ICE REMOVER

Abstract

An ice remover for use on a substantially flat surface comprises a container having a substantially planar first outer surface portion, which forms a discrete edge with at least a second outer surface portion of the container, and wherein the container can be filled with a fluid to raise the temperature of the substantially planar first outer surface portion for melting ice on the substantially flat surface. The container may comprise one or more further substantially planar outer surface portions with a discrete edge formed between each portion. At least one of the discrete edges may be fitted with a scraper, which may have a serrated edge, e.g. of moulded acrylic. The container may have a removable cap for filling and emptying the fluid. The container may comprise a substantially tubular handle attached to a portion of the surface on an opposing side of the container from the substantially planar first portion.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.K. Patent Application Serial No. GB0907165.5 filed on Apr. 27, 2009. The foregoing prior-filed, foreign priority application is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates generally to windscreen ice removers and similar devices, and more particularly to ice removers that may be filled with a fluid to raise the temperature of at least a first outer surface portion thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In cold and temperate climates, the ambient air temperature can fall to a level at which ice is formed on vehicle windows including windscreens. Before a vehicle can safely be used the ice must be cleared from the windows. Previously proposed solutions include those which mechanically separate the ice from the window through the application of physical force.

Mechanical scrapers of this kind require a lot of effort and considerable time on the part of the user, that time being spent in the unpleasant physical conditions of the cold environment.

Alternatively a chemical de-icer can be used to lower the melting point of the ice to remove the ice from the window. Chemical de-icers are expensive and environmentally detrimental.

The aim of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the previously proposed solutions to the aforementioned problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is provides an ice remover for use on a substantially flat surface, the ice remover comprising a container having a substantially planar first outer surface portion which forms a discrete edge with at least a second outer surface portion of the container and wherein the container can be filled with a fluid to raise the temperature of the substantially planar first outer surface portion for melting ice on the substantially flat surface.

The substantially flat surface may have some curvature for example in the case of a vehicle windscreen.

The container may comprise one or more further substantially planar outer surface portions with a discrete edge formed between each portion.

The further surface portion or portions may be of smaller overall size than the first portion in order to cater for smaller surfaces to be de-iced.

The container may be constructed from a plastics material and may be of a double-wall construction.

The container may formed by a blow moulding process.

The container may comprise a strip of resilient material fitted to at least one of the discrete edges.

At least one of the substantially planar surfaces may be constructed from or covered in a resilient material, such as rubber.

The resilience of the substantially planar surface provides advantageous performance under temperature induced expansion and contraction and also to maintain full contact with the substantially flat surface in the case where there is some curvature in the substantially flat surface.

At least one of the discrete edges may be fitted with a scraper, which may have a serrated edge, e.g. of moulded acrylic.

A series of ridges or indentations can be formed on at least one of the substantially planar surfaces to aid the removal of water from the vehicle window.

The container may have a removable cap for filling and emptying the fluid.

The container may comprise a substantially tubular handle attached to a portion of the surface on an opposing side of the container from the substantially planar first portion.

The container may alternatively comprise one or more indentation in one or more of its surface portions which provides a way for a user to hold the container.

The invention also provides a method of removing ice from a substantially flat surface, comprising taking a container having a substantially planar first outer surface portion which forms a discrete edge with at least a second outer surface portion of the container, introducing a fluid into the container to raise the temperature of the substantially planar first portion of the outer surface and applying the first portion of the outer surface to the substantially flat surface.

The method comprises a further step of applying a force to the container so that the first portion of the outer surface of the container moves across the substantially flat surface substantially parallel to the substantially flat surface.

In the inventive method, the container may have any or all of the optional features discussed above.

Embodiments of the ice remover according to the present invention will now be described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the ice remover comprising a container;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded side view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a small section of the container of FIG. 1 showing one method of fixing component parts of the container together;

FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of a second embodiment of the ice remover;

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the second embodiment,

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the container; and

FIG. 9 shows an exploded perspective view of an alternative ice remover.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a container 10 with a first outer surface portion 12 with discrete edges 14a and 14b formed between the first outer surface portion 12 and further outer surface portions 16a and 16b, a filler cap 18 for introducing a fluid (not shown) into the container 10. The first outer surface portion 12 is made of rubber. An indentation 22 is formed in an upper surface portion 24 to enable a user to hold the container 10. One edge 14b of the first outer portion 12 is fitted with a scraper blade 20 along its length.

FIG. 2 shows the first outer surface portion 12 with the discrete edge 14a formed between the first outer surface portion 12 and the second outer surface portion 16a. A further edge 14b of the first outer portion 12 is fitted with a scraper blade 20 along its length. The first outer portion 12 is attached to a main body of the container 26 via an intermediate piece 28 which includes a scraper 30. The component parts of the container 10 are fixed together to form a water-tight seal with the filling and emptying of fluid possibly only via a filler cap 18.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the container shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 where an upper surface portion 24 of the container 10 is formed with symmetrical indentations 22 for a user's fingers and thumb.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing how the main body 26, intermediate piece 28 and first outer surface portion 12 are attached together by pegs on the main body extending through holes in the intermediate piece 28.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a connection 32 between the intermediate piece 28 of FIG. 4, the main body 26 of FIG. 4 and the first surface portion 12.

FIG. 6 shows a container 110 with discrete edges 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d and 114e formed between the first outer surface portion (not shown) and further outer surface portions 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d and 116e, a filler cap 118 for introducing a fluid (not shown) into the container 110.

FIG. 7 shows a container 110 with discrete edges 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d and 114e formed between the first outer surface portion (not shown) and further outer surface portions 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d and 116e, a filler cap 118 for introducing a fluid (not shown) into the container 110. Discrete edges 114d and 114e are equipped with rubber blades 134d and 134e respectively. The container 110 is fitted with a handle 136.

FIG. 8 shows how the further outer surface portions, e.g. 116e are formed with a series of ridges 138.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative ice remover, including a container 250 with a first outer surface portion 212 with discrete edges 214a, 214b, 214c and 214d formed between the first outer surface portion 212 and further outer surface portions 216a, 216b, 216c and 216d. The container 250 has a flange 240 which is wider than the main body 226 of the container 250, the flange enabling a good connection between the main body 226 of container 250, an intermediate piece 228 which includes a scraper 230 and a top piece 242. The container 250, intermediate piece 228 and top piece 242 are held together by screws (not shown) inserted into threaded receptacles 244 in the top piece 242 and holes 246 in the intermediate piece 228. The top piece 242 is shaped so as to enable a user to hold the container 250. The top piece 242 is constructed with a recess (not shown) to accommodate the filler cap 218 so that when the main body 26, intermediate piece 228 and top piece 242 are fitted together, the filler cap 218 is flush with the surface of the top piece 242 and can be removed and sealed by the user to enable the filling and emptying of the container 250. The container 250 is single walled and constructed from blow moulded polypropylene or polyethylene, the scraper 230 is of glass filled nylon, the filler cap 118 is sealed with a silicone or natural rubber “o” ring (not shown), the screws (not shown) are of stainless steel.

Claims

1. An ice remover for use on a substantially flat surface, the ice remover comprising a container having a substantially planar first outer surface portion which forms a discrete edge with at least a second outer surface portion of the container and wherein the container can be filled with a fluid to raise the temperature of the substantially planar first outer surface portion for melting ice on the substantially flat surface.

2. The ice remover according to claim 1 wherein the container comprises at least one further substantially planar outer surface portion with a discrete edge formed between each portion.

3. The ice remover according to claim 2 wherein the at least one further surface portion is of smaller overall size than the first surface portion in order to cater for smaller surfaces to be de-iced.

4. The ice remover according to claim 1 wherein the container is constructed from a plastics material and is of a double-wall construction.

5. The ice remover according to claim 4 wherein the container is formed by a blow moulding process.

6. The ice remover according to claim 1 wherein the container comprises a strip of resilient material on at least one of the discrete edges.

7. The ice remover according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the substantially planar surfaces is constructed from a resilient material.

8. The ice remover according to claim 7 wherein the resilient material is rubber.

9. The ice remover according to claim 1 further comprising a scraper having a serrated edge.

10. The ice remover according to claim 9 wherein the serrated edge is made of moulded acrylic.

11. The ice remover according to claim 1 wherein a series of substantially parallel ridges or indentations is formed on at least one of the substantially planar surfaces.

12. The ice remover according to claim 1 further comprising a removable cap connected to the container.

13. The ice remover according to claim 1 further comprising a handle attached to a portion of the surface on an opposing side of the container from the substantially planar first portion.

14. The ice remover according to claim 1 further comprising one or more grip indentations in one or more of its surface portions.

15. A method of removing ice from a substantially flat surface, comprising taking a container having a substantially planar first outer surface portion which forms a discrete edge with at least a second outer surface portion of the container, introducing a fluid into the container to raise the temperature of the substantially planar first portion of the outer surface and applying the first portion of the outer surface to the substantially flat surface.

16. The method according to claim 15 further comprising applying a force to the container so that the first portion of the outer surface of the container moves across the substantially flat surface substantially parallel thereto.