Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method that selectively distributes air flow above and below a garnish stored in a cooler. More so, the apparatus and method manipulates the positioning of a vent through the opening and closing of a cooler lid to regulate the distribution of air flow in the cooler. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. 
     The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. 
     By way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is that a garnish is an item or substance used as a decoration or embellishment accompanying a prepared food dish or drink. In many cases, the garnish may give added or contrasting flavor. Some garnishes are selected mainly to augment the visual impact of a cocktail, while others are selected specifically for the flavor they may impart 
     In a bar setting, the garnish can include olives, lemons, limes, mint leaves, and other embellishments for drinks. These garnishes require a cool temperature to remain fresh and aesthetically pleasing. Typically, these garnishes are stored in a small horizontal container with individual compartments which fit behind the bar. These containers remain at room temperature unless a method of cooling is applied. Though many other types of coolers can be used, such as a thermoelectric cooler, an ice chest, a freezer, and a refrigerator. The cool air is generated by a refrigeration module having a fan that blows the cool air upwardly towards the targeted items. 
     Often, a compartmentalized garnish container is used to hold the garnishes. The garnish container is often left unrefrigerated due to need of constant access to the garnishes. The garnish container may be left within a larger beer cooler but this creates constant accessibility issues while making cocktails. Items in the larger cooler, such as vents, glasses, bottles, and foods tend to restrict air flow in the cooler. This is especially problematic when the cooler door is closed and the ambient air cannot circulate over the garnishes. 
     Typically, after the bar closes, the garnishes must be transported to a larger cooler for overnight storage so that air circulation is maintained over the garnishes. Without this fresh air, the garnishes would become discolored and lose flavor and have a considerably shorter life span. This transport often requires several trips across a bar, to the kitchen area. During opening of the bar, the trip must be repeated as the garnish container is moved from the larger cooler to the bar area. This is a time consuming process that can also lead to spillage and accidents and is often forgotten completely, resulting in the garnishes to be left unrefrigerated overnight. 
     Even though the above cited methods for storing garnishes in a cooler address some of the needs of the market, an apparatus for the overnight storage and constant cooling of the garnishes is still desired, as well as a method to that regulates air flow over or under the garnish when the cooler door is closed and not in use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for maintaining freshness, crispness, and coolness for a garnish stored inside a cooler. The apparatus and method creates air flow above and below the garnish, and maintains a desired temperature and atmosphere for the garnish inside the cooler. The directional movement of the air flow over the garnish is regulated by a vent. The vent position is dependent on whether a cooler lid is open or closed. Specifically, the apparatus and method selectively circulates fresh air flow above and below the garnish when the cooler lid is closed, and circulates fresh air flow below the garnish when the cooler lid is open. In this manner, the garnish can be maintained at a desired temperature and humidity overnight in the cooler without requiring transfer to a secondary cooler. The integrity and quality of the garnish is also enhanced through selective regulation of the air flow over the garnish. 
     The cooler is configured to store and maintain a desired air flow, temperature, and humidity for a variety of garnishes stored within a cooler cavity. The cooler cavity includes a lower region where the cool air is generated through a cooling mechanism, and an upper region where a cooler lid performs the dual purpose job of regulating access to the garnish and controlling a vent for directional air flow throughout the cooler. A container for containing the garnish rests between the upper and lower regions, generally more proximal to the upper region. In this manner, the cool air generated in the lower region has greater volume to expand beneath the container. A vent positions adjacently to the container, abutting the container. A cooler bracket is arranged around the periphery of the upper region, forming a structural support for the container and the vent to rest. 
     The vent is configured to enable the cool air to communicate between the upper and lower regions of the cooler. A fulcrum extends from the vent. A force, such as the cooler lid, can then press down on one end of the vent to allow for a tilting movement between a natural closed position, and an upwardly oriented open position. Both the container and the vent form a barrier between the upper and lower regions of the cooler when the vent is in the closed position. However, when the cooler lid closes and presses down on one end of the vent, the vent tilts on the fulcrum to the open position. From this open position, the vent guides the cool air to flow over the garnish in the adjacent container. 
     One objective of the present invention is to store the garnish at a cool temperature with a fresh air flow engaging the garnish overnight during storage. 
     Another objective is to provide a cost effective mechanism for circulating fresh air over a garnish during overnight storage. 
     Another objective is to eliminate the need to move garnishes to a different cooler for overnight storage. 
     Yet another objective is to reduce waste by prolonging the quality of the garnishes. 
     Yet another objective is to provide an apparatus and method that more efficiently regulates the temperature, humidity, and atmosphere in a cooler. 
     Yet another objective is to manipulate a vent between an open position and a closed position through manual effort of opening and closing a cooler lid, rather than electrical actuation of the vent. 
     Yet another objective is to provide an apparatus and method for cooling a garnish that can be retrofit onto any standard cooler, including a horizontal cooler, a chiller, a refrigerator, a portable ice chest, an ice box, and a cool box. 
     These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary apparatus joined with an exemplary cooler, and an exemplary cooler lid, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary vent in a closed position and the cooler lid opened, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a sectioned side view of an exemplary cooler with the vent in the open position and adjacent to an exemplary container, and the cooler lid closed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a sectioned side view of an exemplary cooling mechanism and an exemplary fan generating air flow while the vent is in the open position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a sectioned close-up view of the vent tilting to an open position off of a fulcrum while the hinge end of the cooler lid exerts a force on one end of the vent, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C  illustrate detailed perspective view of an exemplary cooler bracket supporting the vent, where  FIG. 6A  illustrates the vent and the cooler bracket separated,  FIG. 6B  illustrates the vent in the open position relative to the cooler bracket, and  FIG. 6C  illustrates the vent in the closed position relative to the cooler bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a flowchart diagram of an exemplary method for regulating air flow to a garnish in a cooler, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions, or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawing figures, as may be further described or explained by the entire written specification of which this detailed description is an integral part. The drawings are intended to be read together with the specification and are to be construed as a portion of the entire “written description” of this invention as required by 35 U.S.C. §112. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention presented in  FIGS. 1-7 , an apparatus  100  and method  200  selectively distributes air flow through a cooler  102  to maintain freshness, crispness, and coolness for a garnish (not shown) stored in the cooler  102 . The apparatus  100  and method  200  regulates distribution of the air flow between an upper region  106  and a lower region  108  of a cooler cavity  104  to maintain a predetermined temperature and atmosphere for the garnish. The directional movement of the air flow is dependent on whether a cooler lid  118  is open or closed relative to the cooler  102 . Specifically, the apparatus  100  and method  200  selectively circulates the air flow above and below the garnish when the cooler lid  118  is closed, and circulates fresh air flow below the garnish when the cooler lid  118  is open. 
     As referenced in  FIG. 1 , an apparatus  100  comprises a container  110  and a vent  112  that coordinate air flow communication within a cooler cavity  104 . In one embodiment, the cooler  102  may include a horizontal cooler that maintains a temperature of about 40° Fahrenheit, which is efficacious for storing and preserving garnishes for long durations. In another embodiment, the cooler  102  generates air flow, in the form of cold air, with a cooling mechanism  124 , such as a Peltier thermoelectric module. However in other embodiments, any refrigerant known in the art may be used to generate the cool air. A fan  122  blows the cool air to generate the air flow. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the cooling mechanism  124  resides in the lower region  108  such that the genesis of the air flow is in the lower region  108 . A fan  122  maintains a fresh circulation of the air flow in a cooler cavity  104 . The fan  122 , working in conjunction with the Peltier thermoelectric module, circulates the air flow from the lower region  108 , beneath the container  110 , to the upper region  106  for engagement with the garnish. In one alternative embodiment, a heat sink serves to dissipate heat into the environment for furthering the cooling affect in the cooler cavity  104 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the container  110 . The container  110  is configured to position inside the cooler cavity  104  while maintaining the garnish for display and distribution. The container  110  may include an elongated, compartmentalized garnish container configured to contain a plurality of garnishes. The container  110  extends along a longitudinal axis of the upper region  106  of the cooler cavity  104 . In one embodiment, the container  110  sets proximally to an upper edge of the upper region  106 , such that a greater volume in the cooler cavity  104  exists in the lower region  108 . In some embodiments, each compartment in the container  110  can have a curved cavity sufficiently sized and dimensioned to contain the garnishes. The garnishes may include, without limitation, lemons, parsley, mint leaves, olives, cherries, and other fruits and vegetables that are generally cut into portions and used to provide flavor and decorations to drinks in the food and beverage industry. 
     In some embodiments, the vent  112  is arranged adjacently to the container  110 . The vent  112  is positioned parallel and adjacent to the container  110 . In one embodiment, the vent  112  and the container  110  abut each other, forming a restrictive barrier between the lower region  108  and the upper region  106  of the cooler cavity  104 . However, the vent  112  can also be pivotally deployed through manipulation of the cooler lid  118  to enable passage of the air flow between the upper and lower regions  106 ,  108 . The vent  112  comprises a generally elongated, planar shape that is disposed to extend along the longitudinal axis of the upper region  106 .  FIG. 4  illustrates the cooler lid  118  closed and the vent  112  in the open position  126 . The air flow can circulate both above and below the container  110  while the cooler lid  118  is closed, such as for overnight storage. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , a fulcrum  114  extends from the vent  112 . The fulcrum  114  enables the vent  112  to pivotally deploy between an open position  126  and a closed position  128  as force is applied to one end of the vent  112 . The open position  126  enables the passage of air flow communication between the lower region  108  and the upper region  106  in the cooler cavity  104  ( FIG. 4 ). The closed position  128  restricts air flow communication between the lower region  108  and an upper region  106  in the cooler cavity  104  ( FIG. 2 ). The vent  112  abuts against the container  110  while in the closed position  128 , such that the air flow is restricted between the lower region  108  and the upper region  106 . In one alternative embodiment, the vent  112  could move between the open and closed positions  126 , 128  through other mechanisms, including an electric motor that slides the vent  112  between the open and closed positions  126 , 128 , rather than tilting. 
     As referenced in  FIG. 5 , the cooler lid  118  closes in relation to the cooler  102  to force the vent  112  to the open position  126 .  FIG. 2  also shows how the cooler lid  118  opens in relation to the cooler  102  to release the vent  112  to the closed position  128 . In some embodiments, the cooler lid  118  comprises a hinge end  120 . The hinge end  120  is proximal to the cooler  102  while the cooler lid  118  is opened, and engages one end of the vent  112  while closed in relation to the cooler  102 . This forcible engagement causes the vent  112  to pivot on the fulcrum  114  and thus, deploy to the open position  126 . In this manner, the garnish can be maintained at a desired temperature and humidity overnight in the cooler  102  without requiring transfer to a secondary cooler. The garnish is thus, stored at a cool temperature with a fresh air flow engaging the garnish overnight during storage. The integrity and quality of the garnish is also enhanced through selective regulation of the air flow over the garnish. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6A , a cooler bracket  116  is arranged around a periphery of the upper region  106 . The cooler bracket  116  can include a planar trim that contours the inner periphery of the upper region  106 . The cooler bracket  116  may be integrated into the cooler  102 , or may detachably move between different coolers as a retrofitted component. The cooler bracket  116  forms a stable base of support for vent  112  to rest and move between the open and closed positions  126 , 128 . In some embodiments, the cooler bracket  116  may include an inner perimeter having a pair of oppositely spaced slots. The vent  112  may have coordinating tabs that fit into the slots, such that the vent  112  can tilt as needed relative to the cooler bracket  116 . In one embodiment, the vent  112  tilts at an angle to the cooler bracket  116  while in the open position  126 , as referenced in  FIG. 6B . In another embodiment, the vent  112  remains flush against the cooler bracket  116  while in the closed position  128 , as referenced in  FIG. 6C . Additionally, the cooler bracket  116  may be fabricated from an insulated material, such as foam, rubber, or wood, to help retain cool air within the cooler cavity  104 . In one embodiment, the cooler bracket  116  is a ½″ Styrofoam™ piece configured to fit around the periphery of a rectangular cooler. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a flowchart diagram of an exemplary method  200  for regulating air flow to a garnish in a cooler  102 . The method  200  is effective for maintaining freshness, crispness, and coolness to a garnish that is stored inside a cooler  102 . The method  200  enables the directional regulation of air flow above and below the garnish, while keeping a desired temperature and atmosphere for the garnish inside the cooler  102 . The directional movement of the air flow over the garnish is regulated by the vent  112 , which moves between the open position  126  and the closed position  128 . The vent  112  position is dependent on whether a cooler lid  118  is open or closed. In this manner, the method  200  selectively circulates fresh air flow above and below the garnish when the cooler lid  118  is closed, and circulates fresh air flow below the garnish when the cooler lid  118  is open. 
     The method  200  may include an initial Step  202  of generating air flow from a lower region  108  to an upper region  106  of a cooler cavity  104 . A cooling mechanism  124  resides in the lower region  108  such that the genesis of the air flow is in the lower region  108 . A fan  122  maintains a fresh circulation of the air flow in a cooler cavity  104 . The fan  122 , working in conjunction with the cooling mechanism  124 , circulates the air flow from the lower region  108 , beneath the container  110 , to the upper region  106  for engagement with the garnish. The method  200  may further comprise a Step  204  of arranging a cooler bracket  116  around a periphery of the upper region  106 . The cooler bracket  116  can include a planar trim that contours the inner periphery of the upper region  106 . The cooler bracket  116  forms a stable base of support for vent  112  to rest and move between the open and closed positions  126 , 128 . A Step  206  includes resting a container  110  containing the garnish over a portion of the cooler bracket  116 . The container  110  is configured to position inside the cooler cavity  104  while maintaining the garnish for display and distribution. The container  110  may include an elongated, compartmentalized garnish container configured to contain a plurality of garnishes. The container  110  extends along a longitudinal axis of the upper region  106  of the cooler cavity  104 . 
     In some embodiments, a Step  208  comprises resting a vent  112  over a portion of the cooler bracket  116 , and adjacently to the container  110 , the vent  112  pivotally deployable between an open position  126  and a closed position  128 . The vent  112  is arranged adjacently to the container  110 . The vent  112  is positioned parallel and adjacent to the container  110 . In one embodiment, the vent  112  and the container  110  abut each other, forming a restrictive barrier between the lower region  108  and the upper region  106  of the cooler cavity  104 . However, the vent  112  can also be pivotally deployed through manipulation of the cooler lid  118  to enable passage of the air flow between the upper and lower regions  106 ,  108 . 
     A Step  210  includes closing a cooler lid  118  relative to the cooler  102  to force the vent  112  to the open position  126 . A fulcrum  114  extends from the vent  112 . The fulcrum  114  enables the vent  112  to pivotally deploy between an open position  126  and a closed position  128  as force is applied to one end of the vent  112 . The open position  126  enables the passage of air flow communication between the lower region  108  and the upper region  106  in the cooler cavity  104  ( FIG. 4 ). The closed position  128  restricts air flow communication between the lower region  108  and an upper region  106  in the cooler cavity  104  ( FIG. 2 ). The hinge end  120  of the cooler lid  118  is proximal to the cooler  102  while the cooler lid  118  is opened, and engages one end of the vent  112  while closed in relation to the cooler  102 . This forcible engagement causes the vent  112  to pivot on the fulcrum  114  and thus, deploy to the open position  126 . 
     In some embodiments, a Step  212  may include guiding the air flow from the lower region  108  to the upper region  106  to engage the garnish. Through constant exposure to fresh air, the garnish can be maintained at a desired temperature and humidity overnight in the cooler  102  without requiring transfer to a secondary cooler. The garnish is thus, stored at a cool temperature with a fresh air flow engaging the garnish overnight during storage. The integrity and quality of the garnish is also enhanced through selective regulation of the air flow over the garnish. A Step  214  comprises opening the cooler lid  118  relative to the cooler  102  to release the vent  112  to the closed position  128 . The closed position  128  restricts air flow communication between the lower region  108  and an upper region  106  in the cooler cavity  104 . The vent  112  abuts against the container  110  while in the closed position  128 , such that the air flow is restricted between the lower region  108  and the upper region  106 . A final Step  216  includes restricting the air flow from between the lower region  108  to the upper region  106 . The cooler lid  118  is open in this case, such that the ambient air provides fresh circulation for the garnish. 
     Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.

Technology Category: 2