Beverage Cooler Sidewall Apertures for Remote Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beer keg coolers are limited in their placement options due to the location of dispensing devices, restricting their installation flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A beverage cooler design with a housing that includes a refrigeration system, thermally insulated panels, and a dispensing system that allows for flexible installation under a countertop or as a free-standing unit, featuring a removable top panel for tap installation and sidewall apertures for conveyance routing, accommodating both beverage and gas containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dispensing device is located on the top surface of the cooler, then the beverage can be dispensed conveniently, but the cooler's placement options are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing device is extracted from the cooler body and positioned remotely at the sink area. The cooler only provides cooling and connection points, while the actual dispensing happens at a different location, freeing the cooler from placement constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the cooler unit for temperature control and the remote dispensing unit for beverage delivery. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned independently.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cooler dimensions are reduced to fit standard cabinet openings, then installation flexibility improves, but the interior space for beverage containers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler is designed with adjustable and removable internal components, including the refrigeration system and shelving, allowing the interior configuration to be dynamically adjusted to maximize storage efficiency within the constrained cabinet space.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration system components are nested within the cooler housing in a space-efficient manner, with the evaporator, condenser, and compressor arranged to minimize occupied volume while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables flexible placement options, including under a countertop or as a free-standing unit, while maintaining compact dimensions to fit standard cabinet openings, and supports both beer kegs and compressed gas containers for efficient beverage dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigeration system for cooling the interior space of the housing
Implementation Method 2
The housing is thermally insulated
Implementation Method 3
the conveyance is connectable to the beverage container and a dispensing unit located remote from the beverage cooler
Implementation Method 4
Such an assembly for operating a refrigeration cycle may include a compressor
Implementation Method 5
a condenser/heat exchanger
Implementation Method 6
an expansion valve
Implementation Method 7
an evaporator/heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage cooler that includes a housing defining an interior space adapted to hold a beverage container; a refrigeration system for cooling the interior space of the housing; and at least one opening in a sidewall panel for receiving a conveyance therethrough whereby the conveyance is connectable to the beverage container and a dispensing unit located remote from the beverage cooler. The beverage cooler may have exterior dimensions which define a width of less than 24 inches (61 cm), a front-to-back depth of less than 25 inches (63.5 cm) and a height of less than 35 inches (88.9 cm). Such dimensions would allow the beverage cooler to be installed in a standard 24 inch cabinet opening below a countertop.