Ice shaping device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice sphere shaping devices are heavy, expensive, and inefficient due to reliance on gravity and room temperature, requiring long freezing times and often causing ice to stick to the mold, making it difficult to remove the ice sphere intact.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight ice molding device with a lower and upper chamber made of stainless steel, utilizing hot water up to 140° F to rapidly shape ice into a sphere, featuring guideposts, semi-spherical cavities, and an internal electronic heating element to facilitate easy handling and efficient ice shaping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional ice molds made of flexible material are used, then ice spheres can be shaped, but the process requires a long period of time for water to freeze and the ice becomes stuck to the mold making removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by introducing a heating element that raises the mold temperature to between 30°C and 70°C. This parameter change accelerates the ice shaping process by preventing ice adhesion to the mold surface while maintaining the molding capability, thereby reducing the freezing time from conventional extended periods to a more efficient timeframe.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical pressing system with an electronic heating system. Instead of relying on manual pressing or heavy mechanical forces to shape the ice, the system uses controlled thermal energy to facilitate ice shaping, eliminating the need for heavy metal presses and complex mechanical mechanisms.
2Productivity
If heavy metal ice press devices are used, then ice spheres can be shaped efficiently, but the devices are expensive and difficult to handle and ship
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes heavy mechanical pressing systems with a lightweight electronic heating system. The mold includes an integrated heating element that provides the necessary energy for ice shaping without requiring heavy metal construction or gravitational force, thereby dramatically reducing device weight while maintaining or improving shaping productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy delivery parameter from mechanical force to thermal energy. By controlling the temperature of the mold through an electronic heating system, the device achieves efficient ice shaping without the need for heavy mechanical presses, resulting in a lightweight portable device that maintains high productivity.
3Ease of operation
If room temperature and gravity are relied upon for ice shaping, then the process works passively, but the process is slow and lacks any internal heating function to speed shaping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive gravitational and thermal conduction-based shaping with an active electronic heating system. The mold incorporates an electric heating element that actively controls the temperature, providing rapid and consistent heat delivery to accelerate ice shaping while maintaining simple operation through electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is integrated directly into the mold structure, allowing the mold to self-regulate and self-heat without external equipment. The system automatically maintains the optimal temperature range for ice shaping, combining operational simplicity with accelerated productivity through internal active heating.
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 device enables quick and easy shaping of ice spheres, reducing handling difficulties and shipping costs while ensuring the ice sphere can be easily removed and maintaining the desired shape without sticking, thus improving efficiency and usability.
Implementation Method 1
The top half of the press then lowers by gravitational force, eventually connecting with the bottom half, shaping the ice block into an ice sphere. The ice press accomplishes this by transferring room temperature heat from the metallic press to aid in melting the ice to allow for shaping
Implementation Method 2
A lightweight ice molding device with a lower and upper chamber made of stainless steel, utilizing hot water up to 140° F to rapidly shape ice into a sphere
Implementation Method 3
The top half of the press then lowers by gravitational force, eventually connecting with the bottom half, shaping the ice block into an ice sphere
Data Source
AI summary
A device for making frozen geometric shapes, more particularly, to an ice molding device that shapes ice is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a device comprises a lower chamber of an ice shaping device and a plurality of guideposts on the lower chamber. The device further comprises a semi-spherical cavity in the lower chamber and a hole to fill a hollow chamber of the lower chamber with hot water.