US20040211879A1

US20040211879A1 - Dripless ice cube making and bagging tray

Info

Publication number: US20040211879A1
Application number: US10/422,106
Authority: US
Inventors: Frederick Stalnecker; Lauren Stalnecker; Christian Stalnecker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-04-25
Filing date: 2003-04-25
Publication date: 2004-10-28

Abstract

A flexible tray with partitions for the creation of ice cubes or other solids when frozen which is molded into the side of a flexible and waterproof bag having a (zip-lock)-like closure at one end.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an ice tray and, more particularly, to an ice tray which when filled with water will not drip while providing safe and sanitary ice storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For almost a century the freezing of water for the purpose of making ice has been a wet and undesirable experience at the least. Ice trays were first made of metal and then more modern versions were made of molded plastic. No matter what the material used, there is the ever present problem of getting the ice tray to the freezer without spilling the water in the kitchen floor. These wet floors are not only dangerous but unsanitary at best. After getting the ice tray into the freezer another problem results when trying to remove the tray because the tray has frozen itself to the freezer with the dripped water which ran to the base of the tray as it was placed into the freezer. Sometimes people have even had to use tools to free them or totally defrost the freezer to remove trays frozen to the structure of the freezer in this fashion. Another problem is encountered when the ice is removed from a tray. Many people have been injured by flying shards of ice hitting them in the eyes when ejecting ice from these trays. Finally, where does the ice go when ejected? Usually ice is dumped into a kitchen sink, a bowl, or other receptacle to keep the ice clean. Then each piece of ice has to be handled again to be placed into the desired container. The entire process is messy, unsanitary, and dangerous.

Other solutions in existence include U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,849 Dickmeyer Apr. 3, 2001 There is disclosed herein an ice cube tray device particularly for use on moving vehicles, such as boats and the like, comprising a top member having a plurality of cap like members attached to the underside thereof. Also there is United States Patent D433, 691 Cauley et al Nov. 14, 2000 an ornamental ice cube maker.

After thorough research in the USPTO Data base, it is clear that while there are many ways to make ice, every single tray has the potential for the spillage of water after filling. It is also clear that none of the patented solutions offer a storage solution that is sanitary and easy to use.

It is therefore an object of the invention to make ice cubes or other solid shapes.

It is another object of the invention to be fillable from one end to a prescribed point facilitating the usage of the correct amount of water for perfect filling of the tray.

It is another object of the invention to be sealable at one end in order to make the apparatus watertight therefore rendering it dripless.

It is another object of the invention to use the flexible enclosure described as a storage area for loose cubes after freezing and ejecting the ice shapes.

It is another object of the invention to provide the sanitary and safe ejection of Ice cubes inside the bag preventing injury and disease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tray with segmented partitions for the creation of ice solid shapes when frozen which is molded into the side of a flexible bag having a (zip-Lock)-like and watertight closure at one end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: [0011]
FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a dripless ice cube making and bagging tray; and [0012]
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a dripless ice cube making and bagging tray.[0013]
For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the FIGURES. [0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a dripless ice cube making and bagging tray. In operation this flexible storage area [0015] 10 has two roles. The first is to render the ice tray 12 dripless once the resealable opening 14 is closed. The second role is for the storage of frozen and ejected ice. Please note that there is a proper filling line 16 designated on the side of the ice tray 12 so that when being filled the user knows exactly how much water to fill the apparatus with for the correct formation of ice cubes by volume. This flexible storage area 10, ice tray 12, and all other components may be made of any material and in any color suitable for the use stated.
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a dripless ice cube making and bagging [0016] ice tray 12. This view shows more specifically the placement of the ice tray 12 in the flexible storage area 10 and the resealable opening 14 at one end. This resealable opening 14 may be similar to the well known “zip-lock” device common to plastic bag manufacturers but any closure sufficient for the task is acceptable. In operation the first step for use is to open the flexible storage area 10 and hold it by the open end so that the opening may be placed under the faucet or other running water. The second step is to fill the flexible storage area 10 to the correct level for proper Ice formation by filling up to and not further than the proper filling line 16 designated on the side of the apparatus. The third step is to close or seal the bag at the resealable opening 14. The fourth step is to lay the bag down in the freezer with the ice tray 12 on the bottom and the flexible storage area 10 facing upwards. The fifth step is to allow the water to freeze. The sixth step is to remove the ice tray 12 from the freezer and twist the apparatus at both ends in an opposite direction ejecting the ice from the ice tray 12 into the flexible storage area 10. The final step is to unseal or open the bag at the resealable opening 14 and pour out the cubes into a glass or other container as desired.
Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. [0017]
Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.[0018]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A dripless ice cube making and bagging tray for the safe and sanitary creation of ice comprising:

means for containment of the water once filled and storage of the ice once formed and ejected;

means for the creation of ice cubes or other solid shapes, cooperatively attached to said means for containment of the water once filled and storage of the ice once formed and ejected; and

means for rendering the entire apparatus watertight and dripless, securely constructed to said means for containment of the water once filled and storage of the ice once formed and ejected.

2. The dripless ice cube making and bagging tray in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for containment of the water once filled and storage of the ice once formed and ejected comprises a flexible storage area.

3. The dripless ice cube making and bagging tray in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for the creation of ice cubes or other solid shapes comprises an ice tray.

4. The dripless ice cube making and bagging tray in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for rendering the entire apparatus watertight and dripless comprises a resealable opening.

5. A dripless ice cube making and bagging tray for the safe and sanitary creation of ice comprising:

a flexible storage area, for containment of the water once filled and storage of the ice once formed and ejected;

an ice tray, for the creation of ice cubes or other solid shapes, cooperatively attached to said flexible storage area; and

a resealable opening, for rendering the entire apparatus watertight and dripless, securely constructed to said flexible storage area.

6. The dripless ice cube making and bagging tray as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

a proper filling line, for correctly filling the apparatus to the exact level needed for ice production, readably delineated to said flexible storage area.

7. A dripless ice cube making and bagging tray for the safe and sanitary creation of ice comprising:

an ice tray, for the creation of ice cubes or other solid shapes, cooperatively attached to said flexible storage area;

a resealable opening, for rendering the entire apparatus watertight and dripless, securely constructed to said flexible storage area; and