Single use sealed container assembly for a large format ice unit

Abstract

A single use sealed container assembly for a large format ice unit includes a container having an open end and a closed cavity defining a predetermined volume of at least three fluid ounces, and up to about six fluid ounces. A seal assembly has a cover member dimensioned to completely overlie the open end of the container. A seal is disposed between the container and the cover member, wherein the seal at least temporarily maintains the cover member in a sealing engagement over the open end of the container. An amount of a liquid product is maintained in the closed cavity of the container by the cover member until such time as the container assembly is placed into a freezer, thereby forming a large format ice unit therein, which may be accessed by a user by removing the cover member from the open end of the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A single use sealed container assembly for a large format ice unit comprising:
 a container assembly comprising a container having an open end and a closed cavity, said closed cavity comprising a predetermined volume, wherein said predetermined volume is at least three fluid ounces,   a seal assembly comprising a cover member, wherein said cover member is dimensioned to completely overlie said open end of said container, and   a seal disposed between said container and said cover member, wherein said seal at least temporarily maintains said cover member in a sealing engagement over said open end of said container.   
     
     
         2 . The single use sealed container assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said container further comprises a base, oppositely disposed side walls, and oppositely disposed end walls. 
     
     
         3 . The single use sealed container assembly as recited in  claim 2  wherein said base, said side walls, and said end walls at least partially define a predetermined geometry. 
     
     
         4 . The single use sealed container assembly as recited in  claim 3  wherein said predetermined geometry is a substantially cubic configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The single use sealed container assembly as recited in  claim 4  wherein said predetermined container volume is at least 3.0 fluid ounces. 
     
     
         6 . The single use sealed container assembly as recited in  claim 3  wherein said predetermined geometry is a substantially square rectangular configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The single use sealed container assembly as recited in  claim 6  wherein said predetermined container volume is about 4.5 to about 5.5 fluid ounces. 
     
     
         8 . A single use sealed container assembly for a large format ice unit comprising:
 a container assembly comprising a container having an open end, a base, oppositely disposed side walls, and oppositely disposed end walls, wherein said base, said side walls, and said end walls at least partially define a closed cavity having a predetermined volume, wherein said predetermined volume is at least three fluid ounces,   a seal assembly comprising a cover member, wherein said cover member is dimensioned to completely overlie said open end of said container, and   a seal disposed between said container and said cover member, wherein said seal at least temporarily maintains said cover member is a sealing engagement over said open end of said container.   
     
     
         9 . The single use sealed container assembly as recited in  claim 8  wherein said sealing engagement is at least partially defined by a substantially liquid tight seal between said cover member and said open end of said container. 
     
     
         10 . The single use sealed container assembly as recited in  claim 8  wherein said container is formed of a material which inhibits transmission of gases therethrough. 
     
     
         11 . The single use sealed container assembly as recited in  claim 8  wherein said cover member is formed of a material which inhibits transmission of gases therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . The single use sealed container assembly as recited in  claim 10  wherein said cover member is formed of a material which inhibits transmission of gases therethrough. 
     
     
         13 . A single use sealed container assembly for a large format ice unit comprising:
 a container assembly including a container having an open end, a base, oppositely disposed side walls, and oppositely disposed end walls, wherein said base, said side walls, and said end walls at least partially define a closed cavity having a predetermined volume, wherein said predetermined volume is at least three fluid ounces,   a seal assembly comprising a cover member, wherein said cover member is dimensioned to completely overlie said open end of said container,   a seal disposed between said container and said cover member, wherein said seal at least temporarily maintains said cover member is a sealing engagement over said open end of said container, and   an amount of a liquid product maintained in said closed cavity of said container by said cover member, wherein said amount of liquid product comprises a liquid volume which is substantially equal to said predetermined volume of said container.   
     
     
         14 . The single use sealed container assembly as recited in  claim 13  wherein said liquid product comprises water. 
     
     
         15 . The single use sealed container as recited in  claim 14  wherein said liquid product comprises substantially pure water. 
     
     
         16 . The single use sealed container assembly as recited in  claim 15  wherein said substantially pure water comprises less than about ten parts per million of dissolved solids. 
     
     
         17 . The single use sealed container assembly as recited in  claim 15  wherein said substantially pure water comprises less than about ten parts per million of dissolved gasses. 
     
     
         18 . The single use sealed container assembly as recited in  claim 16  wherein said predetermined volume is at least 3.0 fluid ounces. 
     
     
         19 . The single use sealed container assembly as recited in  claim 16  wherein said predetermined volume is about 4.5 to about 5.5 fluid ounces. 
     
     
         20 . The single use sealed container assembly as recited in  claim 15  further comprising an imprint assembly having at least one imprint indicia which creates an indicia on said large format ice unit upon freezing said liquid product.