WO2003078907A1

WO2003078907A1 - Shaped ice article and method for making same

Info

Publication number: WO2003078907A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/007780
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pam Moore
Original assignee: Pam Moore
Priority date: 2002-03-15
Filing date: 2002-03-15
Publication date: 2003-09-25
Also published as: AU2002258513A1

Abstract

An article (10) for forming a freezable substance includes a body (12) having at least one cavity (14). The cavity (14) has an open top (16), an open bottom (18) and side walls (20) therebetween. The width Wm is chosen so that a long, cylindrical ice cube (88) is formed by the cavity (14). The ice cube (88) so formed fits easily into original containers (90) of beverages, such as soda cans and bottles, so that the beverages are cooled in their original containers (90). The article (10) for holding freezable substances may also include an individual disposable package (100) for holding the frozen substance and a container (160) therefore. The package (100) is comprised of a bottom portion (140) and a top portion (120). The frozen substance is placed in the bottom portion (140) and the top portion (120) is placed over the bottom portion (140) to seal the package (100) and prevent spillage of the freezable substance prior to its freezing.

Description

SHAPED ICE ARTICLE AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME

Technical Field

This invention pertains to methods and apparatuses for chilling beverages, and more specifically to methods and apparatuses for freezing substances into useful forms such that the freezable substances, once frozen, have an elongated, narrow form such that they are insertable into a beverage container, beverage can, juice can, water bottle, sports bottle or the like and can more effectively cool the entire depth of the beverage. Background Art Basic "cube-shaped" ice "cubes" and ice cube trays are known in the prior art.

Typically, ice cube trays are designed to produce ice cubes having a cubic or rectangular form. The prior art also teaches ice cube trays which produce ice cubes having a variety of forms. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,417,716 an ice tray is disclosed which forms completely enclosed chambers of different shaped ice. Further, in U.S. Des. Pat. No. 287,856 another shaped ice cube tray is disclosed. Other designs are disclosed in U.S. Des. Pat. Nos. D244,275; D292,802; and D318,281.

Notwithstanding the fact that the prior art teaches both ice cubes having a variety of forms and the ice cube trays for making these ice cubes, the prior art does not teach a frozen substance or a method of freezing a substance such that the freezable substance, once frozen, has an elongated form such that the frozen substance is insertable into a beverage container, beverage can, juice can, water bottle, sports bottle or the like and resultingly more effectively cools the entire depth of the beverage.

For example, a conventional beverage can has a depth of about 5.0 inches (127 mm) and has an opening with a width of about 0.75 inches (19.05 mm). Beverage containers such as water, soda or beverage bottles have various depths ranging from about 11.0 inches (279.4 mm) for a typical polyester two liter bottle to about 6.0 inches (152.4 mm) for a typical bottled water bottle. These containers also have openings of various widths. Neither the conventional cubic or rectangular ice cubes, nor the various forms of ice cubes that the prior art teaches, are insertable within these containers because of the narrowness of the containers' openings. Consequently these beverages can not be easily cooled in their containers by the addition of ice cubes or other frozen substances. The only way to cool these beverages while they are in their containers is to place them into a cool environment such as a refrigerator, freezer, ice box, ice bucket, cooler, tub of ice, or the like. However, the introduction of a beverage container into a very cold environment can lead to a messy result as the beverage container may rupture as the freezable substance within the container expands during freezing.

Furthermore, when a straw is used to consume a beverage, the use of conventional ice cubes in the beverage does not achieve the advantages offered by the current invention. It is common knowledge that when ice is added to a beverage, the ice floats.

Consequently, the upper, rather than the lower, portion of the beverage is cooled. When a straw is used to consume the beverage, the noncooled lower portion of the beverage is sucked up through the straw and introduced into the consumer's mouth rather than the cooled upper portion of the beverage wherein the ice cubes reside. This is dissatisfying and contrary to the motives behind adding ice cubes to beverage containers; namely, consuming a cool beverage. The current invention solves this problem. The elongated form of the current invention assures that the frozen substance is narrow and insertable into a beverage container, beverage can, juice can, water bottle, sports bottle or the like and that the lower portion of the beverage, from which the beverage is consumed when the consumer uses a straw, is cooled.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the invention, a body is provided which has at least one elongated cavity within it. The cavity has a top, a bottom and sidewalls between the top and bottom. The freezable substance is placed into the cavity through the top or bottom. The top and or bottom have a maximum width, Wm, which is less than or equal to 0.875 inches (22.23 mm).

According to another aspect of the invention, a body is provided which has at least one elongated cavity within it. The cavity has a top, a bottom and sidewalls between the top and bottom. The freezable substance is placed into the cavity through the top or bottom. The top and/or bottom have a maximum width, Wm, which is less than or equal to 1.1875 inches (30.1625 mm).

According to another aspect of the invention the top and/or bottom have a maximum width, Wm, which is less than or equal to 0.625 inches (15.875 mm). According to another aspect of the invention the cavity has a depth, X. The depth

X of the cavity is measured from the top of the cavity to the bottom of the cavity, or vice versa. The depth X is greater than or equal to 1.5 inches (38.1 mm). According to another aspect of the invention the top may be circular, having a diameter Dt. The bottom may also be circular, having a diameter Db, where Db is less than or equal to Dt.

According to another aspect of the invention the width of the cavity is less than or equal to 0.875 inches (22.23 mm) at any point along its depth.

According to another aspect of the invention the width of the cavity is less than or equal to 0.625 inches (15.875 mm) at any point along its depth.

According to another aspect of the invention the width of the cavity at any point along its depth is less than or equal to the width of the top of the cavity. Additionally, the width of the cavity at any point along its depth is greater than or equal to the width of the bottom of the cavity.

According to another aspect of the invention the article has a sealing means for selectively sealing the top or bottom so that the freezable substance cannot spill out of the cavity prior to becoming frozen. The means for sealing the opening can take the configuration of a lid, "zip-loc" mechanism, screw-in mechanism, frictionally fastening means or any other like means which would prevent spillage of the freezable substance prior to its freezing.

According to another aspect of the invention, a body is provided which has at least one elongated cavity within it. The cavity has a top and bottom, and sidewalls between the top and bottom. The freezable substance is placed into the cavity through either the top or bottom. The top and/or bottom have a maximum width, Wm, which is less than or equal to 0.875 inches (22.23 mm). The body also has sealing means for selectively sealing the top and/or the bottom, so that the freezable substance is not spillable from the cavity prior to the freezable substance becoming frozen. According to yet another aspect of the invention, a tray for freezing water to form ice cubes is disclosed using a plurality of body's having one cavity within said body, cavity having an top and bottom, and side walls therebetween. The tray also comprises sealing means for the body's to selectively sealing the top and/or the bottom, so that the freezable substance is not spillable from the cavity prior to the freezable substance becoming frozen. Further, the tray has attachment means to attach the plurality of body's to one whereby the plurality of body's are integral and form the tray. According to another aspect of the invention the disposable package has a maximum width, Wm, which is less than or equal to 0.625 inches (15.875 mm).

According to another aspect of the disposable package has a length , X. The length X is greater than or equal to 1.5 inches (38.1 mm). According to another aspect of the invention the width of the package is less than or equal to 0.875 inches (22.23 mm) at any point along its length.

According to another aspect of the invention the width of the package is less than or equal to 0.625 inches (15.875 mm) at any point along its length.

According to another aspect of the invention, the disposable package is comprised of a bottom portion and a top portion. The freezable substance is placed in the bottom portion and the top portion is placed over the bottom portion to seal the package and prevent spillage of the freezable substance prior to its freezing.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least one individual disposable package for freezable substances is placed in a container for efficient marketing and storage.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for cooling a liquid in an elongated bottle utilizing an elongated frozen unit of a freezable substance. The system comprises a freezable substance; a disposable package for enclosing an individual unit of the freezable substance, the disposable package including a first portion adapted to be filled with the freezable substance prior to freezing; means for sealing the first portion; and, a container for holding a plurality of the disposable packages.

According to another aspect of the invention, the sealing means includes a cap adapted to engage and seal the first portion. According to another aspect of the invention, the sealing means includes an adhesive.

According to another aspect of the invention, the disposable package further includes means for accessing the freezable substance.

According to another aspect of the invention, the container is formed of a transparent material.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for cooling a liquid in an elongated bottle utilizing an elongated frozen unit of a freezable substance. The method comprises the steps of providing a freezable substance; providing a disposable package for enclosing an individual unit of the freezable substance, the disposable package including a first portion adapted to be filled with the freezable substance prior to freezing, wherein the disposable package has a length greater or equal to 1.5 inches, and wherein the disposable package has a width of less than approximately 0.875 inches; providing means for sealing the first portion; filling the first portion of the disposable package with the freezable substance prior to freezing; utilizing the sealing means to seal the first portion; freezing the freezable substance after filling and sealing the first portion to form the elongated frozen unit of the freezable substance; providing a liquid in an elongated bottle having a neck opening; accessing the frozen unit by unsealing the disposable package; and, placing the elongated frozen unit into the elongated bottle through the neck opening.

One advantage of the present invention is that beverages can be chilled in their original containers, even if the neck opening is too small for conventional ice cubes.

Another advantage of the present invention is that a single unit of the frozen material may be readily utilized due to its being individually packaged in a disposable package.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the elongated frozen units are capable of chilling a beverage throughout its length, rather than just at the surface where ice cubes congregate. Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification. Brief Descriptions of the Drawings

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention having more than one cavity;

FIGURE 2 is a top view of one embodiment of the invention having more than one cavity;

FIGURE 3 is a side view of one embodiment of the invention having more than one cavity; FIGURE 4 is a side view of a cavity;

FIGURE 5 is a side view of an ice structure (or ice cube) formed from a cavity;

FIGURE 6 is a side view, in partial cross-section, of an associated beverage container with the inventive chilling article installed inside; FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a tray for freezing water to form ice cubes;

FIGURE 8 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 9 is a front elevational view of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a cross sectional view of FIGURE 8 taken along line 10-10;

FIGURE 11 is a side view of FIGURE 8; FIGURE 12 is a cross section view of FIGURE 8 taken along line 12-12;

FIGURE 13 is a bottom view of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 14 is a top view of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 16 is a view of an individual disposable package for freezable substances;

FIGURE 17 is another view of an individual disposable package for freezable substances;

FIGURE 18 is a view of an empty transparent container;

FIGURE 19 is another view of an empty transparent container; FIGURE 20 is a view of a non-transparent container;

FIGURE 21 is a view of the container holding four individual disposable packages for freezable substances;

FIGURE 22 is another view of a container holding four individual disposable packages for freezable substances; and, FIGURE 23 is a view of the container holding eight individual disposable packages for freezable substances. Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 show the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Throughout this specification, the term "ice cube" and "ice cube tray" will be used for convenience of the reader, even though the shape and form of the ice formed by the inventive structure may not be cubic. In addition, while the invention will be referred to in the context of freezing water to form ice, any freezable substance is within the scope of the invention.

In the preferred embodiment, a body 12 of an article 10 contains multiple cavities 14. The cavities 14 are arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. Each cavity 14 has an open top 16 and open bottom 18 and side walls 20 between the top 16 and bottom 18. The top 16 and/or bottom 18 of each cavity 14 has a maximum width Wm of less than or equal to 0.625 inches (15.875 mm). Each cavity 14 has a depth X of greater than or equal to 1.5 inches (38.1 mm). The depth X is measured from the top 16 to the bottom 18, as shown in the FIGURE 1. The maximum width Wm is important, as the primary goal of the invention is to cool drinks within their respective containers. Because most of the drink containers presently have interior diameters less than 0.625 inches (15.875 mm), the present invention provides a way to effectively cool the beverage within its original container. Further, because the ice cube is now "narrow", and because cooling is a function of surface area, the length of the ice cube is necessarily lengthened in order to provide the requisite level of cooling. Therefore, in an ice cube formed by the inventive article, the depth X is greater than a conventional ice cube. Also because of the greater surface area afforded, the preferred form of the cavity is one that will provide a generally cylindrical shaped ice cube. However, it is within the scope of this invention to have ice cubes having shapes not generally cylindrical.

FIGURE 4 shows a side view of a cavity 14 wherein the freezable substance is formed as it freezes. The top 16 may be circular having a diameter Dt. The bottom 18 may be circular having a diameter Db.

In addition to the foregoing, FIGURE 1 also shows another embodiment wherein a sealing means 24 is used to prevent the freezable substance from spilling out of the cavity 14 prior to freezing. The sealing means 24 may comprise any type of sealing that does not allow the freezable substance from exiting the cavity 14 prior to its freezing. Typically, the sealing means comprises a cap 25 that may be attached to the body 12. The sealing means may also be a screw-type of arrangement whereby the sealing means comprises a threaded attachment to either the top 16 or bottom 18 of the body 12.

In addition to the foregoing another embodiment is contemplated wherein the maximum width Wm of the top 16 and/or bottom 18 is less than or equal to 0.625 inches (15.875 mm). In addition to the foregoing another embodiment is contemplated wherein the cavity has a width less than or equal to 0.875 inches (22.23 mm) at any point along its depth, which is typically less than soda bottles. However, for drinks typically having a wider cavity or "mouth", the width is less than or equal to 1.1875 inches (30.1625 mm). These containers are typically found on wider "mouth" sport and/or soda bottles. hi addition to the foregoing another embodiment is contemplated wherein the cavity has a width less than or equal to 0.625 inches (15.875 mm) at any point along its depth.

In addition to the foregoing, with reference to FIGURE 5, another embodiment is illustrated wherein the diameter of the bottom Db is less than or equal to the diameter of the top Dt.

In addition to the foregoing, with continued reference to FIGURE 5, another embodiment is contemplated wherein the width of the cavity at any point along its depth is less than or equal to the width of the top and greater than or equal to the width of the bottom. Also shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 is another preferred embodiment in which the bottom 18 has a rounded, somewhat spherical surface 80. It is believed the rounded surface 80 will ease the removal of the ice cube or ice structure 88.

With reference to FIGURE 6, the method of chilling a beverage within its original container will now be described. In a typical beverage container 90, the lid 92 is removed, typically by unscrewing the lid 92 from the container 90 via threads 94, depending upon the beverage used. The frozen ice structure 88 is then inserted into the container 90 so that the longitudinal centerline of the structure 88 is coaxial with the longitudinal centerline of the beverage container 90. The entire depth of the beverage 96 becomes cooled and chilled by the article 88. With reference to FIGURE 7, a tray 50 for freezing water to form the ice cubes mentioned hereinabove is shown. The tray comprises a plurality of body's 12 having one cavity 14 within the body 12. The tray also has the sealing means for selectively sealing the top and/or the bottom, so that the freezable substance is not spillable from the cavity 14 prior to the freezable substance becoming frozen. The tray 50 also has attachment means 51 to attach the plurality of body's 12 to one another thus making the body's 12 are integral with one another and forming the tray 50. With reference to FIGURES 8-15, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. This embodiment is very similar to the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1-7. In this embodiment, the sealing means 24 is a flexible cover 24a that individually seals the bottom of the cavities 14. With reference to FIGURES 16-23, FIGURES 16 and 17 show an individual disposable package 100, FIGURES 18-20 show containers 160 for the disposable packages 100 and FIGURES 21-23 show the individual disposable packages 100 in the container 160.

With reference to FIGURES 16 and 17, an individual disposable package 100 is shown having a first portion 140, and a second portion 120. A freezable substance is placed in the first portion 140 and the second portion 120 is placed over the bottom portion 140 to seal the package and prevent spillage of the freezable substance prior to its freezing. In that way, second portion 120 acts a cap that is adapted to engage and seal the first portion 140. The first and second portions 140, 120 each have a maximum width Wm of less than or equal to 0.625 inches (15.875 mm). The disposable package 10 has a length X of greater than or equal to 1.5 inches (38.1 mm).

In the preferred embodiment, the freezable substance is placed in the second portion 140 of the package 100 and the first portion 120 is placed over the second portion 140 to seal the package 100. However, the first and second portions 120 and 140 of the package 100 can be sealed prior to placing the freezable substance in the package 100. After the first and second portions 120 and 140 are sealed, the freezable substance can be placed in the package 100 via at least one opening (not shown) that is located on either the first portion 120, the second portion (or at least two openings which are located on the first portion and the second portion 120 and 140, respectively). The opening can then be sealed by any sealing means, such as, adhesives, pressure sealing, "zip-loc" mechanism or a lid, which seals the opening and prevents spillage.

In the preferred embodiment, the ice cube is removed from the package 10 by separating the first and second portions 120 and 140 from each other. However, the ice cube can be removed from the package 100 by any means chosen with sound engineering judgment, such as those described herein-below with reference to the package 10 comprised of a single unit (not shown). The maximum width Wm is important, as the primary goal of the invention is to cool drinks within their respective containers. Because most of the drink containers presently have interior diameters less than 0.625 inches (15.875 mm), the present invention provides a way to effectively cool the beverage within its original container. Further, because the ice cube is now "narrow", and because cooling is a function of surface area, the length of the ice cube is necessarily lengthened in order to provide the requisite level of cooling. Therefore, in an ice cube formed by the inventive article, the depth X is greater than a conventional ice cube. Also because of the greater surface area afforded, the preferred form of the cavity is one that will provide a generally cylindrical shaped ice cube.

In addition to the foregoing another embodiment is contemplated wherein the package 100 has an inner width less than or equal to 0.875 inches (22.23 mm) at any point along its length.

In addition to the foregoing another embodiment is contemplated wherein the package 100 has an inner width less than or equal to 0.625 inches (15.875 mm) at any point along its length.

In the preferred embodiment, the individual disposable package 100 is comprised of a first portion 140, and a second portion 120, but the disposable package 100 may be comprised of a single unit (not shown). The package 100 may be formed from a single tube with one open end. A freezable substance can be placed in the tube and the tube can be sealed to prevent spillage of the freezable substance prior to its freezing. Any sealing means, such as, adhesives, pressure sealing, a zipper-like mechanism or a lid, which seals the package and prevents spillage may be used. hi the preferred embodiment, the package 100 is formed from polyethylene. However, any other polymeric substance that adequately holds the freezable substance, prevents spillage, and is capable of withstanding freezing temperatures without significant distortions or defects may be used.

As shown in FIGURE 16, in one preferred embodiment, the disposable package 100 includes means 240 for allowing access to the freezable substance after it is frozen. For example, a pull tab or a frangible region may be provided. It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that the pull tab may operate to separate second portion 120 from first portion 140. It is further contemplated, that means for allowing access to the freezable substance includes a longitudinal frangible region. With reference to FIGURES 18-23, a container 160 for holding the individual disposable packages 100 will now be described. FIGURE 18 shows a transparent container 160 manufactured from a polymeric material, such as polyethylene. In the preferred embodiment, the container 160 will hold four (4) individual disposable packages 100. The dimensions of the container 160 will vary depending of the dimensions of the packages 100. For example, a container 16 holding four (4) packages 100 having a length of 4.50 inches (114.30 mm) and an outer width of 0.875 inches (22.23 mm) will have a length of 5.875 inches (141.00 mm), a width of 3.50 inches (88.90 mm) and a height of 0.938 inches (23.825 mm). h the preferred embodiment, the container 160 is manufactured from a transparent polymeric material. However, the container 160 may be manufactured from any material which adequately holds the packages 100 and is capable of withstanding freezing temperatures without significant distortions or defects. In addition, the container 160 does not have to be made of a clear or transparent material. The container 160 may be a colored transparency, it may be opaque, or it may be a solid color. The color and transparency of the container 160 is simply a matter of design preference.

In FIGURES 21 and 22, a container 160 holding four (4) individual disposable packages 100 is shown. However, the container 160 may hold more than four (4) packages 100, such as in FIGURE 21, or it may hold less than four (4) packages 100 (not shown). Furthermore, FIGURES 21 and 22, show the packages 100 arranged in a single row, but the packages 100 can be placed in any stable arrangement, such as the double rows shown in FIGURE 23.

The inventive method of chilling a beverage within its original beverage container will now be described. In a typical beverage container, the lid is removed, typically by unscrewing the lid from the container via threads. An individual disposable package 100 is removed from the container 160, and then the frozen substance is removed from the package 100 and inserted into the beverage container so that the longitudinal centerline of frozen substance is coaxial with the longitudinal centerline of the beverage container. The entire depth of the beverage is therefore cooled and chilled by the inventive article. In the preferred embodiment, the frozen substance will be removed from the package 100 by removing the second portion 120 and squeezing the first portion 140 to expel the frozen substance. However, different methods of removal may be used depending on the type of package 100. For example, if the package 100 is sealed, the frozen substance may be removed by tearing or cutting one end of the package 10 and squeezing the package 100 to expel the frozen substance through the opening. Or, if the package 100 has a cap, the cap can be taken off and then the frozen substance can be removed from the package 100.

The preferred embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

Claims:

1. An ice tray for forming freezable rods of ice, characterized by: at least one rigid circular body having one cavity integrally formed within said body, said cavity having a completely open top and completely open bottom and side walls therebetween, said top and bottom having a maximum width Wm, Wm being less than or equal to 0.875 inches (22.23 mm), said cavity having a constant diameter, said open top allowing for the insertion of a freezable substance; sealing means for sealing said bottom of each said cavity, whereby said sealing means is removable in order to facilitate the removal of the freezable substance from said bottom of each said cavity, said sealing means said bottom of each cavity being of equal size and equal shape, said sealing means individually sealing said at least one rigid circular body.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein Wm is less than or equal to 0.625 inches (15.875 mm).

3. The article of claim 1 wherein said cavity has a depth X as measured from said top to said bottom, said depth X being greater than or equal to 1.5 inches (38.1 mm).

4. The article of claim 1 wherein said top is circular and has a diameter Dt.

5. The article of claim 3 wherein said cavity has a width less than or equal to 0.625 inches (15.875 mm) at any point along its depth.

6. The article of claim 1 wherein said sealing means is a unitary removable cover for selectively sealing said top and said bottom so that said freezable substance is not spillable from said cavity prior to said freezable substance becoming frozen.

7. An ice tray for forming freezable rods of ice, comprising: a rigid body having at least one cavity integrally formed within said body, said cavity having a completely open circular top, a completely open circular bottom and side walls therebetween, said top and bottom having a maximum width Wm, Wm being less than or equal to 0.875 inches (22.23 mm), said cavity having a depth X as measured from said top to said bottom, said depth X being greater than or equal to 1.5 inches (38.1 mm), said cavity having a constant diameter, said open top allowing for the insertion of a freezable substance; and a sealing means for removably sealing said top and bottom of each said cavity, so that said freezable substance is not spillable from said cavity prior to said freezable substance becoming frozen, said sealing means of said top and bottom of each cavity being of equal size and equal shape, said sealing means individually sealing each cavity.

8. The ice tray of claim 7 wherein said sealing means is a unitary cover.

9. The ice tray of claim 7 wherein Wm is less than or equal to 0.625 inches (15.875 mm).

10. An ice tray for forming freezable rods of ice, characterized by: a plurality of rigid circular bodies having one cavity integrally formed within each of bodies, said cavity having a completely open top and completely open bottom and side walls therebetween, said top and bottom having a maximum width Wm, Wm being less than or equal to 0.875 inches (22.23 mm), said cavity having a constant diameter, said open top allowing for the insertion of a freezable substance, said plurality of rigid circular bodies being arranged in a plurality of rows and columns; sealing means for sealing said top of each said cavity, whereby said sealing means is removable in order to facilitate the removal of the freezable substance from said bottom of each said cavity, said sealing means of said bottom of each cavity being of equal size and equal shape, said sealing means individually sealing each of said cavities.

11. A system for cooling a liquid in an elongated bottle utilizing an elongated frozen unit of a freezable substance, the system characterized by: a freezable substance; a disposable package for enclosing an individual unit of said freezable substance, said disposable package including a first portion adapted to be filled with the freezable substance prior to freezing; means for sealing said first portion; and, a container for holding a plurality of said disposable packages.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said means for sealing said first portion includes a cap adapted to engage and seal said first portion.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said means for sealing said first portion includes an adhesive.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein said disposable package is formed of polymeric material.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein said disposable package has a length, wherein said length is greater or equal to 1.5 inches.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein said disposable package has a width of less than approximately 0.875 inches.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein said disposable package further includes means for accessing said freezable substance.

18. The system of claim 11 wherein said container is formed of a transparent material.

19. A system for cooling a liquid in an elongated bottle utilizing an elongated frozen unit of a freezable substance, the system characterized by: a freezable substance; a disposable package for enclosing an individual unit of said freezable substance, said disposable package including a first portion adapted to be filled with said freezable substance prior to freezing, wherein said disposable package has a length greater or equal to 1.5 inches, and wherein said disposable package has a width of less than approximately 0.875 inches; means for sealing said first portion; and, a container for holding a plurality of said disposable packages.

20. A method for cooling a liquid in an elongated bottle utilizing an elongated frozen unit of a freezable substance, the method characterized by the steps of: providing a freezable substance; providing a disposable package for enclosing an individual unit of said freezable substance, said disposable package including a first portion adapted to be filled with said freezable substance prior to freezing, wherein said disposable package has a length greater or equal to 1.5 inches, and wherein said disposable package has a width of less than approximately 0.875 inches; providing means for sealing said first portion; filling said first portion of said disposable package with said freezable substance prior to freezing; utilizing said sealing means to seal said first portion; freezing said freezable substance after filling and sealing said first portion to form said elongated frozen unit of said freezable substance; providing a liquid in an elongated bottle having a neck opening; accessing said frozen unit by unsealing said disposable package; and, placing said elongated frozen unit into said elongated bottle through said neck opening.