Patent ID: 9151527
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: F25C

Abstract:
1. An ice structure producing apparatus comprising: a first mold portion having an outer surface area in thermal communication with a cooling source and at least one mold cavity segment disposed on the outer surface of the first mold portion; a second mold portion having and outer surface and at least one liquid inlet configured to permit liquid ingress and at least one liquid outlet configured to permit liquid egress and further including at least one mold cavity segment disposed on the outer surface of the second mold portion; at least one liquid delivery conduit fluidly connected to the at least one liquid inlet and a liquid source and a liquid departure conduit fluidly connected to the at least one liquid outlet; wherein the first mold portion and the second mold portion are configured to engage with one another to form at least one mold cavity defined by the mold cavity segments of the first mold portion and the second mold portion; wherein the cooling source in thermal communication with the first mold portion is configured to provide sufficient cooling to produce an ice structure within the at least one mold cavity when liquid capable of freezing solid is injected into the at least one mold cavity from the at least one liquid inlet; wherein the first mold portion is configured to be cooled by the cooling source to a first temperature, and further wherein the first temperature is below a second temperature of the second mold portion during the freezing of the liquid injected into the at least one mold cavity; wherein the second mold portion comprises a metallic portion and an insulating portion, and further wherein the metallic portion defines the mold cavity segment of the second mold portion; and a heating element disposed in the second mold portion in thermal communication with the metallic portion of the second mold portion.