Patent Publication Number: US-2011076375-A1

Title: Alcohol infused ice cube apparatus and methods

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/842,702, filed Aug. 21, 2007, which application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/839,264, filed Aug. 21, 2006, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure generally relates to ice making machines and methods of making ice cubes, and more particularly relates to ice making machines and related methods for making alcohol infused ice cubes. 
     2. Related Art 
     Ice cubes have been made for consumer use for many years. There are a variety of methods and machines for making ice cubes. In a very simplified form, a tray or mold divided into a plurality of sections is filled with water and placed in an environment wherein the temperature surrounding the water is below the freezing point of the water. The water in the trays changes from a liquid form to a frozen, solid form. The frozen water is removed from the tray in the form of some type or style of ice cube. The ice cube can be used for many purposes such as, for example, addition to drinks and cooling foods. 
     Typically, an ice cube is known to have one of several common shapes including, for example, a cube shape having a rectangular cross section, a crescent shape (i.e., elongate curve-shaped structure), a nugget shape (a cylindrical shape), tubular shape (a hollow cylindrical shape), a chip shape (a flat rectangular shape), or crushed. An “ice cube” as the term is used herein is intended to describe a piece of solidified, frozen liquid having a size or volume of at least about one cubic centimeter (1 cm 3 ) and no greater than about ten cubic centimeters (10 cm 3 ). Preferably, an ice cube as the term is used herein has a size of about 2 cm 3  to about 5 cm 3 . 
     A variety of ice making machines and methods have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,539 to Garber discloses an ice making and dispensing machine; U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,705 to Torii disclosed a flavored ice and manufacturing method for the same; U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,337 to Astvatsatrian discloses a system for making and dispensing colored water and colored ice cubes of varying shapes; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,097 to Ashley discloses a flavored ice cartridge dispenser for ice maker, which patents are incorporated herein by reference. Commercial and consumer ice machines have been manufactured and sold for decades using general principles of ice making. 
     In the area of food services, beverages are kept cool by refrigeration or ice cubes. A well known dislike among consumers is the dilution of their drink when frozen water (i.e., ice cubes) is added to the drink for the purpose of cooling the drink. As the ice cube melts in the drink to cool the drink, the ice cube changes from its frozen, solid state to a liquid water state. The added liquid water dilutes the drink. This problem is of particular concern when serving alcoholic drinks since the dilution of the alcoholic drink resulting from melted ice cubes reduces the alcohol content of the per unit volume, thus affecting among other things the taste of the drink and the effect of alcohol in the consumer&#39;s body. 
     Addressing these and other concerns related to the use of ice cubes for consumers would be an advance in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure generally relates to methods and systems for generating alcohol infused ice cubes having a minimum alcohol content. One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an alcohol infused ice making apparatus that includes a cooling source, a liquid mixing solution (water or other mix) input, a liquid alcohol input, an ice mold, an ice cube bin, and a dispenser assembly. The machine mixes the solution and alcohol and then fills the mold with the solution/alcohol mixture. The filled mold is positioned within a refrigerated area, wherein the low temperature is maintained by the refrigeration source. After the solution/alcohol mixture is frozen within the mold, the frozen mixture is removed from the mold and collected in the ice cube bin. The dispenser assembly dispenses the ice cubes from the bin for consumer use. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of generating alcohol infused ice cubes having a minimum alcohol content. The method includes mixing liquid solution and alcohol to create a solution/alcohol ratio having an alcohol content of at least 2-5%. The method further includes filling an ice cube mold with the solution/alcohol mixture and freezing the mixture while in the mold. The method still further includes removing the frozen mixture in the form of an alcohol infused ice cube. 
     Alcohol infused ice cubes offer the opportunity for the consumer to have cool alcoholic drinks with less dilution caused by the ice cube. 
     The above summary is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the inventive aspects disclosed herein. Figures in the detailed description that follow more particularly describe features that are examples of how certain inventive aspects may be practiced. While certain embodiments are illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating general inventive principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic front perspective view of an example alcohol infused ice machine in accordance with inventive principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a cooling device portion of the alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is front perspective view of an ice mold assembly portion of the alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a dispensing system portion of the alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic front view of a drop tray portion of the alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic front perspective view of a dispenser chute portion of the alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic front perspective view of a mixing and distribution system portion of the alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic side view of another example alcohol infused ice machine in accordance with inventive principles of the present disclosure, including multiple mixing chambers; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic front view of the example alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic top plan view of a drop tray of the alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic top plan view of an example mixing and distribution system of the alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic top plan view of the alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic side view of another example alcohol infused ice machine in accordance with inventive principles of the present disclosure, including a single mixing chamber; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic front view of the example alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic top plan view of a drop tray of the alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic top plan view of an example mixing and distribution system of the alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic top plan view of the alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic side view of another example alcohol infused ice machine in accordance with inventive principles of the present disclosure, including vertically stacked ice cube bins; 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic front view of the example alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic top plan view of an example mixing and distribution system of the alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a schematic top plan view of the alcohol infused ice machine shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic front perspective view of another example alcohol infused ice machine in accordance with inventive principles of the present disclosure, including three alcohol inputs and three dispensers; and 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic front view of another example alcohol infused ice machine according to inventive principles of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for the production of ice cubes having a minimum alcohol content (i.e., alcohol infused ice cubes). It is well known that consumers use ice in mixed alcoholic beverages. The ice used in mixed alcoholic beverages tends to melt during the process of cooling the beverage, thus diluting the mixed alcoholic beverage. Dilution of a mixed alcoholic beverage results in changes to the taste of the beverage as well as reducing the percentage of alcohol content of the beverage over time. Consumers tend to dislike diluted alcoholic beverages, but do prefer having their alcohol infused beverages kept cold in most instances while consuming the drink. The present disclosure provides a means of maintaining cold alcohol infused beverages while minimizing the amount of dilution of the beverage, and increasing quality. 
     The Example of FIG. 1 
       FIG. 1  illustrates schematically an alcohol infused ice machine or device  10 . The device  10  has several inputs and an output of an alcohol infused ice cube having a minimum alcohol content. The ice device  10  includes an input of mixing solution, an input of alcohol, and a cooling mechanism. The device  10  mixes the solution and alcohol to create a solution/alcohol mixture having a predetermined alcohol content. The refrigeration input provides temperatures in the device  10  sufficient to freeze the solution/alcohol mixture into an alcohol infused ice cube of predetermined shape and size. 
     The alcohol infused ice cube is of a sufficient size for consumer use. As described above, a primary consumer use for alcohol infused ice cubes is alcoholic beverages, wherein the ice cubes are used as whole ice cubes within a glass full of alcohol infused beverage. Alternatively, the alcohol infused ice cubes can be crushed and then added to other types of alcoholic beverages to create an alcohol infused drink such as a slush-type drink. 
     Typically, the temperature of the refrigerated environment needed to freeze solid most types of liquid alcohol drinks is less than about −5° F. Most types of ice making machines used to create ice (e.g., consumer freezers, and consumer and commercial ice machines) operate at a temperature greater than about 0° F. and less than 32° F., and more typically at a temperature of about 5° F. to about 30° F. The ice device  10  described with reference to  FIG. 1  preferably operates at a temperature of about 0° to about −60° F., and more preferably about −5° to about −20° F. Some example freezer devices that generate sub-zero degree F. temperatures are blast freezers and freezers operating with liquid Nitrogen. It is recognized that refrigeration/freezing conditions of as low as −300° F. are possible with some types of specialized freezers. 
     Another commercially available product used to partially freeze alcohol related products are alcoholic slush-type machines. An alcoholic slush machine is used to partially freeze a mixture of solution and alcohol infused beverage to create a partially frozen alcohol infused slush-type beverage. In many cases an alcohol infused slush machine merely freezes the mixing solution portion of the solution/alcohol mixture. The mixing solution molecules are frozen and conglomerate together in small crystals of ice that intermingle with the alcohol in the mixture. Typically, the freezing temperatures used for an alcohol infused slush-type device are well above the low temperatures required to generate solid alcohol infused ice cubes having a predetermined minimum alcohol content. 
     The predetermined minimum alcohol infused content of the alcohol infused ice cubes disclosed herein, which are generated by, for example, the ice device  10  is at least 2-5% alcohol. In some arrangements, the alcohol infused ice cube devices and methods disclosed herein can generate alcohol infused ice cubes having an alcohol infused content of at least 5-80%, and typically about 5 to about 20% alcohol. Most alcoholic beverages have an alcohol content of no greater than about 80% and typically at least 5%. Some alcoholic beverages must be mixed with water or other mixing solution in order to lower the alcohol content to a level in which the mixture can be frozen into solid ice cubes using commercially viable refrigeration systems. However, it is well within the intent of the present disclosure to provide refrigerated conditions sufficient to freeze alcohol infused ice cubes having an alcohol infused content of up to 100% alcohol. 
     While the device  10  shown in  FIG. 1  includes a mixing solution input, in some arrangements a mixing solution input is not required if the alcohol content of the alcohol drink used as an alcohol input to the device  10  is already of a sufficiently low level to promote freezing of the alcoholic beverage within the preferred refrigeration temperatures (e.g., about 0° to about −60° F.). 
     The Example of FIGS.  2 - 8   
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-8 , another example alcohol infused ice machine  100  is shown and described. Machine  100  includes a cooling device  102 , an ice mold assembly  104 , a dispensing system  106 , a drop tray  108 , a dispense chute  110 , and a mixing and distribution system  112 . The cooling device  102  is shown in further detail in  FIG. 3  to include a cover  120 , a refrigerator unit  122 , and a blower  124 . The refrigerator unit  122  generates cold air that is circulated via the blower  124  into the ice mold assembly  104 . 
     The cover  120  can function as a top cover of the machine  100  to enclose otherwise exposed components of ice machine  100 . In other embodiments, the refrigerator unit  122 , blower  124  and other components can be positioned at a bottom side of the ice machine  100 . Alternatively, at least some of the refrigerator unit  122 , blower  124  and other components can be positioned at a location remote from the ice mold assembly  104 , dispensing system  106  and other components of the ice machine  100 . The refrigerator unit  122  can be any known refrigerator device or system capable of generating the refrigerated environment required for machine  100  to generated alcohol infused ice cubes as described herein. 
     In other embodiments, the refrigerator  122  can be positioned at other locations in the machine  100 . For example, the refrigerator unit  122  can be positioned at a remote location and simply circulate cold air to cool liquid through the ice mold assembly  104  to generate the freezing conditions necessary to freeze a solution/alcohol mixture. The blower  124  may likewise be replaced with other distribution mechanisms for distributing cold air or cold liquid to the ice mold assembly  104 . In many configurations, it is advantageous to position the refrigerator or other cold condition generating unit at a vertically upper side of the machine  100  such that cold air at that location permeates downward under natural cold air convection principles. The blower  124  and other features of the machine  100  may require colder temperature ratings in order to properly function under the colder conditions (sub-zero degrees F.) required for freezing solid the alcohol infused ice cubes. 
     The ice mold assembly  104  is shown in further detail in  FIG. 4 . The assembly  104  includes a bin housing  130  sized to enclose and retain a plurality of alcohol infused ice cubes, a dispenser opening  132 , and an ice maker  134 . The ice maker  134  includes a mold  136  having a plurality of partitions  138 . The ice maker  134  is typically positioned near a top end of the bin housing  130  such that ice generated in the mold  136  can be extracted and fall under gravity forces into the bin housing  130  where the ice cubes are collected for later dispersion through the dispense opening  132 . 
     The mold  136  can have any of a number of different shapes and sizes to create different shapes and sizes of alcohol infused ice cubes. For example, the mold  136  can have a plurality of partitions  138  that create cube shape, crescent shape, nugget shape, tubular, chip or any other desired shape having any desired size for the alcohol infused ice cubes. Typically, the mold  136  is sized to generate ice cubes having a volume of no less than about 1 cubic centimeter and no more than about 10 cubic centimeters. Ice cubes for consumer use, in particular those for alcoholic beverages, usually have a volume of about 1 cm 3  to about 3 cm 3 . In an alternative configuration, the alcohol infused ice cubes generated by the system  100  are less than 1 cm 3  or greater than 10 cm 3  in volume, depending on a given application or use for the alcohol infused ice cubes. The ice maker  134  also includes an ice cube remover (not shown) that is used to remove the alcohol infused ice cubes from the mold  136 . Typically, an ice cube remover can operate automatically to remove the alcohol infused ice cubes from the ice maker  134  after the alcohol infused ice cubes have been sufficiently frozen to retain their shape and size when collected in the bin housing  130 . 
     The alcohol infused ice cubes generated by the ice maker  134  are frozen to a sufficient solid state and having a hardness and frozen consistency that is similar to frozen pure water ice cubes that are frozen at a temperature of about 0° to about 20° F. 
     Typically, the alcohol infused ice cubes having the alcohol content described above cannot be crushed or broken under the forces of a human hand. However, such alcohol infused ice cubes when frozen by the ice maker  134  are typically brittle and crack when engaged under large forces with other alcohol infused ice cubes (e.g., those ice cubes being collected in the bin housing  134 ). Preferably, the bin housing  134  is sized and the alcohol infused ice cubes generated by the ice maker  134  have a sufficient hardness and rigidity to avoid cracking or otherwise breaking into smaller pieces when being collected in the bin housing  130 . Alternatively, the bin housing  130  and ice maker  134  and alcohol infused ice cubes are configured such that the alcohol infused ice cubes generated intentionally break into smaller pieces upon collection in the bin housing  130 . Intentional breaking of the alcohol infused ice cubes can result from, for example, features of the ice maker  134  or the ice cube remove (not shown, features of the bin housing where the alcohol infused ice cubes are collected, the size and shape of the alcohol infused ice cubes, or the composition of the alcohol infused ice cubes. 
     The mold assembly  104  is shown including four different compartments, wherein each compartment includes a separate ice maker  134  and bin housing  130 . Each of the ice makers  134  and the ice mold assembly  104  is coupled to a different alcohol mixture as will be described below in further detail with reference to the mixing and distribution system  112  shown in  FIG. 8 . The bin housing  130  can be insulated as necessary to ensure the alcohol infused ice cubes generated in the ice maker  134  and stored in the bin housing  130  maintain their solid frozen state. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the dispensing system  106  is shown and described in further detail. The dispensing system  106  includes an ice chamber  140 , a door  142 , a controller  144 , and a housing  146 . The housing  146  has a plurality of ice chambers  140  defined therein. Each of the ice chambers  140  are associated with one of the ice makers and bin housing of the ice mold assembly  104  described above. Typically, the ice chamber  140  is sized to collect a predetermined number of alcohol infused ice cubes generated by the ice maker  134 . This predetermined number of alcohol infused ice cubes collected in the ice chamber  140  typically corresponds to, for example, the volume of a glass that will eventually hold the alcohol infused ice cubes for preparation of an alcohol infused beverage that includes the alcohol infused ice cubes. For example, the ice chamber  140  may be sized to retain four ice cubes, wherein each alcohol infused ice cube has a volume of about 1 cm 3  if the glass eventually used to retain the alcohol infused ice cubes has a total volume of about 6 cm 3  to about 16 cm 3 . 
     Separate doors  142 ,  143  can be positioned at top and bottom ends of the ice chamber  140  so as to improve control of ice cubes retained in the ice chamber  140  and dispersed out of the machine  100  at any given time. The doors  142 ,  143  can pivot, slide or deform according as needed to provide a controllable opening and closing of access to the ice chamber  140 . The doors  142 ,  143  can move manually, automatically, or in response to actuation from an electronically controlled source such as the controller  144 . In a manual arrangement, a separate sliding door or rotational handle can be actuated by an operator to open and close access to the ice chamber  140 . 
     The controller  144  can be used to operate the doors  142 ,  143  as well as perform and/or control other functions associated with the dispensing system  106 . For example, the dispensing system  106  can include mechanisms for counting or weighing the alcohol infused ice cubes as they enter into and/or leave the ice chamber  140 . Such weighing or other monitoring means can provide more accurate dispersion of the alcohol infused ice cubes in some cases. In one example, the ice chamber  140  is coupled to a load cell or other weight measuring device that monitors by weight the alcohol infused ice cubes that enter and/or exit the ice chamber  140 . In another example, a motion sensor is associated with the ice chamber  140  to monitor by movement the number of ice cubes entering and/or exiting the ice chamber  140 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the drop tray  108  is shown and described. The drop tray  108  includes an ice aperture  150  and a plurality of sloped surfaces  152  directed towards the ice aperture  150 . The drop tray  108  is positioned vertically below the dispensing system  106 . The sloped surfaces  152  are positioned directly beneath the bottom opening of each of the ice chambers  140  of the dispense system  106  such that when alcohol infused ice cubes drop downward from the ice chamber  140  (e.g., after opening door  142 ) the alcohol infused ice cubes slide along the sloped surfaces  152  and into the ice aperture  150 . One advantage of using the drop tray  108  is that a single ice aperture  150  can be provided for a plurality of different types of alcohol infused ice cubes generated by the machine  100 . The ice aperture  150  is coupled in fluid communication with a dispensing channel  160  of a dispense chute  110  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The channel  160  of the top opening  162  is positioned vertically below the ice aperture  150  of the drop tray  108 . 
     The operator has easy access for dispensing the alcohol infused ice cubes when the opening  164  of the channel  160  is in an opened state and positioned at a front side of the machine  100 . The operator can position a glass for containing an alcoholic beverage into which the alcohol infused ice cubes will be placed at the outlet opening  164  prior to dispensing alcohol infused ice cubes through the ice chamber  144 , on the sloped surfaces  152  into the ice aperture  150 , and through the channel  162  into the glass. 
     The dispense chute  110  can include a control panel  166  having a plurality of control buttons  168 . The control buttons  168 , upon activation, can control one or more functions of the machine  100 , such as activating at least one of the doors  142 ,  143  directly or via the controller  144  to release alcohol infused ice cubes for dispensing out of the machine  100 . The control panel  166  can include other control buttons for other operations associated with the machine  100 . For example, the control panel can be used to modify the operating temperature in the mold assembly  104  for purposes of freezing the solution/alcohol mixture. In another example, the control panel can be used to alter the ratio of mixing solution and alcohol by controlling volume mechanisms in the mixing and distribution system  112  that will be described below. 
     At least one of the control panel  166  and controller  144  can be used to keep track of the total number of dispenses of alcohol infused ice cubes from the machine  100 . Usually, the average amount of alcohol per ice cube is known as part of the mixing function of system  112 . Therefore, the total number of alcohol infused ice cubes dispensed can be used to determine the total amount of alcoholic beverage used from the containers  172 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the mixing and distribution system  112  (also referred to as a “tumbler system”) is shown and described in further detail. The system  112  includes a solution input  170 , a plurality of alcohol bottles or containers  172  positioned along a top side thereof, a plurality of mixing chambers  174 , a housing  176 , and a solution/alcohol mixture output  178 . The containers  172  are positioned upside down along a top surface of the housing  176 . The alcohol beverage contained within the containers  172  is then provided under gravity forces into the mixing chambers  174 . A separate mixing chamber can be associated with each of the containers  172 . Alternatively, at least some of the containers  172  can provide a source of alcohol beverage to two or more of the mixing chambers. In still other arrangements, multiple containers  172  can provide alcohol beverages to a single chamber  174 . The use of multiple containers  172  and multiple mixing chambers in a system  112  provides significant variability and customization in generating alcohol infused ice cubes having the desired alcohol infused content and mixture. 
     Each of the mixing chambers  174  has associated with it a mixing zone (not clearly illustrated) and some valving mechanisms (not clearly illustrated) that control the flow of alcohol beverage and mixing solution into the mixing zone. The valving mechanisms can operate automatically under pressure forces generally known to exist with a standard solution input and the pressure created by an upside down bottle of alcohol beverage. The valving mechanism can also be controlled by, for example, electronically, magnetically, pneumatically or other type of valving technology in response to control signals generated by, for example, the controller  144  or control panel  166 . The solution/alcohol mixture output  178  can be pressurized, metered, and controlled as desired as part of the delivery of the solution/alcohol mixture to the ice maker  134 . 
     The amount and rate of mixing in the mixing chamber  174  can be controlled in part by the amount of alcohol infused ice cubes collected in the bin housing  170 . In one example, the number or net volume of alcohol infused ice cubes in the bin housing  170  can be monitored. When a predetermined amount or volume of cubes is reached, the mixing of solution and alcohol in the mixing chamber  174  either stops, is slowed down, or is fed through the output  178  at a slower rate. This feature can help limit overfilling of the bin housing  170  with alcohol infused ice cubes. 
     A four-chamber, four-container system is shown in  FIG. 8 . In other arrangements, any number of mixing chambers and alcohol containers can be used in a given alcohol infused ice machine. In one example, it is envisioned that an alcohol infused ice machine include five or more alcohol containers and/or mixing chambers. Such a relatively large machine can be used in large bars and other social establishments that have high volume sales. Alternatively, a single mixing chamber and single alcohol container configuration can be used for a relatively small alcohol infused ice machine for use in a low volume application such as a consumer&#39;s home. In another example, the alcohol infused ice machine can be configured to generate, store, and dispense both water ice cubes and at least one type of alcohol infused ice cubes. 
     The solution input  170  to the system  112  can be connected in fluid communication with, for example, a pressurized water system such as a building fresh water system. Alternatively, the source of water  170  can be connected to bottled water, another source of filtered or stored water, or another solution such as a soft drink, lemonade, or specialty non-alcoholic beverage. The mixture output  178  is coupled in fluid communication with the ice maker  134  of the ice mold assembly  104 . The output  178  can include a plurality of separate channels defined therein, wherein a separate channel is associated with each of the mixing chambers  174 . Alternatively, a separate mixture output  178  can be associated with each of the mixing chambers  174  and directed along separate paths to the ice maker  134  in each of the bin housings  130  of the ice mold assembly  104 . 
     Any one of the features  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  described above can be modified, replaced, or eliminated while still providing the machine  100  with at least some desired functionality needed to produce alcohol infused ice cubes. For example, the dispensing system  106  and drop tray  108  can be integrated into a single unit rather than being two separate units coupled together. In another example, the dispensing system  106  and drop tray  108  could be eliminated and alcohol infused ice cubes generated by the ice maker  134  dropped directly into the cup of an operator. In another example, the solution/alcohol mixture can be provided from a remote location and delivered directly to the ice mold assembly  104 . It is also possible to store the generated alcohol infused ice cubes at a remote location by directing the alcohol infused ice cubes to a separate storage bin where the alcohol infused ice cubes are dispensed. These and many other alternative arrangements fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     The alcohol infused ice machine  100  in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-8  has dimensions that make the machine  100  suitable for use in a residential or retail space. In one example, the height H of the machine  100  can be in the range of about 15 to about 60 inches. The width W of the machine  100  can be in the range of about 12 to about 60 inches. The depth D of the machine  100  can be in the range of about 12 to about 36 inches. 
     The Example of FIGS. 9-13 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate another example alcohol infused ice machine  200 . Machine  200  includes a cooling device  202 , an ice mold assembly  204 , a dispensing assembly  206 , and a mixing and distribution system  212 . The system  212  includes a solution input  270 , an alcohol input  272 , and a mixture output  278 . The mixture output  278  is coupled in fluid communication with the ice mold assembly  204 . Alcohol infused ice cubes generated by the ice mold assembly  204  can be dispensed from the machine  200  by the dispensing system  206 , drop tray  208 , and a dispense shoot channel  260 . 
     The machine  200  includes four different alcohol inputs  272  that are coupled to separate mixing chambers  274 . Each of the mixing chambers  274  is coupled in fluid communication with the source of mixing solution  270 . Each of the mixing chambers  274  is coupled in fluid communication with a set of ice makers  234 . The machine  200  includes four separate bin housings  230  that collect alcohol infused ice cubes generated by the sets of ice makers  234 . 
     The drop tray  208  is configured to receive alcohol infused ice cubes stored in each of the bin housings  230  and dispensed the alcohol infused ice cubes from a single dispense shoot channel  260 . In other arrangements, a separate dispense shoot channel  260  is provided for each of the bin housings  230 .  FIG. 11  illustrates the drop tray  208  with the channel  260  integrated therein to dispense alcohol infused ice cubes that fall onto any of the top surfaces  209 A-D (see  FIG. 11 ). 
     The machine  200  includes a solution input  270  that is coupled in fluid communication with each of the mixing chambers  274 . In other arrangements, a separate solution input  270  can be provided to each of the mixing chambers  274 . As discussed above, the solution input  270  can include any liquid solution such as, for example, water or other nonalcoholic or alcoholic solutions. 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate top views of the mixing and distribution system  212  ( FIG. 12 ) or the combination of the system  212  with a top cover  220  of the machine  200 . The mixing and distribution system  212  can include a door or other lid member  213  that provides access to the mixing chambers  274  and other internal components of the mixing and distribution system  212 . 
     The machine  200  can further include a control system (not shown) that is used to control at least one function of the machine  200 . The control system can be operated using a control panel, switches, actuators, or other user interface. 
     The Example of FIGS. 14-18 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate another example alcohol infused ice machine  300 . The machine  300  includes a cooling device  302 , an ice mold assembly  304 , a dispensing system  306 , and a mixing and distribution system  312 . The mixing and distribution system  312  includes a solution input  370 , a plurality of alcohol inputs  372 , and a mixture output  378 . The mixture outputs  378  are coupled in fluid communication with a plurality of ice mold assemblies  304 . Each ice mold assembly  304  includes a set of ice makers  334 . Alcohol infused ice cubes generated by the ice makers  334  are stored in a bin housing associated with the sets of ice makers  334 . 
     Alcohol infused ice cubes stored in each of the bin housings  330  is dispensed from the machine  300  via the dispensing system  306  and a common drop tray  308  that directs the alcohol infused ice cubes out of the machine via the dispense shoot channel  360 . In other arrangements, a separate drop shoot channel  360  can be associated with each of the individual bin housings  330  or any number of the bin housings  330  as desired. 
     Machine  300  is shown including four separate bin housings  330 , each being associated with a separate set of ice makers  334 . Each of the ice makers  334  receives a mixture of alcohol and solution that is mixed in the mixing chamber  374 . The mixing chamber  374  can be in fluid communication with each of the alcohol inputs  372 . The mixing chamber  374  can be used to mix any combination of the solution input  370  and the alcohol inputs  372 , or any one of those inputs  370 ,  372  alone. For example, the mixing chamber  374  can be used to mix the solution input  370  with just one of the alcohol inputs  372 . In another example, three of the alcohol inputs  372  can be mixed in the mixing chamber  374 . In another example, the mixing chamber  374  can act as a pass through device wherein a single one of the inputs  370 ,  372  alone can be directed to at least one of the ice makers  334 . 
     The mixing distribution system  312  can include a valving arrangement  375  in fluid communication with any one or all of the mixing chamber  374 , the solution and alcohol inputs  370 ,  372 , and the mixture outputs  378 . The valving arrangement  375  can be used to control the various fluid flows such as, for example, directing fluid to any one of the sets of ice makers  334  at a given time. The valving arrangement  375  can be configured to promote emptying of the mixing chamber  374  prior to initiating the mixing of a new mixture. Other valving devices and features are possible within the mixing and distribution system  312  to provide optimum flow control and mixing of various input fluids and directing those mixtures of fluids to the ice makers  334  to generate ice cubes such as alcohol infused ice cubes. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an example drop tray configuration  308  that collects alcohol infused ice cubes from each of the dispensing systems  306  and dispenses the ice cubes from the dispense shoot  360 . Many other drop tray configurations are possible. 
       FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate top views of the mixing and distribution system  312  ( FIG. 17 ) and the combination of a top cover  320  of the machine  300  with the system  312  ( FIG. 18 ). The system  312  may include a lid member  313  that provides access to the mixing chamber  374  and other components of the mixing and distribution system  312 . The cover  320  can also be removable to expose other features internal to the machine  300 . 
     The machine  300  can further include a control system (not shown) that is used to control at least one function of the machine  300 . The control system can be operated using a control panel, switches, actuators, or other user interface. 
     The Example of FIGS. 19-22 
       FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate another example alcohol infused ice machine  400 . Machine  400  includes a cooling device  402 , a plurality of ice mold assemblies  404 , a drop tray  408 , and a mixing and distribution system  412 . The system  412  includes a mixing solution input  470 , a plurality of alcohol inputs  472 , and a mixture output  478  that is coupled to the plurality of ice mold assemblies  404 . The mixing and distribution system  412  includes many of the same features as discussed above related to machine  300 . 
     The machine  400  includes four separate bin housings  430  and a set of ice makers  434  associated with each bin housing  430 . The bin housings  430  are stacked in pairs. Ice cubes generated by the ice makers  434  can be directed by the drop tray  408  to a dispense shoot channel  460  associated with each bin housing  430 . In some arrangements, a control mechanism can be provided at the channel  460  to control the flow of ice cubes from the bin housings  430  out of the machine  400 . Any of the same features or functionality of the dispensing system  106  described above can be included at or near the dispenser shoot channel  460 . 
     The mixing and distribution system  412  can include a valving arrangement  475  that optimizes flow control, mixing, and dispensing of liquids to the ice makers  434 .  FIG. 19  illustrates fluid communication between the upper and lower sets of ice makers  434  for adjacent bin housings  430 . As a result, these of bin housings  430  and associated ice makers  434  could be used to produce and store ice cubes having the same percentage alcohol content. The ice makers  434  shown in  FIG. 19  could be configured to produce different shapes or sizes of ice cubes. Furthermore, one of the icemakers  434  shown in  FIG. 19  could produce crushed ice while the other set of ice makers produce ice cubes. A single machine  400  can be used to produce ice cubes of various configurations, ice cubes of the same or different percentage alcohol content, or different mixtures of fluid (i.e., the same percentage alcohol content but based on different alcohol and mixing solution inputs). 
       FIG. 21  illustrates a top view of the mixing and distribution system  412  alone.  FIG. 22  illustrates a top view of a combination of a cover  420  with the mixing and distribution system  412 . The system  412  can include a lid member  413  that provides access to the mixing chamber  474  and other features of the system  412 . Likewise, the cover member  420  can be removed to access other features of the machine  400  such as the ice makers  434  and bin housings  430 . 
     The machine  400  can further include a control system (not shown) that is used to control at least one function of the machine  400 . The control system can be operated using a control panel, switches, actuators, or other user interface. 
     The Example of FIG. 23 
       FIG. 23  is a perspective view illustrating another example alcohol infused ice machine  500 . The ice machine  500  includes a housing  501  within which is positioned a cooling device and ice mold assembly (not shown). The machine  500  includes a mixing and distribution system  512  and a dispensing system that includes a plurality of dispense shoot channels  560  and a dispensing controller  568  associated with each channel  560 . A solution input  570  provides a solution that can be mixed with any one of the alcohol containers  572  via the mixing and distribution system  512 . 
     Other types of housing structures and configurations  501  can be used with any of the machines  10 ,  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  described above to provide an aesthetically pleasing, functional alcohol infused ice cube machine for generating and dispensing alcohol infused ice cubes. 
     The Example of FIG. 24 
       FIG. 24  illustrates another example alcohol infused ice machine  600 . The machine  600  includes a cooling device  602 , an ice mold assembly  604 , a dispensing system  606 , a mixing and distribution system  612  having a solution input  670 , an alcohol input  672 , and a mixture output  178  that is coupled to the ice mold assembly  604 . The alcohol container  170  is a single source of alcohol that mixes with a single source of solution  670  in a single mixing chamber  674  of the system  612  to produce a solution/alcohol mixture  678  with desired percentage alcohol content. 
     The cooling device  602 , ice mold assembly  604 , and dispensing system  606  can be of any desired size and shape, and be positioned at any location relative to the system  612 . For example, the system  612  can be position in one room and the cooling device  602 , ice mold assembly  604 , and dispensing system  606  can be position in a remote location such as a separate room. The cooling device  602  preferably provides a refrigerated environment of at least 0° to about 30° F., and more preferably about −5° to about −20° F. to freeze solid the solution/alcohol mixture  678 . 
     CONCLUSION 
     One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an alcohol infused ice cube machine, or an ice making machine that is adapted and configured to generated alcohol infused ice cubes. The machine can include at least one ice mold configured to generate alcohol infused ice cubes, at least one ice cube storage bin configured to collect alcohol infused ice cubes formed in the ice mold, a dispenser mechanism, a mixing arrangement, and a cooling mechanism. The dispenser mechanism is configured to dispense the alcohol infused ice cubes from the at least one ice cube storage bin. The mixing arrangement is configured to provide a mixture of alcohol and mixing solution to the at least one ice mold. The mixture typically contains at least 2% alcohol. In some arrangements, the alcohol content is at least 5%, and more preferably in the range of about 5% to about 80%. The cooling mechanism is configured to provide a refrigerated environment for the mixture in the at least one ice mold in the range of about 0° F. to about −60° F. The refrigerated environment is more preferably in the range of about −5° F. to about −20° F. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an alcohol infused ice cube machine that includes a cooling mechanism, a mixing arrangement, at least one ice mold, at least one ice cube storage bin, a dispenser mechanism, and a control system. The cooling mechanism is configured to provide a refrigerated environment in the range of about 0° F. to about −30° F. The mixing arrangement is configured to provide a mixture that includes an alcohol beverage, wherein the mixture contains at least 2% alcohol. The mixing arrangement includes at least one mixing chamber configured to mix a volume of the alcohol beverage with at least one other liquid. The at least one ice mold is configured to receive a portion of the mixture to generate alcohol infused ice cubes. The at least one ice cube storage bin is configured to collect alcohol infused ice cubes generated in the ice mold. The dispenser mechanism is configured to dispense the alcohol infused ice cubes from the at least one ice cube storage bin. The control system is configured to control the dispensing mechanism and the mixing arrangement. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to methods of making alcohol infused ice cubes. One example method includes supplying a mixture of mixing solution and alcohol to an ice making machine, providing a freezing or refrigerated environment to the ice making machine, the freezing environment having a temperature of no greater than about 0° F., freezing the mixture into solid alcohol infused ice cubes with the ice making machine, and dispensing the alcohol infused ice cubes. The supplying step can also include mixing a source of the mixing solution with at least one source of the alcohol to create the mixture. The mixture can include at least two sources of alcohol. Dispensing the alcohol infused ice cubes can include determining the number of cubes dispensed in a dispense cycle. Many other steps and combinations of steps are possible. 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.