US2503306A - Ice tray and grid therefor - Google Patents

Description

Aprifi 1950 R. M. STORER ICE TRAY AND GRID THEREFOR Filed Jan. 2, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheep l INVENTORB M STORE/2.

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AW 1950 R. M. sToRER 2,=%@03,306-

ICE TRAY AND GRID THEREFQR Filed Jan. 2, 1945 3 S116eis-$heet 2 nwggwrok. A m/M #20 x14 @TO/QEE. BY

AFTER My 5 R. M. STORER 2,503,306

ICE TRAY AND GRID THEREFOR Filed Jan. 2, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 w vlllllm INVEN TOR.

Eva/M P0 4% 570E272, BY

A froR/viv Patented Apr. 11, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT,

ICE TRAY AND GRID THEREFOR Richard M. Storer, Denver, Colo.

Application January 2, 1945, Serial No. 571,063 A 19 Claims. 1

This invention relates to ice trays of the type used in mechanical refrigerators and the like to form ice cubes or blocks and for similar purposes.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple, durable and efiicient two-part ice tray unit in which the expansive action of matter congealing therein is utilized to obtain a separation, or at least a partial separation of one said member from congealed matter in the unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ice tray unit in which the expansive action of matter congealing therein i utilized to effect a separation of the mold or grid member from the congealed matter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a two-part ice tray unit in which the expansive action of matter congealing within the unit is utilized to separate one part from said congealed matter, followed by a simple mechanical movement to separate the other said part from the congealed matter.

Other objects reside in novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, all of which will be described in the course of the following description.

To afford a better understanding of the present invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating typical embodiments. In the drawings, in the several views of which like parts have been designated similarly,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of tray unit embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical lengthwise section taken along the line 2-2, Fig. 1, and illustrating the position of parts at the beginning of the congealin action;

Fig. 3 is a section similar to Fig. 2 showing th position of parts at the completion of the congealing action;

Fig. 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4, Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of another embodiment of tray unit embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a vertical lengthwise section through the unit shown in Fig. 5, illustrating the position of parts at the beginning of the congealing action, and showing in dotted lines the position of said parts at the completion of the congealing action; I

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary top plan view of another form of tray unit embodying features of the present invention; v

J oFFic Ef j Fig. 8 is an end elevation ofthe' trayuhit shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of still another' forfn of tray unit embodying features of the present invention; a I5 Fig. 10 is a section taken along the line 10 -10, Fig, 9; l I 7 9.

Fig. 11 is a section similar to Fig. 10 and illustrating the position of parts at the completion of the congealingactio n; and

Fig. 12 is an endelevation of the tray unit shown in Fig. 9.

The present invention discloses Certain' features of my prior patents, Nos. 1,824,308 and 1,824,309, issued September 22, 193 1,-and'respectively entitled Molds for frozen substances and Mold for freezing liquid. In addition to'utilizing the expansive action of matter congealing" in the mold to elevate one cooperative member'and thus break its bond with adjoining surfaces of the congealed matter, the present design'j also provides a mechanical action for breaking the bond between the other said member and congealedmatterinthemold. K

Referring first to the form of'the invention illustrated in"Figs. 1 through 4, the unit coinprises a tray member'T and a grid member G adapted to fit in "the tray. The tray has upstanding side walls 20 and end walls"2| witha bottom 22 connecting said walls to providef-a basin or container for liquids. A rim "23 extends around the container at the'top of said walls and preferably this entire structure is made integrally as by stamping or by other suitable abncating methods. Suitable handles (not shown) may be provided to facilitate handling ofl'the tray. The grid member G comprises a lengthwise wall 25 and a series of cross walls 26, at intervals along said lengthwise wall, all said walls preferably being wedge-shaped or of tapering section as shown. A supporting structure 21,is attached to the walls 2-5 and Z6, and, as here shown is in the form of a plate having an upstandingifiirn 28. The plate has the two-fold functionf 'oi' carrying and supporting the walls 25 and 2B, a'nd of enclosing the top of the container to prevent spilling after it has been filled and is being moved to the freezing. chamber of a. refrigerator or the like (not shown) For this reason,,I prefer to use an imperforate plate as the supporting structure, although adequate results can be obtained with arimtype member which would engagethe walls 20 and 2| of the tray andextend inwardlyforv about one inch or so. I have found that as the liquid congeals, the lower sides and bottom congeal first and bond to the pan or tray, and the final stage of the congealing action is for the liquid to solidify in the central portion of the top of the enclosed body. Consequently, the greater part of the expansion occurs in this area and by having an overhanging surface against which this expansive force is directed, it is possible to utilize the expansion as a lifting means.

By proper arrangement of the rim 28 on plate 21 a close contact is obtained with the upstanding walls of the tray at or near rim extension 23 and thus provides a substantially fluid-tight joint which prevents spilling when the pan is moved while filled with liquid. In the subsequent description, other means of sealing the enclosure will be shown, and it is obvious that, if desired, the walls may be recessed or offset to provide a flat seat against which the flat surfaces of plate 21 would hear.

In order to provide the necessary release action,

provide suitable leverage .mechanism which may consist of a single unit or preferably, as illustrated, two units located at opposite ends of plate 21. Each unit will consist of a pivot structure 29 supported from the plate on which a lever 39 is mounted in a position to bear against rim :23 of the tray and elevate the .grid structure.

The dotted lines in Fig. 3 illustrate the uppermost .lever position and show the extent to which the plate 21 and associated walls are elevated in this action.

In operation, the tray T is filled to the approximate level of rim 23 and the grid G is then inserted in the tray with the rim 28 making close contact with the walls of the tray at their top portions. The unit then maybe moved conven-iently to the refrigerator or other freezing chamber and inserted therein. As the liquid --cong-eals in the respective molds formed by the -wall members, the resulting solid body assumes .the shape shown in Fig. 3, and the expansion elevates the grid member as indicated by the spacing of the bottom of the grid from tray bottom 22 in Fig. 3. This elevating action is due to the fact that the protruding portion at the top of the ice block contacts the overhanging surface of plate 21 and elevates same in the expansive movement. Due to the wedge shape of the grid walls, this movement causes the portion of a wall at a given elevation to occupy a space of substantially greater dimension than the adjoining portion of the wall and thus the bond between the ice block and the wall is broken. However, if the unit remains in the freezing chamber for a substantial interval after congealing, as frequently occurs, a frost bond will form in the space between the blocks and the grid walls. While this bond is not very tenacious, it is sufficiently firm .to make a mechanical action advisable in effecting the desired release.

When it is desired to obtain ice blocks, the unit is removed from the freezing compartment usually by drawing on a suitable handle .on the adjoining surfaces of the tray.

bottom of the tray. A preferred method of releasing the ice blocks from the tray involves an initial withdrawal of the grid in the manner aforesaid, after which the operator will grasp each end of the tray and apply a twisting flexure thereto which serves to break the bond between the ice blocks and the associated tray surfaces.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 employs a similar action in effecting the release of the grid structure from the ice blocks, but employs a different mechanical action for obtaining the release of the ice blocks from the tray surfaces. The tray T in this form comprises upstanding side walls 35, a bottom 39, an upright but slightly sloping rear end wall 3'5, and a sharply sloping front end wall 33. The end andside walls preferably terminate in o. laterally extending rim portion 39 and preferably a lug 46 is supported from the rim adjoining end wall 31 in overhanging relation to the grid G when it is inserted in the tray. In this form, I also prefer to have a lengthwise wall M and cross walls 42 of the grid portion wedge-shaped, and, in addition, I provide an additional cross wall 13 at the end of the grid which is fitted against end wall 3'! of the tray, and preferably this wall is arranged to lie fiat against the surface of wall 37. The supporting member 44 may be of any suitable design, but preferably is a cover plate having an upstanding rim 45 of the type hereinbeiore described. At the end of the grid adjoining wall 38, a supporting member 56 is fixed on plate 44 as by welding, riveting or the like, and carries a pivot 4'! on which a lever 48 is mounted in a position to engage the portion of rim 39 supported by wall 38.

In operation, the tray T is filled substantially to the level of rim 39 after which the grid G is inserted into the tray by slipping the portion of rim 45 overhanging Wall 43 under member 40 and allowing the remainder of the grid structure to slide into position until wall 43 lies flat against wall 31. The unit is then inserted in a freezing chamber and upon congealing the grid member will be elevated in the manner hereinbcfore described with reference to the structure of Fig. 1, thus separating the walls 4| and 42 from the ice blocks usually held by a frost bond.

The unit is removed from the chamber for use and placed on a supporting surface, whereupon lever 48 is rotated while rim 39 of the tray is held against tilting, and the initial movement of the lever serves to impart an elevating component to the grid structure to the approximate position of the top dotted line in Fig. 6, which is effective in breaking the frost bond. Thereafter, continued rotation of the lever serves to bring its depending end in engagement with the rim 39 of tray '1" causing the entire grid structure to be drawn lengthwise of the tray and thusefiectively break the bond between the ice blocks and the If desired, the rim 39 adjoining wall 38 may be suitably reinforced to prevent deformation through repeated contact with the lever in use.

Another form of the invention has been illustrated in Figs. '7 and 8 which involves only a modification of the arrangement of the mechanical action in a unit of the type shown in Figs. 1 through 4. The tray T in this form has side walls 50, end walls 5|, and connecting bottom portion 52 of the same type as shown in Fig. 1. In addition. a lever 53 is mounted on a pin 55 supported in a socket member 54 attached to or fixed on the tray. The grid (2" has an arrangement of wall members of the type shown in Fig.

1, and its cover member 55 is provided with' the usual upstanding rim 51 to insure fluid-tight contact with adjoining surfaces of the tray.

A spring 58 is supported on cover 56 in a position to substantially overhang lever 53 in its down position and to permit passage by the lever in its rotation. After an initial delaying action the spring flexes to a position in which the lever can clear the spring and assume an upright position. However, the spring is sufiiciently resistant to this movement to impart a following action to the grid in the first part of the movement which is of sufficient duration to efiectively break the frost bond. When the lever is returned to its down position it engages the rolled-over portion of the spring and thus forces the spring to move sidewise a distance sufiicient to permit the lever to clear and reach the down position. After the frost bond has been broken as aforesaid, the grid may be removed by lifting on the spring, and after removal of the grid the lever may be utilized as a handle to flex the tray and obtain the desired release of the ice bond, While only one lever has been shown, preferably two will be provided at the opposite ends of the tray and this arrangement provides a simplified means for flexing the tray.

The type of unit illustrated in Figs. 9 through 12 employs an automatic action for releasing the grid from the ice blocks formed in the tray. In this form, the tray T has a bottom 80 connecting side walls 6! and end walls 62, each of which has an enlargement or reinforcement 53, the upper surface of which is grooved to provide a sloping seat 64. Again in this form, it is preferable to have the side walls BI and end walls 62 terminate at their upper ends in a rim portion 65.

The cooperative grid member G has a lengthwise wall 66 and cross walls 61, also preferably wedge shaped and attached to or formed integrally with a supporting member 68, preferably in the form of a cover plate. A resilient gasket, preferably rubber, encircles the outer edges of cover plate 68 and is conveniently held in place thereon by a rim portion which may be formed integrally with plate 68 or attached thereto in any suitable manner as by welding'or riveting. The gasket 69 is arranged to overhang the rim 65 of tray T and thus provides a fluid-tight seal when the grid is inserted in the tray. A U-shaped supporting member II is attached to plate 68 at each of its ends and has a rod 12 extending through suitable openings in its upstanding portions for limited lengthwise movement. A spring 73 is mounted on the rod within the U-shaped support and normally opposes said lengthwise movement by reason of its being under compression. The rod 12 terminates beyond the rim of tray '1 in a depending portion 14 suitably notched as shown at 15, to latch against the extending surface of reinforcement 53 and thus holds gasket 69 in sealin engagement with rim 65.

When liquid in the tray congeals and assumes the solidified form shown in Fig. 11, the expan sive action causes the depending portion M to be drawn upwardly until the latching engagement is broken, whereupon spring 13 draws the extended rod lengthwise of member H causing the depending portion 14 to bear against the sloping seat 64 and thus substantially raise the walls 66 and 6'! breaking the bond with the ice blocks. When it is desired to use the tray, the grid may be removed by grasping the depending portions of rods 12 which serve as handles, and thus remove the entire grid member from the tray. A flexing of the tray in the manner hereinbefore described will efiect a release of the ice from the tray and make the separated blocks readily available to the user.

It will be noted that in the various forms of the invention hereinbefore described I prefer to employ an arrangement in which the grid is supported from a top closure member in a depending position within the tray, and due to the engagement of the cover member with the adjoining surfaces of the tray, the actual support of the grid is from the top of the tray, although there may be some contact between the tray bottom and the lower edges of the grid walls. This arrangement permits the grid assembly to be moved upwardly as a unit by the expansive action of the solidification without loosening the bond between the blocks and the tray. Thereafter the release of the ice from the tray is a simple matter either by flexing the tray in the manner described or by imparting a mechanical movement of sufiicient magnitude to break the bond.

While certain of the features have been disclosed with a particular embodiment, as for example, the liquid sealing feature and various lever actions, it will be apparent that such features are interchangeable and may be utilized in other structural embodiments than the one with reference to which they are illustrated in the drawings. Other changes in details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be availed of within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the hereunto appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a container member having upstanding walls, a grid member having a supporting portion and a grid portion, said grid portion having walls shorter than said upstanding walls, and said supporting portion bein constructed and arranged to seat against upper surfaces of said upstanding walls to suspend the grid portion within said container, and said grid member being constructed and arranged to be elevated by the expansive action of matter congealing in the container, whereby said grid portion may be moved substantially out of contact with said matter when it assumes a solid state, substantially filling the container, and means on one of said members arranged to engage the other of said members after elevation of the grid member so as to separate the said members.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a container member having upstanding walls, a grid member having a supporting portion and a grid portion, said grid portion having walls shorter than said upstanding walls, and said supporting portion being constructed and arranged to seat against upper surfaces of said upstanding walls to suspend the grid portion within said container, and said supporting portion being constructed and arranged to be elevated by the expansive action of matter congealing in the container, whereby said grid portion may be moved substantially out of contact with said matter when it assumes a solid state, substantially filling the container, and means on one of said members arranged to engage the other of said members after elevation of the grid member so as to separate the said members.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a container member having upstanding walls, a grid member having a supporting portion and a grid portion, said grid portion having walls shorter than said upstanding walls, and said supporting portion being constructed and arranged to seat against upper surfaces of said upstanding walls to suspend the grid portion within said container, and said grid portion being constructed and arranged to be elevated by the expansive action of matter congealing in the container, whereby said grid portion may be moved substantially out of contact with said matter when it assumes a solid state, substantially filling the container, and means on one of said members arranged to engage the other of said members after elevation of the grid member so as to separate the said members.

i. A device of the character described, comprising a container member having upstanding walls, a grid member having a supporting portion and a grid portion, said grid portion having walls shorter than said upstanding walls, and said supporting portion being constructed and arranged to enclose the top of the container when said container is filled with liquid and to seat against upper surfaces of said upstanding walls to suspend the grid portion within said container, and said grid member being constructed and arranged to be elevated by the expansive action of matter congealing in the container, whereby said grid portion may be moved substantially out of contact with said matter when it assumes a solid state, substantially filling the container, and means on one of said members arranged to' engage the other of said members after elevation of the grid member so as to separate the said members.

5. A device of the character described, comprising a container member having upstanding walls, a grid member having a supporting portion and a grid portion, said grid portion having walls, shorter than said upstanding walls, and said supporting portion being constructed and arranged to fit in fluid-tight engagement against upper surfaces of said upstanding walls to suspend the grid portion within said container, and said grid member being constructed and arranged to be elevated by the expansive action of matter congealing in the container, whereby said grid portion may be moved substantially out of contact with said matter when it assumes a solid state, substantially filling the container, and means on one of said members arranged to engage the other of said members after elevation of the grid member so as to separate the said members.

6. A device of the character described, comprising a container having upstanding walls, a grid member having a supporting portion and a grid portion, said grid portion having walls shorter than said upstanding walls, and said supporting portion being constructed and arranged to seat against upper surfaces of said upstanding walls to suspend the grid portion within said container, and said grid member being constructed and arranged to be elevated by the expansive action of matter oongealing in the container, whereby said grid portion may be moved substantially out of contact with said matter when it assumes a solid state substantially filling the container, and means carried on the grid member in a position to contact the container and facilitate separation of said member from frozen matter in the tray.

7. A device of the character described, com- 82 prising a container-having upstanding walls, a grid member having a supporting portion and a grid portion, said grid portion having walls shorter than said upstanding walls, and said supporting portion being constructed and arranged to seat against upper surfaces of said upstanding Walls to suspend thegrid portion within said container, and said grid member being constructed and arranged to be elevated by the expansive action of matter congealing in the container, whereby said grid portion may be moved substantially out of contact with said matter when it assumes a solid state substantially filling the container, and means'comprising at least one lever carried on the grid member in a position to contact'the container and facilitate separation of said member from frozen matter in the tray.

8. A device of the character described, comprising a container member having upstanding walls, a grid member having a supporting portion and a grid portion, said grid portion having walls shorter than said upstanding walls, and said supporting portion being constructed and arranged to seat against upper surfaces 0t said upstanding walls to suspend the grid portion within said container, and said grid member including a wedge-shaped lengthwise wall and wedge-shaped cross walls at intervals along the lengthwise wall attached to said supporting portion adapted to be elevated therewith by the expansive action of matter congealing in the container, and means on one said member arranged to engage the other said member after elevation of the grid member so as to separate the said members.

9. A device of the character described, comprising a container member having upstanding walls, a grid member having a supporting portion and a grid portion, said grid portion having walls shorter than said upstanding walls, and liquid sealing means disposed between the top of the grid member and adjoining surfaces of the container, said supporting member being constructed and arranged for engagement with r supporting surfaces of the container for suspending the grid portion within the container, and said grid member being constructed and arranged to be elevated by the expansive action of matter 'congealing in the container, whereby said grid portion is moved substantially out of contact with said matter when it assumes a solid state substantially filling the container, and means on one said member arranged to engage the other said member after elevation of the grid member so as to separate the said members. 10. A device of the character described, comprising a container having upstanding walls, a grid member having a supporting portion and a grid portion, said grid portion having walls shorter than said upstanding walls, and liquidsealing means disposed between the top of the grid portion and adjoining surfaces of the container, said supporting portion being constructed and arranged for engagement with supporting surfaces on said upstanding walls for suspending the grid portion within thecontainer, and means on said grid member cooperating with the container in one position to maintain said liquid seal and constructed and arranged to be moved by the expansive force of sufiicient matter congealing in the container to move said grid memher to a second position in which the grid is out of contact with the solidified matter in the container.

l1.-A device of the character described, comprising a container having upstanding walls, a grid member having a supporting portion and a grid portion, said grid portion having Walls shorter than said upstanding walls, and said supporting portion being constructed and arranged to fit in liquid-covering engagement with surfaces of the container when said container is filled with liquid and to suspend the grid portion within the container, and means on said grid member cooperating with the container in one position to maintain the cover on said liquid and constructed and arranged to be moved by the expansive force of sufficient matter congealing in the container to move said grid member to a second position in which the grid is out of contact with solidified matter in the container.

12. A device of the character described, comprising a container having upstanding walls, a grid member having a supporting portion and a grid portion, said supporting member being constructed and. arranged to fit in liquid-covering engagement with surfaces of the container when said container is filled with liquid and to suspend the grid portion within the container, and a spring-urged latch element on said grid member cooperating with the container in one position to maintain said cover on the liquid and constructed and arranged to be disengaged by an expansive force directed against said grid memher when sufiicient matter congeals in the container moving said grid member to a second position in which the grid is out of contact with solidified matter in the container.

13. A device of the character described, comprising a tray member, a grid member positioned in the tray member and dividing its interior into a plurality of freezing cells, said grid member being disposed relative to matter congealing in said cells in a position to be elevated by the expansion accompanying said congealing action, and means on one of said members arranged to act on the other of said members for effecting a further separation of said members after the grid is in said elevated position.

14. A device of the character described, comprising a tray member, a grid member positioned in the tray member and dividing its interior into a plurality of freezing cells, said grid member being disposed relative to matter congealing in said cells in a position to be elevated by the expansion accompanying said congealing action, and means on one of said members arranged to act on the other of said members for effecting a movement of the grid member in said elevated position to break the bond between the congealed matter and said tray member.

15. A device of the character described, comprising a tray member, a grid member positioned in the tray member and dividing its interior into a plurality of freezing cells, said grid member being disposed relative to matter congealing in said cells in a position to be elevated by the expansion accompanying said congealing action, and means on one of said members arranged to act on the other of said members for effecting a movement lengthwise of the grid member in said elevated position to break the bond between the congealed matter and said tray member.

16. A device of the character described, comprising a container having upstanding walls, a

grid member having a plate portion and a grid portion, said plate portion being constructed and arranged to seat against upper surfaces of said upstanding walls with the grid portion depending in the container, said grid member including a wedge-shaped, lengthwise wall and a plurality of wedge-shaped cross Walls at intervais along the lengthwise wall attached to said plate portion and adapted to be elevated therewith by the expansive action of matter congealing in the container, and means including at least one lever mounted at an end of said plate portion in a position to bear against the container while in said elevated position to break the bond between the grid member and frozen matter in the container.

1'7. As a new article of manufacture for use in. containers, a grid member comprising a lengthwise wall and a plurality of cross walls disposed at intervals along said lengthwise wall, all said walls being Wedge-shaped, a plate member interconnecting said wall members and covering the spaces between said members to form an integral structure adapted to fit in a freezing container, and a lever carried on said plate member in a position to exert leverage against the container when the grid member is fitted therein.

18. As a new article of manufacture for use in containers, a grid member comprising a lengthwise Wall and a plurality of cross Walls disposed at intervals along said lengthwise wall, all said walls being wedge-shaped, a plate member interconnecting said wall members and covering the spaces between said members to form an integral structure adapted to fit in a freezing container, and at least one lever mounted for pivotal movement on said plate member and adapted to engage a surface of the freezing container to elevate the grid member relative thereto.

19. As a new article of manufacture for use in containers, a grid member comprising a lengthwise wall and a plurality of cross walls disposed at intervals along said lengthwise wall, all said walls being wedge-shaped, a plate member interconnecting said wall members and covering the spaces between said members to form an integral structure adapted to fit in a, freezing container, and a lever mounted for pivotal movement on said plate member having a portion adapted to bear against a surface of the container to impart an elevating movement to the grid member followed by a secondary movement of the grid member in a direction transverse to the pivotal axis of the lever.

RICHARD M. STORER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,824,308 Storer Sept. 22, 1931 1,824,309 Storer Sept. 22, 1931 1,873,508 Tanger Aug. 23, 1932 2,011,289 Klyce Aug. 13, 1935 2,069,195 Chilton Feb. 2, 1937 2,190,610 Reeves Feb. 13, 1940

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