ACTIVE WINE CHILLER

Abstract

A mechanical apparatus comprised of a plurality of pods in the form of an annular cylindrical sleeve, a cup and a ring cap. Whereas, the pods containing liquid are to be frozen for the purpose of dynamically discharging its thermal energy to a drink object placed within. The pods of the annular cylindrical sleeve are joined to each other by removable latitudinal elastic bands. Thus allowing the annular cylindrical sleeve to instantly expand/contract to grip varying sizes drink object. In operation, a charged (frozen ice) annular cylindrical sleeve is disposed in the cup; a ring cap is installed to cup to cover and protect the discharging of thermal energy therein from ambient conditions. A drink object in the form of canned or bottled may be inserted in the apparatus to receive desired chill temperature for an extended length of time in ambient conditions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pop open a chilled bottle champagne for a romantic evening; pour it into two glasses to be drunken for this special occasion. The remainder of the champagne in the bottle needs to be chilled for the next round until empty; what can one do? Option 1, is to put the bottle back in the fridge to keep it in a chilled condition. Not a bad option, only inconvenience is encountered. One just have to get up to bring the bottle for refill then backs to the fridge; few times until the bottle is emptied. Option 2, is to use an ice bucket so the bottle stays nearby for refill and being chilled inside the bucket of ice. There are many problems associated with ice bucket. One is that the bucket is bulky and messy and takes up large space. Second, it is not easy to put the bottle back in the bucket full of ices. Last, and the worst of all; the bottle is wetted every time it is lifted out of the bucket. And a towel is needed to dry the bottle. Despite of the problems, option 2 is very effective for nearby convenience and keeping the bottle chilled. Option 3, is just now invented; it is a direct replacement of the ice bucket without any of the problems. With this invention, the bulky bucket is now an elegant container and small enough to be on a tabletop; loosed ice pieces are now in the form of plastic ice packs. The plastic ice packs are reusable and rechargeable; ice melting is contained inside the plastic ice packs, so there is no wetted bottle. And a towel is not needed. A drink object easily moves in and out of the plastic ice packs, and effectively chills that fine bottle of champagne. Thus, it is the exact intention of this invention to overcome the undesired conditions of options 1 and 2 and to deliver a practical and proven solution.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a complete and easy to use a portable active chiller for chilling a drink object in the form that is canned or bottled. The most important part of the invention is the “active chiller” therein. Think of the active chiller as a rechargeable battery for use and to be reused. In this invention, the active chiller comprises a plurality of pods containing liquid. The collective pods assembled, side by side, together and formed a cylindrical sleeve like structure. The active chiller is frozen to an icy condition (this is equivalent to charged thermal energy). Under ambient conditions and inside a protective container; the active chiller is slowly discharging its charged thermal energy to keep a drink object chilled for an extended length of time. The active chiller is reusable and rechargeable for use indefinitely. A pre-chilled drink object couples with the active chiller is the best combination with the best result. The invention also employs a circular (ring like) wiper to automatically wipe away any particles or condensations deposited on the drink object's outer surface as it being inserted/lifted in the container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ARTS

At present, several devices for chilling a drink object are known. One type of a known device for chilling a drink object is comprised of a fixed diameter cylindrical sleeve. Whereas, this invention does not have the flexibility to accept a variety of canned or bottled of different diameters. In doing so, there is an annular space existed between the drink object's outer wall, and the fixed inside diameter of the cylindrical sleeve, when the drink object is not of intended size. The annular space presents a clear disadvantage because it does not allow for the maximum thermal energy that could be transferred to the drink object for best result. Another disadvantage is there was no provision made to protect the thermal energy from ambient condition when the drink object is of smaller diameter than the intended size. Such a device is known by U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,226.

A second type of a known device for chilling a drink object comprises of a sleeve-like body structure. The formation of the sleeve with multiple compartments can be best described as a polygon sleeve in its natural state. There is no guarantee that the inner faces of the polygon sleeve will have full contact with the canned or bottled object for full thermal transfer. Next, it is not effective to have the thermal energy directly exposed to ambient condition. The chilling effect to a drink object will be shorten considerably under this design. Lastly, once the polygon sleeve has soften due to the ice melting condition; it will be difficult to insert/lift a drink object in and out of the polygon sleeve. It is also cumbersome to pour from the drink object with the polygon sleeve still attached. Such a device is known by U.S. Pat. No. 7,089,757.

A third type of a known device for chilling a drink object comprises a plurality removable plastic pouch. The shape of the pouch was not clearly defined, but by looking at FIG. 3 of the invention, one could conclude that the eventual formation will resemble a polygon shape sleeve. There was no explanation of how the polygon sleeve can change its size to receive varying size drink objects. And the difficulty of connecting multiple pouches together to form a polygon sleeve. Such a device is known by U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,176.

Further investigation of prior art shows a known device for chilling a drink object comprises a plurality of chilling members. The disadvantage of this invention is that each chilling member must be placed in a pouch like carrier in order to form a hollow cylindrical shape. Thus, the chilling members do not have direct contact with the drink object, resulting in a less effective thermal energy transfer. The second disadvantage of the invention is the required wrapping like of the pouch carrier to form a hollow cylindrical shape. This technique will not result in a true cylindrical shape due to the variant in the diameter of different sizes of cans or bottles. Another disadvantage is not all chilling members are in contact with the drink object which results in a lost effectiveness for all chilling members. Such a device is known by US Patent Application Publication US 2006/0242990 A1.

A fifth type of a known device for chilling a drink object employs a fixed diameter heat transfer sleeve. Again, as already shown by U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,226; the main disadvantage with a fixed diameter sleeve is that it does not always has full surface contact with a drink object for maximum transfer of thermal energy. Such a device is known by U.S. Pat. No. 8,534,345 B1.

Still, another known device for chilling a drink object employs a series of pouches connected together along the vertical ends between adjacent pouches. The series of pouches has open ends and can be laid flat. The series of pouches uses wrapping techniques and features built into the containers to receive different diameter bottles or cans for chilling. While this invention shows a good solution to accept varying diameters of canned or bottled. It is not practical to build and operate. Such a device is known by U.S. Pat. No. 6,330,808.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of this invention to provide a new and improved device for chilling a drink object in the form of canned or bottled for which the disadvantages of the known devices have been avoided.

The present invention provides a simple and effective solution to chill a drink object for an extended length of time in ambient conditions. For purposes of this application, the term “drink” is used to refer to consumable substances of all types and phases, including by way of illustration only and not limited to, wines, champagnes, beers, sodas, spirits, juices, water and the like. It is also understood that for purposes of this application, the term “object” is used to refer to containers and receptacles of all types, materials and design constructions, including by way of illustration only and not limited to, cans, bottles, cups, glasses and the like.

The apparatus of the present invention is comprised of a generally main portion of a cup like structure capable of receiving other components of the said invention, and including a drink object to be placed within. A removable, rechargeable in the form of an annular cylindrical sleeve is variably expandable, contractible and fitted inside the main body portion of the apparatus, and to provide a mean by which to produce and maintain a desired chill condition for an extended period of time to a drink object. A removable ring cap is installed onto cup to cover, trap, delay, circulate and insulate the thermal energy of the annular cylindrical sleeve from ambient conditions. Thus, all three components describe the functional (but not necessary all) operations of the embodiment.

To the accomplishments of the above, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantage thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded cross sectional front elevation view of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the removable ring cap.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the removable chiller.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the removable chiller in normal state.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a single pod with removable latitudinal elastic bands attached.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional front elevation view of a pod taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a blown up of DETAIL K shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the invention with the removable ring cap not shown to illustrate the relationship of the removable chiller inside the cup.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional front elevation view of the invention taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 9 showing a typical bottle fully inserted.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional front elevation view of the invention taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 9 showing a large diameter bottle fully inserted.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional front elevation view of the invention taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 9 showing a typical bottle partly inserted/lifted.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the removable chiller in expanded state.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a single pod with ridge structures on concave side.

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a single pod without ridge structures on concave side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a main body portion 1, a removable chiller 2, and a removable ring cap 3.

To make reading and identifying the elements easier to follow; from here on: the main body portion 1, a removable chiller 2, and a removable ring cap 3 will be referred as a cup 1, a chiller 2, and a cap 3 respectively.

The main body portion 1 is a cup structure designed to receive a chiller 2, a cap 3, and a drink object to be inserted and chilled (FIGS. 10-12). The cup 1 (FIGS. 1 & 2) is preferably constructed singularly of thermoplastic resins such as Acrylic, Tritan, Polycarbonate, ABS etc. All depended, but not limited to, on the desired strength, durability, cosmetically, availability and cost factor. It is further noted that the cup 1 also be made of metals such as Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Titanium etc. for high-end market. For the art world, the cup 1 may also be made of crystal or glass that is similar to the techniques of making vases completed with artful colors, patterns and shapes.

On the inside and at the bottom of cup 1 is a raised diameter 11 (FIGS. 2 & 9) designed to centrally position the chiller 2 upon being inserted into cup 1. Additionally, a ledge 12 (FIGS. 1, 2 & 9), inside and near the top, is served as a dead stop position for the cap 3 (FIGS. 1, 2 & 3) to its defined location. These two features of the cup provided for clear functions and absolute placements for other components to be included within.

The chiller 2 (FIGS. 1, 2 & 4) comprises of plurality of identical pods 21 (FIGS. 1 & 5 & 13) with removable latitudinal elastic bands 4 (FIGS. 1, 2 & 6, 8). Each identical pod 21 is an exact fraction of an annular cylindrical or chiller 2 (FIG. 5). All identical pods 21 are collectively joined side by side on equal spacing by removable latitudinal elastic bands 4 (FIG. 6) to form an annular cylindrical or chiller 2. The identical pod 21 is generally constructed of any thermoplastic resins such as PET, HDPE, LDPE etc. All depended, but not limited to, on the desired strength, durability, availability, and cost factor. Next, each identical pod is filled with liquid 22 (FIGS. 7 & 8) to no more than 90% of its volume for completion. Liquid 22 may be of variety of types such as plain water, distilled water or chemically formulated liquid to control the result of the frozen ice condition thereafter. The techniques for filling identical pods 21 with liquid 22 then sealing the hole are readily known, thus it is not discussed here.

Each identical pod 21 has ridges 211 (FIG. 6) that run along its vertical height on concave side. These ridges 211 are designed to keep a drink object from making full surface contact with the concave side of identical pods 21. The thickness 213 of the ridges 211 (FIGS. 5, 7, 13 & 14) is selected to provide more or less separation of space between the drink object and the chiller 2's inner compartment. Having more separation space, hence the thicker 213 will result in less effective thermal discharging to be received by the drink object from chiller 2. Oppositely, whereas, in the absence of ridges 211 on identical pods 21 (FIG. 15) allow for full surface contact, between drink object and chiller 2's inner compartment. This condition results in most effective thermal discharging to be received by drink object. Thus, the presence of ridges (FIG. 14) or without ridges (FIG. 15) plays an important role for chiller 2. Next, a ramp 212 (FIGS. 6 & 7) is included at the top on the concave side of each identical pod 21. Thus, a resulting conical ramp 212 (FIGS. 5 & 9) is formed on the annular cylindrical or chiller 2. The inside diameter of chiller 2, either with ridges or without ridges, is formulated to be equal to the smallest diameter of a drink object known. Thus, the conical ramp 212 is designed to readily accept a large diameter drink object to be inserted into chiller 2. Lastly, each identical pod 21 has through-holes (FIG. 8) from convex to concave sides for attachment of mushroom shape pins 41 (FIG. 6) on inner circumference of removable latitudinal elastic bands 4.

The chiller 2 comprises of plurality of identical pods 21 (FIG. 5) joined on equal spacing by removable latitudinal elastic bands 4 (FIGS. 4, 6-8). The removable latitudinal elastic band 4 is preferably made of Rubber like materials such as Neoprene, EPDM, Silicone etc. that possessed high UV tolerant, wide temperature range, good elongation and retention characteristics. There are mushroom shape pins 41 (FIGS. 6-8) on inner circumference of the removable latitudinal elastic band 4. The removable latitudinal elastic bands 4 (FIG. 6) have many important functions for the invention. First, the mushroom shape pins 41 allow for a quick assembly of pods 21 to form an annular cylindrical or chiller 2. Second, the equal spacing of the mushroom shape pins 41 defines the exact positions for identical pods 21 when assembling them together. The result is a perfect annular cylinder by definition. Third, even more important condition is the removable latitudinal elastic bands 4 are designed to exert gripping action to the inserted drink object when placed inside chiller 2. Naturally, the gripping action produces a direct contact of the ridges 211 with the inserted drink object. Fourth, the removable latitudinal elastic bands 4 automatically enable for immediate expansion/contraction of the chiller 2's interior compartment, when receiving/removing drink object. Lastly, any failed identical pod 21 or elastic band 4 can quickly be detached and replaced because of the through-holes and mushroom shape pins 41 design.

As more fully illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 & 10-12, the cap 3 contributes to the importance of the invention; by capping and sealing, the dissipation rate of the thermal energy from the inserted drink object and the chiller 2 is trapped, delayed, circulated and insulated from ambient conditions. The cap 3 is preferably constructed of Neoprene, EPDM, Silicone etc. that possesses high UV tolerance, wide temperature range, good elongation and retention characteristics. Its inner opening 33 is designed to be smaller than the smallest known diameter of a drink object to be used. There are through-holes 31 (FIGS. 1-3 & 10-12) on the cap 3. The through-holes 31 are designed to relieve suction caused by the directed and sealed contact of the inner lip 32 of cap 3 (FIG. 12) with the drink object while being inserted/lifted in cup 1. Furthermore, the action of the inner lip 32 of cap 3, when in the directed and sealed contact with the drink object, also makes a wiping effect as the drink object being inserted/lifted. The wiping effect acts to remove particles and/or condensations deposited on the drink object's outer surface.

FIGS. 2 & 10-12 shown an annular space 5. The annular space 5 allows for contraction or expansion of the chiller 2 when receiving a different diameter drink object for each use.

A quick look at FIG. 1, one will note the simplicity of the design and the use of the invention. Prior to usage, the chiller 2 is frozen to an icy condition. It is placed inside cup 1 and automatically fallen in centered position by the raised diameter 11 (FIG. 2). Next, the cap 3 is pressed down inside the cup 1 until it lands on ledge 12 (FIG. 2) for a defined dead stop. And now, a pre-chilled drink object is inserted into cup 1 through the inner opening 33 of cap 3 to receive the discharging of thermal energy from the chiller 2. The discharged thermal energy keeps the pre-chilled drink object at a desired temperature for extended length of time in ambient conditions. The drink object may be inserted/lifted at will with no cause and effect to the apparatus.

As known from above, the embodiment of the invention illustrated and detailed the simple, effectiveness and usefulness of an apparatus to deliver the desired chill temperature to any drink object in the form of canned or bottled.

It will be apparent that many applications will lend themselves to utilization of this invention. Although, the invention is particularly suited for chilling drink object of canned or bottled; the invention could be modified and utilized for other industries.

While certain novel features of this invention have shown and described in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and modifications in the forms and details of the apparatus illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the purpose of chilling a canned or bottled object, it is comprising:

a. a cup like structure for receiving;

b. a removable chiller of the form annular cylindrical sleeve capable of receiving a cylindrical object, for which both are placed inside said cup like structure; then

c. a removable ring cap to latch onto said cup like structure to cover the chamber within.

2. The removable chiller of claim 1, wherein the removable chiller further comprising of a plurality of identical pods, whereas identical pods are collectively joined on equal spacing by removable latitudinal elastic bands.

3-13. (canceled)

14. The removable chiller of claim 1, wherein the removable chiller further comprising of a plurality of identical pods, whereas each identical pod has through holes from convex side to concave side.

15. The removable chiller of claim 1, wherein the removable chiller further comprising of a plurality of identical pods, whereas each identical pod has ridge structures on concave side.

16. The ridge structures on each of identical pod of claim 15, wherein said the ridge structures are to be made thicker or none, whereas to increase/decrease the separation space between a cylindrical object and said removable chiller's inner compartment.

17. The removable latitudinal elastic bands of claim 2, wherein said each removable latitudinal elastic band has mushroom shape pins on equal spacing along inner circumference.

18. The through holes on each of identical pod of claim 14, wherein said the through holes facilitate the attachment of the mushroom shape pins of said removable latitudinal elastic bands.

19. The removable latitudinal elastic bands of claim 2, wherein said removable latitudinal elastic bands are classified as flexible rings.

20. The removable latitudinal elastic bands of claim 2, wherein said removable latitudinal elastic bands are attached transversely on convex sides of identical pods.

21. The removable latitudinal elastic bands of claim 2, wherein said removable latitudinal elastic bands exert radial compression force upon a cylindrical object placed within said removable chiller.

22. The removable latitudinal elastic bands of claim 2, wherein said removable latitudinal elastic bands enable said removable chiller's interior compartment to expand/contract readily and uniformly when receiving/removing a cylindrical object.

23. The removable ring cap of claim 1, wherein said removable ring cap has flexible seal structure on inner diameter to perform as ring wiper when receiving/removing a cylindrical object within said cup.

24. The removable ring cap of claim 1, wherein said removable ring cap has through holes to relieve suction when receiving/removing a cylindrical object within said cup.