US20110005242A1 - Ice Mold - Google Patents

Abstract

An ice mold includes a container having a bottom surface, a pair of end walls, a pair of sidewalls and an open top in communication with an interior chamber. The bottom surface includes a plurality of integral ridges with integral grooves formed therebetween that extend from one end wall to the other. Preferably, the sidewalls and end walls extend outwardly slightly relative to a vertical plane to facilitate removal of an ice block. The open top is bordered by a lip having an inverted U-shaped cross-section that may be grasped to lift or contort the container.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• None.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a uniquely-designed mold that quickly produces a structurally-acceptable ice block.
Description of the Prior Art
• In the food service industry, ice is often formed into five to twenty-five-pound blocks for various applications, such as for use in ice shaving machines to produce snowballs or snow cones. The blocks are usually created by freezing a hollow container (i.e., an ice mold) filled with water. Conventional ice molds are usually formed of a cubic container having a flat bottom surface with perpendicular sidewalls and an open top. When the container is placed in a freezer, air cannot freely circulate beneath the flat bottom surface causing the water to freeze from the top downwardly. The density differential between the formed ice and water causes the container to distort, thereby creating a deformed, unsightly ice block that is difficult to remove. Furthermore, because of the impeded airflow, the time required to completely freeze the water into a solid block is increased significantly. Accordingly, there is currently a need for an ice mold that overcomes the aforementioned problems associated with conventional ice molds. The present invention addresses this need by providing an ice mold having ridges formed on a bottom surface with interposed grooves that allow air to flow beneath the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• An ice mold includes a container having a bottom surface, a pair of end walls, a pair of sidewalls and an open top in communication with an interior chamber. The bottom surface includes a plurality of integral ridges with integral grooves formed therebetween that extend from one end wall to the other. Preferably, the sidewalls and end walls extend outwardly slightly relative to a vertical plane to facilitate removal of an ice block. The open top is bordered by a lip having an inverted, U-shaped cross-section that may be grasped to lift or contort the container.
• It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an ice mold that expedites the formation of ice blocks.
• It is another object of the present invention to provide an ice mold that forms a symmetrical, aesthetic block of ice that is easier to remove than that formed according to conventional techniques.
• Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ice mold according to the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a front, plan view of the ice mold.
• FIG. 3 is an end view of the ice mold.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
• The present invention relates to an ice mold comprising a container 1 having a bottom surface 2, a pair of end walls 3, a pair of sidewalls 4 and an open top 5 in communication with an interior chamber. The bottom surface includes a plurality of integral ridges 7 with integral grooves 8 formed therebetween that extend from one end wall to the other. Preferably, the sidewalls and end walls extend outwardly slightly relative to a vertical plane to facilitate removal of an ice block from the interior chamber. The open top is defined by a lip 9 having an inverted, U-shaped cross-section that may be grasped to lift or contort the container.
• The above-described invention is not limited to the exact details of construction and enumeration of parts or steps provided herein. For example, the container is preferably constructed with food-grade polyethylene that flexes and expands as the liquid transforms to ice. However, the size, shape and materials of construction of the various components can be varied.
• Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.

Claims (4)

1. An ice mold comprising:

a container having a bottom surface, a pair of end walls, a pair of sidewalls and an open top in communication with an interior chamber, said bottom surface having a plurality of integral ridges with integral grooves formed therebetween, said grooves and said ridges extending from one of said end walls to another of said end walls allowing air to flow beneath said bottom surface to enhance freezing.

2. The ice mold according to claim 1 wherein said sidewalls and said end walls extend outwardly relative to a vertical plane to facilitate removal of an ice block from said interior chamber.

3. The ice mold according to claim 1 wherein said open top is defined by a lip having an inverted, U-shaped cross-section that is grasped to lift and contort the container.

4. A method of forming an ice block comprising the steps of:

placing water into a container having a bottom surface with ridges integrally formed thereon and grooves therebetween;

placing said container into a sub-freezing atmosphere whereby air flows through said grooves to facilitate freezing.

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