Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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THERMAL BEVERAGE CONTAINER HOLDER
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[01] The present disclosure relates to a beverage container holder and in
particular to a beverage container holder capable of heating or cooling the
beverage container.
BACKGROUND
[02] It is often desirable to keep a beverage within a container either cooler
or warmer than the ambient temperature around the container. To this end,
beverages are often refrigerated or served warm. However, once the
beverage has been removed from the heating or cooling source, the
temperature of the beverage begins to normalize to the environment around it.
[03] In this
regard, a beverage may be placed within a thermal beverage
container holder. Such thermal beverage container holders are known in the
art. Some are merely insulated, while others provide heating or cooling
elements. For example, AMERIGON Tm Corporation makes a thermal cup
holder in which the beverage container is either heated or cooled when placed
within the container. In other cases, removable ice packs or sleeves can be
placed around the periphery of a beverage container holder and may cool or
heat a beverage placed within the holder.
[04] However, air is a particularly poor thermal conductor. In the above
solutions, a layer of air is disposed around the beverage container and
reduces the efficiency of thermal transfer between the holder and the
beverage container.
[05] In other cases, gel packs may be placed around a beverage container
and make contact with the beverage container. For example, the gel packs
may be shaped as a sleeve and the beverage container fits within the gel
pack. However, while the gel pack may provide contact with the beverage
container, the insertion and removal of the container into and from the sleeve
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is difficult due to frictional forces. Also, such solutions assume a single
sized
beverage container, and may not work efficiently with varied sized beverage
containers.
SUMMARY
[06] The present disclosure provides a beverage container holder
comprising: a housing; at least one thermal element configured to fit within
the
housing; and an actuator configured to cause thermal contact between the at
least one thermal element and a beverage container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[07] The present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a beverage container holder in
accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 is a top perspective view of a beverage container holder in
accordance with Figure 1, in which a beverage container has been inserted;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of a beverage container holder in
accordance with the embodiment of Figure 1;
Figure 4A is a side elevational view of a mechanical actuator in
accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure prior to actuation;
Figure 4B is a side elevational view of the mechanical actuator of
Figure 4A after actuation;
Figure 5 is an alternative embodiment in which an electronic actuator
is utilized instead of a mechanical actuator;
Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of the
present disclosure in which the actuator causes a seal to close, and engages
a moving fluid element.
Figure 7 is a top perspective view of a thermal pack in accordance with
one embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 8 is a top perspective view of a tray to hold a plurality of thermal
packs for heating or cooling; and
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Figure 9 is a top perspective view of the tray of Figure 8 with thermal
packs inserted therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[08] In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a
beverage container holder is provided in which an actuator forces a heating or
cooling element into contact with the beverage container after the beverage
container has been inserted into the holder. Further, the actuator may release
the contact with the thermal element on removal of the beverage container
from the holder. In this way, the thermal conductivity between the holder and
the beverage container is maximized while minimizing the difficulty in
inserting
and removing the beverage container into the holder.
[09] Reference is now made to Figure 1. In Figure 1, a beverage container
holder 110 is configured with three thermal elements 120. In one
embodiment, thermal elements 120 may be ice packs or hot packs. In other
cases, the thermal element 120 may be an electric thermal element providing
heating or cooling. In other embodiments, thermal element 120 may contain
chemicals in which a reaction of the chemicals causes either heating or
cooling of the element. In still further embodiments, thermal elements 120
may be conduits for dispersing heated or cooled fluid. In still a further
embodiment, thermal element 120 may be fluidly connected to an external
heating or cooling source. Other thermal elements 120 would be known to
those skilled in the art.
[010] While Figure 1 shows a holder 110 having three thermal elements 120,
this is not limiting and in other embodiments more or less thermal elements
could be provided. For example, in some embodiments one thermal element
may be sufficient. In other embodiments, four, five or more thermal elements
may be provided.
[011] Holder 110 includes a housing 130 configured to receive thermal
elements 120. Housing 130 may be shaped to be received by the final
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application of holder 110. For example, a holder 110 may be configured for
use in home embodiments such as within a recliner or chair, within a table
such as a poker table, within an automobile for a beverage holder, within a
picnic table, among other applications. In each case, housing 130 can be
configured externally to fit within such applications.
[012] In the example of Figure 1, screw holes 132 within an external flange
134 may be used for mounting holder 110 into its final application. Other
mounting means are however possible.
[013] In one embodiment, housing 130 may be thermally insulated to reduce
thermal loss or gain from the external ambient environment. The insulation
may be incorporated within housing 130 or externally thereof, and may also
extend below and/or above holder 110.
[014] Further, holder 110 includes a supporting structure 136 configured to
receive thermal element 120. For example, supporting structure 136 may
include a plurality of slots 138 adapted to receive a pin on thermal element
120, for example as shown by pins 710 in Figure 7.
[015] In other embodiments, support structure 136 may be a cup configured
to receive the thermal element 120. In this case, the support structure 136
may be comprised of thermally conductive material at least on the surface that
makes contact with the beverage container. For example, a side of support
structure 136 contacting a beverage container may be metal to increase
thermal transfer.
[016] Other examples of support structures 136 would be known to those in
the art having regard to the present disclosure.
[017] In accordance with the embodiment of Figure 1, an actuation
mechanism is provided which will force thermal element 120 into contact with
a beverage container, for example, as shown in Figure 2. As shown in
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Figures 1 and 3, the actuation mechanism is a mechanical actuator having an
actuator arm 140.
[018] In one embodiment, actuator arm 140 may include a raised end 141 to
support a beverage container, even when the actuator arm is engaged.
[019] Actuator arm 140 is held by an actuator arm receiving element 142
which includes a pivot 144, as best seen in Figures 4A and 4B.
[020] Further, as seen in Figures 4A and 4B, a flange 146 is disposed
rearwardly of the pivot point 144 and is configured to limit the motion of the
arm should a non-conformant beverage container be inserted
[021] Thus, referring to Figure 4A, a beverage container is inserted and
makes contact with actuator arm 140. The beverage container is then further
inserted and causes actuator arm 140 to pivot about pivot point 144, thereby
forcing flange 146 to move the thermal element 120 into contact with the
beverage container, as seen in Figure 4B. In one embodiment, the weight of
the beverage container may be sufficient to cause the actuator arm 140 to
engage.
[022] Conversely, removal of the beverage container works in the opposite
way. In particular, the pressure on actuator arm 140 is removed, thereby
allowing the actuator to pivot about pivot point 144 and to release the
thermal
element 120 from contact with the beverage container.
[023] The release of the thermal element 120 from the beverage container
may be facilitated through various mechanisms. For example, actuator 144
may include a spring to pull the thermal element away from the beverage
container. In other embodiments, support structure 136 may include a spring
element to pull the thermal element 120 away from the beverage container.
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[024] Slots 134 may be upwardly sloped, thereby requiring the actuator to
push the thermal element 120 up and towards the beverage container when
the actuator arm 140 is engaged. In this case, the removal of the beverage
container may allow gravity to pull the thermal element 120 away from the
beverage container.
[025] In other embodiments, slots 134 may be downwardly sloped, and a
spring mounted bottom surface may hold the thermal elements in a
disengaged position when the drink container is not present. When the drink
container is present, the weight of said container would overcome the force of
the springs and allow the thermal elements 120 to slide towards the container.
[026] Other options are possible and the above is not therefore limiting.
[027] The mechanical actuator of Figures 1 to 4 is not limiting. In other
embodiments, other actuators can be used. For example, an electronic
actuator could be provided. Reference is now made to Figure 5, which
shows one example of an electronic actuator. In Figure 5, a switch 510 is
provided as the actuator and when a beverage container makes contact with
switch 510, a motor or servo 520 provides the lateral motion of thermal
element 120 into or away from the beverage container. Alternative, the switch
could cause a pneumatic force to push the thermal element into contact with
the beverage container, or a vacuum to pull the thermal pack away from the
container.
[028] In other embodiments, instead of a switch 510, a sensor such as a heat
sensor could be used to determine when a beverage container is placed
within the holder 110. For example, a beverage may be cold initially and may
be placed in the container. The heat sensor may sense that a cold object has
been placed in proximity to the sensor and therefore actuate the thermal
elements 120 into contact with the beverage container.
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[029] In other embodiments, a light sensor may be used instead of a heat
sensor. In this example, when the beverage container is placed within the
holder 110, light is obscured over the light sensor and this causes the
actuation of the thermal element 120 into the beverage container.
[030] In other embodiments, the switch may be external to the holder 110.
Thus, for example, a button may be outside holder 110 and may be used to
move thermal elements into contact or away from a beverage container.
Similarly, motion sensors, heat sensors, visual sensors, among others may be
outside of holder 110 and may cause the actuation of the thermal elements
into contact with a beverage container.
[031] In other embodiments, a rotational actuator could be utilized. In this
case, a user may insert a beverage container into the holder 110 and provide
a rotational motion in order to move the thermal elements 120 into contact
with the beverage container.
[032] Other examples of various actuators would also be known to those
skilled in the art having regard to the present disclosure and the present
disclosure is not meant to be limited to any particular actuator causing
thermal
contact between a thermal element 120 and a beverage container. Further, a
combination of the mechanical, electronic, and pneumatic actuators described
herein could be used.
[033] While the above is described with regard to a thermal element being
moved to make contact with a beverage container, in other embodiments, one
or more of the thermal elements may be stationary, and the actuator may
cause the beverage container to move towards the thermal elements, either
directly or through another thermal element.
[034] In some embodiments, holder 110 may be dimensioned to a particular
type of beverage container. In this case, the diameter of the beverage
container may be considered when designing the size of housing 130 as well
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as the design of thermal element 120. For example, a poker table application
may be dimensioned for cold drinks such as beer or pop cans or bottles.
[035] In other embodiments, the actuator mechanism may provide sufficient
movement of the thermal element 120 to make contact with various sized
beverage containers.
[036] Further, in some embodiments, thermal element 120 may be adapted
to rotate for conically shaped containers. Thus, in an application such as a
coffee cup holder, the actuator mechanism may provide for more lateral
motion of the bottom of thermal element 120 than the top of thermal element
120 in order to allow the thermal element to make better contact with a
beverage container such as a coffee cup.
[037] In yet further embodiments, the beverage container contacting surface
of thermal element 120 may be soft, and thus conform to the shape of the
beverage container when the actuator is engaged.
[038] In a further embodiment, rather than having the actuator place thermal
element 120 into contact with the beverage container, the actuator may
provide a seal around a neck of the beverage container and provide a thermal
element having fluid contact with the beverage container.
[039] Reference is now made to Figure 6. In the embodiment of Figure 6,the
thermal element consists of a moving fluid element such as hot or cold air
which is directed to move around the beverage container by some means
such as an air blower 611. The source of the fluid movement would be
controlled by the actuator. Furthermore, seal 610 would be engaged by the
actuator to keep the circulating fluid in contact with the beverage container,
and thus prevent thermal loss. In other embodiments, liquids such as water
or glycol could also be circulated around the beverage container.
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[040] In other embodiments, a seal may be engaged when a beverage
container is also removed from the holder 110. This may be used, for
example, to insulate thermal elements when there is no beverage container
present to extend the cooling or heating life of the thermal element before
the
thermal element needs to be refreshed.
[041] Holder 110 may further be equipped with other mechanisms, such as
temperature sensors, which may be used, in some embodiments, to control
heating or cooling of the beverage within a beverage container. Thus, for
example, if a temperature is too low in a cooling application, a motor or
servo
may pull the thermal element away from the beverage container temporarily.
[042] In other cases, a further beverage holder may be dimensioned to be
placed within a holder 110, thereby allowing smaller beverage containers to
be held.
[043] In any of the above embodiments, indications could be provided to a
user of the beverage container holder. For example, lights may indicate
whether the thermal element needs to be charged, a display may provide
temperate readings, audible signals may be provided when a beverage has
reached an optimal temperature, among other options. The above indications
are merely meant to be illustrative of various visual, audible or other
signals
that may be provided to a user of the beverage container holder.
[044] Reference is now made to Figure 7. If thermal element 120 is a hot or
cold pack, one example of such a hot or cold pack is illustrated. In
particular,
the pack 700 may include pins 710 for engaging the support structure 132, for
example as seen in Figure 1.
[045] Further, an outside dimension 720 may be configured for particular
beverage container types.
[046] Further, the surfaces of the pack 720 which do not contact the
beverage when engaged may contain insulation
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[047] In the example of Figure 7, pack 700 has a hollow interior 730 which
may be filled with small solids such as sand, or a liquid such a glycol, for
example. However, other suitable materials are known to those in the art.
[048] A lid 732 may be provided and may be sealed at a factory once the
liquid has been inserted into the interior 730.
[049] Reference is made to Figure 8, which shows a tray dimensioned to fit
a plurality of packs 700. Further, Figure 9 shows the tray having a plurality
of
packs 700 inserted therein. The tray 800 may include a channel 810
configured to accommodate pin 710, thereby allowing the pack 700 to be
inserted and held into tray 800, the tray can be used to organize the packs
within, for example, a freezer.
[050] In order to prepare the packs 700 for use, the packs be placed within a
freezer or within a heat source, for example such as boiling water or an oven,
either individually or within tray 800.
[051] Thus, in accordance with the above, a beverage container holder is
provided in which an actuator causes a thermal element to contact the
beverage container, providing greater thermal conductivity between the
thermal element and the beverage container. Further, the insertion and
removal of the beverage container from the beverage container holder is
facilitated by the actuation of the thermal element.
[052] The embodiments described herein are examples of structures,
systems or methods having elements corresponding to elements of the
techniques of this application. This written description may enable those
skilled in the art to make and use embodiments having alternative elements
that likewise correspond to the elements of the techniques of this
application.
The intended scope of the techniques of this application thus includes other
structures, systems or methods that do not differ from the techniques of this
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application as described herein, and further includes other structures,
systems
or methods with insubstantial differences from the techniques of this
application as described herein.
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