CN111094878A

CN111094878A - Die set

Info

Publication number: CN111094878A
Application number: CN201880055362.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 约翰内斯·内尔
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-07-27
Filing date: 2018-07-27
Publication date: 2020-05-01
Also published as: EP3658834A1; WO2019023721A1; AU2018308163A1; US20210088267A1; WO2019023721A4

Abstract

According to the present invention there is provided a mould 10, the mould 10 comprising a diaphragm base 12 and walls 14 extending from opposite sides 16.1 and 16.2 of the base 12, the walls 14 and base 12 together being arranged to define a plurality of moulding regions 18 for receiving a liquid (not shown) to be moulded in the moulding regions 18.

Description

Die set

Technical Field

The invention relates to a die. In particular, the present invention relates to a mold for molding liquid water when the liquid water is frozen into ice.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mould comprising:

a diaphragm base; and

walls extending from opposite sides of the base, the walls and the base together being arranged to define a plurality of moulding zones for receiving liquid to be moulded in the moulding zones.

The diaphragm base may have a generally planar form and may correspond to any conventional shape. In particular, the diaphragm base may have any suitable geometry, preferably substantially rectangular, including the group of circular, oval, rectangular, square and triangular when viewed in plan.

The walls may be interconnected at their opposite edge regions to define discrete moulded regions therebetween. Alternatively, the opposite edge region of a wall may be configured to abut an adjacent edge region of an adjacent wall. The walls and base may be configured to form a molded region of any suitable three-dimensional geometry including the group of cubic, parallelepiped, conical, frustoconical, hemispherical, wedge, and pyramidal. For example, walls extending from a substantially circular base may define a substantially wedge-shaped molding region, and walls extending from a square or rectangular base may define a substantially parallelepiped-shaped or cube-shaped molding region. The walls may taper in thickness from the diaphragm base towards their respective free edge regions (taper). The wall may be disposed at an angle relative to the base of the partition so as to define a moulding region tapering from a free edge region of the wall towards the base to facilitate stripping or removal of a moulded article, preferably in the form of ice, from the moulding region in use.

The diaphragm base and the wall may be integrally formed. The diaphragm base and walls may have a thickness in the range 0.5mm to 4mm, preferably 2 mm. The septum base and walls may have thicknesses that may vary depending on the molding speed of the liquid as desired by the user. The diaphragm base and walls may be made of any suitable synthetic plastic or metal material having non-stick and/or high temperature resistant properties, preferably silicone. The diaphragm base and walls may be manufactured from any suitable combination of synthetic plastics and metal materials, preferably silicone and aluminium, in order to improve the moulding or freezing rate of the liquid contained in the moulding region in operation.

Communication areas may be defined in the wall for allowing fluid communication between adjacent molding areas. Additional communication regions may be defined in the base for allowing fluid communication between the molding regions on either side of the base. The communication regions may be configured to extend between respective molding regions for allowing fluid to pass between the molding regions. The communication areas may be in the form of any one or more of the group comprising holes, recesses, holes and channels for allowing fluid to pass through the communication areas and between the moulding areas during filling of the respective moulding areas with the liquid to be moulded. More specifically, the communication zone defined in the base may preferably be in the form of a substantially circular hole, and the communication zone defined in the wall may preferably be in the form of a slit. The slots defined in the wall may be configured to facilitate bending of the septum base and wall during demolding or removal of the molded article from the molding area.

The peripheral region of the wall may be shaped to facilitate receipt by and removal from any suitable conventional container. In particular, the peripheral region has a generally tapered profile for facilitating removal of the peripheral region from the container after the molding process is completed. The peripheral region may preferably taper from the open or filling end region of the container towards the base region of the container. The mold may be any conventional three-dimensional geometry including the group of hemispherical, spherical, cubic, parallelepiped, cylindrical, conical and pyramidal, preferably a substantially parallelepiped shape.

The container may be in the form of any suitable conventional container for complementarily receiving the mold therein and allowing molding of the liquid in the molding region of the mold. More specifically, the container may be in the form of any one or more of the group comprising a plastic bag or bag, an ice cream container and a yoghurt container. Preferably, the plastic bag or bag may be configured to be sealable, the ice cream container may be in the form of a conventional 2 liter ice cream container, and the yogurt container may be in the form of a conventional 1 liter yogurt container. The inner chamber (inner component) of the container may be tapered according to the tapered shape of the mould so as to allow a complementary fit between the inner chamber and the mould. It should be understood that the tapered shape of the interior chamber may further facilitate removal of the mold from the container as the liquid within the receiving or molding region is molded or frozen.

The interior chamber of the container may be sized to facilitate complementary receipt of a plurality of pedestals therein for allowing a greater amount of liquid to be molded therein and/or a greater amount of molded articles to be molded therein. Multiple pedestals may be received in a side-by-side or stacked configuration.

The mould may include folding regions for allowing the base to be folded concertina-wise to allow the free edge regions of the walls to be arranged in register with one another so as to form an enlarged moulding region therebetween.

Carrying handles may be provided to allow the mould to be carried in operation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a moulding assembly comprising a plurality of moulds which can be arranged in a stacked or side-by-side configuration to allow the free edge regions of the walls of opposing moulding regions to be arranged in register with one another so as to form an enlarged moulding region. The moulded component may be sized, shaped and/or configured to be received in the container in use.

A connecting member may be provided for allowing interconnection between adjacent molds. The connecting member may be configured to allow displacement (displacement), preferably pivotal displacement, of the moulds between an operable moulding state and an open demoulding state, wherein the moulds are displaced away from each other for allowing removal of the moulded article from the moulding region. The connecting member may be in the form of a flexible web which may extend between and interconnect the opposing edge regions of the die to allow the die to be displaced in a concertina fashion. A communication region, preferably in the form of a hole, may be defined in the web to facilitate fluid flow through the web to facilitate fluid flow between the molding regions during filling of the molding regions. In particular, the interconnected plurality of moulds may define two outer moulds and an intermediate mould between the outer moulds, which outer moulds and which intermediate mould may be displaced in a concertina-like manner between a closed moulding state and an inoperable open state. In the closed molding condition, the plurality of molds may define an inner enlarged molding region between the intermediate molds and an enlarged outer molding region between the outer mold and the intermediate mold. The outer wall of the outer mould may have a generally stepped and/or corrugated form to facilitate removal of the mould from the container in use.

Alternatively, the connecting members may be in the form of complementary male and female engagement formations which may extend from and be defined in respective opposite sides of the mould for facilitating stacking interconnection of the moulds. The connecting members may extend between and interconnect substantially central regions of the dies in the stacked state, the dies being interconnected generally along a central axis of the dies. In particular, the male and female formations may be in the form of alternating projections and recesses, preferably located towards a central region of the opposite side of the base. More specifically, the stacked molds may define an operative top mold, preferably having a male configuration defined on an operative bottom side thereof, an intermediate mold preferably having a male configuration and a female configuration defined on an operative bottom side and a top side thereof, respectively, and a bottom mold, preferably having a female configuration defined on an operative top side thereof. The male formation and the female formation may be configured to allow the walls of adjacent moulds to be inserted into one another and to extend substantially between the bases of the opposed moulds.

A handle may extend from the mould for facilitating separation and/or displacement of the mould when, in use, liquid has been moulded in the moulding region. In particular, the handle may further facilitate peeling and/or separation of adjacent molds away from each other from the closed, molded state to the open, demolded state.

Retention means may be provided for retaining the plurality of moulds in the closed moulding condition. The retaining means may be in the form of any suitable retaining mechanism, such as a clip, latch or push-lock mechanism.

Sealing means may be provided for sealing the moulding region to prevent fluid flow from the moulding region when in the closed, moulded condition. The sealing means may be disposed at a peripheral region of the base, typically at a location where adjacent walls of the base meet (meet) in the closed, moulded condition. The sealing means may be in the form of any suitable rubber sealing arrangement.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a mould forming kit comprising:

a mold or molded component as previously described; and

a container as hereinbefore described for complementarily receiving a mould therein in use.

A closure member, preferably in the form of a lid, may be provided for closing and sealing the container in use. It should be understood that a lid is typically used when a user wishes to produce ice while transporting the mold.

Drawings

The mould according to the invention will now be described by way of the following non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the figure:

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic view showing a mold according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2a and 2b are side and top views, respectively, of the mold shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3a and 3b are three-dimensional schematic views showing the mold in a laterally and longitudinally curved state, respectively;

FIGS. 4a to 4c are three-dimensional exploded assembly, assembly and cross-sectional assembly views illustrating a mold forming kit according to the present invention;

figures 5a to 5c are three-dimensional schematic views showing a first embodiment of a moulding assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional schematic view showing a second embodiment of a molding assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 7a is a three-dimensional schematic view showing an exploded assembly view of a third embodiment of a molding assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 7b is a cross-sectional three-dimensional schematic view of the molded component shown in FIG. 7a in a stack molded state;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a portion of the mold shown in FIGS. 7a and 7 b;

FIGS. 9a to 9c are three-dimensional exploded assembly, assembly and cross-sectional assembly views of another mold forming kit including the molded assembly shown in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a three-dimensional schematic view showing a fourth embodiment of a molded assembly according to the present invention, the molded assembly being in an open, demolded condition;

FIG. 11 is a three-dimensional schematic view of the molding assembly shown in FIG. 10 in a closed, molded state;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional three-dimensional schematic view of a fifth embodiment of a molding assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional three-dimensional schematic view of the molding assembly shown in FIG. 12 in a closed, molded state;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of the molding assembly shown in FIG. 12;

fig. 15 is an enlarged three-dimensional schematic view showing a portion of the mold shown in fig. 12 to 14;

FIGS. 16a and 16b are a three-dimensional exploded assembly view and an assembly drawing illustrating another mold forming kit including the molded assembly shown in FIGS. 12-15, in accordance with the present invention;

figures 17a to 17d are three-dimensional schematic views of a sixth embodiment of a moulding assembly according to the invention at various stages of operation;

FIGS. 18a and 18b are three-dimensional exploded assembly views of another alternative of a molded assembly according to the present invention; and

fig. 19a to 19c are hand drawings of another embodiment of a molding assembly according to the invention.

Detailed Description

In a first embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 1 to 5, reference numeral 10 generally designates a mould according to the invention. The mould 10 comprises a diaphragm base 12 and walls 14 extending from opposite sides 16.1 and 16.2 of the base 12, the walls 14 and base 12 together being arranged to define a plurality of moulding regions 18 for receiving a liquid (not shown) to be moulded in the moulding regions 18.

The base 12 has a generally planar form and corresponds to any conventional shape. Specifically, septum base 12 has any suitable geometry including the group of circles, ovals, rectangles, squares, and triangles when viewed in plan view, typically being generally rectangular as shown in fig. 1-5.

The walls 14 are interconnected at their opposite edge regions 20 so as to define discrete molding regions 18 between the opposite edge regions 20. The walls 14 and base 12 are configured to form a molding region 18 of any suitable geometry including the group of cubic, parallelepiped, conical, frustoconical, hemispherical, wedge, and pyramidal, generally parallelepiped as shown in fig. 1-5.

For example, as shown in fig. 1-5, the walls 14 extending from the rectangular base 12 define a generally parallelepiped-shaped or cube-shaped molding region 20, and as shown in fig. 6-9, the walls 214 extending from the circular base 146 generally define a generally wedge-shaped molding region 218.

The diaphragm base 12 and the wall 14 are integrally formed. The base 12 and wall 14 have a thickness in the range of 0.5mm to 4mm, typically 2 mm. The base 12 and wall 14 are made of any suitable synthetic plastic material, typically silicone, having non-stick and high temperature resistant properties. Although not shown, the base 12 and wall 14 may be fabricated from any suitable combination of synthetic plastic or metal materials, such as silicone and aluminum, in order to improve the molding or freezing rate of the liquid contained in the molding region 18 during operation.

Communication areas 22 are defined in the wall 14 for allowing fluid communication between adjacent molding areas 18. Further communication areas 22 are defined in the base 12 for allowing fluid communication between the molding areas 18 on either side of the base 12 during filling of the molding areas 18 with the liquid to be molded. The communication areas 22 are configured to extend between the respective molding areas 18 for allowing fluid to pass between the molding areas 18. The communication areas 22 are in the form of any one or more of the group comprising holes, recesses, slits, holes and channels for allowing fluid to pass through the communication areas 22 and between the moulding areas 18 during filling of the respective moulding areas 18 with the liquid to be moulded. More specifically, and as shown in the figures, the communication zone 22 defined in the base 12 is generally in the form of a generally circular hole 24, and the communication zone 22 defined in the wall 14 is generally in the form of a slit 26. Slit 26 is further configured to facilitate bending of diaphragm base 12 and wall 14 during removal of a molded article (not shown) from molding region 18.

The peripheral region 28 of the wall 14 is shaped to facilitate receipt by and removal from any suitable conventional container 30. In particular, the peripheral region has a generally tapered profile for facilitating removal of the peripheral region from the container after the molding process is completed. The peripheral region generally tapers from an open or filling end region 32 of the container 30 toward a base region 33 of the container 30. The mold 10 has a substantially parallelepiped shape.

The container 30 may be in the form of a conventional 2 liter ice cream container. The interior cavity 34 of the container 30 is generally tapered according to the tapered shape of the mold 10 to allow for a complementary fit between the interior cavity 34 and the mold 10. The tapered shape of the interior cavity 34 additionally facilitates removal of the mold 10 from the interior cavity 34 when the liquid received within the molding region 18 is molded or frozen.

A closure member in the form of a lid 36 is provided for closing and sealing the container 30 in use. The cover 36 is typically used when a user wishes to produce ice while transporting the mold 10.

Referring specifically to fig. 4a to 4c, reference numeral 90 generally designates a mold forming kit in accordance with the present invention. The mold forming kit 82 includes the mold 10 as previously described and the container 30 as previously described.

Referring now to fig. 5a to 5c,

reference numerals

38, 40 and 42 generally designate a moulding assembly comprising a plurality of moulds 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3, respectively arranged in a side-by-side configuration. As shown in fig. 5a, the molding assembly 38 comprises two molds 10.1 having a substantially rectangular shape. As shown in fig. 5b, the molding assembly 40 comprises two molds 10.2 having a substantially square shape. As shown in fig. 5c, the molded component 42 comprises four bases 10.3 having a substantially rectangular shape. Although not shown, it should be understood that the

mold assemblies

38, 40 and 42 may be received by the container 30 in a side-by-side manner in use.

In use, the user typically places the mould 10 or the moulds 10.1, 10.2 or 10.3 inside the container 30 and continues to fill the container 30 with water. As water enters the molding zones 18, air is expelled through the communication zones 22 and water is allowed to be received in each molding zone 18 in the mold. At this point, the user typically places a lid 36 onto the container 30 to prevent any spillage of water while placing the mould 10 or the moulds 10.1, 10.2 or 10.3 into the refrigerator. When the water inside the mould 10 or the mould 10.1, 10.2 or 10.3 is frozen, the user removes the mould 10 or the mould 10.1, 10.2 or 10.3 from the container 30. The user then impacts the mould 10 or the moulds 10.1, 10.2 or 10.3 against the hard surface a sufficient number of times to break (break up) the ice between the moulding regions 18. The user then bends the mould 10 or the moulds 10.1, 10.2 or 10.3 by means of the slits 26 defined in the walls 14 of the moulding zone 18 in order to release the ice cubes from the moulding zone 18. The user typically does this with a larger container or holder (holder) placed under the mould 10 or the moulds 10.1, 10.2 or 10.3, so that the ice cubes can fall into the container or the holder.

Referring now to the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 6, reference numeral 144 generally designates a molding assembly including a plurality of molds 110 having generally circular bases 146. In this embodiment, a plurality of generally circular molds 110 are arranged in a stacked configuration to allow the free edge regions 115 of the walls 114 of the opposing molding regions 118.1 and 118.2 to be arranged in alignment with one another to form a plurality of enlarged molding regions 148 between the free edge regions 115 when the molds 110 are arranged in an operative stacked molding state.

The molding assembly 144 has a generally cylindrical shape, typically due to the stacked circular molds 110. Although not shown, the connecting members may extend between and interconnect substantially central regions of the mold 110 in the stacked state, the substantially central regions being interconnected generally along a central axis of the mold 110. It should be understood that the mold 110 may be integrally formed.

Referring now to the third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 7-9, reference numeral 244 generally designates a molding assembly including a plurality of molds 210 having generally circular bases 246. In this embodiment, a plurality of generally circular molds 210 are arranged in a stacked configuration to allow the free edge regions 215 of the walls 214 of the opposed molding regions 218.1 and 218.2 to be arranged in alignment with one another to form a plurality of molding regions 248 between the free edge regions 215 when the molds 210 are arranged in an operative stacked molding state.

Further, in this embodiment, and as shown in fig. 7b and more clearly in fig. 8, connecting members in the form of complementary male and female engagement formations 250.1 and 250.2, respectively, extend from respective opposite sides 216 of the mould 210 and are defined in the respective opposite sides 216 of the mould 210 for facilitating stacked interconnection of the moulds 210. Specifically, the male formations 250.1 and female formations 250.2 are in the form of alternating protrusions 252 and recesses 254, generally located towards a central region 256 of the opposite side 216 of the base 246. More specifically, the stacked molds 210 define a top mold 258.1, a middle mold 258.2, and a bottom mold 258.3, respectively, the top mold 258.1 generally having a male formation 250.1 defined on its operatively bottom side 216.1, the middle mold 258.2 generally having a male formation 250.1 and a female formation 250.2 defined on its operatively bottom side 216 and top side 216, respectively, and the bottom mold 258.3 generally having a female formation 250.2 defined on its operatively top side 216.2. As best shown in fig. 7a, the male formations 250.1 and female formations 250.2 are configured to allow the walls 214 of adjacent moulds 210 to be inserted into one another and to extend substantially between the bases 246 of the opposed moulds 210.

As shown in fig. 9, the molding assembly 244 is sized, shaped, and configured to be complementarily received by the cylindrical container 230 in use. In particular, the molding assembly 244 has a generally cylindrical shape, typically due to the stacked circular molds 210. Although not shown, the molding assembly 244 may have a generally tapered form for facilitating removal of the molding assembly 244 from the container 230 when liquid has been molded in the molding region 218, in use.

The container 230 may be in the form of a conventional 1 liter yogurt container.

A closure member in the form of a lid 236 is provided for closing and sealing the container 230 in use. Cover 236 is typically used when a user wishes to produce ice while transporting mold 210.

Referring specifically to fig. 9a to 9c, reference numeral 290 generally designates a mold forming kit in accordance with the present invention. The mold forming kit 290 includes the molding assembly 210 as previously described and the container 230 as previously described.

The

walls

114 and 214 extending from either side 116 and 216 of the

bases

146 and 246 of the

molds

110 and 210 are interconnected at generally central regions 156 and 256 of the

circular bases

146 and 246 and extend generally radially outward from the generally central regions 156 and 256 to form discrete, generally wedge-shaped

molding regions

118 and 218 between the generally central regions 156 and 256.

In use, a user typically places the molding assemblies 244 inside the container 230 one mold 210 at a time in a stacked configuration and continues to fill the container 230 with water. When each mold 210 is received in the container 230, the user typically rotates the mold 210 so as to allow the walls 214 of adjacent molds 210 to be inserted into each other and to extend substantially between the bases 216 of the opposing molds 210. As water enters the molding regions 218, air is expelled via the communication regions 222 and water is allowed to be received in each molding region 218 in the mold 210. At this point, the user typically places a lid 236 over the container 230 to prevent any spillage of water while placing the mold 210 in the refrigerator. When the water inside the mold 210 is frozen, the user removes the molding assembly 244 from the container 230. The user then impacts the mold 210 against the hard surface a sufficient number of times to break the ice between the molding regions 218. The user then twists (twist) and bends the molding assembly 244 to release the ice pieces from the molding area 218. The user typically does this with a larger container or holder placed under the mold 210 so that ice can fall into the container or holder.

Referring now to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 10 and 11, reference numeral 360 generally designates a molding assembly having a pair of generally rectangular molds 310. The generally rectangular molds 310 are arranged so as to define a plurality of enlarged molding regions 348 between the generally rectangular molds 310 when the plurality of molds 310 are arranged in an operative, molding condition, wherein the base 362 is arranged such that the walls 314 of the opposing molding regions 318.1 and 318.2 are arranged in alignment with one another so as to form the enlarged molding regions 348 as best shown in fig. 11.

In this embodiment, a pair of dies 310 is provided with a connecting member in the form of a flexible web 364 for allowing interconnection between an adjacent pair of dies 310. The flexible web 364 is configured to allow displacement, typically pivotal displacement, of the molds 310 between an operative molding state and an open demolding state, wherein the molds 310 are displaced away from each other for allowing removal of the molded articles 366 from the molding region 318.

The flexible web 364 is configured to extend between and interconnect the opposing edge regions 368 of the base 360 of the die 310 to allow the die to be displaced in a concertina fashion.

The wall 314 generally tapers in thickness away from the base 362 to form a generally tapered molding region 318 to facilitate removal of molded liquid from the molding region 318 in use. The wall 314 is generally shaped to form a molding region 318 that is generally truncated in the shape of a square pyramid.

Further, and as best shown in fig. 10, communication areas 322 are defined in the walls 314 for allowing fluid communication between adjacent molding areas 318. The communication areas 322 are configured to extend between the respective molding areas 318 for allowing fluid to pass between the molding areas 318. As shown, the communication areas 322 are generally in the form of a plurality of apertures 376 for interconnecting the molding areas 318 and allowing fluid communication between the molding areas 318. Apertures 376 are defined in the wall 314 generally toward the opposite edge region 320 of the wall 314.

A handle 370 extends from the mold 310 for facilitating separation and displacement of the mold 310 when liquid has been molded in the molding region 318, in use. In particular, handle 370 further facilitates peeling and separation of adjacent molds 310 away from each other from the closed, molded state to the open, demolded state.

The molding assembly 360 has a substantially parallelepiped shape. The moulding assembly 360 has a generally tapered form for facilitating removal of the moulding assembly 360 from a container (not shown) when liquid has been moulded in the moulding region 318 in use. Although not shown, the outer wall of the molding assembly 360 may have a generally stepped or corrugated form for further facilitating removal from the container in use.

Referring now to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 12-15, reference numeral 472 generally designates a molding assembly including four generally rectangular molds 410 having generally rectangular bases 462. The four molds 410 are arranged so as to define a plurality of enlarged molding regions 448 between the four molds 410 when the molds 410 are arranged in an operative molding state, wherein the walls 414 of the opposing inner and

outer molding regions

418 and 419, respectively, are arranged in alignment with each other.

In this embodiment, four dies 410 are interconnected by three connecting members in the form of flexible webs 464 configured to extend between adjacent dies 410. Flexible web 464 is configured to allow mold 410 to be displaced, typically pivotally, between an operable molding state and an open demolding state, wherein molds 410 are displaced away from each other for allowing removal of molded articles 466 from

molding regions

418 and 419. The flexible web 464 is configured to extend between and interconnect the opposing edge regions 468 of adjacent molds 410. The web 464 includes a communication area, typically in the form of an aperture or hole 474 defined in the web 464 for facilitating fluid flow through the web, thereby facilitating fluid flow between the

molding areas

418 and 419 during filling of the

molding areas

418 and 419. Webs 464 are configured to allow mold 410 to be displaced relative to one another in a concertina fashion between a closed molding state and an open demolding state. In particular, the interconnected bases 462 define two outer moulds 410.1 and an intermediate mould 410.2 between the outer moulds 410.1, the outer moulds 410.1 and the intermediate mould 410.2 being displaceable in a concertina manner between a closed moulding condition and an inoperable open condition. In the closed, molded condition, an inner enlarged molding region 448.1 is defined between intermediate mold 410.2 and an enlarged outer molding region 448.2 is defined between outer mold 410.1 and intermediate mold 410.2.

Further, as best shown in fig. 14 and 15, a communication zone 422 is defined in the wall 414 for allowing fluid communication between

adjacent molding zones

418 or 419. The communication areas 422 are configured to extend between the

respective molding areas

418 or 419 for allowing fluid to pass between the

molding areas

418 or 419. As shown, the communication areas 422 are generally in the form of a plurality of apertures 476 for interconnecting the

molding areas

418 or 419 and allowing fluid communication between the

molding areas

418 or 419. Apertures 476 are defined in the walls 414 of the inner molding region 418 and the outer molding region 419 generally toward the opposite edge regions 420 of the walls 414 for allowing fluid flow communication between the inner molding region 418 and the outer molding region 419.

Additional communication areas 422 are defined in the base 462 and the wall 414 for allowing fluid communication between the inner molding area 418 and the outer molding area 419 on either side of the base 462 during filling of the inner molding area 418 and the outer molding area 419 with the liquid to be molded. The further communication region 422 is in the form of a plurality of holes 478 which are configured such that the holes 478 extend between and interconnect the apertures 476 defined in the walls 414 of the inner moulding region 418 and the outer moulding region 419.

A handle 470 extends from the outer mould 410.1 for facilitating separation and displacement of the moulds 410 relative to each other into an open, mould-release condition, in use, when liquid has been moulded in the

moulding regions

418 and 419.

The molded assembly 472 is sized, shaped and configured to be complementarily received by the container 430 in use. Specifically, the molded assembly 472 has a generally parallelepiped shape. The molding assembly 472 has a generally tapered form for facilitating removal of the molding assembly 472 from the container 430 when liquid has been molded in the

molding regions

418 and 419, in use.

The interior chamber 434 of the container 430 is tapered according to the generally tapered shape of the molded assembly 472 to allow for a complementary fit between the interior chamber 434 and the molded assembly 472.

In particular, with reference to fig. 16a and 16b, reference numeral 490 generally designates a mold forming kit in accordance with the present invention. The mold forming kit 490 includes the mold assembly 472 as previously described and the container 430 as previously described.

In use, a user typically places the molded assembly 472 inside the container 430 and continues to fill the container 430 with water. As water enters the

molding areas

418 and 419, air is expelled via the communication areas 426 and 474 and water is allowed to be received in each of the

molding areas

418 and 419 in the mold assembly 472. When the water inside the molded assembly 472 is frozen, the user removes the molded assembly 472 from the container 430. The user then impacts the molded assembly 472 against the hard surface a sufficient number of times to break the ice between the molded

regions

418 and 419. The user then grasps the handle 470 of the mold 410 and pulls the mold 410 apart. This action separates the mold 410 and releases the ice pieces from the

molding areas

418 and 419. The user then bends the mold 410 to release ice that may have adhered to the base 462 or wall 414 of the mold 410. The user typically does this with a larger container or holder placed under the mold 410 so that ice can fall into the container or holder.

Referring now to the sixth embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 17a to 17d, reference numeral 580 generally designates a molding assembly having four separable molds 510. In this embodiment, a handle 570 extends from each of the four molds 510 for facilitating separation and displacement of the four molds 510 when liquid has been molded in the molding region 518, in use. In particular, handle 570 further facilitates peeling and separation of adjacent molds 510 away from each other from the closed, molded state to the open, demolded state. It should be understood that, although not shown, the mold 510 may be received by the container 430.

In use, when water inside mold 510 is frozen, the user impacts mold 510 against the hard surface a sufficient number of times to break the ice between molding regions 518. The user then grasps handles 570 of molds 510 and continues to pull and peel molds 510 away from each other to release ice pieces from molding area 518. The user typically does this with a larger container or holder placed under the mold so that ice can fall into the container or holder.

Referring now to the seventh embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 18a, reference numeral 690 generally designates a mold forming kit. The mold forming kit 690 includes a molding assembly 682 having a plurality of molds 610, the plurality of molds 610 having a generally rectangular base 612. The molding assembly 682 generally includes an outer mold 610.1 and an intermediate mold 610.2, respectively. The outer mold 610.1 includes a generally corrugated outer wall 684 to facilitate removal of the molding assembly 682 from the container 630 when liquid has been molded or frozen within the mold 610 of the molding assembly 682.

Referring now to the eighth embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 18b, reference numeral 786 generally designates a moulding assembly comprising four moulds 710, the four moulds 710 being similar to the intermediate mould 410.2 shown in fig. 12 to 15.

Referring now to the ninth embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 19, reference numeral 888 generally designates another molding assembly comprising a pair of molds 810 in accordance with the invention.

Retaining means (not shown) are provided for retaining the plurality of

molds

110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, or 810 in the closed, molded state. The retaining means may be in the form of any suitable retaining mechanism, such as a clip, latch or push-lock mechanism.

Sealing means (not shown) are provided for sealing the

molding area

118, 218, 318, 418, 518 to prevent fluid flow out of the

molding area

118, 218, 318, 418, 518 during the closed molding state. A sealing device (not shown) is typically disposed at a peripheral region of the

mold

144, 146, 148, 250, 350, 464, 564, or 664, typically at a location where the

walls

114, 214, 314, 414, 514, or 614 of

adjacent molds

144, 146, 148, 250, 350, 464, 564, or 664, respectively, meet in the closed, molded state. The sealing means (not shown) may be in the form of any suitable rubber sealing arrangement.

The inventors believe that an advantage of the mould according to the invention is that it allows the user to produce a large quantity of ice that is easy to extract. The inventors further believe that an advantage of the present invention is that it facilitates efficient use of space and also reduces liquid spillage during filling. In addition, the mold can be used with any conventional container, such as a two-liter ice cream bucket or a one-liter yogurt container.

It will of course be appreciated that the mould according to the invention is not limited to the exact constructional and functional details as described hereinbefore with reference to the drawings, and that the mould may vary as required.

The claims (modification according to treaty clause 19)

1. A mold, comprising:

a diaphragm base; and

walls extending from opposite sides of the base, the walls and the base together being arranged to define a plurality of moulding regions for receiving liquid to be moulded in the moulding regions; and

a slot defined in the wall of the molding region for facilitating bending of the base and the wall during demolding of a molded article from the molding region.

2. The mold of claim 1, wherein the walls taper in thickness from the bulkhead base toward respective free edge regions of the walls.

3. Mould according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said wall is arranged at an angle with respect to said bulkhead base so as to define a moulding zone tapering from said free edge zone of said wall towards said base.

4. The mold of any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the septum base and the wall are made of any suitable synthetic plastic material having non-stick and high temperature resistant properties.

5. The mold of any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the bulkhead base and the wall are manufactured from any suitable combination of synthetic plastic and metal materials.

6. A mould as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein communication regions are defined in the wall for allowing fluid communication between adjacent moulding regions.

7. A mould as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein communication regions are defined in the base for allowing fluid communication between moulding regions on either side of the base.

8. A mould as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the communication regions are in the form of any one or more of the group comprising holes, recesses, holes, slits and channels for allowing fluid to pass through the communication regions and between the moulding regions during filling of the moulding regions with the liquid to be moulded.

9. The mold of any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a peripheral region of the wall is shaped to facilitate receipt by and removal from any suitable conventional container.

10. The mold of claim 9, wherein the peripheral region has a generally tapered profile for facilitating removal of the peripheral region from the container after completion of the molding process.

11. A mould as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises folding regions for allowing the base to be folded concertina-wise to allow the free edge regions of the walls to be arranged in alignment with each other so as to form enlarged moulding regions between the free edge regions.

12. The mold of any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the size, shape and configuration of the free edge region of the wall facilitates stacking a plurality of molds in alignment so as to form an enlarged molding region between a plurality of the molds.

13. The mold according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that carrying handles are provided.

14. A moulding assembly comprising a plurality of moulds according to any one or more of the preceding claims, which can be arranged in a stacked or side-by-side configuration to allow the free edge regions of the walls of opposing moulding regions to be arranged in register with each other.

15. Moulding assembly according to claim 14, wherein connecting members are provided for allowing interconnection between adjacent moulds.

16. The molding assembly of claim 15, wherein the connecting member is configured to allow relative displacement of the mold between a molding state and a demolding state.

17. A moulding assembly according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the connecting member is in the form of a flexible web extending between and interconnecting opposing edge regions of the mould to allow the mould to be displaced in a concertina fashion.

18. The molding assembly of claim 17, wherein a communication area is defined in the web to facilitate fluid flow through the web.

19. A moulding assembly according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the connecting members are in the form of complementary male and female engagement formations extending from and defined in respective opposite sides of the mould for facilitating stacked interconnection of the moulds.

20. A moulding assembly according to claim 19, wherein the connecting member allows the walls of adjacent moulds to be inserted into each other and extend substantially between the bases of the opposed moulds.

Claims

1. A mold, comprising:

a diaphragm base; and

walls extending from opposite sides of the base, the walls and the base together being arranged to define a plurality of moulding regions for receiving liquid to be moulded in the moulding regions.

2. The mold of claim 1, wherein the base has a form corresponding to a flat surface of any conventional geometry.

3. The mold according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said walls and said base are configured to form a molding area of any suitable three-dimensional geometry.

4. The mold of any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the walls taper in thickness from the diaphragm base toward the respective free edge regions of the walls.

5. The mold according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said wall is arranged at an angle with respect to said bulkhead base so as to define a molding region tapering from said free edge region of said wall towards said base.

6. The mold of any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the septum base and the wall are made of any suitable synthetic plastic material having non-stick and high temperature resistant properties.

7. The mold of any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the bulkhead base and the wall are manufactured from any suitable combination of synthetic plastic and metal materials.

8. A mould as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein communication regions are defined in the wall for allowing fluid communication between adjacent moulding regions.

9. A mould as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein communication regions are defined in the base for allowing fluid communication between moulding regions on either side of the base.

10. A mould as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the communication regions are in the form of any one or more of the group comprising holes, recesses, holes, slits and channels for allowing fluid to pass through the communication regions and between the moulding regions during filling of the moulding regions with the liquid to be moulded.

11. A mold as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein slits are defined in the walls of the molding region to promote bending of the base and the walls during ejection of a molded article from the molding region.

12. The mold of any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a peripheral region of the wall is shaped to facilitate receipt by and removal from any suitable conventional container.

13. The mold of claim 12, wherein the peripheral region has a generally tapered profile for facilitating removal of the peripheral region from the container after completion of the molding process.

14. A mould as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises folding regions for allowing the base to be folded concertina-wise to allow the free edge regions of the walls to be arranged in alignment with each other so as to form enlarged moulding regions between the free edge regions.

15. The mold according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that carrying handles are provided.

16. A moulding assembly comprising a plurality of moulds according to any one or more of the preceding claims, which can be arranged in a stacked or side-by-side configuration to allow the free edge regions of the walls of opposing moulding regions to be arranged in register with each other.

17. Moulding assembly according to claim 16, wherein connecting members are provided for allowing interconnection between adjacent moulds.

18. The molding assembly of claim 17, wherein the connecting member is configured to allow relative displacement of the mold between a molding state and a demolding state.

19. A moulding assembly according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the connecting member is in the form of a flexible web extending between and interconnecting opposing edge regions of the mould to allow the mould to be displaced in a concertina fashion.

20. The molding assembly of claim 19, wherein a communication area is defined in the web to facilitate fluid flow through the web.

21. A moulding assembly according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the connecting members are in the form of complementary male and female engagement formations extending from and defined in respective opposite sides of the mould for facilitating stacked interconnection of the moulds.

22. A moulding assembly according to claim 21, wherein the connecting member allows the walls of adjacent moulds to be inserted into each other and extend substantially between the bases of the opposed moulds.

23. A mold forming kit, comprising:

a mould according to any one or more of the preceding claims; and

the container of any one or more of the preceding claims, sized, shaped and configured to complementarily receive the mold therein.