spheres |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/059,446 Division US9677808B2 (en) | 2012-11-16 | 2016-03-03 | Apparatus for making, storing and minimizing melting of spherical pieces of ice |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20170146275A1 true US20170146275A1 (en) | 2017-05-25 |
Family
ID=48745696
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/679,199 Active 2034-05-10 US9310116B2 (en) | 2012-11-16 | 2012-11-16 | Ice storage to hold ice and minimize melting of ice spheres |
US15/059,446 Expired - Fee Related US9677808B2 (en) | 2012-11-16 | 2016-03-03 | Apparatus for making, storing and minimizing melting of spherical pieces of ice |
US15/427,438 Abandoned US20170146275A1 (en) | 2012-11-16 | 2017-02-08 | Ice storage tray for ice spheres |
Family Applications Before (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/679,199 Active 2034-05-10 US9310116B2 (en) | 2012-11-16 | 2012-11-16 | Ice storage to hold ice and minimize melting of ice spheres |
US15/059,446 Expired - Fee Related US9677808B2 (en) | 2012-11-16 | 2016-03-03 | Apparatus for making, storing and minimizing melting of spherical pieces of ice |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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US (3) | US9310116B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2733446B1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD923462S1 (en) * | 2018-11-13 | 2021-06-29 | Allan Wendling | Furniture riser |
Families Citing this family (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US9272444B2 (en) * | 2013-07-18 | 2016-03-01 | Propeller, Inc. | Ice mold |
USD847222S1 (en) * | 2017-05-16 | 2019-04-30 | The Brothers Tod | Ice ball maker |
BR202017016643Y1 (en) * | 2017-08-02 | 2022-10-11 | Nely Cristina Braidotti Cavalari | CONSTRUCTION PROVISION APPLIED IN ICE FORM |
US20190281858A1 (en) * | 2018-03-13 | 2019-09-19 | Sean Saeyong Kim | Food preparation system and method of use |
US10697684B2 (en) * | 2018-03-20 | 2020-06-30 | Bsh Home Appliances Corporation | Automatic ice-sphere-making system for refrigerator appliance |
US11841180B2 (en) * | 2018-10-02 | 2023-12-12 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
EP3653975B1 (en) * | 2018-11-16 | 2023-09-20 | LG Electronics Inc. | Home appliance with an ice maker |
US11408661B2 (en) * | 2019-06-19 | 2022-08-09 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Single cord ice press assembly |
US11732944B2 (en) * | 2020-08-31 | 2023-08-22 | Singular Ice LLC | Apparatus and method for craft ice production |
WO2022109201A1 (en) | 2020-11-20 | 2022-05-27 | Abstract Ice, Inc. | Devices for producing clear ice products and related methods |
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-
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-
2016
- 2016-03-03 US US15/059,446 patent/US9677808B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2017
- 2017-02-08 US US15/427,438 patent/US20170146275A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US2774473A (en) * | 1952-01-31 | 1956-12-18 | Keyes Fibre Co | Support-protector for fragile articles |
US3049259A (en) * | 1960-06-29 | 1962-08-14 | Mazzi Angelo | Cupped tray for holding fruits and the like |
US3987922A (en) * | 1973-11-16 | 1976-10-26 | Kymin Osakeyhtio-Kymmene Aktiebolag | Packaging tray for fruit |
US3962469A (en) * | 1974-02-22 | 1976-06-08 | Diamond Fruit Growers, Inc. | Fruit tray package |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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USD923462S1 (en) * | 2018-11-13 | 2021-06-29 | Allan Wendling | Furniture riser |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2733446B1 (en) | 2019-01-09 |
US9310116B2 (en) | 2016-04-12 |
US20160187053A1 (en) | 2016-06-30 |
US20140137576A1 (en) | 2014-05-22 |
EP2733446A3 (en) | 2016-09-28 |
US9677808B2 (en) | 2017-06-13 |
EP2733446A2 (en) | 2014-05-21 |
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Date | Code | Title | Description |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |