Indian Patents. 195521:A HOLLOW TRAY COMPRISING A SERIES OF CELLS FOR FORMING ICE BLOCKS

Title of Invention	A HOLLOW TRAY COMPRISING A SERIES OF CELLS FOR FORMING ICE BLOCKS
Abstract	A hollow tray (1) comprises a series of cells (5) for forming ice blocks when placed in a refrigerator freezer compartment, and encloses a eutectic solution of low solidification point; the eutectic is non-toxic, and is chosen such that its solidification point is less than the temperature of the freezer compartment.

Full Text	1A This invention relates to a hollow tray comprising a series of cells for forming ice blocks when placed in a refrigerator freezer compartment, and enclosing a eutectic solution of low solidification point. Trays of the aforesaid type are known, for example from Italian utility model 211803. The eutectic used solidifies at a higher temperature (for example -15°C) than the temperature (for example -24°C) of the refrigerator freezer compartment or the freezer in which the tray is usually placed to form the ice blocks. When extracted from the freezer compartment or freezer, the tray is so rigid (precisely because of solidification of the eutectic) as to make it impossible to twist to expel the ice blocks. Hence when the user wishes to extract the ice blocks he has to place the tray under running water, for example tap water, which being hotter enables the ice blocks to be detached from their forming cells without having to twist the tray. The ice blocks separated in this manner are wet and not only of unpleasant appearance but also uncomfortable to handle (they drip and wet the hands and objects). The main object of the present invention is to remedy the aforesaid drawback by providing a tray which even as soon as removed from the freezer compartment can be easily twisted to separate the ice blocks without the need to expose the tray to running water. This and further objects which will be more apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter are attained by the present invention which provides a hollow tray comprising a series of cells for forming ice blocks when placed in a refrigerator freezer compartment, and enclosing a eutectic solution of low solidification point, characterised in that the eutectic is non-toxic, and is chosen 2 such that its solidification point is less than the temperature of the freezer compartment. The invention will be more apparent from the detailed description thereof given hereinafter by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawing, on which: Figure 1 is a view of a possible tray from above;. Figure 2 is a view in the direction of the arrow A of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the tray to a different scale. With reference to the figures, the tray comprises a substantially hollow parallelepiped body of high-density polyethylene preferably formed by blow-moulding. In a minor side the body has a recess 2 where an opening or neck 3 is provided, sealable by a seal plug 4. On one of its major sides the body 1 comprises a series of identical cells 5 which can be of any suitable shape, even though the drawing shows them with an approximately elliptical cross-section (Figure 1) and an approximately semicircular longitudinal section, i.e. perpendicular to the preceding (Figure 2). To obtain on the ice block two flat impressions which facilitate its gripping by the normal tongs used by the user, each cell comprises two mutually facing button projections 6. A non-toxic eutectic mixture is introduced into the hollow body 1 through the opening or neck 3 before its closure, said mixture having a solidification point (temperature) less than the temperature of the compartment in which the tray is placed for converting into ice blocks the water poured for this purpose into cells. If, as is usual, the refrigerator freezer compartment or freezer has a minimum temperature of -24°C, the chosen non- - 3 - toxic eutectic will have a solidification point less than that value, for example -32°C. The following are some examples of non-toxic eutectics: 1) H20 + (30% by weight) CaCl2; 2) H20 + (27% by weight) CaCl2; 3) H2O + (30% by weight) CaCl2 + (1%.by volume) NH4CI/H2O; 4) H2O + (37% by weight) CaCl2 + (1% by volume) NH4CI/H2O; where (in 3 and 4) NH4CI/H2O consists of (19.5% by weight) NH4CI and (80.5%) H2O 5) H2O + (21.6% by weight) MgCl2; 6) H2O + (51% by weight) ZnCl2; 7) H2O + (30.5% by weight) Al(N03)3; 8) H2O + (42.9% by weight) Ca(N03)2; 9) H2O + (32.4% by weight) Mg(N03)2; 10) H2O + (20.6% by weight) MgCl2; 11) H2O + (30.2% by weight) CaCl2. From 1 to 6% by volume of (non-toxic) additives + H2O able to further lower the solidification point can be added to the eutectic compositions of points 7-11. For example CaCl2 can be added to compositions 9 and 10, Mg(N03)2 to compositions 7 and 8, and ZnCl2 to composition 11. In using the teachings of the invention the eutectic remains in the liquid state while the tray is in the freezer compartment, and is still liquid when the tray is removed, and which can hence be easily twisted to remove the ice blocks from the relative cells without having to use running water. - 4 - We Claim: 1. A hollow tray (1) comprising a series of cells (5) for forming ice blocks when placed in a refrigerator freezer compartment, and enclosing a eutectic solution of low solidification point, characterised in that the eutectic is non- toxic, and is chosen such that its solidification point is less than the temperature of the freezer compartment. 2. A tray as claimed in claim 1, characterised by being constructed of polyethylene preferably of high density, and being preferable formed by blow-moulding. Dated this 11th day of February 1998 (R.P. Bhattacharya) of Cantwell & Co. Agent for the Applicants. A hollow tray (1) comprises a series of cells (5) for forming ice blocks when placed in a refrigerator freezer compartment, and encloses a eutectic solution of low solidification point; the eutectic is non-toxic, and is chosen such that its solidification point is less than the temperature of the freezer compartment.

Full Text

1A
This invention relates to a hollow tray comprising a series of cells for forming ice
blocks when placed in a refrigerator freezer compartment, and enclosing a
eutectic solution of low solidification point.
Trays of the aforesaid type are known, for example from Italian utility model 211803. The eutectic used solidifies at a higher temperature (for example -15°C) than the temperature (for example -24°C) of the refrigerator freezer compartment or the freezer in which the tray is usually placed to form the ice blocks. When extracted from the freezer compartment or freezer, the tray is so rigid (precisely because of solidification of the eutectic) as to make it impossible to twist to expel the ice blocks. Hence when the user wishes to extract the ice blocks he has to place the tray under running water, for example tap water, which being hotter enables the ice blocks to be detached from their forming cells without having to twist the tray. The ice blocks separated in this manner are wet and not only of unpleasant appearance but also uncomfortable to handle (they drip and wet the hands and objects). The main object of the present invention is to remedy the aforesaid drawback by providing a tray which even as soon as removed from the freezer compartment can be easily twisted to separate the ice blocks without the need to expose the tray to running water.
This and further objects which will be more apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter are attained by the present invention which provides a hollow tray comprising a series of cells for forming ice blocks when placed in a refrigerator freezer compartment, and enclosing a eutectic solution of low solidification point, characterised in that the eutectic is non-toxic, and is chosen

2
such that its solidification point is less than the temperature of the freezer compartment.
The invention will be more apparent from the detailed description thereof given hereinafter by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawing, on which:
Figure 1 is a view of a possible tray from above;. Figure 2 is a view in the direction of the arrow A of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the tray to a different scale.
With reference to the figures, the tray comprises a substantially hollow parallelepiped body of high-density polyethylene preferably formed by blow-moulding. In a minor side the body has a recess 2 where an opening or neck 3 is

provided, sealable by a seal plug 4. On one of its major sides the body 1 comprises a series of identical cells 5 which can be of any suitable shape, even though the drawing shows them with an approximately elliptical cross-section (Figure 1) and an approximately semicircular longitudinal section, i.e. perpendicular to the preceding (Figure 2).
To obtain on the ice block two flat impressions which facilitate its gripping by the normal tongs used by the user, each cell comprises two mutually facing button projections 6.
A non-toxic eutectic mixture is introduced into the hollow body 1 through the opening or neck 3 before its closure, said mixture having a solidification point (temperature) less than the temperature of the compartment in which the tray is placed for converting into ice blocks the water poured for this purpose into cells. If, as is usual, the refrigerator freezer compartment or freezer has a minimum temperature of -24°C, the chosen non-

- 3 -
toxic eutectic will have a solidification point less than that value, for example -32°C. The following are some examples of non-toxic eutectics:
1) H20 + (30% by weight) CaCl2;
2) H20 + (27% by weight) CaCl2;
3) H2O + (30% by weight) CaCl2 + (1%.by volume) NH4CI/H2O;
4) H2O + (37% by weight) CaCl2 + (1% by volume) NH4CI/H2O;
where (in 3 and 4) NH4CI/H2O consists of (19.5% by weight) NH4CI
and (80.5%) H2O
5) H2O + (21.6% by weight) MgCl2;
6) H2O + (51% by weight) ZnCl2;
7) H2O + (30.5% by weight) Al(N03)3;
8) H2O + (42.9% by weight) Ca(N03)2;
9) H2O + (32.4% by weight) Mg(N03)2;

10) H2O + (20.6% by weight) MgCl2;
11) H2O + (30.2% by weight) CaCl2.
From 1 to 6% by volume of (non-toxic) additives + H2O able to further lower the solidification point can be added to the eutectic compositions of points 7-11. For example CaCl2 can be added to compositions 9 and 10, Mg(N03)2 to compositions 7 and 8, and ZnCl2 to composition 11.
In using the teachings of the invention the eutectic remains in the liquid state while the tray is in the freezer compartment, and is still liquid when the tray is removed, and which can hence be easily twisted to remove the ice blocks from the relative cells without having to use running water.

- 4 -
We Claim:
1. A hollow tray (1) comprising a series of cells (5) for
forming ice blocks when placed in a refrigerator freezer
compartment, and enclosing a eutectic solution of low
solidification point, characterised in that the eutectic is non-
toxic, and is chosen such that its solidification point is less
than the temperature of the freezer compartment.
2. A tray as claimed in claim 1, characterised by being
constructed of polyethylene preferably of high density, and
being preferable formed by blow-moulding.
Dated this 11th day of February 1998

(R.P. Bhattacharya)
of Cantwell & Co.
Agent for the Applicants.
A hollow tray (1) comprises a series of cells (5) for forming ice blocks when placed in a refrigerator freezer compartment, and encloses a eutectic solution of low solidification point; the eutectic is non-toxic, and is chosen such that its solidification point is less than the temperature of the freezer compartment.

Documents:

00214-cal-1998-abstract.pdf

00214-cal-1998-claims.pdf

00214-cal-1998-correspondence.pdf

00214-cal-1998-description(complete).pdf

00214-cal-1998-drawings.pdf

00214-cal-1998-form-1.pdf

00214-cal-1998-form-18.pdf

00214-cal-1998-form-2.pdf

00214-cal-1998-form-3.pdf

00214-cal-1998-form-5.pdf

00214-cal-1998-p.a.pdf

214-cal-1998-granted-abstract.pdf

214-cal-1998-granted-claims.pdf

214-cal-1998-granted-correspondence.pdf

214-cal-1998-granted-description (complete).pdf

214-cal-1998-granted-drawings.pdf

214-cal-1998-granted-examination report.pdf

214-cal-1998-granted-form 1.pdf

214-cal-1998-granted-form 18.pdf

214-cal-1998-granted-form 2.pdf

214-cal-1998-granted-form 3.pdf

214-cal-1998-granted-form 5.pdf

214-cal-1998-granted-letter patent.pdf

214-cal-1998-granted-pa.pdf

214-cal-1998-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

214-cal-1998-granted-specification.pdf

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Patent Number

195521

Indian Patent Application Number

214/CAL/1998

PG Journal Number

30/2009

Publication Date

24-Jul-2009

Grant Date

25-Nov-2005

Date of Filing

11-Feb-1998

Name of Patentee

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Applicant Address

2000 M 63, BENTON HARBOR MI

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	BIANCHI LORENZO	VIA VICO 32, 21100 VARESE

PCT International Classification Number

F25D 3/02

PCT International Application Number

N/A

PCT International Filing date

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	M197A01599	1997-07-04	Italy