Abstract
A Cornelius keg refrigerated storage, transport, and contents dispensing device holds the keg in the interior of a container equipped with provision for transporting the container, cooling the keg using refrigerated contact along the effective height of the keg, insulating the keg to maintain temperature, and storing the equipment for dispensing the keg contents.
Claims
1. A multi-functional device configured for supporting, cooling, insulating, and dispensing a liquid contained in a Cornelius keg arranged with inlet and outlet ports on an upper end, the device comprising: a frame arranged to enclose, support, insulate and anchor the Cornelius keg in a vertical orientation; a refrigeration system comprising a cooling block and two thermoelectric coolers, wherein: (i) the cooling block is arranged to contact the Cornelius keg from near a top to near a bottom of an effective height of the keg, and (ii) the cooling block is further arranged with a concave contact surface with a radius selected to fit a contour of the Cornelius keg; a controller comprising a temperature sensor, wherein: (a) the controller is configured to vary a power to the refrigeration system to maintain a temperature based on a temperature setting by a user, and (b) the sensor comprising a wire routed from a location of the controller to a location on a surface of the Cornelius keg, the surface remote from the refrigeration system; a strap arranged to secure the Cornelius keg to the cooling block and to hold the temperature sensor against the surface of the Cornelius keg; and a first insulating member arranged between the cooling block and the thermoelectric coolers such that a cool side of each thermoelectric cooler is in contact with both the insulation member and the cooling block.
2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a second insulating member and a third insulating member, wherein the second insulating member comprises a wear layer and an insulating layer, the third insulating member comprises a closed cell foam neoprene, and the first insulating member comprises polyethylene bubble film sandwiched between two reflective laminate sheets.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises foam insulation.
4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a first foot, a second foot, a first wheel, and a second wheel are arranged relative to the frame to support the device on a support surface.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein the first and second wheels enable tilting of the device so the first and second feet lose contact with the support surface thereby providing transport of the device on the wheels.
6. The device of claim 5 further comprising a handle coupled to the frame and arranged to assist tilting the device.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the refrigeration system comprises a power supply.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein an input of the refrigeration system power supply is 110 volt AC or 12 volt DC.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein the refrigeration system includes a temperature display configured to indicate a surface temperature of the Cornelius keg.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein the refrigeration system includes a temperature control having the temperature setting and configured to be adjusted by the user.
11. A cooling system for a Cornelius keg, the system comprising: a refrigeration system comprising two thermoelectric coolers in contact with a cooling block, wherein: (i) the cooling block is arranged with a concave surface with a radius selected to fit a contour of the Cornelius keg, and (ii) the cooling block is further arranged to contact the keg from near a top to near a bottom of an effective height of the keg; a controller comprising a temperature sensor, wherein: (a) the controller is configured to vary a power to the refrigeration system to maintain a temperature based on a temperature setting by a user, and (b) the sensor comprising a wire routed from a location of the controller to a location on a surface of the Cornelius keg, wherein the surface is remote from the refrigeration system, and wherein the temperature sensor is disposed against the surface of the Cornelius keg; and a first insulating member arranged between the cooling block and the thermoelectric coolers such that a cool side of each thermoelectric cooler is in contact with both the insulation member and the cooling block.
12. The system of claim 11 further comprising a second insulating member and a third insulating member, wherein the second insulating member comprises a wear layer and an insulating layer, the third insulating member comprises a closed cell foam neoprene, and the first insulating member comprises polyethylene bubble film sandwiched between two reflective laminate sheets.
13. The system of claim 11 further comprising an insulating member of foam contained between a double wall polymer.
14. A method of refrigerated storage, transport, and dispensing of a liquid contained in a Cornelius keg, the method comprising: installing the keg in a device, wherein the device comprises: a frame arranged to support the keg in a vertical orientation, wherein two wheels and two feet are arranged relative to the frame to enable transport of the keg, and a refrigeration system comprising a cooling block and two thermoelectric coolers, wherein: (i) the cooling block is arranged to contact the keg from near a top to near a bottom of an effective height of the keg, and (ii) the cooling block is arranged with a concave contact surface with a radius selected to fit a contour of the Cornelius keg; a controller comprising a temperature sensor, wherein: (a) the controller is configured to vary a power to the refrigeration system to maintain a temperature based on a temperature setting by a user, and (b) the sensor comprising a wire routed from a location of the controller to a location on a surface of the Cornelius keg, the surface remote from the refrigeration system; a strap arranged to secure the Cornelius keg to the cooling block and to hold the temperature sensor against the surface of the Cornelius keg; and a first insulating member arranged between the cooling block and the thermoelectric coolers such that a cool side of each thermoelectric cooler is in contact with both the insulation member and the cooling block; activating the refrigeration system so as to cool the cooling block; transporting the keg by tilting the frame so the device is rolled on the two wheels; installing a bibcock on the keg; and dispensing liquid from the keg through the bibcock.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising a second insulating member and a third insulating member, wherein the second insulating member comprises a wear layer and an insulating layer, the third insulating member comprises a closed cell foam neoprene, and the first insulating member comprises polyethylene bubble film sandwiched between two reflective laminate sheets.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein the frame comprises foam insulation.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein a handle is coupled to the frame and arranged to assist tilting the device.
18. The method of claim 14 wherein an input of the refrigeration system power supply is 110 volt AC or 12 volt DC.
19. The method of claim 14 wherein the refrigeration system includes a temperature display configured to indicate a surface temperature of the Cornelius keg.
20. The method of claim 14 wherein the refrigeration system includes a temperature control having the temperature setting and configured to be adjusted by the user.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) A more complete understanding of the present invention can be obtained by considering the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior.
(3) FIG. 2 is a front view of a second embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior and the location of the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 6 and 7.
(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior.
(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior.
(6) FIG. 5 is a back view of an embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior.
(7) FIG. 6 is a back view of a second embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior.
(8) FIG. 7 is a top view of an embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior.
(9) FIG. 8 is a top view of a second embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior.
(10) FIG. 9 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior.
(11) FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a second embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior.
(12) FIG. 11 is a cross-section top view of the portable cooler and dispenser at the location shown on FIG. 2.
(13) FIG. 12 is a cross-section side view of the portable cooler and dispenser at the location indicated in FIG. 2 showing the location of the expanded views of FIGS. 13 and 14.
(14) FIG. 13 is an expanded view of the portion of the portable cooler and dispenser at the location shown on FIG. 12.
(15) FIG. 14 is an expanded view of the portion of the portable cooler and dispenser at the location shown on FIG. 7
(16) FIG. 15 is a temperature vs time plot showing keg cooling capability of the insulated thermoelectric cooler and dispenser.
(17) FIG. 16 is a graphical representation of the heat transfer and energy usage functioning of the device.
(18) FIG. 17 is a front view of an embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior and the location of the dispensing bibcock.
(19) FIG. 18 is a front view of a second embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior and the location of the dispensing bibcock.
(20) FIG. 19 is a side view of an embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior and the location of the dispensing bibcock.
(21) FIG. 20 is a side view of a second embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior and the location of the dispensing bibcock.
(22) FIG. 21 is a front view of a third embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior.
(23) FIG. 22 is a side view of a third embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior.
(24) FIG. 23 is a side view of a third embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior.
(25) FIG. 24 is a back view of a third embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior.
(26) FIG. 25 is a top view of a third embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior.
(27) FIG. 26 is a bottom view of a third embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior.
(28) FIG. 27 is a front view of a third embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior and the location of the dispensing bibcock.
(29) FIG. 28 is a side view of a third embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior and the location of the dispensing bibcock.
(30) FIG. 29 is a back view of a third embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior and the location of the dispensing bibcock.
(31) FIG. 30 is a top view of a third embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior and the location of the dispensing bibcock.
(32) FIG. 31 is a bottom view of a third embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser showing the exterior and the location of the dispensing bibcock.
(33) FIG. 32 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of the portable cooler and dispenser representing the arrangement of the major exterior and interior parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(34) The portable insulated thermo-electric cooler and dispenser is a multi-functional device for supporting and constraining a Cornelius keg in a transportable container that is refrigerated and insulated to maintain the keg in a desired temperature range with provision for dispensing the content of the keg while maintaining the keg in the controlled temperature environment. FIGS. 1 through 10 show the exterior configuration of two embodiments of the device. The exterior has a covering (140) of a wear resistant fabric or other suitable material chosen to give a pleasing appearance. An access opening (148) is located on the device front side which provides closable access to the interior of the device. A solid upper surface (114) provides a surface to place items used in the dispensing of the keg contents, such as a glass. This surface contains an opening (118) to provide for installation of a bibcock on the keg. The device transport system includes two wheels (108) two feet (110) and a collapsible handle (116), which makes the system portable. This system allows tilting the device towards the rear to roll it on the wheels and allows it to rest with the upper surface (114) level when supported on the wheels (108) and feet (110). The portions of the refrigeration system (120) visible on the exterior in these embodiments include the heat sink (130) shown on FIGS. 3 and 4 and the fan (134) used to provide air flow through the heat sink for heat removal from the refrigeration unit (120). The exterior of the power supply (124) and control (126) is also visible. Plugs for either a 120 v ac or 12 v dc supply cord are provided with the refrigeration unit (120) power supply input operating on either power source. The power supply may also include rechargeable batteries that provide power for a limited duration. Also visible is a protective cover (150) used to protect the heat sink at top and bottom as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8, and 9 and 10.
(35) The interior of the device is shown in cross-section in FIGS. 11 through 14. The keg support system consists of a frame (100) which has a base member (102), a vertical member (104), and an upper horizontal member (106) arranged to enclose the Cornelius keg. The base member (102) supports the Cornelius keg. The vertical member (104) supports the refrigeration unit (120), provides support for one or more hold-down straps (112) which are the means used to anchor the Cornelius keg (50) in the device and to maintain it in a vertical orientation. The vertical orientation means the keg is supported on its bottom while the keg inlet and outlet ports are on the top of the keg to allow installation of a bibcock and pressurization device. The hold-down straps in one embodiment use a quick-release over center latch shown in FIG. 11. The vertical member (104) also supports the protective cover (150) used to protect the refrigeration system exposed parts. The upper horizontal member (106) provides support for the upper surface (114) and is sized so the exterior cover, when supported by the member, encloses the keg. The upper surface (114) may include a bibcock opening (118) that allows inserting the bibcock into the Cornelius keg outlet opening and dispensing the contents into glasses or other containers on the upper surface (114). The frame (100) may be constructed of metal tubing, molded plastic, or other material and construction sufficient for supporting the weights involved.
(36) The refrigeration system (120) components are shown in FIGS. 11 through 13. These embodiments use two thermoelectric coolers (122) as shown in FIG. 13. The cooler (122) cold side is in contact with a cooling block (132) that is formed of a metal with good thermal conductivity (example aluminum) to be flat on the side contacting the thermoelectric cooler (122) and concave with a radius selected to fit the contour of the Cornelius keg, as shown in FIG. 11, to provide a cool surface in contact with the anchored keg. The contact of the contour with the keg extends from near the top almost to the bottom encompassing the effective height of the keg as shown in FIGS. 7 and 12. The warm side of the thermoelectric cooler (122) is in contact with heat sink (130) that use a fan (134) to provide cooling air flow. A power supply (124) provides power to the thermoelectric cooler as described previous. The power provided is controlled by a temperature sensor connected to the power supply by the wiring shown in FIG. 11. The power supply may also include a digital temperature display and control to adjust the temperature setting. The control may also vary the refrigeration effect to maintain the temperature near the temperature setting by varying the power to the refrigeration unit(s) and/or by stopping power to one or more units. The sensor wiring is routed from the location of the controller (126) to a location on the Cornelius keg (50) outer surface remote from the refrigeration system to obtain a measurement remote from the cooling block (132) as shown in FIG. 11. The temperature sensor (128) is mounted on a hold-down strap (112) in this embodiment for ease of positioning it on the Cornelius keg (50) surface.
(37) The device cooling system consists of the refrigeration system and insulated storage system components as shown in FIGS. 11 through 13. The insulation in this embodiment has a first insulation member (160), a second insulation member (162), and a third insulation member (164) to retard heat gain from the exterior of the system. The first insulation member (162) is the exterior covering (140) which surrounds the frame sides. This covering has an exterior wear layer (142) and an interior insulating layer (144) as shown in FIG. 14. A wide range of fabrics may be used for the wear layer (142) and the insulating layer (144) may be applied as a coating or as a sheet material attached by bonding or sewing. The second insulation layer (162) is a blanket that encloses the Cornelius keg (50) bottom and outer surfaces. This is a foam fabric (example 6-8 mm closed cell foam neoprene) with a closure (166) (example a zipper) that allows insertion and removal of the Cornelius keg (50) into the second insulation layer (162). The closure (166) is located adjacent the first insulation layer access opening (148), shown in FIG. 1, for ease of installing and removing the Cornelius keg. The third insulation layer (164) is a heat shield installed adjacent the back interior surface of the device between the cooling block (132) and the frame vertical member (104) as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13 to retard heat gain from the refrigeration system (120) warm side. The insulation in this embodiment is two layers of a reflective laminate with the two reflective sheets sandwiching polyethylene bubble film as shown in FIG. 13. The third insulation layer (164) is sized to essentially cover the entire rear interior of the device.
(38) Temperature tests on a filled keg in the insulated thermo-electric cooler show the embodiment employing the cooling system consisting of the refrigeration system and insulated storage system described effective in reducing the Cornelius keg (50) temperature in a matter of a few hours from ambient temperature to a desirable chilled temperature, even on warm days. One such test data on a day with the ambient temperature near or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit is shown in FIG. 15. The control keg in FIG. 15 is a filled keg located in ambient temperature conditions. The keg in the insulated thermoelectric cooler is shown to drop over 2.6 degrees Fahrenheit per hour.
(39) The device heat transfer and energy usage is illustrated in FIG. 16. The two stages are the initial state where the ambient temperature Cornelius keg is installed in the device and the refrigeration is reducing the temperature of the liquid, and the steady state where the liquid temperature is at a desired temperature and the refrigeration is maintaining the liquid at that temperature, which requires less energy.
(40) An embodiment which differs from those described previous by employing a unitary frame and body is shown in FIGS. 21 through 32. The body (222) is closed by a door (220) that has hinges on one side (226) and a latch (224) on the other. A top cover (210) with a seal (212) closes an opening in the top of the body and has a hinge (216) on one side and is secured with a lock (214) on the other. The body (222), door (220), and top cover (210) are double wall polymer with foam insulation installed between the walls instead of the insulation features described previous. This embodiment employs other features as described previous, such as the two wheel (108) and two feet (110) with a collapsible handle (116) transport system and refrigeration system employing two thermoelectric coolers (122), heat sinks (130) and fans (134) and a cooling block (132) that is formed of a metal with good thermal conductivity (example aluminum) to be flat on the side contacting the thermoelectric cooler (122) and concave with a radius selected to fit the contour of the Cornelius keg, as shown in FIG. 11, to provide a cool surface in contact with the anchored keg. The contact of the contour with the keg extends from near the top almost to the bottom encompassing the effective height of the keg as shown in FIG. 32. A protective cover (318) on the rear of the body (222) protects the components of the refrigeration system.
(41) Operation
(42) The device is readied for cooling or transport by installing a Cornelius keg (50) into the device interior. This is done by opening the exterior covering (140) access opening (148), which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and 16 and 17. Then the second insulation member closure (166), shown in FIG. 11, is opened. This provides access to allow inserting the keg (50) within the second insulation member (162). The embodiment with the unitized body requires opening the door (220) to insert the keg (50). The Cornelius keg is secured to the cooling block (132) using the hold-down straps (112). The second insulation member closure (166) is then closed, surrounding the keg (50) with the second insulation member (162), or the door (220). The refrigeration system (120) may then be placed in service by connecting a power cord, which is not shown, to the power supply (124). The temperature control (126), if present, may then be used to adjust the desired temperature of the keg (50).
(43) Transport of the keg is done by tilting the device so it is supported by the wheels only and thus may be rolled on the two wheels. The handle may be used to aid in supporting the device on the wheels.
(44) The dispensing system has provision to be located in storage pockets (146), as shown in FIG. 11, during transport to prevent damage. The embodiment with a unitary body has a mesh pouch (320) providing storage. This system is a bibcock (52) and a pressurization device (54) such as a CO.sub.2 cartridge or hand air pump and connecting tubing. The dispensing system is connected to the Cornelius keg (50) when dispensing of the keg contents is desired.
(45) The process for dispensing is to open the exterior covering (140) access opening (148), which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and 16 and 17. This provides access to the bibcock (52) and pressurization device (54) located in the storage pockets (146) on the interior of the exterior covering (140). Then open the second insulation member closure (166), shown in FIG. 11. The embodiment with the unitary body has the top cover (210) access opening lifted, which is shown in FIGS. 22, 23, 25, 28, 30 and 32. This provides access to the Cornelius keg (50) stored in the device. The pressurization device (54) is then removed from the storage pocket (146) or mesh pouch (320) and connected to the keg using the quick disconnect fitting on the device connecting hose. The bibcock (52) is then removed from the storage pocket (146) or mesh pouch (320). The bibcock then may be inserted through the bibcock opening (118) and connected to the keg (50), or the bibcock mounting cover is removed for connection using flexible tubing. This places the device in the configuration shown in FIGS. 16 through 19, and 27 through 31, to allow dispensing the liquid into a glass or other container external to the cooler and dispenser. The pressurization device (54) is connected at the top of the keg, which is open to the interior of the device as shown in FIG. 12. The keg may then be pressurized by opening the CO.sub.2 cartridge valve or using the hand pump, and the dispensing system is then in service.
(46) Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are not intended to limit the invention, but rather are to be viewed as being within the scope of the invention as claimed.
