초록 ▼

A chilled beverage dispenser has a "holeless" bowl and uses a cradle evaporator to achieve cooling of the beverage. In one exemplary embodiment, the cradle evaporator comprises three panels--a bottom panel and two side panels, the side panels being bolted or similarly fastened to the edges of the bo

A chilled beverage dispenser has a "holeless" bowl and uses a cradle evaporator to achieve cooling of the beverage. In one exemplary embodiment, the cradle evaporator comprises three panels--a bottom panel and two side panels, the side panels being bolted or similarly fastened to the edges of the bottom panel in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the bottom panel. The bottom and side panels each define a continuous and sinuous channel, which carries a cooling medium. The dispenser bowl preferably is constructed of a thin-walled plastic, such that when the dispenser bowl is received in the cradle evaporator, heat transfer is achieved through the bottom wall and portions of the side walls of the bowl.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A chilled beverage dispenser, comprising: a bowl for receiving and storing a beverage, said bowl having a bottom wall and one or more side walls; a means for supplying a cooling medium to chill the beverage when stored in said bowl; an evaporator including one or more channel

What is claimed is: 1. A chilled beverage dispenser, comprising: a bowl for receiving and storing a beverage, said bowl having a bottom wall and one or more side walls; a means for supplying a cooling medium to chill the beverage when stored in said bowl; an evaporator including one or more channels for receiving and defining a pathway for movement of the cooling medium, said evaporator receiving and cradling the bowl such that heat transfer is achieved through at least the bottom wall and portions of the one or more side walls of the bowl; and a support chassis defining a compartment for receiving and supporting said bowl and said evaporator, wherein said bowl can be readily lifted out of said compartment and away from said support chassis and said evaporator for cleaning. 2. The chilled beverage dispenser as recited in claim 1, in which the bowl has a generally rectangular shape, including the bottom wall, two opposing side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall. 3. The chilled beverage dispenser as recited in claim 2, wherein said evaporator comprises a bottom panel and two side panels, with the said side panels secured to the bottom panel in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the bottom panel, thus defining a cradle adapted to receive and retain the bowl. 4. The chilled beverage dispenser as recited in claim 3, in which each panel includes a channel defining a pathway for movement of the cooling medium, with the channel of the bottom panel being in fluid communication with the respective channels of the two side panels. 5. The chilled beverage dispenser as recited in claim 4, in which the cooling medium first enters the channel of the bottom panel, and then, after completing travel through the channel of the bottom panel, is directed to each of the channels of the respective side panels. 6. The chilled beverage dispenser as recited in claim 3, in which the support chassis includes left and right side walls corresponding and adjacent to the opposing side panels of the evaporator, and a bottom wall corresponding and adjacent to the bottom panel of the evaporator. 7. The chilled beverage dispenser as recited in claim 6, in which the walls of the support chassis are foamed with frothed urethane insulation. 8. The chilled beverage dispenser as recited in claim 6, in which the support chassis further includes front and rear walls. 9. The chilled beverage dispenser as recited in claim 8, in which the walls of the support chassis are foamed with frothed urethane insulation. 10. The chilled beverage dispenser as recited in claim 3, which the panels are constructed of die-cast aluminum with cast-in copper evaporator coils serving as the channels for receiving and defining a pathway for movement of the cooling medium. 11. The chilled beverage dispenser as recited in claim 1, in which the bowl is constructed of a thin-walled plastic. 12. The chilled beverage dispenser as recited in claim 11, in which the thin-walled plastic is polycarbonate. 13. The chilled beverage dispenser as recited in claim 11, in which the bowl has a nominal wall thickness of 1/16". 14. A chilled beverage dispenser, comprising: a bowl for receiving and storing a beverage, said bowl having a bottom wall and one or more side walls; an evaporator including one or more channels for receiving and defining a pathway for movement of a cooling medium, said evaporator cradling the bowl such that heat transfer is achieved through at least the bottom wall and portions of the one or more side walls of the bowl; a cooling system for supplying the cooling medium to the evaporator; and a support chassis defining a compartment for receiving and supporting said bowl and said evaporator, wherein said bowl can be readily lifted out of said compartment and away from said support chassis and said evaporator for cleaning. 15. The chilled beverage dispenser as recited in claim 14, in which the dispenser can be characterized as having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion including the support chassis, and the lower portion defining a compartment for housing the cooling system. 16. The chilled beverage dispenser as recited in claim 14, wherein said evaporator comprises a bottom panel and two side panels, with said side panels being secured to the bottom panel in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the bottom panel, thus defining a cradle adapted to receive and cradle the bowl. 17. The chilled beverage dispenser as recited in claim 16, in which each panel includes a channel defining a pathway for movement of the cooling medium, with the channel of the bottom panel being in fluid communication with the respective channels of the two side panels. 18. The chilled beverage dispenser as recited in claim 17, in which the cooling medium first enters the channel of the bottom panel, and then, after completing travel through the channel of the bottom panel, is directed to each of the channels of the respective side panels.