Refrigeration – Refrigerant or coolant – storer or handler – Envelope type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-30
2001-06-26
Doerrler, William (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Refrigerant or coolant, storer or handler
Envelope type
C062S060000, C062S457400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250104
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an assembly for temperature control of an article and a method for temperature control of an article, in particular for temperature control of a beverage container or containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various temperature control assemblies, suited for carrying beverage containers and keeping them cool or warm are known. Exemplary types of containers are described by U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,588 to Lowe; U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,172 to Jones; U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,835 to Ascome; U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,054 to Kirkendall; U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,072 to Shaw; U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,422 to Gordon et al.; U.S. Pat No. 4,388,813 to Gardner et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,374 to Spitler; U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,665 to Gardner et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,974, 658 to Starratt; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,340 to Conklin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A temperature control assembly is described including a covering having a top panel and a plurality of side panels that are constructed and arranged to provide an open bottom side and an interior compartment, where each of the panels has an interior surface that forms the interior compartment, and each panel also has an exterior surface. The temperature control assembly further includes at least one thermal unit sized for controlling the temperature of an article provided within the interior compartment and at least one pocket provided on the interior surface of at least one of the side panels, where the pocket is constructed and arranged for holding the thermal unit. The pocket may have an open edge for selectively inserting and removing the thermal unit.
The temperature control assembly may also include in one embodiment an opening in the top panel for accessing the interior compartment. The opening is preferably sized to permit human fingers to access the interior compartment. In another embodiment of the temperature control assembly, the open edge of the pocket is provided proximate to the top panel.
A method of providing temperature control is also described comprising the steps of providing a temperature control assembly over an article for controlling the temperature of the article and adjusting the temperature of the article. The method may alternatively include the steps of cooling the thermal unit or heating the thermal unit. The method may include the steps of cooling the thermal unit by placing it in a refrigerator or preferably a freezer, or alternatively heating the thermal unit using a microwave oven. In one embodiment, the method includes removing the thermal unit from the pocket when the article reaches a desired temperature.
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Doerrler William
Jiang Chen-Wen
Merchant & Gould P.C.
R. G. Barry Corporation
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