Abstract:
A beverage cooling device for the rapid cooling of the content of canned or bottle beverages is provided. The beverage cooling device is a handheld device that easily engages the top of a can or beverage. The beverage cooling device includes a housing with side walls for mounting a motor. A container engagement member is attached to the motor along the bottom side of the housing such that it is able to freely rotate within the side walls of the housing. The container engagement member is attached to the drive shaft of the motor such that it is able to rotate when the motor is actuated. The container engagement member includes, at its center, a central gripping member for gripping the top of containers with long narrow necks. The container engagement member further includes peripheral gripping members for engaging containers having tops of larger circumferences, such aluminum beverage containers of varying sizes. The motor is actuated by an on/off switch. The motor rotates the container engagement member when actuated thus enabling the rotation of bottles or containers when engaged by the container engagement member of the beverage cooling device. Rapid rotation of the beverage container in contact with a chilling substance such as ice or ice water results in a very rapid chilling of the contents of the beverage container.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/034,982 filed on Aug. 8, 2015, titled BEVERAGE COOLING DEVICE, which application is incorporated in its entirety by reference in this application. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a beverage cooling device for quick chilling the contents of a beverage container by rapidly rotating the container along its longitudinal axis while emerged in a cooling substance, such as ice or ice water. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Cylindrical containers of liquid may be rapidly cooled by rotating the container about its longitudinal axis while immersed in ice or ice water. Cooling is more rapid as the rotational speed of the container is increased. This practice is commonly used to chill the contents of beverage containers in restaurants, for example, to chill bottles of wine. Manual rotation is often time consuming and is generally not as effective because it is difficult to obtain a high speed of rotation by manual methods. Motorized rotational devices have been developed to assist in the rapid chilling of beverage containers; however, the available motorized methods are still quite limiting in that they are bulky, integrated, attached to or designed for use with only specific cold liquid containment systems (i.e., ice buckets) or only accommodate bottles of a particular size and shape. 
         [0004]    A need therefore exists for a universal, water-tight, handheld container rotating device capable of accommodating beverage containers of varying sizes. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A beverage cooling device for the rapid cooling of the content of canned or bottled beverages is provided. The beverage cooling device is a hand held, water tight device that easily engages the top of a can, bottle or other beverage container. The beverage cooling device includes a housing with side walls for mounting a motor. A container engagement member is attached to the motor along the bottom side of the housing such that it is able to freely rotate within the side walls of the housing. The container engagement member is attached to the drive shaft of the motor such that it is able to rotate when the motor is actuated. The container engagement member includes, at its center, a central gripping member for gripping the top of containers with long narrow necks. The container engagement member further includes peripheral gripping members for engaging containers having tops of larger circumferences, such aluminum beverage containers of varying sizes. The motor is actuated by an on/off switch. The motor rotates the container engagement member when actuated, thus enabling the rotation of bottles or containers when engaged by the container engagement member of the beverage cooling device. Rapid rotation of the beverage container in contact with a chilling substance such as ice or ice water results in a very rapid chilling of the contents of the beverage container. 
         [0006]    In one example of an implementation, the peripheral gripping members are retractable gripping fingers that open to allow for the insertion of the top of the beverage container on the container engagement member. When closed, the peripheral gripping members apply compressive force to the top of the container to engage the container for rotation. In another example of an implementation, the peripheral gripping members are tiered rubber concentric gripping rings that securely engage different sized beverage container tops within the different sized concentric rings. In a third example of an implementation, the peripheral gripping fingers are arranged circumferentially around the central gripping member and slide from a closed to a retracted and open position along slots. One end of each peripheral gripping finger forms a stationery pivot point about the container engagement member. The opposing ends of the peripheral gripping fingers include a hooked member for engaging a tension member such as a rubber band or spring. Each one of the peripheral gripping fingers further includes a raised outer edge for engaging the sides of the top of a beverage can inserted into the containing engaging member. 
         [0007]    Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0008]    The invention may be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of one example of an implementation of a beverage cooling device of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the beverage cooling device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective of one example of a container engagement member that may be used in connection with the beverage cooling device of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 3  illustrating the peripheral gripping fingers in a partially opened position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 3  illustrating the peripheral gripping fingers in a partially opened position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 3  illustrating the peripheral gripping fingers in a closed position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6   a  is an exploded rear side view of the engagement member of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6   b  is an exploded top side view of the engagement member of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 3  illustrating the peripheral gripping fingers in a partially opened position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 3  illustrating the peripheral gripping fingers in an open position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is top perspective view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 3  illustrating the mechanical relationship of the peripheral gripping fingers and the tension member when the peripheral gripping fingers are in the closed position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is top perspective view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 3  illustrating the mechanical relationship of the peripheral gripping fingers and the tension member when the peripheral gripping fingers are in a partially open position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is top perspective view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 3  illustrating the mechanical relationship of the peripheral gripping fingers and the tension member when the peripheral gripping fingers are in an open position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a cross-section view of the container engagement member of  FIGS. 3-11  illustrating the operation of the container engagement member with a long-neck bottle by retaining the top of the long-neck bottle in the central gripping member of the container engagement member. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a cross-section view of the container engagement member of  FIGS. 3-11  illustrating the operation of the container engagement member with a wine bottle by retaining the top of the wine bottle in the central gripping member of the container engagement member. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a cross-section view of the container engagement member of  FIGS. 3-11  illustrating the operation of the container engagement member with an aluminum beverage can by retaining the top of the aluminum beverage can with the raised grips on the peripheral gripping fingers. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a side rear perspective view of another example of an implementation of a container engagement member that maybe utilized in connection with the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional side view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional side view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 15  engaging a long-neck bottle within the central gripping member of the container engagement member. 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional side view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 15  engaging a wine bottle within the central gripping member of the container engagement member. 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional side view of the tiered gripping member of the container engagement member of  FIG. 15  gripping the top of a can within the first inner concentric ring of the tiered gripping member of the container engagement member. 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional side view of the tiered gripping member of the container engagement member of  FIG. 15  gripping the top of a can within the second inner concentric ring of the tiered gripping member of the container engagement member. 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional side view of the tiered gripping member of the container engagement member of  FIG. 15  gripping the top of a can within the third inner concentric ring of the tiered gripping member of the container engagement member. 
           [0032]      FIG. 22  is a bottom view of yet another example of an implementation of a container engagement member that may be used in connection with the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 23  is a bottom view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 22  illustrating the peripheral gripping fingers in an open position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 24  is a side perspective view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 22  illustrating the peripheral gripping fingers and tension member in a closed or relaxed state. 
           [0035]      FIG. 25  is a side perspective view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 23  illustrating the peripheral gripping fingers and tension member in a closed or relaxed state. 
           [0036]      FIG. 26  is a bottom view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 22  illustrating the central gripping member with a flanged member for engaging a long-neck bottle. 
           [0037]      FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional perspective bottom view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 22  engaging a long-neck bottle within the central gripping member of the container engagement member. 
           [0038]      FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional side view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 22  showing the insertion of a long-neck bottle within the central gripping member of the container engagement member. 
           [0039]      FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional side view of the container engagement member of  FIG. 22  engaging a long-neck bottle within the central gripping member of the container engagement member. 
           [0040]      FIG. 30  is a top perspective view of one example of a hook mechanism to facilitate the hands free operation of the beverage rotating device of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of one example of an implementation of a beverage cooling device  100  of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the beverage cooling device  100  is a handheld device having a housing  102  with side walls  106  for encasing a motor (not shown). The motor (not shown) is contained within the housing  102  and is actuated by an on/off switch  104  to rotate a container engagement member  108  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the beverage cooling device  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  illustrates that the beverage cooling device  100  includes a container engagement member  108  that is positioned at the bottom of side walls  106  of the housing  102 . The container engagement member  108  is rotatably engaged with the motor (not shown) which is contained within the housing  102  of the beverage cooling device  100 . The container engagement member  108  includes a central gripping member  110  for gripping the top of containers with long narrow necks, such as beer bottles, wine bottles and plastic single-serve beverage containers. The container engagement member  108  further includes peripheral gripping fingers  112  for engaging containers having larger circumference tops, such as aluminum beverage containers (e.g., 8 oz., 12 oz., 16 oz., 24 oz. and 32 oz. fluid containers). 
         [0043]    As will be illustrated below, the container engagement member  108  of the beverage cooling device  100  can be implemented in different manners.  FIGS. 3-14  describe one possible implementation.  FIGS. 15-21  illustrate another possible implementation.  FIGS. 22-29  provide yet another implementation (which is the implementation shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  above). Those skilled in the art will recognize that other possible implementations and variations may be designed and utilized without departing from the scope of the invention. Further,  FIG. 30  illustrates one possible additional feature that can provide for the hands-free use of the beverage cooling device  100  of the invention. 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective of one example of a container engagement member  108  that may be used in connection with the present invention. The container engagement member  108  includes a main cylindrical body  109  having a central gripping member  110  and slots  116  extending outward toward the outer circumference of the container engagement member  108  from the central gripping member  110 . Slidably engaged within the slots  116  are peripheral gripping fingers  112 . The peripheral gripping fingers  112  include front grips  114  that protrude into the central gripping member  110  when the peripheral gripping fingers  112  are in the closed position. The peripheral gripping fingers  112  further include raised grips  115  on top of the peripheral gripping fingers  112  for gripping the edges of larger containers (not shown). The peripheral gripping fingers  112  are held in a closed state by a tension member  126  ( FIGS. 6-11 ), such as a rubber band or tension spring that joins the three peripheral gripping fingers  112 . 
         [0045]    As illustrated in connection with  FIGS. 3-11 , the three peripheral gripping fingers  112  are mounted on slots  116  on the main cylindrical body  109  of the container engagement member  108 . The three peripheral gripping fingers  112  can be positioned to hold beverage cans and bottles of various shapes and sizes (see  FIGS. 12-14 ). The griping fingers  112  have raised grips or hook features  115  for gripping the rim of aluminum cans  1400  ( FIG. 14 ) and front grips  114  for gripping the necks of glass bottles  1200  and  1300  ( FIGS. 12 and 13 ). These gripping fingers  112  are constantly pulled inward toward the center of the container engagement member  108  or toward the hub using a tension member  126  (e.g., a rubber band or tension spring). 
         [0046]    An upper disk  117  sits atop the main cylindrical body  109  of the container engagement member  108 . The disk  117  has three radially curved slots  124  that curve from the center outward toward the outer edge of the container engagement member  108 . The disk  117  is rotatably attached to the main cylindrical body  109  of the container engagement member  108 . The gripping fingers  112  each have upward extending pegs  122  that protrude through the three curved slots  124  on the disk  117 . When the disk  117  is rotated, the slots  124  act as a cam (or ramp) to push the three gripping fingers  112  outward, away from the center of the container engagement member  108 . When in a closed state, the upward extending pegs  122  of the gripping fingers  112  are positioned on the ends of radially curved slots  124  closest to the center of the container engagement member  108 . As the disk  117  is rotated, the pegs  122  are moved outward along slots  116  by the radially curved slots  124  of the disk  117  moving across the upward extending pegs  122 , toward the end of the radially curved slots  124  closest to the outer circumference of the container engagement member  108 . 
         [0047]    A trigger  118  is mounted rigidly to the disk  117 , which allows the user to rotate the disk  117  using just a thumb and forefinger ( FIGS. 3-11 ). This allows the disk  117  to push the three gripping fingers  112  away from the center so a beverage can be inserted. Releasing the trigger  118  causes the tension member  126  to pull the three gripping fingers  112  inward to securely hold onto the beverage. Once the beverage is secured, the entire assembly is then spun by the motor (not shown) for chilling. 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  illustrates the peripheral gripping fingers  112  in a closed position. The peripheral gripping fingers  112  are then able to be retracted outward toward the outer circumference of the container engagement member  108  by slidably moving the peripheral gripping finger  112  along slots  116 . The peripheral gripping fingers  112  are moved outward, in this example, by the engagement of the trigger  118  that is connected to the rotatable upper disk  117 . The upper disk  117  is coupled to at least one peripheral gripping finger  112 , as further described and illustrated in connection with  FIGS. 6-11  below, and functions to move the gripping fingers  112  outward upon rotation of the upper disk  117 . The trigger  118  slides along a channel  120  in the main cylindrical body  109  of the container engagement member  108 . As the trigger slides along the channel  120 , it moves the gripping fingers  112  outward along the path of the slots  116  and places tension on the tension member  126 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  is a bottom-perspective view of the container engagement member  108  in  FIG. 3  illustrating the peripheral gripping fingers  112  in a partially opened position. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the trigger  118  is retracted partway along channel  120 , which move the peripheral gripping fingers  112  outward along the path of the slots  116 , placing tension on the tension member  126 . In this manner, the peripheral gripping fingers  112  are moved outward towards the outer circumference of the container engagement member  108  to allow for the insertion of a bottle or beverage container within the container engagement member  108 . When the trigger  118  is released, the peripheral gripping fingers  112  are pulled inward from the release of tension on the tension member  126 , thereby causing the peripheral gripping fingers  112  to compress against the top side edges of the bottle or beverage container inserted between the peripheral gripping fingers  112 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the container engagement member  108  of  FIG. 3  illustrating the peripheral gripping fingers  112  in an open position. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the trigger  118  is moved from one side of the channel  120  to the other side of the channel  120  to completely retract the peripheral gripping fingers  112 . The peripheral gripping fingers  112  are moved outward along the slots  116  towards the outer edges of the slots  116  near the outer circumference of the container engagement member  108  to completely open the fingers  112  for the receipt of a container. As noted above, when the trigger  118  is released, the peripheral gripping fingers  112  are pulled inward from the tension on the tension member  126 , thereby causing the peripheral gripping fingers  112  to compress against the top side edges of the bottle or beverage container inserted between the peripheral gripping fingers  112 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 6 through 11  illustrate the mechanical retracting of the peripheral gripping fingers  112  along the slots  116 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , which is a top perspective view of the container engagement member  108 , the container engagement member  108  includes an upper disk  117  also having radially curved extending slots  124  for engagement of upward extending guide peg  122  of the peripheral gripping fingers  112 . As noted above, the trigger  118  mounted rigidly to the disk  117  allows the user to rotate the disk  117  and push the three gripping fingers  112  away from the center. Releasing the trigger  118  causes the tension member  126  to pull the three gripping fingers  112  inward to securely hold onto the beverage. 
         [0052]      FIG. 6   a  is an exploded rear side view of the engagement member of  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6   b  is an exploded top side view of the engagement member of  FIG. 3 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , the peripheral gripping fingers  112  include openings or channels  650  for engaging the tension member  126 , such as a rubber band or tension spring. 
         [0053]    In this example, the disk  117  includes a central opening  625  having an internal channel  630  located along the interior sides of the central opening  625 . On the top of the central gripping member  110  of the main cylindrical body  109  are inverted L-shaped guides  640  having top side edges  645  for coupling to the channel  630  in the central opening  625  of the disk  117 . The top sides edges  645  function to snap into the channel  630  of the central opening  625  of the disk  117  for maintaining the disk  117  in a rotatable manner against the main cylindrical body  109 . 
         [0054]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that they are other means for securing the rotating disk  117  against the main cylindrical body  109 . For example, the disk  117  could be held to against the main cylindrical body  109  in a rotatable manner by another part besides the engagement with the snap guides  640 . 
         [0055]    In this embodiment, the trigger  118  also operates to secure the disk  117  to the main cylindrical body  117  by molded it directly onto the rotating disc or rigidly screwing or sonically-welding it to the disk  117 . 
         [0056]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , when the trigger  118  is moved from the closed position to the open position, the disk  117  rotates. Through the engagement of the upward extending pegs  122  on the gripping fingers  112  with the radially curved slots on the disk  117 , the gripping fingers  112  are slide outward along slots  116 . The tension member  126  is pulled in tension from a closed to an open position, which places tension on the tension member  126 .  FIG. 7  illustrates the upward extending pegs  122  partially moved along the radially extending slots  126  when the trigger  118  is partially retracted from a closed to an open position, thereby moving the peripheral gripping fingers  112  outward and stretching the tension member  126 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 8  is a top-perspective view of the container engagement member  108  illustrating the peripheral gripping fingers  112  in the open position. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the trigger  118  is in the fully extended position along channel  120 , thereby fully extending the tension member  126  and, through its engagement of the peripheral gripping fingers  112 , moving the peripheral gripping fingers  112  outward guided by the upwardly extending pegs  122  along the radially extending slots  124 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the container engagement member  108  illustrating the operation of the trigger  118  to move the peripheral gripping fingers  112  from a closed to open position. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the tension member  126  is in a relaxed state when the peripheral gripping fingers  112  are in the closed position. Upon the retraction of one peripheral gripping finger  112  by the movement of the trigger  118  along channel  120 , the tension member  126 , by virtue of its interconnection with all of the peripheral gripping fingers  112 , expands outward when the peripheral gripping fingers  112  are moved outward in the slots  116  by the movement of the disk  117  containing the radial extending slots  124  across the upward extending pegs  122 . While the tension member  126  in the illustrated example is a rubber ring, it is recognized by those skilled in the art that the tension member  126  can be made of other materials having compression/decompression properties, for example, a metal extension spring. 
         [0059]      FIG. 10  illustrates the tension member  126  in a partially extended position, where the peripheral gripping fingers  112  are moved to a partially open state. FIG.  11 —illustrates the tension member  126  in the fully extended position having retracted the peripheral gripping fingers  112  to the outer circumference of the container engagement member  108  along the radially extending slots  116  and  124 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 12  is a cross-section view of the container engagement member  108  of  FIGS. 3-13  with a long-neck bottle  1200 , such as a beer bottle, retained within the central gripping member  110 . In operation, the peripheral gripping fingers  112  are partially opened to allow the central gripping member  110  to be completely cleared of the peripheral gripping fingers  112 . The neck of the long-neck bottle  1200  is inserted into the central gripping member  110  and the peripheral gripping fingers  112  are then released to the closed position. Upon release, the front grips  114  of the peripheral gripping fingers  112  extend forward into the central gripping member  110  to engage the bottle top or bottle cap on the long-neck bottle  1200 . In this manner, the long-neck bottle  1200  is engaged within the central gripping member  110  by the compressive force of the front grips  114  on the long-neck bottle  1200 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 13  illustrates the operation of the container engagement member  108  illustrated in  FIGS. 3-11  in connection with a wine bottle  1300 .  FIG. 12  is a cross-section view of the container engagement member  108  of  FIGS. 3-13  with a wine bottle  1300  retained within the central gripping member  110 . In operation, the peripheral gripping fingers  112  are partially opened to allow the central gripping member  110  to be completely cleared of the peripheral gripping fingers  112 . The wine bottle neck is inserted into the central gripping member  110  and the peripheral gripping fingers  112  are then released to the closed position. Upon release, the front grips  114  of the peripheral gripping fingers  112  extend forward into the central gripping member  110  to engage the wine bottle top or wine bottle cap on the wine bottle  1300 . In this manner, the wine bottle  1300  is engaged within the central gripping member  110  by the compressive force of the front grips  114  on the bottle top  1300 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 14  illustrates the operation of the container engagement member  108  illustrated in  FIGS. 3-11  in connection with an aluminum container  1400 .  FIG. 14  is a cross-section view of the container engagement member  108  of  FIGS. 3-13  with the aluminum container  1400  retained by the raised grips  115  on the peripheral gripping fingers  112 . In operation, the peripheral gripping fingers  112  are partially opened to allow the peripheral gripping fingers  112  to be cleared of the circumference of the can top being inserted into the container engagement member  108 . The aluminum container  1400  is place against the container engagement member  108  and then the peripheral gripping fingers  112  are released to the closed position. Upon release, the raised grips  115  of the peripheral gripping fingers  112  engage the top edge of the aluminum container  1400 . In this manner, the aluminum container  1400  is engaged between the raised grips  115  of the peripheral gripping fingers  112  by the compressive force of the raised grips  115  on the aluminum container top  1400 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 15  is a side rear perspective view of another example of an implementation of a container engagement member  1508  that may be utilized in connection with the present invention. The container engagement member  1508  in this example acts as a rubber gasket for engaging a long-neck bottle  1200  or wide-mouth topped aluminum-type cans  1400 . 
         [0064]    As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , which is a cross-sectional side view of the container engagement member  1508  of  FIG. 15 , the container engagement member  1508  also includes a central gripping member  1510  for engaging a long-neck typed bottle such as a beer bottle  1200  or wine bottle  1300 . The area between the central gripping member  1510  and the outer circumference of the container engagement member  108  includes stair-stepped tiered concentric engaging members  1532  that are each sized to fit different sized aluminum cans tops  1400 . The smaller circular gripping steps could, for example, grip an 8 oz. can, whereas the largest step could grip a 32 oz. can. 
         [0065]      FIG. 17  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the container engagement member  1508  engaging a long-neck bottle  1200  within the central gripping member  1510 . In operation, the central gripping member  1510  is an expandable rubber flange having a circumference slightly less than the diameter of the long-necked bottle, such that when the long-neck bottle  1200  is inserted into the central gripping member  1510 , the central gripping member  1510  tightly engages the top of the bottle. 
         [0066]    Similarly,  FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional side view of the container engagement member  1508  of  FIG. 15  which illustrates a wine bottle  1300  being engaged by the central gripping member  1510  of the container engagement member  1508 . The wine bottle  1300  is positioned within the central gripping member  1510  such that a friction grip is formed around the top of the wine bottle  1300 , holding the bottle against the container engagement member  1508  for rotation upon activation of the motor. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 19 ,  20  and  21  illustrate the stair-stepped or tiered concentric engaging members  1532  gripping the tops of various sized cans  1900 ,  2000  and  2100  within the four concentric increasingly circumference-sized rings. The stair-stepped or tiered concentric engaging members  1532  are angled inward such that the top of the aluminum container  1400  is positioned within the appropriately sized concentric rings of the stair-stepped or tiered gripping members  1532 . When inserted, a friction fit is formed between the gripping members  1532  of the container engagement member  1508  to frictionally engage and grip the tops  1902 ,  2002  and  2102  of containers  1900 ,  2000  and  2100 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 22  illustrates yet another example of an implementation of the container engagement member  2208 . As illustrated in  FIG. 22 , the bottom portion of the container engagement member  2208  includes peripheral gripping fingers  2212 , slideable from a closed to a retracted and open position along slots  2216 . One end of each peripheral gripping finger  2212  forms a stationery pivot point  2240  about the container engagement member  2208 . The opposing end of the peripheral gripping fingers  2212  includes a hooked member  2242  for engaging a tension member  2226  such as a rubber band or spring. Each one of the peripheral gripping fingers  2212  further include a raised outer edge  2244  for engaging the sides of the top of an aluminum can inserted into the containing engaging member  2208 . Raised outer edges  2244  may also be characterized as lips  2244  on the outer edge of the peripheral gripping fingers  2212 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 23  is a bottom-perspective view of the peripheral gripping fingers  2212  in the open and fully retracted position. In this manner, the tension member  2226  is fully extended such that compressive force is placed upon the peripheral gripping fingers  2212  toward the inner portion of the container engagement member  2208 . In this manner, a larger mouthed beverage container or aluminum can  1400  may be placed within the opening defined by the lips  2244  of the peripheral gripping fingers  2212  and upon release, the lips  2244  can engage the top of the aluminum can  1400  creating compressive force around the top of the can, thereby engaging the top of the can within the container engagement member  2208 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 24  is a side-perspective view illustrating the container engagement member  2108  in the closed position, while  FIG. 25  illustrates the container engagement member  2208  in the open position.  FIGS. 24 and 25  best illustrate the tension member  2226  moving from a relaxed to an expanded state to create compressive force inward upon release.  FIGS. 24 and 25  also illustrate the lips  2244  raised from the peripheral gripping fingers  2212  along the outer circumferential edge of the peripheral gripping fingers  2212 . 
         [0071]    As illustrated in  FIG. 26 , the container engagement member  2208  also includes a central gripping member  2210  that may include a rubber gripping flange  2250 . The rubber gripping flange  2250  is used to grip the top of the long-neck bottle container  2600  upon insertion into the central opening  2210 . 
         [0072]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 27 ,  28  and  29 , when the long-neck bottle  2600  is inserted into the central opening  2210 , the rubber flange member  2250  is compressed outward creating a tight friction fit to maintain the top of the bottle neck  2600  within the central gripping member  2210 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 30  is a top perspective view of one example of a hook mechanism  3001  to facilitate the hands free operation of the beverage rotating device  3000  of the present invention. In operation, the beverage cooling device  100  sometimes spins in the opposite direction as the beverage in the container. This counter-spinning reduces the rotational speed of the contents by half and thereby decreases the cooling efficiency. 
         [0074]    By adding a lanyard or other hooking device  3002  over the side of the ice cooler or container, it helps to stabilize the beverage cooling device  3000  to prevent it from rotating so all of the spinning is isolated to the beverage. When sold or used with a hook or lanyard device  3002 , the beverage cooling device  3000  may be designed with an integrated loop feature that allows any type of strap to be attached. 
         [0075]    Additional features of the beverage cooling device  3000  may include a removable and interchangeable outer body  3004 . As illustrated in the examples of  FIG. 1-30 , the device may include a soft foam-rubber outer body that is detachable from a motor housing. The foam-rubber bodies may be designed to be detachable and interchangeable. As such, the bodies may come in a variety of colors and may be designed with certain indicia, such as personalized designs, sport team or school colors or logos, company logos or other unique or representative designs tailored for different markets. Further, the foam-rubber may be designed to be buoyant. 
         [0076]    Additionally, the body may include sculpted cut-out features that may be increased in depth to act as a grip on the ice during spinning. The deeper the cutouts, the more traction may be possible for the device when immersed in ice or slush. This may help stabilize the body so all the spinning takes place with the beverage. The foam-rubber is also buoyant. 
         [0077]    Optionally, the device may include a timer and/or LED light indicators (not shown) that show the status of the device when spinning. Further, electronics may be included that control the duration of the spinning, for example from 2-4 minutes with an auto-shutoff. Colored or blinking lights may notify the user of the status. 
         [0078]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the beverage cooling device  100  of the present invention can be used with an open beverage. Hence, the beverage cooling device  100  can be used to quickly cool a partially consumed beverage, thus avoiding waste or, in the alternative, drinking the beverage warm. The beverage cooling device  100  may be used with plastic, glass or aluminum containers or bottles. 
         [0079]    The foregoing description of an implementation has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or may be acquired from practicing the invention. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.