Beverage Cooling Apparatus and Method

Abstract

An apparatus for maintaining a constant temperature of a beverage for the duration of its consumption. The apparatus comprising a container enclosing a volume. The container having a container floor facing the volume, a release valve, and a container roof positioned opposite the container floor. The container roof having a container roof inlet that penetrates the container roof. A trough coupled to the container roof inlet. The trough has at least one beverage mount for holding the beverage. A trough outlet and a water pump is coupled to the trough for transferring a fluid through the trough and the trough outlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for maintaining a constant temperature of a beverage for the duration of its consumption, the apparatus comprising:
 a container enclosing a volume, the container having:
 a container floor facing the volume; 
 a release valve; and 
 a container roof positioned opposite the container floor, the container roof having a container roof inlet that penetrates the container roof; 
   a trough coupled to the container roof inlet, the trough having:
 at least one beverage mount for holding the beverage; and 
 a trough outlet; and 
   a water pump coupled to the trough for transferring a fluid through the trough and the trough outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the container is insulated with a temperature control material. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the container includes a fluid level alert monitor. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the container includes a temperature gauge. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the water pump has a minimum output of 1/200 horsepower and a maximum output of one horsepower. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the trough is insulated with a temperature control material. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the container is coupled to an icemaker. 
     
     
         8 . A method for maintaining a constant temperature of a beverage for the duration of its consumption, the method comprising:
 depositing a fluid into a container enclosing a volume, the container having:
 a container floor facing the volume; 
 a release valve; and 
 a container roof positioned opposite the container floor, the container roof having a container roof inlet that penetrates the container roof; 
 a trough coupled to the container roof inlet, the trough having:
 at least one beverage mount for holding the beverage; and 
 a trough outlet; and 
 
   a water pump coupled to the trough for transferring a fluid through the trough and the trough outlet;   inserting a beverage into the beverage mount;   initiating the water pump; and   adjusting the temperature of the beverage with the fluid flowing through the trough.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the container is insulated with a temperature control material. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the container includes a fluid level alert monitor. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the container includes a temperature gauge. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the water pump has a minimum output of 1/200 horsepower and a maximum output of one horsepower. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the trough system is insulated with a temperature control material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the container is coupled to an icemaker.