Rotatable Ice Bucket with Segmented Tanks for Multi-User Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ice buckets are roomy but lack convenient access for multiple users, with bottles often slipping and hiding from view, making them difficult to use.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable ice bucket design with radial bearings and shape-coupling mechanisms allows tanks to rotate, ensuring stable attachment and easy access to bottles, featuring translucent tanks with LED backlighting and accessory compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional ice buckets are made roomy to contain several bottles, then the capacity increases, but the access convenience for multiple users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ice bucket is divided into multiple independent tanks (typically 3-4), each capable of holding one or more bottles. This segmentation allows multiple users to simultaneously access different tanks from different sides of the bucket, eliminating the need to reach across or move other bottles to access ones on the far side.
Solution Approach 2:
The tanks are mounted on a rotatable mechanism that allows the entire assembly to rotate 360 degrees. This dynamic feature enables any tank to be positioned at the most convenient location for any user, and allows bottles to be selectively presented to different users without moving other bottles.
2Quantity of substance
If bottles are placed deep in the bucket for storage, then the capacity utilization improves, but the visibility and accessibility of bottles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the storage space into multiple shallow tanks rather than one deep bucket, bottles remain visible and easily accessible. Each tank is sized to hold a limited number of bottles, preventing them from being buried under ice or other bottles.
Solution Approach 2:
The tanks are made from translucent or transparent material, allowing users to easily see the bottles inside without having to move other bottles or ice. This visual accessibility maintains storage efficiency while eliminating the hiding problem.
3Ease of manufacture
If the ice bucket structure is simplified for ease of cleaning, then the manufacturability improves, but the stability of tank attachment during rotation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of tanks from the central body through a modular attachment system allows each component to be independently cleaned. The tanks can be removed and washed separately, while the central body is cleaned in place, maintaining both ease of cleaning and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
A central rotating body acts as an intermediary structure that provides stable mechanical connection points for multiple tanks. This central hub with radial arms or mounting points ensures tanks remain securely attached during rotation while maintaining a simple overall structure that is easy to clean.
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 design provides easy access to all bottles without needing to move around the bucket, enhances manageability, and offers decorative lighting and additional functionality through accessory integration.
Implementation Method 1
said rotatable connection means comprise at least one radial bearing interposed between said base and said central body
Implementation Method 2
a fork provided with elastic plates adapted to fit on said central body and said tanks for keeping said tracks and said channels coupled to avoid the escape thereof
Implementation Method 3
said arms comprise a housing for LEDs for the backlighting of said tanks
Implementation Method 4
Traditional containers or buckets are known in the art intended to contain ice, or a mixture of water and ice, adapted to cool one or more bottles of beverages arranged inside them by conduction
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an ice bucket (1 ) comprising: a base (2) for resting on a surface; a central body (3); a plurality of tanks (4), associable with said central body (3), adapted to contain ice and bottles to be refrigerated; means for the rotatable connection between said central body (3) and said base (2) to allow the rotation of said tanks (4) and selectively make said bottles available to a plurality of users.