Enclosed ice cube tray and server

Abstract

A portable, lightweight ice cube tray and cover for releasing and dispensing ice cubes in a controlled manner includes a flexible plastic ice cube tray having equally spaced compartments for freezing water into ice cubes and a flexible cover joined to the ice cube tray with the cover including a chute through which the ice cubes can be dispensed into a cup or container whereupon flexing or twisting the conjoined cover and tray causes the dislodgement and release of the ice cubes and removing the cap and tilting the ice cube tray and cover allows the ice cubes to pass through the chute in a controlled manner for deposition in a cup or container.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to portable, lightweight dispensers, and more particularly pertains to an enclosed ice cube tray and enclosed ice cube dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the most annoying occurrences is when an individual takes an ice cube tray filled with ice cubes out of the refrigerator freezer for depositing the ice cubes in a cup, glass, pitcher, etc. Invariably as the individual twists the plastic ice cube tray to release and dispense the ice cubes, the action of twisting the ice cube tray instantly causes the ice cubes to pop out of the individual ice cube receptacles and fall onto the table or floor whereupon the ice cubes must be discarded because of the condition—dirt, debris, etc.—on the surface of the table or floor that renders the ice cubes unusable. In addition, if the table or floor surface is smooth the ice cubes will easily slide across such surfaces and end up underneath stoves, appliances, refrigerators where the ice cubes will melt and cause of mess in areas that are hard to get at and clean. Moreover, because the ice cubes are hard to see on the floor an unsuspecting family member, relative, guest, etc., could step on the ice cube and accidentally slip and fall incurring injury to himself or herself and resulting in legal exposure and liability for the homeowner. Thus, a more controlled way to dispense ice cubes from ice cube trays is desired.

For example, the Sallade patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,374,982) discloses an ice cube tray that is spill proof and odor proof and that includes a lid for covering the ice cube tray.

The Tunzi patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,803,868) discloses an ice cube ejector device for releasing and storing ice cubes from a flexible twist-type tray wherein the tray is invertedly placed within the device so that a twisting action dislodges the ice cubes from the tray.

The Weismann patent (U.S. design Pat. 309,905) discloses a covered ice cube tray with ornamental coverings for each ice cube receptacle.

The Burgess patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,995) discloses a combination cover and dispenser for an ice cube tray wherein the cover can be raised up from the ice cube tray to permit access to the frozen ice cubes.

The Shannon patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,600) discloses an ice cube dispenser that includes a device that slides over the ice cube tray and which includes a chamber transverse to the ice cube tray for dispensing ice cubes therefrom.

The Sagel et al. patent (U.S. design Pat. 426,153) discloses a tubular food container that includes an inner tray that is partially received within the cavity of a container body.

The Treadwell patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,465 B1) discloses an ice dispenser having a completely open tray and a chute at one end for dispensing ice cubes therefrom.

Nonetheless, despite the ingenuity of the above devices, there remains a need for a lightweight, portable ice cube tray and dispenser that releases the ice cubes while preventing them from scattering upon release.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprehends a lightweight, portable ice cube tray and dispenser for dispensing ice cubes straight from the freezer while avoiding the usual mess and cleanup associated with normal ice cube trays when the ice cubes are uncontrollably released from such standard ice cube trays. The lightweight, portable ice cube tray and dispenser of the present invention avoids the problem of banging a standard ice cube tray on the table and having the ice cubes scatter all over the place and fall onto the floor where they must either be discarded after being found or where they slide underneath furniture and appliances and simply melt.

Thus, the portable, lightweight ice cube tray and dispenser of the present invention includes a flexible elongated plastic ice cube tray having an upper surface and continuous outer rim or lip and a plurality of equally-sized and spaced ice cube receptacles or compartments wherein water is placed for the eventual creation of the ice cubes. Mounted to the ice cube tray, and completely covering the ice cube tray, is a flexible tray cover also made of plastic. The flexible tray cover is of an elongated rectangular shape and has length and width dimensions commensurate with that of the ice cube tray. The flexible tray cover can be integrally formed or molded to the ice cube tray by joining thereto about the rim of the ice cube tray, or the flexible tray cover can be removably securable thereto by being snap-fitted or press fitted to the rim of the flexible tray cover. The flexible tray cover includes a top, a pair of opposed sidewalls, a back wall and a front wall all integrally and seamlessly joined. The top, sidewalls, back wall and front wall define an interior cavity. Projecting from the front wall is a centrally mounted cylindrical chute that defines a hollow passageway with the hollow passageway communicating with the interior cavity. The chute is externally threaded for receiving thereon a cap that closes off the interior cavity. A fill-line can be included on the exterior part of the ice cube tray to indicate the level to which water must fill the ice cube receptacles.

In order to fill the individual ice cube receptacles the cap is removed from the chute and then water is poured into the interior cavity of the ice cube cover and then into the individual receptacles. The portable, lightweight ice cube tray and cover is then placed into the freezer for freezing the water to form the ice cubes. After the water has frozen into the ice cubes the individual can remove the ice cube tray and cover from the freezer, and with the cap still on the chute, the individual gently twists the ice cube tray and cover to release the ice cubes from their respective receptacles. The individual can then tilt the ice cube tray and cover so that the ice cubes collect in the passageway of the chute and then the cap can be removed so that the ice cubes can be dispensed in a controlled manner.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser that prevents the ice cubes from scattering when the user releases the ice cubes from the individual compartments of the ice cube tray.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide an enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser that keeps the ice cubes neatly encased inside the device until use.

It is still another objective of the present invention to provide an enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser that allows the ice cubes to be poured out through an integral chute as needed.

It is still yet another objective of the present invention to provide an enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser wherein the ice cube tray and the tray cover are integrally joined together.

It is still yet a further objective of the present invention to provide an enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser wherein cleanup is easy and simple and wherein the ice cube tray and dispenser is dishwater safe.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide an enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser that is easy to sanitize by adding a little bleach and water then putting on the cap and then shaking and rinsing out.

A yet further objective of the present invention is to provide an enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser wherein both the tray and dispenser are composed of flexible plastic to facilitate the easy dislodgement of the ice cubes from the ice cube tray.

A still yet further objective of the present invention is to provide an enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser that allows the individual or user to go straight from the freezer to the glass with no mess or spills.

Still a further objective of the present invention is to provide an enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser wherein the cover and tray can be integrally joined together or the cover can be removably detachably from the tray.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser that saves time in cleanup and avoids injury by not having individuals stepping on spilled ice cubes and thus also avoids lawsuits.

These and other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a perusal of the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser of the present invention illustrating the configuration of the major structural components of the enclosed ice cube tray and cover with the cover shown as separated from the tray;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser of the present invention illustrating the configuration of the major structural components of the enclosed ice cube tray and cover with the cover shown as being integrally attached to the tray;

FIG. 3 is a sectioned elevational view of the enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser of the present invention illustrating the snap-on attachment of the cover to lip or rim of the tray;

FIG. 4 is a sectioned elevational view of the enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser of the present invention illustrating the integral joining of the cover to the tray;

FIG. 5 is a sectioned elevational view of the enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser of the present invention illustrating the disposition of the ice cubes within the cover just after they have been released from their individual tray cavities or receptacles;

FIG. 6 is a sectioned elevational view of the enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser of the present invention illustrating the tipping of the device so as to pour or dispense one or more ice cubes into a cup or container;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser of the present invention illustrating the interconnection of the cover with the tray of the device; and

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the enclosed ice cube tray and dispenser of the present invention illustrating the joining or stacking of two ice cube trays and dispensers one atop the other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 is a portable, lightweight flexible ice cube tray and cover 10 that allows an individual to dispense ice cubes 12 in a controlled manner from the ice cube tray and cover 10 and into a container 14 such as a glass, cup, pitcher, bowl, etc. The individual thus can take the ice cubes 12 straight from the freezer to the container 14 as a glass, cup, etc. without any mess such as the ice cubes 12 spilling out of the standard ice cube tray upon their release and falling on the floor thereby creating a mess. The combined or combination ice cube tray and server 10 allows the individual to release the ice cubes 12 and pour or dispense the ice cubes 12 straight into the container 14 in a controlled manner.

Thus, shown in FIGS. 1-8 is the portable, enclosed, rectangular combination ice cube cover and tray 10 for releasing the ice cubes 12, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in a controlled and regulated manner so that the ice cubes 12 fall directly into the container 14. The combination ice cube cover and tray 14 is composed of a flexible plastic or plastic material to allow for its easy bending and twisting for releasing the ice cubes 12. The combination ice cube cover and tray 10 includes an elongated rectangular-shaped cover 16 that includes a top or roof 18, a pair of opposed sidewalls 20, a back wall 22, and an opposite front wall 24. The top 18, sidewalls 20, back wall 22, and front wall 24 combine to define an interior cavity or chamber 26 that contains or restricts the ice cubes 12 after they have been initially released from their respective compartments. A water level fill line 28 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and delineates the level the water 30 should come to in order to create a properly formed ice cube 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 8, projecting from the front wall 24 of the cover 16 is a cylindrical chute 32 that is externally threaded at its distal end 34. The cylindrical chute 32 includes a hollow passageway 36 that registers or communicates with the interior cavity 26 of the cover 16. The diameter of the chute 32 is adequate to accommodate the passage therethrough of the ice cubes 12. A detachable and removable cap 38 is mounted to the externally threaded distal end 34 of the chute 32 and seals and closes off the interior chamber 26. The combination ice cube tray and ice cube cover 10 includes an ice cube tray 40 that includes a plurality of equally spaced ice cube compartments or receptacles 42 wherein the water 30 is deposited for freezing and eventual formation into the ice cubes 12. The ice cube tray 40 includes a flat upper surface 44 upon which the compartments 42 are disposed and a continuous peripheral rim or lip 46. The water level line 28 is imprinted or impressed on the exterior surface of one or both long rows of the ice cube receptacles 42 or on the exterior surfaces of the peripheral receptacles 42 of the ice cube tray 40.

Shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are several embodiments for interconnecting or joining the ice cube tray 40 to the ice cube cover 16. In FIG. 3 the bottom of at least the front wall 24 and back wall 22 includes an inner groove or recess 48 that runs the full length along of the lower inside surface 50 of both the front wall 24 and the back wall 22. For a full and complete sealing effect the inner groove 48 can also extend along the lower inside surfaces 50 of both sidewalls 20. The edge 52 of the lip or rim 46 is rounded and sized to fit within the inner groove or recess 48 when the cover 16 is snapped or pressed down upon the rim 46 of the ice cube tray 40. Thus, FIG. 3 illustrates the ice cube cover 16 as being attachably and detachably press or snap-fitted to the ice cube tray 40. This can provide for easier cleaning and access to any ice cubes 12 that resist manual release. In FIG. 4 the ice cube cover 16 is shown as being integrally formed or joined to the lip 46 of the ice cube tray 40 thus providing a continuous and seamless leak-proof attachment.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 the combination ice cube tray and server 10 can be combined or piggybacked so that the combination ice cube tray and cover 10 becomes a double stack server 54 embodiment with the underside of the receptacles 42 of one ice cube tray and cover 10 attached to the top of the cover 16 of the other ice cube tray and cover 10. Even with two servers 10 attached in a stacked arrangement, the individual is able to twist the servers 10 for dislodging the ice cubes 12 from their receptacles 42. The double or stacked ice cube tray and server 54 of FIG. 8 would be especially advantageous in situations such as large restaurants, catering services, casinos, sports venues, hotels, etc. where large numbers of people are served and thus large amounts of ice cubes are always needed.

In operation the individual would first remove the cap 38 and fill the ice cube receptacles 42 with water 30 up to the water level line 28. The cap 38 would then be put back onto the chute 32 closing off the chute 32 and the ice cube tray and server 10 would then be placed back into the freezer for freezing the water 30 in the ice cubes 12. When needed the ice cube tray and server 10 is removed from the freezer and the individual grips the ice cube tray and server 10 and slightly twists thereby releasing ice cubes 12 from the receptacles 42 as shown in FIG. 5. The tray 10 and cover 16 twist or flex as a unit or simultaneously. The individual then removes the cap 38, turns the ice cube tray 40 upside down, aligns and tilts the ice cube tray and server 10 so that the chute 32 is in line with the container 14 and then in a controlled manner deposits or dispenses as many ice cubes 12 as desired into the container 14 with no mess and no ice cubes 12 spilling from the ice cube tray and server 10 onto the table or floor. The ice cube tray and server 10 is then placed back in the freezer until more ice cubes 12 are needed.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is apparent that changes, alterations, and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broadest aspects. The aim of the appended claims, therefore, is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A portable, lightweight, flexible ice cube tray and server for controllably releasing ice cubes into a container, comprising:

an elongated rectangular-shaped cover having a top, a pair of opposed sidewalls, a back wall, and a front wall with the top, the sidewalls, the back wall and the front wall defining an interior chamber; a chute mounted to and projecting from the front wall with the chute having a distal end that is externally threaded and the chute defining a passageway that communicates with the interior chamber; an ice cube tray connected to the rectangular-shaped cover and having a plurality of equally spaced receptacles wherein the water is deposited for forming ice cubes, an upper surface and a peripheral rim; and a cap securable to the chute for closing off the interior chamber and removable therefrom to allow the passage of ice cubes through the chute and into the container.

2. The ice cube tray and server of claim 1 wherein the ice cube cover is removable from the ice cube tray.

3. The ice cube tray and server of claim 2 wherein the ice cube cover is integrally attached to the ice cube tray.

4. The ice cube tray and server of claim 3 wherein the cover includes a continuous lower inside surface that extends along the front wall, back wall and both sidewalls.

5. The ice cube tray and server of claim 4 wherein the inside lower surfaces of both sidewalls include an inner groove that extends therealong.

6. The ice cube tray and server of claim 5 wherein the inside lower surface of the front wall and the back wall both include the inner groove.

7. The ice cube tray and server of claim 6 wherein the inner groove snaps onto the rim of the ice cube tray for attaching the ice cube cover to the ice cube tray.

8. The ice cube tray and server of claim 7 wherein one ice cube tray and server can be stacked upon and attached to another ice cube tray and server thereby creating a double ice cube server.

9. The ice cube tray and server of claim 8 further comprising a water level line located on the receptacles of the ice cube tray to mark the level to which water can be filed within the receptacles.