FI126394B - Ice cap and the shape of its manufacture - Google Patents

Description

Ice cover and mold for making it

The invention relates to an icy lid placed on the top of a beverage container, a mold for making such a lid, and a rigid system of which the icy lid is a part. In particular, the invention relates to a product which is capable of being manually disintegrated so as to obtain ice cubes in the drink.

Molds for making ice cubes of various shapes in the freezer are known in the art.

The problem with ice cubes, however, is that they should be dropped directly into the drink, for example at the restaurant counter. In this case, different products will have to be sent from the counter depending on whether or not the customer wants to have their drinks frozen. Further, when the ice cubes are dropped into the beverage and subsequently transported, the surface of the beverage is so high in the beverage container because of the ice cubes in the crowd that the beverage is easily spilled over the edges.

Covers which are mounted on beverage containers are also known in the prior art, particularly used to prevent spillage of hot beverages in disposable cups. However, the prerequisite for these uses is that the surface of the beverage is not very close to the top of the cup.

US 5013562 A discloses an ice cap for a glass beverage container.

US 2013305774 A1 discloses an ice cover consisting of ice cakes mixed with a drink and a support structure holding them together.

GB 1451094 A discloses a drinking glass and a mold for making ice cubes for glass.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution whereby the beverage container can be easily transported without spill to the drinking place or to the drinker while still providing the desired amount of ice with the beverage. This object is achieved by an ice cap according to independent claim 1, a mold according to independent claim 9 used for making an ice lid and a beverage storage system according to claim 11.

The ice cap for the beverage container according to the invention consists of ice blocks mixed with the beverage in the beverage container and a support structure that holds the ice pieces together. The ice cover is characterized by being shaped so that it remains stationary on the beverage container. The mold according to the invention is characterized in that it is shaped in such a way that it is possible to produce an ice cap according to the invention. The beverage storage system according to the invention comprises a beverage container and an ice cap according to the invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

The ice cap of the invention is preferably made entirely of liquid by freezing and shaping. The design of the ice cap to hold it stationary on the beverage container may comprise at least one alignment edge, alignment spout, or at least two alignment shoulders. These structures are described in more detail below. Alternatively, the retention of the ice cap can also be achieved by additionally using a custom-made beverage container whose rim is shaped to be compatible with the ice cap. The ice cover may also have at least one breaking line to guide the ice cover to break at the desired position. In addition, the ice cover may have at least one break clearance which contributes to the neat breakage of the ice cover. The ice cap may be molded. In this case, the ice cover may comprise at least one ice mold gap that prevents the ice from squeezing into the mold.

The mold for producing an ice cap according to the invention is shaped so that it can be used to make an ice cap according to the invention. The mold may be wholly or partly of silicone or food plastic.

In the most preferred embodiments of the invention, the ice cover comprises thinned portions of the ice material, i.e. fractures, which facilitate its breaking so that the ice cubes neatly fall and fall into the beverage container without splashing the beverage. This can also be facilitated by suitably spaced notches, i.e. fracture openings.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1A illustrates an ice cap according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, facing the beverage container in a molded direction;

Figure IB illustrates a cross-sectional view of an ice cap according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention at the position A-A indicated in Figure IA;

Fig. 1C illustrates a perspective view of an ice cap according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2A illustrates an ice cap according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, facing the beverage container in a molded direction;

Fig. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the gland according to another preferred embodiment of the invention at the position A-A indicated in Fig. 2A;

Fig. 2C illustrates a perspective view of a Glandular Graft according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3A illustrates an ice cap according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention, from the direction depressed to the beverage container;

Fig. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the ice cap according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention at the position A-A indicated in Fig. 3A;

Figure 3C illustrates a perspective view of an ice cap according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4A illustrates an ice cap according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention, facing the beverage container in a depressed direction;

Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the ice cap according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention at the position A-A indicated in Fig. 4A;

Figure 4C illustrates a perspective view of an ice cap according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5A illustrates a mold according to a preferred embodiment of the invention for making the ice cap according to Figs. 1A-C;

Fig. 5B illustrates a cross-section of a mold according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, marked A-A in Fig. 5A;

Figure 5C illustrates a perspective view of a mold according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6A illustrates an ice cap according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention, facing the beverage container in a depressed direction;

Fig. 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the ice cap according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention in the position A-A indicated in Fig. 6A;

Figure 6C illustrates a perspective view of an ice cap according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6D illustrates a mold according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention for making the ice cap according to Figs. 6A-C; Fig. 6E illustrates a cross-section of a mold according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention at position A-A in Fig. 6D; Figure 6F illustrates a perspective view of a mold according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention according to Figs. 1A-C, the fracture lines 1 are shaped such that a controlled and standardized fracture of the ice cap at the intended location is assured. If necessary, the thickness of ice remaining at fracture line 1 may decrease towards the center of the ice cap. In this way, the extra thickness caused by the icing caused by freezing can be compensated and the ice cubes fit more neatly into the drink.

In the embodiment of Figures 1A-C, the fracture lines 1 are centrally symmetrical. However, the fracture lines 1 can also be completely random.

Further, openings, i.e. fracture clearances 4, can be formed on the outer periphery of the ice cap, which reduce the number of fragments resulting from the breaking or breaking of the ice cap. Because the number of fragments is substantially reduced, the ice deck with breakage bars 4 provides a neat user experience and is also suitable for a fine dining atmosphere.

When the ice cap is frozen in its mold, adjacent portions of the ice cap may become squeezed into the mold. This pinching can be prevented e.g. a mold with clearance 2, which refers to the geometry and shape of the mold walls between adjacent portions of the ice cover, i.e. the ice cubes. The ice mold gap 2 is preferably formed such that the mold walls are formed with respect to the direction of the cover so that they are not parallel. Thus, the cross-sections of such non-parallel mold walls vary.

1A-C shows a mold clearance 2 as one preferred embodiment for mold release. The special design helps to remove frozen water from the mold. Suitable design also achieves better water integrity in the mold when the water is frozen.

For the ice lid of the invention to function, it must be characterized in that it remains stationary at the top of the beverage container. This makes it possible to break the ice with the drink with a single tap, and the ice lid remains firmly on top of the beverage container even during transport. The ice cap may comprise a variety of designs for glasses and cups of different sizes. The design may comprise, for example, separate edge knobs, gripping arms or knobs. The ice pieces can also be positioned against the edge of the glass.

Figures 1A-C show an alignment rim 3, which is an edge shape of a mold and an ice cap that holds the ice cap firmly in place along the edge of the beverage container. There may be several such borders, making the ice cover suitable for multiple sized glasses.

Figures 2A-C show an alignment slot 5 suitable for holding the ice cap in place, which forms an alignment edge 3 similar to that shown in Figures 1A-C on the underside of the cylindrical ice cap. Such an applicator precisely aligns the ice cap to the edge of the glass. The ice cover may have several targeting rails 5.

Figs. 2A-C show a positioning slit 5 which uniformly rotates the edge of the ice cap. However, a uniform structure is not necessary in the preferred embodiment of the invention. The alignment curve 5 may also consist of bits or point protrusions. The examples described in this specification mainly focus on the shape of the ice cap, which helps to keep the ice cap on commonly used beverage containers. However, this does not exclude the possibility that the edge of the beverage container may also be shaped so as to facilitate the retention of the ice cap on the beverage container. In this case, for example, stepped or oblique wedge-shaped edges of the container such as those found in known ceramic, glass and metal containers with lids.

Due to the beverage container edge structures having a higher outer edge than the inner side, the ice cap may be positioned over the beverage container so that its edge also partially or completely sinks or wedges below the upper edge of the beverage container. The difficulty with using a specially designed beverage container and ice cover system is that, in addition to the ice cover, the beverage container must be prepared separately for use with the ice cover. However, one advantage of such a system would be that when the ice cap starts to use, the melting water would flow into the inside of the beverage container. Melt water control can be further enhanced from the edge of the pot! In addition to the wedge edges, grooved patterns are formed on the inside of the beverage container.

Further, Figs. 2A-C show the structure of the ice cap, with the side to be folded into the beverage container, except for the break lines, being substantially flat. Further, its surface may advantageously be substantially flat.

When the ice cubes are broken from the ice cap, they can get stuck between the top surface of the glass and unfold to the bottom, unfavorably shaped. To prevent this, the fracture lines can preferably be shaped like wedges.

Figures 3A-C show another preferred embodiment for ice cap design. Alignment shoulders 6 functionally provide an edge shape similar to the alignment edge 3. By means of these alignment shoulders 6, the ice cap is positioned on the edge of the beverage container. With such a design, further, the targeting shoulders 6 are also ice cubes of the ice cap which fall when broken into the beverage.

Further, Figures 4A-C show a possible asymmetric design of the ice caps of an ice cap. With such a design, the ice cap is fragmented into pieces of different sizes, whereby the ice pieces do not arch as easily as the ice caps of the center symmetrical lid with the same size. The outwardly facing surface of the ice cap is preferably substantially flat, whereby the crack points defined by the fracture lines 1 are most likely to occur.

Further, the ice cover can be stamped, embossed, and / or text in many different ways. For example, the ice cover mold can be shaped with fixed patterns that remain on the surfaces of the ice cubes and the ice cap. The ice cover pieces can also be shaped so that the ice pieces consist of characters or letters, for example. Ice cubes can also be, for example, a logo with style-specific breaking lines 1.

At the beginning of the freezing, a floating stamp, also known as a pin stamp, may also be placed on the ice. It is also possible to shape the surface of the ice cap, for example, by melting it with a metal stamp. To make an ice cap, a mold is needed which shapes the frozen liquid to the desired shape. Such a mold may be, for example, silicone or food-grade plastic. The mold may also be some other freeze-resistant material suitable for use with food.

Figures 5A-C illustrate a mold for an ice cap according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The mold shown in this example can be used to make an ice cap according to Figures 1A-C. The mold comprises shaping portions for the fracture lines 1, the mold clearances 2 for the alignment edge 3, and the fracture clearances 4 according to the pattern designations of the ice cover according to Figs. 1A-C.

In some embodiments of the invention, the mold may have a diameter of, for example, 80 to 90 mm, and the groove for shaping the alignment edge 3 orbiting the ice cover edge may, for example, be 2.5 to 3.5 mm preferably 3.0 mm from the edge. The mold of the ice cap of Figures 1A-C can then be filled with about 0.7 dl of liquid, preferably water. The water expands when frozen by about 10% in volume, which causes a mold of this size to rise about 1 mm at the surface. Fracture lines 1 may become thinner by about 0.5 mm from the center.

Further, the ice cap and mold of the invention may be as shown in Figures 6A-F. The ice cap of FIGS. 6A-C may be made, for example, from a loose ice block 8 frozen in an ice maker or in a frozen mold. The formation of such an ice cap takes place using the assembly mold of FIGS. 6D-F. The ready-for ice cubes the ice itself forming part does not need its own mold, but a mold may be used as the second side of the ice cap design. In other words, the mold of Figs. 6D-F, unlike the mold of Figs. 5A-C, now deforms the top surface of the lid to be placed on the glass. Thus, such a mold allows for the freezing of editable writings, patterns or other graphic objects 7 directly from the mold on the surface of the lid. When the supporting structure that holds the pieces together is frozen in addition to the finished ice cubes, fractures 4 which facilitate the breaking of the ice cover also form between the ice cubes 8.

In the above embodiments, the designs of the ice cap are designed primarily with the ice cap manufactured by freezing into a mold. Naturally, similar lids can also be made from ice cube preforms. Such design can be accomplished, for example, by milling. A preferred means for milling an ice blank can be, for example, a 3 or 5 axis CNC cutter.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but can be applied in many ways within the scope of the claims.

Claims (11)

An ice cap for a beverage container, which is an ice cap formed of ice cubes which can be blended into the beverage in the beverage container, and a supporting structure holding the ice cubes together, the ice cap comprising at least one configuration comprising at least one of the following: - edge knob; - grip edge; - tuber; - directional edge (3); - directional ramp (5) and - two directional protuberances (6) so that it is held in place on top of the beverage container, characterized in that it is entirely made of liquid by freezing and forming. Ice cap according to claim 1, characterized in that said ice cap design, for holding it in place on top of the beverage container, comprises at least one directional edge (3) or directional ramp (5). Ice cap according to claim 1, characterized in that said ice cap design, for holding it in place on top of the beverage container, comprises at least two directional projections (6). Ice cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one refraction line (1), by means of which the ice cap is led to disintegrate at the desired location. Ice cap according to claim 4, characterized by at least one refraction gap (4), which facilitates neat disintegration of the ice cap. Ice cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made with a mold. Ice cap according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one ice mold gap (2) which prevents the ice from being pressed into the mold. A mold for making an ice cap into a beverage vessel in its entirety of liquid by freezing and molding, said ice cap being formed by ice cubes which can be blended into the beverage of the beverage container, and a supporting structure holding the ice cubes together, said mold comprising molding portions. for at least one of the following: - edge knob; - grip edge; - tuber; - directional edge (3); - directional ramp (5) and - two directional protrusions (6). 9. A mold according to claim 8 for producing an ice cap, characterized in that it consists wholly or partially of silicone or food plastic. A beverage storage system comprising a beverage container and an ice cap according to any of claims 1-7. A beverage storage system according to claim 10, wherein the beverage container edge is designed for mating with the ice cap.