Patent Application
20180299191
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to cold taps for chilling beverages, such as beer and the like, and more specifically, an adapter kit for non-destructively adapting a cooler into a cold tap, also known as a jockey box.
There is no question that cold beer is the next best thing to free beer. Cold taps are available to chill beer. Kits are also available to turn a commercially available cooler into a cold tap. However, such kits require drilling holes in the sidewall or lid of cooler to enable mounting of valves (i.e., taps) to the cooler, which may render the cooler unsuitable for its original purpose. Thus, the cooler cannot be returned to its original form, particularly do to the holes drilled through the cooler.
An adapter kit for non-destructively adapting a cooler into a cold tap is provided. The adapter allows the cooler to be configured as a cold tap, while being readily removable to allow the cooler to return to its undamaged, original form.
Described herein are an adapter kit for non-destructively adapting a cooler having a melt water drain hole into a cold tap, a cooler configured as a cold tap, and a method for non-destructively adapting a cooler having a melt water drain hole into a cold tap. In one example, an adapter kit for non-destructively adapting a cooler having a melt water drain hole into a cold tap includes metal cooling element and a multi-passage (MP) fitting. The metal cooling element is adapted for cooling liquid within the cooler. The cooling element has a cooling element inlet port and a cooling element outlet port. The MP fitting includes a body having a first end adapted to be exposed to an interior volume of the cooler and a second end adapted to be exposed to an outside of the cooler. The body is sized to removably extend at least partially into the melt water drain hole formed through the cooler. A first passage is formed through the body between a first outlet port disposed on the first end and a first inlet port disposed on the second end. A second passage is formed through the body between a second outlet port disposed on the first end and a second inlet port disposed on the second end. The first outlet port is couplable to the cooling element inlet port and the second outlet port is couplable to the cooling element outlet port.
In a second example, a cooler is provided. The cooler includes a base having a melt water drain hole formed therethrough, a metal cooling element disposed in an interior volume of the base, and a multi-passage (MP) fitting. The cooling element has a non-linear flow path formed therein. The non-linear flow path terminates at a cooling element inlet port and a cooling element outlet port. The MP fitting includes body having a first end exposed to the interior volume of the base and a second end exposed an exterior of the base. The body is removably disposed at least partially into the melt water drain hole formed through the body. A first passage is formed through the body between a first outlet port disposed on the first end and a first inlet port disposed on the second end. The first outlet port is fluidly coupled to the cooling element inlet port. A second passage is formed through the body between a second outlet port disposed on the first end and a second inlet port disposed on the second end. The second outlet port is fluidly coupled to the cooling element outlet port.
In another example, a method for non-destructively adapting a cooler having a melt water drain hole into a cold tap is provided. The method includes inserting a body of a multi-passage (MP) fitting into the melt water drain hole of the cooler, coupling the MP fitting to a cooling element disposed in the cooler, and coupling the MP fitting to a beverage source.
The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.
It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Embodiments of the present invention described herein include an adapter kit (referred below as a cold tap adapter) which may be utilized to non-destructively convert a conventional ice chest (i.e.,) cooler, such as available from Igloo, Coleman, Engle, Yeti, RTIC, Frigid Rigid, and the like, into a cold tap, also known as a jockey box, without altering the physical construction of the cooler. In other words, the adapter kit may be removed from the cooler after use, returning the cooler to its original form as purchased from the manufacturer without any “after purchase” physical modifications to the cooler that are purpose specific for use with the adapter kit.
Advantageously, once the adapter kit is removed from the cooler, the cooler does not include any penetrations other than those that would have been present in the cooler as originally purchased from the cooler manufacturer. This enables the cooler to can be used both as a jockey box, and additionally return to its original form for use as a conventional ice chest.
The adapter kit includes two main components; a cooling element and a multi-passage (MP) fitting. The cooling element is utilized to circulate a beverage provided from a keg (or other source) within the cooler. In some embodiments, the cooling element may be a cold plate. In other embodiments, the cooling element may be one or more coils of metallic tubing. Ice, provided in the cooler, chills the beverage flowing through the cooling element.
The MP fitting includes at least two passages to enable simultaneous flows of the beverage both into and out of the cooler. The MP fitting is sized to fit through a conventional drain hole that already is formed in a side wall of the cooler. Stated differently, the conventional cooler includes a drain hole as conventionally available from the cooler manufacturer, and the MP fitting is adapted to interface with the drain hole to allow connection to the cooling element. For example, one end of the MP fitting is exposed to the inside the cooler through the drain hole and is configured to couple to the inlet and outlet of the cooling element. The opposite end of the MP fitting is exposed to outside the cooler and is configured to couple to a tap and keg (or other beverage source). The MP fitting may extend at least partially into the drain hole or otherwise be interfaced with the drain hole in a manner that prevents water, from melting ice, from leaking from the interior of the cooler.
In one embodiment, a flow of beverage enters a first passage of the MP fitting disposed in the drain hole of the cooler. The flow of beverage exits the first passage of the MP fitting and enters an inlet port of the cooling element either directly or via a short length of tubing coupling the cooling element and the MP fitting. The beverage then circulates through the cooling element where it is chilled, finally exiting the cooling element through an outlet port connected to a second passage of the MP fitting. The outlet port of the cooling element may be coupled either directly or via a short length of tubing to the MP fitting. The beverage then exits the second passage of the MP fitting to a tube coupled to the MP fitting. The tube couples the MP fitting to a tap from which the now chilled beverage may be dispensed for consumption.
The cooler 100 generally includes at least one melt water drain hole 110 formed through the sidewall 106 proximate the bottom 108 of the base 104. The drain hole 110 is sealed by a plug or cap 112, which may be removed to allow water, typically from melted ice, to be drained from the interior volume 130 without having to tip the cooler 100 over. The drain hole 110 may be threaded to engage a mating thread of the cap 112. Alternatively, the cap 112 may be configured to sealingly press-fit into the drain hole 110. Alternatively, the cap 112 may be configured to sealingly press-fit over a lip extending from the drain hole 110. In the example depicted in
Generally, cooler 100 may be cylindrical with a single sidewall 106 or rectangular with four sidewalls 106. In rectangular embodiments, the sidewall with the drain hole 110 is typically formed through a shorter sidewall 106, the shorter sidewall 106 being adjacent the long sidewalls 106, with one of the long sidewalls 106 having the hinge for the lid 102 defining the back of the cooler and the other long sidewall 106 opposite the hinge defining the front of the cooler 100. As further discussed below, a centerline 150 of the drain hole 110 is generally parallel to the long sidewalls 106 and perpendicular to the short sidewalls 106.
The cold tap adapter 200 includes a cooling element 250 and a multi-passage (MP) fitting 202. The cooling element 250 of the cold tap adapter 200 is configured to fit within the interior volume 130 of the cooler 100, while the MP fitting 202 is configured to fit through the drain hole 110, or “factory original” hole configured to allow conventional use of the cooler 100 as an ice chest without the cold tap adapter 200 being installed. While the partial view of the cooler 100 illustrated only one drain hole 110 equipped with the cold tap adapter 200, as second cold tap adapter 200 may be optionally utilized in a second drain holes 110 should the cooler 100 equipped with multiple drain holes 110. This allows beverages from more than one keg to be chilled simultaneously within the cooler 100.
The cooling element 250 is utilized to circulate a beverage provided from a keg (or other source) within the cooler 100. The cooling element 250 generally has an inlet 252 and an outlet 254 coupled by a non-linear flow path 266. The non-linear flow path 266 is contained within the cooling element 250 such that beverages flowing though the cooling element 250 between the inlet 252 and outlet 254 do not leak into the interior volume 130 of the cooler 100. The cooling element 250 is fabricated from a thermally conductive material suitable for contact with beverages, such as aluminum and stainless steel.
In some embodiments, the cooling element 250 may be a cold plate 206. For example as illustrated in
Continuing to refer to
The MP fitting 202 may have a threaded exterior 276 that allows one or more nuts 278 to secure the MP fitting 202 within the drain hole 110. A gasket or other seal 220 may be disposed between the nut 278 and exterior of the sidewall 106 of the cooler 100 to prevent leakage through the drain hole 110. In one embodiment, nuts 278 and gaskets 220 are utilized on both sides of the drain hole 110. In another alternative as shown in
As discussed above and shown in
The MP fitting 202 includes at least two passages 476, 478 formed between the first and second ends 270, 272. The first passage 476 fluidly terminates at a first port 482 formed at the first end 270 of the MP fitting 202 and fluidly terminates at a second port 484 formed at the second end 272 of the MP fitting 202. Similarly, the second passage 478 fluidly terminates at a first port 486 formed at the first end 270 of the MP fitting 202 and terminates a second port 488 formed at the second end 272 of the MP fitting 202. In some embodiments, the ports 482, 484, 486, 488 are configured to connect to tubing 264, 210, 216 that connects the MP fitting to the cooling element 250, keg 212 and valve 208. In other embodiments, the ports 482, 486 are configured to directly connect to the cooling element 250 without the use of tubing 264. In one example, the ports 482, 484, 486, 488 may be configured as nipples for direct connection with tubing 264, 210, 216. In another example, the ports 482, 484, 486, 488 may be threaded to mate with fittings 402 that facilitate connection with tubing 264, 210, 216.
In the embodiment depicted in
An exterior end 456 of the tubular body 452 defines the second end 272 of the MP fitting 202. As discussed above, the shaft 410 may define the threaded exterior 276 of the MP fitting 202 that engages the nut 278 for securing the MP fitting 202 in the drain hole 110. The ports 484, 488 may be formed in the exterior end 456 of the tubular body 452 or in the cap 450.
The cap 450 is coupled to the exterior end 456 of the tubular body 452. The cap 450 includes the ports 484, 488 that fluidly terminate the opposite side (i.e., the side outside the cooler 100) of the passages 476, 478. The cap 450 includes passages 460, 462 that couple the passages 476, 478 to the ports 484, 488 via passages 430, 432 formed in the exterior end 456 of the tubular body 452. The cap 450 is larger in diameter than the shaft 410 to provide additional space for forming the ports 484, 488. The interface between the cap 450 and the shaft 410 may include a plurality of o-rings 434 or other seals for preventing leakage and maintaining isolation between the passages 476, 478. In one embodiment, a pin 414, such as a fast pin, clevis pin or other removable fastener, may be disposed through holes formed in the cap 450 and the shaft 410 to retain the cap 450 and the shaft 410. The pin 414 may be easily removed from the cap 450 and the shaft 410 to facilitate removal of the MP fitting 202 from drain hole 110 of the cooler 100.
In one embodiment, the tap holder 500 is a block 502. The valve 208 is coupled to the block 502. For example, the valve 208 may be disposed through a hole or slot formed in the block 502.
In the embodiment depicted in
The strap 508 is sized to pass through the aperture 160 formed through the flange 120. Upon tightening and securing the strap 508 utilizing a buckle 522, the block 502 is snuggly abutted against the mating conforming portion of the exterior surface 506 of sidewall 106 of the base 104.
In one example, the valve 208 is secured to the block 502 such that a spout 510 of the valve 208 is oriented 90 degrees relative to a centerline of the drain hole 110 formed through the base 104. For example, the block 502 may hold the valve 208 so that the spout 510 of the valve 208 is oriented substantially parallel to the exterior surface 506 of sidewall 106 to which the block 502 is abutted. Said differently, the block 502 may hold the valve 208 so that the spout 510 of the valve 208 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the front of the cooler 100, the front of the cooler 100 of the cooler 100 being the side of the cooler opposite the lid hinge.
In another example, the valve 208 is secured to the block 502 such that the spout 510 of the valve 208 is oriented in the same direction as the centerline of the drain hole 110 formed through the base 104. For example, the block 502 may hold the valve 208 so that the spout 510 of the valve 208 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the exterior surface 506 of sidewall 106 to which the block 502 is abutted. Said differently, the block 502 may hold the valve 208 so that the spout 510 of the valve 208 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the front of the cooler 100, the front of the cooler 100 being the side of the cooler opposite the lid hinge.
Optionally, the valve 208 may be secured to the block 502 in a manner that the orientation of the valve 208 is repositionable. For example, the valve 208 may have a feature such as a tab that can be selectively engaged with a plurality of mating features, such as slots formed in the block 502. By selecting into which slot the tab is inserted, the orientation of the valve 208 relative to the centerline of the drain hole 110 may be selected. For example, the valve 208 may be repositioned relative to the block 502 between orientations that are parallel and perpendicular to the drain hole 110. The ability to select the orientation of the valve 208 relative to the cooler 100 is advantageous because in some applications, it may be desirable to have the short side of the cooler 100 facing the persons seeking to dispense beverages while in other applications, it may be desirable to have the long side of the cooler 100 facing the persons seeking to dispense beverages, as shown in
In one embodiment, the coil holder 700 is a metal or plastic plate 702 that generally conforms to the shape of the sidewalls 106. For example, the plate 702 of the coil holder 700 may be a rectangular or cylindrical tube. The plate 702 generally includes a plurality of apertures 704 formed therethrough. The apertures 704 may be holes, for example punched holes, or alternatively, the apertures 704 may be openings in an expanded or perforated sheet of metal or plastic plate 702. Alternatively, the plate 702 may be sold.
An exterior side 706 of the plate 702 includes a plurality of tube holders 708. An interior side 716 of the plate 702 faces the interior region 710 of the cooler 100 while the exterior side 706 of the plate 702 faces the exterior region 720 of the cooler 100. The tube holders 708 are sized to retain the coils 204 in position wrapped around the exterior side 706 of the plate 702. In one example, the tube holders 708 may be outwardly bent tabs extending from the plate 702.
A bottom 712 of the plate 702 may include a plurality of legs 714. The legs 714 allow water from ice melting in the interior and exterior regions 710, 712 of the cooler 100 disposed on either side 706, 710 of the plate 702 to freely flow to the drain hole 110.
Thus, an adapter kit has been described above which may be utilized to non-destructively convert a conventional ice cooler into a cold tap, also known as a jockey box, without altering the physical construction of the cooler. Advantageously, once the adapter kit is removed from the cooler, the cooler does not include any penetrations other than those that would have been present in the cooler as originally purchased from the cooler manufacturer. This enables the cooler to can be used both as a jockey box, and additionally return to its original form for use as a conventional ice chest.
Although various embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings.
