Directed Relative To Ice Container Patents (Class 62/420)
  • Publication number: 20100101261
    Abstract: An ice-making device and a refrigerator having the ice-making device are provided. The ice-making device includes an ice-making housing defining a predetermined ice-making space therein, an ice tray rotatably installed in the ice-making space and provided with a plurality of ice-making grooves, and a protruding rib that is formed on the ice tray to prevent water from being splashed out of the ice-making grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2004
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Jong-Seok Yoon, Byeong-Gyu Kang
  • Publication number: 20100050681
    Abstract: The refrigerator includes a main body forming the external appearance of the refrigerator, a freezing chamber and a cooling chamber divisionally provided in the main body, an ice making chamber separately provided in the cooling chamber to be thermally insulated, a first ice making unit provided in the ice making chamber to produce ice, and a second ice making unit provided in the freezing chamber to produce ice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Nyeol Ryu, Jae Hoon Lim, Sinn Bong Yoon, Jung-Yeob Kim, Myung Hoon Cho
  • Publication number: 20100031675
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a refrigerant pipe, through which low temperature and low pressure refrigerant flows, directly on a tray, allowing for quick ice formation even when an ice maker is installed in a refrigeration compartment, and allowing for transparent chunks of ice to be made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ju-Hyun Kim, Jong-Min Shin
  • Publication number: 20100011786
    Abstract: The present invention is characterized in that a refrigerant pipe through which low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flows is directly provided in a tray, that fast icing is possible even an ice maker is installed at a refrigerating chamber, and that transparent ice can be formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jong-Min Shin, Ju-Hyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20090151386
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes: an icemaker case on a door; an icemaker door on the icemaker case, the icemaker door being rotatable; a holding part on the icemaker case; and a lever assembly. The lever assembly is coupled to the icemaker door to be rotatable in order to engage or disengage with the holding part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Chang-Woan Yang
  • Publication number: 20090064704
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an insulated cabinet and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet having an exterior face including a dispenser cavity. An ice maker in the refrigerated storage space is arranged to make and harvest ice pieces. An ice delivery system on the inside of the door dispenses ice pieces into a dispenser cavity in the exterior face of the door. The ice delivery system can include an ice bin including a generally open top and having a bottom opening pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis below the ice maker. The ice can receive ice pieces harvested by the ice maker and discharge ice pieces through the bottom opening and the ice delivery system in a first position. The ice bin can tilt out to permit access to ice pieces, and can be removed from the ice delivery system, in a second position when the door is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GUOLIAN WU, CLAITON EMILIO DO AMARAL, MARCUS R. FISCHER, MARCOS HEINZLE, JEAN MARCELO FERREIRA, LUIS FERNANDO WELIN
  • Patent number: 7475563
    Abstract: A MULTIFUNCTION COOLER is disclosed that permits a single portable cooler to simultaneously operate as a conventional portable refrigeration device, a personal air conditioner, and a portable air inflation device. The disclosed cooler incorporates an air injection port that permits warm air external to the cooler to be forced through ice or other coolant material inside the cooler. The air injection is facilitated by an electric air blower or other fan apparatus which vents air from within the coldest portions of the interior of the cooler confines to an exhaust port which may be used as a source of air conditioning or alternatively as an air inflation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventor: Billy Ray McCarrell
  • Publication number: 20080295539
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator main body having a storage chamber, a door coupled to the refrigerator main body to be opened or closed, a cool air supplying device which generates cool air, an ice maker including an ice making tray having ice making cells to produce ice and a cool air guide member installed in the door, coupled to the ice making tray and having a cool air line that guides the cool air supplied from the cool air supplying device to flow around the ice making tray. The cool air line disposed on the cool air guide member to supply the ice making tray guides the cool air supplied from the cool air supplying device to move along the surrounding of the ice making tray, thereby uniformly cooling down the ice making tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Koog An, Jung Rae Kim, Jong Yeob Kim
  • Patent number: 7458230
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided with an airflow passage for an ice making compartment of the refrigerator. In the refrigerator, a main body has an opened side, and a door selectively closes the opened side of the main body. An ice making compartment is formed in the door, the ice making compartment being insulated from the outside and being kept at a low temperature. A duct is formed in the main body for exchanging cooling air with the ice making compartment, and a cooling air passage is formed at an outer surface of the ice making compartment to connect the duct with the ice making compartment. A switching unit closes the cooling air passage when the door is opened, and opens the cooling air passage when the door is closed. With this arrangement, the cooling air can be sufficiently supplied to the ice making compartment without the penetration of foreign substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung Ryul Lee, Sung Hoon Chung, Seong Jae Kim, Chang Ho Seo
  • Patent number: 7444831
    Abstract: A beverage cooling container comprising a container body comprising a floor and a wall; a water level limiter, for limiting a water level in the contained area to a water level limit positioned between the floor and the filling opening, the water level limit defining a chilling zone and defining an ice reserve zone for storing reserve ice to replenish the chilling zone the reserve zone height being more than one-ninth the chilling zone height; and a beverage chiller, positioned at least partly within the chilling zone, configured to facilitate chilling within the chilling zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Iceberg Dispensing Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael P. Cyr
  • Publication number: 20080236187
    Abstract: An icemaker assembly and a refrigerator having the icemaker assembly are provided. The icemaker assembly includes a cover directing cool air toward an ice tray and a bracket for enhancing flow of the cool air directed toward the ice cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Jong Gon Kim
  • Publication number: 20080134695
    Abstract: A system for rapidly cooling a liquid in a container within a refrigerator-freezer or freezer is provided. The housing has a space for receiving a container, and a rotator rotates the container about an axis. While the container is rotating, a sprayer sprays chilled cooling medium on the container in the housing. A reservoir stores the cooling medium when the system is not being used and maintains the cooling medium at a given temperature. At least one chilling surface is preferably provided over which the cooling medium flows and where ice may be stored. A recirculator such as a pump recirculates the cooling medium throughout the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory H. Loibl, George Sidebotham
  • Patent number: 7363774
    Abstract: An air cooling device includes a thermally insulated container packed with encapsulated refrigerant and configured to pass incoming air for cooling. A tubular housing accommodates the packed container. A fan blower within the top portion of the housing draws ambient air through the bottom of the container within the refrigerant-packed interior of the container against gravity to prolong the air cooling period. The encapsulated refrigerant is implemented as a plurality of compacted frozen glycol balls serving as primary source of cooling for the incoming air. A multitude of pockets filled with cold air form between the compacted frozen glycol balls during device operation. These cold air pockets serve as secondary source of cooling for the flowing air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Misterchill, LLC
    Inventor: Bernard Elan Urfig
  • Publication number: 20080022712
    Abstract: An battery-powered, portable air conditioner apparatus is provided having an insulated chest with two holes in the lid. A fan is positioned in one of the holes for drawing air into the chest, where heat is exchanged with the contents of the chest, and the other hole is a vent, through which the conditioned air exits. The air conditioner apparatus may be provided with a receptacle that is capable of engaging rechargeable, cordless power tool battery packs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Bobby Lee Carr
  • Patent number: 7322208
    Abstract: An umbrella and cooling apparatus combination includes a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall and a peripheral wall. The top wall has a plurality of air inlets extending therethrough. A fastener attached to the top wall is removably attachable to a bottom side of a canopy. An elongated handle has a top end attached to the bottom wall. A screen is mounted in the housing and divides the housing into an upper compartment and a lower compartment. At least one duct is fluidly coupled to the lower compartment and has a free end extending outwardly from the housing. A fan assembly is mounted in the housing and is configured for directing air outwardly of the ducts when the fan assembly is turned on. Ice is positionable in the upper compartment and air moved through the ice and outwardly of the ducts so that the ice cools the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Alfred Griffin
  • Patent number: 7305848
    Abstract: A cooling fan apparatus includes a main housing assembly which includes a front housing end, a rear housing end, and a plurality of housing air channels located at the rear housing end. A fan assembly is supported in the main housing assembly near the front housing end. A solid coolant retaining assembly, for retaining a block of water ice, is supported in the main housing assembly and is located between the fan assembly and the rear housing end. The solid coolant retaining assembly includes a plurality of retainer air channels, and an access door is connected to the main housing assembly for allowing access to the solid coolant retaining assembly through the main housing assembly. Preferably, the main housing assembly further includes housing air channels located on side portions of the main housing assembly. A drainage receptacle is connected to the solid coolant retaining assembly for receiving the liquid melt from the ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Seth T. Glover
  • Patent number: 7246505
    Abstract: A personal air conditioning system that may be used, for example, to cool a tent. The personal air conditioning system includes a cooling lid that fits over a typical insulated cooler. The cooling lid includes a heat transfer tower that is configured to transfer heat from a cold medium, such as ice, that is located within the cooler to an area within the cooling lid. A heat sink is provided at the top of the heat transfer tower and at least partially within the cooling lid. A fan is configured to draw air into the cooling lid, across the heat sink, and out of the cooling lid. The cooled air may then be used for cooling of a tent or other compartment, for example, or may be directed to blow on an individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Enrique Navedo, James Michael Boenig
  • Patent number: 7240511
    Abstract: A cold air path structure of a refrigerator is provided. The cold air path structure defines a passage from an ice machine installed in a freezing chamber to a chilling chamber in order to discharge an cold air used to freeze water of the ice machine to the chilling chamber, such that new cold air can be smoothly supplied to the ice machine, thereby increasing the efficiency of the ice machine. Further, an additional air passage is not required to supply the cold air to the chilling chamber, thereby simplifying the structure of the refrigerator and decreasing power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung Ryul Lee, Sung Hoon Chung, Seong Jae Kim, Chang Ho Seo
  • Patent number: 7188479
    Abstract: An ice and water dispenser for a bottom freezer refrigerator positioned on a refrigerator compartment door. The ice maker and ice cube storage bin can have below 0° C. air provided to maintain the ice maker and ice cube storage bin below 0° C. Supply and return ducts can convey below 0° C. air to the ice maker and ice cube storage bin. The supply and return ducts can lead from the bottom freezer compartment or from an evaporator compartment. The ice maker and ice cube storage bin can be located in insulated sub-compartment to allow normal refrigerator compartment temperatures to be maintained in the above freezing refrigerator compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery J. Anselmino, Marcus R. Fischer, Tushar Kulkarni, Andrew M. Tenbarge, Frank W. Maglinger
  • Patent number: 7188489
    Abstract: A portable air conditioner utilizing low-power draw components, simple and efficient construction, and implementing simple ice water as the medium for heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventor: Russell A. Martello
  • Patent number: 7100394
    Abstract: An adaptor enables a convective treatment system to be modified for cooling by providing a bath of pressurized, cooled air intended to lower the body core temperature of a person. The adaptor may be constructed for being coupled between a blower assembly that provides a stream of pressurized air and a convective treatment device that receives the stream of pressurized air, distributes it, and provides it for bathing the body of a person in a general bath of cooled air in order to produce a desired clinical effect such as prevention or alleviation of hyperthermia or for thermal comfort. Such an adaptor may be embodied as an enclosure having a shaped internal cavity. The shape is useful for effectively and efficiently distributing a flow of pressurized over, around and through a bed of ice disposed in the cavity. Ports are provided in the enclosure for introducing a flow of pressurized air into, and receiving a flow of pressurized air from, the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Arizant HealthCare Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Bieberich, Ryan S. Augustine, Scott D. Augustine, Mark Christopher Albrecht
  • Patent number: 6997184
    Abstract: A cool air inhaler for use in treating croup, having a body having at least one side wall and a bottom wall forming an enclosed space open at an upper portion of the body wherein the upper portion of the body is adapted to generally conform to contours of a lower part of a patient face. An air chamber is formed in an upper part of the body and has an exhaust vent for exhausting the patient's exhaled air to an exterior space while an ice reservoir is formed in a lower part of the body to contain ice and meltwater from the ice and an air passage is connected from the exterior space and passing through the ice reservoir to conduct air to the air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Timothy J. Donohue
  • Patent number: 6993930
    Abstract: A vest including inflatable tubes or chambers which receive cool air from a blower box. The vest includes an outer surface and inner surface, the two surfaces joined to define a multiplicity of tubes. The tubes carry jets which may vent cool air, received from a remote cool air blower box. The jets will ventilate the skin of the wearer both where it is exposed and where the skin is covered by the garment itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Ralf Blackstone
  • Patent number: 6971249
    Abstract: A portable air chiller for providing air conditioning in a variety of environmental circumstances. The portable air chiller includes an insulated container capable of effectively containing a endothermic substrate, an in-flow vent and out-flow vent positioned to communicate air flow from the exterior of the container to the interior of the container. A fan located in the out flow vent facilitates conditioned air movement out of the interior of the portable air chiller. The interior of the portable air chiller houses a endothermic substrate holder which practically traverses the length and width of the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Inventor: Ralf Blackstone
  • Patent number: 6915644
    Abstract: An ice maker assembly in a refrigerator freezer includes a fill tube for transporting liquid to a mold. The freezer includes an outer wall spaced apart from an inner wall, with a plenum formed therebetween. An opening is formed within the inner wall, through which the fill tube extends with a clearance. Warm air generated by a defrost cycle passes through the clearance in the inner wall and around the fill tube, thereby warming the fill tube. In addition, the fill tube includes vents formed therein to allow active ventilation of the fill tube and to prevent ice formation within the fill tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas A. Pohl, William James Vestal, Kenton John Widmer
  • Patent number: 6901769
    Abstract: A portable air chiller for providing air conditioning in a variety of environmental circumstances. The portable air chiller includes an insulated container capable of effectively containing a endothermic substrate, an in-flow vent and out-flow vent positioned to communicate air flow from the exterior of the container to the interior of the container. A fan located in the out flow vent facilitates conditioned air movement out of the interior of the portable air chiller. The interior of the portable air chiller houses a endothermic substrate holder which practically traverses the length and width of the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Ralf Blackstone
  • Patent number: 6810680
    Abstract: An ice maker assembly in a refrigerator freezer includes a fill tube for transporting liquid to a mold. The freezer includes an outer wall spaced apart from an inner wall, with a plenum formed therebetween. An opening is formed within the inner wall, through which the fill tube extends with a clearance. Warm air generated by a defrost cycle passes through the clearance in the inner wall and around the fill tube, thereby warming the fill tube. In addition, the fill tube includes vents formed therein to allow active ventilation of the fill tube and to prevent ice formation within the fill tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas A. Pohl, William James Vestal, Kenton John Widmer
  • Patent number: 6732537
    Abstract: An air delivery unit for an ice maker is located in a freezer compartment having an outer wall spaced apart from an inner wall. The air delivery unit includes an air tunnel, an air deflector, and a restrictor plate. The air tunnel has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is positioned adjacent to an ice mold of the ice maker and the second end is positioned adjacent to the inner wall of the freezer. The air deflector extends from the second end of the air tunnel between the inner and outer walls of the freezer to redirect air through the air tunnel and onto the ice mold. Further, the restrictor plate is attached to the air tunnel for restricting air flow above the air tunnel. The air delivery system is designed to readily snap-lock to the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Carl Anell, Larry Edward Dietz, William James Vestal
  • Publication number: 20040060318
    Abstract: An adaptor enables a convective treatment system to be modified for cooling by providing a bath of pressurized, cooled air intended to lower the body core temperature of a person. The adaptor may be constructed for being coupled between a blower assembly that provides a stream of pressurized air and a convective treatment device that receives the stream of pressurized air, distributes it, and provides it for bathing the body of a person in a general bath of cooled air in order to produce a desired clinical effect such as prevention or alleviation of hyperthermia or for thermal comfort. Such an adaptor may be embodied as an enclosure having a shaped internal cavity. The shape is useful for effectively and efficiently distributing a flow of pressurized over, around and through a bed of ice disposed in the cavity. Ports are provided in the enclosure for introducing a flow of pressurized air into, and receiving a flow of pressurized air from, the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Bieberich, Ryan S. Augustine, Scott D. Augustine, Mark Christopher Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20040020237
    Abstract: A natural and environmentally friendly cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system includes an insulating enclosure, a block of ice within the insulating enclosure, a primary coil of tubing contacting the block of ice and beneath the block of ice for transferring fluid, a return coil of tubing beneath the block of ice for transferring fluid, and a floor pan for collecting water beneath the primary coil and the return coil. The enclosure can include sloped walls to facilitate freezing of water within the enclosure. Alternatively, the block of ice can be delivered via a service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Richard A. Burger
  • Publication number: 20040011073
    Abstract: A portable air chiller for providing air conditioning in a variety of environmental circumstances. The portable air chiller includes an insulated container capable of effectively containing a endothermic substrate, an in-flow vent and out-flow vent positioned to communicate air flow from the exterior of the container to the interior of the container. A fan located in the out flow vent facilitates conditioned air movement out of the interior of the portable air chiller. The interior of the portable air chiller houses a endothermic substrate holder which practically traverses the length and width of the interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: Ralf Blackstone
  • Publication number: 20030230109
    Abstract: A portable cooling or heating system suitable for use on a vehicle such as a car, plane or boat, that does not have its own air conditioning system. The system is intended to be combined with a portable cooler chest and includes an electric fan unit that can be powered from the power supply on a vehicle. The cooling is provided by ice and the like. The system can also be used to heat a confined space by placing a hot material in the chest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: John Link
  • Patent number: 6571574
    Abstract: A portable air chiller for providing air conditioning in a variety of environmental circumstances. The portable air chiller includes an insulated container capable of effectively containing a endothermic substrate, an in-flow vent and out-flow vent positioned to communicate air flow from the exterior of the container to the interior of the container. A fan located in the out flow vent facilitates conditioned air movement out of the interior of the portable air chiller. The interior of the portable air chiller houses a endothermic substrate holder which practically traverses the length and width of the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Inventor: Ralf W. Blackstone
  • Patent number: 6401483
    Abstract: An air conditioning device engageable with a common receptacle to transfer and condition air over a conditioning media for discharge by the device. The device includes a support member and a blower for forcing air along an air passageway over the conditioning media and discharging the conditioned air to the exterior of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Erich Kopp
  • Publication number: 20020066284
    Abstract: An electrically powered air freight container (1) includes an insulated housing (2) and a refrigeration unit (3). The refrigeration unit (3) is powered by a voltage and frequency converter which receives electrical power at one voltage and frequency and converts that power to a voltage and frequency which is appropriate to power the refrigeration unit (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Leslie John Lindsey, Christopher Robin Hill
  • Patent number: 6357251
    Abstract: A portable cooling device includes an elongated chamber supported on a surface at an angle. The preferably cylindrical chamber holds a cylindrical bottle where an annular air space surrounds the bottle. The high efficiency design provides for adjusting the air direction with a one-piece pivotable outlet vent. A clamshell chamber made from two half-tubes allows easy plastic molding and access to the chamber interior for cleaning and for removal of the condensate tray. The integrated monolithic shape of the device fully encloses the working parts for a clean sanitary look.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Marks
  • Patent number: 6336341
    Abstract: A cooling system for use with a typical ice container uses a pump that is disposed within a fluid held within the ice container. The pump pumps the fluid through a radiator located on a top cover of the ice container while a fan blows across the radiator. A plenum directs the cool air produced by the device. The fan can draw at least some of its air from within the ice container and can be thermostatically controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas L. McGraw, Terrance L. McGraw, Jon Franke
  • Patent number: 6269651
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus, such as a consumer display unit 400, comprises a covered tray 403 or other compartment for accommodating consumer product to be kept cool, and a housing 420 for accommodating a replaceable charge of dry ice out of contact with the product. A tubular element 421 communicates between the covered tray and the housing 420 to allow cold air and carbon dioxide to flow from the dry ice to the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Scotsway Limited
    Inventor: Alan Price
  • Patent number: 6026653
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus suitable for use in small boats having enclosed cabins, comprising an insulated compartment; a cooling coil having an inner surface and an outer surface; a small pump for causing a liquid cooling fluid to travel along a defined flow path leading from the insulated compartment, across the inner surface of the cooling coil, and back to the insulated compartment; and a means for causing air to flow across the outer surface of the cooling coil in heat exchange relationship with the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid is cooled by contact with a slowly melting frozen material stored inside the insulated compartment. No on-board vapor compression refrigeration cycle like those used in conventional marine air conditioning systems is used for either chilling the cooling fluid or refreezing the frozen material after it melts. This leads to a significant decrease in power requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventor: David M. Presnell
  • Patent number: 6016664
    Abstract: A refrigerated freight container (1) includes a heat insulated, substantially parallelepipedial case with a ceiling (2), two side walls and two end walls (5,6), and a bottom (7). A refrigerating unit with an ice bin (10) is positioned in the corner between one of the end walls (5) and the ceiling (2). Around the ice bin (10) are flow channels (12) for refrigerating air disposed, whereby the flow of the refrigerating air is achieved by fans. An inner ceiling (14) is disposed against the container ceiling (2) with a spacing therebetween, and this spacing constitutes a flow path for the refrigerating air from the refrigerating unit. The inner ceiling (14) ends at a distance from the inside of the side walls and end wall (6), which is opposite to the one where the refrigerating unit is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Frigotainer Insulated Air Cargo Containers AB
    Inventors: Nils Larsson, Goran Westerholm
  • Patent number: 5953933
    Abstract: A water container and cooling fan assembly including a fan motor base, a cylindrical housing mounted on the fan motor face and covered with a top cover, and a water container put inside the housing, the water container having a plurality of longitudinal turning angles defining with the housing a plurality of longitudinal wind passages through which induced currents of air from a fan in the fan motor base pass, top cover having a smoothly curved wind guide face on the inside adapted for guiding induced currents of air from the longitudinal wind passages to an exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: Chuan-Hsin Cheng
  • Patent number: 5916256
    Abstract: A refrigerating system of freight containers comprises an ice bin, against the wall of which the air to be refrigerated is caused to flow by way of a flow duct. At least one fan is provided for generating said flow and is thereby located above the lowermost level of the ice bin. At least a portion of the flow duct is formed by an interspace between a wall of the ice bin and a screen and between the screen and an insulated wall constitutuing an inner wall of the freight container and extending downwards from the fan or fans towards the lowermost level of the ice bin and then upwards past said wall of the ice bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Frigotainer Insulated Air Cargo Containers AB
    Inventors: Goran Westerholm, Nils Larsson
  • Patent number: 5860293
    Abstract: A cooling pack includes a plurality of thermally conductive shells made of a rigid plastic. Each shell contains a coolant and is securable directly to the protective housing of an electric fan. The shells are sized and shaped to allow the passage of fan air while the fan is operating. Heat is removed from the fan air flowing past the shells, thereby improving the cooling capability of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: Mathew P. Piro
  • Patent number: 5762129
    Abstract: A portable housing holds a quantity of ice and the melt water from the ice or cooled water or cooled liquid is circulated through a heat exchanger. A blower circulates air from the room through the heat exchanger and back into the room for cooling the room. The housing includes a relatively large chamber for holding the ice and a relatively smaller chamber in which the blower is disposed. Melt water from the ice, or cooled water or cooled liquid, is pumped through the heat exchanger and from the heat exchanger the liquid flows by gravity back to the ice and water chamber. An alternate embodiment is disclosed in which there is a closed loop liquid heat exchange system by which a coil is disposed beneath the ice and is cooled. A pump continuously circulates the liquid in the closed loop, with the heat exchanger through which air is blown is part of the closed loop system. The apparatus may also be used as a portable heater by using hot water instead of cold water in the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Frank S. Elliott
  • Patent number: 5685165
    Abstract: A portable air conditioning system has been invented which, in one aspect has a support frame with a fan mounted behind a radiator, and a power supply for selectively providing power to run the fan. The system is mountable in or on a container such as a typical ice chest. In one embodiment, water and ice are place in the ice chest for cooling a small room or a vehicle's interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Inventor: Floyd E. Bigelow, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5369964
    Abstract: Apparatus for cooling a fluid. The apparatus has an ice storage reservoir (5) and tubes (12, 9) by which a cooling fluid or a cooled fluid may pass through the reservoir (5), where the fluids may exchange heat with the ice. At least one and preferably both of the fluids are air. The fluids may circulate in the storage reservoir (5) either independently or alternately, in which case the same fluid can alternately function as the cooling fluid and the cooled fluid. The apparatus is consequently simplified and therefore more reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventors: Georges Mauer, Bernard Simplex
  • Patent number: 4841742
    Abstract: A portable air conditioning unit for cars, campers, vans, tents and other enclosures. The unit is substantially noiseless and free from vibration. It comprises an insulated housing, internal cooling heat exchanger, a blower fan, and inlet and outlet ports. The coolant used is natural ice to which anti-freeze or salt may be added to increase cooling capacity. The air conditioner can cool for as long as 4 days on one change of coolant and has a very low drain on the battery supply, which may be conserved by electronic power control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Inventor: Robert Biby
  • Patent number: 4728536
    Abstract: Temporarily insulating frozen surfaces, such as ice rinks, from the ambient air by spreading a metastable liquid foam over the ice surface to remain thereon when the ice surface is not in use, then prior to the next use period, removing the aged, partially frozen foam. Fire fighting foam liquids are preferred embodiment foaming agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: John S. Burley
    Inventors: William G. Burley, John S. Burley
  • Patent number: 4612774
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing an ice cooled fan screen. The invention is composed of a support frame into the top of which is designed a chamber suitable for holding ice. The chamber has a floor which slopes towards one side of the screen so that melting ice water will collect there. Connected to the floor at the lower end of the chamber is a hollow copper tube which receives the ice water and directs it through a series of "S" turns downward to the base of the support frame. The end of the copper tube has a positive shut off valve so that the ice water may be retained within the tube as long as desired. The base of the support is further designed to provide for a melted ice chamber. Located within this chamber is a removable refreezing tray which is connected to the positive shut off valve by a draining means. As described, the ice cooled fan screen is suitable for placement in front of any common fan to provide for a unique, inexpensive means to substantially cool living, working and playing areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Inventor: Paul A. Budreau