Freezable cooler partition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing freezable cooler inserts are not efficient in maintaining beverages at a reduced temperature for an extended period, as ice melts and dilutes the contents, leading to warming and loss of refreshment.
Innovation Solution
A freezable cooler partition system comprising a disk with a central aperture, a regulator, and an elongated rod that partitions the cooler into upper and lower compartments, using an endothermically reactive material to maintain the lower compartment at a reduced temperature, with a gasket for a watertight seal and adjustable length for optimal submersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ice is used to cool beverages in a cooler, then the beverages are maintained at a reduced temperature, but the ice melts and dilutes the beverages, negatively impacting flavor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (endothermically reactive material such as calcium ammonium nitrate) that mediates the cooling process. This material absorbs heat through endothermic dissolution when water is added, cooling the beverages without melting ice that would dilute them. The intermediary substance performs the cooling function while avoiding the harmful dilution effect of traditional ice.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the cooling system by using endothermically reactive materials that undergo chemical transformation (dissolution) to absorb heat. This parameter change allows cooling to occur through chemical reaction rather than physical phase change (ice melting), thereby preventing dilution while maintaining temperature control.
2Temperature
If traditional ice packs are used in coolers, then cooling is achieved, but the cooling duration is limited and temperature control is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous cooling action by allowing the endothermically reactive material to be replenished. When the cooling effect diminishes, additional reactant can be added to continue the endothermic reaction, providing continuous cooling over extended periods rather than the limited duration of traditional ice packs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends cooling duration by changing from physical phase change (which has fixed duration based on ice mass) to chemical reaction (which can be replenished). The endothermic dissolution process can be repeated by adding more reactant, thereby extending the useful action duration indefinitely.
3Temperature
If a partition is added to separate compartments in a cooler, then temperature control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooler into separate compartments using a partition, allowing different substances (endothermically reactive material in one compartment, beverages in another) to be separated. This segmentation enables independent control of the cooling agent and the cooled items, improving temperature control while maintaining relatively simple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition acts as a physical intermediary that separates the cooling reaction zone from the beverage zone. This allows the endothermic reaction to occur in one compartment while the beverages are cooled in another, preventing direct contact between reactants and beverages while still achieving effective heat transfer through the partition walls.
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
The system effectively maintains beverages at a desired temperature for a longer duration by using an endothermically reactive material within the cooler, minimizing temperature change and dilution, ensuring maximum refreshment.
Implementation Method 1
A freezable cooler partition system comprising a disk with a central aperture, a regulator, and an elongated rod that partitions the cooler into upper and lower compartments, using an endothermically reactive material to maintain the lower compartment at a reduced temperature
Data Source
AI summary
The device includes a disk having a central aperture therethrough, wherein the disk defines an interior volume about the central aperture. The disk is dimensioned to partition a cooler into an upper compartment and a lower compartment. A regulator includes an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion is removably securable within the central aperture. An opening is disposed within the upper portion and is in fluid communication with a channel extending through the regulator. An elongated rod having an upper end opposite a lower end is removably securable to the upper portion of the regulator. A platform is disposed on the upper end of the elongated rod.