WO2022079313A1

WO2022079313A1 - Collapsible handheld ice forming device

Info

Publication number: WO2022079313A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/078768
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kim Jensen
Original assignee: Icebreaker International Aps
Priority date: 2020-10-16
Filing date: 2021-10-18
Publication date: 2022-04-21

Abstract

A handheld ice forming device comprising a water tight housing defining at least one cavity inside the water tight housing, the water tight housing comprising a frame portion, a displacing arrangement and a first displaceable portion, an inner surface of the first displaceable portion defining at least a portion of an inner surface of the at least one cavity, said first displaceable portion being arranged to be displaceable via the displacing arrangement with respect to the frame portion between an expanded position and a collapsed position, the first displaceable portion and the displacing arrangement being arranged such that the volume of the cavity is larger when the first displaceable portion is in its expanded position than when it is in its collapsed position, the water tight housing further comprising a filling opening arranged in the frame portion through which water can be filled into the at least one cavity, and a resealable plug which is arranged to be insertable into the filling opening to seal the filling opening in a water tight manner. The first displaceable portion has an inlet surface portion which is in fluid communication with the filling opening in the collapsed position of the first displaceable portion and in that the resealable plug comprises a protrusion, said protrusion being arranged such that when the first displaceable portion is in the collapsed position and the resealable plug is inserted into the filling opening, then the protrusion extends into the filling opening and into the housing such that at least one surface of the protrusion is in sealing contact with the inlet surface portion of the first displaceable portion.

Description

Collapsible handheld ice forming device

The current invention relates to a handheld ice forming device comprising a water tight housing defining at least one cavity inside the water tight housing, the water tight housing comprising a frame portion, a displacing arrangement and a first displaceable portion, an inner surface of the first displaceable portion defining at least a portion of an inner surface of the at least one cavity, said first displaceable portion being arranged to be displaceable via the displacing arrangement with respect to the frame portion between an expanded position and a collapsed position, the first displaceable portion and the displacing arrangement being arranged such that the volume of the cavity is larger when the first displaceable portion is in its expanded position than when it is in its collapsed position, the water tight housing further comprising a filling opening arranged in the frame portion through which water can be filled into the at least one cavity, and a resealable plug which is arranged to be insertable into the filling opening to seal the filling opening in a water tight manner.

Description of related art

Handheld ice forming devices are well known in the art. The devices typically have at least one cavity in which ice can be formed. In use, the cavity is first filled with water. The device is then put in a freezer. Once the water has frozen to ice, the ice can be removed from the device. One common example of such a device is an ice cube tray where multiple ice cubes are formed. Other types of devices are known where different forms of ice are formed, for example spheres or different features are promoted, for example clear ice cubes. Applicant’s own prior applications include WO2016/055495 and W02020/104698. The subject matter of these applications is incorporated in their entirety by reference.

The prior art devices all have advantages and disadvantages. One of the challenges with other collapsible handheld ice forming devices which are sealed is to have a good sealing mechanism at the filling opening, while still allowing the device to be expanded easily.

Summary of the invention

A first aspect of the current invention is to provide a handheld ice forming device of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph which is easier to open while still providing a good seal at the filling opening.

A second aspect of the current invention is to provide a handheld ice forming device as mentioned in the opening paragraph which can be used as a water bottle which keeps the water cold for a longer period of time.

A third aspect of the current invention is to provide a handheld ice forming device as mentioned in the opening paragraph which can easily be filled with water after expanding the device.

A fourth aspect of the current invention is to provide a handheld ice forming device as mentioned in the opening paragraph where the ice can easily be removed through the filling opening after expanding the device.

These aspects are provided at least in part by a handheld ice forming device as mentioned in the opening paragraph where said first displaceable portion has an inlet surface portion which is in fluid communication with the filling opening in the collapsed position of the first displaceable portion and in that the resealable plug comprises a protrusion, said protrusion being arranged such that when the first displaceable portion is in the collapsed position and the resealable plug closes the filling opening, then the protrusion extends through the filling opening and into the housing such that at least one surface of the protrusion is in sealing contact with the inlet surface portion of the first displaceable portion. In this way, when the plug is removed, there is a direct fluid connection between the filling opening and the first displaceable portion. In this way, air can get into the cavity to allow the displaceable portion to open and also allow water to be poured into the cavity when the displaceable portion is displaced into its expanded position.

In another embodiment, if the cavity comprises multiple individual ice cube cavities and the diameter of the filling opening and the diameter of the protrusion is larger than the ice cubes formed in the ice cube cavities, then the ice cubes can be easily removed from the cavity via the filling opening when the resealable plug removed and the expandable portion is displaced into its expanded position.

In one embodiment, the resealable plug comprises a first portion having a first stiffness and a second portion having a second stiffness, said second stiffness being lower than the first stiffness and the second portion comprising the surface which is in sealing contact with the inlet surface portion of the first displaceable portion in the collapsed position of the first displaceable portion.

In one embodiment, the device further comprises a plug holding arrangement which holds the protrusion in the filling opening in a secure manner and which actively forces the at least one surface of the protrusion which is in sealing contact with the inlet surface portion of the first displaceable portion into secure contact with the inlet surface portion of the first displaceable portion. In one embodiment, the plug holding arrangement compresses the protrusion. In one embodiment, the protrusion is arranged to compress at least a portion of the protrusion by at least 2%, at least 5% or at least 7% by volume. In one embodiment, the plug holding arrangement is arranged to compress a portion of the displaceable portion.

In one embodiment, the plug holding arrangement comprises a threaded portion on the frame portion and a rotatable element on the resealable plug, said rotatable element of the resealable plug having a cooperating threaded portion and being arranged to force the protrusion against the inlet surface portion of the first displaceable portion when the rotatable element is rotated on the threaded portion on the frame portion.

In one embodiment, the protrusion and the rotating element of the resealable plug are two separate elements which are free to rotate with respect to each other. In this way, the protrusion does not have to rotate while removing it from the opening. In many cases, rotating the protrusion will be hard since the protrusion will be in tight contact with the surface and might even be frozen to the surface. However, pulling the protrusion away from the surface is easier. Furthermore, in an embodiment where the protrusion does not have to rotate, the protrusion and the filling opening can both have a non-circular cross section. This allows the filling opening to be made oval or elongated.

In one embodiment the protrusion and the rotating element are prevented from displacing linearly with respect to each other along at least one linear vector. In this way, as the rotating element is displaced due to the threaded portion, the protrusion will be pulled or pushed together with the rotating element.

In one embodiment, the plug holding arrangement comprises a snap connection mechanism, said snap connection mechanism being arranged such that the snap connection mechanism presses a surface of the protrusion against the inlet surface portion of the first displaceable portion when the snap connection mechanism is engaged.

In one embodiment, the snap connection mechanism is formed as a bayonet type connection, where the snap connection mechanism comprises a rotatable and slideable element which is first pressed onto a neck portion of the frame to compress the protrusion and then turned to lock it into place. In one embodiment, the snap connection mechanism comprises a pivotable beam which is snapped into a locked position where the beam compresses the protrusion.

In one embodiment, the device further comprises a second displaceable portion, an inner surface of the second displaceable portion defining a portion of the inner surface of the cavity, the second displaceable portion being displaceable via the displacing arrangement between a collapsed position and an expanded position, the cavity having a smaller volume when the second displaceable portion is in the collapsed position than when the second displaceable portion is in the expanded position.

In one embodiment, the first displaceable portion and the second displaceable portion are arranged to displace away from each other when going from the collapsed position to the expanded position. In one embodiment, the first displaceable portion is displaceably connected to the frame portion via a first displacing mechanism and the second displaceable portion is displaceably connected to the frame portion via a second displacing mechanism. In one embodiment, the first and second displacing portions each have a sealing edge portion, the sealing edge portions of the first and second displacing portions abutting each other when the first and second displacing portions are in their collapsed positions. In one embodiment, the first and/or second displaceable portion comprises a flexible membrane and a displaceable wall. In one embodiment, the flexible membrane is arranged to be bi-stable, such that the displaceable wall is held in a stable position in the expanded and in the collapsed position via the flexible membrane. In one embodiment, the flexible membrane is attached to the frame portion along one edge and to the displaceable wall along another edge. In one embodiment, the frame and the flexible membrane are integrally formed. In one embodiment, the flexible membrane and the displaceable wall are integrally formed. In one embodiment, the frame portion, the flexible membrane and the displaceable wall are integrally formed. By integrally formed, is meant, joined together in a non releaseable manner, either by being manufactured form a single material, being overmoulded or being glued/welded together. In other embodiments, the edges of the flexible membrane might be connected to the displaceable wall and/or the frame portion via a releasable sealing connection. In this way, the device can be easily opened for cleaning.

In one embodiment, said second displaceable portion has an inlet surface portion which is in fluid communication with the filling opening in the collapsed position of the second displaceable portion and in that the protrusion is arranged such that when the second displaceable portion is in the collapsed position and the resealable plug is inserted into the filling opening, then the protrusion of the resealable plug extends through the filling opening and into the housing such that at least one surface of the protrusion is in sealing contact with the inlet surface portion of the second displaceable portion. In one embodiment, the protrusion is in contact with both the first and second displaceable portions at a location where the first and second displaceable portions are in abutment with each other.

In one embodiment, the handheld ice forming device is in the form of a collapsible water bottle. Applicants co-pending application W02020/104698 discloses additional embodiments and features which can be combined with the features and teachings of the current specification.

It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising/comprised of" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a handheld ice forming device according to a first embodiment in a collapsed state.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the handheld ice forming device of figure 1 in an expanded state.

Figure 3 shows bottom perspective view of the handheld ice forming device of figure 1 in a collapsed state.

Figures 4 and 5 show a side and top view respectively of the handheld ice forming device of figure 1 in the collapsed state.

Figures 6 and 7 show a side and top view respectively of the handheld ice forming device of figure 1 in the expanded state.

Figure 8 shows a cross section view of the handheld ice forming device of figure 1 in the collapsed state. Due to technical issues with the drawing program, the hatching in figure 8 is not technically correct. It is expected that the person skilled in the art will be able to understand the teaching of figure 8 together with the more correct drawings shown in figures 11-14.

Figure 9 shows a cross section view of the handheld ice forming device of figure 1 in the expanded state. Due to technical issues with the drawing program, the hatching in figure 9 is not technically correct. It is expected that the person skilled in the art will be able to understand the teaching of figure 9 together with the more correct drawings shown in figures 11-14.

Figure 10 shows an exploded perspective view of the handheld ice forming device of figure 1 in the expanded state.

Figures 11 -13 schematically show cross section views of the plug being inserted into the opening of the handheld ice forming device of figure 1 .

Figure 14 shows a cross section detail view of the plug inserted into the opening.

Figure 15 shows a partial cross section of a second embodiment of a handheld ice forming device according to the invention.

Figure 16 shows a partial cross section of a third embodiment of a handheld ice forming device according to the invention.

Figure 17 shows a partial cross section of a fourth embodiment of a handheld ice forming device according to the invention.

Figure 18 schematically shows a detail of the embodiment of figure 17.

Figure 19 shows a partial cross section of a fifth embodiment of a handheld ice forming device according to the invention. Figures 20-22 schematically show partial cross section views of a sixth embodiment of a handheld ice forming device according to the invention in three different positions.

In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to embodiments shown by the enclosed figures. It should be emphasized that the embodiments shown are used for example purposes only and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Figures 1 to 14 show different views of a first embodiment 1 of an ice forming device according to the current invention.

The embodiment 1 is in the form of a water bottle which has two states, a collapsed state as shown in figures 1 , 3, 4, 5 and 8 and an expanded state as shown in figures 2, 6, 7 and 9.

The water bottle has a frame portion 2, a first displaceable wall 4 and a second displaceable wall 6. The first and second displaceable wall are connected to the frame portion via first and second flexible membranes 8, 10 which extend around the periphery of the first and second displaceable walls respectively. The frame portion 2, the first membrane 6 and the first displaceable wall 4 together form a first displacing arrangement which allows the first displaceable wall portion to assume two stable positions, a first collapsed position (as shown in figure 1) and a second expanded position (as shown in figure 2). Likewise, the frame portion 2, the second membrane 10 and the second displaceable wall 6 together form a second displacing arrangement which allows the second displaceable wall to assume two stable positions, a first collapsed position (as shown in figure 1 ) and a second expanded position (as shown in figure 2).

In this embodiment, the frame portion and the displaceable walls are formed from a more rigid plastic material while the flexible membranes are formed from a more flexible material. However, in other embodiments, the same materials could be used, but with different geometries and thicknesses to provide the different flexibilities required for the different components.

When the two displaceable walls are in their collapsed state, they are pressed against each other such that a sealing edge 9,11 of both walls are in abutment. This is illustrated in figure 8. When the two displaceable walls are pulled apart, they move away from each other until they reach their second expanded position as shown in figure 9. To make it easier to pull the wall portions away from each other, handles 12 are provided on each wall portion. A flat bottom portion 13 is provided on the bottom portion of the frame portion to provide a stable support for standing the bottle on a surface.

In the collapsed position, the water bottle assumes a flat shape and in the expanded position, the water bottle assumes a round shape. This is illustrated in figures 5 and 7. In both the collapsed and expanded states, the water bottle defines an internal cavity 14. In the collapsed position, the internal cavity has a much lower volume than in the expanded position. This can be seen by comparing figures 8 and 9.

The frame portion 2 further comprises a filling opening 16. Water can be poured through the filling opening to fill the internal cavity. A resealable plug 18 is provided to seal the filling opening in a water tight manner.

The filling opening in this embodiment comprises a neck portion 20 with an external thread 22. The resealable lid comprises a plug element 24 and a rotatable lid element 26 with an inner thread 28 which cooperates with the external thread of the neck portion. The rotatable lid element 26 and the plug element 24 are rotationally connected together such that the rotatable lid element 26 and the plug element 24 can rotate with respect to each other. In this embodiment, the two elements are however linearly locked together via a circular slot arrangement 23 so that linear displacement of one element also causes linear displacement of the other element. In this embodiment, the plug element 24 takes the function of the “protrusion” as mentioned in the claims.

In this embodiment, the plug element is made from a pliable material which allows the plug to compress when force is applied to it. A harder plastic core 25 is provided in a central recess in the plug element. This can be seen in figures 11 and 14. The hard plastic core 25 has a shoulder portion 27 which is arranged inside the plug element and a through going hole 29 which is arranged outside the plug element. A strap or ring or other “handle” can be attached to the through going hole. This helps to pull the plug out of the filling opening if the plug is fixed in the filling opening. The shoulder portion allows the plug element and the hard plastic core element to be more firmly joined together when force is applied to the hard plastic core element.

The plug element can be inserted into the filling opening and then the rotatable lid element 26 can be threaded onto the neck portion to seal the filling opening. As the rotatable lid element is threaded onto the neck portion, the plug element will be forced into the filling opening. Likewise, when the rotatable lid element is threaded off the neck portion, the plug element will be pulled out of the filling opening.

As can be seen from especially figures 11-14, the plug element is arranged as a protrusion which fills a large portion of the filling opening. Furthermore, the plug element is arranged to extend so far into the housing that a surface 28 of the plug element is in contact with an inlet surface portion 30 of the first and second flexible membranes. In this case, since the membranes and the displaceable walls both displace, the combination of the membrane and displaceable wall can be considered a displaceable portion as claimed in the claims.

In figure 11 , the plug is shown not yet inserted into the filling opening. In figure 12, the plug has been partially inserted and the rotatable lid has engaged with the threaded portion of the neck portion. In figure 13, the rotatable lid has been further tightened to displace the plug portion downwardly into contact with the membranes. The tightening of the lid then compresses the protrusion and the membranes.

In this way, it can be imagined that when the water inside the cavity has frozen, and when the plug is removed there will be a fluid connection between the filling opening and the displaceable portion (membrane in this embodiment). Due to this, air can get into the cavity and allow the displaceable portions to displace. It could be imagined that if the end of the plug were to stop at a distance from the displaceable portion, then an ice “plug” would form at the top portion of the filling opening. This would prevent air from getting into the cavity and it would be very difficult to pull the displaceable walls apart due to a vacuum effect. Also, even if the walls were pulled apart, it would not be possible to get water into the cavity or ice out of the cavity without first breaking the “ice plug”.

It should be noted that the above description and the figures shown in this specification are all related to a collapsible water bottle. However, the teachings of the current invention could also be applied to an ice forming device comprising multiple individual cavities which form ice cubes. Figure 15 shows an additional embodiment 50. In this embodiment, the displaceable walls 52 are formed with a peripheral edge portion 54 which is designed to engage with the plug element 56. In this way, instead of compressing the membranes, the plug element can press against the peripheral edge portion 54 of the more rigid plastic of the displaceable walls.

Figure 16 shows another embodiment 60 of a different resealable plug design. In this design, the rotatable lid 62 is rotatable about an internal insert 64. The rotatable lid is arranged to freely slide up on the internal insert as the lid is unscrewed. When the lid is completely disengaged from the threaded portion of the neck portion, then the user can pull on the ring 66, to remove the plug 68 from the filling opening.

Figure 17 is another embodiment 70, similar to figure 15, but where instead of a threaded portion, a bayonet type connection 72 is provided between the rotatable lid element 74 and the neck portion 76. A bayonet type connection is schematically illustrated in figure 18. The bayonet type connection comprises a groove 77 in the neck portion and a protrusion 78 on the rotatable lid element or vice versa.

Figure 19 shows another embodiment 80 of a resealable plug, however, instead of a softer plug portion, a harder plastic plug portion 82 is provided with a softer rubber tip portion 84. The rubber tip portion is arranged to press on the inlet surface portion 86 of the displaceable wall portions. The rotatable lid 88 is rotatably connected to the plug portion 82 via a screw 89.

Figure 20-22 schematically illustrate an additional embodiment 90. In this embodiment, instead of a twisting type lid, a snap lid 92 is provided with a pivoting beam 94 which presses the protrusion 96 against the displaceable wall portions 98. It is to be noted that the figures and the above description have shown the example embodiments in a simple and schematic manner. Many of the specific mechanical details have not been shown since the person skilled in the art should be familiar with these details and they would just unnecessarily complicate this description. For example, the specific materials used and the specific injection moulding procedures have not been described in detail since it is maintained that the person skilled in the art would be able to find suitable materials and suitable processes to manufacture the device according to the current invention.

Claims

1. A handheld ice forming device comprising a water tight housing defining at least one cavity inside the water tight housing, the water tight housing comprising a frame portion, a displacing arrangement and a first displaceable portion, an inner surface of the first displaceable portion defining at least a portion of an inner surface of the at least one cavity, said first displaceable portion being arranged to be displaceable via the displacing arrangement with respect to the frame portion between an expanded position and a collapsed position, the first displaceable portion and the displacing arrangement being arranged such that the volume of the cavity is larger when the first displaceable portion is in its expanded position than when it is in its collapsed position, the water tight housing further comprising a filling opening arranged in the frame portion through which water can be filled into the at least one cavity, and a resealable plug which is arranged to be insertable into the filling opening to seal the filling opening in a water tight manner, characterized in that said first displaceable portion has an inlet surface portion which is in fluid communication with the filling opening in the collapsed position of the first displaceable portion and in that the resealable plug comprises a protrusion, said protrusion being arranged such that when the first displaceable portion is in the collapsed position and the resealable plug is inserted into the filling opening, then the protrusion extends through the filling opening and into the housing such that at least one surface of the protrusion is in sealing contact with the inlet surface portion of the first displaceable portion.

2. A handheld ice forming device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the resealable plug comprises a first portion having a first stiffness and a second portion having a second stiffness, said second stiffness being lower than the first stiffness and the second portion comprising the surface which is in sealing contact with the inlet surface portion of the first displaceable portion in the collapsed position of the first displaceable portion. A handheld ice forming device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device further comprises a plug holding arrangement which holds the protrusion in the filling opening in a secure manner and which actively forces the at least one surface of the protrusion which is in sealing contact with the inlet surface portion of the first displaceable portion into secure contact with the inlet surface portion of the first displaceable portion. A handheld ice forming device according to claim 3, characterized in that the plug holding arrangement comprises a threaded portion on the frame portion and a rotatable element on the resealable plug, said rotatable element of the resealable plug having a cooperating threaded portion and being arranged to force the protrusion against the inlet surface portion of the first displaceable portion when the rotatable element is rotated on the threaded portion on the frame portion. A handheld ice forming device according to claim 4, characterized in that the protrusion and the rotating element of the resealable plug are two separate elements which are free to rotate with respect to each other. A handheld ice forming device according to claim 5, characterized in that the protrusion and the rotating element are prevented from 17 displacing linearly with respect to each other along at least one linear vector. A handheld ice forming device according to claim 3, characterized in that the plug holding arrangement comprises a snap connection mechanism, said snap connection mechanism being arranged such that the snap connection mechanism presses the protrusion against the inlet surface portion of the first displaceable portion when the snap connection mechanism is engaged. A handheld ice forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the device further comprises a second displaceable portion and a second displacing arrangement, an inner surface of the second displaceable portion defining a portion of the inner surface of the cavity, the second displaceable portion being displaceable via the second displacing arrangement between a collapsed position and an expanded position, the cavity having a smaller volume when the second displaceable portion is in the collapsed position than when the second displaceable portion is in the expanded position. A handheld ice forming device according to claim 8, characterized in that said second displaceable portion has an inlet surface portion which is in fluid communication with the filling opening in the collapsed position of the second displaceable portion and in that the protrusion is arranged such that when the second displaceable portion is in the collapsed position and the resealable plug is inserted into the filling opening, then the protrusion of the resealable plug extends through the filling opening and into the housing such that at least one surface of the protrusion is in sealing contact with the inlet surface portion of the second displaceable portion. 18 A handheld ice forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in the form of a collapsible water bottle.