ICE TRAY ASSEMBLY

Abstract

In an embodiment, ice tray assembly includes a housing, a bottom tray, a top ice tray, middle layer and latches. The housing includes an open side, and the bottom tray is adapted to be disposed within housing. Top ice tray is disposed over bottom ice tray within housing. Top ice tray includes first plurality of mold cells for forming clear ice shapes. Each mold cell includes open top end and open bottom end. Middle layer is adapted to be sandwiched between bottom tray and top ice tray. Middle layer includes plurality of perforations to pass free flowing oxygen from top ice tray to bottom tray. Latches are coupled with bottom tray and top ice tray, to hold them together within housing. Clear ice shapes are produced in mold cells when free flowing oxygen from top ice tray passes to bottom tray through plurality of perforations of the middle layer.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an ice tray and, more particularly to an ice tray assembly used for producing clear ice shapes.

BACKGROUND

Generally, ice trays are used for producing ice shapes such as ice cubes for domestic purpose or for commercial purposes. The use of conventional ice trays leads to the formation of ice cubes with air trapped inside the ice cubes. Due to the trapped air, the ice cubes appear white instead of clear. The conventional ice trays generally do not separate the ice cubes from the trapped air and the ice cubes appear white.

There are some conventional clear ice producing trays, however their yield to produce clear ice is low, and such trays are not capable of producing clear ice of different shapes and of high quality. Also, design of the conventional clear ice producing trays makes the extraction of the clear ice from the trays difficult and time consuming.

In view of the above shortcomings, there is a requirement for an ice tray assembly that produces clear ice shapes with high yield and with less extraction time from trays.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, an ice tray assembly for producing clear ice shapes is disclosed. The ice tray assembly includes a housing, a bottom tray, a top ice tray, a middle layer and one or more latches. The housing includes an open side. The bottom tray is adapted to be disposed within the housing. The top ice tray is configured to be disposed over the bottom ice tray within the housing. The top ice tray includes a first plurality of mold cells for forming clear ice shapes from water present in the first plurality of mold cells. Each mold cell includes an open top end and an open bottom end. The middle layer is adapted to be sandwiched between the bottom tray and the top ice tray. The middle layer includes a plurality of perforations to pass free flowing oxygen from the top ice tray to the bottom tray. One or more latches are coupled at least with the bottom tray and the top ice tray, to hold the bottom tray and the top ice tray together. The clear ice shapes are produced in the first plurality of mold cells when the free flowing oxygen from the top ice tray passes to the bottom tray through the plurality of perforations in the middle layer.

In another embodiment, an ice tray assembly for producing clear ice shapes is disclosed. The ice tray assembly includes a housing, a bottom tray, a middle layer and a top ice tray. The housing includes an open side. The bottom tray is adapted to be disposed within the housing. The middle layer is configured to be disposed over the bottom tray within the housing. The middle layer includes a plurality of perforations. The top ice tray is configured to be disposed over the middle layer within the housing. The top ice tray includes a first plurality of mold cells for forming clear ice shapes from water present in the first plurality of mold cells in response to free flowing oxygen from the top ice tray to the bottom tray through the plurality of perforations. Each mold cell includes an open top end and an open bottom end. The clear ice shapes are produced in the first plurality of mold cells when the free flowing oxygen from the top ice tray passes to the bottom tray through the plurality of perforations in the middle layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention itself, together with further features and attended advantages, will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example/s only, with reference to the accompanied drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an ice tray assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the ice tray assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of the ice tray assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B illustrates a sectional view of the ice tray assembly along the line AA illustrated in FIG. 3A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C illustrates a top view of the ice tray assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3D illustrates a sectional view of the ice tray assembly along the line BB as illustrated in FIG. 3C, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a housing of the ice tray assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of a bottom tray of the ice tray assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B illustrates an enlarged view of a region ‘B’, as illustrated in FIG. 5A in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5C illustrates another perspective view of the bottom tray, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of a top ice tray of the ice tray assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B illustrates another perspective view of the top ice tray, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view of a middle layer of the ice tray assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B illustrates a top view of the middle layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7C illustrates an enlarged view of a region ‘C’ as illustrated in the FIG. 7B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of a latch of the ice tray assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in nature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. Specific embodiments thereof have been shown with the help of examples in the drawings and are described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative fallings within the spirit and the scope of the invention.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

For the better understanding of this invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater depth in the accompanying figures and description given below. In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in various views.

Overview

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an ice tray assembly primarily used for forming high quality clear ice. The ice tray assembly also helps in easy extraction of the clear ice. In one configuration, the ice tray assembly includes a housing, a bottom tray, a top ice tray, a middle layer and one or more latches. The housing is insulated and has an open top end. The insulated housing allows the cold air to flow only in a top down direction leading to the directional freezing of the ice tray assembly. The housing includes grooves and acts as a support for other components of the ice tray assembly, for example a stacked combination of the bottom tray, the middle layer, the top ice tray and the latches is placed within the housing.

The top ice tray is disposed above the bottom tray and includes a first plurality of mold cells having an open top and an open bottom. The clear ice shapes are formed in the mold cells of the top ice tray forms upon freezing of the water present in the mold cells. The middle layer is sandwiched between the top ice tray and the bottom tray and acts as a base for the top ice tray. The middle layer includes a plurality of perforation. The perforations separate the free flowing oxygen from the top ice tray. The middle layer is removable, thereby helps in easy extraction of the clear ice shapes. The bottom tray is adapted to catch the free flowing oxygen from the top ice tray. The bottom tray includes a second plurality of mold cells to form scrap ice shapes upon freezing of the water present therein. The second plurality of mold cells has an open end and closed bottom. The second plurality of mold cells can have different shapes as long as the volume of the bottom tray is greater than the volume of the top tray. The latches are configured to hold the top ice tray and the bottom tray together within the housing.

Once the latches engage with the top ice tray and the bottom tray with the middle layer sandwiched between the top ice tray and the bottom tray, the latches form a water tight seal, and the combination is placed inside the housing and water is poured into the ice tray assembly. The middle layer allows the free flowing oxygen from the top ice tray to flow to the bottom ice tray and thereby leading to the formation of clear ice in the top ice tray and scrap ice shapes in the bottom tray. Once the water in the top ice tray is completely frozen, the ice tray assembly is removed from the freezer and then from the housing, and is allowed to thaw for some time. The removable middle layer helps in convenient extraction of clear ice shapes from the top ice tray without causing any damage to the clear ice shapes.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an ice tray assembly 10 in a utilized state, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In operation, the ice tray assembly 10 is placed inside a freezer (not shown) for the formation of clear ice shapes. Various components of the ice tray assembly 10 are described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the ice tray assembly 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ice tray assembly 10 includes a housing 15, a bottom tray 20, a top ice tray 25, a middle layer 30 and one or more latches 35. The housing 15 provides support to other components of the ice tray assembly 10. The ice tray assembly 10 is shown to have included the above stated components in a specific configuration, however, those ordinarily skilled in the art would appreciate that the ice tray assembly 10 may include slightly different configurations of the above stated components.

During assembly, a stacked combination of the bottom ice tray 20, the middle layer 30, the top ice tray 25 along with the latches 25, is disposed within the housing 15. The bottom tray 20 acts as a base for the top ice tray 25. The top ice tray 25 is disposed over the bottom tray 202 in a configuration such that the middle layer 30 is sandwiched between the top ice tray 25 and the bottom tray 20. The combination of the bottom tray 20, the middle layer 30 and the bottom ice tray 25 are held together by the one or more latches 35 and thereafter the combination is placed inside the housing 15.

Once the combination of the bottom tray 20, the middle layer 30, the top ice tray 25 and the latches 35 are disposed inside the housing 15, water is poured into the ice tray assembly 10. The water enters the ice tray assembly 10 through the top ice tray 25. The middle layer 30 has a plurality of perforations that allows the water and the free flowing oxygen from the top ice tray 25 to flow towards the bottom ice tray 20, thereby leading to formation of clear ice shapes 40 in the top ice tray 25. Scrap ice shapes 45 may be formed in the bottom tray 20.

After the ice tray assembly 10 is filled with water, it is placed inside a freezer. Once the water in the top ice tray 25 is completely frozen, the ice tray assembly 10 is removed from the freezer and then the combination of the bottom tray 20, the middle layer 30, top ice tray 25 and the latches 35 is removed from the housing 15 and made to thaw for a few minutes. The combination is easily dissembled by removing the latches 35 and the bottom tray 20. The middle layer 30 can be removed by peeling off, making the extraction of the clear ice shapes 40 from the top ice tray 25 very convenient.

Different example views of the ice tray assembly 10 are hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3D. FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of the ice tray assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B illustrates a sectional view of the ice tray assembly 10 along a line AA as illustrated in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C illustrates a top view of the ice tray assembly 10 and FIG. 3D illustrates a sectional view of the ice tray assembly 10 along a line BB as illustrated in FIG. 3C.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the housing 15 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The housing 15 includes an open side 151 and a plurality of grooves 152 formed on inner walls (see, 155a, 155b). In an embodiment, the housing 15 is insulated to allow cold air from the freezer to flow only in a top down direction, thereby helping in the directional freezing of the ice tray assembly 10. In a non-limiting implementation, the housing 15 can be configured of a size of 332×163×154 mm. However, the housing 15 can be configured in a variety of other sizes.

The plurality of grooves 152 is configured to facilitate sliding of an assembly including the bottom tray 20, the top ice tray 25, the middle layer 30 and the latches 35 while inserting the assembly in or taking out the assembly from the housing 15. In an embodiment, the housing 15 is configured with a draft (e.g., tapered surface) to facilitate easy placement and removal of the assembly (e.g., the bottom tray 20, the top ice tray 25, the middle layer 30 and the latches 35) in the housing 15. In a non-limiting implementation, the draft can be configured at an angle of 2 degrees. However, the draft can be configured in a variety of other angles. In a non-limiting example, the housing 15 is made of an expanded polystyrene material. Alternatively, the housing 15 can be made of other types of insulating materials.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A to 5C, the bottom tray 20 is described in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The bottom tray 20 is configured to collect the free flowing oxygen from the top ice tray 25 and acts as a support for the top ice tray 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom tray 20 includes a second plurality of mold cells 205 and one or more engagement provisions 210. The mold cells 205 are arranged in a suitable rectangular grid to form scrap ice shapes 45 (shown in FIG. 2) therein upon freezing of the water contained in the second plurality of mold cells 205. In one configuration, the mold cells 205 may be identical to mold cells 255 (see, FIG. 6A) of the top ice tray 25. However, identical configuration of the mold cells 205 and the mold cells 255 is not necessary, as long as the bottom tray 20 is configured such that it supports the top ice tray 25.

Each of the mold cells 205 includes an open top end 205a and a closed bottom end 205b. The open top end 205a is configured to receive the free flowing oxygen from the top ice tray 25.

The engagement provisions 210 are configured such that the provisions 210 can slidably move in or out of the grooves 152, enabling easy placement of the bottom tray 20 within the housing 15. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, there are four engagement provisions 210, each formed on one outer side surface of the bottom tray 20. However, it must be noted that there may be more or fewer number of such engagement provisions 210 configured on the bottom tray 20. FIG. 5B represents an enlarged view of the engagement provision 210. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 5B, the engagement provision 210 includes an opening 215 and a lip 220. The lip 220 is configured to engage with a complimentary member of the latch 35 (refer FIG. 8). In a non-limiting implementation, the bottom tray 20 can be configured of a size of 290×125×71 mm. However, the bottom tray 20 can be configured in a variety of other sizes.

In an embodiment, the mold cells 205 are provided with a slightly tapered configuration. For example, the mold cells 205 may be tapered with an angle of 1 degree or two degrees. The mold cells 205 having different dimensions or shapes can be used, as long as the volume of the bottom tray 20 remains higher than the volume of the top ice tray 25. In non-limiting examples, the bottom tray 20 can be made of at least one of materials such as Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS), high impact polystyrene, propylene material and the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the top ice tray 25 is described, in accordance with an embodiment of present disclosure. The top ice tray 25 is disposed over the bottom tray 20. The top ice tray 25 includes a first plurality of mold cells 255 and one or more engagement provisions 260. The mold cells 255 are arranged in a suitable rectangular grid to form corresponding clear ice shapes 40 upon freezing of the water contained in the mold cells 255. Each of the mold cells 255 includes an open top end 255a and an open bottom end 255b. The open top end 255a receives the water and the open bottom end 255b acts as an opening for the water and the free flowing oxygen to flow toward the bottom tray 20.

In an embodiment, the mold cells 255 are provided with a tapered configuration for the easy removal of the clear ice shapes 40 from the top ice tray 25. In a non-limiting implementation, the mold cell can be tapered with an angle of 1 degree. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6A-6B, there may be four engagement provisions 260 formed on each side of the outer surface of the top ice tray 25. However, it must be noted that there may be more or fewer number of such engagement provisions 260 configured on the top ice tray 25. In a non-limiting example, the engagement provision 260 includes a protruding member 265. The protruding member 265 is configured to engage with a complimentary member (e.g., a slot or hook) of the latch 35 (refer FIG. 8). In an embodiment the protruding member 265 includes a circular tip for engaging with the complimentary member of the latch 35.

The top ice tray 25 can be configured in variety of shapes and configurations, and the top ice tray 25 may include mold cells 255 of different shapes and configurations that that are shown in FIGS. 6A-6B. In non-limiting examples, the top ice tray 25 is made of materials such as Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS), high impact polystyrene, propylene material, and the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7C, the middle layer 30 is described, in accordance with an embodiment of present disclosure. The middle layer 30 is sandwiched between the bottom tray 20 and the top ice tray 25. The middle layer 30 forms the base of the top ice tray 25. The middle layer 30 includes a plurality of perforations 305. The plurality of perforations 305 allows the free flowing oxygen from the top ice tray 25 to flow to the bottom tray 20, thereby leading to the formation of clear ice shapes 40 in the top ice tray 25 and the scrap ice shapes 45 in the bottom tray 20. FIG. 7C illustrates an enlarged view of the perforation 305. The middle layer 30 can be removed by peeling off, thereby making extraction of the clear ice shapes 40 convenient. In an embodiment, the middle layer 30 is made of a stretchable material like silicon. In another embodiment, the middle layer 30 is made of a TPE rubber material.

In a non-limiting implementation, the middle layer 30 can be configured of a size of 280×114 mm. However, the middle layer 30 can be configured in a variety of other sizes depending upon the configurations of the bottom tray 20 and the top ice tray 25. In an embodiment, the middle layer 30 is removably coupled to the top ice tray 25. In a non-limiting implementation, each perforation 305 can be configured with a size of 3 mm diameter. In another non-limiting implementation, each perforation 305 can be configured with a size of 2.15 mm diameter. However, it should be noted that the perforations 305 can be configured in a variety of other sizes, and may be of varying sizes.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the latch 35 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch 35 has an elongated body including a first engagement provision 355a and a second engagement provision 355b formed on ends of the elongated body. The length of the elongated body is such that it can cover heights of the top ice tray 25 and the bottom tray 20 with the middle layer 30 sandwiched therein. In this embodiment, each of the engagement provisions 355a and 355b is hook shaped. The engagement provision 355a can be used to engage with the lip 220 of the engagement member 210 of the bottom tray 20. Similarly, the engagement provision 355b can be used to engage with the protruding member 265 of the engagement provision 260 of the top ice tray 25. The latch 35 creates a water tight seal between the top ice tray 25, the middle layer 30 and the bottom tray 20, and helps in easy placement and removal of the trays in or out from the housing 15. In a non-limiting example, the latch 35 is made of an expanded polystyrene material.

Various embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide an ice tray assembly that produces a high volume of clear ice shapes and high quality clear ice shapes. The advantageous design of the ice tray assembly of the present invention facilitates in easy extraction of the clear ice shapes without causing any damage to the clear ice shapes. In the present invention, the top ice tray is also replaceable, to create different clear ice shape as per the requirement of the user. It should also be appreciated that the embodiments of the present invention can be used in the existing freezers.

While few embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications may be appropriately made thereto within the spirit and scope of the invention.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

Claims

1. An ice tray assembly for producing clear ice shapes, the ice tray assembly comprising:

a housing comprising an open side;

a bottom tray adapted to be disposed within the housing;

a top ice tray configured to be disposed over the bottom ice tray within the housing, the top ice tray comprising a first plurality of mold cells for forming clear ice shapes from water present in the first plurality of mold cells, each mold cell comprising an open top end and an open bottom end;

a middle layer adapted to be sandwiched between the bottom tray and the top ice tray, the middle layer comprising a plurality of perforations to pass free flowing oxygen from the top ice tray to the bottom tray; and

one or more latches, each latch coupled at least with the bottom tray and the top ice tray to hold the bottom tray and the top ice tray together within the housing,

wherein the clear ice shapes are produced in the first plurality of mold cells when the free flowing oxygen from the top ice tray passes to the bottom tray through the plurality of perforations in the middle layer.

2. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing is made up of an insulated material.

3. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of grooves along inner walls of the housing for sliding the bottom tray, the top ice tray and the one or more latches within the housing.

4. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom tray comprises a second plurality of mold cells, each having an open top end and a closed bottom end for collecting the free flowing oxygen from the top ice tray.

5. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bottom tray further comprises one or more engagement provisions configured to engage with the one or more latches.

6. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top ice tray is made of at least one of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS), polystyrene and polypropylene.

7. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top ice tray further comprises one or more engagement provisions configured to engage with the one or more latches.

8. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of perforations in the middle layer is of varying sizes.

9. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the middle layer is made of at least one of a silicon material and a rubber material.

10. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more latches comprises a first engagement provision and a second engagement provision for engaging with corresponding provision of the bottom tray and the top ice tray, respectively.

11. An ice tray assembly for producing clear ice shapes, the ice tray assembly comprising:

a housing of a box configuration comprising an open side;

a bottom tray adapted to be disposed within the housing;

a middle layer configured to be disposed over the bottom tray within the housing, the middle layer comprising a plurality of perforations; and

a top ice tray configured to be disposed over the middle layer within the housing, the top ice tray comprising a first plurality of mold cells for forming clear ice shapes from water present in the first plurality of mold cells in response to free flowing oxygen from the top ice tray to the bottom tray through the plurality of perforations, each mold cell comprising an open top end and an open bottom end.

12. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 11, further comprising one or more latches, each latch coupled at least with the bottom tray and the top ice tray to hold the bottom tray and the top ice tray together.

13. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of grooves along inner walls of the housing for sliding the bottom tray, the top ice tray and the one or more latches within the housing.

14. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the housing is made up of insulated material.

15. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the bottom tray comprises a second plurality of mold cells having an open top end and a closed bottom end for collecting the free flowing oxygen from the top ice tray.

16. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the bottom tray further comprises one or more engagement provisions configured to engage with the one or more latches.

17. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the top ice tray is made of at least one of polystyrene and polypropylene.

18. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the top ice tray further comprises one or more engagement provisions configured to engage with the one or more latched.

19. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the middle layer is made of a silicon material.

20. The ice tray assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the middle layer is made of a rubber material.