U.S. patent application number 10/718870 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for merchandising cooler having large packout and small footprint.
Invention is credited to Hansen, Gregory J.H..
Application Number | 20050109040 10/718870 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34591172 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050109040 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hansen, Gregory J.H. |
May 26, 2005 |
Merchandising cooler having large packout and small footprint
Abstract
A merchandising cooler has a thermoelectric cooling module with
a thermoelectric array. Direct current is supplied to the
thermoelectric array, thereby producing a cold side and a hot side.
The thermoelectric array is mounted in an insulated container so
that either the cold side or the hot side is in thermal
communication with the interior space of the container and the
other side is in thermal communication with the ambient
environment. Depending on the arrangement and current flow, the
device can either cool or heat displayed merchandise.
Inventors: |
Hansen, Gregory J.H.;
(Ridgefield, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Donald S. Dowden
Cooper & Dunham LLP
1185 Avenue of the Americas
New York
NY
10036
US
|
Family ID: |
34591172 |
Appl. No.: |
10/718870 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/3.6 ;
62/246 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 3/0482 20130101;
F25B 21/04 20130101; A47F 3/0434 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/003.6 ;
062/246 |
International
Class: |
F25B 021/02; A47F
003/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A merchandising cooler comprising: an insulated container having
one or more walls enclosing an interior space; A thermoelectric
cooling module having a thermoelectric array; means for supplying
direct current to the thermoelectric array, thereby producing a
cold side and a hot side; and means for mounting the thermoelectric
array in the insulated container so that one of the cold and hot
sides is in thermal communication with the interior space and the
other of the cold and hot sides is in thermal communication with
the ambient environment; wherein said one or more walls includes a
transparent panel to facilitate viewing of contents of the
insulated container.
2. The merchandising cooler of claim 1 wherein the thermoelectric
cooling module is self-contained so that it can be installed in the
insulated container or removed from the insulated container as a
single module.
3. The merchandising cooler of claim 1 wherein the transparent
panel can be opened to provide access to the contents of the
insulated container.
4. The merchandising cooler of claim 3 wherein the transparent
panel is hinged.
5. The merchandising cooler of claim 3 wherein the transparent
panel is slidable.
6. The merchandising cooler of claim 1 wherein the thermoelectric
cooling module is attached to the insulated container with one or
more screws.
7. The merchandising cooler of claim 1 wherein said one or more
walls includes a top and the thermoelectric cooling module is
mounted in the top.
8. The merchandising cooler of claim 1 wherein said one or more
walls includes at least one vertical side wall and the
thermoelectric cooling module is mounted in said side wall.
9. The merchandising cooler of claim 1 wherein the insulated
container has a volume larger than forty quarts, and the
thermoelectric module is capable of chilling the contents of the
insulated container below ambient temperatures.
10. The merchandising cooler of claim 1 wherein the contents of the
insulated container are chilled to below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
11. The merchandising cooler of claim 1 having a footprint no
greater than 580 square inches.
12. A merchandising cooler comprising: a thermoelectric cooling
module having a thermoelectric array, a radiator and a supplemental
radiator; and an insulated container having a transparent portion
facilitating viewing of the contents of the insulated container;
wherein the merchandising cooler is mountable on a countertop.
13. A method for implementing a merchandising cooler, comprising
the steps of: utilizing a thermoelectric cooling module having a
thermoelectric array and a supplemental radiator coupled to chill
contents of an insulated container to temperatures below ambient
temperatures; and displaying the contents of the insulated
container through one or more transparent portions of the insulated
container.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to coolers and more
particularly to a novel and highly effective merchandising cooler
that maximizes packout (i.e., the amount of merchandise that the
cooler can store and cool) and minimizes footprint (i.e., the floor
space the cooler requires).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional merchandising coolers utilize mechanical
refrigeration to chill merchandise, such as food and beverages,
which is best kept and sold at lower temperatures that the ambient
temperature of the environment in which the items are sold. These
conventional coolers operate according to the same general
principles as a home refrigerator, and include a compressor, a
pump, and a condenser coil. They are accordingly expensive, bulky,
and inefficient. Further, these conventional refrigeration units
tend to have a large footprint. Floor space in a retail environment
can be scarce and costly; accordingly, these conventional
arrangements fail to provide an adequate packout relative to their
footprint. Mechanical refrigeration units can moreover be costly to
maintain.
[0003] Recently, thermoelectric technology has been utilized in a
wide variety of applications. Thermoelectric arrays are solid-state
heat pumps that utilize one or more physical effects such as the
Peltier effect and Thompson effect. In operation, direct current
flows through the thermoelectric cooler, causing heat to be
transferred from one side of the array to the other, creating a
cold side and a hot side. The cold side of the thermoelectric array
can be placed in or adjacent to a selected area or device for
cooling purposes.
[0004] Thermoelectric cooling does away with the bulky coils and
compressors used in conventional refrigeration. Thus, refrigeration
can be supplied to places that do not accommodate conventional
refrigeration systems. For example, thermoelectric cooling has been
used successfully to cool integrated circuit (IC) components to
improve their performance. More recently, thermoelectric cooling
has been used to cool small, portable coolers. These conventional
units include a 40-quart thermoelectric cooler sold under the
trademark COLEMAN. While these units may provide a sufficient
solution for use in a personal, home or travel environment, they
are not equipped to provide the combination of large packout and
small footprint that is desirable in a merchandising environment.
Additionally, the thermoelectric coolers known in the art do not
adequately display the refrigerated goods offered for sale and are
not designed in a way that enables efficient maintenance.
[0005] Therefore, a need exists for a small-footprint cooler that
can hold a large quantity of merchandise, display it attractively
to potential consumers, and chill it efficiently. Further, a need
exists for a cooler with a cooling module that facilitates the
efficient manufacture, maintenance, repair or replacement of the
cooling module.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a merchandising cooler is provided that includes a
thermoelectric cooling module having a supplemental radiator on the
hot side and an insulated container having one or more transparent
side or top portions that facilitate viewing of the contents of the
insulated container.
[0007] Another exemplary embodiment of the merchandising cooler of
the present invention includes a thermoelectric cooling module
mounted in the top of the cooler and having a supplemented radiator
on the hot side and an insulated container having a transparent top
portion.
[0008] In further embodiments of the present invention, the
thermoelectric module is mounted in various different locations in
the top of the cooler, with one or more transparent panels in
various sides or top portions of the cooler, and further, with
opening mechanisms which are hinged, slidable, or can otherwise be
opened to allow access to the contents of the merchandising cooler.
In one embodiment, the merchandising cooler is configured to be
mountable on a countertop.
[0009] The system and method of the invention provide a number of
benefits. Thermoelectric cooling is less expensive and less bulky
than conventional refrigerator coolers used in the sale of goods.
By virtue of the less bulky design, the merchandising cooler of the
present invention can maximize packout for a given footprint.
Additionally, the modular design of the thermoelectric cooling
module of the present invention facilitates efficient manufacture
and maintenance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
the needs satisfied thereby, and the objects, features, and
advantages thereof, reference now is made to the following
descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a basic disgram of an exemplary embodiment of the
thermoelectric merchandising cooler of the present invention with a
thermoelectric unit and transparent window in the top of the
cooler.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a basic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a
thermoelectric merchandising cooler of the present invention with a
thermoelectric unit mounted in the top and a transparent window in
a side portion of the cooler.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a basic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a
thermoelectric merchandising cooler of the present invention with a
thermoelectric unit mounted in a side and a transparent window in
the top of the cooler.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a basic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a
thermoelectric merchandising cooler of the present invention with a
thermoelectric unit and a transparent window mounted in a side of
the cooler, intended for use on a countertop.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a basic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a
thermoelectric merchandising cooler of the present invention with a
thermoelectric unit and transparent window in the top of the
cooler, and illustrates an exemplary arrangement of key components
of the thermoelectric module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their
advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-5, like
numerals being used for corresponding parts in the various
drawings.
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a merchandizing cooler 10 according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The merchandising
cooler 10 includes a thermoelectric module 12 mounted at the top of
an insulated container 14 (insulation is provided between outer and
inner walls of the container 14). The thermoelectric module 12 may
be purchased off the shelf from any of a number of conventional
suppliers, as these skilled in the art will understand. The cooling
capacity of the thermoelectric module 12 is selected with due
regard to the expected ambient temperature, the volume of the space
to be chilled, the temperature to be maintained within that volume,
the thermal properties of the goods to be stored and displayed, and
the insulating properties of the container 14, as those skilled in
the art will also understand. The insulated container 14 is
composed of materials that significantly impede the transfer of
heat between the inside and outside is of the insulated container
14. In this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
insulated container 14 has a volume greater than 40 quarts and a
footprint no greater than 580 square inches. The size of the
insulated container 14 may vary for different applications, and the
scope of the present invention is not limited to these exemplary
dimensions. The thermoelectric module 12 may be secured to the
insulated container 14 by screws, adhesives, or other conventional
fastening means. The merchandising cooler 10 also contains a
transparent panel 16 in its top. The transparent panel 16
facilitates the display of the contents of the merchandising cooler
10, and may be composed of glass, plastic, or some other
transparent material. The transparent panel 16 may be hinged or
slidable so that it can be opened to provide access to the contents
of the merchandising cooler 10. Alternatively, it may simply snap
into place.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a merchandising cooler according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The merchandising
cooler 20 includes a thermoelectric module 22 that may be mounted
in the top of an insulated container 24. The thermoelectric module
22 may be secured to the insulated container 24 by screws,
adhesives, or other conventional fastening means. The merchandising
cooler 20 further includes a transparent portion 26 that
facilitates display of the contents of the insulated container 24.
The transparent portion 26 may be constructed to open to provide
access to the contents of the insulated container 24. In the case
of a large openable portion, such as the one shown in FIG. 2,
hinges are preferred. However, a short-throw sliding mechanism is
also possible. Alternatively, the transparent portion 26 may be
fixed, and the container 24 may have an additional portion, not
shown in FIG. 2, that may be opened to provide access to the
contents of the insulated container 24.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a merchandising cooler 30 according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the
thermoelectric cooling module is provided in a side of the
merchandising cooler. The merchandising cooler 30 includes a
thermoelectric module 34 mounted in the side of an insulated
container 36. The merchandising cooler 30 also has a transparent
portion 32 mounted in the top of the insulated container 36 that
facilitates display of the contents of the insulated container
36.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows a merchandising cooler 40 according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which is configured
to be mounted on a countertop. The merchandising cooler 40 includes
a thermoelectric cooling module 44 mounted in a side of the
merchandising cooler 40. Alternatively, it may be mounted in the
top or any other portion of the merchandising cooler 40. The
merchandising cooler 40 also includes a transparent portion 42 that
facilitates viewing of the contents of the insulated container 46.
The transparent portion 42 may be configured to provide access to
the contents of the insulated container 46 by a hinged joint,
sliding mechanism, or other means.
[0021] FIG. 5 provides a more detailed view of the merchandizing
cooler 10 of FIG. 1. The thermoelectric cooling module 12 includes
fans 51 and 56, heat exchangers 53 and 55, a thermoelectric array
54, and a supplemental radiator 52. In operation, direct current
flows through the thermoelectric array 54 in a direction causing
heat to be transferred from the cold side of the thermoelectric
array 54, which is thermally exposed to the interior of the
container, to the hot side of the thermoelectric array 54, which is
thermally exposed to the atmosphere. The cold side comprises a
first heat exchanger (heat sink or heat collector) 55; the warm
side comprises a second heat exchanger (heat radiator) 53. A
supplemental radiator 52 of the thermoelectric cooling module 12 is
coupled to the warm-side heat radiator 53 and provides increased
efficiency in evacuating thermal energy from the insulated
container 50. The supplemental radiator 52 may comprise an array of
fins in contact with radiator 53 or a coil through which a liquid
is circulated. A fan 51 may be employed to circulate air over the
fins or coil. The fan 56 is used to circulate air inside the
insulated container 14 to facilitate the transfer of heat to the
heat sink 55, which is chilled by the thermoelectric array 54.
Thermal energy is dissipated in the atmosphere from the
supplemental radiator 52 by the fan 51, which may be coupled to a
vent in the top of the thermoelectric cooling module 12. This
arrangement may be easily configured to chill the contents of an
insulated container of the present invention to temperatures below
50 degrees Fahrenheit. In another embodiment of the invention, the
hot and cold sides can be interchanged to warm the displayed
merchandise.
[0022] The thermoelectric cooling module 12 is a self-contained and
may include the elements 51-56 of FIG. 5 in addition to other
elements. The thermoelectric cooling module 12 in any event must
contain a thermoelectric array and two heat exchangers (a heat sink
on the cold side and a heat radiator on the hot side). The complete
thermoelectric cooling module 12 may be contained within a unitary
casing or housing. This facilitates the efficient removal of the
entire thermoelectric cooling module 12 from the merchandising
cooler 10, for easy replacement and/or repair. The module 52 sinks
down into a cavity in the insulated container, or the container has
a built-up rim for receiving the module. In either case, the fit is
snug, and insulation is provided around the module and a lid for
accessing the module, the interior of the container, or both. The
module 12 can be on any side of the container 14, including the
bottom, but is preferably in the top or a side wall. The
self-containment of all components of the thermoelectric cooling
module 12 also facilitates inexpensive and simple manufacture of
the entire merchandising cooler 10. The thermoelectric cooling
module 12 may be fastened to the insulated container 14 in a number
of different ways. In various embodiments, the thermoelectric
cooling module 12 is coupled to the insulated container 14 with the
use of suitable means facilitating the removal of the
thermoelectric cooling module 12, as explained above.
Alternatively, the thermoelectric cooling module 12 may be fixed to
the insulated container 14 in a more permanent fashion, as those
skilled in the art will understand.
[0023] While the invention has been described in connection with
preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary
skill in the art that other variations and modifications of the
preferred embodiments described above may be made without departing
from the scope of the invention. Other embodiments will be apparent
to those of ordinary skill in the art from a consideration of the
specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. For
example:
[0024] A drain can be affixed to the merchandising cooler so that
ice can be added to the container, enabling the thermoelectric
array to achieve even lower temperatures.
[0025] The device can be used either as an ice cooler or as an
electric cooler or both at the same time; the bottom of the
merchandising cooler or separate base on which it rests can accept
wheels, casters, or other rolling devices for mobility or easy
placement; the inside of the container can be provided with a ledge
or arms on which a plastic disk or platform of some material can be
placed to act as a false bottom; dividers can be placed or molded
inside the tub to separate or divide product inside tub; the lid
can be partly non-transparent (opaque or translucent) but have a
transparent viewing area; pockets or areas in the container walls
can be provided to accept blue ice packs, freeze bottles or an ice
substitute to aid in cooling; the outer walls of the merchandising
cooler can be of one-piece construction taller than 24"; a full,
printed graphic wrap can be secured around cooler, or graphic cards
can be provided that slide into channels (i.e., the outer wall can
be a sleeve, either spiral wound tubing, cardboard, plastic, or EPS
foam, or other known construction, and a graphic wrap or graphic
panels can be put around it or printed directly on it); gaskets,
wheathersealing or rubber strip can be provided on the inside of
the lid, on the container mounts, or both, to insulate and create a
seal; the lid can comprise multiple panes; the tub can be formed
with a taper; a separate crossbar can be provided that the
motor/housing attaches to and the lid rests on or is hinged to on
at least one side; the motor housing can have a lip that the lid
rests on or hinges/attaches to; the lid can be hinged directly to
the motor housing; the lid can be round with one flat side or
formed as a dome; a separate base can be formed with an upward rim
that extends vertically up over the above-mentioned sleeve and
wraps the bottom of the sleeve; the sleeve and insulated container
can be molded in one piece (rotational molding); the lid opening
can be a cut-out surrounded by transparent material which is
attached to rim, housing, or crossbar or simply rests over the
edges of the rim; the thermoelectric array can be attached to the
container on a first pair of opposite sides of a rectangular
configuration with transparent lids providing access to the
container on the other pair of opposite sides; lifts can be
installed inside the tub to lift product up to a viewable or
removable position; the thermoelectric array can be attached
completely or partially externally and a vent can blow chilled air
inside the tub; a tube or compartment can extend into or around the
container or in the walls of the container, allowing chilled air to
be injected into the container by way of holes, etc; and the
container can be provided with a guide for an electric power cord,
guiding it in a specified direction. The specification and the
described examples are merely exemplary; the scope of the invention
is indicated by the following claims.
* * * * *