Ice Mold With Replaceable Stamp

Abstract

A mold preferably for making clear ice with a replaceable stamp, designed to provide an innovative and versatile way of creating customized ice designs. The ice cube mold enables users to insert and replace various stamps within the mold to produce unique ice shapes and patterns. The replaceable stamp mechanism enables easy customization, offering endless possibilities for personalized ice cube creations suitable for a variety of occasions and events.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to molds for ice, and more particularly, to molds for clear ice cubes that include a stamp for making an impression in ice cubes.

Description of Related Art

Ice molds have long been used to create decorative ice cubes and shapes for drinks and beverages. Conventional ice molds typically come in fixed designs and do not offer much flexibility for customization. Users are limited to a single ice shape or design per mold, leading to repetitive and monotonous ice cubes. Additionally, existing molds lack the ability to cater to various occasions and events with specific themes or messages.

Bars and other drinking establishments are always looking for ways to improve the atmosphere and unique experience of their patrons. Traditional ice cubes often lack visual appeal, which may lead to a mundane drinking experience. One such technique is to use completely clear or transparent ice cubes in their drinks. Another technique is to use ice cubes in their drinks with difference logos, symbols, or wording. The concept of enhancing the aesthetics of beverages through visually appealing ice cubes has become increasingly popular in the hospitality industry and among beverage enthusiasts.

Accordingly, there is a need for a solution that allows users to create personalized ice designs on demand that has been recognized for quite some time. For instance, parties, celebrations, and special events often require unique and eye-catching ice cubes that align with the theme or purpose of the gathering. Traditional ice molds fail to meet this demand, leading to a gap in the market for an improved ice mold design that enables customizable ice creations.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved ice cube mold that offers variable designs and provides clear impressions.

ASPECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a stamp for ice that is more convenient to use.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an ice mold having an easy changeable stamp therein for the convenience of the user.

A further aspect of the present invention is to enable users to easily customize ice cubes by selecting and inserting a desired stamp into the ice mold, allowing for personalized ice creations for different events and themes.

An additional aspect of the present invention is to provide a wide variety of replaceable stamps, wherein the ice mold can be used for diverse applications, such as birthdays, weddings, holidays, and corporate events.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a stamp replacement mechanism that enables simple and quick stamp interchangeability, providing a hassle-free experience for users.

The present invention reduces the need for purchasing multiple molds for different designs, as users can invest in a single ice mold with several replaceable stamps, saving money and storage space. Thus, the durable and reusable nature of the ice mold and stamps in accordance with the present invention contribute to reduced waste compared to single-use ice molds.

Other aspects of the present invention include the ability to use letter, symbol, and other image stamps for users to create personalized messages or names on ice cubes, adding a thoughtful touch to drinks. The innovative ice designs elevate the overall beverage experience, making it more delightful and memorable.

In order to provide these aspects and others, the present invention provides an ice mold with a replaceable stamp including a body having a bottom and four side walls connected to the bottom. A stamp with an image on a first side and tabs on the opposing second side are configured to fit into a plurality of apertures in the bottom of the body for receiving the tabs to secure the stamp to the bottom of the ice mold. The ice mold preferably is construction of a flexible material. The stamp has a planar configuration and is constructed of a flexible material. The apertures can pass through the bottom of the body in the preferred embodiment.

The present invention seeks to address the shortcomings of conventional ice molds by introducing a novel ice mold with a replaceable stamp. This inventive solution allows users to interchange different stamps within the mold, facilitating the creation of diverse ice shapes and patterns. The replaceable stamp mechanism not only enhances the aesthetics of the ice but also enhances the overall experience of beverage consumption.

The ice mold with a replaceable stamp consists of several key components, including the mold body, apertures or slots for receiving mounting tabs of the stamps, and replaceable stamps. The mold body is crafted from food-grade, durable material and features multiple stamp slots on the bottom surface. Each slot or aperture is designed to hold a replaceable stamp securely in place during the freezing process.

The replaceable stamps are constructed from flexible yet sturdy materials, such as silicone or rubber. Each stamp features a unique design, pattern, text, or visual image on the top surface or first surface, which is imprinted onto the ice cube when freezing occurs within the mold. The stamps can include letters, numbers, symbols, logos, and intricate patterns. The imprinted designs on the ice cubes enhance the overall presentation of beverages, making them more visually appealing and enjoyable. Users can express their creativity by choosing from a vast array of stamp designs, making every ice cube a unique work of art.

The ice mold with a replaceable stamp is poised to revolutionize the way people create ice designs for various occasions. Its unique features, versatility, and advantages make it a highly desirable and marketable product in the field of kitchen accessories and beverage-related items.

The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred features of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed invention and specific embodiments as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention, and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ice mold with a replaceable stamp configured in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ice mold shown in FIG. 1 wherein the replaceable stamp is illustrated separate from the ice mold;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ice mold of FIG. 1 illustrating the replaceable stamp within the ice mold;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the ice mode shown in FIG. 1 wherein the replaceable stamp can be seen within the ice mold;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the replaceable stamp of FIG. 2 apart from the ice mold;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom of the replaceable stamp shown in FIGS. 1-5; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of the replaceable stamp shown in FIGS. 1-6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mold 10 for ice cubes. The mold 10 includes a body 12 having four side walls 14, 15, 16, 17, connected together and to a bottom 18. The body 12 preferably is constructed of a flexible material, such a rubber. The mold 10 preferably is constructed to make clear ice cubes. The body 12 preferably includes two compartments 24, 25, each for molding a single ice cube, that are separated by a dividing wall 21. The top 26 of the body 12 includes a handle 28.

In accordance with the present invention, the bottom 18 of the body 12 includes a plurality of apertures, holes, or slots 20 for receiving tabs 30 (FIGS. 6 and 7) of the replaceable stamp 22 to be secured within apertures 20 on the bottom 18 of the body 12 of the mold 10. The replaceable or changeable stamp 22 includes an image, text, or design 32 on the top surface or first side 34 of the replaceable stamp 22. The visual image 32 can be cut into the top 34 of the stamp 22, or the image 32 can be a raised surface 48 (FIG. 7) above the top surface 34 of the stamp 22. Different stamps 22 can have different visual images 32 to accommodate specific desires or goals of the user. It should be noted that by the word “image,” this includes text, designs, numbers, or any other type of visual image.

FIG. 2 illustrates the stamp 22 removed from the body 12 of the ice mold 10. Illustrated are the side walls 14, 15, 16, 17, and the divider wall 21 between the ice molding compartments 24, 25. The stamp 22 is shown with the image 32 in the top surface 34. The handle 28 on the top 26 of the body 12 is shown. Also illustrated are feet 40 to elevate the bottom 18 of the body 12 above a flat surface to enable the tabs 30 of the stamp 22 to pass completely through the bottom 18 of the body 12. The second side or bottom surface 36 of the stamp 22 is also labeled.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cross-section of the mold 10 shown in FIG. 1. The side walls 14, 16, 17 and the bottom 18 of the body 12 are shown, as well as the handle 28 on the top 26 of the body 12 of the mold 10. The dividing wall 21 separating the compartments 24, 25 is shown. The feet 40 on the bottom 18 are further illustrated, as well as the stamp 22 is compartment 24 of the body 12.

In accordance with the present invention, the aperture 20 is shown in the bottom 18 of compartment 25. But also shown, is a raised tab, plug, or protrusion 45 on the bottom 18 of the body 12 to insert into an aperture 46 (FIG. 6) in the stamp 22 and secure the stamp 22 to the bottom 18 of the body 12. The tabs 30 of the stamp 22 fitting into the apertures 20 in the bottom 18 not only function to properly position and secure the stamp 22 to the bottom 18, but also function to provide a water tight seal in the bottom 18 to prevent water from passing through the bottom 18 of the body 12 of the mold 10. Similarly, in the reverse configuration, the tabs 45 on the bottom 18 of the body 12 fit into the apertures 46 of the stamp 22 to properly position and secure the stamp 22 to the bottom 18. Both configurations function to properly position the stamp 22 within the body 12 and provide a water tight seal in the bottom 18 to prevent water from passing through the bottom 18.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the body 12 of mold 10 shown in FIG. 1. A clear view is provided of the first compartment 24 including the stamp 22 secured to the bottom 18 of the body 12. Apertures 46 can be seen in the stamp 22, and the opposite bottom side of the tabs 30 on the stamp 22 can be seen. The image 32 on the on the top surface 34 of the stamp 22 is shown. Also illustrated is the empty compartment 25 without a stamp 22, and a clear view of the bottom 18 including apertures 20 and tabs 45 on the bottom 18 of compartment 25 in the body 12. Also shown is the handle 28 on the top 26 of the body 12 and the divider 21 between the first and second compartments 24,25.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the replaceable stamp 22 showing the image 32 in the top surface 34. Apertures 46 in the stamp 22 for receiving tabs 45 in the bottom 18 of the body 12 also are shown. The opposite side of the tab 30 on the stamp 22 is further shown.

FIG. 6. is a perspective view of the second or bottom surface 36 of the replaceable stamp 22 shown in FIGS. 1-5. Enlarged views of the tabs 30 and the apertures or slots 46 on the bottom surface 36 of the stamp 22 are shown.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the replaceable stamp 22 shown in FIG. 6. Clearly shown are the tabs 30 on the bottom surface 36 of the replaceable stamp 22. The top surface 34 and bottom surface 36 of the stamp 22 are labeled. Additionally, an example of the embodiment wherein an image 48 is raised above the top surface 34 of the stamp 22 is shown, in contrast to the image 32 being embedded or engraved in the top surface 34 of the stamp 22 as shown in FIGS. 2-5.

While specific embodiments have been shown and described to point out fundamental and novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes of the form and details of the invention illustrated and in the operation may be done by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An ice mold, comprising; a body having a bottom and four side walls connected together and to the bottom;a planar stamp having an image on a top side and tabs on an opposing bottom side;apertures on the bottom of the body for receiving the tabs on the bottom side of the planar stamp to properly position and secure the stamp to the bottom of the body; andwherein the planar stamp is secured to the bottom of the body by locating the tabs on the bottom side of the planar stamp within the apertures on the bottom of the body.

2. The ice mold of claim 1, wherein the body is construction of a flexible material.

3. The ice mold of claim 1, further comprising: tabs on the bottom of the body; andthe planar stamp includes apertures for receiving the tabs in the bottom of the body to properly position and secure the planar stamp to the bottom of the body.

4. The ice mold of claim 1, wherein the stamp is constructed of a flexible material.

5. The ice mold of claim 1, wherein the apertures in the bottom of the body pass through the bottom of the body.

6. The ice mold of claim 1, wherein the body is divided into multiple compartments by a dividing wall so as to enable the ice mold to form multiple ice cubes simultaneously.

7. The ice mold of claim 6, wherein the stamp is located within one of the multiple compartments.

8. The ice mold of claim 1, wherein handles are included on a top of the body.

9. The ice mold of claim 5, further comprising; feet below the bottom of the body to elevate the bottom of the body above a surface so as to enable the tabs of the planar stamp to pass completely through the bottom of the body.

10. An ice mold, comprising; a body having a bottom and four side walls connected together and to the bottom;tabs on the bottom of the body;a planar stamp having an image on a first side and apertures on an opposing second side, wherein the planar stamp includes apertures for receiving the tabs on the bottom of the body to properly position and secure the planar stamp to the bottom of the body; andwherein the planar stamp is secured to the bottom of the body by locating the tabs on the bottom of the body within the apertures on the second side of the planar stamp.

11. The ice mold of claim 10, wherein the body is construction of a flexible material.

12. The ice mold of claim 10, further comprising: tabs on the second side of the planar stamp; andthe bottom of the body includes apertures for receiving the tabs on the second side of the planar stamp to properly position and secure the planar stamp to the bottom of the body.

13. The ice mold of claim 10, wherein the stamp is constructed of a flexible material.

14. The ice mold of claim 10, wherein the body is divided into multiple compartments so as to enable the ice mold to form multiple ice cubes simultaneously.

15. The ice mold of claim 14, wherein the planar stamp is located within one of the multiple compartments.

16. The ice mold of claim 1, wherein the image on the top side of the planar stamp is embedded into the planar stamp.

17. The ice mold of claim 1, wherein the image on the top side of the planar stamp is raised above the top side of the planar stamp.

18. The ice mold of claim 10, wherein the image on the first side of the planar stamp is embedded into the planar stamp.

19. The ice mold of claim 10, wherein the image on the first side of the planar stamp is raised above the top side of the planar stamp.

20. The ice mold of claim 1, further comprising: a handle on a top of the body.