U.S. patent application number 14/629015 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-24 for apparatus for making frozen comestibles.
This patent application is currently assigned to PROPELLER INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Propeller Inc.. Invention is credited to John C. Earle, Yos Kumthampinij, William Nickley, Kenneth D. Zorovich.
Application Number | 20150264973 14/629015 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50033828 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150264973 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zorovich; Kenneth D. ; et
al. |
September 24, 2015 |
APPARATUS FOR MAKING FROZEN COMESTIBLES
Abstract
An apparatus for making frozen comestibles including a base
having a plurality of apertures formed within said first side
thereof, and a plurality of molds attached to or formed integrally
with the base. Each of the molds includes a receiving surface and
an opening aligned with a corresponding one of the apertures of the
base. Each of the molds is moveable between a first position, in
which a substantial portion of at least one mold is positioned
within the interior portion of the base and said receiving surface
forms a molding cavity that is adapted to receive a comestible to
be frozen, and a second position, in which a substantial portion of
the mold extends outwardly from the first side of the base and the
receiving surface of the mold is exposed externally.
Inventors: |
Zorovich; Kenneth D.;
(Hoboken, NJ) ; Earle; John C.; (Annapolis,
MD) ; Kumthampinij; Yos; (Tenafly, NJ) ;
Nickley; William; (Jersey City, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Propeller Inc. |
Hoboken |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
PROPELLER INC.
Hoboken
NJ
|
Family ID: |
50033828 |
Appl. No.: |
14/629015 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14156646 |
Jan 16, 2014 |
8961163 |
|
|
14629015 |
|
|
|
|
61753333 |
Jan 16, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
249/203 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A23G 9/50 20130101; A23P
30/10 20160801; A23G 9/083 20130101; A23G 9/26 20130101; A23G 9/503
20130101; A23G 7/0031 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A23P 1/10 20060101
A23P001/10 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for making frozen comestibles, comprising: a base
having a first side, a second side opposite said first side, an
interior portion intermediate said first and second sides, and at
least one aperture formed within said first side; and at least one
mold attached to said base, said at least one mold including a
receiving surface and an opening aligned with said at least one
aperture of said base, wherein said at least one mold is moveable
between a first position, in which a substantial portion of said at
least one mold is positioned within said interior portion of said
base and said receiving surface forms a molding cavity that is
adapted to receive a comestible to be frozen, and a second
position, in which a substantial portion of said at least one mold
extends outwardly from said first side of said base and said
receiving surface of said at least one mold is exposed externally
at said first side of said base.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one mold is
adapted to move from said first position to said second position
when a frozen comestible is removed from said at least one
mold.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said at least one mold
includes a plurality of molds, and said at least one aperture of
said base includes a plurality of apertures, each of said openings
of said plurality of molds is aligned with a corresponding one of
said plurality of apertures of said base.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a plate attached to
said base for securing the plurality of molds to an underside of
the first side of the base.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said base includes a plurality
of lips, each of which extends from said underside of said first
side of said base and surrounds a corresponding one of said
plurality of apertures of said base, wherein each of said plurality
of molds includes a collar having an upper surface, a lower surface
opposite said upper surface, and a lip extending from said upper
surface, and wherein said plate includes an upper surface, a lower
surface opposite said upper surface of said plate, and a plurality
of standoffs each of which extends from said upper surface of said
plate, said lip of said collar of each of said plurality of molds
bears on said underside of said first side of said base, each of
said plurality of lips of said base bears on said upper surface of
said collar of a corresponding one of said plurality of molds, and
each of said standoffs of said plate bears on said bottom surface
of said collar of a corresponding one of said plurality of
molds.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said underside of said base
includes a plurality of bosses extending therefrom, and said plate
includes a plurality of holes each of which extends from said upper
surface of said plate to said lower surface of said plate, wherein
each of said plurality of holes of said plate aligns with a
corresponding one of said plurality of bosses of said base, each of
said aligned plurality of holes of said plate and said plurality of
bosses of said base is adapted to receive a fastener for securing
said plate to said base.
7. An apparatus for making frozen comestibles, comprising: a base
having a first side, a second side opposite said first side, an
interior portion intermediate said first and second sides, and at
least one aperture formed within said first side; and at least one
mold formed integrally with said base, said at least one mold
including a receiving surface and an opening aligned with said at
least one aperture of said base, wherein said at least one mold is
moveable between a first position, in which a substantial portion
of said at least one mold is positioned within said interior
portion of said base and said receiving surface forms a molding
cavity that is adapted to receive a comestible to be frozen, and a
second position, in which a substantial portion of said at least
one mold extends outwardly from said first side of said base and
said receiving surface of said at least one mold is exposed
externally at said first side of said base.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said at least one mold
includes a plurality of molds, and said at least one aperture of
said base includes a plurality of apertures, each of said openings
of said plurality of molds is aligned with a corresponding one of
said plurality of apertures of said base.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/156,646 filed on Jan. 16, 2014 entitled "APPARATUS FOR
MAKING FROZEN COMESTIBLES", which relates to and claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/753,333 entitled
"ICE POP MAKER," filed on Jan. 16, 2013, the entireties of the
foregoing applications being incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for making
frozen comestibles and, more particularly, to an apparatus for
making frozen comestibles having molds that are reversible.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Apparatus having molds that form frozen comestibles, such as
ice pops, have been in use commercially and domestically for many
years. Removing the ice pops from the molds and cleaning the molds
after the ice pops are removed from the molding cavities have
remained inconvenient processes. Thus, there is a need for an
apparatus that utilizes ice pop molding cavities that reverse their
shapes when the ice pops are removed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In an embodiment, an apparatus for making frozen
comestibles, comprising a base having a first side, a second side
opposite the first side, an interior portion intermediate the first
and second sides, and at least one aperture formed within the first
side; and at least one mold attached to the base, the at least one
mold including a receiving surface and an opening aligned with the
at least one aperture of the base, wherein the at least one mold is
moveable between a first position, in which a substantial portion
of the at least one mold is positioned within the interior portion
of the base and the receiving surface forms a molding cavity that
is adapted to receive a comestible to be frozen, and a second
position, in which a substantial portion of the at least one mold
extends outwardly from the first side of the base and the receiving
surface of the at least one mold is exposed externally at the first
side of the base.
[0005] In an embodiment, the at least one mold is adapted to move
from the first position to the second position when a frozen
comestible is removed from the at least one mold. In an embodiment,
the at least one mold includes a plurality of molds, and the at
least one aperture of the base includes a plurality of apertures,
each of the openings of the plurality of molds is aligned with a
corresponding one of the plurality of apertures of the base.
[0006] In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a plate attached to
the base for securing the plurality of molds to an underside of the
first side of the base. In an embodiment, the base includes a
plurality of lips, each of which extends from the underside of the
first side of the base and surrounds a corresponding one of the
plurality of apertures of the base, wherein each of the plurality
of molds includes a collar having an upper surface, a lower surface
opposite the upper surface, and a lip extending from the upper
surface, and wherein the plate includes an upper surface, a lower
surface opposite the upper surface of the plate, and a plurality of
standoffs each of which extends from the upper surface of the
plate, the lip of the collar of each of the plurality of molds
bears on the underside of the first side of the base, each of the
plurality of lips of the base bears on the upper surface of the
collar of a corresponding one of the plurality of molds, and each
of the standoffs of the plate bears on the bottom surface of the
collar of a corresponding one of the plurality of molds. In an
embodiment, the underside of the base includes a plurality of
bosses extending therefrom, and the plate includes a plurality of
holes each of which extends from the upper surface of the plate to
the lower surface of the plate, wherein each of the plurality of
holes of the plate aligns with a corresponding one of the plurality
of bosses of the base, each of the aligned plurality of holes of
the plate and the plurality of bosses of the base is adapted to
receive a fastener for securing the plate to the base.
[0007] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of molds is made
from a flexible material. In an embodiment, the flexible material
includes silicone rubber. In an embodiment, each of the plurality
of molds includes a bulb shape. In an embodiment, each of the
openings of the plurality of molds is circular in shape. In an
embodiment, each of the openings of the plurality of molds includes
a cross-sectional shape that is selected from the group consisting
of elliptical, square, star, and diamond. In an embodiment, each of
the plurality of molds includes a fill line.
[0008] In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of
sticks each of which is adapted to engage the molding cavity of a
corresponding one of the plurality of molds. In an embodiment, each
of the plurality of sticks includes a positioning ring having a
first side, a second side opposite the first side of the
positioning ring, a stem extending from the first side of the
positioning ring, and a handle extending from the second side of
the positioning ring, the positioning ring of each of the plurality
of sticks is adapted to be positioned on the collar of a
corresponding one of the plurality of molds and the stem of each of
the plurality of sticks is adapted to be inserted within the
molding cavity of the corresponding one of the plurality of molds.
In an embodiment, the stem of each of the sticks includes a through
hole.
[0009] In an embodiment, an apparatus for making frozen
comestibles, comprising a base having a first side, a second side
opposite the first side, an interior portion intermediate the first
and second sides, and at least one aperture formed within the first
side; and at least one mold formed integrally with the base, the at
least one mold including a receiving surface and an opening aligned
with the at least one aperture of the base, wherein the at least
one mold is moveable between a first position, in which a
substantial portion of the at least one mold is positioned within
the interior portion of the base and the receiving surface forms a
molding cavity that is adapted to receive a comestible to be
frozen, and a second position, in which a substantial portion of
the at least one mold extends outwardly from the first side of the
base and the receiving surface of the at least one mold is exposed
externally at the first side of the base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following detailed description of an
exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an ice pop maker and
associated ice pop sticks constructed in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the ice pop maker
shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the ice pop maker shown in FIG.
1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the ice pop maker shown in
FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the ice pop maker and
sticks shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ice pop maker and
sticks shown in FIG. 1, taken along the line 6-6 and looking in the
direction of the arrows;
[0017] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the ice pop maker and sticks
shown in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the ice pop maker and
sticks, the ice pop maker being shown with three molding cavities
having their shapes reversed, and a detached stick is shown with a
frozen comestible formed thereon;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the ice pop maker
shown in FIG. 8;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the ice pop maker and
sticks shown in FIG. 8; and
[0021] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the ice pop maker and
sticks shown in FIG. 8, the cross-section of the ice pop maker
being taken along the line 11-11 and looking in the direction of
the arrows.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0022] FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate an apparatus for making frozen
comestibles 10 and a plurality of sticks 12 constructed in
accordance with an embodiment. In an embodiment, the apparatus 10
includes a base 14 having a first side 11, a second side 13
opposite the first side 11, and an interior portion 15 intermediate
the first and second sides 11, 13. In an embodiment, the apparatus
10 includes a plurality of molds 16 attached to the base 14. In an
embodiment, the molds 16 are attached to the first side 11 of the
base 14 and extend within the interior portion 15 of the base 14
from the first side 11 towards the second side 13. In another
embodiment, the molds 16 are formed integrally with the base 14. In
an embodiment, each of the molds 16 includes a molding cavity 17
formed therein. In an embodiment, each of the molds 16 is sized,
shaped, and adapted to receive a comestible (e.g., a liquid
comestible or a moldable solid comestible) to be frozen. In another
embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes at least one of the molds 16.
In an embodiment, each of the molds 16 includes a receiving surface
18, a non-receiving surface 20 opposite the receiving surface 18,
and a circular-shaped opening 22 that is surrounded
circumferentially by a circular-shaped collar 24. In an embodiment,
the collar 24 includes an upper surface 26, a lower surface 28
opposite the upper surface 26, and an upward-facing lip 30
extending from the upper surface 26. In an embodiment, each of the
molds 16 includes a fill line (not shown in the Figures) positioned
at or proximate to the upper surface 26 thereof to indicate a
proper level of the comestible (e.g., fluids) to be placed within
the molding cavity 17 of the mold 16. In certain embodiments, the
fill line includes a step, an indentation, or a printed fill
line.
[0023] In other embodiments, each of the molds 16 may have other
shapes and sizes (e.g., elliptical, square, star-shaped, diamond,
etc. in cross-section). In an embodiment, each of the molds 16 is
made of silicone rubber. In an embodiment, each of the molds 16 has
a durometer of about 40 A. In an embodiment, each of the molds 16
has a durometer of about 50 A. In an embodiment, each of the molds
16 has a durometer of about 60 A. In other embodiments, each of the
molds 16 may be made from other suitable materials known in the art
and/or have other durometer values. In an embodiment, each of the
molds 16 is formed individually and is separate and distinct from
the other molds 16. In an embodiment, the molds 16 are
interconnected with one another and integrally formed. In various
embodiments, the molds 16 may be fabricated by compression molding,
injection molding, or by other suitable methods. In an embodiment,
the apparatus 10 includes nine (9) of the molds 16. In other
embodiments, the apparatus 10 includes more or less than nine of
the molds 16.
[0024] Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, in an embodiment, the
base 14 includes a sidewall 32 that supports the first side 11
thereof. In an embodiment, the first side 11 includes a plurality
of circular-shaped apertures 36. In an embodiment, each of the
apertures 36 communicates with a corresponding one of the plurality
of openings 22 of the molds 16. In an embodiment, the first side 11
includes nine (9) of the apertures 36. In an embodiment, the
apertures 36 are surrounded circumferentially by downwardly facing
lips 38 extending from an underside 34 of the first side 11. In an
embodiment, the underside 34 further includes a plurality of bosses
40. In an embodiment, the base 14 may be fabricated from plastic by
injection molding.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the molds 16 are secured to the
underside 34 of the first side 11 of the base 14 by a plate 42. In
an embodiment, the plate 42 includes an upper surface 44 and a
lower surface 46 opposite the upper surface 44, a plurality of
holes 48, each of which extends from the upper surface 44 to the
lower surface 46, and a plurality of standoffs 50 extending from
the upper surface 44 of the plate 42. In an embodiment, the plate
42 may be made of plastic or other suitable materials, such as
stainless steel.
[0026] Referring specifically to FIGS. 6 and 7, the plate 42 is
secured to the base 14 by a plurality of screws 52 that are
positioned through the holes 48 in the plate 42. In other
embodiments, the plate 42 can be secured to the base 14 by other
fastening means known in the art, such as rivets, adhesives,
ultrasonic welding, etc. In an embodiment, the screws 52 self-tap
into the bosses 40 of the base 14. In another embodiment, the
bosses 40 may include female threads. In an embodiment, the molds
16 are secured in the base 14 by the upward-facing lips 30 of the
molds 16 bearing on the underside 34 of the first side 11, the
downward facing lip 38 of the first side 11 bearing on the upper
surface 26 of the collar 24 of the molds 16, and the standoffs 50
of the plate 42 bearing on the bottom surface 28 of the collar
24.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, in an embodiment, each of the
sticks 12 includes a handle 54 and a stem 56. In an embodiment, the
handle 54 facilitates the handling of the stick 16. In an
embodiment, the stem 56 provides a surface on which a frozen
comestible 62 may be formed. In an embodiment, a positioning ring
58 is positioned between the handle 54 and the stem 56. In an
embodiment, the stem 56 includes a through-hole 60 positioned at a
free end thereof and distal from the positioning ring 58. In an
embodiment, the through hole 60 is provided to maximize the
gripping strength of the frozen comestible 62 on the stem 56 by
providing more surface area for the frozen comestible 62 and
allowing a reinforcing, transverse inner core (not shown) to form,
which braces against a bottom portion of the through hole 60 (for
examples of the frozen comestibles 62, such as ice pops, see FIGS.
8, 10 and 11). In an embodiment, each of the sticks 12 may be
integrally formed out of plastic or other suitable materials.
[0028] With reference to FIGS. 8 through 11, any one or all of the
molds 16 may be filled with a comestible to be frozen, such as, for
example, a liquid beverage (e.g., juices, flavored waters, energy
drinks, sodas, milks, etc.) or a moldable solid comestible (e.g.,
puddings, melted chocolate, etc.). In an embodiment, each of the
molding cavities 17 of the molds 16 may be filled with a comestible
to its respective fill line (not shown), and one of the sticks 12
is inserted into a corresponding one of the filled molding cavities
17. For each of the sticks 12, the positioning ring 58 thereof is
placed and preferably centered on the collar 24 of the
corresponding mold 16 so that the stem 56 of the stick 12 extends
into the molding cavity 17 filled with the comestible. When the
desired number of molds 16 is filled, the apparatus 10 is placed in
a freezer for a time sufficient to freeze the comestibles. When the
comestibles are frozen, each of the frozen comestibles 62 is formed
and adheres to the corresponding stick 12, in particular, the stem
56. As the stick 12 is pulled out of the corresponding mold 16, the
frozen comestible 62 passes through the opening 22 of the mold 16
(see FIG. 6). In an embodiment, the mold 16 generates a frozen
comestible 62 that is larger than the opening of the collar 24, and
the collar 24 is deformed elastically as the frozen comestible 62
passes through the opening 22, and an air-lock seal is established
between the frozen comestible 62 and the receiving surface 18 of
the mold 16. As the frozen comestible 62 continues to pass through
the opening 22 of the mold 16, a vacuum is formed whereby the
air-lock vacuum pulls (i.e., sucks) the receiving surface 18 of the
mold 16 through the collar 24, thereby reversing and inverting the
shape of the mold 16 from a first, receiving position to a second,
inverted position. As the frozen comestible 62 is pulled further
and the mold 16 is reversed (i.e., inverted), the frozen comestible
62 begins to peel off of the receiving surface 18 of the mold 16
until the frozen comestible 62 detaches from the mold 16. The
foregoing enables the frozen comestibles 62 to be pulled out of the
molds 16 in an easy and convenient manner. For example, the molds
16 do not have to be subjected to running water to loosen the
frozen comestibles 62 therefrom. Also, by inverting the molds 16,
one can create frozen comestibles 62 with shapes that are not
possible with rigid molds (e.g., elliptical, square, star-shaped,
diamond, etc.). Once the molds 16 are reversed, the receiving
surfaces 18 of the molds 16 are fully exposed and may be
conveniently cleaned. Once cleaned, each mold 16 is then manually
pushed back (i.e., reverted) through its associated opening 22 so
that the shapes of the molds 16 are restored to their receiving
shapes (i.e., for receiving the comestibles) corresponding to their
first, receiving position. In an embodiment, the molds 16 may be
manually moved between their first positions and their second
positions.
[0029] It should be appreciated that the present invention provides
numerous advantages which include, for example, the automatic
conversion of the shape of the mold 16 from the receiving shape to
the reversed shape (i.e., from the first position to the second
position) by the removal of the frozen comestible 62 from the mold
16. Additionally, the reversed shape of the mold 16 provides a
convenient cleaning configuration of the receiving surface 18 so as
to lessen the time and effort required to clean the molds 16.
[0030] It will be understood that the embodiment described herein
is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make
many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. For instance, all such variations and
modifications, in addition to those described above, are intended
to be included within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *