Patent Publication Number: US-4225059-A

Title: Portable beverage cooler and dispenser

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a road travelling trailer mounted refrigerated container adapted to transport receptacles of liquid refreshments to be dispensed at a point of use directly from the container through facilities provided thereon. 
     Various forms and types of portable refreshment wagons have previously been designed for use within limited areas such as by street vendors and in public areas such as railway stations, sporting and entertainment areas and the like as exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 321,970, 683,662, 1,772,111 and 1,979,549 and one of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a trailer mounted refrigerated container for liquid refreshments adapted to be towed by a motor vehicle to any selected site. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a container of the above class which includes means for dispensing the transported beverages directly from the container at its selected destination. 
     A further object herein is to provide a trailer mounted container as characterized having a capacity for travelling speeds over short or long distances and on roadways comparable to that of the towing motor vehicle. 
     The foregoing objects and such further objects as may appear herein, or be hereinafter pointed out, together with the advantages of this invention will be more fully discussed and developed in the more detailed description of the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective rear view of this invention showing the respective doors to the ice chamber and the beverage receptacle compartment in open position, 
     FIG. 2 is also a perspective rear view thereof showing the doors in closed position, 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof partially broken away to show the placement of beverage receptacles, the refrigerating and dispensing means and the means for pressurizing the receptacles, 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof partially broken away to show the interior thereof seen in FIG. 3, and 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the cooling, charging and dispensing system used with this invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings, the container portion of this invention is designated generally by the numeral 10, is preferably box-like in appearance as shown and of any desired size. The sidewalls 12, 14, front wall 16 and bottom or floor 18 are of insulated construction similar to refrigerator type boxes and the like in a well known manner. An insulated ice tray or chamber 20 is provided in the top interior of container 10 and communicates with the lower main compartment 22. Access to PG,4 chamber 20 is provided by opening 24 in top 26 and a refrigerator type door 28 with appropriate hinges 30 and latch 32 serves as a closure for opening 24. The rear side 34 has the opening 36 to compartment 22 and is provided with the refigerator type door 38 having appropriate hinges 40 and latch 42. 
     A pair of valved liquid dispensing spigots 44 are mounted near the top of side 12 and are disposed over a drip tray 46 having the drain pipe 48 operably connected to the interior drain pipe 50 that connects at one end to the ice chamber 20 and extends at its other end through the floor 18 as best seen in FIG. 3. Container 10 is suitably mounted on a sturdy compact road travelling trailer frame 52 that includes a tongue 54 provided with a hitch 56 and safety chain 58 adapted for attachment to a towing motor vehicle (not shown) in a well known manner. Trailer 52 also includes a rear lighting system 60 for operable connection to a towing vehicle which includes tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and license plate holder in a conventional manner for trailers of this type. A jack leg 62 is provided on tongue 54 for obvious purposes. Such trailer 52 makes possible the transporting of liquid refreshments at highway speeds to any desired site reachable by the towing vehicle. 
     Container 10 is designed to carry one or more liquid refreshment receptacles in compartment 22 here shown in the form of beer kegs 64, it being understood that such receptacles are equipped with fittings 66 for connection to dispensing apparatus. Accordingly, container 10 is equipped with one or more flexible dispensing hoses 68 operably connected at one end respectively to a spigot 44. A substantial length of hose 68 is coiled within chamber 20 to be surrounded by ice 70 for cooling and the other end of such hose extends through the wall of chamber 20 where it is available for quick coupling to fitting 66. Means for charging the contents of receptacles 64 are provided by the air cylinder 72 placed in housing 74 and mounted on trailer tongue 54 adjacent the front wall 16. A door 76 is provided for housing 74. 
     A pressure hose 78 from cylinder 72 extends through wall 16 to a manifold 80 on wall 34 and one or more hoses 82 attached to respective valves 84 connected to manifold 80 are available for attachment to respective fittings 66 on receptacles 64 as best seen in FIG. 3. By the above arrangements, there is thus provided a new and improved device to expedite and facilitate the delivery and dispensing of liquid refreshments particularly to remote locations such as picnic areas and the like. Accordingly, in view of the foregoing, it is thought a full understanding of the construcion and operation of this invention will be had and the advantages of the same will be appreciated.