U.S. patent application number 17/600133 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-16 for container for storing and dispensing ice cubes.
This patent application is currently assigned to ICEBREAKER International ApS. The applicant listed for this patent is ICEBREAKER International ApS. Invention is credited to Kim JENSEN, Per KROMANN, Marc MUNZER.
Application Number | 20220187002 17/600133 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220187002 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MUNZER; Marc ; et
al. |
June 16, 2022 |
CONTAINER FOR STORING AND DISPENSING ICE CUBES
Abstract
A container comprising a first compartment having a bottom
portion, a side wall portion extending from the bottom portion up
to an upper edge and a dispensing opening in the first compartment
near the upper edge, said first compartment having a total volume
V1 and said first compartment being suitable for containing ice
cubes. The container further comprises a second compartment
arranged below the first compartment when the container is in its
upright position, said second compartment being separated from the
first compartment by the bottom portion of the first compartment,
said bottom portion having a drain opening through which water can
pass from the first compartment to the second compartment, a volume
V2 of the second compartment arranged underneath the drain opening
being at least 10% of the volume V1 and said volume V2 and said
drain opening being arranged such that ice cubes can be dispensed
from the first compartment of the container by tipping the
container around a horizontal axis and shaking the ice cubes out of
the first compartment without ice melt water leaving the volume V2
when the volume of ice melt water is less than 10% of the volume of
V1 and the container is tipped 95 degrees from its upright
position. In this ways, a simple and easy way to dispense ice cubes
is provided without risking undesired ice melt water from leaving
the container.
Inventors: |
MUNZER; Marc; (Aalborg,
DK) ; JENSEN; Kim; (Aalborg, DK) ; KROMANN;
Per; (Aalborg, DK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ICEBREAKER International ApS |
Aalborg |
|
DK |
|
|
Assignee: |
ICEBREAKER International
ApS
Aalborg
DK
|
Appl. No.: |
17/600133 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
January 4, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2020/059325 |
371 Date: |
September 30, 2021 |
International
Class: |
F25C 5/20 20060101
F25C005/20; B65D 81/26 20060101 B65D081/26; B65D 43/16 20060101
B65D043/16; B65D 51/24 20060101 B65D051/24; B65D 25/28 20060101
B65D025/28; A47G 19/12 20060101 A47G019/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 1, 2019 |
DK |
PA201970207 |
Apr 7, 2019 |
DK |
PA201970220 |
Claims
1. A container comprising a first compartment having a bottom
portion, a side wall portion extending from the bottom portion up
to an upper edge and a dispensing opening in the first compartment
near the upper edge, said first compartment having a total volume
V1 and said first compartment being suitable for containing ice
cubes, characterized in that the container further comprises a
second compartment arranged below the first compartment when the
container is in its upright position, said second compartment being
separated from the first compartment by the bottom portion of the
first compartment, said bottom portion having a drain opening
through which water can pass from the first compartment to the
second compartment, a volume V2 of the second compartment arranged
underneath the drain opening being at least 10% of the volume V1
and said volume V2 and said drain opening being arranged such that
ice cubes can be dispensed from the first compartment of the
container by tipping the container around a horizontal axis and
shaking the ice cubes out of the first compartment without ice melt
water leaving the volume V2 when the volume of ice melt water is
less than 10% of the volume of V1 and the container is tipped 95
degrees from its upright position.
2. A container according to claim 1, having a holding portion with
a horizontal cross section having a maximum outer width of less
than 15 cm, less than 13 cm, less than 10 cm or less than 9 cm.
3. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the
container has an outer container having a bottom portion and side
walls extending upwardly from the bottom portion towards an upper
edge and an inner container arranged removably in the outer
container, said inner container forming the first compartment and
said second compartment being formed between the inner container
and the outer container.
4. A container according to claim 3, characterized in that a centre
longitudinal axis of the outer container is horizontally offset
from a centre longitudinal axis of the inner container in the
upright position of the container.
5. A container according to claim 3, characterized in that the
inner container and the outer container are separated by an air
gap.
6. A container according to claim 5, characterized in that volume
V2 located below the drain opening is in fluid communication with
the air gap.
7. A container according to claim 6, characterized in that a volume
V3 of the second compartment arranged underneath the drain opening
in the bottom portion of the first compartment when the container
is rotated 95 degrees from its upright position, is at least 10%,
at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40% or at least 50% of the
total volume V1 of the first compartment.
8. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the
first compartment comprises a water capture element having a volume
V4.
9. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the
drain opening is provided with a valve which is open in the upright
position and closed when the container is tipped more than 50
degrees, more than 60 degrees, more than 70 degrees or more than 90
degrees.
10. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that a flow
rate through the bottom portion, when the container is tipped 95
degrees and when the container comprises a volume of ice melt water
which is less than 10% of the volume V1, is less than 1
litres/minute.
11. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the
container further comprises a displaceable ice pick, said ice pick
being in the form of an elongated element having a length which is
at greater than half of the height of the container or greater than
half of the height of the first compartment.
12. A container according to claim 11, characterized in that the
container further comprises a displaceable lid, said lid having at
least two positions, a first position where the lid closes the
dispensing opening to prevent ice cubes stored in the container
from leaving the container and a second position where the
dispensing opening is open to allow ice cubes stored in the
container to leave the container through the dispensing
opening.
13. A container according to claim 12, characterized in that the
container comprises a lid displacing mechanism, said lid displacing
mechanism being arranged to displace the lid between the first and
second positions and hold the lid the first and second
positions.
14. A container according to claim 13, characterized in that the
lid displacement mechanism comprises a hinge, said hinge connecting
the lid in a pivotable manner to the container such that the lid
can pivot between the first and second positions.
15. A container according to claim 12, characterized in that the
ice pick is attached to the lid.
16. A container according to claim 15, characterized in that the
ice pick pivots together with the lid when the lid is displaced
from the first to the second position.
17. A container according to claim 16, characterized in that the
ice pick is arranged outside the container in both the first and
second positions of the lid, such that a user of the container can
pivot the ice pick to control the position of the lid.
18. A container according to claim 17, characterized in that the
container comprises a handle offset from an outer surface of the
container and in that the ice pick is arranged in a gap between the
outer surface of the container and a surface of the handle which
faces the outer surface of the container.
19. A container according to claim 11 characterized in that the ice
pick is arranged inside the container.
20. A container according to claim 19, characterized in that the
ice pick is arranged outside the first compartment.
Description
[0001] The current invention relates to a container comprising a
first compartment having a bottom portion, a side wall portion
extending from the bottom portion up to an upper edge and a
dispensing opening in the first compartment near the upper edge,
said first compartment having a total volume V1 and said first
compartment being suitable for containing ice cubes.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0002] Containers which are used to store ice cubes are sometimes
called ice buckets or ice pails. In this specification, the term
"container for storing ice" is used as it is more generic. In this
specification, the containers which are disclosed are mainly meant
to store ice cubes. However the containers of the current invention
could also be used to store crushed ice or other relevant
products.
[0003] Containers for storing ice are well known in the art. Such
containers are typically relatively large containers having a
compartment formed with a bottom portion and a sidewall portion
extending from the bottom portion towards an upper free edge
thereby forming an opening for the compartment. Ice cubes can be
arranged inside the compartment and are typically removed either by
a form of spoon/scoop or by tongs.
[0004] Containers for storing ice come in all sorts of shapes and
sizes. Some of them have insulated side walls. Some of them have
lids. However all of the existing containers are provided as
containers which are designed to be placed on a flat surface, such
as a table, and then ice cubes are manually taken from the
container and placed in another glass or container. This typically
requires the use of two hands, one to hold the ice bucket and one
to hold the utensil or tongs. In other cases, the container is made
large enough so that it has an inertia which prevents it from
moving while taking out the ice cubes.
[0005] Some examples of more advanced containers for storing ice
which have some similarities with the current invention are
provided below. It should however be noted that these prior art
containers are containers of the traditional kind which are placed
on a surface and ice is removed with a spoon/scoop or with
tongs.
[0006] Some sample prior art ice buckets are provided in EP0089733,
GB2262158, GB691447 and GB2300111.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A first aspect of the current invention is to provide a
container for storing ice as mentioned in the opening paragraph
from which ice cubes can be served directly, without needing to
touch the ice or without having to use a spoon/utensil/tong.
[0008] A second aspect of the current invention is to provide a
container for storing ice as mentioned in the opening paragraph
which separates the ice from any ice melt water.
[0009] A third aspect of the current invention is to provide a
container for storing ice as mentioned in the opening paragraph
from which ice cubes can be dispensed while holding any ice melt
water inside the container.
[0010] These aspects are solved at least in part by the container
further comprising a second compartment arranged below the first
compartment when the container is in its upright position, said
second compartment being separated from the first compartment by
the bottom portion of the first compartment, said bottom portion
having a drain opening through which water can pass from the first
compartment to the second compartment, a volume V2 of the second
compartment arranged underneath the drain opening being at least
10% of the volume V1 and said volume V2 and said drain opening
being arranged such that ice cubes can be dispensed from the first
compartment of the container by tipping the container around a
horizontal axis and shaking the ice cubes out of the first
compartment without ice melt water leaving the volume V2 when the
volume of ice melt water is less than 10% of the volume of V1 and
the container is tipped 95 degrees from its upright position. In
this way, when the container is standing upright, any ice melt
water will drain down through the drain opening and into the second
compartment. The second compartment will then capture the ice melt
water and prevent it from pouring out when the container is tipped
to serve the ice cubes.
[0011] In one embodiment, the volume V2 is at least 20%, at least
30%, at least 40% or at least 50% of the volume V1.
[0012] In one embodiment, the volume of ice melt water, which can
be held back when the container is tipped 95 degrees from its
upright position, is less than 20%, less than 30%, less than 40% or
less than 50% of the volume V1.
[0013] In one embodiment, the container could comprise a holding
portion with a horizontal cross section having a maximum outer
width of less than 11 cm, less than 10 cm or less than 9 cm. In
this way, a user than hold the container by holding onto the outer
surface of the container. In one embodiment, the holding portion
has a forward narrow portion arranged further from the user's hand
than the location of the maximum outer width of the holding
portion, which is narrower than the maximum outer width of the
holding portion. In one embodiment, the holding portion is a handle
and the forward narrow portion is a hollow area. In one embodiment,
the holding portion is fixed in position with respect to the first
compartment. In one embodiment, the holding portion is a fixed
handle fixed in position with respect to the first compartment.
[0014] In one embodiment, the holding portion has a shape which is
suitable for an average sized woman's hand to hold the container
upright and tip it using only one hand. The holding portion can be
made in different ways which should be clear to the person skilled
in the art based on the teachings of this specification.
[0015] In one embodiment, the first compartment has a dispensing
opening having a diameter of less than 15 cm, less than 13 cm, less
than 10 cm, less than 7.5 cm or less than 5 cm. In one embodiment
of the container, the upper edge of the first compartment is formed
with a dispensing spout.
[0016] In one embodiment, the container has an outer container
having a bottom portion and side walls extending upwardly from the
bottom portion towards an upper edge and an inner container
arranged removably in the outer container, said inner container
forming the first compartment and said second compartment being
formed between the inner container and the outer container.
[0017] In one embodiment, the centre longitudinal axis of the outer
container is horizontally offset from the centre longitudinal axis
of the inner container in the upright position of the container. In
this way, a larger volume will be available on one side of the
container than on the other side. By arranging the volumes like
this, the outer diameter of the container itself can be reduced
without reducing the amount of ice melt water which can be
container in the container.
[0018] In one embodiment, there is a greater distance between the
outer surface of the inner container and the inner surface of the
outer container on one side of the container than on the other side
of the container.
[0019] In one different embodiment, the inner and outer containers
are arranged concentrically.
[0020] In one embodiment, the inner container and the outer
container are separated by an air gap. This can have an insulating
effect. In one other embodiment, the outer container is covered by
an insulating cover, for example a neoprene cover, or a thinsulate
cover. In one embodiment, the air gap is provided with water
holding elements which hold some of the ice melt water in the air
gap when the container is in its upright position. In one
embodiment, the air gap is arranged above the volume V2. In one
embodiment, the air gap is arranged between an inner surface of the
outer portion of the container and an outer surface of the first
compartment. In one embodiment, the air gap is arranged outside the
first compartment. In one embodiment, the air gap completely
surrounds the first compartment.
[0021] In one embodiment, the volume V2 located below the drain
opening is in fluid communication with the air gap. In this way,
when the container is tipped, some of the ice melt water can flow
into the air gap.
[0022] In one embodiment, a volume V3 of the second compartment
arranged underneath the drain opening in the bottom portion of the
first compartment when the container is rotated 95 degrees from its
upright position, is at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at
least 40% or at least 50% of the total volume V1 of the first
compartment.
[0023] In one embodiment, the first compartment comprises a water
capture element having a volume V4. In one embodiment, the volume
V4 is at least 5%, at least 10% or at least 15% of the volume V1.
In one embodiment, the water capture element is in fluid
communication with the bottom of the first compartment. In one
embodiment, the water capture element is arranged above the bottom
of the first compartment. In one embodiment, the water capture
element comprises a channel open in the direction towards the
bottom of the first compartment and arranged along at least a
portion of the outer circumference of the dispensing opening, such
that water flowing along the sides of the first compartment, will
be captured in the channel. In one embodiment, the channel is
arranged along the entire outer circumference of the dispensing
opening.
[0024] It should be noted that in the current claim set, the
container comprises a first and a second compartment, where ice
melt water is captured in the second compartment. However, a
container could be imagined which did not have a second
compartment, but only had a first compartment and then a water
capture element as mentioned here arranged in fluid communication
with the bottom of the first compartment. In this way, ice melt
water could be captured by the water capture element when the
container is tipped. This could be the subject of a divisional
application in the future.
[0025] In one embodiment, the drain opening is provided with a
valve which is open in the upright position and closed when the
container is tipped more than 50 degrees, more than 60 degrees,
more than 70 degrees or more than 90 degrees.
[0026] In one embodiment, the flow rate through the bottom portion,
when the container is tipped 95 degrees and when the container
comprises a volume of ice melt water which is less than 10% of the
volume V1, is less than 1 litres/minute. It should be noted that
this does not as such disclose the flow rate through the drain
opening. In the case shown in for example FIG. 1, there is a single
drain opening with a relatively large diameter. The flow rate
through this opening could be relatively large. However, the
placement of the drain opening in FIG. 1 has been chosen to prevent
flow through the opening when the container is tipped to 95
degrees. In other embodiments, instead of having a single drain
opening which is placed at a strategic location to prevent flow in
the tipped position, many smaller holes could be placed with a
lower flow rate.
[0027] In one embodiment, the volume of ice melt water is less than
20%, less than 30%, less than 40% or less than 50% of the volume
V1. In one embodiment, the flow rate is less than 0.75
litres/minute, less than 0.5 litres/minute or less than 0.4
litres/minute. In one embodiment, the flow rate is less than 0.3
litres/minute, less than 0.2 litres/minute or less than 0.1 litres
minute.
[0028] In one embodiment, the container comprises ice cubes in the
first compartment. In one embodiment, the container comprises
crushed ice in the first compartment.
[0029] In one embodiment, the container further comprises a
displaceable ice pick, said ice pick being in the form of an
elongated element having a length which is at greater than half of
the height of the container or greater than half of the height of
the first compartment. In this way, the ice pick can be used to jam
into the ice cubes to loosen the ice cubes from each other. In one
embodiment, the length of the ice pick is greater than 60%, greater
than 75% or greater than 90% of the height of the container or the
first compartment.
[0030] In one embodiment, the container further comprises a
displaceable lid, said lid having at least two positions, a first
position where the lid closes the dispensing opening to prevent ice
cubes stored in the container from leaving the container and a
second position where the dispensing opening is open to allow ice
cubes stored in the container to leave the container through the
dispensing opening. In this way, the insulation properties of the
container can be improved if the lid also reduces the air flow
around the ice cubes in the container. Likewise, the lid can be
used to control the motion of the ice cubes through the dispensing
opening.
[0031] In one embodiment, the container comprises a lid displacing
mechanism, said lid displacing mechanism being arranged to displace
the lid between the first and second positions and hold the lid the
first and second positions. In one embodiment, the lid displacing
mechanism allows free movement between the first and second
positions of the lid. In one embodiment, the lid displacing
mechanism, comprises a biasing mechanism which biases the lid into
the first and/or second positions.
[0032] In one embodiment, the lid displacement mechanism comprises
a hinge, said hinge connecting the lid in a pivotable manner to the
container such that the lid can pivot between the first and second
positions.
[0033] In one embodiment, an ice pick, as described above, is
attached to the lid. By attaching the lid and the ice pick
together, the user can operate the ice pick and the lid together as
one unit, instead of having to control two elements.
[0034] In one embodiment, the ice pick pivots together with the lid
when the lid is displaced from the first to the second
position.
[0035] In one embodiment, the ice pick is arranged outside the
container in both the first and second positions of the lid, such
that a user of the container can displace the ice pick to control
the position of the lid. In one embodiment, the user can pivot the
ice pick. In one embodiment, the user can move the ice pick up and
down. In one embodiment, the user can rotate the ice pick about its
longitudinal axis.
[0036] In one embodiment, the container comprises a handle offset
from the outer surface of the container and in that the ice pick is
arranged in a gap between between the outer surface of the
container and a surface of the handle which faces the outer surface
of the container.
[0037] In one embodiment, the ice pick is arranged inside the
container. In another embodiment, the ice pick is arranged outside
the first compartment.
[0038] It should be emphasized that the term
"comprises/comprising/comprised of" when used in this specification
is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition
of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or
groups thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] In the following, the invention will be described in greater
detail with reference to embodiments shown by the enclosed figures.
It should be emphasized that the embodiments shown are used for
example purposes only and should not be used to limit the scope of
the invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that the figures are
shown in a very schematic manner to illustrate the principles of
the invention without providing an excess of details which would
overly complicate the figures. Likewise, for the sake of
simplicity, the cross sectional views have been shown schematically
and only the elements on the sectional plane are shown. In this
respect, the elements located behind the section plane are not
shown, even though they would typically be shown in a real cross
sectional view.
[0040] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a first
embodiment of a container according to the current invention in an
upright position.
[0041] FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of the container of FIG.
1.
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross sectional view of the
container of FIG. 1, rotated 95 degrees from the upright position
to a dispensing position.
[0043] FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a second
embodiment of a container according to the current invention in an
upright position.
[0044] FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a third
embodiment of a container according to the current invention in an
upright position.
[0045] FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a fourth
embodiment of a container according to the current invention in an
upright position.
[0046] FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a fifth
embodiment of a container according to the current invention in an
upright position.
[0047] FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a sixth
embodiment of a container according to the current invention in an
upright position.
[0048] FIG. 9 shows a schematic detail cross sectional view of the
dividing wall of the container of FIG. 8 as defined by the circular
area IX in FIG. 8.
[0049] FIG. 10 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a seventh
embodiment of a container according to the current invention in an
upright position.
[0050] FIG. 11 shows a schematic detail cross sectional view of one
embodiment of a dividing wall of the container of FIG. 10 as
defined by the circular area XI in FIG. 10.
[0051] FIG. 12 shows a schematic cross sectional view of an eighth
embodiment of a container according to the current invention in an
upright position.
[0052] FIG. 13 shows a schematic top view of the container of FIG.
11.
[0053] FIG. 14 shows the container of FIG. 12 in a dispensing
position, rotated 95 degrees from the upright position of FIG.
12.
[0054] FIG. 15 shows a schematic top view of a ninth embodiment of
a container according to the current invention.
[0055] FIG. 16 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a tenth
embodiment of a container according to the current invention in an
upright position.
[0056] FIG. 17 shows a detail view of the area XVII in FIG. 16 in
an upright position.
[0057] FIG. 18 shows the same area XVII in FIG. 16, but after the
container has been rotated to a dispensing position.
[0058] FIG. 19 shows a schematic cross sectional view of an
eleventh embodiment of a container according to the current
invention in an upright position.
[0059] FIG. 20 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a twelfth
embodiment of a container according to the current invention in an
upright position.
[0060] FIG. 21 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a
thirteenth embodiment of a container according to the current
invention in an upright position.
[0061] FIG. 22 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a
fourteenth embodiment of a container according to the current
invention in an upright position.
[0062] FIG. 23 shows a schematic cross sectional view of a
fifteenth embodiment of a container according to the current
invention in an upright position.
[0063] FIG. 24 shows a schematic cross section view of a sixteenth
embodiment of a container according to the current invention in an
upright position.
[0064] FIG. 25 shows a schematic cross section of the inner
container of the container of FIG. 24, when removed from the outer
container.
[0065] FIG. 26 shows a schematic top view of a flexible flap of the
inner container of FIG. 25.
[0066] FIG. 27 shows a schematic side view of a seventeenth
embodiment of a container according to the current invention in an
upright position.
[0067] FIG. 28 shows a schematic side view of the container of FIG.
27 with the lid removed from the container.
[0068] FIG. 29 shows a schematic side view of an eighteenth
embodiment of a container according to the current invention in an
upright position.
[0069] FIG. 30 shows a schematic bottom view of the lid of the
container of FIG. 29.
[0070] FIG. 31 shows a schematic top view of the container of FIG.
29 without the lid.
[0071] FIG. 32 shows a schematic side view of a nineteenth
embodiment of a container according to the invention.
[0072] FIG. 33 shows a schematic side view of the container of FIG.
32 in a pivoted position with the lid in a first position.
[0073] FIG. 34 shows a schematic side view of the container of FIG.
32 in a pivoted position with the lid in a second position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0074] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment 1 of a container
according to the current invention. The container comprises an
outer container 2 comprising a bottom portion 4, a sidewall portion
6 extending upwardly to a free upper edge 8 forming an opening 10
in the outer container 2. Inside the outer container is arranged an
inner container 20. The inner container also comprises a bottom
portion 22, a sidewall portion 24 extending upwardly from the
bottom portion to an upper edge 26 forming an opening 28 in the
inner container. The inner container forms a first compartment 30
with a total volume V1 as illustrated with the dashed line. The
inner container is arranged inside the outer container and is held
centred in place in the outer container via an O-ring gasket 32
arranged between inner and outer containers.
[0075] A user can remove the inner container from the outer
container by pulling the inner container out of the outer
container. The o-ring gasket forms a friction fit between the two
containers. Once the inner container has been removed from the
outer container, the two containers can be washed and any liquid
which is located between the inner and outer containers can be
removed.
[0076] Ribs (not shown) or other forms of spacing elements (not
shown) can be arranged between the inner and outer containers to
align the containers properly and prevent the containers from
displacing with respect to each other during use. These ribs or
spacing elements could be attached to the outer surface of the
inner container and/or the inner surface of the outer
container.
[0077] When the inner container is placed inside the outer
container, a second compartment 34 is formed in the space between
the inner surface of the inner container and the outer surface of
the inner container.
[0078] As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 3, the bottom portion of the
inner container is provided with a small opening 36. When ice cubes
are placed in the first compartment, the ice will slowly melt. The
ice melt water will run down the ice cubes and end up on the bottom
portion 22 of the inner container 20. The ice melt water will then
flow through the opening 36 and into the second compartment 34.
[0079] As can be seen from FIG. 1, the small opening 35 is placed a
distance H1 from the bottom portion of the outer container. As
such, a volume V2 shown by the dashed line is formed underneath the
opening 36 in the inner container 20. As long as the volume of the
ice melt water is less than V2, then there will be no ice melt
water in the first compartment and the ice cubes located in the
first compartment will stay dry. If the volume of ice melt water
increases, then some water will remain in the first
compartment.
[0080] In this embodiment, the inner 20 and outer 2 containers have
different diameters. The sidewall portion 24 of the inner container
has an outer diameter D2 and the sidewall portion 6 of the outer
container has an outer diameter D1. The diameter D2 is smaller than
the diameter D1 and as such, there is an air gap 38 between the
inner and outer containers. This air gap is, in this embodiment, in
fluid communication with the second volume V2 at the bottom of the
outer container. As the container is tipped about a horizontal
axis, ice melt water which has flown into the bottom portion of the
outer container flows into the air gap. This is shown in FIG.
3.
[0081] If the container is not rotated too much, then even when the
container is rotated, water will not flow out of the opening as the
water will be arranged in the air gap.
[0082] Due to this feature, ice cubes can be dispensed easily from
the container just by tipping the container and shaking the ice
cubes out of the container. The ice melt water will remain trapped
in the container and nothing will come out, even when tipping the
container over 90 degrees. In the shown embodiment, the volume of
the second compartment located above the opening is greater than
V2, hence, the container could be rotated completely 180 degrees
without any water leaving the second compartment.
[0083] Experience has shown, that when ice cubes are arranged in a
compartment, then there will be airgaps between the ice cubes. From
experience, it has been found that when a volume V1 is randomly
filled with ice cubes, then when those ice cubes melt, the ice melt
water will occupy around 50% of the volume V1. This is due in part
to the airgaps between neighbouring ice cubes as well as the
reduction in volume when ice melts.
[0084] In one embodiment, in order to take the worst case
situation, where no ice cubes are consumed and all the ice cubes
melt, then the volume V2 has to be approximately 50% of the volume
of V1.
[0085] In order to define the required size of the airgap between
the inner and outer container, a volume V3 is defined and shown by
the dashed line in FIG. 3. This volume V3, is defined as the volume
between the inner and outer container which is located below the
opening 36, when the container has been rotated 95% about a
horizontal axis from its upright position, see FIG. 3. As with the
volume V2, the volume V3, is set to 50% of V1 to fill the worsk
case situation.
[0086] However, in experience, it is often the case that the user
will consume at least some ice cubes prior to all the ice cubes
melting. Likewise, it has been shown, that by separating the ice
cubes from the ice melt water, the ice cubes melt much more slowly.
Hence, in most situations, the volumes V2 and V3 can be made
smaller than 50% of V1. For example in many cases, a volume of 30%
or 40% of V1 will be suitable.
[0087] The figures are shown schematically and they ratio of the
volumes V1, V2 and V3 from the figures should not be taken
literally. The designer of the container will be able to select the
ratio of V1, V2, V3 depending on the desired functionality. For
example, a smaller more effective container can be provided if V2
and V3 are reduced. However, this will reduce the amount of ice
melt water which can be contained before it starts to mix with the
ice cubes.
[0088] In the case where the same container will be used for many
portions of ice cubes, without emptying the ice melt water
regularly, then the volumes V2 and V3 could be made even larger
than 50% of V1. This will allow more ice cubes to melt prior to
there being water in the first compartment.
[0089] In one embodiment, an indicator could be arranged in the
side wall of the outer container around the level of the opening
36. In this way, when the level of ice melt water has reached a
critical value, then the indicator could show and the user will
know that the ice melt water should be emptied.
[0090] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the ice melt water can
be emptied by removing the inner container from the outer
container, pouring the water from the outer container and then
replacing the inner container in the outer container.
[0091] One especially beneficial aspect of this embodiment, is that
the outer container can be arranged with a diameter which a user
can hold with one hand. In this way, a user can grab the container
around its outer diameter, tip it over, dispense the ice cubes and
then place the container in its upright position again. In this
embodiment, the outer diameter of the outer container can be made
approximately 10 cm. Larger diameters are possible, but then they
will start to be difficult to hold onto, especially for people with
smaller hands.
[0092] This type of container for storing and dispensing ice cubes
could also be used together with a larger ice bucket or ice trough,
for example in a bar or restaurant. The bar tender could dip the
container into an ice trough or bucket, scoop up some ice cubes
inside the container and then use the ice cubes without having to
go into the ice trough so frequently.
[0093] It should be understood that this illustration is very
schematic and the basic functionality can be provided with many
different forms of construction. It is maintained that the person
skilled in the art of manufacturing containers will be able to
easily provide a suitable construction to fulfil the requirements
of the current invention. Hence, more details will not be provided
here as they will just unnecessarily add extra material to this
specification.
[0094] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment 50 of a container according
to the current invention. In this embodiment, the container is to a
large extent identical to the one of FIG. 1 and as such, identical
features will not be described in detail. However, this embodiment
has a lid 52 which is pivotably connected to the upper edge 26 of
the inner container 20 via a hinge 54. As the container is tipped
over about an axis which is parallel to the axis of the hinge, the
lid will open once the container is rotated more than 90 degrees,
thereby allowing ice cubes to dispense from the container. When the
container again is rotated back towards its upright position, the
lid will again return to its closed position.
[0095] Suitable lids can be formed in many different forms and more
details will not be provided herein as it is maintained that the
person skilled in the art, will be able to provide suitable lid
arrangements. For example, in this embodiment, the lid is hinged to
the inner container, however in other non-limiting embodiments, the
lid could be removable or it could be manually pivotable from a
closed to an open position. A lid could also be provided as a
flexible rubber like flap which will deform when the container is
rotated past 90 degrees from the upright position and the ice cubes
try to push past the lid.
[0096] In this embodiment, a handle 56 is also provided. This
allows the use of a container having an outer diameter which is
larger than what would be suitable for holding with a normal sized
hand. Also, the use of a handle will constrain the use of the
container and it will be able to more precisely determine about
which axis the container will be tipped by the user. This can be
used to optimize the dimensions of the container as will be
discussed later on. In this case, the handle is a fixed handle
which allows tipping of the container with a single hand. This is
in contrast to some of the prior art containers which comprise
pivotable handles which allow the ice bucket to swing under the
handle. A container with a pivotable handle would require the use
of two hands to tip the bucket. In contrast, with a fixed handle,
where the handle is fixed to the outer container, the user can tip
the container to dispense ice cubes with the use of only a single
hand.
[0097] FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment 60. In this embodiment, an
outer container 62 and an inner container 64 are manufactured as
two separate elements and are then welded/joined 66 together at an
upper edge to form a completely sealed unit. A plug 68 in the base
of the outer container can be opened to empty the ice melt water
and to clean the inside of the container.
[0098] FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment 70 of a container. In this
case, a single element 72 is manufactured comprising both an outer
74 and an inner 76 portion, for example in a blow moulding
operation. A plug 78 is placed in the bottom surface of the
container to allow the water to be drained and the container to be
washed.
[0099] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment 80 of a container. In this
case, the inner container 82 and an upper portion 84 of the outer
container are made from a single element and a lower portion 86 of
the outer container is joined to the upper portion of the outer
container via a screw joint 88 or other form of suitable
connection. When it is desired to remove the ice melt water from
the container, the two parts can be unscrewed. In this case, no
plug needs to be provided.
[0100] FIGS. 1-7 have all shown relatively similar embodiments,
where the ice melt water was arranged to be captured in the air gap
between the inner and outer containers when the container is
tipped. However, these forms of construction require an air gap
having a certain volume to work. If the air gap has too small a
volume, then the ice melt water would over flow out through the
opening in the bottom portion of the inner container when the
container was tipped over.
[0101] However, in another embodiment, instead of forming the
container with an air gap, the bottom portion of the first
compartment is formed with an opening which allows more flow from
the first compartment to the second compartment in the upright
position, than from the second compartment to the first compartment
in the dispensing position.
[0102] FIG. 8 shows a first embodiment 90 of this. In this
embodiment, the diameters of the inner 92 and outer 94 containers
are closer together an there is a much smaller air gap 96 between
the containers. The volume V2 is similar to that of the first
embodiments, but the air gap is sealed off via gaskets 98 and no
ice melt water can be arranged in the airgap 96.
[0103] However, in this embodiment, instead of using a single
opening in the bottom portion 98, the bottom portion is formed with
a number of smaller holes 100 in small recesses 102 in the bottom
surface. A detail view of one schematic embodiment of a bottom
portion is shown in FIG. 9. These recesses could be trough or cone
shaped depressions. Water will therefore relatively easily flow
from the first compartment 104 to the second compartment 106, but
will have a more difficult path from the second compartment to the
first compartment when the container is tipped. While a small
amount of water will flow through the openings in the tipped
position, the openings can be designed such that the total flow
will be so low as to be negligible.
[0104] In one embodiment, the bottom portion is formed from a
flexible material which is deformable. In one example, the bottom
portion is formed from a rubber or silicone material. This will
make it very easy to clean, as the bottom portion can be deformed
easily to prevent calcium build up and/or other particle buildup.
Forming the bottom portion from a deformable material, will even
further help in limiting the flow through the holes. When water is
arranged on the top surface of the bottom portion, then the water
will press the recesses to deform outwardly which will open the
holes. When the water is arranged on the bottom surface when the
container is tipped, then the water pressure will force the
openings to close.
[0105] In one embodiment (not shown), the bottom portion of the
inner container could be formed with a stiffer grate element which
will support the weight of the ice cubes in a secure manner, and
permit essentially free water flow through the grate element. A
deformable membrane with a suitable hole pattern could be arranged
underneath the grate element. In this way, the weight of the ice
cubes is supported by the grate and the flexible membrane can be
optimized to control the flow parameters. In one embodiment, the
deformable membrane could be made removeable from the grate
element. In this way, the membrane element and the grate element
could be more easily cleaned. Furthermore, the membrane could be
replaced if necessary.
[0106] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment 110 similar to FIG. 8,
however in this case, an additional water capturing element 112 has
been arranged around the upper edge of the inner container 114. If
there is any water which leaks through the bottom portion 116 of
the first compartment 118 in the tipped position of the container,
then water will flow along the side 120 of the container and be
caught in the water capture elements 112. Ice cubes on the other
hand will just slide over the water capture elements and exit the
container without any problems. Hence, any ice melt water which
could be located in the first compartment will not leak from the
first compartment, but be caught in the water capture elements.
[0107] In this embodiment, the water capture elements are formed as
an annular element 122 arranged along the upper edge of the inner
container. The annular element has an internal volume V4 and is in
fluid communication with the interior portion of the first
compartment via an annular opening 124. The annular opening is
arranged above the bottom portion 116 of the inner container and
below the upper edge of the container. The annular opening is
arranged close to the side wall of the container, such that water
flowing along the side wall, easily enters the volume V4. The
annular opening is however also formed such that ice cubes are not
stopped by the opening and are able to slide over the opening to be
dispensed easily from the container. In the current embodiment, the
annular element is arranged to extend inwardy from the vertical
side wall portion. However in another embodiment, not shown, the
side wall portion could be angled outwardly and the annular element
could extend vertically.
[0108] The volume V4 is chosen depending on how much ice melt water
could be expected in the first compartment. If most of the water
passes through the bottom portion and there is very little return
flow when tipped, then the volume V4 can be made quite small. If
the return flow through the bottom portion is relatively high, then
the volume V4 can be chosen to be large enough to capture the
expected water flow through the bottom portion in the tipped
position.
[0109] It should be noted that in this type of embodiment, it could
be imagined that the bottom portion has a max flow rate in the
direction from the second compartment to the first compartment in
the dispensing position which is less than that which would be
required to fill the water capture elements during a typical
dispensing operation.
[0110] In one embodiment, of a water capture element (not shown),
the annular element as shown in FIG. 10, could be arranged as a
deformable element which had a bi-stable effect. In this case, the
annular element could be folded into the container and then folded
outwardly when it was desired to clean inside the annular element.
In one embodiment, it could be that the lower edge of the bi-stable
annular element in the folded down position, could lie up against
the inner surface of the inner container. In this case the edge of
the bistable annular element could be provided with openings to
allow water flow through the openings and into the water capture
element.
[0111] FIG. 11 shows a schematic example of another embodiment of a
deformable bottom portion 130. In this embodiment, small water
capture flanges 132 have been added to an upper portion of the
small recesses 134 to capture any water drops which might be
arranged in the recesses during the tipping operation.
[0112] As mentioned earlier, if the tipping axis is known, then the
container can be further optimized. In FIGS. 12-14, an embodiment
of a container 140 is shown which is similar to the one of FIG. 1,
but where the inner container 142 is offset from the axis of the
outer container 144 such that the inner and outer containers are
not co-axial. In this way, the distance between the inner and outer
containers on one side 146 is greater than on the other side 148.
Due to this, there will be a larger volume in the air gap on one
side 146 of the container. This can be used to collect a larger
amount of ice melt water, with a simultaneous reduction in the
outer diameter of the outer container. Furthermore, the opening 150
in the bottom portion 152 can be moved to the side of the container
which has the smallest air gap, thereby maximizing the volume V3
located under the opening in the bottom portion in the tipping
position. This is illustrated in the figures. A pouring spout 154
can also be provided to allow the ice to be dispensed more
precisely.
[0113] It should be noted that in the figures above, the inner and
outer containers have been shown as cylindrical elements, however,
it could also be imagined that the inner and outer containers were
cone shaped, rectangular, oval, etc. . . . . Likewise, the inner
and outer containers could have different shapes from each
other.
[0114] FIG. 15 shows one example embodiment 160 of such a
container. In this case, the outer container 162 formed with a more
organic shape which is formed from two partial cylinders 164, 166
having two different diameters joined together by tangent pieces
168. The inner container 170 is formed with a corresponding, though
smaller shape. The outer diameter D1 of the first cylinder 164 is
larger than the outer diameter D2 of the second cylinder 166. In
this case, the outer diameter D2 of the second cylinder could be
chosen to be suitable for holding onto with a normal sized hand,
whereas the outer diameter of the first cylinder could be chosen to
be larger than what would be suitable. For example D2 could be made
8 cm and D1 could be made 15 cm. This would provide for a container
which is easy to hold and use, while still having a significant
volume of ice. Many other forms of such containers with different
shapes are also possible. In one embodiment, the two cylinders
could have the same diameter.
[0115] FIG. 16 shows an embodiment 170 of a container with a form
of valve 172 which is open in the upright position of the container
and closed in the dispensing position of the container. The valve
is formed with a weight element 174 which bends a flexible flap 176
downwards. When the container is tipped, the weight element will
bend the flap inwards to close the opening 178 in the bottom
portion 180. This is illustrated in the detail views of FIGS. 17
and 18.
[0116] The embodiment of FIG. 16-18 will only work when pivoting
the container about one horizontal axis. FIG. 19 shows an
embodiment of a valve 182 which will work when tipping around any
axis. A rubber valve element 184 is arranged to displace up and
down in a cage 186 due to gravity as the container is tipped. When
the container is in its upright position, then it will be open and
when the container is tipped, it will slide into its closed
position to close the opening 188 in the bottom portion 190. Many
other forms of suitable valve construction could also be
imagined.
[0117] FIG. 20 shows another embodiment 200, where the opening 202
in the bottom portion 204 is provided with an extended pipe like
portion 206 to displace the effective opening to the bottom surface
208 of the outer container 210. In this way, the opening will come
free of the ice melt water earlier and the volume V3 will be
increased.
[0118] FIG. 21 shows an embodiment 212 with a rotatable pipe like
element 214 connected to the opening 216 in the bottom portion 218
of the first compartment 220. At the end of the pipe like element,
a small float element 222 is provided. In this way, as the
container is tipped, the end of the pipe like element will attempt
to stay on top of the fluid, thereby rotating the pipe like
element. This will even further maximize the volume V3, as the free
end of the pipe will always be arranged at the highest point in the
volume V2. Instead of using a float element, a counterweight (not
shown) could be arranged on an extended rod opposite to the free
end of the tube. In this way, the counter weight would always
rotate downwards due to gravity, and automatically push the free
end of the tube upwardly to the highest point in the volume.
[0119] FIG. 22 shows another embodiment 230. In this case, there is
no second compartment and the ice melt water will mix with the ice
cubes. However, there is a large annular water capture element 232
as described previously arranged around the upper edge of the
container to capture any ice melt water which is in the container
when the container is tipped over. Furthermore, there is a
dispenser element 234 arranged in the opening 236 at the upper end
238 of the container. The dispenser element 234 is in the form of a
dispenser spiral driven by a rod 240 which is driven by a rotatable
disc 242 arranged at the bottom of the container. A rotary seal 244
is arranged between the bottom surface of the container and the rod
240. When it is desired to dispense ice cubes from the container,
the container is tipped more than 90 degrees, then the disc 242 is
rotated and which cases the spiral to rotate and ice cubes will be
dispensed one by one from the opening. This is just a single
example of a dispenser element. Applicant has co-pending
application WO2018/202874, which is incorporated by reference into
this application, which discloses a number of different suitable
dispensing mechanisms. While the embodiment shown in FIG. 22 had no
second compartment and had a large water capture element, another
similar embodiment with a dispenser could be provided both with a
first and second compartment and with or without a water capture
element.
[0120] FIG. 23 shows another embodiment 250 with an inner container
252 which is arranged not co-axial with the outer container 254.
The side of the container with the largest airgap 256 is extended
upwardly, higher than the side of the container which has the
smallest airgap 258. In this way, an even larger volume for
collecting ice melt water is provided. Likewise, the opening 260 in
the bottom portion 262 of the inner container 252 is arranged at
the side of the container which has the smallest air gap. The
opening 260 is further provided with an extended tube like portion
264, to ensure that the opening will be located at the highest
point in the container, when the container is tipped to dispense
the ice cubes.
[0121] FIGS. 24-26 show different views of another embodiment 270
of a container according to the current invention. In this
embodiment, the container 270 comprises an outer container 272 and
an inner container 274 arranged in the outer container 272. An air
gap 276 is formed between the inner and outer containers. As in the
previous embodiments, a first volume V1 is formed in the first
compartment 278 defined by the inner surface of the inner container
274. An opening 280 is arranged in the bottom portion 282 of the
inner container. A second volume V2 is provided between the inner
and outer containers below the opening. The second volume and the
air gap together form a second compartment 284.
[0122] The upper closure is slightly different from the previous
embodiments. In this case the outer container has an upper edge 286
and the inner container has an outwardly directed flange 288 which
extends over the upper edge 286 of the outer container. A gasket
290 is arranged between the upper edge 286 and a downwardly facing
surface of the outwardly directed flange. Or in another embodiment
(not shown), a gasket is arranged between the inner and outer
surface of the outer and inner containers respectively, near the
upper edge of the outer container.
[0123] This embodiment, further has four flexible rubber flanges
292 arranged on the outer surface of the inner container. The
rubber flanges are circular, as shown in FIG. 26 and have small
openings 294 arranged around the outer periphery of the flange. The
FIG. 26 shows four openings, however additional openings could also
be provided. The outer diameter of the flanges is larger than the
inner diameter of the outer container. When the inner container is
inserted into the outer container, the flanges will bend upwardly,
forming a trough shaped reservoir. When the container is tipped,
ice melt water 296 will flow into the air gap and will pass the
rubber flanges via the small openings 294. When the container is
arranged in its upright position again, the water will then flow
down along the air gap and some of it will be caught inside the air
gap by the flanges. In this way, some of the water will be kept in
the airgap, instead of going back to the volume V2. Due to this,
the volume V2 can be made smaller than if all the ice melt water
should be stored in the volume V2.
[0124] The container 300 shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 is very similar
to previously disclosed embodiment and as such the specific details
will not be described in detail. However of special note in this
embodiment is that the container comprises an ice pick 302 in the
form of an elongated spear like element attached to a bottom
surface of the lid 304. During normal use, the lid is arranged to
seal the dispensing opening of the container and the ice pick is
arranged in the first compartment 306 together with the ice cubes.
When ice cubes are to be dispensed from the container, the lid is
removed (FIG. 28) and ice cubes 308 can be shaken out of the first
compartment. The ice pick can be used to loosen the ice cubes if
they have become frozen together by jamming the ice pick in between
the ice cubes. When the ice cubes have been dispensed, the ice pick
is pushed pack into the ice cubes and the lid replaced on the
container.
[0125] The embodiment 310 shown in FIGS. 29-31 is very similar.
However, instead of storing the ice pick 312 in the first
compartment 314, the ice pick is stored in the gap 316 between the
first compartment and the inner surface of the outer portion 318 of
the container. The ice pick is inserted into the gap via a hole or
opening 319 in the upper surface of the container. In this way, the
ice pick is not stored in the ice cubes when the container is not
in use. However, it is easy to remove the lid 311 from the
container to expose the ice pick if needed by pulling the ice pick
upwardly out of the hole 319.
[0126] In the case where the ice pick is connected to the lid, it
could be considered that the user could displace the ice pick and
the thereto connected lid to open and or close the dispensing
opening in a variable manner, thereby regulating the amount of ice
cubes which can leave the container when the user tips the
container over. In one embodiment (not shown), the user could
displace the lid up and down by displacing the ice pick up and
down. In another embodiment (not shown), the user could pivot the
lid about the longitudinal axis of the ice pick to again variably
open and close the dispensing opening. This displacement could
either be provided by the user manually moving the ice pick or lid
or different suitable displacement mechanisms which can displace
the lid up and down or in a rotatable manner could easily be
provided. This could be in combination with a handle (not shown)
attached to the external portion of the container.
[0127] FIGS. 32-34 show side views of another embodiment 320 of a
container with a lid 322 and an ice pick 324. The container further
comprises a handle 326 attached to the outer surface of the
container. A gap 328 is formed between the inner surface of the
handle and the outer surface of the container. As in the previous
cases, the ice pick is attached to the lid in a firm manner.
[0128] The lid is pivotably attached to the container via a hinge
joint 330. The ice pick 324 is arranged in the gap 328 between the
handle and the outer surface of the container. As the ice pick
pivots the lid will also pivot. As shown in FIG. 33, the ice pick
is held inside or against the handle thereby keeping the lid closed
and preventing ice cubes 332 from leaving the container. In FIG.
34, the ice pick has been allowed to pivot slightly thereby
allowing the lid to also pivot and allow ice cubes to leave the
container. The user is easily able to pivot the ice pick with the
hand which is also holding the handle of the container. This is an
example of a lid displacing mechanism. The person skilled in the
art, based on the teaching of this specification together with his
or her general knowledge, will be able to prepare other suitable
lid displacing mechanisms. Furthermore, it should be noted that, in
this embodiment, when the ice pick is needed, the lid and ice pick
can be pulled upwardly away from the container and then the ice
pick can be used to jam into the ice cubes and detach them from
each other.
[0129] In the embodiments described and shown in FIGS. 27-34, the
ice pick was attached to the lid. However, other embodiments could
also be imagined where the ice pick was separate from the lid or
embodiments having only a lid or only an ice pick could also be
imagined. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 32-34, the ice
pick was an integral part of the lid displacing mechanism, and was
used to control the motion of the lid. However, it could be
imagined that another handle/lever was provided fixed to the lid
and a separate ice pick was provided separate from the lid.
[0130] It is to be noted that the figures and the above description
have shown the example embodiments in a simple and schematic
manner. Many of the specific mechanical details have not been shown
since the person skilled in the art should be familiar with these
details and they would just unnecessarily complicate this
description. For example, the specific materials used and the
specific manufacturing procedures have not been described in detail
since it is maintained that the person skilled in the art would be
able to find suitable materials and suitable processes to
manufacture the container according to the current invention.
Likewise, it should be noted that many different embodiments have
been disclosed, each embodiment disclosing individual features.
Within the scope of the current disclosure, different combinations
of features which are not explicitly mentioned as being necessary
for each other, can be combined as the person skilled in the art
deems suitable.
* * * * *