Ice maker

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ice maker. The ice maker comprises an ice-making shell, an ice-making water tank, an ice storage basket and an ice-making system, wherein the ice-making water tank is mounted in the ice-making shell, an opening is formed in the upper end of the ice-making water tank, the ice storage basket is mounted at the ice-making water tank, and the ice-making system communicates with the ice-making water tank; the ice making shell is provided with a lifting handle; the ice-making water tank is provided with a placing cavity for placing the ice storage basket and a water discharging cavity which is communicated with the placing cavity and is positioned on the lower side of the ice storage basket; the bottom of the ice storage basket is provided with a storage opening right opposite to the water discharging cavity and is movably provided with a grating plate used for covering the storage opening. The lifting handle is detachably mounted on the ice making shell; and when the grating plate is opened, the water draining cavity is communicated with the placing cavity, and an area for arranging the lifting handle is formed. The ice maker has the effect of improving the situation that extra space is occupied due to the fact that the lifting handle is installed on the ice making shell when the ice maker is stored and transported.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of ice making, in particular to an ice maker. BACKGROUND

[0002] The ice maker is widely used in food preservation, beverage cooling, medical cold chain and industrial cooling, etc. as a device capable of quickly making ice cubes.

[0003] The ice maker generally comprises an ice making shell, an ice making water tank installed in the shell, an ice making system installed in the ice making shell, an ice storage basket installed in the shell, and a pull handle installed on the outer side of the shell. When the ice maker is running, the ice making system delivers the condensed ice to the ice storage basket, thereby achieving the ice making requirement. When the ice maker is stored and transported, the inventor believes that the pull handle installed on the outer side of the shell occupies extra space during packaging, which is not convenient for the storage and transportation of the ice maker. CONTENT OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0004] In order to solve the problem that the ice maker occupies extra space during storage and transportation due to the installation of the pull handle on the ice making shell, the present application provides an ice maker.

[0005] The ice maker provided by the present application adopts the following technical scheme:

[0006] An ice maker comprises an ice making shell, an ice making water tank installed in the ice making shell and having an open upper end, an ice storage basket installed at the ice making water tank, and an ice making system in communication with the ice making water tank. The ice making shell is provided with a pull handle. The ice making water tank has a placement cavity for placing the ice storage basket and a lower water chamber in communication with the placement cavity and located at the lower side of the ice storage basket. The bottom of the ice storage basket is provided with a storage opening opposite to the lower water chamber and movably installed with a grille plate for covering the storage opening. The pull handle is detachably installed on the ice making shell. When the grille plate is opened, the lower water chamber and the placement cavity are in communication and form an area for arranging the pull handle.

[0007] By placing the ice storage basket in the placement cavity, and opening the storage opening opposite to the lower water chamber in the bottom of the ice storage basket and installing the grille plate for covering the storage opening, when the grille plate is opened upward, the lower water chamber and the placement cavity form an area for placing the pull handle. By detaching the pull handle from the shell and placing the pull handle in the lower water chamber and the placement cavity, the problem that the ice maker occupies extra space during storage and transportation due to the installation of the pull handle on the ice making shell can be solved.

[0008] Optionally, the pulling handle comprises two parallel pulling rod parts and a handle part connecting the two pulling rod parts, the pulling rod part is provided with a mounting column, the mounting column is provided with a clamping protrusion on the outer surface; the both sides of the ice making shell are provided with a mounting hole for inserting the mounting column and a clamping through hole for inserting the clamping protrusion; when the pulling handle is arranged vertically upward, the clamping protrusion is arranged staggered with the clamping through hole; when the handle is arranged on the ice making shell, the clamping protrusion is arranged staggered with the clamping through hole.

[0009] By adopting the above technical scheme, the specific structure of the pulling handle is disclosed. By arranging the mounting column and the clamping protrusion on the pulling handle, the pulling handle is not easy to be separated from the ice making shell when the pulling handle is arranged on the ice making shell.

[0010] Optionally, the ice making water tank is provided with a support seat supported on the top of the mounting column, the support seat is provided with an arc-shaped support groove for arranging the mounting column.

[0011] By adopting the above technical scheme, by arranging the support seat on the ice making water tank, when the ice making machine is lifted by the pulling handle, the top of the mounting column can abut against the support seat, which reduces the probability that the weight of the ice making machine directly acts on the mounting hole of the ice making shell, and helps to improve the structural strength when the ice making machine is lifted by the pulling handle; the arrangement of the arc-shaped support groove can reduce the probability that the mounting column is separated from the support seat.

[0012] Optionally, the top of the ice making water tank is provided with an ice making table located on one side of the ice storage basket, the ice making table is provided with an ice outlet cavity for receiving the ice blocks output by the ice making system and an ice conveying channel connecting the ice outlet cavity and the placing cavity and used for conveying the ice blocks to the ice storage basket; the ice making water tank is provided with an ice outlet end cover used for covering the top of the ice outlet cavity.

[0013] By adopting the above technical scheme, the arrangement of the ice outlet cavity and the ice conveying channel enables the ice output by the ice making system to be conveyed to the ice storage basket through the ice conveying channel after being output from the ice outlet cavity; the arrangement of the ice outlet end cover can reduce the probability that the ice blocks overflow from the upper end opening of the ice outlet cavity when the ice making system outputs the ice blocks.

[0014] Optionally, the ice making table is provided with a support protrusion arranged along the width direction and spaced from the bottom surface of the ice conveying channel, the support protrusion is parallel to the ice conveying direction of the ice conveying channel.

[0015] By adopting the above technical scheme, the arrangement of the support protrusion can reduce the contact area between the ice blocks and the ice conveying channel when the ice blocks pass through the ice conveying channel, thereby reducing the friction between the ice blocks and the ice conveying channel, which helps to reduce the melting amount of the ice blocks in the conveying process.

[0016] Optionally, the ice-making platform is provided with a water leakage hole at the bottom of the ice conveying channel and between the adjacent support ridges; the ice-making platform is further provided with a water diversion groove for diverting the water leaked from the water leakage hole into the placing cavity.

[0017] By adopting the above technical scheme, the water leakage hole reduces the probability of the water melted from the ice conveying channel flowing into the ice storage basket, thereby reducing the probability of the water flowing into the ice storage basket causing the ice in the ice storage basket to melt; the water diversion groove enables the water flowing from the water leakage hole to flow into the placing cavity after passing through the water diversion groove.

[0018] Optionally, the top of the ice-making platform is provided with an upper water groove, the ice-making system comprises a water pump for pumping the water in the ice-making water tank into the upper water groove and an ice-making device for receiving the water flowing out of the upper water groove; the ice-making platform is further provided with an overflow groove for overflowing the water in the upper water groove into the placing cavity.

[0019] By adopting the above technical scheme, the water in the ice-making water tank is pumped into the upper water groove by the water pump, and the water in the upper water groove can flow into the ice-making device to complete ice-making. When the water in the upper water groove is relatively much, the excess water can flow into the placing cavity along the overflow groove and then flow into the lower water chamber through the placing cavity.

[0020] Optionally, the ice-making platform is provided with a notch groove communicating the upper water groove and the ice outlet chamber.

[0021] By adopting the above technical scheme, the water in the upper water groove can flow into the ice-making system through the notch groove when the ice maker is not making ice, which helps to accelerate the melting speed of the ice not output in the ice-making system.

[0022] Optionally, one side of the grid plate is provided with a hinge part for hingedly connecting with one side of the ice storage basket at the storage opening; the inner edge of the storage opening is provided with an abutting ridge for limiting the downward turning of the grid plate; the side opposite to the hinge part of the grid plate is provided with a clamping block for clamping with the bottom of the ice storage basket.

[0023] By adopting the above technical scheme, the hinge part enables the grid plate to turn upward; the abutting ridge enables the grid plate to be limited from turning downward when covering the storage opening.

[0024] Optionally, the top of the ice storage basket is provided with an ice storage handle.

[0025] By adopting the above technical scheme, the ice storage handle enables the user to more easily place the ice storage basket in the placing cavity or take the ice storage basket out of the placing cavity.

[0026] To sum up, the present application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0027] 1. An ice maker, by setting a storage opening opposite to a lower water chamber in an ice storage basket and setting a grating plate for covering the storage opening in a movable installation, when the pull handle is detached from the ice making shell, the pull handle can be placed in the placing cavity and the lower water chamber, thereby improving the problem of occupying extra space when the ice maker is stored and transported due to the installation of the pull handle on the ice making shell.

[0028] 2. By setting an installation column on the pull handle and setting a clamping protrusion on the installation column, when the pull handle is installed on the ice making shell, it is not easy to be detached from the ice making shell.

[0029] 3. By setting an ice outlet chamber on the ice making platform and setting an ice conveying channel connecting the ice outlet chamber and the placing cavity, the ice cubes can be conveyed to the ice storage basket through the ice conveying channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ice maker without the ice making end cover in the embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the cross section of the overall structure of the embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ice maker without the ice making end cover in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 2

[0034] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ice maker without the ice making end cover in the embodiment of the present application.

[0035] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ice maker without the ice making end cover in the embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ice maker without the ice making end cover in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 2

[0037] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the cross section of the cooperation between the pull handle and the support seat in the embodiment of the present application.

[0038] ​​Explanation of reference signs: 1, ice making shell; 11, ice making end cover; 111, first end cover; 112, second end cover; 12, mounting socket; 13, clamping through hole; 2, pull handle; 21, pull rod part; 211, mounting plug; 212, clamping protrusion; 22, handle part; 3, ice making water tank; 31, water tank main body; 311, placing cavity; 312, lower water chamber; 313, placing plane; 314, support seat; 3141, arc-shaped support groove; 32, ice making platform; 321, ice outlet chamber; 322, ice conveying channel; 3221, support protrusion; 3222, water leakage hole; 323, upper water groove; 324, arrangement hole; 325, ice outlet end cover; 326, water outlet pipe; 327, water guiding groove; 328, overflow groove; 329, notch groove; 4, ice storage basket; 41, storage opening; 42, grating plate; 421, hinged part; 422, clamping block; 43, abutting protrusion; 44, clamping groove; 45, ice storage handle; 46, bent part; 5, ice making system; 51, water pumping pump; 52, ice making device; 521, conveying outer cylinder; 5211, water inlet connector; 522, conveying screw; 523, refrigeration coil; 524, conveying motor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1-8 The present application is further described in detail.

[0040] The present application discloses an ice maker.

[0041] Reference will be made to Figure 1 and Figure 2 An ice maker comprises an ice making shell 1, a pull handle 2 detachably mounted on the ice making shell 1, an ice making water tank 3 mounted in the ice making shell 1, an ice storage basket 4 mounted at the ice making water tank 3, and an ice making system 5 in communication with the ice making water tank 3. The top of the ice making shell 1 is provided with an ice making end cover 11 covering the ice making water tank 3.

[0042] Reference will be made to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The ice making water tank 3 comprises a water tank main body 31 having an open upper end and used for arranging the ice storage basket 4, and an ice making platform 32 connected to one side of the top of the water tank main body 31. The ice making platform 32 is provided with an ice outlet chamber 321 for receiving ice blocks output by the ice making system 5, an ice conveying channel 322 for conveying the ice blocks to the ice storage basket 4, and an upper water groove 323 located at one side of the top of the ice making platform 32. The bottom surface of the ice conveying channel 322 is arranged to be downwardly inclined toward the ice storage basket 4. The ice making platform 32 is further provided with an arrangement hole 324 at the bottom of the ice outlet chamber 321 for cooperating with the ice making system 5. The ice making platform 32 is further provided with an ice outlet end cover 325 mounted at the top of the ice outlet chamber 321 for covering the top of the ice outlet chamber 321.

[0043] Reference will be made to Figure 2 andFigure 3 The ice making system 5 comprises a water pump 51 and an ice making device 52. The water pump 51 is arranged on the bottom of the ice making shell 1 and connected to the upper water tank 323 of the ice making platform 32, so that the water in the water tank body 31 can be pumped into the upper water tank 323 of the ice making platform 32 by the water pump 51. The bottom of the upper water tank 323 of the ice making platform 32 is also provided with a water outlet pipe 326 connected to the ice making device 52, so that the water in the upper water tank 323 can enter the ice making device 52 through the water outlet pipe 326. The ice making device 52 is a screw type ice making device, which comprises a vertical conveying outer cylinder 521, a conveying screw 522 rotatably arranged in the conveying outer cylinder 521, a refrigeration coil 523 arranged outside the conveying outer cylinder 521, and a conveying motor 524 for driving the conveying screw 522 to rotate. The bottom of the conveying outer cylinder 521 is provided with a water inlet joint 5211 for receiving the water flowing out of the upper water tank 323, and the top of the conveying outer cylinder 521 is connected to the arrangement hole 324 of the ice making platform 32 and the conveying screw 522 extends into the ice outlet chamber 321. When the water in the upper water tank 323 is frozen into ice blocks at the top of the conveying outer cylinder 521, the ice blocks are conveyed into the ice outlet chamber 321 by the conveying screw 522, and then input into the ice storage basket 4 in the water tank body 31 through the ice conveying channel 322.

[0044] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 4 When the ice blocks in the ice outlet chamber 321 enter the ice storage basket 4 through the ice conveying channel 322, a small amount of water will also flow into the ice conveying channel 322 at the same time. In order to reduce the probability of melting the ice in the ice storage basket 4 caused by the water entering the ice storage basket 4, the ice making platform 32 is provided with a plurality of support ribs 3221 arranged along the width direction at the bottom of the ice conveying channel 322, the support ribs 3221 are arranged downwardly inclined to the direction of the ice conveying direction of the ice conveying channel 322 and to the direction of the ice storage basket 4. The ice making platform 32 is provided with a water leakage hole 3222 at the bottom of the ice conveying channel 322 and between the adjacent two support ribs 3221. In order to better guide the water flowing from the water leakage hole 3222 to the placement cavity 311, the ice making platform 32 is provided with a water guiding groove 327 on the lower side of the ice conveying channel 322, which is opposite to the water leakage hole 3222 and is arranged downwardly inclined to the direction of the placement cavity 311.

[0045] Referring to Figure 2 , the ice making platform 32 is provided with an overflow groove 328 on the side of the upper water tank 323 facing the ice storage basket 4, which is used for overflowing the water in the upper water tank 323 to the placement cavity 311. When the water amount in the upper water tank 323 is too high, the excess water can flow back into the water tank body 31 through the overflow groove 328.

[0046] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3In order to facilitate the melting of the ice in the ice making device 52 when the ice maker is cleaned, the ice making platform 32 is provided with a notch groove 329 which is communicated with the ice discharging chamber 321 and the upper water tank 323 at the side of the ice discharging chamber 321 which is towards the upper water tank 323. The bottom surface height of the notch groove 329 is higher than the overflow water surface height of the overflow groove 328. In the embodiment, the bottom surface height of the notch groove 329 is 3mm higher than the overflow water surface height of the overflow groove 328. When the ice in the ice making device 52 needs to be melted, the output power of the water pump 51 can be increased so that the water cannot overflow from the overflow groove 328 and can enter the ice making device 52 through the notch groove 329, thereby accelerating the melting of the ice in the ice making device 52.

[0047] With reference to Figure 3 The water tank body 31 is provided with a placing cavity 311 for placing the ice storage basket 4 and a lower water chamber 312 which is communicated with the placing cavity 311 and is located at the lower side of the ice storage basket 4. The bottom of the placing cavity 311 of the water tank body 31 is provided with a placing plane 313 for placing the ice storage basket 4 and is arranged to be downwardly inclined towards the lower water chamber 312.

[0048] With reference to Figure 3 and Figure 5 The bottom of the ice storage basket 4 is provided with a storage opening 41 which is opposite to the lower water chamber 312 and is hingedly installed with a grid plate 42 which is used for covering the storage opening 41. The grid plate 42 is provided with a hinge portion 421 which is used for being hingedly connected with the edge of the storage opening 41 at the side which is away from the ice making system 5. The grid plate 42 is further provided with a plurality of through holes which are used for allowing the water to flow into the lower water chamber 312 at the lower side. When the grid plate 42 is turned upwardly, the lower water chamber 312 and the placing cavity 311 are communicated to form an area for arranging the pull handle 2.

[0049] With reference to Figure 3 and Figure 5 In order to limit the downward turning of the grid plate 42 when the grid plate 42 covers the storage opening 41, the ice storage basket 4 is provided with an abutting protrusion 43 which is arranged at the inner edge of the storage opening 41 and is used for abutting the edge of the grid plate 42. The grid plate 42 is provided with a clamping block 422 at the side which is opposite to the hinge portion 421. The bottom of the ice storage basket 4 is provided with a clamping groove 44 which is used for being clamped with the clamping block 422. When the grid plate 42 covers the storage opening 41, the clamping block 422 is clamped into the clamping groove 44, so that the stability of the grid plate 42 for covering the storage opening 41 is ideal. In order to make the user more easily place the ice storage basket 4 into the placing cavity 311 or take the ice storage basket 4 out of the placing cavity 311, the top of the ice storage basket 4 is symmetrically provided with an ice storage handle 45 which is integrally arranged with the ice storage basket 4.

[0050] With reference to Figure 2 andFigure 5 In order to reduce the probability of water flowing into the ice storage basket 4 when water flows into the placing cavity 311 from the overflow groove 328, the ice storage basket 4 is provided with a bending portion 46 which is bent away from the upper water tank 323 at the side opposite to the overflow groove 328. A guide cavity for guiding the water flowing out of the overflow groove 328 to the lower water cavity 312 is formed between the bending portion 46 and the ice making water tank 3.

[0051] With reference to Figure 6 The pull handle 2 is in a U-shaped structure and comprises two pull rod portions 21 which are parallel to each other and a handle portion 22 which is perpendicular to the two pull rod portions 21. The end of the pull rod portion 21 is provided with a mounting plug 211 and a clamping protrusion 212 is arranged on the outer side surface of the mounting plug 211. The mounting plug 211 is in a cylindrical structure.

[0052] With reference to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The top of the two side surfaces of the ice making shell 1 is provided with a mounting insertion hole 12 for mounting the pull handle 2, and a clamping through hole 13 is arranged on the outer side of the mounting insertion hole 12 for the clamping protrusion 212 to pass through. In the embodiment, two clamping through holes 13 are symmetrically arranged on the outer side of each mounting insertion hole 12. When the mounting plug 211 is opposite to the mounting insertion hole 12 and the clamping protrusion 212 is opposite to the clamping through hole 13, the pull handle 2 can be mounted on the ice making shell 1. When the pull handle 2 is arranged vertically upward or leans on the ice making shell 1, the clamping protrusion 212 is arranged staggered with the clamping through hole 13.

[0053] With reference to Figure 2 and Figure 8 The area of the ice making water tank 3 which is opposite to the mounting insertion hole 12 of the ice making shell 1 is provided with a support seat 314 for supporting the top of the mounting plug 211. The lower side of the support seat 314 is provided with an arc-shaped support groove 3141 for arranging the mounting plug 211.

[0054] In combination Figures 1 to 8 The implementation principle of the ice maker in the embodiment is as follows: the water pump 51 pumps the water in the water tank main body 31 into the upper water tank 323. The water in the upper water tank 323 flows into the conveying outer cylinder 521 through the water outlet pipe 326. The water in the conveying outer cylinder 521 is condensed into ice by the refrigeration coil 523 and then is conveyed to the ice outlet cavity 321 by the conveying screw 522. Then the ice is input into the ice storage basket 4 through the ice conveying channel 322. When the ice maker needs to be stored and transported, the grid plate 42 is folded upward so that the pull handle 2 can be placed in the placing cavity and the lower water cavity 312 of the ice making water tank 3 when the pull handle 2 is detached from the ice making shell 1. Thus, the problem that the pull handle 2 occupies extra space when the ice maker is stored and transported is solved.

[0055] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present application, and do not limit the protection scope of the present application, so that: all equivalent changes made according to the structure, shape, principle of the present application should be covered in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An ice maker, comprising an ice-making housing (1), an ice-making water tank (3) installed inside the ice-making housing (1) and open at its upper end, an ice storage basket (4) installed at the ice-making water tank (3), and an ice-making system (5) communicating with the ice-making water tank (3); the ice-making housing (1) is equipped with a lifting handle (2); characterized in that, The ice-making water tank (3) has a placement cavity (311) for placing the ice storage basket (4) and a drain chamber (312) connected to the placement cavity (311) and located on the lower side of the ice storage basket (4); the bottom of the ice storage basket (4) has a storage opening (41) facing the drain chamber (312) and a grid plate (42) movably installed to cover the storage opening (41); the lifting handle (2) is detachably installed on the ice-making housing (1); when the grid plate (42) is opened, the drain chamber (312) and the placement cavity (311) are connected and form an area for arranging the lifting handle (2).

2. An ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting handle (2) includes two parallel pull rods (21) and a handle (22) that vertically connects the two pull rods (21). The pull rods (21) have mounting pins (211) and the mounting pins (211) have snap-fit ​​protrusions (212) on their outer surfaces. The ice-making housing (1) has mounting holes (12) for inserting the mounting pins (211) and snap-fit ​​through holes (13) for inserting the snap-fit ​​protrusions (212). When the lifting handle (2) is arranged vertically upward, the snap-fit ​​protrusions (212) and the snap-fit ​​through holes (13) are staggered. When the handle rests against the ice-making housing (1), the snap-fit ​​protrusions (212) and the snap-fit ​​through holes (13) are staggered.

3. An ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that, The ice-making water tank (3) has a support base (314) supported on the top of the mounting post (211), and the support base (314) has an arc-shaped support groove (3141) for arranging the mounting post (211).

4. An ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the ice-making water tank (3) has an ice-making platform (32) located on one side of the ice storage basket (4). The ice-making platform (32) has an ice outlet chamber (321) for receiving ice blocks output by the ice-making system (5) and an ice conveying channel (322) connecting the ice outlet chamber (321) and the placement cavity (311) and for conveying ice blocks to the ice storage basket (4). The ice-making water tank (3) is equipped with an ice outlet end cap (325) for covering the top of the ice outlet chamber (321).

5. An ice maker according to claim 4, characterized in that, The ice-making table (32) has supporting protrusions (3221) spaced apart along the width direction on the bottom surface of the ice conveying channel (322), and the supporting protrusions (3221) are parallel to the ice conveying direction of the ice conveying channel (322).

6. An ice maker according to claim 5, characterized in that, The ice-making table (32) has a water leakage hole (3222) on the bottom surface of the ice conveying channel (322) and between adjacent support protrusions (3221); the ice-making table (32) is also provided with a guide water tank (327) for guiding the water leaking from the water leakage hole (3222) to the placement cavity (311).

7. An ice maker according to claim 4, characterized in that, The top of the ice-making table (32) has an upper water tank (323), and the ice-making system (5) includes a water pump (51) for pumping water from the ice-making water tank (3) into the upper water tank (323) and an ice-making device (52) for receiving water flowing out of the upper water tank (323); the ice-making table (32) is also provided with an overflow trough (328) for overflowing water from the upper water tank (323) into the placement cavity (311).

8. An ice maker according to claim 7, characterized in that, The ice-making table (32) is provided with a notch (329) that connects the upper water tank (323) and the ice outlet chamber (321).

9. An ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The grid plate (42) has a hinge part (421) on one side for hinged connection with the ice storage basket (4) on one side of the storage opening (41); the inner edge of the storage opening (41) is provided with an abutment protrusion (43) to restrict the grid plate (42) from flipping downward; the grid plate (42) is provided with a snap-fit ​​block (422) on the side opposite to the hinge part (421) for snap-fit ​​with the bottom of the ice storage basket (4).

10. An ice maker according to claim 9, characterized in that, The top of the ice storage basket (4) is provided with an ice storage handle (45).

Images