Cooling device

Abstract

This invention relates to a cooling device 10, 40 insertable into a container 402 to cool the contents 404 thereof, which cooling device 10, 40 includes at least one cooling body 12 defining a cavity in which a coolant can be stored and having coupling means 22 for releasably coupling the body 12 to an elongate rigid support element 24 having complementary coupling means 26 and by which the at least one cooling body 12 can be removable inserted into a said container 402 . The invention extends to a kit 100 which includes a plurality of cooling devices 10, 40 and support means 102 for supporting the plurality of cooling devices 10, 40 in spaced relationship.

1 . A cooling device, insertable into a container to cool the contents thereof, which cooling device includes 
 at least one cooling body defining a cavity in which a coolant can be stored and having coupling means for releasably coupling the body to an article having complementary coupling means.    
   
   
       2 . A cooling device as claimed in  claim 1 , which includes an elongate rigid support element having complementary coupling means, for coupling the support element to the at least one cooling body, at or near one end of the support element and providing means by which the at least one cooling body can be removably inserted into a said container.  
   
   
       3 . A cooling device as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the coupling means and complementary coupling means are provided by complementary coupling formations defined on the at least one cooling body and the support element.  
   
   
       4 . A cooling device as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the at least one cooling body defines a peripheral groove configured for snap-fitting engagement with a complementary coupling formation defined on the support element.  
   
   
       5 . A cooling device as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the at least one cooling body is in the form of a sphere.  
   
   
       6 . A cooling device as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the cavity of the at least one cooling body is at least partly filled with a coolant which is susceptible to cooling to a temperature below that of said contents of a container to be cooled.  
   
   
       7 . A cooling device as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the at least one cooling body is of a synthetic plastics material.  
   
   
       8 . A cooling device as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the support element has a tubular body which defines a reservoir in which a coolant can be stored.  
   
   
       9 . A cooling device as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the tubular body has closed ends, the reservoir being at least partly filled with a coolant.  
   
   
       10 . A cooling device as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the tubular body has a closed end and a spaced open end defining an inlet in flow communication with the reservoir via which coolant can be introduced into the reservoir.  
   
   
       11 . A cooling device as claimed in  claim 10 , in which the support element includes a stopper by which the open end of the tubular body can be sealingly closed.  
   
   
       12 . A cooling device as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the support element includes a hollow tube to provide a straw by which said contents of a container may be consumed.  
   
   
       13 . A cooling device as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the support element has a solid body.  
   
   
       14 . A cooling device as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the support element includes mounting means for removably mounting the support element on said container, the contents of which are to be cooled.  
   
   
       15 . A cooling device as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the mounting means includes a mounting arm which extends from the support element at or near an end thereof remote from the at least one cooling body and which is removably receivable over a side wall of said container, the contents of which are to be cooled.  
   
   
       16 . A cooling device as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the support element is of a synthetic plastics material.  
   
   
       17 . A cooling device as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the support element has a height of between 8 cm and 14 cm.  
   
   
       18 . A kit which includes 
 a plurality of cooling devices, each cooling device including at least one cooling body defining a cavity in which a coolant can be stored and having coupling means for releasably coupling the body to an article having complementary coupling means; and    support means for supporting the plurality of cooling devices in spaced relationship.    
   
   
       19 . A kit as claimed in  claim 18 , in which the support means includes a body defining a plurality of cooling body receiving formations in which a cooling body of each cooling device is removably receivable.  
   
   
       20 . A kit as claimed in  claim 19 , in which the body provides a tray defining a plurality of recesses providing cooling body receiving formations for receiving a plurality of cooling bodies removably therein.  
   
   
       21 . A kit as claimed in  claim 18 , in which the support means includes a body defining at least one support element receiving formation for receiving a support element of each cooling device thereon or therein.  
   
   
       22 . A kit as claimed in  claim 21 , in which the body defines at least one handle formation for gripping and carrying by a user, a plurality of recesses being defined in the handle formation at angularly spaced positions, each recess providing a support element receiving formation.  
   
   
       23 . A kit as claimed in  claim 18 , which includes a plurality of cooling devices of varied sizes, the cooling devices of different sizes having support elements of differing lengths.