Method and apparatus for cooling a storage container for liquid

Abstract

The invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for cooling a storage container for liquid.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cooling and dispensing beer, comprising: side walls coupled to a top member and a bottom member, wherein the bottom member comprises one or more protrusions for minimizing movement of the storage container in a direction parallel to the bottom member; one or more handles attached to the side walls; two or more wheels attached to one or more of the side walls and bottom member; a storage container within the side walls containing beer and comprising an air tank; a tap connected to the storage container for dispensing the beer; ice surrounding at least a portion of the storage container; and a drain attached to one or more of the side walls and bottom member for draining water from the apparatus when the ice melts.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom member is round and the protrusion comprises a raised circular member that receives the storage container.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the side walls, top member, and bottom member are constructed from plastic.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top member is removable from the side walls.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom member is removable from the side walls.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top member and bottom member are removable from the side walls.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom member is coupled to the side walls by a screw mechanism.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a side-view of one embodiment of a storage device.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a side-view of one embodiment of a bottom member of a storage device.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates four wheels attached to two axles attached to a bottom member.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom member with threads for connecting to side walls with threads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(5) FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment. Storage device 10 is used to hold storage container 20. Storage container 20 optionally is a beer keg or other container for storing liquid. Storage container 20 optionally is coupled to an air tank 30 for inserting carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or another gas into storage container 20 to maintain the internal pressure of storage container 20 to assist in the dispensing of liquid from storage container 20. Storage container 20 optionally comprises stent 85 for transporting liquid from storage container 20 and hose 88 connected to stent 85 for transporting liquid from stent 85. Storage device 10 optionally comprises tap 90, which is mounted to the side walls 40 of storage device 10 and mates with hose 88. Thus, the liquid contents of storage container 20 can be dispensed through tap 90. Ice 130 can be placed into storage device 10 so that storage container 20 is at least partially surrounded by ice 130.

(6) Storage device 10 comprises side walls 40, bottom member 110, and top member 120. Side walls 40, bottom member 110, and top member 120 preferably are comprised of thermally insulative material, such as plastic, carbon, wood, or foam. Side walls 40, bottom member 110, and top member 120 optionally can be double-walled, which has the benefit of keeping the contents colder while minimizing the formation of condensation on the outer surfaces.

(7) Storage device 10 optionally comprises one or more handles 50 and wheels 80. Wheels 80 can comprise two wheels, each mounted separately onto side walls 40 or bottom member 110, or two wheels mounted to an axle (not shown) which in turn is mounted to side walls 40 or bottom member 110. Wheels 80 alternatively can comprise four wheels, each mounted separately onto side walls 40 or bottom member 110, or as shown in FIG. 3, two sets of two wheels mounted to axle 81, with each axle 81 in turn mounted to side walls 40 or bottom member 110. Storage device 10 can be transported by an ordinary user by lifting or pulling one or more handles 50 and rolling storage device 10 using wheels 80.

(8) One or both of bottom member 110 and top member 120 are removable from side walls 40. Bottom member 110 and top member 120 optionally can attach to side walls 40 using well-known latching mechanisms, snap mechanisms, or screw mechanisms. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, bottom member 110 and/or top member 120 can comprise threads 45 that mate with threads 46 on side walls 40, such that bottom member 110 and/or top member 120 screw onto side walls 40. When this is implemented for bottom member 110, there is an added benefit of being able to insert storage container 110 onto bottom member 110, and then screwing bottom member 110 and side walls 40 together, thus eliminating the need to lift storage container 110 and place it into storage device 10. In the alternative, one of bottom member 110 and top member 120 can be permanently affixed to side walls 40, such as by well-known adhesives or by being formed as one piece with side walls 40 during the manufacturing process.

(9) Storage device 10 optionally includes one or more drains 70 for draining water or other liquid from storage device 10 without pumping the water out or tipping over storage device 10 to remove the water or other liquid from the top. Drains 70 optionally can include a two-way valve, which can either drain directly to the ground or can be connected to a hose (not shown). Thus, when ice 130 melts into water, the water can be drained easily by a user from storage device 10, without tipping or moving storage device 10.

(10) All of the components of storage device 10 optionally can be removable, which would result in easier transportation of storage device 10 (such as when it is hauled in a car or truck) and would make it easier for a user to clean the components. For instance, it would be desirable to be able to remove and clean stent 85, hose 88, and tap 90 after use.

(11) Storage device 10 has the added benefit of being discreet in appearance when compared to an ordinary beer keg. This may be a valuable feature for consumers at sporting events or public gatherings.

(12) The embodiment described above has the added benefit of being an all-in-one system where all components are contained within a single device (storage device 10).

(13) Side walls 40 and/or top member 120 optionally include one or more openings (such as a small hatch, not shown) through which a user can add ice 130 to storage device 10.

(14) FIG. 2 shows a side-view of one embodiment of bottom member 110. Bottom member 110 optionally includes one or more protrusions 140 for receiving storage container 20, such as a raised circular member on the side of bottom member 110 that faces storage container 20. The raised circular member receives storage container 20 and minimizes the lateral movement of storage container 20 within storage device 10 when storage device 10 is transported or tilted.

(15) While the foregoing has been with reference to particular embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes in these embodiments may be made without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.