Abstract:
The present inventions provides a container for dry ice, an entrance for the dry ice and a permeable surface wherein for the duration of vaporization the permeable surface provides an exit for vapor created by the dry ice inside the container and prevents the dry ice from exiting the container. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the entrance is configured to open and securely close. In another preferred aspect of the present invention, the container further comprises a patch to close the entrance.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/204,258, filed Jan. 6, 2009 and titled “Method, process and associated apparatus for the safe dispensation of dry ice in food applications” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the field of safe dispensation of dry ice in food applications. 
         [0003]    Dry ice can be used to create a visual fog effect using fluid. 
         [0004]    Dry ice can be hazardous and cause injury if handled incorrectly or ingested. 
         [0005]    Dry ice can cause frostbite and asphyxiation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    This application aims to solve safety issues related to the dispensation of dry ice in food applications for creating a visual fog effect while reducing the risk of dry ice coming into contact with the skin of the server or being accidentally swallowed by the consumer and causing frostbite. It is also designed to increase the rate of consumption of food and beverages by creating greater demand and by creating a perception that a food serving has lost some utility once the visual fog effect is over. This perceived loss of utility might encourage the consumer to order a replacement. 
         [0007]    The following definitions are to be used in this application when referring to dry ice and its properties, characteristics and elements. 
         [0008]    Vapor: The gaseous state of a substance that is liquid or solid under ordinary conditions. 
         [0009]    Vaporization: Conversion of a substance from the liquid or solid phase into the gaseous, or vapor phase. 
         [0010]    The present invention provides a dry ice container, an entrance to insert the dry ice into the container and a permeable surface wherein during vaporization the permeable surface provides an exit for vapor inside the container created by the dry ice and prevents the dry ice from exiting the container. 
         [0011]    In a preferred aspect of the invention, the entrance is configured to receive dry ice and securely close. 
         [0012]    In another preferred aspect of the invention, the container further comprises a lid to close the entrance. 
         [0013]    In another preferred aspect of the invention, the container further comprises a fastener that functions to insure the seal of the entrance. 
         [0014]    In another preferred aspect of the invention, the permeable surface functions to carbonate and cool a fluid outside the container. 
         [0015]    In another preferred aspect of the invention, the container further comprises a handle that is made of a stick, a chain, a string or a foodstuff. 
         [0016]    The present invention also provides a method for dispensing dry ice by providing the invention apparatus, inserting a dry ice into the invention, closing the entrance, and then submerging the invention in a fluid. 
         [0017]    The present invention also provides a dry ice dispensing system, comprising a fluid, a fluid container, a dry ice supply, a dry ice container, and a permeable surface wherein for a substantial duration of vaporization the permeable surface provides an exit for vapor inside the container created by the dry ice and substantially prevents the dry ice from exiting the container. 
         [0018]    In another preferred aspect, the dry ice dispensing system further comprises an automation apparatus configured to insert the dry ice into the container entrance and close the container entrance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1   a  shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment with the entrance open. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1   b  shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment with the entrance closed. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2   a  shows a schematic view of a dry ice dispensing system with the entrance open. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2   b  shows a schematic view of a dry ice dispensing system with the entrance closed and submerged in a fluid. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3   a  shows a perspective view of another embodiment with an additional flap and the entrance open. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3   b  shows a perspective view of another embodiment with an additional flap and the entrance closed. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4   a  shows a perspective view of another embodiment with an additional flexible arm and fastener and with the entrance open. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4   b  shows a perspective view of another embodiment with an additional flexible arm and fastener and with the entrance closed. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5   a  shows a perspective view of another embodiment with the entrance open. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5   b  shows a perspective view of another embodiment with the entrance pinched closed. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of another embodiment with a cover attached to an axle. 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of another embodiment with a cover attached to a hinge. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of another embodiment with an additional chain. 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of another embodiment with an additional tube. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    In the following description, the use of “a”, “an”, or “the” can refer to the plural. All examples given are for clarification only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b,    
         [0035]    an embodiment of a dry ice dispenser includes: 
         [0036]    a dry ice container  101  that is comprised of a permeable surface such that there are a plurality of holes  102  in the dry ice container  101 . The shape of the dry ice container  101  may be cylindrical, rectangular, or may be a shaped to resemble a figure or icon that may be used to create a marketing message. The container  101  may be comprised of plastic, metal, glass, wood, or edible material. Preferably there may be approximately at least 1 to 120 holes  102  in the container  101 . The individual holes  102  may have surface areas that are at least equal to a circle 1 mm to 4 mm in diameter, more preferably 2 mm to 3 mm in diameter, so as to prevent a potentially hazardous amount of dry ice from exiting the dry ice container  101 . The dry ice container  101  has an entrance  105  where dry ice may be inserted and sealed closed.  FIG. 1   a  shows the entrance  105  open and  FIG. 1   b  shows the entrance  105  closed making use of a hinge  103 , although it would be obvious that the entrance  105  may open and close without a hinge  103 . Additionally this embodiment includes a handle  104  although it is not essential to the invention. The handle  104  may be accessorized with a multitude of elements that may include decorative elements, foodstuff elements, lighting elements, text elements, or marketing materials. 
         [0037]    In operation the dry ice entrance  105  would be open allowing a piece of dry ice to be inserted inside the dry ice container  101 . The entrance  105  would then be securely closed and thereby allow the safe dispensation of dry ice into a food application. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b,    
         [0039]    an embodiment of a dry ice dispensing system includes: 
         [0040]    dry ice  201  contained inside a dry ice container  101  that is submerged in a fluid  203  that is contained inside a fluid container  202 . (such as a drinking glass or a bowl).  FIG. 2   a  shows the dry ice  201  inside the dry ice container  101  and  FIG. 2   b  shows the dry ice container  101  submerged in a fluid  203 . When the dry ice container  101  is submerged in the fluid  203 , the permeable surface  102  allows the fluid  203  to flow into the dry ice container  101  and create vapor. The vapor exits the dry ice container  101  via the permeable surface  102  and mixes with the fluid  203 . Some of the vapor will dissolve into the fluid  203  creating carbonic acid effectively carbonating the fluid. Since vapor gas is less dense than fluid  203 , majority of the vapor will rise to the top surface of the fluid  203 . When the vapor rises to this level a visual fog effect results. The fluid  203  chosen may be of any kind of fluid preferably with a high water content. One skilled in the art will realize a plethora of good fluids  203 . Since dry ice  201  has a temperature of −78.5° C. the fluid  203  that comes in contact with the dry ice  201  may be cooled. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b,    
         [0042]    in another embodiment dry ice container  101  has an adhesible surface  302  that surrounds the dry ice entrance  105 . The dry ice entrance  105  may be sealed with a flap or patch  301 . The flap  301  may be comprised of a flexible material that seals well, such as plastic, foam, aluminum foil, or laminated cardboard. The flap  301  may adhere to the adhesible surface  302  using adhesives, high temperature bonding, or zip lock bond.  FIG. 3   b  shows the flap  301  mid way to sealing the dry ice entrance  105 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b,    
         [0044]    in another embodiment dry ice container  101  has a flexible arm  401  that is attached to lid  402 . The lid may securely seal the dry ice entrance  105  using a fastener, preferably a zip tie. The fastener may be comprised of a gear rack  403  and ratchet  404 . Preferably the ratchet  404  allows linear movement of the gear rack  403  in one direction only. All the elements including the dry ice container  101 , flexible arm  401 , lid  402  and fastener may be manufactured as a single component and may be comprised of plastic.  FIG. 4   b  shows the dry ice entrance  105  sealed by the lid  402  while the flexible arm  401  is still attached to both the dry ice container  101  and lid  402 .  FIG. 4   b  also shows the gear rack  403  pulled through the ratchet  404  thus securely closing the entrance  105 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b,    
         [0046]    in another embodiment dry ice container  101  is comprised of a flexible material such that the dry ice entrance  105  may be pinched closed and sealed.  FIG. 5   b  shows the dry ice entrance  105  pinched closed. The seal  501  may be achieved using adhesives, high temperature bonding, or zip lock bond. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , 
         [0048]    in another embodiment dry ice container  101  has a dry ice entrance  105  that is closed using a disc  601  that may rotate on an axle  602  that is attached to the dry ice container  101 . The disc  601  may rotate in a direction such that the planer surface of the disc  105  significantly covers the surface area of the dry ice entrance  105 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , 
         [0050]    in another embodiment, dry ice container  101  has a dry ice entrance  105  that is closed using a cover  701  that is attached to a hinge  702 . The hinge  702  is attached to both the container  101  and the cover  701 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , 
         [0052]    in another embodiment dry ice container  101  is attached to a chain  801  that is further attached to an anchor  802 . The anchor  802  may function to allow the chain  801  to drape over the edge of a container without falling. The chain  801  and anchor  802  may be comprised of materials such as metal, plastic, or fibers. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , 
         [0054]    in another embodiment dry ice container  101  is attached to a hollow tube  901 . The tube  901  pierces the container  101  thus providing an exit for vapor inside the container  101 . The tube  901  could also be configured not to pierce the container  101  and run along the side of the container  101  thus allowing the tube  901  to function as a drinking straw. 
         [0055]    An advantage of all the embodiments shown is that the dry ice container  101  may contain dry ice  201  and create a visual fog effect while reducing the risk of dry ice coming into contact with the skin of the server or being accidentally swallowed by the consumer and causing frostbite. 
         [0056]    Of course, the various aspects of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-9  may be mixed and matched as desired, where possible. 
         [0057]    Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to only those embodiments shown. 
         [0058]    For example, the container  101  may be comprised of three or more modular pieces that join together to comprise a container. 
         [0059]    For another example, the container  101  and handle  104  may be comprised of any edible substance. 
         [0060]    For another example, the handle  104  may be comprised of a string, chain, wire, or cable. 
         [0061]    For another example, the holes  102  may be configured to display a textual image. 
         [0062]    For another example, the hollow tube  901  may be have a manifold arrangement.