Patent Publication Number: US-6216487-B1

Title: Re-freezable beverage cooler

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to beverage coolers and, in particular, to refreezable coolers which are configured to receive and store canned and/or bottled beverages. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Oftentimes, it is desirable to transport beverages in a portable container or cooler so that convenient access to the beverages is provided, such as while playing golf, attending sporting events, going to a beach, etc. Hereinbefore, such a container typically has been formed of either insulating material, for maintaining the temperature of previously chilled beverages, or a combination of insulating material and cooling material, such as blue ice, for instance, whereby the cooling material chills a beverage stored within the container and the insulating material tends to maintain the temperature of both the cooling material and the chilled beverages. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,176, issued to Johnson, et al., discloses a beverage cooler, which includes a cylindrical freezer-pack insert to be placed into a cup, and a cover. In an embodiment of the Johnson device, the cylindrical freezer-pack insert includes removable sections to change its size, and removable plugs for putting coolant fluid into the removable sections. Since, however, the Johnson device is adapted for inserting within an individual cup, the device is limited for use in cooling one beverage at a time. 
     As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,345, issued to Atkinson, discloses a cooling container for canned beverages. The Atkinson device includes a reusable concave container for carrying and cooling canned beverages having a bottom section containing a plurality of cylindrical compartments, a top section containing corresponding compartments having a slow warming cooling gel in the upper end thereof, and a shoulder strap for carrying the container. While it is apparent that the Atkinson device addresses the problem of cooling multiple beverages simultaneously, it does not, however, provide for increased cooling efficiency of the beverages stored therein, as the cooling gel is stored only in the upper end of the container. 
     Therefore, there is a need for improved beverage coolers which address these and other shortcomings of the prior art. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly stated the present invention is directed to beverage coolers for transporting and cooling beverage containers. In a preferred embodiment, the cooler incorporates an outer shell defining an interior and includes at least one opening for providing access to the interior. Preferably, a cap is provided for engaging the opening so that the cap and the outer shell can encase the interior. Within the interior, at least one storage chamber is formed which is adapted to receive at least one beverage container. Preferably, an insulating material is disposed within the interior between the storage chamber and the outer shell, and a re-freezable material is disposed within the interior between the storage chamber and the insulating material. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the cooler can incorporate at least two of the storage chambers, with the re-freezable material being arranged to fill interstices formed between the storage chambers. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the re-freezable material is arranged adjacent the upper surface and the side walls of the outer shell. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEW OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
     FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with representative beverage containers shown in phantom lines. 
     FIG. 2 is a partial cut-away perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with representative beverage containers shown in phantom lines. 
     FIG. 3 is a partial cut-away perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with representative beverage containers shown in phantom lines. 
     FIG. 4 is a partial cut-away perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with representative beverage containers shown in phantom lines. 
     FIG. 5 is a partial cut-away perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with representative beverage containers shown in phantom lines. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views. As shown in FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the cooler  100  of the present invention incorporates an outer shell  20 , preferably formed of a durable material, such as molded plastic, or other suitable materials, and which defines an interior. Preferably, one or more storage chambers  70  are provided within the interior. Storage chambers  70  preferably are adapted to receive one or more beverage containers  90 , such as conventional cans or bottles, with the cooler being constructed so as to chill the beverages containers  90 , and/or maintain the beverages of the containers  90  at a suitable chilled temperature, as described hereinafter. 
     Access to the storage chamber(s)  70 , such as for the insertion and/or removal of beverage containers  90 , preferably is facilitated by one or more caps  80  which removably engage the shell  20 . For example, in the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, a plurality of caps  80  are provided along a lower surface of the shell  20 , with each of the caps being constructed as a “screw-off” cap so that engagement of each of the caps with the shell is facilitated by rotating the cap relative to the shell. However, in other embodiments, engagement of the cap and shell may be facilitated by a friction fit, or other suitable means. 
     Preferably, storage chamber(s)  70  are defined by inner walls of a re-freezable material chamber  50  which is adapted to receive and retain a quantity of re-freezable material  30 . Preferably, the re-freezable material chamber  50  is adapted to conform to the exterior surface of a beverage container  90  and, therefore, fills the interstices formed between the various containers. Preferably, in embodiments which are adapted for receiving one beverage container within each storage chamber, each beverage container is surrounded and engaged by the inner wall of the re-freezable material chamber, i.e., on all of its sides and its top. 
     An insulation chamber  40  preferably is provided between the re-freezable material chamber  50  and the shell  20 . Preferably, insulation chamber  40  is filled with an efficient insulating material  60 , such as polyurethane foam or other suitable material. So configured, each beverage container inserted within a storage chamber  70  is encased by a layer of re-freezable material, as well as within a layer of insulation for maintaining the temperature of the re-freezable material at a suitable temperature. 
     Additionally, cooler  100  may be provided with a handle  10  so that the cooler is easily transportable. The handle may be formed of numerous suitable materials, such as plastic or leather, for instance, and may be fastened to the cooler in any conventional manner so that the weight of the cooler and any beverage container stored therein does not cause the handle to separate and detach from the shell  20 . 
     As depicted in FIGS. 2-5, various numbers and arrangements of storage containers  70  may be provided for storing and cooling various numbers of beverage containers  90 . 
     The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment or embodiments discussed, however, were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations, are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly and legally entitled.