Insulated frustum ice barrier cap device

Abstract

A buoyant cap device is provided for accessing liquid below a frozen layer at the surface of the liquid. The buoyant cap device may include a body having an outer surface that is downwardly and outwardly sloped from a top of the body, a bottom positioned below the outer surface, and a frustum extending substantially downwardly from the outer surface. A buoyant and / or insulative core may be formed between the outer surface and the bottom. A lower end of the frustum may be positioned below the bottom. The frustum may define a perimeter that surrounds a void space beneath the bottom.

Description

[0001] INSULATED FRUSTUM ICE BARRIER CAP DEVICE

[0002] BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Troughs and other containers for holding liquid may form an upper ice layer or otherwise freeze over the top layer thereby blocking access to liquid. For example, watering troughs, stock tanks, buckets, or ponds for livestock may have an ice layer form at the top during freezing atmospheric conditions thereby preventing livestock from accessing the liquid water beneath the ice layer for drinking. Conventional solutions may include using an axe or saw to manually cut or break the ice or using a heat source to prevent ice from forming. However, a heat source can consume significant power, if electrical power is even available at the location of the trough or stock tank at all. Similarly, it may not be possible or practical to route or maintain a plumbing system that would circulate or resupply liquid water to the tank.

[0004] Accordingly, a need exists for a solution that can provide access to liquid water in a tank or container during freezing conditions without the use of a heating source, power source, or additional plumbing. Additionally, a need exists for livestock to be able to access liquid water during freezing conditions without user intervention or manual labor.

[0005] DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is directed generally to an ice barrier cap device for use in a trough or other liquid-holding container. The ice barrier cap device may allow a user or livestock to access liquid in the container from the upper surface even when an ice layer has formed on the upper surface of the liquid. The ice barrier cap can “follow” the liquid water level as the thickness of the ice layer changes, so the ice barrier cap can provide liquid water access throughout a range of environmental conditions without intervention.

[0007] The ice barrier or liquid access device may generally include a buoyant cap that floats on the surface of the liquid water and covers or insulates the water beneath the cap. The cap may include a bottom that contacts the water to float atop the water. The cap may include a frustum or lip that extends downwardly from the outer perimeter of the cap below the bottom to form a void interior within the below the bottom and surrounded by the frustum. When the cap floats on water, this void interior is filled with water that is insulated by the cap. When this ice barrier cap is placed in a larger tank or container with liquid water that is exposed to freezing air temperatures, an ice layer may begin to form at the surface of the water around the ice barrier cap. The insulated cap protects the liquid water beneath the cap from exposure to the freezing air above, and the frustum that extends below prevents ice crystals from forming or growing underneath the cap.

[0008] The cap may include an outer surface that is downwardly and outwardly sloped from an upper end or central axis of the cap (e.g., the outer surface may be dome or conically shaped). As the ice layer grows from the top of the surface downw ard, the growing ice layer can bias this sloped outer surface downwards such that the cap descends in the liquid water by approximately the thickness of the ice. The cap may be depressed downwardly to submerge the cap further in the liquid water and thereby expose liquid water to the top surface where the cap was. When the external downward force on the cap is removed, the cap buoyantly rises to its previous position at the surface and covers the liquid water again.

[0009] In some embodiments, a perimeter containment device or housing is provided with the cap to contain or laterally restrict movement of the cap. The housing may further insulate a portion of the liquid water from the atmosphere and portions of the tank that first begin to form an ice layer. The housing may include buoyant materials as well as weights or ballasts to ensure the housing has the desired buoyancy and maintains the desired upright orientation when placed in the liquid water.

[0010] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a bottom and side perspective view of an ice barrier cap in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the ice barrier cap of FIG. 1 floating on a water surface;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a section view of the ice barrier ap of FIG. 2 viewed along section line 3—3;

[0016] FIG. 4A is a side view of the ice barrier cap of FIG. 1 floating on water and surrounded by an ice layer; FIG. 4B is a side view of the ice barrier cap of FIG. 4A where the ice barrier cap is partially submerged;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an assembly of the ice barrier cap of FIG. 1 in a housing in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a section view of the assembly of FIG. 5 viewed along section line 6—6;

[0019] FIG. 7 is a side view of an ice barrier cap according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 8 is a top and side perspective view of an ice barrier device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 9 is a section view of the ice barrier device of FIG. 8 viewed along section line 9-9;

[0022] FIG. 10 is a side view of the ice barrier device of FIG. 8;

[0023] FIG. 11 is a side view of an ice barrier cap according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0024] FIG. 12 is a section view of the ice barrier ap of FIG. 11 viewed along section line 12-12.

[0025] BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0026] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures. It will be appreciated that any dimensions included in the drawing figures are simply provided as examples and dimensions other than those provided therein are also within the scope of the invention.

[0027] The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0028] The present invention is directed generally to a buoyant insulating device or ice barrier cap 10 that prevents ice formation at the surface of water or other liquids beneath the ice barrier cap 10. It is often desirable to prevent ice formation at the surface of water in a stock tank, trough, or other container to permit access to the water in its liquid state even when the water is exposed to freezing air temperatures. The ice barrier cap 10 can permit access to liquid water even when the surface around the ice barrier cap 10 has frozen into ice. The ice barrier cap 10 may be moved, such as by forcing the buoyant ice barrier cap 10 downward into the liquid water, to expose liquid water at the surface where the ice barrier cap 10 was positioned. Thus, the ice barrier cap 10 can permit livestock to access liquid water in an otherwise frozen over trough by forcibly submerging the ice barrier cap 10 to expose liquid water.

[0029] Turning to the figures, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an ice barrier cap 10. As shown, the ice barrier cap 10 may include a curved or spherical outer surface 12 (e.g., having a convex profile). In other embodiments, portions of the outer surface 12 may be at a generally constant incline or include multiple angles or curvatures. The outer surface 12 may extend ‘‘laterally obtuse’' from a top or upper end 14 of the ice barrier cap 10 (e.g.. sloped downwardly and outwardly). The ice barrier cap 10 may include a bottom 16 and a lip or frustum 18 that extends below the bottom 16 at the outer surface 12. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a void space or area 19 is defined by the bottom 16 and frustum 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the ice barrier cap 10 may include a core 20 formed between the outer surface 12 and the bottom 16. The core 20 may be made of a material with a specific gravity less than one such that the core 20 provides a buoyant force when the ice barrier cap 10 is positioned on a water surface 22 (or other liquid surface). The material of the core 20 may also have insulative properties to help insulate the liquid water beneath the core 20 from the atmospheric air temperature. For example, the core 20 may comprise a polymer or copolymer, may be made of a foam, such as a closed cell crosslinked foam, a polyethylene foam, a syntactic foam, or other suitable buoyant material now known or hereafter developed.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom 16 may be substantially planar and the bottom 16 may be substantially parallel to, and contact or rest on, the water surface 22 such that the ice barrier cap 10 floats in a stable orientation on the water surface 22. In other embodiments, the bottom 16 may have other profiles, such as concave or convex profiles, non-planar profiles, or sloped profiles, that can still provide a stabilizing orientation and buoyancy of the ice barrier cap 10. A concave profile of the bottom 16 or other upward recess of the bottom may provide more dynamic buoyancy of the ice barrier cap 10 (i.e., a given force may descend the ice barrier cap 10 a greater distance compared to if the ice barrier cap 10 had a planar bottom 16). As shown in FIG. 3, the frustum 18 may have substantial thickness to provide insulation to the void area 19. In some embodiments, a portion of the bottom 16 and the insulative core 20 may extend down along the frustum 18 for additional insulation of the void space 19. In some embodiments, the frustum 18, outer surface 12, and core 20 may be made from a unitary body or material.

[0031] For example, FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an ice barrier cap 310 that is similar to ice barrier cap 10. As shown, ice barrier cap may have a bottom 316 that has an arcuate, curved, or concave profile. A portion of the bottom 316 and insulative core 320 may extend down along the frustum 318 to insulate a central pocket or void space 319. An uppermost portion of the bottom 316 may be at least approximately 0.5 inches higher than a lower end 332 of the frustum 318. The bottom 316 having a non-planar or "‘stepped7’ profile (e.g., various portions of the bottom 316 are at different vertical positions) can reduce the hydraulic resistance of the ice barrier cap 310 as it is submerged in a liquid and can also provide rotational stability of the ice barrier cap 310. Similar to ice barrier cap 10, the ice barrier cap 310 may have an outer surface 312 that is sloped downwardly and outwardly from a top or upper end 314 of the ice barrier cap 310.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4A, an ice layer 24 may form atop the water surface 22 when the water surface 22 is exposed to freezing conditions (e.g., freezing ambient air above the water surface 22). The ice barrier cap 10 can insulate the water surface 22 beneath the ice barrier cap 10 (i.e., the water surface 22 within the interior of the frustum 18) from the cold ambient air. As shown, the frustum 18 may extend below the water surface 22, which can prevent ice crystals from growing from the exterior of the ice barrier cap 10 to the interior (e.g., ice crystals are prevented, discouraged, or delayed from linking or bridging across the frustum 18). As such, no ice layer 24 forms under the ice barrier cap 10 leaving an opening 26 (FIG. 4B) in the ice layer 24. As shown in FIG. 4B, liquid water can be accessed from above by submerging the ice barrier cap 10 to expose the water surface 22 in the opening 26. The ice barrier cap 10 may be submerged by applying a downward force 28 on the ice barrier cap 10 (e.g., depressed by the mouth of an animal, such as livestock seeking a drink of the liquid w ater, or other force applied thereto by a person, mechanical system, or the like). When the downward force 28 is removed, the ice barrier cap 10 may efficiently and accurately rise back up in the opening 26 due to the buoyancy of the ice barrier cap 10 and its angled outer surface 12. In some circumstances, water may be removed from the trough or tank when the ice barrier cap 10 is submerged (e.g., by an animal drinking or by draining the tank). In such circumstances, the ice barrier cap 10 may efficiently and accurately rise back up within or below the opening 26 to the lower water surface 22. A new ice layer may form at this lower water surface 22 and this process may be repeated until water is replenished in the tank. The ice barrier cap 10 may be made of hydrophobic or ice-phobic materials to reduce ice crystal formation on the ice barrier cap 10 and to prevent the ice barrier cap 10 from binding or sticking to an ice layer 24. For example, the ice barrier cap 10 may be made of materials or have its exterior surface coated with materials having a low surface energy (i.e., '‘slippery7’ materials), such as a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or other suitable material now known or hereafter developed.

[0033] As best shown in FIG. 2, the water surface 22 contacts the outer surface 12 of the ice barrier cap 10 at the point of intersection 30 when the ice barrier cap 10 is floating on the water surface 22. The point of intersection 30 may roughly correspond to the vertical position of the bottom 16 that is elevated from the lower end 32 of the frustum 18, but the point of intersection 30 may be higher than the bottom 16 as illustrated. The height of the point of intersection 30 may depend on the specific gravity of the core 20 (and other portions of the ice barrier cap 10), the shape of the bottom 16, and other features of the ice barrier cap 10.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, a tangent plane P 1 (i.e., tangent plane Pl is tangent to the outer surface 12 ice barrier cap 10 at the point of intersection 30) forms a surface contact angle 01 relative to a vertical plane or line P2 (i.e., vertical line P2 is normal or perpendicular to the horizontal water surface 22). The surface contact angle 91 may be acute. The surface contact angle 01 may be large enough such that the formation or growth of ice crystals or an ice layer 24 atop the water surface 22 can bias the ice barrier cap 10 downwards, as shown in FIG. 4A. In general, the ice layer 24 may grow- or form from the top down due to ice being less dense than w ater. If the ice barrier cap 10 is located in a trough or other container having sides exposed to the freezing atmospheric air, then ice crystals will likely form near the sides of the trough at the water surface 22 first and then grow radially inward. If the surface contact angle 01 is too small, the grow th of ice crystals may push radially inwards on the outer surface 12 but no resultant downward force is produced. If the surface contact angle 01 is sufficiently large, then the ice layer 24 growing from the top down can bias the ice barrier cap 10 to descend by the thickness of the ice layer 24. In some instances, the growth of ice crystals may produce a radial inward force on the ice barrier cap 10, and that radial inward force can also be at least partially translated into a downw ard force on the ice barrier cap 10. For example, 01 may be at least three degrees to ensure that the ice barrier cap 10 is biased downwards by the growth of the ice layer 24 and does not bind or become stuck in the opening 26 of the ice layer 24. As show n in FIG. 2, the lower end 32 of the frustum 18 may extend a first height Hl below the point of intersection 30. The first height Hl may be sufficiently large to prevent bridging of ice crystals under the frustum 18. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, the first height Hl may be approximately 0.5 inches or greater. The upper end 14 of the ice barrier cap 10 may be a second height H2 above the point of intersection 30. The second height H2 may be sufficiently large to prevent the ice barrier cap 10 from becoming completely submerged as the ice barrier cap 10 descends due to growth in thickness of the ice layer 24. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, the second height H2 may be at least two inches, at least three inches, or at least four inches depending on the weather or conditions the ice barrier cap 10 is configured to be deployed in. The total height H3 of the ice barrier cap 10 may be the sum of the first height Hl and the second height H2.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4 A, the ice barrier cap 10 may be biased downward by the growth of the ice layer 24 so that the ice barrier cap 10 descends relative to the ultimate upper surface of the ice layer 24 and water surface 22. As shown in FIG. 4A, the ice barrier cap 10 may also descend relative to the water surface 22 as the ice layer 24 grows in thickness, such that the point of intersection 30 between the outer surface 12 and the water surface 22 can move upwardly along the outer surface 12.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ice barrier cap 10 may optionally be combined with a perimeter containment device or housing 34 to form an assembly that may be deployed in a trough or other large container of liquid. The housing 34 may include a channel 36 that can constrain the lateral movement of the ice barrier cap 10 positioned within the channel 36. The channel 36 may be defined by an interior sidewall 38 of the housing 34 and may include an upper opening 40 and a low er opening 42. The ice barrier cap 10 may float to be exposed at the upper opening 40 so that the ice barrier cap 10 may be depressed to descend in the channel 36 and provide access to liquid water at the upper opening 40. The lower opening 42 may be exposed to the liquid water beneath the water surface 22 and any ice layer 24 that may form such that the channel 36 may be replenished with liquid w aler through the lower opening 42.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, the housing 34 may include an exterior sidewall 44 that may be spaced from the interior sidewall 38 to form an annulus 46 around the channel 36. The annulus 46 may be sealed to prevent water from entering the annulus 46, and the annulus 46 may form an insulating barrier between the channel 36 and the exterior of the housing 34. In some embodiments, the annulus 46 may be filled with an insulative material 47, such as foam or other materials as described in regards to the core 20. In some embodiments, the insulative material 47 may also contribute to the buoyancy of the housing 34 (e.g., a buoyant material having a specific gravity' less than one). As shown, in some embodiments, the interior sidewall 38 may be tapered such that the width or diameter of the channel 36 increases moving from the upper opening 40 to the lower opening 42 (e.g., the channel 36 has a frustoconical shape). In some embodiments, the interior sidewall 38 may be tapered in the opposite direction. In other embodiments, the interior sidewall 38 may be essentially vertical such that the channel 36 has a cylindrical shape. The exterior sidewall 44 may also be tapered from an upper to lower end. As shown, the exterior sidewall 44 is tapered such that the housing 34 decreases in size from an upper end to a lower end (e.g., the taper of the exterior sidewall 44 is in the opposite direction of the interior sidewall 38). In some embodiments, the exterior sidewall 44 may be tapered in the same direction as the interior sidewall 38 or the exterior sidewall 44 may be essentially vertical without any taper.

[0038] The exterior sidewall 44 may be tapered from a larger upper end to a smaller lower end such that the housing 34 is biased towards orienting itself with the upper opening 40 above the lower opening 42 when floating in liquid water. The housing 34 may include buoyancy strips or buoyancy enhancers 48 at an upper end of the housing 34. For example, as shown, buoyancy enhancer 48 may be attached as a strip around an upper portion of the exterior sidewall 44. The buoyancy enhancer 48 may be a closed cell foam or other material having a specific gravity less than one. As shown, the exterior sidewall 44 may be formed similar to a bucket (e.g., a 5 -gallon bucket) and the buoyancy enhancer 48 may be positioned within horizontal ridges or bands of the bucket. A lower end of the housing may include weights or a ballast 50 to improve stability and the upright orientation of the housing 34 in liquid water. For example, a ballast 50 may be positioned in the annulus 46 at a lower end. In some embodiments, the interior sidewall 38 may also be formed similar to a bucket that is smaller than the exterior sidewall 44 (e.g., a 3-gallon bucket). The ballast 50 may be an adhesive or sealant that provides a seal between the interior sidewall 38 and the exterior sidewall 44 at a lower end of the housing 34. The housing 34 may also include a sealant or cover 52 that connects and seals the interior sidewall 38 and exterior sidewall 44 at an upper end of the housing 34. In other embodiments, instead of buoyantly floating, the housing 34 may be fixedly positioned within a trough or other container.

[0039] As best shown in FIG. 6, the ice barrier cap 10 may be positioned in the channel 36 and may buoyantly rise towards the upper opening 40. The buoyancy of the housing 34 may be configured such that the water surface 22 is located near an upper end of the channel 36 such that the ice barrier cap 10 that floats on the water surface 22 may be accessed proximate the upper opening 40.

[0040] As shown, the diameter or width of the channel 36 may be larger than the ice barrier cap 10 such that portions of the water surface 22 may surround the ice barrier cap 10 within the channel 36. An ice layer (not shown) may form around the ice barrier cap 10 within the channel 36. The ice barrier cap 10 may be submerged in the channel 36 (e.g., by downward force 28 shown in FIG. 4B) to expose liquid water at an opening in the ice layer. When the downward force 28 is removed, the ice barrier cap 10 may rise back up in the channel 36 to the opening in the ice layer (or to the low er water surface 22 if water is removed). The maximum width or diameter of the channel 36 may be two times or less the width or diameter of the ice barrier cap 10 such that the ice barrier cap 10 is restricted in its lateral movement within the channel 36 so that it at least partially aligns with the opening in the ice layer that it was forced down from as it rises within the channel 36. The slope of the outer surface 12 of the ice barrier cap 10 may then bias the ice barrier cap 10 to more fully align with the opening in the ice layer as the buoyant force raises the ice barrier cap 10.

[0041] The insulation provided by the annulus 46 of the housing 34 may further discourage the formation of ice in the channel 36 or weaken any ice that does form at the water surface 22 within the channel 36. The ice barrier cap 1 may act more ice-phobic relative to the weakened ice layer 24 inside the channel 36 compared to an ice layer 24 outside the channel 36. In addition to preventing ice formation in freezing conditions, the insulation of the annulus 46 and the ice barrier cap 10 may insulate liquid from heat or other conditions. For example, the ice barrier cap 10 may prevent or slow evaporation of liquid during hot conditions or may keep the water below the ice barrier cap 10 at a cooler temperature, which may be desirable for drinking or other purposes.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, the ice barrier cap 10 may be tethered or coupled to the housing 34 via a rope, chain, or cable 56 to ensure the ice barrier cap 10 is not separated from the housing 34 during use or transportation. In some embodiments, ice barrier cap 10 may act as a float and the cable 56 (or other mechanical attachment such as a rigid rod) may connect the ice barrier cap 10 to a valve or other device that is actuated by tension in the cable 56 when the ice barrier cap 10 rises. In some embodiments, multiple ice barrier caps 10 may be tethered together by cables 56 to constrain each ice barrier cap 10 to a given location. The multiple cables 56 may further be tethered to another device to act as a float for that device.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the ice barrier cap 10 may have a domed or semi-spherical profile. Specifically, the ice barrier cap 10 may be a portion of a sphere that is smaller than a hemisphere (i.e., if ice barrier cap 10 were part of a complete sphere, the equator of the sphere would be below the lower end 32 of the frustum 18). Put differently, the ice barrier cap 10 may be smaller (i.e., shorter) than half of a sphere. In some embodiments, the ice barrier cap 10 may essentially have a hemispheric profile. In other embodiments, the ice barrier caps may have different profiles where the outer surface is sloped downwardly and outwardly (“laterally obtuse”) at the portions that would contact the water surface 22 (and at portions approximately 0.5 inches or more below the water surface 22). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, an ice barrier cap 110 may have a conical shape. The frustum 112 may extend downwardly from a bottom 114 of the conical ice barrier cap 1 10. In other embodiments, the ice barrier cap 1 10 may have a frustoconical shape.

[0044] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate an ice barrier device 210 that may include various features similar to ice barrier cap 10, 110 and housing 34. The ice barrier device 210 may include a first body or cover or cap 212 having an outer surface 214 that is sloped downwardly and outwardly (“laterally obtuse”) from a central axis of the ice barrier device 210 (e.g. outer surface 214 has a frustoconical shape as shown). A frustum 216 may extend downwardly from the sloped outer surface 214 and a lower end 217 of the frustum 216 may extend below the water surface 22 when the ice barrier device 210 floats in liquid water.

[0045] As best shown in FIG. 9. the ice barrier device 210 may include a housing or second body

[0046] 218 with a channel 220 defined by an interior sidewall 222. An exterior sidewall 224 may be spaced outwardly from the interior sidewall 222 to form an annulus 226, which may be sealed from liquid and filled with an insulative material 238, which may also be a buoyant material. The insulative material 238 may fill portions or all of the annulus 226, and a portion of the insulative material 238 may fill an area underneath the cap 212 such that a “bottom” 242 of the insulative material 238 extends between the outer surface 214 of the cap 212 and the exterior sidewall 224. A void space or area 219 may be defined betw een the frustum 216 and the exterior sidewall 224 and below the "’bottom” 242 of the insulative material 238. Liquid water that fills this void space

[0047] 219 may be insulated from the atmospheric air above and from colder surrounding water outside of the frustum 216 to prevent freezing or ice formation in the void space 219.

[0048] The channel 220 may include an upper opening 228 and a low er opening 230. The cap 212 may include a central opening 232 at an upper end 234, and the upper end 234 of the cap 212 maycouple to the upper opening 228. In some embodiments, the cap 212 may couple to a snap-ring or intermediate ring 236, and the intermediate ring 236 may further couple to the upper opening 228 of the second body 218. This can allow for the cap 212 to be disconnected and connected to the second body 218 for transportation of for swapping out caps 212 and second body / housings 218 configured for different environments or uses. In some embodiments, the cap 212 and second / body housings 218 may be formed of a unitary body. As shown, the lower opening 230 of the channel 220 may extend below the lower end 217 of the frustum 216. In some embodiments, the lower opening 230 of the channel 220 may be at the same vertical position or above the lower end 217 of the frustum 216.

[0049] The ice barrier device 210 may include a weight or ballast 240 (e.g., in a lower portion of annulus 226) to improve stability and the upright orientation of the ice barrier device 210 in liquid water. The ice barrier device 210 may be configured (e.g., sized, shaped, weighed, etc.) to buoyantly float in liquid water such that water surface 22 contacts the cap 212 along the downwardly and outwardly sloped outer surface 214 (in some embodiments, such that the downwardly and outwardly sloped outer surface 214 extends approximately 0.5 inches or more below the water surface 22).

[0050] Similar to ice barrier cap 10, the ice barrier device 210 may descend in the liquid water as an ice layer 24 forms at the water surface 22. The frustum 216 may prevent ice crystals from linking from the ice layer 24 that is exterior to the cap 212 to the internal space inside the frustum 216 and beneath the cap 212.

[0051] When an ice layer 24 forms around the ice barrier device 210, the ice barrier device 210 may be submerged by a downward force to expose liquid water in the portion beneath the cap 212. The cap 212 may provide multiple access points for a number of livestock to depress the cap 212 at one time, thereby allowing a greater number of livestock to simultaneously use the ice barrier device 210 and access liquid water. When the livestock stop depressing the ice barrier device 210, the ice barrier device 210 may accurately rise back up in the opening of the ice layer 24 due to angle or sloped outer surface 214 of the cap 212.

[0052] In some conditions, the channel 220 may be sufficiently insulated such that the liquid water in the channel 220 does not freeze as an ice layer 24 begins to form around the ice barrier device 210, in which case, livestock may directly access liquid water through the upper opening 228 of the channel 220. In other conditions, atmospheric air may freeze the liquid water to form an ice layer 24 at the water surface 22 within the channel 220. at which point the ice barrier device 210 may still be submerged to access liquid water. In some embodiments, the cap 212 may not include a central opening 232 at its upper end 234 and the channel 220 may be covered by the cap 212. Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any of the individual embodiments described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of how the various features of the subject matter herein may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted.

[0053] The numerical ranges in this disclosure are approximate, and thus may include values outside of the range unless otherwise indicated. Numerical ranges include all values from and including the lower and the upper values, in increments of one unit, provided that there is a separation of at least two units between any lower value and any higher value. These are only examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated, are to be considered to be expressly stated in this disclosure.

[0054] As used herein, ‘‘a,” “an,” or “the” can mean one or more than one. For example, "an” image can mean a single image or a plurality of images.

[0055] The term “and / or” as used in a phrase such as “A and / or B” herein can include both A and B; A or B; A (alone); and B (alone). Likewise, the term “and / or” as used in a phrase such as “A, B, and / or C” can include at least the following embodiments: A, B. and C; A, B. or C; A or C: A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone); B (alone); and C (alone).

[0056] As used herein, the term “about” when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, can include variations of + / - 20%, more preferably + / -10%, even more preferably + / -5% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to reproduce the disclosed methods and systems.

[0057] From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure and method. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

[0058] The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, how ever, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow'.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A buoyant cap device comprising: a body having an outer surface that is downw ardly and outwardly sloped from a top of the body; a bottom positioned below the outer surface; a core formed between the outer surface and the bottom, the core at least partially comprising a buoyant material; and a frustum extending substantially dow nw ardly from the outer surface, a lower end of the frustum positioned below the bottom, the frustum defining a perimeter that surrounds a void space defined beneath the bottom.

2. The buoyant cap device of claim 1, wherein the core is made of an insulative material.

3. The buoyant cap device of claim 1, wherein the outer surface has a semispherical profile.

4. The buoyant cap device of claim 1, wherein the low er end of the frustum is positioned at least 0.5 inches below the bottom.

5. The buoyant cap device of claim 1 , wherein the body is configured to float in a liquid such that a surface of the liquid intersects the outer surface of the body at a vertical position above the bottom.

6. The buoyant cap device of claim 5, wherein a first plane is tangent to the outer surface of the body at a point where the surface of the liquid intersects the outer surface, wherein a vertical line is perpendicular to the surface of the liquid, and wherein an acute angle is formed betw een the first plane and the vertical line.

7. The buoyant cap device of claim 6, wherein the acute angle is at least three degrees.

8. The buoyant cap device of claim 5, wherein the body is configured to descend relative to the surface of the liquid as a frozen layer forms on the surface of the liquid.

9. The buoyant cap device of claim 1, wherein the bottom has a concave profile, and wherein the lower end of the frustum is positioned at least 0.5 inches below an uppermost portion of the concave profile of the bottom.

10. The buoyant cap device of claim 1, wherein the outer surface and the frustum are an icephobic material.

11. An apparatus for accessing liquid below a frozen top layer, the apparatus comprising: a buoyant cap comprising: a body having an outer surface that is downwardly and outwardly sloped from a top of the body; a bottom positioned below the outer surface; a core formed between the outer surface and the bottom; and a frustum extending substantially downwardly from the outer surface, a lower end of the frustum positioned below the bottom, the frustum defining a perimeter that surrounds a void space beneath the bottom; and a housing including a channel for at least partially restricting lateral movement of the buoyant cap and permitting vertical movement of the buoyant cap.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the housing includes an interior wall defining the channel and an exterior wall spaced outwardly from the interior w all.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the channel includes an upper opening and a lower opening, wherein, when the apparatus is placed in a liquid, the buoyant cap floats on a surface of the liquid and is exposed to the upper opening.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the channel has a maximum width that is less than two times a width of the body.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein an annulus is formed betw een the interior wall and the exterior w all, wherein the annulus includes a ballast to help orient the housing when the apparatus is placed in a liquid.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein an annulus is formed betw een the interior wall and the exterior w all, wherein the annulus includes an insulative material.

17. An apparatus for accessing liquid below a frozen top layer, the apparatus comprising: a first body having an outer surface that is downwardly and outwardly sloped from a top of the first body, a frustum extending substantially downwardly from the outer surface of the first body, the frustum defining a perimeter that surrounds a void space; and a second body having a channel defined by an interior sidewall, an exterior sidewall spaced outwardly from the interior sidewall to form an annulus between the interior sidewall and the exterior sidewall; wherein the first body is centered about a central axis of the channel.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the channel includes an upper opening and a lower opening opposite the upper opening, wherein the first body includes a central opening, wherein the upper opening and the central opening are aligned.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is configured to float in a liquid such that a surface of the liquid intersects the outer surface of the first body at a position above the frustum.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein an insulative material has a bottom portion positioned below the outer surface and between the frustum and the exterior sidewall.

Images