# US 2008/0184714 A1 · Method and apparatus for producing fluid ice > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0184714 A1 - Document ID: US20080184714A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/709,899 - Filed: 2006-10-27 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2001-03-27 - Assignees: Skaginn Hf - Inventors: Sigurgeir Sveinsson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080184714A1 ## CPC - C09K 5/066: {Cooling mixtures; De-icing compositions} - F25C 5/00: Working or handling ice (F25C3/00 takes precedence) - F25C 2301/002: Producing ice slurries - F25C 2600/04: Control means - C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE - F25C: PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE ## Abstract The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for producing a fluid ice, wherein the temperature, the thickness and the grain size of the fluid ice is controlled. This is done by mixing ice together with at least two liquid phases, and stirring the mix together, wherein the stirring is maintained until the desired grain size and the desired temperature of the fluid ice is obtained. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for batch production of fluid ice, wherein the temperature, the thickness and the grain size of the fluid ice is controlled, the method comprising: mixing ice together with at least two liquid phases, and stirring the mix together to finely grind the ice, wherein suitable amounts of said liquid phases and ice are determined based on the salinity and temperature of the liquid phases, to obtain fluid ice with desired thickness and temperature, and wherein the stirring is maintained until the desired grain size is obtained and the desired temperature of the fluid ice is stable. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the salinity of the at least two liquid phases is dissimilar. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least two liquid phases are introduced prior to the ice. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3, wherein the ice is introduced in portions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one phase comprises at least one compound chosen from flavorants, nutrients, antioxidants, anti-bacterial agents, salts other than sodium chloride sugars, acids, emulsifiers and gelling agents. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the mixing of the ice and the at least two liquid phases is controlled by a computer. ### Claim 7 An apparatus for producing a fluid ice comprising: a drum supported by a supporting frame; an opening for introducing ice into the drum; at least one input channel connected to the drum for inflow of at least two liquid phases; means to agitate the liquid and ice within the drum; an output port for emptying the drum; and a nozzle connected to a pump for pumping the fluid ice out of the drum wherein the at least one input channel is provided with a salt meter, a valve and a flowmeter; and the apparatus is adapted such that the temperature and the thickness of batch-produced fluid ice can be controlled by determining suitable amounts of said liquid phases and ice based on the salinity and temperature of the liquid phases, to obtain fluid ice with a desired thickness and temperature. ### Claim 8 (canceled) ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising at least two input channels for inflow of the at least two liquid phases. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the drum is provided with a thermometer for measuring the temperature of the fluid ice. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the agitating means comprises a rotatable knife wheel positioned in the bottom of the drum for stirring the ice and the at least two liquid phases, wherein the rotatable knife wheel is fastened on a vertical shaft extending through the bottom of the drum. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the mixing of ice and the at least two liquid phases is controlled with a computer system, wherein the computer system is connected to the agitating means, the salt meters, the valves, the flowmeters and the thermometers. ### Claim 13 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the antioxidants are chosen from acetic acid, citric acid, vitamin C, BHT, TBHQ, and etoxyquinin. ### Claim 14 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the salts other than sodium chloride are chosen from phosphates, calcium salts, magnesium salts, and potassium salts. ### Claim 15 An apparatus for producing a fluid ice comprising: a drum supported by a supporting frame; an opening for introducing ice into the drum; at least one input channel connected to the drum for inflow of at least two liquid phases; an agitator to agitate the liquid and ice within the drum; an output port for emptying the drum; and a nozzle connected to a pump for pumping the fluid ice out of the drum wherein the at least one input channel is provided with a salt meter, a valve and a flowmeter; and the apparatus is adapted such that the temperature and the thickness of batch-produced fluid ice can be controlled by determining suitable amounts of said liquid phases and ice based on the salinity and temperature of the liquid phases, to obtain fluid ice with desired thickness and temperature. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the agitator comprises a rotatable knife wheel positioned in the bottom of the drum for stirring the ice and the at least two liquid phases, wherein the rotatable knife wheel is fastened on a vertical shaft extending through the bottom of the drum. ### Claim 17 A drum for producing a fluid ice comprising: an opening for introducing ice into the drum; at least one input channel connected to the drum for inflow of at least two liquid phases; an agitator to agitate the liquid and ice within the drum; an output port for emptying the drum; and a nozzle wherein the at least one input channel is provided with a salt meter, a valve and a flowmeter.