ICE MOLD FOR MAKING ICE STRAWS

Abstract

An ice mold for forming hollow, elongated ice structures intended to be used as drinking straws.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to ice molds and ice machines, and more particularly to ice molds and ice machines for making ice having an elongated, hollow configuration.

BACKGROUND

Drinking straws are typically made of plastic. There is a growing trend towards using materials for straws that are biodegradable or at the very least more ecofriendly than plastic. Many of the alternative materials continue to produce waste and/or lack usability.

SUMMARY

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a mold for forming a straw-shaped ice structure is provided. The mold includes an outer tube and an inner tube disposed within the outer tube. The inner tube has an opened proximal end portion, and an opened distal end portion. The outer and inner tubes define an elongated channel therebetween having an opened distal end portion and a closed proximal end portion. The elongated channel is configured to hold a freezable liquid therein. The inner tube defines a passageway therethrough to allow for a flow of water pass from the proximal end portion of the inner tube to the distal end portion of the inner tube to facilitate thawing of ice formed in the elongated channel from the freezable liquid. The mold may further include a base configured to be coupled to at least one of a proximal end portion of the outer tube or the proximal end portion of the inner tube to support the outer and inner tubes in a vertical, upright orientation. The base defines a cavity configured to facilitate passage of the flow of water into the proximal end portion of the inner tube.

In aspects, the mold may further include a stopper positioned within the proximal end portion of the elongated channel and forming a fluid-tight seal between a proximal end portion of the outer tube and the proximal end portion of the inner tube. The stopper may define a central channel therethrough having the proximal end portion of the inner tube positioned therein.

In aspects, the base may define a central opening therethrough configured to be in fluid communication with the passageway of the inner tube when the base is coupled to the outer tube.

In aspects, the base may extend radially outward relative to the outer tube and defines a plurality of apertures therethrough. The base may be configured to facilitate passage of the flow of water through the central opening of the base into the passageway of the inner tube and through the plurality of apertures of the base toward an outer surface of the outer tube to transfer heat away from the inner and outer tubes.

In aspects, the base may have a frustoconical shape or may be generally funnel-shaped.

In aspects, the cavity of the base may be funnel-shaped and may be in fluid communication with the plurality of apertures and the central opening.

In aspects, the mold may further include a stopper positioned within the proximal end portion of the elongated channel. The stopper may form a fluid-tight seal between a proximal end portion of the outer tube and the proximal end portion of the inner tube. The stopper may define a central channel therethrough having the proximal end portion of the inner tube positioned therein. The stopper and the base may be monolithically formed with one another.

In aspects, the outer and inner tubes may be fabricated from at least one of stainless steel or aluminum.

In aspects, the elongated channel may have a length from about 3 inches to about 12 inches.

In aspects, the inner tube may be concentrically disposed within the outer tube.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a mold for forming ice straws is provided and includes a hollow, outer tube having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and an inner tube having an opened proximal end portion integrally formed with or coupled to the proximal end portion of the outer tube. The outer and inner tubes define an elongated channel therebetween and the elongated channel has an opened distal end portion and a closed proximal end portion such that the elongated channel is configured to hold a freezable liquid therein. The inner tube defines a passageway therethrough to allow for a flow of water to pass from the proximal end portion of the inner tube to a distal end portion of the inner tube to facilitate thawing of an ice straw formed in the elongated channel from the freezable liquid. The proximal end portion of the outer tube and the proximal end portion of the inner tube collectively form the closed proximal end portion of the elongated channel.

In aspects, the mold may further include a base configured to be coupled to the proximal end portion of the outer tube to support the outer and inner tubes in a vertical, upright orientation.

In aspects, the base may define a cavity therein and a central opening therein. The central opening may fluidly couple the cavity of the base with the passageway of the inner tube.

In aspects, the base may extend radially outward relative to the outer tube and may defines a plurality of apertures therethrough. The apertures may be circumferentially spaced from one another about the outer tube.

In aspects, the cavity of the base may be configured to facilitate passage of the flow of water through the central opening of the base into the passageway of the inner tube and facilitate the passage of the flow of water through the apertures toward an outer surface of the outer tube to simultaneously transfer heat away from the inner and outer tubes.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of making a straw-shaped ice structure is provided and includes filling an elongated channel with a freezable liquid. The elongated channel is defined between an outer tube and an inner tube that is concentrically disposed within the outer tube. The method further includes freezing the freezable liquid while the freezable liquid is within the elongated channel whereby the freezable liquid forms a straw-shaped ice structure; flowing water along an outer surface of the outer tube and through a passageway defined through the inner tube thereby thawing an outer surface and an inner surface of the straw-shaped ice structure; and sliding the straw-shaped ice structure out of an opened end of the elongated channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the specific description accompanied by the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front, perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an ice mold for making ice straws;

FIG. 2 is a bottom, perspective view illustrating the ice mold of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the ice mold of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the ice mold of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top, perspective view illustrating another aspect of an ice mold;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an ice machine for making ice straws;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an evaporator of the ice machine of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating another aspect of an ice machine for making ice straws;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an evaporator and a drop tray of the ice machine of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of an evaporator and drop tray of the ice machine of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of an ice mold for making ice straws;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view illustrating the ice mold of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the ice mold of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-section, taken along line A-A in FIG. 13, illustrating the ice mold of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an ice mold for making ice straws.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure. Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It is also understood that all spatial references, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, top, upper, lower, bottom, left and right, are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the references “upper” and “lower” are relative and used only in the context to the other, and are not necessarily “superior” and “inferior.”

As used herein the term “distal” refers to that portion of the ice mold that is further from a base or stand thereof, while the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the ice mold that is closer to the base or stand.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, an embodiment of an ice tray or mold 10 for making drinking straws made from ice (i.e., ice straws) is illustrated. The ice mold 10 generally includes a base or stand 12 and a plurality of column assemblies 14 extending vertically from the stand 12. The stand 12 may have a rectangular shape and defines a hollow cavity 16 therein configured for receipt of a warm fluid during removal of the ice straws, as will be described. Other suitable shapes for the base 12 are also contemplated. The ice mold 10 may include any suitable number of column assemblies 14, such as, for example, five as shown in FIG. 1 or more, and in some aspects an ice mold 50 is provided having only a single column assembly 14 (FIG. 5). It is contemplated that the ice mold 10 is monolithically formed and fabricated from a flexible or semi-flexible material, such as, for example, silicon, rubber, polypropylene, nylon, or the like. In other aspects, the housing 12 may be fabricated from a hard material, such as, for example, metal (e.g., stainless steel or aluminum), a hard plastic (e.g., PVC), or any other suitable material.

Each of the column assemblies 14 includes a double-walled outer column 18 and a single-wall inner shaft or tube 20 positioned centrally within the double-walled outer column 18. The double-walled outer column 18 includes a cylindrical outer wall 18a and a cylindrical inner wall 18b positioned within the outer wall 18a and spaced radially inward therefrom to define a longitudinally-extending, annular inner channel 22. The double-walled outer column 18 is closed at its distal end with a disc-shaped portion 24 that interconnects the distal ends of the outer and inner walls 18a, 18b of the double-walled outer column 18. The double-walled outer column 18 is opened at its proximal end such that the inner channel 22 is in fluid communication with the cavity 16 of the stand 12 such that warming fluid received in the cavity 16 may be directed into each of the inner channels 22.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer wall 18a of the double-walled outer column 18 has a fluid opening 26 at the distal end thereof configured to direct the warm fluid out of the inner channel 22 to allow for an uninterrupted fluid flow. The fluid opening 26 may be defined in the outer wall 18a and may be a port, a plurality of round openings, or a plurality of square or rectangular openings. In other aspects, the fluid opening 26 may be formed in the disc-shaped portion 24 of the double-walled outer column 18.

The tube 20 of each of the column assemblies 14 is spaced radially inward from the inner wall 18b of the double-walled outer column 18 to define a longitudinally-extending, annular outer channel 28 between the tube 20 and the inner wall 18b of the double-walled outer column 18. The outer channel 28 has an opened distal end configured for receiving liquid (e.g., water) and a closed proximal end such that the outer channel 28 may hold water therein. In aspects, the outer channel 28 may assume any suitable shape, such as, for example, cylindrical, rectangular, star-shaped, triangular, hexagonal, or the like, which will give an outer surface of ice formed therein a corresponding shape.

The tube 20 defines a hollow passageway 30 therethrough and has a proximal end connected with a proximal end of the inner wall 18b of the double-walled outer column 18 and an opened distal end that protrudes distally beyond a distal end of the double-walled outer column 18. The proximal end of the tube 20 is opened to the cavity 16 of the stand 12 such that warm fluid that enters the cavity 16 may be directed into the tube 20 via the opened proximal end thereof, travel distally through the hollow passageway 30, and exit the tube 20 via the distal end thereof. To facilitate removal of the ice straw from the inner channels 28, the inner channels 28 and the tubes 20 may taper in the distal direction. This will also result in the ice straws having one end with a thinner wall than the other end.

In aspects, the distal ends of the column assemblies 14 may be provided with caps or condoms (not explicitly shown) that have a central boss and an outer ring configured for respective receipt in the opened distal end of the tube 20 and the opened distal end of the inner channel 28. In aspects, the inner surface of the inner wall 18b and the outer surface of the tube 20 may be coated with a lubricious material, such as, for example, PTFE. It is contemplated that liquids other than water may be filled into the inner channels 28, such as, for example, gelatin-based liquids, sugar-containing liquids, or the like.

In use, the ice mold 10 may be positioned in an upright manner with the stand 12 supported on a flat surface and the column assemblies 14 extending vertically upward, as shown in FIG. 1. Water, or other suitable liquid, may be poured into the distal end of the inner channel 28 of each of the column assemblies 14 until the inner channels 28 are filled with the liquid. With the inner channels 28 filled with the liquid, the ice mold 10 may be placed in a freezer until the water converts into ice. Since the inner channels 28 are elongated with a ring-shaped cross-section, the ice formed within the inner channels 28 assume a straw-like shape with a central passageway therethrough. It is contemplated that the ice (i.e., ice straws) may have a length of from about 5 inches to about 9 inches, a wall thickness of about 0.12 inches, and a central channel with a diameter of about 0.24 inches.

To dislodge or remove the ice straws from the inner channels 28, the ice mold 10 may be turned upside down so that the cavity 16 defined in the stand 12 is facing upright and the column assemblies 14 are pointing downward, as shown in FIG. 2. Warm fluid (e.g., water) may be poured into the cavity 16 in the stand 12, whereby the warm water passes into the outer channel 22 of each the column assemblies 14 and the hollow passageway 30 of each of the tubes 20. In aspects, instead of pouring the warm fluid into the cavity 16 of the stand 12, the warm fluid may be poured directly into a single outer channel 22 and passageway 30 of a selected column assembly 14. The warm fluid passes distally through the outer channel 22 and the hollow passageway 30 whereby heat is transferred from the warm fluid through the outer wall 18a and into the outer surface of the ice straw, and from the warm fluid through the tube 20 and into the inner surface of the ice straw. As heat is transferred from the warm fluid and into the outer and inner surfaces of the ice straw, the inner and outer surfaces of the ice straw sufficiently melt to allow for gravity to dislodge the ice straws from the ice mold 10.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the present disclosure also provides a machine 100 configured to produce ice straws. The ice straw machine 100 generally includes a compressor 102 for storing and compressing refrigerant, a water filter 104 for receiving water from a water source, a nozzle assembly 106 for dispensing filtered water, an evaporator or ice mold 110, and a drop tray 113. The ice machine 100 may further include other, standard components of an ice machine, such as a condenser, an expansion valve, and the like.

The ice mold 110 may be substantially similar to the ice mold 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1-4. As such, only selected distinctions will be elucidated herein. The ice mold 110 includes a base 112 and a plurality of column assemblies 114 extending perpendicularly from the base 112 and arranged in a linear array on the base 112. The base 112 defines a cavity 116 therein that is in fluid communication with the compressor 102. The base 112 may be hingedly supported on the compressor 102, a housing (not explicitly shown), or another suitable component of the ice machine 100, to allow for the column assemblies 114 of the ice mold 110 to rotate between a fluid-receiving position (not explicitly shown), and an ice-dispensing position, as shown in FIG. 6. In the fluid-receiving position, the distal ends of the column assemblies 114 are positioned directly underneath respective nozzles of the nozzle assembly 106 to receive filtered water therefrom. In the ice-dispensing position, the distal ends of the column assemblies 114 are positioned downwardly and received in respective chutes of the drop tray 113.

The column assemblies 114 each include a double-walled outer column 118 and a tube 120 positioned centrally within the double-walled outer column 118. The double-walled outer column 118 defines an outer channel 122, and the tube 120 defines a central passageway 130 each of which being in fluid communication with the cavity 116 of the base 122. The compressor 102 is configured to dispense refrigerant into the cavity 116 in the base 112 of the ice mold 110 and into the outer channel 122 and the central passageway 130 of the tube 120 to freeze water held in an inner channel 128 defined between the double-walled outer column 118 and the tube 120. The compressor 102 is also configured to dispense a warm fluid, such as, for example, a warm gas or liquid, into the cavity 116 of the base 112 and into the outer channel 122 and the central passageway 130 of the tube 120 to warm the ice formed in the inner channel 128 to assist in dislodging the ice from the ice mold 110. In other aspects, water from the nozzle assembly 106 may be fed directly into the outer channel 122 and the central passageway 130 to facilitate melting and dislodging of the ice straws from the ice mold 110.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, another aspect of an ice machine 200 for producing ice straws is provided and is similar to the ice machine 100 of FIGS. 6 and 7. As such, only selected distinctions will be elucidated herein. The ice machine 200 generally includes a compressor 202 for storing and pressurizing refrigerant, a water filter 204 for receiving water from a water source, a nozzle assembly 206 in fluid communication with the water source and configured to dispense filtered water, an evaporator 210, and a container or drop tray 212. The evaporator 210 includes an elongated tubular member 218 that receives the cold refrigerant from the compressor 202, and a plurality of hollow stems or prongs 220 extending perpendicularly from the elongated tubular member 218. The elongated tubular member 218 may be U-shaped as shown, linear, undulating, or any other suitable shape.

Each of the prongs 220 define a freeze/thaw chamber 222 therein in fluid communication with the elongated tubular member 218 and configured to receive the cooled refrigerant. The prongs 220 of the evaporator 210 extend into a cavity 216 defined in the drop tray 212 and each have closed distal ends that contact a pad 217 positioned at a bottom of the drop tray 212. The pad 217 may be fabricated from a resilient material, such as, for example, silicone to prevent ice from forming over the distal tip of the prongs 220. Upon ice straws being formed around each of the prongs 220, the evaporator 210 may be lifted out of the drop tray 212 or the drop tray 212 may be lowered to release the pad 217 from the prongs 220 thereby facilitating release of the ice straws into the drop tray 212.

It is contemplated that the prongs 220 may be replaced with cylindrical shells (not shown) that allow for the formation of straw-shaped ice therein. As the cylindrical shells receive cooled refrigerant, the cylindrical shells form the ice in an outside-in direction. This is in contrast with the prongs 220, which form the ice in an inside-out direction. When the ice has formed to a suitable thickness, the water within the chamber 216, which is also within a central channel of the ice (i.e., the unfrozen portion of the liquid), is drained.

With reference to FIG. 10, another aspect of an evaporator 300 for use with the ice machine 100 of FIGS. 8 and 9 is provided. The evaporator 300 includes an elongated tubular member 318 that receives the cold refrigerant from the compressor 202, and a plurality of hollow stems or prongs 320 extending perpendicularly from the elongated tubular member 318. The elongated tubular member 318 may be U-shaped as shown, linear, undulating, or any other suitable shape.

Each of the prongs 320 define a freeze/thaw chamber 322 therein in fluid communication with the elongated tubular member 318 and configured to receive the cooled refrigerant. The prongs 320 extend into a cavity 316 defined in a drop tray 312 and each have closed distal ends 317 positioned at a bottom of the drop tray 312. The distal ends 317 of the prongs 320 have an insulation material (e.g., air, a vacuum, silicone, polymers, or the like) filled therein to prevent ice from forming around the distal ends 317 of the prongs 320 such that the prongs 320 form ice straws having opened distal ends. In another aspect, the distal ends 317 of the prongs 320 may have an insulation tip attached thereto.

With reference to FIGS. 11-14, another embodiment of an ice tray or mold 400 for making drinking straws made from ice (i.e., ice straws or straw-shaped ice structures) is illustrated. The ice mold 400 generally includes a base or stand 412 and a column assembly 414 extending vertically from the stand 412. In aspects, similar to the ice mold 10 of FIGS. 1-4, the mold 400 of the present embodiment may include a stand configured to fixedly or detachably support a plurality of column assemblies 414. The stand 412 may have a frusto-conical or funnel shape and defines a conical-shaped cavity 416 (FIG. 14) therein configured for receipt of a thawing fluid during removal of the ice straws, as will be described. Other suitable shapes for the base 412 are also contemplated.

The base 412 protrudes radially outward from the column assembly 414 and defines a plurality of apertures 418 (e.g., three apertures) that are circumferentially spaced from one another. The base 412 further defines a central opening 420 therethrough that is in fluid communication with the cavity 416 to facilitate passage of the thawing fluid into and onto the components of the column assembly 414.

The column assembly 414 generally includes a hollow, outer tube 422, a stopper 426 (FIG. 14) secured within a bottom or proximal end portion 422a of the outer tube 422, and an inner tube 424 positioned concentrically (e.g., centrally) within the outer tube 422. The outer tube 422 may have a circular cross-sectional shape. Other cross-sectional shapes of the outer tube 422 are contemplated, such as, for example, triangular, square, star-shaped, etc. The outer tube 422 may be fabricated from a rigid material, such as, for example, aluminum or stainless steel, may have a length from about 4 inches to about 13 inches, and may have a diameter from about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches, and in some aspects, a diameter from about 0.7 inches to about 0.9 inches.

The stopper 426 defines a central channel 428 therethrough and assumes a cylindrical shape or any suitable shape corresponding to the shape of the proximal end portion 422a of the outer tube 422. The stopper 426 may be fabricated from an elastic material, such as, for example, food-grade rubber or plastic, and is secured within the proximal end portion 422a of the outer tube 422. In aspects, the outer tube 422 may have an annular projection (not explicitly shown) extending from an inner surface of the proximal end portion 422a to frictionally engage the entire outer surface of the stopper 426 to prevent the stopper 426 from sliding out of the proximal end portion 422a of the outer tube 422 during the freezing process. In other aspects, the stopper 426 may be secured within the outer tube 426 using a press-fit, fasteners, adhesives, or the like. In aspects, a proximal edge of the outer tube 422 may be curved or bent radially inward to facilitate retention of the stopper 426 in the proximal end portion 422a of the outer tube 422. It is contemplated that the stopper 426 may be alternately configured to be removable from the outer tube 422. In aspects, the stopper 426 and the base 412 may be monolithically formed with one another. In other aspects, the stopper 426 and the base 412 may be separate components. In aspects, the stopper 426 has an outer periphery that does not extend radially outward from the proximal end portion 422a of the outer tube 422 (e.g., the stopper 426 has an outer-most surface that is positioned radially inward of an outer-most surface of the outer tube 422). In aspects, a cap or stopper may be provided that covers an opened distal end of the channel 430. The cap may be coupled to the outer tube 422 via a strap. In aspects, a short, insulative sheath may be provided around the distal end of the outer tube 422 to which the cap may be attached.

The inner tube 424 has an opened proximal end portion 424a secured within the central channel 428 of the stopper 426 whereby the stopper 426 forms a fluid-tight seal between the proximal end portion 422a of the outer tube 422 and the proximal end portion 424a of the inner tube 424. The inner tube 424 defines a passageway 432 therethrough to allow for a flow of water to pass from the proximal end portion 424a of the inner tube 424 to a distal end portion 424b of the inner tube 424 to facilitate thawing of an ice straw formed in the elongated channel 424 from the freezable liquid. The inner tube 424 further includes a distal end portion 424b that may protrude distally beyond the distal-most end of the outer tube 422 to prevent the freezable liquid from overflowing into the inner tube 424.

The outer and inner tubes 422, 424 define an elongated channel 430 therebetween. The elongated channel 430 may assume a hollow, cylindrical shape and has an opened distal end portion 430b and a closed proximal end portion 430a such that the elongated channel 430 is configured to hold a freezable liquid therein. It is contemplated that a top or distal end surface 427 of the stopper 426 forms a bottom of the elongated channel 430 and a distal-most end (not labeled) of the outer tube 422 forms a top of the elongated channel 430. In other aspects, instead of the stopper 426, a metal disc (not shown) may be welded between proximal and distal ends of the outer and inner tubes 422, 424 to close the bottom of the elongated channel 430. The opened proximal end 424a of the inner tube 424 is in fluid communication with the central opening 420 of the base 412 when the base 412 is coupled to the column assembly 414.

In use, flavored or unflavored drinking water, or another freezable, drinking liquid, may be poured into the opened distal end portion 430b of the elongated channel 430 until the liquid reaches the distal-most end of the outer tube 422 or a point proximally adjacent to the distal-most end. With the elongated channel 430 filled with the liquid, the ice mold 410 may be placed in a freezer in an upright or horizontal orientation until the liquid converts into ice. Since the elongated channel 430 has a ring-shaped cross-section, the ice formed within the elongated channel 430 assumes a straw-like shape, such as, for example, a cylinder with a central passageway therethrough. It is contemplated that the ice (i.e., ice straw) may have a length of from about 5 inches to about 9 inches, a wall thickness of about 0.12 inches, and a central channel with a diameter of about 0.24 inches.

To dislodge or remove the ice straw from the ice mold 410, the ice mold 410 may be turned upside down so that the cavity 416 defined in the stand 412 is facing upright and the opened distal end portion 430b of the elongated channel 430 is pointing downward. Thawing fluid (e.g., water having a temperature that is above 32 degrees Fahrenheit, such as room temperature water or lukewarm water) may be poured into the cavity 416 in the stand 412, whereby the thawing fluid concurrently passes through central opening 420 of the stand 412 and through the apertures 418 of the stand 412. The thawing fluid passes from the central opening 420 of the stand 412 into the inner tube 424 and from the apertures 418 onto an outer surface of the outer tube 422.

As the thawing fluid passes along the outer surface of the outer tube 422 and the inner surface of the inner tube 424, heat is transferred from the thawing fluid to the outer tube 422 and into the outer surface of the ice straw, and from the thawing fluid to the inner tube 424 and into the inner surface of the ice straw. As heat is transferred from the thawing fluid and into the outer and inner surfaces of the ice straw, the inner and outer surfaces of the ice straw sufficiently melt to allow for gravity to dislodge the ice straw from the ice mold 410. It is contemplated that thawing the inner and outer surfaces of the ice straw may be accomplished by removing the ice mold 400 from the freezer and allowing air (e.g., room temperature air) to flow through the inner tube 424 and along the outer surface of the outer tube 422 without using a thawing fluid.

With reference to FIG. 15, another embodiment of an ice tray or mold 500 for making drinking straws made from ice (i.e., ice straws or straw-shaped ice structures) is illustrated. The ice mold 500 generally includes a base or stand 512, a center body 514 extending vertically from the stand 512, and a cap 516 detachably coupled to the center body 514. The stand 512 includes a generally flat base 520 and a rigid insert or stem 522 extending perpendicularly from a center of the base 520. The stem 522 may be integrally formed with the base 520 and is fabricated from a rigid material, such as, for example, a hard plastic or metal. In aspects, integrally formed may include the stem 522 and the base 520 being fabricated from a single piece of metal or joining the stem 522 and the base 520 via metal glue, welding, soldering, brazing, or the like. The stem 522 may define a passageway therethrough and is configured to extend through a central channel 532 of the center body 514 to maintain inner and outer tubes 526, 528 of the center body 514 in concentric relation to one another. In aspects, the stem 522 may be solid rather than having a passageway.

The center body 514 is fabricated from an elastic material, such as, for example, silicone, and has an outer tube 526 and an inner tube 528 positioned concentrically within the outer tube 526. The outer and inner tubes 526, 528 define a longitudinally-extending chamber 532 therebetween configured to be filled with a freezable liquid. The outer and inner tubes 526, 528 are connected or integrally formed with one another at a proximal end 530 of the center body 514. As such, the proximal end 530 of the center body 514 is closed to permit the chamber 532 of the center body 514 to be filled with a freezable liquid. The center body 514 has a distal end 534 that is opened to allow for removal of an ice straw that forms within the chamber 532. The cap 516 may be fabricated from an elastic material (e.g., rubber or silicone), and is configured to selectively fill the opened distal end 534 of the center body 514. Further, the cap 516 may secure the inner tube 528 in concentric relation with the outer tube 526 to ensure that the chamber 532 (and therefore the ice straw) has a uniform inner and outer diameter along its length.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the center body 514 may be fabricated from a rigid material, such as, for example, stainless steel or aluminum. In this embodiment, the stem 522 is not required and the center body 514 may be supported on a flat base, such as, for example, the base 520.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a system and method for forming straw-shaped ice structures is provided. The system may include one of the ice machine 100, the ice machine 200, the ice mold 10, the ice mold 50, or the ice mold 400, and pliable plastic wraps or envelopes (not shown) for individually enclosing each ice straw fabricated from one of the above-noted apparatus. The plastic wrap may be heat sealed around each ice straw, and a plurality of the enclosed ice straws may be sold in a package prefrozen. The ice straws may be flavored or unflavored. In other aspects, a pliable, plastic wrapper or envelope may be provided that defines a straw-shaped chamber in which a drinkable and freezable liquid (e.g., flavored or unflavored water, coffee, iced tea, soda, etc.) is contained. The plastic wrapper may be sold with the liquid in an unfrozen form, and the end user may put the plastic wrapper into a freezer, whereby the liquid freezes and assumes a straw shape. Upon forming the straw shape, the plastic wrapper may be detached from the ice straw (e.g., along perforations).

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplification of the various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A mold for forming a straw-shaped ice structure, comprising: an outer tube;an inner tube disposed within the outer tube, the inner tube having an opened proximal end portion, and an opened distal end portion, the outer and inner tubes defining an elongated channel therebetween, the elongated channel having an opened distal end portion and a closed proximal end portion such that the elongated channel is configured to hold a freezable liquid therein, wherein the inner tube defines a passageway therethrough to allow for a flow of water to pass from the proximal end portion of the inner tube to the distal end portion of the inner tube to facilitate thawing of ice formed in the elongated channel from the freezable liquid; anda base configured to be coupled to at least one of a proximal end portion of the outer tube or the proximal end portion of the inner tube to support the outer and inner tubes in a vertical, upright orientation, wherein the base defines a cavity configured to facilitate passage of the flow of water into the proximal end portion of the inner tube.

2. The mold according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end portion of the inner tube is integrally formed with or coupled to the proximal end portion of the outer tube such that the proximal end portion of the inner tube and the proximal end portion of the outer tube cooperatively form the closed proximal end portion of the elongated channel.

3. The mold according to claim 1, wherein the base defines a central opening therethrough configured to provide fluid communication between the cavity of the base and the passageway of the inner tube when the base is coupled to the outer tube.

4. The mold according to claim 3, wherein the base extends radially outward relative to the outer tube and defines a plurality of apertures therethrough, wherein the base is configured to facilitate passage of the flow of water through the central opening of the base into the passageway of the inner tube and through the plurality of apertures of the base toward an outer surface of the outer tube to transfer heat away from the inner and outer tubes.

5. The mold according to claim 1, wherein the base has a frustoconical shape or is generally funnel-shaped.

6. The mold according to claim 4, wherein the cavity of the base is in fluid communication with the plurality of apertures and the central opening.

7. The mold according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper positioned within the proximal end portion of the elongated channel and forming a fluid-tight seal between the proximal end portion of the outer tube and the proximal end portion of the inner tube, wherein the stopper defines a central channel therethrough having the proximal end portion of the inner tube positioned therein, wherein the stopper and the base are monolithically formed with one another.

8. The mold according to claim 7, wherein the stopper has an outermost surface that is positioned radially inward of an outermost surface of the proximal end portion of the outer tube.

9. The mold according to claim 1, wherein the outer and inner tubes are fabricated from at least one of stainless steel or aluminum, and the elongated channel has a length from about 3 inches to about 12 inches.

10. The mold according to claim 1, wherein the inner tube is concentrically disposed within the outer tube.

11. A mold for forming ice straws, comprising: a hollow, outer tube having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; andan inner tube having an opened proximal end portion integrally formed with or coupled to the proximal end portion of the outer tube, the outer and inner tubes defining an elongated channel therebetween, the elongated channel having an opened distal end portion and a closed proximal end portion such that the elongated channel is configured to hold a freezable liquid therein, the inner tube defining a passageway therethrough to allow for a flow of water to pass from the proximal end portion of the inner tube to a distal end portion of the inner tube to facilitate thawing of an ice straw formed in the elongated channel from the freezable liquid, wherein the proximal end portion of the outer tube and the proximal end portion of the inner tube collectively form the closed proximal end portion of the elongated channel.

12. The mold according to claim 11, further comprising a base configured to be coupled to at least one of the proximal end portion of the outer tube or the proximal end portion of the inner tube to support the outer and inner tubes in a vertical, upright orientation.

13. The mold according to claim 12, wherein the base defines a cavity therein and a central opening therein, the central opening fluidly coupling the cavity of the base with the passageway of the inner tube.

14. The mold according to claim 13, wherein the base extends radially outward relative to the outer tube and defines a plurality of apertures therethrough, the plurality of apertures being circumferentially spaced from one another about the outer tube.

15. The mold according to claim 14, wherein the cavity of the base is configured to facilitate passage of the flow of water through the central opening of the base into the passageway of the inner tube and facilitate the passage of the flow of water through the plurality of apertures toward an outer surface of the outer tube to simultaneously transfer heat away from the inner and outer tubes.

16. The mold according to claim 11, wherein the proximal end portion of the outer tube and the proximal end portion of the inner tube are integrally formed with one another.

17. A method of making a straw-shaped ice structure, the method comprising: filling an elongated channel with a freezable liquid, the elongated channel being defined between an outer tube and an inner tube that is concentrically disposed within the outer tube;freezing the freezable liquid while the freezable liquid is within the elongated channel whereby the freezable liquid forms a straw-shaped ice structure;flowing water along an outer surface of the outer tube and through a passageway defined through the inner tube thereby thawing an outer surface and an inner surface of the straw-shaped ice structure; andsliding the straw-shaped ice structure out of an opened end of the elongated channel.