Collapsible solar refrigerator

Abstract

A portable refrigerator transitionable between a functional mode and a collapsed mode for use in the cold storage of foodstuffs or drinks comprising a chiller circuit, and a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a base, and at least a pair of sidewalls combined together to enclose a storage space when the portable refrigerator is in the functional mode, wherein the storage space is controllably cooled by the chiller circuit, and wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the top wall and the side walls are inwardly foldable to form a compact package when the portable refrigerator is in the collapsed mode, and wherein the top wall comprises one or more solar panels thereon.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable refrigerator transitionable between a functional mode and a collapsed mode for use in the cold storage of foodstuffs or drinks, the portable refrigerator comprising:
 a chiller circuit; and   a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a base, and at least a pair of sidewalls combined together to enclose a storage space when the portable refrigerator is in the functional mode;   wherein said storage space is controllably cooled by the chiller circuit; and   wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the top wall and the side walls are inwardly foldable to form a compact package when the portable refrigerator is in the collapsed mode; and   wherein the top wall comprises one or more solar panels thereon.   
     
     
         2 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the chiller circuit is housed within the rear wall. 
     
     
         3 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the top wall, the base and the side walls are comprised of a rigid construction. 
     
     
         4 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the portable refrigerator further includes a handle for carrying the portable refrigerator when it is in the collapsed mode. 
     
     
         5 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the chiller circuit is powered by a DC power supply. 
     
     
         6 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the top wall II is segmented into two portions that are foldable with respect to each other. 
     
     
         7 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the front wall,the rear wall, the and the top wall are each foldable at their place of contact with a living hinge. 
     
     
         8 . A portable refrigerator transitionable between a functional mode and a collapsed mode for use in the cold storage of foodstuffs or drinks, the portable refrigerator comprising:
 a chiller circuit; and   a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a base, and at least a pair of side walls comprised of rigid panels which combine together to enclose a storage space when the portable refrigerator is in the functional mode;   wherein said storage space is controllably cooled by the chiller circuit; and   wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the top wall and the side walls are inwardly foldable at their place of contact with a living hinge, forming a folded compact package when the portable refrigerator is in the collapsed mode; and   wherein the top wall comprises one or more solar panels thereon.   
     
     
         9 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 8 , wherein the top wall is segmented into two portions that are foldable with respect to each other. 
     
     
         10 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 8 , wherein the chiller circuit is powered by a DC power supply. 
     
     
         11 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 8 , wherein the portable refrigerator further includes a handle for carrying the portable refrigerator when it is in the collapsed mode. 
     
     
         12 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 8 , wherein the chiller circuit is housed within the rear wall. 
     
     
         13 . A collapsible refrigerator transitionable between a functional mode and a collapsed mode for use in the cold storage of foodstuffs or drinks, the collapsible refrigerator comprising:
 a chiller circuit powered by an electric power supply; and   a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a base, and at least a pair of side walls comprised of rigid panels which combine together to enclose a storage space when the collapsible refrigerator is in the functional mode;   wherein said storage space is controllably cooled by the chiller circuit; and   wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the top wall and the side walls are inwardly foldable at their place of contact with a living hinge, forming a folded compact package when the collapsible refrigerator is in the collapsed mode; and   wherein the collapsible refrigerator is secured in the collapsed mode and may be stored; and   wherein the top wall comprises one or more solar panels thereon.   
     
     
         14 . The collapsible refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein the collapsible refrigerator is secured by hook-and-loop strips when in the collapsed mode. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible refrigerator of  claim 13 , further comprising a handle for carrying when in the collapsed mode. 
     
     
         16 . The collapsible refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein the chiller circuit is housed within the rear wall. 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein the top wall is segmented into two portions that are foldable with respect to each other. 
     
     
         18 . The collapsible refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein the chiller circuit is comprised of a coolant system employing an evaporator portion and a condenser portion. 
     
     
         19 . The collapsible refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein the chiller circuit is comprised of a condenser-based coding system. 
     
     
         20 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein the front wall, the rear a the top wall, the base and the side walls are comprised of a rigid construction.