Abstract:
The invention includes a system and method for cooling a plurality of containers. Preferably, the apparatus and method comprise a plurality of compartments operable to receive and retain the plurality of containers. Further, a liner is provided that is in operative engagement with at least two of the compartments. The liner is provided with chemicals that cause an endothermic reaction to cool the compartments when the chemicals are activated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/889,151, filed on Feb. 9, 2007 and entitled ENDOTHERMIC BEVERAGE COOLER, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to cooling beverage containers. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Various implementations for cooling or keeping cold beverage containers, e.g., cans or bottles, are known. Most commonly, people use refrigerators, freezers, ice or ice packs, or the like. Using ice or ice pack over an extended period of time, however, requires a separate insulated unit, such as a cooler, to hold the ice or ice pack to prevent the ice or ice pack from melting. 
         [0006]    Over time, various chemical solutions have been proposed to cool a beverage container without requiring refrigeration or ice. Chemical solutions typically include gas and/or liquid that forms as a result of an endothermic reaction. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,726 issued to Rosenfeld et al. (“Rosenfeld”) is directed to a beverage container that is cooled by a small reservoir of a compressed nontoxic gas or nontoxic liquid in the interior of the beverage. The beverage is rapidly cooled when the gas is allowed to escape from the reservoir through a throttle, the device being generally in the form of a flat plate in the interior of the beverage. 
         [0007]      FIGS. 1A-1E  of the drawings illustrate example prior art beverage container holders of the type in which the beverages are shipped and/or sold. The examples shown in  FIGS. 1A-1E  are constructed of cardboard. Various heights and widths of prior art beverage container holding units  100  are shown in  FIG. 1A-FIG .  1 E. 
         [0008]      FIG. 1A  illustrates an example prior art beverage container holding unit  100  holder for 24 glass bottles  102 , such as commonly used for a case of beer. Included in FIG.  1 &#39;s beverage container holding unit  100  are partitions  104  that intersect to form individual cells  106 . As known in the art, cells  106  may be fairly short, for example, an inch or less in height, or may be quite tall, for example, six to ten inches tall. The height and width of each cell is dependent, in part, upon the size of the respective beverage container  102 . 
         [0009]      FIG. 1B  illustrates the example prior art beverage container holding unit  100  shown in  FIG. 1A  with bottles  102  placed therein.  FIG. 1C  illustrates an alternative prior art beverage container holding unit  100  that holds jugs  102  within partitions  104 .  FIG. 1D  illustrates partitions  104  that form cells  106  and which is operable to be placed with in beverage container holding unit  100  (not shown).  FIG. 1E  illustrates an example beverage container holding unit  100  formed to hold a six-pack of bottles  102 . 
         [0010]    Unfortunately, placing beverage containers  102  in beverage container holding unit  100  does not keep the containers  102  cool or cold. In order to keep a beverage container  102  cool or cold, the user must place the entire beverage container holding unit  100  in a refrigerator or other cooling device, or remove the beverages containers  102  from beverage container holding unit  100  and store the containers  102  directly in a cooling device, such as a refrigerator, beverage cooler or the like. 
         [0011]    Various techniques have been proposed for cooling containers. U.S. Pat. No. 3,726,106 issued to Jaeger (“Jaeger”) is directed to a self heating or cooling container having two separable sections, one for enclosing a cooling or heating chemical and the other for enclosing the product to be cooled or heated. The coolant-heating agent section has a valve assembly that when activated causes the product to change temperature. The separable sections allow forming and filling each section individually during the manufacturing process. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,678 issued to Rudick et al. (“Rudick”) is directed to a self-cooling container for the cooling of a beverage by an endothermic chemical reaction as the cooling mechanism. The cooling mechanism, located in an inner chamber within the container, is easily and safely actuated. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,048 issued to Kimmelshue (“Kimmelshue”) relates to cooling devices, and more particularly pertains to quickly cooling fluid or solid foodstuffs retained within a container. When a user of the container removes a “pop top,” a drinking aperture is formed for access to the retained beverage and additionally, the conduit is exposed whereby the user can manually move an ammonium nitrate holder downwardly within the conduit to effect a rupturing of the membrane. Upon a mixing of the ammonium nitrate with distilled water, an endothermic reaction is created which results in a rapid cooling of the beverage prior to its consumption. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,237 issued to Bond et al. (“Bond”) is directed to a self-cooling container in which a segregating wall is used to divide the container into a beverage chamber and a cooling chamber, the latter having a reaction chamber mounted therein, which in a preferred embodiment is of an elongated cylindrical shape. The reaction chamber cylinder of the invention provides an inverted funnel-shaped bottom surface for receiving the flow of beverage from the beverage chamber portion of the container through a feed-through at the bottom of the segregating wall thereof. A reaction chamber houses a combination of chemical materials separated by a readily broken sealing device from a selected volume of distilled water, which released into the chemical constituents, initiates an endothermic reaction which extracts heat from the beverage. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,588 issued to Hewlett (“Hewlett”) is directed to an improved multi-layer wrap for keeping a beverage container cool. An insulating blanket is inserted into an outer pocket of the wrap assembly through an entrance opening thereto. An inner pocket has an open end for removably receiving a blanket containing a heat absorbing material. A packet is constructed so that, upon the application of pressure, it will rupture and the water will intermix with ammonium nitrate pellets that are stored therein. Such mixing will effect an endothermic reaction wherein heat will be absorbed. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,817 issued to Anthony (“Anthony”) relates to temperature changing devices and in particular to portable or disposable food or beverage coolers and heaters. A vortex tube is provided which supplies the needed heating or cooling effect to the beverage in the can. 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,378 issued to Rebotier (“Rebotier”) is directed to a cooling drinking straw. The invention consists of inserting one or several cores in the central straw of a drinking unit, through which the beverage flows to be cooled or heated, flows the fluid to be heated or cooled. By altering the flow, the core plus tube system is equivalent to a narrower and longer tube. This allows to manufacture an efficient non-coiled central straw. The straw and core characteristic of the invention can have different shapes. The core needs not have the full length of the straw. In most embodiments the core has no thermal role, but in particular cases it can contribute to the heat or cold storage. Several cores, not necessarily joined, can be used in the same straw. Core and straw or straw only can be bent and shaped in various shapes. The drinking unit can be made of an enclosure containing an active or passive medium delivering cold or heat. The end-pieces of the unit can be made to accommodate detachable extensions such as a mouthpiece or a straw extension. 
         [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,720 issued to Stone (“Stone”) is directed to a sleeve or a wrapper used to keep liquid contained in a container, such as a glass or bottle or can, cool. The sleeve contains materials that generate light when activated and chemicals that absorb heat when combined. The light is generated in an upper portion of the sleeve while heat is absorbed in a lower portion of the sleeve. The sleeve can be re-used by storing the sleeve in a refrigerator or freezer after the initial use which does not require such pre-cooling. 
         [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,684 issued to Scudder (“Scudder”) relates to a container having a container body, a thermic module at one end of the body, and a closure at the other end of the body. Food, beverage, medicine or other material to be heated or cooled is contained in a material cavity in the container body. The thermic module contains a chemical reactant that is segregated from another reactant in the container. When a user actuates the thermic module, the reactants mix and produce a reaction that, depending upon the reactants, either produces heat, i.e., an exothermic reaction, and thereby heats the container contents, or absorbs heat, i.e., an endothermic reaction, and thereby cools the container contents. 
         [0020]    While the prior art teaches various techniques that may be effective for cooling a single container as a function of a user-controlled endothermic reaction, no unit is taught that is operable to cool a plurality of beverage containers at once. Further, the prior art beverage cooling devices are complicated, which increases manufacturing costs. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0021]    In one example embodiment, a single unit that is operable to hold a plurality of beverage containers is provided to cool the containers without requiring refrigeration or ice. The unit is preferably incomplex and made of a relatively inexpensive construction, such as cardboard. The portable unit is disposable following a single use. Alternatively, the unit is recyclable. Alternatively, the beverage container holder may be made of any other suitable materials, such as plastic or metal. 
         [0022]    In another example embodiment, an apparatus and method are provided for cooling a plurality of containers that comprises a plurality of compartments operable to receive and retain the plurality of containers. Preferably, a liner is provided that is in operative engagement with at least two of the compartments, wherein the liner is provided with chemicals that cause an endothermic reaction to cool the compartments when the chemicals are activated. 
         [0023]    In another example embodiment, a liner is included with the beverage holding unit that includes one or more chemicals that is/are retained within a barrier within the liner. The chemical, such as ammonium chloride or ammonium nitrate, when mixed with water or other substance, results in an endothermic reaction. In one embodiment, the liner is provided as a self-contained and portable insert to in the art, is provided as a self-contained portable unit and can be inserted in beverage container holding unit, such as a typical cardboard case used for beer or other beverages. In an alternative embodiment, the liner is coupled and fixed to the beverage holding unit and is not provided as a self-contained and separate unit. Preferably, the liner that is provided with cooling chemicals surrounds each container inside the unit. Once the cooling chemicals are activated within the liner, such as causing the ammonium chloride to mix with water, the liner becomes cold. Consequently, the beverage containers inside the unit are cooled. 
         [0024]    The liner preferably contains chemicals that are separated by one or more barriers and, when mixed, become cold. Preferably, the activation of the chemicals within the liner may be initiated in various ways. For example, a drawstring is pulled by a user and causes an inner bag within the liner to crack, thereby allowing the chemicals to mix and cool the liner. Alternatively, a dial is attached to one or more wires inside the liner that is used to crack an inner bag of chemicals. In yet another embodiment, a push button is coupled to wires that can be used to cause the inner bag to crack. In still yet another embodiment, a device may be used in which an inner bag or membrane ruptures that results in a mixing of chemicals or contents in the inner bag with chemicals or contents in an outer bag to produce an endothermic reaction. For example, the inner bag or membrane may rupture by a forcible impact, such as by a user squeezing the inner and outer bags together or the like. See, for example, sport or first aid ice packs, including those sold by GOGOODS.COM, INC. of Columbia, Md. 
         [0025]    Preferably, the liner is carried/stored at ambient room temperatures until activation is required. Once the endothermic chemical reaction is initiated, the liquid within the pack is cooled, for example, to five degrees Celsius, and within as little as three seconds. After usage, the pack can be discarded as the chemical contents are preferably biodegradable. 
         [0026]    Preferably, beverage containers of various sizes, such as 8 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz or the like are preferably accommodated by the unit described herein. Further, the unit may hold virtually any number of containers, including a 24-pack (such as a case), an 18-pack, an 12-pack, a 6-pack or the like. Alternatively, the unit holds one single beverage container. This single beverage container embodiment fits snugly around the beverage container, thereby allowing a person to drink or pour from the container while the container remains in the unit. 
         [0027]    Preferably, the unit is adapted to support any sized beverage container, including wine bottles, large water jugs or the like. Further, a handle, rope or string may be provided for carrying purposes. 
         [0028]    In yet another embodiment, the cooling system is adapted for kegs and beer balls.  FIG. 2G  illustrates an example beer keg  216  that is provided with liner  204 . In this alternative embodiment, surrounding tubing may be provided through which a beverage, such as beer, flows. In this alternative embodiment, the cooling system may be provided as a portable unit is provided with a keg, such as near the keg tap or hose through which been flows. The cooling system may be provided to function such that beer flows through tubing cooled by liner  204 , thereby cooling the beer as it flows out the tap. In yet another alternative, a tube is provided that is formatted as a lining which surrounds a beverage ball or keg. The lining is preferably provided with chemicals operable for an endothermic chemical reaction that cools the ball or keg. 
         [0029]    In yet another alternative embodiment, the liner includes in two chambers that are positioned, for example, top and bottom or side by side. The two chambers are preferably separated by a perforated midsection that is removable. For example, a plastic strip, pull cord, or the like is provided with the perforation that, when removed, causes liner chambers to breach, effectively causing the liner to become one piece. This enables a mixing of the cooling chemicals, dry ice tablets, or the like, thereby causing the endothermic reaction. 
         [0030]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description that refers to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    For the purpose of illustration, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the teachings herein are not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. The features and advantages of the teachings herein will become apparent from the following description that refers to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0032]      FIGS. 1A-1E  illustrate example prior art beverage container holders; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 2A-2F  illustrate example beverage containers in accordance with example embodiments; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 2G  illustrates an example liner in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    In accordance with the teachings herein, an instant cooler is preferably provided for containers, such as bottles, without a need for refrigeration, ice or the like. 
         [0036]    Referring to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements,  FIGS. 2A-2F  illustrate example embodiments of the beverage container holding unit  200  in accordance with the teachings herein. As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2F , cells  202  are provided with liner  204 , which includes coolant chemicals, such as ammonium chloride separated from water as a function of a barrier (not shown), as known in the art. Preferably, chemicals in liner  204  are activated by a user that enable the chemicals to mix and become cold. For example, one or more wires (not shown) provided within liner  204  operate to breach the barrier(s) within liner  204 , thereby permitting the chemical(s) to mix and to trigger an endothermic reaction. Of course, one skilled in the art will recognize that alternative features can be provided instead of wire to cause a breach within the liner&#39;s  204  barrier thereby enabling a mixing of chemicals within the liner  204 . 
         [0037]    In a preferred embodiment, liner  204  is provided within the walls and floor of each cell  106  of beverage container holding unit  200 . 
         [0038]    Various embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2B-2F  are provided with alternative example elements envisioned herein that enable a user to cause the chemicals in liner  204  to mix and, accordingly, become cool. 
         [0039]    In the example shown in  FIG. 2B , push button  206  is operable to cause the chemicals within liner  202  to mix. In one embodiment, when the user pushes button  206 , wires or another feature within liner  204  actuates, thereby causing the chemicals to mix and the corresponding endothermic reaction. 
         [0040]    In the example shown in  FIG. 2C , dial  208  is operable to cause the chemicals within liner  202  to mix. In one embodiment, when the user turns dial  208 , wires or another feature within liner  204  causes the chemicals to mix. Alternatively, dial  204  may be operable with a timing mechanism (not shown) that can be set by a user to cause the mixing of chemicals in liner  202  at a predetermined time. For example, in case a user wishes to have the beverages in beverage container  102  to be cooled three hours after a certain time, the user sets the dial  204  to a value indicating three hours, and after the expiration of that time, a corresponding mechanism functions to activate the chemicals, for example, by mixing them. 
         [0041]    An alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 2D , in which a pull string (or, alternatively, cord or the like) is operated by the user to cause the chemicals within liner  202  to mix and become cold. For example, by pulling cord  210 , the barriers separating the respective elements (e.g., water and ammonium chloride) are breached, thereby causing the endothermic reaction to occur when the chemicals become activated. 
         [0042]    An alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 2E , in which the activating member  212  is operated by the user to cause the chemicals within liner  202  to mix and become cold. For example, by actuating member  206 , barriers that separate the respective elements (e.g., water and ammonium chloride) that, when mixed, become cool. 
         [0043]    In yet another alternative embodiment and shown in  FIG. 2F , pull tab  214  is provided that may include one or more sharp ends that operate to puncture or otherwise breach the barriers separating the chemicals. As described above with respect to button  206 , dial  208 , cord  210 , and member  212 , when pull tab  214  is actuated, the chemicals within liner  204  to mix. 
         [0044]    Of course, one skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments are envisioned herein, such as those described and not shown in the corresponding reference figures. For example, although the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D  include beverage container holding units  200  made of cardboard, one skilled in the art will recognize that other materials can be used to fashion beverage container holding unit  200 , including plastic, metal, or other material. In a preferred embodiment, beverage container holding unit  200  is disposable and/or recyclable, and, therefore, a cardboard is a preferred material for beverage container holding unit&#39;s  200  construction. In an alternative embodiment, replaceable and self-contained liners are provided for the beverage container holding unit  200 . 
         [0045]    In yet another embodiment, an agitating member (not shown) is provided within beverage container holding unit  200  and operable for initiating or improving mixing of the respective elements (e.g., water and ammonium chloride). The agitating member may be provided in various ways. For example, retractable arms may be provided within beverage cooling unit  200  that are positioned on respective sidewalls. When the liner containing chemicals are mixed, the arms of the agitating member actuate to cause the elements to mix. Alternatively, the arms of the agitating member cause the liner to fold, thereby improving the mixing process of the elements. One skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative constructions can be applied without departing from the spirit of the teachings herein. Any mechanical construction that enables the elements within the liner to combine and/or mix is preferably supported by the teachings herein. 
         [0046]    Beverage cooling unit  200  provides benefits over prior art devices that require the use of ice or cooled air, such as thermoses and refrigerators. By eliminating a need for ice or cold air, a savings of electricity is realized by the beverage cooling unit  200 . Further, prior art beverage containers, such as those made of cardboard, are typically thrown away after bottles are removed therefrom and placed, for example, in refrigerators or coolers. Thus, beverage cooling unit  200  reduces waste by providing instant cooling directly therein, without requiring a user to remove bottles for cooling. Further, users often place bottles in prior art beverage containers directly into a refrigerator or cooler, thereby refrigerating and cooling the cardboard container, in addition to the bottles. Another benefit of beverage cooling unit  200  is that only the bottles in the container  200  are cooled, without a need for cooling the cardboard container, as well. 
         [0047]    Thus, beverage cooling unit  200  provides so-called “green” solutions to prior art beverage containers, that are often disposed of after providing a single use of holding a plurality of beverage containers. 
         [0048]    Although the present invention is described and shown in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein.