MOULD

Abstract

An ice luge mould (1), the mould (1) comprising a first part (2) and a complementary second part (3), the first part (2) and the second part (3) being configured to form an internal cavity therebetween when assembled, the mould (1) further comprising a water inlet (20) and a fluid-tight seal (21, 31) provided around the periphery of the first part (2) and second part (3) and a channel-forming means (32) configured to form a channel in the ice luge.

Claims

1. An ice luge mould, the mould comprising a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part being complementary and configured to form an internal cavity therebetween when assembled, the mould further comprising a water inlet and a fluid-tight seal provided around the periphery of the first and second part and a channel former extending between the first part of the second part and configured to form a channel in the ice luge.

2. The ice luge mould according to claim 1, wherein the fluid-tight seal is provided around the internal periphery of the first and second part.

3. The ice luge mould according to claim 1, wherein the channel former comprises a tube.

4. The ice luge mould according to claim 1, wherein either or both of the first part and/or the second part comprise one or more apertures configured to receive a first end or a second end of the channel former.

5. The ice luge mould according to claim 1, wherein the water inlet comprises an aperture located in one of the first part or the second part.

6. The ice luge mould according to claim 1, wherein the water inlet comprises a valve and the valve may be configured to allow water to enter but not to exit the cavity formed between the first part and the second part of the mould.

7. The ice luge mould according to claim 1, wherein the fluid-tight seal comprises a male member and a female member.

8. The ice luge mould according to claim 7, wherein the male member comprises one or more projections that extend around the periphery, and wherein the female member comprises one or more rebates that extend around the periphery, wherein the rebates of the female member may be sized and shaped to receive the projections of the male member.

9. The ice luge mould according to claim 8 wherein the male member and/or the female member comprises a seal material and optionally the seal material may be a silicone rubber or thermoplastic elastomer.

10. The ice luge mould according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the first part and the second part comprise an upstanding wall that extends at least partially around the periphery of one or both of the first part and second part.

11. The ice luge mould according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the first part and the second part comprise one or more securements to further secure the first part of the mould to the second part of the mould.

12. The ice luge mould according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the first part and the second part comprise a protrusion(s) configured to assist a user in separating the first part from the second part.

13. The ice luge mould according to claim 1, further comprising a strengthener.

14. The ice luge mould according to claim 1, further comprising a stabiliser.

15. The ice luge mould according to claim 1, wherein the mould is dimensioned such that it can be placed in a domestic freezer for home use of an ice luge.

16. A method of manufacturing an ice luge, the method comprising: i. providing a mould according to claim 1; ii. placing the first part and the complementary second part together to form a fluid-tight seal; iii. adding water to fill the interior of the mould via the inlet; iv. placing the filled mould in a freezer for a sufficient time to freeze the water within the mould; and v. removing the resulting ice luge from the mould by separating the first part from the second part once the water has frozen.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein step (i) further comprises adding a separate channel former to the cavity formed between the first part and the second part.

18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising step (vi) removing the separate channel former from the ice luge to form a channel in the ice luge.

19. A method of fabricating a two-part mould for use in forming an ice luge, the method comprising: i. forming a first part and a complementary second part, wherein the first part and/or the complementary second part comprise a water inlet and a fluid-tight seal around the periphery of one or both of the first and second part; and ii. providing a channel former configured to form a channel in the ice luge.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising locating a channel former within one or more aperture(s) in one or both of the first part and/or the second part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0062] FIG. 1 is a two-part mould for forming an ice luge, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0063] FIG. 2 is the first part of the mould of FIG. 1;

[0064] FIG. 3 is the second part of the mould of FIG. 1;

[0065] FIG. 4 is the mould of FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

[0066] FIG. 5 is the exterior surface of the first part shown in FIG. 2;

[0067] FIG. 6 is the ice luge formed using the two-part mould of FIG. 1;

[0068] FIG. 7 is a first part of a mould according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0069] FIG. 8 is a detail of the mould of FIG. 7;

[0070] FIG. 9 is a second part of a mould according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0071] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the mould of the second embodiment;

[0072] FIGS. 11 and 12 are detailed views mould of the second embodiment; and

[0073] FIG. 13 shows the mould of the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0074] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a two-part mould 1 suitable for fabricating an ice luge according to a first embodiment of the invention. The mould 1 comprises a first part 2 and a complementary second part 3.

[0075] The first part 2 and the second part 3 are configured to form an internal cavity therebetween when assembled.

[0076] Referring also to FIG. 2, there is shown the first part 2 of the mould 1 in more detail. The first part 2 comprises a water inlet 20. In this embodiment, the first part 2 comprises a male member 21 around the internal periphery of the first part 2. The male member 21 comprises two projections 21a, 21b in the form of an inner and an outer continuous upstanding male member or rib.

[0077] Referring also to FIG. 3, there is shown the second part 3 of the mould 1 in more detail. In this embodiment, the second part 3 comprises a female member 31 around the internal periphery of the second part 3. The female member 31 comprises two rebates 31a, 31b in the form of an inner and an outer continuous channel.

[0078] The two rebates 31a, 31b of the female member 31 are configured to receive the two projections 21a, 21b of the male member 21 to form a fluid-tight (e.g. watertight) seal.

[0079] Advantageously, the provision of a fluid-tight seal around the (e.g. internal) periphery of the first and second part 2, 3 enables the first part 2 to be separated from the second part 3 without damage. This enables the mould 1 to be reused to form multiple ice luges.

[0080] The second part 3 further comprises a channel-forming means 32 configured to form a channel in the ice luge, and a first and second aperture 33a, 33b. The first aperture 33a is located towards a first end 34a of the second part 3, and the second aperture 33b is located towards a second end 34b of the second part 3.

[0081] In this embodiment, the channel-forming means 32 comprises a separable plastic tube. The first end 32a of the channel-forming means 32 is separably located in the first aperture 33a of the second part 3, and the second end 32b of the channel-forming means 32 is separably located in the second aperture 33b of the second part 3. The channel-forming means 32 is configured to form a channel internally within the formed ice luge.

[0082] The second part 3 further comprises an upstanding wall 35, which extends completely around the periphery of the second part 3. Advantageously, the upstanding wall 35 provides a further sealing means to retain water inside the mould 1 before it is frozen.

[0083] Referring also to FIG. 4, there is shown in the mould 1 comprising the first part 2 and the second part 3 in facing relations. Once closed, a cavity is formed between the first part 2 and the second part 3 for receiving water to form the ice luge. In a closed condition, a seam (not labelled) is formed between the two parts 2, 3.

[0084] Each of the first part 2 and the second part 3 comprise shaped body portions (BP1 and BP2 respectively) to define the shape of the ice luge.

[0085] Referring also to FIG. 5, there is shown the external surface 50 of the first part 2 of the mould 1. The external surface 50 of the first part 2 comprises strengthening means 51 and stabilising means 52.

[0086] The strengthening means 51 comprise upstanding walls configured to provide strength and/or stability to the mould 1.

[0087] The stabilising means 52 comprise three projections 52a, 52b, 52c configured to enable the mould 1 lie in a position wherein the seam (not shown) between the first part 2 and the second part 3 is substantially level.

[0088] The mould 1 has a height of approximately 360 mm, a width of approximately 270 mm, and a depth of approximately 160 mm. Advantageously, the mould 1 of this embodiment is dimensioned such that it can be placed in a domestic freezer for home use of an ice luge.

[0089] In use, to form the ice luge, the first end of the channel-forming means 32a is located in the first aperture 33a of the second part 3, and the second end 32b of the channel-forming means 32 is located in the second aperture 33b of the second part 3. The first part 2 and the complementary second part 3 are placed together as shown in FIG. 4, and are closed to form a cavity therebetween. A fluid-tight seal is formed when the two rebates 31a, 31b of the female member 31 of the second part 3 are received within the two projections 21a, 21b of the male member 21 of the first part 2. The user then adds water to fill the cavity formed between the first part 2 and the second part 3 of the mould 1 via the water inlet 20. The filled mould 1 is then placed in a freezer for sufficient time to freeze the water within the mould. Once the water has frozen, the resulting ice luge may be removed from the mould 1 by separating the first part 2 from the second part 3. The channel-forming means 32 is also removed from the ice luge to form a channel in the ice luge.

[0090] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown an ice luge formed from the mould 1 of FIG. 1. The ice luge is formed in the shape of a dragon, corresponding to the body portions BP1,

[0091] BP2 of the first part 2 and second part 3 of the mould 1.

[0092] Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 13, there is shown a two-part mould 101 suitable for fabricating an ice luge according to a second embodiment of the invention. The mould 101 comprises a first part 102 having a first body part BP1′ and a complementary second part 103 having a second body part BP2′.

[0093] The first part 102 and the second part 103 are configured to form an internal cavity therebetween when assembled.

[0094] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown the first part 102 of the mould 101. The first part 102 comprises a water inlet 120. In this embodiment, the first part 102 comprises a male member 121 around the internal periphery of the first part 2. The male member 121 comprises a single projection in the form of a continuous upstanding rib. The male member 121 comprises a TPE 121′ located on its free edge.

[0095] The first part 102 further comprises a rim 150 extending around its external periphery.

[0096] The first part 102 further comprises a protrusion 140a. The protrusion 140a is configured to be grasped by a user to assist in separating the first part 102 from the second part 103.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown the second part 103 of the mould 101. In this embodiment, the second part 103 comprises a female member 131 around the internal periphery of the second part 103. The female member 131 comprises a single rebate in the form of a continuous channel. As shown the channel does not comprise a TPE although one may be present.

[0098] The rebate of the female member 131 is configured to be received within the projection of the male member 121 to form a fluid-tight (e.g. watertight) seal.

[0099] Advantageously, the provision of a fluid-tight seal around the (e.g. internal) periphery of the first and second part 102, 103 enables the first part 102 to be separated from the second part 103 without damage. This enables the mould 101 to be reused to form multiple ice luges.

[0100] Additionally, the second part 103 further comprises a protrusion 140b. The protrusion 140b is configured to be grasped by a user to assist in separating the second part 103 from the first part 102.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 10, wherein the first and second parts 102, 103 are shown in facing relations, the protrusion 140b on the second part 103 may be offset with respect to the protrusion 140a on the first part 102. Offsetting the protrusions 140a, 140b enables a user to more easily grasp each of the protrusions 140a, 140b.

[0102] By grasping the protrusion 140a on the first part 102 and the protrusion 104b on the second part 103, a user is able to easily pull apart the first 102 and second 103 parts of the mould 101.

[0103] The second part 103 further comprises a channel-forming means 132 configured to form a channel in the ice luge, and a first and second aperture 133a, 133b. The first aperture 133a is located towards a first end 134a of the second part 103, and the second aperture 133b is located towards a second end 134b of the second part 103.

[0104] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is shown the second part 103 of the mould 101 in more detail.

[0105] In this embodiment, the channel-forming means 132 comprises a flexible body, for example a flexible tube, preferably formed by silicone rubber. The first end 132a of the channel-forming means 132 is separably located in or in communication with the first aperture 133a of the second part 103, and the second end 132b of the channel-forming means 132 is separably located in or in communication with the second aperture 133b of the second part 103. The channel-forming means 132 is configured to form a channel internally within formed the ice luge.

[0106] The second part 103 further comprises an upstanding wall 135, which extends completely around the periphery of the second part 103. Advantageously, the upstanding wall 135 provides a further sealing means to retain water inside the mould 101 before it is frozen.

[0107] The second part 103 further comprises clips 141. The clips 141 are located on the upstanding wall 135 of the second part 103. In this embodiment there are 9 clips 141a to 141i (shown in FIG. 9). Each of the clips 141 comprises a male protruding member 142. Each male protruding member 142 is configured to fasten over the rim 150, that extends around the external periphery of the first part 102.

[0108] Referring also to FIG. 13, there is shown the exterior surface of the second part 103, wherein the first part 102 and the second part 103 of the mould 101 are in facing relations and wherein the clips 141 on the second part 103 are fastened over the rim 150 of the first part 101.

[0109] Once closed, a cavity is formed between the first part 102 and the second part 103 for receiving water to form the ice luge. In a closed condition, a seam (not labelled) is formed between the two parts 102, 103.

[0110] The mould 101 has a height of approximately 360 mm, a width of approximately 270 mm, and a depth of approximately 160 mm. Advantageously, the mould 101 of this embodiment is dimensioned such that it can be placed in a domestic freezer for home use of an ice luge.

[0111] In use, to form the ice luge, the first end of the channel-forming means 132a is located in (or at least is located to communicate with) the first aperture 133a of the second part 103, and the second end 132b of the channel-forming means 132 is located in (or at least is located to communicate with) the second aperture 133b of the second part 103. The first part 102 and the complementary second part 103 are placed together, and are closed to form a cavity therebetween. A fluid-tight seal is formed when the rebate of the female member 131 of the second part 103 is received within the projection of the male member 121 of the first part 102. The user then fastens the clips 141 to further secure the first and second parts 12, 103 of the mould 101 together. The user then adds water to fill the cavity formed between the first part 102 and the second part 103 of the mould 101 via the water inlet 120. The filled mould 101 is then placed in a freezer, with the water inlet 120 facing upwards, for sufficient time to freeze the water within the mould. Once the water has frozen, the resulting ice luge may be removed from the mould 101. The user may grasp the protrusions 140a, 140b and pull them apart so as to separate the first part 102 from the second part 103. The channel-forming means 132 is removed from the ice luge to form a channel in the ice luge.

[0112] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the shape and dimensions of the ice luge is not limited to that shown in the Figures.

[0113] It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.