Abstract: The present invention is a geometrically optimized beverage cooler, which positions fluid-filled containers (bottles, cans, vials, syringes, etc.) in an angled, upright, and evenly spaced position for serving and display. The device uniformly distributes ice and cold water around each bottle to maximize the effective cooling capacity of a given quantity of ice, thus reducing the amount of ice needed and the weight of the device during transport. Various embodiments of the apparatus include an ergonomically and structurally reinforced handle and an insulating lid having complementary contours.

Abstract: A temperature and humidity controlled housing for storing and preserving wine bottles. The housing defines a storage compartment having front and rear temperature control chambers and wherein the rear chamber is also humidity controlled. A division wall having passages provided with a flexible sealing component receives bottles on supports associated with each of the passages and a cubic chamber structure in the rear chamber. The bottle necks engage the seals which, together with the division wall, substantially seal the front chamber from the rear chamber while the spout end portion of the wine bottles is supported in the rear humidified chamber. The housing may be used in a modular assembly. The method of use is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and dispensing wine comprises a housing formed substantially in the shape of a wine barrel. The housing including a circumferential wall, a first closed end and a second open end. A spigot for selectively dispensing wine is supported by and positioned through the first closed end of the housing. A removable insert disposable within the housing through the second open end contains a collapsible bladder of wine. A wine dispensing port is contained within the bladder and insert. With the insert positioned within the housing, the port is positioned proximate the second open end thereof. A conduit in fluid communication with the spigot extends from the first closed end toward the second open end. Upon disposing the insert within the housing, the conduit is connectable to the port wherein the wine can be selectively dispensed from the spigot.

Abstract: A device 1 for cooling hot liquid food items to drinking temperature comprising a cooling system 2 containing a coolant 19 with a cooling line 13 and an inflow for the hot liquid and an outflow for the cooled liquid. The device includes at least one filling vessel 3 connectable with its opening 5 to the end side of the cooling system containing the inflow to the cooling system. For connecting the filling vessel to the cooling system, each of the two parts includes complementarily cooperating connection elements 9, such that for the process of cooling a virtual unit can be formed, and as a function of the defined quantity of liquid flowing from the filling vessel into the inflow of the cooling system, and the temperature and of the quantity of the coolant, the liquid flows from the outflow of the cooling system at a temperature specified within narrow limits.

Abstract: A bottle display stand with an active cooling function. The display stand includes a housing having an opening into which a beverage bottle may be inserted. A reservoir for containing a cooling medium is disposed inside the hollow housing. A pump, in fluid communication with the reservoir, recirculates the cooling medium from the reservoir through a fluid passageway and out of a spray jet. The spray jet is aimed at an upper region of the bottle, preferably the shoulder. Cooling medium travels down the body of the bottle substantially in a thin film that does not obscure the bottle or its label and creates a waterfall- or fountain-type effect that is extremely aesthetically pleasing without splashing, dripping, or a similar mess. Simultaneously, the thin film of cooling medium chills the beverage and keeps it cold. A cooling unit may optionally remove heat from the cooling medium.

Abstract: A treatment device for magnetically treating liquid in a liquid container includes a container holder to receive the liquid container. An active cooling unit is associated with the container holder to cool the liquid within the liquid container. At least one magnet associated with the container holder to generate a magnetic field within the liquid in the liquid container.

Abstract: A device that attaches to a bottle's neck has a base that secures to the bottle's neck and has two passages that traverse the base. The first passage leads to an enclosure located above the base that holds cooling material and optionally has a conduit that improves the heat exchange between a dispensing liquid and the cooling material retained in the enclosure. The exit passage of the enclosure has in at least one embodiment a valve. The second passage through the base forms a vent line that is located entirely below the enclosure and allows air to flow into the bottle as bottle's contents are dispensed through the first passage.

Abstract: An intelligent digital control apparatus for wine temperature includes a tub (10), a semiconductor cooling/heating device (20), a temperature sensing device (30) and a digital control panel (40). When the wine bottle is put in the tub (10), the semiconductor cooling/heating device (20) is activated to start cooling if the setting temperature is higher than the wine temperature. The semiconductor cooling/heating device (20) begins warming when the wine temperature decreases below the setting temperature. When the wine bottle is put in the tub (10), the semiconductor cooling/heating device (20) is activated to start heating if the setting temperature is lower than the wine temperature. The semiconductor cooling/heating device (20) begins warming when the wine temperature increases over the setting temperature.

Abstract: Cooling device for a drink container, including:—a drink container compartment (2) including a placing opening in or close to the top side thereof for placing of the drink container,—a cooling compartment (3) for placing a cooling therein, wherein:—the cooling compartment (3) can be connected in thermal contact to the drink container compartment (2), and in the position of use the drink container compartment (2) is arranged at least partly higher than or above the cooling compartment (3).

Abstract: An apparatus for chilling beverage containers such as bottles or cans includes a fluid tank containing chilling liquid cooled by a refrigeration unit and a membrane of collapsible thermoplastic polyurethane includes an internal chamber for supporting the container in the liquid, the membrane in the form of a shaped sleeve that surrounds the container to prevent the container coming into direct contact with the chilling liquid but which permits the liquid to transfer heat from the container to cool the contents of the container. A vacuum withdraws air from the internal chamber to draw the membrane into contact with the container and a drive arrangement rotates the sleeve and bottle. A refrigerated fluid supply system directs externally chilled fluid at the rotating membrane and recycles heated fluid for rechilling.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling and dispensing wine from a wine-filled bag of a prepackaged wine box, generally comprising an insulated parallelpiped box with molded handles, an upper front panel and a lower front panel with semi-circular notches forming a circle into which the wine tap for such wine-fulled may be locked into place for dispensing wine. One embodiment employs a cold or frozen freezable liquid pack placed on each side of the wine-filled bag, while another embodiment provides freezable, liquid-filled side, top, and rear panels. A drip reservoir is provided to prevent messy wine drippage. A name tag identifying the type of wine being dispensed may be placed into a nameplate slot centered on the upper front panel. The present apparatus may be made in a variety of colors and decorative exterior designs.

Abstract: A chiller for a container such as a wine bottle is disclosed. The chiller includes an insulated reservoir. Located within the reservoir are one or more reusable cold storage packs, known as freezer bricks. The bricks define a cooling ring that conforms to the interior of the container and define an annular gap between an exterior surface of the ring and an interior surface of the reservoir. An impeller is located at the bottom of the reservoir. The combination of ring and impeller establishes a vertical recirculation pattern that achieves rapid chilling.

Abstract: A multi-purpose ice holding assembly is disclosed for the making and storing of ice. Parts of the assembly include an external chamber, a bucket that inserts snugly into the external chamber and a lid for closing the assembly. Pockets for the forming of ice may be formed in the external chamber or the internal bucket, depending on the embodiment. The device may also be used for the serving of ice, as well as the chilling of wine bottles and other cold beverage containers.

Abstract: A wine storage system is formed by a modular frame defined by upright members and cross members arranged to form a three dimensional array of compartments in rows and columns where the upright members and cross members have interconnections therebetween allowing addition of further members to form frames of different sizes in a modular construction. Each compartment is arranged to receive an independent wine cell having an insulated rectangular housing with a door and a semi-conductor or other based cooling element inside the housing for cooling the wine bottles. A modular electrical supply arrangement provides a single connection for the modular frame and a connector on each compartment for the housing as it slides into the compartment. Some of the housings can be replaced by less expensive knock down or collapsible non-cooling racks for temporary storage.

Abstract: A wine cooler is provided which may also function as a humidor. The wine cooler is embodied in a cabinet preferably made from wood. The cabinet includes a base and a lid. The wine cooler further includes a bottle tray positioned within an upper area of the base. The bottle tray includes a plurality of semicircular recesses formed in the tray, each of which are adapted to receive a wine bottle. A plurality of circulation slots are disposed through the bottle tray for assisting with air circulation within the wine cooler. The wine cooler further includes a thermoelectric cooling system comprising at least one thermoelectric couple, each thermoelectric couple having a cold and hot junction, wherein the cold junction is attached to the lower surface of the bottle tray and a first heat sink is attached to the hot junction, and wherein the at least one thermoelectric couple is adapted to be powered by a 12VDC source.

Abstract: A device for storage of an opened food container such as a wine container. The device includes a housing for receiving the opened food container in a substantially vertical orientation. A poppet valve assembly is provided for insertion in an opening in the opened food container and biased to enable it to accommodate opened food containers of varying sizes. The device includes a pressurized source of heaver-than-air inert gas located within the housing, a regulator for reducing the pressure of the inert gas from a first pressure at the pressurized source of the heavier-than-air inert gas to second pressure at the poppet valve assembly.

Abstract: A device for storage of an opened food container such as a wine container. The device includes a housing for receiving the opened food container in a substantially vertical orientation. A poppet valve assembly is provided for insertion in an opening in the opened food container and biased to enable it to accommodate opened food containers of varying sizes. The device includes a pressurized source of heaver-than-air inert gas located within the housing, a regulator for reducing the pressure of the inert gas from a first pressure at the pressurized source of the heavier-than-air inert gas to second pressure at the poppet valve assembly. The poppet valve assembly also includes a spring-loaded check ball, low-pass port, shuttle and orifice to control pressure and flow path of the heavier-than-air inert gas and to direct the heavier-than-air inert gas to the opened food container thus displacing any air that may have been present therein through an exhaust port.

Abstract: The present invention is a heat-exchanging apparatus that also serves as a handler-transporter of media-containing vessels. The heat-exchanging apparatus is composed of a flexible, holow tube that is generally in the shape of a coil, which allows for the flow of liquid therein. There is an insulated gripping means for covering the handle of the flexible, hollow tube's first end and second end to prevent contact with hot or cold temperatures when the present invention is handled or transported. In addition, the flexible, hollow tube is connected to two flexible, heat-insulated tubes. The flexible, heat-insulating tubes are connected to a fluid dispenser and a reservoir to provide a channel for in-coming fluid and out-going fluid. Also, to allow for secure and safe handling/transporting of media-containing vessel, the first and second ends of the flexible, hollow tubes are held together by a locking means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling system for cooling at least one wine or champagne container in a wine or champagne preservation and dispensing apparatus. The cooling system includes a housing; a container support mounted in the housing; a cool air generating unit mounted in the housing; and a circulator mounted in the housing. In one embodiment, the cool air generating unit generates cooled air. The cooled air is circulated in the housing by the circulator to cool the wine or champagne container on the container support. In another embodiment, the container support includes a removable divider which separates the container support into two areas where at least one wine or champagne container is included in each of the areas and at least one of the areas is adjacent to the circulator. The divider includes at least one air baffle to control the amount of generated cooled air circulated in each of the areas by the circulator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for preserving and dispensing wine or champagne. The apparatus provides a housing having a container support for holding wine or champagne bottles, a plurality of removable stoppers for insertion in the bottles, a nitrogen generator for generating a nitrogen rich gas from air, a nitrogen storage tank for storing the generated nitrogen rich gas, a cooling system for cooling certain bottles and dispensers for providing wine or champagne from the bottles to a user. The nitrogen generator draws in ambient air, adsorbs the oxygen from the air and stores nitrogen rich gas in the nitrogen storage tank. The nitrogen storage tank supplies the nitrogen rich gas to the bottles for preserving the wine or champagne. The stoppers include a nitrogen line and a supply line. The nitrogen line communicates nitrogen rich gas into the bottles and the supply line communicates wine or champagne from the bottles to the dispensers.

Abstract: A combination includes a tray providing a flat upwardly facing surface and a plurality of raised edges forming compartments on the flat surface. The tray is made, in part, of a material adapted for phase changing thermal absorption such as, so called, blue-ice. A plurality of food containers each have a flat bottom surface adapted for intimate contact with the flat surface of the tray. The containers also provide a peripheral bottom edge adapted for snap engagement with the raised edges of the tray for holding the containers on the tray.

Abstract: A thermoelectric cooling system includes a control assembly and a direct current (“d.c.”) power source providing direct current to an interface that creates a thermal flow across a thermoelectric module having at least one heat sink and at least one heat source. The d.c. power source, the interface, the control assembly, and the thermoelectric module are connected to each other in series. The control assembly optionally includes a relay and a voltage generating thermocouple. When voltage from the thermocouple reaches a predetermined threshold, the relay trips and supplies sufficient voltage to the interface to prevent thermal reversal of the heat source and heat sink. To control moisture, a metal strap may be used to restrict heat flow. Alternatively or additionally, a moisture control pad may be used to absorb and re-evaporate moisture to substantially maintain a desired humidity range. In an optional embodiment, the load to be cooled may be placed below the heat source and cooled by convection.

Abstract: A modular ice maker having a frame formed from a base, a tub resting on the base, and a pair of opposing side panels affixed to opposing sides of side tub and base assembly. The ice maker has a refrigerated compartment with a ice forming and dispensing device and an ice storage bin receiving and storing ice from the ice forming and dispensing device. An inner door or chute rotates about a horizontal axis to provide access to the ice storage bin and to provide a surface extending outwardly of the refrigerated compartment to redirect and guide dropped ice back into the ice storage bin. An outer door sealingly closing the refrigerated compartment is provided with a surface adapted for providing a camming action to drive the inner door upwardly when the outer door is closed.

Abstract: The cooling apparatus (2) for a wine bottle includes a pump (18, 20) for circulating iced water (30) around the inside of chamber (4). A bottle (14) is placed within the chamber (4). The pump (18) may be operated by a timer mechanism (10).

Abstract: A wine bottle cooling device for chilling a wine bottle disposed within the device. The wine bottle cooling device includes a housing having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall integrally coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall. An inner surface and an outer surface of the bottom and peripheral walls are separated by a hollow space. The hollow space is substantially filled with a fluid having a freezing point less than −5 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A wine box cooling device for cooling and keeping cool a wine box. The wine box cooling device includes a housing. The housing has a base portion and cover portion. The base portion comprises a bottom wall. The bottom wall has a peripheral edge. A peripheral wall is integrally coupled to and extends upwardly from the peripheral edge such that a front wall, a back wall and a pair of side walls are defined. The front wall has a top edge. The top edge of the front wall a depression therein. A cover portion comprises a top wall. The top wall has a peripheral edge. A perimeter wall is integrally coupled to and extends downwardly from the peripheral edge of the top wall such that a proximal wall, a distal wall and two side walls are defined. The cover portion has a size adapted to cover the base portion. An ice block is positioned within the base portion and a wine box is positioned on the ice block such that a pour spout of the wine box extends over the depression.

Abstract: A cooling device (1) for chilling a wine bottle (2) comprises a substantially cylindrical housing (3). A panel member (8) formed by a plurality of hingedly connected panel segments (9) is located in the housing (3) and forms a receiving compartment (12) for the wine bottle (2). The panel segments (9) each form a storing chamber (14) for storing a temperature conditionable liquid. An annular ring (7) is mounted on a carrier sleeve (16) which is rotatable and axially slideable within the housing (3) for varying the diameter of a receiving compartment (12) for accommodating bottles (2) of different diameter. A bearing rim (20) of the carrier sleeve (16) abuts wedge-shaped portions (21) of the panel member (8) so that as the carrier sleeve (16) is urged axially into the housing (3) the diameter of the receiving compartment (12) is reduced and vice versa.

Abstract: A beverage cooling apparatus including a cylinder shaped receptacle extending into a second receptacle for receiving ice, the cylindrical receptacle having one open end to receive bottles or beverage containers. The apparatus can be utilized in an ice bin, ice chest, ice maker, freezer, or any refrigerated placement area to chill, refrigerate or store open, partially used or unused bottles, such as wine or liquor, or any other beverage container that is best when served cold or should be preserved cold. The receptacle is provided in a slanted position, and contains slots or openings small enough to prevent ice cubes or ice chunks from entering the chilling or storing area.

Abstract: A cooling insert for insertion into a wine bottle cooler for cooling a bottle of wine therein. The cooling insert includes a housing for holding a cooling material therein and which includes a bottom wall, a perimeter side wall upwardly extending around the bottom wall of the housing, and an open top defined by a top edge of the perimeter side wall of the housing. A lid is inserted into the open top of the housing. The lid has a plurality of holes therethrough. The perimeter side wall of the housing has an inner surface with a shoulder therearound adjacent the top edge of the perimeter side wall of the housing. The lid rests on the shoulder of the perimeter side wall.

Abstract: A beverage cooling and carrying apparatus is described. The beverage cooling and carrying apparatus includes a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment includes an area constructed for receiving a beverage and a heat sink, a door for selective access to the first compartment, and insulation for decreasing the rate of heat transfer into the first compartment. The second compartment is provided for receiving drinking containers, and includes cushioning material. The apparatus includes a strap for carrying the apparatus. The beverage cooling and carrying apparatus preferably includes a bottle of wine in the first compartment, and a pair of wine glasses in the second compartment. A method for cooling and carrying beverage is provided by the present invention.