Ice cube tray assembly

Abstract

An ice cube tray assembly having an insulating box, a lower chamber and an upper chamber. The insulating box having a base and an upstanding structure, with a cavity. A top surface has an inner and outer perimeter, with the inner perimeter defining the opening of the cavity. The lower chamber includes an upper deck portion and container structure depending therefrom. The upper chamber includes a top wall and an inner container structure depending from the top wall. The upper and lower chambers are positioned in sealing engagement.

Claims

1. An ice cube tray assembly comprising: an insulating box having a base and an upstanding structure, the upstanding structure having an inner surface defining a cavity, and a top surface having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter, the inner perimeter defining the opening of the cavity; a plurality of lower chambers divided by a first plurality of ribs, each of the plurality of lower chambers including an upper deck portion with a container structure depending therefrom, the container structure defining an inner perimeter, the upper deck portion including a lower surface overlayingly abutting the top surface, with the container structure extending into the cavity of the insulating box; a plurality of upper chambers divided by a second plurality of ribs, each of the plurality of upper chambers including a top wall and an inner container structure depending from the top wall, the top wall having an inner surface overlayingly abutting an upper surface of the upper deck portion of the plurality of lower chambers, the plurality of upper chambers including at least one opening extending therethrough so as to place the cavity of the plurality of upper chambers in fluid communication with the lower portion of the plurality of lower chambers.

2. The ice cube tray of claim 1 wherein the plurality of lower chambers are defined by a plurality of walls defining an inner surface, and wherein the inner container structure includes a plurality of depending walls defining an outer surface, with the outer surface of the depending walls of the inner container structure overlying and abutting the inner surface of the plurality of walls of the plurality of lower chambers, to minimize the passage of fluid therebetween.

3. The ice cube tray of claim 1 wherein the plurality of lower chambers comprises a flexible polymer based member.

4. The ice cube tray of claim 1 wherein the plurality of lower chambers comprises a silicone material.

5. The ice cube tray of claim 1 wherein the plurality of upper chambers each include at least one opening positioned within each sub-chamber.

6. The ice cube tray of claim 1 wherein the upper deck portion and the top wall portion are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the plurality of walls of the plurality of lower chambers.

7. The ice cube tray of claim 6 wherein the upper deck portion and the top wall portion extend about the entire perimeter of the container structure of the plurality of lower chambers and the inner container structure of the plurality of upper chambers, respectively.

8. The ice cube tray of claim 5 wherein each sub-chamber of the plurality of upper chambers includes at least four spaced apart openings.

9. The ice cube tray of claim 5 wherein each sub-chamber of the plurality of upper chambers is substantially cubic in configuration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of the ice cube tray assembly of the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 of the drawings is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ice cube tray assembly of the present disclosure;

(4) FIG. 3 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of upper chamber of the ice cube tray assembly of the present disclosure;

(5) FIG. 4 of the drawings is a perspective view of the upper chamber of the ice cube tray assembly of the present disclosure;

(6) FIG. 5 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of the upper chamber of the ice cube tray assembly of the present disclosure;

(7) FIG. 6 of the drawings is a top plan view of the upper chamber of the ice cube tray assembly of the present disclosure;

(8) FIG. 7 of the drawings is a perspective view of the lower chamber of the ice cube tray assembly of the present disclosure;

(9) FIG. 8 of the drawings is a top plan view of the lower chamber of the ice cube tray assembly of the present disclosure;

(10) FIG. 9 of the drawings is a bottom perspective view of the lower chamber of the ice cube tray assembly of the present disclosure;

(11) FIG. 10 of the drawings is a side elevational view of the upper chamber of the ice cube tray assembly of the present disclosure;

(12) FIG. 11 of the drawings is a top plan view of the upper chamber of the ice cube tray assembly of the present disclosure;

(13) FIG. 12 of the drawings is a cross-sectional perspective view of the upper chamber of the ice cube tray assembly of the present disclosure;

(14) FIG. 13 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of the upper chamber of the ice cube tray assembly of the present disclosure; and

(15) FIG. 14 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of the combined and joined upper and lower chambers of the ice cube tray assembly of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

(16) While this disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail a specific embodiment(s) with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification and is not intended to be limited to the embodiment(s) illustrated.

(17) It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.

(18) Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, the ice cube tray assembly is shown generally at 10. The ice cube tray assembly comprises insulating box 12, lower chamber 14 and upper chamber 16. The insulating box includes base 20 and upstanding structure 22. In the configuration shown, the base and the upstanding structure generally comprises a molded member that may include an outer skin and an inner insulation member. The inner insulation member may comprise a foam insulation, with the outer skin comprising a rigid polymer based material. In other configurations, other materials may be utilized. Additionally, in further configurations, the insulating box 12 may be formed from a single material (in a single component or in multiple components that are coupled or otherwise joined together.

(19) As to dimensional configuration, the insulating box 12 includes base 20 includes upper surface 23 and lower surface 24. The upstanding structure 22 includes walls, such as walls 26, that include a lower end 30 and an upper end 31. In the configuration shown, four walls are presented, in a generally square configuration, that may be upwardly conical in shape. The base and upstanding structure together define an outer surface 48 and an inner surface 49. The inner surface 49 defines cavity 39 with an opening at the upper end 31 thereof. The upstanding structure, at the upper end 31 includes top surface 27 which includes a ring-like surface having an inner perimeter 36 and an outer perimeter 38. The configuration of the ring-like surface is substantially rectangular. In the configuration shown, the ring-like surface is substantially planar and parallel to a plane defined by the base 20 and spaced apart therefrom. It will be understood that while a generally upwardly conical square configuration is shown, other shapes and configurations are contemplated, including, but not limited to other configurations which can define a cavity with an opening proximate the top thereof.

(20) Extending downwardly from the outer perimeter 38 of the top surface 27 is upper recessed rim 28 which includes upper end 40 and lower end 42. The lower end 42 generally terminates with flange 43. Grasping channels, such as grasping channels 29a, 29b are positioned on opposing sides of each other and extend into the upper recessed rim 28 and the top surface 27 so as to provide access to the user between the insulating box and the lower chamber, to, as will be explained, remove the lower and upper chambers 14, 16 from the insulating box.

(21) The lower chamber is shown in FIG. 2 as comprising upper deck portion 50 and container structure 52. The upper deck portion defines a flange having upper surface 60, lower surface 61 that cooperatively define inner perimeter 62 and outer perimeter 63. The upper deck portion is configured to overlie the top surface 27 of the insulating box 12. The upper deck portion 50 includes grasping tabs 64a, 64b which are configured to correspond to the grasping channels 29a, 29b of the insulating box. Each grasping tab includes inner perimeter 70, outer portion 72, upper surface 72 and lower surface 73. The configuration is made to also matingly engage with/correspond to structures of the upper chamber 16.

(22) The container structure depends from the upper deck portion (and is integrally molded therewith), and includes upper portion 54 and lower portion 56. The upper portion 54 includes depending structure 80 having a plurality of walls 81 that extend from upper end 85 to lower end 86. At the lower end, an inward flange 87 is disposed. The walls of the depending structure define an inner surface 88 and an outer surface 89. The lower portion 56 extends below the inward flange 87 and includes corresponding depending structure 90. The depending structure 90 includes walls, such as wall 91 that extends from upper end 95 to lower end 96 and terminates at base wall 100. The wall structure includes outer surface 97 and inner surface 98. The base wall 100 includes upper surface 102 and lower surface 104. The upper and lower portion are substantially continuous, such that they collectively define a substantially fluid tight container structure, with an opening corresponding to the upper deck portion. The lower surface of the base wall may include a plurality of bottom pegs such as bottom pegs 101 which provide a spacer from the upper surface of the base of the insulating box, while supporting the lower chamber in the desired position.

(23) A plurality of ribs (in this case two ribs that extend from side to side, intersecting in the middle) are formed within the lower portion 56. In the configuration shown, four substantially identical ribs are formed, each with an upper edge 108, which generally corresponds to the inward flange 87. It will be understood that channels, such as channels 103 may be disposed in each of the dividing ribs so as to provide for fluid communication of the regions on either side of the dividing ribs.

(24) The upper chamber 16 is shown as including top wall 110, outer depending skirt, and inner container structure 114. The top wall 110 includes inner perimeter 120 and outer perimeter 122. The top wall 110 is configured to overlie the upper deck portion 50 of the lower chamber, and includes outer surface 123 and inner surface 124. The outer dependent skirt extends from the outer perimeter 122 and extends downwardly along the upper recessed rim 28 of the insulating box 12. The outer dependent skirt 112 extends to lower edge 125, and includes inner surface 126 and outer surface 128. The outer dependent skirt includes opposing access openings 129a, 129b that correspond to the grasping channels 29a, 29b and to the grasping tabs 64a, 64b.

(25) The inner container structure 114 includes depending walls, such as wall 131. The walls define upper end 136 and lower end 138, and extend to base wall 140. The walls include inner surface 152 and outer surface 154. The lower end 138 terminates with sealing perimeter edge 160, which, as will be explained, is configured to sealingly engage the inward flange 87 of the upper portion of the container structure 52 of the lower chamber.

(26) The base wall 140 includes openings 142 that are disposed therealong to place the inner container structure in fluid communication with the lower portion 56 of the lower chamber 14. The base wall includes upper surface 144 and lower surface 146. A plurality of dividing ribs 148 extend between opposing walls and intersect in the middle of the structure to form four separate chambers that are substantially cubic in configuration. The dividing ribs 148 each include upper edge 150. The structure is configured to substantially match the dividing ribs 106 of the lower portion 56 of the container structure 52 of the lower chamber. It will be understood that the walls and the dividing ribs of the inner container structure of the upper chamber cooperatively define the structural configuration of the resulting ice cubes.

(27) To assemble the ice cube tray assembly, the insulating box 12 is provided. Once provided, the lower chamber 14 is inserted into the cavity 39 of the insulating box. Upon installation, the upper deck portion 50 overlies the top surface 27 of the insulating box in overlying abutment. The grasping tabs 64a, 64b correspond and overlie two of the grasping channels 29a, 29b. In the configuration shown, the outer surface of each of the upper and lower portion of the container structure 52 of the lower chamber is spaced apart from the inner surface 49 formed by the upstanding structure 22 of the insulating box 12 so as to define an assembled gap 162.

(28) Next, the upper chamber 16 is mated to the lower chamber 14. This is achieved by directing the upper chamber into the upper portion 54 of the container structure 52. Eventually, the sealing perimeter edge 160 of the upper chamber 16 sealingly abuts the inward flange 87 of the depending structure 80 of the lower chamber 14 to minimize passage of fluid therebetween (and preferably preclude). At the same time, the outer surface 154 generally overlies and abuts the inner surface 88 of the upper portion of the lower chamber 14 so as to minimize (and preferably preclude) the passage of fluid therebetween. At the same time, the inner surfaced 124 of the top wall 110 of the upper chamber 16 abuttingly overlies the upper surface 60 of the upper deck portion 50 of the lower chamber 14. Additionally, the outer depending skirt 112 extends over the upper recessed rim 28 with the lower edge 128 of the outer depending skirt engaging the lower end 42 of the upper recessed rim. In the configuration shown, the outer surface 48 of the insulating box is flush with the outer surface 128 of the outer depending skirt of the upper chamber 16 inasmuch as the thickness of the latter corresponds to the flange 43 of the upper recessed rim 28. The structure is ready for use.

(29) In operation of the device, once the device is assembled, water or a water based mixture or solution (or another fluid that can change phase to a solid) is introduced into the ice cube tray assembly 10. In particular, as water is introduced into the upper chamber 16, the water is directed by gravity through the openings 142 of the base wall and into the lower portion of the container structure of the lower chamber 14. The lower chamber is filled (and in the configuration shown, each of the four separate sub-chambers formed by the walls and the dividing ribs). Eventually, the water rises within the upper chamber sub-chambers that are formed by the walls and the dividing ribs. The fluid is filled until the desired level is reached in the upper chamber. With the openings 142 in the upper chamber and with the channels 103 in the lower chamber, the level in each of the sub-chambers of the upper chamber 16 is equalized. It is generally preferred to maintain the level of the water just below the upper end 136 of the upper chamber as water and other water based fluids expand when they phase change from a room temperature liquid to a solid. As such, leaving some such room allows for expansion.

(30) The entire ice cube tray assembly 10 is inserted into a freezer or other location wherein the temperature is below the freezing point of the fluid, the fluid begins to cool and eventually phase change. Due to the insulating box and the insulative properties thereof, as compared to the open top, the fluid begins to freeze from the top downwardly. As such, impurities and the like are pushed downward and into the lower portion of the container structure of the lower chamber 14. Thus, by the time that the upper chamber has frozen from the top end to the bottom end, the impurities that were present in that portion of the tray assembly are pushed entirely down into the lower portion of the lower chamber. The result is that the ice (or other solid) is generally free of impurities. In the case of pure water, the resulting ice is substantially clear and free of air bubbles and impurities.

(31) Once frozen as desired, the user can separate the components. In particular, the user can introduce his or her fingers into the grasping channels 29a, 29b of the insulating box and pull upwardly dislodging the upper and lower chambers 14, 16 as a unit from the insulting box 12. Once separated, the user can manipulate the upper and the lower chambers to separate the two. It will be understood that the ice (or other solid) formed in the upper chamber is coupled to the lower chamber through the openings 142 in the base wall of the upper chamber. As these openings are each quite small in diameter, this represents a weakened portion, and, as such, the relative movement of the upper chamber and the lower chamber, breaks the upper portions and the lower portions of the ice thereat.

(32) Once the ice has been broken, the user can fully separate the upper and lower chambers. As these chambers are preferably formed from a flexible polymer based member such as a silicone material or the like, the upper chamber can be manipulated to allow for release of the ice (or other solid) maintained therein. Once separated and removed, in the configuration shown, four substantially identical ice cubes each having a substantially transparent cubic configuration are produced.

(33) It will be understood that at this point, the remaining ice can be removed from both chambers and the ice cube tray assembly can be reused. It will be understood that with the present construction, the system is easily reassembled and reused. It will further be understood that the system can be scaled up so that larger cubes, or a greater quantity of the same size (or larger or smaller) cubes can be formed. It will further be understood that other configurational changes can be made. Advantageously, the system allows for the separation of the different components with ease and reassembly is also facilitated. It will be understood that with the mating configuration of the grasping channels and the grasping tab and the access openings of the upper chamber, the removal and reattachment of the upper chamber, the lower chamber and the insulating box can be achieved with ease. Furthermore, the separation can likewise be easily achieved. Further still, the configuration allows for sealed engagement between the components while allowing for expansion by spacing the lower chamber apart from the insulating box, creating an assembled gap therebetween. In addition, the shape of the openings 142 allow for the weakened portion therebetween which facilitates the breaking of the components therebetween.

(34) The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the disclosure and the disclosure is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the disclosure.