Patent Description:
Beverage containers are often stored in refrigerated coolers. Such coolers are often used in grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, concession stands, movie theaters, and the like. The coolers serve to maintain the beverage containers at a cool temperature so that the beverage containers are ready to be consumed by a consumer. Coolers also serve to store and organize beverage containers so that the beverage containers are on display to consumers. However, conventional coolers have limited functionality and merely store beverage containers at a single temperature.

Therefore, a continuing need exists for a cooler for beverage containers that has additional functionality for providing consumers with access to a wider variety of beverage options.

<CIT> discloses a vending machine for providing a supercooled beverage. <CIT> discloses an apparatus for single or multiple temperature zone(s) in a refrigerated vending machine. <CIT> discloses a product storage device with two storage compartments.

The invention is defined by the appended independent claim <NUM>. Some embodiments relate to a cooler for beverage containers that includes a housing defining an interior volume for storing a first beverage container at a first predetermined temperature, and a compartment arranged within the interior volume of the housing for storing a second beverage container at a second predetermined temperature that is at or below a freezing point of a beverage within the second beverage container, wherein the compartment is enclosed. The cooler further includes a user interface for receiving a user input to dispense the second beverage container from the compartment, and a delivery portal for providing access to the second beverage container. A chute is configured to communicate the second beverage container from the compartment to the delivery portal, and the chute is configured to subject the second beverage container to a mechanical impact so as to cause nucleation of the beverage within the second beverage container and form a slush beverage within the second beverage container. A cooling unit is configured to maintain the interior volume of the housing at the first predetermined temperature and the compartment at the second predetermined temperature.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the compartment may include an insulated material.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the compartment may include an air inlet port and an adjustable damper configured to regulate a flow of air into the compartment through the air inlet port. In some embodiments, the compartment may include a temperature sensor configured to determine a temperature within the compartment, wherein the temperature sensor is in communication with a control unit that controls an orientation of the adjustable damper so as to maintain the compartment at the second predetermined temperature. In some embodiments, the compartment may include an air outlet port for allowing a flow of air to exit the compartment.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the compartment may include an internal passageway for guiding the second beverage container toward the chute.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the second predetermined temperature may be -<NUM> to <NUM>. In some embodiments, the second predetermined temperature may be -<NUM> to -<NUM>.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the chute may include a first section that is arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cooler, and a second section is arranged at an angle relative to the first section such that the chute is configured to subject the second beverage container to a gravitational drop such that a beverage within the second beverage container undergoes nucleation. In some embodiments, the second section of the chute may be arranged at a downward angle relative to a transverse plane, such that the second section is configured to allow the second beverage container to move along the second section toward delivery portal under the force of gravity.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the cooling unit may include an evaporator for distributing a flow of air to the compartment.

The housing includes a door that is movable from a closed position to an open position in which the interior volume of the housing is accessible.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the door may include a transparent portion such that an interior volume of the housing is visible from an exterior of the housing.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the delivery portal may be in communication with the compartment via a chute arranged within the housing.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the cooler may include a user interface for receiving a user input to dispense the second beverage container.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the delivery portal may be arranged on the door of the housing, and the first beverage container is not provided to the delivery portal.

The cooler includes a cooling unit configured to maintain the interior volume of the housing at a first predetermined temperature and the compartment at a second predetermined temperature at or below a freezing point of a beverage within the second beverage container.

Coolers for beverage containers are often used to store beverages at a cool temperature so that the beverage containers are chilled. However, coolers have limited functionality and are generally not capable of simultaneously storing a first group of beverages at a first temperature and a second group of beverages at a second temperature. Providing a consumer with the option to select a beverage container at a particular temperature provides consumers with increased options when selecting a beverage. For example, consumers may benefit from having the option to purchase a beverage container that is chilled or a beverage container that contains a partially-frozen slush beverage.

Further, some storeowners may wish to provide their customers with the option to purchase chilled or slush beverages. However, some stores may be unable to or may simply prefer not to dedicate space in the store to a slush beverage vending or dispensing machine. Thus, in order to save space while providing consumers with additional beverage options, it would be desirable to provide a cooler for storing chilled beverages and that can also store and dispense a slush beverage in a beverage container.

Some embodiments described herein relate to a cooler for beverage containers that is capable of storing and providing consumers with both chilled beverage containers and beverage containers containing a slush beverage (e.g., a supercooled beverage). In some embodiments described, a cooler for beverage containers includes a housing having an interior volume for storing beverage containers at a first predetermined temperature, such as a temperature suitable for providing chilled beverages, and a compartment within the interior volume of the housing that stores beverage containers at a second predetermined temperature that is at or below a freezing point of the beverages so that the beverages are supercooled and can thus be served as slush beverages.

A cooler <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> having an interior volume <NUM> for storing first beverage containers <NUM> at a first predetermined temperature and a compartment <NUM> within interior volume <NUM> for storing second beverage containers <NUM> at a second predetermined temperature that is lower than the first predetermined temperature. Cooler <NUM> includes a door <NUM> that can be moved from a closed position in which interior volume <NUM> is inaccessible from an exterior of the housing <NUM>, to an open position so that consumers can access includes containers <NUM> within interior volume <NUM> of housing <NUM>. Cooler <NUM> may further include a delivery portal <NUM> in communication with compartment <NUM> such as by a chute <NUM>. Chute <NUM> is configured to agitate the beverage within second beverage container <NUM> and communicate second beverage container <NUM> to delivery portal <NUM> from compartment <NUM> for providing a consumer with access to second beverage container <NUM>. Cooler <NUM> includes a cooling unit <NUM> for maintaining interior volume <NUM> of housing <NUM> and compartment <NUM> at the first and second predetermined temperatures, respectively.

In any of the various embodiments described herein, the term "beverage container" may refer to any of various types of containers for storing a beverage. The beverage container may be, for example, in the form of a bottle or can. The beverage container may be composed of any of various materials, including glass, metal, such as aluminum, or plastic, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), among others.

As used herein, the term "beverage" includes any consumable free-flowing liquid or semi-liquid product, which may be carbonated or non-carbonated, including but not limited to soft drinks, water, carbonated water, dairy beverages, juices, alcoholic beverages, sports drinks, smoothies, coffee beverages, tea beverages, and milkshakes, among others. Further, the term, "slush beverage" includes any beverage as described herein that is at least partially frozen, such that the beverage is part liquid and part solid.

In some embodiments, a cooler <NUM> is configured to a first beverage container <NUM> at a first predetermined temperature and a second beverage container <NUM> at second predetermined temperature, as shown for example at <FIG>. Cooler <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> defining an interior volume <NUM>. Housing <NUM> may be in the form of a cabinet. Housing <NUM> may be shaped generally as a rectangular prism, or may have any of various other shapes. For example, housing <NUM> may include one or more rounded sidewalls. Cooler <NUM> may be a freestanding or stand-alone device.

In some embodiments, housing <NUM> of cooler <NUM> may include one or more shelves <NUM> within interior volume <NUM> for facilitating storage, organization, and display of first beverage containers <NUM>. Shelves <NUM> may be generally planar in configuration. Shelves <NUM> may be solid plates or may be in the form of wire racks or grates so as to promote airflow through interior volume <NUM> of cooler <NUM>. Each shelf <NUM> may be arranged in a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis of cooler <NUM>. Further, shelves <NUM> may be spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of cooler <NUM> from a lower end <NUM> of housing <NUM> to an upper end <NUM> of housing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, housing <NUM> of cooler <NUM> may further include a transparent portion <NUM> such that consumers may view interior volume <NUM> of cooler <NUM> and products therein from an exterior of cooler <NUM>. Transparent portion <NUM> may include a transparent material such as glass, which may include a silica-based glass, or a transparent polymer material, such as polycarbonate. Transparent portion <NUM> allows consumers to view available beverages without having to open cooler <NUM> which may result in variation of the temperature within housing <NUM> and may allow moisture to enter housing <NUM>.

The cooler <NUM> further includes a door <NUM> that allows consumers to access interior volume <NUM> of housing <NUM> so that the consumer may retrieve a first beverage container <NUM>. Door <NUM> may form a portion of housing <NUM> defining interior volume <NUM> of housing <NUM>. Thus, in some embodiments, door <NUM> may form a sidewall or a portion of a sidewall of cooler <NUM>. Door <NUM> may be movable between a first position (a closed position) and a second position (an open position). In some embodiments, door <NUM> may be pivotally connected to housing <NUM> such that door <NUM> moves between first and second positions by rotating about a hinge or pivot point. In some embodiments, door <NUM> may be slidably connected to housing <NUM> so as to move between the first and second positions by sliding along a track or tracks of housing <NUM>. Door <NUM> of housing <NUM> may include transparent portion <NUM>, as discussed above, such that a consumer may view an interior volume <NUM> of housing <NUM> through transparent portion <NUM> of door <NUM>. Substantially the entire door <NUM> may include transparent portion <NUM> or only a portion of door <NUM> may be transparent, such as a central portion of door <NUM>.

Cooler <NUM> further includes a compartment <NUM> arranged within interior volume <NUM> of housing <NUM>. Compartment <NUM> is configured to store a second beverage container <NUM> separate from first beverage container <NUM>. Compartment <NUM> is configured to store a second beverage container <NUM> (see <FIG>) at a second predetermined temperature, and the second predetermined temperature may be a temperature at or below a freezing point of a beverage within second beverage container <NUM> such that the beverage is supercooled. Compartment <NUM> may have any of various shapes, and in some embodiments, compartment <NUM> is shaped as a cube or rectangular prism, and compartments <NUM> defines an interior volume for storing second beverage containers <NUM>. Compartment <NUM> may be composed of an insulated material, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, among other insulating materials that resist heat transfer into compartment <NUM>. Compartment <NUM> is enclosed such that a second beverage container <NUM> stored within compartment <NUM> is inaccessible from an exterior of compartment <NUM>. Thus, when a door <NUM> of cooler <NUM> is opened, a consumer may retrieve a first beverage container <NUM> from an interior volume of cooler <NUM>, but cannot similarly retrieve a second beverage container <NUM> stored within enclosed compartment <NUM>. Second beverage container <NUM> is instead dispensed to a consumer via a delivery portal <NUM> as described below. By limiting access to compartment <NUM>, compartment <NUM> can be maintained at the second predetermined temperature without temperature variations caused by consumers accessing compartment <NUM> and second beverage containers <NUM> therein.

In some embodiments, compartment <NUM> may define a beverage container inlet <NUM> (see <FIG>) for loading beverage containers into compartment <NUM>. Beverage container inlet <NUM> may be in the form of a slot that is sized and shaped to receive a beverage container. Thus, beverage container inlet <NUM> may have a can-shape, a bottle-shape, or may have a rectangular, circular, or oval shape, among others. Beverage container inlet <NUM> may be configured to receive a beverage container in a sideways or horizontal orientation such that beverage containers are stored within compartment <NUM> on their sides. Beverage container inlet <NUM> may further include a movable cover that removably covers beverage container inlet <NUM> so as to facilitate maintenance of compartment <NUM> at the second predetermined temperature.

In some embodiments, compartment <NUM> may further define an internal passageway <NUM> configured to sequentially guide second beverage containers <NUM> from beverage container inlet <NUM> to a beverage container outlet <NUM> which may be connected to chute <NUM> (see <FIG>). Second beverage containers <NUM> are sequentially guided through passageway <NUM> such that a beverage container first inserted into compartment <NUM> is the first to be dispensed from compartment <NUM>. Passageway <NUM> may have a serpentine configuration. Further, in some embodiments, passageway <NUM> may be defined by one or more tracks <NUM>. Tracks <NUM> may be wire tracks having sloped surfaces that are configured to allow second beverage containers <NUM> to roll along tracks <NUM> under the force of gravity. Second beverage containers <NUM> may be stored within compartment <NUM> in a sideways orientation to facilitate rolling of second beverage containers <NUM> along passageway <NUM>.

The cooler <NUM> further includes a cooling unit <NUM> that is configured to maintain a temperature of interior volume <NUM> of housing <NUM> at a first predetermined temperature, and further to maintain a temperature of compartment <NUM> at a second predetermined temperature. Second predetermined temperature may differ from and may be less than the first predetermined temperature. In some embodiments, first predetermined temperature is a temperature suitable to cool or chill first beverage containers <NUM> and may be, for example, about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the first predetermined temperature may be selected based on the type of beverage stored within first beverage container. In some embodiments, second predetermined temperature may be about -<NUM> to about <NUM>, or about -<NUM> to about -<NUM>, such that a beverage within second beverage container <NUM> is at or below a freezing point of the beverage. Second predetermined temperature may be selected such that a particular beverage within second beverage container is supercooled. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, different beverages may have different freezing points. Thus, second beverage containers <NUM> stored within compartment <NUM> may be supercooled. A "supercooled" liquid is a liquid that is at a temperature at or below its freezing point but remains in a liquid state. The supercooled liquid will remain in a liquid state until agitated, such as by shaking the beverage container or subjecting the beverage container to a mechanical impact or jerk. Agitation causes the supercooled liquid to undergo a phase change so as to form a solid or partial solid. In this way, by maintaining a beverage at the second predetermined temperature, second beverage container <NUM> provides a consumer with a supercooled beverage, or a slush beverage within second beverage container <NUM> when agitated.

In some embodiments, cooling unit <NUM> may include an evaporator <NUM> in communication with a compressor <NUM>, a condenser <NUM> and an expansion valve <NUM> for circulating a refrigerant, as shown for example at <FIG>. Evaporator <NUM> distributes cooled air to interior volume <NUM> of housing <NUM> and further to compartment <NUM> within housing <NUM>. Evaporator <NUM> may include a fan to promote air circulation. In alternate embodiments, other types of cooling units capable of maintaining interior volume <NUM> of housing <NUM> at the first predetermined temperature and compartment <NUM> at the second predetermined temperature may be used, such as thermoelectric refrigeration systems, among others.

In some embodiments, compartment <NUM> is arranged toward an upper end <NUM> of housing <NUM> of cooler <NUM>, such that compartment <NUM> is directly adjacent to evaporator <NUM> arranged at upper end <NUM> of housing <NUM>. Generally, air supplied by evaporator <NUM> is at the lowest temperature in the immediate vicinity of evaporator <NUM> and as the air circulates within housing <NUM> the temperature of the air increases. Thus, by positioning compartment <NUM> directly adjacent to evaporator <NUM>, compartment <NUM> is supplied with cooled air to help maintain compartment <NUM> at the second predetermined temperature.

In some embodiments, compartment <NUM> includes air inlet ports <NUM> for receiving cooled air from evaporator <NUM> and air outlet ports <NUM> for allowing air within compartment <NUM> to escape from compartment <NUM>. In some embodiments, air inlet ports <NUM> and air outlet ports <NUM> may be arranged on a rear surface <NUM> of compartment <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. However, in alternate embodiments, air inlet ports <NUM> and/or air outlet ports <NUM> may be arranged on various portions of compartment <NUM>, such as on an upper surface or lower surface of compartment <NUM>, respectively.

In some embodiments, an adjustable damper <NUM> is arranged at each air inlet port <NUM> of compartment <NUM>. Adjustable dampers <NUM> serve to regulate the flow of cooled air into compartment <NUM> so as to regulate a temperature of compartment <NUM>, so as to maintain second compartment <NUM> at the second predetermined temperature, which in some embodiments may be, for example, about -<NUM> to about <NUM>. Adjustable dampers <NUM> may include a panel that is adjustable in pitch or orientation so as to control the amount of air entering air inlet ports <NUM>. Adjustable dampers <NUM> may be adjusted by a drive mechanism, such as a motor or actuator. Adjustable dampers <NUM> may be electronically controlled such that an orientation of damper <NUM> can be adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of air flow through air inlet port <NUM> which increases or decreases the temperature of compartment <NUM>.

In some embodiments, compartment <NUM> further includes at least one temperature sensor <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Temperature sensor <NUM> may be positioned within compartment <NUM> so as to determine a temperature within compartment <NUM>. Temperature sensor <NUM> may be a thermistor or thermocouple, among other temperature sensing devices. In order to maintain temperature within compartment <NUM> at the second predetermined temperature, temperature sensor <NUM> is in communication with a control unit <NUM>, wherein control unit <NUM> is configured to adjust an orientation or pitch of adjustable dampers <NUM> at air inlet ports <NUM> of compartment <NUM> to raise or lower the temperature within compartment <NUM> based on the temperature as determined by temperature sensor <NUM>. For example, if predetermined temperature of compartment <NUM> is -<NUM>, and temperature sensor <NUM> detects a temperature within compartment <NUM> of - <NUM>, control unit <NUM> adjusts adjustable dampers <NUM> so as to allow increased air flow into compartment <NUM> in order to lower the temperature.

In operation of cooler <NUM>, evaporator <NUM> provides air flow within housing <NUM> in a manner as shown for example at <FIG>. Cooled air flows from evaporator <NUM> into interior volume <NUM> of housing <NUM> of cooler <NUM> and also into compartment <NUM> through air inlet ports <NUM> of compartment <NUM>. The amount of air that flows into compartment <NUM> via air inlet ports <NUM> is regulated by adjustable dampers <NUM>. Air circulates within compartment <NUM> so as to cool second beverage containers therein. Air within compartment <NUM> exits compartment <NUM> through air outlet ports <NUM> and flows into interior volume <NUM> of housing <NUM> of cooler <NUM>.

In order to dispense a second beverage container <NUM> from compartment <NUM>, cooler <NUM> may further include a user interface <NUM> for receiving a user input to dispense a second beverage container <NUM> from compartment <NUM>. User input may be a selection of a second beverage container that is supercooled and is stored within compartment <NUM>. User interface <NUM> is arranged on housing <NUM> and may be arranged on an exterior of housing <NUM> such that user interface <NUM> can be accessed without opening a door <NUM> of cooler <NUM>. User interface <NUM> may include one or more buttons, levers, handles, switches, or actuators for receiving the user input. In some embodiments, user interface <NUM> may include an electronic display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) display for displaying instructions or other information to a consumer. In some embodiments, user interface <NUM> may include a touch-screen display for receiving user input and displaying instructions or information. User interface <NUM> may further include means for accepting a payment from the user, such as a credit card reader, a mobile device or mobile application scanner, or a slot for receiving coins, paper currency, or tokens, among other payment methods.

Cooler <NUM> may include a control unit <NUM> for coordinating an operation for dispensing a second beverage container <NUM> from compartment <NUM>. Upon receipt of a user input to dispense a second beverage container <NUM> from user interface <NUM>, control unit <NUM> may cause a second beverage container <NUM> to be released from compartment <NUM> such that second beverage container <NUM> is communicated to a delivery portal <NUM> of cooler <NUM>. Delivery portal <NUM> may be arranged in any of various portions of housing <NUM> or door <NUM> of housing <NUM> so as to provide a consumer with access to the dispensed beverage container.

In some embodiments, second beverage container <NUM> is communicated from compartment <NUM> to delivery portal <NUM> via a chute <NUM>, as shown at <FIG>. Chute <NUM> is configured to subject a second beverage container <NUM> to a mechanical impact so as to cause nucleation of a beverage within second beverage container <NUM> in order to provide a slush beverage within second beverage container <NUM>. First beverage containers <NUM> are not similarly provided to delivery portal <NUM> and instead first beverage containers <NUM> must be retrieved from interior volume <NUM> of cooler <NUM>.

In some embodiments, chute <NUM> may include a first section <NUM> that is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of cooler <NUM>, and a second section <NUM> that is arranged at an angle relative to a transverse axis of cooler <NUM>, such that a second beverage container <NUM> falls under the force of gravity within first section <NUM> of chute <NUM> onto second section <NUM>. In this way, chute <NUM> subjects second beverage container <NUM> to a mechanical impact so as to cause nucleation of a supercooled beverage within second beverage container <NUM>, so as to create a slush beverage within second beverage container <NUM>. First section <NUM> of chute <NUM> may have a height h1 of about <NUM> to about <NUM> (about <NUM> inches to about <NUM> inches), or about <NUM> to about <NUM> (about <NUM> inches to about <NUM> inches) so that a sufficient mechanical impact is provided by the drop to cause nucleation of a beverage within second beverage container <NUM> without overly agitating the beverage which may result in a carbonated beverage overflowing, or "exploding," when opened. Further, the height hi of chute <NUM> is limited by the height of interior volume <NUM> of cooler <NUM>. Second section <NUM> of chute <NUM> may be disposed at a downward angle θ<NUM> relative to a transverse axis of cooler <NUM>. The angle may be about <NUM> to about <NUM> degrees, or may be about <NUM> to about <NUM> degrees. In this way, after second beverage container <NUM> falls through first section <NUM> onto second section <NUM> of chute <NUM>, second beverage container <NUM> may move or roll along second section <NUM> toward chute outlet <NUM> and delivery portal <NUM> under the force of gravity.

In some embodiments, first section <NUM> of chute <NUM> may be arranged at a rear portion <NUM> of cooler <NUM> opposite door <NUM>. In this way, an interior volume <NUM> at a front portion <NUM> of housing <NUM> closer to door <NUM> may be used for storage of first beverage containers <NUM>. Second section <NUM> of chute <NUM> extends from a rear portion <NUM> of housing <NUM> towards door <NUM> of housing <NUM> at front portion <NUM> of housing <NUM> and terminates at chute outlet <NUM>. Chute outlet <NUM> may be in communication with a delivery portal <NUM> arranged on housing <NUM>, such as on door <NUM>. In this way, delivery portal <NUM> can be easily accessed by the consumer. In some embodiments, chute <NUM> may be in communication with a delivery portal <NUM> on door <NUM>, wherein delivery portal <NUM> may include a delivery bin <NUM> for holding a dispensed beverage container. Delivery bin <NUM> may be in communication with chute <NUM> when door <NUM> is in a closed configuration. Delivery bin <NUM> receives second beverage container <NUM> dispensed from compartment <NUM> through chute <NUM> and can be accessed by consumer from an exterior of cooler <NUM>. In this way, consumer does not have to open door <NUM> of cooler <NUM> in order to access the dispensed second beverage container <NUM>.

In operation, a consumer may access an interior volume <NUM> of cooler <NUM>, such as by opening a door <NUM> of cooler <NUM> to access a first beverage container <NUM> stored at a first predetermined temperature, such that first beverage container <NUM> is cooled or chilled. Alternatively, a slush beverage may be dispensed from cooler <NUM> by providing an input to user interface <NUM>, such as a beverage selection. Upon receipt of the input, cooler <NUM> may dispense a second beverage container <NUM> from compartment <NUM>, wherein second beverage container <NUM> is stored at a second predetermined temperature that is at or below a freezing point of a beverage within second beverage container. Second beverage container <NUM> containing a supercooled liquid is subjected to a mechanical impact in chute <NUM> by falling under the force of gravity through a first section <NUM> of chute <NUM> onto a second section <NUM> of chute <NUM> so as to cause nucleation of the beverage thereby producing a slush beverage within second beverage container <NUM>. Chute <NUM> conveys second beverage container <NUM> containing a slush beverage to a delivery portal <NUM> of cooler <NUM> for access or retrieval by a consumer.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary computer system <NUM>. Control units <NUM> as discussed herein may be computer systems having all or some of the components of computer system <NUM> for implementing processes discussed herein.

If programmable logic is used, such logic may execute on a commercially available processing platform or a special purpose device. One of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be practiced with various computer system configurations, including multi-core multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, and mainframe computers, computer linked or clustered with distributed functions, as well as pervasive or miniature computers that may be embedded into virtually any device.

For instance, at least one processor device and a memory may be used to implement the above described embodiments. A processor device may be a single processor, a plurality of processors, or combinations thereof. Processor devices may have one or more processor "cores.

Various embodiments of the invention(s) may be implemented in terms of this example computer system <NUM>. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how to implement one or more of the invention(s) using other computer systems and/or computer architectures. Although operations may be described as a sequential process, some of the operations may in fact be performed in parallel, concurrently, and/or in a distributed environment, and with program code stored locally or remotely for access by single or multi-processor machines.

Processor device <NUM> may be a special purpose or a general purpose processor device. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art, processor device <NUM> may also be a single processor in a multi-core/multiprocessor system, such system operating alone, or in a cluster of computing devices operating in a cluster or server farm. Processor device <NUM> is connected to a communication infrastructure <NUM>, for example, a bus, message queue, network, or multi-core message-passing scheme.

Computer system <NUM> also includes a main memory <NUM>, for example, random access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory <NUM>. Secondary memory <NUM> may include, for example, a hard disk drive <NUM>, or removable storage drive <NUM>. Removable storage drive <NUM> may include a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flash memory, or the like. The removable storage drive <NUM> reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit <NUM> in a well-known manner. Removable storage unit <NUM> may include a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, a universal serial bus (USB) drive, etc. which is read by and written to by removable storage drive <NUM>. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art, removable storage unit <NUM> includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and/or data.

Computer system <NUM> (optionally) includes a display interface <NUM> (which can include input and output devices such as keyboards, mice, etc.) that forwards graphics, text, and other data from communication infrastructure <NUM> (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on display unit <NUM>.

In alternative implementations, secondary memory <NUM> may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system <NUM>. Such means may include, for example, a removable storage unit <NUM> and an interface <NUM>. Examples of such means may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units <NUM> and interfaces <NUM> which allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit <NUM> to computer system <NUM>.

Computer system <NUM> may also include a communication interface <NUM>. Communication interface <NUM> allows software and data to be transferred between computer system <NUM> and external devices. Communication interface <NUM> may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communication port, a PCMCIA slot and card, or the like. Software and data transferred via communication interface <NUM> may be in the form of signals, which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being received by communication interface <NUM>. These signals may be provided to communication interface <NUM> via a communication path <NUM>. Communication path <NUM> carries signals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link or other communication channels.

In this document, the terms "computer program medium" and "computer usable medium" are used to generally refer to media such as removable storage unit <NUM>, removable storage unit <NUM>, and a hard disk installed in hard disk drive <NUM>. Computer program medium and computer usable medium may also refer to memories, such as main memory <NUM> and secondary memory <NUM>, which may be memory semiconductors (e.g. DRAMs, etc.).

Claim 1:
A cooler for beverage containers, comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) defining an interior volume for storing a first beverage container at a first predetermined temperature;
a compartment (<NUM>) arranged within the interior volume of the housing (<NUM>), wherein the compartment (<NUM>) defines a second interior volume for storing a second beverage container at a second predetermined temperature that is at or below a freezing point of a beverage within the second container, wherein the compartment (<NUM>) is enclosed; a cooling unit (<NUM>) configured to maintain the interior volume of the housing (<NUM>) at the first predetermined temperature and the compartment (<NUM>) at the second predetermined temperature;
a door (<NUM>) that is movable from a closed position to an open position in which the interior volume of the housing (<NUM>) and the first beverage container is accessible;
a user interface (<NUM>) for receiving a user input to dispense the second beverage container from the compartment;
a delivery portal (<NUM>) for providing access to the second beverage container; characterized by
a chute (<NUM>) that is configured to communicate the second beverage container from the compartment (<NUM>) to the delivery portal (<NUM>), wherein the chute is configured to subject the second beverage container to a mechanical impact so as to cause nucleation of the beverage within the second beverage container and form a slush beverage within the second beverage container.