Static molds – Container-type molding device – Plural article forming mold – or molds with community feature
Utility Patent
1999-08-06
2001-01-02
Mackey, James P. (Department: 1722)
Static molds
Container-type molding device
Plural article forming mold, or molds with community feature
C249S119000, C249S127000, CD15S090000
Utility Patent
active
06168131
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an ice cube storing and dispensing unit. In particular, the invention relates to an ice cube tray having a detachable cover that stores and dispenses the ice cubes out of a sliding door at the end of the cover.
2. The Prior Art
Typical ice cube trays are molded plastic trays having multiple compartments for forming ice cubes. When the cubes are set, the tray is twisted and the cubes become dislodged and fall out. The cubes are then transferred to a bin for use and storage.
Since people often have limited space in their freezers, a separate bin for holding the ice cubes is often inconvenient. In addition, an open bin makes the ice cubes susceptible to absorbing odors from the freezer. In addition, the open ice cube trays themselves are susceptible to spills as well as the absorption of odors.
Ice cube trays with covers are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,744 to Silverman discloses an ice cube tray having a sliding cover so as to let the user dispense only a desired number of ice cubes from the tray while keeping the rest in their separate compartments.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,995 to Burgess discloses a combination cover and dispenser for an ice cube tray. The cover slides over the entire tray and covers the ice cubes while they are being frozen. To dispense the cubes, the cover is slid over only the top of the tray, giving a large clearance space above the tray. The cubes can then be dispensed out from the end of the cover.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,251 to Burgess discloses a container for making ice cubes having a large compartment above the ice cube tray, and a dispensing aperture located at an end of the compartment. Other types of ice cubes trays are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,083 to Weeks, U.S. Design Pat. No. D352,045 to Daenen et al. and U.S. Design Pat. No. D281,882 to Prommer.
While all of these trays provide for the formation and storage of ice cubes, it would be desirable to have an ice cube tray in which the cover was removable and simple to operate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an ice cube tray having a detachable cover.
It is another object of the invention to provide an ice cube storage and dispensing unit that allows for the selective dispensing of ice cubes in a simple manner.
It is another object of the invention to provide an ice cube storage and dispensing unit that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by a combination ice cube tray and cover in which the ice cube tray has a plurality of ice cube compartments, two longitudinal edges and two lateral edges and a plurality of slits along one of the longitudinal edges. The cover is removably secured to the ice cube tray and creates a closed space above the ice cube tray. The cover has a top surface, two longitudinal side walls, an end wall and an open end. There are a plurality of latches located along the bottom edge of one of the longitudinal side walls. The latches engage the slits in the ice cube tray to pivotally attach the cover to the ice cube tray. There is a flange located around the bottom edge of the other longitudinal side wall that releasably engages a groove in the other longitudinal edge of the ice cube tray to lock the cover over the ice cube tray.
There is a flap in the top surface of the cover near the free end, which creates a slot between the cover and the flap. There is a door at the open end of the cover to seal the space above the ice cube tray. The door is pivotally attached to one of the longitudinal side walls. The door has a top panel that is inserted into the slot. The top panel slides within the cavity as the door is opened and shut. In use, the ice cubes formed in the ice cube tray are released from the ice cube tray and stored in the cover when the tray is inverted, and selectively removed from the cover through the door. The cubes are thus stored in a compact, closed environment, yet are easily accessible by pivoting open the door.
In a preferred embodiment, the free edge of the cover and the flap each have a protrusion thereon. The top panel of the door has a protrusion along one of its free edges. When the cover is opened, the protrusion on the top panel abuts the protrusions on the cover and flap and prevents the door from being opened beyond a predetermined amount. This keeps the door from coming completely out of the slot, and makes it easier to slide the door open and closed repeatedly.
The side walls and end wall of the cover have a height greater than the height of the ice cube compartments to allow the cubes to be freely stored in the cover upon removal from the ice cube compartments. The top panel has the shape of a quarter circle, with the rounded edge being inserted within the slot when the door is closed, and sliding out of the slot when the door is opened. This top panel provides a convenient pouring spout as the ice cubes exit out of the free end of the cover and fall between the door and the free end.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 281882 (1985-12-01), Prommer
patent: D. 352045 (1994-11-01), Daenen et al.
patent: 3135101 (1964-06-01), Nigro
patent: 3829056 (1974-08-01), Baker et al.
patent: 4162780 (1979-07-01), Rankin
patent: 4804083 (1989-02-01), Weeks
patent: 4883251 (1989-11-01), Manas
patent: 4967995 (1990-11-01), Burgess
patent: 5188744 (1993-02-01), Silverman
patent: 5196127 (1993-03-01), Solell
patent: 5397097 (1995-03-01), Dale
Business World Trade, Inc.
Collard & Roe P.C.
Luk Emmanuel S.
Mackey James P.
LandOfFree
Ice cube tray and dispenser does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Ice cube tray and dispenser, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ice cube tray and dispenser will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2509803