ICE SHAPING DEVICE WITH CHANGEABLE FEATURE

Abstract

Provided is an ice shaping device having upper and lower mold parts. A mold cavity has an interior surface with a concave portion and is configured to accommodate an ice chunk blank having a volume larger than the mold cavity between the mold parts. An interchangeable mold insert has a selected cross-sectional profile and a first surface that substantially conforms to the concave portion of the interior surface of the mold cavity and extending into the mold cavity to a selected depth.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to a device for quickly and easily transforming an irregularly-shaped piece of ice into a uniform shape, such as a sphere. More particularly, it relates to a device for quickly and easily molding a predetermined design, such as a monogram or business logo, onto a shaped piece of ice.

BACKGROUND

Whether for functionality or aesthetics, some prefer to chill a beverage served “on the rocks” using a relatively large, substantially spherical piece of ice. Devices for forming these ice pieces are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2004/0206250 and 2010/0055223. An improvement on this device is described in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 8,882,489, granted Nov. 11, 2014. The entire disclosures of these published applications and my prior patent are incorporated herein by reference.

The device disclosed in my prior patent forms ice into a uniform shape, such as a sphere. Because these ice shapes are often used when serving a special drink, and because the process of making the ice form adds to the experience for the customer or guest, users would like to customize the ice form with a monogram or a logo. Because of the way the ice form is shaped and removed from the device, any alteration to the spherical shape must have surfaces substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the mold parts, or must be very shallow and superficial. Customizing the interior surface of the mold would be difficult and costly to manufacture. Moreover, making a custom mold for each design would be costly and, if customized for a one-time event, would cause the mold to be obsolete long before the end of such a durable product's useful life.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a device for forming ice from an irregular chunk into a uniform shape, such as a sphere, with a replaceable insert that customizes or personalizes the finished ice shape.

The device provides an ice shaping device having upper and lower mold parts. At least one of the mold parts includes a mold cavity having an interior surface with a concave portion. The mold parts are configured to accommodate an ice chunk blank having a volume larger than the mold cavity between the mold parts, the upper mold part being configured to move toward the lower mold part by gravity. An interchangeable mold insert is formed to a selected cross-sectional profile and has a first surface that substantially conforms to the concave portion of the interior surface of the mold cavity and extends into the mold cavity to a selected depth. The mold parts and mold insert are formed of a material capable of rapidly conducting heat and together having a mass such that, starting at room temperature, the mold parts and insert possess sufficient transferable heat to melt away portions of the ice chunk blank in contact with the mold parts and insert. The upper mold part has sufficient mass to apply a significant amount of pressure, under the force of gravity, to portions of the ice chunk blank in contact with the mold parts. The upper mold part is configured to move toward the lower mold part substantially solely by the force of gravity as portions of the ice chunk blank in contact with the mold parts and mold insert melt away until a remaining portion of the ice chunk blank is shaped in conformity with the cavity and the insert.

Other aspects, features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to a person of skill in the art from the detailed description of various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, all of which comprise part of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of an ice shaping device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectioned isometric exploded view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away side plan view of the device shown with a chunk of ice in place and ready for shaping;

FIG. 4 is a similar view showing the mold parts moved together and an ice sphere fully formed;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged isometric view of the curved outer side of a custom insert;

FIG. 6 is an inverted isometric view thereof; and

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a customized ice sphere made from the illustrated device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawing figures, this section describes particular embodiments and their detailed construction and operation. Throughout the specification, reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “some embodiments” means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, structures, and characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In view of the disclosure herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, or the like. In some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, therein is shown an ice shaping device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The device 10 comprises upper and lower mold parts 12, 14, each of which includes respective mold cavity portions 16, 18. One of the mold parts, in this example, the upper part 12, may include an extended housing 22, which is sized and shaped to substantially surround and slidably receive an external periphery of the lower mold part 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer periphery of the lower mold part 14 and the inner periphery of the extended housing 22 are both substantially cylindrical. This shape is easy to manufacture, but other shapes that provide an engageable fit to direct the mold parts 12, 14 in a slidable arrangement relative to one another may also be suitable or acceptable.

The exact shape of the upper and lower portions 16, 18 of the mold cavity 20, as well as those of the upper and lower mold parts 12, 14, may vary considerably. As described in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 8,882,489, it is desirable that the length of the extended housing 22 be at least the combined depths of the upper and lower mold cavity portions 16, 18. Additionally, at least with respect to the illustrated embodiment, it is desirable that the length of the extended housing 22 be no more than the height of the exposed outer surface of the lower mold part 14.

The upper 12 and lower 14 parts of the device 10 are formed from a material having a relatively high heat conductivity. A person of ordinary skill in the art would know to select a suitable material, such as aluminum or similar metal alloy, that balances the desired characteristics of thermal conductivity, machinability, weight, and cost. Additionally, the mold parts 12, 14 should include a significant mass of material for at least two reasons. First, the mass of heat-conductive material needs to be capable of possessing, preferably at room temperature, an adequate amount of transferrable heat energy sufficient to melt and transform portions of a raw ice block, reducing it to the remaining volume of the mold cavity 20. Second, at least the upper part 12 should have sufficient mass such that, under the force of gravity and without other applied force, a significant amount of pressure is applied to the ice block 24 to aid in the melting and reshaping process. As used herein, a “significant” amount of pressure is defined as enough to contribute to or affect the rate of the melting of ice shaped by the device 10.

With sufficient mass of heat-conducting material, such as aluminum, in the upper and lower parts 12, 14, the device 10 will effectively transform a raw chunk of ice 24 into a selected shape form, such as a sphere 26, with the mold parts 12, 14 starting at ordinary room temperature. If the device 10 is used repetitively without the mass having sufficient time to reabsorb heat energy from the surrounding environment, one or both of the parts 12, 14 can be quickly and sufficiently re-energized by submersion in warm water or simply holding it under a flow of tap water for a few moments.

According to an aspect of this invention, a mold insert 28 is provided and configured to fit into one of the upper or lower mold cavity portions 16, 18. In the illustrated embodiment 10, the insert 28 fits into the lower mold cavity 18 and is held in position by a stem 30 that fits into a socket 32 in the lower mold part 14. Referring now also to FIGS. 5 and 6, the mold insert 28 includes a first surface 31 that substantially conforms to the shape of the interior surface of the mold cavity 18 in which it is mounted. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface 31 is in the shape of a convex portion of a sphere to match the hemispherical shape of the lower mold cavity 18. An opposite surface 31 of the insert 28 may be substantially flat or curved, as desired. The side surface(s) 34 must be either substantially parallel to the axis of movement between the mold parts 12, 14 (and to each other) or angled to narrow from the first, outer surface 31 toward the opposite surface 32 of the insert 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the insert 28 is cut to a profile that forms the monogram letters “KPC.” The profile design of the insert 28, however, is nearly unlimited and can be customized to nearly any shape, message, or logo. Like the mold parts 12, 14, the insert 28 is made of a heat transferring material, such as an aluminum alloy, so that it melts away a corresponding volume of the ice chunk 24 and leaves an inset or embossed image 35 of its profile in the formed ice sphere 26, as shown in FIG. 7. Multiple inserts 28 of varied design can be used interchangeably with one device 10, or the insert may be permanently fixed in place.

The device 10 is used by lifting the upper part 12 away from the lower part 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A handle 36 integrally formed with or attached to the top or side of the upper part 12 may be used, if desired. A chunk of ice 24 or a collection of ice chips is placed between the upper and lower parts 12, 14, as shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, the ice chunk 24 is at least as wide and is at least as tall as the combined heights of the upper and lower mold cavity portions 16, 18.

Beginning at the position illustrated in FIG. 3, the combined effects of pressure, due to gravity, and rapid heat transfer will cause portions of the ice chunk 24 in direct contact with the upper and lower parts 12, 14 and insert 28 to rapidly melt away, leaving in its place a shaped piece of ice (sphere 26) conforming to the mold cavity portions 16, 18 and the profile of the insert 28. Melted ice, now water, simply flows away. For the sake of convenience, a catch pan 38 can be placed under the device 10. Alternatively, the catch pan 38 may be incorporated into or attached to the lower part 14. The catch pan 38 should be sized to hold the typical volume of water produced by an ice chunk 24 to be used with the particular device 10. If desired, flow channels (such as is shown at 40 in FIGS. 1-4) can be provided on or in the mold parts 12, 14 or in the extended housing 22 (not shown) to allow water to flow away more quickly.

To facilitate removal of the upper part 12 after the ice chunk 24 has been transformed into its desired shape, a vent hole 42 may be formed in the upper mold part 12 (shown) or extended housing 22 in order to break any vacuum that may form between the upper and lower parts 12, 14. For the same reason and/or in order to channel water produced by the melting ice and otherwise trapped in the upper or lower portions 16, 18 of the mold cavity, a vent channel 44 may be formed in the lower mold part 14 from the mold cavity 18 to the exterior, adjacent to or integrated with the socket 32. After the upper mold part 12 has been lifted away, the formed ice sphere 26 can be lifted from the lower mold cavity 18 and away from the insert 28.

As shown in FIG. 4, second socket 32a may be included and also connect to the vent channel 44. In some cases, the stem 30 may block the socket 32 and prevent draining. In that case, the second socket 32a will provide drainage. In some cases, the shape of the insert 28 may not allow a stem 30 to be positioned at the center and an off-center stem 30 (not illustrated) may be provided and use the second socket 32a to keep the insert positioned.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing is intended only to be illustrative of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be included and considered to fall within the scope of the invention, defined by the following claim or claims.

Claims

1. An ice shaping device, comprising: upper and lower mold parts, at least one of which includes a mold cavity having an interior surface with a concave portion, configured to accommodate an ice chunk blank having a volume larger than the mold cavity between the mold parts, the upper mold part being configured to move toward the lower mold part by gravity; andan interchangeable mold insert formed to a selected cross-sectional profile, having a first surface that substantially conforms to the concave portion of the interior surface of the mold cavity and extending into the mold cavity to a selected depth;the mold parts and mold insert being formed of a material capable of rapidly conducting heat and together having a mass such that, starting at room temperature, the mold parts and insert possess sufficient transferable heat to melt away portions of the ice chunk blank in contact with the mold parts and insert, the upper mold part having sufficient mass to apply a significant amount of pressure, under the force of gravity, to portions of the ice chunk blank in contact with the mold parts;wherein the upper mold part being configured to move toward the lower mold part substantially solely by the force of gravity as portions of the ice chunk blank in contact with the mold parts and mold insert melt away until a remaining portion of the ice chunk blank is shaped in conformity with the cavity and the insert.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the concave portion of the mold cavity interior surface includes a socket and the mold insert includes a stem configured to be received by the socket, whereby the mold insert is retained at a selected place in the mold cavity.

3. The ice shaping device of claim 1, wherein both mold parts include a cavity, each cavity being substantially hemispherical and configured to align when the mold parts are moved together.

4. The ice shaping device of claim 1, wherein the mold parts are formed of an aluminum alloy.

5. The ice shaping device of claim 1, wherein the extension has a length at least equal to a depth dimension of the mold cavity.

6. The ice shaping device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the mold parts includes a channel to allow water melted from the ice chunk blank to flow away from portions of the mold parts in contact with the ice chunk blank.

7. The ice shaping device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the mold parts includes a channel to allow the cavity to be vented to break any vacuum formed as the mold parts are separated after forming an ice shape.