CA2921940C

CA2921940C - Beverage cooler

Info

Publication number: CA2921940C
Application number: CA2921940A
Authority: CA
Inventors: David Porter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-02-25
Filing date: 2016-02-25
Publication date: 2018-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 2036-02-25
Also published as: CA2921940A1

Abstract

This invention keeps canned beverages cooler, longer. The invention is frozen and inserted ("slapped") into the gap between each of 4 cans in a carton of canned beverages. They remain in place and extend the coolness of the beverages. It is also a convenient method that maintains the integrity of the carton to a point where it can continue to be used as a carrying device. They are sold in multiples, dependent on the carton size. The invention is a phallic shaped frozen item that is approximately 4 5/8" long and 1 5/8" x 15/8" wide at the mid section with a top that is 2 1/8" x 2 1/8" and has a tapered bottom designed to pierce the carton. The sides are concaved with the same radius of the cans to insure maximum contact and increase the effectiveness of the cooling.

Description

Description Field of the invention Beverage Cooler This invention relates to keeping canned beverages cooler, longer. This invention requires no external source of power to operate, is portable, convenient and simple to use. Its intended use is for canned beverages such as beer, carbonated beverages, juice and similar products. In certain cases it can be used for other cylindrical beverage containers.
Background Canned beverages such as beer, pop, juices etc. are frequently consumed in locations that do not have refrigeration. Many people prefer their beverages cold. Often the consumer does not have the ability to transport and store the beverages at a desirable temperature.
Current methods of cooling either require refrigeration or the need to open the carton and insert a cooling agent, which severely limits the portability of the carton. A traditional method of cooling is the use of ice, which requires opening the carton, removing some cans to allow room for the cubes, and then when melting occurs, the water destroys the cardboard. Additionally, the removed cans have no cooling.
The size and shape of ice cubes restricts a complete bond between coolant and the cans, which reduces the cooling ability and wastes the energy transfer. ( Refer to Drawings; " Previous Patent Ideas ¨ Figures 1, 2, 3, 4; "Prior Art").
Prior inventions not only hampered portability but also restricted the cooling to one tin or a bottle at a time, by inserting a metal apparatus and then required refreezing between each individual serving ( Refer to Drawings; " Previous Patent Ideas ¨ Figure 1").
One invention used ice as the cooling agent by filling a cavity surrounding the beer with ice ( Refer to Drawings; " Previous Patent Ideas ¨ Figure 2")Another invention proposed the insertion of a liner in the carton which would appropriately retain the cooling agent; however after having to open and adapt the carton would be time consuming and would destroy the portability of the carton itself ( Refer to Drawings;
"Previous Patent Ideas ¨ Figure 3"). Alternate methods require bulky coolers and containers or

2 buckets, which also limits portability, and more over, eliminates an impulsive or last minute purchase of the beverages. Cozy's had a moderate effect of slowing the warming of the beverage but do not have any agent to cool the serving (Refer to Drawings; "Previous Patent Ideas - Figure ¨
35 4").
Summary of the Invention This invention not only keeps canned beverages cooler, longer; It is also a conveniently 40 portable method that maintains the integrity of the carton to a point where it can continue to be used as a carrying device and eliminates the need for cumbersome and heavy coolers or containers.
(Refer to Drawings; " Pictures ¨ 18, 19 ").
The invention is either in a reusable format or a biodegradable, disposable format. They are sold in multiples dependent on the carton size. This invention allows the user to take their favorite 45 cold beverages to locations that do not have traditional refrigeration and to enjoy the cold refreshment hours after they would normally be kept cool.
The Invention is frozen and inserted - "slapped" through the carton, into the gap, between each of 4 cans, in a carton of canned beverages. (Refer to Drawings; "
Pictures ¨ 16, 17 "). They remain in place and extend the coolness of the beverages. As the units melt, the liquid is retained 50 inside the packaging, which further increases the draw of energy from the adjacent cans, therefore cooling the liquid inside. The carton can be transported using the cartons' original handle. (Refer to Drawings; " Picture ¨ 19".
The wrapping and packaging will have several surfaces that can be used for print, marketing and or advertising.
Drawings Brief description of Figures Previous Patent Ideas ( Prior Art) Figures 1 to 4 illustrate "Prior Art"
2D Drawings

3 Figures 5 to 9 illustrate 2D drawings of the invention 3D Drawings 65 Figures 8 to 10 illustrates 3D Drawings Pictures Figures 11 to 19 illustrates 3d concepts and usage List of Figures Previous Patent Ideas ( Prior Art) 1. Insertion Method - Patent # Unknown 2. Container Method - Patent # 73243-20121213 3. Carton Modification ¨ Patent # 2495940 - 20051213

4. Cozy Method - Patent # 2300733 - 20070028 2D Drawings

5. Radius at Can Top ¨2I. 1/8"

6. Radius at Can Center i. ¨ 2 3/4"

7. Design and dimensions of invention top - 1 7/8" by 1 7/8"

8. Design and dimensions of invention shaft i. 1 3/8" by 1 3/8"

9. Overall Design and dement ions of invention - 4 6/8" ( 3/8" plus 3 5/8" plus 6/8" ) 3D Drawings

10. Conceptual 3d drawings from different angles

11. Conceptual 3d drawings from different angles

12. Conceptual 3d drawings from different angles Pictures

13. 3D Print of concept 95 14. 3D Print of concept 15. 3D Print of concept 16. illustration of inventions insertion 17. illustration of insertion without case 18. illustration of insertion and a result from a single insertion 100 19. illustration of insertion and portability.
Detailed Description of Invention This invention keeps canned beverages cooler, longer.

When the invention is fully frozen it becomes rigid and strong allowing the invention to be inserted ("slapped") into the gap between, each of 4 cans, in a carton of canned beverages. (Refer to Drawings; " Pictures 16, 17, 18"). They remain in place and extend the time the beverages stay cool.
110 The invention not only keeps canned beverages cooler, longer; It is also a convenient method that maintains the integrity of the carton to a point where it can continue to be used as a carrying device. (Refer to "Picture 19"). They are sold in multiples dependent on the carton size.
The invention is a phallic shaped frozen item that is approximately 4 5/8"
long and 1 5/8" x 1 115 5/8" wide at the mid section with a top that is 2 1/8" x 2 1/8". It has a tapered bottom designed to pierce the carton. The sides are concaved with the same radius of the cans, to insure maximum contact and increase the effectiveness of the cooling. Because the coolant is wrapped, it retains the liquid as it melts, which also increases the energy transfer. It is that bond between the tins and the coolant that maximizes the cooling properties. (Refer to Drawings; "2D
Drawings, Figures 5 to 9", "
120 3D Drawings 10, 11, 12", Pictures 13, 14, 15").
The cooling agents used will not require the normal clarity expected from Ice cubes and tubes, therefore the creation of the frozen product could be done without filtration beyond what the local municipalities already offer. This will result in lower production costs and times.

The wrapping and packaging will have several surfaces that can be used for print, marketing and or advertising.
The Theoretical capacity of the coolants used:

Scientific Summary of the effects of ice and salt on cooling;
"We know that melting or freezing is an equilibrium process. The energy that is required to melt an ice cube will not contribute in elevating its temperature until all the solid water is molten.
135 If we take two ice cubes and add salt to one of them, then put each of them at room temperature, both of the ice cubes will absorb energy from the surroundings, and this energy as we said will contribute in breaking down the bonds between water molecules.
The cube that has not had salt added to, has a melting point 0 oC0 oC and so if we measure its 140 temperature during melting it will remain zero until all ice is molten.
That ice cube to which we have added salt, the salt that is added lowers the melting and freezing points of water because it lowers the vapor pressure of water. This ice cube will absorb energy from environment to help break bonds between water molecules. We know that the salt added will dissolve in the melted portion of the ice. This formed solution of salt will have a lowered freezing point, so the equilibrium between the 145 solid phase and the aqueous phase will be shifted towards the liquid phase, since such a solution will freeze at say -2 -C-2 -C. Since both phases are close together, the ice will absorb energy from the salt solution and will reduce its temperature to the -2 0C-2 0C to maintain the equilibrium. When all ice is molten we end up with a salt solution that has got a temperature of say -1.5 0C-1.5 -C. This is due to the solution being diluted now. After that it will start absorbing heat from the room and 150 reach zero and above."
Quotation taken from and credited to;
http://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/5748/why-does-ice-water-get-colder-when-salt-is-added Variations a) Sizing will be specific to the can sizes in the country of use b) Application 160 a. Reusable Version i. Offered frozen or unfrozen ii. Constructed of plastic, vinyl or a similar form iii. Contains a fluid mix formulated to extend the period of time from when it is frozen until it is thawed.
165 1. Possibilities a. Glycol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polymer, or silica b. primarily water (60 to 70 percent), propylene glycol (20 to 35 percent) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (less than 5 percent) 170 c. other possible mixtures to be tried and tested b. Disposable Version i. Offered Frozen ii. Wrapped in a biodegradable film 175 iii. Contains a biodegradable fluid mix formulated to extend the period of time from when it is frozen until it is thawed 1. Possibilities a. Water or water and salt b. hydroxyethyl cellulose, polymer, or silica 180 c. other possible mixtures to be tied and tested Instructions for Use 185 = Determine the quantity required based on the can content in the carton. A 12 pack requires 6, a fifteen pack requires 8 and a 24 pack requires 15.
= Lay the case flat with the canned tops facing up.
= The outline of the can tops will be a visible circular crease in the cardboard.
= Position the tapered end of the invention at the mid point between 4 adjacent cans.
190 = Firmly slap the top of the invention, which will puncture the cardboard.
= Push the invention all the way into the cardboard.
= Turn the case and carry by the provided handle.

Claims

Claims The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A cooling device that is inserted into a carton containing canned beverages at an insertion point, which is at a gap that is formed between 4 adjacent beverage containers within the carton.

2. Said cooling device of claim 1 has dimensional variations based specifically on the size of the beverage containers from various countries and those variations maximize the contact between the cooling device and the beverage containers.

3. Said cooling device of claim 1 has an application as a reusable cooling device that is a vessel constructed of a plastic or vinyl or similar material and containing a coolant that is formulated to maximize the energy transfer between the beverage container and the cooling device and when refrozen can be used again.

4. Said cooling device of claim 1 has an application as a disposable cooling device that is constructed by freezing a coolant that is formulated to maximize the energy transfer between the beverage container and the cooling device, and is then wrapped with a film or plastic wrapping that is capable of retaining the coolant within.

5. Said cooling device of claim 1 is designed with a tapered bottom that safely allows penetration and insertion into the said gap that is formed between 4 adjacent beverage containers within the said carton in such a way as to minimize damage to the carton and to allow the use of the carton to be carried by the carton's original handle.

6. Said cooling device of claim 1 is dimensioned so that once the cooling device is inserted into the gap formed between each of the said four beverage containers where the top of the cooling device will rest on the collar of each of the beverage containers.

7. Said cooling device of claim 1 uses a design with concave sides dimensioned to maximize the available contact between the cooling device and each of said beverage containers in the said gap, which will maximize the energy transfer between the beverage containers and the cooling device therefore reducing the temperature of the beverage containers and the beverages within.

8. Said cooling device of claim 4 in the disposable cooling device does not require that same clarity as currently used in the preparation of ice that is used to cool beverages as this invention's fluids do not mix with the beverage and is therefore unique on this point alone; this reduced requirement means that unwanted impurities beyond those of municipally provided water supplies are not required therefore allowing a reduction In both production time and costs.

9. Said cooling device of claim 1 has surfaces, wrapping or packaging that can be used for print, pictures, marketing or advertising.