U.S. patent application number 10/509833 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-28 for apparatus and method for producing ice container using ice powders.
Invention is credited to Park, Chang Yong.
Application Number | 20050160741 10/509833 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29267881 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050160741 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park, Chang Yong |
July 28, 2005 |
Apparatus and method for producing ice container using ice
powders
Abstract
Disclosed are an apparatus and method for producing an ice
container, in which a freezer is provided with an ice grinding unit
and an ice container forming unit for compressing ice powders to
form the ice container, so that deformation of the forming the ice
container by compressing the ice powders, thereby allowing mass
production of the ice container and reducing a manufacturing cost
of the ice container. The apparatus includes an ice grinding unit
for grinding an ice mass into ice powders; a freezer positioned at
one side of the ice grinding unit for maintaining the ice grinding
unit in a proper temperature to prevent the ice powders from being
molten, an ice the ice powders to form the ice container, a guide
coupled to the ice container forming unit for guiding movement of
the ice container forming unit by a given distance, a turntable
rotatably installed in the freezer, the ice container compressed by
the ice container forming unit moved by the guide being laid
thereon, and a plurality of cold air distributors installed at an
outside of the turntable for blasting cold air onto a surface of
the ice container to freeze the surface of the ice container.
Inventors: |
Park, Chang Yong; (Choong-Ku
Incheon City, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dykema Gossett
Suite 300 West
1300 I Street N W
Washington
DC
20005-3306
US
|
Family ID: |
29267881 |
Appl. No.: |
10/509833 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
April 21, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR03/00810 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/1 ; 62/340;
62/341 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 5/046 20130101;
F25D 2331/804 20130101; F25C 1/22 20130101; F25D 3/08 20130101;
A47G 19/2288 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/001 ;
062/340; 062/341 |
International
Class: |
F25C 001/00; F25C
005/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 23, 2002 |
KR |
1020020022259 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for producing an ice container using ice powders,
comprising: an ice grinding unit for grinding an ice mass into ice
powders; a freezer positioned at one side of the ice grinding unit
for maintaining the ice grinding unit in a proper temperature to
prevent the ice powders from being molten; an ice container forming
unit installed in the freezer for receiving and compressing the ice
powders to form the ice containers; a guide coupled to the ice
container forming unit for guiding movement of the ice container
forming unit by a given distance; a turntable rotatably installed
in the freezer, the ice container compressed by the ice container
forming unit moved by the guide being laid thereon; and a plurality
of cold air distributors installed at an outside of the turntable
for blasting cold air onto a surface of the ice container to freeze
the surface of the ice container.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ice grinding
unit includes a plurality of molds for forming an exterior surface
of the ice container, the molds being reciprocatingly moved in such
a manner that one side of the one mold is contacted and detached
from one side of an opposing mold, and having a groove of a shape
corresponding to the exterior surface of the ice container; an
upper mold disposed over the plurality of forming molds for
compressing the ice powders introduced into an opening formed by
the plurality of forming molds, the upper mold being
reciprocatingly moved into the opening; and a lower mold for
blocking a bottom of the opening formed by the plurality of forming
molds contacted to each other, the lower mold being reciprocatingly
moved toward the bottom of the opening.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein means is provided
for supplying steam heat to a desired temperature to and discharged
from the plurality of forming molds, the upper and lower molds, and
the turntable, respectively.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of the
opposing forming molds is provided with a plurality of water
discharge openings.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the freezer
includes a plurality of solution injectors for injecting a solution
onto a surface of the compressed ice container rotated by the
turntable.
6. A method for producing an ice container using ice powders,
comprising the steps of: grinding an ice mass into the ice powders;
reciprocatingly moving into contact exterior forming molds having a
groove for accommodating the ice powders introduced from an ice
grinding unit; reciprocatingly blocking a bottom of an opening
formed by the grooves of the contacted exterior forming molds.
Introducing the ice powders ground by the ice grinding unit into
said opening; reciprocatingly moving an upper mold to compress the
ice powders, thereby forming the ice container; if the ice
container is formed, detaching the upper and lower molds from the
ice container; guiding the exterior forming molds, in which the ice
container is disposed, along a guide, laying the exterior forming
molds on an upper surface of the turntable, and detaching the ice
container from the exterior forming molds; and supplying a cold
blast generated from a cold air distributor onto a surface of the
ice container rotated on the turntable.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising the step of
injecting a solution from a solution injector onto a surface of the
ice containers.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an ice container, and more
particularly, to an apparatus and method for producing an ice
container using ice powders, capable of easily producing the ice
container of various shapes and allowing mass production
thereof.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Generally, ice containers are used to carry foods when
eating the cold foods in summer season.
[0003] Containers or cups carrying cold foods such as sliced raw
fish or iced vermicelli, cold beverages, or juices mixed with
fruits as a punch are maintained in a cold state for a long time,
thereby maintaining the degree of freshness thereof until men eat
the foods or drink the beverages or juices.
[0004] At that time, in order to maintain the containers or cups in
the cold state, the containers or cups are kept in a refrigerator
within a certain period of time so that they are frozen. The foods
or beverages are carried into the cold containers or cups.
[0005] Since the containers or cups are made of glass, porcelain or
stainless steel, heat transfer to the atmosphere from the
containers or cups easily happens. Therefore, they cannot maintain
the cold state for a long time. In other words, the cold property
thereof is disappeared after a given period of time.
[0006] In addition, in order to freeze the containers or cups, they
must be disposed in the refrigerator for a long time, thereby
requiring much time to freeze them and increasing the capacity of
the refrigerator. Therefore, a wide space has to be provided to
install the refrigerator of large capacity. Also, power consumption
of the refrigerator is increased.
[0007] In recent, ice containers are generally used to carry the
food, beverage, or juice mixed with fruits. An apparatus for
producing the ice container includes, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a
mold 1 having a cavity for forming an exterior surface of the ice
container 4, and a forming member 2 disposed within the mold 1 for
forming an interior surface of the ice container 4. An interior
surface of the mold is provided with a pattern of various shapes.
The shaping member 2 has a plurality of latching portions 3 latched
on an upper edge of the mold 1.
[0008] When the forming member 2 is put in the cavity of the mold
1, each latching portion 1 of the forming member 2 is latched on
the upper edge of the mold 1, thereby forming a desired space
between the interior surface of the mold 1 and the exterior surface
of the forming member 2.
[0009] The mold 1 with the space filled with water is carried and
put into a freezer, so that the water is frozen within the
freezer.
[0010] If the water is completely frozen to form the ice container,
the forming member 2 is detached from the ice container 4, and then
the ice container is detached from the mold 1. The ice container 4
has an interior surface corresponding to the interior surface of
the mold 1 and an exterior surface corresponding to the exterior
surface of the forming member 2.
[0011] If a food, a beverage, a fruit or a juice mixed with fruits
as a punch is put into the ice container 4 formed as described
above, the contents may be maintained in a cold state for a long
time.
[0012] According to the process of producing the ice container, the
ice container is formed by filling the cavity of the mold with the
water and then freezing the water in the freezer. However, when the
water filling the cavity of the mold is frozen in the freezer,
since the water is unevenly contracted, there is a problem in that
the shape of the ice container is not properly formed.
[0013] In addition, the molds and forming members of various shapes
must be provided to form the ice container in various sizes and
shapes. Accordingly, the expense is very heavy to provide the molds
and forming members.
[0014] Also, the process of filling and freezing the water in the
mold is complicated, and much time is required to freeze the water,
so that mass production is difficult. Therefore, since the cost of
the ice container is increased, there is another problem of
lowering credibility and buying desire of consumers to the ice
container.
[0015] Even though the ice container is produced by using an
apparatus for producing ice container through the above process, a
size and capacity of the apparatus must be increased. Therefore,
the manufacturing cost of the ice container may be also increased.
Of course, it cannot still solve the above problems of mass
production of the ice container and uneven contraction of the
water.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve
the problems involved in the prior art, and to provide an apparatus
and method for producing an ice container, in which a freezer is
provided with an ice grinding unit and an ice container forming
unit for compressing ice powders to form the ice container, so that
deformation of the ice container may be minimized when forming the
ice container by compressing the ice powders, thereby allowing mass
production of the ice container and reducing a manufacturing cost
of the ice container.
[0017] In order to accomplished the above-mentioned object,
according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided
an apparatus for producing an ice container using ice powders,
comprising: an ice grinding unit for grinding an ice mass into ice
powders; a freezer positioned at one side of the ice grinding unit
for maintaining the ice grinding unit in a proper temperature to
prevent the ice powders from being molten; an ice container forming
unit installed in the freezer for receiving and compressing the ice
powders to form the ice container; a guide coupled to the ice
container forming unit for guiding movement of the ice container
forming unit by a given distance; a turntable rotatably installed
in the freezer, the ice container compressed by the ice container
forming unit moved by the guide being laid thereon; and a plurality
of cold air distributors installed at an outside of the turntable
for blasting cold air onto a surface of the ice container to freeze
the surface of the ice container.
[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method for producing an ice container using ice
powders, comprising the steps of:
[0019] grinding an ice mass into the ice powders; reciprocately
moving exterior forming molds having a groove for accommodating the
ice powders introduced from an ice grinding unit; reciprocately
blocking a bottom of an opening formed by the grooves of the
contacted exterior forming molds; introducing the ice powders
ground by the ice grinding unit into the opening formed by the ice
grinding unit; reciprocately moving the upper mold to compress the
ice powders, thereby forming the ice container; if the ice
container is formed, detaching the upper and lower molds from the
ice container; guiding the exterior forming molds, in which the ice
container is disposed, along a guide, laying the molds on an upper
surface of the turntable, and detaching the ice container from the
exterior forming molds; and supplying a cold blast generated from a
cold air distributor onto a surface of the ice container rotated on
the turntable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The above objects, other features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent by describing the
preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional
apparatus for producing an ice container.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a manufacturing state of
a conventional ice container.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an apparatus for producing an
ice container using ice powders according to one preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an ice container
forming unit according to the present invention.
[0025] FIGS. 5a to 5i show a process of producing an ice container
using ice powders according to one preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing left and right molds of
an ice container forming unit according to another embodiment of
the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an apparatus for producing an
ice container using ice powders according to one preferred
embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view
showing an ice container forming unit according to the present
invention, and FIGS. 5a to 5i show a process of producing an ice
container using ice powders according to one preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
[0029] The apparatus of the present invention includes an ice
grinding unit 10 for grinding an ice mass into ice powders, a
freezer 20 positioned at one side of the ice grinding unit for
maintaining the interior of the ice grinding unit 10 in a proper
temperature to prevent the ice powders from being molten, and an
ice container forming unit installed in the freezer 20 for forming
an ice container 4 by compressing the ice powders ground within the
ice grinding unit.
[0030] The ice grinding unit 10 is provided with an ice powder
input port 11 connected to the freezer 20 for inputting the ground
ice powders into the freezer 20.
[0031] The ice container forming unit includes, as shown in FIG. 4,
a plurality of molds for forming an exterior surface of the ice
container, i.e., left and right molds 30 and 31. The left and right
molds can be reciprocately moved in such a manner that one side is
contacted and detached from the other side, and have a groove 36 of
a shape corresponding to the exterior surface of the ice container,
respectively. The ice container forming unit also includes an upper
mold 32 disposed over the left and right molds 30 and 31 for
compressing the ice powders introduced into an opening 80 formed by
the left and right molds 30 and 31, the upper mold 32 be
reciprocately moved into the opening 80. In addition, the ice
container forming unit includes a lower mold 33 for blocking a
bottom of the opening 80 formed by each groove 36 when the left and
right molds 30 and 31 are contacted to each other, the lower mold
33 be reciprocately moved toward the bottom of the opening 80.
[0032] The lower mold 33 has a protrusion 37 for forming an
interior surface of the ice container 4.
[0033] The opening 80 may have various shapes corresponding to the
shape of the groove 36. Specifically, the opening 80 may be formed
in a circular, polygonal or irregular shape, and the interior and
exterior surfaces of the ice container 4 may be varied depending
upon the shape of the groove 36 and the protrusion 37.
[0034] In order to easily detach the left and right molds 30 and 31
and the upper and lower molds 32 and 33 from the ice container 4
formed by compressing the ice powders within the molds 30, 31, 32
and 33, each of the molds 30, 31, 32 and 33 has a steam line
connected to each inside of the molds for supplying and discharging
steam heated by a desired temperature.
[0035] Each of the molds may be provided with a heat coil heated by
a desired temperature, as well as installing the steam line 35 for
supplying and discharging the steam to easily detach the left and
right molds 30 and 31 and the upper and lower molds 32 and 33 from
the ice container 4. Any means for applying the heat to the molds
to easily detach the molds 30, 31, 32 and 33 from the ice container
4 may be employed.
[0036] The left and right molds 30 and 31 may be provided in each
of interiors thereof with a cavity for accommodating the steam line
35 or heat coil.
[0037] The reciprocating motions of the left and right molds 30 and
31 and the upper and lower molds 32 and 33 are achieved by a
hydraulic unit 34 coupled to the molds.
[0038] The ice container is formed by the molds 30, 31, 32 and 33
within the freezer 20, and the freezer 20 includes a guide 50 for
guiding the movement of the left and right molds 30 and 31 to
reciprocately move the molds 30 and 31 by a constant distance, in
the state that the upper and lower molds 32 and 33 are detached
from the ice container.
[0039] Also, the freezer 20 includes a turntable 40 on which the
ice powders (i.e., ice container 4) compressed by the left and
right molds 30 and 31 moved by the guide 50 within the ice
container forming unit is laid. The turntable 40 has a steam line
35 for supplying or discharging the steam heated by a desired
temperature or a heat coil for generating a heat so as to detach
the ice container 4 from an upper surface of the turntable 40.
[0040] In addition, the freezer 20 includes a plurality of solution
injectors 70 for injecting a cold solution onto the surface of the
compressed ice powders (ice container 4) rotated by the turntable
40 so as to fill gaps formed on the surface of the ice container
for smoothing the surface or apply a pattern or color onto the
surface.
[0041] Cold water or solution containing a harmless color may be
used as the above solution.
[0042] Each of solution injectors 70 for injecting the solution is
provided at an inlet thereof with a heat wire for generating the
heat so as to prevent the injected solution from being frozen.
[0043] Also, the freezer 20 includes a plurality of cold air
distributors 60 installed at the outside of the turntable 40 for
blasting the cold air onto the surface to increase strength of the
ice container 4 by freezing the surface of the compressed ice
container laid on the upper portion of the turntable 40 and to
adhere the solution injected from the injector 70 to the surface of
the ice container.
[0044] The left and right molds 30 and 31 are provided at each one
side thereof with a plurality of small holes 38 for outwardly
discharging the water resulted from the ice container 4 when the
upper and lower molds 32 and 33 are separated.
[0045] The left mold 30 has a plurality of guide holes 82 at an
abutting surface of the left mold opposed to the right mold, and
the right mold 31 has a plurality of guide rods 81 at an abutting
surface of the right mold opposed to the left mold, as shown in
FIG. 6, so that the guide rods and guide holes guide the correct
abutment of the left and right molds 30 and 31.
[0046] The molds 30, 31, 32 and 33 and the hydraulic unit 34 are
detachably coupled such a manner that the molds may be replaced by
other molds of various sizes and shapes.
[0047] The operation of the apparatus according to the present
invention will now be described.
[0048] The ice masses are introduced into the ice grinding unit 10
and are ground into the ice powders. The ice powders are inputted
into the freezer 20 disposed at one side of the ice grinding unit
10 through the ice powder input port 11. The ice powders inputted
into the freezer 20 are compressed and formed in the ice container
by the ice container forming unit.
[0049] Describing the operation of the ice container forming unit
for forming the ice container, the molds for forming the exterior
surface of the ice container 4, i.e., the left and right molds 30
and 31, are slidingly moved by the hydraulic unit. The left and
right molds 30 and 31 are reciprocately moved in a left or right
direction, such that the abutting surface of the left mold is
contacted or detached from the abutting surface of the right
mold.
[0050] If the abutting surface of the left mold is contacted to the
abutting surface of the right mold, the opening 80 is formed by the
grooves 36 each formed at one side of the left and right molds 30
and 31. The bottom of the opening 80 is blocked by the lower mold
33 having the protrusion 37 forming the interior surface of the ice
container 4, the lower mold 33 disposed under the left and right
molds 30 and 31 and moved upwardly by the hydraulic apparatus.
[0051] In this state, the ice powders passing through the ice
powder input port 11 are introduced into the opening 80 formed by
the left and right molds 30 and 31, as shown in FIG. 5a. If the
input of the ice powders is completed, the upper mold 32 disposed
over the left and right molds 30 and 31 is inserted into the
opening 80 to compress the introduced ice powders, as shown in FIG.
5b.
[0052] Specifically, the ice powders is hardened or compressed by a
constant pressure resulted from the reciprocately moving upper mold
32.
[0053] At that time, the ice powders may form the ice container by
introducing them at once into the opening 80 of the ice container
forming unit. If the ice container of a desired shape is not formed
by introducing them at once, a sufficient amount of ice powders may
be filled in the opening 80 by repeatedly introducing them, and
then be compressed.
[0054] In other words, the ice powders are introduced into the
opening 80, and are hardened by the reciprocately moved upper mold
32, thereby compressing the ice powders. At that time, the ice
powders are again introduced into the opening 80, and are
continuously hardened by the reciprocately moved upper mold 32.
[0055] This process can form the ice container of a desired shape
by eliminating a space to be produced between the hardening ice
powders, repeatedly introducing the ice powders until the ice
container of a desired shape is obtained, and continuously
hardening the introduced ice powders using the reciprocately moved
upper mold 32.
[0056] According to the compression of the ice powders by the
reciprocately moved upper mold 32, the ice powders are formed in
the ice container by the left and right molds 30 and 31 and the
upper and lower molds 32 and 33.
[0057] Upon forming the ice container 4, the steam heated by the
desired temperature is supplied and discharged into the steam lines
35 each installed in the upper and lower molds 32 and 33.
Specifically, if the steam is introduced into the upper and lower
molds 32 and 33, the temperature of the upper and lower molds 32
and 33 is increased, so that the exterior surface of the ice
container 4 adhered to the upper and lower molds 32 and 33 is
molten.
[0058] The upper and lower molds 32 and 33 are detached from the
exterior surface of the ice container 4, and are respectively moved
in the upper or lower direction by the hydraulic unit 34, as shown
in FIG. 5c.
[0059] And then, the left and right molds 30 and 31 forming the ice
container 4 therein are moved onto the turntable 40 according to
the guidance of the guide 50, and are laid on the upper surface of
the turntable 40, as shown in FIG. 5d.
[0060] The left and right molds 30 and 31 laid on the upper surface
of the turntable 40 are divided from each other. Specifically, the
left and right molds 30 and 31 is heated by passing the steam
through the steam lines 35 each installed in the respective molds
30 and 31, so that the exterior surface of the ice container 4
adhered to the left and right molds 30 and 31 is molten.
[0061] At that time, since a plurality of holes 38 are formed at
one side of the respective left and right molds 30 and 31, the
water resulted from the molting ice container 4 by the heated left
and right molds 30 and 31 is outwardly discharged through the holes
38.
[0062] If the temperature of the left and right molds 30 and 31 is
increased, the left and right molds 30 and 31 are detached from the
exterior surface of the ice container 4, and are moved in the left
and right directions by the hydraulic unit 34, as shown in FIG. 5e,
thereby dividing the left and right molds 30 and 31.
[0063] Simultaneously, the ice container 4 is laid on the upper
surface of the turntable 40, and is rotated by the rotating
turntable 40. At that time, the surface of the ice container is
coated with the solution injected by the respective solution
injectors 70 installed at the turntable 40, as shown in FIG.
5f.
[0064] Specifically, the solution injected by the solution
injectors 70 contains cold water or a harmless color to men, and
the gaps formed on the surface of the ice container are filled so
as to smooth the surface or a pattern or color is applied onto the
surface thereof, by injecting the solution onto the surface of the
compressed ice container 4.
[0065] Upon completing the application of the solution, the cold
air is supplied to the ice container 4 rotated on the turntable 40
by the cold air distributors 60 installed at the outside of the
turntable 40, thereby increasing the strength of the ice container
4 by freezing the surface of the compressed ice container laid on
the upper portion of the turntable 40 and fixedly adhering the
solution injected from the injectors 70 to the surface of the ice
container to allow the surface to be coated with the color
contained in the solution.
[0066] If the surface of the ice container 4 is perfectly frozen by
the supplied cold air, the steam is supplied into the steam line 35
installed in the turntable 40, as shown in FIG. 5h, so that the
surface of the ice container 4 adhered to the upper surface of the
turntable is molten to detach the ice container 4 from the
turntable. The detached ice container 4 is formed in the shape as
shown in FIG. 5i.
[0067] If the ice container 4 formed as described above is carried
out of the freezer 20, and a food, a beverage, a fruit or a juice
mixed with fruits as a punch is put into the ice container, the
contents may be maintained in a cold state for a long time.
[0068] While the present invention has been described and
illustrated herein with reference to the preferred embodiments
thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
various modifications and variations can be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers the modifications and
variations of this invention that come within the scope of the
appended claims and their equivalents.
Industrial Applicability
[0069] As apparent from the above description, the freezer is
provided with the ice grinding unit and the ice container forming
unit for compressing the ground ice powders to form the ice
container, so that deformation of the ice container may be
minimized when forming the ice container by compressing the ice
powders. Therefore, the shape of the ice container may be properly
formed at a short time, thereby allowing mass production of the ice
container.
[0070] In addition, the manufacturing cost of the ice container may
be reduced, and the apparatus for producing the ice container may
be inexpensive. Also, power consumption of the apparatus may be
significantly reduced.
[0071] Furthermore, it is possible to easily manufacture the ice
container in various shapes, such as circular, polygonal or
irregular shape, since the ice container forming unit is replaced
by other unit. Of course, a wanted pattern may be engraved or
embossed on the exterior and interior surfaces of the ice
container.
* * * * *