US2459168A - Ice tray - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 18, 1949. D. L. JOCELYN ICE TRAY Filed Oct. 25, 1945 I N VEN TOR. flau glzs JZceZ z m a mm *n M Patented Jan. 18, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ICE TRAY Douglas L. Jocelyn, Detroit, Mich.

Application October 25, 1945, Serial No. 624,498 (Cl. 62-108.5)

11' Claims. 1

This invention relates to liquid freezing receptacles and particularly, although not exclusively, to ice trays of the kind having a plurality of independent or individual molds or receptacles useful in refrigerators for quick freezing purposes.

An object of the invention is to provide an ice tray or other liquid freezing device having a frame structure for supporting a plurality of individual freezing-receptacles and improved means for locating and positioning the receptacles with respect to the supporting frame structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a liquid freezing device embodying an improved receptacle supporting framework.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ice tray frame constructed withcbottom runners or members for supporting the individual freezing receptacles and a partition or rib member extending from end to end intermediate the sides of the frame constructed to support and stiffen the bottom runners and thereby assist in maintaining the runners in proper heat exchange relation to the receptacles and to the bottom of the refrigerator freezing compartment.

Still another object of the invention is to form the tray frame for the individual freezing receptacles from a single sheet or blank of metal with an intermediate partition or rib or double wall construction dividing the frame into receptacle receiving spaces and with bottom receptacle contacting heat exchange runners projecting integrally from the lower edges of the partition or rib walls, the sides of the frame being formed with receptacle ejector openings. permitting insertion of the fingers to force the receptacles and their frozen contents out of the frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tray frame for receiving individual freezing receptacles which will furnish more contact area for the receptacles thereby accelerating the freezing of the liquidcontents thereof, and which also may be manufactured at-relatively low cost while at the same time having the requis strength and rigidity so as to resist bending and twisting strains and as a consequence prolonging the use-"Aofi n p neful life thereof.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

" Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

In the present embodiment of the invention, herein illustrated by way of example, the skeleton frame structure for receiving the freezing receptacles is formed from a single sheet or blank of material, such as sheet aluminum or steel. The sheet is stamped or drawn by means of suitable dies in a press to provide a generally rectangular frame comprising two parallel longitudinal side members or rails in, a transverse end member or rail II, a handle I2, and a longitudinally extending division or partition member or rib l3. The members it) and II extend continuously around three sides of the frame. and the handle member [2 is formed integrally with the members I0 and completes the fourth side of the frame. The 'division'or partition member or rib I3 extends the full length of the tray frame and merges integrally into the end member I I and the handle I2. The handle i2 is pressed into shape so as to enable it to be readily grasped for the purpose of withdrawing the tray from the refrigerator freezin compartment or evaporator.

The division or partition member i3 preferably extends to the height of the side members i0, end member II and handle 12, so that in the present embodiment the upper surfaces of the parts III, II, It and I3 lie in substantially a The partition member or rib l3 drawn. into inverted substantially V-shape and is of double wall construction from the top to the bottom of the tray frame, being thus formed with spaced depending walls I311 and i317 which ings forming a part of this specification wh r i extend in somewhat diverging relation toward like referencecharacters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tray frame carrying a number of individual liquid freezing the bottom of the tray frame. The metal sheet or blank is drawn or stamped to provide horizontal bottom runners or receptacle supporting members H and I5, these members extending integrally in receptacles or molds constructed in accordance opposite directions from the lower edges of the of the tray the runners l4 and l5 terminate in upwardly=extending iriclined portions l6 and I1 and in like manner the front ends of these runners terminate in upwardly inclined portions l8.

In fabricating the skeleton frame of the tray it is preferred that the side and end members or rails l and H be formed into inverted generally U-shape. Thus, the members l0 are of U-shape construction having spaced depending flanges Illa and lllb, and the end member II is also of U-shape construction having spaced depending flanges H0, and llb. The flanges llla merge seamlessly into the flange Ila, thus extending continuously around three sides of the frame and merging into the handle l2 at the fourth side. The upright end portions l6 and I1 extending from the rear ends of the runners l4 and I5 not only merge seamlessly into the flanges I lb of the end frame member but also form integral continuations of the rear ends of the side walls l3a and l3b,of the partition member or rib. A similar construction is provided at the front end of the tray frame in which the upright end portions l8 of the runners merge seamlessly into the handle l2 and also the side walls of the partition member.

Thus, it will be seen from the foregoing construction that the tray frame is adapted to be formed by press operations from a single sheet or blank of metal with the central double wall partition member or rib dividing the tray frame into longitudinal receptacle receiving spaces and with the bottom receptacle supporting runners l4 and I5 formed as integral parts of the partition member as well as the end members of the frame. The bottom supporting members or runners l4 and I5 are not only constructed so as to enable the tray to be slid easily into and out of the freezing unit of the refrigerator but also to provide with the walls of the partition member ample areas of contact for the freezing receptacles, thereby accelerating the freezing of the liquid contents of the receptacles. Each runner l4 and I5 is embossed at suitable intervals to provide semi-spherical lugs or embossments l9 projecting upwardly from the plane of the bottom of the runner. In the present embodiment six embossments l9 are formed on each of the runners l4 and I5 and these embossments are arranged and located so as to lie substantially at the centers of the freezing receptacles or cups when positioned within the tray frame.

The flanges ll'lb of the side rails or frame members ID are embossed or pressed inwardly at intervals to provide grid projections or ribs 20. Also, the walls l3a and lib of the partition member l3 are embossed or pressed to form grid projections or ribs '2l and 22,'respectively. These latter ribs or lugs 2l and 22.are formed tdaagreater height than thelugs oraproilections 20 and taper downwardly and' inwardly [so as to merge into the lower portions of theside walls as illustrated in Fig. 2. It will be seen that the sets of ribs or projections 20, 2l and'22 are arranged diametrically opposite one another, thus in eflect dividing the space within the tray frame at each side of the partition member into six receptacle received spaces. 7

For freezing purposes the tray frame of the present embodiment is designed to receive twelve receptacles, cups or molds 23 arranged in two rows at oppositesides of the grid or partition member l3. It will be understood that the tray frame may be constructed to receive a lesser or larger number of cups or molds. In the pres- 75 rib members or proj 10. 2i and 22 will not partition side walls I311 and l3b. At the rear enrr' ent instance each mold or receptacle 23 is formed from thermoplastic material of suitable gage or thickness, and in preferred practice the receptacles are molded or drawn in a press under'heat and pressure from thermoplastic material in sheet form. a

As illustrated, each receptacle or mold '23 is of generally rectangular shape formed with a substantially flat bottom and upright side walls which may taper or incline somewhat upwardly and outwardly in order to facilitate removal of the frozen contents. The molds or receptacles are of a size and depth so as to produce cubes or blocks of desired size. In preferred practice each receptacle is molded or drawn from a blank of sheet material in a press by means of dies heated to a suitable temperature, such as in the neighborhood of from 230 to 260 F.', which renders the material sufllciently soft and flowable to enable it to be drawn by the dies to the desired depth and shape. bottom of each receptacle or container 23 is embossed to provide a concave or semi-spherical recess 24 corresponding substantially to the shape of the lug or embossment' l 9 and arranged so that when the receptacle is placed in the tray one of the lugs or embossments l9 will substantially fit into the notch or recess 24 in the bottom of the receptacle, thus keying or restraining the receptacle against longitudinal or lateral displacement. The upper marginal edge of each receptacladuring the molding operation, is turned outwardly and thence downwardly to provide a rolled edge 25 extending continuously around the rim of the receptacle and which, due to its rib or channel construction, strengthens and reinforces the edge.

any case wher the cup or receptacle is partially supported upon the frame when placed in the tray. Moreover, the rolled edges 25 will abut against each other and prevent the edges from overlapping where some play exists between the receptacles and the grid members 20, 2| and 22- .permitting a slight amount of longitudinal or transverse displacement .of the receptacles.-

Such small amount of play will frequently occur owing to manufacturing inaccuracies and tolerances permitting shifting of the receptacles slightdistances within the receptacle spaces." In such: cases if the'flanged edges of the receptacles were iflat thesexdges would shift into overlapping relation and would often freeze together rendering it diflicult to separate the receptacles. By constructing the receptacles with marginal turned-down or rolled edges as shown at 25, any shifting of the receptacles will merely'result in the edges abutting without any danger of their overlapping. The rolled edges of the cups, therefore, assist in keeping the receptacles in proper positions and in separated relation.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the cups or receptacles 23, when placed within the tray, will normally'rest upon the bottom supporting members or runners l 4 and IS with the cups keyed in position against displacement by the cooperating lugs and recesses l8 and 24. The various During this molding operation the only serve as a means for locating and guiding the receptacles into their proper positions when using a gage of approximately fifteen thousandths of an inch. Receptacles having wall thicknesses on this order have been found to give relatively fast freezing time as well as enabling the ice block to be removed very easily where metallic powder or grains have been dispersed proper position against substantial longitudinal displacement by the ribs or projections 20, 2i and 22 which extend inwardly a suflicient distance to abut against the opposite side walls-of the receptacles. The runners H and I5 are preferably of width so as to provide contacting heat exchange surface over the major area of the bottoms of the receptacles. It is preferred that the outer edges of the runners II and I5 terminate some what short of the outer corners of the cups or receptacles, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to provide longitudinal spaces or openings 26 between the lower edges of the flanges lllb and the outer edges of the runners permitting the insertion of the fingers so as to eject or force the receptacles with their frozen contents out of the tray frame.

Various kinds of thermoplastic materials may be used in the fabrication ofthe molds or rethroughout the thermoplastic material. Satisfactory results have been obtained by dispersing powdered aluminum in the plastic material in quantities on the order of from four to six percent of the weight of the sheet.

I I claim:

1. A liquid freezing device, comprisinga generally rectangular frame having side and end members and an intermediate double wall rib member, a plurality of liquid freezing receptacles, said members forming spaces for the reception of liquid freezing receptacles, bottom receptacle supporting members projecting laterally from the lower edges of the walls of said rib member, and spaced projections on said rib member arranged for the reception of a receptacle therebetween, said projections terminating short of and being spaced from the adjacent side or end members.

ceptacles due to the fact that this material enables the cups to be drawn or molded under heat and pressure and will retain its molded shape during usage. Of the various thermoplastic materials I prefer to use a material composed of or containing ethyl cellulose as its principal ingredient. This material has good properties in. respect to low temperature flexibility and toughness, low flammability, stability to heat and inertness to alkalies. This material, as in the case of other thermoplastic materials, also has the desirable property of fluid permeability or transmission whereby moisture vapor will penetrate and pass through the pores of the material rapidly. Although the thermoplastic material has a porous structure permitting the passage of moisture vapor, it is sufflciently dense so that liquid will not pass through the walls of the receptacle. Not only is there a distinct advantage in the use of thermoplastic material, since it may be readily drawn or formed from the sheet, but this material lessens materially the tendency of the ice or frozen contents to adhere to the side walls of the receptacle. The lessening of adherence of the ice block to the receptacle walls is due to the fact that an actual shrinkage or contraction of the ice block occurs during the solidification of the water to ice while freezing. As the ice forms on the side walls of the container, the outer surfaces of the ice change to vapor and this moisture vapor is drawn or passes through the plastic walls resulting in freeing the ice from the walls to a considerable extent. As a conse- .quence, the ice block is more easily removed from the receptacle than in the case of other types of ice trays.

I prefer to fabricate the receptacles .or containers with relatively thin walls so as to obtain faster freezing and also increased flexibility of the sides and bottom of the containers. I prefer wall thicknesses of ten to fifteen thousandths gage. Satisfactory receptacles have been made 2. A liquid freezing device, comprising a generally rectangular frame having side and end members and an intermediate double wall rib member, a plurality of liquid freezing receptacles, said members forming spaces for the reception of said receptacles, bottom receptacle supporting members projecting laterally from the lower edges of the walls of said rib member, and spaced projections on said side frame members arranged for the reception of a receptacle between each pair of adjacent projections, said projections extending inwardly toward said rib and terminating short thereof.

3. A liquid freezing device, comprising a generally rectangular frame having side and end members and an intermediate double wall rib member, a plurality of liquid freezing receptacles, said members forming spaces for the reception of liquid freezing receptacles, bottom receptacle supporting members projecting laterally from the lower edges of the walls of said rib member, and spaced opposed projections on said rib member and a side member arranged for the reception of a receptacle therebetween.

4. A liquid freezing device, comprising a generally rectangular frame having side and end members and an intermediate double wall rib member forming spaces for the reception of liquid freezing receptacles, bottom receptacle supporting members projecting laterally from the lower edges of the walls of said rib member and integral at their ends with said end members, a plurality of separate individual liquid freezing receptacles adapted to rest on said supporting members, and spaced projections on said supporting members extending into recesses in the bottoms of said receptacles.

5. A liquid freezing device, comprising a generally rectangular frame having frame members extending around the four sides thereof and also having a double wall rlb integrally joining two opposite frame members, the lower edges of thewalls of said rib being extended laterally to provide runners integral at their ends with said -last named frame members, a plurality of separate individual liquid freezing receptacles adapted to rest on said runners, and spaced projections on said runners extending into recesses tacles.

a plurality of liquid freezing receptacles, said bottom member having an integral lupstanding rib extending longitudinally and centrally of the,

'tray frame, and projections extending transverse ly from said side frame members and additional projections extending transversely from opposite sides of said rib, said projections forming with said rib spaces for the reception of sai recep- 8. A liquid freezing device, comprisi g a tray frame having side and bottom frame members, a plurality of liquid freezing rece cles, said bottom member having an integral upstanding rib extending longitudinally and centrally of the tray frame and also continuously at least the major length of the bottom, and integral projections extending transversely from opposite sides of said rib and forming with the latter spaces for the reception of said receptacles, said projections terminating short of said side frame members.

9. A liquid freezing device, comprising atray frame having side and bottom frame members, a plurality of liquid freezing receptacles, said bottom member having an integral upstanding rib extending longitudinally of the tray frame and also continuously at least the major length of the bottom, and integral projections extending transversely from the side of said rib and forming with the latter spaces vior the reception of said receptacles, said projections terminating short of the adjacent side frame'member.

10.1 A liquid freezing device, comprising a generally rectangular frame having side frame mem-. bersextending. around the four sides thereof and also having a bottom formed integrally with an upstanding rib, a number of individual, liquid freezing receptacles adapted to rest on said bottom at opposite sides of the rib, and projections on said rib spaced from the adjacent side frame 1 members for positioning receptacles in the spaces at opposite sides of said rib and restraining them against dispiacement..

11. A liquid freezing device, comprising a generally rectangular frame having frame members extending around the four sides thereof and also having a bottom formed integrally with an upstanding rib extending centrally of the bottom the major length thereof, a number of separate individual liquid freezing receptacles adapted to resto'n said bottom at opposite sides of the rib, and 'a plurality of spaced projections integral with the frame bottom and extending into recesses in the bottoms of the receptacles for positioning receptacles and restraining them against DOUGLAS L. JOCELYN,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 1

sTA'ras PATENTS Number Name Date 1,407,614 Wicks Feb. 21, 1922 2,053,711 Glomb Sept. 8. 1935 2,342,743 Lutes et al. Feb. 29, 1944 2,367,098 Cole Jan. 9, 1945 2,389,711 Kitto Nov. 20, 1945

Images