Segmented Ice Tray for Bottle-Fit Elongated Ice Cubes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice trays produce ice cubes that are too large to fit through the openings of standard bottles and cans, and users lack the ability to select the size and shape of ice cubes.
Innovation Solution
An ice making assembly with an ice tray featuring a first section for standard ice cubes and a second section for elongated ice cubes, along with a control system to fill the tray with water for specific times to form ice cubes of varying shapes and sizes, including an elongated shape that fits within conventional bottle openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional ice cube cavities are used, then ice cubes are produced with standard size and shape, but the ice cubes are too large to fit through bottle and can openings
Solution Approach 1:
The ice tray is divided into multiple sections with different cavity types: a first section with standard ice cube cavities and a second section with elongated ice cube cavities. This segmentation allows users to produce different ice cube sizes and shapes to suit different needs, including smaller elongated cubes that can fit through bottle openings.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the ice tray are designed with different cavity characteristics. The first section has cavities optimized for traditional ice cube production, while the second section has cavities specifically designed to produce elongated ice cubes with dimensions suitable for insertion into narrow bottle and can openings.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single cavity type is used in the ice tray, then the ice tray structure is simple, but users cannot select different ice cube sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The ice tray is divided into multiple sections with different cavity types: a first section with standard ice cube cavities and a second section with elongated ice cube cavities. This segmentation allows users to produce different ice cube sizes and shapes to suit different needs, including smaller elongated cubes that can fit through bottle openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice tray is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating different cavity types in different sections. It can produce both traditional ice cubes for general use and elongated ice cubes for specific applications like bottles and cans, making it a multi-functional device that adapts to various user needs.
3Productivity
If the ice tray fills all cavities simultaneously, then the filling process is simple and fast, but elongated ice cubes cannot be produced
Solution Approach 1:
The control system fills the first section cavities first, then subsequently fills the second section cavities. This sequential filling approach allows the system to produce different types of ice cubes in a single cycle, maintaining productivity while enabling shape variety. The preliminary filling of one section before another ensures efficient use of the freezing cycle.
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
Enables the production of ice cubes of different shapes and sizes, specifically elongated ice cubes that can fit through standard bottle openings, enhancing usability and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
The ice tray is filled with a liquid, such as water, whereupon the liquid is frozen to produce ice cubes
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making assembly includes an ice tray extending along a longitudinal axis. The ice tray includes a first section disposed at a longitudinal first end of the ice tray, the first section including a plurality of first cavities projecting into the ice tray. The ice tray further includes a second section disposed at a longitudinal second end of the ice tray that is opposite from the longitudinal first end. The second section includes an elongated second cavity extending in a direction that is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ice tray. The second cavity has a shape that is longer in length than a length of each of the first cavities.