Apparatus and method for storing, cooling, and releasing things

An apparatus comprising:

• a container having a top end, a bottom end, a height, an exterior surface, and an inner cavity;
• a hinged lid substantially covering the top end of the container;
• a gate, disposed proximate to the top end of the container, having a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the gate in its locked state substantially obstructs passage out of the container's inner cavity;
• a release mechanism disposed proximate to the top end of the container, wherein activation of the release mechanism changes the gate from its locked state to its unlocked state and deactivation of the release mechanism returns the gate to its locked state.

A method for storing and releasing canned beverages comprising the following steps:

• storing a plurality of canned beverages within a tube having an exterior surface, a height, and a top end, wherein the plurality of canned beverages are arranged in a single column parallel to the height of the tube;
• cooling the plurality of canned beverages by means of one or more thermoelectric cooling elements contacting the exterior surface of the tube;
• engaging a release mechanism coupled to the tube and disposed proximate to the top end;
• releasing a first canned beverage from the tube by means of the release mechanism;
• and
• forcing a second canned beverage towards the top end of the tube by means of the release mechanism.