Abstract: A system of rapidly cooling hot bulk liquids includes a chilling station having a reservoir for holding a cooling medium. The reservoir includes an outlet for removing excess of the cooling medium. A container bay disposed substantially above the reservoir is adapted to receive at least one container of hot bulk liquid to be cooled. At least one rotator is adapted to rotate the container placed in the container bay substantially around the container's longitudinal axis. A spray jet outlet is disposed substantially above the container bay and in fluid communication with the reservoir. The spray jet outlet is adapted to spray the container with the cooling medium while the roller is rotating the container. The container includes a void volume, preferably at least 5%. The rotator rotates the container at a rate that depends on the size of the container and/or the viscosity of the contents of the container.

Abstract: A compact rapid liquid chilling apparatus and method are provided. A liquid is placed in a container having an inherent void volume. The housing includes a container-securing space dimensioned to receive ice and maintain substantially all of the ice atop the container placed therein and in thermal communication with the container without allowing substantially any of the ice to fall below the container. A rotating mechanism disposed in the housing rotates the container placed in the container-securing space. As the ice melts as it chills the rotating container, the resulting water falls freely below the container as substantially all of the unmelted ice remains above the container. A lid preferably closes around the container to form a portion of the container-securing space when closed. The lid preferably includes an ice supply window, and an ice measuring bin preferably is attachable to the window.

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 compact rapid liquid chilling apparatus and method are provided. A liquid is placed in a container having an inherent void volume. The housing includes a container-securing space dimensioned to receive ice and maintain substantially all of the ice atop the container placed therein and in thermal communication with the container without allowing substantially any of the ice to fall below the container. A rotating mechanism disposed in the housing rotates the container placed in the container-securing space. As the ice melts as it chills the rotating container, the resulting water falls freely below the container as substantially all of the unmelted ice remains above the container. A lid preferably closes around the container to form a portion of the container-securing space when closed. The lid preferably includes an ice supply window, and an ice measuring bin preferably is attachable to the window.

Abstract: A system for rapidly cooling a liquid in a container within a refrigerator-freezer or freezer is provided. The housing has a space for receiving a container, and a rotator rotates the container about an axis. While the container is rotating, a sprayer sprays chilled cooling medium on the container in the housing. A reservoir stores the cooling medium when the system is not being used and maintains the cooling medium at a given temperature. At least one chilling surface is preferably provided over which the cooling medium flows and where ice may be stored. A recirculator such as a pump recirculates the cooling medium throughout the system.

Abstract: A system for rapidly cooling a liquid in a container within a refrigerator-freezer or freezer is provided. The housing has a space for receiving a container, and a rotator rotates the container about an axis. While the container is rotating, a sprayer sprays chilled cooling medium on the container in the housing. A reservoir stores the cooling medium when the system is not being used and maintains the cooling medium at a given temperature. At least one chilling surface is preferably provided over which the cooling medium flows and where ice may be stored. A recirculator such as a pump recirculates the cooling medium throughout the system.

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 system of rapidly cooling hot bulk liquids includes a chilling station having a reservoir for holding a cooling medium. The reservoir includes an outlet for removing excess of the cooling medium. A container bay disposed substantially above the reservoir is adapted to receive at least one container of hot bulk liquid to be cooled. At least one rotator is adapted to rotate the container placed in the container bay substantially around the container's longitudinal axis. A spray jet outlet is disposed substantially above the container bay and in fluid communication with the reservoir. The spray jet outlet is adapted to spray the container with the cooling medium while the roller is rotating the container. The container includes a void volume, preferably at least 5%. The rotator rotates the container at a rate that depends on the size of the container and/or the viscosity of the contents of the container.

Abstract: A system for rapidly cooling a liquid in a container within a refrigerator-freezer or freezer is provided. The housing has a space for receiving a container, and a rotator rotates the container about an axis. While the container is rotating, a sprayer sprays chilled cooling medium on the container in the housing. A reservoir stores the cooling medium when the system is not being used and maintains the cooling medium at a given temperature. At least one chilling surface is preferably provided over which the cooling medium flows and where ice may be stored. A recirculator such as a pump recirculates the cooling medium throughout the system.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly changing at least one of the temperature and the state of a liquid in a container is provided. The container is rapidly rotated about its longitudinal axis. A source of a thin film of a medium having a different temperature than the liquid in the container is provided to thermally affect the container while rotating the container. The container is positioned at an angle to the horizontal of less than 45°, and the position of the container with respect to the thin film source is controlled by angling the axis of the container skewed from the axis of the rotating mechanism. The device can be used to cool liquids such as beverages, warm liquids such as infant formula, and/or make ice cream.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly changing at least one of the temperature and the state of a liquid in a container is provided. The container is rapidly rotated about its longitudinal axis. A source of a thin film of a medium having a different temperature than the liquid in the container is provided to thermally affect the container while rotating the container. The container is positioned at an angle to the horizontal of less than 45°, and the position of the container with respect to the thin film source is controlled by angling the axis of the container skewed from the axis of the rotating mechanism. The device can be used to cool liquids such as beverages, warm liquids such as infant formula, and/or make ice cream.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly changing at least one of the temperature and the state of a liquid in a container is provided. The container is rapidly rotated about its longitudinal axis. A source of a thin film of a medium having a different temperature than the liquid in the container is provided to thermally affect the container while rotating the container. The container is positioned at an angle to the horizontal of less than 45°, and the position of the container with respect to the thin film source is controlled by angling the axis of the container skewed from the axis of the rotating mechanism. The device can be used to cool liquids such as beverages, warm liquids such as infant formula, and/or make ice cream.

Abstract: A method and device for the extremely rapid but safe cooling of beverages, including carbonated beverages, in cans or bottles (collectively "containers"). One or more beverage containers are rapidly rotated along their respective longitudinal axes while being downwardly vertically sprayed with a cooling water spray, with the water being in a 0.degree. C. temperature equilibrium with ice. The volumetric rate of the water in the water spray is sufficient to form a continuous coating on the rotating container. Rotation of the containers is effected in a horizontal direction, with the containers being nested between adjacent rotating rollers and rotated with a rotational speed of between 200-500 rpm. Standard 12 oz. beverage cans can be cooled thereby from room temperature to a drinking temperature of 5.degree. C. in under one minute.