Beverage cooler for providing supercooled or chilled beverage

Abstract

To provide a cooler including a cabinet that has an interior volume for storing a beverage container containing beverages, and a door for providing access to the interior volume of the cabinet.SOLUTION: A cooler further includes a lock configured to maintain a door in a closed position when the lock is engaged. The cooler includes a cooling unit configured to maintain the cabinet at a predetermined temperature, and a temperature sensor that is arranged within the cabinet and detects a temperature within the cabinet. A control unit communicates with the cooling unit and the temperature sensor, and the control unit is configured to control the cooling unit to maintain a temperature within the cabinet at a predetermined temperature that is determined by the temperature sensor. The control unit may be configured to lock the door until a temperature within the cabinet reaches the predetermined temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The embodiments described herein relate generally to coolers for beverage containers and other products. Specifically, the embodiments described herein relate to coolers with adjustable temperatures that can provide either chilled or super-chilled beverages. [Background technology]

[0002] Packaged beverages, such as bottled or canned beverages, are often chilled to provide a cool, fresh beverage. However, consumers may desire a slushie that is part liquid and part solid to provide a unique texture and drinking experience. Furthermore, a slushie may stay colder longer than a chilled beverage, and the beverage is not diluted as the slushie thaws.

[0003] To form a slush beverage within a beverage container, the beverage container must be stored at a temperature below the beverage's freezing point. The beverage is cooled below its freezing point but remains in a liquid state; it is a "supercooled" liquid. The beverage remains in a liquid state until it is agitated, such as by shaking the beverage container, striking, tapping, or dropping the beverage container, or removing the beverage container's cap to release the carbonation, among other methods. When agitated, the beverage undergoes nucleation and begins to become a partially solid, i.e., slush beverage.

[0004] If the beverage container is not stored at a sufficiently low temperature, such as below the freezing point of the beverage, the beverage will not undergo nucleation. However, if the beverage temperature is too low, the beverage may freeze in the cooler. Therefore, there is a need for a cooler that maintains the correct temperature to supercool the beverage. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Some embodiments described herein relate to a cooler including a cabinet having an interior volume for storing beverage containers containing beverages, a door for providing access to the interior volume of the cabinet, and a lock configured to maintain the door in a closed position when the lock is engaged. The cooler may further include a cooling unit configured to maintain the cabinet at a predetermined temperature and a temperature sensor disposed within the cabinet, the temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature within the cabinet. The cooler may further include a control unit in communication with the cooling unit and the temperature sensor, the control unit configured to control the cooling unit to maintain the temperature within the cabinet at the predetermined temperature determined by the temperature sensor, and the control unit configured to lock the door until the temperature within the cabinet reaches the predetermined temperature.

[0006] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the door may include a transparent portion so that the interior volume of the cabinet is visible from the exterior of the cooler.

[0007] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the door may include a display screen.

[0008] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the cooler may further include an indicator configured to provide an indication when the door is locked.

[0009] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the predetermined temperature may be in the range of about -1°C to about -10°C.

[0010] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the predetermined temperature may be at or below the freezing point of the beverage in the beverage container.

[0011] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the control unit may be configured to set the temperature of the cabinet to a first predetermined temperature or a second predetermined temperature, where the first predetermined temperature may be different from the second predetermined temperature. In some embodiments, the first predetermined temperature may be between 0.1°C and 10°C. In some embodiments, the second predetermined temperature may be between -1°C and -10°C.

[0012] Some embodiments described herein relate to a method of operating a cooler, including setting an internal temperature of the cooler in which a beverage container is stored to a predetermined temperature that is below the freezing point of the beverage in the beverage container, locking a door of the cooler when the internal temperature of the cooler is above the predetermined temperature, and unlocking the door of the cooler when the internal temperature of the cooler is below the predetermined temperature.

[0013] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the method of operating a cooler may further include providing a first indication when the temperature is above a predetermined temperature and providing a second indication when the temperature is equal to or less than the predetermined temperature.

[0014] In any of the various embodiments described herein, providing the first indication can include illuminating a first indicator light, and providing the second indication can include illuminating a second indicator light.

[0015] In any of the various embodiments described herein, setting the temperature includes operating a cooling unit, and the method may further include shutting down the cooling unit when the temperature in the chiller is at or below a predetermined temperature. In some embodiments, the method of operating a chiller may further include operating the cooling unit based on a demand state of the chiller, the demand state corresponding to the number of times a door of the chiller is opened during a predetermined period.

[0016] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the method of operating a cooler may further include receiving an input indicating a type of beverage to be stored in the cooler, and setting the temperature includes selecting a predetermined temperature based on the input.

[0017] Some embodiments described herein relate to a cooler that includes a cabinet having an interior volume for storing beverage containers containing a beverage, a door for providing access to the interior volume of the cabinet, a cooling unit configured to maintain the cabinet at a predetermined temperature, a temperature sensor disposed within the cabinet, the temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature within the cabinet, and a control unit in communication with the cooling unit and the temperature sensor. The control unit of the cooler may be configured to set the temperature within the cabinet to a first predetermined temperature above the freezing point of the beverage or a second predetermined temperature below the freezing point of the beverage.

[0018] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the temperature sensor may be located at an inlet of an evaporator of the cooling unit, and the second temperature sensor may be located at an outlet of the evaporator of the cooling unit.

[0019] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the door of the cooler may include a lock, and when the control unit is set to a second predetermined temperature, the control unit may be configured to activate the lock when the temperature within the cabinet exceeds the second predetermined temperature.

[0020] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the chiller may further include a door sensor in communication with the control unit, the door sensor may be configured to detect the number of times a door of the chiller is opened to determine a demand state of the chiller. In some embodiments, the control unit may operate the cooling unit based in part on the demand state determined by the door sensor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to further explain the principles of the disclosure and to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure.

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooler according to one embodiment.

[0023] [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a cooler with a display, according to one embodiment.

[0024] [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of components of a cooling unit of a chiller according to one embodiment.

[0025] [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cooler according to an embodiment illustrating airflow within the cooler.

[0026] [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of components of a cooler according to one embodiment.

[0027] [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view of the cooler of FIG. 1.

[0028] [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the cooler of FIG. 1.

[0029] [Figure 8] 1 illustrates modes of operation of a chiller according to one embodiment.

[0030] [Figure 9] FIG. 1 illustrates a method for operating a chiller based on consumer demand according to one embodiment.

[0031] [Figure 10]FIG. 1 illustrates a method of operating a chiller according to one embodiment.

[0032] [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary computer system in which embodiments may be implemented. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to any one preferred embodiment. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

[0034] Chillers are often used to cool packaged beverages, such as bottled or canned beverages. However, such chillers may not be well suited to storing beverages below the beverage's freezing point, such that the beverage becomes supercooled. Such chillers may not be able to achieve the sub-zero temperatures necessary to supercool the beverage and / or may not be able to precisely control the temperature of the chiller to prevent the beverage from freezing within the chiller.

[0035] Therefore, if a store owner, distributor, or the like wants to sell super-chilled beverages, the store owner must generally purchase a separate cooler specifically for storing the super-chilled beverages. Having multiple coolers for storing beverages at different temperatures can be expensive and inconvenient. Furthermore, a store owner may not have the space to provide multiple coolers with different temperatures. Therefore, a cooler that can be set to a temperature for storing chilled or super-chilled beverages is desired.

[0036] Furthermore, it is important to precisely control the temperature at which the supercooled beverage is stored in order to maintain the beverage in a metastable state of matter between the liquid and solid phases. If the temperature is not low enough, the beverage may not undergo nucleation and may form a slushy beverage upon stirring. If the temperature is too low, the beverage may freeze in the cooler. The frozen beverage may be unsalable, and in some cases, the beverage container may burst due to the expansion of the beverage during freezing, creating a safety hazard and contaminating the cooler.

[0037] In some embodiments, cooler 100 includes cabinet 120 and door 130, as shown in FIG. 1 . Cabinet 120 defines interior volume 122 for storing any of a variety of products, such as beverage containers 500. While this disclosure primarily refers to cooler 100 for use in storing beverage containers 500, it is understood that cooler 100 can be used to store any of a variety of products, such as food and snack items, merchandise, or other perishable goods. As used herein, the term beverage container can refer to a bottle, such as a glass or plastic bottle, a can, a pouch, or a carton. Beverage container 500 can store any of a variety of beverages, such as carbonated beverages, such as soda, energy drinks, or sparkling water; non-carbonated beverages, such as water, flavored water, sports drinks, tea, lemonade, or dairy or milk-based beverages, such as milk, flavored milk, coffee, or protein shakes, among other beverages.

[0038] In some embodiments, the cabinet 120 has an internal volume of about 10 L to about 100 L, or about 20 L to about 90 L, or about 40 L to about 80 L. By keeping the internal volume of the cabinet 120 relatively small compared to existing coolers or refrigerators, the temperature within the cabinet 120 can be more precisely controlled, minimizing or eliminating temperature fluctuations within the cabinet 120. In some embodiments, the cabinet 120 may be configured to store about 10 to about 60 bottles, about 20 to about 50 bottles, or about 30 to about 45 bottles, e.g., 600 mL bottles. To facilitate cooling of the beverage containers 500, the beverage containers 500 may be positioned in an upright, i.e., vertical, orientation within the cabinet 120. The beverage containers 500 may be spaced apart from each other and from the walls of the cabinet 120 to facilitate airflow.

[0039] Cabinet 120 may include one or more shelves 128 on which products may be placed for storage and display. In some embodiments, shelves 128 may be solid, or each shelf may be a plate or panel of glass, plastic, or metal, among other materials. In some embodiments, shelves 128 may include openings to promote airflow through shelves 128. In some embodiments, shelves 128 may include wire racks that allow air to flow through the shelves. Shelves 128 may be positioned at different heights within cabinet 120 and may be vertically spaced apart from one another within cabinet 120.

[0040] In some embodiments, the cabinet 120 can include a cabinet light 172. The cabinet light 172 can be a light-emitting diode (LED), an incandescent light, or a fluorescent tube, among other light sources. The cabinet light 172 can be used to illuminate the interior volume 122 of the cabinet 120 so that a consumer can more easily see the products therein.

[0041] The door 130 may be movably connected to the cabinet 120. The door 130 may be movable between a closed position, which prevents a consumer from accessing the interior volume 122 of the cabinet 120, and an open position, which allows access to the interior volume 122. The door 130 may be connected to the cabinet 120 by a hinge or the like. In some embodiments, the door 130 may be slidably connected to the cabinet 120 or may slide on a track in the cabinet 120. In some embodiments, the cooler 100 may include a single door 130. In some embodiments, the cooler 100 may include two or more doors 130. In such embodiments, the doors 130 may be arranged side by side. For example, the cabinet 120 may include a pair of opposing side walls, a rear wall, and an open front wall, with a first door 130 positioned to the left of the open front wall and a second door 130 positioned to the right of the open front wall. When the first and second doors 130 are closed, the doors 130 function as the front wall of the cabinet 120, enclosing the interior volume 122. In some embodiments, the door 130 may be located at the front end of the cooler 100, as shown in Figure 1. However, in some embodiments, the door 130 may be located on the top wall of the cooler 100 so that the cooler 100 is accessed from above and below.

[0042] In some embodiments, the door 130 may include a transparent portion 132, as shown in FIG. 1 , to allow a consumer to view the interior volume 122 of the cabinet 120 through the transparent portion 132 of the door 130. In this manner, a consumer can view the beverage container 500 within the cabinet 120 without having to open the door 130 of the cabinet 120. This is beneficial because opening the door 130 can result in a change in temperature within the cooler 100 by allowing relatively warm air to enter the cooler 100. The transparent portion 132 may be formed of glass, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, or other transparent material. In some embodiments, the transparent portion 132 of the door 130 may include two or more layers separated by an air gap to provide thermal insulation. Additionally, in some embodiments, the transparent portion 132 may include a coating, such as a low-emissivity (low-e) coating, to minimize the amount of infrared and ultraviolet (UV) light entering the cabinet 120 through the door 130.

[0043] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2 , the door 130 may alternatively or additionally include a display screen 138. The display screen 138 may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, among others. In some embodiments, the display screen 138 may be a touchscreen to allow for consumer interaction. The display screen 138 may be transparent and integrated into the transparent portion 132 of the door 130 so that, when the display screen 138 is not being used to display videos or images, the consumer can view the interior volume 122 of the cooler 100 through the display screen 138. Alternatively, the display screen 138 may not be transparent and may be opaque. The display screen 138 may be configured to display images or videos 139. For example, the display screen 138 may be configured to display advertisements to attract consumers to the cooler 100 to purchase beverages. The display screen 138 may also be used to display products available for purchase.

[0044] In some embodiments, the door 130 of the cooler 100 may include a lock 134. When the lock 134 is activated or engaged, the door is "locked," and when the lock 134 is deactivated or disengaged, the door is "unlocked." The door 130 may be locked while the cooler 100 is cooling to a desired temperature for storing the beverage containers 500, as described in further detail below. Opening the door 130 may cause a temperature change within the cooler 100, which may delay the cooling of the beverage containers 500 within the cooler 100 to the desired temperature. Therefore, by engaging the lock 134, the door 130 is locked, allowing the cooler 100 to rapidly cool to the desired temperature without interruption. The lock 134 may be, for example, an electromechanical lock or an electromagnetic lock.

[0045] The chiller 100 may further include a cooling unit 160. The cooling unit 160 may be a vapor compression refrigeration system, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. In such an embodiment, the cooling unit 160 may include, among other things, an evaporator 162 in communication with a compressor 164, a condenser 166, and an expansion valve 168 for circulating a refrigerant, such as R600a or R134a. The evaporator 162 distributes cooled air to the interior volume 122 of the cabinet 120. The evaporator 162 may include a fan to facilitate air circulation. In some embodiments, the condenser 166 may be a microchannel condenser.

[0046] Chilled air from the cooling unit 160 can enter the cabinet 120 from the evaporator 162 through a vent 167 in the interior wall of the cabinet 120, as shown in FIG. 4 . In some embodiments, the inlet vent 167 can be located in the rear wall of the cabinet 120. The chilled air can flow along the shelf 128 within the cabinet 120 toward the door 130 of the cooler 100. The chilled air then flows along the interior surface of the door 130 toward the top end 123 and bottom end 121 of the cabinet 120. The air then circulates within the interior volume 122 of the cabinet 120 to cool beverage containers 500 or other products and can exit through the outlet vent 169.

[0047] In some embodiments, the cooler 100 may include a control unit 150 configured to control the operation of the cooler 100, as shown in FIG. 5 . The control unit 150 may be in communication with the door lock 134 to engage and disengage the lock 134. The control unit 150 may be in communication with a door sensor 136 configured to detect when the door 130 is opened. Additionally, the control unit 150 may be in communication with the cooling unit 160 to activate and deactivate the cooling unit 160. Additionally, the control unit 150 may be in communication with the temperature sensor 140 to receive information from the temperature sensor 140 regarding the temperature within the cabinet 120. The control unit 150 may further be in communication with an operator panel 190 to receive operator input, as described in more detail below. Additionally, the control unit 150 may be in communication with an indicator 180 to provide an indication of whether the beverage within the cooler 100 is at a desired storage temperature, as described below.

[0048] In some embodiments, the control unit 150 of the cooler 100 may be configured to set the temperature of the cooler 100. In some embodiments, the control unit 150 may be configured to set the cooler temperature to a first predetermined temperature or a second predetermined temperature. The first predetermined temperature may be a temperature suitable for storing the beverage container 500 in a liquid state at a chilled temperature. For example, the first predetermined temperature may be above the freezing point of the beverage, and may be between about 0.1°C and about 10°C. The second predetermined temperature may be for storing the beverage container below the freezing point of the beverage in the beverage container 500, such that the beverage is supercooled. For example, the second predetermined temperature may be between about -1°C and -10°C.

[0049] In some embodiments, the cabinet 120 includes one or more temperature sensors 140 configured to determine a temperature at a location within the cabinet 120 (see, e.g., FIG. 4 ). In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 140 may be, for example, a thermostat or a thermistor. In some embodiments, the cooler 100 includes a first temperature sensor 140 for determining an ambient temperature outside the cabinet 120. The first temperature sensor 140 may be located outside the cabinet 120. The cooler 100 may further include a second temperature sensor 140 at the inlet of the evaporator 162, a third temperature sensor 140 at the outlet of the evaporator 162, and a fourth temperature sensor 140 within the interior volume of the cabinet 120. In this manner, the temperature sensors 140 can accurately control the temperature within the cabinet 120 by detecting differences in temperatures determined by the temperature sensors 140. By locating temperature sensors 140 at the inlet and outlet of the evaporator 162, the control unit 150 can precisely control the temperature of the cooler 100 by detecting slight changes in temperature determined by the various temperature sensors 140 and can activate or deactivate the cooling unit 160 to maintain a predetermined temperature. However, in some embodiments, the cooler 100 can include fewer or additional temperature sensors 140. The temperature sensors 140 can be located in any of a variety of positions within the cabinet 120, such as adjacent the top end 123 or bottom end 121 of the cabinet 120, or toward the door 130 or opposing rear portion of the cabinet 120. Additionally, the temperature sensors 140 can be located on the shelf 128 of the cabinet 120.

[0050] The control unit 150 may be configured to maintain the storage temperature of the cooler 100 within ±2°C of a predetermined temperature or within ±1°C of the predetermined temperature. For example, if the predetermined temperature is −4°C, the control unit 150 may be configured to maintain the temperature within the cooler 100 within a range of approximately −2°C to approximately −6°C. Accurate temperature control is important to ensure that the beverage is supercooled and remains at the predetermined temperature for supercooling the beverage. The control unit 150 may control the operation of the compressor 164 of the cooling unit 160, the fan of the cooling unit 160, and / or adjust the time of the defrost cycle of the cooling unit 160 to control the temperature of the cabinet 120. At temperatures lower than the predetermined temperature for supercooling the beverage, the beverage may begin to freeze within the cooler 100, which is undesirable. At higher temperatures, the beverage may not be sufficiently cooled and may not form a slushy beverage when stirred.

[0051] In some embodiments, the control unit 150 may be configured to operate the chilling unit 160 for a predetermined period of time, such as between 3 and 6 hours, between 3.5 and 5.5 hours, or between 4 and 5 hours. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the amount of time required to sub-cool a beverage may depend on a variety of factors, including the type of beverage, the temperature of the beverage prior to cooling, and the temperature within the chiller.

[0052] In some embodiments, cooler 100 may include an indicator 180 configured to provide an indication when door 130 is locked and not ready to dispense a beverage, and when door 130 is unlocked and ready to dispense a beverage. In some embodiments, indicator 180 may include indicator light(s) 182. Indicator light 182 may include, for example, one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In some embodiments, indicator light 182 may include words or phrases that indicate the state of cooler 100, such as "locked" and "unlocked" or "standby" and "ready."

[0053] For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , the indicator 180 may include a first light 182 and a second light 182. The first light 182 is illuminated when the door 130 is locked and beverages are not available for sale; when the door 130 is unlocked, the first light 182 is no longer illuminated and instead, the second light 182 is illuminated, indicating that the door 130 is unlocked and beverages are available for sale. In some embodiments, the first light 182 may be a first color, such as red, and the second light 182 may be a second color, such as green. However, it will be appreciated that any of a variety of colors may be selected for the first and second lights. In some embodiments, a single indicator light 182 may be provided. The single indicator light 182 may be illuminated a first color when the door 130 is locked and a second color when the door 130 is unlocked.

[0054] In some embodiments, the cooler 100 may include an operator panel 190 for receiving input from an operator, as shown in FIG. 7 . The operator panel 190 may be in communication with the control unit 150 such that the control unit 150 can receive user input from the operator panel 190. In some embodiments, the operator panel 190 may be located on the cabinet 120 of the cooler 100. For example, the operator panel 190 may be located on the rear wall 104 of the cabinet 120 so that the operator panel 190 is not easily accessible by consumers. The operator panel 190 may include an actuator 192 for setting the temperature of the cooler 100. The operator panel 190 may allow the operator to select a first predetermined temperature for cooling the beverage or a second predetermined temperature for super-cooling the beverage. The operator panel 190 may include a display 194 for displaying information such as the operator's temperature selection, the current temperature of the cooler, or an operating mode, as described below.

[0055] In some embodiments, the operator panel 190 may allow for selection of a beverage or product to be stored in the cooler 100. The second predetermined temperature may depend on the type of beverage to be stored in the cooler 100, as the temperature required to super-cool a beverage depends on the type of beverage. In some embodiments, the control unit 150 may include a memory that stores a list of different types of beverages and the temperatures or temperature ranges for super-cooling each type of beverage. Thus, upon receiving user input indicating the type of beverage, the control unit 150 may automatically select a predetermined temperature for storing that type of beverage at a super-cooled temperature.

[0056] In some embodiments, the chiller 100 can store several operating modes, as shown in FIG. 8 , for example. Each operating mode can include a beverage type and a storage temperature or range of storage temperatures for supercooling the beverage. Depending on the beverage's ingredients and carbonation, among other factors, different beverages may have different freezing points. Thus, each beverage may have a different storage temperature for supercooling the beverage and activating slush formation. Additionally, each operating mode can include a storage time. As shown in FIG. 8 , an operator of the chiller 100 can select an operating mode for the chiller 810. The operating mode can include, for example, a beverage cooling mode 820. The beverage cooling mode 820 can be independent of the type of beverage and can set the chiller to a temperature for cooling the beverage (e.g., a temperature higher than the beverage's freezing point). Thus, the chiller need not be used to supercool the beverage but can simply be used to cool the beverage.

[0057] The operating modes may also include a non-carbonated beverage super-cooling mode 830. In mode 830, the cooler may be set to a temperature for super-cooling a non-carbonated beverage 832, such as a sports drink or coffee-based beverage. The cooler door is locked 834 until the temperature within the cooler reaches a predetermined temperature for super-cooling the non-carbonated beverage.

[0058] The operating modes may further include a carbonated beverage supercooling mode 840. In mode 840, the chiller may be set to a temperature to supercool the carbonated beverage 842. The chiller door is locked 844 until the temperature within the chiller reaches a predetermined temperature to supercool the carbonated beverage.

[0059] In some embodiments, different modes of operation may be provided for different types of beverages stored in the cooler. For example, there may be modes of operation for supercooling Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mountain Dew, etc.

[0060] In some embodiments, the operator panel 190 may further include one or more override switches 196 (see, for example, FIG. 7 ) configured to control operation of the cooler 100. Each override switch 196 may be a push button, a lever, a rocker switch, a dial, or a touch-sensitive device, among others. A first override switch 196 may unlock the lock 134 on the door 130 of the cooler 100, allowing an owner or service personnel of the cooler 100 to open the door 130 of the cooler 100 even though the door 130 is locked. A second override switch 196 may control operation of a cabinet light 172 within the cooler 100. The cooler 100 may include a cabinet light 172 for illuminating the interior volume 122 of the cooler 100, and the override switch 196 may be used to turn the cabinet light 172 on or off.

[0061] In some embodiments, in addition to or instead of the operator panel 190, the control unit 150 may be controlled remotely (see, e.g., FIG. 5 ), such as by a computer, such as a laptop or desktop computer, or by a mobile device 210, such as a tablet, smartphone, etc. In such embodiments, the computer or mobile device may be in communication with the control unit 150. The products to be stored in the cooler, the storage temperature, and / or the operating mode may be selected via the mobile device 210.

[0062] In some embodiments, the database may include a list of different types of beverages and temperatures or temperature ranges for supercooling the different types of beverages. In some embodiments, the control unit 150 may include memory for storing the database. In some embodiments, the database may be stored remotely from the cooler 100, such as on a server or cloud storage.

[0063] In some embodiments, the cooler 100 may be configured to detect the number of times the door of the cooler 100 is opened. Additionally, the cooler 100 may track the time of each door 130 opening or the time between door openings. In this manner, the cooler 100 may determine the frequency of door 130 openings. Based on the number of times the door 130 is opened within a predetermined period, such as one hour, the cooler 100 may determine the consumer demand state of the cooler 100. A high demand state is when the door is opened several times within the predetermined period. A low demand period is when the door is opened only several times or not at all within the predetermined period. A high demand state may also exist when the door is opened a predetermined number of times within the predetermined period or when the door 130 is opened more than a predetermined number of times. Conversely, a low demand state may exist when the door 130 is opened less than a predetermined number of times within the predetermined period or when the door 130 is opened less frequently than a predetermined number of times. In some embodiments, the cooler 100 may further include a medium or moderate demand state. For example, if the door 130 is opened four or fewer times per hour, a low demand condition exists, if the door 130 is opened four to eight times per hour, a normal demand condition exists, and if the door 130 is opened eight or more times per hour, a high demand condition exists. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of door openings can be adjusted and the chiller can determine additional or less demand conditions at lower temperatures. The operation of the cooling unit can be based in part on the demand condition (e.g., high or low demand), as described in further detail below.

[0064] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary method for operating a chiller based at least in part on a demand condition. In operation 910, the chiller detects the number of door openings. The chiller can detect each time the door is opened via a door sensor, such as a motion sensor. The chiller can detect the number of door openings in a predetermined period, the frequency of door openings, or the average time between door openings. In operation 920, the chiller can set a demand state for the chiller, such as high demand 922, normal demand 924, or low demand 926, based on the number of door openings detected by the chiller. In operation 930, the chiller can adjust the operation of the cooling unit based at least in part on the demand condition. For example, in a high-demand condition where the chiller door is opened relatively frequently, thus allowing relatively warm ambient air to enter the chiller, the compressor of the cooling unit can be operated more frequently by the control unit to increase the circulation of chilled air within the cabinet to maintain the temperature at a predetermined temperature. Conversely, in a low-demand condition, the cooling unit may be operated less frequently to prevent the temperature within the cabinet from dropping below a predetermined temperature and save energy.

[0065] In an exemplary method of operating the cooler 1000, an operator may select a beverage, e.g., Pepsi, to be stored in the cooler 1010. The operator may choose to store the beverage at a supercooled temperature 1020 or a chilled temperature 1070. The operator may make the selection using the cooler's operator panel or may operate the cooler remotely using a computer or mobile device. If a chilled temperature is selected, the cooler is set to a first predetermined temperature 1070. A chilling unit is activated to chill the cooler to a first predetermined temperature 1080. The chilling unit may be shut off when the first predetermined temperature is reached, as determined by a temperature sensor(s) within the cooler. The temperature sensor(s) may continuously or periodically monitor the temperature within the cooler and may restart the chilling unit as needed to maintain the temperature within the cooler at the first predetermined temperature. When a beverage is chilled or cooled, precise control of the temperature within the cooler may not be necessary, and therefore the door may be unlocked while the cooler is chilling to the first predetermined temperature. However, in some embodiments, the door can be locked until a predetermined temperature is reached to chill the beverage.

[0066] If the operator selects to set the cooler to a predetermined temperature to super-cool the beverage 1020, the cooler can automatically set the cooler to a predetermined storage temperature based on the type of beverage selected. The cooler's cooling unit can be activated to cool the cooler to a second predetermined temperature 1030. The cooler door can be locked 1040 to prevent the cooler door from opening while the cooler is cooling to the second predetermined temperature. A temperature sensor within the cooler determines the temperature within the cooler 1050. Once the second predetermined temperature is reached, the door can be unlocked to allow a consumer to open the door and remove the super-cooled beverage 1060. A slushie beverage can then be created in the beverage container by agitating the beverage, such as by shaking or tapping the beverage container. A temperature sensor can monitor the temperature within the cooler, and the cooling unit can be activated as needed to maintain the temperature at the second predetermined temperature.

[0067] 11 illustrates an exemplary computer system 1100 in which embodiments or portions thereof may be implemented as computer readable code. The control unit 150 described herein may be a computer system having all or some of the components of computer system 1100 for performing the processes described herein.

[0068] Where programmable logic is used, such logic may be executed on a commercially available processing platform or a special purpose device. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be practiced with a variety of computer system configurations, including multi-core multiprocessor systems, minicomputers and mainframe computers, computers linked or clustered with distributed functionality, and pervasive or small computers that may be embedded in virtually any device.

[0069] For example, at least one processor device and memory may be used to implement the above-described embodiments. The processor device may be a single processor, multiple processors, or a combination thereof. The processor device may have one or more processor "cores."

[0070] Various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by this exemplary computer system 1100. After reading this description, it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how one or more aspects of the present invention may be implemented using other computer systems and / or computer architectures. While operations may be described as sequential processes, some of the operations may in fact be performed in parallel, concurrently, and / or in a distributed environment, and may be performed by program code stored locally or remotely for access by single or multi-processor machines. Additionally, in some embodiments, the order of operations may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the disclosed subject matter.

[0071] The processor device 1104 may be a dedicated or general-purpose processor device. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the processor device 1104 may also be a single processor in a multi-core / multi-processor system, operating singly or in a cluster of computing devices operating in a cluster or server farm. The processor device 1104 is connected to a communications infrastructure 1106, such as a bus, message queue, network, or multi-core message passing scheme.

[0072] The computer system 1100 also includes a main memory 1108, e.g., random access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 1110. The secondary memory 1110 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 1112 or a removable storage drive 1114. The removable storage drive 1114 may include a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flash memory, or the like. The removable storage drive 1114 reads from and / or writes to a removable storage unit 1118 in a well-known manner. The removable storage unit 1118 may include a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, a universal serial bus (USB) drive, or the like, which is read from and written to by the removable storage drive 1114. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the removable storage unit 1118 includes a computer-usable storage medium having stored thereon computer software and / or data.

[0073] Computer system 1100 (optionally) includes a display interface 1102 (which may include input and output devices such as a keyboard, mouse, etc.), which transfers graphics, text, and other data from communications infrastructure 1106 (or from a frame buffer, not shown) for display on display unit 1130.

[0074] In alternative implementations, secondary memory 1110 may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system 1100. Such means may include, for example, a removable storage unit 1122 and interface 1120. Examples of such means may include program cartridges and cartridge interfaces (such as those found in video game devices), removable memory chips (such as EPROMs or PROMs) and associated sockets, and other removable storage units 1122 and interfaces 1120 that can transfer software and data from the removable storage unit 1122 to computer system 1100.

[0075] Computer system 1100 may also include a communications interface 1124. Communications interface 1124 allows software and data to be transferred between computer system 1100 and external devices. Communications interface 1124 may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, or the like. The software and data transferred via communications interface 1124 may be in the form of signals, which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being received by communications interface 1124. These signals may be provided to communications interface 1124 via communications path 1126. Communications path 1126 carries signals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link, or other communications channel.

[0076] As used herein, the terms "computer program medium" and "computer usable medium" are used generally to refer to media such as removable storage unit 1118, removable storage unit 1122, and a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 1112. Computer program medium and computer usable medium may also refer to memory, such as main memory 1108 and secondary memory 1110, which may be memory semiconductors (e.g., DRAM, etc.).

[0077] Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored in main memory 1108 and / or secondary memory 1110. Computer programs may also be received via communications interface 1124. When executed, such computer programs enable computer system 1100 to implement the embodiments discussed herein. Specifically, when executed, the computer programs enable processor device 1104 to perform the processes of the embodiments discussed herein. Such computer programs thus represent controllers of computer system 1100. When an embodiment is implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system 1100 using removable storage drive 1114, interface 1120, and hard disk drive 1112, or communications interface 1124.

[0078] Embodiments of the present invention may also be directed to computer program products including software stored on any computer-usable medium. Such software, when executed on one or more data processing devices, causes the data processing devices to operate as described herein. Embodiments of the present invention may employ computer-usable or readable media. Examples of computer-usable media include, but are not limited to, primary storage devices (e.g., any type of random access memory), secondary storage devices (e.g., hard drives, floppy disks, CD ROMs, ZIP disks, tapes, magnetic and optical storage devices, MEMS, nanotechnology storage devices, etc.).

[0079] It is understood that the "Detailed Description" section, and not the "Summary" and "Abstract" sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more, but not all, exemplary embodiments of the invention as contemplated by the inventor(s), but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention and the appended claims in any way.

[0080] The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks that illustrate the performance of certain functions and their relationships. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternative boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and their relationships are properly performed.

[0081] The foregoing description of specific embodiments makes the general nature of the present invention fully apparent, and others, by applying the knowledge of those skilled in the art, may readily modify and / or adapt such specific embodiments to various uses without undue experimentation and without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and therefore should be interpreted by those skilled in the art in light of the teaching and guidance provided herein.

Claims

1. A cooler comprising: a cabinet having an internal volume for storing beverage containers containing beverages; a door for providing access to the interior volume of the cabinet; a lock configured to maintain the door in a closed position when the lock is engaged; a cooling unit configured to maintain the cabinet at a predetermined temperature; a temperature sensor disposed within the cabinet, the temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature within the cabinet; and a control unit in communication with the cooling unit and the temperature sensor, the control unit configured to control the cooling unit to maintain a temperature within the cabinet at a predetermined temperature determined by the temperature sensor; The control unit is configured to lock the door until a temperature within the cabinet reaches the predetermined temperature.

2. The cooler of claim 1 , wherein the door includes a transparent portion such that the interior volume of the cabinet is visible from outside the cooler.

3. The cooler of claim 1 , wherein the door comprises a display screen.

4. The cooler of claim 1 , further comprising an indicator configured to provide an indication when the door is locked.

5. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the predetermined temperature is in the range of about -1°C to about -10°C.

6. The cooler of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined temperature is below the freezing point of the beverage in the beverage container.

7. 2. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to set the temperature of the cabinet to a first predetermined temperature or a second predetermined temperature, the first predetermined temperature being different from the second predetermined temperature.

8. The cooler of claim 7, wherein the first predetermined temperature is between 0.1°C and 10°C.

9. The cooler of claim 8, wherein the second predetermined temperature is between -1°C and -10°C.

10. 1. A method of operating a chiller, comprising: setting a temperature inside the cooler, wherein the beverage container is stored at a predetermined temperature below the freezing point of the beverage in the beverage container; locking a door of the cooler when the temperature inside the cooler is higher than the predetermined temperature; unlocking the door of the cooler when the temperature inside the cooler is at or below the predetermined temperature.

11. providing a first indication when the temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature; and providing a second indication when the temperature is equal to or less than the predetermined temperature; and The method of claim 10 further comprising:

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein providing the first indication comprises illuminating a first indicator light, and providing the second indication comprises illuminating a second indicator light.

13. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein setting the temperature includes activating a cooling unit, the method further including shutting down the cooling unit when the temperature in the cooler is at or below the predetermined temperature.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising operating the cooling unit based on a demand state of the chiller, the demand state corresponding to the number of times the door of the chiller is opened during a predetermined period.

15. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving an input indicating a type of beverage to be stored in the cooler, and wherein setting the temperature comprises selecting the predetermined temperature based on the input.

16. A cooler comprising: a cabinet having an internal volume for storing beverage containers containing beverages; a door for providing access to the interior volume of the cabinet; a cooling unit configured to maintain the cabinet at a predetermined temperature; a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature within the cabinet; a control unit in communication with the cooling unit and the temperature sensor; The control unit is configured to set the temperature within the cabinet to a first predetermined temperature above the freezing point of the beverage or to a second predetermined temperature below the freezing point of the beverage.

17. 17. The chiller of claim 16, wherein the temperature sensor is located at an inlet of an evaporator of the cooling unit and a second temperature sensor is located at an outlet of the evaporator of the cooling unit.

18. 17. The cooler of claim 16, wherein the door includes a lock, and when the control unit is set to the second predetermined temperature, the control unit is configured to activate the lock when the temperature within the cabinet exceeds the second predetermined temperature.

19. 17. The cooler of claim 16, further comprising a door sensor in communication with the control unit, the door sensor configured to detect the number of times the door of the cooler is opened to determine a demand state of the cooler.

20. 20. The chiller of claim 19, wherein the control unit operates the cooling unit based in part on the demand conditions determined by the door sensor.

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