Clear ice hybrid mold
US9074802B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 16, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C1/25
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of making clear ice spheres includes a providing a mold apparatus having a first mold portion and a second mold portion having mold cavity segments which define one or more mold cavities when the mold apparatus is assembled in an ice forming position. The mold apparatus includes a water jacketing system which is adapted to keep water in continuous circulation within the mold cavities to ensure clear ice is formed. Water is injected into the mold cavities and where a portion of the water is frozen to form a clear ice structure and a portion of the water enters the water jacketing system. Water may remain circulating in the water jacketing system, or may be expelled from the mold apparatus. The circulating water of the water jacketing system facilitates directional solidification of clear ice structure across a thermal gradient of the mold apparatus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.