Methods and devices are described for shaping ingots of ice. Devices may include a support structure, a mold for shaping ice ingots, the mold being mounted to the support structure. The devices may also include a first upper platen assembly disposed above a first lower platen assembly, a first positioning means, and at least one liquid inlet valve for each of the first upper platen assembly and the first lower platen assembly.

A system for manufacturing clear ice products is provided. The system includes a freezing module, a demolding module, and a converting station. The freezing module includes a frame comprising a plurality of levels, a plate freezer provided at each level, and at least one mold provided for placement on each plate freezer and suitable for receiving water. A control frame is provided associated with each plate freezer and is movable from an elevated position to fill position. In the fill position, the control frame is at least partially disposed within the mold. One or more circulation pumps are associated with each control frame for circulating water in the mold to release air bubbles as the water freezes. The demolding module removes the mold from the freezing module and removes formed ice from the mold. The converting station converts the formed ice into a clear ice product.

A system for manufacturing clear ice products is provided. The system includes a freezing module, a demolding module, and a converting station. The freezing module includes a frame comprising a plurality of levels, a plate freezer provided at each level, and at least one mold provided for placement on each plate freezer and suitable for receiving water. A control frame is provided associated with each plate freezer and is movable from an elevated position to fill position. In the fill position, the control frame is at least partially disposed within the mold. One or more circulation pumps are associated with each control frame for circulating water in the mold to release air bubbles as the water freezes. The demolding module removes the mold from the freezing module and removes formed ice from the mold. The converting station converts the formed ice into a clear ice product.

A method for building an ice structure includes making a plurality of ice logs or ice beams and attaching the ice logs together to form a support structure. The support structure may be two or more stories high and may be constructed by freezing the ice logs or ice beams together.

A method for building an ice structure includes making a plurality of ice logs or ice beams and attaching the ice logs together to form a support structure. The support structure may be two or more stories high and may be constructed by freezing the ice logs or ice beams together.

A method for building an ice structure includes making a plurality of ice logs and attaching the ice logs together to form a support structure. The support structure may be two or more stories high and may be constructed by freezing the ice logs together.

A method for building an ice structure includes making a plurality of ice logs and attaching the ice logs together to form a support structure. The support structure may be two or more stories high and may be constructed by freezing the ice logs together.

The disclosure extends to apparatuses, methods, and systems, for producing frozen confections and conditioning ice for use in frozen confections. A frozen confection machine includes a hopper portion for receiving ice into an interior, and a motor configured to rotate a drive shaft, a blade to condition the ice in the hopper during rotation of the motor. The frozen confection machine also includes a lid for selectively covering the interior of the hopper, a bias member for biasing the lid away from a closed position, and a switch for causing the motor to actuate in response to the lid being pressed to a closed position.

Apparatuses for forming blocks of compactable material such as snow, having a hollow upper body with a compression chamber within for containing and subsequently compressing the compactable material to form a block that can be used in connection with recreational activities. A lower body having a flat compression plate attached to a top end, is configured to slide within the compression chamber, the compression plate being capable of pushing the compactable material into a hinged lid that is attached to a top end of the upper body and acts to cover a top opening of the upper body. Ferromagnetic materials attached to the underside of the compression plate are configured to contact other ferromagnetic materials attached to the interior walls of the compression chamber, which at least temporarily arrests sliding movement of the upper and lower bodies, and allows a user to fill the apparatus with compactable material.

Apparatuses for forming blocks of compactable material such as snow, having a hollow upper body with a compression chamber within for containing and subsequently compressing the compactable material to form a block that can be used in connection with recreational activities. A lower body having a flat compression plate attached to a top end, is configured to slide within the compression chamber, the compression plate being capable of pushing the compactable material into a hinged lid that is attached to a top end of the upper body and acts to cover a top opening of the upper body. Ferromagnetic materials attached to the underside of the compression plate are configured to contact other ferromagnetic materials attached to the interior walls of the compression chamber, which at least temporarily arrests sliding movement of the upper and lower bodies, and allows a user to fill the apparatus with compactable material.