Method of warming a mold apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice mold technologies face challenges in efficiently releasing clear ice structures without causing damage, such as dimpling or cracking, due to the mechanical bonds between the ice and the mold material.
Innovation Solution
A mold apparatus comprising a first mold portion with a concave depression and a liquid circulating manifold, pivotally coupled to a second mold portion, allows for ice formation and subsequent warming of the mold using a warm liquid medium to break mechanical bonds, facilitating easy release of the ice structure through disassembly or an ejector pin mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical force is applied to release ice from the mold, then ice can be removed from the mold, but the ice structure may be damaged (dimpling or cracking)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical force-based ice release with a thermal field-based release mechanism. A heating element is integrated into the mold apparatus to apply controlled thermal energy to the ice-mold interface, creating a thermal gradient that reduces bonding strength and enables ice release without mechanical contact that could cause dimpling or cracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameter (temperature) at the ice-mold interface to facilitate release. By locally increasing temperature through the heating element, the bonding strength between ice and mold is reduced, allowing easy release while maintaining ice structure integrity. This controlled parameter change avoids the need for forceful mechanical removal.
2Ease of operation
If the mold is warmed to release ice, then mechanical bonds are broken and ice can be released, but energy is consumed for heating
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element applies thermal energy only to specific localized areas where ice-mold bonding occurs, rather than heating the entire mold uniformly. This partial heating approach breaks the mechanical bonds at critical interfaces while minimizing overall energy consumption, achieving effective ice release with reduced energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is activated during the final stage of freezing, before complete ice formation, to prevent strong bonding from developing. This preliminary thermal action reduces the subsequent energy required for ice release and prevents excessive bonding strength that would require more energy to break.
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 solution enables efficient and damage-free release of clear ice structures by effectively breaking mechanical bonds between the ice and the mold, allowing for precise control over the warming process to prevent dimpling and cracking, thereby ensuring intact ice removal.
Implementation Method 1
circulating a warm liquid medium in the liquid circulating manifold to warm the mold apparatus
Implementation Method 2
cooling the mold apparatus; forming at least one ice structure within the mold cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A method of releasing ice from a mold apparatus is disclosed which includes the steps of: providing a mold apparatus having a first mold portion including a concave depression and a liquid circulating manifold and a second mold portion having a concave depression; pivotally coupling to the first mold portion to the second mold portion such that the mold apparatus is operable between an ice forming position and an ice harvesting position; assembling the mold apparatus to the ice forming position such that the concave depressions abut to from a mold cavity; injecting water into the mold cavity; cooling the mold apparatus; forming at least one ice structure within the mold cavity; circulating a warm liquid medium in the liquid circulating manifold to warm the mold apparatus; disassembling the mold apparatus to the ice harvesting position; and releasing the at least one ice structure from the mold apparatus.