Compact thermoelectric merchandiser cooler

Abstract

A compact merchandiser cooler is provided for chilling food and/or beverage containers. The compact merchandiser cooler utilizes thermoelectric cooling technology and is configured to be positioned within the line of sight of customers that are either approaching or present at a point of purchase so as to effectively promote impulse purchases. The compact merchandiser cooler includes a base assembly, a housing assembly, and a lid. The housing assembly may include a number of thermoelectrically cooled sleeves that are arranged in a substantially horizontal array to allow customers easy access to containers received within the sleeves. Additionally, to further attract consumer notice, the compact merchandiser cooler may be customized with branding information related to the food and/or beverage containers to be chilled within the compact merchandiser cooler.

1 . A compact merchandiser cooler for chilling beverage containers, comprising:
 a housing configured for countertop placement;   a plurality of cooling sleeves within said housing, wherein said plurality of cooling sleeves are disposed in a substantially horizontal two-dimensional array, and wherein each said cooling sleeve is configured to receive and thermally contact one of the beverage containers; and   a thermoelectric module associated with said plurality of cooling sleeves, wherein upon an application of electrical power, said thermoelectric module is operative to cool said plurality of cooling sleeves.   
     
     
         2 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein an upper portion of each said cooling sleeve forms an opening, and wherein said opening enables access to a top portion of the beverage container received within said cooling sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a cooling sleeve cover, wherein said cooling sleeve cover comprises a plurality of access apertures, each said access aperture concentrically aligning with one of said openings. 
     
     
         4 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a lid that is operatively coupled with said housing. 
     
     
         5 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said lid is transparent, and wherein the beverage containers are viewable through said lid. 
     
     
         6 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein at least one of said housing, said cooling sleeve cover, and said lid comprises branding information, and wherein said branding information comprises one of text, color, and graphics. 
     
     
         7 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said branding information relates to at least one of the beverage containers received within the cooling sleeves. 
     
     
         8 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a first set of said cooling sleeves has a first height and a second set of said cooling sleeves has a second height. 
     
     
         9 . The compact merchandiser cooler of  claim 1 , wherein said thermoelectric module is a thermoelectric conductor pad. 
     
     
         10 . The compact merchandiser cooler of  claim 1 , wherein said cooling sleeves are cylindrical in shape with a circular cross-section. 
     
     
         11 . The compact merchandiser cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the compact merchandiser cooler is a point-of-purchase merchandiser cooler. 
     
     
         12 . A compact merchandiser cooler for cooling and displaying containers containing consumer product, comprising:
 a housing, said housing sized for placement at a point of purchase;   a plurality of sleeves within said housing, wherein a bottom end of each said sleeve is closed to receive a single one of the containers containing consumer product; and   a thermoelectric module, wherein said thermoelectric module makes direct or indirect contact with said sleeves, wherein upon an application of electrical power, the thermoelectric module is operative to cool said sleeves.   
     
     
         13 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of sleeves are arranged in a substantially horizontal planar array. 
     
     
         14 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of sleeves lay within a single plane. 
     
     
         15 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said single plane is substantially horizontal. 
     
     
         16 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the consumer product comprises one of a food and a beverage. 
     
     
         17 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein each said sleeve is cylindrical. 
     
     
         18 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein an upper portion of each said sleeve forms an opening, and wherein said opening enables access to a top portion of the container received within said sleeve. 
     
     
         19 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising a sleeve cover, wherein the sleeve cover comprises a plurality of access apertures, and wherein each said access aperture concentrically aligns with ones of said openings. 
     
     
         20 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 12 , further comprising a lid that is operatively coupled with said housing. 
     
     
         21 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein said lid is transparent, and wherein the containers are viewable through said lid. 
     
     
         22 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein at least one of said housing, said sleeve cover, and said lid comprises branding information, and wherein said branding information comprises one of text, color, and graphics. 
     
     
         23 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said branding information relates to at least one of the containers. 
     
     
         24 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein a first set of said sleeves has a first height and a second set of said sleeves has a second height. 
     
     
         25 . A compact merchandiser cooler for chilling containers containing consumer product, comprising:
 a housing configured for placement on a countertop;   a plurality of cooling sleeves within said housing, wherein each said cooling sleeve is configured to receive and thermally contact one of the containers containing consumer product, and wherein each sleeve has a substantially vertical center axis; and   a thermoelectric module associated with said plurality of cooling sleeves, wherein upon an application of electrical power, said thermoelectric conductor is operative to cool said plurality of cooling sleeves.   
     
     
         26 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said plurality of cooling sleeves are arranged in a substantially horizontal planar array. 
     
     
         27 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said plurality of cooling sleeves lie within a single plane. 
     
     
         28 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein said single plane is substantially horizontal. 
     
     
         29 . A compact merchandiser cooler as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein the consumer product comprises one of a food and a beverage.