Patent Description:
Some beverages are preferably served cold and, therefore, consumers may utilize a beverage cooler to chill and/or maintain the drink at a low temperature until it is ready to be consumed. Chilled beverages may be used by athletes in sports related applications to help regulate body temperature as well as hydration level. Beverage coolers come in many forms, and utilize a number of mechanisms for reducing the temperature of the beverage to be consumed. For example, some beverage coolers use ice as a means for chilling beverages. Some ice-based beverage coolers may require ice to be placed directly in contact with the beverage to be cooled. Other ice-based beverage coolers may require ice to be placed around a container in which the beverage is stored (e.g. a bottle or can). Others beverage coolers may use powered cooling systems, such as refrigeration systems or thermoelectric cooling, to cool the beverages. Relevant prior art can be found in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>.

The present invention provides a beverage cooler for cooling bottle beverages. It may rapidly cool bottle beverages using a refrigeration system, and includes a means for indicating to a user when the bottles have been chilled to a desirable temperature.

The present invention provides a beverage cooler for cooling bottled beverages, where the beverage cooler includes a first chamber that a user may access via a cooler door, a second chamber beneath the first chamber, and a beverage container tray located between and separating the first chamber from the second chamber. The beverage container tray may include beverage container openings configured to receive a bottle to be chilled. A seal may be located within each beverage container opening in order to fill the space between the beverage container opening and a bottle placed in the beverage container opening. Each beverage container opening may include a visual indicator, where the visual indicator is configured to display information about the temperature of a bottle placed in the beverage container opening.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to make and use the invention.

The present invention(s) will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Some traditional beverage coolers utilize ice as the primary mechanism for chilling beverages that are to be consumed. These beverage coolers may include, for example, a thermally insulated housing filled with ice into which a liquid may be poured or a packaged beverage may be placed. However, the ice for these beverage coolers may be difficult to procure and replenish, in particular if the beverage cooler and ice maker are not at the same location. Further, using ice as the primary cooling method may limit a user's control over the temperature of the beverage as well as the rate at which the beverage is cooled.

Some beverage coolers that use ice to cool beverages require the ice to be placed directly in contact with the liquid. Although this may chill the beverage, the concentration of the beverage will vary as the ice melts, thereby diluting the drink. This dilution may be less than desirable in drinks that have specific ratios of ingredients, such as sports drinks. If the beverage to be cooled is stored in a container, such as a bottle, some beverage coolers may require ice to be placed around the container. Although this method may not dilute the beverage, the ice may melt as it comes into contact with the relatively warm surface of the container, making the surface of the container wet. This may require a consumer to wipe off the bottle before drinking the beverage, which may adversely affect the consumer's experience.

Some beverage coolers do not use ice as the primary cooling mechanism, but rather use powered cooling systems, such as refrigeration systems or thermoelectric cooling systems. However, some existing powered beverage coolers may not cool beverages rapidly or efficiently enough to be useful in applications that demand a continuous high volume of chilled beverages, such as at sporting events. For example, some existing beverage coolers may not have the ability to cool beverages as quickly as they are warmed by ambient conditions after being removed from the beverage cooler. Similarly, some existing beverage coolers may not have the ability to cool the volume of beverages necessary to match or exceed their rate of consumption. This may be particularly true in sports related applications, where athletes may consume large quantities of drinks in a short amount of time.

In some powered beverage coolers, condensation may form on the exterior surface of the beverage container once it has been chilled, which may require a consumer to wipe off the bottle before drinking the beverage. As with the ice-based coolers, this may adversely affect a consumer's experience.

Some beverage coolers, powered or unpowered, may not display the temperature of the beverage being chilled, which may result in the beverage being removed and consumed at a warmer than desirable temperature. Similarly, the beverage may be left in the cooler longer than necessary after it has reached a desirable temperature, wasting energy or resources and occupying cooler space that could otherwise be utilized by another beverage.

As described herein, some embodiments may provide an efficient system for rapidly cooling beverages in bottles without the use of ice. Some of these beverage coolers may include a cooling chamber into which one or more bottles may be inserted to be chilled. The beverage cooler may include a refrigeration system with an evaporator and a fan in the cooling chamber, where the evaporator removes heat from the cooling chamber, and the fan circulates chilled air around the bottles and through the evaporator in the cooling chamber. The bottles to be chilled may be inserted into the cooling chamber through openings in the cooling chamber. Each opening may have a respective door that minimizes air loss when a bottle is not disposed in the opening, and may have a respective seal that minimizes air loss when a bottle is disposed in the opening. Each seal may wipe condensation off the exterior surface the bottle as the bottle is removed from the opening, such that a user may receive from the beverage cooler a relatively dry, chilled bottle. One or more openings, and in some embodiments, each opening, may have a respective display, such as, for example, a series of lights that use color or light intensity, for example, to indicate the temperature of the bottle disposed in the opening, or to indicate whether or not the bottle has been chilled to a desirable temperature. Some embodiments may allow a user to select a desired beverage temperature and/or a rate of cooling of the beverages using an automatic control system.

Embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the figures. With reference to <FIG>, a beverage cooler <NUM> may include a cooler housing <NUM>, includes a beverage container tray <NUM>, and may further include a cooling system <NUM>.

Cooler housing <NUM> may be configured to receive and store a plurality of beverage containers <NUM>, such as bottles <NUM>, and to lower and/or maintain the temperature of the beverage containers <NUM>. Beverage containers <NUM> may comprise bottles, squeeze bottles, cans, and other beverage containers for providing beverages to a consumer. Throughout the disclosure, components may be referred to with reference to a bottle but it will be appreciated that other beverage containers may be used. In some embodiments, cooler housing <NUM> is configured to rapidly lower the temperature of one or more beverage containers <NUM> such that a continuous high demand for chilled beverages at a desired temperature may be fulfilled. Cooler housing <NUM> may include an exterior surface <NUM> defining the shape of beverage cooler <NUM>, and an interior surface <NUM> defining an interior space <NUM>. In some embodiments, cooler housing <NUM> comprises a rectangular cuboid shape. In some embodiments, cooler housing <NUM> may comprise other shapes, including, for example, cubical, tubular, cylindrical, spherical, or frustoconical, and may or may not be symmetrical about any axis.

In some embodiments, cooler housing <NUM> may be made of metal, plastic, or a composite material, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, cooler housing <NUM>, or a portion of cooler housing <NUM>, may include a thermally insulating material to reduce the exchange of heat between interior space <NUM> and the ambient conditions surrounding beverage cooler <NUM>. In some embodiments, a layer of air may be sealed between the exterior surface <NUM> and the interior surface <NUM> to act as a thermal insulator.

Cooler housing <NUM> may include wheels <NUM>, such as casters, which allow beverage cooler <NUM> to be rolled. In some embodiments, beverage cooler <NUM> may include four wheels <NUM> disposed on a bottom <NUM> of cooler housing <NUM>.

Beverage container tray <NUM> may be disposed within cooler housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, beverage container tray <NUM> may be a substantially planar member, and may have a top surface <NUM> and a bottom surface <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, for example, beverage container tray <NUM> may be oriented such that it is substantially perpendicular to one or more sides <NUM> of cooler housing <NUM>. However, beverage container tray <NUM> may be disposed at a non-perpendicular angle relative to sides <NUM>. Beverage container tray <NUM> is disposed such that it divides at least a portion of interior space <NUM> into two parts, thereby forming a first chamber <NUM> and a second chamber <NUM>. The second chamber <NUM> is disposed beneath first chamber <NUM>. In some embodiments, first chamber <NUM> and second chamber <NUM> may be equal in volume. In some embodiments, first chamber <NUM> may have a greater volume than second chamber <NUM>. In some embodiments, second chamber <NUM> may have a greater volume than first chamber <NUM>. Beverage container tray <NUM> may include a thermally insulating material to reduce the exchange of heat between first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM>.

Beverage container tray <NUM> includes a plurality of beverage container openings <NUM>, which extend through beverage container tray <NUM> from top surface <NUM> to bottom surface <NUM>. Each beverage container opening <NUM> is configured to receive one of the beverage containers <NUM>, such as a squeeze bottle <NUM>. In some embodiments, beverage container openings <NUM> may have a perimeter <NUM> that is circular in shape, and may have a diameter of at least <NUM> inches. As shown in <FIG>, beverage container tray <NUM> may include twenty-four beverage container openings <NUM>, which are arranged in a grid pattern defining rows and columns of openings <NUM>. However, beverage container tray <NUM> may include any number of beverage container openings <NUM> in any arrangement.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, for example, a beverage container shelf <NUM> may be disposed within cooler housing <NUM>, and may have a support surface <NUM> configured to support one or more beverage containers <NUM>. In some embodiments, beverage container shelf <NUM> may be disposed beneath beverage container tray <NUM> in second chamber <NUM> such that a bottom end <NUM> of one or more beverage containers <NUM> disposed in beverage container openings <NUM> may be supported by support surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the distance between bottom surface <NUM> of beverage container tray <NUM> and support surface <NUM> may be less than the distance between a top end <NUM> and bottom end <NUM> of beverage container <NUM>, such that the bottom end <NUM> of beverage container <NUM> may be disposed in second chamber <NUM>, while the top end <NUM> of beverage container <NUM> may be disposed in first chamber <NUM>. This arrangement may facilitate user access to the beverage container <NUM>. In some embodiments, the distance between bottom surface <NUM> of beverage container tray <NUM> and support surface <NUM> may be at least half of the distance between top end <NUM> and bottom end <NUM> of beverage container <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the position of beverage container shelf <NUM> may be adjustable relative to beverage container tray <NUM>, such that beverage cooler <NUM> may cool beverage containers of various heights.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a first door <NUM> may be disposed in a top surface <NUM> of cooler housing <NUM> such that a user may access interior space <NUM> of cooler housing <NUM> through first door <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least a portion of first door <NUM> may be made of a transparent material (e.g., glass or plastic), such that a user may see into interior space <NUM> of cooler housing <NUM> without opening first door <NUM>. For example, first door <NUM> may include a transparent glass or plastic panel. In some embodiments, a user may access first chamber <NUM> though first door <NUM>. With first door <NUM> in an open position, a user may insert a beverage container <NUM> to be chilled into one of beverage container openings <NUM>, or may remove a chilled beverage container <NUM> from one of the beverage container openings <NUM>.

Beverage container tray <NUM> may include a plurality of beverage container doors <NUM> that are coupled to beverage container tray <NUM> and disposed at each of beverage container openings <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, each beverage container door <NUM> may comprise two adjacent door flaps <NUM> hingedly connected to beverage container tray <NUM> and configured, together, to completely cover a respective beverage container opening <NUM>. However, in some embodiments, each beverage container door <NUM> may comprise a single door flap <NUM> configured to completely cover a respective beverage container opening <NUM>.

Beverage container doors <NUM> may be hingedly coupled to bottom surface <NUM> and may include one or more biasing mechanisms <NUM>, which bias the doors in a closed position (i.e. covering a respective beverage container opening <NUM>). When in a closed position, beverage container doors <NUM> may form a seal with beverage container tray <NUM>, thereby restricting air from passing through the beverage container openings <NUM> when a beverage container <NUM> is not disposed in the beverage container opening <NUM>. In an embodiment including two adjacent door flaps <NUM>, a seam <NUM> may be formed where the two door flaps <NUM> meet in a closed position. Seam <NUM> may include a seal that restricts air from passing through seam <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or more door flaps <NUM> may be substantially flat such that when the door flaps <NUM> are in a closed position when no beverage container is disposed in the corresponding beverage container opening <NUM>, a substantially flat surface is provided. In one embodiment, biasing mechanisms <NUM> comprise torsional springs. Beverage container doors <NUM> may include a thermally insulating material to reduce the exchange of heat between first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM> when the beverage container doors <NUM> are in a closed position. Beverage container doors <NUM> may have an open position where beverage container doors <NUM> do not form a seal with beverage container tray <NUM> and do not cover a respective beverage container opening <NUM>.

In some embodiments, when a user inserts a beverage container <NUM> into a beverage container opening <NUM>, the bottom end <NUM> of the beverage container <NUM> may press against the respective beverage container door <NUM>, overcoming the biasing force provided by biasing mechanism <NUM>, and thereby causing beverage container door <NUM> to move from a closed position to an open position without direct contact from the user. Then, when a user removes a beverage container <NUM> from a beverage container opening <NUM>, the biasing force provided by biasing mechanism <NUM> causes the beverage container door <NUM> to automatically move from an open position to a closed position. In some embodiments, beverage container door <NUM>, including door flaps <NUM> may be made of plastic, hard rubber, or other suitable rigid or semi-rigid material.

Beverage ontainer tray <NUM> includes a plurality of beverage container seals <NUM> that are coupled to beverage container tray <NUM> and disposed at one or more of beverage container openings <NUM>. When a beverage container <NUM> is disposed in a beverage container opening <NUM>, seals <NUM> are configured to fill the space between beverage container tray <NUM> and an exterior surface <NUM> of the beverage container <NUM>, thereby preventing air from passing through the beverage container opening <NUM> when a beverage container <NUM> is disposed in the beverage container opening <NUM>. In some embodiments, seals <NUM> may be made of silicon, rubber, or another flexible material.

In some situations, condensation may form on the exterior surface <NUM> of a beverage container <NUM> when the beverage container <NUM> is being chilled in beverage cooler <NUM>. Beverage container seals <NUM> may be configured to remove condensation from the beverage container <NUM> when the beverage container <NUM> is being removed from beverage cooler <NUM>. Beverage container seal <NUM> may be flush with the exterior surface <NUM> of the beverage container <NUM>, and therefore, when the beverage container <NUM> is removed from beverage container opening <NUM>, seal <NUM> will wipe along exterior surface <NUM> of the beverage container <NUM>, thereby collecting and removing accumulated condensation from exterior surface <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, beverage container tray <NUM> includes visual indicators <NUM>, which are configured to display information about beverage containers <NUM> disposed in beverage container tray <NUM>. There is one visual indicator <NUM> for each beverage container opening <NUM>, and each visual indicator <NUM> is configured to display information relating to the temperature of a beverage container <NUM> disposed in the respective beverage container opening <NUM>. In some embodiments, visual indicators <NUM> may be a plurality of lights (e.g., LEDs) disposed along perimeter <NUM> of each respective beverage container opening <NUM>. In some embodiments, visual indicators <NUM> may be a single light, a multi-colored light, or an electronic display. In some embodiments, visual indicators <NUM> may be disposed within first chamber <NUM>. In some embodiments, visual indicators <NUM> may be disposed outside of first chamber <NUM>, and may be, for example, coupled to exterior surface <NUM>.

In embodiments where visual indicator <NUM> comprises a plurality of lights, visual indicator <NUM> may be disposed within beverage container opening <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, for example, if a beverage container <NUM> is not disposed within the beverage container opening <NUM>, the lights may illuminate the beverage container opening <NUM>, seal <NUM>, and/or beverage container door <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, for example, if a beverage container <NUM> is disposed within the beverage container opening <NUM>, the lights may illuminate the exterior surface <NUM> of beverage container <NUM>, beverage container opening <NUM>, and/or seal <NUM>.

Visual indicators <NUM> may be electronically coupled to an indicator controller <NUM>, which may control visual indicators <NUM> based on the temperature, or estimated temperature of the beverage containers <NUM> disposed in beverage container openings <NUM>. In some embodiments, each beverage container opening <NUM> may include a temperature sensor <NUM> that measures the temperature of the exterior surface <NUM> of a beverage container <NUM> disposed in the beverage container opening <NUM>. Indicator controller <NUM> may be electronically coupled to a temperature sensor <NUM> and may receive input from temperature sensor <NUM>. In some embodiments, each beverage container opening <NUM> may include a beverage container sensor <NUM> that senses when a beverage container <NUM> is inserted into the beverage container opening <NUM>. Indicator controller <NUM> may be electronically coupled to beverage container sensor <NUM> and may receive input from beverage container sensor <NUM>. Indicator controller <NUM> may estimate the temperature of the beverage container <NUM> based on the amount of time that the beverage container <NUM> has been disposed in the beverage container opening <NUM>, which may be measured from the time when beverage container sensor <NUM> first senses a beverage container <NUM>.

In some embodiments, visual indicator <NUM> may be a plurality of multi-colored LEDs configured to display certain colors corresponding to the measured temperature or estimated temperature of a beverage container <NUM>. For example, if the measured temperature or estimated temperature of a beverage container <NUM> is warmer than a desired temperature, red lights may be illuminated by indicator controller <NUM>, suggesting that a particular beverage container is not ready for consumption. If the measured temperature or estimated temperature of a beverage container <NUM> is equal to or colder than the desired temperature, blue lights may be illuminated by indicator controller <NUM>. Similarly, visual indicator <NUM> may be a plurality of single-colored LEDs configured to turn on or off based on the measured temperature or estimated temperature of a beverage container <NUM>. For example, if the measured temperature or estimated temperature of a beverage container <NUM> is warmer than a desired temperature, no lights may be illuminated. If the measured temperature or estimated temperature of a beverage container <NUM> is equal to or colder than the desired temperature, the lights may be illuminated by indicator controller <NUM> to indicate that cooling is complete. In some embodiments, visual indicator <NUM> may be a plurality of LEDs configured to vary in light intensity based on the measured temperature or estimated temperature of a beverage container <NUM>. For example, if the measured temperature or estimated temperature of a beverage container <NUM> is warmer than a desired temperature, the lights may be dimly illuminated. If the measured temperature or estimated temperature of a beverage container <NUM> is equal to or colder than the desired temperature, the lights may be brightly illuminated or may flash on and off to indicate that cooling is complete. In some embodiments, the desired temperature may be user-defined.

As shown in <FIG>, beverage cooler <NUM> may include a cooling system <NUM>, which may be, for example, a refrigeration system having an evaporator <NUM>, a compressor <NUM>, a condenser <NUM>, and an expansion valve <NUM>, interconnected with pipes <NUM> and containing a refrigerant.

Evaporator <NUM> may be disposed in second chamber <NUM>, and may comprise a coil used to absorb heat from the air in second chamber <NUM>. In some embodiments, a circulation fan <NUM> may be disposed in second chamber <NUM> to circulate air within second chamber <NUM>, such that air is drawn over evaporator <NUM>, cooled, and then moved to cool the beverage containers <NUM> disposed in second chamber <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a circulation divider <NUM> may be disposed in second chamber <NUM>. In some embodiments, second chamber <NUM> may have a generally rectangular cuboid shape. Circulation divider <NUM> may extend between two opposing sides <NUM> of cooler housing <NUM>, while leaving circulation spaces <NUM> between circulation divider <NUM> and interior surface <NUM> on the two remaining sides <NUM>. In this configuration, air displaced by circulation fan <NUM> may travel in a loop within second chamber <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, air may be drawn by circulation fan <NUM> through evaporator <NUM>. Then, the air may reach a side <NUM>, where it is forced downward through circulation space <NUM> and beneath circulation divider <NUM>. Then, when the air reaches an opposing side <NUM>, it may be forced upward through the opposing circulation space <NUM>, where it travels above circulation divider <NUM>, through beverage containers <NUM>, and back to fan <NUM> completing the loop. This configuration may allow a greater volume of air to come into contact with evaporator <NUM>, which may help rapidly cool beverage containers <NUM>. In some embodiments, beverage cooler may cool beverage containers <NUM> more quickly than they are warmed by the ambient conditions.

In some embodiments, beverage container doors <NUM> may be oriented parallel to the direction of airflow in the second chamber <NUM> when in an open position, such that air may more easily flow past doors <NUM> when opened.

In some embodiments, circulation divider <NUM> may also be used to support beverage containers <NUM> in a manner similar to beverage container shelf <NUM>, where the bottom end <NUM> of a beverage container <NUM> may rest upon a top surface <NUM> of circulation divider <NUM>. In some embodiments, circulation divider <NUM> may be made of metal, and may be conductively coupled to evaporator <NUM>. In embodiments where beverage containers <NUM> rest upon top surface <NUM> of circulation divider <NUM>, beverage containers <NUM> may be cooled by conduction.

In some embodiments, interior space <NUM> may include a floor <NUM>, which may be disposed to divide interior space <NUM>, forming a mechanical chamber <NUM> adjacent to one or both of the first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM>. The floor may include a thermally insulating material to reduce the exchange of heat between first and/or second chambers <NUM>, <NUM> and the mechanical chamber <NUM>.

Compressor <NUM> may be disposed in the mechanical chamber <NUM>, along with the condenser <NUM>, a condenser fan <NUM>, and expansion valve <NUM>. In some embodiments compressor <NUM> may be electrically powered and may use grid power. In some embodiments, compressor <NUM> may be electrically powered and receive power from batteries, which may be stored in mechanical chamber <NUM>. In some embodiments, compressor <NUM> may be powered by gasoline or another petroleum based fuel.

Condenser <NUM> may be disposed in mechanical chamber <NUM> and may comprise a coil used expel to the environment heat absorbed by evaporator <NUM>. In some embodiments, a vent <NUM> may be disposed in a side <NUM> of cooler housing <NUM>, whereby heat from condenser <NUM> may pass from mechanical chamber <NUM> to the ambient surroundings. In some embodiments, condenser <NUM> may be disposed outside of cooler housing <NUM>, and may be, for example, attached to a side <NUM> of cooler housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, a condenser fan <NUM> may be disposed proximal to condenser <NUM>, and may force air through the condenser <NUM> such that heat is more rapidly dissipated from the condenser <NUM>. In some embodiments, the condenser fan <NUM> may be disposed in the mechanical chamber <NUM>. In some embodiments, the condenser fan <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to vent <NUM>. In some embodiments, no condenser fan <NUM> may be used, and air may naturally pass over condenser <NUM> in order to dissipate heat from condenser <NUM>. Expansion valve <NUM> may be disposed in mechanical chamber <NUM> and may regulate the amount of refrigerant flowing through pipes <NUM> into evaporator <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments, cooling system <NUM> may also include a cooling controller <NUM> that may be used to automatically control the cooling system <NUM>. The cooling controller <NUM>, may include a user interface <NUM> whereby a user may turn cooling system <NUM> on or off, set a desired temperature of one or both of chambers <NUM>, <NUM>, or set a rate at which to cool the beverage containers <NUM>. User interface <NUM> may include a means for receiving user input (e.g., electromechanical buttons), a means for communicating with a user (e.g., a visual display), and/or a combined means for receiving input and communicating with a user (e.g., a touch screen display). User interface <NUM> may include a combination of buttons, visual displays, and/or touch screens. User interface may be disposed in side <NUM> of cooler housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, user interface may be remotely connected to cooling system <NUM>, such that user interface is not fixed to beverage cooler <NUM>. User interface <NUM> may be interconnected to cooling system <NUM> by a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, a user may control cooling system <NUM> using an application on a mobile communications device (e.g., a smartphone).

In some embodiments, cooling controller <NUM> may be used to automatically vary the rate at which cooling system <NUM> cools one or both of chambers <NUM>, <NUM> and/or beverage containers <NUM>. When cooling system <NUM> is first initiated, for example, cooling system <NUM> may operate to rapidly cool one or both of chambers <NUM>, <NUM> and/or beverage containers <NUM> from an ambient temperature to a chilled temperature within a given amount of time. For example, during this initial stage of cooling, cooling system <NUM> may reduce the temperature of beverage containers <NUM> from approximately <NUM>-<NUM> degrees Fahrenheit to less than approximately <NUM>-<NUM> degrees Fahrenheit in less than approximately <NUM>-<NUM> minutes. In some embodiments, cooling system <NUM> may reduce the temperature of beverage containers <NUM> from approximately <NUM> degrees Fahrenheit to less than approximately <NUM> degrees Fahrenheit in less than approximately <NUM> minutes. Cooling system <NUM> may produce chilled air within one or both of cooling chambers <NUM>, <NUM> that is approximately -<NUM>-<NUM> degrees Fahrenheit. In some embodiments, cooling system <NUM> may produce chilled air within one or both of cooling chambers <NUM>, <NUM> that is approximately -<NUM> degrees Fahrenheit. Then, after the initial stage of cooling is complete, cooling system <NUM> may automatically decrease the rate at which one or both of chambers <NUM>, <NUM> and/or beverage containers <NUM> are cooled, or may maintain a particular temperature of one or both of the chambers <NUM>, <NUM> and/or beverage containers <NUM>. Cooling controller <NUM> may receive input from one or more temperature sensors <NUM>, and may vary the rate of cooling, the stage of cooling, or may turn on or off cooling system <NUM> based on the input received from temperature sensor <NUM>. In some embodiments, cooling system <NUM> may maintain the temperature of beverage containers <NUM> at a user-defined temperature. In some embodiments, cooling system <NUM> may maintain the temperature of beverage containers <NUM> at approximately <NUM>-<NUM> degrees Fahrenheit. In some embodiments, cooling system <NUM> may maintain the temperature of beverage containers <NUM> at approximately <NUM> degrees Fahrenheit.

In some embodiments, a second door <NUM> may be disposed on a side <NUM> of cooler housing <NUM>, whereby a user may access interior space <NUM> of cooler housing <NUM> through second door <NUM>. In some embodiments, a user may access only mechanical chamber <NUM> using second door <NUM>. In some embodiments, a user may access one or more of first, second, or mechanical chambers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> using second door <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A beverage cooler (<NUM>), comprising:
a first chamber (<NUM>) accessible to a user through a cooler door (<NUM>);
a second chamber (<NUM>) disposed beneath and separated from the first chamber (<NUM>);
a beverage container tray (<NUM>) disposed between and separating the first chamber (<NUM>) from the second chamber (<NUM>), wherein the beverage container tray (<NUM>) comprises
a plurality of beverage container openings (<NUM>) each configured to receive a beverage container (<NUM>);
a seal (<NUM>) disposed within each beverage container opening (<NUM>), wherein the seal (<NUM>) is configured to fill a space between the beverage container opening (<NUM>) and a beverage container (<NUM>) disposed in the respective beverage container opening (<NUM>); and
a visual indicator (<NUM>) corresponding to each of the plurality of beverage container openings (<NUM>), wherein the visual indicator (<NUM>) is configured to display information about the temperature of a beverage container (<NUM>) disposed in the respective beverage container opening (<NUM>).