Alcohol infused ice cube apparatus and methods

Abstract

An ice cube machine that generates ice cubes having an alcohol content of at least 2-5%. The ice cube machine operates at temperatures of no greater than 0° F., and typically at least 0° F. or colder. An ice dispensing system monitors the amount of ice cubes dispensed from the machine and can determine the amount of alcohol dispensed from the system.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 839,264, filed on Aug. 21, 2006, and entitled ALCOHOLIC ICE CUBE APPARATUS AND METHODS.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Technical Field [0003] 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. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] 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...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present patent is about methods and systems for making alcohol infused ice cubes with a minimum alcohol content. The process involves mixing liquid solution and alcohol to create a solution / alcohol ratio with at least 2-5% alcohol content. The mixture is then filled into an ice cube mold and freezed. The resulting alcohol infused ice cubes can be dispensed for consumer use, providing an opportunity for cool alcoholic drinks with less dilution caused by the ice cube. The technical effects of this patent include improved methods for making alcohol infused ice cubes with a minimum alcohol content."

Problems solved by technology

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.

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's body.

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