Refrigeration – Cooled enclosure – Portable receptacle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-30
2001-04-17
Doerrler, William (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Cooled enclosure
Portable receptacle
C062S530000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216487
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to beverage coolers and, in particular, to refreezable coolers which are configured to receive and store canned and/or bottled beverages.
2. Description of the Related Art
Oftentimes, it is desirable to transport beverages in a portable container or cooler so that convenient access to the beverages is provided, such as while playing golf, attending sporting events, going to a beach, etc. Hereinbefore, such a container typically has been formed of either insulating material, for maintaining the temperature of previously chilled beverages, or a combination of insulating material and cooling material, such as blue ice, for instance, whereby the cooling material chills a beverage stored within the container and the insulating material tends to maintain the temperature of both the cooling material and the chilled beverages.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,176, issued to Johnson, et al., discloses a beverage cooler, which includes a cylindrical freezer-pack insert to be placed into a cup, and a cover. In an embodiment of the Johnson device, the cylindrical freezer-pack insert includes removable sections to change its size, and removable plugs for putting coolant fluid into the removable sections. Since, however, the Johnson device is adapted for inserting within an individual cup, the device is limited for use in cooling one beverage at a time.
As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,345, issued to Atkinson, discloses a cooling container for canned beverages. The Atkinson device includes a reusable concave container for carrying and cooling canned beverages having a bottom section containing a plurality of cylindrical compartments, a top section containing corresponding compartments having a slow warming cooling gel in the upper end thereof, and a shoulder strap for carrying the container. While it is apparent that the Atkinson device addresses the problem of cooling multiple beverages simultaneously, it does not, however, provide for increased cooling efficiency of the beverages stored therein, as the cooling gel is stored only in the upper end of the container.
Therefore, there is a need for improved beverage coolers which address these and other shortcomings of the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated the present invention is directed to beverage coolers for transporting and cooling beverage containers. In a preferred embodiment, the cooler incorporates an outer shell defining an interior and includes at least one opening for providing access to the interior. Preferably, a cap is provided for engaging the opening so that the cap and the outer shell can encase the interior. Within the interior, at least one storage chamber is formed which is adapted to receive at least one beverage container. Preferably, an insulating material is disposed within the interior between the storage chamber and the outer shell, and a re-freezable material is disposed within the interior between the storage chamber and the insulating material.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the cooler can incorporate at least two of the storage chambers, with the re-freezable material being arranged to fill interstices formed between the storage chambers.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the re-freezable material is arranged adjacent the upper surface and the side walls of the outer shell.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Doerrler William
Kayden James W.
Shulman Mark S.
Thomas Kayden Horstemeyer & Risley
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