Electric counter mounted beverage cooler and dispenser

• US 5,771,709 A
• Filed: 09/04/1996
• Issued: 06/30/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Curley P. Smith
• Original Assignee: Curley P. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Curley P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sollecito, John M.
• Application Number:
  US08/708,299
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 62/389, 62/392, 62/394, 62/395, 62/397, 62/390, 62/391, 222/146.1, 222/146.2, 222/146.6, 222/129.1, 222/160, 222/154, 222/155, 222/158, 222/180, 222/181.3
• US Class Current: 62/389
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0859 the evaporator being in direct heat contact with the beverage, e.g. placed inside a beverage container
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 31/003 with immersed cooling element

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a beverage cooler and dispenser which is compact enough to fit on a counter top yet large enough to hold a substantial volume of liquid. The beverage cooler includes a refrigeration unit having a compressor with a condenser located inside of the reservoir tank and an evaporator external to the unit, a pump for circulating the liquid, a dispenser, and a liquid level gauge. The device has an electrical cord for connection to a direct current outlet.

Claims

1. A cooling and dispensing system for beverages, comprising:

a housing means having opposing front and rear ends, and opposing upper and lower ends and two side walls disposed between the said opposing front and rear ends, and opposing upper and lower ends front, rear, upper and lower ends,

a reservoir means positioned inside of said housing means for receiving and holding a liquid supply;

insulation means positioned between said housing means and said reservoir means for insulating said liquid supply;

refrigeration means for cooling said liquid supply and having an evaporator means mounted inside of said reservoir means;

pump means for circulating said liquid supply;

dispensing means for dispensing said liquid supply; and

liquid supply level gauge

a temperature control gauge;

a drain port in said reservoir means and through said housing means for draining said system;

under the counter installation holes provided in the side walls proximate to the upper and rear end, thereby enabling installation under a counter; and

a lid disposed in a horizontal plane over the upper end of the housing and an opening formed in said lid proximate the front end of the housing, with a swivel closure disposed on said lid over said opening, pivotable from side to side in the horizontal plane of the lid, thereby providing access to said reservoir to enable filing it with liquid.

3. A cooling and dispensing system for beverages as recited in claim 1 further comprising a power source connected to said pump means and said refrigeration means.

4. A cooling and dispensing system for beverages as recited in claim 1 wherein said liquid supply level gauge is integral to said housing means.

5. A cooling and dispensing system for beverages as recited in claim 1, further comprising a temperature control means.

6. A cooling and dispensing system for beverages as recited in claim 1 wherein said dispensing means comprises:

a liquid release lever; and

a fill tube, wherein when said water release level is activated liquid is dispensed through said fill tube.

7. A cooling and dispensing system for beverages as recited in claim 1 wherein said refrigeration means further includes compressor means positioned inside of said housing means and external to said reservoir means and condenser means positioned on the rear exterior of said housing means.

2. A cooling and dispensing system for beverages as recited in claim 2, wherein said housing means is formed of rigid molded plastic material.