Method of forming a pre-packaged, flexible container of ice and air

Abstract

A method of forming a pre-packaged container of ice and air is disclosed. The method includes forming a first member and a second member from a plastic material. The first and second members are physically overlapped one upon the other to establish a coterminuous outer periphery. A seal is formed about a portion of the outer periphery to form a void area. The seal extends from between about 50% to about 80% around the outer periphery and the unsealed portion of the periphery forms an inlet to the void area. Air is introduced through the inlet to create a cavity having a preselected volume. Individual pieces of ice are inserted into the cavity through the inlet. The method further includes sealing the inlet to form a pre-packaged, flexible container of ice and air. The air occupies at least about 50% of the volume of the cavity.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to a method of forming a pre-packaged, flexible container of ice and air.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Today, there are various situations where ice is served to a multitude of individuals in public venues. The primary commercial venue focuses on situations where a vendor hand-delivers a disposable paper or plastic glass or cup with ice to a customer. The vendor then distributes or sells a liquid or fluid, such as a bottle of water, a container or can of a beverage, such as a carbonated soft drink or a non-carbonated drink such as a sports drink, ice tea, juice, an alcoholic drink, a non-alcoholic drink, a liquid mixer to which alcohol can be added, etc. In many of these venues, the consumer does not have access to an ice machine. For example, during a flight on a commercial airliner, a flight attendant typically offers each passenger a beverage. Many such drinks, especially soft drinks, are customarily served cold. Either the be...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Another object of this invention is to provide a method of forming a pre-packaged, flexible container of ice and air that has a tear strip to facilitate easy opening of the container.

[0013]Still another object of this invention is to provide a method of forming a pre-packaged, flexible container of ice and air wherein the flexible container is easy to distribute in an efficient manner.

[0014]Still further, an object of this invention is to provide a method of forming a pre-packaged, flexible container of ice and air wherein the flexible container is less susceptible to contamination once the container is opened since the amount of ice is sufficient for only a single drink.

Problems solved by technology

The most time-consuming part of this entire process is getting the ice out of a relatively large plastic bag, usually a ten pound bag of ice, and depositing several ice cubes into each cup.

Furthermore, the large plastic bag of ice is usually torn open and does not include a resealable feature.

Therefore, there is no easy way to reseal the partially used bag of ice.

In addition, the ice in the large open bag can become contaminated before, during or after transfer of some of the ice cubes to individual cups.

This presents a significant health risk to the remaining passengers who may receive ice from the large contaminated bag of ice.

Lastly, any unused ice in the large open bag usually has to be disposed of since it is not convenient to save it for a subsequent flight which may take off several hours later.

If a guest wishes to add ice to his or her glass, mug or cup prior to adding a beverage, then a separate container or bag of ice is needed since the ice cubes stored in the cooler cannot be used for this purpose.

Typically, the ice cubes stored in the cooler have become contaminated by the beverage containers placed in it as well as by other people reaching their hands into the cooler to retrieve a beverage.

Currently, applicant is not aware of any small, individual pouches or bags of ice that are commercially available for individual use and consumption.

Images