Beverage Container Cooling Device

Abstract

A beverage container cooling device for rapidly cooling beverage cans or bottles and their contents includes a plurality of turntables provided with stepped diameter expansible collets formed from an elastomeric material for frictional engagement with beverage containers of diverse different sizes, including soda cans and bottles. Bearing assemblies mount the turntables for rotation in a container adapted for containment of a cooling medium such as an ice and water mixture. A gear mechanism in conjunction with either an electric motor or a hand crank functions to rotate the turntables and the beverage containers mounted thereon within the cooling medium in the container for rapidly cooling the beverage containers and their contents.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a nonprovisional utility patent application which hereby references and claims the priority of Provisional Application No. 61/270,367 filed Jul. 8, 2009 and also references and claims the priority of Provisional Application No. 61/279,482 filed Oct. 22, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The application relates to the field of devices for cooling beverage containers and their contents.

2. Description of the Related Technology

U.S. Pat. No. 507,996 which issued to I. J. Cobin et. al on Nov. 7, 1893 discloses a hand crank and gear driven device for rotating and cooling a wine bottle.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,216,762 which issued to H. Bolas on Oct. 8, 1940 discloses a motor and gear driven device for simultaneously rotating and cooling a plurality of wine bottles.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,888,092 which issued to J. Fisher on Jun. 10, 1975 discloses a wine chilling device including a refrigeration unit and a pump for circulating refrigerant.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,851 which issued to J. A. Bryant on Aug. 21, 1979 discloses a device for cooling a beverage container including gear and motor driven rollers for rotating a beverage bottle.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,531,381 which issued to H. D. Toro on Jul. 30, 1985 discloses an insulated cooler including an insulated cooling compartment surrounded by frozen water for cooling a wine bottle within the compartment.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,665 which issued to C. R. Micallef on May 2, 1989 discloses a wine cooling apparatus including a bottle holder for holding a bottle within an ice and water mixture in a container rotatably mounted on turntable. The device includes a motor drive mechanism and fins for swirling the cooling mixture around the bottle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,378 which issued to C. J. Ottenheimer on Apr. 9, 1991 discloses a device for chilling bottled liquids including a gear and hand crank mechanism for rotating a bottle neck gripping device or rotating a bottle in a bucket containing a chilling medium.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,368 which issued to R. D. Ordoukhanian on Feb. 1, 1994 discloses a beverage cooling device including a sleeve for gripping a beverage can and a battery operated drive motor for rotating the can in a container containing a cooling medium, such as ice.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,624 which issued to R. Horwell on Jun. 4, 2002 discloses a device for cooling a wine bottle which utilizes a pump for circulating a mixture of ice and water around a wine bottle disposed in a chamber.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,574 which issued to G. H. Loibl on Dec. 16, 2003 discloses a device for rapid cooling of a beverage container including a motor driven drive roller for rotating the container and a pump for spraying a cooling liquid on the container.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,723 which issued to P. Molfese on Feb. 13, 2007 discloses a portable liquid cooler including a hand crank mechanism for rotating a block having an inner space receiving a beverage container.

U.S. Design Pat. No. D567,593 which issued to H T R Lam on Apr. 29, 2008 discloses an ornamental design for a combined rotating wine cooler and warmer.

The entire disclosure of each of the aforementioned patents is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A beverage container cooling device for rapidly cooling beverage cans or bottles and their contents includes a plurality of turntables provided with stepped diameter expansible collets formed from an elastomeric material for frictional engagement with beverage containers of diverse different sizes, including soda cans and bottles. Bearing assemblies mount the turntables for rotation in a container adapted for containment of a cooling medium such as an ice and water mixture. A gear mechanism in conjunction with either an electric motor or a hand crank functions to rotate the turntables and the beverage containers mounted thereon within the cooling medium in the container for rapidly cooling the beverage containers and their contents.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a motor driven beverage container cooling device according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is front perspective view of a manual hand crank driven beverage container cooling device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

With reference to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 3, a beverage can cooling device 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described. The device 10 includes a container 12 preferably formed from a transparent or translucent plastic material and connected to a supporting base 14 by a plurality of screws or other conventional fastening mechanism. The container 12 has an open upper end which may be selectively closed by a removable lid or cover 16 including a shoulder or lip 18 which engages the upper peripheral edge of the top opening in the container 12.

The base 14 is preferably molded from a plastic material and includes a substantially hollow interior closed by a floor plate 20. A recess 22 formed in the floor plate 20 receives a battery holder 24 secured therein by a battery cover plate 26 secured by cooperating latch members 28 on the cover plate 26 and 30 in the recess 22. A plurality of rubber non-skid feet 32 and 34 project downwardly from the floor plate 20 and support the device 10 on an upright surface such as a table top during use of the device 10. The floor plate 20 is secured to the base 14 by a plurality of screws (not shown) which extend through apertures 36 formed through the floor plate 20 and into engagement with threaded posts 38 molded into the base 14. The base 14 also includes a plurality of interior molded stiffening ribs 40 to add rigidity and strength.

An electric motor 42 including an attached gear reduction mechanism 44 mounted within the interior of the base 14 rotates a plurality of beverage container turntables 62 and 68 through a gear mechanism described in further detail hereinafter. A frictional lock ring 46 press fit around a main gear shaft 60 secures the shaft 60 for rotation with a rotary output shaft 45 of the motor gear reduction mechanism 44, mounting the main gear 58 for rotation by the motor 42. An 0-ring 61 provides a water tight seal for the shaft 60. A pair of bearings 54 and 56 press fit within complementary recesses 55 and 57 formed in an interior bottom portion of the container 12 support respective turntable shafts 69 and 63 for rotation. Driven gears 70 and 64 fixed for rotation with the respective shafts 69 and 63 engage the main gear 58, such that turntables 68 and 62 are driven in rotation when a user connects the motor 42 to a source of electricity, such as conventional batteries in holder 24, by engaging an on-off rocker switch 82 mounted in a console portion 80 of the base 14. The device 10 may be optionally provided with alternative battery and A/C power in a conventional manner.

The turntables 62 and 68 take the form of cylindrical receptacles which receive respective collets 72 and 74. The collets 72 and 74 may be press fit or glued within the turntables 62 and 68. The collets 72 and 74 include stepped diameter inner members 76 and 78 preferably formed from an elastomeric material such as rubber and provided with a plurality of axially extending circumferentially spaced ribs such that the collets elastically expand and contract to some extent, providing a firm frictional engagement with conventional beverage containers such as soda cans, beer cans, soda bottles, and wine bottles. A particularly preferred feature of the invention is the provision of a stepped diameter configuration to the collets, with a smaller diameter bottom portion 77, 79 and a larger diameter upper portion 76, 78 to allow frictional engagement with beverage containers of different sizes. While two different diameter steps are shown, it should be understood that more steps, such as three or four, or more, maybe be provided within the intended scope of the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 4 through 6, a manual hand crank driven embodiment of the invention 100 includes a container 102 having a lid or cover 104 selectively secured over an open top end of the container 102 by a latch 106. The container 102 includes an integral base 108 provided with a plurality of adhesive secured non-skid feet 110 adapted for supporting the device 100 on a surface such as a table or counter. A plurality of buttons 112 (only one shown) secured to the container 102 allow for detachable securement of a carrying strap or handle (not shown). A C-clip 116 engages a groove provided in a reduced diameter shaft portion of a crank handle 114 extending through an aperture 118 provided through a radially outer portion of dome shaped flywheel 120, securing the handle 114 to the flywheel 120. A C-clip 122 engaging a circumferential groove formed on an inner end of a central hollow cylindrical shaft 138 of the flywheel 120 extending through a central circular aperture 126 of the cover 120, mounting the flywheel for rotation relative to the lid 104 and container 102. A shallow cylindrical recess 124 formed centrally in the lid 104 receives the flywheel 120 for rotation therein.

A drive shaft 128 centrally disposed within the container 102 and extending axially therein includes a plurality of radially extending fins 129, 131, and 133 for the purpose of stirring a cooling medium such as an ice and water mixture filling the interior of the container 102. A downwardly opening square aperture 136 of the shaft 138 receives a reduced size square upper end portion 130 of the shaft 128, keying the shaft 128 for rotation with the flywheel 120.

In a similar manner, a reduced size square lower end portion 140 of the shaft 128 received within a square socket 142 connected to a main gear 144 keys the gear for rotation with the shaft 128. A mounting plate 146 includes four circular apertures 148, 150, 152, 154 for the purpose of rotatably mounting respective turntables 160, 164, 182, 178 therein. A central circular aperture 156 in the mounting plate 146 receives the drive socket 142 of the main gear 144 therethrough. A cylindrical stub shaft portion 145 of the main gear 144 received within a complementary recess 147 molded into the base 108 serves as a bearing, supporting the gear 144 for rotation. Each of the turntables 160, 164, 178, and 182 includes a driven gear engaging the main gear 144. FIG. 5 illustrates two of the four driven gears, 180 and 186.

Collets 162, 166, 180, and 184 secured for rotation with respective turntables 160, 164, 178, 182 preferably include a stepped diameter cylindrical construction and an expansible ribbed elastomeric construction, as described in detail in connection with the first embodiment 10.

In the manner of use of the device 100, a user positions one or more beverage containers within the collets 162, 166, 180, and 184, fills the interior of the container 102 with an ice and water mixture, replaces the lid 104, and rotates the crank handle 114 to rotate the beverage containers within the cooling medium, causing rapid cooling of the beverage containers and their contents.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A beverage container cooling device, comprising:

a container having an interior portion adapted for containment of a cooling medium;

at least one turntable;

means mounting said turntable for rotation within said container;

means for driving said turntable in rotation within said container; and

a stepped diameter expansible collet formed from an elastomeric material mounted for rotation with said turntable, said collet adapted for engagement with beverage containers of various diverse dimensions for rapidly cooling beverage containers and their contents by rotation within a cooling medium in said container.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for driving said turntable in rotation comprises a plurality of gears.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for driving said turntable in rotation comprises an electric motor.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for driving said turntable in rotation comprises a hand crank.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of turntables mounted for rotation within said housing.

6. The device of claim 5, further comprising a stepped diameter expansible collet formed from an elastomeric material mounted for rotation with each of said turntables.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for driving said turntable in rotation comprises an electric motor and at least one battery for energizing said motor.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said expansible collet has a ribbed interior surface.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said expansible collet comprises a stepped diameter cylinder having a ribbed interior circumferentially extending surface, with said ribs extending substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of said cylinder.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said container includes an open top end and further comprising a lid for selectively closing said open top end.

11. A beverage container cooling device, comprising:

a container having an interior portion adapted for containment of a cooling medium;

a plurality of turntables;

means mounting each of said turntables for rotation within said container;

means for driving each of said turntables in rotation within said container; and

a stepped diameter expansible collet formed from an elastomeric material mounted for rotation with each of said turntables, each of said collets comprising a stepped diameter cylinder having a ribbed interior circumferentially extending surface, with said ribs extending substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of said cylinder and adapted for engagement with beverage containers of various diverse dimensions for rapidly cooling beverage containers and their contents by rotation within a cooling medium in said container.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said means for driving said turntables in rotation comprises a plurality of gears.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein said means for driving said turntables in rotation comprises an electric motor.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein said means for driving said turntables in rotation comprises a hand crank.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein said means for driving said turntables in rotation comprises an electric motor and at least one battery for energizing said motor.

16. The device of claiml 11, wherein said container includes an open top end and further comprising a lid for selectively closing said open top end.