Cascading Ice Luge Structure for Long-Path Drink Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice luges either require a walk-in freezer and labor-intensive sculpting for large blocks with long transit paths, resulting in inconvenient transportation and superior cooling quality, or use small molds with shorter transit paths leading to increased dilution and inferior drink quality.
Innovation Solution
A stepwise configured scaffold with preformed ice blocks and trays forming a cascading ice luge, allowing for stable placement and optimal cooling with adjustable height and angle, combining the benefits of long transit path luges with the convenience of small freezer trays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If large sculpted ice blocks with long transit paths are used, then drink cooling quality is improved, but transportation convenience deteriorates due to cumbersome size and heavy mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large ice luge into multiple smaller ice blocks that can be individually frozen in household freezers. Each block contains pre-formed channels, and they are assembled in a stepwise configuration to create a cascading structure. This segmentation maintains the long transit path benefit for drink cooling while reducing the size and weight of individual components for easier transportation and handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane ice luge to a three-dimensional cascading structure with multiple levels. The stepwise configuration arranges ice blocks vertically and diagonally, creating a multi-dimensional flow path for beverages. This dimensional change extends the transit path length without increasing the horizontal footprint, thereby improving cooling quality while maintaining compact size for convenient transportation.
2Ease of operation
If small molded ice blocks with short transit paths are used, then transportation convenience is improved, but drink quality deteriorates due to increased dilution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the short transit path into multiple sequential stages by arranging several small ice blocks in a cascading sequence. Each block contributes a segment to the overall transit path, and the cumulative effect creates a sufficiently long cooling path. This maintains drink quality by extending contact time with ice while preserving the transportation advantages of using small, household-freezer-compatible blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vertical and diagonal arrangement of small ice blocks to extend the beverage flow path in three-dimensional space. The cascading structure creates a longer effective transit path without requiring larger individual blocks, thereby maintaining drink quality through extended cooling contact while preserving the compact size and transportation convenience of small ice blocks.
3Manufacturing precision
If large ice blocks are sculpted manually, then drink cooling quality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to skill requirements and labor costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates channels and lanes directly into the ice block molds before freezing, so that the cooling pathways are pre-formed during the molding process. This preliminary action eliminates the need for post-freezing sculpting and manual channel creation, reducing fabrication complexity and labor requirements while maintaining the long transit path structure necessary for superior drink cooling quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual sculpting process with a molding system that automatically forms the ice blocks with integrated channels. Instead of requiring skilled artisans to carve channels into frozen blocks, the molding apparatus creates the internal pathways during the freezing process itself, substituting mechanical sculpting with a more automated and less skill-intensive manufacturing method while preserving the functional characteristics needed for high-quality drink cooling.
4Ease of operation
If the angle of incline is reduced to achieve slower transit speed, then transportation convenience is improved, but drink quality deteriorates due to increased dilution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a multi-level cascading configuration that extends the transit path vertically and diagonally rather than relying solely on a gentle horizontal incline. This three-dimensional arrangement lengthens the beverage flow path and increases cooling contact time without requiring a reduced incline angle, thereby maintaining drink quality through extended cooling while preserving adequate transit speed to minimize dilution.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The cascading ice luge design provides efficient cooling with reduced dilution and increased convenience by using preformed ice blocks on a scaffold, maintaining drink quality while being easier to fabricate and transport.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid travels through its lane and emerges from the lower end of the luge thereby dispensing the liquid into a drinking vessel that is placed to receive the chilled beverage
Implementation Method 2
Fabricating a large block of ice requires freezing in a commercial walk-in freezer
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of ice luge apparatuses and methods for making cascading ice luges are disclosed. Apparatuses embodying the principles of the invention feature shelves in a stepwise configuration and alternative configurations. The shelves are positioned by supporting structures. Ice blocks can be frozen in trays such that pre-formed lanes are formed in the ice blocks. The trays can be of convenient size that can be placed in a conventional household freezer. Ice blocks can be arranged and oriented so that a liquid or beverage placed on the uppermost ice block will flow in the preformed lanes in a cascading manner thereby rapidly cooling the beverage with minimal dilution.