GB2319596A

GB2319596A - Making and storing ice cubes

Info

Publication number: GB2319596A
Application number: GB9724633A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frances Teresa Duane
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-11-22
Filing date: 1997-11-21
Publication date: 1998-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2017-11-21
Also published as: GB2319596B; GB9724633D0

Abstract

The production of ice cubes in a sterile manner provides that ice cubes are formed in a freezer and thereafter allowed to pass to an ice bucket (16) only when the bucket is moved to an operative position. The outlet of the freezer and the inlet to the ice bucket are both normally closed but are arranged both to be open when the ice bucket is in the operative position. The freezer has two chambers separated by an aperture closable when the outlet of the freezer is open, or when the lower chamber is fully charged with ice. The ice bucket may also be formed with two chambers (70, 72) separated by an aperture - the lower chamber communicating with an outlet normally closed. The inlet to the ice bucket may comprise an aperture (50) normally closed by a spring biased member (56) or comprise the top wall of the bucket normally spring biased to a position closing the bucket.

Description

MAKING AND STORING ICE CUBES DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for making and storing ice cubes.

Many people when visiting bars, cafes, restaurants and public houses for example wish to partake of a cold drink. To this end the proprietors of the various establishments in which drinks are sold offer their customers the option of having ice cubes in their drinks.

Traditionally these ice cubes are formed in a freezer adapted to make ice cubes. The ice cubes made in the freezer are usually manually taken from the freezer (by an individual using a scoop for example) and passed to an ice bucket which is then placed on the counter or bar at the point of sale.

When an individual wishes to have ice in his drink the person serving him or her, or the individual themself, removes ice cubes from the bucket using, for example, a spoon or pair of tongs, by means of which they place the ice cubes in the glass from which they are to drink.

It will be appreciated that this way for making and storing ice cubes provides a number of opportunities for the formed ice cubes to become contaminated. The person removing the ice cubes from the freezer to the bucket must necessarily expose the ice cubes to the air and in so doing they may become contaminated, and furthermore the scoop he or she uses may become contaminated and pass that contamination to the ice cubes.

Again the ice cubes in the ice bucket at the point of sale, although the bucket is usually provided with a lid, will come into contact with the air each time the lid is removed to allow an individual to take ice cubes from the bucket.

There is always the possibility, furthermore, that an individual removing ice cubes from the bucket may take them from the bucket using their hands and not with the tongs or spoon provided.

Objects of the present invention include the provision of a method and apparatus for alleviating or overcoming the above opportunities for the ice cubes to become contaminated and to allow ice cubes to be presented to the purchaser of a cooled drink in a sterile and clean manner.

In a first aspect the invention provides a method of making and storing ice cubes comprising the steps of forming the ice cubes in a freezer and allowing the ice cubes to pass from the freezer to a temporary storage device, whenever the storage device is moved to an operable position adjacent the freezer and providing means for closing the storage device when it is not in the operable position.

In a second aspect the invention provides apparatus for making and storing ice cubes comprising a freezer for sealed coupling to a water supply and operable to make ice cubes, the freezer having a normally closed outlet and a storage device movable to an operable position adjacent the freezer in which release means is operable to open the outlet and allow ice cubes to pass from the freezer to an inlet of the storage device.

The storage device and freezer are preferably configured such that when in the operative position are in sealed inter-engagement.

The release means may be carried by the storage device and be operable to engage a closure for the freezer outlet causing it to open.

Means may be provided for sealing the inlet to the storage device when the storage device is not in an operative position adjacent the freezer.

Advantageously the storage device is provided with a normally closed outlet operable by a user to allow ice cubes to pass therefrom.

Preferably the freezer outlet is provided in a bottom wall thereof and the storage device has an upper wall with an inlet for ice cubes which inlet is normally closed and wherein the release means is operable to open the outlet in the bottom wall of the freezer and the inlet in the upper wall of the storage device when the storage device is moved to its operative position.

The freezer may comprise a first chamber in which ice cubes are formed and a second chamber communicating with said outlet to which they are passed through an aperture, means being provided to close the aperture.

The means for closing the aperture may comprise a plug coupled to the closure for the freezer outlet.

The plug and closure may be coupled by a rod extending across said second chamber.

The means for sealing the inlet to the storage device may comprise a stop member spring biased to a position closing the inlet and movable to a position opening the inlet.

Preferably a wall is provided surrounding the inlet to the storage device.

The means for closing the aperture may be operable in response to the volume of ice cubes in the second chamber.

The outlet closure means of the freezer may comprise a pivotally mounted plate spring biased to a position closing the outlet and having a depending member engagable by a wall of the storage device to open the outlet.

The means for closing the inlet of the storage device may comprise an upper wall for the device normally spring biased to a position closing the device and operable to engage the freezer to move to a position opening the device.

Preferably, the storage device has a first chamber communicating with said inlet and, via an aperture, with a second chamber communicating with said outlet, means being provided to close said aperture when said outlet is open.

Advantageously, the freezer is provided with a plurality of outlets from each of which ice cubes may be dispensed.

The above aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiment of the invention now made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates the method and apparatus of the invention schematically, Figure 2 shows in more detail at A and B respectively a freezer and storage device embodying the invention, and Figure 3 illustrates at A and B respectively sectional side and end views of another form of freezer and ice bucket embodying the invention.

Figure 1 shows apparatus embodying the invention to comprise a freezer 10 having an outlet in its lower wall. The outlet in the lower wall of freezer 10 is normally closed and may be opened if a stub member 12 is moved.

The apparatus further includes a storage device in the form of an ice bucket 16 the upper end 18 of which is normally closed.

Ice bucket 16 is movable by an individual wishing to transfer ice cubes from freezer 10 to ice bucket 16, to a position in which upper end 18 of the ice bucket is beneath the outlet of the freezer. The ice bucket may then be moved to a position in which a key mechanism 20 carried on the bucket engages the stub member 12. Continued movement of the ice bucket 16 will cause the stub member 12 to open the outlet in the bottom wall of freezer 10. At the same time an inlet formed in a covering for the ice bucket is opened, or a covering for the upper edge of the ice bucket is moved aside, so that ice cubes can fall from the freezer 10 into the ice bucket 16. The user then removes ice bucket 16 from its operative position and in doing this both the outlet of the freezer and the inlet of the ice bucket are closed, or the covering for the upper end ice bucket is moved to close the ice bucket.

The ice bucket 16 is provided in its bottom wall with an outlet normally closed by mechanism 22. In use the bucket 16 is supported at the point of sale on a stand 24.

To take ice cubes from bucket 16 a user moves a glass 26 to a position in which it engages the mechanism 22 allowing ice cubes to fall from the bucket 16 to the glass 26.

Figure 2 illustrates one way in which apparatus embodying the invention is formed.

It will be seen from Figure 2A that the freezer 10 includes upper and lower chambers 30 and 32 respectively. The two chambers 30 and 32 communicate one with the other via an aperture 34. The lower wall 36 of the upper chamber 30 is frustro-conical and slopes towards the aperture 34. The aperture is shaped as shown with an outwardly flaring frustro-conical lower wall 37. The aperture 34 is closable by a plug 38 in the lower chamber 32.

The lower wall 40 of the lower chamber 32 is frustro-conical and slopes towards an outlet 42 normally closed by a frustro-conical closure 44 as shown.

The plug 38 and closure 44 are connected by a short rod 46 extending across the chamber 32.

Closure 44 carries on its lower surface the stub member 12 the end of which is recessed at 48.

It will be appreciated that when closure 44 is in a position closing the outlet 42 of freezer 10 plug 38 is spaced from the aperture 34. Ice cubes formed in the upper chambers 30 of freezer 10 will therefore fall through aperture 34 until chamber 32 is full.

It will further be appreciated that if the stub member 12 is pushed upwardly plug 38 will be driven to rise and close aperture 34. At the same time closure 44 is lifted opening the outlet 42 of the freezer allowing ice cubes in the chamber 32 to fall from it.

Figure 2B also shows an ice bucket 16 embodying the invention. It will be seen that the upper wall 18 of the bucket is pierced by an aperture 50. Aperture 50 is surrounded by an annular member 52 the inner wall 54 of which is frustro-conical and slopes towards aperture 50.

Within bucket 16 a frustro-conical wall 55 flares in moving away from aperture 50. Aperture 50 is closable by a frustro-conical stop member 56 movably mounted on a pair of support rods 58 and biased by springs 60 to a position in which it bears against wall 55. The rods 58 are carried on a support bar 62 running between parts of the side wall 64 of the bucket 16. It should be noted that the rods 58 extend into blind bores 66 formed in the lower surface of stop member 56. The stop member therefore can move downwardly against the action of the springs 60 until the ends of the support rods 58 bear against the ends of the blind bores 66 in it.

The upper surface of stop member 56 carries a generally centrally located pin 68 sized to fit into the recess 48 of the stub member 12 at the bottom of the freezer.

The main body of the bucket 16 is, as can be seen from Figure 2B, formed with upper and lower chambers 70 and 72 which communicate via an aperture 74. The lower wall 76 of the upper chamber 70 is frustro-conical and slopes towards aperture 74. The bottom part of the aperture 74 is shaped as shown with frustro-conical flaring wall 77 leading to the lower chamber 72.

The aperture 74 is closable by a plug 78 located within the lower chamber 72. The lower wall 80 of the lower chamber 72 is frustro-conical and slopes towards an outlet 82 normally closed by a frustro-conical closure 84 as shown. The plug 78 closure 84 connected by a short rod 86 extending across chamber 72.

Closure 84 carries on its lower surface a rod member 88 which depends below the bottom of bucket 16 and which at its lower end carries a cross bar 90. In use bucket 16 is supported in frame 24 at a sufficient height above a surface on which the frame 24 stands to allow a user to introduce a glass 26 beneath the bucket and then lift it until it engages the cross bar 90 driving the closure 84 upwardly. When this happens the plug 78 is moved to a position closing aperture 54 and preventing any ice cubes falling from the upper chamber 70 to the lower chamber 72. At the same time the lifting of closure 84 will allow ice cubes to fall from chamber 72 through the aperture 82 and into the glass 26.

It will thus be seen that ice cubes formed in the upper chamber 30 of freezer 10 have been transferred from freezer 10 via chamber 32 and aperture 34 to the ice bucket 16 and thereafter dispensed from the ice bucket 16 without coming into contact with possible sources of contamination.

Figure 3 illustrates another arrangement embodying the invention by which ice cubes made in the freezer may be passed from the freezer to a bucket 16. In this arrangement the freezer is again provided with upper and lower chambers 100 and 102.

The lower wall of the chamber 100 as shown at 104 is frustro-conical and slopes towards an aperture 106 by means of which the chambers 100 and 102 communicate.

Adjacent aperture 106 there is provided a drive mechanism 108 operable to move a door 110 between a position (as shown) closing the aperture 106 and a position in which the aperture 106 is open. The drive mechanism 108 is responsive to the output of a sensor 112 carried in chamber 102. Sensor 112 is arranged to provide an output causing the drive mechanism 108 to drive the door 110 to a position to close aperture 106 when the volume of ice cubes in chamber 102 is sufficient to fill an ice bucket with which the freezer will be used.

The lower wall 116 of chamber 102 slopes towards an aperture 118 normally closed by a plate 124 pivotally mounted at 126 on the bottom outer surface of the freezer.

Plate 124 is held in a position closing aperture 118 by a spring 128 inter connecting the free edge of the plate and the under surface of the freezer. At the pivot 126 plate 124 is formed with a depending rod or bar 130 as shown.

Movement of the rod 130 in a leftward direction (as viewed in Figure 3A) will cause the plate 124 to pivot, against the action of the spring 128, to a position at which ice cubes in chamber 102 may fall from the freezer.

An ice bucket for use with this form of freezer is generally rectangular in plan and has three side walls 134 which extend upwardly by an amount (X) less than the fourth side wall 136.

A cover or lid for the ice bucket 132 is provided in the form of a plate member 138 slidably mounted on the side walls 134 and normally biased by a spring 140 to a position in which it bears against the uppermost edge of wall 136.

The plate member 138 carries, on its edge which abuts in use the wall 136 an upstanding lug or land 144.

Two of the side walls 134 carry adjacent their uppermost edges lands 146 running the width of the walls 134 and parallel to the upper edge of the bucket. These lands are engagable in guides 150 formed to depend from the bottom of the freezer as shown.

It will be appreciated that ice cubes are continuously being made in the upper chamber 100 of the freezer and passed, to the lower chamber 102 until the sensor 112 causes drive 108 to move door 110 to close aperture 106. At this time chamber 102 will have in it sufficient ice cubes to fill the ice bucket 16.

When a person wishes to take ice cubes from the freezer he or she lines up the lands 146 on walls 134 with the guides 150 and pushes the bucket towards the freezer.

The upstanding part 144 of cover plate 138 will engage the side wall of the freezer and the cover plate 138 is pushed backwardly against the action of the spring 140 such that the bucket is opened. Continued movement of the bucket in this direction will cause wall 136 to engage bar 130 such that the plate 124 is pivoted, against the action of the spring 138, to open the aperture 122 in the lower part of the freezer. In this position the content of the chamber 102 will fall into the bucket.

Once the bucket is full the user simply pulls back on the bucket such that it runs along the guides 150 and is removed from the operative position engaging the freezer.

In moving backwardly the wall 136 of the bucket ceases engaging the rod 130 so that plate 124 is pulled back to a position closing the aperture 122 by the spring 128.

As the bucket is being removed from the freezer unit the spring 140 will cause the upstanding portion 144 of the cover plate 138 to remain in contact with the side of the freezer unit until the cover plate 138 comes to bear against the upper edge of the side wall 136 of the ice bucket.

The mechanism for dispensing ice from the bucket in the embodiment of Figure 3 may be the same as that described with reference to Figure 2.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the described arrangements without departing from the scope of the present invention which in essence provides a method of forming ice cubes, passing them to a temporary storage device such as an ice bucket and then dispensing them from the ice bucket without need for the ice cubes to come into contact with the possible sources of contamination which are met with the methods and apparatus at present in general use.

Claims

1. A method of making and storing ice cubes comprising the steps of forming the ice cubes in a freezer and allowing the ice cubes to pass from the freezer to a temporary storage device, whenever the storage device is moved to an operable position adjacent the freezer and providing means for closing the storage device when it is not in the operable position.

2. Apparatus for making and storing ice cubes comprising a freezer for sealed coupling to a water supply and operable to make ice cubes, the freezer having a normally closed outlet and a storage device movable to an operable position adjacent the freezer in which release means is operable to open the outlet and allow ice cubes to pass from the freezer to an inlet of the storage device.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the storage device and freezer are configured such that when in the operative position are in sealed inter-engagement.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein said release means is carried by the storage device and is operable to engage a closure for the freezer outlet causing it to open.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein means are provided for sealing the inlet to the storage device when the storage device is not in an operative position adjacent the freezer.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said storage device is provided with a normally closed outlet operable by a user to allow ice cubes to pass therefrom.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the freezer outlet is provided in a bottom wall thereof and the storage device has an upper wall with an inlet for ice cubes which inlet is normally closed and wherein the release means is operable to open the outlet in the bottom wall of the freezer and the inlet in the upper wall of the storage device when the storage device is moved to its operative position.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the freezer comprises a first chamber in which ice cubes are formed and a second chamber communicating with said outlet to which they are passed through an aperture, means being provided to close the aperture.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said means for closing the aperture comprises a plug coupled to the closure for the freezer outlet.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said plug and closure are coupled by a rod extending across said second chamber.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein said means for sealing the inlet to the storage device comprises a stop member spring biased to a position closing the inlet and movable to a position opening the inlet.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein a wall is provided surrounding the inlet to the storage device.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said means for closing the aperture is operable in response to the volume of ice cubes in the second chamber.

14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the outlet closure means of the freezer comprises a pivotally mounted door spring biased to a position closing the outlet and having a depending member engagable by a wall of the storage device to open the outlet.

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13 or Claim 14, wherein the means for closing the inlet of the storage device comprises an upper wall for the device normally spring biased to a position closing the device and operable to engage the freezer to move to a position opening the device.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 15, wherein the storage device has a first chamber communicating with said inlet and, via an aperture, with a second chamber communicating with said outlet, means being provided to close said aperture when said outlet is open.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the freezer is provided with a plurality of outlets from each of which ice cubes may be dispensed

18. A method as claimed in Claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described.

19. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

20. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 and substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.