Collapsible solar refrigerator device

Abstract

The invention is a portable refrigerator ( 10 ) that may transition between a functional mode for use in the cold storage of food and drinks and a collapsed mode for transportation. Wheels ( 207 ) with a handle ( 52 ) opposite provide the method of transportation. The food storage space is controllably cooled by a chiller circuit ( 60 ), which may be powered by one or more solar panels ( 10 ). The device includes USB and A/C outlets ( 202,206 ) so that the device can be also be used as a power source. It may also include a lockable latch ( 203 ) to keep the refrigerator space closed. It may also include a u-shaped bar ( 200 ) on the outside so that the device can be secured to a fixed object.

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. a chiller circuit; and   b. 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;
 i. wherein said storage space is controllably cooled by the chiller circuit; and 
 ii. 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 
 iii. 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 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 sidewall 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. a chiller circuit; and   b. 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;
 i. wherein said storage space is controllably cooled by the chiller circuit; and 
 ii. 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 
 iii. 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. a chiller circuit powered by an electric power supply; and   b. 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;
 i. wherein said storage space is controllably cooled by the chiller circuit; and 
 ii. 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 
 iii. wherein the collapsible refrigerator is secured in the collapsed mode and may be stored; and 
 iv. 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 cooling system. 
     
     
         20 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the top wall, the base and the side walls are comprised of a rigid construction. 
     
     
         21 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the chiller circuit is housed in a chiller circuit housing located within the front wall. 
     
     
         22 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the portable refrigerator further includes wheels for rolling the portable refrigerator when it is in the collapsed mode. 
     
     
         23 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the chiller circuit is powered by the one or more solar panels. 
     
     
         24 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the portable refrigerator further includes a light-emitting diode light source within the storage space. 
     
     
         25 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the portable refrigerator further includes an ultraviolet light source within the storage space. 
     
     
         26 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the portable refrigerator further includes one or more AC outlets on the chiller circuit housing. 
     
     
         27 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the portable refrigerator further includes one or more USB outlets on the chiller circuit housing. 
     
     
         28 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the portable refrigerator further contains a divider that divides the storage space into two separate spaces. 
     
     
         29 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the portable refrigerator further includes a lockable latch securing the top wall to the front wall when the portable refrigerator is in the functional mode. 
     
     
         30 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the portable refrigerator further includes an inside and an outside, said outside having a u-shaped bar attached to it. 
     
     
         31 . The portable refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the portable refrigerator further includes a digital temperature gauge on the chiller circuit housing. 
     
     
         32 . A portable refrigerator for use in the cold storage of foodstuffs and drinks, the portable refrigerator comprising:
 a. a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a base, and at least a pair of sidewalls combined together to enclose a first storage space;   b. a chiller circuit housed in a chiller circuit housing located within the first storage space;   c. an inside wall within the first storage space that creates a second storage space adjacent to the chiller circuit housing wherein said second storage space is controllably cooled by the chiller circuit;   d. the top wall comprising one or more solar panels thereon said one or more solar panels providing power to the chiller circuit;   e. wheels attached to the base for rolling the portable refrigerator;   f. a handle attached to the portable refrigerator in a location generally opposite the wheels for rolling the portable refrigerator; and   g. a lockable latch securing the top wall to the front wall.