APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STORING, COOLING, AND RELEASING THINGS

Abstract

An apparatus and method for storing, cooling, and releasing items, such as canned beverages, is disclosed. A key object of the invention disclosed is to provide a cooler having a smaller footprint and greater height relative to existing solutions. To this end, an apparatus configured according to the present disclosure utilizes one or more thermoelectric cooling elements to lower the temperature of a container, in combination with an air channel arranged along an axis parallel with the container's height. Further, due to the novel dimensions that the apparatus may exhibit, a means for serially releasing items from the container is disclosed, including a retainer assembly and release mechanism disposed within the device's head and a force mechanism disposed within the container's interior.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This non-provisional is entitled to the benefit of, and claims priority to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/460,765, entitled “Vertical Beverage Can Cooler,” filed on Apr. 21, 2023, which is included by reference as fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of household appliances, and more specifically without limitation, to an apparatus for storing, cooling, and releasing canned beverages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Solutions for cooling and maintaining temperature of food and drink have a long history. In particular, there has long been significant consumer demand for devices and methods to chill canned beverages, preferably in a portable, easy-to-use manner, in order to keep drinks at optimal temperatures in a variety of settings. Desirable characteristics of such cooling solutions include speed of cooling, duration of temperature maintenance, durability, portability, and volume. However, there are inherent trade-offs between these characteristics, creating a complex design puzzle.

Insulation is perhaps the most common solution for maintaining the temperature of canned beverages over time. Insulated coolers typically rely on pre-chilled contents and additional ice packs or ice to create a cold storage environment. While effective for gradual temperature maintenance over several hours to days, they do not actively cool beverages. Ice-packed coolers also require significant preparation. Moreover, the shells of insulated coolers are often thick, greatly increasing the overall bulk of the cooler, particularly with respect to coolers which feature a high ratio of surface area relative to the volume of their internal cavity.

Alternatively, coolers may actively lower interior temperature. The most common technology involves vapor-compression refrigeration, which requires a liquid refrigerant and mechanical cooling elements such as a compressor and condenser. Alternatively, thermoelectric cooling (TEC) may be used to transfer heat using the Peltier effect. Both technologies have trade-offs and present design challenges with respect to achieving desired cooler characteristics such as portability and durability.

Coolers are typically configured in a rectangular or box-like shape, maximizing internal storage volume relative to the overall footprint. This design facilitates easy stacking and storage of canned beverages, alongside ice packs or ice, to maintain a cold environment for extended periods. In some circumstances, the rectangular shape may also be conducive to packing and transportation, such as in car trunks.

These traditional box-shaped coolers, however, are poorly suited for many settings. For example, in order to provide golfers with a means of easily accessing cool canned beverages throughout a round of golf, a cooler designed to fit within the tall, narrow confines of a golf bag would be desirable. Likewise, there are numerous portability use cases in which space may be extremely limited in one or more dimensions, rendering the rectangular configurations of existing coolers impractical.

Furthermore, most conventional coolers are configured such that users open a lid to access the inner cavity and select from the contents. This process results in inefficiencies, as the entire contents of the cooler are exposed each time the interior is accessed. It would also be incompatible with a tall, narrow cooler in which the lower reaches of the inner cavity may be inaccessible.

In light of the shortcomings in the prior art, there is a need for an apparatus and/or method for storing, cooling, and accessing items, such as canned beverages, that minimizes storage footprint with respect to the cooler's width and/or depth, while providing a means to easily and efficiently access said beverages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an apparatus used for cooling, storing, and accessing items contained therein, particularly canned beverages.

Such an apparatus may comprise a hollow tube, one or more thermoelectric cooling elements, and an air channel. The one or more thermoelectric cooling elements substantially contact the tube, thereby reducing the temperature of the tube's inner cavity and contents thereof, and may be powered by a power source coupled to the apparatus. The air channel may be arranged parallel to the apparatus tube and disposed within an air channel housing comprising inlet and outlet vents and, preferably, a fan or other means to direct airflow.

An apparatus according to the present invention, configured as described above, allows for novel dimensions relative to prior-art coolers. For example, the tube may feature a cylindrical inner cavity having the minimal diameter necessary to accommodate a single standard canned beverage and having a height sufficient to accommodate a plurality of canned beverages, stacked serially in a vertical arrangement. This provides for a cooler with an advantageously small footprint relative to its internal capacity, a feature that is desirable for a number of applications, including incorporation into a golf bag.

In various embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a head covering one end of the tube, which controls access to the contents of the inner cavity. This head may comprise a retainer assembly and release mechanism, wherein the head retains items within the tube's inner cavity until the release mechanism is activated, whereupon at least one item is released. A force mechanism within the tube may be used to drive the contents of the inner cavity upwards, such that, when a first item is released, it is replaced by a second item, which thereupon engages with the retainer assembly in preparation for release. These features allow items stored in the inner cavity to be serially accessed, even when the narrow dimensions of the inner cavity do not permit access to its lower depths.

The present invention also provides a method for using such an apparatus, having some or all of the elements described above, in order to store, cool, and release items such as canned beverages. According to this method, a plurality of items are stacked serially within a tube in a vertical arrangement. The items are then cooled by means of one or more thermoelectric cooling elements contacting the exterior surface of the tube. A release mechanism coupled to the tube is then activated, causing a first item to be released. A second item is then driven towards the top end of the tube by means of a force mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a cooler according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the cooler with cutaway view showing interior elements.

FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the top portion of the cooler view shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is an enlarged view of the bottom portion of the cooler view shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cooler tube and head assembly.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of head assembly.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the cooler with golf bag accessory interior assembly.

FIG. 6 is a sectional perspective view of the tube with cooling elements.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tube.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the head assembly.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cooler with cutaway view showing force mechanism.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the force mechanism.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the head assembly.

FIG. 12 is a side plan view of head assembly with retention gate in locked position.

FIG. 13 is a side plan view of head assembly with retention gate in unlocked position.

FIG. 14 is a back perspective view of head assembly with open lid.

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the golf bag accessory interior assembly with cooler removed.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the golf bag accessory interior assembly with cooler removed.

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of a back mount accessory.

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of a side mount accessory.

FIG. 19 is a side perspective view of a tripod handle accessory.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a cooler with tripod handle accessory attached.

FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of a joiner accessory.

FIG. 22 is an execution diagram for a method according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out various embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. A device according to this embodiment is designed to hold and store six canned beverages. Relative to the dimensions of traditional coolers, the device depicted in FIG. 1 is significantly taller, with a significantly narrower footprint. The cooler has a top 10 and a bottom 11, separated by the cooler's height 12, which, in this embodiment, is tall enough to accommodate six vertically stacked standard aluminum beverage cans. Meanwhile, the footprint of the top 10 and bottom 11 (i.e. the dimensions perpendicular to its height 12) are preferably sized no bigger than necessary to accommodate the diameter of a standard aluminum beverage can, along with the cooler's internal components.

Referring still to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the internal components of the cooler are contained within an external housing 13, which may comprise rigid or semi-rigid metal, plastic, or comparable materials. The housing 13 may comprise at least two distinct areas: the tube housing 14 and the air channel housing 15. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the housing 13 comprises a substantially unitary structure comprising a cylindrical body, which forms the tube housing 14, and a protrusion running parallel to its height 12, which forms the air channel housing 15. However, in alternative embodiments, the tube housing 14 and air channel housing 15 may be manufactured separately and coupled during assembly.

The air channel housing 15, as configured in the embodiment of FIG. 1, comprises an air inlet vent 16 and air outlet vent 17. Said vents may each comprise a series of slits or openings in the air channel housing 15 through which air passes.

In various embodiments, the cooler housing 13 may include additional surface features designed to interface with cooler accessories or with external elements. For example, the air channel housing 15 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a first handle attachment track 18 and second handle attachment track 19. Such handle attachment tracks 18, 19 may be designed to couple with a handle or other transport accessory, such as a shoulder strap, in order to conveniently carry the cooler. In addition, handle attachment tracks 18, 19 or alternative surface features may be designed to interface with other accessories such as clips, mounts, legs, or stands, examples of which are described below, or to interface with external elements such as vehicles, workbenches, tables, shelves, or racks. Handle attachment tracks 18, 19 or comparable elements may comprise chamfers or similar structures designed to slide into or otherwise interface with a corresponding external element. Alternatively, handle attachment tracks 18, 19 or comparable elements may comprise magnets or other means of attachment.

FIG. 2 includes a cutaway view of the cooler housing, showing internal components of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. These include a tube 20 or similar structure, disposed within the tube housing (or tube housing area) 14, and one or more cooling elements 21, preferably arranged along an axis parallel to the height 12 of the cooler and substantially in contact with the surface of the tube 20. Cooling element(s) 21 may be disposed within the air channel housing (or air channel housing area) 15. In embodiments presenting a cooler with greater height 12, a plurality of cooling elements 21 may be preferable to optimally maintain internal temperature, preferably arranged substantially equidistant from one another along the height 12. For example, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 comprises six cooling elements 21.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C, cooling element(s) 21 are connected to a power source 22 such as a battery and/or AC/DC connection. For example, a battery may be coupled to the exterior of the air channel housing (or air channel housing area) 15. In other embodiments, cooler housing 13 may comprise a recess or slot designed to accommodate power source 22 or power source may be disposed internal to cooler housing. Where power source is a battery, such battery would preferably have reduced thickness in its dimensions perpendicular to the housing surface, in order to maintain the cooler's overall minimal footprint. Battery power source 22 will preferably be rechargeable. In various embodiments, battery may be recharged in-situ by means of AC/DC power input connector. Alternatively, battery 22 may be detachable, wherein it is coupled to air channel housing 15 by means of a battery attachment element and rechargeable by means of external charging device.

As depicted in the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2C, the air channel housing (or air channel housing area) 15 is designed to form an air channel 24, facilitating airflow proximate to the cooling elements 21 and tube 14 and thereby redirecting heat away from those areas. Air enters the air channel 24 through the air inlet vent 16 and exits through the air outlet vent 17. Preferably, the inlet and outlet vents are disposed at substantially opposite locations along the cooler's height 12 in order to optimize heat transfer. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the inlet vent 16 is arranged proximate to the cooler's bottom 11, and the outlet vent is arranged proximate to the top 10. This arrangement is preferable with respect to embodiments in which the cooler is incorporated into a golf bag (see FIG. 5), in order to avoid blowing hot air across club handles or other items stored at the bottom of the bag.

In various embodiments, the cooler will further comprise a fan 25 or other equivalent means to drive airflow. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, a fan 25 is disposed within the air channel housing area 15 and powered by the power source 22. The fan pulls hot air through the air channel 24, expelling it through the outlet vent 17, while drawing fresh air in through the inlet vent 16.

In some embodiments, the cooler's air channel 24 may be divided into an upper hot air space 26 and lower cool air space 27, divided by an air channel shelf 28 built into the air channel housing 15. The air channel shelf 28 may feature one or more openings 29, allowing cool air from the cool air space 27 to recirculate into the hot air space 26, reducing the air channel's overall ambient temperature.

In various embodiments, the one or more cooling elements 21 are solid-state thermoelectric cooling (TEC) devices, which transfer heat using the Peltier effect. Referring to FIG. 6, each such cooling element may comprise a thermoelectric cooling pad 60, a heat sink 61, and a TEC pad mount block 62. The thermoelectric cooling pad has a hot side 63 and a cold side 64 and is powered by an electrical connection 63 connected to the power source 22, by means of which heat is directed from the cold side to the hot side. The hot side 63 is preferably coupled to a heat sink 61, which dissipates the surface heat into the surrounding air. The cold side 63 is coupled to the exterior surface of the tube 20, either directly or by means of an intermediary element. For example, if the thermoelectric cooling pad 60 is substantially flat and rigid, a TEC pad mount block 62, comprised of heat-conductive material, may be used to maximize the area of contact with the tube 20 surface. In such embodiments, one side of the TEC pad mount block 62 is coupled to cold side 64 of the thermoelectric cooling pad 60, while the other side, preferably featuring a curved surface inversely corresponding to the curvature of the tube, is coupled to the tube 20.

It should be understood that, in various embodiments, cooling elements 21 and/or power source 22 may be further connected to a controller or similar electronic elements, which elements control and coordinate operation of the electronic components of the apparatus. Likewise, all of the foregoing electronic components may be connected to a user interface, allowing a user to adjust the temperature and otherwise control the functioning of the apparatus. Such features are well known in the prior art with respect to generic electronics systems and not described in detail herein.

Incorporation of solid-state thermoelectric cooling elements has a number of important advantages in the context of the present invention. Because TEC systems have no moving parts, a cooler configured according to the embodiment described above is much more durable and portable relative to using alternative means of temperature control. Likewise, TEC systems do not require refrigerant, making the apparatus safer and more durable. Further, TEC elements are available in relatively small sizes and versatile shapes, thereby facilitating a cooler with desired dimensions as disclosed herein. In particular, a cooler according to the present invention may preferably utilize thin, wafer-shaped thermoelectric cooling pads in order to minimize the footprint of the apparatus.

TEC systems have nevertheless traditionally involved trade-offs, including limitations with respect to the efficiency and maximum capacity of heat transfer. However, the present invention addresses many of these design challenges. In particular, the air channel shelf 28 and opening 29 described above are designed to reduce the ambient temperature of the air channel. Limited cold air is introduced into the air stream flowing across the heat sink(s), while hot air is continuously expelled through the air outlet vent. Using thermoelectric cooling elements 21 configured as described above, it is possible to efficiently maintain an inner cavity 70 temperature of approximately 38 degrees Fahrenheit below ambient.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the tube 20 comprises an inner cavity 70 surrounded by a tube wall 71. The inner cavity is configured to accommodate one or more items. In embodiments directed to storage and chilling of canned beverages, both the tube 20 and its inner cavity 70 may preferably be substantially cylindrical in shape. For example, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, tube height 72 is designed to accommodate six standard beverage cans, serially stacked in a vertical arrangement. Meanwhile, the diameter 73 of the inner cavity is designed to accommodate the diameter of a standard beverage can. Further, in order to more efficiently maintain temperature within the inner cavity, the diameter 73 is advantageously sized to minimize space between said standard can and the tube wall 71.

In various embodiments, a cooler apparatus according to the present invention further comprises a head assembly 40 coupled to the top 10 of the cooler. Referring to FIG. 4, the head assembly comprises a lid 41, which allows access to the inner cavity 70 when open and which substantially seals the inner cavity when closed, retaining items stored therein and suppressing heat exchange.

An important secondary object of the present invention is to provide a means of serially releasing items from the cooler's inner cavity. To accomplish this, the head assembly preferably comprises a release mechanism 42 and retainer assembly 43 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 8) which operate in combination with a force mechanism 90 disposed within the tube 20 (see FIG. 9). In the head assembly embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the release mechanism comprises a release wedge 44 coupled to the lid 41 by a hinge joint, allowing the release wedge to hinge upward relative to the plane of the lid. A release hinge spring 45, coupled to the release wedge 44 and lid 41, is disposed approximately at the release wedge's attachment point with the lid. The tension of the release hinge spring 45, on one hand, urges the lid 41 downward into its closed position and, on the other hand, urges the angle of the release wedge 44 downward and into contact with a driving block 46.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the driving block 46 is secured within a cross-piece 47 portion of the head assembly. The cross-piece is arranged opposite to the lid 41 and features a slot or channel within which the driving block is able to slide back and forth. The cross-piece further features ridges 49 configured to contact the release wedge 44. These release-wedge ridges slant upwards away from the lid 41 and may be arranged in parallel on either side of the driving block channel 48. When the lid opens, the release wedge 44 slides away from the lid by means of the hinge spring 45 and pushes the driving block outward. As the release wedge 44 continues to slide outward, it engages with the release-wedge ridges 49, causing it to hinge upwards and eventually clear the top of the driving block 46.

Referring to FIG. 8, the driving block 46 comprises a lower portion disposed below the central body of the head assembly cross-piece 47. This portion of the driving block 46 is coupled to a retention gate 80 or similar element designed to block release of items from the tube's inner cavity 70. A retainer hinge spring 81 is coupled to the retention gate 80 and driving block 46, disposed approximately at the retention gate's attachment point with the driving block, allowing the retention gate to hinge downward. A driving block spring 82 or equivalent mechanism is coupled to the driving block 46 and disposed within the cross-piece 47, adjacent to the driving block 46, and opposite the retention gate 80. This driving block spring 82 is designed to urge the driving block 46 and retention gate 80 inward until the release mechanism 42 is engaged.

Referring still to FIG. 8, the head assembly 40 further comprises a head interior 83, which is substantially contiguous with the inner cavity 70 of the tube 20. The retention gate 80 protrudes into the head interior 83, thereby obstructing passage of items upward from the tube's inner cavity. When the upper portion of the driving block 46 is pushed outward upon activation of the release mechanism 42, the retention gate 80 is caused to retract from the head interior 83, permitting passage of items through the head assembly and out of the cooler. Once the release wedge 44 clears the top of the driving block 46, the driving block then snaps back due to the force of the driving block spring 82, causing the retention gate 80 to return to its initial position.

The release mechanism 42 and retainer assembly 43 may be used in combination with a force mechanism 90 that exerts upward force on items stored within the cooler. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, the force mechanism 90 is disposed within the cooler's inner cavity 70 and features an attachment point 91 arranged proximate to the bottom 11 of the cooler. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the force mechanism comprises a platform 92 that engages with items stored in the cooler and a cavity spring 93 that urges the platform and any items thereon upwards towards the head assembly 40 and/or the cooler's top 10.

By way of example, a cooler having the release mechanism, retainer assembly, and force mechanism described above may operate as follows. A user first loads a plurality of canned beverages 94, 95, 96 such as a standard six pack, into the tube 20, thereby depressing the cavity spring 93, as illustrated in FIG. 9. As each can is loaded, the retention gate 80 hinges downward, allowing the can to pass. Once the final can is loaded, the retainer hinge spring 81 returns the retention gate 80 to its locked position, securing the cans in place. The lid 41 is then closed. When the user wants to access a first can 94, the lid 41 is opened, activating the release mechanism 42. The release wedge 44 and driving block 46 slide outward, causing the retention gate 80 to retract. The first can 94 is thus pushed upwards by the force mechanism 90 past the retention gate, from which point it can be easily removed by the user. Meanwhile, as the release wedge 44 slides outwards, its path is redirected by the release-wedge ridges 49, causing it to disengage from the driving block 46, whereupon the driving block spring 82 pushes the driving block 46 and retention gate 80 back towards their initial positions. The retention gate 80 may be temporarily obstructed by the first can 94, causing the gate to hinge downward, but returns to its locked state when the first can passes. Meanwhile, a second can 95 is pushed upwards by the force mechanism 90. Upon release of the first can 94, the second can 95 engages with the now-locked retention gate 80, obstructing further movement of the second can, which thus effectively replaces the first can. The lid may then be closed until the user wants to access the second can 95.

It should be understood that the release mechanism and related elements described above are merely one way to accomplish the serial release of items stored in a cooler according to the present invention. Alternative solutions may be preferable depending on commercial factors such as manufacturing cost, consumer price sensitivity, and intended applications for the device.

A further advantage of the present invention is its modularity. As discussed above, a key feature of the cooler apparatus disclosed herein is that it may be configured in an unconventional vertical shape. The utility of such a cooler may be enhanced by various external accessories, allowing users to customize the device according to their particular needs. In certain embodiments, these accessories may be detachable and/or exchangeable and may be distributed separately from the base device.

One such accessory is designed to incorporate the cooler into a golf bag. FIG. 5 shows an internal assembly 50 for a golf bag accessory. The internal assembly comprises a top frame 51 and a base 52, arranged proximate to the cooler's top 10 and bottom 11, respectively, when the the cooler is coupled to the golf bag accessory. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the golf bag top frame 51 features a cooler slot 53 configured to accommodate the horizontal dimensions of the cooler housing 13 and secure the cooler in place. In some embodiments, the cooler may be freely dropped down and lifted out through the cooler slot 53, allowing it to be easily inserted and removed from the golf bag. Alternatively, the top frame 51 may be fastened to the cooler housing 13 at an attachment point proximate to the cooler slot 53. The golf bag top frame 51 may further comprise one or more handles 54 and one or more additional openings 55 of varying sizes or shapes, configured to hold and organize golf clubs or other golf accessories.

Referring still to FIG. 5, the golf bag base 52 features a cooler cradle 56 in the nature of a depression or recess molded into the golf bag base 52 and configured to accommodate the horizontal dimensions of the cooler's bottom 11. The cooler cradle 56 is arranged directly opposite the upper cooler slot 53 on an axis corresponding to the cooler's height 12. The golf bag base 52 may further comprise one or more additional depressions 57 corresponding to the one or more additional openings 55 in the top frame 51, providing a resting area for golf clubs or other objects stored in the golf bag. For example, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the golf bag internal assembly features eight distinct openings 55 and corresponding depressions 57, creating holding areas sufficient to hold and organize at least 14 golf clubs.

The golf bag internal assembly 50 described above may be integrated with a wide variety of elements typical of conventionally manufactured golf bags, which are well known in the prior art and therefore not described in detail herein. For example, a support framework 58, comprised of one or more rigid or semi-rigid vertical support structures, may be disposed between the top frame 51 and base 52, all of which is surrounded by a covering of canvas, leather, or other material, the bottom of which is fastened to the perimeter of the golf bag base 52 and the top of which is fastened to the perimeter of the golf bag top frame 51, thereby enveloping the contents of the golf bag while leaving the openings 53, 55 in the top frame 51 accessible.

Various mount accessories may be used to fix the apparatus to particular surfaces, objects, or locations. For example, FIG. 17 shows a back wall mount accessory, comprising a lower mount portion 170, designed to hold the bottom 11 of the cooler and support its weight, and a “C”-shaped upper mount portion 171, into which the cooler housing 13 clips, preventing lateral movement. Similarly, FIG. 18 shows a side wall mount accessory, comprising a lower mount portion 180 and a “C”-shaped upper mount portion 181. Said mount portions all feature a mounting surface 182 suitable for fastening to a wall, the side of a workbench, or other substantially vertical surface. Likewise, a free-standing mount accessory may be used to provide a movable resting place for the cooler. For example, said free-standing mount could be placed on the floor at the end of a couch, allowing a user seated at the couch to easily access cold drinks.

Another external accessory is directed to a detachable handle with pivotable stand legs, designed to permit the cooler to stand freely in a tripod stance. FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of said tripod accessory, comprising a handle 190, a handle release latch 191, and pivotable stand legs 192. Handle 190 may be configured to attach to the cooler's handle attachment tracks 18, 19. The handle 190 may comprise a bearing block 193 enclosing a middle portion of the stand legs 192, thereby forming an axle around which the stand legs pivot. When not in use, the stand legs 192 may be pivoted into a closed position, resting parallel to the height 12 of the cooler. When opened, the stand legs 192 pivot to an angle relative to the cooler height 12, thereby allowing the cooler to stand in an elevated position supported by three contact points, namely the first and second stand legs 192 and the cooler bottom 11 (see FIG. 20).

External joiner accessories may also be used to couple multiple coolers, essentially creating a system with expanded storage capacity. For example, FIG. 21 shows a joiner accessory comprising upper clip assembly 210 having three “C” clips, a lower clip assembly 211 having three additional “C” clips, and a rod 212 connecting the upper and lower clip assemblies. Each upper clip assembly 210 is arranged directly opposite a corresponding lower clip assembly 211 clip, such that up to three coolers may be simultaneously clipped into the joiner accessory. For example, using a joiner accessory such as the one depicted in FIG. 21, three coolers, each configured to hold six canned beverages, may be coupled together to provide an 18-can cooler system.

Among other things, the elements disclosed throughout the written description above provide a method for storing, cooling, and serially releasing items, such as canned beverages. In one embodiment of this method 220, illustrated in the execution diagram of FIG. 22, the user performs at least the following steps: storing a plurality of items within a container, wherein the items are stacked serially in a vertical arrangement parallel to the height of the container 221; cooling the plurality of items by means of one or more thermoelectric cooling elements coupled to the container 222; engaging a release mechanism disposed proximate to the top of the container 223; releasing a first item by means of the release mechanism 224; and forcing a second item towards the top of the container by means of a force mechanism disposed within the container 225.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a tube having a top end, a bottom end, a height, an exterior surface, and an inner cavity;

one or more thermoelectric cooling elements substantially contacting the exterior surface of the tube;

a power source connected to the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements;

an air channel housing disposed adjacent to the tube and comprising an air inlet vent, an air outlet vent, and an air channel, wherein the air channel is arranged parallel to the height of the tube;

a head assembly substantially covering the top end of the tube and having an open position and a closed position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fan disposed within the air channel housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising at least three thermoelectric cooling elements, disposed substantially equidistant from one another along the height of the tube within the air channel housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tube is a substantially cylindrical shape having a diameter and the ratio between the height and the diameter of the tube is at least 3:1.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air channel housing further comprises:

a shelf arranged parallel to the height of the tube, wherein the shelf divides the air channel into an upper space and lower space; and

at least one opening in the shelf, wherein the opening is configured to allow air exchange between the upper space and lower space.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source is a removable battery disposed adjacent to the air channel housing.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head assembly comprises a lid, a release mechanism, and a head interior, wherein the head interior is substantially contiguous with the inner cavity of the tube.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the release mechanism comprises:

a gate having a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the gate substantially obstructs passage through the head interior when in the locked state;

a trigger coupled to the gate, wherein activation of the trigger changes the gate from its locked state to its unlocked state.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a force mechanism disposed within the inner cavity and coupled to apparatus at a point proximate to the bottom end of the tube.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a bag top frame having a first opening, and a plurality of additional openings, wherein the first opening is fitted to the head assembly; and

a bag base coupled to the bottom end of the tube and comprising a substantially uniform bottom surface, and a top surface having a plurality of depressions, wherein the frame's plurality of additional openings are arranged opposite the base's plurality of depressions on an axis parallel to the height of the tube.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mount assembly, wherein the mount assembly comprises:

a detachable fastener configured to secure the apparatus to the mounting assembly, wherein the detachable fastener contacts the apparatus along an axis substantially perpendicular to the height of the tube; and

a mounting plate coupled to the detachable fastener and having a plane arranged substantially parallel to the height of the tube.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a detachable handle having one or more pivotable legs.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a joiner assembly, wherein the joiner assembly comprises:

a first detachable fastener configured to secure the apparatus to the joiner assembly, wherein the first detachable fastener contacts the apparatus along an axis substantially perpendicular to the height of the tube; and

a second detachable fastener configured to secure the apparatus to the joiner assembly, wherein the second detachable fastener contacts the apparatus along an axis substantially perpendicular to the height of the tube.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a container having a top end, a bottom end, a height, an exterior surface, and an inner cavity;

a hinged lid substantially covering the top end of the container;

a gate, disposed proximate to the top end of the container, having a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the gate in its locked state substantially obstructs passage out of the container's inner cavity;

a release mechanism disposed proximate to the top end of the container, wherein activation of the release mechanism changes the gate from its locked state to its unlocked state and deactivation of the release mechanism returns the gate to its locked state.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein opening the hinged lid activates the release mechanism.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the release mechanism comprises:

a first slider coupled to the gate and having a first path, wherein the gate changes from its locked state to its unlocked state upon displacement of the first slider and returns to its locked state upon return of the first slider to its initial position;

a second slider having a second path and configured to displace the first slider upon activation of the release mechanism, wherein the second path is partially congruent with the first path and partially divergent with the first path; and

one or more ridges arranged adjacent to the first slider, wherein the one or more grooves cause the second path of the second slider to diverge from the first path of the first slider.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

one or more thermoelectric cooling elements contacting the exterior surface of the container;

a power source connected to the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements;

an air channel housing disposed adjacent to the container and comprising an air inlet vent, an air outlet vent, and an air channel, wherein the air channel is arranged parallel to the height of the container;

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the container is a substantially cylindrical shape having a diameter and the ratio between the height and the diameter of the tube is at least 3:1.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a force mechanism disposed within the inner cavity and coupled to the apparatus at a point proximate to the bottom end of the container.

20. A method for storing and releasing canned beverages comprising the following steps:

storing a plurality of canned beverages within a tube having an exterior surface, a height, and a top end, wherein the plurality of canned beverages are arranged in a single column parallel to the height of the tube;

cooling the plurality of canned beverages by means of one or more thermoelectric cooling elements contacting the exterior surface of the tube;

engaging a release mechanism coupled to the tube and disposed proximate to the top end;

releasing a first canned beverage from the tube by means of the release mechanism; and

forcing a second canned beverage towards the top end of the tube by means of the release mechanism.