US3806077A - Ejector spillguard ice cube tray - Google Patents

Abstract

An ice cube tray structure in which a plastic molded spillguard ice tray is provided with an ejector grid having a longitudinal divider plate the end projections of which are removably secured within the inwardly open transverse groove portions of the Ushaped flange which surrounds the top of the tray. Each transverse groove has paired notch forming rib members therein for receiving one of the end projections there-between upon first moving the grid axially for placing the first projection in its notch and then in a lateral direction such that the second projection can be readily snapped into position by hand. A plurality of similar integrally molded rib members are located in the longitudinal side groove portion of the U-shaped flange intermediate the transverse grid walls to allow ready harvesting of the ice cubes from the cells of the inverted ejector grid while permitting the free flow of water within the groove.

Description

United States Patent [191 Pietrzak et al.

[ 1 Apr. 23, 1974 EJECTOR SPILLGUARD ICE CUBE TRAY [73] Assignee: General Motors Corporation,

Detroit, Mich.

[22] Filed: June 1, 1972 [21] Appl. No.2 258,902

[52] U.S. Cl 249/69, 249/71, 249/127, 249/206 [51] Int. Cl. F25c 1/24 [58] Field of Search 249/69, 71, 131,134,127, 249/206, 129

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,912,065 5/1933 Buchanan et al 249/134 X 3,019,617 2/1962 Malthaner et al. 249/131 X 3,398,552 8/1968 Pietrzak 2.49/69 X 3,539,145 11/1970 Maxwell 249/127 X 3,638,903 2/1972 Pietrzak et al 249/69 3,724,804 4/1973 Campbell et a1 249/69 X Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-Robert J. Craig Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Edward P. Barthel [57] ABSTRACT An ice cube tray structure in which a plastic molded spillguard ice tray is provided with an ejector grid having a longitudinal divider plate the end projections of which are removably secured within the inwardly open transverse groove portions of the U-shaped flange which surrounds the top of the tray. Each transverse groove has paired notch forming rib members therein for receiving one of the end projections there-between upon first moving the grid axially for placing the first projection in its notch and then in a lateral direction such that the second projection can be readily snapped into position by hand. A plurality of similar integrally molded rib members are located in the longitudinal side groove portion of the U-shaped flange intermediate the transverse grid walls to allow ready harvesting of the ice cubes from the cells of the inverted ejector grid while permitting the free flow of water within the groove.

1 Claim, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 2 1974 3806; 077

SHEET 1 UP 2 38061077. SHEET 2 [1F 2 PATENTEDAPR 2 7 EJECTOR SPILLGUARD ICE CUBE TRAY This invention relates to an ejector tray structure and is directed in particular to a spillguard freezing tray having removably mounted therein an ejector grid for ready harvesting ice blocks therefrom.

One form of harvesting ice cubes from a freezing tray involves an ice cube ejector tray structure which may be inverted and supported on an ice block collecting bin such that by operation of a grid ejector handle the ice blocks are released from the tray into the bin. The ejector grid has a longitudinal lower bar or divider plate secured in the tray and a multiplicity of transverse walls forming molded cells for forming the ice blocks together with a longitudinally extending upper bar linkedto an operating handle which actuates the walls from an inclined position toward a vertical position to break the bond between the ice blocks and the grid and release the cubes from the tray and grid. An example of such an apparatus is disclosed in US Pat. No. 2,955,440 issued Oct. ll, 1960 to S. L. Erickson et al, and assigned to the same assignee as theinstant application. With the advent of the integrally molded spillguardfreezing container disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,638,903, issued Jan. I, 1972, to J. P. Pietrzak et al, providing a freezing container in which spilling is prevented, a need was found to combine the advantages of the spillguard tray together with an ejector grid,

It istherefore an object of this invention to provide an improved ice cube ejector spillguard tray and ejector grid combination with a lever actuated ejector shucking grid including a longitudinal divider plate and a multiplicity of partition transverse walls wherein the divider plate is formed at each end with a first projecting ear and a second projecting tab having a beveled surface, the spillguard tray continuous inturned U- shaped flange adjacent its upper periphery forming an inwardly open water receiving groove which allows for the mounting and removal of the grid by moving the grid first laterally toward one end of the tray for insertion of the ear in between a first pair of ribs in a lateral end groove and then in a downward direction in combination with the tab beveled surface to enable the grid to be snapped into position in the trays opposite lateral end groove between a second pair of ribs, each pair of ribs extending downwardly from the top surface of the groove approximately midway to the bottom surface such that their associated. ear and tab projections are captured therebetween while an uninterrupted water flow passageway is maintained within the continuous groove.

It is another object of the invention to provide a combined spillguard tray and ejector grid structure, the spillguard tray being formed with a continuous U- shaped flange adjacent its upper periphery, containing an inwardly open water receiving groove having rib members therein located in spaced relation within each longitudinal portion of the groove such that individualribs are positioned intermediate the transverse partition walls of the grid, each of the ribs extending downwardly from the top surface of the groove approximately midway to the groove bottom surface, and each of the ribs including a beveled inwardly facing surface flush with the upper edge of the flange to prevent the ice blocks from being obstructed by the flange during harvesting of the ice blocks from the tray.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the combined spillguard tray and ejector grid showing the grid in a partially inserted position;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective similar to FIG. 1 with the ejector grid in the fully inserted position;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the spillguard freezing tray;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 44 of FIG. 3 illustrating the relation of the grid center partition in its retained position;

FIG. 5 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3; i

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the right hand transverse tray flange as viewed in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the longitudinal spillguard;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sction of the left hand transverse tray flange as viewed in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the center partition of the ejector grid.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, 10 indicates an ejector tray structure, which structure comprises or includes a spillguard container or tray 12, an ejector grid assembly 14 having an actuating mechanism assembly 16. The spillguard tray 12, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, has sloping end walls 22 extending at an angle of about 25 degrees from the vertical for easy ejection. The bottom wall 24 may be of any desired contour; however as shown the bottom wall is provided with two longitudinal upwardly extending ribs 26 and five transverse upwardly extending ribs 28 which may be used in conjunction with a grid having a pair of spaced longitudinal partition walls as shown in U. S. Pat. No. 3,093,980 issued June 18,1963 to A. J. Frei. In the present ernbodiment, however, the tray l2'is used in conjunction with an ejector grid having a single longitudinal divider plate 30 and eight transverse cross walls 32 of the ejector grid 14 which divides the interior of the container 12 into eighteen compartments. The portions of the bottom wall between the ribs are arcuate in shape for easy ejection as described in the US. Pat. No. 3,093,980. The single plate 30 of the grid 14 is located intermediate the longitudinal ridges 26 and parallel thereto while the transverse walls 32 are located in an offset manner from the ribs 28.

An upper bar 38 rides upon the divider plate 30 and is provided with upwardly extending lugs separated by notches (not shown) in its upper face which support the upwardly projecting flanges 37 for transverse walls so as to support the cross or transverse walls 32 at the top to provide sufficient material for holding the cross walls together. As seen best in FIG. 9, plate 30 is simi larly provided with notches 36 through which extend the lower webs (not shown) of the transverse walls 32.

The upper bar 38 is connected by a pin (not shown) and the links 42 to the transverse pin 43 on the handle 44 which is pivoted upon the pin to an extension 46 of the fixed lower divider plate. In this arrangement the transverse walls 32 are raised sufiiciently relative to the tray that their lower edges will not scrape the inner surface of the tray at any time. One example of an ejector grid is shown in detail in US. Pat. No. 3,355,138 issued Nov. 28, 1967 to A. J. Frei, Sr. et al and reference should be made to that patent for further details of a typical grid operating means.

The ejector tray structure is inverted over a suitable ice cube storage bin of a type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,955,440 issued Oct. 11, 1960 to S. L. Erickson et al. Such a bin has a downwardly extending opening at its upper edge for clearance with the operating handle 44 of the grid when inverting of the tray over a bin for harvesting the cubes from the tray into the bin. For further details of the operation of one form of an ejector tray in combination with a storage bin reference should be made to U.S. Pat. No. 2,955,440.

As explained in the aforementioned spillguard U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,903 when a freezing container is filled with water or other liquid it is almost impossible to carry the filled container to the refrigerator and insert it in the freezing compartment without spilling some of the contents. To overcome this difficulty the spillguard patent describes sidewalls 48 formed upon a curve (FIG. 5), which curves inwardly an increasing amount as it approaches the bottom 24 of the container. As described in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,903 the means for preventing spillage comprises an intumedsquare U- shaped flange 50 extending continuously around the upper edges of the side and end walls and having an inwardly extending continuous groove defined by a planar bottom wall 52, a planar top wall 54 and a planar inner vertical back wall 56, shown in the enlarged FIG. 6. If desired to stiffen the side and end walls of the container the U-shaped flange 50 may have in alignment with its outer face a downwardly extending rib 61 which at each end 62 may extend downwardly an increased distance, about two-thirds the height of the flange 50 above, to form handle means. As explained in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,903 the flange 50 is located entirely outside the side and end walls of the tray so that it does not impede the removal of the frozen blocks from the compartments or cells of the grid in the container.

The bottom of the container may be provided with longitudinal runners 60 extending beneath the centerline of the two outside rows of compartments and a group of three runners 63 extending beneath the intermediate '-row of compartments upon the bottom of the container providing sled-type runners to insure smooth and easy movement onto and off various supporting surfaces. The container should be filled with liquid or water only up to the waterline 64 indicated in FIG. 5 which is slightly below the bottom of the U-shaped flange 50. The longitudinal lower partition wall 30 as seen in FIG. 4 is provided at its front end with a generally rectangular shaped forwardly protruding lug 82 while the rearward end of the wall is provided with a rcarwardly projecting ear 84 dimensioned to project interchangeably into the opposed notch portions 86, 88

defined in the transverse spillguard end grooves 89 of the U-shaped flange 50.

As viewed in FIG. 3 the notch portions 86 and 88 are each defined by a pair of rib members 102, 103 and 104, 105 respectively which are integrally molded within the transverse grooves 89 so as to be equally spaced on either side of the longitudinal center line of the tray 12 for receiving interchangeably either the lug 82 or ear 84 protrusion of the grid plate 30 therebetween. The paired ribs 102, 103 and 104, 105 permit limited sidewise movement of the grid 14 within the tray to insure equal distribution of the water therein while establishing proper alignment of the grid to insure uniform ice'block formation. T

The installation of the grid 14 within the tray 12 is effected by simply first urging the grid axially forwardly to cause the lug 82 to be received in one of the notches, in this case notch 86 (FIG. 8) and then in a downward direction by a hand applied force with the car 84 aligned with the opposite remaining notch 88. During insertion of the grid the beveled edge of ear 84 and the cut-out 90 of longitudinal plate 30 both contact the opposed upper top wall lip edges 92 of their associated transverse flange while the cut-out 90 aids in moving the short transverse or end flanges 50 in an outward manner clue to the axial direction of a component force of the beveled edge whereby the grid is actually snapped into position by virtue of the resiliency of the opposed end flanges 50. The removal of the grid 14 is effected by a simple reverse operation wherein the grid is urged axially in a forward direction to cause the cutout 90 to engage its associated flange lip 92 and then in lateral outward direction while the tray end flanges 50 are spread or moved outwardly until the upper edge of the beveled surface 85 clears the edge 92.

With reference to enlarged FIG. 6 the rib member is shown integrally molded to the top wall 54 and back wall 56 of the transverse groove portion 89 with its inner facing edge 106 sloped downwardly in flush relation from lip edge 92 and extends downwardly a defined distance wherein its bottom edge 108 is located approximately halfway between top wall 54 and bottom wall 52. By this arrangement the pair of rib members 104, 105 are able to capture or retain the ear 84 therebetween while providing a flow passageway 110 sufficient to allow for uniform distribution of the water within the tray during the filling thereof. In this regard the ear 84 is dimensioned .to project within the notch 88 a minimal amount for ease of assembly. As explained above the inward movement of lug 82 is limited by the depth of cutout 90 to form apassageway 112 beneath its paired end rib members 104, 105 to assure the transverse flow of water therethrough.

As seen in FIG. 3 individual rib members 114, 115

are integrally molded within the longitudinal groove portions 118 of U-shaped flange 50 in a manner similar to the paired ribs 102-105. The' longitudinal side grooves 118 have planar bottom walls 122, top walls 124 and inner vertical back walls 126 corresponding to the bottom walls 52, top walls 54 and vertical back walls '56, of the transverse end grooves 89. The enlarged FIG. 7 shows a typical side rib 114 extending downwardly such that its bottom edge 1 17 is positioned approximately midway between top wall 124 and bottom wall 122 of longitudinal groove 118 providing a liquid flow passageway 1 19 while the inner facing edge 120 of the rib 114 is sloped or taped downwardly and outwardly toward the side groove and in flush relation with the peripheral side lip edge 121 of the U-shaped flange 50.

Applicants unique end rib members 102 105 and side rib members 114 and 115 allows liquid to flow freely through passageway 119 of the side grooves 118 if the tray is tipped or inclined in a generally endwise manner and allows liquid to flow freely within end grooves 89 if the tray is rotated generally about its longitudinal axis so as not to materially interfere with the spillguard feature of the tray.

The function of the side rib members 114 and 115 is to insure that when the tray and ejector grid assembly is placed in an inverted ice harvesting position above an ice block storage bin and the actuating handle 44 is operated the ice blocks will be free to fall by gravity into the bin. It has beenfound that without the use of applicants side rib members 114 and 115 results in some of the ice block edges becoming caught in the open side grooves 118 and thus interfering with or preventing the free fall of the ice blocks from the grid. By arranging the side ribs 114 and 115, approximately intermediate the transverse side walls 32 their sloped inwardly facing edges, indicated at 120 in FIG. 7, operate to guide the ice blocks past the side flange grooves 118 and insure the smooth harvesting of ice from the ejector tray. It will be noted in FIG. 3 that each of the four terminal side ribs 115 are obliquely oriented at approximately 45 to the longitudinal axis of the tray to provide a While the embodiment of the present invention herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

We claim:

1. A rectangular spillguard freezing container of flexible resilient material in combination with an ice piece forming ejector grid structure, said container including bottom wall means and side and end wall means, a substantially stiff inturned U-shaped flange adjacent the top of said end and said side wall means extending outwardly from said wall means, said U-shaped flange containing a large inwardly open groove formed by substantially horizontal top wall and bottom wall surfaces and a substantially vertical inwardly facing wall surface joining said top wall and bottom wall surfaces, said U- shaped flange extending continuously around the periphery of said container above and entirely outside the confines of all of said end and side wall means wherein the improvement comprises; means for releasably securing said ejector grid structure in said container, said ejector grid comprising'a longitudinally extending divider plate and a plurality of transverse cross walls, said divider plate being provided at its front end with a forwardly protruding lug and at its back end with a rearwardly facing edge beveled downwardly and inwardly, a pair of closely spaced end ribs located in each transwardly protruding ear, said ear formed with a rearverse end wall groove formed by said U-shaped flanges, each pair of end ribs being substantially equally spaced on either side of the longitudinal center line of said container forming first and second opposed end pockets in said U-shaped flange, each said end rib integrally molded with said top wall surface and said inwardly facing vertical wall surface of its associated end wall groove, each said end rib extending substantially the full width of its associated end groove, each said end rib extending downwardly from its respective top wall surface a distance such that its bottom edge is positioned approximately midway between its associated end groove top and bottom wall surfaces so as not to substantially interrupt liquid flow passageway in the end grooves, said ejector grid being inserted in said container by locating said forwardly extending lug in said first pocket and thereafter exerting downward pressure on said grid divider plate whereby said rearwardly protruding ear beveled edge engages and flexes said U- shaped flange a sufficient amount to allow said ear to be snapped into said second pocket thereby removably securing said ejector grid within said container, said lug and said ear extending into their respective end pockets a predetermined depth such that a clearance space is defined between the extremities of said lug and said ear and their respective adjacent end groove vertical wall surfaces so as not to substantially interrupt the flow of liquid in the end grooves when said container is being filled or hand carried, a plurality of equally spaced side ribs located in the side groove along each said side wall, each said side rib integrally molded along the top wall surface and along the inwardly facing vertical wall surface of its respective side wall groove, each said side rib extending downwardly from its top wall surface a distance such that its bottom edge is positioned approximately midway between its associated side groove top wall and bottom wall surfaces so as not to substantially interrupt the flow of liquid in the side grooves when said container is being filled or hand carried, each said side rib formed with its inner facing edge sloped downwardly and outwardly toward its respective side groove such that each said rib inner facing edge is in flush relation with the inner edge of its respective top wall sur face, each, said side rib inner facing edge located approximately intermediate the adjacent transverse partitions of said ejector grid structure to insure that ice pieces are guided past said U-shaped flange and freely harvested from said freezing container without the possibility of being obstructed by said U-shaped flange when said freezing container and said ejector grid are supported in an inverted position on an ice piece collecting bin.

Claims (1)

1. A rectangular spillguard freezing container of flexible resilient material in combination with an ice piece forming ejector grid structure, said container including bottom wall means and side and end wall means, a substantially stiff inturned U-shaped flange adjacent the top of said end and said side wall means extending outwardly from said wall means, said U-shaped flange containing a large inwardly open groove formed by substantially horizontal top wall and bottom wall surfaces and a substantially vertical inwardly facing wall surface joining said top wall and bottom wall surfaces, said U-shaped flange extending continuously around the periphery of said container above and entirely outside the confines of all of said end and side wall means wherein the improvement comprises; means for releasably securing said ejector grid structure in said container, said ejector grid comprising a longitudinally extending divider plate and a plurality of transverse cross walls, said divider plate being provided at its front end with a forwardly protruding lug and at its back end with a rearwardly protruding ear, said ear formed with a rearwardly facing edge beveled downwardly and inwardly, a pair of closely spaced end ribs located in each transverse end wall groove formed by said U-shaped flanges, each pair of end ribs being substantially equally spaced on either side of the longitudinal center line of said container forming first and second opposed end pockets in said U-shaped flange, each said end rib integrally molded with said top wall surface and said inwardly facing vertical wall surface of its associated end wall groove, each said end rib extending substantially the full width of its associated end groove, each said end rib extending downwardly from its respective top wall surface a distance such that its bottom edge is positioned approximately midway between its associated end groove top and bottom wall surfaces so as not to substantially interrupt liquid flow passageway in the end grooves, said ejector grid being inserted in said container by locating said forwardly extending lug in said first pocket and thereafter exerting downward pressure on said grid divider plate whereby said rearwardly protruding ear beveled edge engages and flexes said U-shaped flange a sufficient amount to allow said ear to be snapped into said second pocket thereby removably securing said ejector grid within said container, said lug and said ear extending into their respective end pockets a predetermined depth such that a clearance space is defined between the extremities of said lug and said ear and their respective adjacent end groove vertical wall surfaces so as not to substantially interrupt the flow of liquid in the end grooves when said container is being filled or hand carried, A plurality of equally spaced side ribs located in the side groove along each said side wall, each said side rib integrally molded along the top wall surface and along the inwardly facing vertical wall surface of its respective side wall groove, each said side rib extending downwardly from its top wall surface a distance such that its bottom edge is positioned approximately midway between its associated side groove top wall and bottom wall surfaces so as not to substantially interrupt the flow of liquid in the side grooves when said container is being filled or hand carried, each said side rib formed with its inner facing edge sloped downwardly and outwardly toward its respective side groove such that each said rib inner facing edge is in flush relation with the inner edge of its respective top wall surface, each said side rib inner facing edge located approximately intermediate the adjacent transverse partitions of said ejector grid structure to insure that ice pieces are guided past said U-shaped flange and freely harvested from said freezing container without the possibility of being obstructed by said U-shaped flange when said freezing container and said ejector grid are supported in an inverted position on an ice piece collecting bin.

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