Ice cube manufacturing device

Abstract

An ice cube making device comprising a tray formed as an ice cube tray having at least one ice cube compartment, a lid adapted to be mounted on the tray to seal the contents of the at least one ice cube compartment within the at least one ice cube compartment, a displacement mechanism connecting the tray and the lid and having two positions: a closed position in which the lid is held in abutment with the tray, and an open position in which the lid is held in a position spaced apart from the tray so that ice cubes formed in the tray can leave the tray. The displacement mechanism comprises a bistable element arranged between the lid and the tray. The bistable element has a first stable state when the tray and the lid are in the closed position and a second stable state when the tray and the lid are in the open position. In this way, a simple structure is provided which is easy to use and has a simple displacement mechanism.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese invention patent application No. 201980085314.7. That Chinese invention patent application is based on international application PCT / EP2019 / 082332, filed on November 22, 2019, and is entitled "Ice Cube Manufacturing Apparatus". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an ice-making apparatus, comprising: a tray in the form of an ice-block tray having at least one ice-block compartment; a lid adapted to be mounted on the tray to seal the contents of the at least one ice-block compartment within the at least one ice-block compartment; and a displacement mechanism connecting the tray and the lid and having two positions: a closed position in which the lid is held adjacent to the ice-block tray, and an open position in which the lid is held separate from the tray so that ice formed in the tray can leave the tray.

[0003] An ice-making apparatus is a device that can fill water or other liquids and then place them in a refrigerator to freeze the water or other liquids. Inside the apparatus, at least one ice compartment is arranged, in which ice is frozen into ice cubes. An ice cube refers to any 3D geometry formed by ice. In other words, an ice cube does not have to be a cube with basic rectangular sides as known in the art, but can be any other form, such as heart-shaped, star-shaped, spherical, elliptical, etc.

[0004] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ice-making device according to the invention is a handheld device. In the context of the invention, a "handheld" device should be understood as a portable device that can be operated by hand. More specifically, the handheld ice-dispensing device according to the invention should be able to be placed in a typical household refrigerator. Furthermore, it should be possible to remove the device from the refrigerator so that the user can manually operate it to remove ice cubes and then place them back into the refrigerator. In one embodiment, a handheld ice-making device can be defined as a device occupying a volume of less than 4 liters, less than 2.5 liters, less than 2 liters, or less than 1.5 liters. Background Technology

[0005] Covered ice trays are well known in the art. Examples include US5188744A, US2613512A, US5196127A, and US4967995A. However, prior art systems are either complex to use or have a lid that requires separate handling from the tray and / or does not properly seal water inside the device.

[0006] Furthermore, most covered ice trays available in the prior art are purely designed to allow ice trays to be stacked on top of each other or to prevent odors from entering the ice. They are not intended to seal water / liquids inside the device.

[0007] The applicant's own previously filed patent applications are more relevant and disclose different aspects of a handheld ice-making device. The applicant's first PCT application, WO2016 / 055495, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The applicant's second PCT application, PCT / EP2018 / 061554, filed on April 5, 2018, is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The applicant's own earlier patent application discloses a handheld ice-making device with a lid and a tray, wherein the tray remains attached to the lid during normal operation. However, the device specifically disclosed in the applicant's own earlier patent application is a handheld ice-making device that relies on a displacement mechanism comprising multiple moving mechanical parts. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, a first aspect of the present invention is to provide an ice-making apparatus having a novel displacement mechanism, which has advantages over the prior art.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is to provide an ice-making apparatus having a simpler displacement mechanism.

[0010] A third aspect of the invention is to provide an ice-making apparatus that includes fewer moving mechanical parts and is cheaper to manufacture than prior art devices.

[0011] This aspect is provided by the ice-making apparatus mentioned in the introduction, characterized in that the shifting mechanism includes a first bistable element disposed between a lid and a tray, the first bistable element having a first stable state when the tray and lid are in the closed position; and a second stable state when the tray and lid are in the open position. In this way, a very simple mechanism is provided, which is inexpensive to manufacture, very robust, and easy for the user to understand and operate. Bistable elements are also known in other applications, such as collapsible plastic bathtubs, collapsible plastic cups, eyeglass cases, etc.

[0012] It is assumed that the term bistable element is clear to those skilled in the art. However, for clarity, a bistable element can be defined as an element having two stable positions. When placed in a first stable position, the bistable element will remain in that position. The bistable element can then be deformed and placed in a second stable position. When the bistable element is in the second stable position, it will remain in that position. Figure 22-24 Some very illustrative examples of bistable elements have been disclosed. It should be noted that in many cases, the bistable behavior of a bistable element is due to the combination of the bistable element itself and its connection to other components. Regarding... Figure 22-24 This will be described in more detail.

[0013] In one embodiment, the tray includes at least two, at least three, or at least four ice compartments. In one embodiment, in the closed position, a lid is placed adjacent to the tray to seal the contents of at least one ice compartment within it.

[0014] In one embodiment, in the open position, the shortest distance between the inner surfaces of the lid and the tray along a vector perpendicular to the plane of the lid is greater than the maximum distance between the inner surfaces of the lid and the tray along a vector perpendicular to the plane of the lid in the closed position. In this way, when the ice-making device is opened, the ice formed in the ice-making compartment can leave the compartment and slide out of the ice-making device between the lid and the tray.

[0015] In one embodiment, the vector difference D between vector A, which connects the centroids of the lid and the tray in the closed position, and vector B, which connects the centroids of the lid and the tray in the open position, includes a principal component perpendicular to the plane of the lid. In one embodiment, the length of vector D is greater than 15 mm, greater than 20 mm, greater than 25 mm, or greater than 30 mm. In one embodiment, the length of the vector is greater than the longest dimension of the plane of the lid perpendicular to the inner surface of the lid and the inner surface of the tray in the closed position. In one embodiment, the length of vector D is less than 60 mm, less than 50 mm, or less than 45 mm.

[0016] In one embodiment, the vector connecting the center of mass of the lid between the open and closed positions includes a principal component perpendicular to the plane of the lid. In one embodiment, the length of the vector is greater than 10 mm, greater than 15 mm, greater than 20 mm, or greater than 25 mm. In one embodiment, the vector connecting the center of mass of the tray between the open and closed positions includes a principal component perpendicular to the plane of the lid. In one embodiment, the length of the vector is greater than 10 mm, greater than 15 mm, greater than 20 mm, or greater than 25 mm.

[0017] In one embodiment, the shifting mechanism further includes a second bistable element disposed between the lid and the tray, the second bistable element having a first stable state when the tray and the lid are in the closed position; and the second bistable element having a second stable state when the tray and the lid are in the open position. In one embodiment, the first and second bistable elements are disposed in series between the lid and the tray.

[0018] In one embodiment, the shifting mechanism further includes a frame element. The frame element is arranged to extend around the periphery of the tray and the lid. The first bistable element is arranged between the frame element and the tray. The second bistable element is arranged between the frame element and the lid. Thus, the frame element can provide a rigid central structure. The bistable elements can be connected to this central structure. This also provides a good visual impression through the frame element arranged around the lid and the tray. The frame element also provides a good location for a resealable opening through which liquid water can be poured into the ice-making apparatus and through which frozen ice can be shaken out of the apparatus. In one embodiment, the frame element has a plane of symmetry. In another embodiment, the frame element has a plane of symmetry. The first bistable element is arranged on a first side of the plane of symmetry. The second bistable element is arranged on a second side of the plane of symmetry.

[0019] In one embodiment, the frame element is stiffer than the bistable element. In one embodiment, the stiffness of the frame element is at least twice that of the bistable element. In one embodiment, the Shore hardness of the frame element material is at least twice the Shore stiffness of the bistable element material.

[0020] In one embodiment, the frame element and the bistable element are injected together as two steps in an injection molding operation. In one embodiment, the bistable element is formed by an overmolding process, wherein the bistable element is molded in a first mold, and then the bistable element is inserted into a second mold before the material of the frame element is injected into the second mold. In another embodiment, the frame element is injection molded in a first step, and the bistable element is overmolded onto the frame element in a second step. In one embodiment, the frame element is injection molded in a first mold and then transferred to a second mold. In this second mold, the bistable element is overmolded onto the frame element. In one embodiment, a tray and / or lid are injection molded in a first step, and then the bistable element is overmolded onto the tray and / or lid.

[0021] In one embodiment, the first and / or second bistable element extends around the entire periphery of the lid. If the bistable element is formed as a closing element, a seal can be formed between the lid and the tray in both the open and closed positions.

[0022] However, in another embodiment, the first and / or second bistable elements extend around less than 75%, less than 50%, or less than 25% of the periphery of the lid. In one embodiment, the ice-making apparatus may include separate bistable elements arranged on either side of the central axis of the lid. In one embodiment, the ice-making apparatus includes four bistable elements, with two bistable elements arranged on either side of the horizontal central axis of the lid and two other bistable elements arranged on either side of the vertical central axis of the lid. In one embodiment, the area between the bistable elements is filled with a flexible sealing member. The hardness of the flexible sealing member is less than the hardness of the bistable elements. In one embodiment, the hardness of the bistable element at the corner of the tray is less than the hardness of the bistable element on the side of the tray. In one embodiment, the thickness of the bistable element at the corner of the tray is less than the thickness of the bistable element on the side of the tray.

[0023] To facilitate cleaning, in one embodiment, the first and / or second bistable element is provided with a detachable connection. This detachable connection allows the bistable element to be detachably connected to a lid and / or container and / or frame element. In one embodiment, a connection channel is formed on the edge of the bistable element. The connection channel is shaped to engage the side edges of adjacent elements. In one embodiment, the adjacent elements are a tray, lid, or frame element.

[0024] In one embodiment, the first and / or second bistable element is arranged as a sealing element to seal the gap between the lid and the tray in both the open and closed positions. In one embodiment, both the lid and the tray have outer peripheral edges. The lid and the tray are spaced apart from each other in the open and / or closed positions to create a gap or space between the lid and the tray.

[0025] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the bistable element can also be connected to other elements that help seal the gap between the lid and the tray. In one embodiment, the sealing element is in the form of a flexible strip connecting the lid and the tray. In one embodiment, the bistable element is a bistable elastic element. In one embodiment, the bistable element is a flexible element connected to the lid and / or tray via a hinge element. In one embodiment, the hinge element is a foil hinge element. In one embodiment, the sealing element is made of silicone, rubber, TPE, or another flexible and / or elastic material.

[0026] In one embodiment, the lid is also formed as an ice cube tray. Both the lid and the tray have at least one ice cube compartment. In the closed position, the lid and the tray are pressed together to define at least one common ice cube compartment. In a second position, the lid and the tray are separated to allow ice cubes formed in the at least one common ice cube compartment to pass between the lid and the tray. In this way, symmetrical ice cubes can be formed, and a symmetrical appearance can be provided for the ice cube making apparatus. In one embodiment, the lid and the tray are formed identically. Thus, the lid and the tray can be manufactured using the same tools.

[0027] In one embodiment, in the closed position, the ice compartment formed in the lid is arranged opposite to the ice compartment formed in the tray. In one embodiment, the ice compartment in the lid is a mirror image of the ice compartment in the tray. In one embodiment, the portion of the lid defining at least one ice compartment is formed as a mirror image of the portion of the tray defining at least one ice compartment. In one embodiment, when in the closed position, the ice compartments in the tray and the ice compartment in the lid form a shared ice compartment.

[0028] In one embodiment, a first bistable element is attached to a cover via a permanent connection along one side edge of the bistable element, and a second bistable element is attached to a tray via a permanent connection along one side edge of the bistable element. The first bistable element has a releasable connecting element formed along a second side edge of the bistable element. The releasable connecting element is arranged to be detachably connected to one side edge of a frame element. The second bistable element has a releasable connecting element formed along a side edge of the second bistable element. This releasable connecting element is arranged to be detachably connected to the second side edge of a frame element. In one embodiment, the bistable elements are co-injected with the cover and / or tray. In one embodiment, the bistable elements are overmolded onto a portion of the cover and / or tray.

[0029] In one embodiment, the cover and the first bistable element are formed identically to the tray and the second bistable element. Thus, the cover + first bistable element and the tray + second bistable element can be manufactured using the same tools. The cover + first bistable element and the tray + second bistable element can then be attached to the two opposite side edges of the frame element and / or to themselves.

[0030] In one embodiment, the lid and tray have complementary guiding means to ensure that the lid is correctly oriented relative to the tray in the closed position. In one embodiment, the complementary guiding means includes a protrusion disposed on the tray or lid, extending toward the lid or tray, respectively; and a corresponding recess disposed on the lid or tray, the protrusion being arranged to engage with the recess when moved from the open position to the closed position. In one embodiment, the protrusion and / or the recess is tapered.

[0031] In one embodiment, the ice-making apparatus includes at least two ice compartments, and the lid and tray of the ice-making apparatus are arranged such that each of the at least two ice compartments is individually sealed in the closed position of the apparatus.

[0032] In one such embodiment, the lid and tray are arranged such that, in the closed position of the device, a gap exists between the tray and the lid at the boundary between at least two adjacent ice compartments to allow the contents of the ice-making device to move between the at least two ice compartments. In one embodiment, the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the gap in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the lid is less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, or less than 5% of the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the ice compartment along the plane perpendicular to the plane of the lid.

[0033] In one embodiment, the ice-making apparatus further includes a handle portion attached to a lid or tray. The handle portion is arranged to allow a user to apply a force to pull the lid off the tray. In one embodiment, the handle portion includes at least two attachment points to the lid or tray. The two attachment points are offset from each other along vectors parallel to the plane of the lid. In one embodiment, the lid has a length and a width. The length is greater than the width. The vector connecting the attachment points has a principal component arranged parallel to the length. In one embodiment, the length of the vector connecting the attachment points is greater than 50% of the length of the lid. In one embodiment, a second handle portion is attached to the tray or lid respectively. In one embodiment, the side edges of the tray and / or lid form finger-accessible edges, thereby allowing the lid and / or tray to be pulled away from the tray and / or lid.

[0034] The foregoing discussion has disclosed several embodiments relating to the first invention. However, this specification further includes additional inventions that may form the basis of one or more divisional applications. Text suitable for drafting claims for these additional inventions is provided below. For the sake of brevity, it should be mentioned that many features described with respect to the foregoing embodiments can also be combined with the inventions described below. We maintain that those skilled in the art will be able to make combinations based on the combination teachings of this specification.

[0035] The second invention relates to an ice-making apparatus comprising a tray and a lid. The tray is formed as an ice-making tray having at least one ice-making compartment. The ice-making apparatus has a closed position. In the closed position, the lid is connected to the tray along a sealing interface. This sealing interface seals the peripheral contact area between the ice-making tray and the lid. The sealing interface is arranged such that the hardness of the sealing interface is lower than the hardness of the lid and the tray.

[0036] In existing types of ice trays with lids, the lid is typically attached to the tray via a rigid connection. For example, a rubber lid may have a connecting channel arranged along its periphery. During the installation of the lid onto the tray, this connecting channel is pressed into a press-fit arrangement with the edge of the tray. The tray is typically rigid, and the connecting channel is usually thicker than the lid material, resulting in a fairly rigid interface between the lid and the tray. During the freezing of water stored in the tray, the central portion of the lid will slowly bend outwards due to the expansion of the ice. Typically, this will create a significant growth in the central portion of the tray. This forms a thick ice bridge, causing problems when removing the ice from the tray.

[0037] The second invention involves a rigid tray and lid, with a less rigid section between them. When the ice expands, the entire lid will move away from the tray in a uniform manner due to the deformation of the sealing interface, rather than the lid or tray itself. This creates ice bridges of more uniform thickness between adjacent ice cubes. This makes it easier to break these ice bridges and remove ice cubes from the ice tray.

[0038] The third invention relates to an ice-making apparatus, comprising: a tray formed as an ice-filled tray having at least one ice-filled compartment; a lid adapted to be mounted on the tray to seal the contents of at least one ice-filled compartment within the at least one ice-filled compartment; and a displacement mechanism connecting the tray and the lid and having two positions: a closed position in which the lid is held adjacent to the tray; and an open position in which the lid is held separated from the tray, such that ice formed in the tray can leave the tray, characterized in that the ice-making apparatus includes a resealable opening having a minimum area greater than the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the ice-filled compartment along a plane perpendicular to the lid when the displacement mechanism is in its closed position, such that ice released from the ice-filled compartment can leave through the resealable opening.

[0039] In one embodiment, in the closed position of the displacement mechanism, the dimension of the plane perpendicular to the lid from the outer surface of the lid to the outer surface of the tray is smaller than the dimension of the open area of ​​the resealable opening along a vector perpendicular to the plane of the lid. Thus, the device can have a reduced cross-sectional thickness without losing its ability to allow ice to exit the device in the open position.

[0040] In one embodiment, in the closed position of the shifting mechanism, the outer surface of the tray is formed to be complementary to the outer surface of the lid. This allows the devices to be easily stacked on top of each other.

[0041] In one embodiment, the resealable opening is arranged along one side of the lid and has a cross-sectional area disposed on a plane forming an angle greater than 60 degrees, preferably 90 degrees, with respect to the plane of the lid. In one embodiment, the resealable opening is disposed in a frame element. The frame element is disposed between the lid and the tray. In one embodiment, the resealable opening is arranged to surround the lid and the tray. In one embodiment, the frame element is arranged to surround the periphery of the lid and the tray. In one embodiment, the periphery of the frame element is arranged to be complementary to the periphery of the lid and / or the tray.

[0042] In one embodiment, the resealable opening is circular, and its diameter is greater than the maximum distance from the inner surface of the tray to the inner surface of the lid along a vector perpendicular to the plane of the lid in the closed position of the shifting mechanism. In another embodiment, the diameter of the resealable opening is less than or equal to the minimum distance from the inner surface of the tray to the inner surface of the lid along a vector perpendicular to the plane of the lid in the open position of the shifting mechanism.

[0043] The fourth invention relates to an ice-making apparatus, comprising: a tray formed as an ice-block tray having at least one ice-block compartment; a lid adapted to be mounted on the tray to seal the contents of at least one ice-block compartment within the at least one ice-block compartment; and a displacement mechanism connecting the tray and the lid and having two positions: a closed position in which the lid is held adjacent to the tray, and an open position in which the lid is held separate from the tray, such that ice blocks formed in the tray can leave the tray, characterized in that the lid is formed to include at least one ice-block compartment complementary to at least one ice-block compartment of the tray.

[0044] The fifth invention relates to an ice-making apparatus, comprising: a tray formed as an ice-making tray having at least one ice-making compartment; a lid adapted to be mounted on the tray to seal the contents of at least one ice-making compartment within the at least one ice-making compartment; and a displacement mechanism connecting the tray and the lid and having two positions: a closed position in which the lid is held adjacent to the tray, and an open position in which the lid is held separate from the tray, such that ice formed in the tray can leave the tray, characterized in that the ice-making apparatus further comprises a flexible sealing element that seals a gap between the lid and the tray in the open and closed positions, and further comprises a resealable opening to allow ice formed in the ice-making apparatus to leave the ice-making apparatus via the resealable opening.

[0045] In this instruction manual, the lid is secured in the appropriate position in both the open and closed positions. According to this instruction manual, it should be understood that the device itself holds the lid in the designated position. The user does not need to manually hold the lid in the designated position.

[0046] It should be noted that in some claims and in sections of the specification describing two or more ice compartments, the phrase "separately sealed" is used to describe the sealing method of the ice compartments. According to this specification, this should be understood as meaning that one ice compartment should be individually sealed relative to adjacent ice compartments. Therefore, the lid should seal on the divider between adjacent ice compartments. However, it should be noted that air / water passages located in the divider should be allowed to permit water flow between adjacent ice compartments. A limitation is that when the ice tray is sealed with the lid, the ice tray can be placed anywhere in the refrigerator, and sufficient ice will not form in the area between adjacent ice blocks, making it difficult to separate adjacent ice blocks in a controlled manner within the device.

[0047] While those skilled in the art should understand this definition, some more precise definitions are provided here for use if needed. One definition is that the total cross-sectional area of ​​the air / water channels in the separator should be less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, or less than 5% of the total surface area of ​​the separator containing the air / water channels in the ice cell. Furthermore, it should be noted that in some cases, a single large channel is formed in the separator between adjacent ice cells, while in other cases, two or more separate air or water channels may be arranged in the separator between adjacent ice cells.

[0048] It should be emphasized that when the terms "comprises," "comprising," or "comprised of" are used in this specification, they are used to specify the presence of the said feature, integer, step, or component, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

[0049] It should also be noted that where the claims and / or specification involve orientation, such as vertical or horizontal, the correct orientation should be used. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The orientation of the device shown is used to understand its meaning. Attached Figure Description

[0050] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be emphasized that the embodiments shown are for illustrative purposes only and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention.

[0051] Figure 1 A perspective view of a first embodiment of the ice-making apparatus according to the present invention in the closed position is shown.

[0052] Figure 2 It is shown in the open position. Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of an ice-making device.

[0053] Figure 3 , 5 7 and 9 indicate the closed position. Figure 1 The ice-making apparatus is shown in the front, top, bottom, and side views. It should be noted that the front and rear views are identical, and the left and right views are identical; therefore, only the front view and one side view are shown here.

[0054] Figure 4 , 6 8 and 10 indicate the open position. Figure 1 The ice-making apparatus is shown in the front, top, bottom, and side views. It should be noted that the front and rear views are identical, and the left and right views are identical; therefore, only the front view and one side view are shown here.

[0055] Figure 11 The closed position is shown. Figure 1 The cross-section of the ice-making device.

[0056] Figure 12 It is shown in the open position. Figure 1 The cross-section of the ice-making device. Figure 12 A cross-section of the ice block is also shown.

[0057] Figure 13 The closed position is shown. Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of an ice-making apparatus.

[0058] Figure 14 As shown Figure 1 The diagram shows a three-dimensional representation of four ice-making devices stacked on top of each other.

[0059] Figure 15 As shown Figure 14 A side view of the stack of four ice-making devices shown.

[0060] Figure 16 A front view of a second embodiment of the ice-making apparatus according to the present invention is shown in a very schematic manner.

[0061] Figure 17 It is shown in the open position. Figure 16 A side view of a second embodiment of the ice-making apparatus shown.

[0062] Figure 18 The closed position is shown. Figure 16 A side view of a second embodiment of the ice-making apparatus shown.

[0063] Figure 19 A front view of a third embodiment of the ice-making apparatus according to the present invention is shown in a very schematic manner.

[0064] Figure 20 A very schematic cross-sectional side view of another example of an ice-making device in the open position is shown.

[0065] Figure 21 The closed position is shown. Figure 20 An ice-making device.

[0066] Figure 22 A schematic example of a first example of a shift mechanism including a bistable element is shown.

[0067] Figure 23 A schematic example of a second example of a shift mechanism including a bistable element is shown.

[0068] Figure 24 A schematic example of a third example of a shift mechanism including a bistable element is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0069] Figure 1-15 The ice-making apparatus 1 shown is a first embodiment of the ice-making apparatus according to the present invention. It should be noted that the apparatus shown in the figure is an early prototype and modifications are expected in the final apparatus to be manufactured.

[0070] Device 1 includes a first ice tray 2 (in) Figure 1 + 2 (hidden) and the second ice tray 4. Each ice tray forms multiple ice compartments 3a, 3b, 3c, 5a, 5b, 5c separated by horizontal and vertical partition walls 7, 9. Figure 1-15 In the example embodiment 1 shown, each ice tray has 18 ice compartments 3 and 5.

[0071] The two ice trays are mirror images of each other, and when the two trays 2 and 4 are pressed together, they form multiple common ice compartments 3a + 5a, 3b + 5b, and 3c + 5c. Figure 1-15 In the example embodiment, there are a total of 18 common ice cellars, which means that 18 ice blocks are formed. It can be seen that... Figures 1 to 15 The actual ice blocks 13 formed by the device shown are formed in a common ice block compartment between two trays. Thus, each ice block compartment of each tray forms half of the ice blocks 13 of the device.

[0072] In the terminology of the claims in this specification, for the purpose of achieving a broader scope of protection, one tray is considered to be a lid and the other tray is considered to be a pallet. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a construction with a single ice tray and a simple lid can be imagined, wherein the lid is formed as a substantially planar element and the ice compartments are arranged only in the tray.

[0073] The device also includes a frame element 6 and two bistable elements 8 and 10. Regarding the claims, the combination of the frame element and the two bistable elements can be considered a displacement mechanism. In this embodiment, two bistable elements work together. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that in another embodiment (not shown), a device can be envisioned having a single tray, a simple lid, and a single bistable element arranged between the lid and the tray to form a displacement mechanism.

[0074] An opening 12 is formed at one end of the frame element 6. The opening 12 can be closed by a closing element 14. The frame element is formed asymmetrically about its horizontal axis, such that the upper part including the opening is much wider than the bottom. In this way, the overall volume closed by the device in the closed position is reduced, while still allowing a considerable amount of ice to leave the device in the open position.

[0075] The device also includes two handle elements 16 and 18. The first handle element 16 is connected to the first tray 2. The second handle element is connected to the second tray 4. In this embodiment, the handle portion is connected to either side of the tray along its shorter length. However, in another embodiment (not shown), the handle portion may be connected along the longer length of the tray. For example, when viewing… Figure 1 and 2 The handle element can be attached to the middle column of the ice cube tray and connected to the second column from the top and bottom. This makes it easier to pull out the top and bottom of the tray during freezing. The placement of the handle portion can be optimized based on the design of the bistable element. For example, if the bistable element is stiffest along the vertical side of the device, then placing the handle as shown in the figure might be a good solution. However, if the bistable element is uniform across the entire periphery, then the vertical placement as described above would be more advantageous. It is also clear that the stiffness of the bistable element around the periphery can be adjusted to ensure it works well with the handle placement.

[0076] By Figure 1 , 3 5, 7, 9, 11 and their corresponding Figure 2 , 4 Comparing 6, 8, 10, and 12, it can be seen that the device has two positions, such as... Figure 1 , 3 The closing positions shown in 5, 7, 9, and 11 and as follows Figure 2 , 4 The open positions are shown in figures 6, 8, 10, and 12. In the closed position, the two trays are pressed together to form separate ice compartments 3a + 5a, 3b + 5b, and 3c + 5c between the two trays. In the open position, the two trays are pulled apart to allow ice cubes 13 formed in the ice compartments to fall out of the trays. Figure 11 and12 As can be clearly seen, in the open position, the minimum distance D1 between the two trays is greater than the maximum size D2 of the ice cubes. This ensures that when the trays are pulled open, ice cubes 13 with a maximum size of D2 can easily pass between the two trays so that they can fall out of the opening when the device is opened and shaken. In another embodiment (not shown), the size D1 can be made slightly larger than the size D3 along a vector perpendicular to the plane of the first tray 2 from the inner surface of the first tray 2 to the inner surface of the second tray 4. In this case, if the ice cubes rotate slightly in the device during exit, they will be bound together, but eventually, and after sufficient shaking, the ice cubes will come out. The optimal expansion between the open and closed positions will be a trade-off between allowing the ice cubes to fall out easily and minimizing their size as much as possible.

[0077] from Figure 11 As can be seen, in the closed position, there is a small gap 30 between the lid and the tray at the boundary 32 of the lid and the boundary 34 of the tray. This allows water and air to flow between the lid and the tray during filling, so as to disperse water or other liquids between the lid and the tray.

[0078] In this invention, the frame element 6 and trays 2 and 4 are all made of injection-molded plastic material (PP in one example), possessing a certain degree of rigidity to ensure the structural integrity of the device. However, the rigidity is also chosen to allow the average user to slightly twist the device. This allows ice bridges connecting adjacent ice blocks to break in a controlled manner and allows ice blocks to be released from the trays when it is necessary to remove ice blocks from the device. If the device is too rigid, it will be difficult to twist it. It is currently believed that a certain degree of flexibility needs to be incorporated into the design to allow the user to twist the device to release the ice blocks and break the ice bridges.

[0079] Bistable elements 8 and 10 are formed as TPE strips, connecting the tray to the frame elements. In this embodiment, the bistable elements are formed of TPE with a Shore hardness of 50. However, other Shore hardnesses are also conceivable. A softer Shore hardness can be used by making the bistable elements thicker. A harder Shore hardness can be used by making the bistable elements thinner. Different Shore hardnesses can be used by optimizing the cross-sectional thickness and shape of the bistable elements at different locations around the periphery.

[0080] A releasable connection portion 20, 22 is formed along one edge of the bistable element to allow the bistable elements 8, 10 to be releasably connected to the side edges 21, 23 of the frame element 6. In this embodiment, the bistable element is permanently connected to the periphery of the tray. In this example, the bistable element is overmolded onto the tray in a two-stage molding operation. In the first molding operation, the tray is injection molded, then the tray is inserted into a second mold, and then the material of the bistable element is injected into the second mold such that the material of the bistable element is overmolded onto the material of the tray. However, other forms of manufacturing techniques may also be used.

[0081] In one embodiment, the connecting portion can also be injection molded from a harder plastic material such as PP. In this case, the connecting portion and the tray can be injection molded in a first operation, then inserted into a mold, and then the bistable element can be overmolded onto the connecting portion and the tray.

[0082] The fact that the tray can be removed from the frame element makes the device easy to open and clean. However, it is also conceivable that a lower-cost embodiment could be manufactured in which the bistable element, ice tray, and frame element are all permanently connected. In this case, cleaning the interior of the device would be more difficult, but the price and complexity would be reduced. Therefore, this could allow for the manufacture of disposable devices that can be used a certain number of times and then discarded. In one embodiment, the different elements can be permanently glued together. For example, the bistable element can be glued to the frame element. The detachable gripping portion, as shown, must have sufficient strength and design. The gripping portion must be strong enough to hold the device together during normal use while still allowing for easy disassembly. This could increase material costs and manufacturing complexity. Gluing the elements together might be a simpler manufacturing operation. In another example, the frame element could be designed as two separate elements that are glued together after molding.

[0083] from Figure 14 and Figure 15 As can be seen, the devices are arranged to allow them to be stacked on top of each other. This is useful when stored in a refrigerator. To reduce the stacking height, the devices are formed with an opening on one side. This opening is larger than the thickness of the device when it is in the closed position. In this way, the stacking height is kept to a minimum while still allowing larger ice cubes to fall out through the opening. Due to the asymmetrical arrangement of the openings, these devices are stacked in alternating directions. Furthermore, from Figure 14 and 15 It can be seen that the outer surfaces of ice trays 2 and 4 are formed to complement each other in the closed position of the device to allow for effective stacking.

[0084] exist Figure 1-15In the illustrated embodiment, the outer surface of the ice cube tray is shaped to visually represent the shape of the ice cubes. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the outer surface can be formed in many different ways. In one embodiment, the outer surface is filled to make it flat. In this case, the device will have flat sides, which will be visually appealing. In one embodiment, a flat plate is mounted on the outer surface of the ice cube tray and is shaped to complement the outer surface of the gripping elements 20, 22. In this way, the flat plate forms the form of a covering element that covers the tray. The flat plate may be provided with finger openings to allow the tray to be pulled open.

[0085] Figures 16 to 18 Some different schematic diagrams of a second embodiment of an ice-making apparatus according to some aspects of the present invention are shown. In this embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes a first tray 102 and a second tray 104 formed as a mirror image of the first tray. Figure 16 and Figure 17 As shown, the two trays in the open position of the device are separated from each other by two bistable elements 106 mounted on the top and bottom of the trays and two bistable elements 108 mounted on the sides of the trays. In this example, the bistable elements do not extend all the way around the periphery of the device, but are only arranged on the top, bottom, and sides of the device. The frame element 110 again extends all the way around the periphery of the device, thereby providing rigidity to the structure and support for the bistable elements. As in the previous embodiments, openings are formed in the edge portions to allow ice to leave the device. In the terminology of the claims, the frame element with bistable elements can be considered as a displacement mechanism. The bistable elements again include bistable strips 112, 114. In this example, because the bistable strips do not extend all the way around the periphery, the device can be assembled instead of injecting or molding the different components together directly. For example, grooves can be formed on the edges of the trays. The edges of the bistable elements can be inserted into these grooves.

[0086] In this example, because the bistable element does not extend around the entire periphery of the device, the device is not completely sealed in either the closed or open position. In another embodiment, not shown, a separate container can be arranged around the entire structure. For example, a structure similar to an elastic bag can be provided. This structure seals the contents of the device inside a plastic bag. The plastic bag can be arranged as an elastic material. When closed, the elastic material presses firmly against the device, and when opened, the elastic material expands.

[0087] To ensure the two trays are properly joined together, in the closed position, the two trays are provided with guides in the form of a tapered protrusion 116 on one tray and a tapered recess 118 on the other tray. When the trays are pressed together, the protrusion engages with the recess and ensures proper alignment. This is merely one simple embodiment of the guide, and those skilled in the art will conceive of other options. For example, an arrangement of pins and slots may be provided.

[0088] In the embodiment disclosed above, the openings for the filling and emptying devices are located within the frame element of the device. This is a good location for filling and emptying. However, by placing them at the ends, the thickness of the ends needs to be increased to allow ice to leave the device. This makes an asymmetrical construction necessary, otherwise resulting in wasted space. Another option is to form a small filling opening at the top of the frame element and an emptying opening on the body of the tray. In this case, one of the ice compartments in one of the trays can be replaced with a resealable opening.

[0089] exist Figure 19 The present invention discloses a third embodiment 200 of an ice-making apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a flexible plastic strip element 202 formed as a bistable element is arranged around the entire periphery of the lid and the tray, as shown in the figure. Figure 1-15 The implementation is the same. Furthermore, as... Figure 1-15 As shown, the device 200 also includes a frame element 204. In this way, the gap between the cover 206 and the tray is completely sealed by the bistable element 202 and the frame element 204. Instead of having a uniform thickness, the strip 202 is arranged with varying thicknesses along the periphery of the cover 206. In the portion marked 208, the strip is thicker than in the portion marked 210. Thus, the thicker portion 208 is more rigid and less prone to deformation compared to the thinner portion 210. The thicker portion 208 will provide a stronger bistable effect, while the thinner portion 210 will provide less of a bistable effect, while still providing a sealing effect. In particular, by reducing the stiffness at the corners, the movement of the tray can be achieved.

[0090] exist Figure 20 and 21 The specification shows a fourth example 300 of an ice-making apparatus. This example is not covered by claims 1-10 of this invention, but is an example of one of the other inventions disclosed in this specification. In this case, no bistable element holds the two trays 302, 304 apart from each other in the open or closed position. Instead, a linkage mechanism 306 is used in the closed position ( Figure 21 Keep the trays together while in the open position ( Figure 20 This causes the pallets to move away from each other. The linkage mechanism 306 is shown very schematically, however, those skilled in the art can still provide a working mechanism.

[0091] A resilient sealing element 308 is disposed between the two trays. In the open position, the resilient sealing element is stretched, while in the closed position, it is pulled together and is relaxed. Depending on the material used for the sealing element, it is conceivable that the sealing element is slightly stretched in the closed position and more stretched in the open position. This will provide a more uniform appearance.

[0092] In this embodiment 300, instead of... Figure 1-15 In the embodiment, bistable elements are used as the displacement and sealing mechanisms, and in this embodiment, the sealing effect and the displacement effect are separated into two separate elements, namely the sealing element 308 and the displacement mechanism 306.

[0093] Figure 22 Example 400 of a shift mechanism including a bistable element is shown. This example is similar to... Figure 1-15 The bistable element is constructed as follows: The mechanism includes a portion of a frame element 402, a portion of a tray 404, and a bistable element 406. The bistable element is in the form of a flexible plastic strip. The flexible plastic strip is connected to the frame element and the tray via a hinge element 408. When the tray is in the upper position, the bistable element is stable, and the tray is held in that position. As shown in the middle position, when the tray is pushed down, the bistable element deforms, requiring force to push it into that position. When the bistable element is released, it will attempt to move to the stable position. If the tray is pushed down far enough, the bistable element will attempt to enter the lower position. If the tray is not pushed down far enough, the bistable element will attempt to enter the upper position. In either case, when the tray is in the upper or lower position, it stably holds its position, and force is required to move it away from its position.

[0094] It can be noted that, Figure 22 In the example, the tray is constrained to move up and down, rather than left and right. This is an important feature for some bistable elements. Figure 22 In the example, if the tray can move freely to the side, the bistable effect will not occur. Therefore, in some types of bistable mechanisms, similar to Figure 22 (as well as Figure 23 and Figure 24 One approach is to constrain the lateral movement of the tray. One method is to arrange the bistable element around the entire perimeter of the tray and lid. Another method is to have some form of guide mechanism that controls the movement of the tray relative to each other. Yet another method is to arrange the bistable element on the side of the tray and then arrange hinge members at the top and bottom of the tray to prevent lateral movement.

[0095] Figure 23Another illustrative example is shown where the bistable element itself is formed with a flexible end or as a uniformly curved structure, rather than two hinges. This curved structure deforms when moving from the upper position to the lower position.

[0096] Figure 24 Another illustrative example is shown where the bistable element is in the form of a spring, rather than a bendable element. The spring is compressed during movement from the upper position to the lower position.

[0097] Other forms of bistable elements can also be imagined.

[0098] exist Figure 22-24 In this configuration, the tray's upward and downward movement around the connection point with the frame element is the same. However, in other cases, the bistable element can be arranged to allow the tray to move more upward than downward. In other cases, the ice-making device can be arranged such that when the device is in the closed position, the lid and tray are abutted against each other without allowing the bistable element to reach its stable position completely. In this case, the bistable element can provide a force that presses the lid and tray together. This can be used to increase the sealing capability of the interface between the lid and tray.

[0099] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the above description have shown exemplary embodiments in a simple and illustrative manner. Since those skilled in the art should be familiar with these details, many specific mechanical details are not shown, and such details would only unnecessarily complicate the description. For example, since those skilled in the art will be able to find suitable materials and processes for manufacturing the container according to the invention, specific materials and specific manufacturing techniques are not described in detail.

Claims

1. An ice-making apparatus (1), comprising: a. A first tray, said tray being formed as an ice tray having at least two ice compartments (5), b. The second tray, which is also formed as an ice tray with at least two ice compartments (3), c. A shifting mechanism (6, 8, 10), which connects the first tray and the second tray and has two positions: i. Closed position, wherein the first tray and the second tray are pressed together to define at least two common ice compartments (3,5), and ii. Open position, wherein the second tray is held in a position separate from the first tray, such that ice blocks (13) formed in the two common ice compartments can leave at least the common ice compartment; d. Among them, The shifting mechanism includes a first bistable element (8) disposed between the first tray and the second tray. When the first tray and the second tray are in the closed position, the first bistable element has a first stable state; when the first tray and the second tray are in the open position, the first bistable element has a second stable state. e. The shifting mechanism further includes a second bistable element (10) disposed between the first tray and the second tray, wherein the second bistable element has a first stable state when the first and second trays are in the closed position; and the second bistable element has a second stable state when the first and second trays are in the open position. f. The shifting mechanism further includes a frame element (6) arranged to extend around the periphery of the first tray and the second tray, the first bistable element (8) being arranged between the frame element (6) and the second tray, and the second bistable element (10) being arranged between the frame element (6) and the first tray.

2. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vector difference D between the vector A connecting the centroids of the first tray and the second tray in the closed position and the vector B connecting the centroids of the first tray and the second tray in the open position includes the principal component of the plane perpendicular to the second tray.

3. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first and second bistable elements (8, 10) are connected in series between the first tray and the second tray.

4. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame element (6) is arranged between the first tray and the second tray.

5. The ice-making apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first and / or second bistable element extends around the entire periphery of the first and second trays.

6. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The outer edges of the first tray and the second tray are spaced apart from each other in the open position to form a space between the first and second trays, and the first and / or second bistable elements (8, 10) are arranged to help seal the space between the first and second trays in both the open and closed positions.

7. The ice-making apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first and second trays are provided with complementary guiding devices to ensure that the second tray is correctly oriented relative to the first tray in the closed position.

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