POWERED ICE PRESS ASSEMBLY

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to appliances for shaping ice and more particularly to an electric ice press for shaping ice to a predetermined desired profile.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In domestic and commercial applications, ice is often formed as solid cubes, such as crescent cubes or generally rectangular blocks. The shape of such cubes is often dictated by the container holding water during a freezing process. For instance, an ice maker can receive liquid water, and such liquid water can freeze within the ice maker to form ice cubes. In particular, certain ice makers include a freezing mold that defines a plurality of cavities. The plurality of cavities can be filled with liquid water, and such liquid water can freeze within the plurality of cavities to form solid ice cubes. Typical solid cubes or blocks may be relatively small in order to accommodate a large number of uses, such as temporary cold storage and rapid cooling of liquids in a wide range of sizes.

Although the typical solid cubes or blocks may be useful in a variety of circumstances, there are certain conditions in which distinct or unique ice shapes may be desirable. As an example, it has been found that relatively large ice cubes or spheres (e.g., larger than two inches in diameter) will melt slower than typical ice sizes/shapes. Slow melting of ice may be especially desirable in certain liquors or cocktails. Moreover, such cubes or spheres may provide a unique or upscale impression for the user.

In the past, users desiring larger or uniquely-shaped pieces of ice may have utilized cumbersome techniques and devices. As an example, large billets of ice may be shaved or sculpted by hand. However, sculpting ice by hand can be extremely difficult, dangerous, and time-consuming. In recent years, passive ice presses have come to market. Typically, these passive presses include large solid metal pieces that define a profile to which a larger ice billet may be reshaped. Generally, the passive presses rely on the large mass of the press to slowly melt a large ice billet into a desired shape. Such systems reduce some of the dangers and user skill required when reshaping ice by hand. However, the systems require large amounts of solid metal, and the process is still very time-consuming.

Accordingly, further improvements in the field of ice-shaping would be desirable. In particular, it may be desirable to provide an appliance or assembly for rapidly and reliably producing ice pieces that have a predetermined shape or profile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one example aspect of the present disclosure, an electric ice press is provided. The electric ice press defines an axial direction. The electric ice press includes a mold body including a first mold segment and a second mold segment. The second mold segment is movable relative to the first mold segment along the axial direction. The first mold segment and the second mold segment define a mold cavity. The electric ice press includes also includes a motor. One or both of the first mold segment and the second mold segment are movable via the motor between a receiving position for receiving an initial ice billet and a sculpted position for reshaping the initial ice billet into a sculpted ice nugget within the mold cavity.

In another example aspect of the present disclosure, an electric ice press is provided. The electric ice press includes a mold body including a first mold segment and a second mold segment. The second mold segment is movable relative to the first mold segment along an axial direction. The first mold segment and the second mold segment define a mold cavity. The first mold segment and the second mold segment are selectively removable from the mold body. One or both of the first mold segment and the second mold segment are movable between a receiving position for receiving an initial ice billet and a sculpted position for reshaping the initial ice billet into a sculpted ice nugget within the mold cavity.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an ice press appliance according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a front view of the example ice press appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a front view of the example ice press appliance of FIG. 1, wherein the ice press appliance is provided in a receiving position with an initial ice billet.

FIG. 4 provides a front view of the example ice press appliance of FIG. 1, wherein the ice press appliance is provided in a receiving position with a sculpted ice nugget.

FIG. 5 provides a front cross-sectional view of an ice press appliance according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of an example ice press appliance according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of an example ice press appliance according to example embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein a mold segment of the ice press appliance is provided removed from the ice press and with initial ice billets.

FIG. 8 provides a perspective view of the example ice press appliance of FIG. 7, wherein the ice press appliance is provided in a receiving position with a sculpted ice nugget.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). In addition, terms of approximation, such as “approximately,” “substantially,” or “about,” refer to being within a ten percent margin of error.

Turning now to the figures, FIGS. 1 through 8 provide views of ice presses according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. Generally, an ice press, such as ice press 100, may serve to reshape or transform an initial ice billet 102 (e.g., a mass of raw unsculpted ice, such as a pile or lump of nugget/pellet/snack ice, see FIG. 3) into a sculpted ice nugget 104 (see, e.g., FIG. 4) that has a predetermined desirable profile. FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of ice press 100. FIG. 2 provides a front view of ice press 100 in a closed or sculpted position. FIGS. 3 and 4 provide front views of ice press 100 in an open or receiving position. FIG. 5 provides a front cross-sectional view of ice press 100. FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of another example embodiment of ice press 100. FIGS. 7 and 8 provide perspective views of another example embodiment of ice press 100.

As shown, ice press 100 includes a mold body 106 that defines an axial direction A. A radial direction R may be defined outward from (e.g., perpendicular to) axial direction A. A circumferential direction C may be defined about axial direction A (e.g., perpendicular to axial direction A in a plane defined by radial direction R). Within mold body 106, a mold cavity 108 may be defined. As will be described below, within mold cavity 108 the sculpted ice nugget 104 is shaped and its profile is determined by the shape of mold cavity 108. In some embodiments, mold cavity 108 may be defined by two discrete mold segments 110, 120. For instance, a first mold segment 110 and a second mold segment 120 may be selectively mated to each other and, together, define mold cavity 108.

Each mold segment 110, 120 generally includes an outer sidewall 112, 122 and an inner cavity wall 114, 124. In particular, the outer sidewall 112, 122 of each mold segment 110, 120 faces outward (e.g., in the radial direction R) toward the ambient environment. The outer sidewall 112, 122 may generally extend about the axial direction A (e.g., along the circumferential direction C). Moreover, outer sidewalls 112, 122 may extend from an upper portion of the corresponding mold segment 110, 120 to a lower portion of the mold segment 110, 120. As a result, a user may be able to view and touch the outer sidewall 112, 122 of each assembled mold segment 110, 120, regardless of whether ice press 100 is in the receiving position or the sculpted position.

In contrast to the outer sidewall 112, 122, the inner cavity wall 114, 124 of each mold segment 110, 120 faces inward (e.g., within mold body 106) and toward mold cavity 108. For instance, each inner cavity wall 114, 124 may be formed about and extend radially outward from the axial direction A. The inner cavity wall 114 of the first mold segment 110 may generally face upward (e.g., relative to the axial direction A) toward a bottom portion of the second mold segment 120. The inner cavity wall 124 of the second mold segment 120 may generally face downward (e.g., relative to the axial direction A) toward an upper portion of first mold segment 110.

In some embodiments, the inner cavity walls 114, 124 define at least a portion of mold cavity 108. For instance, the inner cavity wall 114 of first mold segment 110 may form a first cavity 116 (e.g., along the inner cavity wall 114). Additionally or alternatively, the inner cavity wall 124 of second mold segment 120 may define a second cavity 126 (e.g., above the first cavity 116 along the corresponding inner cavity wall 124 of second mold segment 120). As shown, each inner cavity wall 114, 124 may be generally open to the ambient environment when ice press 100 is in the receiving position and enclosed or otherwise restricted from user view and access when ice press 100 is in the sculpted position.

A first mating surface 118 may be defined on a top end of first mold segment 110 and a second mating surface 128 may be defined on a bottom end of second mold segment 120 (e.g., such that second mating surface generally faces downward toward first mating surface 118 along the axial direction A). Mating surfaces 118, 128 generally join corresponding outer sidewalls 112, 122 and inner cavity walls 114, 124. In particular, mating surfaces 118, 128 may extend along the radial direction R between the outer sidewall 112, 122 and the inner cavity wall 114, 124. For instance, first mating surface 118 of first mold segment 110 may extend in the radial direction R from the perimeter or outer radial extreme of inner cavity wall 114 to the corresponding outer sidewall 112. Second mating surface 128 of second mold segment 120 may extend in the radial direction R from the perimeter or outer radial extreme of inner cavity wall 124 to the corresponding outer sidewall 122.

Together, the mating surfaces 118, 128 may be formed as complementary surfaces to contact each other (e.g., in the sculpted position). In addition, according to the illustrated example embodiment, mating surface 118, 128 are defined approximately at a midpoint or equator of mold body 106 along the axial direction A, e.g., such that two hemispheres (i.e., mold halves or segments 110, 120) are defined. However, it should be appreciated the shape, position, and relative sizes of mold segments 110, 120 may vary while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter.

It is generally understood that mold body 106 may be formed from any suitable material. For instance, one or more portions (e.g., inner cavity walls 114, 124) may be formed from a conductive metal, such as aluminum, stainless, steel, or copper (including alloys thereof). Optionally, one or more portions of mold body 106 may be integrally formed (e.g., as unitary monolithic members). As an example, inner cavity wall 114 of first mold segment 110 may be integrally formed within one or both of first mating surface 118 and outer sidewall 112. As an additional or alternative example, inner cavity wall 124 of second mold segment 120 may be integrally formed with one or both of mating surface 128 and outer sidewall 122.

Generally, the sculpted ice nugget 104 will be shaped within and conform to mold cavity 108 along the inner cavity walls 114, 124. The resulting sculpted ice nugget 104 is therefore a solid unitary ice piece that is shaped according to the shape or profile of inner cavity walls 114, 124 (e.g., in the sculpted position). Thus, the adjoined inner cavity walls 114, 124 (i.e., in the sculpted position) and cavities 116, 126 may define the ultimate shape or profile of sculpted ice nugget 104.

In some example embodiments, one or both of cavities 116, 126 define a specified shape, e.g., first cavity 116 may define a first specified shape and second cavity 126 may define a second specified shape. For instance, first cavity 116 may define a lower hemispherical void and second cavity 126 may define an upper hemispherical void. Together, the cavities 116, 126 may thus define mold cavity 108 and thereby, in the present example, define sculpted ice nugget 104 as a sphere.

Optionally, each hemispherical void may have a diameter that is greater than two inches. According to other example embodiments, mold cavity 108 may be a sphere of approximately 3 inches in diameter, or larger. Nonetheless, it is understood that any other suitable specified shape (e.g., a geometric cube, polyhedron, etc.) or profile may be provided by cavities 116, 126, as will be described further below. Moreover, it is further understood that additional or alternative embodiments may provide a predefined embossing or engraving along one or more of the inner cavity walls 114, 124 to direct the shape or profile of sculpted ice nugget 104.

As illustrated, the mold segments 110, 120 may be selectively separated or moved relative to each other (e.g., as desired by user). For instance, second mold segment 120 may be movably positioned above first mold segment 110 along the axial direction A. When assembled, second mold segment 120 may thus move (e.g., slide or pivot) up and down along the axial direction A. In particular, second mold segment 120 may move and alternate between the sculpted position (e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2) and the receiving position (e.g., FIGS. 3 through 5).

In the sculpted position, mold cavity 108 is generally enclosed, such that access to mold cavity 108 is restricted. Moreover, second mold segment 120 may be supported or rest on first mold segment 110. In some such embodiments, a lower portion of second mold segment 120 contacts (e.g., directly, or indirectly contacts) an upper portion of first mold segment 110. For instance, first mating surface 118 may directly contact second mating surface 128, e.g., such that mating surfaces 118, 128 are seated against each other. In the sculpted position, both cavities 116, 126 may be aligned (e.g., in the axial direction A and the radial direction R) in mutual fluid communication. The unified mold cavity 108 may furthermore be enclosed by the cavities 116, 126 (e.g., at the inner cavity walls 114, 124 defining first cavity 116 and second cavity 126, respectively).

In contrast to the sculpted position, mold cavity 108 is generally open in the receiving position. For instance, discrete cavities 116, 126 of mold cavity 108 may be separated from each other such that a void or gap is defined (e.g., in the axial direction A) between first mold segment 110 and second mold segment 120. Access to mold cavity 108 may thus be permitted. Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the initial ice billet 102 (being larger in volume than the volume of the enclosed mold cavity 108) may be placed on mold body 106. Specifically, the initial ice billet 102 may be placed on an upper portion of first mold segment 110 or within the void or gap defined between first mold segment 110 and second mold segment 120. If a reshaping operation has already been performed (e.g., the initial ice billet 102 has been reshaped as the sculpted ice nugget 104), the sculpted ice nugget 104 may be accessed at the receiving position, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

In certain embodiments, the movement of second mold segment 120 relative to first mold segment 110 is guided by one or more attachment features. For instance, as shown in the example embodiments of FIGS. 3 through 5, one or more complementary structural guide rail-sleeve pairs 130 may be defined between first mold segment 110 and second mold segment 120 on mold body 106. Such structural guide rail-sleeve pairs 130 each include a mated structural guide rail 132 and structural sleeve 134 within which the structural guide rail 132 may slide. Each structural guide rail-sleeve pair 130 may extend parallel to the axial direction A to guide or facilitate the sliding of second mold segment 120 relative to first mold segment 110 along the axial direction A. Moreover, structural guide rail-sleeve pairs 130 may align the mold segments 110, 120 (e.g., as second mold segment 120 moves to the sculpted position). Optionally, the structural guide rail-sleeve pairs 130 may be freely separable (e.g., upward along the axial direction A), thereby permitting the complete removal of second mold segment 120 from first mold segment 110. Notably, a wider variety of sizes of ice billet 102 may be accommodated between the mold segments 110, 120 in embodiments where the structural guide rail-sleeve pairs 130 are freely separable.

As shown, a handle 136 may be fixed to second mold segment 120 (e.g., at a top portion thereof), allowing a user to easily grab or lift second mold segment 120. In some such embodiments, the lifting force to move second mold segment 120 upward (e.g., from the sculpted position to the receiving position) can be selectively provided, at least in part, by a user. A closing force necessary to move second mold segment 120 downward (e.g., from the receiving position to the sculpted position) may be provided, at least in part, by gravity, or, as in the present example embodiment, by a motor 138, as will be described below.

In general, ice press 100 may include a motor 138 (e.g., a linear actuator, a brushless DC electric motor, a stepper motor, an alternating current (AC) motor, an induction motor, a permanent magnet synchronous motor, or any other suitable type or configuration of motor). In some example embodiments, motor 138 may be coupled to mold body 106. In general, motor 138 may be provided to motivate or assist relative movement of the mold segments 110, 120. For example, motor 138 may be coupled to second mold segment 120, or e.g., structural guide rail 132, via a transmission 139, whereby motor 138 may provide the closing force necessary to move second mold segment 120 downward to engage first mold segment 110 and form the sculpted ice nugget 104. In particular, motor 138 may be configured to translate second mold segment 120 in the axial direction A between the receiving position and the sculpted position. In some example embodiments, both first mold segment 110 and second mold segment 120 may be movable via motor 138. In general, transmission 139 may include any suitable transmission assemblies, clutch mechanisms, or other components (e.g., a gear train, a rack and pinion, or any other suitable mechanical transmission. According to an example embodiment, motor 138 may be operably coupled to a controller 190, which may be programmed to operate motor as described herein. Additionally, ice press 100 may be provided with a single power cord 140 which may be electrically coupled with a single power supply 142, generally for powering motor 138.

Although the figures illustrate two sliding structural guide rail-sleeve pairs 130, it is understood that any other suitable alternative arrangement may be provided for connecting and guiding movement between first mold segment 110 and second mold segment 120. As an example, three or more sliding structural guide rail-sleeve pairs 130 may be provided. As yet another additional or alternative example, a multi-axis pivot assembly (e.g., having at least two parallel rotation axes) may connect second mold segment 120 to first mold segment 110 and permit rotational as well as axial movement.

In some example embodiments, a frame 200 including a base 180 may be provided around/under first mold segment 110 (e.g., below mold cavity 108). Frame 200 may generally couple to mold body 106 in order to support mold body 106 of ice press 100 on a countertop or other surface on which ice press 100 is placed. For example, base 180 may be attached to or formed integrally with one of frame 200 and/or first mold segment 110 at a lower portion thereof. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, base 180 may extend radially outward from, for instance, outer sidewall 112. As shown in FIG. 5, base 180 may extend radially outward from frame 200. Moreover, base 180 may form a circumferential channel 182 (FIG. 7) about mold body 106. During use, extraneous portions of the initial ice billet 102 (FIG. 3) may thus accumulate within circumferential channel 182 of base 180 (e.g., as water or separated ice chunks), instead of accumulating on a countertop or surface on which ice press 100 is supported.

Generally, operation of the motor 138 may be directed by controller 190 in operative communication (e.g., wireless, or electrical communication) therewith. Controller 190 may include a memory (e.g., non-transitive media) and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a selected operation. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 190 may be constructed without using a microprocessor (e.g., using a combination of discrete analog or digital logic circuitry, such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

As stated above, mold cavity 108 may be a sphere, however, it may be understood that any other suitable shape (e.g., a geometric cube, polyhedron, etc.) or profile may be provided. In particular, first mold segment 110 and second mold segment 120 of ice press 100 may be selectively removable from mold body 106.

Turning to FIG. 6, provided is a perspective view of an additional or alternative example embodiment of ice press 100. In general, ice press 100 may include a piston 150 extending in the axial direction A, through mold body 106. In general, motor 138 may be mechanically coupled to piston 150 via transmission 139, whereby motor 138 may translate piston 150 in the axial direction A. In particular, translating piston 150 in the axial direction A may provide the closing force necessary to move second mold segment 120 downward to engage first mold segment 110 and form the sculpted ice nugget 104, as described herein.

Turning to FIGS. 7 and 8, provided are perspective views of another example embodiment of ice press 100, according to aspects of ice press 100 as described herein. As stated above, the shape, position, and relative sizes of mold segments 110, 120 may vary. As such, FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of ice press 100 with first mold segment 110 removed from ice press 100. In general, first mold segment may define one or more first cavities 116, e.g., first mold segment 110 is shown with four (4) first cavities 116 in FIG. 7. Accordingly, second mold segment 120 may include a complementary number of cavities, e.g., second mold segment 120 may include four (4) second cavities 126. As shown, first mold segment 110 may be removable, such that first mold segment 110 may be replaced by other mold segments defining cavities of other specified shapes, such as a geometric cube, polyhedron, cylinder, etc., e.g., second mold segment 120 may also be replaced by other mold segments defining cavities of other specified shapes.

In general, as shown in FIG. 7, a utensil 300 may provide initial ice billets 102 into first mold cavities 116. In general, utensil 300 may be any suitable utensil for transferring ice into first mold cavities 116, such as a spoon, a scoop, a ladle, etc. In general, a user may transfer ice into first mold segment 110 while first mold segment 110 is removed from ice press 100 and may place first mold segment 110 onto base 180 when the desired amount of first mold cavities 116 are filled with ice, e.g., a user may fill at least one of first mold cavities 116 for pressing. In general, placing first mold segment 110 onto base 180 of frame 200 may include placing first mold segment 110 within circumferential channel 182.

Turning to FIG. 8, illustrated is a perspective view of ice press 100 in the receiving position with four (4) sculpted ice nuggets 104. In particular, second mold segment 120 may be moved downward (e.g., by motor 138, FIG. 5) to engage first mold segment 110 and form each of the sculpted ice nuggets 104. As such, in some example embodiments, ice press 100 may be configured to automatically press a plurality of ice billets 102 and provide a plurality of sculpted ice nuggets 104.

As may be seen from the above, an automatic nugget ice press may be provided. The ice press may be electrically powered to compress and reshape small nugget ice into various specified shapes. The ice press may include a modular ice mold that may be inserted into the ice press, such that users may choose a variety of specified shapes. The user may place individual mold segments into the press and add/transfer ice into mold cavities defined by the mold segments. When the user actuates the ice press, a motor may provide compression to the ice within the mold segments, resulting in the specified ice shapes.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.