TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] THIS INVENTION concerns a storage device for drink and/or food containers such as drink cans, bottles, box-pack drinks, paper cups or food boxes.

[0002] This invention also concerns a holder assembly for a storage device for drink and/or food containers such as drink cans, bottles, box-pack drinks, paper cups or food boxes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Wastage of drinks and foods through spillage and gradual warming is a problem in warm latitudes. Drinks and foods taken from a standard Esky-type container or from a refrigeration unit, if not consumed in a short period of time soon become warm and unpalatable or are even wasted through spillage. The standard polyurethane lined drink or stubbie bottle holder only stays cold for brief periods. It is also unstable in a vehicle or boat. Gel frozen drink liners have to be re-frozen to exert a useful effect.

[0004] In this specification the term “drink container” is intended to embrace a drink container or a food container, and includes any type of cans, bottles, box-packs, disposable cups, and boxes that can be used to contain drink or food items.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a storage device which alleviates or reduces to a certain level any one of the above prior art disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one aspect this invention provides a storage device for inter alia drink containers including a reservoir for a temperature conditioning material and multiple holders arranged in the reservoir, each of said holders being configured for locating a drink container (as hereinbefore defined) with a substantial portion of the same immersed in the temperature conditioning material when in use, whereby the drink container is removable therefrom for consumption and returnable thereto for temperature conditioning. The storage device further includes a first resilient member associated with each of said holders. Said first member is formed with a number of displaceable elements arranged in a normal position to substantially cover the associated holder and are displaceable to an open position while engaging said drink container when same is located in said holder.

[0007] In another aspect this invention provides a holder assembly for a storage device having a floor and at least one wall member arranged upstanding from said floor to define a storage compartment and a top opening. The assembly includes a frame member having at least one apertured section, and at least one insert member having one or more holders each configured for locating a drink container or containers. The frame member is configured for positioning said at least one apertured section above said floor in the compartment to thereby defining a reservoir for a temperature conditioning material between the floor and said at least one apertured section. The or each said at least one apertured section is arranged to receive and support the or one of said at least one insert in a manner that the one or more holders are substantially upright and, in use, at least partly immersed in the temperature conditioning material. The configuration of said one or more holders is such that a drink container(s) is removable therefrom for consumption and returnable thereto for temperature conditioning. The assembly further includes a first resilient member associated with each of said holders. Said first member is formed with a number of displaceable elements arranged in a normal position to substantially cover the associated holder and are displaceable to an open position while engaging said drink container when same is located in said holder.

[0008] It is preferred that said at least one insert including an insert with one or more holders configured for drink cans and/or drink bottles, and an insert with one or more holders for food items and boxed-shaped packages of drinks. The one or more holders may be removable supported about respective aperture(s) in each insert.

[0009] In one form said storage device is a cooler and said temperature conditioning material is coolant. In another form said storage device is a warmer and said temperature conditioning material is a heat generating material.

[0010] Said storage device may have at least one wall member surrounding said reservoir and a top member with apertures providing access to respective holders.

[0011] Advantageously, the storage device includes level indication means for indication the level of said temperature conditioning material in the reservoir. The level indication means can be in the form of an elongate lens fixed to an aperture in the or one of said at least one wall member.

[0012] The storage device is typically a shallow box with a floor arranged to support said holders in a substantially upright position. The holders can be formed as sleeves extending from the floor and said sleeves extend upwardly above said temperature conditioning material.

[0013] Alternatively, the shallow box may have a lid or top member, or each insert is, arranged to support said holders in a substantially upright position. The holders can be formed as sleeves extending into said temperature conditioning material and arranged to be supported in respective apertures of the lid/top member, or insert(s).

[0014] The sleeves may have gaps or apertures to permit the temperature conditioning material to reach the immersed drink containers.

[0015] Alternatively, the top member may have no lid and the box may be a blow moulding or a rotational moulding with apertures therewith, or the aperture(s) in each insert are arranged, to receive collars which are substantially co-axial with the sleeves.

[0016] Preferably, each of said collars incorporates said first resilient member with said elements extending radially inwardly therefrom. The elements may be in the form of tapered or flared liners, or flaps to respectively guide the drink containers to lie within the sleeves.

[0017] In another arrangement each said resilient member may be in the form of a first split diaphragm with flaps arranged to be displaced downwardly as the drink container is inserted and which re-close upon withdrawal.

[0018] At least one of said sleeves may have an internal ledge for suspending a second resilient member below said first resilient member. The second member also has a number of displaceable elements which extend radially inwardly for supporting the drink container thereon, and can be displaced downwardly by applying a downward force to the drink container. As for the first member, the second member can be a split diaphragm with flaps. The second split diaphragm is arranged for supporting thereon a relatively short drink container inserted through said first split diaphragm and for insertion therethrough of a relatively long drink container. As such the same holder can accommodate a drink container of different sizes, including a bottle and a can.

[0019] The box will normally be insulated. This may be achieved in different ways. It may be moulded of foam material or be a shell surrounded by padded insulation.

[0020] The device/holder assembly preferably has a port for insertion of the temperature conditioning material into the reservoir. A closure member is advantageously provided for removably closing the port. The port may be arranged near the centre of the reservoir to allow the temperature conditioning material to be dropped into the reservoir so that it occupies the space between the sleeves. Thus the spaces for the drink containers are maintained full of the temperature conditioning material. If the temperature conditioning material is ice the spaces for the drink containers are maintained full of the coolant but without ice. Accordingly there is always a liquid filled, ice free space in which to immerse the drink containers.

[0021] A mould assembly for forming block-formed coolant for use with the device/holding assembly as aforementioned. The mould assembly comprises a plurality of mould sections which are configured for removable connection to form a single unit. Each mould section has a housing with at least one housing wall arranged to define an interior chamber and a mouth at one end thereof in communication with the chamber. Said at least one housing wall includes first connection means and second connection means which are compatible for removable connection to the first connection means of an adjacent mould section. In use the plurality of mould sections are arranged as a single unit by connecting the first connection means of one mould section to the second connection means of another mould section and a coolant in liquid form is introduced into the chambers of the connected mould sections through respective mouths thereof. The mould assembly is then subject to a process for solidifying the coolant to a block form. The connected mould sections can be selectively disconnected for emptying the coolant blocks therein for use as coolant for the device/holding assembly as aforementioned.

[0022] Preferably, said housing has a handle part at its end opposite to the mouth so that a user can hold onto the mould section when emptying the coolant block therein.

[0023] Conveniently, the invention provides a carrier adapted to accommodate one or more mould assemblies. The carrier preferably has an insulation arrangement for minimising heat transfer so that the coolant blocks will remain solid for a longer tome period. The carrier may be substantially box-shaped and has a hollow for accommodating said one or more mould assemblies and a closure member for closing access to the hollow.

[0024] Each said mould section may also have spacer means at said one end thereof so that the closure means is spaced from the coolant while said one or more mould assemblies are in the hollow.