ICE BARRELS WITH STACKABLE CONFIGURATION

Abstract

A stackable beverage container adapted to hold ice and beverages. The stackable beverage container includes a receptacle unit. The receptacle unit includes a continuous sidewall coupled to a bottom wall. The continuous sidewall and the bottom wall of the receptacle unit form a receptacle interior cavity. The receptacle interior cavity is the portion of the stackable beverage container used to hold or store ice and beverages placed therein. The bottom wall of the receptacle unit also includes a drain outlet formed therein. Additionally, the stackable beverage container includes a base unit. The base unit includes a continuous sidewall coupled to a top wall. The continuous sidewall and the top wall of the base unit form a base interior cavity. The top wall of the base unit includes an aperture formed therein. The aperture may receive the drain outlet of the receptacle unit. The bottom wall of the receptacle unit is also detachably coupled to the top wall of the base unit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to ice barrels adapted for holding ice and beverages and, more particularly, to ice barrels with a stackable configuration for stacking vertically.

Ice barrel containers or “beverage containers” are well-known in the art and are extensively utilized at retail markets, sporting events, and promotional events. The beverage containers facilitate the storage of ice and beverages. Ice is placed within an interior cavity of the ice barrel. Beverages may then be dispersed within the ice barrel. The ice within the barrel keeps the beverages placed therein cool. Beverages, e.g., soft drinks or beer in cans or bottles, are often displayed at retail outlets in chilled containers such as ice barrels. The ice barrels are frequently located close to check-out counters to entice impulse purchases by departing customers. Normally, these containers are comprised of an open top receptacle having a bottom wall, a continuous upright sidewall forming an interior cavity, and a drain positioned near the bottom wall to allow drainage of water. In some containers, the drain is positioned in the side wall to allow drainage of water or other fluids. The receptacle cavity is filled with a quantity of beverages and ice to chill the beverages.

A well known beverage container configuration includes the cylinder configuration. The beverage container is comprised of an open top receptacle having a bottom wall and a continuous upright side wall forming an interior cavity in the shape of a cylinder. In this configuration the diameter of the bottom wall and the diameter of the open top receptacle are generally equal. This type of configuration prevents stacking of a plurality of similarly sized beverage containers efficiently in such a way that storage space is saved. Further, other beverages containers well know in the art and in the marketplace are not configured for storage saving vertical stacking when the beverage containers are disassembled. For example, the cylinder beverage container configuration is difficult to stack. In the situation where the open top receptacle circumference is approximately equal to the circumference of the bottom portion of another like beverage container, the beverage container is not configured to accept another similar beverage container via the open top receptacle. However, some beverage containers are configured to be vertically stacked one on top of another. Typically, these stackable beverage containers are very limited to the amount of beverage containers that may be stackable one on top of the other.

Beverage containers are also used at large venues that attract a multitude of people. At these events, hundreds of these beverage containers are used. An important attribute when using so many beverage containers is the ability to assemble and disassemble quickly and easily. Furthermore, these beverage containers are stored in storage containers and trucks and utilize a lot of storage space. Thus, the ability to stack a plurality of beverage containers for storage or shipping in a vertical stackable space saving arrangement is highly desirable. The beverage containers that are stackable are typically very limited to the quantity of beverage containers that are vertically stackable upon one another and therefore do not provide a stackable configuration that is compact and efficient for storage or shipping. In other words, although the containers may be stackable, the portion of the beverage container that is accepted into another beverage container in a stackable configuration is often limited. This limitation results in a stackable configuration of a plurality of beverage containers reaching a vertical height that may be insufficient for space saving storage.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-identified deficiencies in the art. In this regard, the present invention is directed to a stackable beverage container adapted to hold ice and beverages. The stackable beverage container includes a receptacle unit. The receptacle unit includes a continuous sidewall coupled to a bottom wall. The sidewall and the bottom wall of the receptacle unit form a receptacle interior cavity. The receptacle interior cavity is the portion of the stackable beverage container used to hold or store ice and beverages placed therein. The bottom wall of the receptacle unit also includes a drain outlet formed therein. The drain outlet is configured to receive fluid from the interior cavity for draining purposes. In this respect, when ice is stored in the interior cavity of the receptacle unit, as the ice melts, the water formed within the receptacle unit is drained via the drain outlet formed in the bottom wall. Additionally, the stackable beverage container includes a base unit. The base unit is configured to function as a stand for the receptacle unit. The base unit includes a continuous sidewall coupled to a top wall. The sidewall and the top wall of the base unit form a base interior cavity. The top wall of the base unit includes an aperture formed therein. The aperture may receive the drain outlet of the receptacle unit. The bottom wall of the receptacle unit is also detachably coupled to the top wall of the base unit.

It is contemplated that the receptacle unit of the stackable beverage container is configured to receive other like receptacle units for stacking one receptacle unit upon another like receptacle unit. It is also contemplated that a plurality of receptacle units can be stacked within one another. The base unit of the stackable beverage container may also be formed to be stacked within another like base unit. A plurality of base units can be stacked within one another. The interior cavity of the receptacle unit is formed to receive a plurality of stackable receptacle units. Additionally, the interior cavity of the receptacle unit is formed to receive a plurality of stackable base units. Similarly, the interior cavity of the base unit is configured to receive a plurality of stackable base units and a plurality of stackable receptacle units.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle unit of the stackable beverage container is formed in a frusto-conical shape. It is also contemplated that the base unit may also be shaped in the form of a frusto-conical shape. Another aspect of the present invention contemplates that the receptacle unit is formed in a frusto-pyramidal shape. Additionally, the base unit of the stackable beverage container may also be formed in a frusto-pyramidal shape.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the interior cavity of the receptacle unit is insulated for minimizing heat gain. It is also contemplated that the receptacle unit is coupled to the base unit when the aperture of the top wall of the base unit receives the drain outlet of the receptacle unit. The receptacle unit may also include a peripheral inner flange portion along the edge of the continuous sidewall. Additionally, the base unit of the stackable beverage container may also include a peripheral inner flange portion along the edge of the continuous sidewall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of a stackable beverage container constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a disassembled stackable beverage container depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the stackable beverage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of multiple receptacle and base units shown stacked within one another to facilitate handling and storage of the stackable beverage containers of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of stacking beverage containers. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the stackable beverage container 10 is adapted for holding ice and beverages within a receptacle unit 12. The receptacle unit 12 of the stackable beverage container 10 includes an open top for receiving ice and beverages. The ice and beverages are also withdrawn from the receptacle unit 12 of the stackable beverage container 10 via the open top. In one embodiment, the stackable beverage container 10 may include a cover (not shown) to be placed over the open top of the receptacle unit 12. It is contemplated that the cover minimizes heat gain within the receptacle unit 12 and thus keeps the beverages stored therein, cooler for a longer period of time. The receptacle unit 12 of the stackable beverage container 10 is constructed from a continuous sidewall 14 and a bottom wall 16. The continuous sidewall 14 is coupled to the bottom wall 16. An aspect of the present invention contemplates that the continuous sidewall 14 extends upwardly away from the bottom wall 16. The edge of the continuous sidewall 14 of the receptacle unit 12 forms the open top portion of the receptacle unit 12. In one embodiment, the edge of the sidewall 14 includes a peripheral inner flange 34. The peripheral inner flange 34 at the edge of the continuous sidewall 14 may be used as a means for gripping the stackable beverage container 10 to easily maneuver the container 10 or to assemble and disassemble the stackable beverage container 10. The bottom wall 16 and the continuous sidewall 14 form an interior cavity 18. The interior cavity 18 is the portion of the stackable beverage container 10 that is adapted for holding ice and beverages. The interior cavity 18 of the receptacle unit 12 may include insulation material to minimize heat gain to the interior cavity 18 and thus keep the beverages stored therein cool.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the bottom wall 16 of the receptacle unit 12 includes a drain outlet 20. The drain outlet 20 receives fluid from the interior cavity 18 of the receptacle unit 12. Ice that may be stored within the interior cavity 18 of the receptacle unit transforms from a solid state into a liquid in the form of water. The water then flows down the interior cavity 18 of the receptacle unit 12 toward the drain outlet 20. In one embodiment, the drain outlet 20 is formed in the shape of a cylinder extending from the bottom wall 16 away from the open top of the interior cavity 18 of the receptacle unit 12. The drain outlet 20 may also be used as a means to couple a stand or a base to the receptacle unit 12. This aspect of the invention contemplates that the drain outlet 20 is received by the stand or base to form the stackable beverage container 10. The drain outlet 20 once received by the stand or base provides secure coupling and balance of the receptacle unit 12 with reference to the stand or base.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the stackable beverage container 10 includes a base unit 22. The base unit 22 is constructed from a continuous sidewall 24 and a top wall 26. The continuous sidewall 24 is coupled to the top wall 26 to form a base interior cavity 28. The top wall 26 of the base unit 22 includes an aperture 30 formed therein. The aperture 30 is sized to receive the drain outlet 20 of the receptacle unit 12. The bottom wall 16 of the receptacle unit 12 is detachably coupled to the top wall 26 of the base unit 22. The drain outlet 20 configuration of the bottom wall 16 and the aperture 30 of the top wall allows for the receptacle unit 12 to be detachably coupled to the base unit 22. In this respect, when the receptacle unit 12 is coupled to the base unit 22, the base unit functions as a stand for the receptacle unit 12. Additionally, the base interior cavity 28 of the base unit 22 is configured to receive fluid flow from the drain outlet 20. The base interior cavity 28 is also configured to receive another like base unit 22 or the receptacle unit 12 when the base unit 22 is detached from the receptacle unit 12 and used for storage of a plurality of stackable beverage containers 10.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the base unit 22 is constructed in a frusto-conical shape. In this regard, the top wall 26 of the base unit 22 is circular in shape. Additionally, an open bottom portion of the base unit 22 that provides access to the base interior cavity 28 is also circular in shape. It is contemplated that the diameter of the circular open bottom portion of the base unit 22 is greater than the diameter of the circular top wall 26. As a result, the continuous sidewall 24 of the base unit 22 extends from the top wall 26 downward to the open bottom portion of the base unit 22 in a sloped manner. The open bottom portion forms an edge for the base unit 22. It is contemplated that the edge of the continuous sidewall 24 includes a peripheral inner flange portion 32. The peripheral inner flange portion 32 of the base unit 22 is a means for gripping the base unit 22. The peripheral inner flange portion 32 also provides the stackable beverage container 10 with greater balance.

Another embodiment of the present invention contemplates that the interior cavity 18 formed by the continuous sidewall 14 and the bottom wall 16 is constructed in the form of a frusto-conical shape. Another embodiment contemplates the receptacle unit constructed in the form of a frusto-pyrimidal shape. The frusto-conical shape of the receptacle unit 12 contemplates the bottom wall 16 having a circular shape. At the top portion of the continuous sidewall 14 is an open top to the interior cavity 18. The open top of the receptacle unit 12 is also formed of a generally circular shape. However, it is contemplated that the diameter of the circularly shaped open top to the interior cavity 18 is greater than the diameter of the bottom wall 16. In this regard, the radius of the interior cavity 18 increases as the continuous sidewall 14 extends upwardly from the bottom wall 16 to the open top of the interior cavity 18. Therefore, the receptacle unit 12 is sloped in a manner that is conducive for allowing fluid within the interior cavity 18 to flow to the bottom wall 16 where the drain outlet 20 is located.

The uppermost portion of the continuous sidewall 14 forms the open top of the interior cavity 18 of the receptacle unit 12. It is contemplated that the uppermost portion of the continuous sidewall 14 includes the peripheral inner flange portion 34. The peripheral inner flange portion 22 provides a means for which to grip the receptacle unit 12. The open top of the interior cavity 18 is configured to accept ice and beverages for storage within the interior cavity 18. In one embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle unit 12 is configured to accept a plurality of like receptacle units 12. An aspect of the present invention contemplates the interior cavity 18 of the receptacle unit 12 being configured to accept at least seventy five percent in terms of depth of another like receptacle unit 12. In other words, the receptacle unit 12 may be stored within another receptacle unit 12 to at least seventy five percent of the stored receptacle unit 12 height. This configuration allows for a plurality of receptacle units 12 to be stacked vertically as shown in FIG. 4.

An aspect of the present invention contemplates that the base unit 22 is configured to receive other like base units 22. In this regard, the base interior cavity 28 of the base unit 22 is configured to accept at least ninety percent of another like base unit 12 as it correlates to depth of the base unit 22. In other words, the base unit 22 is configured to receive another like base unit 22 within the base interior cavity 28 wherein at least ninety percent of the height of the base unit 22 is stored within the base interior cavity of another base unit 22. This configuration allows for a plurality of base units 22 to be stacked vertically as shown in FIG. 4. Further, the base unit 22 is flipped over such that the top wall 26 is flush with a surface rather than being coupled to the bottom wall 16 of the receptacle unit 12. In this position, the base unit 22 is configured to receive a plurality of receptacle units 12 within the base interior cavity 28. Thus, the stackable beverage container 10 is easily assembled and disassembled. The plurality of stackable beverage containers 10 are disassembled and stacked vertically to save space. Additionally, the dimensions of the receptacle unit 12 and the base unit 22 of the stackable beverage container 10 allow for a plurality of stackable beverage containers 10 to be stored or shipped while limiting the volume of space required. The stackable beverage container 10 saves space for storage and shipping when disassembled. Additionally, the stackable beverage container 10 is configured to be quickly assembled and disassembled.

Claims

1. A stackable beverage container adapted to hold ice and beverages comprising:

a receptacle unit having a continuous sidewall coupled to a bottom wall forming an interior cavity for storing ice and beverages;

a drain outlet formed within the bottom wall of the receptacle unit for receiving fluid from the interior cavity of the receptacle unit; and

a base unit having a continuous sidewall coupled to a top wall forming a base interior cavity, the top wall having an aperture formed therein for receiving the drain outlet of the receptacle unit, the bottom wall of the receptacle unit being detachably coupled to the top wall of the base unit.

2. The stackable beverage container of claim 1, wherein the receptacle unit is formed to be stacked within another like receptacle unit.

3. The stackable beverage container of claim 2, wherein a plurality of receptacle units can be stacked within one another.

4. The stackable beverage container of claim 1, wherein the base unit is formed to be stacked within another like base unit.

5. The stackable beverage container of claim 4, wherein a plurality of base units can be stacked within one another.

6. The stackable beverage container of claim 1, wherein the receptacle unit is formed in a frusto-conical shape.

7. The stackable beverage container of claim 1, wherein the base unit is formed in a frusto-conical shape.

8. The stackable beverage container of claim 1, wherein the interior cavity of the receptacle unit is insulated for minimizing heat gain.

9. The stackable beverage container of claim 1, wherein the receptacle unit is coupled to the base unit when the aperture of the top wall of the base unit receives the drain outlet of the receptacle unit.

10. The stackable beverage container of claim 1, wherein the continuous sidewall forming the receptacle unit include a peripheral inner flange portion.

11. The stackable beverage container of claim 1, wherein the continuous sidewall forming the base unit include a peripheral inner flange portion.

12. The stackable beverage container of claim 1, wherein a lid member is configured to cover the interior cavity of the receptacle unit.

13. A stackable beverage container adapted to hold ice and beverages comprising:

a receptacle unit constructed from a continuous sidewall coupled to a bottom wall forming an interior cavity for holding ice and beverages, the bottom wall having a drain outlet for receiving fluid, the interior cavity of the receptacle unit configured to receive a plurality of stackable receptacle units; and

a base unit detachably coupled to the receptacle unit, the base unit constructed from four continuous sidewalls coupled to a top wall forming a base interior cavity, the top wall having an aperture for receiving the drain outlet of the receptacle unit, the base interior cavity configured to receive a plurality of stackable receptacle units, the base interior cavity also being configured to receive a plurality of stackable base units.