Beverage cooler and dispenser

• US 5,513,496 A
• Filed: 01/17/1995
• Issued: 05/07/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mugmaster Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Patrick F. Stokes
• Inventors: Stokes, Patrick F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sollecito, John M.
• Application Number:
  US08/372,925
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 62/3.64, 62/389, 62/397, 62/3.1, 62/3.2, 62/371, 62/372, 62/457.1, 62/457.2, 62/457.4, 62/457.9, 222/146.1, 222/146.6
• US Class Current: 62/3.64
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0009 provided with cooling arrangements cooling perse F25
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0029 provided with holders for bottles or similar containers
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/02 using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2321/0251 by a gas
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 11/00 Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 17/06 by forced circulation
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/803 Bottles
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/806 Dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 31/007 Bottles or cans

Abstract

A portable cooler for carrying and chilling a standard beverage container having a threaded cap. The container cap is removed, and the container is threaded into the cooler. The beverage container is inverted when the cooler is upright. The container neck threads into a socket which is in liquid communication with a faucet external to the cooler. A shroud engages the base of the cooler, sealing a chilled chamber defined between the beverage container and the shroud, and retaining the beverage container therein. In an alternative embodiment, the container can be oriented in an upright position, and used in that position. An optional cap cooperates with the shroud or the beverage container. The cap is removable to expose the container, or may be provided with spill and vent holes through which beverage is dispensed. A handle is also optionally provided, so that the cooler can be handled in a manner likened unto a mug or pitcher. A refrigeration plant, which may be a Peltier effect type, is housed inside the base of the cooler. An electrical plug enables connection to a suitable electrical power source. The refrigeration plant provides a chilled air circuit flowing across the beverage container. The cooler is plugged into suitable power, chills the beverage, and dispenses the beverage on demand.

Claims

1. A portable beverage container cooler for carrying and chilling a beverage container, said cooler comprising:

a base including threads;

a shroud supported by said base, said shroud fully closing the beverage container, said shroud having an open end for providing access to the beverage container, said open end further including threads cooperating with said threads of said base; and

an electrically powered refrigeration plant housed within said base, further including an electrical cord having a plug, for connecting said refrigeration plant to a source of electrical power.

2. The cooler according to claim 1, further including:

means disposed within said base, defining a conduit in fluid communication with the beverage container and extending to the exterior of said body; and

a faucet arranged in series within said conduit, controlling dispensation of the beverage, and including an operating handle accessible from the exterior of said base;

3. The cooler according to claim 1, said refrigeration plant comprising a Peltier effect thermoelectric device.

4. The cooler according to claim 1, wherein said refrigeration plant includes a fan circulating chilled air, and said base includes means defining an air passage conducting said chilled air from said refrigeration plant through said shroud to the beverage container.

5. The cooler according to claim 1, wherein said plug is dimensioned and configured to cooperate with a standard household electrical receptacle.

6. The cooler according to claim 1, wherein said plug is dimensioned and configured to cooperate with an automotive cigarette lighter receptacle.

7. A portable beverage container cooler for carrying and chilling a beverage container, said cooler comprising:

a base;

a shroud supported by said base, said shroud for containing a beverage container, said shroud having an open end for providing access to the beverage container; and

an electrically powered refrigeration plant housed within said base, further including an electrical cord having a plug, for connecting said refrigeration plant to a source of electrical power;

said refrigeration plant includes a fan circulating chilled air, and said base includes means defining an air passage conducting said chilled air from said refrigeration plant through said shroud to the beverage container.

8. The cooler according to claim 7, further including:

means disposed within said base, defining a conduit in fluid communication with the beverage container and extending to the exterior of said body; and

a faucet arranged in series within said conduit, controlling dispensation of the beverage, and including an operating handle accessible from the exterior of said base.

9. The cooler according to claim 7, wherein said refrigeration plant comprising a Peltier effect thermoelectric device.

10. The cooler according to claim 7, wherein said plug is dimensioned and configured to cooperate with a standard household electrical receptacle.

11. The cooler according to claim 7, wherein said plug is dimensioned and configured to cooperate with an automotive cigarette lighter receptacle.

12. The cooler according to claim 7, further including a lamp, said base including an upper surface, said lamp being contained within said base, adjacent said upper surface.

13. The cooler according to claim 12, wherein said shroud is transparent, said lamp being arranged in said base so as to emit light through said shroud.

14. The cooler according to claim 7, said open end further including threads, and said base further including second threads cooperating with said threads of said open end of said shroud, said shroud fully closing the beverage container.

15. The cooler according to claim 7, further including a beverage container formed integrally with said shroud, said beverage container and said shroud being joined in a spaced relation forming an insulating barrier therebetween.

16. The cooler according to claim 15, further including a handle, said handle extending from said shroud.

17. The cooler according to claim 15, further including a cap, said cap being cooperatively engageable with said open end of said shroud, said cap fully closing said shroud when engaged with said shroud.