ES2933773A1 - Ice bucket (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Ice bucket. The invention consists of an ice tray with a lid (3) that can be folded onto it, a lid that does not interfere with the stacking between ice trays, as its body (1) presents a bowl-like configuration that diverges towards its mouth (2), and that allows keep the bottle contained in its better thermally insulated bosom, as the lid includes a "U" cutout (7) in opposition to its hinged area that allows the neck of the bottle to pass through with the ice tray closed, so that the body of the bottle and the ice contained in the ice tray is less exposed to the external heat of the room or area in which said ice tray is established. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

ice bucket

TECHNIQUE SECTOR

The present invention refers to an ice bucket, of the type used to cool or keep beverage bottles cold such as white wines, cavas, sparkling wines and the like while they are being consumed.

The object of the invention is to provide a structurally simple but highly functional ice tray that is stackable even including a closing lid for it, with a structure that optimizes the thermal insulation of the bottle inserted into it and therefore allowing Keep the contents of the bottle cold for longer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of practical application of the invention, ice cube trays based on a body in the form of a bowl are known, formally and dimensionally adequate to receive a bottle within it, together with a plurality of ice cubes, in order to allow the drink to be kept cold during its consumption.

This type of device has a series of limitations, including the following:

• They are not usually stackable, so that in the case of restaurants with a high number of tables, they represent a volumetric occupation in an inoperative situation that is clearly undesirable.

• They do not have a lid, or if they do, it is independent from the ice tray, which is a problem when storing multiple ice trays, as they are independent elements.

• The situation of use, that is, with the bottle and the ice contained within, leave its mouth open, which causes premature thawing of the ice, especially in summer, often resorting to the use of napkins or rags to cover said ice. embouchure, a solution that leaves much to be desired.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The recommended ice cube tray satisfactorily resolves the problems previously described in each and every one of the aspects discussed, offering an ice cube tray economical, stackable, equipped with a lid that forms a single piece with the main body of the ice bucket, that is, linked to it in a non-independent way, which does not negatively affect the stacking between ice buckets and all with a structure that allows the ice bucket to be kept closed even with the bottle contained in its bosom, thus preventing the ice from draining prematurely.

To this end, and more specifically, the ice tray of the invention is made from a bowl-shaped body, open at the top and with a configuration that diverges upwards, which gives it a stackable character.

In accordance with another of the characteristics of the ice tray, its mouth is assisted by a tilting lid, which is hinged at its rear end with respect to the upper area of the rear wall of the ice tray.

Given the inclined configuration of the lateral surface of the ice tray, this allows the lid to remain stable when it is opened, since it will exceed 90° with respect to the horizontal, being aligned with the divergent configuration of the ice tray itself. , counting however in correspondence with its hinge area with a limiting stop for the degree of opening.

In this configuration, the ice tray can be easily stacked with others of the same type with minimal volumetric occupation, and without the lids of the ice trays negatively affecting said stacking.

In accordance with another of the characteristics of the invention, provision has been made for the lid to present, in correspondence with the opposite end to the hinge, a "U" notch, formally and dimensionally adequate to allow the passage of the neck of the bottle that enters her bosom.

This makes it possible to optimize the size of the ice tray so that it is not too large, and yet to be able to keep the drink contained in it cold for a longer time through a bottle, since the lid can be closed on the whole, thus offering a better thermal tightness.

It only remains to point out that the ice cube tray described in this way can be obtained in very different materials, both plastic and metallic, a combination of both, etc., constituting a very economical element to manufacture that can be used as an advertising medium, further reducing acquisition costs. .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is going to be made below and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of its practical embodiment, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description. where, with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, the following has been represented:

Figure 1.- Shows a perspective view of two ice trays made in accordance with the object of the present invention, one in the open position and the other in the closed position for its lid.

Figure 2.- Shows a perspective view of a set of stacked ice trays presenting a minimum volumetric occupation.

Figure 3.- Finally, it shows a rear elevation view of the ice tray at the level of the hinge means and tipping limit stop for its lid.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the outlined figures, it can be seen how the ice cube tray of the invention is made from a body (1) in the form of a bowl, open at the top and with a divergent configuration in an upward direction, which has a height slightly less than the height of a bottle of cava or wine intended to be cooled within it, as well as plan dimensions that are substantially greater than the diameter of said bottle, in order to be able to receive within it a plurality of ice pieces intended to cool or keep the corresponding bottle cold.

The mouthpiece (2) in the chosen embodiment is located on a slightly inclined plane with respect to the horizontal, although this configuration obeys exclusively design criteria, although it does help to keep the lid (3) stable in the closed situation.

More specifically, the cover (3) will have an essentially discoidal configuration, including a projection (4) at its rear and lower end, visible in figure 3, which is finished off laterally with two lugs that will fit into the respective holes provided in each case. opposing partitions (5) on the rear face of the ice tray, thus defining the hinge means for the lid.

As previously stated, the inclined configuration of the ice tray's side surface allows the lid to remain stable when it is open, and it can be easily stacked as shown in figure 3.

In this sense, near the hinge means of the lid, a transversal rib may be included as a stop (6) limiting the degree of opening of the lid (3).

Returning to figure 1, it can be seen how the lid (3) includes, in opposition to its hinge area, a "U" notch (7) which, when the lid is closed, allows the neck of the neck to exit through it. the bottle contained within (not shown in the figure), so as to maximize the level of tightness within the ice tray, allowing the ice to melt much more slowly.

Claims (4)

1a.- Ice bucket, which being of the type made from a body (1) in the shape of a bowl, with a divergent configuration towards its upper mouth (2), with a height less than the height of the bottle intended to be inserted into its bowl, is characterized by the fact that it includes a lid (3) that is hinged through its rear end with respect to the upper area of the rear wall of the ice tray; having foreseen that the cover (3) includes, in opposition to its hinge area, a "U" notch (7) which, when the cover is closed, allows the neck of the bottle contained within it to exit through it. . 2nd.-Ice tray, according to claim 1st, characterized in that the lid (3) has a discoidal configuration, including a projection (4) at its lower rear end, which is finished laterally in two lugs that fit into respective holes provided in respective partitions. opposite sides (5) on the back of the ice tray. 3.- Ice bucket, according to claim 1, characterized in that the hinge means of the lid are complemented by a transversal rib acting as a stop (6) established on the rear area of the body of the ice bucket, limiting the degree of opening of the cover (3). 4. Ice bucket, according to claim 1, characterized in that the mouth (2) is contained in a plane inclined with respect to the horizontal.