Apparatus for making clear molded ice, and corresponding methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for making ice result in cloudy ice due to trapped air bubbles and minerals, and the process of creating clear ice spheres is complex and requires specialized equipment.
Innovation Solution
A mold extractor system with a mold support and extracting component, including a handle and flange, is used in conjunction with an insulated vessel to facilitate directional freezing, producing clear, shaped ice.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional ice making methods are used, then ice can be produced quickly and easily, but the ice becomes cloudy due to trapped air bubbles and minerals
Solution Approach 1:
The freezing process is segmented into two distinct stages: first freezing the water from the bottom up to create clear ice, then melting and refreezing the remaining water to complete the clearing process. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for clarity while managing the overall complexity of producing transparent ice.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold is prepared in advance by placing it in the freezer before water is added. The freezing process begins immediately from the bottom surface when water is introduced, establishing the clear ice formation pattern before the entire volume freezes, which prevents bubble entrapment and mineral concentration in the final ice structure.
2Duration of action of moving object
If spherical ice shapes are made to achieve slow melt rate, then beverage cooling performance improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The mold geometry is changed from traditional cubic shapes to spherical or cylindrical forms, which fundamentally alters the melting characteristics. Spherical ice melts slower due to its surface-area-to-volume ratio, and the directional freezing process adapts to these new geometries by maintaining bottom-up solidification, achieving both aesthetic appeal and functional performance without requiring complex multi-step manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The same directional freezing mold and process can produce multiple ice shapes (spheres, cylinders, cubes) by simply changing the mold cavity design, rather than requiring entirely different freezing systems for each shape. This universal approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving the desired slow-melt spherical ice.
3Manufacturing precision
If directional freezing is used to produce clear ice, then ice purity and appearance improve, but specialized equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the freezer's existing cooling capacity and the natural convection patterns within the insulated container to achieve directional freezing. The mold design itself creates the temperature gradient needed for clear ice formation, eliminating the need for external specialized freezing equipment while maintaining high ice clarity through passive thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
An insulated container serves as an intermediary between the freezer environment and the ice mold, creating a controlled thermal zone that facilitates bottom-up freezing. This intermediary component is simple to manufacture and integrate, yet it enables the complex thermal patterns necessary for clear ice production using only a standard freezer.
4Manufacturing precision
If ice mold is submerged in liquid for freezing, then clear ice is formed, but extraction of the mold becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mold is designed with a vertical extraction orientation, allowing removal from the top rather than lateral extraction. The handle extends upward from the mold body, enabling the user to lift the entire mold assembly vertically out of the container. This dimensional change in extraction approach avoids the difficulty of pulling a frozen mold sideways while maintaining full submersion during the freezing process.
Solution Approach 2:
A handle mechanism is integrated into the mold design, replacing the need for direct gripping of the mold body during extraction. The handle provides mechanical leverage and a secure grip point, making it easier to extract the heavy, frozen mold from the container without risking damage to the ice or the mold itself.
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 system allows for the production of clear, pure ice in various shapes, such as spheres and cubes, using commercially available insulated containers, with improved ease of extraction and reduced equipment requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid is frozen using directional freezing to obtain clear ice
Data Source
AI summary
A mold extractor is described that includes a mold support configured to contact at least a first end portion of an ice mold during use, and an extracting component configured to be manually lifted by a user to remove the ice mold from a vessel, the extracting component comprising at least one of a handle connected to the mold support with an upwardly extending gripping portion, and a flange formed at an upper end of the mold support. Corresponding systems and methods also are disclosed.