Cooling Device

Abstract

A cooling device may be disposable in front of a fan. The cooling device may comprise a container fillable with fluid or material capable of being chilled to a temperature below ambient temperature. The container may have a plurality of through holes through which air blown by the fan may flow through. As the air flows through the through holes, heat is transferred from the air to the chilled container to provide chilled air. The cooling device may have a system for routing water condensate. Additionally, the cooling device may have a base and tray for collecting the water condensate.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a cooling device.

During the summer, the local temperature may be uncomfortably high. Additionally, even if the local temperature is within a comfortable range, a person may be in a home, building or manufacturing plant wherein the temperature in the structure (e.g., on the shop floor) is uncomfortably high. The structure may act as an oven trapping heat during a hot summer day. Additionally, equipment (e.g., stereo, TV, printing press, etc.) within the structure may increase the temperature due to its motor or other components which generate heat.

Cooling a large enclosed space with an air conditioner may be cost prohibitive. Accordingly, employers and home owners may be reluctant to cool an entire space via air conditioning. Other devices for providing comfort to a person have been devised. For example, a mist of water may be sprayed in the air to cool the person when the water mist evaporates off of the person's skin. Fans circulate air within a room. Unfortunately, these other means of providing comfort to the person may be insufficient. For example, the fan merely blows hot air upon the person or circulates hot air within the room while the motor of the fan generates heat thereby increasing the temperature of the room. The water mist cools people only to a certain degree.

Other devices exist to cool the ambient air to a temperature below the ambient temperature. For example, a block of ice or other cooled material may be placed in front of a fan such that the fan blows ambient air over the cooled material. Heat is transferred into the cooled material to cool the ambient air and provide chilled air to the person. Unfortunately, these devices may be inefficient in transferring heat from the air to the chilled material. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved device for providing chilled air to a person.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The cooling device described herein addresses the needs identified above, known in the art and disclosed below. The cooling device may have a plurality of through holes through which ambient air may flow to produce cooled or chilled air. The through holes of the cooling device may have various configurations (e.g., zig-zag, up and down, converging, diverging, etc.) to promote heat transfer of heat from the ambient air to the cooling device. Moreover, the cooling device may have a system for draining water condensate that forms on the exterior surface of the cooling device. By way of example and not limitation, the cooling device may have interconnecting vias that drain fluid from an upper through hole to a lower through hole. Also, the cooling device may have exit vias that drain the water condensate within a through hole to the exterior of the cooling device or to the bottom surface of a container of the cooling device. A tray may be located below one or more containers that are chilled to collect the dripping water condensate.

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 an exploded perspective view of a system for providing cooled air;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of cooled containers illustrating through holes for increasing the efficiency of the heat transfer between ambient air and the cooled container and/or draining water condensate;

FIG. 2A illustrates alternate embodiments of the through holes shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2B illustrates further alternate embodiments of the through holes shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2C illustrates a further alternate embodiment of the through holes shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2D illustrates further alternate embodiments of the through holes shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a cap having a two way valve;

FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view of the cap shown in FIG. 3A illustrating air flowing into the container;

FIG. 3C is a cross sectional view of the cap illustrating air exiting the container;

FIG. 4 is an alternate embodiment of a cooled container of a cooling system;

FIG. 5 is a further alternate embodiment of a base for holding the cooled container shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a cooling system for a tower fan;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a cooling system for a tower fan;

FIG. 8 is a side exploded view of the cooling system shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 8A is a rear view of a bottom portion of a base of the cooling system shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sleeve for a single container;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sleeve for two containers; and

FIG. 11 is an alternate embodiment of a cooled container of a cooling system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The cooling device 10 includes a container 12 (see FIG. 1) filled with fluid 14 (see FIG. 2) which may be chilled to a temperature below ambient temperature. The container 12 additionally has a plurality of through holes 16. The cooling device 10 is placed in front of a fan 18 which blows air in the direction of arrows 20. The fan 18 forces air through the through holes 16. As the air flows through the through holes 16, heat within the air is transferred into the chilled fluid 14 within the container 12. Chilled air exits the exit aperture 22 (see FIG. 2) of the through holes 16. The chilled air is at a temperature below ambient temperature. In an aspect of the cooling device 10, the configuration of the through holes 16 may be configured to promote heat transfer. Additionally, during use of the cooling device 10, the cooling device 10 may incorporate a system for condensation drainage. Other aspects of the cooling device are disclosed herein. The above mentioned aspects of the cooling device are mentioned for the purposes of providing examples and not for limitation.

As shown in FIG. 2, the through holes 16 may have an entrance aperture 24 fluidly connected to the exit aperture 22. A plurality of through holes 16 may be formed in the container 12. Each of the through holes 16 may be identical to the other through holes 16. Moreover, the entrance aperture 24 may be larger than the exit aperture 22. The through holes 16 may gradually become narrower (i.e., converge) in a direction from the entrance aperture 24 to the exit aperture 22. In this manner, the velocity of the air may increase as it travels through the through holes 16.

The cooling device 10 may additionally comprise a base 26 and a tray 28, as shown in FIG. 1. One or more containers 12 may be secured to the base 26. Sidewalls 30 of the container 12 may have a receiving cavity 32 sized and configured to receive corresponding protrusion 34 of the base 26. The receiving cavity 32 may have an elongate configuration which is indented into the sidewall 30. Accordingly if the container 12 is pushed forward or backward (i.e., tilted), the protrusion 34 prevents tilting of the container 12. The protrusion 34 may be formed in sidewalls 36 of the base 26. The protrusions 34 may protrude inwardly toward opposed sidewalls 36. A ledge 38 may additionally be incorporated under the protrusion 34. When the container 12 is placed in the base 26, the protrusion 34 is inserted into the receiving cavity 32. When the container 12 is placed in the base 26, the bottom surface 40 of the container 12 may be raised above the floor 42 of the base 26. To this end, the sidewalls 30 of the container 12 may rest on the upper end of the protrusion 34. Alternatively or additionally, the bottom surface 40 of the container 12 may rest on the ledge 38. When the container 12 is placed in the base 26, there may be a gap between the bottom surface 40 of the container 12 and the floor 42 of the base 26.

The tray 28 may be placed within the gap between the bottom surface 40 of the container 12 and the floor 42 of the base 26. The tray 28 may also be removed from the base 26. The tray 28 may serve as a reservoir in which water condensate on the container 12 may drip for removal at a later time. More particularly, as the fan 18 blows air through the through holes 16 of the container 12, the warmer air upon contact with the cold container 12 produces water condensate on the exterior surface of the container 12. Over a period of time, the water condensate will begin to drip downward on the exterior surface of the container 12. Most of the condensate may form on the surface of the through holes 16. Accordingly, the water condensate will tend to drip down the forward or rearward sides of the container 12. A length 44 of the tray 28 may be longer than a thickness(es) 46 of the container 12 or containers 12. When the tray 28 is disposed between the container 12 and the base 26, the front and rear edges of the tray 28 may be disposed in front of the forward side of the container and in back of the rearward side of the container 12. Accordingly, when the water condensate drips down the container 12, the water drips into the tray 28 which can be removed at a later time for removal of water. Preferably, the width 48 of the tray 28 is wider than the width 50 of the plurality of through holes 16 or the width 52 of the container 12.

The floor 42 of the base 26 may optionally have a plurality of wheels 54 which assist in inserting the tray 28 into the base 26 or removal therefrom, as shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, the tray 28 may be locked into the base 26 via a lip 56 and aperture 58. The lip 56 may be formed on a front side of the tray 28. The lip 56 may protrude downward. The aperture 58 may be formed in the floor 42 of the base 26. When the tray 28 is inserted into the base 26, the lip 56 may rest within the aperture 58 when the tray 28 is in position with respect to the container 12. To further assist in positioning the tray 28 with respect to the container 12, an optional block 60 may be formed on the floor 42 and/or the sidewalls 36. The rearward edge of the tray 28 may contact the optional block 60 when the tray 28 is in position. Alternatively, the sidewalls 36 of the base 26 may have rollers 104. The tray 28 may have rails 106 extending from opposed sides of the tray 28. The rails 106 may rest upon the rollers 104. The first roller 104a may be higher than the rest of the rear rollers 104b, c such that the first roller 104a may be seated into the depression 108 or gap formed in the rails 106.

The base and tray 26, 28 shown in FIG. 1 may also be rotatable 180 degrees so that the tray 28 pulls out away from the fan 18 instead of toward the fan 18 as shown by the tray 28 shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 2-2D, various configurations of the through holes 16 are contemplated. Referring now to FIG. 2, by way of example and not limitation, the upper and lower surfaces 62, 64 defining the through holes 16 may project upward. The proximal portion of the upper surface 62 may project downward in a direction from the entrance aperture 24 to the exit aperture 22. The distal portion of the lower surface 64 of the through holes 16 may project upward. The upper surfaces 62 may be horizontal and flat. When water condensate forms on the lower surface 64 of the through holes 16, gravity will tend to draw the water condensate back toward the rearward side of the container 12. Water condensate which forms on the upper surface 62 will drip onto the lower surface 64. The fan 18 blows the air toward the exit aperture attempting to push the water condensate upward. However, a majority, if not all, of the water condensate will drip back toward the entrance aperture 24 of the lower surface 64 of the through holes 16 due to gravity. The water condensate will drip downward and will eventually be collected in the tray 28.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, various configurations of the through holes 16 are shown. In the through holes 16a, the upper surface 62a curves generally downward. The lower surface 64a is generally flat. The through hole 16b is a mirror image of the through holes 16a. Alternatively, the lower surface 64b of the through holes 16b and the upper surface 62b may project upward to allow water condensate to drip toward the rearward direction.

Through hole 16c may have two vanes 17a, b. The upper vane 17a may snake forward then rearward then forward again. The distal portion of the through hole 16c may have upper and lower surfaces 62c, 64c that project in a generally upward direction to promote water condensate to drip rearward. Through holes 16c may have two entrance apertures 24 wherein the flow path defined by both entrance apertures 24 connect near the distal portion of the through holes 16c.

Through holes 16d and 16e may snake upward and downward in a direction from the entrance aperture 24d, e and the exit aperture 22d, e. The distal portions of the through holes 16d, e may have upper and lower surfaces 62d, e and 64d, e that project generally in an upward direction. Accordingly, when water condensate reaches the distal portions of the through holes 16d, e, the water condensate will tend to drip backward against the flow of air. To prevent water from gathering and remaining within the through holes 16d, e, the valleys of the through holes may have an interconnecting via 66 which permits the water condensate to flow downward into lower through holes 16. For example, the water condensate formed in the through holes 16d may flow through the interconnecting via 66 into the through holes 16e. It is also contemplated that the valleys of the through holes 16 may have an exit via 68. The exit via 68 flows the water condensate formed in through hole 16e to the exterior surface of the container 12. The water condensate may then drip downward into the tray 28. The through holes 16f may have two curved and converging upper and lower surfaces 62f, 64f. It is also contemplated that the upper and lower surfaces 62f, 64f may be straight as shown by the dashed lines.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, additional alternative embodiments of the through holes 16 are shown. For example, the through hole 16g is a mirror configuration of through hole 16c. Through hole 16h may snake forward then rearward then forward again in a gradually upward direction. The valley of the through hole 16h may have an exit aperture 68 to drain water condensate that forms in the through hole 16h to the exterior of the container 12. Through hole 16i may have upper and lower surfaces 62i, 64i that diverge away from each other. Through hole 16j may have upper and lower surfaces 62j, 64j that are generally flat and parallel to each other. Through holes 16k may have upper and lower surfaces 62k, 64k that converge then diverge away from each other in a direction from the entrance aperture 24k to exit aperture 22k.

Referring now to FIG. 2C, the through hole 161 may have upper and lower vanes 70a, b that snake forward then rearward then forward again. A central vane 70c may also be located between the upper and lower vanes 70a, b. The lower surface 641 may project horizontally, downwardly, or upwardly to allow water condensate to drip rearward. Upper surface 621 may be generally horizontal, generally projected upward or generally projected downward.

Referring now to FIG. 2D, other through hole configurations 16m, n, o and p are also contemplated. For example, the through hole 16m may have a generally flat upper surface 62m projecting generally upward. The lower surface 64m may have a half heart configuration. As air flows through the through hole 16m from the entrance aperture 24m to the exit aperture 22m, the air may become turbulent within the heart shaped cavity. The through hole 16n may have a lower surface 64m substantially similar to the lower surface 64m of the through hole 16m. Moreover, the upper surface 62m may be a mirror configuration with the lower surface 64m.

In relation to through hole 16o, the upper and lower surfaces 62o and 64o may each have similar circular configurations. The upper and lower surfaces 62o and 64o may be mirror configurations of each other. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2D, the apexes 72 may coincide with the semicircular shaped cavity of the other side. By way of example and not limitation, the apex 72a may coincide with the cavity 74a. Likewise, the apex 72b may coincide with cavity 74b. As discussed above, the upper and lower surfaces 62, 64 have mirror configurations of each other, as shown by through hole 16p. The through holes 16m, n, o and p may be interconnected to each other through interconnecting vias 66 to drain water condensate out of the through holes 16 and into the tray 28. The lower most through hole 16p may have an exit via 68 to drain water condensate to the exterior surface of the container 12. It is also contemplated that the lower most through hole 16 or any other through hole 16 may have an exit via 68 that routes water condensate directly to the bottom surface of the container 12.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the through holes 16 may have a generally horizontal upper surface 62 and a generally upwardly directed lower surface 64. The entrance aperture 24 and the exit aperture 22 may be at generally the same level such that when a plurality of containers 12 are stacked one in front of the other, the air may flow through the through holes 16 of the stacked containers 12. After air flows through the through hole 16 of the first container 12, the air may flow through the through hole 16 of the subsequent container(s) 12.

Referring now back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cooling device 10 may be scaled larger such that a plurality of containers 12 are stacked one in front of the other to further lower the temperature of the cold air provided to the person and/or to extend the amount of time that the cooling device provides chilled air. To this end, the base 26 may have additional protrusions 34 that match up with the receiving cavities 32 of the additional containers 12. The tray 28 is also likewise sized to the additional containers 12 as well as the base 26. The exit aperture 22 of the through holes 16 of a container 12 may direct air into the through holes 16 of an adjacent container 12. This is illustratively shown by the arrows of FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, a cap 76 (see also FIG. 2D) for closing the container 12 is shown. The cap 76 may have internal threads 78 (see FIG. 3B) for threading onto external threads formed in the container 12. Preferably, the cap 76 is threaded onto the top surface or upper portion of the container 12 as shown in FIG. 2D. The cap 76 may have two air passages 80a, b, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C. These air passages may be stopped with a plug 82a, b. These plugs 82a, b are resiliently biased against an opening 84a, b with resilient arms 86a, b.

As discussed above, the container 12 may be filled with fluid 14 that is chilled below the ambient temperature. For example, water may be filled within the container 12 and chilled in a refrigerator. As the water is frozen, the frozen ice begins to expand within the container 12. The air passage 80a allows air within the container 12 to escape out of the container 12 such that the container 12 does not bulge outward. As the ice expands, the pressure within the container increases until the pressure overcomes the biased force of the resilient arm 86a. Air is allowed to escape out of the container 12. Conversely, as the ice melts, the air pressure within the container 12 may decrease to overcome the biased force of the resilient arm 86b. At that moment, air is allowed to reenter the container 12 through air passage 80b. To further aid in preventing the container 12 from bulging as it is frozen in a refrigerator, salt or other additives may be added into the water to decrease the freezing temperature of the water. In this manner, the refrigerator may bring the temperature of the water lower without freezing. A portion of the water may freeze (e.g., top surface). However, the entire volume of water does not freeze. Alternative fluids that are known in the art may also be used to decrease the freezing temperature.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, an alternate embodiment of the cooling device 10 is shown. The container 12a shown in FIG. 4 fit within the base 26a shown in FIG. 5. The bottom surface of the base 26a may have ribs 88 which support the container above the floor of the base 26a. In this manner, there is a gap between the bottom surface of the container 12a and the floor of the base 26a. As water condensate drips down the container 12a, the water condensate gathers within the gap. The sidewalls 90 may be gapped away from the exterior surface of the container 12a to permit the water to drip downward into the tray. Alternatively and/or additionally, the through holes 16 formed in the container 12a may have exit vias 68 that drain toward the bottom surface 40a of the container 12a. Additionally, the container 12a may have receiving cavities 32a for receiving protrusions 34a formed in the base 26a. The base 26a shown in FIG. 5 fits two containers 12a. However, it is also contemplated that the base 26a may be extended to fit one or more containers 12a. It is contemplated that the ribs 88 may be eliminated from the base 26a. The container 12a may be supported above the floor of the base 26a by the protrusions 34a received into the receiving cavities 32a of the container 12a.

The containers 12 and 12a may have a handle 92 for allowing users to lift the container 12.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a perspective view of a base 26b for a tower fan 93 is shown. The base 26b may have a frame 94 which latches about the tower fan 93. At the outlets of the tower fan, the frame 94 have cavities 96a, b for holding containers 12a,b. The cavities 96a, b may be defined by the skeletal structure of the frame 94. The base 26b may additionally have upper supporting arms 100a, b and lower supporting arms 102a, b. The containers 12a, b that fits within the skeletal structure 96 may have through holes 16 for chilling the air exiting the tower fan 93. A tray 28b may be fitted at the bottom of the base 26b. The tray 28b may be removed from the frame 94 as required.

More particularly, the frame 94 have a skeletal structure to allow the air blown by the tower fan 93 to flow through the skeletal structure. The cavities 96a, b may be sized and configured to hold containers 12a, b. The containers 12a, b may have through holes and drainage vias 66, 68 substantially similar to the through holes and drainage vias discussed above. These through holes permit the air blown through the containers 12a, b by the tower fan 93 to transfer heat from the ambient air into the containers 12a, b. These containers 12a, b may have a chillable material disposed within the containers 12a, b.

The upper supporting arms 100a, b may surround the upper portion of the tower fan 93. The upper supporting arms 100a, b may be fabricated from a unitary material and be sized configured to snuggly fit about the upper portion of the tower fan 93 such that the upper supporting arms 100a, b support the frame 94 and the containers 12a, b. Alternatively, the upper supporting arms 100a, b may be fabricated from two separate members that are removable securable to each other for mounting or removing the base 26b from the tower fan. The lower supporting arms 102a, b may snuggly fit about the lower portion of the tower fan 93. The lower supporting arms 102a, b may be resilient such that the lower supporting arms 102a, b may be spread open and wrapped about the lower portion of the tower fan 93. Alternatively, the upper and lower supporting arms 100a, b and 102a, b may be sized and configured such that the frame 94 be slid over the tower fan 93.

It is contemplated that the chillable material filled within the containers 12a, b may be a gel like substance with a very low freezing temperature. In this manner, when the container is disposed within the freezer of a typical household refrigerator, the chillable material does not freeze but remains within the liquid state but is at a low temperature.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an exploded perspective view of a base 26c attachable to a tower fan 93 (see FIG. 6) is shown. The base 26c may comprise angled projections 112a, b, c and d. The angled projections 112a, b, c and d may have a rounded tip and be projected upwards. The base 26c may be attached to the tower fan 93 in a vertically upright position. The container 114 may be attached to the base 26c. In particular, the container 114 may have receiving cavities 116 formed in the sides of 118 of the container 114. The tower fan 93 may blow air through the aperture 120 of the base 26c. The through holes 16 of the container 114 may be aligned to the aperture 120 of the base 26c such that the air flows through the through holes 16 of the container 114.

A second pair of angled protrusions 122a, b may be located below the angled projections 112a, b, c and d. The angled protrusions 122a, b may have a generally flat upper surface 124. A tray 128 may be attached to the base 26c with the angled protrusions 122a, b. In particular, the tray 128 may have receiving cavities 130 of the tray 128. To attach the tray 128 to the base 26c, the angled protrusions 122a, b are inserted into the receiving cavities 130 of the tray 128. The receiving cavity 130 may have a nub 132 received into the indentation 126 formed in the flat upper surface 124 of the angled protrusions 122a, b.

The base 26c may comprise adjustable hooks 134a or 134b inserted into the grill of the tower fan 93, as shown in FIG. 8. The hook 134a has a T-shaped configuration. The hook 134b has an L-shaped configuration. In particular, a sliding nut 136 may be inserted into an enlarged opening 140 (see FIG. 8A). The sliding nut 136 may be inserted through the enlarged opening 140 and disposed within the slot 138. The sliding nut 136 may be slid to an optimal position based on the configuration of the tower fan 93. The sliding nut 136 may slide left and right within the slot 138, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 8A. To prevent the sliding nut 136 from rotating within the slot 138, the sliding nut 136 may have a square portion 141. The enlarged opening 140 may also have a square configuration. The square portion 141 of the sliding nut 136 is initially inserted into the enlarged opening 140. The square portion 141 is then slid within the slot 138. Since the square portion 141 of the sliding nut 136 is sized to the slot 138, the sliding nut 136 is prevented from rotating within the slot 138. To lock the sliding nut 136 in place, an enlarged outer bolt 142 may be threaded into the sliding nut 136 and tightened down to lock the position of the sliding nut 136. The hook 134 be secured to the sliding nut 136 in the following manner. A knurled knob 144 be snapped over a nub 146. Knurled knob 144 freely rotate about the nub 146 of the sliding nut 136. The knurled knob 144 additionally have a square shaped aperture 148. The hook 134a or b may have a square shaped stem 150 with a threaded portion 152. The threaded portion 152 may be inserted through the square shaped aperture 148 until the square shaped stem 150 is seated within the square shaped aperture 148. Rotation of the knurled knob 144 rotates the hook 134a, b. To lock the position of the hook 134a, b, an inner bolt 154 is inserted through the outer bolt 142. Threaded portion 152 of hook 134a, b is engaged and tightened to the internal threads 156 (see FIG. 8) of the inner bolt 154.

To mount the base 26c to the tower fan 93, the outer bolt 142 is tightened onto the sliding nut 136 to fix the position of the sliding nut 136. The knurled knob 144 is disposed over the nub 146 of the sliding nut 136. Hook 134a, b is threaded onto the inner bolt 154 but not tightened. The same structure and sequence may be incorporated into the lower portion of the base 26c.

The hook 134a, b may be inserted through the grill of the tower fan 93. By turning the knurled knob 144, the orientation of the hook 134 be shifted to engage the hook onto the grill of the tower fan 93. The user may maintain the orientation of the hook 134 by resting his/her thumb on the knurled knob 144 while tightening the inner bolt 154 onto the threaded portion 152 of the hook 134.

The lower portion of the base 26c may have a block 158. The block 158 may slide vertically within a receiving cavity 160. To lock the vertical position of the block 158 in the receiving cavity 160, a set screw 162 may be tightened against the block 158.

The container 12, 114 be disposed within a freezer section of a refrigerator with sleeves 164, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The sleeve 164a shown in FIG. 9 provides space within the freezer section for one container 12, 114. The sleeve 164b provides space for two containers 12, 114 within the freezer section of the refrigerator. The sleeve 164b may be expanded to fit three or more containers 12, 114.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the sleeve 164a may be fabricated from a generally rigid material. Preferably, the material of the sleeve 164 does not promote formation of ice on the sleeve 164. The sleeve 164a may be placed in the freezer section in a horizontal orientation, as shown in FIG. 9 or in a vertical position. When the sleeve 164a is placed in the horizontal orientation, the sleeve 164a may be supported by supporting block 166a, b. The support block 166a may be disposed at the proximal portion of the sleeve 164a. The supporting block 166a may additionally have an indentation 168 to be received into the grate found within certain refrigerators. The rear block 166b may be laid on top of the grate. Preferably, the thickness of the rear block 166b may be equal to a thickness of the front block 166a as determined by the lowest point of the indentation 168. To orient the sleeve 164a in the vertical orientation, the sleeve 164a is placed within the freezer section with the front block 166a formed on the narrow section of the sleeve 164a on the grate. The rear block 166b formed on the narrow section of the sleeve 164a may rest on the grate also. A plurality of rails 170 may be incorporated within the sleeve 164. One or more rails 170 may be formed on each side of the sleeve 164a. A cutout 172 may be formed in the sleeve 164a. The cutout 172 may be sufficiently wide and deep to expose the handle 92 of the container 12, 114. After the chillable material within the container 12, 114 has been sufficiently chilled, the user may grasp the handle 92 through the cutout 172 to pull and remove the container 12, 114 from the sleeve 164a.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a sleeve 164b for containers 12, 114 is shown. The sleeve 164b may have substantially the same structure as that shown in FIG. 9 for sleeve 164a. However, the sleeve 164b may be separated by rails 174. The rails 174 provide a gap between the two containers 12, 114 inserted into the sleeve 164b.

The sleeves 164a, b provide a dedicated space within the freezer section of the refrigerator for the containers 12, 114. Additionally, the rails 170, 174 prevent the container 12, 114 from sticking onto the sleeves 164a, b. The container 12, 114 easily be removed from the sleeves 164a, b after chilling.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an alternate embodiment of the container 12 is shown. In particular, the forward side of the container 12 may have a plurality of channels 176 which direct condensate water dripping out of the exit aperture 22 toward the sides of the container 12 and away from the exit aperture 22 directly below. The benefit is that if the water condensate drips downward in front of the exit aperture 22 below, then the water condensate will not have a tendency to spray off of the container 12 and on the ground below. Otherwise, after a period of time, the accumulation of water on the ground will be unacceptable. Accordingly, the redirection of the water condensate in the channels 176 is beneficial. As shown in FIG. 11, the channels 176 may slope downward towards opposed sides of the container 12. The channels 176 may connect to side gutters 178. The side gutters 178 may extend from the upper most channel 176 to the bottom surface 40 of the container 12c. Water condensate that exits out of the exit aperture 22 may drip into the channels 176. Due to the sloping nature of the channels 176, the water condensate will flow toward the side gutters 178. Once the water condensate is in the side gutter 178, the water condensate may flow downward into the tray 28 below. The channels 176 may be open. Initially, water condensate may drip onto or form on the lower surface 64 of the through holes 16. The air flow through the through holes 16 may push the water condensate forward and across the front lip 182 of the lower surface 64. The water will flow downward along the front face 180 of the container 12 and into the channels 176. Once the water condensate is in the channels 176, the water condensate will flow toward the sides of the container 12, down the side gutters 178 and into the tray 28.

The channels 176 and side gutters 178 may be incorporated into the other containers discussed herein such as container 114 and 12a, b. Although the channels 176 are shown as downwardly sloping toward opposed sides of the container 12, it is contemplated that the channel 176 may be level or sloped to only one side. When the channel 176 is level or horizontal, the accumulation of water condensate in the channels 176 will urge the water condensate to the lower side into the side gutter 178. The channels 176 may have alternate configurations such as curved, triangular, etc.

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 configuring through holes. 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.

Claims

1. A device for cooling air, the device comprising:

a body defining an enclosed space for holding a chillable material;

an upper through hole defined by the body, the upper through hole having a surface area for transferring heat from the air to the chillable material thereby chilling the air;

a lower through hole defined by the body, the lower through hole having a surface area for transferring heat from the air to the chillable material thereby chilling the air; and

a drainage via defined by the body, the drainage via fluidically connecting the upper through hole to the lower through hole for draining condensed water as the air passes through the through holes.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the upper through hole defines an entrance aperture and an exit aperture with a middle portion of the through hole being lower in height compared to heights of the entrance and exit apertures, and the drainage via is connected to the middle portion for draining condensation from the middle portion.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a base for supporting the body in an upright position.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the base has at least one prong receivable into a corresponding receiving cavity formed in the body for holding the body in place.

5. The device of claim 3 further comprising a removable tray held by the base, the tray being disposable under the body for collecting condensation.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the body has an aperture for pouring and removing the chillable material from the enclosed space, and the device further comprises a cap removably securable to the body, the cap having a two way valve for releasing gas from within the enclosed space into the atmosphere and for drawing atmospheric air into the enclosed space.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein an entrance aperture of the upper through hole is lower than an exit aperture of the upper through hole.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the upper through hole gradually rises from the entrance aperture to the exit aperture.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a base having an indentation with a ribbed bottom for collecting the condensed water dripping down from the body, the indentation disposed underneath the body.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the chillable material is permanently disposed within the enclosed space.

11. A device for cooling air, the device comprising:

a body wall defining an enclosed space for holding a chillable material;

an upper through hole defined by the body wall, the upper through hole having a surface area for transferring heat from the air to the chillable material thereby chilling the air;

a lower through hole defined by the body wall, the lower through hole having a surface area for transferring heat from the air to the chillable material thereby chilling the air; and

a drainage via fluidically connecting at least one of the upper and lower through holes to an exterior of the body wall.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the exterior of the body wall is a side surface, front surface, rear surface or bottom surface of the body wall.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein the through holes define entrance and exit apertures, the entrance aperture being at an elevation of the exit aperture for permitting a plurality of devices to be stacked one in front of another while permitting air flow through adjacent through holes of adjacent devices.

14. A device for cooling air, the device comprising:

a body wall defining an enclosed space for holding chillable material;

a plurality of through holes defined by the body wall for transferring heat from the air to the chillable material thereby chilling the air, the plurality of through holes defining exit apertures; and

a front surface of the body wall having a plurality of channels, at least one channel disposed below an exit aperture of at least one through hole.