U.S. patent application number 11/782339 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-31 for decorative door for cooler.
Invention is credited to Chun Jiang Juo, Jin Lai, Shao Hua Li.
Application Number | 20080024047 11/782339 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38982268 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080024047 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Juo; Chun Jiang ; et
al. |
January 31, 2008 |
DECORATIVE DOOR FOR COOLER
Abstract
A decorative door for a cooler includes a frame featuring a
circumferential slot and a circumferential chamber that are in
communication with one another. The frame is adapted for mounting
to a cooler in a hinged fashion. An interior transparent panel is
secured by its edges within the circumferential slot of the frame
and features a decorative channel formed therein. A number of
light-emitting diodes serve as light sources positioned in the
circumferential chamber and illuminate the decorative channel of
the interior transparent panel. Inner surface and outer surface
transparent panels are mounted to the frame on opposite sides of
the interior transparent panel and the spaces there between are at
least partially evacuated of air. The frame also includes a
circumferential passage containing an insulating material, such as
molecular mesh.
Inventors: |
Juo; Chun Jiang; (Yilong
Sichuan, CN) ; Li; Shao Hua; (Chenxi, CN) ;
Lai; Jin; (Guangzhou, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATENT GROUP;C/O DLA PIPER US LLP
203 N. LASALLE ST., SUITE 1900
CHICAGO
IL
60601
US
|
Family ID: |
38982268 |
Appl. No.: |
11/782339 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60832881 |
Jul 24, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/405 ;
220/592.02; 312/236; 62/440 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 27/00 20130101;
F21Y 2115/10 20160801; F25D 23/02 20130101; F25D 2400/18 20130101;
F21W 2131/305 20130101; A47F 3/043 20130101; F25D 2327/001
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/405 ;
220/592.02; 312/236; 062/440 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/02 20060101
F25D023/02; A47F 3/04 20060101 A47F003/04; F25D 13/00 20060101
F25D013/00; F25D 23/00 20060101 F25D023/00 |
Claims
1. A decorative door for a cooler comprising: a. a frame featuring
a circumferential slot and a circumferential chamber that are in
communication with one another, said frame adapted for mounting to
a cooler in a hinged fashion; b. a first transparent panel secured
by its edges within the circumferential slot of the frame, said
first transparent panel having a decorative channel formed therein;
c. a plurality of light sources positioned in the circumferential
chamber, said plurality of light sources illuminating the
decorative channel of the first transparent panel; and d. a second
transparent panel secured by its edges to the frame so that a first
space is formed between the first and second transparent panels,
said first space being at least partially evacuated of air.
2. The decorative door of claim 1 wherein said first transparent
panel is an interior transparent panel and said second transparent
panel is an outer surface transparent panel and further comprising
an inner surface transparent panel, said inner surface transparent
panel secured by its edges so that a second space is formed between
the interior transparent panel and the inner surface transparent
panel, said second space being at least partially evacuated of
air.
3. The decorative door of claim 2 wherein the frame includes a
circumferential passage containing an insulating material.
4. The decorative door of claim 1 wherein the frame includes a
circumferential passage containing an insulating material.
5. The decorative door of claim 4 wherein the insulating material
includes a molecular mesh.
6. The decorative door of claim 1 wherein the plurality of light
sources are light-emitting diodes.
7. The decorative door of claim 1 wherein the decorative channel is
generally V-shaped.
8. The decorative door of claim 1 further comprising left and right
door posts mounted to opposing sides of said frame wherein one of
the door posts is adapted to mount the decorative door to a cooler
and the other door post includes a handle.
9. The decorative door of claim 8 wherein the left and right door
posts secure the second transparent panel to the frame.
10. The decorative door of claim 1 further comprising top end and
bottom end caps attached to the frame and securing the second
transparent panel to the frame.
11. The decorative door of claim 1 further comprising an insulation
bridge secured to the frame in a circumferential fashion, said
insulation bridge including a glass engagement portion that secures
the second transparent panel to the frame.
12. The decorative door of claim 11 further comprising a door
gasket circumferentially attached to the insulation bridge.
13. A cooler comprising: a. a housing containing a refrigerated
space, said housing featuring an open front so that the
refrigerated space may be accessed; and b. a decorative door
mounted to the housing in a hinged fashion so that the open front
of the housing may be selectively closed, said decorative door
including: i) a frame featuring a circumferential slot and a
circumferential chamber that are in communication with one another,
said frame adapted for mounting to a cooler in a hinged fashion;
ii) a first transparent panel secured by its edges within the
circumferential slot of the frame, said first transparent panel
having a decorative channel formed therein; iii) a plurality of
light sources positioned in the circumferential chamber, said
plurality of light sources illuminating the decorative channel of
the first transparent panel; iv) a second transparent panel secured
by its edges to the frame so that a first space is formed between
the first and second transparent panels, said first space being at
least partially evacuated of air.
14. The cooler of claim 13 wherein said first transparent panel of
the decorative door is an interior transparent panel and said
second transparent panel of the decorative door is an outer surface
transparent panel and the decorative door further comprising an
inner surface transparent panel, said inner surface transparent
panel secured by its edges so that a second space is formed between
the interior transparent panel and the inner surface transparent
panel, said second space being at least partially evacuated of
air.
15. The cooler of claim 14 wherein the frame of the decorative door
includes a circumferential passage containing an insulating
material.
16. The cooler of claim 13 wherein the frame of the decorative door
includes a circumferential passage containing an insulating
material.
17. The cooler of claim 16 wherein the insulating material includes
a molecular mesh.
18. The cooler of claim 13 wherein the plurality of light sources
of the decorative door are light-emitting diodes.
19. The cooler of claim 13 wherein the decorative channel of the
decorative door is generally V-shaped.
20. The cooler of claim 13 wherein the decorative door also
includes: v) an insulation bridge secured to the frame in a
circumferential fashion, said insulation bridge including a glass
engagement portion that secures the second transparent panel to the
frame; and vi) a door gasket circumferentially attached to the
insulation bridge.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/832,881, filed Jul. 24, 2006,
currently pending.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to coolers for storing and
refrigerating beverages and food items and, more particularly, to
an illuminated and insulated decorative door for such a cooler.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Coolers are typically used in retail establishments to
display beverages or other food items that require refrigeration.
Such coolers typically feature doors with at least one window that
permit viewing of the beverages and/or food items being sold. The
door is hinged and may be opened to retrieve the beverage or food
item out of the cooler. The door typically seals when closed to
insulate the refrigerated interior of the cooler. It is desirable
for the front of such coolers to be decorative so as to attract
attention and advertise the beverages and/or food items contained
in the cooler.
[0004] The present invention offers an insulated decorative door
for a cooler featuring a window having a design that is side-lit so
as to be illuminated in an attractive fashion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the
cooler door of the invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the cooler door of FIG.
1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cooler door of FIGS. 1
and 2;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the cooler door of FIGS. 1-3
taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of circled portion A of FIG.
4;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the cooler door of FIG. 1
taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1:
[0011] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of circled portion B of FIG.
6;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the door frame of the
cooler door of FIGS. 1-7;
[0013] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the cooler door of FIG. 8
taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;
[0014] FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the interior
transparent panel of the cooler door of FIGS. 1-7;
[0015] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the interior glass of FIG. 10
taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10;
[0016] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of circled portion C of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13
[0017] FIG. 13 is a rear elevational view of a section of the
insulation bridge of the cooler door of FIGS. 1-7;
[0018] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the insulation bridge of FIG.
13 taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13;
[0019] FIG. 15 is a rear elevational view of the door gasket of the
cooler door of FIGS. 1-7;
[0020] FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the door gasket of FIG. 15
taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15;
[0021] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a cooler equipped with the
decorative door of FIGS. 1-3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0022] A cooler door constructed in accordance with the present
invention is indicated in general at 20 in FIG. 1. The door
features an outer protective transparent panel 22 (which may or may
not be decorative). In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the
door features a left door post 24a, a right door post 24b, a top
end cap 26a and a bottom end cap 26b. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the
left door post 24a features a handle 28 for opening. The left and
right door posts and top end and bottom end caps may be constructed
from plastic, aluminum or other materials.
[0023] As illustrated in FIGS. 4-7, the door features three layers
of transparent panels in addition to the outer protective
transparent panel 22. More specifically, the door features an
interior transparent panel 32, outer surface transparent panel 34
and inner surface transparent panel 36. The space between interior
transparent panel 32 and outer surface transparent panel 34,
indicated at 38 in FIGS. 5 and 7, and the space between interior
transparent panel 32 and inner surface transparent panel 36,
indicated at 42 in FIGS. 5 and 7, are vacuum insulated. The
transparent panels 22, 32, 34 and 36 may be constructed from
acrylic, glass or any other transparent material.
[0024] A frame, indicated at 44 in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, and indicated
in general at 44 in FIG. 9, features a circumferential slot 46
(FIG. 9) that holds the interior transparent panel 32
circumferentially by its edges. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the frame
also includes a chamber 50 that travels the circumference or
perimeter of the frame and that houses multiple light-emitting
diodes (LEDs) as illustrated at 52 in FIGS. 5 and 7. As a result,
the LEDs 52 run along the top and bottom and both sides of the
frame 44. The LEDs receive power via electric cord 54 of FIGS. 1-3.
In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the frame includes a passage
54 that travels the circumference or perimeter of the frame. This
passage is filled with molecular mesh, indicated at 56 in FIGS. 5
and 7, to provide insulation to interior transparent panel 32.
While LEDs are illustrated and described herein, alternative light
sources may be used. In addition, alternative insulation materials
known in the art may be substituted for the molecular mesh 56.
Frame 44 may be constructed from aluminum, plastic or a variety of
other materials, preferably providing low levels of heat
transfer.
[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 5, outer surface transparent panel 34
is secured against frame 44 by inwardly protruding portions 57 of
left and right door posts 24a and 24b, as well as outer protective
transparent panel 22 and inwardly protruding portions 59 of top end
and bottom end caps 26a and 26b (FIG. 7).
[0026] As illustrated in FIGS. 10-12, the interior transparent
panel or sheet 32 features a V-shaped channel 58 formed or etched
therein that forms a decoration that illuminates when lit from the
side by the LEDs 52 of FIGS. 5 and 7. As an example only, the angle
of the channel (indicated at 62 in FIG. 12) may be approximately
90.degree.. Alternative channel shapes may be used, as long as the
channel catches the light produced by LEDs 52 of FIGS. 5 and 7 as
they travel through the interior sheet 32. In addition, while a
bottle shape is illustrated as the decoration in FIG. 10, the
decorative shape may obviously take other shapes and could
optionally include text.
[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, an insulation bridge 66
travels around the periphery of inner surface transparent panel 36
and is secured to top and bottom caps 26a and 26b by pins 68 (as
illustrated in FIG. 7) and to right and left door posts 24a and 24b
by pins 72 (as illustrated in FIG. 5). An enlarged view of a
section of the insulation bridge is illustrated in FIG. 13, while a
sectional view of the bridge is illustrated in FIG. 14, where the
bridge is indicated in general at 66. Pins 68 and 72, of FIGS. 7
and 5, respectively, pass through openings 74 of FIGS. 13 and 14.
As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the insulation bridge features a
channel 76 and a transparent panel engagement portion 78. As
illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, the transparent panel engagement
portion 78 engages the inner surface transparent panel 36 and
secures the periphery of the inner surface transparent panel to
frame 44. The function of channel 76 will be explained below. The
insulation bridge is preferably constructed of rubber, plastic or
another type of insulating material that is at least
semi-rigid.
[0028] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, a door gasket 82 is secured
to the channel 76 of the insulation bridge 66 via studs 84 so as to
run around the periphery of the door inner surface. An enlarged
view of the gasket is provided in FIG. 15, while FIG. 16 provides a
sectional view of the gasket. The gasket is preferably formed of
rubber and seals the interior space of coolers equipped with the
door when the door is closed.
[0029] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the right door post 24b
features cylindrical opening 86 passing longitudinally there
through. The opening 86 receives a rod, bar or other means for
mounting the door to the front side edge of a cooler in a hinged
fashion, as illustrated for cooler 90 in FIG. 17. More
specifically, with reference to FIG. 17, the cooler 90 includes a
housing 92 that encloses and houses a refrigerated space for
beverages or food items. The housing features an open front so that
the beverages or food items may be removed from the interior of the
cooler. Decorative door 20 is mounted in a hinged fashion to cover
the open front of the cooler housing.
[0030] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been
shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that changes and modifications may be made therein without
departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is
defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *