US4953360A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Additive for treating water used to form ice
Assignee: SLICK ICE Ltd A CORP OF
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Filing: 1989-09-27
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Granted: 1990-09-04
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Expires: 2009-09-27
Abstract
Abstract The high energy cost accompanying the use of hot water in resurfacing ice rinks is reduced by use of an additive for treating water used to form ice or ice layers which comprises a surfactant, a primary alcohol and a silicone. The surfactant acts to reduce permanently the surface tension of the water while the silicone acts as a defoamer collapsing any bubbles formed on the surface and also as a lubricant when pressure is applied on the ice such as by an ice skate blade. The alcohol is believed to aid in providing a generally homogenous mixture when added to water. The composition allows the use of much cooler water, normally in the range of 45° to 55° F., in forming ice with favorable characteristics. The invention also encompasses novel methods of forming layers of ice using the additive.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Rzechula
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:14
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25C; F25C3/00; F25C3/02; E; E01; E01H; E01H4/00; E01H4/02; E01H4/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
28 words
An additive to treat water used to form ice, comprising: a surfactant, a primary alcohol selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl, and a silicone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
28 words
An additive to treat water used to form ice, comprising: a surfactant, a primary alcohol selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl, and a silicone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The additive as recited in claim 1 comprising, in parts by volume, about 4.5-6.8 parts of said surfactant, about 1.0-2.4 parts of said alcohol, and about 1.0-2.0 parts of said silicone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The additive as recited in claim 1 wherein the silicone is in the form of a silicone oil emulsion having silicone size of 15 to 25 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The additive as recited in claim 1 wherein the surfactant is an alcohol-based surfactant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A process for forming ice with an additive and water on a cooled surface having a temperature below the freezing point of the liquid mixture comprising the steps of: p1 (a) providing the additive of claim 1; (b) mixing the additive with water; and (c) applying at least a portion of the mixture to the cooled surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as recited in claim 5 wherein the step of providing is performed by using a tridecyl alcohol surfactant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process as recited in claim 5 wherein the step of providing is performed using a silicone oil emulsion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process as recited in claim 7 wherein the silicone oil emulsion has a silicone size of 15 to 25 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process as recited in claim 5 wherein the step of mixing is performed using water having a temperature in the range of about 45° to 55° F.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process as recited in claim 5 wherein the cooled surface is ice.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aqueous solution for treating water for use in forming ice, comprising: an alcohol-based surfactant, ethyl alcohol, a silicone and water.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aqueous solution for treating water for use in forming ice, comprising: an alcohol-based surfactant, ethyl alcohol, a silicone and water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The composition as recited in claim 11 wherein the surfactant is a tridecyl alcohol surfactant.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The composition as recited in claim 11 wherein the silicone is in the form of a silicone oil emulsion having silicone sizes of 15 to 25 microns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The composition as recited in claim 11 wherein the composition comprises volumetrically about 36-63% of the surfactant; about 7.4-21.3% of the silicone; about 7.6-24.0% of the alcohol; and about 15.0-34.0% of water.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
57 words
A process for forming ice with water and an additive on a cooled surface having a temperature below the freezing point in a liquid mixture comprising the steps of: (a) providing the additive of claim 5; (b) mixing the additive with water; and (c) applying at least a portion of the liquid mixture to the cooled surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process as recited in claim 15 wherein the step of providing is performed using an additive comprising volumetrically 36-63% of the surfactant, 7.4-21.3% of the silicone, 7.6-24.0% of the alcohol, and 15.0-34% of water.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process as recited in claim 16 wherein the step of mixing is performed by mixing at least 0.16 ounces of the additive with each gallon of water treated.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process as recited in claim 15 wherein the step of providing is performed using a silicone oil emulsion having a silicone size of 15 to 25 microns.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process as recited in claim 15 wherein the step of mixing is performed using water having a temperature in the range of about 45° to 55° F.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process as recited in claim 15 wherein the cooled surface is ice.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
A solution composition for use in forming ice, comprising: 1 part by volume of an additive comprising about 50.0 to 77.0% by volume of an alcohol-based surfactant, about 9.9 to 27.0% by volume of a silicone oil emulsion, and about 10.0 to 30.0% by volume of ethyl alcohol; and no more than 1370 parts by volume of water.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
58 words
A solution composition for use in forming ice, comprising: 1 part by volume of an additive comprising about 50.0 to 77.0% by volume of an alcohol-based surfactant, about 9.9 to 27.0% by volume of a silicone oil emulsion, and about 10.0 to 30.0% by volume of ethyl alcohol; and no more than 1370 parts by volume of water.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The composition as recited in claim 21 wherein the silicone oil emulsion has a silicone size of 15 to 25 microns.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The composition as recited in claim 21 wherein the alcohol-based surfactant is a tridecyl alcohol surfactant.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process using a solution performing a layer of ice on ice, such as an ice skating rink, comprising the steps of: (a) providing the solution of claim 21; and (b) applying at least a portion of the solution to the ice.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process as recited in claim 24 wherein the step of providing the solution has a temperature in the range of about 45° to 55° F.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process as recited in claim 24 wherein the alcohol surfactant in the solution is a tridecyl alcohol surfactant.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process as recited in claim 24 wherein the silicone oil emulsion in the solution has a silicone size of 15 to 25 microns.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process as recited in claim 24 wherein the step of applying is performed by using a resurfacing unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-09-03 | 1994-03-05 | 1994-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-03 | 1998-03-05 | 1998-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-03 | 2002-03-05 | 2002-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |