COLLAPSIBLE SOLAR REFRIGERATOR DEVICE

• US 20160003505A1
• Filed: 07/02/2015
• Published: 01/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SST Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: SST Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Trotter, Spencer
• Application Number:
  US14/790,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20160003505A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2500/01 Geometry problems, e.g. for reducing size
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2500/18 Optimization, e.g. high integration of refrigeration components
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 27/005 in compression type systems
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 27/007 in sorption type systems
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 11/003 Transport containers
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/06 Walls F25D23/08 takes precedence; containers with thermal insulation B65D81/38
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2323/061 Collapsible walls
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/12 Portable refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/38 Refrigerating devices characterised by wheels
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/85 Food storage or conservation, e.g. cooling or drying

Abstract

The invention is a portable refrigerator (10) that may transition between a functional mode for use in the cold storage of food and drinks and a collapsed mode for transportation. Wheels (207) with a handle (52) opposite provide the method of transportation. The food storage space is controllably cooled by a chiller circuit (60), which may be powered by one or more solar panels (10). The device includes USB and A/C outlets (202,206) so that the device can be also be used as a power source. It may also include a lockable latch (203) to keep the refrigerator space closed. It may also include a u-shaped bar (200) on the outside so that the device can be secured to a fixed object.

Claims

1. A portable refrigerator transitionable between a functional mode and a collapsed mode for use in the cold storage of foodstuffs or drinks, the portable refrigerator comprising:

a. a chiller circuit; and

b. a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a base, and at least a pair of sidewalls combined together to enclose a storage space when the portable refrigerator is in the functional mode;

i. wherein said storage space is controllably cooled by the chiller circuit; and

ii. wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the top wall and the side walls are inwardly foldable to form a compact package when the portable refrigerator is in the collapsed mode; and

iii. wherein the top wall comprises one or more solar panels thereon.

2. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the chiller circuit is housed within the rear wall.

3. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the top wall, the base and the side walls are comprised of a rigid construction.

4. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the portable refrigerator further includes a handle for carrying the portable refrigerator when it is in the collapsed mode.

5. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the chiller circuit is powered by a DC power supply.

6. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the top wall is segmented into two portions that are foldable with respect to each other.

7. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the sidewall and the top wall are each foldable at their place of contact with a living hinge.

21. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the chiller circuit is housed in a chiller circuit housing located within the front wall.

22. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the portable refrigerator further includes wheels for rolling the portable refrigerator when it is in the collapsed mode.

23. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the chiller circuit is powered by the one or more solar panels.

24. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the portable refrigerator further includes a light-emitting diode light source within the storage space.

25. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the portable refrigerator further includes an ultraviolet light source within the storage space.

26. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the portable refrigerator further includes one or more AC outlets on the chiller circuit housing.

27. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the portable refrigerator further includes one or more USB outlets on the chiller circuit housing.

28. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the portable refrigerator further contains a divider that divides the storage space into two separate spaces.

29. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the portable refrigerator further includes a lockable latch securing the top wall to the front wall when the portable refrigerator is in the functional mode.

30. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the portable refrigerator further includes an inside and an outside, said outside having a u-shaped bar attached to it.

31. The portable refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the portable refrigerator further includes a digital temperature gauge on the chiller circuit housing.

8. A portable refrigerator transitionable between a functional mode and a collapsed mode for use in the cold storage of foodstuffs or drinks, the portable refrigerator comprising:

a. a chiller circuit; and

b. a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a base, and at least a pair of side walls comprised of rigid panels which combine together to enclose a storage space when the portable refrigerator is in the functional mode;

i. wherein said storage space is controllably cooled by the chiller circuit; and

ii. wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the top wall and the side walls are inwardly foldable at their place of contact with a living hinge, forming a folded compact package when the portable refrigerator is in the collapsed mode; and

iii. wherein the top wall comprises one or more solar panels thereon.

9. The portable refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the top wall is segmented into two portions that are foldable with respect to each other.

10. The portable refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the chiller circuit is powered by a DC power supply.

11. The portable refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the portable refrigerator further includes a handle for carrying the portable refrigerator when it is in the collapsed mode.

12. The portable refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the chiller circuit is housed within the rear wall.

13. A collapsible refrigerator transitionable between a functional mode and a collapsed mode for use in the cold storage of foodstuffs or drinks, the collapsible refrigerator comprising:

a. a chiller circuit powered by an electric power supply; and

b. a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a base, and at least a pair of side walls comprised of rigid panels which combine together to enclose a storage space when the collapsible refrigerator is in the functional mode;

i. wherein said storage space is controllably cooled by the chiller circuit; and

ii. wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the top wall and the side walls are inwardly foldable at their place of contact with a living hinge, forming a folded compact package when the collapsible refrigerator is in the collapsed mode; and

iii. wherein the collapsible refrigerator is secured in the collapsed mode and may be stored; and

iv. wherein the top wall comprises one or more solar panels thereon.

14. The collapsible refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the collapsible refrigerator is secured by hook-and-loop strips when in the collapsed mode.

15. The collapsible refrigerator of claim 13, further comprising a handle for carrying when in the collapsed mode.

16. The collapsible refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the chiller circuit is housed within the rear wall.

17. The collapsible refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the top wall is segmented into two portions that are foldable with respect to each other.

18. The collapsible refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the chiller circuit is comprised of a coolant system employing an evaporator portion and a condenser portion.

19. The collapsible refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the chiller circuit is comprised of a condenser-based cooling system.

20. The portable refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the top wall, the base and the side walls are comprised of a rigid construction.

32. A portable refrigerator for use in the cold storage of foodstuffs and drinks, the portable refrigerator comprising:

a. a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a base, and at least a pair of sidewalls combined together to enclose a first storage space;

b. a chiller circuit housed in a chiller circuit housing located within the first storage space;

c. an inside wall within the first storage space that creates a second storage space adjacent to the chiller circuit housing wherein said second storage space is controllably cooled by the chiller circuit;

d. the top wall comprising one or more solar panels thereon said one or more solar panels providing power to the chiller circuit;

e. wheels attached to the base for rolling the portable refrigerator;

f. a handle attached to the portable refrigerator in a location generally opposite the wheels for rolling the portable refrigerator; and

g. a lockable latch securing the top wall to the front wall.