Patent Publication Number: US-11662131-B1

Title: Assembly and method for cooling and dispensing draft beer and other beverages

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to assemblies and methods for constructing or modifying a portable or stationary ice chest, refrigerator, or other cooler for temporarily installing one or more faucets and related beverage dispensing equipment for cooling and dispensing beer or other beverages such that when the cooler is not being used for dispensing beer or other beverages, the one or more faucets and the related dispensing equipment can be removed to allow the cooler to be used for other cooling services. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A draft beer system for dispensing beer on tap from a keg or other container will typically comprise: at least one faucet for pouring the beer; a faucet shank or faucet tower for mounting the faucet; a CO 2  tank for pressuring the beer out of the keg or other container and for maintaining carbonation; a pressure regulator for the CO 2 ; and a connector for the keg or other container for attaching both (a) a liquid hose or other conduit which extends to the connector from the faucet shank or faucet tower and (b) a CO 2  hose or other conduit which extends to the connector from the CO 2  tank. Unlike air-pump dispensing systems which are the staple of most frat parties, CO 2  systems preserve the quality and taste of the beer, maintain carbonation, and prevent the beer from spoiling (which quickly occurs when the beer is exposed to air). 
     A need exists for an improved portable draft beer system for dispensing draft beer on tap on the patio, at the lake, at tailgating parties, and elsewhere. The portable draft beer systems currently available in the art are expensive to purchase and have other significant disadvantages and shortcomings. For example, the current portable systems require the use of dedicated ice chests, refrigerators, or other coolers which cannot be used for other cooling services when not being used for cooling and dispensing beer. Also, when not being used for dispensing beer, these prior systems with their dedicated coolers take up a significant amount of storage space. In addition, the prior systems are difficult to clean. 
     A need also exists for a much less expensive option which would allow the user to have both (i) a portable draft beer system for temporary use on the patio, at the pool, or at remote locations outside of the home and (ii) an attractive and more permanent non-portable system installed, for example, at a bar in the home or in the kitchen. Unfortunately, due to the cost of the separate sets of the faucets, connectors, shanks, towers, etc. required for assembling two systems, the cost of owning both a portable draft beer dispensing system and a more permanent non-portable draft beer dispensing system is prohibitive for most people. 
     In addition, there is a need for (a) an improved dispensing system of the same type discussed above which can also be used for dispensing soda and other beverages and (b) an improved assembly and method for converting an existing portable or non-portable ice chest, refrigerator, or other cooler for use in a dispensing system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an assembly and method for a beverage dispensing system which satisfy the needs and alleviate the problems discussed above. The inventive system and method allow the faucet, tower, connector, and other dispensing equipment to be conveniently removed from the ice chest, refrigerator, freezer or other cooler in a manner such that (a) the cooler can be used for other needed purposes such as cooling food, beverages, or other items and (b) the system components can be more conveniently stored if needed. The ability to conveniently remove and reinstall the faucet and other system components also allows the user to transfer the same components from a portable dispensing system to a non-portable dispensing system, and vice versa; thereby significantly reducing the total cost of having two systems. In addition, the inventive assembly and method can be used for (i) converting existing portable or non-portable ice chests, refrigerators, freezers or other coolers for use in the inventive dispensing system and (ii) dispensing soda and other beverages. The beverage dispensing system provided by the present invention is also easier to clean. 
     In one aspect, there is provided an assembly for removably installing a beverage dispensing system in a cooler. The assembly preferably comprises (i) a receiving bracket and (ii) a faucet mounting plate having a faucet assembly mounted thereon. The receiving bracket is preferably placed, formed, or placeable in an opening provided through a lid, door, side wall, or top wall of the cooler. The receiving bracket preferably comprises a passageway which extends longitudinally through the receiving bracket from an outer face to a rearward end of the receiving bracket. The passageway preferably comprises a forward recess having a depth which extends rearwardly into the passageway from the outer face of the receiving bracket to an interior shoulder in the passageway, the interior shoulder substantially surrounding the passageway and the interior shoulder being positioned forwardly of or at the rearward end of the receiving bracket. The faucet mounting plate has an outer face and a rearward face and is preferably removably receivable in the forward recess of the passageway of the receiving bracket such that a peripheral portion of the rearward face of the faucet mounting plate is positioned on or over the interior shoulder of the passageway. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a method of adapting a cooler for dispensing a beverage. The method preferably comprises the steps of: (a) forming an opening through a lid, door, side wall, or top wall of the cooler; (b) installing a receiving bracket in the opening, the receiving bracket comprising a passageway which extends longitudinally through the receiving bracket from an outer face to a rearward end of the receiving bracket, the outer face comprising a radially extending outer flange which substantially surrounds an open forward end of the passageway, and the passageway comprising a forward recess having a depth which extends rearwardly into the passageway from the outer face of the receiving bracket to an interior shoulder in the passageway, the interior shoulder substantially surrounding the passageway and the interior shoulder being positioned forwardly of or at the rearward end of the receiving bracket; (c) installing a faucet assembly on a mounting plate; (d) connecting a hose or other conduit between the faucet assembly and a beverage container; (e) before or after step (d), placing the beverage container in the cooler such that, after steps (d) and (e), the hose or other conduit extends through the passageway of the receiving bracket from the beverage container, which is positioned in the cooler, to the faucet assembly which is installed on the mounting plate, the mounting plate being located outside of the cooler; and (f) removably locking the mounting plate, with the faucet assembly installed thereon, in the forward recess of the passageway of the receiving bracket. 
     Further aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those in the art upon examining the accompanying drawings and upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an embodiment  2  of the inventive assembly for removably installing a beverage dispensing system  3  in a cooler  4 . 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a beverage dispensing system  3  which is removably installable in the cooler  4  using the inventive assembly  2 . 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the inventive assembly  2  which includes a faucet tower  17 . 
         FIG.  4    is an elevational front view of a receiving bracket  5  used in the inventive assembly  2 . 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the receiving bracket  5 . 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of a faucet mounting plate  8  used in the inventive assembly  2 . 
         FIG.  7    is an elevational front view of the faucet mounting plate  8 . 
         FIG.  8    is an elevational front view of a blank replacement plate  15  used in the inventive assembly  2 . 
         FIG.  9    is a top view of an alternative embodiment  100  of the inventive assembly for removably installing a beverage dispensing system in a cooler  104 . 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of a faucet mounting plate  108  and faucet tower  115  used in the inventive assembly  100 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment  2  of the inventive assembly for installing a beverage dispensing system  3  in a cooler  4  is illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 8   . The inventive assembly  2  preferably comprises: a receiving bracket  5  which is received in an opening  7  through a lid, door, side wall, or top wall of the cooler  4 ; a faucet mounting plate  8  which is removably receivable in the receiving bracket  5 ; and at least one replacement plate  15  which is removably receivable in the receiving bracket  5  when the faucet mounting plate  8  is not in use. The faucet mounting plate  8  has a faucet assembly  10  mounted therein which preferably comprises at least one faucet  12  and a faucet shank  14  or tower  17 . The faucet  12  has a spout  16  and a handle  18 . 
     The inventive assembly  2  preferably also comprises: a keg or other beverage container  20  which is removably positionable in the cooler  4 ; a CO 2  tank  22  which will also typically be positioned in the cooler  4  with the beverage container  20 ; a pressure regulator  24  for the CO 2  tank  22 ; a connector  26  on the beverage container  20 ; a beverage hose or other conduit  28  which is removably connected between the rearward end  30  of the faucet shank  14 , or the tower  17 , and a beverage port on the connector  26 ; and a CO 2  hose or other conduit  32  which is removably connected between the pressure regulator  24  and a CO 2  port on the connector  26 . 
     As used herein and in the claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, the term “cooler” refers to and includes any type of portable or non-portable ice chest, refrigerator, freezer, or other cooler used for cooling food, beverages, or other items. 
     The receiving bracket  5  can be formed in or can be insertable and installable in the lid, door, side wall, or top wall of the cooler  4 . The receiving bracket  5  preferably comprises: a longitudinal axis  34 ; a longitudinally extending passageway  38 ; a longitudinally extending side wall  36  which substantially surrounds (i.e., extends entirely around or extends around at least 85% of the circumference of) the longitudinally extending passageway  38 ; an outer opening  40  of the passageway  38  provided in the outer face  42  of the receiving bracket  5 ; a rearward opening  45  of the passageway  38  provided in the rearward end  44  of the receiving bracket  5 ; a forwardly facing interior shoulder  46  provided in the passageway  38  which substantially surrounds (i.e., extends entirely around or extends around at least 85% of the circumference of) the passageway  38  and is positioned either between the outer face  42  and the rearward end  44  of the receiving bracket  5  or at the rearward end  44  of the receiving bracket  5 ; and a forward recess  48  formed in the passageway  38  which has a depth extending rearwardly into the passageway  38  from the outer face  42  of the receiving bracket  5  to the interior shoulder  46 . The outer face  42  of the receiving bracket  5  also preferably includes a radially extending outer flange  50  which substantially surrounds (i.e., extends entirely around or extends around at least 85% of the circumference of) the outer opening  40  of the passageway  38 . 
     When the receiving bracket  5  is received in the opening  7  of the lid, door, side wall, or top wall of the cooler  4 , the receiving bracket  5  is preferably bonded in place in the opening  7  using an epoxy or other bonding or adhesive material applied (i) between the radial outer flange  50  of the receiving bracket  5  and the surface  55  of the lid, door, side wall, or top wall of the cooler  4  which surrounds the opening  7  and/or (ii) between the exterior of the side wall  36  of the receiving bracket  5  and the interior wall of the opening  7  formed through the lid, door, side wall, or top wall of the cooler  4 . Alternatively, or in addition, the receiving bracket  5  can be secured in the opening  7  using bolts or screws which extend through the radial outer flange  50  and extend into or through the lid, door, side wall, or top wall of the cooler  4  adjacent to the opening  7 . In addition, a silicone seal or other seal element can be positioned between the radial outer flange  50  of the receiving bracket  5  and the surface  55  of the lid, door, side wall, or top wall of the cooler  4  which surrounds the opening  7 . 
     The receiving bracket  5  can be formed of any suitable plastic, metal or other material and will preferably be formed of polyethylene or a similar polymer resin. In order to reduce thermal losses, if bolts or screws are used to secure the receiving bracket  5  in the opening  7  of the lid, door, side wall, or top wall of the cooler  4 , the bolts or screws with preferably be polymer bolts or screws. 
     The faucet mounting plate  8  preferably comprises: an outer face  52 ; a rearward face  54 ; and a faucet mounting hole  56  which extends through the faucet mounting plate  8  from the outer face  52  to the rearward face  54 . The faucet shank  14 , when used, extends through and is retained in the faucet mounting hole  56  for (a) attaching the faucet  12  to the forward of the shank  14  on the outer face  52  of the mounting plate  8  and (b) attaching the beverage hose or other conduit  28  to the rearward end of the faucet shank  14 . Alternatively, a faucet tower  17  can be attached on the outer face  52  of the faucet mounting plate  8  over the faucet mounting hole  56 . The faucet tower  17  can comprise one, two, or more faucets  12  mounted on the tower  17  with separate beverage hoses or other conduits  28  preferably extending from the different faucets  12  for drawing beverages from different containers. 
     The faucet mounting plate  8  with the faucet assembly  10  mounted thereon is removably receivable in the forward recess  48  of the receiving bracket  5  such that a peripheral portion of the rearward face  54  of the faucet mounting plate  8  rests on or over the interior shoulder  46  of the passageway  38 . The thickness  60  of the faucet mounting plate  8  from the outer face  52  to the rearward face  54  thereof is preferably substantially the same as (i.e., the same as or within ±5% of) the depth of the forward recess  48  of the receiving bracket  5  so that the outer face  52  of the faucet mounting plate  8  will preferably be substantially flush with outer opening  40  of the passageway  38  of the receiving bracket  5 . 
     The faucet mounting plate  8  can be formed of plastic, metal, and/or any other material. The faucet mounting plate  8  will preferably be an insulated component comprised of polyethylene foam or other insulating material encased within a hard exterior layer of high-density polyethylene or other thermoplastic or thermoset material. 
     The faucet mounting plate  8  preferably also includes a locking mechanism  62  for removably locking the faucet mounting plate  8  in the forward recess  40  of the receiving bracket  5 . By way of example, but not by way of limitation, the locking mechanism  62  will preferably be a cam latch which comprises: a cam locking element  64  which is rotatably positioned in a perimeter portion of the faucet mounting plate  8 ; a lever, knob, or other rotating element  66  which is rotatably positioned outside of the outer face  52  of the faucet mounting plate and is connected or otherwise mechanically linked to the cam locking element  64  for rotating the cam locking element  64  to and from a locking position and a releasing position; and a post, tab, or other cam engaging element  68  which is provided in the receiving bracket  5 . When the cam locking element  64  is rotated to its locking position, the cam locking element  64  grasps, wedges under or around, or otherwise engages the cam engaging element  68  of the receiving bracket  5 . 
     When the faucet mounting plate  8  is positioned in the forward recess  48  of the receiving bracket  5 , the cam engaging element  68  of the receiving bracket  5  preferably extends into a recess  70  formed in the perimeter portion of the faucet mounting plate  8 . In addition, the cam locking element  64  is preferably positioned in the recess  70 , or at least extends into the recess  70  when it is rotated to its locking position, so that when the cam locking element  64  is rotated to its locking position, it engages the cam engaging element  68  for locking the faucet mounting plate  8  in the forward recess  48  of the receiving bracket  5 . 
     Alternatively, the cam engaging element can comprise, or can be an element located in, an interior groove or recess formed in or through the side wall  36  of the forward recess portion  48  of the receiving bracket  5  so that the cam locking element  64  rotates outwardly into said interior groove or recess and engages the cam engaging element when the cam locking element  64  is rotated to its locking position. 
     In addition, the faucet mounting plate  8  preferable further comprises a retaining lip or tab  72  which projects from a peripheral side or edge  74  of the mounting plate  8  and is received in a correspondingly shaped and sized interior groove  76  formed in or through the side wall  36  of the forward recess portion  48  of the passageway  38  of the receiving bracket  5 . The retaining lip or tab  72  preferably projects from the peripheral side or edge  74  of the mounting plate  8  which is opposite the cam latch or other locking mechanism  62 . The retaining lip or tab  72  operates with the cam latch  62  to compress the peripheral portion of the rearward face  54  of the faucet mounting plate  8  against the interior shoulder  46  of the receiving bracket  5 . A silicone seal or other sealing element  78  is preferably provided between the peripheral portion of the rearward face  54  of the faucet mounting plate  8  and the interior shoulder  46  of the receiving bracket  5  in order to provide an air-tight seal which prevents warm air from flowing into, or cool air from flowing out of, the cooler  4  around the faucet mounting plate  8 . 
     The faucet mounting plate  8  can also comprise a tap lock  80 . The tap lock  80  preferably comprises (a) a pivot arm  82  having a proximal end  84  which is pivotable connected to the faucet mounting plate  8  and (b) a C-shaped receiver  85  on the distal end of the pivot arm  82  which is sized and positioned to receive and hold the handle  18  of the faucet  12  when the faucet handle  18  is in its closed position and the tap lock  80  is pivoted outwardly to a locking position. When the tap lock  80  is not in use, it can be pivoted to an unlocked position in which the tap lock  80  is received in a slot or other recess  86  formed in the outer face  52  of the faucet mounting plate  8 . 
     As indicated above, the inventive assembly  2  will preferably include one or more replacement plates  15  which can be removably received and locked in the forward recess  48  of the receiving bracket  5  in place of the faucet mounting plate  8 . This allows the faucet mounting plate  8  with the faucet assembly  10  mounted thereon, along with the other components of the assembly  2 , to be removed from the cooler  4  such that (a) the replacement plate  15  will seal the opening  7  in the cooler  4  to allow the cooler  4  to be used for other purposes and/or (b) the user can transfer the inventive assembly  2  to a different ice chest, refrigerator, freezer, or other cooler  4  having a receiving bracket  5  installed therein. 
     Preferably, the inventive assembly  2  will include at least one replacement plate  15  which is simply a blank plate for closing and sealing the opening  7  in the cooler  4 . The blank replacement plate  15  will preferably be an insulated plate of the same size, shape and configuration as the faucet mounting plate  8  except that the blank replacement plate will not have a faucet mounting hole  56  provided therethrough and will not include a tap lock  80 . The locking mechanism  62  and the retaining lip or tab  72  of the replacement plate  15  will preferably be the same as the locking mechanism  62  and the retaining lip or tab  72  used in the faucet mounting plate  8 . 
     Alternatively, or in addition, the inventive assembly  2  can include one or more replacement plates having, e.g., a Bluetooth speaker, a battery pack, a solar panel, or other device mounted therein for use in remote locations, at the pool, on the patio, in the home, or elsewhere. 
     The receiving bracket  5  and the faucet mounting plate  8  of the inventive assembly  2 , as well as the one or more replacement plates  15  if included, can be square or rectangular as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 8   , or can be circular or any other shape desired. In each case, except for the circular or other shape, the mounting brackets, faucet mounting plates, and replacement plates of the non-rectangular assemblies can be the same as the receiving bracket  5 , the faucet mounting plate  8 , and the replacement plate(s)  15  of the inventive assembly  2 . 
     If a circular receiving bracket and faucet mounting plate are used, the locking mechanism  62  and the retaining lip  72  of the inventive assembly  2  can be replaced with two or more locking tabs which (a) extend radially from the faucet mounting plate and (b) are received in a corresponding number of interior grooves formed in or through the side wall of the forward recess of the receiving bracket. The tabs are received in the interior grooves by placing the circular faucet mounting plate in the forward recess of the receiving bracket and rotating the faucet mounting plate for a partial turn. In this embodiment, the faucet mounting plate will preferably have two opposing tabs which are received in two corresponding interior grooves in the receiving bracket by rotating the faucet mounting plate a quarter turn. 
     An alternative embodiment  100  of the inventive assembly is illustrated in  FIGS.  9  and  10   . Although being circular in shape, the inventive assembly  100  is identical to the inventive assembly  2  except that the receiving bracket  105  of the inventive assembly  100  includes a side slot  110  which mates with a corresponding slot opening  112  provided in the cooler  104 . The slot opening  112  of the cooler  104  extends from the opening  107  provided through the lid, door, side wall, or top wall of the cooler  104  through a peripheral side, edge, or end  114  of the lid, door, side wall, or top wall of the cooler  104 . The slot opening  110  of the receiving bracket  105  extends longitudinally along the side of the receiving backet  105  through both the outer and the rearward ends thereof, and also extends radially through the interior shoulder  120  and the radial outer flange  125  of the receiving bracket  105 . 
     With the slot opening  110  of the receiving bracket  105  positioned adjacent to the slot opening  112  in the lid, door, side wall, or top wall of the cooler  104 , the passageway  122  of the receiving bracket  105  is thereby placed in communication with the slot opening  112  of the cooler  104  to allow the one or more beverage hoses or conduits  28  connected between the faucet assembly  115  and the beverage container  20  to be delivered laterally into or out of the passageway  122  of the receiving bracket  105  through the slot opening  112  of the cooler  104  and through the slot opening  110  of the receiving bracket  105  without having to disconnecting the beverage hose(s) or other conduit(s)  28  from either the faucet assembly  115 , which is mounted on the faucet mounting plate  108 , or the beverage container  20 . This is extremely convenient, for example, for transferring the entire inventive assembly, including the keg(s) or other beverage container(s)  20 , from one cooler to another without having to disconnect and reconnect the beverage hose(s)  28 . 
     The alternative embodiment  100  of the inventive assembly can also be square, rectangular, or any other desired shape. In the alternative embodiment  100 , the faucet mounting plate  108  preferably includes a radially projecting structure  109  which extends outwardly from the faucet mounting plate  108  for covering the slot opening  110  of the receiving bracket  105  and the slot opening  112  of the cooler  4  when the faucet mounting plate  108  is received in the receiving bracket  105 . 
     In the method of the present invention for installing the inventive beverage assembly  2 , or one of the other embodiments of the inventive assembly discussed above, in an existing cooler  4 , an opening  7  is formed through the lid, door, side wall, or the top wall of the cooler  4 . The receiving bracket  5  is then inserted into the opening  7 , preferably with a silicone seal or other sealing element which (i) extends around or substantially around (i.e., around at least 85% of the circumference of) the opening  7  and (ii) is positioned between the radial outer flange  50  of the receiving bracket  5  and the exterior surface  55  of the lid, door, side wall, or top wall of the cooler  4 . A bonding material is preferably also applied between the radial outer flange  50  and the exterior surface  55  of the lid, door, side wall, or top wall to bond the receiving bracket  5  in place in the opening  7 . 
     The inventive method also preferably comprises the steps of: (i) installing the faucet assembly  10  on the faucet mounting plate  8 ; (ii) placing the beverage container  20  in the cooler  4 ; (iii) connecting the one or more beverage hose(s) or other conduit(s)  28  to the faucet assembly  10  and to the keg or other beverage container  20  (i.e., connecting the beverage hose or other conduit  28  directly to the beverage container  20  or to a connector  26  or other device or hose which is connected to the beverage container  20 ) such that, with the faucet mounting plate  8  located outside of the cooler  4 , the beverage hose(s) or other conduit(s)  28  extend(s) through the passageway  38  of the receiving bracket  5 ; placing the faucet mounting plate  8  with the faucet assembly  10  mounted thereon in the forward recess  48  of the receiving bracket  5  and positioning a silicone seal or other sealing element  78  between the peripheral portion of the rearward face of the mounting plate  8  and the interior shoulder  46  of the receiving bracket  5 ; and removably locking the faucet mounting plate  8  in place in the receiving bracket  5  using the locking mechanism  62 . 
     The inventive method can further comprise the steps of (i) unlocking the faucet mounting plate  8  with the faucet assembly  10  mounted thereon, (ii) removing the faucet mounting plate  8  from the receiving bracket  5 , and (iii) removably locking a blank or other replacement plate  15  in the forward recess  48  of the receiving bracket  5 . 
     When the embodiment  100  of the inventive assembly is used, the inventive method of installing the inventive assembly  100  in an existing cooler  104  preferably also includes the steps of (i) forming the slot opening  112  in the cooler  104 , (ii) forming the slot opening  110  in the receiving bracket  105 , and (iii) positioning the slot opening  110  adjacent to the slot opening  112  to thereby place the passageway  122  of the receiving bracket  105  in communication with the slot opening  112  of the cooler  104 . This allows the beverage hose or other conduit  28  to be laterally delivered into and out of the passageway  122  through the slot opening  112  of the cooler  104  and the slot opening  110  of the receiving bracket  105 . Consequently, the keg or other beverage container  20  can be placed in the cooler  104  either before or after the beverage hose(s) or other conduit(s)  28  is/are connected between the faucet assembly  10  and the beverage container  20 . Similarly, the beverage container  20  can be removed from the cooler  104  either with or without disconnecting the beverage hose(s) or other conduit(s)  28  from the beverage container  20  or the faucet assembly  10 . 
     Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the invention as defined by the claims.