USRE24085E

USRE24085E - Tray means for the production of frangible

Info

Publication number: USRE24085E
Authority: US
Publication date: 1955-11-08

Description

Nov. 8, 1955 NIGRQ Re. 24,085 TRAY MEANS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FRANGIBLE, CHIPPABLE, AND 1 FLAKABLE ARTIFICIAL ICICLE ELEMENTS Original Filed Feb. 21, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 3| l44- 133 so 2 33 All! a 4A 7? INVHVTOR.

Joseph G. Niqro Nov. 8, 1955 .J. a. NIGRO Re. 24,085

TRAY MEANS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FRANGIBLE, CHIPPABLE, AND

FLAKABLE ARTIFICIAL ICICLE ELBIENTS Original Filed Feb. 21, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Alton!" TRAY IEANS FOR THE PRO Nov. 8, 1955 I Original Filed Feb. 21. 1952 w 3 .0 M a mm 2 9 NM E m w R a n m m m m m m mm l a a Gum & Dm I m m o 3 Am .0 wumunmm,

United States Patent Oflicc v r. 24,085 Reissues! Nov.8, 19 55 l aise-7 mammalian: 1954,8erlalNo. at, 1952. Apgaatlnhrreksne 8erHNo.485 tacuam4ass-rsas Mattsssnelosedhhaavybraehetsll Inthe pdsltbatlnrmsno oltllis miteshuh Indicates the My invention relates to L] icicle means, and rnethodgandrneanatortheproductionormanufacture of same.

Animportantobjectofmyinvenu'onistoprovidea frangible, chippable, and flakable, icicle element, which is, preferably, a wafer-like structure of parallelepipedic eonfigurationtion, and is relatively thin to facilitateiracturethereofintoicechipsoriceflakaorrce lllllt crystalsofirregularconfiguration. v Another object of my invention is to provide a tram gible, chippable, and fiakable, artificial icicle means cornprlsed o! a number of substantially parallelepipedic units being interconnected by strengthening core or web means.

meansforproducingtheiciclemeansorelements Asfillfurtherobjectofmyinventionis'toprovldetray means for producing artificial icicle means, composed of wafer-like portions susceptible of being frangible, chippable, and fiakable; the said artificial icicle means con'-' of a multiplicity of substantially parallelepipedic elementsinterconnectedb'ycoremeansinordertohlrtherintensilythefiakingandchippingactiomwhenthe same are subjected to light blows or torsional movements to reduce ice chipsorieefiakes.

Astill erobjectofmyinventionistoprovidetray com- - prising my invention.

A still further object of my invention is to produce arti-.

ficial icicle means, which is readily frangible, chippable,

andfiakable, when subjected toaseriesotlightblows whenthesameisheldwithinafiexibleandw'aterproo! -sackorlikeunit.

A further object of my invention is to provide tray means,whiehismadeoffiexiblematerial,andadaptedto be responsive to reciprocal torsional movements about its geometriccenter,inordertochip,orfiake,orbreakthe said icicle means or elements into irregularly-shaped still further object of my invention is to provide tray means of the aforementioned character, which may be used in concertwith hollow extension handle means in ordertoincreasetheleverage totransmit thepowernecesaary for'tos'sionally twisting thesaid tray .means about its geometeric center in the process of producing ice chips, fiakes,orirregularsmallcrystalparlicles;

Astilllurtherobjectofmyinventionistoprovidea snbsequentdisposalofthesaidicechipsorfiakes. Astillturtherobjectotmyinventionistoprovidetray meansoftheaforementionedcharacter,whichisirrclosreciprocallythesaidtraymeamthesaidbagtocollecr eollectins] the ice chips, or flakes and maintain themthereimsowhenthetrayisrernoved remaininthebaglorfurther soasnottointerferewiththe congealingactioninthefreeaerunitwhenthesaidtrays' areplacedintionwithinthefreezingoompartmsntoladeepfreeesunit.

frcmthebottomotanothersimilarn-aymeans- '45 eovermeansmpportedremovablyonthetopofthesard' droppingoutofthetraymeansthusthem B0 otmyinvention'istoprovlde Astillfurtherobjectofmyinventionistoproducea flexible freezer type of tray, equipped to freeze frangible artificialicicles,aswellasamethodorfiaking'thesaid' artificial icicles when the same is subjected to stresses, strains, blows or impacts.

Other objects, ancillary features and inherent advantages of my invention will become apparent from an examination of the accompanying drawings, bearing further elucidation in the ensuing description, wherein like symbols are used to designate like parts, and in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of one form of artificial icicle, comprising my invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the icicle illustrated in Fig. 1 produced in multiple form and interconnected by reinforcing core means of substantially cylindrical formation, with spaces [46] therebetween.

Fig. 3 is a top elevational view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is another form of artificial icicle comprising my invention which is characterized by core means of substantially quadrilateral cross'sectional configuration with spaces [45] therebetween.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of tray means used in connection with the manufacture or production of my invention. 1

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken, substantially, on the lines 6-6 of Fig. 5. Fig.7isrstransversecross-sectionalviewtaken',substantially, on the lines 7--7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. Bisaperspectiveviewoftheendoithetrayillustrated in Fig. 5, indicating an attachment or accessory which may be utilized elfectively to incerase the leverage when the tray means is subjected to torsional and twisting movements about its geometric center.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, side view of the tray means .showing the accessory or handle element in crosssection [cross-sectional] in order to more clearly depict the structural relationship of the parts.

Fig. 10 is a view illustrating in full and dotted lines the reciprocal movements of thehands in subjecting the tray means to reciprocatory torsional and twisting actions about its geometric center, showing the resultant flakes, chips, and irregular ice crystals produced from the method illustrated in this view.

Fig. 11 is a view of a tray, or tray means, inserted preferably in a transparent, flexible type of plastic bag, in order tocollecttheicechipsflakaandirregularcrystalsformed within the bag when the tray is subjected to the torsional and twisting movements indicated in Fig. 10.

'Fig. 12 is an illustration of a slight modification indicating a cover, so attached removably to the tray means, thatitwillnotimpedethcoperationiilustratedinFig. l0; and that will simultaneously prevent the crystals, chips, andfiakesfrombeingdispersedhencemalntainingthem within thetray forusewhentheeovermeans'is removed. Fig. ISisaperspectiveviewoftheendofatny equippedwiththehandle accessories,hereinbefore tioned,andthecovermenti'onedsupra. r

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional, andfragmentaryviewofuaymeunsmodifiedtoproducetheicicle illustrated in Figures 2 and 3; it being a view looking in the direction of arrows l4-14 on Fig. 15.

Fig. 1Sisatransversc,viewtaken,su stantiall'y, on the line'slS-IS of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is another dightly modified, fragmentary, crosssectionalviewoftraymeanmwhichisadaptedtoproduce theartificialiciclemcansillustratedinFig.4,andisa cross-sectionalviewtaken,,0nthelines a frangible, chippablc, and fiakable artificial wafer-like icicle element. The l, the] said element is preferably of parallelepipedic construction of wafer thinness as indicated at 19 and preferably having a base surface 20, and generally'designated ll. v

The illustration of Fig. l is the basis of the further modifications illustrated in the various views and the tray means for the manufacture of the said artificial icicle element.

The element illustrated in Fig. 1 may be produced in a tray25illustratedinFigures5and6,andconsistsofa tray portion 26, having a reinforced rib 27.

' The said tray is preferably molded of a plastic material, although other materials which will permit the tray to be flexed reciprocally and torsionally about its geometric cen ter, would also be satisfactory.

The tray is provided with two handle elements, one at each end, designated 28, and having a cross bar or sec-' tional reinforcement 29 "to provide strength and rigidity inviewofthestrainorstretstowhichthetraymaybe subjected.

The tray portion 26 is subdivided longitudinally by a median web portion 30, which is raised at its central portion, and tapers downwardly toward the end of the tray as indicated at 32.

It is subdivided by webs 31, which are raised to the same level as the web 30, so as to permit similar ice trays 25, to be placed in a superimposed position within a freezer unit, without the trays adhering to one another; that is, to prevent adherence of the trays, one with its adjacent tray on which it may be superimposed.

1 In that connection it is to be noted that any liquid with which the tray may be filled would level off with the ribbed edge 27 thereof, so that the level of the congealed 'nwhichcasethe thehkes,orcrystals31wrthm Thetraymayalsobeusedinconnectionwiththeacm thebeveledportionflof thecentralwebfldhusgiving andnnpartinggreaterngidrty totwistthetrayaboutitsgeometriccenterorlocusQSas ihdicatedlFiglO.

-'lhetrayelementillnstratedinl=ig.l1maybeplaced ina-plasticsackorbagoranyfiexiblewater-proofbl;

. v 4 andwiththernouthofthebag5.closed,thesame alsobesubjectedtotheoperationindicatedinFig. 10,

thepouchorbagfl for storinginadeepfreeaeunitorforinstantconsumption.

Astillfurtheranangementisillustratedinligtnes9. 12and l3,where tray'uprovidedwithacoverplate 43, provided with lugs 44, which may be positioned at each andatthecenterthereof-,sothatthesamecanbe overthen'bbedportionflofthetray,topennit indicatedinFig. l0,andatthesame doesnotpreventthefiakadiipgandcrystalsformed leavingtheconfinesofthetrayuntilthecoverisrechips, flakes, u cqstals may be debe noted that the reinforcedbyacore interconnecting the In other words, the brittle property of the icicle element 18 is attributable to its frangibility when subjected tostrainsandstressecbythetorsionalmovementsofthe trays; the elements being inflexible cause the breakage thereof into irregular crystals, flakes, and chips.

The core means 22, formed within the bored openings 45 of the tray, tend to unite the frangible elements 11, making the structure sligh y more rigid and increasing its brittleness, thereby intensifying the breaking, chipping, and flaking effects resulting when this tray is subjected to ti: reciprocal, torsional as indicated in Fig. l

A sliditly modified form of tray means is indicated in Figures 16 and 17. The core means 22 being replaced by substantially rectangular cross-sectional web formation in the icicle 23 and designated 24, resulting by slotting the WebsZBmdSIasseeninFig. 17.

A slight taper is inherent in the slotted portion 48 of the tray, so that the tray, when manufactured, may be readily removed from the mold. The tray illustrated in Figures 14 and 15 would require slightly more expense to produce the bores 45 within the

webs

33 and 31. at the same time maintaining the outer end walls of the tray free of openings.

In actual use, any of the trays illustrated, may be filled with water to the level of the beaded portion 27, then placed in superimposition in the compartment of a deep freeze unit, the same being allowed to freeze so that the liquid will congeal. The trays are then ready for use and may be subjected to torsional movements to produce the flakes, chips, and ice crystals.

The artificial icicles designated 21 may also be produced in the tray illustrated and subjected to the same torsional fiexure reciprocally in order to produce flakes,

The element 18 may be sold and separately manufactured as indicated in Fig. 1, without the tray means. They [they] may be placed in a bag such as 47 and subjected to blows by a light mallet or by striking the same against a hard surface in order to produce flakes, chips, and ice crystals. The same procedure may be adopted for the icicles generally illustrated and designated 23 or 21.

The brittle property of the icicle will result in ice chipgflakes, and crystals formed when the same is subiected to blows or impacts, or, the said icicles, chips. andfiakcsmaybeproducedbytheuseofthetrayzs,

ycanultimatelyberemovedleaving oraa modifledin Figures Hand 15, oras rriodifledin Figures l6andl7.

Thet'ray'mayalsobeused wlthasack47,inwhich thechips,fl'akes,andcrystalswillbecollectedandthe tray can'be removed sothatthe resulting mass of chips,

and crystals may be retained in the pouch 4'1, and

through the mouth 50 thereof. With each of the trays illustrated, the handles 4 may also be used to intensify the leverage, as well'as the power to be'exerted thereby when subjected to the torsional and twisting movements indicated in Fig. 10.

The trays illustrated may also be used in connection with the cover plate 43, which will retain the crystals, and not permit the same to be dissipated from the tray,

, until removal thereof is desired, that is, when the cover form, the teachings so that those familiar with the art will be ableto practice my invention. inasmuch as the same is susceptible of many modifications, alterations,

and improvements, I hereby reserve the right to any improvements, alterations and modifications coming within a the scope and spirit of my invention and disclosure, also the right to any improvements impliably embraced in the accompanying illustrations depicting the generally suggested elemental structure of my invention, and also any modifications, improvements, or alterations, falling within the purview of the foregoing description; my invention to be limited only by the subjoined claims.

Having thus disclosed and revealed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1

l. Tray means for producing ice chips flakes and crystals, comprising a tray element of flexible material pm vided with manipulating handle portions at each end thereof, the said tray element having a liquid retaining compartment, said liquid retaining compartment having an axis that extends between said ends, said liquid retaining compartment being subdivided by partition means into a multiplicity of comparatively narrow liquid congealing compartments of wafer-like narrowness, capable of producing congealed waters of such thinness so that the said tray means subsequent to congealing of liquid therein when subjected to torsional strains and stresses by torsional movements about said axis [its geometric locus] cause the congealed icicles formed therein to be resolved into ice chips flakes. and crystals of relatively small and irregular configuration readily miscible with liquids, the said tray element being provided with a median web portion extending beyond the top surface thereof, and a few of said partition means evenly distributed extending into the same geometric plane of the top portion of the said median web portion to permit superimposition of like tray means preventing adhesion thereof.

2. Tray means for producing ice chips flakes and crystals, comprising a tray element of flexible material provided with manipulating handle portions at each end thereof, the said tray element having a liquid retaining compartment, said liquid retaining compartment having an axis that extends between said ends, said liquid reraining compartment being subdivided by partition means into a multiplicity of comparatively narrow liquid congealing compartments of wafer-like narrowness, capable of producing congealed wafers of such thinness so that the said tray means subsequent to congealing of liquid therein when subjected to torsional strainsand stresses by torsional movements about said axis [its geometric locus] cause the congealed icicle formed therein to be resolved into ice chips flakes andcrystals of relatively small and irregular configuration readily with liquids, the

longitudinal edges of the said tray element being provided withreinforcedribpcrtionaandcovertplatemeans provided with lug means to engage in snap-on and ofl relationships but not millitating against the torsional strains to which the "said tray means may be subjected simultaneously confining ice chips flakes and crystals formed as a result of the torsional movements.

[3. Tray means for producing ice chips flakes and crystals, comprising a tray element of flexible material provided with manipulating handle portions at each end thereof, the said tray element having a liquid retaining compartment subdivided by partition means into a multiplicity of compare 1y narrowliquid congealing compartments of wafer-like narrowness, capable of producingcongealedwafersofsuchtbinnesssothatthesaid tray means subsequent to congealing of liquid therein when subjected to torsional strains and stresses by torsional movements about its geometric locus cause the congealed icicle formed thereinto be resolved into ice chips flakes and crystals of relatively small and irregular configuration y miscible with liquids, the said tray element being provided witha median web portion ex-- tending beyond the top surface thereof, and a few of said partition means evenly distributed extending into the same geometric plane. of the top portion of the said median web portion to permit superimposition of like tray means preventing adhesion thereof, the longitudinal edges of the said tray element being provided with reinforced rib portions, and cover plate means provided with lug means to engage the said rib portions in snapon and of! relationships but not militating against the torsional strains to which the said tray means may be subjected simultaneously confining ice chips flakes and crystals formed as a result of the torsional movements] 4. Tray means for producing ice chips flakes and crystals, comprising a tray element of flexible material provided with manipulating handle portions at each end thereof, the said tray element having a liquid retaining compartment, said liquid retaining compartment having an axis that extends between said ends, said liquid retaining compartment being subdivided by partition [partion] means into a multiplicity of comparatively narrow liquid congealing compartments of wafer-like narrowness, capable of producing congealed wafers of such thinness so that the said tray means subsequent to congealing of liquid therein when subjected to torsional strains and stresses by torsional movements about said axis [its geometric locus] cause the congealed icicle formed therein to be resolved into ice chips flakes and crystals of relatively small and irregular configuration'readily miscible with liquids, and hollow auxiliary handle means adapted to flt removably over the said handle portions to increase the leverage to more effectively intensify the strains and stresses to which the said tray means may be subjected to increase the elficiency of production'of ice chips flakes and crystals.

[5. Tray means for producing ice crystals, comprising a tray element of flexible material provided with handle portions at each end thereof, the said tray element having a liquid retaining compartment subdivided by partition means into a multi plicity of comparatively narrow liquid congealing compartrnents of wafer-like narrowness, capable of producing congealed wafers of such thinness so that the said tray means subsequent to congealing of liquid therein when subjected to torsional strains and stresses by torsional movements about its geometric locus cause the congealed icicle formed therein to be resolved into ice chips flakes and crystals of relatively small and irregular configuration readily miscible with the said tray element .being provided with a median web portion extendingbeyondthetopsurfacethereohandafewofsaid artition means evenly distributed extending into the rssamegeometricplaneofthetoppcrtionofthesaid chipsflakesandmedian web 'portion to permit superimposition of like ,tray means preventing adhesion thereof, V and hollow auxiliary handle means adapted to flt removably over the said handle portions to increase the leverage to more effectively intensify the strains and stresses to which the said tray means may be subjected to increase the efflciency of production of ice chips flakes and crystals] [6. Tray means for producing ice chips flakes and crystals, comprising a tray element of flexible material provided with manipulating handle portions at each end thereof, the said tray element having a liquid retaining compartment subdivided by partition means into a multiplicity of comparatively narrow liquid congealing compartments of wafer-like narrowness, the said tray means subsequent to congealing of liquid therein when subjected to torsional strains and stresses by torsional move ments about its geometric locus cause the congealed icicle formed therein to be resolved into ice chips flakes and crystals of relatively small and irregular configuration readily miscible with liquids, the longitudinal edges of the said tray element being provided with reinforced rib portions, and cover plate means provided with lug means to engage the said rib portions in snap-on and otf relationships but not militating against the torsional strains to which the said tray means may be subjected simultaneously confining ice chips flakes and crystals formed as a result of the torsional movements, and hollow auxiliary handle means adapted to flt removably over the said handle portions to increase the leverage to more eflectively intensify the strains and stresses to which the said tray means may be subjected to increase the eficiency of production of ice chips flakes and crystals] [7. Tray means for producing ice chips flakes and crystals, comprising a tray element of flexible material provided with manipulating handle portions at each end thereof, the said tray element having a liquid retaining compartment subdivided by partition means into a multiplicity of comparatively narrow liquid congealing compartments of wafer-like narrowness, the said tray means subsequent to congealing of liquid therein when subjected to torsional strains and stresses by torsional movements about its goemetric locus cause the congealed icicle formed therein to be resolved into ice chips flakes and crystals of relatively small and irregular configuration readily miscible with liquids, the said tray element being provided with a median web portion extending beyond the top surface thereof, and a few of said partition means evenly distributed extending into the same geometric plane of the top portion of the said median web portion to permit superimposition of like tray means preventing adhesion thereof, the longitudinal edges of the said tray element being provided with reinforced rib portions and cover plate means provided with lug means to en- .gage the said rib portions in snap-on and off relationships but not militating against the torsional strains to which the said tray means may be subjected simultaneously confining ice chips flakes and crystals formed as a result of the torsional movements, and hollow auxiliary handle means adapted to fit removably over the said handle portions to increase the leverage to more effectively intensify the strains and stresses to which the said tray means may be subjected to increase the efliciency of production of ice chips flakes and crystals] 8. A tray that can receive liquid and that can hold and confine that liquid while that liquid is congealed to ice and that can thereafter respond to twisting to convert said Q ice into ice chips or flakes while said ice is in situ and that comprises a liquid retaining compartment with a continuous bottom and with upstanding end walls and side walls, said liquid retaining compartment having an axis that extends longitudinally of said liquid retaining compartment between said end walls, a plurality of plates that are integral with said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment and that extend upwardly from said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment, said plate: being long and oss narrow and extending transversely of said axis, said plate: a

being closely adiacent each other in confronting relation to define a multiplicity of narrow liquid congealing spaces of waferJike narrowness, said spaces being of a thickness substdntlally smaller than either the length or breadth thereof whereby each of said space: receives one of a multiplicity of small quantities of liquid which can be congealed to form a readily frangible congealed wafer, said plates having surfaces that define a plurality of elongated, vertically directed gaps in said liquid retaining compartment, said gaps being spaced inwardly of said upstanding walls of said liquid retaining compartment, said gaps having the upper ends thereof disposed above the centers of said plates and having the lower ends thereof disposed below the centers of said plates in said liquid retaining compartment, a number of said gaps being in register with each other to define an elongated longitudinally extending liquid congealing passageway in said liquid retaining compartment, said gaps having the narrow dimensions thereof at least one half the thickness of said spaces, whereby congealed cores in said passageway will be of sufficient strength relative to the strength of said congealed wafers in said spaces to constitute reinforcing cores, said tray being made of flexible material whereby said end walls of said liquid retaining compartment can be reciprocally rotated about said axis of said liquid retaining compartment to recurrently distort said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein to subject the congealed liquid therein to torsional stresses and strains, said longitudinally extending passageway defined by said registered gaps interconnecting a number of said liquid congealing spaces defined by said plates to assure the formation of an icicle with a longitudinally extending reinforcing core that interconnects a multiplicity of readily frangible congealed wafers of sufiict'ent thinness that the said distortion of said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein during reciprocal rotation of said end walls of said liquid retaining compartment breaks said congealed wafers into chips and flakes of relatively small and irregular configuration that are readily miscible with liquids, said plates reinforcing and stiflening said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment to minimize local upward bowing of said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment, said upstanding waus spacing said bottom a predetermined distance below the upper edges of said upstanding walls, said plates stifiening and reinforcing said bottom to substantially maintain said predetermined spacing bet-ween said bottom and said upper edges of said upstanding walls during distortion of said liquid retaining compartment, said plates coacting with said bottom and with stiid upstanding walls to apply substantially similar breaking forces to the wafers in said spaces during reciprocal rotation of said end walls, whereby uniform breaking of said wafers into chips and flakes is assured, each of said platesproviding a stiflening and reinforcing action for said bottom, said plates being so closely adjacent each other that the stiflening and reinforcing action which said plates provide for said bottom minimizes losses in the trammission of torsional forces through said bottom to said plates and thereby increases the breaking forces which said plates transmit through said gap-defining surfaces thereof to said reinforcing core and thence to the portion of said wafers intermediate the ends of said wafers.

9. A tray that can receive liquid and that can hold and confine that liquid while that liquid is congealed to ice and that can thereafter respond to twisting to convert said ice into ice chips or flakes while said ice is in situ and that comprises a liquid retaining compartment with a continuous bottom and with upstanding end walls and side walls. said liquid retaining compartment having an axis that extends longitudinally of said liquid retaining compartment between said end walls, a plurality of plates that are integral with said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment and that extend upwardly from said bottom of said liquid retaining mmpartment, said plates being long and narrow extending transversely of said axis, said plates being closely adjacent each other in confronting relation to define a multiplicity of narrow liquid plurality of elongated, vertically directed gaps in said liquid retaining compartment, said gaps having the upper ends thereof disposed above the centers of said plates and having the lower ends thereofdisposed below the centers of said plates, in said liquid retaining compartment, a number of said gaps being in register with each other to define an elongated longitudinally extending liquid congealing passageway in said liquid retaining compartment, said gaps being of substantial width relative to the thickness of said spaces whereby congealed cores in said passageway will be of sufl'icient strength relative to the strength of said congealed wafers in said spaces to constitute reinforcing cores,-said tray being made of flexible material whereby said end walls of said liquid retaining compartment can be reciprocally rotated about said axis of said liquid retaining compartment to recurrently distort said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein to subject the congealed liquid therein to torsional stresses and strains, said longitudinally extending passageway defined by said registered gaps interconnecting a number of said liquid congealing spaces defined by said plates to assure the formation of an icicle with a longitudinally extending reinfqrcingcore that interconnects a multiplicity of readily frangible congealed-wafers of suflicient thinness that the said distortion of said liquid retain'- ing compartment and the said plates therein during re ciprocal rotation of said end walls of said liquid retaining compartmutt breaks said congealed wafers into chips and flakes of relatively small and irregular configuration that are readily miscible with liquids said plates reinforcing and stiflening said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment to minimize local upward bowing of said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment, plates coacting with said bottom and with said upstanding walk to apply substantially similar breaking forces to the wafers in said spaces during reciprocal rotation of said end walls, whereby uniform breaking of said wafers into chips and flakes is assured, said upstanding walls spacing said bottom a predetermined distance below the upper edges of said upstanding walls, said plates stiflening and reinforcing said bottom to substantially maintain said predetermined spacing between said bottom and said upper edges of said upstanding walls during distortion of said liquid retaining compartment.

10. A tray that am receiveliquid and that can hold and confine that liquid while that liquid is congealed to ice and that can thereafter respond to twisting to convert saidiceintoicechipsorfiakeswhilesaidiceisinsitu and that comprises a liquid retaining compartment with a bottom and with upstanding walls, said liquid retaining compartment having an axis that extends between two of said upstanding walls of said liquid retaining compartment, a plurality of plates that are integral with said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment and that extend upwardly from said bottom of said liquid'retaining compartment, said plates being long and narrow, said plates being closely adjacent each other to define a multiplicity of narrow liquid congealing spaces of wafer-like narrowness, said spaces being of a thickness substantially smaller than either the length or breadth thereof whereby each of said spaces receives one of a multiplicity of small quantities of liquid which can be congealed to form a readily frangible congealed wafer, said plates having surfaces that define a plurality of elongated, vertically directed gaps in said liquid retaining compartment,saidgapshevingtheupperendsthereof 15 rotationofsaidtwo I be congealed to form a readily frangible congealed wafer, said plates having surfaces that define a said.

.-said upstanding walLt ofsaidliquid retaining compart &

andthatcanthereajterrespondtotwlttingtoconvert' saidiceintoicechipsorfiakeswhilesaidiceisinsitu and that comprises a liquid retaining compartrnent.with

a bottomand with upstanding walls, said liquid retaining.

compartment having an axis that extends between two of meat, a plurality ofplatesthatare integral with mid bottornofsaidliquidretaining ntanddlatextend upwardly from said bottom'of said liquid retaining compartment,saidplatesbeinglongandnarrow,said plates being closely adjacent each other to define a multiplicity of narrow liquid congealing spaces of wafer like narrowness,saidspacesbeingofathicknesss smallerthaneitherthelength arbreadth thereof whereby each ofsaidspacesreceivesoneofamultiplicityofsrnall quantities of liquid which can be congealed to form a readily frangible congealed wafer, said plateshaving surzzz'zoc'm rwmt. W gaps rends thereofdisposedabovethecentersofsaidpla t ez insaidliquid retaining compartment, said gaps being of substantial width relativetodlethickness ofsaldspaceswherebycongealedcoresinsaidgapswillbeofsufiicient'strength relativetothestrengthofsaidcongealedwafersinsaidspaces to constitute reinforcing cores, said tray being made of flexible material whereby-said two upstanding walls of saidliquid retaining I ntcan bereciprom'llyrotatedaboutsaidadsofsaidliquidretainingcompartment to recurrently distortsaidliquid retaining-compartment andthesaidplatesthereintosubjectthecongealedliqtdd thereintotordonalstreuesandstrains,anumberofsaid liquid congealing spaces defined by said plates being intereonnectedbysaidgapstoassuretheformationofan icicle with a reinforcing core that interconnects a multiplicity of readily frangible congealed wafers of sufiicient thinnessthatthesaiddistortionofsaidliquidretaining compartmentandthesaidplatesthereinduringrecipmcal upstanding walls of said liquid reand thereby increases the breaking being spaced inwardly of said liquid retaining compartment, each of said plates providing a stiflening and reinforcing action for said bo saidplatesbeingsocloselyadfacenteach other stifiening and reinforcing action which said plates provideforsaidbottomminimizeslossesin the of torsional forces through said bottom to 4 forces w plates transmit throudr said gap-defining to said reinforcing core and'thencc to said wafers intermediate die ends of said 12. A tray that can receive liquid and that can that extends longitudinally of said liquid retaining compartment between said end walls, aplurality of plates that are integral with said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment and that extend upwardly from said bottom of said liquid retaining comparnnent, said plates being spaces of wafer-like narrowness, said spaces being of a 80 thickness substantially smaller than either the length or breadth thereof whereby each of said spaces receives one of a multiplicity of small quantities of liquid which can be congealed to form a readily frangible congealed wafer, said tray being made of flexible material whereby said end walls of said liquid retaining compartment can be reciprocally rotated about said axis of said liquid retaining compartment to recurrently distort said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein to subiect the congealed liquid therein to torsional stresses and strains, said plates reinforcing and stiflening said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment to minimize local bowing of said bottom of said liquid cornpart! ment, said liquidcongealing spaces defined by said plates assuring the formation of a multiplicity of readily frangible wafers of suflicient thinness that the said fistortion comparunent having an axis that extends between two of said upstanding walls of said liquid retaining compartment, a plurality of plates that are integral with said botplates provide for said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein during reciprocal rotation of said end walls of said liquid retaining compartment breaks said congealed wafers into chips and flakes of relatively small and irregular configuration that are readily miscible with liquids, said plates coactingwith said bottom and with said upstanding walls to apply substantially similar breaking forces to the wafers in said spaces during reciprocal rotation of said-end walls whereby uniform breaking of said wafers into chips and flakes is assured, said upstanding walls spacing said bottom a predetermined distance below the upper edges of said upstanding walls, said plates stiflening and reinforcing said bottom to substantially maintain said predetermined spacing between said bottom and said upper edges of said upstanding walls during distortion of said liquid retaining compartment, .each of said plates providing a stiflening and reinforcing action for .Itid bottom, said plates being so closely adiacent each other that the stifiening and reinforcing action which said plates provide for said bottom minimizes losses in the transmission of tor sional forces through said bottom to said plates and thereby increases the breaking forces which said plates transtom of said liquid retaining compartment and that extend upwardly from said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment, said plates being longand narrow, said plates being closely adjacent each other to define a multiplicity of narrow liquid congealing spaces of wafer-like narrownas, said spaces being of a thickness substantially smaller than either the length or breadth thereof whereby each of said spaces receives one of a multiplicity of small quantitles of liquid which can be congealed to form a readily frangible congealed wafer, said plates having surfaces that define a plurality of gaps in said liquid retaining comparmtent, said .gaps being spaced inwardly of said upstanding walls of said liquid retaining compartment, said gaps having the upper ends thereof disposed above the centers of said plates in said liquid retaining compartment, said gaps having the narrow dimensions thereof at least one half the "sickness of said spaces whereby congealed cores in said gaps will be of suflicient strength relative to the strength ofsaid congealed wafers in said spaces to constitute reinforcing cores, said tray being made of flexible material whereby said two upstanding walls of saldliquid retaining compartment can be reciprocally rotated about said axis of said liquid retaining compartment to recurrently distort said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein to subfect the congealed liquid therein to torsional stresses and strains, a number of said liquid congealing spaces defined by said plates being interconnected by said gaps to assure the formation of an icicle with a reinforcing core that interconnects a multiplicity of readily frangible congealed wafers of suflicient thinness that the said distortion of said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein during reciprocal rotation of said two upstanding walls of said liquid retaining compartment breaks said congealed wafers into chips and flakes of relativelysmall and irregular configuration that are readily miscible with liquids, each of said plates providing a stiflening and reinforcing action for said bottom. said plates being so closely adjacent each other that the stiflening and reinforcing action which said minimizes losses in the transmission of torsional forces through said bottom to said plates and thereby increases the breaking forces which said plates trannnit through said gap-defining surfaces thereof to said reinforcing core and thence to the pwzrftions of said wafers intermediate the ends of said 14. 4 tray that'can receive liquidandthat can hold and confine that liquid whfle that liquid is congealed to iceandthatcanthereafterremondto twistingtoconvertsaidiceintoicechipsorflakeswhilesaidiceisin and that comprises a dqu'id retaining compartment compartment having an axis that extends betwo of said upstanding wads of said liquid retaining compartment, a plurality of plates that are integral suidupstandlngwallsofsaidliquidretainingcompartment, said gaps having the upper ends thereof disposed bottom and with upstanding walls, said liquid retaining 15 abovetheoentersofsaidplataandhavingthelowerends a bottom and with upstanding walls, said liquid relongitudinally extending liquid congealing passageway in said liquid retaining compartment, said gaps being of substantial width relative to the thickness of said spaces whereby congealed cores in said passageway will be of sufiicient strength relative to the strength of said congealed wafers in said spaces to constitute reinforcing cores, said tray being made of flexible material whereby said two upstanding walls of said liquid retaining compartment can be reciprocally rotated about said axis of said liquid retaining compartment to recurrently distort said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein to subiect the congealed liquid therein to torsional stresses and strains, said longitudinally extending passageway defined by said registered gaps interconnecting a number of said liquid congealing spaces defined by said plates to assure the formation of an icicle with a Iongi tudinally extending reinforcing core that interconnects a multiplicity of readily frangible congealed wafers of suflicient thinness that the said distortion of said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein during reciprocal rotation of said two upstanding walls of said liquid retaining compartment breaks said congealed wafers into chips and fiakes'of relatively small and irregular configuration that are readily miscible with liquids, said longitudinally extending passageway being substantially perpendicular to said two upstanding walls of said liquid retaining compartment, and being substantially perpendicular to the said plates defining said number of liquid congealing spaces, each of said plates providing a stifiening and reinforcing-action for said bottom, said plates being so closely adjacent each other that the stifiening and reinforcing action which said plates provide for said bottom minimizes losses in the transmission of torsional forces through/said bottom to said plates and thereby increases the breaking forces which said plates transmit through said gap-definining surfaces thereof to said reinforcing core and thence to the portions of said wafers intermediate the end of said wafers.

1!. A tray that can receive liquid and that can hold and confine that liquid while that liquid is congealed to ice and that can thereafter respond to twisting to convert said ice into ice chips or flakes while said ice is in situ and that comprises a liquid retaining compartment with a bottom and with upstanding walls, said liquid retaining compartment having an axis that extends between two of said upstanding walls of said liquid retaining compartment, a plurality of plates that are integral with said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment and that extend upwardly from said bottom of said liquid retaining compartment, said platesbeing long and narrow and extending transversely of said axis, said plates being closely adjacent each other in confronting relation to define a multiplicity of narrow liquid congealing spaces of wafer-like narrowness, said spaces being of a thickness substantially smaller than either the length or breadth thereof whereby each of said spaces receives one of a multiplicity of small quantities of liquid which can be congealed to form a readily frangible congealed wafer, said plates having surfaces that define a plurality of elongated, vertically directed gaps in said liquid retaining compartment, said gaps being spaced inwardly of said upstanding walls of said liquid retaining compartment, I

gealed wafers in said spaces to constitute reinforcing cores, said tray being made of flexible material whereby said two upstanding walls of said liquid retaining compartment can be reciprocally rotated about said axis of 8 said liquid retaining compartment to recurrently distort said liquid retaining compartment and the .said plates therein to subject the congealed liquid therein to torsional stresses and strains, said longitudinally extending I passageway defined bysaid registered gaps interconnect- 10 ing a number of said liquid congealing spaces defined by said plates to assure the formation of an icicle with a longitudinally extending reinforcing core that interconnects a multiplicity of readily frangible congealed wafers of suficient thinness that the said distortion of said. liquid 16 retaining compartment and the said plates therein during reciprocal rotation of said two upstanding walLs of said liquid retaining compartment breaks said congealed wafers into chips and flakes of relatively small and irregular configuration that are readily miscible with liquids,

20' said longitudinally extending passageway being substantially perpendicular to said two upstanding walls of said liquid retaining compartment.

16. A tray that can receive liquid and that can hold and confine that liquid while that liquid is congealed to 2b ice and that can thereafter respond to twisting to convert said ice into ice chips or flakes while said ice is in situ and that comprises a liquid retaining compartment with a bottom and with upstanding walLv, said liquid retaining compartment having an axis that extends between two of said upstanding walls of said liquid retain- 36 row, said plates being closely adjacent each other to define a multiplicity of narrow liquid congealing spaces of wafer-like narrowness, said spaces being of a thickness substantially smaller than either the length or breadth the eof. said plates having surfaces that define a. pm

40 rality of gaps in said liquid retaining compartment, said gaps having the upper ends thereof disposed above the centers of said plates in said liquid retaining compartment, said gaps being of substantial width relative to the thickness of said spaces whereby congealed cores in said gaps will be of sufiicient strength relative to the strength of said congealed wafers in said spaces to constitute reinforcing cores, said tray being made of flexible material whereby said two upstanding walls of said liquid retaining compartment can be reciprocally rotated about said axis of said liquid retaining compartment to recurrently distort said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein to subject the congealed liquid therein to tat'sional stresses and strains, a number of said liquid .wmngealing spaces defined by said plates being interconnected by said gaps to assure the formation of an icicle I with a reinforcing core that interconnects a multiplicity of readily frangible congealed wafers of sufiicient thinness that the said distortion of said liquid retaining compartment and the said plates therein during reciprocal rotation of said two upstanding walls of said liquid retaining compartment breaks said congealed wafers into 1 chips and flakes of relatively small and irregular configuration that are readily miscible with liquids.

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