초록 ▼

Self-contained closed-loop cooling systems and related methods for rapidly cooling individual beverage containers of different sizes to a suitable target temperature, in the range of 35.degree. F. to 50.degree. F. Each system includes a chiller, a coolant circuit with a hyper-chilled supply reservoi

Self-contained closed-loop cooling systems and related methods for rapidly cooling individual beverage containers of different sizes to a suitable target temperature, in the range of 35.degree. F. to 50.degree. F. Each system includes a chiller, a coolant circuit with a hyper-chilled supply reservoir, a refrigerant circuit for cooling the reservoir, and an electronic controller to operate the system upon operator command. The chiller is preferably formed like a barrel, with a cylindrical array of hollow chill elements arranged about a cylindrical area into which a beverage container, such as beverage bottle or can is placed. Then, very cold coolant from the coolant supply is pumped through the array of chill elements to rapidly cool the beverage container, which makes physical contact with the hyper-chilled elements, which are thus excellent heat absorbers. The chill elements are preferably separated from one another by keystone spacers, and are flexibly held in place with a plurality of coil springs. An ejection device may be provided to help remove the cooled container from the array. A housing structure is preferably provided to enclose the array of chill elements, and to support an operator interface panel. A system enclosure is provided therebelow to house the coolant supply reservoir and pump and the refrigerant circuit. The coolant in the reservoir is cooled by the refrigerant circuit, preferably down to 60.degree. F. to 100.degree. F. below the target temperature to which the container is to be cooled.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A self-contained, closed-loop cooling unit for rapidly cooling a beverage container and a beverage retained therein, the cooling unit comprising:(a) a system support structure; (b) a barrel chiller attached to the system support structure, the barrel chiller including a generally cylindrical arra

1. A self-contained, closed-loop cooling unit for rapidly cooling a beverage container and a beverage retained therein, the cooling unit comprising:(a) a system support structure; (b) a barrel chiller attached to the system support structure, the barrel chiller including a generally cylindrical array of hollow elongated chill elements arranged generally parallel to one another circumferentially about a central longitudinal axis of the array, the cylindrical array adapted to receive a beverage container therein, each chill element adapted to transfer heat from a beverage container to a hyper-chilled coolant circulating through the chill element; (c) a closed-loop coolant circuit including (i) a hyper-chilled liquid coolant retained within the coolant circuit; (ii) a coolant reservoir attached to the system support structure, the reservoir having an coolant inlet port and a coolant outflow port, the coolant inlet port being in fluid communication with the array and adapted to receive coolant therefrom, the coolant outflow port being in fluid communication with the array and adapted to supply coolant thereto; and (iii) a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir and the array, the pump adapted to propel coolant throughout the coolant circuit; (d) a refrigeration circuit in thermal communication with the reservoir adapted to remove heat from the reservoir, and maintain the coolant in the reservoir at a hyper-cooled temperature; and wherein the chiller is adapted to receive a beverage container within the array and to rapidly chill the beverage container and beverage retained therein during a cooling cycle, andwherein during the cooling cycle, the pump propels hyper-chilled coolant from the reservoir through the array, whereby heat is transferred from a beverage container into the circulating hyper-chilled coolant and from the hyper-chilled coolant into the environment by operation of the refrigeration circuit.