Collapsible and expandable ice dispensing tubing apparatus and related devices and methods of use
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F25C-005/16
F25C-005/00
F25D-023/02
B67C-011/02
출원번호
US-0454553
(2017-03-09)
등록번호
US-9797644
(2017-10-24)
발명자
/ 주소
Lowe, Taylor Christopher
출원인 / 주소
Lowe, Taylor Christopher
대리인 / 주소
Lodestone Legal Group
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
1인용 특허 :
10
초록▼
A collapsible and expandable ice dispensing tubing apparatus having a first end and an opposite second end, the apparatus comprising: a hollow flexible body having a first opening formed at the first end and an opposite second opening formed at the second end, the body comprising a sheath and at lea
A collapsible and expandable ice dispensing tubing apparatus having a first end and an opposite second end, the apparatus comprising: a hollow flexible body having a first opening formed at the first end and an opposite second opening formed at the second end, the body comprising a sheath and at least one reinforcing member for communication through the body from the first opening to the second opening; a first collar formed on the body at the first end and an opposite second collar formed on the body at the second end; and a fastener configured to selectively engage the first and second collars so as to selectively maintain the apparatus in a collapsed configuration. The apparatus may be employed in conjunction with other devices for selectively dispensing ice from an ice dispensing machine into a container.
대표청구항▼
1. A collapsible and expandable ice dispensing tubing apparatus having a first end and a second end, the apparatus comprising: a hollow flexible body having a first opening at the first end and a second opening at the second end, the body comprising a sheath and a reinforcing member; anda fastener c
1. A collapsible and expandable ice dispensing tubing apparatus having a first end and a second end, the apparatus comprising: a hollow flexible body having a first opening at the first end and a second opening at the second end, the body comprising a sheath and a reinforcing member; anda fastener configured to engage the first end with the second end and maintain the apparatus in a collapsed configuration when fastened. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is a plurality of spaced apart rings. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is a single helix. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), polyethylene, high density polyethylene (“HDPE”), low density polyethylene (“LDPE”), polycarbonate, and polyurethane. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheath comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheath comprises an outer surface and an opposite inner surface, and the inner surface has antimicrobial and/or antibacterial properties. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first collar at the first end, and a second collar at the second end, and wherein the fastener is placed on at least one of the first and second collars. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the fastener comprises a hinged mount installed on the second collar and a clasp pivotally connected to the hinged mount and formed with a lip configured to selectively engage the first collar. 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first and second collars is operably installed within a receptacle formed in an ice chest communicating with an interior thereof. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the receptacle is formed in a lid of the ice chest. 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the receptacle is formed having a pivotable door. 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the receptacle is formed having a flange configured for engagement with at least one of the first and second collars, the flange having a sufficient depth to fully accommodate the apparatus in the collapsed configuration. 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second collars has a tab for selectively engaging with the receptacle. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second ends is assembled with a funnel attachment. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the funnel attachment comprises a cone having a rim and an opposite outlet hole. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a first collar at the first end, and a second collar at the second end, wherein the rim is configured to engage at least one of the first and second collars, the rim is formed with at least one slot, and at least one of the first and second collars has at least one tab for selectively engaging with the at least one slot. 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the cone comprises a material selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), polyethylene, high density polyethylene (“HDPE”), low density polyethylene (“LDPE”), polycarbonate, and polyurethane. 18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the cone comprises a material having antimicrobial or antibacterial properties. 19. A collapsible and expandable ice dispensing tubing apparatus having first and second ends in combination with an ice chest having a lid and a receptacle, the apparatus comprising: a hollow flexible body having a first opening at the first end and a second opening at the second end, the body comprising a sheath and a reinforcing member; anda second collar at the second end, the second collar being placed within the receptacle of the ice chest;wherein ice may be selectively dispensed into the ice chest through the body of the tubing apparatus and through the receptacle conveniently without having to open the lid of the ice chest. 20. The apparatus and ice chest combination of claim 19, wherein the receptacle is formed in the lid of the ice chest. 21. The apparatus and ice chest combination of claim 19, wherein the receptacle is formed having a pivotable door. 22. The apparatus and ice chest combination of claim 19, wherein the receptacle is formed having a flange configured for engagement with the second collar, the flange having a sufficient depth to fully accommodate the apparatus in the collapsed configuration. 23. The apparatus and ice chest combination of claim 19, wherein the second collar has a tab for selectively engaging with the receptacle. 24. A collapsible and expandable ice dispensing tubing apparatus having first and second ends in combination with a funnel attachment, the apparatus comprising: a hollow flexible body having a first opening at the first end and a second opening formed at the second end, the body comprising a sheath and a reinforcing member;a first collar at the first end and a second collar at the second end, the second collar being placed on a rim of the funnel attachment for communication between the body and the funnel attachment; anda fastener configured to engage the first end with the second end and maintain the apparatus in a collapsed configuration when fastened.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (10)
Graves, Daniel A., Attachable, portable cooling system.
Trachtenberg Leonard (512 Pleasant Valley Way West Orange NJ 07052) Trachtenberg Peter W. (R.D. 6 ; Box 505 Branchville NJ 07826), Vehicle thermoelectric cooling and heating food and drink appliance.
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