CA2305947C - Small girthed ice articles and trays for making same - Google Patents
Small girthed ice articles and trays for making same Download PDFInfo
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- CA2305947C CA2305947C CA002305947A CA2305947A CA2305947C CA 2305947 C CA2305947 C CA 2305947C CA 002305947 A CA002305947 A CA 002305947A CA 2305947 A CA2305947 A CA 2305947A CA 2305947 C CA2305947 C CA 2305947C
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- tray
- ice
- inch
- lateral
- girth
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Classifications
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- 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
- F25C2400/00—Auxiliary features or devices for producing, working or handling ice
- F25C2400/06—Multiple ice moulds or trays therefor
Abstract
Small girthed ice articles referred to as "ice sticks" having a girth allowi ng them to be easy placed through narrow openings and passages, and trays for the making o f same. A first form of ice stick has a rectangular shape, flat upper face and tub- shaped sidewall having rounded comers. Preferred dimensions thereof are on the order of: about four inches long, about three-quarters of an inch wide, and about one-half of an inch deep. A second form of ice stick has a generally elliptical cross-section sidewall which gently tapers from an upper face toward an opposite bottom face. Preferred dimensions thereof are on the order of: about three inches long, wherein at the upper face the ellipse has a major axis of about three-quarters of an inch and a minor axis of about one-half of an inch, and wherein at the lower face the ellipse has a major axis of about five-eighths of an inch and a minor axis of about three-eighths of an inch to about seven-sixteenths of an inch; however , the dimensions may be varied from these. To provide the first form of ice stick, a multi- compartmented lateral tray is provided, preferably formed of plastic. Each compartment is shaped complementary to the aforementioned shape of the sidewall of the first form of ice stick. To provide the second form of ice stick, a vertical tray is provided, preferabl y formed of plastic, having a plurality of vertical compartments which are closed at the bottom, and each having the cross-sectional shape of the sidewall of the second form of ice stick.</ SDOAB>
Description
2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
3 1. Field of the Invention:
4 The present invention relates to ice cubes, and more particularly to small girthed ice articles, hereinafter referred to as "ice sticks", wherein the ice sticks are placeable through 6 narrow necks and openings of containers. Still more particularly, the present invention is 7 related to trays configured for the making of ice sticks.
8 2. Description of the Related Art:
9 Ice cubes are commonly provided and used by pouring potable water into a compartmentalized ice cube tray, placing the tray into a freezer to freeze the water into ice 11 cubes, removing the ice cubes from the tray, and, finally, placing the ice cubes into a drink 12 filled container, as for example a glass or cup. Ice cubes for the last six decades have been 13 basically the same shape and size, for example about one inch deep, about one inch wide, 14 and about one and one-half to two inches long.
Just prior to WWI I, home refrigerators included a small freezer compartment and two 16 aluminum ice cube trays which usually included a "pry bar" to free the frozen ice cubes from 17 the metal dividers and tray. Although some plastic trays came to market in the seventies, 18 metal trays and dividers with 'built-in" injector handles/levers were still popular through the 19 seventies and eighties. Plastic trays of high density polyethylene with individual (molded in) cube cavities came into increasing favor to produce ice cubes, which were generally of the ---~-1 same basic size and shape. Multi-cavity ice cube trays of injection molded high density 2 polyethylene use dies (i.e. molds) with highly-polished (even chrome-plated) cavity surfaces 3 in order to provide mirror- finish ice cubes (with rounded bottom edges) which can be easily 4 released by simply twisting the tray from end to end.
Commercial ice cube making machines came into use in the sixties and later ice cube 6 makers were offered as an option in home refrigerators starting in the seventies, some with 7 dispenser features which allowed for selection between cubed and crushed ice. The cube 8 shapes were basically conventional often with rounded bottoms, but some, particularly those 9 made automatically in home refrigerators, had semi-circular shapes (ie., "half-moon"
shapes).
11 The regular use of conventional ice cubes through the eighties and early nineties was 12 to put ice cubes in wide-mouth glasses for cooling of soft drinks, cocktails, iced water, etc.
13 Also popular were ice cubes in (wide-mouthed) picnic jugs for Kool Aid, lemonade, ice tea, 14 etc. Ice cubes also were used to fill ice chests for cooling of cans and bottles of one's favorite liquid refreshment.
16 There was a slight underlying need for ice shape that would fit into regular narrow-17 mouth vacuum bottles. But, to accomplish this feat, a user would need to reshape a 18 conventional ice cube by melting it under running water sufficient to reduce its size so that 19 it would fit into the vacuum bottle mouth. Many such fragile glass vacuum botties were broken by the "impatient" user trying to 'pound- in' square cornered cubes into the narrow 21 opening. The only other alternative, using crushed ice, is not a viable option. This is 22 because as the small sized pieces quickly melt, the liquid becomes rapidly diluted and the ,I
1 liquid is cooled only momentarily while the pieces quickly melt.
2 The stay-on tab beverage can, known in the seventies as a "pop-top" or "pull-tab"
3 beverage can, is now ubiquitous, as is the screw-cap plastic beverage bottle. Indeed, the 4 screw-cap plastic beverage bottle has the advantage of being refillable, and has become a favorite of those (as for example runners or bikers) wishing to carry a supply of drinking 6 water with them.
7 Conventional ice cubes are typically configured of a rather cubic shape which is 8 impossible to place into the neck of a soda bottle, the opening of a vacuum bottle, or the tab 9 opening of a stay-on tab beverage can. Accordingly, persons wishing to cool liquids of these containers must typically first pour the liquid into a wide mouth container, such as a glass or 11 a cup, and then add ice cubes to it. This detracts from the simplicity of drinking an ice cooled 12 liquid directly from a soda bottle or an opened can.
13 A product currently on the market attempts to provide ice sticks for use with small 14 necked and small opening containers (ie., soda bottles and stay-on tab cans). This product, of Ice Tubes, Inc., Tallmadge, OH 44278, is a tray having a plurality of elongated, hollow 16 cylinders which are selectively closed at one end by a removable bottom base for the making 17 of a plurality of cylindrical ice articles, hereinafter referred to as "ice tubes". At first glance 18 the ice tube product seems to address the need addressed by ice sticks, in that the ice tubes 19 are of an elongated, cylindrical shape. However, the two-piece tray used to make ice tubes requires complex (time-consuming) installation and removal procedure forthe bottom base.
21 Further, the constant diameter of the hollow cylinders of the tray make extraction of the ice 22 tubes formed therein difficult. So difficult, that they must be partially melted, such as by 1 running hot water onto the tray, in order for them to be extracted. The wet ice tubes then 2 may be subject to cross-freeze (that is, freeze together) if they are grouped together in a 3 container and then placed back into a freezer. Also, the diameter of the ice tube is too large 4 to allow it to pass through the tab opening of a stay-on tab beverage can.
Accordingly, what remains needed in the art is an ice stick which fits easily into the 6 narrow neck of a soda bottie, the small opening of a stay-on tab can, or other small mouthed 7 containers (such as for example vacuum botties and baby bottles), wherein the tray for its 8 making is easy to use and provides for easy extraction of the ice sticks formed therein.
The present invention includes small girthed ice articles, herein referred to as "ice 11 sticks", wherein the small girth allows them to be easy placed through small openings and 12 narrow passages of containers. The present invention further includes trays for the making 13 of the ice sticks according to the present invention.
14 A first form of ice stick is provided having a small girthed body, characterized by a generally rectangular shape, having a generally flat upper face and a generally tub-shaped 16 sidewall having rounded corners everywhere accept where the sidewall meets the upper 17 face. Preferred dimensions of the first form of ice stick are on the order of: about four inches 18 long, about three-quarters of an inch wide, and about one-half of an inch deep; however, the 19 dimensions may be varied from these.
A second form of ice stick is provided having a small girthed body, characterized by 21 a generally elliptical cross-section (that is, an oval cross-section) sidewall which is gently 1 tapered from a generally flat upper face toward an opposite bottom face. The bottom face 2 is preferred to be gently rounded where it meets the sidewall. Preferred dimensions of the 3 second form of the ice stick are on the order of: about three inches long, wherein at the 4 upper face the ellipse has a major axis of about three-quarters of an inch and a minor axis of about one-half of an inch, and wherein at the lower face the ellipse has a major axis of 6 about five-eighths of an inch and a minor axis of just under one-half of an inch preferably 7 between three-eighths of an inch and seven-sixteenths of an inch; however, the dimensions 8 may be varied from these.
9 In operation of the ice sticks according to the present invention (either of the first and second forms thereof), an ice stick is grasped, oriented so that the small girth is oriented 11 parallel with the opening cross-section of a container, and then placed into the container, 12 which may or may not already be filled with a liquid. For example, the container may be a 13 narrow neck bottle of the type used to store soda or bottled water, wherein the small girth 14 dimensions of the ice stick admits its passage through the narrow neck.
Further for example, the container may be a stay-on tab can, wherein the ice stick is placed through the tab 16 opening formed by a user pulling up on the stay-on tab. Again, the small girth dimensions 17 of the ice stick admit its easy passage through the tab opening of the can.
18 To provide the first form of ice stick, a multi-compartmented lateral tray is provided, 19 preferably formed of plastic. Each lateral compartment has a tub shaped wall complementarily shaped to the aforementioned tub shape of the sidewall of the first form of 21 ice stick. Preferably, the lateral tray features water overflow channels for self-leveling water 22 between lateral compartments and a raised perimeter rim for preventing accidental spillage
8 2. Description of the Related Art:
9 Ice cubes are commonly provided and used by pouring potable water into a compartmentalized ice cube tray, placing the tray into a freezer to freeze the water into ice 11 cubes, removing the ice cubes from the tray, and, finally, placing the ice cubes into a drink 12 filled container, as for example a glass or cup. Ice cubes for the last six decades have been 13 basically the same shape and size, for example about one inch deep, about one inch wide, 14 and about one and one-half to two inches long.
Just prior to WWI I, home refrigerators included a small freezer compartment and two 16 aluminum ice cube trays which usually included a "pry bar" to free the frozen ice cubes from 17 the metal dividers and tray. Although some plastic trays came to market in the seventies, 18 metal trays and dividers with 'built-in" injector handles/levers were still popular through the 19 seventies and eighties. Plastic trays of high density polyethylene with individual (molded in) cube cavities came into increasing favor to produce ice cubes, which were generally of the ---~-1 same basic size and shape. Multi-cavity ice cube trays of injection molded high density 2 polyethylene use dies (i.e. molds) with highly-polished (even chrome-plated) cavity surfaces 3 in order to provide mirror- finish ice cubes (with rounded bottom edges) which can be easily 4 released by simply twisting the tray from end to end.
Commercial ice cube making machines came into use in the sixties and later ice cube 6 makers were offered as an option in home refrigerators starting in the seventies, some with 7 dispenser features which allowed for selection between cubed and crushed ice. The cube 8 shapes were basically conventional often with rounded bottoms, but some, particularly those 9 made automatically in home refrigerators, had semi-circular shapes (ie., "half-moon"
shapes).
11 The regular use of conventional ice cubes through the eighties and early nineties was 12 to put ice cubes in wide-mouth glasses for cooling of soft drinks, cocktails, iced water, etc.
13 Also popular were ice cubes in (wide-mouthed) picnic jugs for Kool Aid, lemonade, ice tea, 14 etc. Ice cubes also were used to fill ice chests for cooling of cans and bottles of one's favorite liquid refreshment.
16 There was a slight underlying need for ice shape that would fit into regular narrow-17 mouth vacuum bottles. But, to accomplish this feat, a user would need to reshape a 18 conventional ice cube by melting it under running water sufficient to reduce its size so that 19 it would fit into the vacuum bottle mouth. Many such fragile glass vacuum botties were broken by the "impatient" user trying to 'pound- in' square cornered cubes into the narrow 21 opening. The only other alternative, using crushed ice, is not a viable option. This is 22 because as the small sized pieces quickly melt, the liquid becomes rapidly diluted and the ,I
1 liquid is cooled only momentarily while the pieces quickly melt.
2 The stay-on tab beverage can, known in the seventies as a "pop-top" or "pull-tab"
3 beverage can, is now ubiquitous, as is the screw-cap plastic beverage bottle. Indeed, the 4 screw-cap plastic beverage bottle has the advantage of being refillable, and has become a favorite of those (as for example runners or bikers) wishing to carry a supply of drinking 6 water with them.
7 Conventional ice cubes are typically configured of a rather cubic shape which is 8 impossible to place into the neck of a soda bottle, the opening of a vacuum bottle, or the tab 9 opening of a stay-on tab beverage can. Accordingly, persons wishing to cool liquids of these containers must typically first pour the liquid into a wide mouth container, such as a glass or 11 a cup, and then add ice cubes to it. This detracts from the simplicity of drinking an ice cooled 12 liquid directly from a soda bottle or an opened can.
13 A product currently on the market attempts to provide ice sticks for use with small 14 necked and small opening containers (ie., soda bottles and stay-on tab cans). This product, of Ice Tubes, Inc., Tallmadge, OH 44278, is a tray having a plurality of elongated, hollow 16 cylinders which are selectively closed at one end by a removable bottom base for the making 17 of a plurality of cylindrical ice articles, hereinafter referred to as "ice tubes". At first glance 18 the ice tube product seems to address the need addressed by ice sticks, in that the ice tubes 19 are of an elongated, cylindrical shape. However, the two-piece tray used to make ice tubes requires complex (time-consuming) installation and removal procedure forthe bottom base.
21 Further, the constant diameter of the hollow cylinders of the tray make extraction of the ice 22 tubes formed therein difficult. So difficult, that they must be partially melted, such as by 1 running hot water onto the tray, in order for them to be extracted. The wet ice tubes then 2 may be subject to cross-freeze (that is, freeze together) if they are grouped together in a 3 container and then placed back into a freezer. Also, the diameter of the ice tube is too large 4 to allow it to pass through the tab opening of a stay-on tab beverage can.
Accordingly, what remains needed in the art is an ice stick which fits easily into the 6 narrow neck of a soda bottie, the small opening of a stay-on tab can, or other small mouthed 7 containers (such as for example vacuum botties and baby bottles), wherein the tray for its 8 making is easy to use and provides for easy extraction of the ice sticks formed therein.
The present invention includes small girthed ice articles, herein referred to as "ice 11 sticks", wherein the small girth allows them to be easy placed through small openings and 12 narrow passages of containers. The present invention further includes trays for the making 13 of the ice sticks according to the present invention.
14 A first form of ice stick is provided having a small girthed body, characterized by a generally rectangular shape, having a generally flat upper face and a generally tub-shaped 16 sidewall having rounded corners everywhere accept where the sidewall meets the upper 17 face. Preferred dimensions of the first form of ice stick are on the order of: about four inches 18 long, about three-quarters of an inch wide, and about one-half of an inch deep; however, the 19 dimensions may be varied from these.
A second form of ice stick is provided having a small girthed body, characterized by 21 a generally elliptical cross-section (that is, an oval cross-section) sidewall which is gently 1 tapered from a generally flat upper face toward an opposite bottom face. The bottom face 2 is preferred to be gently rounded where it meets the sidewall. Preferred dimensions of the 3 second form of the ice stick are on the order of: about three inches long, wherein at the 4 upper face the ellipse has a major axis of about three-quarters of an inch and a minor axis of about one-half of an inch, and wherein at the lower face the ellipse has a major axis of 6 about five-eighths of an inch and a minor axis of just under one-half of an inch preferably 7 between three-eighths of an inch and seven-sixteenths of an inch; however, the dimensions 8 may be varied from these.
9 In operation of the ice sticks according to the present invention (either of the first and second forms thereof), an ice stick is grasped, oriented so that the small girth is oriented 11 parallel with the opening cross-section of a container, and then placed into the container, 12 which may or may not already be filled with a liquid. For example, the container may be a 13 narrow neck bottle of the type used to store soda or bottled water, wherein the small girth 14 dimensions of the ice stick admits its passage through the narrow neck.
Further for example, the container may be a stay-on tab can, wherein the ice stick is placed through the tab 16 opening formed by a user pulling up on the stay-on tab. Again, the small girth dimensions 17 of the ice stick admit its easy passage through the tab opening of the can.
18 To provide the first form of ice stick, a multi-compartmented lateral tray is provided, 19 preferably formed of plastic. Each lateral compartment has a tub shaped wall complementarily shaped to the aforementioned tub shape of the sidewall of the first form of 21 ice stick. Preferably, the lateral tray features water overflow channels for self-leveling water 22 between lateral compartments and a raised perimeter rim for preventing accidental spillage
-5-1 as a water-filled lateral tray is transported from a sink to a freezer. The orientation of the 2 lateral compartments are mutually parallel, and may be longitudinal or transverse in relation 3 to the lateral tray outside dimensions.
4 In one preferred aspect of the lateral tray, an ice stick chute is incorporated for directing ejected ice sticks along a chute path and out a portal (and thereupon into a
4 In one preferred aspect of the lateral tray, an ice stick chute is incorporated for directing ejected ice sticks along a chute path and out a portal (and thereupon into a
6 container). In a second preferred aspect of the lateral tray, several lateral trays may be
7 nestably stacked and slightly tilted, whereupon a water stream (from a faucet) glancingly
8 hitting all the lateral trays causes all the lateral trays to be filled simultaneously.
9 To provide the second form of ice stick, a vertical tray is provided, preferably formed of plastic, having a plurality of vertical compartments which are closed at the bottom, and 11 each having a tapering, elliptically cross-sectioned shape wall that is complementary to the 12 shape of the sidewall of the second form of ice stick. Preferably, the vertical tray features 13 water overflow channels between lateral compartments and a raised perimeter rim for 14 preventing accidental spillage as a water-filled lateral tray is transported from a sink to a freezer.
16 Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ice stick having a 17 small girth which allows it to pass through small openings, narrow necks, small mouths, etc.
18 It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an ice stick having a small 19 girth, and an elongated shape featuring a generally flat top face abutting a generally tub-shaped, rounded sidewall.
21 It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ice stick having a small girth 22 and an elliptical cross-section which gently tapers.
i 1 It is yet another object of the present invention to provide trays suitable for the making 2 of ice sticks having a small girthed, elongated shape featuring a generally flat top face 3 abutting a generally tub-shaped rounded sidewall so that the ice sticks release from the ice 4 stick forming compartments thereof simply by twisting the tray, wherein wetting and/or melting of the ice sticks is obviated for release from the tray.
6 It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide trays suitable for making 7 ice sticks having a small girthed, elliptical cross-section that gently tapers.
8 It is still another object of the present invention to provide trays for making ice sticks, 9 wherein the trays are nestable together such that the trays may be filled simultaneously from a stream of water.
11 These, and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present 12 invention will become apparent from the following specification.
14 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first form of ice stick according to the present invention, shown being placed into a vacuum bottle.
16 Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first form of ice stick according to the present 17 invention, shown being placed into an opening of a stay-on tab can.
18 Figure 3 is a perspective view of a first form of ice stick according to the present 19 invention, shown being placed into a threaded cap plastic beverage bottle.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of an ice stick according to a first form of the present 21 invention.
1 Figure 5 is a side view of the first form of ice stick according to the present invention 2 Figure 6 is a top plan view of the first form of ice stick, seen along arrow 6 of Figure 3 5.
4 Figure 7 is an end view of the first form of ice stick, seen along arrow 7 of Figure 5.
Figure 8 is a sectional view of the first form of ice stick, seen along line 8-8 of Figure 6 6.
7 Figure 8A is a sectional view as in Figure 8, wherein the sidewall of the first form of 8 ice stick has a semi-circular tub shape.
9 Figure 9 is a perspective view of a lateral tray according to the present invention for making the first form of ice stick according to the present invention, wherein the lateral 11 compartments are longitudinally oriented.
12 Figure 10 is a sectional view of the lateral tray, taken along line 10-10 of Figure 9.
13 Figure 11 is a sectional view of the lateral tray, taken along line 11-11 of Figure 9.
14 Figure 11 A is a sectional view as in Figure 11, wherein the wall thereof has a semi-circular tub shape for making the ice stick of Figure 8A.
16 Figure 12 is a perspective view of a first altemative form of the lateral tray according 17 to the present invention.
18 Figure 13 is a sectional view of the first alternative form of the lateral tray, seen along 19 line 13-13 of Figure 12.
Figure 14 is another view of the lateral tray according to the present invention, 21 wherein in the lateral compartments are transversely oriented.
22 Figure 15 is a broken-away sectional view of the lateral tray, taken along line 15-15 1 of Figure 14.
2 Figure 16 is a perspective view of a second alternative form of the lateral tray, 3 wherein four lateral trays are shown vertically stacked (nested).
4 Figure 17 is a perspective view of the second alternative form of the lateral tray, wherein the four lateral trays are shown vertically stacked (nested) and heid tilted back while 6 each is being simultaneously filled with water.
7 Figure 18 is a perspective view of a second form of ice stick according to the present 8 invention.
9 Figure 19 is a side view of the second form of ice stick according to the present invention.
11 Figure 20 is a top plan view of the second form of ice stick, seen along line 20 of 12 Figure 19.
13 Figure 21 is a bottom plan view of the second form of ice stick, seen along line 21 of 14 Figure 19.
Figure 22 is an edge view of the second form of ice stick according to the present 16 invention.
17 Figure 23 is a perspective view of a vertical tray according to the present invention 18 for making the second form of ice stick according to the present invention.
19 Figure 24 is a broken-away sectional view of the vertical tray, seen along line 24-24 of Figure 23.
21 Figure 25 is a broken-away sectional view of the vertical tray, seen along line 25-25 22 of Figure 23.
--r-------2 Referring now to the Drawing Figures 1 through 3 depict a first form of ice stick 100 3 according to the present invention shown in operation with several small opening containers.
4 It will be seen that the small girth G (see Figure 7) of the body of the ice stick 100 allows for its easy passage through the small mouth 102 of a vacuum bottle 104, the tab opening 106 6 of a stay-on tab beverage can 108, and the small mouthed neck and opening 110 of a 7 threaded cap plastic beverage bottle 112. By placing one or more ice sticks 100 into any of 8 these containers, the liquid contained therein will be pleasingly cooled by the one or more 9 ice sticks while the liquid yet remains in the container. The dimensions of the ice stick provide a large surface area for excellent heat exchange with the liquid to be cooled, and the 11 relatively large bulk size (as opposed to crushed ice pieces) allows for slow melting and for 12 the considerable heat capacity (latent heat) of the ice stick to absorb heat of the liquid as it 13 changes phase. Further, the shape of the ice stick is selected to not only provide large bulk 14 and provide passage through narrow openings, but to provide sidewall shapes that allow for easy removal from compartments of trays used for their making.
16 Tuming now to Figures 4 through 8, the first form of ice stick 100 is depicted. As 17 mentioned, the girth G of the body (that is, the circumferential size thereof) is small enough 18 to allow it to pass through small sized openings of containers, wherein the girth has a widest 19 cross-sectional diameter C on the order of less than about one inch, preferably at or less than about three-quarters of an inch, wherein seven-eighths of an inch is, approximately, the 21 inside diameter the opening 110 of a standard screw cap plastic beverage container 112.
22 The length may be any convenient length, as for example between about one and five
16 Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ice stick having a 17 small girth which allows it to pass through small openings, narrow necks, small mouths, etc.
18 It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an ice stick having a small 19 girth, and an elongated shape featuring a generally flat top face abutting a generally tub-shaped, rounded sidewall.
21 It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ice stick having a small girth 22 and an elliptical cross-section which gently tapers.
i 1 It is yet another object of the present invention to provide trays suitable for the making 2 of ice sticks having a small girthed, elongated shape featuring a generally flat top face 3 abutting a generally tub-shaped rounded sidewall so that the ice sticks release from the ice 4 stick forming compartments thereof simply by twisting the tray, wherein wetting and/or melting of the ice sticks is obviated for release from the tray.
6 It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide trays suitable for making 7 ice sticks having a small girthed, elliptical cross-section that gently tapers.
8 It is still another object of the present invention to provide trays for making ice sticks, 9 wherein the trays are nestable together such that the trays may be filled simultaneously from a stream of water.
11 These, and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present 12 invention will become apparent from the following specification.
14 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first form of ice stick according to the present invention, shown being placed into a vacuum bottle.
16 Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first form of ice stick according to the present 17 invention, shown being placed into an opening of a stay-on tab can.
18 Figure 3 is a perspective view of a first form of ice stick according to the present 19 invention, shown being placed into a threaded cap plastic beverage bottle.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of an ice stick according to a first form of the present 21 invention.
1 Figure 5 is a side view of the first form of ice stick according to the present invention 2 Figure 6 is a top plan view of the first form of ice stick, seen along arrow 6 of Figure 3 5.
4 Figure 7 is an end view of the first form of ice stick, seen along arrow 7 of Figure 5.
Figure 8 is a sectional view of the first form of ice stick, seen along line 8-8 of Figure 6 6.
7 Figure 8A is a sectional view as in Figure 8, wherein the sidewall of the first form of 8 ice stick has a semi-circular tub shape.
9 Figure 9 is a perspective view of a lateral tray according to the present invention for making the first form of ice stick according to the present invention, wherein the lateral 11 compartments are longitudinally oriented.
12 Figure 10 is a sectional view of the lateral tray, taken along line 10-10 of Figure 9.
13 Figure 11 is a sectional view of the lateral tray, taken along line 11-11 of Figure 9.
14 Figure 11 A is a sectional view as in Figure 11, wherein the wall thereof has a semi-circular tub shape for making the ice stick of Figure 8A.
16 Figure 12 is a perspective view of a first altemative form of the lateral tray according 17 to the present invention.
18 Figure 13 is a sectional view of the first alternative form of the lateral tray, seen along 19 line 13-13 of Figure 12.
Figure 14 is another view of the lateral tray according to the present invention, 21 wherein in the lateral compartments are transversely oriented.
22 Figure 15 is a broken-away sectional view of the lateral tray, taken along line 15-15 1 of Figure 14.
2 Figure 16 is a perspective view of a second alternative form of the lateral tray, 3 wherein four lateral trays are shown vertically stacked (nested).
4 Figure 17 is a perspective view of the second alternative form of the lateral tray, wherein the four lateral trays are shown vertically stacked (nested) and heid tilted back while 6 each is being simultaneously filled with water.
7 Figure 18 is a perspective view of a second form of ice stick according to the present 8 invention.
9 Figure 19 is a side view of the second form of ice stick according to the present invention.
11 Figure 20 is a top plan view of the second form of ice stick, seen along line 20 of 12 Figure 19.
13 Figure 21 is a bottom plan view of the second form of ice stick, seen along line 21 of 14 Figure 19.
Figure 22 is an edge view of the second form of ice stick according to the present 16 invention.
17 Figure 23 is a perspective view of a vertical tray according to the present invention 18 for making the second form of ice stick according to the present invention.
19 Figure 24 is a broken-away sectional view of the vertical tray, seen along line 24-24 of Figure 23.
21 Figure 25 is a broken-away sectional view of the vertical tray, seen along line 25-25 22 of Figure 23.
--r-------2 Referring now to the Drawing Figures 1 through 3 depict a first form of ice stick 100 3 according to the present invention shown in operation with several small opening containers.
4 It will be seen that the small girth G (see Figure 7) of the body of the ice stick 100 allows for its easy passage through the small mouth 102 of a vacuum bottle 104, the tab opening 106 6 of a stay-on tab beverage can 108, and the small mouthed neck and opening 110 of a 7 threaded cap plastic beverage bottle 112. By placing one or more ice sticks 100 into any of 8 these containers, the liquid contained therein will be pleasingly cooled by the one or more 9 ice sticks while the liquid yet remains in the container. The dimensions of the ice stick provide a large surface area for excellent heat exchange with the liquid to be cooled, and the 11 relatively large bulk size (as opposed to crushed ice pieces) allows for slow melting and for 12 the considerable heat capacity (latent heat) of the ice stick to absorb heat of the liquid as it 13 changes phase. Further, the shape of the ice stick is selected to not only provide large bulk 14 and provide passage through narrow openings, but to provide sidewall shapes that allow for easy removal from compartments of trays used for their making.
16 Tuming now to Figures 4 through 8, the first form of ice stick 100 is depicted. As 17 mentioned, the girth G of the body (that is, the circumferential size thereof) is small enough 18 to allow it to pass through small sized openings of containers, wherein the girth has a widest 19 cross-sectional diameter C on the order of less than about one inch, preferably at or less than about three-quarters of an inch, wherein seven-eighths of an inch is, approximately, the 21 inside diameter the opening 110 of a standard screw cap plastic beverage container 112.
22 The length may be any convenient length, as for example between about one and five
-10-1 inches.
2 Figure 8A depicts that the tub-shape of the sidewall 116' of the ice stick 100' may be 3 any rounded shape, including a semi-circular shape, as shown.
4 The first form of ice stick 100 is generally rectangularly shaped body, having an upper face 114 and a generally tub-shaped sidewall 116 having rounded corners 118.
At the 6 interface 120 where the sidewall 116 meets the upper face 114, a right angle corner is 7 formed. The upper face 114 is flat, being the result of the water level in a lateral 8 compartment (discussed hereinbelow) at the time of freezing. A peripheral ridge 122 will 9 generally form at the sidewall to upper face interface 120 because of surface tension wetting of the water with respect to the wall (for example, see 202a of Figure 9) of the lateral
2 Figure 8A depicts that the tub-shape of the sidewall 116' of the ice stick 100' may be 3 any rounded shape, including a semi-circular shape, as shown.
4 The first form of ice stick 100 is generally rectangularly shaped body, having an upper face 114 and a generally tub-shaped sidewall 116 having rounded corners 118.
At the 6 interface 120 where the sidewall 116 meets the upper face 114, a right angle corner is 7 formed. The upper face 114 is flat, being the result of the water level in a lateral 8 compartment (discussed hereinbelow) at the time of freezing. A peripheral ridge 122 will 9 generally form at the sidewall to upper face interface 120 because of surface tension wetting of the water with respect to the wall (for example, see 202a of Figure 9) of the lateral
11 compartment of a tray used for forming the ice stick 100, and when formed is included in the
12 cross-sectional diameter C. The length may be any convenient length, as for example
13 between about one to about four inches. Referring again to Figure 2, it will be noted the
14 rounded comers 118 of the sidewall 116 and the flatness of the upper face 114 complement the general configuration of the tab opening 106 of the stay-on tab can 108 (when the tab 16 is oriented perpendicularly upward).
17 Preferred dimensions of the first form of ice stick 100 are on the order of: a length L
18 of about four inches, a width W of about three-quarters of an inch, and a depth D of about 19 one-half of an inch; however, the dimensions may be varied from these.
Tuming now to Figures 9 through 17 trays for the making of the first form of ice stick 21 100 will be discussed.
22 Figures 9 through 11 show a multi-compartmented lateral tray 200, which is preferably - --~--1 formed of plastic, particularly a non-stick plastic (which, depending on the wetting action, as 2 adduced by surface tension, may reduce or eliminate the peripheral ridge).
Each lateral 3 compartment 202 is formed downwardly in a tray table 208, having a wall 202a that is tub 4 shaped complementary (having a length and a cross-section girth) to the aforementioned tub shape of the sidewall 116, and they are oriented in a mutually parallel arrangement in a 6 longitudinal pattem of sets 204a, 204b, wherein the number of sets may be other than two, 7 as shown. Preferably, the lateral tray 200 features water overflow channels 206 (three 8 comer-type overflow channels being shown) between lateral compartments formed in the 9 tray table 208 for providing self-leveling of water between compartment. A
raised perimeter rim 210 abuts the tray table 208, and serves to prevent accidental spillage of water as the 11 lateral tray 200 is transported from, for example, a sink to a freezer. The perimeter rim 210 12 may have a height of about one-quarter inch above the tray table 208 Preferably, a 13 perimeter base 212 is integral with the perimeter rim 210, wherein the perimeter base aids 14 grasping and handling of the lateral tray 200, wherein, preferably, the perimeter base and perimeter rim are shaped to allow nesting of the lateral trays 200.
16 In operation, a user holds the lateral tray 200 level and fills it with water (or another 17 liquid, such as a flavored drink), noting that all lateral compartments are about equally filled, 18 then places the lateral tray into a freezer for freezing of the water into ice sticks 100. To 19 remove the ice sticks, the lateral tray is grasped at each end and gently twisted. Other techniques of ice stick removal can be used, such as for example running warm water over 21 the lateral tray to loosen the ice sticks from the wall 202a.
22 Figure 11 A is a depiction similar to Figure 11, indicating that the lateral tray 2001 may ~-1 have compartment walls 2021 which are of any tub-shape with rounded corners, including 2 the semi-circular shape shown for making the ice stick 100'.
3 Figures 12 and 13 show a first variation of the lateral tray 200' which includes an ice 4 stick chute 214. Each lateral compartment 202' has a wall 202a' that is tub shaped complementary (having a length and cross-section girth) to the aforementioned tub shape 6 of the sidewall 116, and they are oriented in a mutually parallel arrangement in a longitudinal 7 pattern of sets 204a', 204b', 204c', wherein the number of sets may be other than three.
8 Preferably, the lateral tray 200' features water overflow channels 206' for self-leveling of 9 water between lateral compartments formed in a tray table 208'. A raised perimeter rim 210' abuts the tray table 208', and serves, as mentioned previously, to prevent accidental spillage 11 of water as the lateral tray 200' is transported from a sink to a freezer.
A perimeter base 212' 12 is also preferably provided, wherein, preferably, the perimeter base and perimeter rim are 13 shaped to allow nesting of the lateral trays 200'.
14 The ice stick chute 214 is integrated into one side of the perimeter rim 210' at an orientation parallel with the lateral compartments 202'. The ice stick chute 214 includes a 16 raised chute rim 216, a chute slot 218 for receiving ice sticks 100 and a portal 220 which 17 allows exiting of the ice sticks from the chute without interference by the perimeter rim. For 18 example, the raised rim 210' may be raised about one-quarter of an inch above the tray table 19 208', and the chute rim 216 may be raised about one or more inches above the tray table.
In operation, a user holds the lateral tray 200' level and fills it with water (or another 21 liquid, such as a flavored drink), noting that all lateral compartments are about equally filled, 22 then places the lateral tray into a freezer for freezing of the water into ice sticks 100. To --~;----1 remove the ice sticks, the lateral tray is grasped at each end and gently twisted. Other 2 techniques of ice stick removal can be used, such as for example running warm water over 3 the lateral tray to loosen the ice sticks from the wall 202a'. By inclining the lateral tray 200', 4 the ice sticks slide toward the ice stick chute 214 and fall into the chute slot 218. A second inclining of the lateral tray 200' results in the ice sticks in the chute slot exiting at the portal 6 220.
7 Figures 14 and 15 depict yet another altemative lateral tray 200", wherein the lateral 8 compartments 202"are transversely arranged in the tray table 208". Each lateral 9 compartment 202" has a wall 202a" that is tub shaped complementary to the aforementioned tub shape of the sidewall 116. Preferably, the lateral tray 200" features 11 water overflow channels 206" for providing self-leveling of water between lateral 12 compartments 202" formed in the tray table 208". A raised perimeter rim 210" abuts the tray 13 table 208", and serves to prevent accidental spillage of water. Preferably, a perimeter base 14 212" is integral with the perimeter rim 210", wherein the perimeter base aids grasping and handling of the lateral tray 200", and wherein, preferably, the perimeter base and perimeter 16 rim are shaped to allow nesting of the lateral trays 200".
17 In operation, a user holds the lateral tray 200" level and fills it with water (or another 18 liquid, such as a flavored drink), noting that all lateral compartments are about equally filled, 19 then places the lateral tray into a freezer for freezing of the water into ice sticks 100. To remove the ice sticks, the lateral tray is grasped at each end and gently twisted. Other 21 techniques of ice stick removal can be used, such as for example running warm water over 22 the lateral tray to loosen the ice sticks from the wall 202a".
~_ 1 Figures 16 and 17 depict another variation of the lateral tray 200"', wherein the raised 2 perimeter rim 210"' includes left and right inclined rim portions 210a, 210b and a raised rear 3 rim portion 210c connecting therebetween. A preferred angle A of incline of the left and right 4 inclined rim portions 210a, 210b is preferably about ten degrees with respect the remainder of the perimeter rim 210"'. A perimeter base 212"' includes a raised front base portion 212a.
6 Each lateral tray 200"' includes a plurality of lateral compartments 202"' formed downwardly 7 in a tray table 208"', each lateral compartment having a wall 202a"' that is tub shaped 8 complementary to the aforementioned tub shape of the ice stick sidewall. The lateral 9 compartments 202"' are most preferably oriented transversely, as shown at Figures 16 and 17, although they could be oriented longitudinally. Overflow channels 206"' connect 11 adjacent lateral compartments 202"' so that water may self-level therebetween.
12 The lateral trays 200"' are mutually stackable by nesting into a stack 230.
Nesting 13 occurs because the left and right rim portions 210a, 210b taper toward each other so that 14 they are nestable into the perimeter base 212"' a lateral tray placed thereabove, resting upon the underside of the tray table of the upper lateral tray. Further, nesting occurs because the 16 front base portion 212a is inwardly tapered so as to rest inside the perimeter rim 210"' of the 17 lateral tray thereunder, resting upon the upperside of the tray table of the lateral tray 18 thereunder.
19 In operation as shown at Figure 17, a user grasps a stack 230 of lateral trays 200"', so that they are inclined at an angle (ie., ten degrees) making the left and right rim portions 21 210a, 210b approximately horizontal. Then, a water stream 222 glancing onto each of the 22 lateral trays 200"', at a front rim portion 210d so as to simultaneously fill the lateral
17 Preferred dimensions of the first form of ice stick 100 are on the order of: a length L
18 of about four inches, a width W of about three-quarters of an inch, and a depth D of about 19 one-half of an inch; however, the dimensions may be varied from these.
Tuming now to Figures 9 through 17 trays for the making of the first form of ice stick 21 100 will be discussed.
22 Figures 9 through 11 show a multi-compartmented lateral tray 200, which is preferably - --~--1 formed of plastic, particularly a non-stick plastic (which, depending on the wetting action, as 2 adduced by surface tension, may reduce or eliminate the peripheral ridge).
Each lateral 3 compartment 202 is formed downwardly in a tray table 208, having a wall 202a that is tub 4 shaped complementary (having a length and a cross-section girth) to the aforementioned tub shape of the sidewall 116, and they are oriented in a mutually parallel arrangement in a 6 longitudinal pattem of sets 204a, 204b, wherein the number of sets may be other than two, 7 as shown. Preferably, the lateral tray 200 features water overflow channels 206 (three 8 comer-type overflow channels being shown) between lateral compartments formed in the 9 tray table 208 for providing self-leveling of water between compartment. A
raised perimeter rim 210 abuts the tray table 208, and serves to prevent accidental spillage of water as the 11 lateral tray 200 is transported from, for example, a sink to a freezer. The perimeter rim 210 12 may have a height of about one-quarter inch above the tray table 208 Preferably, a 13 perimeter base 212 is integral with the perimeter rim 210, wherein the perimeter base aids 14 grasping and handling of the lateral tray 200, wherein, preferably, the perimeter base and perimeter rim are shaped to allow nesting of the lateral trays 200.
16 In operation, a user holds the lateral tray 200 level and fills it with water (or another 17 liquid, such as a flavored drink), noting that all lateral compartments are about equally filled, 18 then places the lateral tray into a freezer for freezing of the water into ice sticks 100. To 19 remove the ice sticks, the lateral tray is grasped at each end and gently twisted. Other techniques of ice stick removal can be used, such as for example running warm water over 21 the lateral tray to loosen the ice sticks from the wall 202a.
22 Figure 11 A is a depiction similar to Figure 11, indicating that the lateral tray 2001 may ~-1 have compartment walls 2021 which are of any tub-shape with rounded corners, including 2 the semi-circular shape shown for making the ice stick 100'.
3 Figures 12 and 13 show a first variation of the lateral tray 200' which includes an ice 4 stick chute 214. Each lateral compartment 202' has a wall 202a' that is tub shaped complementary (having a length and cross-section girth) to the aforementioned tub shape 6 of the sidewall 116, and they are oriented in a mutually parallel arrangement in a longitudinal 7 pattern of sets 204a', 204b', 204c', wherein the number of sets may be other than three.
8 Preferably, the lateral tray 200' features water overflow channels 206' for self-leveling of 9 water between lateral compartments formed in a tray table 208'. A raised perimeter rim 210' abuts the tray table 208', and serves, as mentioned previously, to prevent accidental spillage 11 of water as the lateral tray 200' is transported from a sink to a freezer.
A perimeter base 212' 12 is also preferably provided, wherein, preferably, the perimeter base and perimeter rim are 13 shaped to allow nesting of the lateral trays 200'.
14 The ice stick chute 214 is integrated into one side of the perimeter rim 210' at an orientation parallel with the lateral compartments 202'. The ice stick chute 214 includes a 16 raised chute rim 216, a chute slot 218 for receiving ice sticks 100 and a portal 220 which 17 allows exiting of the ice sticks from the chute without interference by the perimeter rim. For 18 example, the raised rim 210' may be raised about one-quarter of an inch above the tray table 19 208', and the chute rim 216 may be raised about one or more inches above the tray table.
In operation, a user holds the lateral tray 200' level and fills it with water (or another 21 liquid, such as a flavored drink), noting that all lateral compartments are about equally filled, 22 then places the lateral tray into a freezer for freezing of the water into ice sticks 100. To --~;----1 remove the ice sticks, the lateral tray is grasped at each end and gently twisted. Other 2 techniques of ice stick removal can be used, such as for example running warm water over 3 the lateral tray to loosen the ice sticks from the wall 202a'. By inclining the lateral tray 200', 4 the ice sticks slide toward the ice stick chute 214 and fall into the chute slot 218. A second inclining of the lateral tray 200' results in the ice sticks in the chute slot exiting at the portal 6 220.
7 Figures 14 and 15 depict yet another altemative lateral tray 200", wherein the lateral 8 compartments 202"are transversely arranged in the tray table 208". Each lateral 9 compartment 202" has a wall 202a" that is tub shaped complementary to the aforementioned tub shape of the sidewall 116. Preferably, the lateral tray 200" features 11 water overflow channels 206" for providing self-leveling of water between lateral 12 compartments 202" formed in the tray table 208". A raised perimeter rim 210" abuts the tray 13 table 208", and serves to prevent accidental spillage of water. Preferably, a perimeter base 14 212" is integral with the perimeter rim 210", wherein the perimeter base aids grasping and handling of the lateral tray 200", and wherein, preferably, the perimeter base and perimeter 16 rim are shaped to allow nesting of the lateral trays 200".
17 In operation, a user holds the lateral tray 200" level and fills it with water (or another 18 liquid, such as a flavored drink), noting that all lateral compartments are about equally filled, 19 then places the lateral tray into a freezer for freezing of the water into ice sticks 100. To remove the ice sticks, the lateral tray is grasped at each end and gently twisted. Other 21 techniques of ice stick removal can be used, such as for example running warm water over 22 the lateral tray to loosen the ice sticks from the wall 202a".
~_ 1 Figures 16 and 17 depict another variation of the lateral tray 200"', wherein the raised 2 perimeter rim 210"' includes left and right inclined rim portions 210a, 210b and a raised rear 3 rim portion 210c connecting therebetween. A preferred angle A of incline of the left and right 4 inclined rim portions 210a, 210b is preferably about ten degrees with respect the remainder of the perimeter rim 210"'. A perimeter base 212"' includes a raised front base portion 212a.
6 Each lateral tray 200"' includes a plurality of lateral compartments 202"' formed downwardly 7 in a tray table 208"', each lateral compartment having a wall 202a"' that is tub shaped 8 complementary to the aforementioned tub shape of the ice stick sidewall. The lateral 9 compartments 202"' are most preferably oriented transversely, as shown at Figures 16 and 17, although they could be oriented longitudinally. Overflow channels 206"' connect 11 adjacent lateral compartments 202"' so that water may self-level therebetween.
12 The lateral trays 200"' are mutually stackable by nesting into a stack 230.
Nesting 13 occurs because the left and right rim portions 210a, 210b taper toward each other so that 14 they are nestable into the perimeter base 212"' a lateral tray placed thereabove, resting upon the underside of the tray table of the upper lateral tray. Further, nesting occurs because the 16 front base portion 212a is inwardly tapered so as to rest inside the perimeter rim 210"' of the 17 lateral tray thereunder, resting upon the upperside of the tray table of the lateral tray 18 thereunder.
19 In operation as shown at Figure 17, a user grasps a stack 230 of lateral trays 200"', so that they are inclined at an angle (ie., ten degrees) making the left and right rim portions 21 210a, 210b approximately horizontal. Then, a water stream 222 glancing onto each of the 22 lateral trays 200"', at a front rim portion 210d so as to simultaneously fill the lateral
-15-1 compartments 202"' of all the lateral trays 200"', wherein water accumulates adjacent the 2 rear rim portion 210c and eventually overflows it. When the lateral trays 200"' are again 3 retumed to horizontal, as shown at Figure 16, the water redistributes to equally fill all the 4 lateral compartments 202"'. The lateral trays 200"' may then be carried, still nestably stacked, to a freezer to form the ice sticks 100. Removal of the ice sticks may be by twisting 6 of the lateral trays 200"' or by other means convenient to the user.
7 A second form of ice stick 300 is depicted at Figures 18 through 22. The second form 8 of ice stick 300 has a small girth G' body, defined by a generally elliptical cross-sectioned 9 sidewall 302. The sidewall 302 gently tapers from a generally flat upper face 304 (formed by water level at the time of freezing) toward an opposite, small cross-sectioned, bottom face 11 306. The bottom face 306 is preferably convex and gently rounded at the interface 308 12 where the sidewall meets the bottom face, but this is not required.
13 Again, as in the first form of ice stick 100, the largest cross-sectional diameter C' 14 (which is the major axis of the elliptical cross-section (oval shape) is on the order of less than one inch, preferably about three-quarters of an inch or less. The elliptical shape provides
7 A second form of ice stick 300 is depicted at Figures 18 through 22. The second form 8 of ice stick 300 has a small girth G' body, defined by a generally elliptical cross-sectioned 9 sidewall 302. The sidewall 302 gently tapers from a generally flat upper face 304 (formed by water level at the time of freezing) toward an opposite, small cross-sectioned, bottom face 11 306. The bottom face 306 is preferably convex and gently rounded at the interface 308 12 where the sidewall meets the bottom face, but this is not required.
13 Again, as in the first form of ice stick 100, the largest cross-sectional diameter C' 14 (which is the major axis of the elliptical cross-section (oval shape) is on the order of less than one inch, preferably about three-quarters of an inch or less. The elliptical shape provides
16 large bulk, longitudinal strength and ease of passage through a narrow opening, and the
17 short minor axis allows for passage through a tab opening 106. The taper of the sidewall
18 302 provides easy extraction from the tray lateral compartment in which it was formed, and
19 the convex narrower bottom face 306 provides an easy first-to-enter end for insertion into a narrow opening of a container. The length may be any convenient length, as for example 21 between about one inch to about five inches. There may, or may not be a peripheral ridge 22 formed at the interface between the upper face 304 and the sidewall 302.
1 Preferred dimensions of the second form of the ice stick 300 are on the order of: a 2 length L' of about three inches long, wherein at the upper face 304 the ellipse has a major 3 axis C' of about three-quarters of an inch and a minor axis S of about one-half of an inch, 4 and wherein at the lower face 306 the ellipse has a major axis C" of about five-eighths of an inch and a minor axis S' of about three-eighths of an inch to about seven-sixteenths of an 6 inch; however, the dimensions may be varied from these.
7 To provide the second form of ice stick, a vertical tray 400 is provided, as shown at 8 Figures 23 through 25, preferably formed of plastic, particularly a non-stick plastic. The 9 vertical tray 400 has a plurality of vertical compartments 402 formed downwardly in the tray table 408, as for example having forty-eight vertical compartments. Each vertical 11 compartment 402 is closed at (a preferably interiorly convexly contoured) bottom 404 and 12 open at the top. Each vertical compartment 402 has a wall 402a having a tapering elliptically 13 shaped cross-section which is complimentary (having a length and cross-section girth) to the 14 tapering elliptical shape of the sidewall 302 of the second form of ice stick 300. Preferably, water overflow channels 406 between adjacent vertical compartments 402 are formed in the 16 tray table 408 for providing self-leveling of water therebetween. A raised perimeter rim 410 17 abuts the tray table 408, and serves to prevent accidental spillage of water.
18 It will be appreciated that the taper of the second form of ice sticks 300, and the 19 complementary taper of the vertical compartments 402 allow for easy extraction of the ice sticks, in that any degree of movement of an ice stick relative to its vertical compartment 21 results in separation every where, which effect may not occur if the vertical compartment 22 were cylindrical without a taper. Also, the elliptical cross-section of the second form of ice 1 stick 300 allows for maximum cross-section which yet can pass through a stay-on tab can 2 opening.
3 In operation, a user holds the vertical tray 400 level and fills it with water (or another 4 liquid, such as a flavored drink), noting that all vertical compartments are about equally filled, then places the vertical tray into a freezer for freezing of the water into ice sticks 300. To 6 remove the ice sticks, the vertical is placed into running or pooled warm water to loosen the 7 sidewall 302 of the ice sticks 300 from the wall 402a. Since the vertical tray 400 can be 8 molded of resilient plastic, the convex bottom 404 provides a spot where pressure may be 9 applied to the vertical tray to deform the convex bottom and thereby push the ice stick 300 therein upwardly therefrom. Ice stick extraction in this manner can be conveniently 11 performed by pressing the convex bottoms 404 against a counter-top, or selectively against 12 an edge of a counter-top, wherein the resilient denting of the convex bottom forces the ice 13 stick upward.
14 While the ice sticks 100, 300 were described hereinabove with respect to frozen water, the frozen water may be pure or may be composed of any type of frozen drinkable 16 water, as for example a flavored water drink, including for example a flavored water drink, 17 orange juice, grape juice, etc.
18 To those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, the above described 19 preferred embodiment may be subject to change or modification. Such change or modification can be carried out without departing from the scope of the invention, which is 21 intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
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1 Preferred dimensions of the second form of the ice stick 300 are on the order of: a 2 length L' of about three inches long, wherein at the upper face 304 the ellipse has a major 3 axis C' of about three-quarters of an inch and a minor axis S of about one-half of an inch, 4 and wherein at the lower face 306 the ellipse has a major axis C" of about five-eighths of an inch and a minor axis S' of about three-eighths of an inch to about seven-sixteenths of an 6 inch; however, the dimensions may be varied from these.
7 To provide the second form of ice stick, a vertical tray 400 is provided, as shown at 8 Figures 23 through 25, preferably formed of plastic, particularly a non-stick plastic. The 9 vertical tray 400 has a plurality of vertical compartments 402 formed downwardly in the tray table 408, as for example having forty-eight vertical compartments. Each vertical 11 compartment 402 is closed at (a preferably interiorly convexly contoured) bottom 404 and 12 open at the top. Each vertical compartment 402 has a wall 402a having a tapering elliptically 13 shaped cross-section which is complimentary (having a length and cross-section girth) to the 14 tapering elliptical shape of the sidewall 302 of the second form of ice stick 300. Preferably, water overflow channels 406 between adjacent vertical compartments 402 are formed in the 16 tray table 408 for providing self-leveling of water therebetween. A raised perimeter rim 410 17 abuts the tray table 408, and serves to prevent accidental spillage of water.
18 It will be appreciated that the taper of the second form of ice sticks 300, and the 19 complementary taper of the vertical compartments 402 allow for easy extraction of the ice sticks, in that any degree of movement of an ice stick relative to its vertical compartment 21 results in separation every where, which effect may not occur if the vertical compartment 22 were cylindrical without a taper. Also, the elliptical cross-section of the second form of ice 1 stick 300 allows for maximum cross-section which yet can pass through a stay-on tab can 2 opening.
3 In operation, a user holds the vertical tray 400 level and fills it with water (or another 4 liquid, such as a flavored drink), noting that all vertical compartments are about equally filled, then places the vertical tray into a freezer for freezing of the water into ice sticks 300. To 6 remove the ice sticks, the vertical is placed into running or pooled warm water to loosen the 7 sidewall 302 of the ice sticks 300 from the wall 402a. Since the vertical tray 400 can be 8 molded of resilient plastic, the convex bottom 404 provides a spot where pressure may be 9 applied to the vertical tray to deform the convex bottom and thereby push the ice stick 300 therein upwardly therefrom. Ice stick extraction in this manner can be conveniently 11 performed by pressing the convex bottoms 404 against a counter-top, or selectively against 12 an edge of a counter-top, wherein the resilient denting of the convex bottom forces the ice 13 stick upward.
14 While the ice sticks 100, 300 were described hereinabove with respect to frozen water, the frozen water may be pure or may be composed of any type of frozen drinkable 16 water, as for example a flavored water drink, including for example a flavored water drink, 17 orange juice, grape juice, etc.
18 To those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, the above described 19 preferred embodiment may be subject to change or modification. Such change or modification can be carried out without departing from the scope of the invention, which is 21 intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
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Claims (18)
1 A small girthed ice article, comprising:
an elongated body of ice having a generally flat upper face having longitudinally-extending generally parallel opposing edges, and a sidewall, said sidewall having rounded corners, wherein a substantially right angle interface is formed between said upper face and said sidewall, and wherein said body of ice has a length of between five inches to one inch and a transverse cross-section, of which the greatest transverse dimension is less than one inch
an elongated body of ice having a generally flat upper face having longitudinally-extending generally parallel opposing edges, and a sidewall, said sidewall having rounded corners, wherein a substantially right angle interface is formed between said upper face and said sidewall, and wherein said body of ice has a length of between five inches to one inch and a transverse cross-section, of which the greatest transverse dimension is less than one inch
2. The small girthed ice article of claim 1, wherein said girth has a width measured parallel to said flat face of three-quarters of an inch and a depth measured at right angles to said flat face of one half of an inch.
3. The small girthed ice article of claim 2, wherein said length is four inches.
4. A small girthed ice article, comprising:
a body of ice having an generally flat upper face, an opposite bottom face, and a generally elliptical cross-section sidewall therebetween, said sidewall being gently tapered from said upper face toward said bottom face, and wherein said body of ice has a length of between five inches to one inch and a girth, wherein a widest girth cross-sectional diameter is less than one inch.
a body of ice having an generally flat upper face, an opposite bottom face, and a generally elliptical cross-section sidewall therebetween, said sidewall being gently tapered from said upper face toward said bottom face, and wherein said body of ice has a length of between five inches to one inch and a girth, wherein a widest girth cross-sectional diameter is less than one inch.
5. The small girthed ice article of claim 4 wherein said bottom face is convexly contoured.
6. The small girthed ice article of claim 4 wherein said girth at said upper face has an ellipse major axis of three-quarters of an inch and an ellipse minor axis of one-half of an inch; and wherein at the lower face said girth has an ellipse major axis of five-eighths of an inch and an ellipse minor axis of less than one-half of an inch.
7. The small girthed ice article of claim 4, wherein said length is four inches.
8. A tray for making a small girthed ice article, comprising:
a tray table having a plurality of lateral compartments downwardly formed therein, each lateral compartment having a sidewall characterized by rounded corners, wherein each lateral compartment has a length of between five inches and one inch, and wherein each said compartment has a girth cross-section, wherein a widest girth cross-section is less than one inch.
a tray table having a plurality of lateral compartments downwardly formed therein, each lateral compartment having a sidewall characterized by rounded corners, wherein each lateral compartment has a length of between five inches and one inch, and wherein each said compartment has a girth cross-section, wherein a widest girth cross-section is less than one inch.
9. The tray of claim 8, wherein said girth cross-section has a width of three-quarters of an inch and a depth of one-half of an inch.
10. The tray of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of overflow channels formed in said tray table, wherein said overflow channels provide an overflow path for self-leveling water between adjacent lateral compartments.
11. The tray of claim 10, wherein said tray table has a perimeter; further comprising a rim integrally formed with said tray table at said perimeter, said rim rising upwardly in relation to said tray table.
12. The tray of claim 11, further comprising a chute means integrally formed of said tray table at an orientation parallel to said length of said lateral compartments for providing a channel for receiving small girthed ice articles formed in said lateral compartments and for exiting the received small girthed ice articles from the tray at a portal thereof.
13. The tray of claim 11, wherein said rim has a first raised height, and wherein a raised rear portion has a second raised height which extends higher than said first raised height; said tray further comprising perimeter base means integrally connected with said rim and projecting downwardly therefrom;
wherein a plurality of trays are nestably stackable.
wherein a plurality of trays are nestably stackable.
14. A tray for making a small girthed ice article, comprising:
a tray table having a plurality of vertical compartments downwardly formed therein, each vertical compartment having a closed bottom, an open top, and an elliptically shaped wall characterized by rounded corners, wherein each compartment has a length of between five inches and one inch, and wherein the wall of each said compartment has a tapering girth, wherein a widest girth cross-sectional diameter is less than one inch.
a tray table having a plurality of vertical compartments downwardly formed therein, each vertical compartment having a closed bottom, an open top, and an elliptically shaped wall characterized by rounded corners, wherein each compartment has a length of between five inches and one inch, and wherein the wall of each said compartment has a tapering girth, wherein a widest girth cross-sectional diameter is less than one inch.
15. The tray of claim 14, wherein said girth said open top has an ellipse major axis of three-quarters of an inch and an ellipse minor axis of one-half of an inch;
and wherein at said closed bottom said girth cross-sectional diameter has an ellipse major axis of five-eighths of an inch and an ellipse minor axis of less than one-half of an inch.
and wherein at said closed bottom said girth cross-sectional diameter has an ellipse major axis of five-eighths of an inch and an ellipse minor axis of less than one-half of an inch.
16. The tray of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of overflow channels formed in said tray table, wherein said overflow channels provide an overflow path for water between adjacent vertical compartments; and wherein said tray table has a perimeter; further comprising a rim integrally formed with said tray table at said perimeter, said rim rising upwardly in relation to said tray table.
17. The tray of claim 16, wherein the closed bottom of each said vertical compartment is convexly contoured.
18. A method for filling a number of ice making trays with water simultaneously, wherein each tray comprises a tray table having a plurality of lateral compartments downwardly formed therein, each lateral compartment having a tub-shaped wall having a length of between five inches and one inch, wherein each said lateral compartment has a girth cross-section, wherein a widest girth cross-section is less than one inch, a plurality of overflow channels formed in the tray table, wherein the overflow channels provide an overflow path for water between adjacent lateral compartments, wherein the tray table has a perimeter, a front rim integrally formed with the tray table, and a rear rim integrally formed with the tray table, said method comprising the steps of:
nestably stacking a plurality of trays including at least one repeating series of an upper tray above a lower tray;
grasping the stack of trays;
orienting the stack of trays so that the tray table of each tray is inclined at a selected acute angle with respect to horizontal so that the tray table is inclined downwardly from the front rim toward the rear rim;
placing the front rim of each tray glancingly into a water stream so that water of the water stream glances onto each of the trays of the stack of trays to simultaneously fill the trays, wherein water accumulates adjacent the rear rim of each of the trays; and orienting the stack of trays so that the tray table of each tray is substantially horizontal, whereupon the water in each tray redistributes to equally fill all the compartments thereof.
nestably stacking a plurality of trays including at least one repeating series of an upper tray above a lower tray;
grasping the stack of trays;
orienting the stack of trays so that the tray table of each tray is inclined at a selected acute angle with respect to horizontal so that the tray table is inclined downwardly from the front rim toward the rear rim;
placing the front rim of each tray glancingly into a water stream so that water of the water stream glances onto each of the trays of the stack of trays to simultaneously fill the trays, wherein water accumulates adjacent the rear rim of each of the trays; and orienting the stack of trays so that the tray table of each tray is substantially horizontal, whereupon the water in each tray redistributes to equally fill all the compartments thereof.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US49355000A | 2000-01-28 | 2000-01-28 | |
| US09/493,550 | 2000-01-28 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2305947A1 CA2305947A1 (en) | 2001-07-28 |
| CA2305947C true CA2305947C (en) | 2007-11-20 |
Family
ID=23960700
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002305947A Expired - Fee Related CA2305947C (en) | 2000-01-28 | 2000-04-18 | Small girthed ice articles and trays for making same |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2305947C (en) |
-
2000
- 2000-04-18 CA CA002305947A patent/CA2305947C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2305947A1 (en) | 2001-07-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |