U.S. patent application number 12/850359 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-10 for cooler apparatus.
Invention is credited to Virgil O. Heil.
Application Number | 20110030413 12/850359 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43533719 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110030413 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Heil; Virgil O. |
February 10, 2011 |
COOLER APPARATUS
Abstract
A cooler apparatus is disclosed having an onboard air
conditioning assembly. The apparatus may be used to retain and
chill food and beverages while simultaneously functioning to cool
the surrounding environment. The air conditioner assembly may
include a radiator positioned on or in a wall of a housing and an
exhaust fan positioned to circulate air through the radiator. A
source of air may be provided to the exhaust fan by an air intake
fan. Additionally, a fluid reservoir containing a coolant for the
radiator may be provided that includes at least one surface
positioned proximate the interior of the housing. The coolant may
thus be chilled by adding a predetermined quantity of ice to the
interior of the housing and the chilled coolant may then be
circulated between the reservoir and the radiator by a pump.
Inventors: |
Heil; Virgil O.;
(Birmingham, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GIFFORD, KRASS, SPRINKLE,ANDERSON & CITKOWSKI, P.C
PO BOX 7021
TROY
MI
48007-7021
US
|
Family ID: |
43533719 |
Appl. No.: |
12/850359 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61231227 |
Aug 4, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/407 ;
62/457.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2303/082 20130101;
Y02E 60/147 20130101; F25D 2400/38 20130101; Y02E 60/14 20130101;
F25D 3/08 20130101; Y02A 40/968 20180101; Y02A 40/963 20180101;
F24F 5/0017 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/407 ;
62/457.9 |
International
Class: |
F25D 17/04 20060101
F25D017/04; F25B 41/00 20060101 F25B041/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a housing defining an interior and
having an open top and including a cover positionable on the top
and operating to enclose the interior of the housing, the housing
further defining a first and a second opening and also being
dimensioned to define an air flow pathway extending between the
first and the second opening; an air conditioner assembly including
a radiator, an exhaust fan, an air intake fan, a fluid reservoir
and a pump, the radiator being positioned in the second opening of
the housing, with the exhaust fan being positioned proximate the
radiator and operating to blow air through the radiator and into
the environment through the second opening, the air intake fan
being positioned in the first opening, the fluid reservoir
containing a coolant and having at least one surface positioned
proximate the interior of the housing, and the pump operating to
circulate the coolant in a closed system between the reservoir and
the radiator; and a predetermined quantity of ice positioned in the
interior of the housing, the ice operating to chill the coolant in
the fluid reservoir.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a power supply positioned
on the housing.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the power supply comprises a
battery.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power supply
operating to drive the exhaust fan, the air intake fan and the
pump.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the power supply comprises a
DC power supply.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the power supply comprises an
AC power supply.
7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the power supply comprises a
solar panel.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump comprises a compact
form factor pump.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises
a base, side walls and end walls.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the walls and base are
insulated.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises
an outer shell, an inner shell and foam insulating material
positioned between an inner shell and the outer shell.
12. An apparatus comprising: a housing having a base, a pair of
sidewalls, a pair of end walls and a cover, with the walls
extending from the base to define a interior space having an open
top closable by the cover, at least one wall of the housing
defining a first and a second opening, and the housing being
further dimensioned to define an air flow pathway extending between
the first and the second opening; and an air conditioner assembly
including a radiator, an exhaust fan, an air intake fan, a fluid
reservoir and a pump, the radiator being positioned in the second
opening, with the exhaust fan being positioned proximate the
radiator and operating to blow air across through the radiator, the
air intake fan being positioned in the first opening, the fluid
reservoir containing a coolant and having at least one surface
positioned proximate the interior of the housing, and the pump
operating to circulate the coolant in a closed system between the
reservoir and the radiator.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a predetermined
quantity of ice positioned in the interior of the housing, the ice
operating to chill the coolant in the fluid reservoir.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the coolant comprises
distilled water.
15. The apparatus of claim 12, comprising a power supply operating
to drive the exhaust fan, the air intake fan and the pump.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the power supply comprises a
battery.
17. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the walls and base are
insulated.
18. An apparatus comprising: a housing defining an interior and
having an open top and including a cover that is one of removably
or pivotably attached proximate the open top and that operates to
enclose the interior of the housing, the housing also including an
outer shell, an inner shell and foam insulating material between an
inner shell and the outer shell, with the outer shell defining a
first and a second opening, and the housing being dimensioned to
further define an air flow pathway extending between the first and
the second opening; and an air conditioner assembly including a
radiator, an exhaust fan, an air intake fan, a fluid reservoir, a
pump and a power supply, the radiator being positioned in the
second opening of the housing, with the exhaust fan being
positioned interior to the radiator and operating to blow air
through the radiator and into the environment, the air intake fan
being positioned in the first opening, the fluid reservoir
containing a coolant and having at least one surface positioned
proximate the interior of the housing, and the pump operating to
circulate the coolant in a closed system between the reservoir and
the radiator, and the power supply operating to drive the exhaust
fan, the air intake fan and the pump.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a predetermined
quantity of ice positioned in the interior of the housing, the ice
operating to chill the coolant in the fluid reservoir.
20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the coolant comprises double
distilled deionized water.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/231,227, filed Aug. 4, 2009, the disclosure of
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A cooler apparatus is disclosed having an onboard air
conditioning assembly. The apparatus may be used to retain and
chill food and beverages while simultaneously functioning to cool
the surrounding environment.
REFERENCE TO RELATED ART
[0003] Cooler apparatus are known in the art that can emit chilled
air from an interior of the cooler into the environment. One such
apparatus was the multifunction cooler disclosed by McCarrell in
U.S. Pat. No. 7,475,563. Such devices, however, suffer from a
number of disadvantages. For example, restrictions to air flow in
the interior of the cooler may result when the cooler is completely
filled with ice, food and beverages, or both.
[0004] Another apparatus was the portable air conditioner disclosed
by Martello in U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,489. In Martello, a pump was
positioned on a base of an ice water filled reservoir/cooler
housing. The pump then functioned to intake chilled water directly
from the reservoir and conducts it to an evaporator coil positioned
in the lid of the air housing. Return lines are also provided to
conduct water from the coil back into the reservoir. Martello thus
described an open system for a portable air conditioner unit. A
disadvantage of this open system is that debris normally found in a
cooler can be drawn into the pump and cause damage. It would not
have been appropriate, therefore, for Martello to function
simultaneously as a cooler for ice, food and beverages, and an air
conditioner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A completely green, multifunction cooler apparatus is
disclosed that may be used to retain and chill food and beverages
while simultaneously functioning to cool the surrounding
environment. The apparatus may include a housing having a base,
with a pair of sidewalls and a pair of end walls that extend from
the base. The base and walls define an interior and an open top for
the housing. A cover may also be provided to close off the open top
and enclose the interior.
[0006] In addition, an air conditioner assembly may be included for
use in cooling the surrounding environment. This assembly may
comprise a radiator positioned in a wall of the housing and an
exhaust fan that is proximate to, in line with, and interior to the
radiator so that it may function to circulate air across the
radiator. An air intake fan and an air flaw conduit extending
between the air intake fan and the exhaust fan may also be provided
to ensure that the exhaust fan has an adequate supply of air. A
fluid reservoir containing a coolant may be positioned in the
housing with at least one surface positioned proximate the interior
of the housing.
[0007] In operation a predetermined quantity of ice positioned in
the interior of the housing operates to chill the coolant in the
fluid reservoir. A pump may then operate to circulate the coolant
between the reservoir and the radiator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Reference will be made herein to the attached figures
wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout and
wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
multifunction cooler apparatus;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
cooler apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the insulated interior of the
apparatus with the inner shell or liner removed;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a planar side cut-away view of the cooler
apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the airflow through the apparatus;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective partial cut-away view of the cooler
apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the coolant reservoir, pump, induction
and exhaust fans and power supply; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cooler apparatus of FIG.
1 showing various accessories.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a cooler apparatus 10 may
include a housing 12, (and optionally an insulated barrier or
insert 14), a cover 16 for the housing 12, and an air conditioner
assembly 18. The air conditioner assembly 18 may be a closed system
that uses ice 100 retained in the housing 12 to chill food and
beverages placed in the housing. The ice 100 also functions to
chill a coolant (not shown) for the air conditioner assembly, which
is then used by the assembly 18 to chill air that may be exhausted
through ports defined in the housing 12 and/or the cover 16.
[0015] Still referring to FIGS. 1-5, the housing 12 may be
constructed as an open-top container having a base or floor 20,
side walls 22, 24 and end walls 26, 28, with the walls 22-28
extending from the base 20 to define an interior space 30. The
walls 22-28 and base 20 may be insulated (as is known) to allow ice
100 to remain frozen for extended periods of time. Thus, as shown
in FIG. 3, the walls 22-28 and base 20 may be constructed to
include a layer of foam insulating material positioned between an
inner shell or liner 30 and an outer shell 32. Alternatively, the
housing 12 may include an outer shell 32 and an insert 14, with the
insert 14 being dimensioned to fit within the outer shell 32 and
comprising an inner shell 30 having an insulated base and walls and
defining an interior space for retaining ice, food and
beverages.
[0016] The cover 16 may be dimensioned to fit the open top of the
housing 12 to enclose the interior space 30. The cover 16 may also
be removably or pivotably attached to the housing 12 and
insulated.
[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, a first opening or port 34
may be defined in the outer shell 32 of the side wall 22 of the
housing 12 for use as an air intake port as will be described
further below. A drain 35 may also be provide in the housing 12
proximate the base 20 to assist with the removing of any water that
may collect in the interior space 30. A second opening or port 36
may likewise be defined in the outer shell 32 of the same 22 or a
different wall 24-28 of the housing 12 to function as an exhaust
port. As best shown in FIG. 1, these openings or ports 34, 36 may
also be covered by a vinyl screen 38, 40.
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the housing 12 (and the
cover 16) may be constructed of plastic, metal, metal alloy, or a
combination thereof, from several parts and in a variety of shapes
and styles according to the needs of the user. The housing 12 (and
the cover 16) may also be molded as a unitary structure using known
construction methods and materials. Accessory features may also be
provided such as wheels 42 and a retractable handle(s) 44 or the
like. These accessory features 42, 44 may be constructed in the
same manner as the housing 12.
[0019] Still referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the air conditioner
assembly 18 may include a radiator or coil 46 positioned in the
wall 22 of the housing 12 proximate the second opening 36 and
interior to the vinyl screen 40. It will be appreciated, however,
that the radiator 46 may be positioned in any of the walls 22-28 of
the housing 12, or in the cover 16. At least one exhaust fan 48 may
also be positioned interior to, and in line with, the radiator 46.
In the disclosed embodiment, the radiator 46 may be designed for
low noise and have dimensions of about 157.times.133.times.25
mm.
[0020] Still referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the air conditioner
assembly 18 may further include one or more intake fans 50, a fluid
reservoir 52, a pump 54 and a power supply 56. As best shown in
FIG. 3, an intake fan 50 may be positioned in the wall 22 proximate
the first port 34 and interior to the vinyl screen 38. As also
shown in FIG. 3, a panel 60 may extend between the fans 48, 50 and
the ports 34, 36 to create an enclosed and unobstructed air channel
or conduit 62 between those fans 48, 50. It will also be
appreciated, however, that this air conduit 62 may be defined by
shaping of the insulating material of the housing 12 or that the
entire assembly of ports 34, 36, fans 48, 50, conduit 62, etc, may
be constructed as a single unit that is then mounted into the wall
22. In the disclosed embodiment the fan(s) 48, 50 may, for example,
be 12V fans.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 3, the fluid reservoir or container 52
may be positioned, for example, within the floor 20 of the housing
12 between the shells 30, 32, with the interior shell 32 optionally
functioning as the upper surface of the reservoir 52. The reservoir
52 may be constructed from a variety of materials including
polymers, metals, or metal alloys as is known in the art.
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the pump 54 may function to
convey a coolant (not shown) by way of vinyl tubing 58 from the
reservoir 52 to the radiator 46. The pump 54 may comprise a compact
form factor version 1 (CFF1) pump having a ceramic bearing. The
pump 54 and the tubing 58 may also be positioned in the insulated
layer of the walls 22, 26 and between the shells 30, 32 of the
housing 12.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the power supply 56 for the
pump 54 and the fans 48, 50 may include one or more rechargeable
Genesis NP 12V 2AH AGM batteries or the like. It will, however, be
appreciated that other power supplies may be used. Like the pump
52, the power supply 54 may also be positioned in the insulated
layer of the wall 22 and between the shells 30, 32 of the housing
12. The air conditioner assembly 18 may thus be activated by
operation of a switch (not shown) electrically connected to the
power supply 54. In addition, as best shown in FIG. 5, electrical
connectors and/or jacks 64 that are also electrically connected to
the power supply 54 may be provided in a wall 26 of the housing 12.
These connectors 64 thus allow the apparatus 10 to be optionally
connected to powered by all manner of AC or DC power sources 66,
including but not limited to 110 outlets, automobile outlets and
solar panels
[0024] As mention supra, an insulated insert 14 may used as an
alternative to, or in addition to, using insulated walls 22-28 and
base 20 for the housing 12 (or even where the housing 12 is
uninsulated). The insert 14, for example, may include a grate
configured to rest within the housing interior and dimensioned so
that it is spaced a distance from the base 20 of the outer shell
32. Additionally, or alternatively, the insert 14 may be a wire or
mesh cage dimensioned to fit inside the housing 12 and spaced a
predetermined distance from interior surfaces of the outer shell 32
to allow for placement of the components of the air conditioner
assembly 18. Further, as mentioned above, the insert 14 may include
a molded insulating foam structure having a base and walls that
define a recess suitable for holding a quantity of ice, food and/or
beverages. One or more access panels (not shown) may also be
provided to permit access to the components of the air conditioner
assembly 18. It will, of course, also be appreciated that insert 14
could be dispensed with, and/or the ice 100 could be otherwise
arranged to directly contact the reservoir 52 and the air
conditioner assembly 18 otherwise remaining a closed system.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, in operation, the air
conditioner unit 18 may function as a closed system having a
fluid/coolant that is chilled by (and separated from) ice 100 that
is placed in the interior 30 of the housing 12. Specifically, the
pump 54 may function to circulate a fluid/coolant (not shown) from
the reservoir 52 through the radiator 46 and back, with the exhaust
fan 48 functioning to disperse the air chill by the radiator 46 out
through the second opening or port 36. In the disclosed embodiment,
this fluid/coolant may include a solution of distilled water and
double distilled deionized water. Although it will be appreciated
that other solutions may be used. Moreover, since the various
elements of the air conditioner assembly 18 remain separated from
the ice 100, the interior space 30 of the housing 12 remains
available for chilling food and beverages (not shown).
[0026] Having thus described my invention, various other
embodiments will become apparent to those of skill in the art that
do not depart from the scope of the claims.
[0027] I claim:
* * * * *