Keg refrigerator

Abstract

Keg refrigerator with an insulated refrigerator housing where the major portion of the housing is rectangular in shape but the front hinged door portion of the housing is curved to match the shape of a standard cylindrical keg which can snuggly reside within the refrigerator housing. A standard refrigerator mechanism including compressor and refrigeration coils keeps the keg within the housing cool. A standard fluid connection connects the contents of the keg to a spigot located above the top surface of the refrigerator housing. A set of castor wheels mounted to the underside of the refrigerator housing allows the refrigerator to be easily rolled from one location to another. A preferred embodiment includes the refrigerator housing is sized to snuggly retain a keg that is approximately twenty three and one quarter inches tall and seventeen inches in diameter.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This invention relates generally to the field of refrigerators and more specifically to a keg retaining refrigerator.

Refrigerators to keep food and beverages cool are well known and are found in almost every home in America. Refrigerators are generally insulated housings and are rectangular in shape and have a front hinged door or doors. A refrigerator includes a standard compressor, a refrigerant gas and a coil set to provide cooling for the inside of the insulated refrigerator housing. One use for a refrigerator is to house and cool a keg type container that usually holds beer. A standard keg container is generally cylindrical in shape and approximately twenty three and one quarter inches tall and seventeen inches in diameter. There is a deficiency in a standard refrigerator housing with respect to holding a keg of beer in that a keg has a round cross section and a refrigerator tends to have a square cross section. Therefore a standard refrigerator housing takes up more space than is needed to hold a keg of beer and requires more cooling capability because there is an unnecessary void that is created between the keg wall and the inner refrigerator walls.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The primary object of the invention is to provide a refrigerator for a standard size keg container where the front door portion is curved to match the shape of the keg so that the resulting refrigerator takes up a minimum of space and so that there is a minimum of space within the refrigerator that needs to be cooled.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a refrigerator for a standard sized keg container where a fluid connection is made from the top of the keg to a dispensing spigot located on the top outer surface of the refrigerator.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a refrigerator foe a standard sized keg that includes casters for easy rolling of the refrigerator from one location to another.

[0008] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

[0009] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed keg refrigerator comprising: an insulated refrigerator housing where the major portion of said housing is rectangular in shape but the front hinged door portion of said housing is curved to match the shape of a standard keg which can snuggly reside within said refrigerator housing, a standard refrigerator mechanism including compressor and refrigeration coils to keep the keg within said housing cool, a standard fluid connection means that connects the contents of said keg to a spigot located above the top surface of said refrigerator housing, and a set of castor wheels mounted to the underside of said refrigerator housing so that said housing may be easily rolled from one location to another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention in the open position.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a top section view of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a front view of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a perspective view of the present invention 100. The refrigerator housing 4 is primarily rectangular in shape however the front door 2 is curved in shape to match the shape of a cylindrical beer keg which is being stored inside. Front door 2 is attached to main body 4 by hinge 14. A matching hinge 14A, shown in the front view shown in FIG. 4, is located at the bottom portion of the housing 4 and door 2. Concave depression 24 in door 2 is a finger grip area that allows the user to open the door 2. The present keg refrigerator 100 includes a conduit 10 and spigot that can be operated by lever 12 to dispense beer. Tray portion 6 allows accidental excess beer to be trapped for later removal. The housing bottom is supported by four casters 16 that allow the refrigerator 100 to be rolled from one location to another.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the invention 100 with front door 2 in the open position. Keg 30 can be easily seen. A magnetic closure strip 26 can also be seen. The refrigerator 100 is designed to snuggly retain a keg having the dimensions of twenty three and one quarter of an inch tall by seventeen inches in diameter. Standard keg coupling 20 is connected to exit tube 22 which penetrates through the top surface of housing 4 and up conduit 10 finally terminating at spigot assembly 8 and activated by lever 12.

[0017] FIG. 3 shows a top section view of the invention as defined by section line 50 shown in the front view of the invention in FIG. 4. The view in FIG. 3 clearly shows how the front door 2 of the refrigerator 100 is curved to match the contour of enclosed keg 30. In this way the refrigerator 100 takes up a minimum of physical space and the amount of internal refrigerator space that needs to be cooled is also minimized in comparison to a standard box shape thereby providing increased energy efficiency.

[0018] While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. keg refrigerator comprising: an insulated refrigerator housing where the major portion of said housing is rectangular in shape however the front hinged door portion of said housing is curved to match the shape of a standard cylindrical keg which can snuggly reside within said refrigerator housing; a standard refrigerator mechanism including compressor and refrigeration coils to keep the keg within said housing cool; a standard fluid connection means that connects the contents of said keg to a spigot located above the top surface of said refrigerator housing; and a set of castor wheels mounted to the underside of said refrigerator housing so that said housing may be easily rolled from one location to another.

2. Keg refrigerator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said refrigerator housing is sized to snuggly retain a keg that is approximately twenty three and one quarter inches tall and seventeen inches in diameter.