Ice Molding Apparatus

Abstract

A plurality of selectively and reversably superimposable planar and pocketed panels for nesting in a container and dividing the interior of the container into the same or different shaped chambers in which to form ice cubes, when the container, with water and the superposed panels are disposed therein, is subjected to below freezing temperatures. The various superimposable panels are of a size for nesting within a milk carton or the like after the upper end of the carton has been removed or unfolded to the fully open position.

Description

This invention relates to a novel and useful ice molding apparatus to be utilized in conjunction with an upstanding open top container and the apparatus includes a plurality of selectively and reversably superimposable planar and pocketed panels. The ice molding apparatus may be utilized without the planar panels (in which instance only the pocketed panels are used) or with the planar panels disposed between adjacent pocketed panels. When only the pocketed panels are used with the pockets of adjacent panels registered and opening toward each other double size ice cubes as well as single size ice cubes may be formed. In addition both double and single size cubes may be formed when the planar panels are also used, although a larger percentage of single size cubes are formed when the planar panels are used. Still further, when a planar panel is disposed between the pocketed panels of each pair of adjacent panels only single sized ice cubes will be formed.

The ice molding apparatus of the instant invention is constructed in a manner whereby the ice cubes formed thereby may be readily broken loose from the molding apparatus and the latter is constructed in a manner whereby it may be utilized in conjunction with upright containers such as discarded milk cartons enabling the ice molding apparatus and the associated milk carton to be stored in an area having greater height than length or width.

The main object of this invention is to provide an ice molding apparatus specifically designed for use in conjunction with an upstanding milk carton or other similar container.

Another object of this invention is to provide an ice molding apparatus constructed in a manner whereby different shaped ice cubes of single and double volume size may be selectively formed according to the manner in which the various panels of the apparatus are disposed within the upright container to be used in conjunction therewith.

A further object of this invention is to provide an ice molding apparatus constructed in a manner whereby the various ice cubes formed thereby may be readily dislodged therefrom.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a ice molding apparatus adapted to be utilized in conjunction with normally discarded milk cartons or the like.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide an ice molding apparatus in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one of the pocketed panels of the ice molding apparatus as seen from the rear side of the panel;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pocketed panel as seen from the front side thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the planar panel of the ice molding apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing through the center of a disposable milk carton which has had its upper end removed therefrom and with a plurality of the planar and pocketed panels disposed within the carton;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon a plane indicated by section line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a double size ice cube formed in conjunction with the ice molding apparatus of the instant invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a single size ice cube formed with the molding apparatus of the instant invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further upright carton having a plurality of modified molding panels disposed therein; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating the manner in which five pocketed panels of slightly less thickness may be received within a carton such as that illustrated in FIG. 4 without a planar panel also being used.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the ice molding apparatus of the instant invention which includes an upright upwardly opening carton 12, a plurality of pocketed panels 14 and which may also include a planar panel 16, see FIG. 4.

The carton 12 may comprise a discarded pasteboard milk carton of the plastic or wax coated type which has had its upper end removed therefrom or unfolded to the fully open position. The carton 12 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 has a first right hand pair of panels 14 disposed therein and a second left hand pair of panels 14 disposed therein with a single planar panel 16 interposed between the adjacent pairs of panels.

From FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings it may be seen that the panels 14 have vertically spaced rows of transversely spaced apart areas 20 displaced outwardly to the back side of the panel whereby correspondingly forwardly opening pockets 22 are defined. Each of the pockets 22 includes a bottom wall 24, upper and lower end walls 26 and 28, and opposite side walls 30, see FIGS. 4 and 5. The walls 26 and 28 are slightly convergent toward the bottom wall 20 as are the walls 30. Thus, the pockets 22 are isosceles trapezoidal in horizontal and vertical cross sectional shape as taken upon planes disposed normal to the bottom wall 24. In addition, with attention now invited more specifically to FIG. 1, a plurality of rearwardly opening pockets 32 of similar shape are defined between the areas 20 on the back sides of the panels 14.

Thus, when the panels 14 and 16 are disposed within the carton 12 as illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings, single size ice cubes such as that designated as at A are formed in the pockets 32 and double size ice cubes such as that designated B in FIG. 6 are formed in the double size pockets formed by the opposing pockets 22, see FIG. 4. Of course, if the panels 16 were removed, double size ice cubes such as ice cubes B would be formed in the opposing pockets 32 in the center of the container 12 while the single size ice cubes A would be formed in the pockets 32 which open toward the sides of the container 12.

The panels 14 and 16 are of course to be constructed of any suitable material such as plastic which is reasonably stiff and yet resilient and from which ice cubes formed in the container may be readily separated. Further, inasmuch as the carton 12 comprises a milk carton or the like, it may be readily torn to quickly remove the panels 14 and 16 as well as the ice cubes formed thereby. On the other hand, if it is desired to re-use the carton, after the entire assembly 10 has been removed from the freezer, it may be allowed to set at room temperature for 5 or 10 minutes during which time the fiberous walls of the container 12 will transmit sufficient heat to loosen the walls of the container 12 from the ice cubes and adjacent portions of the panels 14 whereby the panels 14 and 16 may be readily withdrawn from the open upper end of the container 12.

With attention now invited more specifically to FIG. 9 of the drawings there will be seen a plurality of panels 14' which are substantially identical to the panels 14 except that the pockets 22' and 32' formed thereby are not as deep as the pockets 22 and 32. Accordingly, five of the panels 14 may be received within the carton 12 and in this manner a greater number of single and double size ice cubes similar to ice cubes A and B may be formed without utilizing one of the planar panels 16.

With attention now invited more specifically to FIG. 8 of the drawings, there will be seen a plurality of still further modified panels 40 which may be considered somewhat corrugated in form and may be nested within the container 12 so as to divide the interior of the latter into a plurality of individual compartments in which water may be frozen to form cylindrical ice cubes as well as ice cubes of a shape corresponding to the voids between those adjacent panels 40 arranged in back-to-back relation.

Thus, if may be seen that numerous shapes of ice cubes may be formed by utilizing divider panels of various configurations within an upstanding carton such as a discarded milk carton which has had its upper end removed or unfolded to the fully open position. Of course, suitable other cartons made especially to receive the panels 14 and 16 may be used. Such other cartons may also be constructed of stiff but resilient plastic material which will separate readily from the ice cubes to be formed and such other cartons will of course be re-usable.

With attention again invited to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings it will be noted that each of the panels 14 and 16 includes an upwardly projecting tab portion 42. These tab portions project above the upper end of the container 12 as illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings and are of course provided to enable the panels 14 and 16 to be readily withdrawn from the container 12. In addition, the tab portions 42 are provided with apertures 44 whereby they may be readily stored on a nail or hook in an otherwise unusable storage space. Further, the apertures 44 may be utilized to hang the panels 14 and 16 while drying after being washed.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An ice cube divider assembly for downward displacement into the upper end of an upwardly opening container in which water may be frozen, said assembly including a plurality of first generally planar upright panels reversably superimposable relative to each other, each of said panels including vertically spaced rows of transversely spaced apart areas displaced laterally outwardly of one side only of the panel, forming pockets in said panels closed at one set of corresponding ends and opening outwardly of the other side of the panel at the other set of corresponding ends, the areas in said rows of areas being spaced apart distances substantially equal to the width of said pockets measured along said rows, the pockets of adjacent rows of pockets being staggered relative to each other whereby the pockets of one row of pockets are vertically registered with the spaces between adjacent pockets of an adjacent row of pockets, the spaces between adjacent outwardly displaced areas defining similar pockets opening outwardly of said one side of said panel.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said pockets are generally rectangular in plan shape as viewed from said other side of said panel.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said pockets are generally isosceles trapezoidal in shape as viewed from both the upper and lower edges and the opposite side edges of said panel, the smaller dimensioned portions of said trapezoidal pockets defining the closed ends thereof.