GB2589572A

GB2589572A - A hair smoothing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2589572A
Application number: GB1917495.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Linsley Weaver Guy; Coombes Brian
Original assignee: A365 Ltd
Current assignee: A365 Ltd
Priority date: 2019-11-29
Filing date: 2019-11-29
Publication date: 2021-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-29
Also published as: GB201917495D0; GB2589572B

Abstract

An ice holder 10 for a hair smoothing apparatus 12 comprising a body which has a former 16 or engagement means (19, Figure 6A) extending from it. The ice holder is dimensioned and arranged to be placed in an ice block mould 14 that receives a defined volume of liquid product. The liquid product is frozen to form a block of frozen product (15, Figure 1) around the former 16 or engagement means (19, Figure 6A). The block (15, Figure 1) adopts the shape of the mould 14. The holder 10 is removable from the mould 14 and is adapted to be received, and retained by a clip, in the apparatus 12 so a flat layer of frozen product is presented for contacting a person’s hair. The ice block mould 12 may have two opposed tapering side faces and end faces for assisting removal of the frozen ice holder 10 from the ice block mould 14. The engagement means (19, Figure 6A) may include a resiliently deformable latch 20. The holder 10 may comprise a backbone (18, Figure 12) with one or more catches 22 formed thereon. A kit of parts is also disclosed.

Description

A Hair Smoothing Apparatus

Field

The present invention relates to a hair smoothing apparatus and more particularly to an ice holder of the type which is received in a hair smoothing apparatus, such as hair straightening tongs.

Background

Ensuring hair is well moisturised is considered to be part of a conditioning routine which helps with the appearance and health of hair.

There are two basic reasons for dry hair. The first is that the scalp does not produce sufficient natural oil to moisturise the hair. This can be hereditary, or it can be something that happens over time. The second reason is that the condition or structure of hair causes natural moisture to escape, which leads to strands of hair drying.

A strand of hair is made up of several segments. At the centre of the hair is the medulla or core, which acts as a support structure. Surrounding the medulla is the cortex, which forms a middle layer. The cortex gives a strand of hair its shape, resilience, elasticity and curl.

The role of moisture is to mitigate damage to the hair by ensuring it is supple and flexible. Moisture therefore tends to improve the life of a strand of hair, meaning that the hair lives for longer. Dry hair tends to snap more easily than moisturised hair, even with gentle force; therefore moisture is important to maintain the hair in a healthy state.

Water retention by strands of hair can be improved by coating strands of hair with oils such as natural oils including aloe vera or apricot kernel oil as they assist dry hair to retain moisture.

However, too much moisture can also cause problems. Generally it is not necessary to shampoo hair every day, as otherwise the natural secretions produced by the scalp are not able to replenish hair oils.

In addition to ensuring the balance of moisture which is required to promote healthy hair, it is also advisable to monitor and limit exposure of hair to sunlight (UV rays), saltwater, chlorine and harsh weather.

Wet hair is springy and stretches easily. It tends to break before a stretched strand can snap back, so excessive tension can lead to more split ends and broken strands.

Strands of hair can be cracked at temperatures as low as 50°C. Modern hair straighteners, such as those with ceramic plates, can heat hair up to temperatures in excess of 200 °C.

Prolonged or repeated use of heated hair straighteners can damage hair which is why moisture content is so important.

Exposure to high temperatures damages hair cuticles which are the tough outer layer of the hair. When the hair cuticles are damaged, a strand of hair is less protected and more prone to drying out because the cuticles help to retain moisture. Hair that is damaged in this way dries out and is often referred to as being 'frizzy'. The result is that users of heated hair straightener often have to spend more time straightening their hair to get the same result, which can result in progressively more damage to the hair.

Sometimes burnt hair cells build up on heated straightener plates of hair straighteners and this can cause burned cells to stick to their hair, which can be very damaging. To avoid this users of heated hair straighteners are recommended to replace the plates on their heated hair straighteners which can be costly.

Generally it is therefore advisable to use heated hair straighteners sparingly (once or twice a week), preferably accompanied with a restorative shampoo and/or conditioner.

Advancements in technology have recently seen hair straighteners that employ steam become more popular. However, these types of hair straighteners are only alleviating the problem of heat damage and not solving it.

Heat styling, regardless of whether steam is used, which boils the moisture in the centre of the hair shaft, tends to damage the hair. The heat can crack the smooth walls of the medulla and can create bubbles within the shaft that break and disrupt the flow of light. In addition the hair cuticle can be pushed outward irregularly by these bubbles. This can cause cracks and splits the strand of hair resulting in the hair losing its smoothness and becoming rough, which disrupts the reflective sheen.

Prior Art

There is anecdotal evidence that frozen product hair smoothing, and conditioning systems improve hair health. They boost hydration each time they are used and help eliminate so called frizz.

UK GB 2 522 647 (Coombes) discloses a hair smoothing and conditioning apparatus which comprises a support for a frozen product, such as ice and optionally ice with a hair oil or hair conditioner, which when frozen is able to be applied directly to the hair.

The liquid product is optionally a mixture of water and oil and/or a hair conditioner, which is then frozen with water in an ice holder to form a frozen product. The frozen product is formed by an ice block mould on an ice holder which is a removable item or plate. The ice block mould is filled with liquid product and placed in a freezer cabinet for at least two hours before being used.

Each ice holder that supports the frozen product ideally has at least one spring mounted clip which is received by one or more recesses in the hair straightener. The clips enable the block of frozen product to be removed and replaced when required.

Users apply the frozen product, which has a conditioner or shining agent mixed therein, using the hair smoothing apparatus so that the chilled hair receives an optimum amount of conditioner or shining agent over the entire length of the strands of hair.

Unlike traditional hair irons that use heat to smooth hair, some ice systems use the cold. Use of the hair smoothing apparatus in some ways is similar to a rapid cold rinse but because cold is applied where it is required there is no sharp shock on a scalp which makes the experience more pleasant.

The frozen product changes keratin in a strand of hair and thereby allows moisture to be locked into strands of hair. This is considered to improve strength and elasticity of the strands of hairs.

Although successful there have been occasions when the surface of frozen product does not contact the entire surface of hair which results in inconsistent application of frozen product and so gives rise to a varied appearance of the hair.

The present invention arose in an attempt to overcome the aforementioned problems.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide a hair smoothing apparatus which enables a user to obtain a smoother more consistent shine when smoothing their hair.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an ice holder for a hair smoothing apparatus which comprises: a body which has a former or engagement means extending from it, the ice holder is dimensioned and arranged to be placed in an ice block mould that receives a defined volume of liquid product, in use, when the liquid product is frozen a block of frozen product is formed around the former or engagement means and retained thereon so that the block of frozen product adopts the shape of the ice block mould; the ice holder is removable from the ice block mould and is adapted to be received, and retained by a clip, in the hair smoothing apparatus so that a flat layer of frozen product is presented for contacting a person's hair.

Ideally two ice holders are received by, and located in, distal ends of the hair straightener at a location substantially opposite one another so as to sandwich the hair and apply liquid product evenly to the hair as the frozen product gradually melts.

Ideally the ice block moulds have at least one ridge formed therein and at least one ridge formed thereon. An inner ridge is formed around each recess which assist holding and retaining the ice holder when it is placed therein so that frozen liquid freezes and forms so as to form an ice block around the or each former.

In use a user fills each recess in the ice block mould to the top of the inner ridge with water and/or liquid conditioner and inserts the ice holder in an inverted orientation. The small volume of water overflows from the recess and is prevented from spilling by the outer ridge.

The ice holder displaces a small volume of water when it is inserted into the ice block mould. The outer ridge defines a lip which collects overspill and prevents it from contaminating what might be a freezer compartment of a refrigerator for foodstuffs. Inner ridge also assists in locating the ice holder in a preferred position when inverted so as to optimise freezing of the liquid product in an even and homogenous manner.

An advantage of the ice holder is that it can be retro-fitted for use in existing ice combs or hair straighteners or hair smoothing apparatuses so that owners of existing devices can enjoy an improved experience arising from a more consistent application of liquid product which results in a better sheen and healthier hair.

As the layer of frozen product that is presented to a person's hair is continually melting, oil or hair conditioning product is also applied to all the hair, not just to the hair which is initially contacted by the layer of frozen product presented by the ice holder.

The ice holder therefore ensures that frozen product that is used to straighten, nourish and condition the hair presents a flatter, less roughened and more homogenous surface.

As mentioned above, by using ice and additives in a frozen product, instead of heat to straighten hair, improved finish is obtained because, as the frozen product melts, moisture is absorbed more rapidly and directly into strands of hair, thereby increasing hydration, helping to revive dry hair and restoring damaged hair to a pristine condition.

The flatter the surfaces of the frozen product that are applied to the hair, the better is the alignment of their opposing faces when placed in the hair straightener. Consequently there is a greater surface area of frozen product that is actually presented to and in contact with the hair. Because the surfaces of the blocks of frozen product are flat and parallel their effectiveness is improved. This is achieved in part by the engagement means and the manner in which the combination of ice block mould and ice holder fit together in such a way that sufficient space is left between them to provide an optimum volume for liquid product (water and/or conditioner) so as to form blocks of frozen product with a flat outer layer.

The uniform flatness of the surfaces is improved by use of the ice mould and the fact that the engagement means extends from the ice holder and presents a larger surface area around which product freezes so that liquid product is held and retained thereon as a block of frozen product.

Ideally each strand of hair passing through the opposed frozen blocks comes into contact with the most amount of hair conditioner or moisturiser. This ensures each hair is evenly wetted and coated. Also by ensuring the surfaces of the blocks of frozen product are aligned it is less likely for the user to get their hair tangled or caught in the hair straightening apparatus.

The reason is that because the cuticles of the hair are pushed evenly onto each other they essentially Interlock' to give a strand of hair a smooth appearance. For this to happen the cuticles need to be smoothed from above and below the hair strand at the same time. This is because regular use of the hair smoothing apparatus locks in moisture, making hairs stronger, smoother, softer and more manageable.

Another advantage is that the ice holders and ice block moulds to make them easier to fit and remove and also to ensure that the ice freezes totally flat to ensure that when the ice blocks are clipped into position the maximum amount of ice is in contact with the hair.

Ideally the ice block mould has two opposed tapering side faces. The ice block mould is preferably formed from a synthetic plastics material with a non-stick coating formed on inner faces of the ice block mould.

In some embodiments the ice block mould has two opposed tapering end faces so that ice blocks formed therein can be removed easily thereby avoiding damage to the flat surfaces of frozen product as well as any dislodging of the frozen product from the at least one engagement means former.

Preferably the ice holder has an engagement means which includes a resiliently deformable latch, such as snap fit clip or detent or a resiliently deformable detent.

In some embodiments the ice holder comprises a back bone with a plurality of catches formed thereon. The catches may have protrusions at their ends which are in the form of fingers, hooks, L-shaped protrusions or preferably loops or bridges which extend from one side of the ice holder to the other and thereby define an opening within and around which ice forms and is retained.

The synthetic plastics material from which the ice holder is formed is able to withstand repeated freezing and thawing and which does not become brittle so as to facilitate removal of the ice block without damage thereto.

Ideally the ice block mould is formed from the same synthetic plastics material as the ice holder so as to avoid differing thermal expansion properties and differing rates of expansion thereby ensuring formation of a homogeneous ice block.

In a preferred embodiment the hair smoothing apparatus includes two arms which are connected by way of a hinge piece. Ideally the hair smoothing apparatus includes two arms which are connected by way of a continuous U-form handle which two arm are ideally sprung apart so that they have to be urged together in order to contact one another.

In some embodiments a level indicator is provided on the ice block mould to indicate the level to and ensure it is filled with water to a defined level. A separate indicator is provided on the ice block mould to indicate the level to which an additive or conditioner is filled to a defined level.

One of the problems with the previous design was that ice block moulds had to be filled and then the ice holders were placed inside. Consequently it was difficult to judge how much water and/or hair oil or conditioner had to be used.

The invention is now able to be placed in position before filling and the water poured from the top. As soon as water appears at the top of the ice block mould then it is ready to freeze.

Preferably therefore the shape and dimension of the ice block moulds to the shape of the block and flat faces are formed so that when placed in the U-form handle faces of the two ice blocks are presented as parallel one to another when the arms of the hair smoothing apparatus are closed. Optionally the two blocks of ice are presented one to another, substantially parallel one to another and preferably less than ± 5 degrees of being parallel.

A jug or container ideally also has internal marks which indicate the precise amount of hair treatment liquid (oil or conditioner) that is required to be mixed with the water.

Ideally a conditioner or other hair treatment product is released as the ice melts so helping hair to be shinier and healthier. Prolonged use of the hair smoothing apparatus nourishes hair making it stronger and less prone to breakage.

Hair preparations are ideally ready mixed for immediate freezing and may contain specific oil based supplements, such as lemon or camomile for example to help to remove build up/pollution. Also an excellent solution for greasy hair Optionally rosewater and vitamin E oil (or jojoba oil) may be used to improve moisture take up by normal hair.

Optionally coconut oil (natural SPF) & cinnamon or grape seed oil and rosewater may be used to repair UV damage.

Optionally an essential oil which claims to have sun protective properties may be used to reduce UV damage and moisturise.

Optionally apple cider vinegar may be used to removes chlorine and restore the pH may be included in a hair additive to help protect against the effects of swim/anti-chlorine.

Optionally a conditioner or additive derived from honey may be used to improve sheen of hair.

Optionally passionflower and rice milk are used to help restore chlorine damaged hair.

Optionally rose hip oil and lavender in order to improve the health of hair.

Optionally heavier oils, such as those based on wheat protein or coconut oil or shea butter or mango, may be employed for very curly hair. Studies have shown how hydrolysed wheat protein improves the tensile properties of the hair fibres and help reduce breakages.

Optionally a pouring spout is provided on the ice block mould to ensure it is filled with water to a defined level.

A thermochromic temperature indicator may be included in the ice holder.

Level markers or indicators may optionally be provided in order to indicate to a user a desired level to which to fill an ice block mould with water and/or liquid conditioner and/or oil so that when the liquid product freezes the desired height of frozen product is achieved A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 what is an overall view of a preferred embodiment of a hair smoothing apparatus; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 it shows a kit including the hair smoothing apparatus, an icebox and ice holders, a support base and a pouch; Figure 4 is an overall view of a preferred embodiment of an ice holder with a block of frozen product thereto; Figure 5 is a diagrammatical side elevation of an alternative embodiment of a hair smoothing apparatus; Figure 6A is an overall diagrammatic view of the embodiment of the hair smoothing apparatus shown in Figure 5 with the ice holder removed therefrom; Figure 6B is an enlarged overall view of the embodiment of the hair smoothing apparatus shown in Figure 6A in the direction of arrow C; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of the embodiment of the hair smoothing apparatus shown in Figure 5; Figure 8 is a view of an internal portion of the hair smoothing apparatus shown in Figure 5 in the direction of arrow A; Figure 9 is a rear view of the hair smoothing apparatus shown in Figure 5 in the direction of arrow B; Figure 10 is a plan view of the ice holder received by the hair smoothing apparatus shown in Figure 5; Figure 11 is an overall diagrammatic view of the ice holder; Figure 12 is a view of the underside of the ice holder; Figures 13 and 14 are respectively end elevations of the ice holder; Figure 15A is a part sectional view of a portion of ice block mould showing a maximum level for receiving a liquid to be frozen; Figure 15B is a view corresponding to Figure 15A and shows the ice holder inserted into the ice block mould in an inverted orientation; Figures 16A, 16B and 16C show alternative embodiment of engagement means supported on rigid backbones; and Figure 17 shows an overall view of an ice block mould which is in the form of a tray.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring to the Figures, there is shown an overall view of an ice holder 10 fitted in a hair smoothing apparatus 12. An ice block mould 14 is first filled with water, as well as optionally liquid hair product from a bottle of suitable additive such as conditioner (not shown). The ice holder 10 is placed in the ice block mould 14 which is then left in a freezer cabinet (not shown) until frozen.

The ice holder 10 includes a former 16 around which a water and liquid product mixture freezes to form a block of frozen product 15 which adopts the shape of the ice block mould 14. Catches 22 are optionally present at tips or edges of the engagement means 19 to assist in retaining the block of frozen product 15 on the former 16.

When frozen, the ice holder 10 is removable from the ice block mould 14 and placed in the hair smoothing apparatus 12. At least one engagement means 19 retains the ice holder 10 with the block of frozen product 15 in the hair smoothing apparatus 12 in order to present two flat and parallel layers of frozen product 15 which contact a person's hair.

Embodiments of the ice holder 10 are depicted in Figure 9 to 12. Figure 9 shows an under plan view of an ice holder 10 received by the embodiment of the hair smoothing apparatus shown in Figure 5. Figure 10 is a plan view of the ice holder 10. Figure 11 is an overall a diagrammatic view of the ice holder 10 shown in Figure 5 and Figure 12 is a plan view of the ice holder ice holder shown in Figure 5.

Figures 16A to 16C shows various views of the one or more engagement means supported on rigid backbones formed on the ice holders 10. One embodiment shown in Figure 16A shows an engagement means 19 in the form of a plain upstanding column or plate on a rigid backbone 18. Another embodiment in Figure 16B shows an engagement means 28 which is in the form of a U-shaped bridge. A further embodiment shown in Figure 16C shows a hooked shaped (eg in an L shape) engagement means 29 supported on a rigid backbone 18.

The ice holder 10 has angled inner faces so as to define a wedge shaped solid block of ice which is more easily removed from the ice block mould 14 due to the opposed tapering side faces.

Figures 2 and 5 show side and overall view of a pair of U-shaped hair tongs 17 of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2 in which like parts bear the same reference numerals as in Figure 1. The U-shaped hair tongs 17 receive two blocks 15 in separate ice holders 10, so that their opposing flat faces are presented opposite one another in order to trap hair and allow frozen product 15 to be dispensed evenly to the user's hair.

Figure 3 shows a kit including the hair smoothing apparatus 12, an ice holder 10, ice block moulds 14, a support base 26 and a pouch 24.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show an overall view of an ice holder with a block of frozen product thereto; a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of a hair smoothing apparatus; and an overall diagrammatic view of the embodiment of the hair smoothing apparatus shown in Figure 5 with the ice holder removed therefrom.

Referring to Figure 12 the ice holder has a backbone 18 and strengthening ribs 21 extending therefrom in order to impart strength and rigidity to it which helps to avoid twisting and thereby separation of ice therefrom.

The backbone 18 of the ice holder 10 has a hole or aperture 38 (see Figure 11) adjacent or near the catch 29 (see Figure 16C) or the engagement means. As the user fills the ice block mould 14 with water, when water appears or flows through the aperture 38 the user knows it is full. Alternatively if the ice block mould 14 is prefilled, the aperture 38 provides a route for excess water to overflow from the ice block mould 14, spilling over inner ridge 34 but still being retained by outer ridge 36 (see in particular Figures 15A, 15B and Figure 17). In this way the correct volume of water is contained within the ice block mould 14. The apertures 38 help prevent air bubbles (not shown) being trapped which might weaken the attachment of ice 15 to the ice holder 10.

Figures 6 and 11 show how a lip or groove is formed in a front edge of the ice holder 10 so as to define a detent 32 that locates against a protrusion 23 at the ends of the two arms of the hair smoothing apparatus.

The ice holder 10 ideally has a hole or aperture adjacent or near the engagement means. An advantage of this is that as the user fills the ice mould 14 with water, when water appears at the aperture the user knows when to stop pouring. Alternatively if the ice block mould 14 is pre-filled, the aperture provides a route for excess water to overflow from the ice block mould 14, spilling over the inner ridge 34 but retained by the outer ridge 35. In this way the correct volume of water is contained within the ice block mould 14 and any air bubbles are allowed to escape through apertures and so are not trapped in the block of ice. This is advantageous as if bubbles were to remain in the block of ice they might otherwise weaken the integrity of ice formation or efficacy in which ice attaches to the ice holder 10.

Figure 15A shows a part sectional view of a portion of an ice block mould showing a maximum level for receiving a liquid to be frozen.

Referring to Figure 15B ice block mould 14 has at least one ridge 34 formed therein and at least one outer ridge 35 formed thereon. The inner ridge 34 is formed around each recess that holds and locate the ice holder 10. A user fills each recess to the top of the inner ridge 34 with water and/or liquid conditioner and inserts the ice holder 10 in an inverted orientation as shown. The ice holder displaces a small volume of water when it is inserted into the ice block mould 14. The inner ridge 34 also assists in locating the ice holder 10 in a preferred position. The small volume of water overflows from the recess and is prevented from spilling by the outer ridge 35.

Figure 17 shows an overall view of tray 36 which is one embodiment of an ice block mould 14, as shown in Figures 15A and 15B. The tray 26 has an inner ridge 34 which receives the ice block holder 10 whilst water and/or conditioner (not shown) freezes thereon. Outer ridge 35 ensure that any liquid spillage is retained in the tray 36 and does not contaminate a freezer.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and variation may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as described in the claims.

Parts List ice holder 12 hair smoothing apparatus 13 flat face of frozen product 14 ice block mould block of frozen product 16 former 17 U-shaped hair tongs 18 backbone 19 engagement means resilient latch 21 strengthening rib 22 catch 23 protrusion 24 pouch 26 base 28 bridge shaped catch 29 L shaped catch 32 detent 34 inner ridge outer ridge 36 tray 38 aperture

Claims

Claims 1 An ice holder for a hair smoothing apparatus comprises: a body which has a former or engagement means extending from it, the ice holder is dimensioned and arranged to be placed in an ice block mould that receives a defined volume of liquid product, in use, when the liquid product is frozen a block of frozen product is formed around the former or engagement means and retained thereon so that the block of frozen product adopts the shape of the mould; the ice holder is removable from the mould and is adapted to be received, and retained by a clip, in the hair smoothing apparatus so that a flat layer of frozen product is presented for contacting a person's hair.
2. An ice holder according to claim 1 wherein the ice block mould has two opposed tapering side faces for assisting removal of the frozen ice holder from the ice block mould.
3. An ice holder according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the ice block mould has two opposed tapering end faces for assisting removal of the frozen ice holder from the ice block mould.
4. An ice holder according to any preceding claim wherein the engagement means includes a resiliently deformable latch.
5. An ice holder according to any preceding claim comprises a backbone with one or more catches formed thereon.
An ice holder according to claim 5 wherein the catches have protrusions at their ends.
An ice holder according to claim 6 wherein the protrusions have L-shaped ends.
An ice holder according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one catch is in the form of a U-shaped bridge.
An ice holder according to any preceding claim wherein the ice block mould is formed from the same synthetic plastics material as the ice holder.
An ice holder according to any preceding claim has a temperature indicator.
11 An ice holder according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein an indicator is provided on the ice block mould to indicate the level to which an additive or conditioner is filled to a defined level or concentration.
12 A hair smoothing apparatus comprises two arms connected by way of a continuous U-form handle is dimensioned to receive and retain the ice holder according to any of claims 1 to 10 by way of at least one engagement means.
13 A hair smoothing apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the engagement means includes a resiliently deformable latch, such as snap fit clip or detent.
14 An ice block mould for use with the ice holder according to any of claims 1 to 11, includes a mould that is dimensioned and arranged to receive the ice holder in an inverted state in order that liquid product freezes thereto.
An ice block mould according to claim 14 includes a tray wherein the ice block mould is dimensioned and arranged to receive the ice holder in an inverted state in order that liquid product freezes thereto.
16. An ice block mould according to claim 14 or 15 wherein the tray is surrounded by at least one ridge to retain liquid overspill.
17 An ice block mould according to any of claims 14 to 16 wherein an indicator is provided on the ice block mould to indicate a level to which liquid is to be filled.
18 An ice block mould according to claim any of claims 14 to 17 wherein an aperture is provided on the ice block mould to ensure the release of air bubbles.
19 A kit includes the ice holder according to any of claims 1 to 11, a hair smoothing apparatus according to claim 12 or 13 and an ice block mould according to any of claims 14 to 18.
20. A kit according to claim 19 further includes a stand for the hair smoothing apparatus.
21 A kit according to claim 19 or 20 further including one or more conditioners or hair products which when mixed with water form frozen product in the ice block mould.