Portable air conditioner and liquid container

• US 6,886,360 B1
• Filed: 02/09/2004
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley N. Grossman Revocable Trust
• Original Assignee: Coolwell, Inc.
• Inventors: Shostack, Ronald N., Zuckerman, Raymond S., Falk, Bryan R., Rosenbaum, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): JONES, MELVIN
• Application Number:
  US10/775,915
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 624/06, 624/24, 624/26, 624/34, 624/577, 624/579
• US Class Current: 62/424
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/04 Arrangements for portability
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 5/0017 using cold storage bodies, e.g. ice
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/14 Thermal energy storage

Abstract

An apparatus and method for cooling air that utilizes a removable reservoir that may be filled with a consumable beverage or other cooled liquid or solid material. The bottom of the reservoir is made of a thermally conductive material that is placed within an air duct within a base unit that has a battery powered fan capable of drawing in warm air from outside of the base unit and cooling it by passing it over the thermally conductive material in a turbulent fashion and expelling it back into the surrounding environment. An expandable hose may also be included to direct the airflow in a desired direction or location.

Claims

1. A portable air conditioner for cooling an air temperature outside of the portable air conditioner comprising:

a. A reservoir;

i. said reservoir further comprising a sealed container for storing chilled matter, said matter having a temperature that is lower than the air temperature outside of the portable air conditioner;

said reservoir further comprising a top surface area, a bottom surface area, and an outer surface area said bottom surface area further comprising a thermally conductive material;

b. A power source;

c. A motorized airflow generator coupled to said power source;

d. An air duct;

said air duct further comprising;

i. an air intake chamber;

ii. an exhaust chamber;

iii. a central chamber;

1. said central chamber further comprising a top area;

2. said central chamber located between said air intake chamber and said exhaust chamber such that the top area of said central chamber includes the bottom surface area of said reservoir;

e. said motorized airflow generator coupled to said air duct;

f. said motorized airflow generator such that when said airflow generator receives power from said power source, the airflow generator generates an airflow that originates from outside of said portable air conditioner and flows into said air intake chamber;

g. said airflow having a temperature and continuing in motion such that said airflow may come in contact with said bottom surface area of said reservoir such that if said bottom surface area has a temperature that is less than the temperature of the airflow then the bottom surface area reduces the temperature of said airflow;

h. said airflow continuing in motion such that said airflow enters said exhaust chamber and is expelled outside of said portable air conditioner.

2. The portable air conditioner of claim 1 wherein said top surface area of said reservoir is covered by a first insulating material.

3. The portable air conditioner of claim 1 wherein said air conditioner is covered by a second insulating material.

4. The portable air conditioner of claim 1 wherein said bottom surface area of said reservoir further comprises at least one fin.

5. The portable air conditioner of claim 4 wherein said reservoir further comprises a pour spout on the top surface of said reservoir such that said matter within said reservoir may be consumed through said pour spout.

6. The portable air conditioner of claim 4 wherein said at least one fin is arranged in such a way that said airflow deflects off of said at least one fin in many directions before said airflow is expelled out of said exhaust chamber.

7. The portable air conditioner of claim 1 wherein said exhaust chamber further comprises a top, a bottom and a hose for directing said airflow in a particular location.

8. The hose of claim 7 wherein said hose further comprises:

a. an exhaust valve;

b. an expandable section coupled to said exhaust valve;

c. a catch coupled to said expandable section wherein the catch of said hose may move between the top and bottom of said exhaust chamber such that when the catch is moved to the top of said exhaust chamber, the expandable section may be expanded to a maximum length.

9. The portable air conditioner of claim 1 further comprising an agitator;

said agitator coupled to said reservoir such that said agitator may agitate the matter stored in said reservoir.

10. A portable air conditioner for cooling an air temperature outside of the portable air conditioner comprising:

a. A reservoir;

i. said reservoir further comprising a sealed container for storing chilled matter, said matter having a temperature that is lower than the air temperature outside of the portable air conditioner;

said reservoir further comprising a top surface area, a bottom surface area, and an outer surface area said bottom surface area further comprising a thermally conductive material;

b. A power source;

c. A motorized airflow generator coupled to said power source;

d. An air duct;

said air duct further comprising;

i. an air intake chamber;

ii. an exhaust chamber;

iii. a recessed area for receiving the bottom surface area of said reservoir;

e. said motorized airflow generator coupled to said air duct;

f. said motorized airflow generator coupled to said power source such that when said airflow generator receives power from said power source, the airflow generator generates an airflow that originates from outside of said portable air conditioner and flows into said air intake chamber;

g. said airflow having a temperature and continuing in motion such that said airflow may come in contact with said bottom surface area of said reservoir such that if said bottom surface area has a temperature that is less than the temperature of the airflow then the bottom surface area reduces the temperature of said airflow;

h. said airflow continuing in motion such that said airflow enters said exhaust chamber and is expelled outside of said portable air conditioner.

11. The portable air conditioner of claim 10 wherein said reservoir may be removed in its entirety from said portable air conditioner.

12. The portable air conditioner of claim 11 wherein said bottom surface area of said reservoir further comprises at least one fin such that said fin is aligned perpendicular to said bottom surface area of said reservoir.

13. The portable air conditioner of claim 10 wherein said top surface of said reservoir is covered by a first insulating material.

14. The portable air conditioner of claim 10 wherein said air conditioner is covered by a second insulating material.

15. The portable air conditioner of claim 10 wherein said reservoir further comprises a pour spout on the top surface of said reservoir such that said matter within said reservoir may be consumed through said pour spout.

16. The portable air conditioner of claim 12 wherein said at least one fin is arranged in such a way that said airflow is deflected of said at least one fin in many directions before said airflow is expelled out of said portable air conditioner.

17. The portable air conditioner of claim 10 wherein said exhaust chamber further comprises a top, a bottom and a hose for directing said airflow in a particular location.

18. The hose of claim 17 wherein said hose further comprises:

a. an exhaust valve;

b. an expandable section coupled to said exhaust valve;

c. a catch coupled to said expandable section wherein the catch of said hose may move between the top and bottom of said exhaust chamber such that when the catch is moved to the top of said exhaust chamber, the expandable section may be expanded to a maximum length.

19. The portable air conditioner of claim 10 further comprising an agitator;

said agitator coupled to said reservoir such that said agitator may agitate the matter stored in said reservoir.

20. A method of cooling the temperature of air comprising the steps of:

a. forming a reservoir wherein said reservoir further comprises;

i. an outer surface area located between a top surface area and a bottom surface area said bottom surface area composed of a thermally conductive material;

b. inserting a substance into said reservoir so that the substance is in direct contact with the bottom surface area of said reservoir;

c. cooling said substance to a temperature lower than said air temperature such that the temperature of the substance is transferred to said bottom surface area thereby cooling said bottom surface area to the temperature of said substance;

d. Forming an air duct wherein the steps of forming an air duct further comprise;

i. Forming an air intake chamber;

ii. Forming an exhaust chamber;

iii. Forming a central chamber wherein the step of forming a central chamber further comprises;

1. forming a top area such that the top area of said central chamber includes the bottom surface area of said reservoir and coupling said central chamber between said air intake chamber and said exhaust chamber;

e. securing a motorized airflow generator to said air duct;

f. coupling a power source to said motorized airflow generator;

g. turning on said power source such that said motorized airflow generator begins to form a moving airflow that has a temperature and draws said airflow into said air intake chamber;

h. passing said air over said bottom surface of said reservoir wherein said bottom surface area reduces the temperature of said airflow;

i. moving said airflow to said exhaust chamber;

j. expelling said airflow outside of said exhaust chamber.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of forming at least one fin on said bottom surface area such that when the airflow passes over said bottom surface area, said airflow becomes may be deflected and move in multiple directions before said airflow is moved to said exhaust chamber.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of forming at least one fin on said bottom surface area such that said fin protrudes perpendicularly into said reservoir.

23. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of inserting an agitator within said reservoir such that said agitator may be activated so that it serves to agitate the substance within said reservoir.

24. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of

a. inserting a drainage pipe said drainage pipe having a top and a bottom such that the top of the drainage pipe is secured to the bottom surface area of the reservoir and the bottom of the drainage pipe is located on the outside of the air conditioner;

b. removing a portion of the substance from the reservoir by draining said substance from the top of the drainage pipe to the bottom of the drainage pipe such that said substance exits the bottom of the drainage pipe.

25. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of insulating said reservoir on the top surface area.

26. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of insulating said air conditioner.

27. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of securing an agitator to said reservoir such that said agitator may agitate the matter stored in said reservoir.

28. A portable air conditioner for cooling an air temperature outside of the portable air conditioner comprising:

a. A reservoir;

i. said reservoir further comprising a sealed container for storing matter, said matter having a temperature that is lower than the air temperature outside of the portable air conditioner;

said reservoir further comprising a top surface area, a bottom surface area, and an outer surface area, said bottom surface area composed of a thermally conductive material;

b. A power source;

c. A motorized airflow generator coupled to said power source;

d. An air duct;

said air duct further comprising;

i. an air intake chamber;

ii. an exhaust chamber;

iii. a central chamber;

1. said central chamber further comprising a top area;

2. said central chamber located between said air intake chamber and said exhaust chamber such that the top area of said central chamber includes the bottom surface area of said reservoir;

3. said bottom surface area further comprising;

a. at least one first fin;

b. at least one second fin;

iv. said at least one first fin protruding outside of said reservoir such that said at least one first fin contacts said air duct;

v. said at least one second fin protruding inside of said reservoir such that said at least one second fin may directly contact said matter;

e. said motorized airflow generator coupled to said air duct;

f. said motorized airflow generator such that when said airflow generator receives power from said power source, the airflow generator generates an airflow that originates from outside of said portable air conditioner and flows into said air intake chamber;

g. said airflow having a temperature and continuing in motion such that said airflow may come in contact with said bottom surface area of said reservoir such that if said bottom surface area has a temperature that is less than the temperature of the airflow then the bottom surface area reduces the temperature of said airflow;

h. said airflow continuing in motion such that said airflow enters said exhaust chamber and is expelled outside of said portable air conditioner.

29. The portable air conditioner of claim 28 wherein said top surface area of said reservoir is covered by a first insulating material.

30. The portable air conditioner of claim 28 wherein said air conditioner is covered by a second insulating material.

31. The portable air conditioner of claim 28 wherein said reservoir further comprises a pour spout on the top surface of said reservoir such that said matter within said reservoir may be consumed through said pour spout.

32. The portable air conditioner of claim 28 wherein said at least one first fin is arranged in such a way that said airflow deflects off of said at least one first fin in many directions before said airflow is expelled out of said exhaust chamber.

33. The portable air conditioner of claim 28 wherein said exhaust chamber further comprises a top, a bottom and a hose for directing said airflow in a particular location.

34. The hose of claim 33 wherein said hose further comprises:

a. an exhaust valve;

b. an expandable section coupled to said exhaust valve;

c. a catch coupled to said expandable section wherein the catch of said hose may move between the top and bottom of said exhaust chamber such that when the catch is moved to the top of said exhaust chamber, the expandable section may be expanded to a maximum length.

35. The portable air conditioner of claim 28 further comprising an agitator;

said agitator coupled to said reservoir such that said agitator may agitate the matter stored in said reservoir.

36. A portable air conditioner for cooling an air temperature outside of the portable air conditioner comprising:

a. A reservoir;

i. said reservoir further comprising;

1. a sealed container for storing matter, said matter having a temperature that is lower than the air temperature outside of the portable air conditioner;

said reservoir further comprising;

a. a top surface area,

b. a bottom surface area said bottom surface area composed of a thermally conductive material, and

c. an outer surface area,

2. a drainage pipe;

a. said drainage pipe further comprising;

 

i. a bottom having a closed and an open position;

 

ii. a top such that the top of said drainage pipe protrudes into said reservoir through the bottom surface of said reservoir so that when the bottom of said drainage pipe is in the open position, said drainage pipe may funnel a portion of the matter within said reservoir to a point outside of said reservoir from the top of said drainage pipe to the bottom of said drainage pipe;

b. A power source;

c. A motorized airflow generator coupled to said power source;

d. An air duct;

said air duct further comprising;

i. an air intake chamber;

ii. an exhaust chamber;

iii. a central chamber;

1. said central chamber further comprising a top area;

2. said central chamber located between said air intake chamber and said exhaust chamber such that the top area of said central chamber includes the bottom surface area of said reservoir

e. said motorized airflow generator coupled to said air duct;

f. said motorized airflow generator such that when said airflow generator receives power from said power source, the airflow generator generates an airflow that originates from outside of said portable air conditioner and flows into said air intake chamber;

g. said airflow having a temperature and continuing in motion such that said airflow may come in contact with said bottom surface area of said reservoir such that if said bottom surface area has a temperature that is less than the temperature of the airflow then the bottom surface area reduces the temperature of said airflow;

h. said airflow continuing in motion such that said airflow enters said exhaust chamber and is expelled outside of said portable air conditioner.

37. The portable air conditioner of claim 36 wherein said top surface areas of said reservoir is covered by a first insulating material.

38. The portable air conditioner of claim 36 wherein said air conditioner is covered by a second insulating material.

39. The portable air conditioner of claim 36 wherein said bottom surface area of said reservoir further comprises at least one fin.

40. The portable air conditioner of claim 36 wherein said reservoir further comprises a pour spout on the top surface of said reservoir such that said matter within said reservoir may be consumed through said pour spout.

41. The portable air conditioner of claim 39 wherein said at least one fin is arranged in such a way that said airflow deflects off of said at least one fin in many directions before said airflow is expelled out of said exhaust chamber.

42. The portable air conditioner of claim 36 wherein said exhaust chamber further comprises a top, a bottom and a hose for directing said airflow in a particular location.

43. The hose of claim 42 wherein said hose further comprises:

a. an exhaust valve;

b. an expandable section coupled to said exhaust valve;

c. a catch coupled to said expandable section wherein the catch of said hose may move between the top and bottom of said exhaust chamber such that when the catch is moved to the top of said exhaust chamber, the expandable section may be expanded to a maximum length.

44. The portable air conditioner of claim 36 further comprising an agitator;

said agitator coupled to said reservoir such that said agitator may agitate the matter stored in said reservoir.