US1908323A - Ice cube pan structure - Google Patents

Description

' ICE CUBE PAN STRUCTURE May 9, 1933.

Filed Oct. 8, 1928 INVENTOR.

Patented May 9, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN P. COBIBEIT, O1 OOLUIBUSfOHIQ, ASSIaNOB OF ONE-FOURTH TO v\FIIILILK D- BELL, OF CQLUMBUS, OHIO ICE CUBE PAN STRUCTURE My invention relates to an ice cube pan structure. It pertains, particularly to a device in which water is adapted to be disposed preparatory to the formation of ice 5 cubes, although 1t is not limited thereto. For instance, the device might be employed with equal success in operations wherein liquids are solidified by other than a freez-l thereof ma 'be seen in the accompanyin in operation.

.n devices-of this type used at the present time, a shallow metal pan or tray is used in combination with a latticed or rid member adapted to be inserted into the pan or tra series of individual compartments. The latticed member is usually constructed of a plurality of metal strips that are assembled in such relation as to form the series'ofv individual compartments.

While my invent-ion ma be successfully used in the operation of so idifying various liquids, I have hereinafter described the invention as being particularlfy adapted to the formation of a plurality 0 ice cubes. My invention contemplates the provision of a 1i uid container so constructed that the ice on es may be removed from the individual compartments by the application of a temperature increasing agent to the walls of the cups instead of by direct contact between the temperature increasing agent and the ice cubes. q

My invention also contemplates the provision of a liquid containing device wherestructed that, on the application of a tem-' perature increasing medium to the walls of the individual compartments and the resultant loosening of the ice cubesin the compartments, the ice cubes will, in a minimum length of time, break contact with the walls of the compartments.

Further, my invention contemplates the provision of a second pan or tray which may take the form of a lid or cover for the first pan. This second tray is so constructed that, when it is placed over the container having the ice cubes therein, the entire device is inverted, and a temperature increas- 50 ing medium applied to the walls of the comother.

to divide. the interior thereof into a in the individual compartments are so conpartment in the original container, the ice cubes on droppin out of their respective compartments wil rest on the second lid or tray, preferably in spaced relation to each Numerous advantageous features and the objects of my invention maybe seen in the following description and one embodiment drawing w erein similar characters of re 0o erence designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, showing the container in which a liquid is adapted to be disposed. prior to solidification.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cover or lid for the container shown in Fi re 1.

igure 3 is a sectional view taken on .the line 33 of Figure 1 and showing one of the individual compartments containing an ice cube. I

Fi ure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3"? showing the liquid container in inverted position with the structure shown in Figure 2 I disposed beneath the container and alternperature increasing medium being applied to the walls of the individual compartments of the liquid container.

In the drawing, I have shown one embodiment of my ice cube tray as comprisin a plurality of cups or containers 1, dispose therein in spaced relationshi The cups 1 are preferably disposed at uniform distances from each other, and are of the same general size and shape. The side walls 4 of these cups 1 converge, meeting a common base portion 5 at an an Ie, the purpose of which will be hereina ter described. WM

It will be note'd' thateach cup 1 is bounded on all sides by a portion containing slits or slots 2. These openings 2 are not restricted as to size, position, or number and may be disposed about the upper surface of the tray wherever desired.

Formed integrally with the outer edge of the upper's'urface of myice cube tray, and depending downwardly therefrom, is a skirt 3 which is capable of supporting the tray in an upright position. ,This sk1rt 3 is of sufficient height to extend below the bottoms of the cups 1 and support them in a supported position with relation to any object upon which the tray may rest while in an upright position. 1

When In ice cube tray is inverted and a liquid applied thereto to'loosen the cubes, theskirt 3 tends to partiall confine the li uid within its limits and, ecause of its height, to cause the liquid to completely cover each cup.

I have shown in Figure 2 a member that Y has the same dimensions as the upper surface of my ice cube tray, which I shall term a cover or lid. This member is capable of holding the ice cube tray when said ice cube tray is inverted thereon. It maybe used as a lid, if so desired, during a freezing operation.

I have shown the cover as comprisin a plurality of shallow cups or containers 7 disposed therein in spaced relationship.

The cups 7 are preferably of a relatively shallow nature, having the' same dimensions and are s aced uniformly within the cover.

The si e wall 9 of each on 7 meets a common'base portion 10 at rlght angles. The width and breadth of this cup is aproximately the same as the width and readth of the cup 1 at its uppermost limits,

. and is adapted to coincide therewith when inverted thereon.

These cu s 7 are connected by portions provided wlth slots or slits 8. These openings 8 are not restricted as to size, position or number and may be disposed about the upper surface of the cover wherever deslred. It is preferable that each opening 8 be of the same dimensions, and p aced so that when inverted on the ice cube tray, they will coincide with the openings 2 of that member.v However, they1 may be larger.

It is apparent that eac of these two members maybe formed from one piece of material or if desired, may be assembled from individual parts.

In the use of my device, I fill each individual cup 1 with the li uid to be solidified and place the tray in t e sleeve provided in the ordinary type of mechanical refrigerator. The cover may be placed thereon, if so desired.

After the liquid is frozen I remove the tray and invert it on the lid as shown in Figure 4, or if the cover has been previously put in place, I simply invert the device as a whole while holding the cover in place.

It will be noted that the ice 11 (Figure 3) when frozen does not assume the shape of a true cube, but tapers slightly toward one 7 end.

My ice cube tray is now inverted on the cover and I pour a warm hquld into the area surrounding the cups. The liquid drains off through the openings 8 and 2 which now coinclde forming a as'sageway through which a liquid may readily pass (Figure 4).

The warm liquid raises the temperature of the sidewalls 4 of the cups 1 and thereby release the ice cubes iii-contact with the side walls causing them to drop into the cups 7 of the cover. It is apparent that no liquid other than that generated by the melting action of the ice in contact with the side walls has come into direct contact with the ice, this bein a preferred condition.

The ice '11, w en it has broken contact with the walls of the cup 1 and has started to vmove downwardly, -will not ordinarily contact with the walls of the compartment thereafte because of the angle of said walls.

The ic cube tray is now lifted from the su port and each individual cube is left in an upright position in a cup 7 of the cover. These cubes have not been materially reduced in size and the loss of solid is negligible.

I believe that I am the first to appreciate that these ice cubes may be released from cells with so little resultant loss. It is within the broad aspect of my invention to accomplish this by merely providing an individual cell for each cube that may be completely covered by any warm liquid without contacting the liquid with the ice cube. A liquid may or may not be used to release the ice. Warm air may be directed upon the exterior of the cu'ps or they may be allowed to stand in a normal room temperature. It

is understood that this may require a slight-' lybleonger period of time for releasing the cu Havingthus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An ice cube tray comprising a plurality of cells, connecting portions between said cells, said connecting portions havi openings therein and the walls of said cel s being exteriorly spaced apart and a skirt for said tra r 2 In an ice cube tray structure, the combination of a tray having a lurality of cells therein, and a cover for sai tray, said cover comprising indentations registering with said cells adapted to receive and retain the cubes when they are'emptied from the said tray, said indentations bein of substantially the same area as one end 0 said cubes.

3. In an ice cube tray structure, the combination of a tra having a plurality of spaced cells therein, and a cover for said tray, said tray having a plurality of perforated connecting portions between the cells and said cover being constructed to permit, the passage of water through such 'perforaspaced cells therein, and a cover forsaid tray having a plurality of indentations therein,

said cells being connected by perforated portions and the indented portions of said cover being separated by perforated ortions, the said indentations being adapted to coincide with said cells and the perforated portions vin the cover being adapted to coincide with the perforated connecting portions of the tray.

5. A cover for a receptacle adapted to receive a liquid or a semi-solid material for the purpose of solidifying said material therein comprising a surface indented to signature.

receive and retain aritcles emptied there-' on when such articles are emptied thereon from a receptacle, the indentations in said cover being separated by. perforated portions.

6. A cover for ice cube trays comprising a surface indented to receive and retain ice cubes in spaced relation when such cubes are emptied thereon from a tray, the indented portions of said surface. being of substantially the same area as one end of said cubes.

7. A cover for ice cube trays comprising a surface indented to receive and retain ice cubes in spaced relation when such cubes are emptied thereon from a tray, the indentations in said cover being separated by perforated portions.

8. An ice cube tray comprising a plurality of cells, connecting portlons between saidcells, said connecting ortions having openings therein, and a s 'rt for said tray de-.

pending below the bases of said cells and elevatin said cells when said tray is resting on said s irt. In testimony whereof I hereby afiix my EDWIN P. CORBETT.

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