Clamshell Mold Ice Shaping to Reduce Clarity Loss in Beverage Ice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice manufacturing technologies produce ice with clarity issues, air bubbles, and water impurities, lacking the desired aesthetic appeal for use in cocktails and beverages.
Innovation Solution
A device and method using clamshell molds with pivot points and fluid channels to shape ice ingots into distinct structures by compressing and melting elongate ice ingots within mold cavities, controlled by a positioning system and fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If standard ice machines are used to produce ice, then ice can be manufactured efficiently, but the ice contains air bubbles and water impurities resulting in poor clarity and appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The ice manufacturing process is segmented into two distinct stages: first, an elongate ice ingot is formed using a standard ice machine; second, the ingot is processed through a clamshell mold with fluid channels to remove impurities and shape the final ice product. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific function, maintaining productivity while improving clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongate ice ingot is formed in advance as a preliminary step before final shaping. This preliminary action allows the ice to be manufactured efficiently in bulk, then subsequently processed through the mold to achieve the desired clarity and appearance without compromising the initial manufacturing efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If directional freezing is used to produce clear ice, then ice clarity may be improved, but scalability and reliability of the technology are questionable
Solution Approach 1:
The clamshell mold with embedded fluid channels acts as an intermediary device between the standard ice machine and the final clear ice product. It incorporates principles of directional freezing to achieve clarity while maintaining scalability, as the mold can be integrated with existing ice manufacturing equipment without requiring complete system overhaul.
3Quantity of substance
If large blocks of ice are bought and cut in-house, then ice supply is available, but the process lacks scalability and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from buying and cutting large blocks (three-dimensional processing) to forming elongate ingots and shaping them through mold cavities (adding a temporal dimension with two-stage processing). This dimensional change in the manufacturing approach improves scalability and efficiency while maintaining adequate ice supply.
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
Produces clear, bubble-free ice structures in various shapes, enhancing the visual appeal and scalability for use in beverages.
Implementation Method 1
a first channel embedded behind the first surface and configured to receive a first flow of fluid; a second channel embedded behind the second surface and configured to receive a second flow of fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices are described for shaping ingots of ice. The devices may include an apparatus including at least a support frame; a mold for shaping ice ingots, and a positioning means configured to dispose a first surface of a first clamshell part against a first side surface of an elongate ice ingot and a second surface of a second clamshell part against a second side surface of the elongate ice ingot, the first side surface of the elongate ice ingot being opposite the second side surface of the elongate ice ingot, and at least one fluid inlet valve for each of the first clamshell part and the second clamshell part.