Ice making box with contactless ice release

Abstract

The application provides a contact-free ice releasing ice making box, which comprises a box body and an ice making mold arranged in the box body. The box body comprises a box bottom and a box cover with an ice outlet. The ice making mold is connected with the box bottom through a connecting part which is continuously arranged in the circumferential direction and can be elastically deformed. The ice making mold comprises a first area which is kept suspended relative to the box cover and a pair of second areas which are diagonally distributed. The box cover has a support member which acts on the second areas during ice releasing. Alternatively, the box bottom has a connecting member which connects the second areas. During ice releasing operation, the box body is inverted, and then force is applied to the ice making mold to make it deform and release ice. The ice blocks are temporarily stored in the box cover. During ice taking operation, the user can take out the ice blocks through the ice outlet according to needs. The whole process does not need to open the box cover and does not contact the ice making mold, so that the ice taking operation is sanitary and simple.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of ice-making devices, and in particular to an ice-making box that does not require contact to remove ice. Background Technology

[0002] Existing ice makers include a lid, a bottom, and an ice tray. For example, patent document CN221570844U discloses an ice maker where, after ice is made, the lid is opened, the ice tray is manually flipped and placed upside down on the bottom of the box, and then a pusher on the lid deforms the ice tray to remove the ice. This type of structure requires contact with the ice tray during ice removal, resulting in a poor user experience. Furthermore, removing the ice tray after emptying the ice is cumbersome. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application provides a contactless ice-removing ice box, which allows for ice removal without contacting the ice mold, making it convenient to use.

[0004] A contactless ice-removing ice-making box includes a box body and an ice-making mold placed inside the box body. The box body includes a bottom and a lid with an ice outlet. The ice-making box has an ice-making state where the bottom is below the lid and an ice-removing state where the bottom is above the lid. The ice-making mold has multiple cavities with openings facing the lid. The ice-making mold is connected to the bottom of the box through circumferentially continuous and elastically deformable connecting parts. The ice-making mold includes a first area that is suspended relative to the lid and a pair of diagonally distributed second areas. The lid has a support member that acts on the second areas during ice removal, or the bottom of the box has a connecting member that connects to the second areas.

[0005] Several alternative methods are provided below, but they are not intended as additional limitations on the overall solution above. They are merely further additions or optimizations. Provided there are no technical or logical contradictions, each alternative method can be combined individually with respect to the overall solution above, or multiple alternative methods can be combined with each other.

[0006] Optionally, the box bottom includes a first annular wall, the ice-making mold includes a frame, and the connecting portion is arranged between the first annular wall and the frame.

[0007] Optionally, the first annular wall, the connecting portion, and the frame are integrally formed.

[0008] Optionally, the box bottom includes a bottom wall arranged relative to the ice-making mold, the bottom wall being connected to the ice-making mold via the connector.

[0009] Optionally, the bottom wall has a pressing element that acts on the first area during de-icing.

[0010] Optionally, the pressing element is movably disposed on the bottom wall.

[0011] Optionally, the first zone is arranged in pairs and diagonally distributed, and the pressing elements are arranged in pairs accordingly.

[0012] Optionally, the first area is provided with a mold cavity, and de-icing is achieved by pressing the mold cavity.

[0013] Optionally, the first regions are arranged in pairs and diagonally distributed.

[0014] Optionally, the box bottom includes a separate first part and a second part, wherein the first part has the first annular wall, the second part has a second annular wall and a bottom wall, the first annular wall and the second annular wall are connected to each other, and the bottom wall is provided with a window to expose the mold cavity, and the remaining mold cavities are close to the bottom wall.

[0015] Optionally, the edge of the window extends inward to form a guide portion that mates with the gap in the mold cavity.

[0016] Optionally, the lid includes a third annular wall adapted to the first annular wall and a top wall, the top wall and the ice-making mold being arranged opposite to each other.

[0017] Optionally, the ice outlet is arranged on the third annular wall.

[0018] Optionally, the ice outlet is configured to protrude relative to the third annular wall.

[0019] Optionally, the lid is transparent and has a water level indicator.

[0020] The ice maker of this application, during the ice removal operation, inverts the box body and then applies force to the ice-making mold to deform and remove the ice. The ice is temporarily stored in the lid. When removing ice, the user can take out the ice through the ice outlet as needed. The whole process does not require opening the lid or touching the ice-making mold, making it hygienic and convenient to use. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a structural view of an ice-making box according to an embodiment of this application in the ice-making state;

[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A structural view of the box when the lid and bottom are separated;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a structural view of an ice-making container inverted according to an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a structural view of an ice-making box according to an embodiment of this application during the de-icing process;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a structural view of the bottom of an ice-making container according to an embodiment of this application, when the first and second parts are separated.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a front view of an ice-making container according to an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction;

[0028] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Enlarged view of section B in the middle;

[0029] Figure 9 for Figure 6 A partial half-section view of the ice box;

[0030] Figure 10 This is a front view of an ice-making container according to another embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 11 for Figure 10 Cross-sectional view along the BB direction;

[0032] Figure 12 for Figure 10 A partial half-section view of the ice box;

[0033] Figure 13 This is a structural view of an ice-making box according to another embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 14 for Figure 13 A structural view of the ice box from another perspective;

[0035] Figure 15 for Figure 13 Structural view of the ice box with the ice outlet open;

[0036] Figure 16 for Figure 13 Top view of the ice box;

[0037] Figure 17 for Figure 13 Exploded view of a Chinese-made ice box;

[0038] Figure 18 for Figure 13 Disassembled view of the middle box cover;

[0039] Figure 19 for Figure 16 A cross-sectional view along the DD direction;

[0040] Figure 20 for Figure 19 Enlarged view of section F in the middle;

[0041] Figure 21 for Figure 16 Partial sectional view along the EE direction.

[0042] The attached diagram is described below:

[0043] 10. Ice-making mold; 111. First zone; 112. Second zone; 113. Frame; 120. Mold cavity; 120a. Mold cavity; 121. Bottom wall of mold cavity; 122. Side wall of mold cavity; 123. Opening; 124. First connecting post; 125. Third connecting post; 126. Separator; 130. Connecting part;

[0044] 20. Box body; 200. Box bottom; 210. First annular wall; 211. Second annular wall; 212. Reduced diameter section; 220. Bottom wall; 221. Guide hole; 222. Second connecting post; 223. Fourth connecting post; 2231. Countersunk hole; 224. Window; 225. Guide part; 231. First part; 232. Second part;

[0045] 300. Box lid; 310. Ice outlet; 320. Third annular wall; 321. Orifice post; 330. Top wall; 340. Sealing component; 350. Support component;

[0046] 400, Pressing component; 500, Screw. Detailed Implementation

[0047] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0048] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or it can be connected to a component in between. When a component is said to be "set on" another component, it can be directly set on the other component or it may be set to a component in between.

[0049] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0050] In this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number or order of the indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0051] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 An ice maker is used to make ice cubes, jelly, and other foods that need to be frozen. It includes a box body 20 and an ice-making mold 10 placed inside the box body 20. The ice maker has two states: ice-making and ice-removing. Figure 1 As shown, in ice-making mode, the bottom of the container 200 is below the lid 300, and the ice mold 10 is placed upright, allowing water and other ingredients to solidify. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in the de-icing state, the bottom 200 of the ice container is above the lid 300, and the ice mold 10 is inverted, allowing the solid ice to be removed from the mold. In other words, when switching between the ice-making and de-icing states, the entire ice container needs to be rotated 180 degrees, and the ice mold 10 will also rotate accordingly.

[0052] like Figure 1 As shown, the bottom 200 of the box is open at the top and includes a first annular wall 210, which supports the ice-making mold 10, allowing it to maintain its corresponding posture during ice-making and ice-removal. See also Figure 5 and Figure 7 In one embodiment, the box bottom 200 includes two separate parts: the first part 231 has a first annular wall 210, and the second part 232 includes a bottom wall 220 and a second annular wall 211, with the first annular wall 210 and the second annular wall 211 joined together and kept flush.

[0053] The lid 300 is used to seal the bottom 200 of the box, including a third annular wall 320 and a top wall 330. When in use, the first annular wall 210 and the third annular wall 320 are joined together and the two are sealed to prevent liquid water from leaking out from the gaps.

[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, to maintain its sealing performance, a portion of the first annular wall 210 is partially reduced in diameter and extends into the third annular wall 320 to increase the contact area. Furthermore, the reduced diameter portion can be covered or made of an elastic material, which deforms when the first annular wall 210 and the third annular wall 320 engage, increasing both sealing performance and separation force. For aesthetic purposes, the remaining portion of the first annular wall 210 is flush with the outer surface of the third annular wall 320.

[0055] The bottom wall 220, the top wall 330, and the ice-making mold 10 are arranged in parallel so that the ice-making mold 10 can be placed horizontally in both the ice-making and ice-removing states.

[0056] The ice-making mold 10 includes a generally rectangular frame and multiple mold cavities 120 disposed within the frame 113. All mold cavities 120 are at the same height and arranged in a matrix. The openings of the mold cavities 120 face the lid 300 and are slightly lower than the frame 113 in the height direction, or they can be made to be approximately flush with the frame 113. The shape of the mold cavities 120 can be hemispherical, prism-shaped, trapezoidal, or other desired shapes.

[0057] In one embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, the mold cavity 120 is trapezoidal, with a bottom wall 121 and a side wall 122 connected to the bottom wall 121. Its opening 123 is provided opposite to the bottom wall 121. The tops of the side walls 122 of two adjacent mold cavities 120 are connected, and an isolation piece 126 is provided at the junction to prevent ice blocks from becoming connected.

[0058] See Figure 2 , Figure 7 A connecting part 130 is provided between the bottom of the box 200 and the ice mold 10. The connecting part 130 is continuously arranged in a circumferential direction, so that a closed accommodating space is formed between the ice mold 10 and the box cover 300 to prevent water leakage, and at the same time, ice can be temporarily stored in the space.

[0059] In one embodiment, the connecting portion 130 is connected between the first annular wall 210 and the frame 113. See also Figure 8 and Figure 20 The first annular wall 210 has a reduced diameter section 212, and the connecting part 130 is connected to the frame 113 on one side and to the reduced diameter section 212 on the other side.

[0060] The connecting portion 130 is made of an elastic material, allowing for elastic deformation and thus enabling partial or complete displacement of the ice-making mold relative to the box bottom 200. The connecting portion 130 is made of a different material than the ice-making mold 10 and the box bottom 200; the ice-making mold 10 and the box bottom 200 are made of a relatively hard plastic, while the connecting portion 130 is made of a relatively soft silicone or similar material. In one embodiment, the connecting portion 130, the ice-making mold 10, and the first annular wall 210 are molded using a two-color injection molding process.

[0061] The ice-making mold 10 has a first region 111 that remains suspended relative to the lid 300. In one embodiment, the first regions 111 are arranged in pairs and are diagonally distributed. The ice-making mold 10 has two second regions 112 that are diagonally distributed. The second regions 112 are different from the first regions 111 and are spaced at a certain angle in the circumferential direction.

[0062] In one embodiment, the second zone 112 is connected to the bottom of the box 200 via a connector, such as... Figure 7 and Figure 9 As shown, the bottom wall 121 of the mold cavity 120 where the second zone 112 is located is provided with a first connecting post 124, and the bottom wall 220 has a second connecting post 222. The second connecting post 222 serves as a connector and engages with the first connecting post 124.

[0063] See Figures 10-12 In one embodiment, the bottom wall 121 of the mold cavity 120 where the second zone 112 is located is provided with a third connecting post 125, and the bottom wall 220 has a fourth connecting post 223. The third connecting post 125 and the fourth connecting post 223 are connected by screws 500.

[0064] See also Figures 10-12 In one embodiment, the fourth connecting post 223 has a countersunk hole 2231 opposite to the bottom wall 220, and the screw 500 is hidden in the countersunk hole 2231. The third connecting post 125 and the screw 500 are threaded together.

[0065] like Figure 13 and Figure 18 As shown, in one embodiment, a support member 350 is provided on the lid 300. The support member 350 abuts against the second area 112 of the ice-making mold 10 when de-icing. In the figure, the support member 350 abuts against the frame 113 to reduce interference with de-icing.

[0066] Because the second zone, which is arranged diagonally, is restricted by the support or connector, pressing the first zone 111 can cause the ice mold 10 to twist and deform, and the ice cubes will be released from the mold cavity 120. The released ice cubes will be temporarily stored in the sealed space between the ice mold 10 and the lid 300.

[0067] like Figure 1 As shown, the lid 300 is provided with an ice outlet 310, and the temporarily stored ice can be poured out from the ice outlet. In one embodiment, the ice outlet 310 is arranged on the third annular wall 320. When dispensing ice, the ice box is tilted to the side so that the ice outlet 310 faces downward.

[0068] See also Figure 1 In one embodiment, the lid 300 includes a sealing member 340 that cooperates with the ice outlet 310 to isolate the outside world from the containment space. For example, during ice making, it prevents external dust and other contaminants from entering, and during ice removal, it prevents ice from accidentally falling out of the ice outlet 310.

[0069] In one embodiment, the ice outlet 310 protrudes from the third annular wall 320. Specifically, the third annular wall 320 is provided with a perforated post 321 that forms the ice outlet 310, which limits the direction of ice discharge and prevents the sealing member 340 from extending into the accommodating space and interfering with the ice removal path of some ice blocks.

[0070] In one embodiment, the ice outlet 310 also serves as a water inlet, through which water is poured into the box body 20. To facilitate observation of the water level, in one embodiment, the box lid 300 is made of transparent material and has a water level indicator (not shown in the figure).

[0071] When making ice, first open the sealing part 340, tilt the box 20 to the side with the water inlet facing upwards, for example, facing upwards and aligning it with the faucet, then start the water filling operation. Stop filling the water when the water level mark is reached, plug the sealing part 340 back in, place the box 20 flat, and let the water flow into the ice making mold 10. Finally, transfer it to a low-temperature environment, such as inside a refrigerator.

[0072] See Figures 3-5 In one embodiment, the bottom wall 220 has a pressing member 400 that acts on the first zone 111 during de-icing. In one embodiment, the pressing member 400 is axially slidable, and the bottom wall 220 has a guide hole 221 in which the pressing member 400 is slidably installed. The pressing members 400 are arranged in pairs, with two pressing members 400 corresponding to two first zones 111 respectively.

[0073] In one embodiment, the pressing member 400 has a compressed state ( Figure 4 ), and the unpressed natural state ( Figure 3 In its natural state, the outer surface of the pressing element 400 is roughly flush with the bottom wall 220.

[0074] like Figure 17 and Figure 20 As shown, in one embodiment, the box bottom 200 includes two separate parts. The first part 231 has a first annular wall 210, and the second part 232 includes a bottom wall 220 and a second annular wall 211. The first annular wall 210 and the second annular wall 211 are engaged to achieve contact between the two.

[0075] In another embodiment, such as Figures 12-21 As shown, one cavity 120a is located in the first area 111, and a window 224 is provided on the bottom wall 220 to expose the cavity 120a. Unlike the previous embodiment, during ice removal, the bottom wall 121 of the cavity 120a is directly pressed, causing the ice-making mold 10 to deform. Preferably, the first areas 111 are arranged in pairs and diagonally distributed, each first area 111 having a window 224 and a corresponding cavity 120a. The remaining cavities 120 are close to the bottom wall 220 of the box bottom 200, reducing the overall height of the ice-making box.

[0076] Furthermore, such as Figure 17 and Figure 21 As shown, the inner edge of window 224 extends toward the direction of ice-making mold 10 to form a guide portion 225 that cooperates with mold cavity 120a. The guide portion 225 is a hole-like structure that surrounds the mold cavity sidewall 122 of mold cavity 120a and fits into the gap therebetween. The hole-like structure is located in the gap between mold cavity 120a and adjacent mold cavities 120, making full use of space. On the one hand, it improves the structural strength of box bottom 200. On the other hand, it provides deformation guidance for mold cavity 120a when de-icing. Furthermore, the guide portion 225 extends close to opening 123, which has a better effect on guiding the deformation of mold cavity 120a.

[0077] In one embodiment, the depth of the mold cavity 120a is greater than the depth of the other mold cavities 120, and the bottom wall 121 of the mold cavity 120a is slightly lower than or flush with the outer bottom wall of the box bottom 200.

[0078] The ice maker of this application, during the ice removal operation, is inverted and then force is applied to the ice mold to deform it and remove the ice. The ice is temporarily stored in the lid. During the ice removal operation, the user can take out the ice through the ice outlet as needed. The whole process does not require opening the lid or contacting the ice mold, making it convenient to use.

[0079] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as the combination of these technical features does not contradict each other, it should be considered to be within the scope of this specification. When technical features of different embodiments are embodied in the same drawing, it can be regarded as the drawing also disclosing examples of combinations of the various embodiments involved.

[0080] The embodiments described above are merely examples of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A contactless ice release ice making box, comprising a box body and an ice making mold placed in the box body, the box body comprising a box bottom and a box cover with an ice outlet, the ice making box having an ice making state with the box bottom below the box cover and an ice release state with the box bottom above the box cover, the ice making mold being provided with a plurality of mold cavities with openings facing the box cover, characterized in that, The ice making mold is connected with the box bottom through the connecting part which is arranged continuously in the circumferential direction and can be elastically deformed, the ice making mold comprises a first area which is kept suspended relative to the box cover and a pair of second areas which are distributed in a diagonal manner, the box cover is provided with a supporting part which acts on the second area when ice is removed, or the box bottom is provided with a connecting part which connects the second area.

2. The contact-free debriefing ice-making box according to claim 1, wherein, The box bottom comprises a first annular wall, the ice making mold comprises a frame, and the connecting part is arranged between the first annular wall and the frame.

3. The contact-free debriefing ice-making box according to claim 2, characterized in that, The box bottom comprises a bottom wall which is arranged relative to the ice making mold, and the bottom wall is provided with a pressing part which acts on the first area when ice is removed.

4. The contact-free debriefing ice-making box according to claim 3, characterized in that, The pressing part is movably arranged on the bottom wall.

5. The contact-free ice release ice-making box according to claim 3, wherein, The first areas are arranged in pairs and are distributed in a diagonal manner, and correspondingly, the pressing parts are arranged in pairs.

6. The contact-free debriefing ice-making box according to claim 2, wherein, The first area is provided with a mold cavity, and ice is removed by pressing the mold cavity.

7. The contact-free ice-release ice-making box according to claim 6, wherein The first areas are arranged in pairs and are distributed in a diagonal manner.

8. The contact-free ice-release ice-making box according to claim 6, wherein The box bottom comprises a first part and a second part which are separate from each other, the first part is provided with the first annular wall, the second part is provided with a second annular wall and a bottom wall, the first annular wall and the second annular wall are arranged opposite to each other, the bottom wall is provided with a window which exposes the mold cavity, and the remaining mold cavities are close to the bottom wall.

9. The contact-free ice-release ice-making box according to claim 8, wherein The edge of the window extends inwardly to form a guide part which is matched with the gap of the mold cavity.

10. The contact-free debriefing ice-making box according to claim 2, wherein, The box cover comprises a third annular wall which is matched with the first annular wall and a top wall, the top wall and the ice making mold are arranged opposite to each other.

11. The contact-free debriefing ice-making box according to claim 10, characterized in that, The ice outlet is arranged on the third annular wall.

12. The contact-free ice-release ice-making box according to claim 11, wherein The ice outlet is arranged opposite to the third annular wall.

13. The contact-free debriefing ice-making box according to claim 1, wherein, The box cover is transparent, and the box cover is provided with a water level mark.

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