Precision Ice Guide

Abstract

A precision ice guide is described that reduces kinetic energy of ice cubes exiting an ice dispenser to reduce splash and noise. The ice guide includes at least a front guard that extends downwardly toward a drinking vessel to slow the descent of ice from the ice chute into the drinking vessel. The ice guide may further include collar and/or clip features that can be used to stabilize and attach the ice guide to an ice dispenser. The bottom portion of the ice guide may be shaped in a manner to provide further guidance of the ice into the vessel below. The ice guide is easily removable and dishwasher safe, and may be designed in a variety of colors to coordinate with and/or accent the color and design of the appliance to which the ice guide is attached.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A precision ice guide comprising:
 a body defining an aperture for guiding ice there through, said body being adapted to couple to an ice dispenser chute,   said body comprising a front guard, a rear relief portion, and side portions, whereby said front guard extends downwardly towards a drinking vessel positioned beneath the ice dispenser chute to slow the descent of ice into the drinking vessel;   said ice guide being easily removed from the ice dispenser chute.   
     
     
         2 . The precision ice guide of  claim 1  whereby the front guard is at least partially received within the drinking vessel to reduce splash as liquid enters the drinking vessel. 
     
     
         3 . The precision ice guide of  claim 1  having upper and lower portions, and further including a collar extending at least partially around the upper portion of the ice guide, said collar at least partially engaging a bottom portion of the ice dispenser chute. 
     
     
         4 . The precision ice guide of  claim 1  further including a lip surrounding the upper portion of the ice guide, said collar extending above the lip. 
     
     
         5 . The precision ice guide of  claim 4  whereby the bottom portion of the ice dispenser chute rests upon the lip when the ice guide is engaged with the bottom portion of the ice dispenser chute. 
     
     
         6 . The precision ice guide of  claim 3  whereby the collar comprises separate front and back collars, said front collar extending above the front guard and said back collar extending above the rear relief portion of the ice guide. 
     
     
         7 . The precision ice guide of  claim 1  further including clips extending upwardly from the side portions of the ice guide to further engage the bottom portion of the ice dispenser chute. 
     
     
         8 . The precision ice guide of  claim 6  whereby the clips and front and back collars engage the bottom portion of the ice dispenser chute. 
     
     
         9 . The precision ice guide of  claim 6  whereby the clip members engage with an inner portion of the ice dispenser chute. 
     
     
         10 . The precision ice guide of  claim 8  whereby the clips and the front and back collars engage with an inner portion of the ice dispenser chute. 
     
     
         11 . The precision ice guide of  claim 6  whereby the clip members engage with an outer portion of the ice dispenser chute. 
     
     
         12 . The precision ice guide of  claim 8  whereby the clips engage with an outer portion of the ice dispenser chute and the front and back collars engage with an inner portion of the ice dispenser chute. 
     
     
         13 . The precision ice guide of  claim 3  comprised of a flexible material, whereby the upper portion of the ice guide flexibly engages the bottom portion of the ice dispenser chute. 
     
     
         14 . The precision ice guide of  claim 13  whereby the ice guide attaches to the ice dispenser chute by coupling the upper portion of the ice guide to a ring attachment, said ring attachment being secured to the bottom portion of the ice dispenser chute. 
     
     
         15 . A precision ice guide comprising:
 a funnel-shaped body defining an aperture for guiding ice there through, said body having a top and a bottom, said body being adapted to couple to an ice dispenser;   said body comprised of a flexible material;   whereby the top of the body stretches around the bottom of the ice dispenser;   and further providing that the bottom of the body conforms to either the inner or outer portion of a container to which ice from the ice dispenser will be dispensed, said body providing a physical barrier to prevent ice spray from the ice dispenser.   
     
     
         16 . The precision ice guide of  claim 15  whereby the top portion of the ice guide slides over the bottom portion of the ice dispenser to secure the ice guide to the ice dispenser. 
     
     
         17 . The precision ice guide of  claim 15  whereby the body includes vertical slits in the bottom portion to allow the ice guide to be manipulated to fit around or within large containers. 
     
     
         18 . The precision ice guide of  claim 15  whereby the ice guide is secured to the ice dispenser by attaching the ice guide to a ring attachment, said ring attachment secured to the bottom of the ice dispenser. 
     
     
         19 . The precision ice guide of  claim 18  whereby the ring attachment includes tabs that are taped to the bottom of the ice dispenser. 
     
     
         20 . A precision ice guide comprising:
 a funnel-shaped body defining an aperture for guiding ice there through, said body having a top and a bottom, said body being adapted to couple to an ice dispenser;   said body comprised of a flexible material;   whereby the ice guide is mechanically secured to a ring attachment, said ring attachment being adhesively secured to the bottom of the ice dispenser;   whereby the ice guide is easily detached from the ring attachment for cleaning purposes;   and further providing that the bottom of the body conforms to either the inner or outer portion of a container to which ice from the ice dispenser will be dispensed, said body providing a physical barrier to prevent ice spray from the ice dispenser; whereby the ice guide is secured to the ice dispenser by attaching the ice guide to a ring attachment, said ring attachment secured to the bottom of the ice dispenser.