US2535176A

US2535176A - Ice tray

Info

Publication number: US2535176A
Application number: US650827A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert S Taylor
Original assignee: Servel Inc
Current assignee: Servel Inc
Priority date: 1946-02-28
Filing date: 1946-02-28
Publication date: 1950-12-26
Anticipated expiration: 1967-12-26

Description

D66. 26, s TAYLOR ICE TRAY Filed Feb, 28, 1946 Patented Dec. 26, 1950 ICE TRAY Robert S. Taylor, Evansville, Ind., assignor to Servel, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application February 28, 1946, Serial No. 650,827

Claims. (Cl. 62-108.5)

The present invention is directed to a method of and means for loosening ice cubes bonded to the longitudinal and lateral partitions of the grid in an ice freezing tray and relates back to my prior copending application Serial No. 559,057, filed October 17, 1944, now abandoned, and entitled Ice Trays for all common subject matter.

One of the objects of the present invention is to apply a series of force couples at spaced points along the longitudinal partition of the grid to flex the partition throughout its length.

Another object is to move the grid relative to the tray and utilize the movement of the grid to move the lateral partitions with respect to the longitudinal partition and apply a series of force couples at spaced points to warp the longitudinal partition sinuously throughout its length.

Another object is to provide an ice tray grid having lateral partitions pivotally connected to the longitudinal partition and provided with hook-like portions engageable with the longitudinal partition.

Still another object is to provide abutments on the ice freezing tray adapted for engagement by the ends of the lateral partitions to cause the latter to pivot until their hook-like portions engage the longitudinal partition and thereafter apply a series of force couples at spaced points along the longitudinal partition.

These and other objects will become more apparent from the following description and drawings in which like reference characters denote like parts throughout the several views. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and not a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings; I

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an ice freezing tray and grid incorporating the novel features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the ice tray and grid illustrated in Fig. 1 and showing the force multiplying levers for lifting the grid relatively of the tray;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view showing the grid raised with respect to the tray, the lateral partitions rocked outwardly away from the longitudinal partition and the hook-like portions of the lateral partitions applying force couples at spaced points along the longitudinal partition;

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view taken on line the ice and the tray.

4-4 of Fig. 3 showing the lateral partitions pivotally connected to flanges on the longitudinal partition and the-offset relationship of the adjacent lateral partitions on opposite sides of the longitudinal partition;

Fig. 5 is a partial plan view of a modified construction of grid having pairs of lateral partitions arranged closely adjacent each other with their hook-like portions offset from each other to increase the bending effect on the longitudinal partition; and,

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the portion of the grid illustrated in Fig. 5.

The method of the present invention comprises the steps of lifting the grid relatively of the ice freezing tray to break the bond between The lateral partitions of the grid are then moved with respect to the longitudinal partitions to break the bond between the cubes and partitions. includes the step of utilizing the relative movement between the lateral and longitudinal partitions to applya series of force couples at spaced points along the longitudinal partition to warp the latter sinuously throughout its length whereby to peel it from the ice and insure loosening of the ice cubes from the lateral partitions.

The steps of the method may be performed manually with suitable tools, or they may be performed mechanically by cooperating parts of the grid and ice freezing tray. Several forms of construction of the ice freezing tray 10 and grid H are illustrated in the accompanying drawings for practicing the method of the present invention. The ice freezing tray Ill is of the usual shallow construction including a bottom I2, side walls l3, l4 and inclined end walls l5, 16. The upper edge of the side walls l3, l4 and the end wall l5 are rolled inwardly to provide a bead or abutment l1 overlying the outer edges of the grid II. The bead or abutment I1 is provided with a series of spaced slots l8 for a purpose as will later appear. The upper edge of the end wall I6 and the portions of the side walls l3 and I4 adjacent the end wall are rolled outwardly to provide a bead [9.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, the grid H comprises a longitudinal partition 20 extending throughout the length of the tray l0. While the longitudinal partition may have other forms, it preferably consists of a single sheet-metal strip of thin flexible material having its ends 2| and 22 shaped to conform to the contour of the inclined end walls I5 and I6 of the tray. A series of The method further 3 angle pieces are attached to opposite sides of the longitudinal partition 21? as by welding or the like to provide lateral flanges 23, and the flanges extend to the top of the partition, see Fig. 3.

A lateral partition 25; is pivotally connected to each flange 23 on the longitudinal partition by means of a pivot pin 25. As shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4, the lateral partitions 24 are pivotally connected to the flanges 23 adjacent their lower edges to adapt them for rocking movement to the position shown in Fig. 3. The pivot pins 25 are peened in countersunk holes 26 and 21 in the flanges 23 and lateral partitions 24, respectively, to provide fiat end faces flush with the outside surfaces of the flanges and partitions, see Fig. 4. As shown most clearly in Fig. l, the adjacent flanges 23 at opposite sides of the longitudinal partition 2e are offset along the longitudinal partition 26 and as illustrated the flanges on one side are positioned midway between the flanges on the other side. Each lateral partition 24 is provided with a hook-like portion 28 adjacent its upper edge which overlies the top of the longitudinal partition 20. The hook-like portions 28 of the lateral partitions 24 are provided with shoulders 29 which are normally spaced a slight distance from the sides of the longitudinal partition 22: but engageable with the sides of the longitudinal partition 29 to limit their pivotal movement, see Fig. 3.

The hook-like portions 28 of adjacent lateral partitions 24 are adapted to apply a force couple to the longitudinal partition 2b which tends to rotate the latter in one direction or the other alternately throughout its length. For example, the first and second lateral partitions 24 at the right hand end of the grid as viewed in Fig. I tend to rotate the longitudinal partition in a counterclockwise direction while the second and third partitions tend to rotate the longitudinal partition in a clockwise direction, see arrows in Fig. 1 indicating the direction of forces applied.

A force multiplying mechanism is provided for lifting the grid Ii relative to the tray I0 and as illustrated in the drawings comprises levers 30 and SI at opposite ends of the grid. The levers 30 and 3! have bifurcated lugs 32 which straddle the longitudinal partition 20 adjacent its ends and are pivotally connected thereto by means of pins 33 extending through the lugs and partition. The shorter ends 34 of the levers 30 and 3I overlie the ends of the ice tray Ill while the longer handle portions-35 of the levers overlie the grid II t A preferred form of ice tray and grid-having nowbeen described indetail, the mode ofoperation is explained as follows. I

The grid i I is first positioned over the ice freezing tray It with the outer edges of the lateral partitions 24 aligned with the slots I8 in the bead or abutment Il at the upper edge of the side walls of the ice tray. The grid is then lowered into the ice tray until the inclined end 22 of the longitudinal partition 20 engages the inclined end I6 of the ice tray. Due to the dimensions of the lateral partitions 2 their upper edges will be positioned below the abutment H on the ice tray when the inclined end 22 of the longitudinal partition engages the inclined end I6 of the tray. Upon further downward movement of the grid-I I into the tray It, the relative sliding movement of the inclined ends I6 and 22 will cause a longitudinal shifting of the grid relative to the tray so that the ends of the lateral partitions 24 underlie the abutments I? on the tray. The tray I0 may then be filled with water and stored in the ice freezing compartment of a refrigerator until the nvater is frozen.

To remove the ice cubes from the tray, the handle portions 35 of the levers 3i) and 3! are swung outwardly. Such movement of the force multiplying levers 3t and 3| pries or cams the grid and ice frozen thereto upwardly with respect to the ice tray I8 and breaks the bond between the ice and tray. Such lifting movement of the grid I I is continued until the outer edges of the lateral partitions 2t engage the abutments ll at the sides of the ice tray It. The upward movement of the grid II relatively of the tray I0 then causes a pivotal movement of the lateral partitions 213 on the pins 25 with respect to the longitudinal partition 25). Such pivotal movement of the lateral partitions 24 will loosen the bond between the partitions and the sides of the ice cubes.

The rocking or pivotal movement of the lateral partitions 24 will continue until the shoulders 29 of the hook-like portions 23 engage the opposite sides of the longitudinal partition 29 which limits further pivotal movement. The shoulders 29 of the lateral partitions 24 then will apply the force from the force multiplying levers 38 and 3| to the opposite sides of the longitudinal partition 28 at spaced points therealong. Due to the offset relationship of adjacent lateral partitions 24, their hook portions 28 will produce a series of force couples on the longitudinal partition 29 at spaced points therealong to cause it to flex or warp sinuously throughout its length as indicated by the dash line in Fig. 1 which exaggerates the flexing. Such warping of the longitudinal partition 29 will cause it to peel away from the ice cubes and move the ice cubes relative to the lateral partitions to insure loosening of the ice cubes from the grid.

The grid then may be shifted longitudinally of the tray ID until the ends of the lateral partitions 24 align with the slots I8 in the abutments I! on the tray and the grid iI lifted out of the tray, the portions of the abutments i7 between the slots stripping the ice cubes from the grid. The loosened ice cubes may be removed from the right hand end of the tray having the outwardly rolled bead I9 which facilitates removal.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a modified construction of grid in which the lateral partitions 24 are arranged in pairs with the partitions of each pair closely adjacent each other, but the hooklike portions 28 are ofiset with respect to the planes of the lateral partitions so that each pair of adjacent lateral partitions apply force couples at points spaced from the axis of rotation to increase the moment arm and bending eiifect on the longitudinal partition 20. The form of grid illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 operates in the same manner as previously explained with respect to the formof construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4.

It will now be observed that the present invention provides a novel method and means of loosening ice cubes from the grid in an ice tray. It also will be observed that the method and means of the present invention utilizes the lifting movement of the grid relatively of the tray to pivot the lateral partitions with respect to the longitudinal partition and thereafter utilizes the relative movement to apply a series of force couples to the longitudinal partition to warp it sinuously throughout its length. It will still further be observed that the present invention provides a novel construction and arrangement of elements in an ice tray and grid.

Whilethe method and several forms of construction of ice tray and grid are herein illus trated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that further modifications may be made in the steps of the method and in the form of construction of the ice tray and grid without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For instance, the lateral partitions may be formed integrally with the longitudinal partition and offset therealong to apply a series of force couples to the longitudinal partition by the engagement of their ends with abutments on the tray. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect the invention is defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of freeing ice cubes bonded to the continuous longitudinal and articulated lateral partitions of a grid in an ice freezing tray which comprises moving the grid relative to the tray, restraining the movement of the lateral partitions at fixed points during such movement to cause them to pivot with respect to the longitudinal partition, and applying a series of force couples at spaced points along the longitudinal partition to cause it to warp sinuously throughout its length.

2. The method of freeing ice cubes bonded to the continuous longitudinal and articulated lateral partitions of a grid in an ice freezing tray which comprises lifting the grid relative to the tray, restraining the movement of the lateral partitions at fixed points to cause the longitudinal partition to move relative thereto, and utilizing the movement of the longitudinal partition relative to the lateral partitions to apply a series of force couples at spaced points along the longitudinal partition to warp the latter sinuously throughout its length.

3. An ice freezing tray, a grid in said tray having a continuous longitudinal partition and lateral partitions arranged in spaced relationship along the longitudinal partition to divide the ice tray into a series of compartments, force multiplying means for moving the grid relative to the tray, and connections between the lateral partitions and the longitudinal partition operable upon movement of the grid relative to the tray to apply a series of force couples at spaced points to warp the longitudinal partition sinuously throughout its length.

4. An ice freezing tray, a grid in said tray having a longitudinal partition and lateral partitions arranged in spaced relationship along the longitudinal partition to divide the ice tray into a series of compartments, said lateral partitions being pivotally connected to the bottom of the longitudinal partition, force multiplying means for moving the grid relative to the tray, abutments on the tray for limiting the movement of the lateral partitions, and hook-like portions on the lateral partitions engaging the sides of the longitudinal partition to l mit the pivotal movement, said hook-like port ons of the lateral partitions applying force couples on the longitudinal partition to warp the latter sinuously throughout its length.

5. An ice freezing tray, a grid in said tray having a continuous longitudinal partition and lateral partitions arranged in spaced relationship along the longitudinal partition to divide the ice tray into a series of compartments, the adjacent lateral partitions at the opposite sides of the longitudinal partition being offset longitudinally of the latter, said lateral partitions having connections to the longitudinal partition at the top and'bottom thereof, force multiplying mechanism for moving the grid relative to the tray, and abutments on the tray engageable by the ends of the lateral partitions to limit the relative movement of the grid and tray whereby a force couple is applied by the adjacent offset lateral partitions to Warp the longitudinal partition and free the ice bonded thereto.

6. An ice freezing tray, a grid in said tray having a longitudinal partition and lateral partitions arranged in spaced relationship along the longitudinal partition to divide the ice tray into a series of compartments, the adjacent lateral partitions at the opposite sides of the longitudinal partition being offset longitudinally thereof and pivotally connected thereto, structure for limiting the pivotal movement of the lateral partitions relative to the longitudinal partition,

force multiplying mechanism for moving the grid relative to the tray, and abutment on the tray engageable-by the ends of the lateral partitions during the relative movement of the grid and tray to cause the lateral partitions to move with respect to the longitudinal partition and thereafter apply a force couple to warp the longitudinal partition whereby to free the ice bonded to both the lateral and longitudinal partitions.

'7. An ice freezing tray, a grid in said tray having a longitudinal partition and lateral partitions arranged in spaced relationship along the longitudinal partition to divide the ice tray into a series of compartments, structure connecting the lateral partitions to the longitudinal partition for pivotal movement thereon, hooks on the lateral partitions arranged in offset relationship and engageable with the opposite sides of the longitudinal partition to limit the pivotal movement, force multiplying mechanism for moving the grid relative to the tray, and abutments on the tray engageable by the ends of the lateral partitions to cause them to pivot with respect to the longitudinal partition until the hooks engage the latter and thereafter apply a force couple to warp the longitudinal partition.

8. An ice freezing tray, a grid in said tray having a longitudinal partition and lateral partitions arranged in spaced relationship along the longitudinal partition to divide the ice tray into a series of compartments, structure pivotally connecting the lateral partitions to the longitudinal partition adjacent the lower edge thereof, hookshaped portions on the lateral partitions overlying the upper edge of the longitudinal partition to limit the pivotal movement, force multiplying mechanism for lifting the grid relative to the tray, and abutments on the tray engageable by the ends of the lateral partitions to cause them to pivot on the longitudinal partition until the hook-shaped portions engage the latter, said hook-shaped portions of the lateral partitions thereafter applying a series of force couples at spaced points along the longitudinal partition to warp the latter sinuously throughout its length.

9. An ice freezing tray, a grid in said tray having a longitudinal partition and lateral partitions arranged in spaced relationship along the longitudinal partition to divide the ice tray into a series of compartments, flanges extending laterally from the longitudinal partition in offset relationship, pins pivotally connecting the lateral partitions to the flanges adjacent their lower ends, hook-like portions on the lateral partitions engageable with the sides of the longitudinal couples at spaced points along the longitudinal,

partition to warp the latter sinuously throughout its length.

10. An ice freezing tray having inturned edges provided with spaced slots, a grid in said tray having a longitudinal partition and lateral partitions arranged in spaced relationship along the longitudinal partition to divided the ice tray into a series of compartments, the lateral partitions being pivotally connected to the longitudinal partition and having hook-shaped portions engageable with the sides of the longitudinal partition to limit the pivotal movement and thereafter apply force couples to Warp the longitudinal partition, and force multiplying mechanism for lifting the grid relative to the tray, said grid being inserted into the tray through the spaced slots in the inturned edges thereof and the ends of the lateral partitions being engageable with the inturned edges of the tray when the grid is lifted by the force multiplying mechanism whereby to pivot the lateral partitions and warp the longitudinal partition to free the ice bonded thereto.

ROBERT s. TAYLOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,199,798 Jacobs May 7, 1940 20 2,215,324 Hallock Sept. 17, 1940 2,291,437 Andersson July 28, 1942