Dry ice vaporizing device and method
A dry ice vaporizing device includes: a container having a vapor permeable surface and a closeable entrance configured to be locked closed, an external implement configured to unlock the closeable entrance, and dry ice located inside the container. The vapor permeable surface includes a plurality of holes each having a hole dimension less than approximately 4 mm. The container is configured, when the closeable entrance is locked closed, to prevent the passage of dry ice pieces having dimensions larger than the hole dimension.
This application is a Continuation-in-Part of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/386,527, filed Apr. 20, 2009, entitled “Dry Ice Dispenser,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/204,258, filed Jan. 6, 2009, entitled “Method, process and associated apparatus for the safe dispensation of dry ice in food applications,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUNDThis invention relates to the field of safe dispensation of dry ice in food applications. Dry ice can be used to create a visual fog effect using fluid. Dry ice can be hazardous and cause injury if handled incorrectly or ingested. Dry ice can cause frostbite and asphyxiation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis application aims to solve safety issues related to the dispensation of dry ice in food applications for creating a visual fog effect while reducing the risk of dry ice coming into contact with the skin of the server or being accidentally swallowed by the consumer and causing frostbite. It is also designed to increase the rate of consumption of food and beverages by creating greater demand and by creating a perception that a food serving has lost some utility once the visual fog effect is over. This perceived loss of utility might encourage the consumer to order a replacement.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a dry ice vaporizing device comprises: a container comprising a vapor permeable surface and a closeable entrance configured to be locked closed; an external implement configured to unlock the closeable entrance; and dry ice located inside the container, wherein the vapor permeable surface comprises a plurality of holes each having a hole dimension less than approximately 4 mm, and wherein the container is configured, when the closeable entrance is locked closed, to prevent the passage of dry ice pieces having dimensions larger than the hole dimension.
In one aspect, the container comprises a snap buckle comprising a male hook lockable to a female receiver. In one aspect, the external implement comprises an unlocking block comprising: a hitch configured to contact the male hook to thereby unlock the closeable entrance; and a splitter configured to open the closeable entrance.
In one aspect, the device further comprises a handle connected to the container, the handle having a length not shorter than a longest dimension of the container. In one aspect, the handle comprises a hollow tube configured to allow liquid to pass through.
In one aspect, the container is substantially cylindrical and comprises: a first semicylinder comprising a rounded portion and two end portions; a second semicylinder comprising a rounded portion and two end portions, the second semicylinder connectable to the first semicylinder so that when the first and second semicylinders are mated they substantially form a cylinder; and a hinge connecting the first and second semicylinders at ends of the first and second semicylinders, wherein at least one of the first and second semicylinders comprises the vapor permeable surface, and wherein the first and second semicylinders are configured to open and close relative to each other via the hinge.
In one aspect, the device further comprises a handle connected to the container, the handle having a length not shorter than a longest dimension of the container, wherein the handle comprises a hollow tube configured to allow liquid to pass through.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of using dry ice comprises: providing a dry ice vaporizing device as described herein; closing and locking the closeable entrance; and submerging the device in a fluid.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a dry ice vaporizing device comprises: a container comprising a vapor permeable surface and a closeable entrance configured to be locked closed; a handle connected to the container, the handle having a length not shorter than a longest dimension of the container; and dry ice located inside the container, wherein the vapor permeable surface comprises a plurality of holes each having a hole dimension less than approximately 4 mm, and wherein the container is configured, when the closeable entrance is locked closed, to prevent the passage of dry ice pieces having dimensions larger than the hole dimension.
In one aspect, the handle comprises a hollow tube configured to allow liquid to pass through. In one aspect, the container comprises a snap buckle comprising a male hook lockable to a female receiver.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a dry ice vaporizing device comprises: a) a substantially cylindrical container comprising: a first semicylinder comprising a rounded portion and two end portions; a second semicylinder comprising a rounded portion and two end portions, the second semicylinder connectable to the first semicylinder so that when the first and second semicylinders are mated they substantially form a cylinder; and a hinge connecting the first and second semicylinders at ends of the first and second semicylinders; and b) dry ice located inside the container, wherein at least one of the first and second semicylinders comprises a vapor permeable surface comprising a plurality of holes each having a hole dimension less than approximately 4 mm, wherein the first and second semicylinders are configured to open and close relative to each other via the hinge, wherein the substantially cylindrical container is configured to be locked closed, and wherein the substantially cylindrical container is configured, when it is locked closed, to prevent the passage of dry ice pieces having dimensions larger than the hole dimension.
In one aspect, the substantially cylindrical container comprises a snap buckle, whereby the second semicylinder comprises a female receiver and the first semicylinder comprises a male hook lockable to the female receiver.
In one aspect, the device further comprises a handle connected to the substantially cylindrical container, the handle having a length not shorter than a longest dimension of the substantially cylindrical container. In one aspect, the handle comprises a hollow tube configured to allow liquid to pass through.
The present invention provides a dry ice container, an entrance to insert the dry ice into the container and a permeable surface wherein during vaporization the permeable surface provides an exit for vapor inside the container created by the dry ice and prevents the dry ice from exiting the container.
In one aspect of the invention, the entrance is configured to receive dry ice and securely close. In another aspect of the invention, the container further comprises a lid to close the entrance. In another aspect of the invention, the container further comprises a fastener that functions to ensure the seal of the entrance. In another aspect of the invention, the permeable surface functions to carbonate and cool a fluid outside the container. In another aspect of the invention, the container further comprises a handle that is made of a stick, a chain, a string or a foodstuff.
The present invention also provides a method for dispensing dry ice by providing the invention apparatus, inserting a dry ice into the invention, closing the entrance, and then submerging the invention in a fluid.
The present invention also provides a dry ice dispensing system, comprising a fluid, a fluid container a dry ice supply, a dry ice container, and a permeable surface wherein for a substantial duration of vaporization the permeable surface provides an exit for vapor inside the container created by the dry ice and substantially prevents the dry ice from exiting the container.
In another aspect, the dry ice dispensing system further comprises an automation apparatus configured to insert the dry ice into the container entrance and close the container entrance.
In the following description, the use of “a”, “an”, or “the” can refer to the plural. All examples given are for clarification only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
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The holes 102 may be circular, oval, square, or any other shape. Preferably, the permeable surface 107 is configured to allow the passage of vapor or gas from sublimation of dry ice. Dry ice can cause serious freeze burns to human skin. However, very small pieces of dry ice will generally not cause pain or damage to skin because the pieces fully sublime or gasify before substantial cooling is done to the skin. For instance, a sphere of dry ice having a diameter of less than 1 mm will generally not cause harm to a human. In one embodiment, the holes 102 each have a hole dimension or diameter sufficiently small such that any dry ice pieces that are capable of passing through the permeable surface 107 will not cause serious harm or burn risk to a human. There may be at least one to 120 holes 102 in the permeable surface 107 of container 101. The individual holes 102 may have areas of between 1 mm2 to 4 mm2, more preferably 2 mm2 to 3 mm2, or have dimensions or diameters of between approximately 1 and 4 mm, more preferably between approximately 2 and 3 mm, so as to prevent a potentially hazardous amount of dry ice from exiting the dry ice container 101.
The dry ice container 101 has a closeable entrance 105 where dry ice may be inserted and sealed closed.
In operation the closeable entrance 105 would be opened allowing a piece of dry ice to be inserted inside the dry ice container 101. The closeable entrance 105 would then be securely closed and thereby allow the safe dispensation of dry ice into a food application.
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The container 101 may be substantially cylindrical and may comprise a first semicylinder comprising a rounded portion and two end portions (e.g., the upper semicylinder in
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The channel 1102 also comprises a hitch 1104. The hitch 1104 is configured to make contact with the exposed surface area of the male hook 1002 (as described with reference to
The channel 1102 also comprises a splitter 1105. The splitter 1105 is configured to expand the gap between the male hook 1002 and female receiver 1001. In operation the splitter 1105 makes contact with the dry ice container 101 where the male hook 1002 and female receiver 1001 meet and opposes the force of the dry ice container 101 moving along the channel 1102 thereby expanding the gap between the male hook 1002 and female receiver 1001.
An advantage of the embodiments shown is that the dry ice container 101, 301 may contain dry ice 201 and create a visual fog effect while reducing the risk of dry ice coming into contact with the skin of the server or being accidentally swallowed by the consumer and causing frostbite.
The container 101, 301 containing dry ice 201 may be submerged in a fluid, allowing the dry ice to sublime and its vapors to bubble up through the fluid. If the fluid is noncarbonated, this process may carbonate the fluid. Further, the cool carbon dioxide bubbles may reduce the fluid's temperature.
The various aspects of the embodiments shown in the drawings may be mixed and matched as desired, where possible. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to only those embodiments shown. For example, the container 101, 301 may comprise three or more modular pieces that join together to comprise a container. For another example, the container 101, 301 and handle 104 may comprise any edible substance, such as hard candy, chocolate, or cookie. For another example, the handle 104 may comprise a string, chain, wire, or cable. For another example, the holes 102, 303 may be configured to display a textual image, for example where the holes 102, 303 form a mosaic pattern that resembles text, or where the holes 102, 303 are extruded in such a way that it engraves a design that resembles text.
Claims
1. A dry ice vaporizing device, comprising:
- a container comprising a vapor permeable surface and a closeable entrance configured to be locked closed;
- an external implement configured to unlock the closeable entrance; and
- dry ice located inside the container,
- wherein the vapor permeable surface comprises a plurality of holes each having a hole dimension less than approximately 4 mm, and
- wherein the container is configured, when the closeable entrance is locked closed, to prevent the passage of dry ice pieces having dimensions larger than the hole dimension.
2. The dry ice vaporizing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container comprises a snap buckle comprising a male hook lockable to a female receiver.
3. The dry ice vaporizing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the external implement comprises an unlocking block comprising:
- a hitch configured to contact the male hook to thereby unlock the closeable entrance; and
- a splitter configured to open the closeable entrance.
4. The dry ice vaporizing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a handle connected to the container, the handle having a length not shorter than a longest dimension of the container.
5. The dry ice vaporizing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the handle comprises a hollow tube configured to allow liquid to pass through.
6. The dry ice vaporizing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container is substantially cylindrical and comprises:
- a first semicylinder comprising a rounded portion and two end portions;
- a second semicylinder comprising a rounded portion and two end portions, the second semicylinder connectable to the first semicylinder so that when the first and second semicylinders are mated they substantially form a cylinder; and
- a hinge connecting the first and second semicylinders at ends of the first and second semicylinders,
- wherein at least one of the first and second semicylinders comprises the vapor permeable surface, and
- wherein the first and second semicylinders are configured to open and close relative to each other via the hinge.
7. The dry ice vaporizing device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a handle connected to the container, the handle having a length not shorter than a longest dimension of the container, wherein the handle comprises a hollow tube configured to allow liquid to pass through.
8. A method of using dry ice, comprising:
- providing the dry ice vaporizing device as claimed in claim 1;
- closing and locking the closeable entrance; and
- submerging the device in a fluid.
9. A dry ice vaporizing device, comprising:
- a container comprising a vapor permeable surface and a closeable entrance configured to be locked closed;
- a handle connected to the container, the handle having a length not shorter than a longest dimension of the container; and
- dry ice located inside the container,
- wherein the vapor permeable surface comprises a plurality of holes each having a hole dimension less than approximately 4 mm, and
- wherein the container is configured, when the closeable entrance is locked closed, to prevent the passage of dry ice pieces having dimensions larger than the hole dimension.
10. The dry ice vaporizing device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the handle comprises a hollow tube configured to allow liquid to pass through.
11. The dry ice vaporizing device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the container comprises a snap buckle comprising a male hook lockable to a female receiver.
12. A method of using dry ice, comprising:
- providing the dry ice vaporizing device as claimed in claim 9;
- closing and locking the closeable entrance; and
- submerging the device in a fluid.
13. A dry ice vaporizing device, comprising:
- a) a substantially cylindrical container comprising: a first semicylinder comprising a rounded portion and two end portions; a second semicylinder comprising a rounded portion and two end portions, the second semicylinder connectable to the first semicylinder so that when the first and second semicylinders are mated they substantially form a cylinder; and a hinge connecting the first and second semicylinders at ends of the first and second semicylinders; and
- b) dry ice located inside the container, wherein at least one of the first and second semicylinders comprises a vapor permeable surface comprising a plurality of holes each having a hole dimension less than approximately 4 mm, wherein the first and second semicylinders are configured to open and close relative to each other via the hinge, wherein the substantially cylindrical container is configured to be locked closed, and wherein the substantially cylindrical container is configured, when it is locked closed, to prevent the passage of dry ice pieces having dimensions larger than the hole dimension.
14. The dry ice vaporizing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the substantially cylindrical container comprises a snap buckle, whereby the second semicylinder comprises a female receiver and the first semicylinder comprises a male hook lockable to the female receiver.
15. The dry ice vaporizing device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a handle connected to the substantially cylindrical container, the handle having a length not shorter than a longest dimension of the substantially cylindrical container.
16. The dry ice vaporizing device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the handle comprises a hollow tube configured to allow liquid to pass through.
17. A method of using dry ice, comprising:
- providing the dry ice vaporizing device as claimed in claim 13;
- closing and locking the substantially cylindrical container; and
- submerging the device in a fluid.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 25, 2009
Publication Date: Feb 4, 2010
Inventor: Victor Yeung (Toronto)
Application Number: 12/583,676
International Classification: F25D 3/12 (20060101);