Food Cooling Device

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/656,621, which was filed on Jun. 6, 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of food cooling devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electric appliance that cools down food and beverages. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in food cooling devices. Generally, food served straight from a pot, pan, or the oven is incredibly hot and can take considerable time to cool down. However, waiting for food to cool down can be frustrating, especially if it is just sitting on the tabletop.

Further, children may get impatient and try to eat their food while it is still too hot, burning their mouth and tongue. Young children usually are unable to cool hot foods themselves. Both children and handicapped or elderly adults may benefit from having access to a food cooling device that is easy to use and durable.

Accordingly, there is a demand for an improved food cooling device that enables people to enjoy their food faster instead of waiting for it to cool down. More particularly, there is a demand for a food cooling device that is an appliance that cools down food and beverages.

Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a food cooling device that provides users with an electric appliance that cools down food and beverages. There is also a long felt need in the art for a food cooling device that allows users to place food safe bowls, cups, plates, etc., in the appliance and utilize the controls to easily activate it and cool down food. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a food cooling device that enables people to enjoy their food faster instead of waiting a long time for it to cool down. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that prevents users from burning their mouth and tongue on hot food. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a food cooling device that has multiple dial controls to set cooling temperature, timers, etc. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a food cooling device that resembles a toaster oven or microwave.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a food cooling device. The device is designed to cool hot meals to reduce the risk of burning the mouth and tongue. The food cooling device comprises a housing component that is configured in a rectangular shape and resembles a conventional toaster oven or microwave. The housing component comprises a cooling element which acts to cool the contents of food and beverage containers placed within the housing component. The housing component comprises multiple dial controls on the front that enables users to set cooling temperatures, timers, choose specific foods to be cooled, etc., to cool down food for an appropriate period of time. Users can place their food and beverage containers inside the housing component, cool them down, and quickly enjoy them, rather than waiting for food/beverages to cool down while sitting at the table.

In this manner, the food cooling device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a device that cools down food. The device utilizes multiple dial controls to control the temperature and timing. The device prevents users from burning their mouth and tongue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a food cooling device. The device is designed to cool hot meals to reduce the risk of burning the mouth and tongue. The food cooling device comprises a housing component with a cooling element which acts to cool the contents of food and beverage containers placed within the housing component. Users can place their food and beverage containers inside the housing component, cool them down, and quickly enjoy them, rather than waiting for food/beverages to cool down while sitting at the table.

In one embodiment, the food cooling device provides users with an electric appliance that cools down food and beverages. The device enables people to enjoy their food faster instead of waiting a long time for it to cool down. The food cooling device allows users to place food or beverage containers within the device to cool down the food. Thus, the device prevents a user from burning their mouth and tongue on hot food or having to wait a long time for food to cool.

In one embodiment, the food cooling device comprises a housing component that is configured in a rectangular shape and resembles a conventional toaster oven or microwave. However, the housing component can be any suitable shape as is known in the art. The housing component comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, opposing sidewalls, a back wall, and an open front. The open front allows access to the interior cavity of the housing component.

In one embodiment, the interior cavity includes at least one shelf for holding the food or beverage container to be cooled. In another embodiment, the interior cavity comprises a turn-table component that includes a motor to spin the turntable during cooling.

In one embodiment, the open front is closed via a pair of double doors which act to secure the interior cavity. Typically, the double doors are secured on hinges which allow them to swing open and closed, as needed. In another embodiment, the open front is closed via a single door which acts to secure the interior cavity. Typically, the single door is secured on hinges which allows the door to swing open and closed, as needed. Once shut, the doors create a seal, securing the interior cavity and allowing a user to maintain a constant temperature or isothermal environment within the interior cavity during use. Further, the doors include at least one handle to allow a user to easily open and close the doors, as needed. In another embodiment, the doors have a flat face with a push-button component on the front.

In one embodiment, the interior of the housing component is insulated via any suitable insulating materials to help retain cold within the interior cavity, such as but not limited to, polystyrene, polyurethane, closed-cell foam, etc., or any other suitable insulating materials or combination of materials as is known in the art.

In one embodiment, the interior of the housing component comprises at least one cooling element which acts to cool the contents of food and beverage containers placed within the interior cavity of the housing component. The cooling element can be any suitable cooling element as is known in the art, as long as the cooling element ensures that the interior cavity remains at a consistent temperature. Generally, the cooling element is, but not limited to, a cooling liquid, a cooling gel, an air condenser, a vent, a fan, etc.

In one embodiment, the housing component comprises multiple dial controls that control the cooling element. The multiple dial controls may be a physical control (i.e. a button, knob, etc.) or a touchscreen display. The multiple dial controls enable users to set cooling temperatures, set timers, or choose specific foods to be cooled, etc., or any other suitable control functions as is known in the art. Specifically, one of the multiple dial controls acts to control the temperature within the housing component (i.e., a temperature control dial). Users may set a specific cooling temperature with the temperature control dial and the device will alert a user when the interior cavity reaches the specific cooling temperature. Another dial control can be a timer, a user can utilize the timer to set a specific time for the food to be cooled within the device. Thus, the timer allows the cooling element to run for an appropriate period of time and then shut off. A further dial control (i.e., a food control dial) can be used to cool a specific food from a predetermined list of foods. For example, the food control dial lists specific foods which can be selected. A user would choose the specific food on the food control dial based upon the type/style of food needing to be cooled within the housing component. Thus, in use, users can place their food and beverage containers inside the housing component, then set dial controls to a specific temperature and/or time or specifically select a particular type of food to be cooled. Once the dial controls are set, the device cools the food/beverage within the interior cavity for an appropriate length of time and allows a user to quickly enjoy the food/beverage, rather than waiting for the food/beverage to cool down while sitting at the table.

In one embodiment, the housing component comprises a power cord which is plugged into a power outlet, as its power source. The device receives power from the power cord to power its cooling functions. Specifically, the device receives power from a power outlet via at least one power cord of any configuration. In another embodiment, the device is powered via one or more batteries. The battery may be removable or non-removable and rechargeable or disposable in different embodiments. In one embodiment, the battery allows the device to operate without a power source/power outlet. In a further embodiment, the battery may be comprised of at least one charging port that allows the battery to charge.

In one embodiment, the food cooling device can be controlled by a mobile application that is installed on a smart device, such as, but not limited to, a smartphone, a tablet, a computer, etc., or any other device that may have wireless communication capabilities and may be connected to the internet. The smart device may perform any type of wireless communication, including, but not limited to, WIFI, BLUETOOTH, RFID, NFC, etc. Further, the food cooling device includes a wireless communications module and additional sensors which would allow the device to pair with the mobile application on the smart device. Once paired, a user could control the food cooling device via the mobile application.

In one embodiment, the food cooling device is manufactured from aluminum, stainless steel, or other suitable materials as is known in the art, or a combination of such materials.

In yet another embodiment, the food cooling device comprises a plurality of indicia.

In yet another embodiment, a method of cooling food quickly and efficiently is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a food cooling device comprising a housing component with a cooling element. The method also comprises placing a food or beverage container to be cooled into the housing component. Further, the method comprises setting the dial controls to a specific temperature, timer, etc. The method also comprises shutting the doors and cooling the contents of the food or beverage container. Finally, the method comprises enjoying the food or beverage quickly without waiting for it to cool down.

Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the food cooling device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the food cooling device of the present invention showing how the front doors open in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the food cooling device of the present invention showing the control panel in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the food cooling device of the present invention showing how food is placed in the housing component and cooled in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the food cooling device of the present invention showing a child enjoying the cooled meal in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing the method of cooling food quickly and efficiently in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for a food cooling device that provides users with an electric appliance that cools down food and beverages. There is also a long felt need in the art for a food cooling device that allows users to place food safe bowls, cups, plates, etc., in the appliance and utilize the controls to easily activate it and cool down food. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a food cooling device that enables people to enjoy their food faster instead of waiting a long time for it to cool down. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that prevents users from burning their mouth and tongue on hot food. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a food cooling device that has multiple dial controls to set cooling temperature, timers, etc. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a food cooling device that resembles a toaster oven or microwave.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel food cooling device. The food cooling device comprises a housing component that is configured in a rectangular shape and resembles a conventional toaster oven or microwave. The housing component comprises a cooling element which acts to cool the contents of food and beverage containers placed within the housing component. The housing component comprises multiple dial controls on the front that enables users to set cooling temperatures, timers, choose specific foods to be cooled, etc., to cool down food for an appropriate period of time. Users can place their food and beverage containers inside the housing component, cool them down, and quickly enjoy them, rather than waiting for food/beverages to cool down while sitting at the table. The present invention also includes a novel method of cooling food quickly and efficiently. The method includes the steps of providing a food cooling device comprising a housing component with a cooling element. The method also comprises placing a food or beverage container to be cooled into the housing component. Further, the method comprises setting the dial controls to a specific temperature, timer, etc. The method also comprises shutting the doors and cooling the contents of the food or beverage container. Finally, the method comprises enjoying the food or beverage quickly without waiting for it to cool down.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the food cooling device 100 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the food cooling device 100 is an improved food cooling device 100 that provides a user 108 with an appliance for cooling food 112 efficiency and easily. Specifically, the food cooling device 100 comprises a housing component 102 with a cooling element 104, which acts to cool the contents of food and beverage containers 106 placed within the housing component 102. Users 108 can place their food and beverage containers 106 inside the housing component 102, cool them down, and quickly enjoy them, rather than waiting for food/beverages 112 to cool down while sitting at the table 110.

Generally, the food cooling device 100 provides users 108 with an electric appliance that cools down food and beverages 112. The device 100 enables people to enjoy their food 112 faster instead of waiting a long time for it to cool down. The food cooling device 100 allows users 108 to place food or beverage containers 106 within the device 100 to cool down the food 112. Thus, the device 100 prevents a user 108 from burning their mouth and tongue on hot food 112 or having to wait a long time for food 112 to cool.

Further, the food cooling device 100 comprises a housing component 102 that is configured in a rectangular shape and resembles a conventional toaster oven or microwave. However, the housing component 102 can be any suitable shape as is known in the art. The housing component 102 comprises a top surface 114, a bottom surface 116, opposing sidewalls 118, a back wall 120, and an open front 122. The open front 122 allows access to the interior cavity 124 of the housing component 102.

As shown in FIG. 2, the open front 122 is closed via a pair of double doors 200 which act to secure the interior cavity 124. Typically, the double doors 200 are secured on hinges 202 which allow them to swing open and closed, as needed. In another embodiment, the open front 122 is closed via a single door 200 which acts to secure the interior cavity 124. Typically, the single door 200 is secured on hinges 202 which allows the door 200 to swing open and closed, as needed. Once shut, the doors 200 create a seal, securing the interior cavity 124 and allowing a user 108 to maintain a constant temperature or isothermal environment within the interior cavity 124 during use. Further, the doors 200 include at least one handle 204 to allow a user 108 to easily open and close the doors 200, as needed. In another embodiment, the doors 200 have a flat face with a push-button component 206 on the front.

Further, the interior of the housing component 102 comprises at least one cooling element 104 which acts to cool the contents of food and beverage containers 106 placed within the interior cavity 124 of the housing component 102. The cooling element 104 can be any suitable cooling element as is known in the art, as long as the cooling element 104 ensures that the interior cavity 124 remains at a consistent temperature. Generally, the cooling element 104 is, but not limited to, a cooling liquid, a cooling gel, an air condenser, a vent, a fan, etc.

Additionally, in one embodiment, the interior of the housing component 102 is insulated via any suitable insulating materials 208 to help retain cold within the interior cavity 124, such as but not limited to, polystyrene, polyurethane, closed-cell foam, etc., or any other suitable insulating materials 208 or combination of materials as is known in the art.

Further, the interior cavity 124 includes at least one shelf 210 for holding the food or beverage container 106 to be cooled. In another embodiment, the interior cavity 124 comprises a turn-table component 212 that includes a motor to rotate the turntable 212 during cooling.

As shown in FIG. 3, the housing component 102 comprises multiple dial controls 300 that control the cooling element 104. The multiple dial controls 300 may be a physical control (i.e. a button, knob, etc.) or a touchscreen display. The multiple dial controls 300 enable users 108 to set cooling temperatures, set timers, or choose specific foods 112 to be cooled, etc., or any other suitable control functions as is known in the art.

Specifically, one of the multiple dial controls 300 acts to control the temperature within the housing component 102 (i.e., a temperature control dial 302). Users 108 may set a specific cooling temperature with the temperature control dial 302 and the device 100 will alert a user 108 when the interior cavity 124 reaches the specific cooling temperature.

Another dial control can be a timer 304, a user 108 can utilize the timer 304 to set a specific time for the food 112 to be cooled within the device 100. Thus, the timer 304 allows the cooling clement 104 to run for an appropriate period of time and then shut off.

A further dial control (i.e., a food control dial 306) can be used to cool a specific food 112 from a predetermined list of foods. For example, the food control dial 306 lists specific foods 112 which can be selected. A user 108 would choose the specific food 112 on the food control dial 306 based upon the type/style of food 112 needing to be cooled within the housing component 102.

Thus, in use, users 108 can place their food and beverage containers 106 inside the housing component 102, then set dial controls 300 to a specific temperature and/or time or specifically select a particular type of food 112 to be cooled. Once the dial controls 300 are set, the device 100 cools the food/beverage 112 within the interior cavity 124 for an appropriate length of time and allows a user 108 to quickly enjoy the food/beverage 112, rather than waiting for the food/beverage 112 to cool down while sitting at the table 110.

As shown in FIG. 4, the housing component 102 comprises a power cord 400 which is plugged into a power outlet 402, as its power source. The device 100 receives power from the power cord 400 to power its cooling functions. Specifically, the device 100 receives power from a power outlet 402 via at least one power cord 400 of any configuration. In another embodiment, the device 100 is powered via one or more batteries 404. The battery 404 may be removable or non-removable and rechargeable or disposable in different embodiments. In one embodiment, the battery 404 allows the device 100 to operate without a power source/power outlet. In a further embodiment, the battery 404 may be comprised of at least one charging port 406 that allows the battery 404 to charge.

The battery 404 may be a disposable battery or a rechargeable battery in the form of an alkaline, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride battery, etc., such as any 3V-12 volts DC battery or other conventional battery, such as A, AA, AAA, etc., that supplies power to the food cooling device 100. Throughout this specification, the term “battery” may be used interchangeably to refer to one or more wet or dry cells or batteries of cells in which chemical energy is converted into electricity and used as a source of DC power. References to recharging or replacing the battery 404 may refer to recharging or replacing individual cells, individual batteries of cells, or a package of multiple battery cells as is appropriate for any given battery technology that may be used. In addition, a rechargeable embodiment of the battery 404 may be recharged using a USB port 406, wherein the USB port 406 is a USB-A, USB-B, Micro-B, Micro-USB, Mini-USB, or USB-C port, etc.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the food cooling device 100 can be controlled by a mobile application 408 that is installed on a smart device 410, such as but not limited to, a smartphone, a tablet, a computer, etc., or any other device that may have wireless communication capabilities and may be connected to the internet. The smart device 410 may perform any type of wireless communication, including, but not limited to, WIFI, BLUETOOTH, RFID, NFC, etc. Further, the food cooling device 100 includes a wireless communications module 412 and additional sensors which would allow the device 100 to pair with the mobile application 408 on the smart device 410. Once paired, a user 108 could control the food cooling device 100 via the mobile application 408.

As shown in FIG. 5, the food cooling device 100 is manufactured from aluminum, stainless steel, or other suitable materials as is known in the art, or a combination of such materials.

In yet another embodiment, the food cooling device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 500. The housing component 102 of the device 100 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the housing component 102, or any other indicia 500 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 500 as is known in the art can be included, such as but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be cooling, food, or brand related.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of the method of cooling food quickly and efficiently. The method includes the steps of at 600, providing a food cooling device comprising a housing component with a cooling element. The method also comprises at 602, placing a food or beverage container to be cooled into the housing component. Further, the method comprises at 604, setting the dial controls to a specific temperature, timer, etc. The method also comprises at 606, shutting the doors and cooling the contents of the food or beverage container. Finally, the method comprises at 608, enjoying the food or beverage quickly without waiting for it to cool down.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “food cooling device”, “cooling device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the food cooling device 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the food cooling device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the food cooling device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-6 is for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the food cooling device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the food cooling device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the food cooling device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.