Ice Mold System

Abstract

A system for molding and forming ice. The ice mold system for forming ice molds includes a mold housing, a mold column, and mold inserts. The mold column includes a tubular member configured to be inserted into the mold housing for forming a longitudinal bore in an ice mold. The mold inserts can be inserted around the mold column and between the mold housing. An annular base on the mold inserts is sized to friction fit into the base of the mold housing. When mounted into the mold housing, the mold inserts and mold column form reservoirs between the mold housing and the mold column that can receive liquid therein for forming ice molds. An annular base on the mold column in conjunction with a handle disposed on the mold column facilitates the removal of a resulting ice mold.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/275,901 filed on Jan. 7, 2016. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ice molds. More specifically, the present invention relates to an ice mold system including various re-usable ice molds and accessories for facilitating the formation of ice sculptures having different shapes and sizes.

Decorating using displays is a part of fall and winter festivities, especially for parties and the holidays, i.e., Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. Homemade ice sculptures have embellished the walkways and entryways of homes during the cold winter months, and have been decorative party attractions during these times. Ice sculptures add a sense of warmth and create a festive environment for party guests. Unfortunately, ice sculptures have to be created in a multi-staged, multi-freezing process. Therefore, there is a need in the art for an ice mold system providing the ability to develop an ice mold in one stage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of ice molds now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an ice mold system wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when creating an ice mold or ice sculpture. The present system comprises a mold housing, a plurality of mold inserts, and a mold column. The mold housing includes a base and an upper open end defining an opening for providing access to an interior volume thereof. The plurality of mold inserts include an open upper end defining a first opening thereon, an open lower end defining a second opening thereon, and a longitudinal bore extending from the open upper end through the open lower end. Each of the plurality of mold inserts includes an annular base disposed about a perimeter edge of the open lower end. The annular base of the mold inserts protrudes outwardly and parallel relative to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of mold inserts and includes a diameter approximately equal to a diameter of the base of the mold housing such that the annular base is configured to friction fit in the mold housing. The mold housing includes a diameter greater than a diameter of the plurality of mold inserts. The mold column includes a first end including a handle and a second end including an annular base disposed about a perimeter edge thereof. The annular base of the mold column protrudes outwardly and parallel relative to a longitudinal axis of the mold column. The annular base of the mold column includes a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the base of the mold housing such that the annular base is configured to friction fit in the mold housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the ice mold system.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the upper end of the mold housing and the lid of the ice mold system.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the upper end and the handle of the mold column of the ice mold system.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the ice mold system in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the ice mold system. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the ice mold system. The present invention provides an ice mold system 10 including a mold housing 15, a plurality of mold inserts 20 for forming an ice mold, each including an annular base 25 sized to friction fit into the bottom of the mold housing 15, a mold column 30 for forming a longitudinal bore in the resulting ice mold, and a lid 35 for covering the mold housing 15. The mold housing 15 comprises an upright container having a base 40 defining a closed lower end 42 and an open upper end 45 for providing access into an interior volume 50 thereof. The interior volume 50 of the mold housing 15 is configured to receive liquid and the plurality of inserts 20 therein.

The mold housing 15 includes a diameter and an area greater than the diameter of the area of the plurality of mold inserts 20, such that the mold housing 15 can receive one of the plurality of mold inserts 20 in the interior volume 50 thereof. In one embodiment, the mold housing includes a uniform diameter from the closed lower end 42 to the open upper end 45. The mold housing 15 includes a length greater than or equal to the length of the plurality of mold inserts 20, such that mold housing 15 extends above the plurality of mold inserts 20, when the mold inserts 20 are inserted into the mold housing 15. The mold housing 15 includes an exterior surface 52 having a plurality of graduated measurement indicia 54 disposed vertically linearly, or longitudinally, along the longitudinal length of the mold housing 15 for measuring the volume of liquid inserted into the interior volume 50. In the depicted embodiment, the mold housing 15 includes an elongated cylindrical upright container that is composed of a transparent material, such that a user can identify the level of liquid inserted therein. However, in alternative embodiments, the mold housing 15 may comprise other shaped upright containers, such as rectangular, or triangular upright containers.

The plurality of mold inserts 20 include at least a cylindrical mold insert 22, a rectangular mold insert 24, and a triangular mold insert 26. The plurality of inserts 20 comprise elongated upright containers having an interior volume 28 configured to receive liquid therein for preparing an ice mold. Each of the plurality of mold inserts 20 includes an open upper end 55 and an open lower end 60. The ends 55, 60 each define an opening providing access to the interior volume 28 which extends through the entire longitudinal length of each of the plurality of mold inserts 20. In one embodiment, the interior volume extents uniform in diameter through the entire longitudinal length of the plurality of mold inserts. The annular base 25 of the plurality of mold inserts 20 is disposed annularly around a perimeter edge of the open lower end 60, such that the annular base 25 protrudes outwardly and perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis of the mold inserts 20. The annular base 25 comprises a thin planar member having a diameter and circumference approximately equal to the diameter and circumference of the base 40 of the mold housing 15, such that each of the plurality of mold inserts 20 are configured to friction fit into the base of the mold housing 15 and secure therein.

In the depicted embodiment, each of the plurality of mold inserts 20 are equal in longitudinal length to one another. However, in alternative embodiments, the plurality of mold inserts 20 include different lengths. Each of the plurality of mold inserts 20 includes an exterior surface 65 having a plurality of graduated measurement indicia 70 disposed vertically linearly, or longitudinally, along their longitudinal length for measuring the volume of liquid inserted into the interior volume 28 thereof. In one embodiment, the plurality of inserts 20 are composed of a transparent plastic material. However, in alternative embodiments, the plurality of inserts 20 are composed of a transparent silicone material.

The mold column 30 comprises an elongated upright tubular member including a closed first end 75 and a closed second end 80. The closed first end 75 includes a handle 85 for grasping the mold column 30 and facilitating the insertion and removal of the ice mold column 30 from the mold housing 15. In one embodiment, the handle 85 comprises a strap removably attachable to the closed first end 75 via clasps 90 disposed at opposing ends of the strap, as shown by FIG. 3. The clasps 90 are configured to friction fit into cavities 95 disposed on opposing sides of the closed first end 75. In other embodiments, the handle 85 is fixedly attached to the closed first end 75. In one embodiment, the handle 85 comprises a rubber strap.

The closed second end 80 includes an annular base 100 extending annularly around a perimeter edge of the closed second end 80, such that the annular base 100 protrudes outwardly and perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis of the mold column 30. The mold column 30 includes a longitudinal length equal to or less than the longitudinal length of mold housing 15 and a diameter and an area less than the diameter and the area of the plurality of mold inserts 20. The annular base 100 includes a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the base 40 of the mold housing 15, such that the mold column 30 is configured to friction fit into the base 40 of the mold housing 15 and secure therein.

The annular base 100 further serves as a platform on which an ice mold formed by the plurality of mold inserts 20 in the mold housing 15 rests. In this way, the resulting ice mold can be extracted by the mold column 30, by removing the mold column 30 from the mold housing 15 via the handle 85. The resulting ice mold resting on the annular base 100 may then be removed and readied for use by sliding the mold column 30 from the bottom of the ice mold, which process then forms the longitudinal bore along the longitudinal axis and through the entire longitudinal length of the ice mold. In one embodiment, the mold column 30 includes an exterior surface 32 having a plurality of graduated measurement indicia 34 disposed vertically linearly, or longitudinally, along the longitudinal length of the mold column 30 for measuring a volume of liquid.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an exploded view of the open upper end of the mold housing and the lid. The ice mold system 10 further includes a lid 35 for covering the open upper end 45 of the mold housing 15 when in use and providing access to the interior volume 50 thereof. The lid 35 includes a groove 105 disposed entirely around a perimeter edge 110 thereof. The groove 105 is sized and configured to receive a collar 115 disposed on a perimeter edge 120 of the open upper end 45 of the mold housing 15, such that lid 35 friction fits onto the open upper end 45. In the depicted embodiment, the collar 115 is disposed annularly about the perimeter edge 120 of the open upper end 45 and the groove 105 is disposed annularly about the perimeter edge 110 of the lid 35, such that the groove 105 and collar 115 correspond and may friction fit.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of the ice mold system in use. In operation, a user first inserts the mold column 30 into the mold housing 15, such that the annular base 100 of the mold column 30 is positioned and tightly secured to the base 40 of the mold housing 15 via the friction fit. Next, the user inserts one of the plurality of mold inserts 20 into the mold housing 15. In the depicted embodiment, the cylindrical mold insert 22 is inserted into the mold housing 15. The user inserts the mold insert 22 in the mold housing 15 until the annular base 25 of the mold insert 22 is positioned over the annular base 100 of the mold column 30 and tightly secured thereover to the mold housing 15 via the friction fit. Next, the user may insert a liquid into the first reservoir 125 formed between the mold column 30 and the mold insert 22. If desired, the user may thereafter fill the second reservoir 130 formed between the mold insert 22 and the mold housing 15 in order to provide another layer to an ice mold. Once liquid is inserted into the ice mold system 10, the lid 35 is secured thereto and the ice mold system 10 stored in a freezer to form an ice mold.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) An ice mold system, comprising:

a mold housing including a base and an upper open end defining an opening for providing access to an interior volume thereof;

a plurality of mold inserts including an open upper end defining a first opening thereon, an open lower end defining a second opening thereon, and a longitudinal bore extending from the open upper end through the open lower end, each of the plurality of mold inserts including an annular base disposed about a perimeter edge of the open lower end, the annular base protruding outwardly and parallel relative to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of mold inserts;

wherein the annular base of the plurality of mold inserts includes a diameter approximately equal to or less than a diameter of the base of the mold housing such that the annular base of the plurality of mold inserts is configured to friction fit in the mold housing;

wherein the mold housing includes a diameter greater than a diameter of the plurality of mold inserts;

a mold column including a first end and a second end, the first end including a handle and the second end including an annular base disposed about a perimeter edge of the second end, the annular base protruding outwardly and parallel relative to a longitudinal axis of the mold column;

wherein the annular base of the mold column includes a diameter approximately equal to or less than a diameter of the base of the mold housing such that the annular base of the mold column is configured to friction fit in the mold housing.

2) The ice mold system of claim 1, further comprising a lid including a grove disposed about a perimeter edge thereof, the grove configured to friction fit onto a collar disposed about a perimeter edge of the open upper end of the mold housing.

3) The ice mold system of claim 1, wherein the mold housing includes an exterior surface having a plurality of measurement indicia disposed vertically linearly along the longitudinal length of the mold housing.

4) The ice mold system of claim 1, wherein the annular base of the plurality of mold inserts comprises a planar circular member.

5) The ice mold system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of mold inserts include at least a cylindrical mold insert, a rectangular mold insert, and a triangular mold insert.

6) The ice mold system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of mold inserts include an equal longitudinal length to one another.

7) The ice mold system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of mold inserts comprises an exterior surface including a plurality of measurement indicia disposed vertically linearly along the longitudinal length of the plurality of mold inserts.

8) The ice mold system of claim 1, wherein the handle includes a strap including a pair of clasps disposed on opposing ends, the clasps being removably attachable to corresponding cavities disposed on opposing sides of the first end of the housing.

9) The ice mold system of claim 1, wherein the mold column comprises an exterior surface including a plurality of measurement indicia disposed vertically linearly along the longitudinal length of mold column.