Portable electric cooler

Abstract

The technology described herein provides a portable electric cooler for meat storage, tenderizing, and aging in a temperature and humidity controlled environment. The portable electric cooler includes a first and second sets of low pressure coils coupled to a compressor and three-way solenoid valves in order to alternate in a timed pattern the refrigerant flow in order to allow one set of low pressure coils to defrost while the other set circulates the refrigerant. The cooler includes a temperature sensor. The cooler includes a humidity system having a sensor, a controller, a water reservoir, at least one air duct coupled to the water reservoir to channel humidified air drawn from the water reservoir through the refrigeration chamber, and a solenoid configured to direct the fresh outside air being pumped in, to only travel through a set of coils that currently is in the rest mode.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]This present non-provisional patent application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 325,201 filed on Nov. 20, 2008, and entitled “PORTABLE ELECTRIC COOLER,” and of which the application cited above is incorporated in-full by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The technology described herein relates generally to electric cooling devices for food and beverages. More specifically, this technology relates to a device and methods for meat storage, tenderizing, and aging in a temperature, humidity and air flow / ventilation controlled environment, and a combined wine cooler steak ager.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Many cooling devices are known in the art for cooling food and beverages. By way of example, cooling devices are utilized to store, age, and tenderize meat products in a temperature, humidity and air flow / ventilation controlled environment.[0004]For many, dry aging meat, such as stea...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]In one exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a humidity system for a portable electric cooler having a refrigeration chamber. The humidity system includes a water reservoir and at least one air duct coupled to the water reservoir to channel humidified air drawn from the water reservoir and through a cooling chamber of the cooler. The humidity system provides a high level of humidity within the cooling chamber.

[0025]In yet another exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a combined storage, aging, and tenderizing device for meats and beverage cooler. The combined device includes a refrigeration chamber configured to store, age, and tenderize meats and to store and chill beverages; a humidity sensor; a water reservoir; at least one air duct coupled to the water reservoir to channel humidified air drawn from the water reservoir and through the refrigeration chamber; and a solenoid configured to direct the fresh outside air being pumped in, to only travel through a set of coils that currently is in the rest mode. The humidity system provides a high level of humidity within the refrigeration chamber.

Problems solved by technology

For many, dry aging meat, such as steaks, is a lost art.

Dry-aging is expensive because of the amount of time required to age the beef and the loss of yield due to dehydration and trimming.

Second, the beef's natural enzymes break down the connective tissue in the muscle, which leads to more tender beef.

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